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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 / JUMADA AL THANI 27, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17609 16 PAGES 150 FILS Hope on course Day by Day THE Dubai International Fi- nancial Center (DIFC) building EVERY day, the local news- (right) lit up in red in anticipation papers publish pictures of of the UAE Hope probe’s expect- garbage piled up in street ed arrival to Mars on Feb 9. corners, residential areas Called Amal, or Hope in Ara- and even main city squares. bic, the Gulf nation’s spacecraft This gives Kuwait a bad im- is seeking an especially high or- age ‘buried’ under the pile of bit – 13,500 by 27,000 miles high garbage. (22,000 kilometers by 44,000 ki- Add to this scenario stray lometers) – all the better to moni- cats and dogs that appear tor the Martian weather. to have invaded us and this means only one thing – no one paying any attention to See Also Page 2 the environment or cleanli- ness. When people enter the suburbs of Abdali, Kabd, “We are quite excited as engi- Wafra, Khaitan and Farwaniya neers and scientists, at the same they are welcomed by the bad time quite stressed and happy, stench. worried and scared,” said Omran In some instances the Sharaf, project manager for the mountains of garbage seen UAE venture. in our neighborhoods almost The UAE is especially proud block the roads. No one that Amal was designed and built seems to be in charge or may- by its own citizens, who partnered be we do not know who is re- with the University of Colorado sponsible or even if we know the surprising thing is no one at Boulder and other US institu- responds to our calls. tions, not simply purchased from We wonder what will hap- abroad. Its arrival at Mars coin- pen in the new cities that are cides with this year’s 50th anni- being built. Will it also be filled versary of the country’s founding. with trash? In many countries “Starting off the year with of the world, the municipalities this milestone is something very collect cleaning fees from resi- important for the people of the dents. UAE,” said Sharaf. … Yet, tomorrow is another day. Photo courtesy of Dubai Zahed Matar Media Offi ce PM ‘understands’ pain of closures

Kuwait lists 996 new COVID cases Opinion KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8, (Agencies): Al-Mojil stressed in his statement, “We support measures to confront the Corona pandemic, but in Kuwait Ministry of Health (MoH) return the government must take clear measures Neither the Levant on Monday listed 996 new corona- to support those affected by these measures, and it virus (COVID-19) cases bringing must be taken into account that the economic crisis faced by young and medium-sized business own- caseload of contaminations with the ers in particular and the rest of society in general contagion to 171,994 since eruption is no less important and dangerous than the health nor Yemen for Iran of the pandemic locally months ago. crisis, therefore, addressing it and taking it into con- MoH official spokesperson Dr. Abdullah sideration and importance is an absolute duty and By Ahmed Al-Jarallah Al-Sanad said in a statement to KUNA that necessity.” Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times He expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to there also three new fatalities due to infection all frontline workers who work to combat the spread with the contagious virus, registered during the of this epidemic, including health, security, moni- KUNA photo IRAN’S illusions have begun to fall in front of a storm of same period, thus mortalities’ toll rose to 969. toring cadres and others, Kuwaiti male and female His Highness the Amir is presented with the coins by CBK Gover- reality that the leaders of the Mullah regime had tried to Dr. Al-Sanad added that the number of people volunteers and others. nor Dr Mohammad Yousef Al-Hashel (right). falsify with colors of revolutionary slogans and divine vic- who are receiving treatment at intensive care units With the ban on the activities of health establish- tory. The situation can be explained by the popular Arabic has amounted to 90, thus the whole count of the ments and salons taking effect on Sunday, the own- Amir receives coins proverb – “Neither the Levant’s dates nor Yemen’s grapes confirmed infection cases and remained under med- ers of these establishments adhered to the closure were reaped by Iran”. Instead, the coffins of Revolutionary ical care has stood at 8,905. decision while the Health Regulations Committee He pointed out that 8,864 swab tests were con- formed by the Council of Ministers intensified its His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Guards’ fighters are piling up at Damascus airport waiting ducted in the past 24 hours, bringing the total num- inspection efforts to ensure strict compliance with Sabah received on Monday at Seif Palace, the Governor of the to be transported to Tehran. ber of such examinations to 1.608,305. the decision, reports Al-Qabas daily. Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Dr Mohammad Yousef Al-Hashel. As for “Yemen’s grapes” and its Proportion of the infections as compared to the During the meeting, Al-Hashel handed His Highness the Amir missed season, the answer to the Iranian number of swab tests, during the last 24 hours, stood Assured three commemorative coins on the occasion on the 60th anniver- at 11.2 percent. Tariq Asad, head of the Barbershops Union, as- sary of the Independence of the State of Kuwait, the 30th Libera- missiles launched by the Houthis against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came from He re-appealed to the people of Kuwait to remain sured the daily that “everyone is committed to the tion Day, and the 60th anniversary of the issuance of the Kuwaiti on guard against the dreaded virus, maintain social decisions issued by the government agencies” not- currency. (KUNA) — See Also Page 6 the new American administration, which distancing and avert crowds. ing that the only objection is the implementation vowed to Tehran that it would be differ- National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al- mechanism. ent from its predecessor. Ghanim said on Sunday that His Highness the Prime “We will submit the recommendations of the However, President Joe Biden ex- Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Hamad Al-Sabah union and its reports on ensuring that work is in ac- Newswatch pressed more keenness than Donald expressed his understanding of the suffering of en- cordance with the health regulations without harm- Trump concerning the relations with trepreneurs, owners of small and medium enterprises ing the owners of enterprises and the workers,” and activities affected by lockdown decision to con- Asad revealed. Al-Jarallah the Gulf states. He openly demanded an front the spread of coronavirus (Covid 19). A parliamentary-ministerial committee consist- CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has re-af- immediate cessation of the Iranian in- In a statement, Al-Ghanim, said that he met the ing of the health minister, state minister for Cabi- fi rmed that the security of Egypt and the Gulf are intertwined tervention in Yemen, and made a clear pledge to continue premier and he was “cooperative and understand- net affairs and two members of the Parliament and constitute one of the pillars of the Egyptian state policy. to cooperate and support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in ing, and he is working to resolve issues related to will meet soon to discuss the resumption of the Presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement health precautionary measures and to alleviate the that el-Sisi re-stated his unwavering commitment to the close confronting threats and protecting its sovereignty and lands. abovementioned of activities. relationship with the GCC states in a meeting with the GCC This American stance was quickly met by the Iranian For- suffering of business owners and activities.” The committee tasked to follow up the imple- Secretary General Nayef Al-Hajraf. eign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif when he said, “We Al-Ghanim expressed optimism that the premier mentation of health regulations has started inspect- would be “able to take steps that alleviate the suffer- ing the concerned establishments. The committee President el-Sisi affi rmed during the meeting his aspiration (Iran) extend our hand to Riyadh and invite it to reach out to develop these ties further in various sectors noting necessity ing of entrepreneurs and owners of small and me- members are from Kuwait Municipality, Ministry of solidarity to face challenges facing the Arab nation. to us.” dium businesses affected by these decisions.” of Interior, Public Authority for Manpower and For his part, Al-Hajraf underscored the close and brotherly Before him, there was a clearer message from the Deputy The Speaker also said he believed that violations Ministry of Commerce. The committee met recent- ties between Egypt and the GCC countries hailing Cairo’s piv- Parliament Speaker Hussein Amir Abd Al-Lahyan through committed by some store owners should not be gen- ly to lay down a mechanism to uncover violations. otal role in safeguarding national security. (KUNA) a statement in which he said, “Iran is the most important eralized, as the matter calls for tougher punishment Official sources said the committee divided its ❑ ❑ ❑ neighbor of Saudi Arabia and it can count on us during bad for the violator and not punish those who adhere to teams among the governorates, indicating the rec- regulations. ommendation is for the committee to issue warn- RIYADH: The Saudi-led Coalition fi ghting for legitimacy in circumstances.” Al-Ghanim stressed that he “hopes from His ings to whoever violates the decision within the Yemen said on Sunday it had intercepted and destroyed four This talk, which was wrapped in the usual Persian arrogance, Highness the Prime Minister and those concerned first four days of implementation to ascertain that armed drones launched by the Iran-allied Houthi movement is nothing more than a political show, in which the Mullah re- towards the kingdom. in the government would listen to the suffering of the concerned establishments remain closed. Af- Coalition forces intercepted and destroyed a total of four armed gime rips its clothes off piece by piece. Each time it does so, small business leaders, today or tomorrow at the ter issuing warnings, the committee will move to drones launched by the “terrorist” Houthi group with the aim of its ugliness and its weakness become more evident to such an latest, in order to provide solutions to quickly take the next stage – more severe steps such as with- targeting “civilians and civilian objects,” in southern Saudi Ara- extent that it has become like a cat stuck in a corner and unable measures and help owners from going bankrupt.” drawing and canceling the licenses if the violation bia, spokesman Colonel Turki Al-Malki said in a statement. to even meow. When it meows, it is the meow of an empty With regard to sports activity, Al-Ghanim said, is repeated, canceling the residency permits of The coalition would continue to do everything in its power “it is true that there are some violations that must workers and referring them for deportation. to “neutralize” the Houthis’ military capabilities in accordance drum that makes a lot of noise. be stopped, especially attendance by fans for some At a time when the Chairman of the Board of with established humanitarian laws and conventions, he high- During the 42-year rule, the Mullahs spent hundreds of matches,” indicating at the same time that “when Directors of the Federation of Tourism and Travel lighted. (KUNA) billions of dollars on their military and nuclear projects, and violations occur, they must be met with conditions, Offices, Muhammad Al-Mutairi, disclosed the av- ❑ ❑ ❑ supported terrorism in Arab, African and Western coun- penalties and procedures towards those who violate, erage operating losses suffered by the 450 travel tries, but the result was zero benefit. and not to stop sports activity as a whole.” offices operating inside Kuwait was 88 million di- TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader has urged the United States to nars during the Corona pandemic lockdown of the lift all sanctions if it wants Iran to live up to commitments under All efforts exerted by Iran in various expansionism proj- Decisions its nuclear deal with world powers, state TV reported, but Presi- country, at a rate of 8 million dinars per month, to- ects have failed, either in Lebanon where the Hezbollah has Meanwhile, Fahd Abdul-Rahman Al-Mujil says day, the Kuwait International Airport (KIA) began dent Joe Biden says the US won’t be making the fi rst move. not managed to tighten its grip on Lebanon but it is in fact “If (the US) wants Iran to return to its commitments, it must the Kuwaiti Diwans reject what he called the ill- implementing the Cabinet’s decision to prevent the lift all sanctions in practice, then we will do verifi cation … then now killing its peaceful opponents because it is afraid of considered decisions related to economic, social entry of non-Kuwaitis into Kuwait for two weeks, we will return to our commitments,” state TV quoted Ayatol- their bold word, or in Iraq where the pawns of Tehran have and living aspects, reports Al-Seyassah daily. with the exception of first-degree relatives and do- lah Ali Khamenei as saying, in his fi rst comments on the mat- been able to extend their control over the nation, which re- Speaking on behalf of the Kuwaiti Diwans, Al- mestic workers who are registered on the ‘Balsala- ter since Biden took offi ce. volts daily against them. Mujil said, “Because of the Corona pandemic, we ma’ platform, medical staff and personnel working Biden rejected the idea in a “CBS Evening News” interview and the world are still living in an exceptional and in diplomatic missions, reports Al-Qabas daily. taped Friday and airing Sunday. Their operations turned to sabotage Bahrain and their di- delicate circumstances that requires the highest lev- The airport is in a state of relative calm as pas- He was asked if the US will lift sanctions fi rst in order to get sasters, and their terrorist cells in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia els of awareness and national commitment ... at a sengers who landed at the airport were ‘ushered’ Iran back to the bargaining table. increased their international and regional isolation. time when the government of the State of Kuwait in by technical and health officials who are on “No,” Biden replied. He was then asked if Iran has to stop In front of this picture, the threats that the Iranian su- is trying to make efforts to control this epidemic.” duty to ensure all precautionary measures are enriching uranium fi rst. Biden nodded. preme leadership make about destroying American forces He added, “But there are some decisions issued taken from the moment they disembark from the Former President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the in the Gulf, or striking Saudi Arabia and annihilating Israel by the Council of Ministers on the recommendation plane until they leave the airport gates. US in 2018 from the atomic deal, which saw Iran agree to limit of the health authorities, which we believe are not An airport source said, a total of 65 flights oper- its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of eco- are nothing more than cosmetics for the media directed at studied especially those related to the economic, so- ated from the KIA – 33 departures and 32 arrivals, nomic sanctions. Biden has said he will seek to revive the deal, home. cial and living aspects of many small and medium- including 5 from Dubai, 4 from Istanbul, 2 flights but insisted that Iran must fi rst reverse its nuclear steps, creat- They are well aware that any bullet their forces fire at sized enterprises owners of all kinds. We are not from Doha, and a flight each from Abu Dhabi and ing a contest of wills between the nations. against closure, but against cutting off livelihoods.” “This is the defi nitive and irreversible policy of the Islamic Saudi Arabia, the American forces, or Israel will be met Sharjah. Republic, and all of the country’s offi cials are unanimous on with a tsunami so fiery that Iran will not be able to with- He pointed out that: “On the other hand, we see Al-Mutairi told Al-Qabas daily there is no in- this, and no one will deviate from it,” Khamenei added Sunday, stand the fury. many people coming to Kuwait from abroad some crease of virus because of arrivals or departures reiterating Iranian leaders’ previous remarks that the U.S. must This is after the Mullah regime pushed the country into without respecting the requirements of the hour, at and there is no need to close it, especially in light a time when more stringent measures are being im- of the strictly adhering to the tests for incoming ease its sanctions before Iran comes back into compliance. the core of the storm, and it is then that it will realize what The supreme leader, 81, has the fi nal say on all matters of posed locally.” passengers who have to take two PCR tests, in ad- state in Iran and approved the efforts at reaching the nuclear calamity it has brought upon itself. He went on to say, from the position of national dition to a third scan after a compulsory quaran- deal in 2015. Email: [email protected] and social responsibility, the Kuwaiti Diwans gath- tine for a period of seven days in a hotel. In response to Trump’s so-called “maximum pressure” cam- ering stresses the need for commitment and strict- And, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said paign against Iran, the country began to gradually violate its Follow me on: ness in applying the law for those who do not adhere no decision has yet been taken to reduce the per- atomic commitments, and threatened further provocations in a to health and preventive requirements, but in return centage of workers in government institutions, bid to increase its leverage and get Biden to prioritize a return the government must deal with this crisis with more contrary to what has been rumored because of the to the deal as he moves to dismantle Trump’s legacy. (AP) transparency and discipline to ensure any decisions increasing number of infections, reports Al-Jarida [email protected] don’t affect the citizen and his livelihood. daily quoting reliable CSC sources. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 2

