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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 / RAJAB 17, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17624 16 PAGES 150 FILS Reimagining diplomacy in the post-COVID world: an Indian perspective — Details Page 2 — Amir voices gratitude on liberation ‘Noble stance’

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27, (KUNA): His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ah- mad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has sent cables of gratitude to leaders of Arab and foreign countries, which participated in the international coalition to liberate the State of Ku- wait from the brutal Iraqi invasion. In the cables, His Highness the Amir expressed gratitude to the hon- orable stances of these countries that stood firmly and decisively with Ku- wait. This was clear through urging the in- ternational community to condemn this aggression. His Highness the Amir also thanked the leaders for their prominent roles in confronting the invasion at the UN Secu- rity Council and international arenas. He also commended their contributions to forming and taking part in the interna- tional coalition through harnessing mili- tary capabilities to support the interna- tional legitimacy to liberate the State of Kuwait that led to the historical victory and the ending of the invasion. His Highness the Amir stressed that such noble and historical stances were highly appreciated and it will remain in the Kuwaiti people’s memory. His Highness the Amir wished the leaders and their countries progress and KUNA photo prosperity. The late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, upon his arrival to the homeland after the Liberation of Kuwait. — See Page 3 Gratitude Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir sent cables of gratitude to UN Secretary ‘We know what we hit’ General Antonio Guterres, Arab League Opinion Secretary General Ahmad Aboul-Gheit and Secretary General of the Organiza- tion of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef Al-Othaimeen. US bombs facilities in Syria In the cables, His Highness the Amir voiced sincere appreciation for the hon- WASHINGTON, Feb 27, (AP): The United States orable stances of these organizations in History a school; launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facil- rejecting the brutal Iraqi invasion that ities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia were embodied in efforts that called for groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation Newswatch condemning this aggression and an im- for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed mediate and unconditioned withdrawal learn its lessons one civilian contractor and wounded a US service mem- as well as an emphasis of implementing ber and other coalition troops. international charters and preserving sov- The airstrike was the first military action undertaken KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s police have confi scat- rule of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th ed 2,159,000 Captagon pills that were stashed in ereignty of countries. By Ahmed Al-Jarallah by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has His Highness the Amir affirmed that Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times century. She was called the “Virgin eight containers at Shuwaikh Port. emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges The containers were fi rst discovered by the the vital role played by these organiza- Queen” because she chose to devote posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Biden’s tions have been gained appreciation of herself in ruling her country, relying customs authority investigators who informed FROM time to time countries go decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an inten- the Interior Ministry’s anti-narcotics department, Kuwait and its people. through a period of weakness as a re- on a team of trusted and loyal advi- tion to widen US military involvement in the region but His Highness the Amir wished ever- sors. the ministry said in a statement on Thursday. sult of weak grip on governance and rather to demonstrate a will to defend US troops in Iraq. The ministry noted that upon receiving the in- lasting progress to these organizations to slackness in imposing the law, and Immediately after assuming pow- “I’m confident in the target that we went after, we formation, a joint team was formed with customs achieve their desired goals. have complacent tendencies, thanks er, Queen Elizabeth I took a series of know what we hit,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authority investigators to collect more informa- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to temporary affluence. bold decisions that changed the face told reporters flying with him from California to Wash- tion, to track the containers and arrest the traf- congratulated Kuwait Thursday on its This is followed by absence of of England forever. She abolished ington. Speaking shortly after the airstrikes, he added, fi ckers. (KUNA) national celebrations, saying “on behalf oversight and accountability due to the prevailing norms of systematic “We’re confident that that target was being used by the ❑ ❑ ❑ of the American people, ever Kuwait’s religious persecution, and began to same Shia militants that conducted the strikes,” referring friends and partners, I am honored to send which corruption ramps up, bribery KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait said 844 people were becomes prevalent, and people be- establish a series of organized for- to a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one the people of Kuwait my best wishes on mal institutions that formed the first tested positive for coronavirus with six related come despondent. However, hope civilian contractor and wounded a US service member deaths reported on Saturday taking the total cases your National Day and Liberation Day. remains on the pioneering leader- nucleus of the firm rule of institu- and other coalition personnel. up to 189,890 as deaths rose to 1,078 respective- “Thirty years ago, Kuwait, the United ship that shakes up the situation and tions in the United Kingdom, which Austin said he recommended the action to Biden. ly, according to the health ministry. States, and our international coalition remedies the ailments that are killing also raised the standard of living for “We said a number of times that we will respond on The number of people hospitalised with the vi- partners stood together with unity of pur- the country softly. its citizens. our timeline,” Austin said. “We wanted to be sure of the rus currently stands at 10,615, with 158 of them pose and partnership in arms to defeat the This is what France witnessed in Under her rule, England witnessed connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the in intensive care units, according to ministry (Iraqi) invading forces,” Blinken said in the 17th century with King Louis economic prosperity and military right targets.” spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad, who re- a statement. strength, in addition to the revival vealed that some 5,704 swab tests were conduct- He added “our partnership during the XIV, who was crowned at the age of Action five years, prompting Prime Minis- of culture and arts. She thus proved ed over the last day out of a total of 1,778,076. Gulf War laid the foundation for our re- ter Mazaran and Queen Anne to take to be a persevering and tenacious Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the US (KUNA) lationship, and our countries have grown care of his upbringing. These two queen with a strong personality. action was a “proportionate military response” taken to- ❑ ❑ ❑ ever closer in the years that have fol- provided the young king with good Nonetheless, the French king and gether with diplomatic measures, including consultation lowed.” BAGHDAD: Explosive-laden drones that tar- He affirmed that “today, our education- education and varied knowledge, the English queen are not the only with coalition partners. geted Saudi Arabia’s royal palace in the king- until he took power after reaching ones who have been immortalized “The operation sends an unambiguous message: dom’s capital last month were launched from al, cultural, political, and economic ties the age of maturity. by history for what they provided President Biden will act to protect American and coali- inside Iraq, a senior Iran-backed militia offi cial are stronger than they have ever been.” Once in power, he immediately to their countries. There are many tion personnel,” Kirby said. “At the same time, we have in Baghdad and a US offi cial said. Partnership removed the majority of the officials leaders in the world who have pulled acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the Speaking to The Associated Press this week, their countries out of corruption, overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.” the militia offi cial said three drones were “In the coming year, I look forward to over whom suspicions hovered, and our continued cooperation on the many he ordered their imprisonment. weakness, and crises, and made Kirby said the US airstrikes “destroyed multiple launched from Iraqi-Saudi border areas by a rela- facilities at a border control point used by a number tively unknown Iran-backed faction in Iraq and issues our countries face together and to It is said that he chose the Palace them great powers. commemorating our partnership during In the United States of America of Iranian- backed militant groups,” including Kataib crashed into the royal complex in Riyadh on Jan. of Versailles as their residence un- Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada. The US has 23, exacerbating regional tensions. the Gulf War,” he remarked. til he recovered from them all that with its 46 presidents since its Attacks on the Saudi capital have been spo- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister establishment, history only re- blamed Kataib Hezbollah for numerous attacks tar- they looted. It was at that time that geting US personnel and interests in Iraq in the past. radic amid the kingdom’s yearslong war against of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali he said his famous phrase – “I am cords few of them leaving their neighboring Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Earlier this Al-Sabah received a phone call from US mark on the superpower, starting Further details were not immediately available. the state and the state is me.” He did Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame month, the rebels targeted an airport in south- Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, con- not hesitate to stop Cardinal de Retz, with George Washington, passing Law School, criticized the US attack as a violation of western Saudi Arabia with bomb-laden drones, gratulating Sheikh Hamad on the 60th who was instigating people against through Lincoln, Herbert Hoover, international law. causing a civilian plane on the tarmac to catch National Day and 30th Liberation Anni- his rule. Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Tru- fi re. (AP) versary on Saturday. “The United Nations Charter makes absolutely clear ❑ ❑ ❑ During the 72 years of his contin- man, Dwight Eisenhower, all the that the use of military force on the territory of a foreign In a statement published by Kuwait Ar- uous rule, King Louis XIV was able way to Ronald Reagan and George sovereign state is lawful only in response to an armed DUBAI: Two US Navy warships operating in the my’s public relations department, Sheikh to transform France from a country Bush Sr. attack on the defending state for which the target state Mideast have been struck by coronavirus out- Hamad thanked Austin for his kind feel- on the brink of collapse and decay to Those leaders used to benefit is responsible,” she said. “None of those elements is met breaks, authorities said Friday, with both return- ings, underlining the strong ties and joint a great power of its time. This result- from the media of their era to mar- in the Syria strike.” ing to port in Bahrain. work between Kuwait and the USA. ed in him receiving the title ‘King of ket their decisions. Today the rulers A dozen troops aboard the USS San Diego, He noted America’s key role in lib- Sun’ due to the reforms he made at possess all the technological and See Also Page 2 an amphibious transport dock, tested positive erating Kuwait and the sacrifices of the home, his expansion in ruling sever- media means that qualify them to for COVID-19, said Cmdr Rebecca Rebarich, American army members during the Gulf al provinces outside his borders, his spread their ideas and projects more a spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. Storm operation. launch of industries, and his encour- quickly. It is the fault of the official The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea The minister also spoke of the great agement of arts and culture. to not have a media defending his also has “confi rmed several cases of COVID-19,” efforts of leaders who led the military actions, especially if there is a large she said. (AP) operations, mainly former US President The achievements of this king ❑ ❑ ❑ were wrecked by his successors a number of opinions that spoil the George Bush. hundred years after his rule, until broth. DUBAI: Bahrain became the fi rst nation to au- On his part, Austin invited his Kuwaiti the French revolted and overthrew Therefore, there have been les- thorize Johnson & Johnson’s new single-dose counterpart to visit the US in the near fu- the rule of Louis XVI to establish sons throughout history for rulers to coronavirus vaccine for emergency use on Thurs- ture, as part of the deep relations between the First Republic. He was executed learn from in a bid to transform their day, the government announced, just a day after the two countries. along with his wife Queen Marie countries from the stage of illness US regulators concluded the shot offers strong Secretary General of the Gulf Coopera- Antoinette, who was quoted as say- and weakness to that of strength and protection against severe COVID-19. tion Council (GCC) Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf ing, “Let them eat cake” when she leadership. They are the ones history The island kingdom off the coast of Saudi hailed on Thursday Kuwait’s successes refers to as “man of the nation”. Arabia said it would dole out J&J’s shot to and achievements under the leadership of learned that the revolution had be- the most vulnerable people, including older His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- gun because of shortage of bread. Email: [email protected] adults and those with chronic conditions, with- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His High- France still symbolizes the story out specifying when. It was also unclear when ness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal of a volatile state, and continues to Follow me on: In this Oct 27, 2011 file photo, then US Vice President doses would be delivered to the country, which Joe Biden (right), offers his condolences to then Prince Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. serve as an example for leaders who already offers vaccines by state-backed Chinese Al-Hajraf congratulated Kuwait on the Salman bin Abdel-Aziz upon the death of his brother fi rm Sinopharm, Pfi zer-BioNtech and Oxford- slack in preserving their basic com- Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, at 60th National Day and 30th Liberation Day. ponents. AstraZeneca, as well as Russia’s Sputnik V to [email protected] Prince Sultan Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Biden He recalled the brave martyrs of Ku- Another model of reform is the spoke Thursday with King Salman ‘to address the long- its roughly 2 million residents. (AP) wait who sacrificed their lives to defend standing partnership’ between the two countries. (AP) their country. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 2

An Indian Perspective Reimagining diplomacy in the post-COVID world

By S. Jaishankar global economy, as indeed is more transparency and market-viability. now applied to its development partnerships in Africa and elsewhere. Minister of External Affairs, India and author of “The India Way: Multilateral institutions have not come out well from this experience. By example and energy, Indian diplomacy is leading the way, including Strategies for an Uncertain World.” Quite apart from controversies surrounding them, there was not even a through the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster pretense of a collective response to the most serious global crisis since Resilient Infrastructure initiatives. e enter 2021, hoping to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us. 1945. This is cause for serious introspection. Re- The challenge of countering terrorism and radicalization is also a WWhile each society has dealt with it uniquely, global diplomacy forming multilateralism is essential to creating ef- formidable one. As a society, long subjected to cross-border terrorist will nevertheless focus on common concerns and shared lessons. Much fective solutions. attacks, India has been active in enhancing global awareness and encour- of that revolves around the nature of globalization. Fashioning a robust response to the COVID-19 aging coordinated action. It will be a major focus in India’s diplomacy Our generation has been conditioned to think of that largely in eco- challenge is set to dominate global diplomacy in as a non-permanent member of the Security Council and in forums like nomic terms. The general sense is one of trade, finance, services, com- 2021. In its own way, India has set an example. FATF and G20. munication, technology and mobility. This expresses the interdepen- That it has done by defying prophets of doom and Among the takeaways from the COVID-19 experience has been the dence and interpenetration of our era. What COVID, however, brought creating the health wherewithal to minimize its fa- power of the digital domain. Whether it was contact tracing or the provi- out was the deeper indivisibility of our existence. Real globalization is tality rate and maximize its recovery rate. An inter- sion of financial and food support, India’s digital focus after 2014 has more about pandemics, climate change and terrorism. They must consti- national comparison of these numbers tells its own yielded impressive results. The “work from anywhere” practice was as tute the core of diplomatic deliberations. As we saw in 2020, overlook- story. Not just that, India also stepped forward as strongly enhanced by COVID-19 as the “study from home” one. All ing such challenges comes at a huge cost. S. Jaishankar the pharmacy of the world, supplying medicines to these will help expand the toolkit of India’s development programs Despite its many benefits, the world has also seen strong reactions to more than 150 countries, many as grants. abroad and assist the recovery of many partners. globalization. Much of that arises from unequal benefits, between and As our nation embarks on a mass vaccination effort, Prime Minister 2020 also saw the largest repatriation exercise in history–the return within societies. Regimes and dispensations that are oblivious to such Narendra Modi’s assurance that it would help make vaccines accessible home of more than 4 million Indians. This alone brings out the impor- happenings are therefore being challenged. We must ensure that this is and affordable to the world is already being implemented. The first con- tance of mobility in contemporary times. As smart manufacturing and not about winners and losers, but about nurturing sustainable communi- signments of Made in India vaccines have reached not only our neigh- the knowledge economy take deeper root, the need for trusted talent ties everywhere. bors like Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mauritius, Seychelles will surely grow. Facilitating its movement through diplomacy is in the COVID-19 has also redefined our understanding of security. Until and Sri Lanka but partners far beyond like Brazil and Morocco. global interest. now, nations thought largely in military, intelligence, economic, and per- Other key global challenges today deserve similar attention. As a cen- A return to normalcy in 2021 will mean safer travel, better health, haps, cultural terms. Today, they will not only assign greater weight to tral participant in reaching the Paris agreement, India has stood firm with economic revival and digitally driven services. They will be expressed in health security but increasingly worry about trusted and resilient supply regard to combating climate change. Its renewable energy targets have new conversations and fresh understandings. The world after COVID-19 chains. The stresses of the COVID-19 era brought out the fragility of our multiplied, its forest cover has grown, its bio-diversity has expanded and will be more multi-polar, pluralistic and rebalanced. And India, with its current situation. Additional engines of growth are needed to de-risk the its focus on water utilization has increased. Practices honed at home are experiences, will help make a difference.

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows buildings that were destroyed by a US air strike in Syria. The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Feb 25, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition troops. (AP) ‘Be careful’ Strikes in Syria a warning to Iran

resident Joe Biden said Friday that Iran should view his decision which were the fi rst military actions he authorized. Democrats said the attacks into Iraq. But he noted that while it sent a message of deterrence Pto authorize US airstrikes in Syria as a warning that it can expect airstrikes were done without authorization from lawmakers, while Re- and eroded their ability to strike from that compound, the militias have consequences for its support of militia groups that threaten US interests publicans were more supportive. other sites and capabilities. He said the strikes resulted in “casualties” or personnel. “Offensive military action without congressional approval is not con- but declined to provide further details on how many were killed or in- “You can’t act with impunity. Be careful,” Biden said when a reporter stitutional absent extraordinary circumstances,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, jured and what was inside the buildings pending the completion of a asked what message he had intended to send with the airstrikes, which D-Va. And Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said lawmakers must hold the broader assessment of damage infl icted. the Pentagon said destroyed several buildings in eastern Syria but were current administration to the same standards as any other. “Retaliatory An Iraqi militia offi cial said Friday that the strikes killed one fi ghter not intended to eradicate the militia groups that used them to facilitate strikes not necessary to prevent an imminent threat,” he said, must get and wounded several others. attacks inside Iraq. congressional authorization. Kirby said the facilities hit in the attack were near Boukamal, on the Administration offi cials defended the Thursday night airstrikes as le- But Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, the ranking Republican on the Sen- Syrian side of the Iraq border, along the Euphrates River. gal and appropriate, saying they took out facilities that housed valuable ate Armed Services Committee, backed the decision as “the correct, pro- “This location is known to facilitate Iranian-aligned militia group “capabilities” used by Iranian-backed militia groups to attack American portionate response to protect American lives.” activity,” he said. He described the site as a “compound” that previ- and allied forces in Iraq. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Friday that Biden ously had been used by the Islamic State group when it held sway in John Kirby, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, said members of Con- used his constitutional authority to defend US personnel. the area. gress were notifi ed before the strikes as two Air Force F-15E aircraft “The targets were chosen to correspond to the recent attacks on facili- The Iraqi militia offi cial told The Associated Press that the strikes launched seven missiles, destroying nine facilities and heavily damag- ties and to deter the risk of additional attacks over the coming weeks,” against the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit an area along ing two others, rendering both “functionally destroyed.” He said the fa- she said. the border between the Syrian site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi cilities, at “entry control points” on the border, had been used by militia Among the recent attacks cited was a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern side. The offi cial was not authorized to speak publicly of the attack and groups the US deems responsible for recent attacks against US interests Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service mem- spoke on condition of anonymity. in Iraq. ber and other coalition troops. Speaking to reporters Thursday evening shortly after the airstrikes In a political twist for the new Democratic administration, several At the Pentagon, Kirby said the operation was “a defensive strike” were carried out, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “I’m confi dent in leading Congress members in Biden’s own party denounced the strikes, on a waystation used by militants to move weapons and materials for the target that we went after. We know what we hit.” (AP)

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the next south easterly wind to light vari- Abdaly 24 08 Prayer Timings 24 hours: able wind with speeds of 08-35 Jahra 24 11 By Day: Fair and clouds will in- Failaka Island - - Fajr ...... 04:57 Asr ...... 15:18 km/h and a chance for scattered crease gradually with light to mod- light rain later on. Salmiyah 21 15 Sunrise .. 06:16 Maghrib .. 17:46 erate variable wind to south easter- Ahmadi 20 15 Zohr ...... 12:01 Isha ...... 19:03 ly wind with speeds of 08-28 km/h. Station Max Exp Min Rec Nuwaisib 22 09 By Night: Rather cold and part- Kuwait City 23 15 Wafra 24 10 ly cloudy with light to moderate Kuwait Airport 23 08 Salmy 22 08 VACCINE REGISTRATION WEBSITE: https://cov19vaccine.moh.gov.kw/SPCMS/CVD_19_Vaccine_Registration.aspx

Loyalty, sacrifi ce rejected blatant aggression early on Heroes of Kuwait’s liberation remembered on 30th ’versary By Shaima Al-Ruwaished the ‘hero of liberation’, the late Father Amir, Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27, (KUNA): Ku- Salem Al-Sabah, who made tremen- waitis commemorated Friday, the 30th dous efforts to defend Kuwaiti right. anniversary of the country’s liberation From the very fi rst moments of the from the brutal Iraqi invasion, which is invasion, Sheikh Saad was keen to pre- still engraved in their memories. serve the legitimacy of Kuwait, and Kuwaiti people remembered the went with the late Amir Sheikh Jaber leaders and heroes of the anniversary Al-Ahmad to Saudi Arabia, where he who took all necessary measures to regulated the conditions of the govern- bring freedom to Kuwait and its people. ment, and ensured a decent life for Ku- Since the first hours of the brutal waitis abroad and at home, as he sup- occupation, Kuwaitis wrote the most ported the Kuwaiti resistance groups wonderful meanings of loyalty and inside Kuwait and diplomatic efforts of sacrifice by declaring their total re- its missions abroad. jection of this blatant aggression, and Another man whose memory remains standing by their legitimate leader- engraved in the hearts of Kuwaitis is ship in one line to defend the sov- the late Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad ereignty and freedom of their home- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, whose diplomatic land. efforts contributed to gaining global Wise sympathy for the just cause of Kuwait and international support to the coun- Under the wise leadership and the try’s legitimacy. distinguished diplomatic efforts led Kuwaitis will also never forget the by the late Amir His Highness Sheikh kind heart of the late monarch of Saudi Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Arabia, King Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al- the heroes of liberation had a prominent Saud, who embraced the people of Ku- role in gaining the support of the in- wait and hosted them in his country and ternational community for the Kuwaiti demanded the immediate withdrawal of right and condemn the brutal aggres- Iraqi troops from Kuwait. sion. In his address to the Saudi people on Addressing the international com- August 13, 1990, King Fahad said that munity from atop the UN podium, the he felt pain for the plight of the Kuwaiti late Amir His Highness Sheikh Jaber people, deeming the Iraqi invasion as Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said, “I unethical especially coming from a fel- come here today carrying a message low Arab country. from people who love peace and work Along with King Fahad, George H. for it, and who extended their hands in W. Bush played a crucial role in rally- KUNA photos assistance to all those in need.” The Kuwaiti people gathered in Flag Square after the liberation of the State of Kuwait in 1991. Inset: The joy of the Kuwaiti people after the libera- ing efforts to pass UNSC Resolution tion of the State of Kuwait. He added, “I come to you with a mes- 660. sage from people whose country was, just yesterday, a (model) for peace- Managed ful co-existence and brotherhood with On January 21, the late US President other nations, and a home where other managed to convince Congress to use people could meet safely ... Today these force to liberate Kuwait from the Iraqi people are refugees holding on to hope, invasion, resulting in “Operation Desert Curbs on driving licenses and others are being held captive or Storm”, headed by General Norman struggling and ready to sacrifi ce blood Schwarzkopf and Saudi Prince Khaled and soul but not surrender and bow bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. down to occupation.” While those leaders played an im- Demographics on new MoI reforms These words were instrumental to portant role in the liberation, the rallying the support that Kuwait need- Kuwaiti people will also not forget By Salem Al-Wawan ed, and seven months later Sheikh Jaber other leaders of brotherly and friend- was reinstated as Amir over his liber- ly countries, and offi cials in interna- Al-Seyassah Staff Vaccinations to speed up ated homeland. tional and regional organizations who KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: Moreover, Kuwaitis will not forget have also contributed to free Kuwait. Amid expectations that the new ministerial formation Apartment hotels likely for quarantine will be announced within ‘Add shabu to list of banned drugs’ days, and while all eyes are KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: adding that the prices have yet Sources said it is expected on the Ministry of Interior Apartment hotels might be in- to be discussed. that the number of people in conjunction with the ex- cluded in the list of hotels allo- On the other hand, sources getting the vaccine will in- tremely sensitive and vital cated for the institutional quar- from the Ministry of Health crease in March and April, MPs voice support for Dahoum antine of arriving passengers, told the daily that the re- especially after the opening circumstances, high-level se- By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh licenses and transferring the residency per- reports Al-Qabas daily quoting cent increase in the number of vaccination units in sev- mits of workers. curity sources reveal that the a reliable source fromKuwait of people getting vaccinat- eral health centers in various Arab Times Staff and Agencies intention is to bring about a MP Abdulaziz Al-Saqaabi submitted a International Airport. ed against coronavirus is a health districts; in addition to KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: A number of proposal to add shabu (methamphetamine) comprehensive and radical The source clarifi ed this manifestation of its efforts to the continuous operation of MPs have affirmed their presence at the to the list of banned drugs. He pointed out change in the security system meeting slated for Monday in the diwaniya that as per the current law, shabu is consid- move requires the approval of vaccinate the highest num- Kuwait Vaccination Center of MP Badr Al-Dahoum to support him in during the coming period, the health authorities, assess- ber of people in the next few in Mishref. Sources stressed ered an intoxicant. the appeal he submitted to the Constitutional ❑ ❑ ❑ and that it will be a jolt for ing health-related conditions months. Sources disclosed the importance of strictly Court regarding the cancellation of his the various departments and to ensure they are in line with the number of those who adhering to the health regu- parliamentary membership. While Kuwait Municipality Director agencies of the ministry. the institutional quarantine got vaccinated as of Tues- lations, even if taking one or MP Hamdan Al-Azmi urged his col- General Engr Ahmad Al-Manfuhi They explained that the im- mechanism, and organizing day evening reached 228,000 two doses of the vaccine to leagues to attend the meeting, which is announced that the Health Regulations plementation of the new system the passengers’ movement citizens and expatriates - 5.3 guarantee the safety of eve- exclusive for the MPs in order to adhere to Implementation Committee recommended the closure of parking areas along the will be part of a package of deci- from one location to another; percent of the population. ryone. health regulations. He said the sions and circulars that will see Constitutional Court previously issued waterfront on Gulf Street during the the light following the announce- decisions which do not allow the cancella- national holidays, a proposal to open the ment of the government forma- tion of parliamentary membership. stadiums of sports clubs to hold prayers ‘Iqama’ violators In another development, MPs Khalid during the blessed month of Ramadan is tion. It mainly includes the fi lling grace ends Mar 1 Al-Otaibi, A-Saifi Mubarak Al-Saifi, now on the committee’s table for study, of vacant leadership positions Thamer Al-Suwait, Badr Al-Dahoum and reports Al-Rai daily quoting a reliable in the ministry with deserving By Munaif Nayef Muhammad Al-Mutair submitted a bill on source. national elements and expertise Al-Seyassah Staff granting indemnity to citizens working in The source explained that “the proposal according to the police hierarchy KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27 : the public sector and are covered by the to hold prayers in stadiums is aimed at for each sector, and opening the After an extension of two Public Institution for Social Security preventing gatherings in mosques. The door for transfer, which has been months, the grace period for (PIFSS) Law in case they resign. They said implementation of this proposal depends closed since 2018. allowing violators of resi- the beneficiaries of the bill include citizens on the approval of health authorities, tak- Meanwhile, they revealed that the dency laws to amend their working in State-owned companies. ing into account that the stadiums are safer Minister of Interior Sheikh Thamer status expires on Monday, MP Muhannad Al-Sayer proposed the health-wise as prayers will be held in open Al-Ali will soon approve the list of March 1. establishment of a fund with a capital of air and the implementation of social dis- promotions of offi cers from the rank According to a security KD125 million to support the owners of tancing is better than in a closed place. of “Colonel” to “Brigadier”, and from source, the exceptional small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who He said: “The decision to close com- “Brigadier” to “Major”. circumstances that the incurred damages due to the coronavirus mercial complexes that do not implement The sources indicated that the up- country is experiencing crisis. health regulations will be gradual start- coming decisions also include regulat- KUNA photo due to the COVID-19 pan- The fund shall pay 25 percent of the ing with a warning, followed by the issu- monthly rent of the owners of SMEs, ance of a report on the violation. Each ing the issuance of driving licenses to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad demic prevented a large expatriates, and reviewing the criteria of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as it is one of number of violators of the PIFSS contributions, water and electricity complex should provide the committee and requirements for issuing them in Al-Ali Al-Sabah participated along the largest infrastructure projects residency law from ben- bills, and customs fees for a period one with its capacity in order to determine accordance with the new traffi c law, with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim in Qatar. The Deputy Prime Minis- efiting from this period year; as well as the fees for renewing the the number of visitors who will be so that it is limited to employees of the bin Hamad Al-Thani and his ac- ter stressed that this gesture rep- because of the high prices vehicle book of commercial cars, renewing allowed to enter.” government sector, doctors, judges and companying delegation, in the in- resents the deep brotherly bonds of flight tickets and the teachers, and to stop any exceptions augural opening ceremony of Sa- between Kuwait and Qatar under closure of the airspace in and the use of “wasta”. bah Al-Ahmad Corridor project. the leaderships of Their High- some countries. They said that the new system in- During the ceremony, the Dep- nesses Amir Sheikh Sheikh Nawaf uty Prime Minister expressed his Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and The Minister of Inte- cludes activating the role of the Min- rior Sheikh Thamer Al-Ali istry of Interior in controlling the de- thanks for naming the “Sabah Al- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. issued a decision in the mographics by intensifying the work Ahmad Corridor” after the late Amir (KUNA) of the tripartite committee, which in- beginning of February to cludes the Ministry of Social Affairs, extend the deadline by one the Ministry of Commerce and Indus- 17 probed for not wearing mask month, which is due to ex- try and the Ministry of Interior, in car- pire tomorrow. rying out inspections in order to nab The source explained that By Fares Al-Abdan the Council of Ministers and the Civil a large number of violators violators, eliminating the phenomenon Service Bureau regarding determining of visa trade, and activating eye scan- Al-Seyassah Staff failed to benefi t from the the percentage of the number of work- grace period and preferred ners in all outlets to uncover wanted KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: Assistant persons and deportees who enter with ers in government workplaces, which to remain in violation. Undersecretary of the Ministry of So- must not exceed 30%, and for this the It is likely that the De- new passports. cial Affairs for Financial and Adminis- The sources affi rmed that the min- employees will be divided according partment of Residency trative Affairs and the Acting Assistant to the need of work to ensure smooth ister Sheikh Thamer Al-Ali will soon Undersecretary for the Planning and Affairs may address the submit an integrated draft law on the functioning. Minister of Interior to ex- Administrative Development Sector, Al-Mutairi indicated the Adminis- new security system to the Cabinet and Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi, said since the tend the deadline for a third then to refer it to the National Assem- start of the work of the committee to trative Affairs Department is working month in order for a higher bly with the aim of fi lling the loopholes ensure compliance with health require- in full swing to fi nalize and enter the number of violators to ben- in the residency laws, reconsidering ments 17 employees and supervisors evaluations into the civil service sys- efi t from it and to enable some fi nancial fees in exchange for the have been referred for investigation tem. them to pay the fi nes they services provided by the ministry, and for not complying with health require- He explained some evaluations will owe, amend their status or raising the fees for new visas. ments. have to be presented to the Personnel leave the country. Other- They revealed that the new system Al-Mutairi said in a statement to the Affairs Committee for approval before wise, they will be deported comes in the wake of a series of in- Al-Seyassah daily, the employees who excellent work bonuses are disbursed. if arrested. spection tours that the minister carried are referred for the fi rst time receive a Al-Mutairi stressed the Ministry of The number of violators out in the past few days and weeks dur- warning, and if the violation is repeat- Social Affairs is keen to complete the of the residency law is es- ing which he personally inspected the ed, they will be punished and called evaluation and excellent work proce- timated at 160,000, and the workfl ow in the outposts, checkpoints on all employees to adhere to wearing dures in line with the circulars that have fi nes owed by them is ap- and security sectors as well as moni- masks and social distancing. been issued by the Civil Service Bureau, proximately KD 96 million, tored some defi ciencies especially in He pointed out the Ministry is com- and it is always one of the fi rst ministries at a rate of KD 600 for each Jahra Governorate. mitted to honoring the decisions of to complete all procedures quickly. violator. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 LOCAL 4

Bahraini Crown Prince congratulates Kuwaiti PM on National Days Crown Prince receives call from Bahraini counterpart KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27, (KUNA): His the 60th Anniversary of Kuwait’s the wise leadership of His Highness wise leadership of Bahrain’s King In his call, Prince Salman congratu- Kuwait’s further progress and prosper- Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh National Day and the 30th Anniversary the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. lated His Highness Sheikh Sabah ity. Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Liberation Day. Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Meanwhile, His Highness the Prime Al-Khaled on the 60th Anniversary of For his part, His Highness Sheikh on Thursday received a telephone call Prince Salman prayed to Allah to Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Kuwait’s Independence Day and the Sabah Al-Khaled thanked the Bahraini from Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime return the two dear occasions on His Prince thanked Prince Salman for his Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received 30th Anniversary of its Liberation Crown Prince on his fraternal senti- Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Highness the Crown Prince with ever- fraternal sentiments, wishing him per- on Thursday a phone call from Bahraini Day, marked on February 25, and 26 ments which embody the deeply-root- During the call, Prince Salman lasting well-being and on Kuwait with manent good health and Bahrain more Crown Prince and Prime Minister respectively. ed relations between the two Arabian expressed sincere congratulations on further progress and prosperity, under development and prosperity, under the Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. The Bahraini Crown Prince wished Gulf nations and their peoples. Café owners lament loss, eatery owners say not greatly affected

Hope for exemption from paying rent or at least cut by 70%

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: A number of coffee shop owners in different regions wished for the end to the KUNA photo corona crisis so that life Kuwaiti Ambassador to Italy Sheikh Azzam Mubarak Al-Sabah during the can return to normal and celebration. their business can flourish once again as was the case Celebrations held in Italy, Morocco, Bahrain before March 2020. During a tour of the cafés, all own- ers without exception, agreed they Kuwaiti Embassy in India marks comply with all decision issued by the Council of Ministers and the 60th Nat’l, 30th Liberation Days health authorities. However, they lamented the decision not to receive NEW DELHI, Feb 27, (KUNA): the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal customers inside cafés which will Kuwait Embassy in New Delhi cele- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah - and Photo by Rizk Taufiq only increase the volume of their brated the 60th National Day and the the people on the advent of the coun- One of the cafes wear a deserted look. losses and add to the burden when 30th Liberation Day late Friday. try’s national celebrations. the use of sheesha bore the brunt of Due to the COVID-19 situation, In a statement to KUNA, the Covid-19 pandemic. the participation was limited to few Ambassador Al-Yahya stressed the Municipality keen to improve landscape of Kuwait One of the café owners said officials from the Indian External importance of this occasion in the Kuwait have been affected by the By Abdul Nasser Al-Aslami nies operating in the governorate have and distributing awareness brochures Affairs Ministry led by Secretary hearts of the loyal Kuwaiti citizens, continuing corona crisis, like many Sanjay Bhattacharyya and several as it is a “defining foundational Al-Seyassah Staff a specific time. to urge citizens and residents to other establishments, and said he is For his part, the Director of the remove waste at the specified times ambassadors from Arab Muslim and moment” in the history of Kuwait. seriously considering changing the other countries in New Delhi. Al-Yahya underlined the responsi- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: The Kuwait Public Cleaning and Road Works and place it in designated areas. business to selling foodstuffs unable Municipality announced that the Department in the Capital Governorate, Faisal Al-Otaibi, director of the to bear any more losses which hap- In a statement received by KUNA, bility entrusted to the young Kuwaiti General Cleaning and Road Works Meshaal Al-Azmi, explained the General Cleaning and Road Works pened since March 2020 and contin- Kuwaiti Ambassador to India Jassem generations in preserving the founda- Departments of the Kuwait department undertakes field follow-up Department at the Al-Ahmadi ues until now. Al-Najim extended his heartfelt tions of unity and solidarity to Municipality in branches of all gover- trips throughout the day to monitor Governorate Municipality Branch He added, he has to pay salaries to greetings to His Highness the Amir achieve growth and prosperity in all norates have developed a plan to inten- cleaning work and that the monitoring explained despite the ban on National workers without work, in addition to Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber fields. sify cleaning work to eliminate the team is taking all legal measures Days celebrations based on the direc- doing away with several workers Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown He thanked Moroccans for partici- negativities such as neglected and against violators. tives of the Council of Ministers and after the number of café-goers Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad pating in the Kuwaiti national holi- abandoned cars, and waste and get rid The director of the General Cleaning health recommendations, 30 workers decreased since the hookah was Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti gov- days, noting, “if the circumstances of of the street vendors phenomenon. and Road Works Department at the were provided to clean the beaches of banned in cafes. ernment and people. the pandemic prevented the Kuwaiti The director of the General Cleaning Jahra Municipality Branch, Fahad Fintas and Fahaheel, 30 cleaning work- Another café owner, who identi- embassy in Rabat from organizing and Road Works Department at the Al-Quraifa, said the cleaning work in ers were provided to clean the beaches fied himself as A.S., pointed out that Political the national celebrations, this did not Farwaniya Governorate branch, Saad the governorate is carried out on a of Al-Khairan, Al-Zour, and the health authorities in the country Al-Najem added that the current Al-Khurainej, explained the cleaning daily basis, in addition to the adminis- Al-Nuwaiseeb, and 100 containers were prevent dozens of Moroccan officials have definitely recommended that year marks the 60th anniversary of and citizens from congratulating us work is carried out on a daily basis and tration cleaning the entire area of distributed along the beaches and six customers not enter cafés in order to the establishment of diplomatic rela- that the contracts of the three compa- Kabad and raising its level of hygiene trucks placed in service for this purpose. on national holidays.” preserve the health of people from tions between Kuwait and India, and Also, Kuwait’s Ambassador to this dreaded epidemic that swept the that the relations between the two Bahrain Shaikh Thamer Jaber Al- world nearly a year ago, noting that friendly countries are progressing at all cafés in Kuwait suffer the most Ahmad Al-Sabah on Thursday con- a good pace in political, economic gratulated the Kuwaiti leadership - than any other business. and cultural fields. He said his only hope is for the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf estate owners to exempt them from He also recalled efforts made to Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and paying the rent or at least reduce it by eradicate the pandemic and Indian His Highness the Crown Prince 70% until the corona crisis ends. support to Kuwait by sending medi- Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber However, a number of restaurant cal teams and vaccines in order to Al-Sabah - and people on the advent owners asserted that the decision to combat the coronavirus. of the country’s national celebra- prevent receiving customers inside res- The ambassador added that the tions. taurants will not greatly affect their embassy received several congratula- In a press statement, the Kuwaiti income, as most restaurants of all lev- tory messages from various Indian ambassador recalled Kuwait’s found- els depend primarily on home-delivery government agencies and members ing fathers and martyrs who sacri- service which primarily constitutes of the diplomatic corps in New Delhi ficed their souls to defend their dear about 90% of the total orders and the on the occasion. land. only 10% prefer to eat at the restaurant President of India Ram Nath table since the outbreak of Covid-19. Kovind had sent a cable of congratu- Future They told the daily, they fully sup- lations to His Highness Sheikh He added that “Kuwait was a port the decisions issued by the Council Nawaf on the occasion of the source of our pride, and its people are of Ministers and the health authorities National Day, and the Indian Minister the pillar of its stability and our to protect the citizens and residents from the virus. They indicated the grill of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, future under the leadership of His restaurants such as those inside the also sent a similar message to Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Mubarakiya market will inevitably be Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.” affected, as the primary depend on the Ahmad Al-Sabah. He said that Kuwait faced the chal- market movement. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Ambassador lenges of the novel coronavirus Amer Salah, a cashier at a restau- to Italy Sheikh Azzam Mubarak (COVID-19) pandemic with ability rant, says the decision to prevent Al-Sabah said, “Kuwait is the source and success, stressing that Kuwait receiving customers inside restau- of brotherhood and peace.” continues with development achieve- rants is much better than total clo- The ambassador congratulated His ments in all its forms. sure, as most of the restaurants’ Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf He underlined that Kuwait will activity before and after corona Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His remain spreading the culture of depends primarily on delivering Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh peace, love and cooperation, and uni- orders to homes or customers collect- Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber fying the word for what serves the ing them directly from the restaurant. Al-Sabah and the Kuwaiti people on security, stability and prosperity of Jamal Mansour, the owner of the Kuwaiti 60th National Day and the region and the world. falafel restaurant, stated the recent 30th Anniversary of Liberation. Sheikh Thamer Al-Sabah praised decision regarding restaurants will not significantly affect their profits In a statement to KUNA, Sheikh with all appreciation and gratitude because the percentage of ‘in-home’ Azzam affirmed, “This precious the “honorable historical” position of orders constitute only 10 percent of occasion for all of us represents a the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain, the the total business while 90 percent of major milestone in the consolidation leadership, government and people the orders are home delivery or take- of national values of love, loyalty and of Bahrain who rejected and sup- away. Nonetheless, he says, every giving to our homeland.” ported the Kuwaiti right during the restaurant owner and the customers In the meantime, Kuwait’s brutal Iraqi invasion in August 1990. wish to see the end of Covid. Ambassador to Morocco Abdulatif He expressed his thanks and appre- For Hakim Abbas, a restaurant Al-Yahya on Friday congratulated ciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain owner in the Mubarakiya area, sees the Kuwaiti leadership - His Highness and its people for their effective par- the situation of grill restaurants in the the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad ticipation in the Kuwait’s national Mubarakiya market is completely dif- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness celebrations. ferent from other restaurants, as the restaurants of this market depend pri- marily on the requests by visitors to Total cost of project KD 169,500 mln the Mubarakiya market who prefer to sit at a table and enjoy their meal because for them it is a kind of outing. Preparations underway to open 2 Council approves new bridges on Nuwaiseeb Road Baghli’s proposal By Muhammad Ghanem security on highways without waiting KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: The Al-Seyassah Staff for the complete completion of the project due to the nature of road proj- Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: Informed Committee of the Municipal Council ects that allow this. sources at the Public Authority for The sources explained that the during its meeting approved the pro- Roads and Transportation (PART) posal of member Maha Al-Baghli to opening of the two bridges planned announced the authority is currently as part of a project aimed at develop- define a cycling path around the preparing to open bridges IC1, IC2, Sabhan area, reports Al-Qabas daily. within the next few days which are ing the movement of southern border The committee also agreed to the part of a contract for design, con- roads and securing bypass traffic proposal of member Mishaal with flyovers and highway specifica- Al-Hamdan to build a mosque in the struction and maintenance of inter- sections of bridges and detours on the tions and consist of 37 km with 6 Sabah Al-Salem area (Block 8), lanes and intersections and an over- while it decided to postpone consid- Nuwaiseeb Road, which is being implemented by PART at a total cost pass bridge with two lanes in addi- eration of the proposal of Ali bin tion to all bridges along the route. Sayer to establish a dispensary in the of 169,500 million dinars. Al-Qusour area to serve the people of PART sources explained the The main and slopes include an the region and rejected the Ministry planned opening comes within the additional lane in each direction, of Education’s request to build a pri- framework of the policy of handing allowing the road to be developed in vate school for all stages in the Sabah over and partial opening of road proj- future, as well as 4 pedestrian bridg- Al-Salem area Block 1 on an area of ects as part of developing the road es, diversions and protection servic- 6,000 square meters. system and achieving safety and es, including rainwater drainage. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 LOCAL 5 REMEMBER WHEN

The local souks The arms shop in old Kuwait were the souks then became deserted, the always busy, mostly with men from shops were well-guarded. the desert. They needed no offi cial To wander through the souks Photograph courtesy permits to buy a new gun, and when was a pleasure for a visitor to the their guns were out of order they old city. He would enjoy walking of The Center for Re- brought them to the city for repair. through the narrow and covered search and Studies on They also came here to buy some markets teeming with activity. He Kuwait and the work fresh gun powder. would pass by a group of bedouins Kuwait’s traditional markets, or from the desert sitting near an arms of Dr Yacoub Al- souks, were an integral part of the shop waiting patiently for their Hijji in the book Old- old city. Souks were colorful and di- guns to be repaired, or hear a group verse, some being highly specialized. of women bargaining with a textile Kuwait: Memories They were the meeting place of mer- vendor, or watch an old man wait- in Photographs fi rst chants, men, women and the people ing calmly for his turn to get a free of the desert. After a light breakfast cup of fresh water from an earthen published in 1996. and a cup of coffee, shopkeepers left jar provided by a wealthy citizen. their homes and headed for the souk. These were but a few interesting They stayed in their shops buying, sights the old souk had to offer be- selling and receiving friends until fore modernity changed the spirit noon when they went home for lunch of the souk and hastened the disap- and the noon siesta. In the afternoon pearance of most of them. (From they returned to their shops where the book ‘Old Kuwait: Memories they stayed until sunset. Although in Photographs’) Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait

© N.M.M. diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Do whatever you want’ ... Covid indecision leaves public in quandary “IN THE face of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the proverb “Because there is no answer to all of these questions, this means that infl u- and political skirmishes, and I do not mention here what happened as a bad that says, ‘The words (spoken) at night can be erased before daybreak’, are ential stakeholders, parliamentarians and others who are supposed to have been omen, especially when we are in the month of the liberation holidays – but on true of our government. For example, there is no guarantee that what was said entrusted by the Kuwaitis to care for their interests and lives sold all of that and the grounds of reality whoever does not learn from the lessons and mistakes of in the morning will hold water in the afternoon. Another example: a while ago, now they are rebelling, and for your information, any action taken for a total or history will be the fi rst to drown when the fl oods come. the government announced the opening of entertainment partial ban, dozens of Kuwaitis declared that they will not abide by it and will “In conclusion, there is no political system that is not exposed to crises and places and hours later cancelled the decisions,” colum- rebel against it, because of the confusion that prevailed in the recent period. problems. The important thing is to put the public ahead of personal interests, nist Sattam Al-Jarallah wrote for Al-Seyassah daily. That is why they raised the banner ‘Do whatever you want’.” so that everyone is not lost or drowned, and I think that we all need to work for “A few days ago, the government announced the Also: the public good. I ask the MPs to know well with whom their struggle is, and opening of the borders for citizens of high risk countries what are their goals, and how can they perform their role, because ‘you are the under the condition of a 14-day institutional quarantine “‘This is a sad chapter in our history and it reminds us that democracy is representatives of the people’, not elected for personal retaliation.” only to announce in the evening the cancellation of the fragile and must always be defended’. This is US President Joe Biden’s com- ❑ ❑ ❑ decision. ment on not condemning Donald Trump in the last trial that Trump faced as “As for the ban, the government was reluctant, perhaps it a former president,” columnist Dr Munawer Al-Rajhi, Head of Information “There are scenes that are difficult for a person to forget, and scenes that you was waiting for the inspiration to come from our geniuses Department, Kuwait University wrote for Al-Anba daily. do not understand except after a while ... the more you know, the more you who are in charge of the strategic planning and devise a “This comment came to my attention because recognition of truth and frank- focus and understand the viewer”, columnist Dr. Walid Al-Taneeb wrote for peculiar procedure and even with the announcement of the ness are the fi rst steps for confrontation, and it is here in the most powerful Al-Rai daily. democracy in the world whose president admits that it is a fragile democracy “Some scenes would make you laugh at the first glance, but after pondering partial ban, it was not known whether it would be applied Al-Jarallah during the National holidays or longer while the idea of a and that it is easy to penetrate and attack, and then it must be defended. on the content of those scenes, you grasp more about it. In the end, you realize total ban in the initial stages was to be applied and then reconsidered. “It becomes clear, as many know that there is no ideal political system. Political how shallow your thinking was in this regard. There are scenes in which there is “The government’s confusion in this regard is no different from every other systems are positivist systems tainted by human mistakes and they are developed a lot of lesson and wisdom, but you may not understand them and absorb them, matter, starting with dealing with the fi nancial and economic crisis, reaching according to these mistakes, learn from them and ensure they don’t happen again. and do not take your caution until it is too late. the simplest matters. Therefore, it seems that there is a deafening dialogue be- “Anyone who reads Biden’s statement thinks that it applies to us in Kuwait to a “Among the memorable scenes is a scene from the comedy play “The Wit- tween the government and the National Assembly, which is currently on leave, large extent. The issue is not only about the established political system, but about ness Who Didn’t See Anything” where a prosecutor asked the star of the play and it is up to the MPs to decide as they wish while the Kuwaitis do not know the way it is implemented and its effectiveness in achieving the interests of citizens, Adel Imam if he saw the accused entering the murder victim’s apartment. Adel who is telling the truth, and they did not see a sign that would help them know and the state in general, which leads us to say that the current confl ict is not justifi ed, Imam looked at the chief counselor and his assistants, scrutinized and examined their way and where to walk. nor it leads to new heights in light of this confl ict and political rivalry. their faces to identify the accused in order to express his opinion, instead of “This is why we are confused, is there a viral pandemic and its health risks “The difference in viewpoints is acceptable, and the differences between going to the accusation cage to inspect the accused. It was a scene ahead of his are great or not? Is there a real crisis in the country or is it just a bubble? Are political trends are also justifi ed and logical but the problem in Kuwait is that time, expressing the situation we are living in. there institutions that are supposed to manage people’s affairs and maintain things have turned into personal matters and no more than that. “To everyone who is in a leadership position, the renowned actor Adel Imam their interests or is it otherwise? “In short, people who do not want confrontations while the conditions of tells you - If you want to search for an accused, if you want to search for some- “Who can answer all these questions? Let us take for granted that there is a the country and the people are suspended as a result of these confl icts that in- one who destroyed your plans, and if you want to find out who is who, then you real pandemic, does it spread on national occasions and holidays and the sea- evitably result in negative consequences, so I found it my duty to appeal to should examine your advisors. Do not go far... check the faces of your advisors sons when there is a lot of work, selling and buying, or is it spreading through- all, and it is a cry for help and fear for this country because what is happening and their work! You will be astonished. This is the message from Adel Imam to out the year, and what is the experience that the health services have acquired now in terms of disagreements and confl icts reminds me of the pre-invasion everyone, especially the leaders.” from the previous stage to employ them in facing the new wave? disagreements and confl icts, which preoccupied all sects with internal confl icts — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli Road repairs in full swing Other Voices Tell people the party is over Hoardings, trees on govt land uprooted By Ahmad alsarraf ued intellectual and commercial closure and keeping the state hostage to backward he Chamber of Commerce and Indus- By Muhammad Ghanem control team issuing a citation to a store prior to religious political forces that believe that Ttry never stopped sounding the alarm no one else knows the truth and permits Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies obtaining approval from the Municipality, arrest- preceded by every sincere and loving ing street vendors and cutting power supply to a themselves to enjoy everything and forbid KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: The Min- property for committing a violation. person who loves the nation, including others to do ‘that’, so they send their chil- The Public Relations Department called on Al-Qabas. All of them kept warning of the dren to study in the West and ask others to istry of Public Works announced citizens and residents to call the Hotline 139, unknown future of the state in light of all send their children to Peshawar. the maintenance engineering sec- which works around the clock, or communi- this economic con- We are living in a real economic cri- tor teams of the ministry carried cate via the municipality’s accounts @kuw- fusion and admin- sis, the public budget is impotent, bil- mun on social media sites or via WhatsApp istrative chaos in lions of reserves have completely dried out maintenance and brushing of 24727732 in the event of any complaint related which we live. up, and the government has begun to asphalt on 133,848 square meters to the Municipality. Who believes liquidate some assets, and despite this, that a country like at 13 sites in various governorates Road engineers and workers during the as- And, Director General of the Environment waste continues and our sovereign rat- phalt laying process. Public Authority (EPA) Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ah- Kuwait, which was ings are also constantly declining, even between Feb 17 and Feb 23. mad revealed that EPA employees will be present the strongest, most our old distinguished fi nancial institu- In a press release, sources at the MPW erate with emergency and maintenance teams in at the vehicle inspection headquarters to ensure pompuous and best tions are suffering from low ratings. It indicated the asphalt brushing works in the order to accomplish their tasks in order to imple- compliance with the required standards, reports in its surroundings is really painful that the solutions exist, internal road network during this week were ment the road network development plan, stress- Al-Qabas daily. until recently could but they are not easy and I do not know ing its complete keenness to respond promptly to On the sidelines of the ceremony for the sign- be all this reluctant alsarraf when the surgeries were an enjoyable carried out in Rawdah, Hitteen, Al Shaab, to take a quick and Al Qurain, Rumaithiya, Old Jahra, Suburb all complaints of citizens and residents around the ing of an agreement with the Ministry of Interior tourist trip? clock. in the presence of its Undersecretary Lieutenant fi rm decision related to addressing the ur- We need a strong ministry and states- of Sabah Al-Salem, Egaila and Ardhiya, in Meanwhile, the Public Relations Department General Essam Al-Naham, he said, “There will gent and exacerbating defi cit in its budget, men who are able to take a package of addition to Abdullah Al-Hashemi Street, of Kuwait Municipality its supervisory teams be an integration between the two sides to check and addressing structural imbalances for decisive decisions that turn our econom- Makrad Al-Makrad Road and Road 210 be- visited several areas in the Farwaniya Governor- on carbon emissions from vehicles. Each vehicle almost a year, and developing a clear-cut ic and living situation into something tween Al-Raqqa and Al-Egaila, using 507 ate in coordination with the Public Cleaning and will be examined separately”. and applicable economic plan. safer for us and our children after us. machines and asphalt brush cars. Road Works Department and in cooperation with Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmad affi rmed that the The government does not want to be- All global institutions and interna- It indicated the nature of the work that was the Ministry of Electricity and security support, complementarity between EPA and Ministry of lieve that the age of oil is a thing of the tional indicators have warned us for carried out by the maintenance engineering and dismantled several hoardings and trees which Interior exists in the presence of the Environmen- past or is nearly on the way out and it is more than fi ve years about the contin- sector focused on asphalt brushing opera- blocked the view of the motorists, reports Al- tal Police, stressing that, “The cooperation is an necessary to think seriously about fi nd- ued deterioration of our fi nancial situ- tions in addition to responding to a number of Seyassah daily. extension of achieving Kuwait’s interest for both ing alternative sources of income. The ation, and the need to take unpopular citizens’ complaints by closing some drilling, The head of the emergency team Ahmad Al- citizens and residents”. Japanese companies, Tesla, Apple and measures. As for continuing with the maintenance, development and repair opera- Shuraikah, said the removal of encroachments on He added, “The renewal of the vehicle’s road others compete daily to produce the best saying “the citizen’s pocket is not tions for some sites. state property came after taking all legal measures license will henceforth depend on whether that batteries and electric cars, and gradually touched”, will lead us to a catastrophe The Ministry called for the necessity to coop- at the end of the warning period, in addition to the vehicle passes the carbon emission test or not”. reduce dependence on oil in the medi- as every solution that costs a billion to- um- and long-term to almost zero. day will cost more tomorrow. The legislators at the beginning of The government is under obligation Warehouse used to cut, sell iron, copper rods found independence were wise when they de- to be clear to the people about the real- cided to withhold and invest 10% of the ity of the situation and tell them that the KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: A joint inspection trol team, the Kuwait Municipality and the terior, were able to discover an unlicensed store oil income to ensure the future of next era of prosperity has ended, and that we generations. How, after 60 years, with must realize that and act accordingly. campaign by the Ministry of Electricity, the Ministry of Interior launched a joint cam- as well as a warehouse in which iron and cop- increased risks and an increase in popu- Kuwait Municipality and the Ministry Interi- paign in Farwaniya Governorate. During the per were cut without a license. Copper wires Relying on Parliament to avoid col- lation, have we become less prudent and lapse is a recipe for ruin. Most of its or in Farwaniya Governorate resulted in dis- campaign, a large number of violations were hidden in bags were discovered and verifi ed if wise than they were? members are either far from the econo- covery of a warehouse where stolen iron and detected, most notably, the existence of a they were stolen from the Ministry of Electric- The invested money collected with the my or they are not inclined to solutions copper rods were being cut. The components warehouse that was utilized for carrying out ity and Water and sold illegally. state may not last for more than fi ve years, that may affect income of government were confi scated and handled according to an unlicensed activity”. Some gangs steal electrical cables from if the government spending continues at its employee in particular and that the con- the law, reports Al-Anba daily. Al-Shammari explained that the joint external and remote sites, cut them, and sell current pace. Consequently, it is necessary tinuing waste will cost this employee Deputy Head of the Inspection Department campaign is aimed at monitoring the in- them to a number of violating stores in some to think seriously about reducing expendi- much more than others if the warnings tures and creating other sources of income, we receive every day and from every in the Ministry of Electricity and Water, and fringements and violations in the area where governorates. whether industrial or tourism and this or a member of the inspection team Ahmad Al- a number of cases of illegal electricity con- Kuwait Municipality referred the seized direction continue to be ignored. that cannot succeed or achieve returns if ❑ ❑ ❑ Shammari said, “Within the framework of nections has been detected. copper wires to the Ministry of Electricity the government administration insists on coordination and joint cooperation among During the campaign, the municipality and Water where an investigation has been its conservative approach, and the contin- email: [email protected] the government agencies, the judicial con- teams, with the support of the Ministry of In- launched. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 LOCAL 6

Forum source for transmitting messages of hope, optimism and positivity: Umm Rakan Al-Sabah ‘Kuwait’s volunteer elite’ celebrates national holidays with ‘Messages in Love of Kuwait’ forum KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: Under the patronage of Ambassador Extraor- dinary, Princess of Peace and Hon- orary President of the International Brussels webinar highlights Kuwait’s Organization for Peace and Security and Founder and President of the Ku- wait Elite Voluntary Association Dr Sheikha Umm Rakan Al-Sabah, the activities of the fi rst virtual national important role in Gulf ‘reconciliation’ forum through zoom technology, un- der the title “Messages in Love of Kuwait”, will be launched today on the occasion of the celebration of the ‘Kuwait reliable partner for Europe’ two independence days - the 60th and the 30th liberation, with the participa- tion of a number of prominent cultural, BRUSSELS, Feb 27, media and social fi gures from Kuwait, (KUNA): Speakers after Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Sultanate speakers at a seminar on of Oman, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. Dr Sheikha Umm Rakan Al-Sabah the Gulf organised by the said: We are keen in the Kuwait Elite European Parliament’s Voluntary Association every year to Dr Sheikha Umm Rakan Al-Sabah Delegation for relations celebrate the anniversary of indepen- dence and liberation for our beloved honorable Al-Sabah family, especially with the Arab Peninsula Kuwait, by organizing a large ceremo- The late Sheikh of Diplomacy, Sheikh (DARP) heaped praise over ny interspersed with entertainment and Sabah Al-Ahmad, Mashael Al-Salam Kuwait’s successful media- cultural activities of a national char- and the highest meanings of humanity acter, to which we invite personalities in various parts of the world. tion role in the Gulf recon- from inside and outside Kuwait in addi- She added, and the forum in itself is ciliation process. tion to the general population of citizens a source for transmitting messages of The guest speaker at the online and residents. In view of the precaution- hope, optimism and positive for a bet- ary measures and health requirements ter future for Kuwait, and a challenge event held Thursday evening, Dr. imposed by the corona pandemic, we to all the circumstances and obstacles Cinzia Bianco, Gulf Research Fel- decided that our celebration for this imposed on us by the corona pandemic low on Middle East and North Af- year should take a new form compat- and its negative shadows affecting our rica Programme in the European ible with the conditions of closure and lives in general, but it will not and did Council on Foreign Relations, the need to respect them as a respon- not prevent us from celebrating the said “Kuwait has played quite an sible national volunteer body on the one homeland’s holidays and sharing our important role in facilitating the hand, and allow us to express our hap- joy with all our loved ones abroad. reconciliation between the GCC piness on these two occasions dear to She concluded by emphasizing the partners.” our hearts on the other hand, noting that vital role that voluntary associations The choice of the title “Letters in Love and organizations play and their con- She outlined the positions of of Kuwait” for the fi rst virtual national certed efforts with government agen- Oman and Kuwait in the region call- forum organized by the Kuwait Elite cies, pointing out that their position is ing them “neutral countries” which Voluntary Association did not come linked to the dedication of their mem- are focused on mediation and de- out of nowhere, as it expresses the con- bers to give and work, especially in escalation in the region. tent of the event aimed at strengthening times of hardship and crisis, express- Kuwait has also been supportive the national spirit, and brings together ing hope for the end of the pandemic of attempts to pursue dialogue with all Kuwaitis and Arabs to love Kuwait, and the continued progress and pros- Iran in the framework of regional se- whose rulers were illuminated by the perity of Kuwait and its people. curity, she said and stressed that Ku- wait is a reliable partner for Europe. Declaration Kuwait FM discusses bilateral Bianca underlined that the Al Ula declaration signed in December ‘ties’ with Qatari counterpart “was very important for ending the boycott and was the first step and KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27, (KUNA): In a statement to KUNA, Ambas- normalisation will take place step by Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh sador Al-Ajmi said that this initia- step” among the six-member GCC. Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammad tive embodies the strong cooperation The European Council on Foreign Al-Sabah discussed bilateral rela- spirit between Kuwait and Qatar, and Relations (ECFR) is a pan-European tions and aspects of cooperation enhances the deeply rooted relations think tank with offices in seven Eu- with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister between the two countries. ropean capitals. and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mo- “This project reminds us of the The seminar was titled “geopoliti- hammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani many achievements of the late Amir of cal perspectives in the Gulf for 2021. on Thursday. Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Impact of the Al Ula Declaration on The talks also touched upon re- Jaber Al-Sabah in boosting relations ‘Stability and Solidarity’ and role of gional and international develop- amongst the countries of the GCC and ments amid the Kuwaiti foreign empowering its unity,” he said. the new US administration in region- minister’s official visit to the Qatari “Naming one of the biggest projects al affairs.” capital today. in Qatar after our late Amir imprints DARP Chair, Dr Hannah Neumann, Meanwhile ,Kuwaiti Ambassador and is a new mark in the long history in her introductory remarks said Al to Qatar Hafeeth Al-Ajmi praised on of brotherhood between the two coun- Ula agreement “was concluded under Wednesday the Qatari initiative and tries,” he added. the good offices of Kuwait and here the naming the vital Qatari project Ambassador Al-Ajmi expressed his again Thank you so much to Kuwait (Sabah Al-Ahmad corridor) after the gratitude and thanks for the initiative for working continuously and follow- late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- that coincides with Kuwait’s 60th Na- ing up on that issue.” Jaber Al-Sabah. tional Day and 30th Liberation Day. She said a DARP delegation is expected to visit Kuwait this year to boost EU-Kuwait parliamentary co- ActivArmor only sanitizable, operation. Kuwaiti youth performers of NBK’s song titled ‘Al Sidra’. On his part, Kuwait’s ambassa- dor to the EU, Belgium and NATO, ‘Al Sidra’ gift from NBK to the community custom ‘3D printed’ casts is Jasem Al Budaiwi, in his interven- tion expressed his pleasure that yes- terday’s virtual event coincided with NBK’s song attracts more than 2 mln views on YouTube expanding into the Mideast the day when Kuwait was celebrat- ing its National Day. KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: National National days together in an excep- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: Biomedical care to even more patients across the Bank of Kuwait (NBK) hosted a tional and unique manner.” startup, ActivArmor, has partnered globe.” Relations unique online event at its Headquar- “NBK is committed to refl ect the with Thrive General Trading Co to The CEO of Thrive General Trading Al Budaiwi, who is currently vis- ters and streamed it online via NBK spirit of national unity and commit- be its authorized distributor in bring- Co, Sari Hajj, said, “ Thrive General iting Kuwait, said that an important Social Media Channels to celebrate ment and was one of the very fi rst ing this revolutionary immobilization Trading Co’s mission is to continu- point that needs to be discussed is the occasion of Kuwait’s Anniver- national organizations that support- technology to the Middle East regions. ously introduce the most innovative the future relations between the EU sary of Independence and the Anni- ed the country’s efforts in combat- ActivArmor provides the only sani- solutions to our societies in Kuwait and the GCC. versary of Liberation. ing the COVID-19 pandemic. NBK tizable casts in the market – helping and the Middle East. After a prolonged “We should capitalise on the great During this event, NBK launched highlighted the spirit of responsibil- to keep those needing immobilization analysis of the ActivArmor casts and momentum we have in the GCC a special musical work presented as ity by making its resources avail- safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, splints and the their premium added now,” he said referring to the Al Ula a commemorative gift to Kuwait, ti- able to shoulder the community and by allowing them to wash their hands. value over the traditional casts, we agreement. tled “Al Sidra”. The song attracted maintain the nation’s wellbeing”, The next-gen casts are completely cus- were keen to have this product avail- more than two million views on she added. “While we must encour- tom – precisely fi tting to each patient able for the Kuwaiti and the middle “It is time that we move on with using a 3D body scan, and designed east market. We’re in the process of some tangible results in this relation- NBK YouTube channel since its age social distancing, our message launch. this year was to affi rm that we will per the doctor’s prescription, includ- approaching the top orthopedic hos- ship which includes the Free Trade ing the ability to expose post-surgical pitals &clinics in the region, so they Agreement, the Association agree- NBK has teamed up with youth get through this pandemic together”. hardware or incisions, and adaptable can start offering ActivArmor casts as ment, waiver of Schengen visa. Kuwaiti singers and musicians to NBK reinforced its position as a for use with ultrasound and other ad- an alternative to the traditional bulky This is what we would like to see,” produce this special event. lead contributor to the development vanced technologies. and heavy casts. Furthermore, we are stressed Al Budaiwi. Also, as part of the National Cel- of the Kuwaiti society through its ActivArmor orthoses are being approaching the top insurance compa- He lauded the “excellent brotherly ebrations, NBK sponsored a pho- commitment to corporate social re- prescribed for injuries like breaks, nies in the region to have the 3D cus- agreement, reached in December, tography competition organized by sponsibility. This commitment be- sprains, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, tom fi t casts and splints covered under and added that “we would like to see “Belmokhba” on social media chan- Basma Al Hasan, NBK Advertising came evident in the numerous social through hospitals and clinics across the their insurance policy, just like in the more engagement and visit from EU nels for young talents. NBK will Manager and philanthropic initiatives and na- United States, like Northeast Orthope- US, to have the maximum number of leaders and officials.” reward the winner a virtual learning tional responsibilities including the dics, Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute, patients benefi t from the 3D printed In his brief intervention, Saudi course from the New York Academy ing Manager said, “This time has special musical operetta “Hatha Hwa Alpine Orthopedics, Regional Ortho- casts.” Arabia’s ambassador to the EU, of Filmmaking. been exceptional for everyone, and lKuweiti”, “Habibityi ya Kuwait” pedics, Central Indiana Orthopedics, The ActivArmor casts and splints Saad Al Arify, said the Al Ula Dec- Basma Al Hasan, NBK Advertis- so it was our duty to celebrate our and a lot more. and Children’s Hospital Colorado. come in different sizes and shapes de- laration opened the door for unity “We are honored to partner with pending on the orthopedic prescription Thrive Trading to bring ActivArmor’s for injuries like breaks, sprains, and and solidarity in the Gulf region. bered His Highness the late Amir tion for their support. “We welcome the progress since custom 3D printed casts to the Middle Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The patient “It put an end to a family disagree- of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Gabriel Munera Vinals, head of December and welcome the break- East,” says Diana Hall, Founder of can also choose the color of the cast as ment and return to a complete diplo- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah saying “May God Arabian Peninsula and Iraq division in through at the Al Ula summit,” he ActivArmor. “As the fi rst and only pleased, as they come in many differ- matic relations which will make broth- bless his soul.” the European External Action Service, stressed and added that the normali- ActivArmor provider in the region, ent colors. It is worth mentioning that erly cooperation to continue,” he said. He lauded His Highness Amir the EU’s diplomatic service, started sation will contribute to creating this collaboration will help bring the the casts/splints are ISO Certifi ed for The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber his intervention by wishing Kuwait a conditions that are more conducive latest technology and improved patient biocompatibility and FDA registered. always looking forward in cooperating Al-Sabah’s “strenuous efforts in the “Happy National Day.” to putting behind the tensions. with the international community, the successful mediation that brought He noted that the EU has been The EU is ready to continue con- EU and the US for peace and stability the GCC back to life once again.” very supportive both publicly and tributing to this and ready to resume in the region, stressed Al Arify. “Huge steps have been taken to privately of the efforts to overcome full range of institutional relations Qatar’s ambassador to the EU, ease tensions and return back to nor- the difficulties in the Gulf in particu- with the GCC, he added. The GCC Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al mal,” said the Qatari ambassador lar by “HH the late Amir of Kuwait includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Khulaifi, in his intervention, remem- who also thanked the US administra- and his successor more recently.” Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Burgan Bank ‘Mega Hit’ offer on Apple AirPods Max from Best Al-Yousifi KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: Bur- Offer’ while making other pur- gan Bank’s prepaid and credit chases only through the “Best cardholders can now benefit Al-Yousifi” website or mobile from the exclusive monthly application. ‘Mega Hit Offer’ through its As the only bank in Kuwait to partnership with ‘Best Al- provide this special offer, the se- Yousifi’, the leading electron- lected product’s price can also be ics store in Kuwait. The bank’s viewed on Burgan Bank’s social valued customers will be given media platforms on the same day the chance to purchase the lat- of the offer. est “Apple AirPods Max” for To learn more about Burgan a special discounted price on Bank’s latest offers or any of Sunday, 28th of February, its products and services, cus- 2021. tomers can visit any of the The offer provides limited bank’s branches or Burgan quantities of the highly de- Banks Instagram page on @ manded headset and is valid BurganBankKuwait, contact for 24 hours only. Customers the call center or via What- can benefit from the ‘Mega Hit Burgan Bank flyer sApp at 1804080. ActivArmor sanitizable, custom 3D printed casts ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021

7

Event highlights India-Kuwait partnership in healthcare Indian Embassy organizes symposium on ‘Combating COVID-19’