SPECIAL REPORT

China sTianwen-1 NASA s Perseverance UAE s Amal (Hope) fter hurtling hundreds of millions of When the scientists take a look at a site Amiles through space since last summer, like Jezero Crater, they see the promise, three robotic explorers are ready to hit the right? said Al Chen, who s in charge of the brakes at Mars. entry, descent and landing team at NASA s The stakes and anxiety are sky high. Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Cali- The United Arab Emirates orbiter reach- fornia. When I look at Jezero, I see danger. es Mars on Tuesday, followed less than 24 There s danger everywhere. hours later by China s orbiter-rover combo. Steep cliffs, deep pits and fields of rocks NASA s rover, the cosmic caboose, will ar- could cripple or doom Perseverance, follow- rive on the scene a week later, on Feb. 18, ing its seven-minute atmospheric plunge. to collect rocks for return to Earth a key With an 11 1/2-minute communication lag step in determining whether life ever existed each way, the rover will be on its own, un- at Mars. able to rely on flight controllers. Amal and Both the UAE and China are newcomers at Tianwen-1 will also need to operate autono- Mars, where more than half of Earth s emis- mously while maneuvering into orbit. saries have failed. China’s first Mars mission, Until Perseverance, NASA sought out flat, a joint effort with Russia in 2011, never made boring terrain on which to land one gi- it past Earth s orbit. ant parking lot, Chen said. That s what Chi- We are quite excited as engineers and na s Tianwen-1 rover will be shooting for in scientists, at the same time quite stressed and Mars Utopia Planitia. happy, worried, scared, said Omran Sharaf, NASA is upping its game thanks to new project manager for the UAE. navigation technology designed to guide the All three spacecraft rocketed away with- rover to a safe spot. The spacecraft also has a MARS ASCENDENT in days of one another last July, during an slew of cameras and microphones to capture Earth-to-Mars launch window that occurs the sights and sounds of descent and landing, only every two years. That s why their arriv- a Martian first. als are also close together. Faster than previous Mars vehicles but still Called Amal, or Hope in Arabic, the Gulf moving at a glacial pace, the six-wheeled Per- nation s spacecraft is seeking an especially severance will drive across Jezero, collecting high orbit 13,500 by 27,000 miles high core samples of the most enticing rocks and (22,000 kilometers by 44,000 kilometers) gravel. The rover will set the samples aside all the better to monitor the Martian weather. for retrieval by a fetch rover launching in China s duo called Tianwen-1, or 2026. Quest for Heavenly Truth will remain Under an elaborate plan still being worked paired in orbit until May, when the rover sep- out by NASA and the European Space Agen- arates to descend to the dusty, ruddy surface. cy, the geologic treasure would arrive on If all goes well, it will be only the second Earth in the early 2030s. Scientists contend country to land successfully on the red planet. it s the only way to ascertain whether life The US rover Perseverance, by contrast, flourished on a wet, watery Mars 3 billion to will dive in straight away for a harrowing 4 billion years ago. sky-crane touchdown similar to the Curiosity NASA s science mission chief, Thomas rover s grand Martian entrance in 2012. The Zurbuchen, considers it one of the hardest odds are in NASA s favor: It s nailed eight of things ever done by humanity and certainly its nine attempted Mars landings. in space science. Despite their differences the 1-ton Per- The US is still the only country to success- severance is larger and more elaborate than fully land on Mars, beginning with the 1976 the Tianwen-1 rover both will prowl for Vikings. Two spacecraft are still active on the signs of ancient microscopic life. surface: Curiosity and InSight. Perseverance s $3 billion mission is the Smashed Russian and European space- first leg in a US-European effort to bring craft litter the Martian landscape, meanwhile, Mars samples to Earth in the next decade. along with NASA s failed Mars Polar Lander To say we re pumped about it, well that from 1999. would be a huge understatement, said Lori Getting into orbit around Mars is less com- Glaze, NASA s planetary science director. plicated, but still no easy matter, with about Perseverance is aiming for an ancient river a dozen spacecraft falling short. Mars fly-bys delta that seems a logical spot for once har- were the rage in the 1960s and most failed; boring life. This landing zone in Jezero Cra- NASA’s Mariner 4 was the first to succeed ter is so treacherous that NASA nixed it for in 1965. NASA s Curiosity rover captured its highest-resolution panorama of the Martian surface between Nov 24 and Dec 1, 2019. (NASA) Curiosity, but so tantalizing that scientists are Six spacecraft currently are operating keen to get hold of its rocks. around Mars: three from the US, two from Continued on Page 3

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the and partly cloudy with light to Bubyan 20 17 Prayer Timings next 24 hours: moderate north westerly wind Jahra 21 12 By Day: Warm with light to with speeds of 08-32 km/h. Salmiyah 19 15 Fajr ...... 05:12 Asr ...... 15:09 moderate north westerly wind Ahmadi 21 14 Sunrise .. 06:33 Maghrib... 17:32 with speeds of 12-35 km/h Station Max Exp Min Rec Zohr ...... 12:02 Isha ...... 18:50 and some scattered clouds Kuwait City 21 14 Nuwaisib 23 13 will appear. Kuwait Airport 22 13 Wafra 24 12 By Night: Rather cold to cold Abdaly 21 10 Salmy 19 10