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: The Indian crisis has severely tested the resilience Embassy in association with the Indian of all nations. India has sent essential Doctors’ Forum (IDF) and the Kuwait drugs, testing kits and other medical Medical Association (KMA) organ- assistance. India has established its ized a very informative symposium credentials as the pharmacy to the under the title “Combating COVID-19 world during the crisis. Medications — India-Kuwait Partnership”. made in India were shipped to desti- The event was inaugurated by the nations across the world in daunting Ambassador of India to Kuwait His logistical circumstances imposed by Excellency Sibi George who in his in- lockdowns. Indian rapid response augural address encapsulated India’s teams were deployed in 8 countries. success story in handling the pandem- Indian naval vessels and air force ic, its vaccine program, its stellar role airplanes delivered supplies along a as the “Pharmacy of the World” and wide arc to friends and partners. the ever growing bilateral cooperation “It is a matter of great pride to each between India-Kuwait especially in one of us to see how India has not only the health domain. developed its own indigenous vac- In acknowledging the presence of cines but also supplied made in India President of Kuwait Medical Associa- vaccines to several countries includ- tion Dr Ahmad Al-Enizi recalled dis- ing most countries in our neighbor- cussing during an earlier meeting ways hood, extended neighborhood and in and means to strengthen “our partner- countries as far as Brazil. This is also ship in healthcare. In fact, cooperation refl ective of the economic and sci- in medical sector is a key element in entifi c transformation that India wit- our multifaceted bilateral relationship. nessed in recent years. It is pertinent I thank him for accepting my invitation to mention that India has announced to partake in ‘Combating Covid 19: a gift of 200 thousand doses of COV- India-Kuwait Partnership’. ID-19 vaccines to the United Nations The Indian envoy also thanked the peace keepers across the world,” the Indian Doctors’ Forum, its President ambassador said. Dr Amir Ahmed and senior doctors who joined the event as panelists and Specialist Indian medical doctors who took part in panel discussions pose with Indian ambassador. Address experts for its humanitarian efforts Dr. Ahmad Thuwaini Al-Enezi, and its many endeavors in supporting President, Kuwait Medical Associa- the Indian community in its efforts to tion who was the Guest of Honor in fi ght the pandemic. his keynote address emphasized on the excellent cooperation between the Challenge two friendly countries particularly in Saying, these are diffi cult times for the healthcare fi eld. Dr. Amir Ahmed, all; the COVID-19 crisis has become President of the Indian Doctors Fo- a global challenge of a magnitude that rum, also delivered his remarks on the humanity has not experienced in re- occasion and introduced the esteemed cent memory. It is throwing up new panel speakers of the Symposium. challenges to every country, every The addresses were followed by society and every family including in the panel discussion featuring special- India and here in Kuwait. “I thank our ist Indian medical doctors working at doctors, nurses and other medical per- reputed healthcare institutions in Ku- sonnel all over the world who work wait. The discussion was moderated day in and day out to save lives, in our by Dr P Shankar Narayanan Menon, fi ght against this pandemic.” Consultant & Head, Department of “Speaking of our topic today, Com- Pediatrics, Jaber Al Ahmed Armed bating COVID-19 pandemic let me Forces Hospital, Kuwait. Other mem- quote from the remarks made by UN bers of the esteemed panel included Secretary General António Guterres Indian Ambassador addressing the conference. Dr Al-Enizi addressing the conference. Dr Arijit Chattopadhyay, Consultant on Jan 28. He said, “I would like to Endocrinologist, Medical Department, say how much we count on India. I precedented crisis. In India, the rate of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The period of At the same time, India also fo- national relations. We have so far sup- Al Sabah Hospital, Ministry of Health mean, India has one of the most ad- of spread of infections, the number lockdown was effectively used for ca- cused on our diaspora and also on our plied about 23 million doses of vac- Kuwait; Dr Manu Kurian Baby, Senior vanced pharmaceutical industries. of fatalities and the number of cases pacity building. What we followed was immediate neighbors, extended neigh- cines to friends and partners across Registrar, Department of Respiratory India played a very important role in requiring hospitalization and critical an ‘all India effort’ involving Central bors including in the Gulf, friends and the world. Medicine, Jaber Al Sabah Hospital; the production of generics for use that care have all shown a consistent de- Government, State Governments and partners across the globe. The Vande “The Indian vaccine capacities will Dr Rohit Lohani Senior Specialist, De- was outside ... a very important ele- cline in recent weeks. It being a large District and Village authorities with Bharat Mission that India launched generate another 1.1 billion doses for partment of Anesthesia, Al Sabah Hos- ment of democratization of access to population, 1.3 billion people, 1/6th people’s participation. returned several million Indians back the WHO-led COVAX scheme that pital; and Dr Saroj Bala Grover, Senior medicines all over the world and we of the total population, the number of to their home country. This involved distributes them to developing coun- Physician, Department of Medicine, strongly hope that India will have all cases always appears big. India’s re- Programs cooperation with many countries tries across the world. In his address Infectious Diseases Hospital. the instruments that are necessary to covery rate is over 97%, compared to “The Prime Minister regularly ad- including State of Kuwait. Look at to the UN General Assembly in Sep- The symposium generated a tre- play a major role in making sure that a much lower recovery rate across the dressed the State Governments and the scale, the largest operation in the tember last year Prime Minister of mendous response with hundreds of global vaccination campaign becomes world. Active cases are only 2.7%. the people directly launching various world, which is still continuing. India Narendra Modi had assured the people from different walks of life in possible. I think that the production India’s fatality rate is 1.4 % which is programs aimed at taking this ‘all In- Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, meaning global community that India will use Kuwait participating virtually. The capacity of India is one of the best as- much below the world average. dia effort’ forward. In October Prime the world is one, is central to India’s its production and delivery capacity to symposium provided an unique op- sets the world has today, and I hope “When COVID crisis struck India, Minister launched a Jan Andolan civilizational ethos. “Vaccine Maitri, help all humanity in fi ghting the virus. portunity for participants to listen to the world understands that it must be the country was a net importer of many (people’s movement) to ensure coop- the global health diplomacy operation This is exactly what we have done. frontline healthcare warriors providing fully used,” the UN General Secretary items including masks, PPE test kits. erative responsibility. I am happy to in which we have supplied vaccines India has extended medical and much needed insights on the ongoing concluded saying. Today it has not only become self- note that India is doing well in dealing — Made in India — to nations across other assistance to more than 150 pandemic. For more details about the The Indian envoy said India has suffi cient, but is exporting across the with the pandemic today,” the Indian the world is a practical demonstration countries in the fi ght against the event, please visit the website and so- acted with resolve during this un- globe these items. It is a success story envoy added. of our belief and our behavior in inter- COVID-19 pandemic when the global cial media handles of the Embassy. ‘He promoted India in Kuwait’ Indian community bid farewell to Kapadia KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: Under the Patronage of Indian Ambassador to Kuwait HE Sibi George, various In- dian associations in Kuwait and com- munity members organized a farewell meet to Anant Kapadia, Chairperson of IBPC, and the man regarded as one of Kuwait’s foremost impresarios. Anant Kapadia, the big fi gure in Ku- wait’s corporate world and uncrowned personality of Indian music in Kuwait played a crucial role in Indo-Kuwait cultural relationship. A prominent fi g- ure in the business and cultural arena in Kuwait, Kapadia is currently the Chairman of IBPC. He is leaving Ku- wait for good after spending 45 years of his life on this blessed land. “During his forty-fi ve years of stay in Kuwait, he has immensely contrib- A photo from the event. uted to promoting India in Kuwait both might by bringing some of India’s top pressed the happiness of the communi- in cultural and business front,” Indian industrialists, business people, and en- ty and thank to HE Sibi George for the Ambassador Sibi George said in his trepreneurs to Kuwait to increase In- quick response for all requests from A photo from the event. speech. Associations and Groups are do-Kuwait business ties. He also pro- community solved until today. Mrs like beautiful fl owers in the garden of moted India’s classical music through Chaitali B. Roy made a brief presenta- the Indian diaspora in Kuwait. Each collaborations with premier organiza- tion about the life of Anat Kapadiya in Association praised for welfare activities one of our diaspora members is our tions in Kuwait like Dar Al Athar Al Kuwait. Ambassadors representing our coun- Islamiyyah and Kuwait’s National try in their fi eld of activities abroad. Kapadia, in his emotional speech, Council for Culture Arts and Letters. thanked all those who helped him over We are seeing it now, here in Kuwait, During the Covid Pandemic, as IEC delegation meets with Pakistan envoy when each of our doctors and medical the years of his journey in Kuwait. chairman of IBPC, Kapadiya and Prominent personalities including professionals, through their hard work various Indian associations were at the KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: Islam- and sacrifi ce, brings respect and ad- Shashi Tharoor MP and from Kuwait forefront of distributing food kits and Tony Jashanmal, Choji Lamba Vice ic Education Committee (IEC) miration to our country, Ambassador other relief materials to the stranded of Kuwait delegation led by its said. Indians in Kuwait. Chairman IBPC, Kaizer T Shakir President Javed Iqbal recently “On behalf of Embassy of India and Ambassador Sibi George and Ka- (Chairman – CA Chapter), Karim paid a visit to the ambassador of the Indian community in Kuwait, I padia cut the farewell cake along with Irfan (President – FIMA), Dr Vinod Pakistan, HE Excellency Syed thank Mr. Anant Kapadiya for playing Madam Joice Sibi George and Mrs In- Grover, Jyothish Cherian (President, Sajjad Haider at his residence. his part in promoting Indian business dira Kapadiya. Ambassador also pre- Kala Kuwait), Binoy Sebastian (Vice- and culture and contributing towards sented a shawl to Kapadia. president – BPP), Ebey Varicadu The IEC delegation included (Vice President OICC), Venkat Koduri Mushtaq Ahmed Vice President, the development of new avenues of co- In the presence of Community operation and linkages between India Leaders, including Suresh K P, Kaizer (United Telugu Forum) and Moham- Athar Makhdoom General Secre- and Kuwait” Ambassador said. T Shakir, Chairman – CA Chapter, Dr mad Aslam Kuttikattoor (Acting Presi- tary, Muhammad Inaam in-charge Kapadiya has created an unparal- Amir Ahmad Chairman – IDF, Am- dent KMCC) made farewell messages of Public Relations, Sadaf Ali leled legacy with his exceptional con- bassador presented a memento to Sri during the event, which was attended President Youth Wing and Nisar tribution to the cause of Indian music Kapadia for his immense contributions by a large number of friends and well- Ahmed Deputy Secretary Gen- and culture. Not only has he held up to the Indo-Kuwait relationship. wishers virtually. Dr Surendra Nayak, eral. The delegation was received the best of India culturally, but as a On behalf of all community organi- Dr Sushovana Sujith Nair and Nixon warmly by the ambassador. member and Chairperson of IBPC, he zations, Suresh K P coordinated the George entertained the audience virtu- The President of the Islamic has also showcased India’s economic program. Suresh K P in his speech ex- ally with their melodious songs. Education Committee introduced the committee and his team and briefed them about the activities St Paul’s Anglican Church announces programs of the committee in Kuwait. The Ambassador highly praised the re- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: Welcome Youth Group meeting on Tuesday on Thursdays at St Paul’s at 6pm and ligious moral training and welfare to St Paul’s Anglican Church, Ah- at 7pm online, Women’s Fellowship in Urdu language on Fridays at the A photo from the event. madi, Kuwait. Main worship ser- Bible Study meeting every second NECK Centre, Kuwait City at 5.30 activities of IEC for Pakistanis liv- vice: English language congrega- Saturday of the month at 4pm on- pm. ing in Kuwait. He also spoke highly Embassy in Kuwait. problems of Pakistanis. During the tion meets on Fridays at 10.30am line, Lent Refl ections meeting on Contact Fr Michael Mbona on of the hard work and dedication of The Ambassador expounded the time both sides discussed in details celebrating the Eucharist live in the Saturdays starting Feb 29, 2021 at mobile 65960781 or call at Church IEC during the last year lockdown the issues faced by the Pakistanis church and online. 7pm till Easter online. house on 23985929 or email mrmbo- in which they took active part in problems of Pakistanis and the role played by the Embassy. The IEC in good atmosphere. The meeting A family service is held on the fi rst The Mandarin language congrega- [email protected] Mandarin congrega- helping the Pakistani brethren. The Friday of every month. Programmes tion: meets separately on Fridays at tion: Revd Zhu Peijin on 56602508or last year relief activity was taken delegation appreciated His Excel- ended with splendid breakfast. The during the week: Children’s Church 10.30am online and hold group and email: [email protected] by the Pakistani organizations un- lency and the embassy for taking IEC delegation thanked the ambas- (Sunday School) on Fridays at 2pm prayer meetings weekly online. The All COVID protocol to be strictly der the supervision of the Pakistan immediate steps in solving the sador for his hospitality and time. online. Church of Pakistan: English service adhered to. Boeing will pay $6.6 million to settle FAA allegations

Federal regulators have imposed $5.4 This is merely the latest brush with reached in late December, according to million in civil penalties against Boeing regulators for Chicago-based Boeing. the agency. In this fi le photo, for violating terms of a $12 million set- In January, the company agreed to pay “I have reiterated to Boeing’s leadership the Boeing Com- tlement in 2015, and the aircraft maker $2.5 billion to avoid prosecution by the time and again that the company must pri- pany logo on the has agreed to pay another $1.21 million U.S. Justice Department for defrauding oritize safety and regulatory compliance, property in El Se- to settle two current enforcement cases. the FAA during development of the 737 and that the FAA will always put safety fi rst gundo, California. The Federal Aviation Administration Max, the airplane that was involved in in all its decisions,” FAA Administrator Ste- (AP) said Thursday that Boeing managers two crashes that killed 346 people. Boe- phen Dixon said in a statement. The two failed to put adequate priority on living ing admitted that two former employees new enforcement cases for which Boeing up to the earlier settlement and comply- misled FAA about a key fl ight system im- will pay $1.21 million involve a program ing with FAA regulations. Under terms plicated in the crashes. under which Boeing employees conduct of the previous settlement, Boeing can’t Terms of the latest agreement be- safety assessments on new planes on be- appeal the new penalty, the FAA said. tween the company and the FAA were half of the FAA. (AP)

Market Movements 26-02-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts PHILIPPINES - PSEi +38.91 6,794.86 AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries -165.05 6,940.63 JAPAN - Nikkei -1,202.26 28,966.01 GERMANY - DAX -93.04 13,786.29 FRANCE - CAC 40 -80.67 5,703.22 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 -48.84 3,636.44 S. KOREA - KRX 100 -206.26 6,504.72 INDIA - Sensex -1,939.32 49,099.99 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -100.60 45,865.02 CHINA - Shanghai SE -75.97 3,509.08 Business

High infl ation unlikely, says Powell US economic recovery remains uneven and incomplete: Fed WASHINGTON, Feb 27, (AP): Fed- eral Reserve Chair Jerome Powell un- derscored the US economy’s ongoing weakness in remarks that suggested that the Fed sees no need to alter its Anticipating 2021 boom, US Q4 ultra-low interest rate policies anytime soon. “The economic recovery remains uneven and far from complete, and the path ahead is highly uncertain,” Powell said in testimony to the Senate In this fi le photo, Federal Reserve GDP revised up slightly to 4.1% Chair Jerome Powell listens during Banking Committee. Powell’s comments are in contrast a Senate Banking Committee hear- to the increasing optimism among ing on Capitol Hill in Washington. many analysts that the economy will (AP) grow rapidly later this year. That out- look has also raised concerns, though, specifi c legislation. about a potential surge in infl ation and The Fed chair also acknowledged has fueled a sharp increase in longer- that prices could rise later this year if term interest rates this year. Americans engage in a burst of spend- Most economists say they think the ing as the coronavirus comes under Fed’s continued low rates, further gov- control. ernment fi nancial aid and progress in But Powell emphasized that he combating the viral pandemic could doesn’t expect sustained price in- create a mini-economic boom as soon creases. Infl ation has been held down as this summer. Powell acknowledged for decades by greater international the potential for a healthier economy. competition, growing online com- But he stressed the personal hardships merce, and other trends that take time caused by the pandemic, especially for to change, he said. unemployed Americans. In response to a question from Sen “As with overall economic activity, Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Powell said, the pace of improvement in the labor “We do expect that infl ation will move market has slowed,” Powell said. “Al- up. But we don’t expect the effects on though there has been much progress in infl ation will be particularly large or the labor market since the spring, mil- persistent.” lions of Americans remain out of work.” Powell’s remarks to the Banking Committee are coming on the fi rst Signal of two days of semiannual testimony Powell’s focus on the economy’s to Congress that is required by law. challenges refl ects his reluctance to On Wednesday, he will testify to the send any signal that the Fed is con- House Financial Services Committee. sidering pulling back on its efforts to His testimony comes as the economy boost economic growth and hiring. is showing gradual improvement in key The Fed cut its benchmark short-term areas, with manufacturing and retail interest rate to nearly zero last March sales rebounding despite a stagnant job in response to the pandemic reces- market. Still, the steady rise in interest sion. It is also purchasing $120 billion rates has unsettled the stock market. On a month in bonds in an effort to hold Monday, the tech-heavy Nasdaq index down longer-term rates. tumbled a steep 2.5% as the yield on the Powell reiterated that those purchas- 10-year Treasury note surged to nearly es will continue until “substantial pro- 1.37%. At the start of the year, the 10- gress” has been made toward the Fed’s year yield was below 1%. goals of low unemployment and stable Powell attributed that increase to op- infl ation at about 2% annually. timism about a potential acceleration The economy may improve rap- in growth. “In a way it’s a statement In this fi le photo, a woman carries shopping bags in New York. The nation’s largest retail trade group is forecasting strong retail sales growth in 2021 that idly later this year, Powell said, “but of confi dence on the part of markets could surpass last year’s pace as individuals get vaccinated and the economy reopens. The National Retail Federation anticipates that retail sales will the job is not done yet, the job is not that we will have a robust recovery,” grow between 6.5% and 8.2% to more than $4.33 trillion this year. (AP) done.” Powell said. Powell also downplayed concerns about rising longer-term interest rates Strength and potentially higher infl ation, which In response to a question from Orders for durable goods climb 3.4% in January some analysts worry will result from Toomey, Powell acknowledged that a burst of spending and growth if the “there is certainly a link” between pandemic is brought under control the Fed’s low-interest rate policies WASHINGTON, Feb 27, later this year. and rapid price increases for stocks, (AP): The economy grew Better performance than fi rst thought The Fed chair also refused to en- homes, and some commodities. But he at a 4.1% pace in the fi - dorse or condemn President Joe also attributed much of the price gains nal three months of 2020, Biden’s $1.9 trillion economic rescue that have occurred to rising optimism. package, which is beginning to make For now, interest rates remain, by slightly faster than fi rst es- German economy grew 0.3% in Q4 its way through Congress. When historical standards, exceedingly low. timated, ending a year in asked by Sen John Kennedy, R-La., As recently as the fall of 2018, for ex- which the overall economy, BERLIN, Feb 27, (AP): The Ger- ic has hit Germany’s finances. Germany has seen its infection if he would “be cool” with Congress ample, the 10-year yield briefl y topped man economy grew 0.3% in last After years in the black, the gov- rate decline signifi cantly over the approving or voting down Biden’s 3%. But for the past year, the economy ravaged by a global pan- year’s fourth quarter compared ernment resorted to running up past two months, but the progress proposal, Powell said, “By either be- and the markets have drawn strength demic, shrank more than with the previous three-month pe- new debt to help cover the cost appears to have stalled in recent ing cool or uncool, I would have to be from near-record-low borrowing rates. in any year in the past sev- riod, offi cial data showed - a better of huge support packages for days amid concerns about the im- expressing an opinion. ... which I’m Many analysts are bullish about the not doing.” prospects for this year. On Monday, en decades. performance than fi rst thought. workers and an expected short- pact of more contagious virus var- Michelle Meyer, an economist at Bank The Federal Statistical Offi ce fall in tax revenue. iants. The country has seen over The divide in Congress in regard to The infl ux of new government the state of the economy was clearly of America, raised her forecast for stimulus efforts and accelerated had reported in late January that The statistics offi ce said Ger- 68,000 confi rmed virus deaths on display, a key part of the debate growth this year to 6.5%. That would vaccine distribution could lift gross domestic product edged up many had a budget defi cit last year since the pandemic began. over the stimulus. Sen Sherrod Brown, be the strongest calendar year econo- growth in the current quarter, end- 0.1% in the October-December of 4.2% of GDP - higher than the “The construction sector, indus- D-Ohio, chairman of the committee, my growth since 1984. period. 3% normally allowed under euro- trial activity and foreign demand spoke of Americans facing eviction, Still, the job market remains essen- ing in March, to 5% or even high- Wednesday’s revision meant zone rules. helped to stop the German econ- er, economists believe. struggling small businesses, and state tially stalled, with employers adding that last year’s overall drop in On Monday, elementary stu- omy from falling into contraction and local governments that need fi nan- an average of just 30,000 jobs a month The 4.1% gain in the gross domes- GDP was a touch less sharp than dents in more than half of Germa- during the second lockdown,” tic product – the broadest measure cial assistance. in the past three months. The economy originally reported - 4.9% rather ny’s 16 states returned to school ING economist Carsten Brzeski Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., however, is about 10 million jobs short of its of economic health – is a slight up- than 5%. That fall ended a decade after more than two months at said in a research note. ward revision from 4% growth in the noted that 18 states have unemploy- pre-pandemic level. of growth and was the biggest de- home, the fi rst major relaxation of But he pointed to risks for the Powell was also asked about the fi rst estimate released a month ago, ment rates below 5% and argued that cline since the fi nancial crisis in the country’s pandemic measures current quarter from a greater im- incomes have recovered to pre-pan- prospects of the Fed creating a digital the Commerce Department reported currency, a move that is gaining steam Thursday. 2009. since they were tightened shortly pact of the lockdown, a very cold demic levels. Germany’s economy did better before Christmas. spell this month and weaker for- “We are well past the point where among other central banks. Powell The revision does alter the nation’s our economy is collapsing,” Toomey said the Fed is “looking carefully at annual GDP which shrank 3.5%, the than several others in the 19-coun- Hairdressers are due to reopen eign demand, including a possible try eurozone as it was supported nationwide on March 1, but it’s reversal of “any pre-Brexit hoard- said. “In fact our economy is growing whether to issue a digital dollar.” largest decline since 1946 when the rapidly ... There’s also real danger that Fed governor Lael Brainard said last US demobilized after World War II. by manufacturing, which has tak- unclear when further steps to relax ing” in Britain. en less of a hit than services during restrictions will be allowed. Indus- “The growth drivers of the we have overheating ... that can lead year that the central bank has conduct- As bad as 2020 was, it’s set the na- to infl ation.” ed “in-house experiments” on a digital tion up for what economists believe the pandemic. try has not been directly affected fourth quarter could easily become Still, the coronavirus pandem- by the measures. drags in the fi rst,” he noted. Powell has previously endorsed currency, as a complement to cash. will be a very strong rebound. Many government spending in general to Providing a digital dollar would en- project a growth rate of 5% or more in offset the impact of the recession. Fed sure “the public has access to a range the current quarter or more, with 9% chairs typically avoid commenting on of payments options,” she said. growth the headline in some forecasts. increase in consumer spending, which spending as a result. Orders for goods meant to last at accounts for two-thirds of economic That situation has reversed. Econo- least three years have now risen nine Grow activity. The new report showed con- mists expect a notable snap back this straight months, another sign that For all of 2021, economists are sumer spending growing at a 2.4% quarter with infections waning and a manufacturing has proven resilient in forecasting the GDP could grow by rate, slightly lower than the 2.5% gain $900 billion support program passed the face of the coronavirus pandemic. BA parent fi rm books ‘huge’ 6%. That would be the fastest annual initially estimated. by Congress in late December. The January gain – triple what econo- GDP growth since the economy ex- Housing construction, the star per- Gregory Daco, chief economist at mists had expected – followed upticks panded 7.2% in 1984 when Ronald former for the economy last year, grew Oxford Economics, said he had revised of 1.2% in December and 1.3% in No- loss, calls for digital passes at a 35.8% rate in the fourth quarter fol- vember. Orders have now surpassed Reagan was president. Fueling opti- up his GDP forecast to show 7.2% LONDON, Feb 27, (AP): The parent travel and business. mism about an economic comeback lowing a 63% surge in the third quarter. growth in the fi rst quarter, followed by pre-pandemic levels; they’re up 3.5% company of British Airways and Iberia Passenger capacity at IAG’s airlines is a sharp decline in new COVID-19 Business investment grew at a strong further strong gains based on an expec- from a year earlier. on Friday said it lost 6.9 billion euros in 2020 was just 33% of what it was infections, and recent surging sales in 14% rate in the fourth quarter while state tation that President Joe Biden’s $1.9 Orders for civilian aircraft and parts ($8.3 billion) last year as the pandemic the previous year. In the current quar- the beleaguered retail sector. and local government spending fell for trillion relief plan will win congres- jumped 389.9%. Excluding transpor- caused a near-total collapse in interna- ter, it is estimated at just 20% of what “You have massive government the third consecutive quarter. sional approval next month. tation equipment, which can bounce tional air traffic, and called for digital it was in the same period of 2019. stimulus, low interest rates from the It is the second of three estimates wildly from month to month, durable Stimulus passes to help revive travel. The company backed calls for digi- Fed and the vaccine supply is grow- the government will make on GDP goods orders were up a solid 1.4%. IAG’s after-tax loss compared with tal health certificates to be issued to ing,” said Sung Won Sohn, fi nance activity in the fi nal quarter of a horren- “We anticipate a summer mini- “Durable goods are putting the pan- a profit of 1.7 billion euros the year people who have been vaccinated and economics professor at Loyola dous year. GDP fell by 5% in the fi rst boom in activity, juiced up by reduced demic in the rearview mirror,’’ econo- before. Its revenue slumped 70% to against the new coronavirus as a way Marymount University in Los Ange- quarter followed by a record-shattering virus transmission, increased vaccine mists Oren Klachkin and Gregory Daco 7.8 billion euros ($9.4 billion). to help get passengers back on planes les. “The economy is beginning to fi re plunge at a rate of 31.4% in the April- diffusion and generous fi scal stimu- of Oxford Economics said in a research “Our results reflect the serious in a safe way. “We know there is pent- on all cylinders.” June quarter as the pandemic shut lus,” Daco said. note, adding that “factory activity will impact that COVID-19 has had on our up demand for travel and people want The upward revision to the nation’s down much of the US economy. Meanwhile, orders to US factories expand solidly in the near term, driven business,” said CEO Luis Gallego. to fly,” said Gallego in a statement. quarterly GDP refl ected stronger hous- Between July and September the for big-ticket goods shot up 3.4% in by hearty consumer demand for goods The outlook is so uncertain that the “Vaccinations are progressing well ing construction, a bigger increase in economy rebounded at a 33.4% rate January, pulled up by surge in orders and inventory restocking.’’ company did not provide any targets and global infections are going in the business inventories, and a smaller de- before slowing to a 4.1% gain in the for civilian aircraft. A category that A category economists watch for or estimates for 2021. At the start of right direction. We’re calling for inter- cline in state and government spend- fourth quarter when infections spiked tracks business investment posted a hints at future investment -- orders for this year business remained precarious national common testing standards and ing than fi rst estimated a month ago. just as government support expired. more modest gain, the Commerce De- nondefense capital goods excluding as many countries extended or intro- the introduction of digital health pass- These gains offset a slightly slower Americans pulled back sharply on partment reported Thursday. aircraft – rose 0.5%. duced new lockdown measures on es to reopen our skies safely.” ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 BUSINESS 9

SoftBank says deal reached with WeWork founder, directors People walk by a Soft- SoftBank Group Corp. has the agreement was not yet us, we are fully focused on especially amid the corona- Bank shop in Tokyo. reached a settlement in a fi nal. Other details were not our mission to reimagine the virus pandemic, has dented Japanese telecommuni- U.S. legal dispute with direc- immediately available. workplace and continue to SoftBank’s fi nancial results. cations and technology tors of offi ce space-sharing The wrangling began more meet the growing demand SoftBank says WeWork conglomerate Softbank venture WeWork Inc. and its than a year ago after SoftBank for fl exible space around the holds potential, especially in Group Corp reported founder Adam Neumann, the acquired shares in WeWork, world,” said Marcelo Claure, markets like Japan, where of- Monday a whopping 1.17 trillion yen ($11 billion) Japanese technology com- which was suffering after its executive chairman of We- fi ce space is costly and work- profi t for the October- pany said Saturday. failed IPO. But some inves- Work and SoftBank Group ers’ commutes tend to be December quarter as its The terms of the settle- tors and Neumann were not International chief executive. long. SoftBank also invests in investments rose in value. ment in the Delaware Court satisfi ed with the monetary Tokyo-based SoftBank is a artifi cial intelligence, internet (AP) of Chancery were not dis- deals offered by SoftBank. majority shareholder in We- services, sustainable energy closed. The statement said “With this litigation behind Work, whose bumpy results, and IoT. (AP)