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

National Bank of Kuwait sheds 8 fils, Humansoft Holding gains Kuwait stock index meanders into red turf, volume ticks lower By John Mathews Arab Times Staff ■ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30280/900.30280/90 KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: Kuwait stocks ▼ Euro/KD 0.3647 meandered into red turf on Monday erasing most of last session’s gains. The All Shares ■ Yen/KD 0.0028 Index dropped 21.81 points to 5,703.16 pts weighed mostly by blue chips. ▼ British £/KD 0.4150 The Premier Market dipped 29.55 points to 6,221.37 pts while Main Market gave up ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0041 5.87 points. The BK Main 50 was down 29.55 points at 6221.37 pts. The volume turnover meanwhile ticked slightly lower ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0063 following Sunday’s surge. Over 441 mil- lion shares changed hands – down 1 pct ▲ FTSE +34.20 pts at closing Feb 08 from the day before. The sectors closed mixed. Oil and Gas outshone the rest with 3.22 pct gain where- ▲ Nikkei +609.31 pts at closing Feb 08 as Technology sector slumped 5 percent, the worst performer of the day. Financial Services continued to top in both volume ▼ Gold 1808.55 per oz (London) and value with over 307 million shares traded for KD 20.4 million. ▲ NYMEX crude $57.52 per barrel Among the day’s notable losers, sector bellwether National Bank of Kuwait ▲ Brent crude $60.07 per barrel extended Sunday’s losses with a 8 fils drop to 842 fils after trading 4.9 million shares LIBOR rate 0.19088% while Kuwait Finance House clipped 2 fils with a volume of 5.4 million shares. Tamdeen Investment Co was down 6 fils at Commercial Facilities gave up 3 fils before 238 fils. ending at 177 fils. International Financial Zain fell 3 fils to 632 fils after pushing Advisors whittled down 1.5 fils. over 1 million shares while Ooredoo Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) erased Sunday’s gains with a 8 fils drop to inched 0.7 fil higher to 85 fils while 685 fils. stc was down 3 fils at 960 fils and KMEFIC added 3 fils. First Investment logistics major Agility rose 3 fils to 747 trimmed 1.1 fils and Osoul Investment gave fils. Humansoft Holding jumped 19 fils to up 3.8 fils before closing at 80.2 fils. KFIC 349 fils and Boursa Kuwait Securities took in 1 fil and Bayan Investment Co sprinted 9 fils to KD 1.160. NAPESCO ticked 0.3 fil into red. Arzan Financial soared 51 fils to KD 1.040 whereas Group erased 0.9 fil. Mabanee closed flat. National Industries Group fell 2 fils to KUNA photos The market opened firm and edged high- 194 fils after trading 7.2 million shares Interior Minister Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah holds meeting with specialized agents in the correctional institute. Inset: The er in early trade. The main index scaled the whereas Mezzan Holding added 2 fils. Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah receives the Ambassador of Ukraine. day’s highest level of 5,736 points and Boubyan Petrochemical Co and Al Qurain flipped direction as selling roiled the trad- Petrochemical Co eased 1 fil each to close ing floor sentiment. It moved listlessly in at 657 fils and 349 fils respectively the second half before closing with moder- whereas Integrated Holding stalled at 361 ate losses. fils. Aznour inched 1 fil higher to 270 fils. ‘Continue rehabilitation, training’ Top gainer of the day, Energy Holding Jazeera Airways skidded 9 fils to 637 darted 7.69 pct to 30.8 fils while NCCI fils whereas ALAFCO was up 3 fils at 212 scaled 7.5 pct to stand next. First Takaful fils on back of 2.5 million shares. United Insurance skidded 12.63 pct, the steepest Projects Co clipped 2 fils and OSOS closed Defense minister meets envoys, eyes ties boost decliner of the day and ALOLA continued 2.8 fils down at 87.5 fils. Mashaer Holding to top the volume with 189.3 million shares. took in 1.2 fils whereas Oula Fuel and Soor Reflecting the day’s drop, the losers out- Fuel stood pat at 123 fils and 124 fils KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8, (KUNA): Kuwait Interior requirements stipulated in international human rights numbered the winners. 46 stocks advanced respectively. Minister Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem charters. whereas 69 closed lower. Of the 132 coun- Kuwait Foundry Co slipped 4 fils to 291 Al-Sabah, stressed the necessity of continuing the ters active on Monday, 17 closed flat. fils whereas Gulf Cable ticked 1 fil higher. This came in a press release of the General Administration for 11,657 deals worth KD 43.73 million were Metal and Recycling Co added 3 fils while workers rehabilitation and training within the cor- Security Relations and Media in the ministry, following a tour con- transacted during the session. Educational Holding shed 16 fils. Gulf rectional facilities and the implementation of judg- ducted by Sheikh Thamer in the correctional institutions, as he was In the banking sector, Gulf Bank eased Petroleum Investment tripped 0.1 fil. ments on how to deal with inmates according to the received by the Assistant Undersecretary for Correctional Institutions 1 fil to 218 fils after trading 4.2 million Kuwait Cement Co rose 1 fil to 232 fils shares while Burgan Bank was unchanged while Kuwait Portland Cement shed 11 and Judgment Execution Sector, Major General Talal at 220 fils. Kuwait International Bank fils. NICBM and KPPC were unchanged mp profile getting to know you Marafie, in the presence of a number of specialized dialed down 2 fils and Boubyan Bank at 153 fils and 43.5 fils respectively assistant agents. closed 3 fils in red. whereas KCPC dialed down 2 fils. The statement said that the minister was briefed during Ahli United Bank BSC tripped 1 fil Automated Systems Co gave up 5.2 fils the tour on a virtual presentation on the prisons’ facilities, with a volume of 5.5 million shares and and Energy House added 2.2 fils. the qualitative shift that it witnessed, and the health services Warba Bank followed suit to close at 235 Burgan Well Drilling Co climbed 7 fils Voting Record provided, which include medical specialties, laboratories, fils. Commercial Bank paused at 500 fils to 157 fils and Combined Group Contracting radiology and preventive health in light of the exceptional whereas Al Ahli Bank and Ahli United Co inched 1 fil higher. Kuwait and Gulf Al-Khalifa has no voting record circumstances that the country is going through in the face Bank Kuwait erased 1 fils each to close at Links Transport Co edged 0.3 fil into green as he is a first-time MP. of the coronavirus. 203 fils and 300 fils respectively. whereas Inovest stood pat at 73 fils. Gulf The minister expressed his appreciation for the efforts Investment conglomerate KIPCO rose 2 Financial Group added 2.2 fils. Marzouq Khalifa Al-Khalifa made within the correctional institutions sector and the fils to 172 fils on back of 5.6 million shares The market has been mixed so far during Sunni chair due to the complaint filed by implementation of judgments through the care, activities while KAMCO ticked 0.1 fil into green. the week adding 9 points in last two ses- Fourth Constituency former MP Farraj Zebn Al-Erbeid. and programs provided to male and female inmates, which Kuwait Investment Co and Noor Financial sions. It has shed 78 points so far during the He won in the 2020 elections strengthens Kuwait’s position as a leading country to pre- Investment dialed down 1 fil each while month and is up 156 points year-to-date. MARZOUQ KHALIFA serve human rights. with 4,760 votes which put him in Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of AL-KHALIFA was born seventh place in the SMEs collapse dangerous: KCCI in 1961. He holds Diploma Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah on Fourth Constituency. Monday held talks with a number of ambassadors in the in Military Science and a Statement country on cooperation between Kuwait and the envoys’ master’s degree in Military countries. Science. Al-Khalifa supported No backing down on decision the grilling motion filed Kuwait Army said in a press statement that the minister He worked at the held the discussions with the ambassador of the Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense and by three MPs against HH By Khaled Al-Hajri line, warning that “the collapse of small and UK and Belgium. medium enterprises will have a very danger- retired with the rank of the Prime Minister The talks deal with means of cementing cooperation, joint Al-Seyassah Staff Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid ous economic, societal and financial cost”. colonel. He participated in action and latest developments on the regional and interna- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: Despite the weight In his speech during a meeting with rep- the liberation of Kuwait in and declared no coopera- tional arenas. of parliamentary and popular pressures that tion with the latter. “We resentatives of SMEs, the KCCI Board 1990. Later in the day, the minister met with Chairman of the government found itself facing head-on Chairman Muhammad Al-Saqer said, “The Al-Khalifa He contested the by- will not cooperate with a Kuwait Airways Captain Ali Al-Dokhan, examining some immediately after the decisions it issued Chamber’s endeavors did not record any elections in 2014 but he weak prime minister topics. last Wednesday, and the stance taken by the success, neither due to its weakness nor lost as he obtained 4,005 votes and who does not address the demands of The meeting was attended by the defense acting undersec- Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and error in its directions, but rather due to the placed second in the Fourth the public; foremost of which are the retary, Sheikh Fahad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, the KAC Industry (KCCI) yesterday which did not faltering and hesitation of the decision, foil- Constituency. He also ran for the proposed general amnesty, amend- Deputy Chairman Faisal Al-Gharib and the airways chief calm the scene, there is no sign or indica- ing of necessary legislation, and absence of 2016 parliamentary elections; dur- ment of Elections Law, putting citi- executive officer, Adel Al-Sanea. tion or promise of the government’s retreat decisions most of the time as well as delay ing which he won 2,874 votes and zenship issues under the jurisdiction ❑ ❑ ❑ from the decision. in issuing them.” of the court and combating corrup- ranked ninth in his constituency. Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser According to reliable sources, the govern- He explained that this statement is not However, he lost his parliamentary tion,” he asserted. Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah headed on Monday Kuwait’s del- ment will not retreat from its decisions to related to supporting SMEs but also applies egation, participating in the Council of the Arab League close commercial activities, in light of the unfortunately to Kuwait’s management of meeting in an extraordinary session, reports Kuwait News continuous increase in COVID-19 cases. the economic repercussions of the COVID- Agency, KUNA . The directives issued in this regard 19 pandemic in general. MARS ASCENDENT Court acquits The meeting which was held at the headquarters of the require studying ways to mitigate the Al-Saqer emphasized that, “For the sec- effects of decisions and their repercussions, ond time, small and medium enterprises Continued from Page 2 Secretariat General of the Arab League States in Cairo, cadet officer tackled various issues of importance to Arab security inter- especially on young entrepreneurs, instead have become victims of insufficient and bold Europe and one from India. The UAE hopes to make it By Jaber Al-Hamoud ests, on top of which the Palestinian issue and its develop- of canceling or writing-off decisions as oth- study of closure decisions, fear of naming seven with its $200-plus million mission. ers believe. matters by their names, and addressing the Al-Seyassah Staff ments. The UAE is especially proud that Amal was designed Sheikh Dr. Ahmad delivered Kuwait’s speech at this Meanwhile, KCCI has entered the crisis real causes of relapse in health efforts”. and built by its own citizens, who partnered with the KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The meeting, started off with his respectful greetings to Egypt, University of Colorado at Boulder and other US institu- Misdemeanor Court acquit- Chairman of the current session of the League Council tions, not simply purchased from abroad. Its arrival at ted a cadet officer and an Sameh Shoukry, and Secretary General of the League of Mars coincides with this year’s 50th anniversary of the individual who were charged Arab States Ahmad Abul Gheit, and all participants. country’s founding. with manslaughter that He thanked Egypt and Jordan for calling for this impor- “Starting off the year with this milestone is some- occurred during military tant meeting, which comes in light of the accelerating data thing very important for the people” of the UAE, said exercises at Ali Al-Sabah and changes witnessed by the region and the world. Sharaf. Military College. The court Sheikh Dr. Ahmad also welcomed Yemen’s Foreign China, hasn’t divulged much in advance. Even the ordered the civil case to be Minister and Expatriate Affairs Dr. Ahmad bin Awad bin spacecraft’s exact arrival time on Wednesday has yet referred to the competent Mubarak, wishing him success in his duties, also thanking to be announced. court. Aboul Gheit for efforts in preparing this meeting, wishing The China Academy of Space Technology’s Ye Pei- According to the case file, utmost success. jian noted that Tianwen-1 has three objectives: orbiting the Public Prosecution had the planet, landing and releasing the rover. If success- accused the defendants of ful, he said in a statement “it will become the world’s inadvertently causing the Kuwait added to ‘red zone’ fi rst Mars expedition accomplishing all three goals with death of the victim – a cadet KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: Ukraine’s Ministry of Health has one probe.” officer at Ali Al-Sabah updated its list of countries classified as ‘red’ and ‘green’ The coronavirus pandemic has complicated each step Military College – due to zones; taking into account the number of active cases of of each spacecraft’s 300 million-mile (480 million-kil- their negligence and failure coronavirus per 100,000 population, reports Al-Qabas daily. ometer) journey to Mars. It even kept the European and to observe the regulations According to 112.international news website , Ukraine Russian space agencies’ joint Mars mission grounded when they involved the vic- has increased the number of ‘red’ zone countries to 80. The until the next launch window in 2022. tim in military exercises additional ‘red’ zone countries are Namibia, Botswana, The fl ight control rooms will contain fewer people despite granting him medi- Moldova, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives and Eswatini; while on the big day, with staff spread over a wider area and cal rest, which led to the Suriname was excluded from the list. working from home. Desks have dividers and parti- Popular countries like Poland, Hungary, Germany, Italy, deterioration of his health France, USA, Canada and Great Britain remain in the ‘red’ tions. Masks and social distancing are mandatory. condition, followed by his zone for Ukrainian tourists. Perseverance’s deputy project manager Matt Wal- death. Chief Sanitary Doctor Viktor Lyashko was quoted as say- lace, who’s working his fi fth Mars rover mission, said Representing the defen- ing that the government plans to complete five million the pandemic won’t dampen the mood come landing dants was Lawyer Hussein inoculations every month once the vaccination campaign in day. Al-Asfour who argued that Ukraine begins. “I don’t think COVID’s going to be able to stop us there is no substantial evi- “If we correctly assume the capabilities of our healthcare from jumping up and down, and fi st-bumping,” he said. dence, especially medical system, we will be able to complete approximately five mil- “You’re going to see a lot of happy people no matter reports, that back the claims lion inoculations monthly; and that is excluding the rooms what, once we get this thing on the surface safely.” made by the prosecutor. used for routine vaccinations,” he added. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 LOCAL 4

New mechanism goes hand in hand with automated system PAM’s IT dept to activate May 30 salary certifi cate request KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The Infor- employers are only required to submit they are re-activated on May 30, sourc- “Once entered, the employer can com- mation Technology Department at an undertaking (acknowledgment and es disclosed. plete the renewal procedure; unless there the Public Authority for Manpower pledge to pay the workers’ salaries) Sources said: “The new mecha- is any suspension in the fi le that prevents (PAM) will activate on May 30 the with an agreement to submit the sal- nism for issuing certifi cates goes hand him from doing so. He must know the salary certifi cate request on the new ary statement when requested by the in hand with the automated system reason behind the suspension and try to automated system, through which the authority, along with the possibility of launched by the authority recently. It avoid it. The certifi cate will be approved work permit renewal transactions are obtaining the acknowledgment on the will not be burdensome for the em- in all government agencies,” sources accepted, reports Al-Jarida daily quot- website, sources added. ployers as all that is required for them added. ing sources from the authority. Last October, the authority launched to do is to transfer salaries through a Sources emphasized that PAM en- Sources explained that in July last the service for entering defi ciencies bank and then enter any defi ciencies deavors to ease procedures for employ- year, PAM allowed the renewal of and then stopped it for some time. By in this regard, in the event that the ers without prejudice to the obligations work permits for employees registered the end of this month, it will be re- percentage of salaries falls below the imposed on the production parties as in the fi les of employers without the activated; so the employers can enter rate specifi ed by the Labor Inspection stipulated in the Labor Law and its im- need to submit a salary certifi cate. The defi ciencies related to certifi cates once Department. plementing decisions. PAM team monitors health

KUNA photo HH the Amir (right) with HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak. decisions implementation HH Amir receives Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Monday, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al- Jaber Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace, Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. (KUNA) Minister opens Al-Naseem, Al-Masayel centers for vaccination

By Faris Al-Abdan and Marwa Al-Bahrawi for not complying with the directives issued by the Council HH the Amir ‘condoles’ Indian Al-Seyassah Staff of Ministers and the health authorities. KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The occupational safety specialist In a statement to Al-Seyassah daily she said the team paid surprise president on avalanche victims at the Public Authority for Manpower, Eng Hanan Al-Mu- visits to eight hotels in the Hawalli Governorate during this week to ensure compliance with health procedures and other requirements. KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8, (KUNA): His families of the victims, and that offi - hammad, giving the statistics of the tours carried out by the Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- cials in India would overcome impacts fi eld team in charge of following up and monitoring the im- She pointed out there is a good level of awareness and cooperation from hotels, as the tour focuses on ensuring social distancing between individuals, Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Mon- of this natural disaster. plementation of health requirements for women’s activities providing sterilizers and disinfectants, checking temperature and wearing day a cable of condolences to Indian His Highness the Crown Prince from August 2020 until last Saturday, said the team made masks. She added there are some people who do not have awareness of wear- President Ram Nath Kovind over the Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber 21,449 visits, during which 3,860 warnings were issued, 407 ing masks, and this is what we suffer most from, especially since we need at victims of an avalanche that took place Al-Sabah and His Highness the citations were issued, and two women’s salons were closed this stage awareness, cooperation, and a move away from complacency. in northern India. Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled She explained the team con- His Highness the Amir prayed to Al- Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar ca- sists of members from the lah the Almighty to bestow solace on bles. Kuwait Municipality, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Public Authority for Manpower, and recently the Council of Ministers have added Interior Ministry per- sonnel to the team. Al-Muhammad confirmed that if hotels do not comply with health procedures and require- ments, they will be first warned before issuing a citation and then if the establishment fails to abide by the decisions and instructions it will be closed administratively. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health opened the Al-Naseem and Al-Masayel Health Centers Photo by Bassam Abu Shanab to expand the areas for vaccina- PAM team members during the inspection tour. tion against Covid-19 pandem- ic to help the Kuwait Vaccination Center at the Mishref Fairgrounds to cope with the rush, which is part of the 35 preventive health centers in the country which will go into service after the arrival of KUNA photo sufficient amounts of vaccines. Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riadh Al-Malki on fringes of an extraordinary Arab Suffi ciently Foreign Ministers’ meeting in the Cairo-based Arab League, Monday. The two top Minister of Health Sheikh Dr offi cials discussed ways of boosting bilateral relations, as well as regional and inter- Basil Al-Sabah, during his visit national issues of mutual interest. (KUNA) to Al-Masayel Center, said if the required number of vaccines is sufficiently available, the minis- Meet aims to develop panel’s work plan try will finish vaccinating every- one this year, and it is expected that a big number of citizens who KUNA photo are registered with the ministry’s Responsibility of each body over Kuwait’s FM meets with Yemen’s Dr Ahmad bin Mubarak and Jordan’s Aymad Safadi. online platform will be vaccinat- ed by next September, if suffi- cient vaccinations are available. ozone layer emissions discussed FM meets Yemeni, Jordanian counterparts He added the current studies show the vaccination capacity KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The Industry and the General Customs Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Arab League on Monday. with his Jordanian counterpart ranges between 250 to 300 Executive Committee for the Department, the steps taken by these Dr Ahmad Nasser Mohammad The two top offi cials discussed Aymad Safadi and discussed thousand doses per month if Protection of the Ozone Layer held entities were discussed along with Al-Sabah met with Yemeni For- ways of boosting bilateral rela- means of further promoting rela- vaccines are available, pointing its first meeting this year at the their contributions in this regard and eign Minister Dr Ahmad Awadh tions, as well as regional and tions between the two countries, out that the number of Kuwaitis Environment Public Authority (EPA) the necessary steps to be taken to bin Mubarak, on fringes of an ex- international issues of mutual in addition to a host of regional eligible for the vaccine is about traordinary Arab Foreign Ministers’ interest. and global matters of mutual in- 850,000 and it is assumed that with the aim of developing the com- reduce their emissions. meeting due in the Cairo-based Sheikh Dr Ahmad also met terest. (KUNA) they will be vaccinated within 3 mittee’s work plan for the current EPA had agreed with the Ministry months, but all this necessarily year, reports Al-Anba daily quoting of Electricity and Water to install depends on the availability of reliable sources. emissions measurement devices in its Al-Mutairi submits bill to amend Handicapped Affairs Law the vaccine. They explained that the commit- stations which would be directly con- Dr Al-Sabah added there is a tee discussed in its meeting the nected with the EPA system in order global problem to supply vac- responsibility of each body regard- for the authority to monitor emis- ‘Several MPs call for special session to check govt cines, and according to what international news reports show ing the effects of the harmful emis- sions based on the fuel used, as the 10 countries have access to vac- sions on the ozone layer and their ministry will rely a lot on clean fuel readiness to tackle various strains of coronavirus’ cines and the rest of the world is conformity with international stan- in the next stage, as it will contribute By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh and Water, Ministry of Finance, State Audit Bureau (SAB), deprived of the vaccine. dards, as well as attempts to reduce to reducing the plant emissions sig- Arab Times Staff Financial Controllers Bureau (FCB) and Civil Service Com- However, he said he is optimistic them in line with Kuwait’s obliga- nificantly. mission (CSC). He revealed the total revenues of the ministry about the availability of large tions in terms of the international The sources said the issue of fac- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: National Assembly Speaker Mar- reached KD311 million, while the expenditures totaled KD2.6 batches of vaccines in the coun- zouq Al-Ghanim has confi rmed receiving the proposal of sev- billion; hence, the defi cit is almost KD2.3 billion. He said 65 try within a month from now, treaties. tory emissions, the standards and eral MPs, including MP Osama Al-Menawer, to hold a special percent of the expenditures were on power and distillation explaining that the supply of the During the meeting, which was procedures used to reduce them, and session for deliberation on the government’s readiness to deal plants, indicating the ministry failed to implement its plan for Pfizer vaccine is happening in a attended by representatives of the the specifications that must be fol- with various strains of coronavirus; as well as the related deci- fi ve years which ended in March 2020. sions and regulations. weekly manner, while the Oxford Ministry of Electricity and Water, the lowed, on the basis of which licenses He added the target power production was 21,000 mega- vaccine is supplied in large quan- Kuwait Institute for Scientific are granted to factories, were also Al-Ghanim told the journalists that he informed the interim watts, while the actual production was 19,500 thousand mega- government about the proposal and he is now waiting for its tities infrequently. Research, the Public Authority for discussed. watts. He went on to say that no funds were allotted for the Al-Sabah pointed out that response. He thanked Al-Menawer and his colleagues for not provision of main power plants in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port specifying a date for the special session; thereby, giving the although the daily capacity for interim government enough time to edit the relevant bills and and Buobyan Island although this item was included in the vaccination at the Mishref center fully prepare for the session. budget of the ministry for the last three fi scal years. He re- reaches 10,000 per day, by open- Asked what could be the opinion of the interim govern- vealed the committee asked the ministry to refrain from trans- ing the two clinics it will reach ment regarding the special session considering it has already ferring any money from one item to another in the budget for 20,000 per day, but the lack of resigned and it is currently serving in acting capacity, Al- fi scal 2021/2022. availability of vaccines is the Ghanim pointed out it is up to the interim government to de- Supply stumbling block for the ministry cide whether the proposed special session is urgent or not. He He disclosed the State allotted around KD5 billion for Ku- to reach the maximum number affi rmed that he will inform the proponents of the special ses- per day. sion once he receives the response of the interim government. wait National Petroleum Corporation (KNPC) to supply the Ministry of Electricity and Water with the oil it needs for He pointed to the launch of In another development, MP Saleh Ziab Al-Mutairi submitted mobile units for home vaccina- a bill to amend Handicapped Affairs Law No. 73/2020 to add power and water production. He said the decree issued on January 1, 1980 concerning tion in a limited manner at pres- the fourth category of handicapped - total disability. The current ent but will gradually increase law stipulates only three categories - minor, medium and severe the accounting system between KNPC and the ministry needs disabilities. The bill changes the phrase ‘servant allowance’ to revision; indicating SAB highlighted an agreement that the because of the current pressure ‘nursing service allowance’ for those taking care of persons with two parties signed in 2015 in this regard. He pointed out the on vaccination centers and the disabilities. It stipulates offering training courses and qualifi ca- Ministry of Electricity and Water disclosed that it voiced ob- need for more safety measures to tion programs for the parents and relatives of the handicapped. jection to the agreement in 2017, then the dispute was referred be taken. to the Council of Ministers for settlement. The Legal and This is in addition to provid- Privileges Legislative Affairs Committee on Monday tackled several ing, an integrated medical team The bill stipulates granting privileges to women who are bills, which were referred to the concerned committees. of doctors, nurses and emergen- taking care of a handicapped child without the need to ob- Committee Chairman MP Khalid Ayed confi rmed the cy medical technicians and called tain a certifi cate from the Ministry of Interior stating that they unanimous approval of bills on general amnesty, indicating on all citizens and medical staff are treated like Kuwaitis. This is in addition to increasing the the relevant report has been completed and it will be included to adhere to appointments and loan amount granted to the handicapped for the construction in the agenda of the upcoming session. not rush to the vaccination cen- or repair of their houses. It allows male and female employees Ayed revealed the committee rejected the request to lift the ters before the specified dates to to retire early in order to take care of a handicapped family immunity of MP Badr Al-Dahoum, because it found out that avoid crowding. member, provided they have been in service for 15 years. the case fi led against the latter is malicious. He added the Military Hospital MP Soud Bu Sleeb has proposed amending Housing Wel- The committee approved one bill on granting social support began vaccinating the front rows fare Law No. 47/1993, specifying KD100 as monthly install- to the elderly and two bills on granting more support to citizens of its members and their families ment for housing loans granted to citizens. He explained that working in the private sector. These three bills were referred to the concerned committees, he added. He continued saying that yesterday at the Ministry of he submitted the proposal after noticing the monthly install- Defense, the Ministry of Interior, ment for housing loans sometimes eats up almost half of the the report on the proposal to expand the scope of freedom of citizens’ salary. speech will be referred to the Assembly soon to pave way for the National Guard, the Fire He also submitted a bill on cancelling Cybercrimes Law its inclusion in the agenda of the next session. Furthermore, Department, and the KOC Hospital No. 63/2015 as it violates the citizens’ freedom of speech. MP Osama Al-Shaheen forwarded queries to interim Minister as well, pointing to the continuous Meanwhile, the parliamentary Budgets and Final Accounts of Justice Nawaf Al-Yasseen about the number of individuals communication with them to vac- Committee discussed Monday the budget of the Ministry of who benefi ted from Article 153 of the Penal Code in the last fi ve cinate workers in the oil sectors, as Electricity and Water for fi scal 2019/2020. years. He said this article stipulates commutation of death pen- well as in care homes and indicat- Committee Chairman MP Badr Al-Mullah confi rmed the alty to three years imprisonment for whoever killed his sister or ed the vaccination process has attendance of the representatives of the Ministry of Electricity daughter in what is known as ‘honor crimes’. begun inside the prisons. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 LOCAL 5 REMEMBER WHEN