Facebook says it will pay $1 billion over 3 years to news industry FB signs pay deals with 3 Australian news publishers CANBERRA, Australia, Feb 27, (AP): Facebook announced prelimi- nary agreements with three Australian publishers, a day after the Parliament passed a law that would make the digi- tal giants pay for news. A bumpy day leaves US stocks Facebook said letters of intent had been signed with independent news organizations Private Media, Schwartz Media and Solstice Media. The commercial agreements are subject to the signing of full agree- ments within the next 60 days, a Face- mostly lower; bond yields ease book statement said. “These agreements will bring a new slate of premium journalism, including some previously paywalled content, to World markets fall Facebook,” the statement said. Schwartz Media chief executive Rebecca Costello said the deal would NEW YORK, Feb 27, (AP): help her company continue to produce A choppy day on Wall independent journalism. Street ended with stocks “It’s never been more important than it is now to have a plurality of mostly lower, helping push voices in the Australian press,” Cos- the S&P 500 to its second tello said. straight weekly loss. Private Media chief executive Will Investors continued to watch Hayward said the new deal built on an the bond market, where Treas- existing Facebook partnership. Australia’s Parliament on Thursday ury yields eased lower, as well as had passed the fi nal amendments to Washington, where Congress is the so-called News Media Bargaining expected to vote on President Joe Code. Biden’s stimulus package. In return for the changes, Facebook Losses in banks and health care agreed to lift a six-day-old ban on Aus- stocks helped drag the S&P 500 down tralians accessing and sharing news. 0.5%, erasing an early gain. Falling oil Access to Australian news sites did not prices weighed on energy stocks. Tech- appear to be fully restored until Friday. nology and communication services Google, the only other digital giant companies, which bore the brunt of the targeted by the legislation, has already selling a day before, recovered slightly, struck content licensing deals, or is which helped the tech-heavy Nasdaq close to deals, with some of Australia’s composite manage a 0.6% gain. biggest news publishers including Ru- Bond yields eased off of their multi- pert Murdoch’s News Corp. and Seven week climb. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury fell to 1.42% from West Media. 1.51%. late Thursday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said “We still think the uptrend in the new Australian law was critical to (stocks) is very much intact and that the deals that Australian media busi- they’ll outperform bonds in the com- nesses were negotiating with the two ing year,” said Sameer Samana, senior gateways to the internet. global market strategist at Wells Fargo Under the law, if a platform can’t Investment Institute. reach agreement with a news business, The S&P 500 index fell 18.19 points an arbitration panel can be appointed to 3,811.15. Despite a two-week slide, to set a legally binding price for jour- the index managed a 2.6% gain for Feb- nalism. ruary after a 1.1% loss in January. “Global tech giants are changing the The Dow Jones Industrial Average world, but we can’t let them run the dropped 469.64 points, or 1.5%, to world,” Morrison told reporters. 30,932.37. The Nasdaq gained 72.91 “People in free societies like Aus- points to 13,192.34. The index still tralia, who go to ballot boxes and who posted its biggest weekly loss since go and they vote, that’s who should October. The Russell 2000 index of run the world,” Morrison added. smaller companies eked out a small In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, traders work on the fl oor on Feb 26. (AP) Facebook Vice President of Global gain, adding 0.88 points, or less than Affairs Nick Clegg on Wednesday 0.1%, to 2,201.05. took a veiled swipe at News Corp. in The indexes remain close to the all- Automaker gives an upbeat outlook for this year a social media post criticizing Aus- time highs they set earlier this month. tralia’s law, which is aimed at setting a A sell-off on Wall Street Thursday fair price for the Australian journalism picked up speed when the yield on the that the digital platforms display. 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose above VW weathers pandemic with $10.7b profi t “It is ironic that some of the biggest 1.5%, a level not seen in more than a publishers that have long advocated year and far above the 0.92% it was for free markets and voluntary com- trading at only two months ago. That FRANKFURT, Germany, Feb 27, ment. More fi nancial details are to mercial undertakings now appear to be move raised the alarm that yields, and (AP): Volkswagen said it made bet- be announced March 16 at the com- Move gives govt more powers in favor of state sponsored price set- the interest rates they infl uence, will ter than expected profi t of 8.8 billion pany’s annual news conference. ting,” the former British deputy prime move higher from here. euros ($10.7 billion) after tax in 2020 The Wolfsburg-based carmaker minister wrote. despite the pandemic. The world’s said that it had taken important stra- Yields News Corp. Australia executive No. 2 automaker said the rapid recov- tegic steps during the year to acceler- India introduces new rules chairman Michael Miller said last The recent rise in bond yields refl ects ery of China, its largest single market, ate its push into software and digital growing confi dence that the economy is week that his company had pay nego- and resilient sales of luxury vehicles technologies and services. It tripled its tiations with Facebook. on the path to recovery, but also expec- helped the bottom line. sales of electric vehicles to 422,000 tations that infl ation is headed higher, to regulate online content “Having been someone who’s dealt The company gave an upbeat out- ahead of stricter European Union lim- with Facebook over the past months, which might prompt central banks look for this year, saying it would its on emissions of carbon dioxide, eventually to raise interest rates to cool NEW DELHI, Feb 27, (AP): India institutional mechanism” required for we have some weeks where we’re get- carry momentum from the stronger the primary greenhouse gas blamed rolled out new regulations for social the “security and sovereignty of India ting good engagement and think we’re price increases. Rising yields can make second half of the year over into earn- for global warming. The company’s stocks look less attractive relative to media companies and digital stream- and public order .” progressing and then you get silence. I bonds, which is why every tick up in ings going forward. It said it was brands include luxury carmakers Audi ing websites to make them more They will require social media think the door is still open,” Miller told yields has corresponded with a tick striving for earnings in the top part of and Porsche, where profi ts per vehicle accountable for the online content companies to remove illegal content a Senate inquiry into Australian media down in stock prices. its forecast range of 5.0-6.5% returns are higher than for more basic trans- shared on their platforms, giving the as quickly as possible, but within no diversity. “Investors should look at this as an on sales, and predicted sales revenue portation. government more power to police it. more than 36 hours after they receive News Corp. owns most of Aus- affi rmation that the recovery is taking would be “signifi cantly higher,” as- The group’s profi ts were boosted The Information Technology Min- a government or legal order. tralia’s major newspapers, and some hold,” Brian Levitt, Global Market suming successful containment of the by the Porsche Taycan, a high-per- istry said the new regulations would The new rules also require social analysts argue the U.S.-based interna- Strategist at Invesco. COVID-19 pandemic. formance four-door sedan that starts media platforms to appoint what the tional media empire is the driver for The results underline the uneven at $79,500 for the standard model in require social media platforms like Samana said he still expects inter- Facebook and Twitter to swiftly erase government calls chief compliance the conservative Australian govern- impact of the pandemic. Manufactur- the U.S. Sales of that model reached ment making Facebook and Google est rates will continue to rise, but at a content authorities deem unlawful. and grievance offi cers to handle com- slower pace. ing companies like Germany’s three 20,000. The Taycan is part of Ger- pay. News Corp. has announced a The regulations include a strict over- plaints from law enforcement agen- Technology stocks have been impact- big carmakers - Volkswagen, BMW man carmakers’ efforts to compete cies. These offi cers should be Indian wide-ranging deal with Google cover- ed more than the broader market by the and Daimler - have seen their sales with electric car pioneer Tesla, sight mechanism that would allow the ing operations in the United States and government to ban content affecting citizens and must send monthly com- rise in bond yields. Tech stocks tend to and earnings hold up better than those which has eaten into their sales of pliance reports to the government. Britain as well as Australia. trade at higher valuations than the over- for services, tourism and air travel luxury cars. “the sovereignty and integrity of In- Facebook, following in Google’s dia.” “The government welcomes criti- all market. Investors are also betting that companies. “The fi nancial results now avail- cism of the government and the right footsteps, says it plans to invest $1 with vaccinations, the coronavirus pan- The earnings fi gure was off 37% able are far better than originally ex- The regulations would also require billion to “support the news industry” demic may be coming to an end which social media companies to assist in- to dissent, but it is very important from 2019. Sales revenue was down pected and show what our company is that the users must be given a forum over the next three years. would pivot consumer behavior away 11.8% at 222.9 billion euros, but fell capable of achieving, especially in a vestigations by India’s law enforce- The social networking giant, which from online-only shopping. ment agencies. They were announced to raise their grievances against the less than the 16.4% drop in unit sales crisis,” Chief Financial Offi cer Frank abuse and misuse of social media,” has been tussling with Australia over a In Washington, Democrats in Con- to 9.2 million vehicles. That meant Witter said in a statement. “We intend as debate swirls over free speech and law that would make social platforms gress are preparing to move forward Prasad said during a televised news Volkswagen surrendered the title of to carry over the strong momentum the suspension by Twitter of some In- pay news organizations, said it has with President Biden’s $1.9 trillion dian accounts linked to farmers’ pro- conference. invested $600 million since 2018 in stimulus package, with a vote in the biggest carmaker by volume that it from the signifi cantly better second Social media messaging sites must had held since 2016 to Toyota, which half into the current year, and the pro- tests after regulators ordered them to news. House of Representatives planned for be blocked. also disclose to the government the Google said in October that it would sold 9.5 million vehicles. grams for reducing our fi xed costs and original source of any “mischievous Friday. The Senate could vote on the Information Technology Minister pay publishers $1 billion over the next package as early as next week. Volkswagen common shares traded in procurement will make us more ro- information.” It was not immediately 1.2% higher after the earnings state- bust in the long term. Ravi Shankar Prasad said the new reg- three years. The stimulus bill would include yet clear if this would mean messaging News companies want Google and another round of one-time payments to ulations were a “soft touch progressive platforms like WhatsApp, Signal and most Americans, including an expan- Facebook to pay for the news that ap- 5,735. Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 1.4% to others would have to break end-to-end pears on their platforms. Governments sion of other refundable tax credits like 6,559. encryption in India in order to comply. the child tax credit, as well as additional in Europe and Australia are increas- In Asian trading, the Hang Seng in The new regulations are to take ef- ingly sympathetic to this point of view. aid to state and local governments to Hong Kong sagged 3.6% to 28,980.21. fect within three months. They also combat the pandemic. The two tech companies suck up the The Shanghai Composite index shed will apply to digital streaming plat- majority of U.S. digital advertising Shares skidded in Europe and Asia 2.1% to 3,509.08. South Korea’s Kospi forms like Netfl ix and Amazon Prime, while U.S. futures pointed to a sub- declined 2.8% to 3,012.95. The S&P/ dollars, which - among other problems which will have to set a “classifi cation - has hurt publishers. dued start to trading as investors sold ASX 200 slipped 2.4% to 6,673.30. In- rating” to describe the content on their off technology stocks and factored in a dia’s Sensex gave up 3% to 49,522.08. Facebook said that the changes al- potential increase in infl ation. platforms. low it to choose which publishers it Economies in Asia are also on the Twitter found itself in a standoff Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index, which mend, though rollouts of vaccines lag will support. recently surpassed 30-year highs, sank with the government earlier this month Google had already been signing behind the U.S. effort and pandemic-re- when it refused to fully comply with 4% to 28,966.01. Declines in Europe lated travel restrictions and quarantine content licensing deals with Australian were more modest. requirements are still in effect for many a government order to remove some media companies, and says that it has A sell-off on Thursday on Wall countries. accounts, including those of news or- arrangements with more than 50 pub- Street picked up speed when the yield In other trading Friday, U.S. bench- ganizations, journalists, activists and lishers in the country and more than on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note ex- mark crude oil shed $1.22 to $62.31 per politicians, citing its “principles of de- 500 globally. ceeded 1.5%, a level not seen in more barrel in electronic trading on the New fending protected speech and freedom There may be more such regulation than a year and far above the 0.92% it York Mercantile Exchange. It gained 31 of expression.” in other countries. Microsoft is work- was trading at only two months ago. cents to $53.22 per barrel on Thursday. The government said the accounts ing with European publishers to push That move raised the alarm that yields, Brent crude, the international standard, - unspecifi ed in number - were using big tech platforms to pay for news. and the interest rates they infl uence, gave up $1.09 to $65.02 per barrel. provocative hashtags to spread misin- European Union countries are working will move higher from here. The dollar rose to 106.25 Japanese formation about massive farmer pro- on adopting copyright rules that allow Germany’s DAX gave up 0.5% to yen from 106.20 yen on Thursday. The A child touches a TV screen displaying OTT streaming apps at his home in tests that have rattled Prime Minister news companies and publishers to ne- 13,815 and the CAC 40 lost 0.8% to euro slipped to $1.2120 from $1.2177. New Delhi, India, Feb. 25, 2021. (AP ) Narendra Modi’s government. gotiate payments. funky electronics chain Fry’s is no more

In this file Fry’s Electronics, the go-to Twitter to post images and Fry’s was already getting ham- “Fry’s was really a business photo, a small chain for tech tinkerers looking memories (good and bad). mered by online competition build for the 1980s electronics crowd begins for an obscure part, is closing The chain was concentrated and a battle between heavy- boom. During that era, it was a to gather out- for good. on the West Coast, but had 31 hitters Best Buy and Amazon. gathering place for enthusiasts side a Fry’s The company, perhaps even stores in nine states. It was com. of an industry that was on fire,” Electronics more well known for outlandish founded 36 years ago. The wild themes became Saunders said. “However, store in themes at some of its stores, Neil Saunders, managing more of a burden than an expe- those days have long since Renton, from Aztec to “Alice’s director at GlobalData, called it rience, Saunders said, and gone and now too has an icon Washington. Adventures in Wonderland,” “the end of an era, and a sad when the chain began to strug- that represented them.” (AP) said in an online posting that day” for an army of loyal cus- gle, gaps began to appear on Fry’s Electronics Inc. said its the COVID-19 pandemic had tomers. shelves in the the cavernous operations have ceased and made it impossible to continue. The pandemic has done stores, making them a shell of the wind-down of locations will Fans immediately took to heavy damage to retailers, but what they once were. begin immediately. (AP) Business PPluslus Optimism for an economic revival surging following a year of coronavirus-induced misery Why rising interest rates are unsettling Wall Street?

above 2% by the end of the year, but he doesn’t see it going back to the old normal of 4% or 5%, which would force an even bigger reas- sessment for markets. Until that becomes more clear, though, he says he’s looking for the stock mar- ket to stay volatile. Aren’t stocks still really high? Yes. Despite the recent pullback in the market, the major U.S. stock indexes remain near all-time highs set earlier this month. The bench- mark S&P 500 index and Nasdaq each hit all-time highs on Feb. 12. The Dow Jones Industrial Average set a record high on Wednesday. And the Russell 2000 index of smaller companies notched an all- time high on Feb. 9. Hasn’t the Fed said it will keep interest rates low? Yes. The Federal Reserve has direct control over short-term inter- est rates, and Chair Jerome Powell told Congress this week it’s in no hurry to raise them. It’s also not planning to trim its $120 billion in monthly bond purchases used to put downward pressure on longer-term rates. Powell said the Fed won’t raise its benchmark interest rate, now at its record low of zero to 0.25%, until inflation runs slightly above its 2% target level. Powell told Congress that while price increases might accelerate in coming months, those increases are expected to be temporary and not a sign of long- run inflation threats. Is Wall Street still optimistic? Yes, and one reason is that many investors agree with Powell and expect inflation pressures to be only In this file photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, specialist John McNierney works at his post on the floor, Thursday, Feb 25. (AP) temporary. That should hopefully keep rates from spiking to danger- By Stan Choe and Alex Veiga climbed above 1.50% this week when I owned it. more worthwhile to wait a long ous levels. after starting the year around Why are inflation and growth time for that if a 10-year Treasury Also, after a dismal 2020 for es, it’s possible to have too 0.90%. Here’s a look at why that expectations rising? is paying less in the meantime. most companies, investors are Ymuch of a good thing, and move shook up the financial world, Coronavirus vaccines will hope- And now that rates are rising? banking that corporate earnings will that’s exactly why stock markets including the worst week for the fully get economies humming this The recent rise in yields is forc- improve in the second half of this around the world are getting so Nasdaq composite since October: year, as people feel comfortable ing investors to pare back how year as the coronavirus vaccination unsettled. Why are Treasury yields ris- returning to shops, businesses much they’re willing to spend on efforts broaden and the economy Optimism for an economic reviv- ing? reopen and workers get jobs again. each $1 of future company earn- gradually begins approaching some- al is surging following a year of Part of it is rising expectations The International Monetary Fund ings. Stocks with the highest prices thing close to normal. If earnings The ultimate worry is coronavirus-induced misery. But for inflation, perhaps the worst expects the global economy to grow relative to earnings are getting hit rise, stocks can stay stable or maybe ‘ expectations for stronger growth - enemy of a bond investor. Inflation 5.5% this year following last year’s hard, as are stocks that have been even rise. that inflation will take plus the higher inflation that could means future payments from bonds 3.5% plunge. bid up for their expected profits far Do some companies do well accompany it - are pushing interest won’t buy as many bananas, min- A stronger economy often coin- in the future. Big Tech stocks are in when rates are rising? off at some point, rates higher, which is forcing inves- utes’ worth of college tuition or cides with higher inflation, though both those camps. Dividend-paying Financial companies, particularly tors to re-examine how they value whatever else is rising in price. So it’s been generally trending down- stocks also get hurt because inves- banks, have gained recently because sending rates much stocks, bonds and every other bond prices tend to fall when infla- ward for decades. Congress is also tors looking for income can now rising rates can mean bigger profits investment. tion expectations are rising, which close to pumping another $1.9 tril- turn instead to bonds, which are made on a variety of consumer higher When it tries to figure out the in turn pushes up their yields. lion into the U.S. economy, which safer investments. loans, including mortgages. And if value for anything from Apple’s Treasury yields also often track could further boost growth and “The ultimate worry is that infla- rates are rising on inflation worries, ’ stock to a junk bond, the financial with expectations for the economy’s inflation. tion will take off at some point, energy companies could benefit if world starts by comparing it against strength, which are on the rise. Why do rates affect stock pric- sending rates much higher.’ prices are also rising for oil and a U.S. Treasury bond, which is When the economy is healthy, es? Aren’t interest rates still really other commodities. what the government uses to bor- investors feel less need to own When trying to figure out what a low? Overall, though, rising interest row money. For years, yields have Treasurys, considered to be the saf- stock’s price should be, investors Yes, even at 1.50%, the 10-year rates are a drag on companies been ultralow for Treasurys, mean- est possible investment. often look at two things: how much Treasury yield is still below the because they make borrowing more ing investors earned very little in Why do falling bond prices cash the company will generate and 2.60% level it was at two years ago expensive. This is especially painful interest for owning them. That in mean rising yields? how much to pay for each $1 of or the 5% level of two decades ago. for companies like real estate turn helped make stocks and other Say I bought a bond for $100 that that cash. When interest rates are “The concern isn’t that the investment trusts, or REITs, which investments more attractive, driving pays 1% in interest, but I’m worried low and bonds are paying little, 10-year is at 1.50%,” said Yung-Yu require a lot of money, and often up their prices. But when Treasury about rising inflation and don’t want investors are willing to pay more Ma, chief investment strategist at debt, to operate. yields rise, so does the downward to be stuck with it. I sell it to you for for that second part. Consider a BMO Wealth Management. “It’s People who rely heavily on credit pressure on prices for other invest- $90. You’re getting more than a 1% stock like Apple or another Big that it went from 1% to 1.50% in a may also cut back, which could ments. return on your investment, because Tech company, which will likely handful of weeks, and what does have a ripple effect on all kinds of All eyes have been on the yield the regular payouts coming from the keep generating large amounts of that mean for the rest of 2021.” companies that rely on consumer of the 10-year Treasury note, which bond will still be the same amount as cash many years into the future. It’s Ma thinks it could keep rising spending. (AP) Huawei unveils flagship foldable smartphone

BEIJING, Feb 27, (AP): Struggling those supplies might last. in southern China, also is the biggest under U.S. sanctions, Huawei Huawei designed the Kirin line global maker of switching equipment The bigger question is unveiled a folding smartphone with that powers its most advanced smart- for phone networks. ‘ an 8-inch (20-centimeter) -wide phones but relies on outside manu- Huawei’s smartphone unit depends more about how long screen to show off its tech prowess facturers including Taiwan’s TSMC increasingly on its home China mar- but said it will be sold only in China. to make them. ket, which accounts for more than their current stockpile The Mate X2 highlights the chal- The Trump administration stepped 70% of sales, up from 50% in 2019. lenges for Huawei Technologies Ltd. up sanctions last year by blocking The loss of Google services had no of components will after Washington cut off access to TSMC and other global producers impact in China, where they aren’t U.S. processor chips and Google ser- from using U.S. technology to make licensed and Huawei already used last them vices. Last year, Huawei fell from chips for Huawei, including those local alternatives. the top-selling global smartphone designed by the company. China’s ruling Communist Party ’ brand to sixth place. Chinese officials accuse has spent billions of dollars trying to Huawei says the Mate X2, its third Washington of abusing national build its own chip industry. But folding phone, has crisper visuals security complaints to suppress ris- and better sound for movies and ing technology competitors. Huawei domestic producers lack the technol- games. It runs on Huawei’s most denies accusations it might facilitate ogy to manufacture chips for Huawei’s most advanced products. advanced processor chip, the Kirin Visitors wearing face masks stand near the Huawei’s latest mobile phone Chinese spying. 9000. Huawei Mate X2 on display at the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, Without Google music and other “The bigger question is more The phone offers “a truly immer- China. (AP) services preinstalled, Huawei’s about how long their current stock- sive experience,” the president of smartphone sales, including Honor, pile of components will last them,” Huawei’s consumer unit, Richard denies. Huawei sold its budget- advances in technology, even if com- fell 22% last year to 188.5 million, said IDC’s Ma. Yu, said at a launch event broadcast priced Honor smartphone brand in mercially speaking, its shipments according to Canalys. Huawei has yet to report 2020 online. November to focus resources on will be severely hampered,” said Huawei’s founder, Ren Zhengfei, sales and profit, but Ren, the found- Huawei, China’s first global tech higher-end models. Bryan Ma of IDC in an email. said Feb. 9 he didn’t expect new er, said they were better than the pre- brand, was battered by being put on The Mate X2 will start at 17,999 Executives said earlier Huawei U.S. President Joe Biden to lift vious year. Huawei said revenue for an export blacklist by then-President yuan ($2,785), according to Yu. stockpiled chips and other compo- Trump’s sanctions but expressed the first nine months of 2020 rose Donald Trump in 2019 as a security Monday’s launch “says a lot about nents in preparation for a possible confidence the company can survive. 9.9% to 671.3 billion yuan ($100.4 risk, an accusation the company how it still wants to trumpet its U.S. cutoff. It isn’t clear how long Huawei, headquartered in Shenzhen billion). ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

Biden in equity push New virus variant in NY spurs caution, concern NEW YORK, Feb 27, (AP): Another mutated version of the coronavirus has popped up in New York City, and experts reacted to the the news with a mixture of caution and con- cern. The new variant fi rst appeared in the New York area in late November, and has since cropped up in neighboring states, according to researchers at the California Institute of Technology, one of two teams to share their work this week. But how problematic the variant may be isn’t known yet. Viruses are constantly mutating - or making typos in their genetic code - as they spread and make copies of themselves. “Most are not of particular concern,” said Francois Bal- loux, director of the University College London’s Genetics Institute. However, he added, “Noticing them early, fl agging them, raising concern is useful.” That’s because some genetic tweaks can be worrisome, especially if they help the virus spread more eas- ily, make it more deadly or curb the effectiveness of vaccines. Scientists use genome sequencing and other re- search to fi gure out which are a poten- tial problem. New York City health offi cials and Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday sought to tamp down worries about the new variant, emphasizing that the De Blasio new research is preliminary and little is known about the variant. “Some variants are just that, they’re variants.” said Dr. Jay Varma, senior health adviser to the mayor. What did they fi nd in New York? Two research groups - A nurse fi lls a syringe with the Pfi zer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the National Medical Center vaccination center in Seoul Saturday, Feb 27. (AP) at Caltech and Columbia University in New York - released papers this week describing their fi ndings about the new variant. Neither paper has been published or reviewed by Coronavirus other scientists. The Caltech researchers found that the new variant showed up in about a quarter of the 1,200 virus sequences they looked at this month. The variant has also shown up in New Jersey and Connecticut and has made “isolated appear- Prevents serious illness even after 1 dose ances across the country,” said CalTech’s Anthony West, a co-author of the paper. On Thursday, Columbia University researchers released their research that scrutinized about 1,100 virus samples Pfi zer jab works well in ‘real world’ test from patients treated at the university’s medical center, dat- NEW YORK, Feb 27, (AP): A real- ing back to November. During the second week of February, world test of Pfi zer’s COVID-19 vac- the new variant was identifi ed in 12% of the samples, they cine in more than half a million people Amid COVID-19 pandemic, fl u has reported. They also found patients infected with the mutated confi rms that it’s very effective at pre- virus were more likely to be older and have been hospital- venting serious illness or death, even ized. after one dose. disappeared in the US this winter Both groups noted that the new variant has a mutation that Wednesday’s published results, NEW YORK, Feb 27, (AP): Feb- The numbers are astonishing could potentially weaken the effectiveness of vaccines - a from a mass vaccination campaign in ruary is usually the peak of fl u considering fl u has long been the mutation seen in other worrisome variants. Israel, give strong reassurance that the season, with doctors’ offi ces and nation’s biggest infectious disease “There is clearly something to keep an eye on,” Balloux benefi ts seen in smaller, limited testing hospitals packed with suffering pa- threat. In recent years, it has been said. persisted when the vaccine was used tients. But not this year. blamed for 600,000 to 800,000 an- How many other variants are there? A healthcare worker prepares a Mod- much more widely in a general popu- Flu has virtually disappeared nual hospitalizations and 50,000 to New variants have been showing up throughout the erna COVID-19 vaccine at a sports lation with various ages and health from the US, with reports coming 60,000 deaths. pandemic, but three are considered the most worrisome - hall in Ricany, Czech Republic, Fri- conditions. in at far lower levels than anything Across the globe, fl u activity has they’ve been designated “variants of concern.” They were day, Feb. 26. With new infections The vaccine was 92% effective at seen in decades. been at very low levels in China, soaring due to a highly contagious preventing severe disease after two Experts say that measures put Europe and elsewhere in the North- fi rst detected in Britain, South Africa and Brazil but have coronavirus variant and hospitals fi ll- spread to other countries. shots and 62% after one. Its estimated in place to fend off the coronavirus ern Hemisphere. And that follows ing up, one of the hardest-hit coun- - mask wearing, social distancing reports of little fl u in South Africa, The one identifi ed in the UK late last year has since been tries in the European Union is facing effectiveness for preventing death was 72% two to three weeks after the fi rst and virtual schooling - were a big Australia and other countries during found in 45 US states, according to the Centers for Disease inevitable: a tighter lockdown. (AP) factor in preventing a “twindemic” the Southern Hemisphere’s winter Control and Prevention. shot, a rate that may improve as immu- of fl u and COVID-19. A push to get months of May through August. The strain is concerning because it has so many mutations, nity builds over time. more people vaccinated against fl u The story of course has been dif- nearly two dozen. Some are on the spiky protein that the It seemed as effective in folks over probably helped, too, as did fewer ferent with coronavirus, which has virus uses to attach to and infect cells - and that current vac- 70 as in younger people. people traveling, they say. killed more than 500,000 people in cines and antibody drugs target. “This is immensely reassuring ... Another possible explanation: the United States. COVID-19 cases One of the spike protein mutations is seen in the variants better than I would have guessed,” said The coronavirus has essentially and deaths reached new heights in discovered early on in Brazil and South Africa, and, now, the the Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Gregory Poland. muscled aside fl u and other bugs December and January, before be- new variant in New York. Vanderbilt University’s Dr. Buddy that are more common in the fall ginning a recent decline. A variant that has been spreading in California is also get- Creech agreed: “Even after one dose and winter. Scientists don’t fully Flu-related hospitalizations, how- ting attention. It’s been found in 40% to 50% of samples we can see very high effectiveness in understand the mechanism be- ever, are a small fraction of where examined by the Los Angeles Count Department of Public prevention of death,” he said. hind that, but it would be consistent they would stand during even a Neither doctor had a role in the Isra- with patterns seen when certain fl u very mild season, said Brammer, Health, according to Director Barbara Ferrer. But there isn’t strains predominate over others, who oversees the CDC’s tracking enough rigorous research to determine what, if any, effect its el study but both are involved in other coronavirus vaccine work. said Dr. Arnold Monto, a fl u expert of the virus. mutations might have. Jennings Rickards at the University of Michigan. Flu death data for the whole US What’s next? Limited Nationally, “this is the lowest fl u population is hard to compile quick- After what many described as a slow start, the federal gov- Both doctors also said the new re- season we’ve had on record,” ac- ly, but CDC offi cials keep a running ernment in recent weeks has ramped up its genetic sequenc- Ecology sults may boost consideration of de- cording to a surveillance system that count of deaths of children. One ing to look for and study virus variants to fi gure out which laying the second shot, as the United is about 25 years old, said Lynnette pediatric fl u death has been report- ones might be a problem. In the meantime, Ana S. Gonzalez Brammer of the US Centers for Dis- ed so far this season, compared Kingdom is trying, or giving one dose ease Control and Prevention. with 92 reported at the same point Reiche, a virologist at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medi- instead of two to people who have al- cine, urged caution. Hunters exceed wolf target: Wiscon- Hospitals say the usual steady in last year’s fl u season. sin hunters and trappers killed nearly dou- ready had COVID-19, as France is do- stream of fl u-stricken patients nev- “Many parents will tell you that “Without evidence, we don’t need to alarm ourselves ble the number of wolves that the state al- ing, to stretch limited supplies. er materialized. this year their kids have been as about every variant detected,” she said. lotted for a weeklong season, and they did “I would rather see 100 million peo- At Maine Medical Center in Port- healthy as they’ve ever been, be- Studies are raising concern that fi rst-generation COV- it so quickly that offi cials ended the hunt ple have one dose than to see 50 mil- land, the state’s largest hospital, cause they’re not swimming in the ID-19 vaccines don’t work as well against a variant that fi rst after less than three days, according to fi g- lion people have two doses,” Creech “I have seen zero documented fl u germ pool at school or day care emerged in South Africa as they do against other versions. ures released. said. “I see a lot of encouragement on cases this winter,” said Dr. Nate the same way they were in prior In response, drug companies are already fi guring out how to Nontribal hunters and trappers regis- one dose” in the results from Israel, Mick, the head of the emergency years,” Mick said. Some doctors modify their vaccines. tered 216 wolves as of Thursday afternoon, which were published by the New department. Ditto in Oregon’s capi- say they have even stopped send- Experts say that in the meantime, public health measures blowing past the state’s kill target of 119. England Journal of Medicine. tal city, where the outpatient res- ing specimens for testing, because like social distancing and masks will reduce opportunities The state Department of Natural Resources The vaccine, made by Pfi zer and its piratory clinics affi liated with Salem they don’t think fl u is present. Nev- for the coronavirus to continue mutating and run rampant. estimated before the hunt that there were German partner BioNTech, is given as Hospital have not seen any con- ertheless, many labs are using a “Emerging of variants will occur,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, about 1,000 wolves in the state. Its popula- two shots, three weeks apart, in most fi rmed fl u cases. CDC-developed “multiplex test” the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, told NBC on tion goal for the animal is 350. countries. “It’s beautiful,” said the health that checks specimens for both the system’s Dr. Michelle Rasmussen. Thursday. “The trick is when they do occur, to prevent them The wolf season began Monday and was The study was led by researchers coronavirus and fl u, Brammer said. from spreading.” supposed to run through Sunday, but the from the Clalit Research Institute and DNR shut it down Wednesday afternoon as Also: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev The vaccine was estimated to be not get vaccine. it became clear hunters would exceed the in Israel, with Harvard University in 57% effective at preventing any symp- Overall, the numbers compare well WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden plans to distribute mil- target. Hunters and trappers were given a the US. It did not report on safety of toms of COVID-19 two to three weeks to the 95% effectiveness after two lions of face masks to Americans in communities hard-hit 24-hour grace period, allowing them to re- the vaccine, just effectiveness, but no after the fi rst dose, and 94% a week or doses that was seen in the limited test- by the coronavirus beginning next month as part of his ef- main in the fi eld until Thursday afternoon. unexpected problems arose in previous more after the second dose. ing that led US regulators to authorize forts to ensure “equity” in the government’s response to the Hunters and trappers also exceeded their testing. kill targets in the three previous wolf sea- Effectiveness was 74% after one the vaccine’s emergency use, Poland pandemic. Researchers compared nearly shot and 87% after two for preventing said. How much benefi t there would be Biden, who like Donald Trump’s administration consid- sons but never by more than 10 animals. DNR offi cials said this time nearly 600,000 people 16 and older in Is- hospitalization, and 46% and 92% for from one dose has been a big question, ered sending masks to all Americans, is instead adopting a 90% of hunters used dogs to chase down rael’s largest health care organization preventing confi rmed infection. Re- “and now there’s some data” to help more conservative approach, aiming to reach underserved wolves, and fresh snow aided in track- who were given shots in December or ducing infections gives hope that the inform the debate, he added. communities and those bearing the brunt of the outbreak. ing. The state sold 1,547 permits, which January to an equal number of people vaccine may curb spread of the virus, “Maybe the right thing to do here to Trump’s administration shelved the plans entirely. equates to 13 hunters or trappers per wolf of similar age, sex and health who did but this type of study can’t determine protect the most number of people ... is Biden’s plan will distribute masks not through the mail, in the target number, the highest ratio of not receive vaccine. None of the par- if that’s the case. to give everybody one dose as soon as but instead through Federally Qualifi ed Community Health any wolf season so far. ticipants had previously tested positive There were 41 COVID-19-related you can. I think that’s a very accept- Centers and the nation’s food bank and food pantry systems, DNR Wildlife Management Director for the virus. deaths, 32 of them in people who did able strategy to consider,” Poland said. the White House announced Wednesday. Eric Lobner said during a news conference that the large number of hunters was dif- The Departments of Defense, Health and Human Servic- illegal logging, drought and other causes, protected areas said the butterfl ies’ popula- acres) the previous year and about one- es, and Agriculture will be involved in the distribution of fi cult to manage but that staff were moni- toring registrations hourly. Randy Johnson, making 2020 a bad year for the butterfl ies. tion covered only 2.1 hectares (5.2 acres) third of the 6.05 hectares (14.95 acres) de- more than 25 million American-made cloth masks in both The government commission for natural in 2020, compared to 2.8 hectares (6.9 tected in 2018. adult and kid sizes. The White House estimates they will the department’s carnivore biologist, said he was checking them every 15 minutes. At Because the monarchs cluster so densely reach 12 million to 15 million people. in pine and fi r trees, it is easier to count “Not all Americans are wearing masks regularly, not all the end of the day, only nine animals had been registered. Lobner said when checked them by area rather than by individuals. have access, and not all masks are equal,” said White House at 7 am, 48 animals were registered. The Gloria Tavera, the regional director of COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients. department announced the fi rst manage- Mexico’s Commission for National Protect- The White House is not distributing safer N95 masks, of ment zone closures three hours later. ed Areas, blamed the drop on “extreme cli- which the US now has abundant supply after shortages early Kill totals could climb higher. The DNR mate conditions,” the loss of milkweed habi- in the pandemic. initially set a kill target of 200 animals but tat in the United States and Canada on which The cloth masks adhere to Centers for Disease Control the state’s Ojibwe tribes claimed the right butterfl ies depend, and deforestation in the and Prevention guidelines and “certainly they meet those to 81, according to treaty rights. It was un- butterfl ies’ wintering grounds in Mexico. requirements set by our federal standard,” said White House clear whether tribal hunters and trappers Illegal logging in the monarchs winter- press secretary Jen Psaki. would take any wolves; the Ojibwe regard ing rounds rose to almost 13.4 hectares (33 the wolf as sacred and oppose hunting it. acres), a huge increase from the 0.43 hec- Biden hinted at the move Tuesday during a virtual round- tare (1 acre) lost to logging last year. table discussion Tuesday with four essential workers who Dylan Jennings, a spokesman for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Jorge Rickards of the WWF environ- are Black, saying he expected his administration to send mil- mental group acknowledged the lost trees lions of masks to people around the country “very shortly.” Commission, which administers Ojibwe hunting rights, said he didn’t have any es- were a blow, but said “the logging is very Biden has asked all Americans to wear face masks for localized” in three or four of the mountain the fi rst 100 days of his term, pointing to models showing it timates of how many wolves tribal hunters and trappers may have taken, but he said communities that make up the butterfl y re- could help save 50,000 lives. He also required mask-wearing they hadn’t met their quota and could con- serve. in federal buildings and on public transportation in an effort tinue to hunt and trap. (AP) In addition, wind storms, drought and the to slow the spread of the virus. ❑ ❑ ❑ felling of trees that had fallen victim to pine In late January, a Quinnipiac poll showed that 75% of beetles or disease, caused the loss of another Americans said they wear a mask all the time when they go Monarch butterfl ies down 26%: The This Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020 fi le photo shows infl uenza vaccine syringes at the 6.9 hectares (17 acres) in the reserve, bring- out in public and are around others, and an additional 12% number of monarch butterfl ies that showed LA Care Health Plan and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan’s Com- ing the total forest loss in 2020 to 20.65 hec- said they wear a mask most of the time. up at their winter resting grounds in central munity Resource Center’s Free Drive-Thru vaccination event in Los Angeles. tares (51 acres). That compares to an overall Mexico decreased by about 26% this year, February is usually the peak of fl u season, with doctors’ offi ces and hospitals loss of about 5 hectares (12.3 acres) from all and four times as many trees were lost to packed with suffering patients. But not in 2021. (AP) causes the previous year. (AP) Entertainment SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 FFeatureseatures tion, theLAPDsaid. because oftheongoinginvestiga- be disclosedforhersafetyand where thedogswerefoundwon’t Gaga’s stafftoreturnthem.” the dogs“andreachedouttoLady LAPD saidthewomanhadfound said. Wednesday night’sattack,Tippet volved andunassociated”with the dogsappearstobe“”unin- sentatives. (AP) reunited withLadyGaga’srepre- third escapedandhassincebeen fl gun andfi dog walkerbeforeonepulleda ing out.Theystruggledwiththe pulling upandtwomenjump- Video showedawhitesedan of thesinger’sdogsinHollywood. was shotonceashewalkedthree to fi Tippet said. confi detectives wenttothestationand Robbery-Homicide Division. offi Jonathan Tippet downtown, around6pm,saidCapt Police Station,justnorthwestof the LAPD’sOlympicCommunity Angeles policesaid. recovered unharmedFriday,Los wounded thedogwalker,were stolen bythieveswhoshotand two Frenchbulldogs,whichwere Bocelli Bublé, JoshGroban alongside Foster &Friends”concertspecial perform inFoster’s2008“David Hicks. Shewasalsotappedto runner-up onseasonfi “American Idol.”McPheewasthe 2006 whenFosterwasamentoron friendly foryearsaftermeetingin Wednesday. 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March 19.(AP) “Country Comfort,” whichdebuts Cibrian report thebabynews. marriages. grown daughtersfromprevious Foster, whois71.Hehasfi McPhee, 36,andthefi McPhee willco-starwith People magazinewasfi violently fading. ment, gazedwithacold,cleareyeongreatlove which likewiseremainedsetwithinanelegantapart- with Jean-LouisTrintignantandEmmanuelleRiva, one recedeaway.MichaelHaneke’s“Amour,” the viewpointofanintimatewatchingtheirloved world. ing hisownplay,onethat’sbeenputonaroundthe French playwrightandauthorwho’shereadapt- is Zeller’sdirectorialdebutbuthe’sawell-known ship —hisfl are allkaleidoscopedbyasplinteredmemory.His changed beforehim.Timelines,settingsandfaces tor whoeverytimehetakesthestage,scenehas atrical manplayedbyAnthonyHopkins,isanac- disorientation ofdementia.Anthony,aregallythe- In stagingandperspective,“TheFather”mimicsthe ranged andsometimeseventhepeoplearedifferent. re-enters, thelighthasshifted,furnitureisrear- else is.EverytimeAnthonyleavesaroom,whenhe ment inabathrobe,hemountsnobleresistance. as “rats”abandoninghim.PacinghisLondonapart- law contemplatinganursinghome,hecursesthem with theship.Overhearinghisdaughterandson-in- pears toAnthony. 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Film translates as“racismatBayern3.” ern3Racist, #Bayern3Apologizeand#RassismusBeiBayern3which Coldplay’s “FixYou,”takingtosocialmediausingthehashtags#Bay- thias Matuschik meant tobe“hurtfulorracist.” navirus, sayinghischoiceofwordshadgonetoofarbutwasinnoway ments comparingpopularSouthKoreanK-popbandBTStothecoro- BERLIN: ayGg Foster Lady Gaga The statementcameafterlegionsoffansaccusedthestation’s good asthatofwatchinginacinema,”Wangsaid. line. ButIthinktheexperienceofwatchingmoviesonlineisnotas experience “deeplymoving.” procure aticketfor“Hi,Mom”onThursdayandcalledtheviewing by actioncomedy“DetectiveChinatown3,”with4.13billionyuan. starring JiaLing,wasthetopearnerwith4.36billionyuan,followed around theLunarNewYearfestival,whichbeganthisyearonFeb.12. ticket salescamefromtheseventop-grossingfi “I knowtherearesomemoviesthatreleasedandstreamedon- Wang Xiaoyu,32,whoworksinthefi “Hi, Mom,”atime-travelingcomedywrittenanddirectedby According totheChinaMovieDataInformationNetwork,95%of lm approach- lm A BavarianradiostationapologizedFridayforahost’scom- Terrifi cally actedandfi nely craftedmovie ofracismforhiscommentsontheband’scover - he’s atalosshecan’tresolve.Thestrangerfi pangs ofrealizationseemtofl and outragedwhenhe’scontradicted.Sometimes, prehension. 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Sewell), sittingwiththenewspaper;aninterview with chickenfordinner;herhusband,Paul(Rufus with shiftingdetails,replayed:Annecominghome real andwhat’snotasscenesareplayedthen, are justasunmooredheis,lefttofi middle ofAnthony’spersonalhallmirrors.We than gawkatit,“TheFather”putsussmackinthe ed thenightmareandconfusionofdementia.Rather does lifeorloss. calls moreattentiontoitsartfulorchestrationthanit it’s abrilliantbuthollowexerciseinperspectivethat fi “The Father”isacleverconcept,notprofound lm. Terrifi And yet,few,ifanyfi To me,thesewinksreinforcedthefeelingthat Also: in aclosedarea,the Gateway third charge,consuming alcohol rant thecharges. level wassolowthatitdidn’twar- that therocker’sblood-alcohol incident inNovember,admitting Springsteen less drivingchargesagainst dropped drunkendrivingandreck- LOS ANGELES: nalscenepushes“TheFather”intoterri- Springsteen pleaded guiltytoa cally actedandfi lm industry,wasonlyableto Realization cs ofAnthony’ssituationwhile stemmingfroman The government lms timedforrelease lms, havesofullyilluminat- it acrosshisfacewhen nely craftedthoughitis, Bruce Mat- gure outwhat’s uctuating uctuating of the lantic Oceanpeninsulawithviews known asSandyHook,itisanAt- National RecreationArea.Better consume alcoholat thepark. ted hewasawareit wasillegalto lawyer conference, Springsteensatnextto than 100onlookersinavideo vacationing in rea... IhaveacarfromSouthKorea.thecoolestaround.” cuse meofxenophobiaonlybecausethisboybandisfromSouthKo- somewhat, saying“Ihavenothingagainst fully therewillbeavaccineforsoonaswell.” band toCOVID-19,describingthemas“somecrappyvirusthathope- derided BTS’sversionof“FixYou”as“blasphemy”andcomparedthe tweet inEnglish,German,KoreanandSpanish. demning them. many socialmediausersinGermanyandelsewhereimmediatelycon- has over33.1millionfollowersonTwitter. gagement withfans—knownasARMYthroughsocialmedia.BTS the personascreatedbytheirlabels,BTSisknownforitsactiveen- ited fortheirsuccess.UnlikeotherK-popbandsthatcarefullymaintain at theUNGeneralAssemblythisyear. world, sellingoutstadiumsworldwideanddeliveringavideomessage “I hadtwosmallshots of...,” Facing ajudgeandmore nds “Racism isnotanoption,”wroteoneuser,@Vroseeeee1inablunt Then hewentontosaythatinpenanceforthecover,BTS“willbe He thendughisholedeeperashetriedtorollbackthecomment The uproarcameafteraliveshowWednesday,inwhichMatuschik BTS, whichdebutedin2013,becamethebiggestboyband Offense atthecommentsdidn’tonlycomefromSouthKorea,with Their songs,fi New YorkCity Mitchell Ansell that’s earlyindevelopment. the screenplayforanupcoming“Superman”fi “Superman” fi for Marvelcomics,willwritethescriptanew ist andnovelistwhoexpandedtheworldofWakanda ther comicsforMarvel,withartist er.” Since2016,hehasalsopennedtheBlackPan- tiful Struggle”and“WeWereEightYearsinPow- including “BetweentheWorldandMe,”“TheBeau- most iconicmythichero.” to meaningfullyaddingthelegacyofAmerica’s honor,” saidCoatesinastatement.“Ilookforward by WarnerBros.,DCFilmsandBadRobotisan duce. Nodirectororstarhasyetbeenannounced. (AP) Coates tohelpbringthatstorythebigscreen.” more thrilledtobeworkingwiththebrilliantMr. story yettobetold,”saidAbrams.“Wecouldn’t ing waytoseetheManofSteel.” his takeonSupermanwillgivefansanewandexcit- Warner Bros.PicturesGroup.“We’reconfi see theworld,”said opened awindowandchangedthewaymanyofus fi was thankedinthecreditsof a runsettoconcludewithfi NEW YORK: lm “BlackPanther.” The studioannouncedFridaythatCoateswillpen Coates isbestknownastheauthorofbestsellers “To beinvitedintotheDCExtendedUniverse “There isanew,powerfulandmovingSuperman The newswasfi “Ta-Nehisi Coates’s‘BetweentheWorldandMe’ stars outoffour. material. Runningtime:97minutes.Twoandahalf America forsomestronglanguage,andthematic rated PG-13bytheMotionPictureAssociationof when everythingelseslipsaway. “The Father,”aSonyPicturesClassicsrelease,is North Korea lled withintimate,sociallyconsciouslyrics,arecred- skyline. Ta-Nehisi Coates andadmit- lm fromWarnerBros. rst reportedbyShadowand Act. forthenext20years.” Toby Emmerich Also: told Mautone.(AP) diately, yourhonor,” Springsteen the offense,plus$40 incourtfees. tone considered federalland. federal courtbecausetheparkis attorney. Thecasewasheardin questions fromanassistantUS Springsteen saidinresponseto “I thinkIcanpay that imme- US J.J. Abrams nal issue inApril.He Ryan Coogler , theacclaimedessay- fi Magistrate ned Springsteen$500for South Korea Brian Stelfreeze , chairmanof willpro- Anthony Mau- dent that ’s 2018 , youcan’tac- lm , ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Music