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS Photograph courtesy of The Center for Re- Colonel Harold Dickson and his wife England a few month after her escape Violet are two British friends of Ku- in 1990 from Iraqi-occupied Kuwait. search and Studies on wait who loved the tiny country as These two friends of Kuwait are show Kuwait and the work much as they loved their own. So deep here with some of their Kuwaiti friends and genuine was their love of the Ku- at a desert picnic. Mr Dickson is sitting of Dr Yacoub Al- waiti people that they prefered to die in a chair due to some knee trouble. Hijji in the book Old- and be buried in Kuwait. Colonel Dick- (From the book ‘Old Kuwait: Memo- Kuwait: Memories son died in 1959 and his wife died in ries in Photographs’) in Photographs fi rst published in 1996.

Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Reputation of Kuwait, dignity of citizen, expat is at stake’

“ON WEDNESDAY, October 29, 2008, I wrote an article under the title that problems, which have become phenomena that threaten the security of the in- months. Unfortunately, I will not repeat and add to what everyone says. read ‘Have young people lost their minds?’ When you go to a mall, you are dividual and society.” “The concerned authorities allowed gatherings during the elections, before surprised by a strange phenomenon that we have not seen before in the Kuwaiti and after, and in front of the public and in front of the press cameras, the media, markets, and by that I mean the phenomenon of young people hanging around Also: means of communication, pictures of gatherings, and the crowd of people at the in groups inside malls. In each group there are between fi ve to 20 youths walk- “Yes, I am with all the measures taken by the Ministry of Health in coopera- opening of the National Assembly, gatherings of visitors to diwaniyas to enjoy ing ‘hand in hand’ and behave in an uncivilized, immoral and inhuman man- tion with all concerned authorities at the beginning of the Corona crisis ... and dinner after the restaurants were closed without oversight and without adhering ner,” columnist Dr Ali Al-Zuabi wrote for Al-Shahed daily. I personally thanked the Minister of Health for continuing this policy, which to wearing the masks. “As soon as a young woman or a group of girls pass by, you see more than was diffi cult for all of us, especially the owners of large and small projects and “Impose tough penalties on non-commitment to wearing the mask and apply thirty young men walking behind them, each of them trying to pass on the cell people in general,” columnist Iqbal Al-Ahmad wrote for Al-Qabas daily. the conditions of physical distancing and cleanliness and leave the other things phone number. This issue has become very controversial because if any girl “After life continued to be beautiful, and the numbers of corona-infected that people depend on for their livelihood to go. refuses to take the phone number or snubs the person, people began to decrease, we were surprised by new measures taken by the “Do not hurry with decisions, study them and look at all the possibilities she may be verbally or physically abused. Ministry of Health after the number of infections began to spike. Here, allow of their implementation and their implications and benefi ts and what are their “The misfortune is that this reckless group of young- me to stop at a part that must be clarifi ed regarding some measures such as clos- alternatives. Discuss with the concerned authorities and parties, and then an- sters is dangerous as recent incidents that occurred in ing shops in the evening until 5:00 in the morning, including shopping malls nounce them.” commercial centers, cooperative societies, public parks, and closing women and men salons, clubs and resorts. ❑ ❑ ❑ etc. have shown they always carry in their pockets sharp “Everyone knows and it is very clear that most if not all the visitors to the objects such as knives and steel knuckles and they do not malls, shops and restaurants are committed to wearing masks and continuous “Electricity, water and gas ... rent ... salaries ... materials for consumption and hesitate to use them during a fi ght over a girl or even if by sterilization and women’s and men’s salons where all of them adhere to all that sale,” columnist Dr Naji Saoud Al-Zaid wrote for Al-Jarida daily. mistake ‘eyes meet’ and each other is accused of staring. is required of them, with the continued monitoring by the Municipality and “The owner of a coffee shop or a small or even a large restaurant, a seller of “What makes these reckless youth go about their dis- the Ministry of Commerce whose efforts are highly appreciated in this regard popular clothes or even food or household supplies, anywhere in Kuwait from graceful behavior is that they know the security guards despite the case on other aspects. Mubarakiya Market to Khairan and Abdally. manning commercial centers such as the bedoun, Arab, “These authorities know very well that when people go to malls, they will not “These people are on the verge of bankruptcy, people need them and they Indian or Filipino expatriates are helpless, so they dem- Dr Al-Zuabi enter if they are not wearing the mask in addition to the presence of constant suffer when affected by lack of customers ... Since the beginning of the crisis, onstrate their power over them because they are Ku- monitoring inside these complexes. their income has been small and fl uctuating. A few months ago, most of them waitis and cannot be held accountable for misbehavior or they have the notion “The monitoring role of concerned authorities is almost absent and this is began to lay off most of their workers due to the inability to pay their salaries. they are above the law, so the poor security guards are humiliated and insulted the main reason behind the rise in infections, add to this people not adhering They are threatened by closure completely. Those who think that they do not whereas those who abused them verbally or physically go unpunished. to instructions but continue to hold wedding parties and gather in diwaniyas. perform basic and sensitive tasks are absolutely wrong. “The reputation of Kuwait, and the dignity of the citizen and resident, is at “Everyone knows, and the concerned authorities know that the cause of the “There are also baby nurseries, sports clubs, hairdressers and more. Who will stake. Either this stray youth group is subjected to the force of law, or it is said outbreak of any disease or rise in the rate of infection happens primarily due compensate them and others? Please fi nd solutions for these places and others, with a full mouth that the government is incapable to take action against them, to the traffi c movement to and from the country, especially from the high risk as their conditions are diffi cult and bad. thus people rest in their homes and refrain from going to shopping centers. So counties that are considered to be the source of the epidemic, namely the air- will the government move in this matter or we are lost in the fi ghts and chaos of port, land and sea borders, and if all these ports are dealt with continuous fi rm- “Scientifi c evidence so far confi rms that this dreaded virus has rise and fall this legally, morally and socially deviant group? ness, then we are safe. curves. It is correct that partial or total curfew limits its spread, but does not “I wrote this article 13 years ago, yet the phenomenon of violence and har- “As for leaving the main joints without checking and monitoring while fo- eliminate it completely. Perhaps in the future, it will adapt and become season- assment continues to grow in our society until it has become dangerous phe- cusing on the harm and damage of closing them more than their benefi ts, this al, and in some period it will be like infl uenza and the majority will need annual nomena, in which many lives were lost, and the reputation of many girls was needs to be reviewed. vaccination. Everyone must be prepared for that, but face masks are mandatory, soiled, which means that successive governments and successive parliaments “If the new ban forced everyone to stay at home for only a whole week, it as well as social distancing and cleanliness (hygiene).” have failed miserably in an attempt, at least to limit the aggravation of these would have been much better than paralyzing life and sources of livelihood for — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli Bid to curb power theft Other Voices Crying over ruins of Arhiya MEW launches campaign in stables area By Ahmad alsarraf cally, cuts them into small sizes, and ships them to the buyer, often in large By Muhammad Ghanem lmost all countries in the world, vessels or medium-sized ships. The Al-Seyassah Staff Aincluding developed ones, suf- problem is the low price, worldwide, fer, albeit to varying degrees, from for used rubber. No one is willing to KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: the problem of dealing with waste, pay more than $20 per ton, at a time The deputy head of the especially the dangerous ones. Usu- when the cost of shipping is only $35 ‘judicial seizures’ team at ally waste is disposed off in one of per ton, let alone the cost of collecting, the Ministry of Electric- the following ways: storing, cutting, and delivering it to Burying it, the port, consequently it requires the ity and Water Ahmed Al- for certain pe- intervention of a third party, the state, Shimmari announced the riod of time to either pay the difference to the local launch of a campaign at or for many manufacturer, in addition to a small years, let’s say profi t rate, so that it can continue the the Jahra Stables in coop- for until next eration and coordination recycling process otherwise it does the generation. job which is often not practical. with the power distribu- It is the least The state can cover what it pays tion networks sector, and expensive but to the local manufacturer by collect- explained a comprehen- unethical and ing a simple tax, which is calculated environmen- accurately, on every tire, sold or sive inventory of the num- tally unfriend- ber of stables in the area is alsarraf exchanged, and uses the amount to ly; burning support the recycling industry and currently underway to de- it, and the pollution it causes to the shipping of this material otherwise termine the exact number. Photo by Rizk Taufi q environment; exporting it to another the mountains of old tires will re- Trucks parked in open areas. Al-Shimmari said in a state- country so that it can dispose off it main in place with a high probability ment to Al-Seyassah that these cluded successfully thanks to the mediately in order to avoid what Capital Governorate led to the re- in the way it sees fi t, and this is also of the situation worsening. The sub- campaigns launched by the Min- cooperation and coordination of all they called ‘complications’. moval of 11 investment properties not ethical as the problem remains on sidy principle can be applied to other istry of Electricity and Water the parties to the campaign, includ- In this regard, singer Wael Al- found to have violated building the ground; throwing it into the seas materials, especially those requiring and oceans and this has a devastating come within the framework of ing the Ministry of the Interior, the Ali said, “In Dubai there are special regulations, in addition to the issu- large, specialized and expensive ma- Public Authority for Sports. parking lots for trucks on the out- ance of 27 warnings to those who effect and recycling as much of it is chines, labor and large storage areas. the ministry’s efforts to imple- possible and use it in an economical ment the law and remove all vio- Meanwhile, the exploitation of skirts of the city, but we have trucks violated the real estate regulations in The government can either coop- open areas by trailer trucks and oth- in Khaitan, Al-Jleeb, Mahboula, Sharq, as per the directive of Capital and appropriate manner. erate with existing successful recy- lations including direct power er heavy vehicles have aroused the Farwaniya, Salmiya and all over the Governor Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled, If we tried to deal with tens of supply without a meter, tamper- cling companies or make a feasibility anger of a crowd of tweeters who place.” reports Al-Jarida daily. thousands of tons from the used tires study of establishing a public joint ing with fuses, illegal wiring and launched the hashtag “# Kuwait Lawyer, Hamad Al-Namshan, In a press statement yesterday, which are dumped in Arhiya area, for changing the size of the cables. stock company to undertake this task. Municipality,” calling on its Gen- said the trucks are parked on the the governorate confi rmed that the example, using the last method of re- Collecting and disposing off waste He stressed these campaigns are eral Manager, Ahmed Al-Manfouhi, sidewalks and tiles and inside the workers residing in the properties cycling, we will fi nd that the issue is carried out with the support of the to immediately intervene to put an residential and investment areas, where the violations were uncov- in general is a matter that is getting not that easy especially in a country more diffi cult day by day, and the Minister of Oil, Minister of Elec- end to the reluctance of some truck- while another tweeter said, those ered have vacated the buildings. where decisions are delayed. tricity and Water Dr. Muhammad ers and large transport vehicle own- who drive small cars have to park This is in addition to the removal way to bury it under the ground, as is The re-export process often re- the case now, will bring terrible con- Al-Faris, the Undersecretary of ers who use open areas to park their their vehicles hundreds of meters of unlicensed rooms and toilets in quires the presence of 3 parties — a the Ministry, Engineer Jassem Al- vehicles which lead to soil erosion, away for two reasons — one for the these properties, as well as cutting sequences for future generations. local authority specialized in dealing In fact, I don’t know who cares Nouri, and the Assistant Undersec- raises dust and damage the walk- safety of self and the other the safety off electricity. with recycling of materials and the retary for the Distribution Networks ways, reports Al-Seyassah daily. of his vehicle. Sources pointed out that while about the fate of future generations solid waste in particular, two, an in- if we are indifferent to the health and Sector at the Ministry, who spare no The tweeters who participated in Yet another tweeter said there is a the campaign is proceeding as termediary trader who sometimes is effort to provide the necessary sup- this hashtag appealed to His High- government, there is the parliament planned to eliminate irregularities future of current generation. port for the campaigns to play their ness the Prime Minister Sheikh and the municipality but everyone is which have accumulated for years, not necessary and a buyer or importer ❑ ❑ ❑ role in implementing the law. Sabah Al-Khaled and Minister of a silent spectator. it takes time to completely end the of the raw material. Al-Shimmari stated the team’s Municipality and Public Works Dr Meanwhile, the Building Viola- problem of old and dilapidated real The local agency gets the tires lo- email: [email protected] campaign in the Camel Area con- Rana Al-Faris to deal with this im- tions Removal Campaign in the estate properties in the governorate. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 LOCAL 6