Grammys snub No. 1 ‘Blinding Lights,’ and more hits left in dark By Mesfi n Fekadu

he wattage in The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” Twasn’t strong enough to compete at the Grammys — but the song isn’t the only electrifying No. 1 hit that the Recording Academy snubbed. The Weeknd joins an exclusive club of songs that were crowned biggest hit of the year by Billboard but fell short at the Grammy Awards. It’s been 10 years since a song that dominated the year in music didn’t garner a nomination at the Gram- mys, and that was “TiK ToK,” the drunken party an- them and multi-platinum debut single from pop singer Kesha. And in the last 30 years, only fi ve No. 1 songs of the year have missed out at the Grammys. Others joining The Weeknd and Kesha are the rock-pop hit “Hanging by a Moment” from Lifehouse, the top song of 2001; R&B trio Next’s racy hit “Too Close,” which won over 1998; and the 1996 pop culture moment that was the “Macarena,” by Span- ish duo Los del Río. Kesha “It’s horrible company to be in,” Ron Aniello, who produced “Hanging by a Mo- ment” and discovered Lifehouse, said with a laugh. “We’re talking about industry people voting, we’re not talking about the public, so it’s quite different,” Aniello continued. “I think that was a very popular song for the general public but I’m not sure how seri- ously (the Grammys) took the band to put them fi rst for voting. If you remember it was their fi rst hit. They had no history. ‘We’re going to vote for Lifehouse The Weeknd performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, for best song of the year? Why should we? Who are Fla on Feb 7. The Weeknd had the No. 1 song of 2020 but ‘Blinding Lights’ was not nominated for a Grammy Award. (AP) they?’ They were undefi ned as artists, so maybe that had something to do with it.” Like Lifehouse, Kesha was a new artist marking her breakthrough when her song became the year’s big- gest hit. Though she launched multiple successes from her debut album, the girl who jokingly sang about Music brushing her teeth with Jack Daniels and described her personal style as a “garbage chic” wasn’t immediately seen as a serious musician, and it didn’t surprise many when she didn’t earn Grammy recognition in her de- Women left out of top category but year, especially for “TiK ToK.” Record On the other hand, there are monster tracks like Morris, Stapleton lead ACMs noms “Blinding Lights” that feel like a shoo-in at the Gram- mys. The Weeknd’s song is spending its record-ex- NASHVILLE, Tenn, Feb 27, (AP): of the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, de- Grammy nomination for best country tending 50th week in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton are spite being removed from radio stations solo performance. 100 chart and is also the longest-running No. 1 hit of the leading nominees for the Academy and some streaming playlists. The album Under ACM award criteria, artists all time on the R&B chart, spending 47 weeks — and of Country Music Awards, but only was not eligible for album of the year can be nominated more than once in counting — on top. Stapleton joined the all-male ballot for award because it came out in 2021, but the new artist of the year categories as “It is kind of surprising because you think that the top prize of entertainer of the year. Wallen likely would have been a strong long as they haven’t won it previously someone with that kind of energy behind him or push The academy announced on Friday contender for male artist of the year and and have not yet released a single from or visibility would at least have gotten the nomina- that Morris and Stapleton both had singles such as “7 Summers” and “More their third studio album. tion,” said Paul Jackson Jr., an adjunct professor at the six nominations ahead of the April 18 Than My Hometown” would have quali- Grammy winner John Legend has University of Southern California Thornton School of awards show, which will air on CBS fied for other awards. his first ACM Awards nomination for Music and Grammy-nominated musician who played Maren Morris performs at the Bonna- roo Music and Arts Festival in Man- from Nashville, Tennessee. video of the year for his duet with Car- on The Weeknd’s global hit “I Feel It Coming.” Women were left out of the top Nominees rie Underwood on “Hallelujah.” “I’ll give you another one that’s surprising - if you chester, Tenn, on June 15, 2019. Morris and Chris Stapleton lead the category after Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, who is already The album of the year category also look in 1984, ‘When Doves Cry’ was not nominated,” Thomas Rhett tied for entertainer of the most nominated artist in ACM includes Luke Bryan for “Born Here he continued. “Huge record.” nominations for this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards. (AP) the year last year, the first time ever for history, stretched her streak with five Live Here Die Here,” Ashley Mc- While Prince’s lead single from “Purple Rain” a tie and the first time a woman had nominations. Lambert’s song “Blue- Bryde for “Never Will” and Brothers didn’t score a nomination, the soundtrack and the title won the category since Taylor Swift in bird” earned her four nominations total track won Grammys. George Michael’s “Faith” won Osborne for “Skeletons.” 2012. Also nominated for entertainer as writer and artist in song, single and album of the year but the title track — the No. 1 song video of the year. Lambert is nomi- Also: of 1988 - did not compete in any Grammy categories. of the year are Rhett, Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Luke Combs. nated in female artist of the year, a cat- NEW YORK: The Metropolitan Opera Jackson Jr. played guitar on the No. 1 song of 1986 Robert Lepage — Dionne Warwick’s “That’s What Friends Are For” This year, Morris’ crossover pop egory she has won nine times. is replacing ’s contro- — which won the Grammys for song of the year and hit “The Bones,” was nominated for While women are absent from enter- versial production of Wagner’s Ring best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals. single of the year and earned her two tainer of the year, all five nominees for Cycle with a new staging by British “It was a big collaboration,” Jackson Jr. said of nominations as songwriter and art- the single of the year are performed by director Richard Jones. the tune which also featured Stevie Wonder, Gladys ist for song of the year. She was also women, a first for the ACM Awards. Jones’ version of the four-opera Knight and Elton John. “It was dealing with AIDS nominated for female artist of the year, In addition to Lambert’s “Bluebird” “Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring awareness and a lot of things like that. So there was a which she won last year, and music and Morris’ “The Bones,” Gabby Bar- of the Nibelung)” will be a co-produc- video of the year for “Better Than We rett’s “I Hope,” Carly Pearce and Lee tion with the English National Opera, big push behind it from a lot of the (voting) members.” Hammond Lignadis “That’s What Friends Are For” is just one of nine Found It.” She had another nomination Brice’s duet “I Hope You’re Happy which announced Wednesday the cy- Billboard year-end No. 1 hits to win the song of the for the all-star collaboration The High- Now” and Ingrid Andress’ “More Hearts cle will start at the London Coliseum year Grammy. Ten of the top songs of the year have women in group of the year. Than Mine” fill out the category. this autumn with “The Valkyrie” for been named record of the year. Variety Stapleton, who released his fourth Four Black artists are also nominated the English-language company. Since the Grammys held its fi rst show in 1959 — to solo studio album last year, “Starting this year across all categories, another “Rhinegold” will premiere in 2022- honor the music of 1958 — Billboard has named 63 Over,” was nominated twice as artist first for the ACM Awards. Kane Brown 23, “Siegfried” in 2024 and “Twilight and producer for album of the year, as was nominated for album of the year for of the Gods” in 2025. No. 1 songs of the year. Of the 63 hits, only 18 songs ATHENS, Greece: A court in Ath- have missed out on Grammy nominations, including well as twice for being the songwriter/ his record “Mixtape Vol. 1” while Jim- Met general manager Peter Gelb was ens has ordered the former director of artist for the title track for song of the mie Allen was nominated for new male not ready to say when the production “Blinding Lights.” Twenty-eight of the 45 nominated Greece’s National Theater remanded in No. 1 songs have won Grammys, which currently has year. He also has a nomination for artist of the year again after first being will come to New York other than “this custody after he appeared before a public nominated in the same category in 2018. is really quite far down the road for us.” 84 categories. prosecutor for several hours to respond to male artist of the year. Only fi ve year-end No. 1 tunes have won both song child abuse allegations. Country star Morgan Wallen, who Mickey Guyton was nominated “He’s one of the directors I admire and record of the year, including Adele’s “Rolling In Prominent Greek actor and director won new male artist of the year last year, again for new female artist of the year, most,” Gelb said. “He’s obviously thought the Deep” in 2012, Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes” Dimitris Lignadis, 56, who denies the was declared ineligible by the ACMs after first being nominated in 2015. about the Ring throughout his entire pro- in 1982, Roberta Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw charges, was ordered held in jail in the after he was caught on camera using a Her 2020 song “Black Like Me,” fessional life, having done productions of it Your Face” in 1973, Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge early hours of Friday, defense lawyer racial slur earlier this year. His most re- released after the death of George in the past. The fact he’s interested in revis- Over Troubled Water” in 1971, and Domenico Mo- Alexis Kougias said in a statement. cent record, “Dangerous: The Double Floyd, never gained traction at radio, iting it gives me great confidence in what dugno’s “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare)” in 1959. Under Greek law, suspects are not iden- Album,” has spent six weeks at the top but brought her critical acclaim and a he will ultimately do.” tifi ed unless exceptions are made to serve Nomination the public interest or they identify them- Aniello said one of the reasons a song may not get selves. Kougias has identifi ed Lignadis stration from a fellow student introduced for countless students. died Thursday at age 73 in Durham, the a Grammy nomination could be the result of record as his client in the case, and said he will him to the 50-bell carillon that would be- Hammond, who retired as university university said in a news release. label politics. appeal the temporary custody decision. come his life’s work as he played music carillonneur in 2018 after playing the His music was heard each weekday by When thinking of why “Hanging by a Moment” According to reports, Lignadis is that marked the end of the academic day bells at Duke Chapel for fi ve decades, students leaving the day’s classes and, missed out, he said: “That year we were on Dream- accused of rape by two men who were more recently, by alumni streaming the Works and it was ‘I’m Like a Bird’ by Nelly Furta- minors when the alleged events occurred daily performances online. do, that’s the song that the label chose to push for a in 2010 and 2015. He has denied any Toward the beginning of each weekday wrongdoing. afternoon’s 15-minute performance, Ham- Grammy.” Furtado’s offbeat Top 10 debut single went He resigned in early February as the on to win best female pop vocal performance and was mond would pound out fi ve strikes of the artistic director of Greece’s National largest bell to mark fi ve o’clock. Then, he nominated for song of the year. Furtado also competed Theater amid reports of the accusations. for best new artist and best pop vocal album. typically moved on to hymns and other The case against Lignadis has trig- sometimes whimsical selections such as the “Is it fair? It’s just what it is,” he continued. “We were gered a major political dispute, with all just new at it. We had no idea. ... We just kind of prob- movie themes from Star Trek or Star Wars, opposition parties calling for the ouster according to a university news article. He ably thought you had to pick a unicorn to win a Grammy of Greece’s culture minister, arguing she somewhere, like it was magical. We didn’t realize it was would often play songs to mark special responded too slowly to the allegations. occasions, such as the French anthem “La probably more political than anything else.” The actor-director was appointed in 2019 Marseillaise” on Bastille Day. When the Grammy rules state that just because a track is the by the current government. basketball team played its archrival from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis most successful song of the year does not mean it de- the University of North Carolina, he played promised changes to laws and labor serves to be nominated — that means chart placement, the Duke fi ght song. radio airplay or streaming success are not part of the regulations to combat sexual abuse and misconduct amid a nationwide debate on “The carillon marks the rhythm of our voting process. The academy’s voting body includes days here at Duke, providing a shared artists, producers, songwriters and engineers. the issue. Speaking in parliament, Mitsotakis experience that - sometimes subtly - “It’s an industry award,” Jackson Jr. explained. connects us with one another, with tradi- “It’s not necessarily based on just popular vote. It’s said his center-right government would introduce tougher sentencing guidelines, tions that stretch across centuries and based on people thinking that this has merits to win.” continents, and even with God,” the Rev. Aniello — who produced the Bruce Springsteen propose changes to statute of limitation rules for cases involving minors and Luke A. Powery, dean of Duke Chapel, albums “Wrecking Ball,” “High Hopes,” “Western create an agency to deal with claims of said in 2018 when Hammond retired. Stars” and “Letter to You” — said though The Boss abuse in workplaces and organized youth “The person who has carried on that has won 20 Grammys, he’s never picked up big prizes activities. (AP) In this Jan 2, 2018 file photo, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley tradition at Duke for decades, faithfully such as record or album of the year, despite being one ❑ ❑ ❑ walks past a tapestry woven by Atelier J. de la Baume-Durrbach of Pablo Pi- and unassumingly, is Sam.” of music’s most revered performers. casso’s ‘Guernica’ as she arrives to speak to reporters at UN headquarters. The The bells at the Gothic chapel are “It’s just a quirky thing,” he said. “The Grammys DURHAM, NC: When J. Samuel Ham- iconic tapestry of Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ is gone from its place of honor outside played by striking wooden keys by hand don’t make sense to me.” mond arrived as a freshman at Duke the UN Security Council in the United Nations headquarters complex overlook- and pressing foot pedals, similar to a When he thinks about what Lifehouse created two University in 1964, he knew nothing ing New York’s East River. The United Nations said in a letter to the Security piano. The keys and pedals control cables decades ago — opening doors for Christian-leaning about the musical instrument that al- Council obtained by The Associated Press on Feb 25, that the tapestry was that cause hammers to strike the bells, rock songs to live on pop radio — he’s proud, and lowed a player to send melodies ringing commissioned in 1955 by former US vice-president and New York governor Nel- which range in size from 10 pounds (4.5 content. (AP) across campus from the bells in the son Rockefeller and offered to the UN on loan in 1984. The Rockefeller family kg) to more than 5 tons (4.5 metric tons), school’s iconic chapel tower. A demon- recently notified the UN of their intention to retrieve it. (AP) the university article said. (AP) ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 SPORTS 14

Skelton shines Zubcic wins men’s giant slalom, Southern pips Alabama State MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Feb 27, (AP): Ladarius Skelton passed for a touchdown and ran for another, Chase Foster scored on a 14-yard intercep- closes gap on leader Pinturault tion return and Southern held on to beat Alabama State 24-21 in the opener for both teams in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Skelton was 10-of-22 passing for 135 yards and had 72 yards rushing. On a play- action pass, Skelton hit a wide-open Gregory Perkins who raced 40 more yards for a 59-yard score to make it 21-all on the second play of the fourth Skelton quarter. Ala- bama State then went three-and-out and Cesar Barajas made a 41-yard fi eld goal to cap the scoring with 12:29 to play. The Hornets missed a 44-yard fi eld- goal attempt with four seconds left. Ryan Nettles was 16-of-27 passing for 149 yards and two touchdowns the Hornets. He threw one interception and was sacked six times. It was the fi rst matchup between the teams since the Jaguars beat Alabama State 64-6 in 2016.

FOOTBALL

Foster’s pick-6 opened the scoring less than four minutes into the game and neither team led by more than sev- en points. A strip sack of Skelton deep in Southern territory led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Jacory Merritt that gave the Hornets their fi rst lead at 21-14 with 15 seconds left in the third quarter. Meanwhile, the Big Ten is adding a 16th trophy game in football to honor the fi rst Black man to play in the con- ference. Northwestern and Michigan will meet for the George Jewett Trophy beginning in October, the schools an- nounced. Jewett played football at both schools in the 1890s. Jewett was a standout high school athlete in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and went on to play for the Wolverines in the 1890 and 1892 seasons. He starred as a fullback and halfback and also was Croatia’s Filip Zubcic speeds down the slope during an alpine ski, men’s World Cup giant slalom, in Bansko, on Feb 27. (AP) the team’s main kicker.

Gut-Behrami claims 2nd straight downhill victory Kings beat Sultans by 7 wickets BANSKO, Bulgaria, Feb 27, (AP): Fil- Gut-Behrami led Corinne Suter, the downhill world ip Zubcic won the fi rst men’s World champion, by 0.32 seconds for a Swiss 1-2 fi nish. Kira Weidle of Germany fi nished 0.68 behind in Babar leads Karachi to Cup race after the skiing world cham- third, as the podium included the same three ski- pionships Saturday to give new impe- ers who won the medals at the world champion- ships downhill in another Italian resort, Cortina tus to the battle for the season-long d’Ampezzo, two weeks ago. win over Multan in PSL giant slalom title. Gut-Behrami won gold in super-G and giant slalom The Croatian skier overtook fi rst-run leader as well as bronze in downhill at the worlds, and she KARACHI, Pakistan, Feb 27, (AP): Earlier, Multan failed to cash in on Mathieu Faivre, who won the world title last drew praise from Suter for her recent successes. Babar Azam hit his second succes- Chris Lynn’s robust start (32 off 14 Gut-Behrami and Suter are the only racers left who sive half century in the Pakistan Super balls) and were cruising along at 72-1 week, to win by 0.40 seconds. Unheralded Ste- League and anchored Karachi Kings to in the fi rst six overs of batting power- fan Brennsteiner was 0.93 behind in third for the can overtake discipline leader Sofi a Goggia in the season-ending downhill at next month’s World Cup a seven-wicket win over Multan Sul- play. Austrian’s fi rst career podium. tans on Saturday. James Vince (45) and skipper Mo- Zubcic closed the gap on discipline leader Alexis Finals in Swiss resort Lenzerheide. Babar’s unbeaten 90 off 60 balls - in- hammad Rizwan (43) both fell in suc- Pinturault to just 22 points with three giant slaloms Goggia is out with a knee injury but the Italian still cluding 13 fours and a six - led Karachi cessive overs of fast bowler Arshad remaining. The next race is Sunday. tops the standings, having won four straight races in to 198-3 with seven balls to spare in yet Iqbal (2-36) as Multan slipped to 133-3 “It was an incredible race, incredible skiing. I am December and January. Suter is 70 points behind and another successful chase in Pakistan’s in the 14th over. so happy and so proud of myself, of my team,” Zub- Gut-Behrami trails by 97, with a race win worth 100 premier Twenty20 league. Karachi came back strongly in the cic said after his second win of the season and third points. All nine league matches in this sea- last fi ve overs with their fast bowlers overall. Suter would need a top-two fi nish to win the title. son’s PSL have been won by the teams leaking only one boundary. Left-arm Zubcic has fi nished on the podium eight times in Breezy Johnson lost sight of the downhill title after chasing, including four successful chas- fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who the last 11 giant slaloms dating to last season. the American crashed in Saturday’s race, which left es of 190-plus runs. earlier started with a maiden over, Pinturault dropped from third in the opening run to her 150 points behind Goggia. Multan had earlier spoiled a blister- bowled seven wide balls in his next fourth, after the Frenchman skied most of his fi nal run Johnson lost grip on her outside ski in a right turn ing start and three overs but got the dangerman with just one pole. and slid off the course. Her skis came off when she were restricted Shahid Afridi (3) in the 19th over to went through two rows of safety nets, though she got to 195-6 as Ka- fi nish with 1-34. up and seemed unhurt. rachi skipper After its third loss, Multan slipped SKIING Her American teammate Laurenne Ross, who re- Imad Wasim to fi fth in six-team event with a soli- turned in January from a two-year injury break, also followed a fa- tary win against Lahore Qalandars. He lost the pole after hitting a gate with his right crashed into the nets, losing her balance after her right miliar script of hand early in his run. He was obviously slowed but ski caught a bump and went up in the air. captains putting CRICKET did remarkably well to navigate his way down through The winner, Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, Isabella Wright, however, placed 14th for the the opposition the remaining gates and fi nished 1.06 off the lead. celebrates on podium after an alpine ski, wom- American’s career best result on the World Cup cir- into bat after Pinturault won the previous three giant slaloms en’s World Cup downhill, in Val di Fassa, Italy, cuit. winning the toss. Meanwhile, the Court of Arbitration on the World Cup circuit and seemed on his way to on Feb 27. (AP) With clouds throwing a shadow over most of the “Credit goes for Sport has reduced the ban on in- gold at the worlds eight days ago before skiing out in course and reducing visibility for the racers, condi- to the bowlers Azam ternational cricketer Umar Akmal to his fi nal run, handing victory to his French teammate tria in October 2019. tions were vastly different from Friday’s race, which fi rst,” Wasim 12 months and fi ned him 4.25 million Faivre. Faivre won the world titles in GS and the paral- took place in sunshine. said. “The way we fi nished at the end rupees ($27,000) for breaching the Pa- Henrik Kristoffersen was fourth going into the sec- lel event but has not triumphed in a World Cup race It didn’t affect Gut-Behrami, who took advantage was fantastic. We saved almost 15-20 kistan Cricket Board’s anti-corruption ond leg but fi nished 17th. The Norwegian just avoid- since 2016. of her outstanding technical skills to win time on her runs at the death.” code. ed skiing out early in his run, forced to brake to make “After the world champs, I just wanted to keep the rivals in the turning middle section. Englishman Joe Clarke (54 off 26 Akmal was suspended in February the next gate after sliding off the line. pace and to keep the momentum,” Faivre said after Her 32nd career victory, and 11th in downhill, also balls) took the game away from Multan 2020 for failing to report details of cor- Kristoffersen won the GS title last year but has only the fi rst run. “I feel really good on my skis and I have strengthened her lead in the overall World Cup stand- by combining in an electrifying stand of rupt approaches made to him just be- two top-10 results in seven races so far this season. a lot of pleasure to be on skis and to push hard.” ings, a day after she overtook Petra Vlhova. Gut-Beh- 97 runs with Babar. fore the start of the fi fth Pakistan Super Zubcic trailed Faivre by 0.11 after the opening run Pinturault extended his lead in the overall standings rami is chasing a second overall title after winning it Clarke smashed four sixes against League. and put pressure on the Frenchman by posting the to 230 points over Marco Odermatt. The Swiss skier in 2016. spinners Shahid Afridi and Khushdil The PCB’s disciplinary panel last 10th-fastest time in the second leg. fi nished Saturday’s race in fi fth. Vlhova, was had held the top spot since November, Shah and also hit three boundaries in April found Akmal guilty on two “That was the best thing, that I attacked from the In Moena, Italy, Lara Gut-Behrami let out a brief fi nished Saturday’s race in 12th. his robust half century before he was charges of separate breaches and start,” Zubcic said. “I knew it was going to be really, scream of joy and held up her right arm after crossing The Slovakian skier dropped 107 points behind caught at short fi ne leg while attempting handed him a three-year suspension – really, really tough, because it was really turny and the fi nish, then nodded her head moments later. Gut-Behrami, who could even increase her lead as she to ramp a slow bouncer from Shanawaz with the periods of ineligibility to run bumpy.” The Swiss skier won her second World Cup down- will start as the favorite in Sunday’s super-G. Dhani (2-28). concurrently. Faivre soon lost the advantage in his fi nal run but hill in two days at Val di Fassa on Saturday to main- However, the next two weekends of World Cup Babar led Karachi to its second win That ban was halved after Akmal ap- settled for second place, his best result on the World tain her chance of winning the discipline title this skiing only include Vlhova’s strongest events: slalom in three games with a six and two fours pealed to an independent adjudicator, Cup circuit since fi nishing runner-up in a GS in Aus- season. and GS. in succession against fast bowler Sohail before both Akmal and the PCB took Khan in the penultimate over. the matter to the CAS. Agut and Goffi n ease into Open Sud semis Swiatek beats Bencic in Adelaide fi nal ADELAIDE, Australia, Feb 27, (AP): French Open champion Iga Swiatek beat Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-2 on Satur- day to win the Adelaide International at Memorial Drive. The 19-year-old Polish player did not drop a set in fi ve matches and lost just 22 games all week. Swiatek seized momentum midway through the fi rst set. Leading 3-2, she broke Bencic’s serve when the Swiss player double-faulted three times. In Montpellier, France, Top-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut was clinical in TENNIS beating sixth-seeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-3 to reach the Open Sud de France semifi nals. Second-seeded David Goffi n of Belgium converted three of his break points in beating seventh-seeded Lor- enzo Sonego of Italy 6-4, 6-4. Seeking Poland’s Iga Swiatek, (left), poses with her trophy after defeating Switzer- a fi rst ATP title since 2017 and fi fth Karachi Kings’ Joe Clarke, center, plays a shot while Multan Sultans’ Mohammad Rizwan watches during a Pa- land’s Belinda Bencic, in the fi nal of Adelaide International tennis tourna- overall, Goffi n next plays Egor Ger- kistan Super League T20 cricket match between Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans at the National Stadium, in ment in Adelaide, Australia, on Feb 27. (AP) asimov. Karachi, Pakistan, on Feb 27. (AP) ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 SPORTS 15

Avalanche hold on in final seconds for 3-2 win over Coyotes Rangers score 3 times in 2nd period to beat Bruins NEW YORK, Feb 27, (AP): Ryan nesota Wild blitzed the Los Angeles Strome had a goal and two assists and Kings with three goals in a span of Chris Kreider had a goal and an assist just over three minutes in the fi rst pe- NHL Results/Standings in New York’s three-goal second pe- riod and held on to win for their fi fth riod, leading the Rangers to a 6-2 vic- straight victory. tory over the Boston Bruins. Kirill Kaprizov, Nick Bjugstad and WASHINGTON, Feb 27, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on Julian Gauthier, Colin Blackwell, Joel Eriksson Ek scored for the Wild, Friday. Pavel Buchnevich and Jonny Brodz- who ended the Kings’ six-game win- NY Rangers 6 Boston 2 Colorado 3 Arizona 2 inski also scored to help the Rangers ning streak. Minnesota’s last loss was Minnesota 3 Los Angeles 1 win for the third time in four games. to the Kings in Los Angeles on Feb. East Division West Division Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren each 16. That was Minnesota’s fi rst game GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 18 11 5 2 24 55 49 had two assists, and Alexandar Geor- back after a two-week layoff due to Washington 19 10 5 4 24 65 65 Vegas 16 11 4 1 23 48 34 giev stopped 31 shots to improve to COVID-19 protocols. NY Islanders 19 10 6 3 23 51 45 Minnesota 17 11 6 0 22 53 41 2-0-2 in his last four starts. Philadelphia 16 9 4 3 21 55 54 St Louis 20 10 8 2 22 60 61 With fans back at Madison Square Pittsburgh 18 10 7 1 21 56 60 Colorado 17 10 6 1 21 49 40 ICE HOCKEY NY Rangers 18 7 8 3 17 49 48 Los Angeles 19 9 7 3 21 57 52 Garden for the fi rst time this season, the New Jersey 15 7 6 2 16 41 44 Arizona 20 9 8 3 21 54 58 Rangers beat Bruins for the fi rst time in Buffalo 17 6 8 3 15 44 51 San Jose 17 7 8 2 16 47 64 three meetings. Boston was 5-0-1 in the Cam Talbot stopped 27 shots for Central Division Anaheim 20 6 10 4 16 40 58 GP W L OT Pts GF GA North Division previous six games with the Rangers. the Wild, holding the Kings scoreless Florida 19 13 4 2 28 62 53 GP W L OT Pts GF GA After the game, the Rangers gathered until Jeff Carter’s goal late in the third Tampa Bay 18 13 4 1 27 64 39 Toronto 21 15 4 2 32 74 55 at center-ice to salute the 1,800 fans in at- period in his fi rst action since Feb. 2. Chicago 21 11 6 4 26 63 61 Edmonton 22 14 8 0 28 79 65 Carolina 19 12 6 1 25 65 53 Winnipeg 19 12 6 1 25 67 52 tendance before skating off. Several play- Jonathan Quick made 27 saves for the Columbus 21 8 8 5 21 60 72 Montreal 19 9 6 4 22 64 58 ers gave their sticks to some of the fans. Kings, who were done in by the Wild’s Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand (63) scores during the third period against Dallas 15 6 5 4 16 46 40 Calgary 21 9 10 2 20 52 62 Brad Marchand had a goal and three goals in a 3:03 span. Nashville 19 8 11 0 16 44 62 Vancouver 24 8 14 2 18 68 85 New York Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev (40) in an NHL hockey game, on Ottawa 22 7 14 1 15 58 85 an assist, and Patrice Bergeron also Carter spoiled the shutout when he Feb 26, in New York. (AP) Detroit 22 6 13 3 15 44 68 scored. Tuukka Rask made with 28 crashed the net on a 3-on-2 and mus- Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each division will qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment. saves in the Bruins’ fourth loss in fi ve cled the puck past Talbot for his fourth Miska stopped 16 of 18 shots and the ly earned a shutout until the Coyotes games. The lost 7-2 at the New York of the year. Colorado Avalanche held on to beat scored two goals in the fi nal two min- Islanders on Thursday night. Avalanche 3, Coyotes 2 the Arizona Coyotes. utes. Arizona had a sleepy offensive ed another one with 53 seconds left. off a fi nal Coyotes offensive fl urry. Wild 3, Kings 1 In Glendale, Arizona, Nazem Kadri The 25-year-old Miska was playing performance until Phil Kessel scored That led to a tense exchange in the fi - Kessel’s goal was his eighth of the In St. Paul, Minnessota, the Min- had a goal and two assists, Hunter in just his fourth NHL game and near- with 1:36 left and Drake Caggiula add- nal seconds before the Avalanche fended season. Hill stopped 25 of 28 shots. Powell and Lowry help Raptors hand Rockets 10th straight loss