Kuwait Central Bank commemorative coins to mark 60th anniversary of Kuwait’s Independence and the 30th anniversary of the Liberation of the State of Kuwait, as well as the 60th anniversary of the issue and circulation of the Kuwait national currency. CBK marks National Days, currency ’versary with commemorative coins Designs evoke patriotic occasions: Dr Al-Hashel

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The Central Bank of Kuwait the Kuwaiti Dinar, by issuing three commemorative coins (CBK) is marking the 60th Anniversary of the on these occasions, stated His Excellency the CBK Independence and the 30th Anniversary of the Liberation Governor Dr Mohammad Y. Al-Hashel. of the State of Kuwait, as well as the 60th Anniversary of In a press statement on this occasion, the governor noted it is cus- the issue and circulation of the Kuwait national currency, tomary for the CBK to mark important occasions and landmarks in Kuwait’s development with such commemorative issues. These issues, he added, are the bank’s contribution to these national celebrations. The first two coins marking the independence and liberation anniver- saries stress the State of Kuwait’s sovereignty and underline the spirit of solidarity the Kuwaiti people always exhibit; a spirit of which we are reminded by such occasions and one that shall take our nation forward still, he said. On the third occasion, the 60th Anniversary of the issuance of the Kuwaiti Dinar, Dr Al-Hashel remarked the bank is keeping to the KUNA photo same path it had adopted for the His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah last three decades which aims at with the Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Dr Mohammad Y. bolstering and safeguarding the Al-Hashel. strength and stability of the nation- al currency. This feat is achieved PM receives CBK Governor through an exchange policy that pegs the dinar to a weighted basket of the currencies of the State of His Highness the Prime Minister Highness three commemorative Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad coins marking the Sixtieth Anniversary Kuwait’s key trade and economic Al-Sabah received Monday the of Kuwait’s Independence, the partners. This fixed element of Governor of the Central Bank of Thirtieth of Kuwait Liberation and the KUNA photo CBK’s prudent monetary policy, he His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Monday the Governor of Kuwait (CBK) Dr Mohammad Sixtieth Anniversary of the issuance stressed, bolsters monetary stabili- Al-Hashel, where he gifted His of the Kuwaiti currency. (KUNA) the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Dr Mohammad Y. Al-Hashel, where he gifted His Highness three commemora- ty, which in turn supports econom- tive coins marking the Sixtieth Anniversary of Kuwait’s Independence, the Thirtieth Anniversary of Kuwait’s Liberation and the Sixtieth Anniversary of the issuance of the Kuwaiti currency. ic stability. The CBK Governor pointed out the three commemorative coins Army Medical Services Authority ‘Honorary shield’ for support in fight against pandemic were designed to clearly evoke these patriotic occasions and are gold-plated pure silver minted announces vaccination schedule according to international standards. By Munif Nayef Kuwait Red Crescent Society honors NBK Those wishing to purchase any of Al-Seyassah Staff the coins may do so from CBK KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The Kuwait Group, Issam Al-Saqer, in the pres- ic, saying: “Our honor to the Al-Saqr Banking Hall and may book an KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The Army Red Crescent Society presented an hon- ence of the Executive Vice-President comes in recognition of his tireless appointment to visit the bank Medical Services Authority (AMSA) orary shield to the National Bank of of the National Bank of Kuwait Group, efforts aimed at supporting health ser- through the “meta” application. announced starting Tuesday, Feb 9, Kuwait, in appreciation of its social role Sheikh Al-Bahar, the CEO of the vices, especially in light of the circum- In conclusion, Dr Al-Hashel employees of the Kuwaiti Army, the and constant commitment to society, National Bank of Kuwait, Salah stances imposed by the pandemic.” expressed CBK’s pride in such issues Ministry of Interior, the National especially its recent contributions Al-Fulaij, and representatives of the Dr. Al-Sayer said the strategic part- that mark occasions that are close to Guard and the General Fire Force towards the coronavirus pandemic, and association, namely the Association’s nership with the National Bank of the hearts of all Kuwaitis and impor- will be vaccinated for the Covid-19 its pro-active support for the efforts Vice-President, Anwar Al-Hassawi, Kuwait aims to achieve integration tant landmarks in our nation’s prog- pandemic at Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed made in Kuwait to combat the epidemic. and the Society’s Secretary General, towards the humanitarian and social ress. Forces Hospital in Sabhan from 3 On this occasion, the President of Maha Al-Barjas. efforts necessary to support the com- pm until 10 pm. the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Dr. Dr. Al-Sayer thanked the NBK for munity, praising the fruitful joint proj- The head of the Military Hilal Al-Sayer, honored the National the donations that helped raise the level ects with the bank that have a direct Medical Services Authority, Bank of Kuwait, represented by the of healthcare and supported national and effective impact on the develop- Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al-Mishal Al-Sabah said, after a decision was CEO of the National Bank of Kuwait efforts to confront the Corona pandem- ment and growth of society. issued by the Council of Ministers For his part, Essam Al-Saqr, CEO of to assign the Medical Services the National Bank of Kuwait Group, Authority to provide the vaccine to expressed his happiness with the visit the members of the armed forces of the delegation of the Red Crescent and their families, the Medical KUNA photos Society and the honorary initiative that Employees of the Interior Services Authority, in coordina- Ministry receive the vaccine. comes as a consecration of many years tion with other military authorities of strategic partnership and cooperation in addition to the Military Facilities week. in supporting and supporting society. Engineering Sector, established a For his part, the Commander of He said, “We are always working to vaccination center at the Medical the Covid Vaccine Vaccination harness all our capabilities in order to Services Authority, noting that the Center, Colonel Dr. Raed Reda support the achievement of communi- period of its completion will not Al-Tajli, explained the idea of ty development. Especially while exceed 12 working days. establishing the center is to sup- combating the spread of the corona Al-Sabah added the Medical port the efforts of the Ministry of pandemic.” Services Authority is coordinating Health to vaccinate the employees Al-Saqr affirmed that the NBK has a with the Ministry of Health to of the Ministry of Defense, the social record full of initiatives and proj- receive the vaccine and begin the Ministry of Interior, the National ects, which makes it today a national CBK Governor Dr Mohammad Y. vaccination process during this Guard and the General Fire Force. Dr Al-Sayer presents a memorial shield to NBK CEO Essam Al-Sayer. model for social responsibility. Al-Hashel ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 LOCAL 7 Kuwait FM, Arab League Sec Gen discuss ministerial meet agenda

‘Political solutions to confl icts vital’

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8, Al-Thuraya Salary Account monthly winner. (KUNA): Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Burgan Bank names Al-Thuraya Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- Sabah met with the Arab Salary Account monthly winner League Secretary General KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: Burgan Bank, tomer base, Burgan Bank has majority Ahmad Abul-Gheit in the announced today WALEED ABDUL- owned subsidiaries in the MENAT region LAH RASHED as the lucky winner of supported by one of the largest regional Egyptian capital Cairo on the draw prize of Al-Thuraya Salary Ac- branch networks. Monday. count monthly draw. The bank has continuously improved its The meeting was held on mar- The draw rewards new and existing cus- performance over the years through an ex- tomers who transfer their salary to Burgan panded revenue structure, diversifi ed fund- gins of an extraordinary Arab min- Bank by offering them a chance to win KD ing sources, and a strong capital base. The isterial meeting, due at the Arab 10,000 every month. Each account holder adoption of state-of-the-art services and League headquarters, due to kick has one chance to enter the draw. technology has positioned it as a trendset- off later today. The Al-Thuraya Account holders have ter in the domestic market and within the Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser and the option to hold money in Kuwaiti Di- MENA region. Burgan Bank’s brand has KUNA photos nars and other major currencies and can been created on a foundation of real values Abul-Gheit examined, during their Left: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah meets with GCC chief Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf. Right: access account-related services such as – of trust, commitment, excellence and pro- meeting, agenda of the scheduled Kuwait’s Foreign Minister with the Arab League Secretary General. standing orders, loans and credit cards, gression, to remind us of the high standards ministerial conference and coordi- and benefi t from the discounts and offers to which we aspire. ‘People Come First’ is nation regarding “the march of joint Council (GCC) chief Dr. Nayef Al- Arab countries. sultations regarding the latest de- throughout the year. the foundation on which its products and Arab action.” Hajraf, a day before the Arab League In a statement, the Egyptian Min- velopments in the region, where Customers wishing to open the Al- services are developed. will hold an emergency meeting at istry of Foreign Affairs stated that visions were exchanged on the Pal- Thuraya Account can do so by simply The bank was recertifi ed with the pres- Attended the foreign ministerial level. this came during a meeting that estinian issue, the peace process, visiting the nearest Burgan Bank branch tigious ISO 9001:2015, making it the one and obtain all the necessary details, or of the few banks in the GCC and Kuwait to The meeting was attended by the The meeting occurred on the grouped Egyptian Foreign Minister and the situations in Syria, Yemen simply call the bank’s call center on receive such certifi cation for the Fifth con- Assistant Foreign Minister for the sidelines of pan-Arab talks slated Sameh Shoukry with his Jordanian and Libya. 1804080. For further information, cus- secutive time. The bank also has to its credit Arab Homeland Affairs, Ambassa- for Monday in the Egyptian capital and Iraqi counterparts, respectively The meeting comes just before the tomers can also visit the bank’s website the distinction of being the only bank in dor Fahad Al-Awadhi, and the State Cairo, said a Kuwaiti foreign minis- Ayman Safadi and Fouad Hussein, emergency meeting of the League on www.burgan.com. Kuwait to have won the JP Morgan Chase of Kuwait Permanent Delegate at try statement. as part of the continuous consulta- of Arab States Council at the level About Burgan Bank Quality Recognition Award for twelve con- the Arab League, Ahmad Al-Bakr. Meanwhile, Egypt, Jordan and tion of the coordination mechanism of foreign ministers, later today, on Established in 1977, with a signifi - secutive years. Burgan Bank, a subsidiary cant focus on the corporate and fi nancial of KIPCO (Kuwait Projects Company), is Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ah- Iraq, on Monday, stressed the im- between the three countries. the developments of the Palestinian institutions sectors, as well as having a strongly positioned regional bank in the mad Nasser Al-Sabah also held talks portance of reaching political solu- The statement affirmed that the issue, with an Egyptian-Jordanian a growing retail, and private bank cus- MENA region. on Sunday with Gulf Cooperation tions to the confl icts affl icting some meeting aimed at political con- initiative. Ford to cut back F-150 production due to chip shortage

Ford Motor Co. said that it day. tential production constraints its factories - one in the U.S, will cut shifts at two of its U.S. Both plants produce the tied to the global semiconduc- one in Canada and one in In this fi le photo, a United manufacturing plants next F-150 pickup truck, Ford’s tor shortage and working to Mexico - due to the chip short- Auto Workers assembly- week, due to the worldwide most popular model and prioritize key vehicle lines for age, starting Feb. 8. man works on a 2018 chip shortage that has also part of the F-Series, the top- production, making the most Other automakers like Nis- Ford F-150 truck being impacted other automakers. selling vehicle in the U.S. of our semiconductor alloca- san, Fiat Chrysler and Toyota assembled at the Ford Starting Monday, Ford will Roughly one F-150 rolls off Rouge assembly plant in tion,” the company said in a have also been impacted by Dearborn, Michigan. (AP) cut two shifts at its Dearborn, a Ford assembly line every statement. the chip shortage. Michigan, facility, going minute. Ford isn’t alone in cutting Ford also reported quarterly down to one shift per day. Both plants will be back to back production due to the results Thursday that topped It is also cutting a shift at its three shifts starting Feb. 15. shortage of chips needed to Wall Street expectations af- Kansas City, Missouri, plant, “We are working closely produce cars. General Motors ter excluding one-time items. going down to two shifts per with suppliers to address po- will have downtime at three of (AP)

Market Movements 08-02-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +47.85 7,160.78 S. KOREA - KRX 100 -85.84 6,681.77 JAPAN - Nikkei +609.31 29,388.50 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -183.92 46,721.87 GERMANY - DAX +3.19 14,059.91 FRANCE - CAC 40 +26.77 5,686.03 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +9.74 3,665.51 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +5.30 7,024.48 INDIA - Sensex +617.14 51,348.77 Business ‘Wealth Amnesty’ creating large foreign capital infl ow to Turkey Legislation also having positive effects on financial markets People walk by a SoftBank shop in Tokyo on Feb 8, 2021. (AP) ISTANBUL, Feb 8, (Agencies): The this opportunity that applied to Turkish citizens and they brought their capital to Turkey. This had also a signifi - 30-year fi xed-rate loan stays at 2.73% legislation known as ‘Wealth Amnesty’ cant infl uence on the increase of the amount of foreign Profi t at SoftBank zooms allows the legal entrance of the funds, capital that come to Turkey. Some of our customers gold, securities and other market capi- have also benefi ted from Wealth Amnesty in this regard. on lucrative investments US mortgage rates fl at tals into Turkey, without being subject The recognition of this right to foreigners with the latest regulations, further increases the interest of international TOKYO, Feb 8, (AP): Japanese telecommunications and WASHINGTON, Feb 8, (AP): US long-term mortgage rates were to tax, with the condition to be declared investors in Turkey. We still have a few customers that technology conglomerate Softbank Group Corp reported fl at this week, staying near record lows as the economy remains bur- until June 30, 2021. we run the process before the deadline.” Monday a whopping 1.17 trillion yen ($11 billion) profi t dened by the coronavirus pandemic. While there was 1% or 2% tax in the past ap- Bekir Yener Yıldırım, Chairman of BYY Finance and for the October-December quarter as its investments rose in Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average plications, with the current law, applicants started Neo Asset Management AS, one of the leading compa- value. rate on the benchmark 30-year fi xed-rate home loan remained at last to benefi t from this practice with 0% tax advan- nies in portfolio management and investment fund es- SoftBank’s profi ts were far better than what analysts had week’s 2.73%. By contrast, the rate stood at 3.45% a year ago. tablishment for foreign investors, stated that: “We have expected, zooming up 21-fold from the 55 billion yen profi t The average rate on 15-year fi xed-rate loans, popular among tage. Natural and legal persons who have reported seen the positive effects of the Wealth Amnesty also on recorded the previous year. homeowners seeking to refi nance their mortgages, ticked up to their wealth abroad to a bank or brokerage house the fi nancial markets. Turkey has a highly developed The value of its investments rose, including in DoorDash, 2.21% from 2.20%. in Turkey until June 30, 2021, will benefi t from venture capital and real estate investment fund infra- a US food delivery service, and Uber, a US technology com- The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefi ts fell to Wealth Amnesty if they bring these assets to Tur- structure. “ pany that offers ride-hailing and deliveries. 779,000 last week, the government reported Thursday, a still-histor- key within the 3 months as of the date of declara- Advantageous tax benefi ts are also provided to in- Quarterly sales edged up 7% to 1.5 trillion yen ($14 bil- ically high total showing that a sizable number of people keep losing tion. vestors who buy such capital market instruments. The lion). jobs to the coronavirus pandemic. Bayram Tekce, Chairman of Tekce Overseas Gayri- monetary funds that enter the country without tax with SoftBank’s investment portfolio got an overall healthy The damage from the pandemic to the U.S. and global economies menkul AS, the leading real estate company in overseas the Wealth Amnesty, both gain a second tax advantage boost from the booming global stock market. suppressed mortgage rates through most of 2020. property sales, evaluated the regulation: “From the real by turning to venture companies and real estate invest- Although companies have been hurt by the coronavirus Economists forecast modest increases in home-loan rates this year. estate market side, we saw the different effects of the ment funds in the country, and foreign investors benefi t pandemic, some companies, including those SoftBank has But they likely will remain relatively low, with the Federal Reserve Wealth Amnesty. Last year, some foreign investors re- from the transparent, reliable and corporate structure of invested in, are proving benefi ciaries of the need for people keeping interest rates near zero as needed until the economy recovers. ceived Turkish Citizenship through investment to benefi t the capital markets.” around the world to stay home. SoftBank has an array of investments, mostly in technol- ogy companies, through its Vision Funds. Recently, SoftBank’s bottom line benefi ted from selling its stake in US mobile carrier Sprint and British IOT com- pany Arm because the selling price was higher than the pur- chasing price. SoftBank founder and Chief Executive Masayoshi Son told reporters the world is still facing hard times because of the coronavirus pandemic, but expressed hope the situation will improve later this year. SoftBank also has invested in other powerful companies such as Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce, retail and net con- glomerate. Son said Alibaba’s operations have been recover- ing recently. Its SoftBank mobile carrier, which was the fi rst in Japan to offer the iPhone, remains popular. Son acknowledged some of its investments have set off worries, such as offi ce-sharing space company WeWork. But he compared SoftBank to “the goose that lays the golden eggs,” not rotten eggs, arguing that Alibaba, Sprint and other companies were the golden eggs. SoftBank is not just an investment company but a manu- facturing company, he said. “Our goose has been creating eggs inside its stomach that will be born as gold,” Son said. In recent years, Son has been pushing AI, or artifi cial in- telligence, which he believes will prove vital to the business sectors he’s banking on, such as robots doing deliveries and automated driving. SoftBank is also focused on renewable energy in Japan, a nation where the public has, in part, turned sour on nuclear energy after the Fukushima nuclear disaster 10 years ago. Tesla buys $1.5bn in Bitcoin, will accept as payment soon NEW YORK, Feb 8, (AP): Tesla has acquired around $1.5 billion in Bitcoin under an investment policy at the electric car maker headed by Elon Musk, and it plans to begin accepting the digital currency as payment for vehi- cles soon. The California company revealed the new strategy in a fi l- ing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission early Monday, saying its investment in digital currency and other “alternative reserve assets” may grow. Bitcoin spiked 14% and appeared to briefl y hit a new all- time high. Shares of Tesla moved higher as well. In its fourth-quarter earnings report last month Tesla said it had cash and cash equivalents of $19.4 billion. Palo Alto-based Tesla reported its fi rst annual net profi t in 2020, but once again the company needed regulatory credits purchased by other automakers in order to achieve it. With- out $1.58 billion in credits for the year, Tesla would have lost money. In a year that saw its stock soar to make it the world’s most valuable automaker, Tesla earned $721 million, capped by a $270 million profi t in the fourth quarter. It was the com- pany’s sixth straight quarterly net profi t after years of mostly losses. Critics say Tesla’s sales and profi ts are puny compared with established automakers such as Toyota and General Motors, and its huge valuation is not justifi ed by fi nancial fundamentals. Tesla faces challenges this year from traditional automak- ers, which are rolling out more electric vehicles. Tesla’s meteoric stock price rise has generated big payoffs for Musk, making him one of the world’s richest people. It’s been a wild ride for Bitcoin since it made its Wall Street debut in December 2017. Major futures exchanges rolled out bitcoin futures, pushing it to roughly $19,300, a then-unheard of price for the currency. It evaporated quickly in 2018, and by December of that year Bitcoin was worth less than $4,000 a coin. Up until the most recent rally, which started in October, Bitcoin generally fl oated between $5,000 and $10,000.