Green notches triple-double as Warriors avenge loss to Hornets

TAMPA, Florida, Feb 27, (AP): Norman Powell scored 30 points, Kyle Games and 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympics, plus capture the Basketball World Cup title in 2019. Siakam was listed as out about two hours before the game, indicating that he either has a testing issue Golden State Warriors guard Ste- Lowry had a triple-double and the depleted Toronto Raptors beat the phen Curry, (left), shoots against or a contact tracing issue. He played Wednesday night in Miami in the Raptors’ loss to the Heat. Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Houston Rockets 122-111. Lowry had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Raptors hand the Rockets their 10th Bridges during the second half of The Raptors were without head coach Nick Nurse, five assistant coaches and starting forward straight loss. Fred VanVleet added 25 points, making 5 of 11 3-pointers. Lowry was 4 of 5 from long an NBA basketball game in San Pascal Siakam in accordance with the NBA’s health and safety protocols regarding the coronavirus. range, and Powell 4 of 8. Francisco, on Feb 26. (AP) Assistant coach Sergio Scariolo directed the team. He had been away from the Raptors while coach- Heat 124, Jazz 116 ing Spain in FIBA’s EuroBasket 2022 qualifiers and just cleared quarantine Friday. In Miami, Jimmy Butler scored a season-high 33 points, Goran Dragic tied his season best with 26 UNLV edges Fresno St Scariolo has extensive experience as a head coach, winning championships of leagues in Italy, Spain and Miami help on to beat NBA-leading Utah, handing the Jazz their third loss in their last 25 games. and Russia, plus has been Spain’s national coach - helping that team win medals at the 2012 London Bam Adebayo had 19 points and 11 rebounds for Miami in its fi fth straight victory. Lakers 102, Trail Blazers 93 Loyola holds off In Los Angeles, LeBron James had 28 points, Dennis Schroder added 22 in his return to Los Angeles’ lineup, Southern Illinois and the Lakers beat Portland to snap a CHICAGO, Feb 27, (AP): Marquise four-game losing streak. Kennedy scored 16 points, and No. Montrezl Harrell had 17 points, and 21 Loyola Chicago hung on to beat James added 11 rebounds and seven Southern Illinois 60-52. assists to help the defending NBA The Ramblers (20-4, 15-2 Missouri champions avoided their longest losing Valley Conference) steadied them- streak since March 2019. Schroder was selves in the closing minutes after let- outstanding after a four-game absence ting a 16-point lead shrink to four and under the NBA’s health and safety came out on top for the 13th time in 14 protocols. games. They also reached 20 wins for Celtics 118, Pacers 112 the fourth straight year, a streak that In Boston, Kemba Walker made two started when the 2017-18 team went late free throws and scored a season- 32-6 and made the Final Four. high 32 points to help Boston beat Braden Norris scored 13 and made Indiana and snap a three-game losing three 3-pointers. Cameron Krutwig streak. added 11 points, six rebounds and Daniel Theis added 17 points, and four blocks, though he sat out the fi- Jaylen Brown had 15. nal 7 minutes, 56 seconds because of Clippers 119, Grizzlies 99 cramps. In Memphis, Tennessee, Kawhi UNLV 68, Fresno St. 67 Leonard scored 30 points, Lou Wil- In Las Vegas, Caleb Grill posted liams added 17 and Los Angeles beat 18 points as UNLV edged past Fresno Memphis to split a two-game series. State. Terance Mann, Nicolas Batum and Bryce Hamilton had 13 points and Paul George each had 13 points for the seven rebounds for UNLV (11-12, Clippers, 122-94 losers on Thursday 8-8 Mountain West Conference). Mo- night. ses Wood added 10 points. Cheikh Suns 106, Bulls 97 Mbacke Diong had three blocks. In Chicago, Devin Booker and De- Junior Ballard had 17 points for the andre Ayton each scored 22 points and Bulldogs (10-10, 8-10). Orlando Rob- Phoenix rallied to beat Chicago. inson added 15 points and five assists. Deon Stroud had 12 points. Hawaii 78, Long Beach St. 76 BASKETBALL In Honolulu, Justin Webster had 16 Toronto Raptors forward DeAndre’ Bembry (95) goes for a layup in front of Houston Rockets center Justin Patton (26) during the first half of an NBA bas- points as Hawaii narrowly defeated ketball game, on Feb 26, in Tampa, Florida. (AP) Chris Paul, who’ll join Booker at the Long Beach State. All-Star Game, added 14 points, 15 as- JoVon McClanahan had 13 points sists and six rebounds to help the Suns for Hawaii (9-8, 7-8 Big West Confer- South Dakota State clinches Summit League title win for the 10th time in 12 games. ence). Justin Hemsley added 12 points NBA Results/Standings Zach LaVine scored 24 points for and seven rebounds. Mate Colina had Chicago. The Bulls had won three in 10 points. No. 10 UCLA women rout USC 93-51 a row. WASHINGTON, Feb 27, (AP): Results Thunder 118, Hawks 109 BASKETBALL and standings from the NBA games on In Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous- LOS ANGELES, Feb 27, (AP): Charisma Osborne had Friday. Alexander scored 24 points and Okla- the ninth triple-double in UCLA history, Michaela Onyen- Toronto 122 Houston 111 Boston 118 Indiana 112 homa City beat Atlanta after changing UCSB 72, UCR 68 were scored 30 points and the 10th-ranked Bruins made a uniforms at halftime because a mix-up In Riverside, California, Amadou Sow season-high 16 3-pointers in a 93-51 victory over Southern Phoenix 106 Chicago 97 Oklahoma City 118 Atlanta 109 left the teams wearing similar colors at had a season-high 21 points as UC Santa California. LA Clippers 119 Memphis 99 Miami 124 Utah 116 the start. Barbara won its 13th straight game, nar- Osborne had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in 34 The Thunder began the game wear- rowly defeating UC Riverside. minutes. The sophomore is the seventh player in program Sacramento 110 Detroit 107 LA Lakers 102 Portland 93 ing their sunset orange uniforms while history to have a triple-double and fi rst since Japreece Sow hit 9 of 12 shots. He added Golden State 130 Charlotte 121 the Hawks wore red, making it diffi - Dean against Yale in November 2019. Eastern Conference eight rebounds. cult to distinguish between the teams. JaQuori McLaughlin had 15 points Onyenwere scored at least 30 points for the fi fth time Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Oklahoma City said in a statement that and seven assists for UC Santa Barbara in her career and second this season. The senior forward Philadelphia 22 11 .667 - made a career-high six 3-pointers and was 11 of 19 from the Hawks wore the incorrect uniform (17-3, 11-2 Big West Conference). De- Brooklyn 22 12 .647 -1/2 color. The team said the league should vearl Ramsey added 13 points. Miles the fi eld. Toronto 17 17 .500 5-1/2 New York 16 17 .485 6 have caught the error, but because Norris had 11 points. Lindsey Corsaro added 14 points, going 4 of 5 from Boston 16 17 .485 6 beyond the arc, as UCLA (14-4, 12-4 Pac-12) posted its the Hawks only brought red uniforms CSUB 84, CSUN 58 Southeast Division on their trip, the Thunder changed to In Bakersfield, California, Shaun highest margin of victory over its crosstown rival since W L Pct GB 1999 and won both regular-season games against the Tro- Miami 16 17 .485 - white for the second half. Williams had 19 points to lead five Cal Charlotte 15 17 .469 -1/2 jans for the fi rst time in three seasons. Atlanta 14 19 .424 2 Warriors 130, Hornets 121 State Bakersfield players in double fig- In San Francisco, Draymond Green ures as the Roadrunners rolled past Cal Alissa Pili led USC (10-11, 8-10) with 18 points. Washington 12 18 .400 2-1/2 Orlando 13 20 .394 3 had a triple-double with a career-high State Northridge. Central Division 19 assists along with 12 rebounds and De’Monte Buckingham added 16 BASKETBALL W L Pct GB 11 points to help Golden State beat points for the Roadrunners. Justin Mc- Milwaukee 20 13 .606 - Indiana 15 16 .484 4 Charlotte for its fi rst three-game win- Call chipped in 13, Taze Moore scored This was the fi nal game for both teams before next Chicago 15 17 .469 4-1/2 ning streak of the season. 13 and Ronne Readus had 10. Moore Cleveland 12 21 .364 8 week’s Pac-12 Tournament. Stephen Curry added 29 points and also had three blocks. Detroit 9 24 .273 11 S. Dakota St. 73, UMKC 53 Western Conference eight assists after he sat out with an ill- Seattle 63, Grand Canyon 57 Southwest Division In Brookings, S.D., Paiton Burckhard and Tylee Ir- ness Saturday night in his hometown of In Seattle, Darrion Trammell had W L Pct GB win each scored 19 points and No. 22 South Dakota San Antonio 16 12 .571 - Charlotte. Green, especially, wanted a 17 points and seven assists as Seattle State beat UMKC to clinch the Summit League regu- Dallas 15 16 .484 2-1/2 big game after he was hit with two tech- topped Grand Canyon. lar-season title. Memphis 14 15 .483 2-1/2 nical fouls and ejected with 9.3 seconds Trammell made 10 of 11 foul shots. New Orleans 14 18 .438 4 left a week ago arguing about a jump ball. Burckhard was 9 of 18 from the fi eld, including South Houston 11 20 .355 6-1/2 Kobe Williamson had 14 points for Dakota State’s opening four baskets. Irwin made all 12 of Northwest Division Terry Rozier made an off-balance jumper Seattle (10-8, 3-3 Western Athletic W L Pct GB from the left corner as time expired for a her free throws, eight coming in the fourth quarter, as the Utah 26 7 .788 - Conference). Riley Grigsby added 13 Jackrabbits were 25 of 36 at the line. South Dakota State 102-100 win by the Hornets. points. Nate Robinson had 10 points. Portland 18 14 .563 7-1/2 shot 18 free throws in the fourth compared to UMKC’s 12 Denver 17 15 .531 8-1/2 Kings 110, Pistons 107 Utah St. 75, Nevada 72 attempts for the game. Oklahoma City 14 19 .424 12 In Detroit, De’Aaron Fox scored 27 Minnesota 7 26 .212 19 In Logan, Utah, Utah State held off Mesa Byom added nine points for South Dakota State Pacific Division points and Sacramento beat Detroit to Nevada for a win. Daniel Foster made (20-2, 13-0), which has won 17 straight games. The Jack- W L Pct GB snap a nine-game losing streak. a 3-pointer with four seconds left to rabbits were without starting forward Tori Nelson and UCLA’s Lindsey Corsaro, (left), fights for the rebound LA Clippers 24 11 .686 - Sacramento blew a 17-point fi rst- against Southern California’s Jordyn Jenkins, (right), LA Lakers 23 11 .676 -1/2 help the Wolf Pack pull within 2, but conference scoring leader Myah Selland due to injuries. Phoenix 21 11 .656 1-1/2 quarter lead, then rallied from an eight- they wouldn’t get any closer. RaVon Nero and Mandy Willems each scored 11 points in the second half of an NCAA college basketball Golden State 19 15 .559 4-1/2 point defi cit in the fi nal quarter. Justin Bean had 19 points to lead the for UMKC (10-10, 7-7). The Roos were held to 37% game at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, California, on Sacramento 13 20 .394 10 Jerami Grant led Detroit with 30 Aggies. shooting and 20 second-half points. Feb 26. (AP) points. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 16

Barcelona’s Ousmane Dem- bele celebrates after scoring during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Sevilla and Barcelona at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium in Seville, Spain, Feb 27. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Bilbao draw at Levante before their Copa del Rey semi Messi stars as Barcelona edge Sevilla to stay in title hunt BARCELONA, Spain, Feb 27, (AP): points behind leaders Atlético Madrid, Fernando Reges and scrambled a save Barcelona defender Gerard Pique Lionel Messi scored after setting up which have two more matches to play. by Bounou of his fi rst shot into the net. said that as long as the team maintained Ousmane Dembele for the opener to Sevilla were left in fourth place after Center back Ronald Araújo went this ambition, they could overcome the secure a 2-0 victory at Sevilla on Satur- the end of their run of six straight victo- on as a second-half substitute after injuries. day, lifting Barcelona into second place ries in the league. returning from a left ankle injury that Athletic Bilbao drew at Levante 1-1, City ‘open’ up in the Spanish league. While Barcelona ensured they stayed had sidelined him for fi ve games. He fi ve days before they meet again to de- Dembele netted in the 29th minute in the title hunt, they appear to have lasted fewer than 20 minutes before he cide which advance to the fi nal of the when Messi played him clear on a quick lost two young players to injury. went down, holding his left leg and was Copa del Rey. attack to end Sevilla’s excellent defen- Midfi elder Pedri González, one of Roger Martí scored his 10th goal of sive streak of fi ve straight clean sheets Koeman’s most used players, seemed SOCCER the season for Levante after the striker in the league. to hurt his lower right leg with around converted a 34-minute penalty follow- Messi then capped a complete per- 20 minutes remaining. ing Unai Núñez’s foul of Jorge de Fru- 13-point lead formance by his team in the 85th when Pedri was replaced by fellow substituted by Koeman even though he tos in the area. he dribbled through the area and beat 18-year-old Ilaix Moriba, who helped wanted to play on. Raúl García equalized in the 56th goalkeeper Yassine Bounou on a sec- Messi score when he exchanged a quick Barcelona will meet Sevilla again on from a penalty conceded by Nikola ond try. It was Messi’s league-leading short pass with the star on his slalom Wednesday needing to overcome a 2-0 Vukcekic’s foul of Álex Berenguer. West Brom pip Brighton 19th goal. through the box. After getting the ball fi rst-leg loss in the return leg of their The stalemate left Levante in eight Barcelona’s victory left them two back from Ilaix, Messi dribbled around Copa del Rey semifi nal. place and Bilbao in ninth. MANCHESTER, England, Feb 27, (AP): Manchester City won their 20th straight game in all competitions and opened up a 13-point lead in the Premier League by beating West Ham 2-1 thanks to goals from cent- er backs Ruben Dias and John Stones on Saturday. Playing less than 72 hours after a Champions League match in Bu- dapest, City produced one of their sloppiest displays in recent months but emerged with their winning run intact as Stones swept in the decisive goal in the 68th minute from Riyad Mahrez’s pass. Dias, Stones’ partner in central de- fense, put City in front off a header from a deep left-footed cross by Kevin De Bruyne in the 30th only for Pep Guardiola’s team to concede its fi rst home goal in 2-½ months when Mi- chail Antonio equalized just before halftime. It was City’s 14th win in a row in the league - only the sixth time that has been achieved in English top- Bartley fl ight history. Three of those have been attained by City under Guardiola since his arrival in 2016. Manchester United and Leicester are tied for points as City’s nearest rivals, and both play Sunday. Guardiola rotated his team, as he promised he would, and included Dortmund’s Mats Hummels (left), challenges for the ball with Arminia’s Fabian Klos during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Arminia Bielefeld in Dortmund, record scorer Sergio Aguero in the Germany, Feb. 27. (AP) starting lineup for the fi rst time in the league since Oct. 24 - coincidentally Dortmund enjoy big win over Bielefeld against West Ham, too. The injury-plagued Argentina striker lasted only 60 minutes before being taken off and he looked off the pace. He was partially to blame for Bayern underline title credentials West Ham’s 43rd-minute goal, too, after losing possession cheaply inside BERLIN, Feb 27, (AP): Bundesliga top scorer Robert Le- ously won eight from its nine Bundesliga games in 2021 City’s half before the visitors broke wandowski bagged two goals as Bayern Munich routed with the only blip a draw at Freiburg. forward quickly through Pablo For- Cologne 5-1 to end their two-game winless streak and Rival players clashed during the game earning yellow nals and Vladimir Coufal. consolidate their league lead on Saturday. cards, while Bremen coach Florian Kohfeldt argued with Lewandowski took his season tally to 28 goals. Frankfurt counterpart Adi Hütter on the sideline. Frank- SOCCER Leon Goretzka, making his first league start since furt defender Martin Hinteregger scuffl ed with Bremen recovering from the coronavirus, lifted a cross for Eric forward Niklas Füllkrug after the fi nal whistle, when the Maxim Choupo-Moting to open the scoring in the 18th coaches resumed their verbal sledging. Jesse Lingard turned Coufal’s minute, then brilliantly set up Lewandowski in the “It’s always such a fi ght and emotional against Bremen. cross toward goal and Antonio ap- 34th. In the end it was much too much,” Frankfurt captain Ma- plied the fi nal touch from close range. Goretzka received the ball from Lewandowski, turned koto Hasebe said. West Ham, in the unusually el- and played the ball through Cologne defender Rafael Frankfurt’s top scorer, André Silva, missed last week- evated position of fourth, allowed Czichos’ legs, before sending it to the right for Lewan- end’s win over Bayern Munich with an injury picked City few clear-cut opportunities at dowski to score. up in training, but it didn’t take long for the Portuguese an empty Etihad Stadium and posed Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, (front left), duels for the ball with West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal during the English Premier League soccer match Defensive errors from David Alaba and Jérôme striker to get going with the visitors’ opening goal in the quite a threat at the other end. Boateng allowed Ellyes Skhiri pull one back for Cologne ninth minute. Antonio struck the post before his between Manchester City and West Ham United at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Feb 25. (AP) Filip Kostic, who is so important to Frankfurt’s attack- goal, while center back Issa Diop SOCCER ing threat, crossed after a corner for Silva to head in his headed narrowly wide in the third and 19th goal of the season off the far post. fi nal minute of stoppage time. Bremen fought back. Sargent had a goal ruled out for City have won all of their games – Ireland fi nally get fi rst win after the break, but Lewandowski killed off any notions offside in the buildup and it served as encouragement for across four competitions – since a 1-1 of a surprise when Thomas Müller set up his second in the confi dence-hit home team. Bremen hadn’t scored in draw against West Bromwich Albion ROME, Feb 27, (AP): Ireland their first try after 11 minutes, the 65th. on Dec 15, which left Guardiola’s two games. finally won a Six Nations match only their third in the competi- Müller had only been on the pitch a minute, after mak- Theodor Gebre Selassie equalized just after the break, side in ninth place in the league at the by defeating Italy 48-10 in the tion and the first by a back. ing his comeback from his coronavirus infection. but the increasingly agitated Kohfeldt’s patience was time. That was the last time City had Rome sunshine on Saturday. Center Garry Ringrose slipped Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer almost gifted Co- conceded at home, and even that was Following two losses to start the through two tackles to get the tested again with another offside call. The Bremen coach logne a way back when he lost the ball to Dominick Drex- was relieved when a VAR check confi rmed his captain an own-goal by Dias. championship for the first time opening try that should have ler, but the midfi elder’s effort came back off the post. Antonio became the fi rst opposi- since 1998, Ireland ticked all of gone to lock Iain Henderson was onside for Rashica’s defense-splitting pass. their checklist for the match: They three minutes earlier. Serge Gnabry, who came with Müller in the 64th, VAR again favored Bremen for Sargent’s goal. tion player to score a goal from open sealed the result in the 82nd and wrapped up the scoring play against City at the Etihad in 12 won, they played well, and they Henderson reached through a The American forward set up Romano Schmid to make scored a lot. The six tries were all double tackle to plant the ball but in the 86th. it 3-1 but again the offside fl ag was raised. This time league games, since James Maddison Schalke moved another step closed to relegation with of Leicester on Sept 27. converted by captain Jonathan the Television Match Official said VAR ruled in Frankfurt’s favor, though it was another West Brom 1, Brighton 0 Sexton, who finished the match he knocked on. a 5-1 loss at Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund enjoyed a 3-0 close call. A farcical refereeing incident and after coming back from another The Ireland packed continued to win over Arminia Bielefeld, and Hertha Berlin’s winless two missed penalties helped West head knock. impose itself. No. 8 CJ Stander streak continued in a 2-0 loss at Wolfsburg. Bromwich Albion secure a chaotic Ireland also had two tries disal- ripped the ball from opposite Josh Sargent helped Werder Bremen end Eintracht 1-0 win over Brighton that breathed lowed while Italy had men in the Michele Lamaro, and they got a Frankfurt’s unbeaten start to the year with the winning life into their fi ght against relegation sin-bin in the second half. penalty from a defensive 5-meter goal in a bad-tempered 2-1 defeat for the Bundesliga’s Italy’s record run of losses in from the English Premier League. scrum when the Italians buckled in-form team . the championship reached 30 in a first. The United States forward scored one goal, had anoth- Leading 1-0 through Kyle Bar- display of frustration at being tley’s 11th-minute header, West er ruled out, and saw another goal he set up ruled out on squeezed by the Irish – 18 penal- a busy night for the video referee. Brom had already seen Pascal Gross ties conceded – and dominated up RUGBY strike a penalty against the crossbar Sargent’s winner in the 62nd minute was given by front. Referee Mathieu Raynal’s VAR despite looking offside in TV replays. Sargent when Lewis Dunk appeared to equal- patience wore out and he issued Ireland scored two similar tries ize for the visitors through a quickly yellow cards to replacement prop from lineout ball that split the didn’t celebrate after scoring as he seemed to believe he taken free kick that was taken a split Giosue Zilocchi and captain Luca Italians and finished with delight- was just offside for Maximilian Eggestein’s pass. second after referee Lee Mason blew Bigi. For four minutes, Italy were ful offloads: Ringrose for fullback But the goal was awarded, giving Sargent his third his whistle. down to 13 men. Hugo Keenan, then wing Jordan score in the Bundesliga and fi fth overall this season. He However, Mason blew for a sec- Italy’s preparation was set back Larmour for flanker Will Connors. previously scored at Frankfurt on Oct. 31 and at Hertha ond time just as the ball was cross- in the warmup when scrumhalf Italy, full of ambition, finally Berlin on Jan. 23, but had not at home in any competi- Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives ing the line, having seen that West Stephen Varney was lost to injury managed to execute a chance in tion since last season’s Bundesliga fi nale in June against between Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was in the empty Stadio Olimpico. first-half injury time from a line- Cologne. and center Xavier Tillman (2) during the second half of still lining up his defensive wall and The desperate Irish scored out into the corner. Sargent’s goal meant the end of Frankfurt’s 11-game an NBA basketball game, Feb 26, in Memphis, Ten- wasn’t ready for the free kick. unbeaten run in the league since Dec. 11. Frankfurt previ- nessee. Clippers won 119-99. (AP) - See Page 15

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