In this fi le photo, a Bitcoin logo is shown displayed on an ATM in Hong Kong, Dec 21, 2017. (AP) ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 BUSINESS 9

Nabisco plant to close, leaving as many as 600 jobless

A Nabisco plant in New Jersey will close for good by early September. bilities, which would have required significant invest- ees had “worked loyally all through the pandemic, every summer’s end after 63 years of operation, leaving as “It’s really sad news,” Peluso said. “It’s really sad ment to bring them to the modernized state required day coming into work risking their health to provide cook- many as 600 people without jobs, officials said. news. Nabisco has been a big part of Fair Lawn. for the future,” the company said in a statement. ies to the American people and profits for their pocket.” The plant in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, produces We’re disappointed to see it go and we feel horrible The company vowed to work with employees and Workers, he said, “are devastated. They have no baked goods under the Nabisco brand, including fa- for all the employees.” their unions to support them through the transition. idea what the future holds for them and their families.” mous treats such as Oreo, Lorna Doone and Teddy A factory in Atlanta will also be shuttered while a Laurie Guzzinati, the company’s senior director of Closure of the plant was considered a few years Grahams, filling a portion of Route 208 with the smell plant in Richmond, Virginia, will remain open. Mon- corporate and government affairs in North America, ago, but the company chose then to shutter a Phila- of fresh-baked cookies. delez International also has facilities in the Chicago acknowledged that it was “a difficult day for employ- delphia facility instead. Mondelez International, the North American divi- area and in Portland, Oregon. ees” but said the decision wasn’t made lightly. She Peluso said Fair Lawn was committed to keeping sion of Nabisco’s parent company, had said in No- “Both Fair Lawn and Atlanta are no longer strategic said the closure decision “is not a reflection of their the property commercial rather than residential, add- vember that closure of the plant was under consid- assets from a geographic footprint perspective and contributions or their commitment to the business.” ing that he has been approached with redevelopment eration. Mayor Kurt Peluso said local officials were both face significant operational challenges, including Local 719 President Richard Nazzaro called the deci- proposals including using the site for a distribution told Thursday that the plant will shut in late August or aging infrastructure and outdated production capa- sion by company officials “despicable,” saying employ- center or a studio to produce films and TV shows. (AP) German industrial ‘output’ flat after 7 months of gains

Data signals economy could contract again in current quarter

BERLIN, Feb 8, (AP): Industrial production in In this fi le photo, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos speaks at the the Amazon re: Germany, Europe’s big- MARS convention in Las Vegas. (AP) gest economy, stagnated in December after seven ‘It’s more of a restructuring’ consecutive months of gains, official data showed Monday. Bezos may ‘step down’ The figure from the Econ- omy Ministry followed data without stepping away on Friday that showed factory orders dropping nearly 1.9% in December compared with NEW YORK, Feb 8, (AP): Even af- clearly didn’t enjoy. Perhaps the most ter stepping aside as CEO, Amazon daunting is the increasing scrutiny of the previous month, nearly founder Jeff Bezos will likely keep Amazon’s clout in an online shopping double the drop economists identifying new frontiers for the market that has become even more es- had expected. world’s dominant e-commerce com- sential to consumers during the past The numbers reinforce the im- pany. His successor, meanwhile, gets year’s pandemic. pression that the economy could to deal with escalating efforts to curtail The U.S. government already has contract again in the current quar- Amazon’s power. slapped two other technology power- ter after eking out minimal growth The announcement that Bezos will houses, Google and Facebook, with of 0.1% in last year’s fourth quar- hand off the CEO job this summer antitrust lawsuits. Both regulators and ter. came as a surprise. But it doesn’t mean lawmakers have left little doubt that In this file photo, tugboats get into position on the Russian pipe-laying vessel ‘Fortuna’ in the port of Wismar, Ger- Amazon is losing the visionary who they are taking a hard look at wheth- Germany embarked on a limited many, Jan 14, 2021. (AP) turned an online bookstore founded in er similar action is warranted against shutdown Nov. 2, closing restau- 1995 into a behemoth worth $1.7 tril- Amazon and Apple. rants, bars, sports and leisure facili- Work resumes on disputed Russian-German pipeline lion that sometimes seems to do a little European regulators, meanwhile, ties, then shut schools and nones- sential shops on Dec 16 after those bit of everything. are taking on Amazon in an antitrust The company building a disputed Russian-German on the Kremlin. He was arrested on his return to Rus- Bezos, 57, has never let Amazon case fi led late last year. They accuse measures failed to bring coronavirus underwater gas pipeline that’s been the target of U.S. sia in January. Russia denies any involvement and has rest on its laurels. In the last year the company of mining the data of infections down. Industrial activity sanction threats said work on it has resumed, the Ger- tried to question if there even was a poisoning, even alone, it bought a company developing merchants selling products on its site has not been restricted. man news agency dpa reported Sunday. though it was found by several European labs. self-driving taxis; launched an online to gain an unfair advantage over them. The toughened lockdown remains Construction work on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was The Nord Stream 2 project, which would bring Rus- pharmacy selling inhalers and insulin; Jassy will likely have to ward off in place. Chancellor Angela Merkel restarted late Saturday, dpa reported. On Friday, German sian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, has drawn and won government approval to put the antitrust threat while also trying to and the country’s 16 state governors Chancellor Angela Merkel stood by her support for the gas major criticism from the United States, some other Eu- more than 3,200 satellites into space to forge his own legacy. A revered com- will discuss on Wednesday how to pipeline despite Russia’s treatment of opposition leader ropean countries and environmental groups. beam internet service to Earth. pany founder can cast a long shadow. proceed after Feb. 14, when the mea- Alexei Navalny case and the threat of U.S. sanctions. Washington says the project would make Europe Long-time Amazon executive Andy “Amazon’s size makes some in- Merkel said her government’s position on Nord more dependent on Russian gas and hurt European Jassy will be the new CEO, but Bezos dustries uncomfortable, some govern- sures are currently due to expire, but Stream 2 is separate from tensions with the Kremlin energy security. The Kremlin has responded by accus- will be the company’s executive chair- ments uncomfortable and Andy Jassy there appears to be little prospect of over Navalny, who recovered in Germany from a poi- ing the U.S. government of trying to promote sales of its man - corporatespeak for board lead- will have to deal with the consequenc- any signifi cant relaxation. soning with a nerve agent last summer that he blamed own liquefied natural gas. (AP) ers who, unlike most, stay involved in es,” Gartner analyst Ed Anderson said. key operational decisions. Think Rob- “That will be some of the new era of ert Iger at Disney, Howard Schultz at his leadership.” HCL marks $10 bln Starbucks, or Eric Schmidt at Google Jassy, 53, also may face pressure after handing off the reins a decade from critics who believe Amazon’s revenue milestone ago. success has been built in part by mis- “Jeff Bezos has held a fi rm grip on treating many of its 1.3 million em- NEW YORK/NOIDA, Feb 8, (Agen- the company for a long time,” said Ken ployees, especially those in the distri- cies): HCL Technologies (HCL), a Perkins, president of RetailMetrics bution warehouses and delivery trucks leading global technology company, LLC, a retail research fi rm. “I have to who are paid far less than the tech en- today announced that in recognition of believe he will have a say in what is gineers while also facing more hazard- its recent milestone, crossing the $10b going on and have a big hand in big ous conditions. mark in Revenue for 2020, it is issu- picture decisions.” “Jeff Bezos’ departure as CEO is a ing a one-time special bonus to em- Amazon’s chief fi nancial offi cer, chance for Amazon to turn over a new ployees around the world. Achieving Brian Olsavsky, made the move sound leaf,” said Robert Weissman, president this historic milestone in technology, like a mere shuffl ing of chairs. of Public Citizen, an activist group in business and engineering services and “It’s more of a restructuring of Washington. “It should start by paying software - just twenty years since HCL who’s doing what,” he said during a all its workers a living wage and ensur- Technologies’ IPO - is a testament to call with reporters. ing they have safe and healthy working the passionate efforts and consistent Investors didn’t fl inch upon after conditions.” achievements of its employees, many hearing about Amazon’s forthcoming If Jassy needs a shoulder to lean long term, deep relationships with change in command, and instead ap- on, Bezos will likely be there for him, leading companies across all industries pear to be more focused the company’s predicted Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a Yale and a leading network of partners and blockbuster earnings, which it also an- University professor who has closely stakeholders. In celebration and grati- nounced Tuesday. After see-sawing studied management succession is- tude all employees with one year of back and forth Wednesday, Amazon’s sues. He expects Bezos to orchestrate service or greater will receive a bonus, stock price wound up declining 2% a “gradual transfer of power with con- the equivalent of ten days’ salary. to close at $3,312.53 - not the type of tinuity of command and partnership.” “Our employees are our most valu- drop that occurs when Wall Street is Analysts said Bezos appears to have able asset. Despite an unrelenting worried about a management shake- picked a successor who’s up for the pandemic, each and every member up. challenge. Sonnenfeld said he believes of our HCL family has demonstrated “I don’t think he’s going to be com- the choice may have been made last immense commitment and passion, pletely hands off,” CFRA analyst Tuna summer, resulting in the departure of contributing to the growth of the or- Amobi said of Bezos. another trusted lieutenant, Jeff Wilke, ganization. The $10b revenue mile- In a blog post, Bezos said the CEO who had also been widely viewed as stone is a testament of our remarkable job had pulled him away from explor- a candidate to become Amazon’s next resilience as an organization and the ing new ideas and initiatives that could CEO. entrepreneurial spirit of our 159,000+ yield growth opportunities. He now Jassy is highly respected for build- employees. With this gesture, we want intends to focus more on such innova- ing up Amazon’s web services divi- to sincerely express our gratitude to tion, along with other ventures, such as sion, which runs many of the world’s our employees and their families for his rocket ship company Blue Origin biggest websites. Earnings from that all their support,” said Apparao V.V., and his newspaper, The Washington cloud-computing service also helped Chief Human Resources Officer, HCL Post. subsidize the company’s online shop- Technologies. “Being the CEO of Amazon is a ping operations as it cut prices so low The special bonus will be paid to deep responsibility, and it’s consum- that it lost money for many years. employees in February 2021, amount- ing,” Bezos wrote. “When you have a “He’s proven himself in building the ing to approximately $90m plus pay- responsibility like that, it’s hard to put most profi table part of the company,” roll taxes in some countries, the impact attention on anything else.” Amobi said. “His challenge is trans- of which is excluded from the FY21 The shift will saddle Jassy with lating that to the broader e-commerce EBIT guidance provided by the com- some of the responsibilities that Bezos platform.” pany last month. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 BUSINESS 10

online retailer Boohoo buys 3 fashion brands from Arcadia A man wearing a face mask to curb British online fashion retailer Boohoo were told Monday that their jobs have Arcadia brands Topshop, Topman, Miss the spread of coro- has bought three clothing brands been axed. Selfridge and HIIT. The brands will con- navirus walks past a owned by the collapsed Arcadia retail Arcadia was long one of the biggest tinue to be sold online, but the shops will coronavirus informa- group for 25.2 million pounds ($34.5 players in British retail, but it has strug- close. tion sign displayed million). gled with a shift in shoppers’ behavior in Administrators have now sold all of next to the closed Boohoo bought the inventory and recent years and the pandemic has dealt Arcadia’s brands, raising around 500 mil- Debenhams flagship online businesses of the Arcadia a final blow to the business. lion pounds to pay off creditors. department store on brands - Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and The group entered administration in Boohoo, which was founded in 2006, Oxford Street in London, on Feb 6. Burton. December, putting thousands of jobs last month also bought the brand and (AP) The deal did not include the brands’ on the line. website of Debenhams, a 240-year-old 214 remaining U.K. shops, which will Last week online fashion giant Asos chain of British department stores that close, and around 2,450 employees signed a 330-million-pound deal to buy had been struggling for years. (AP)

the bottomline

NEW YORK: The critical holiday sho- pping season, coupled with quarantin- Stocks move higher on Wall St ing amid the ongoing coronavirus pan- demic, pushed board game sales up 21% at Hasbro in the fourth quarter. The toy company’s Monopoly and Global shares rise as optimism grows over global recovery Magic: The Gathering card game were strong performers in the quarter, along with Dungeons and Dragons. NEW YORK, Feb 8, (AP): added 0.02% to 14,059.91. Britain’s Total revenue climbed 4% to $1.72 Stocks are moving higher FTSE 100 rose 0.53% to 6,523.53. billion, slightly better than the $1.7 bil- Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 2.1% to lion that analysts polled by Zacks yet again on Monday, add- finish at 29,388.50. Australia’s S&P/ Investment Research was calling for. ing to a streak that gave ASX 200 rose 0.6% to 6,880.70. South Hasbro earned $105.2 million, or 76 the market its best weekly Korea’s Kospi shed 0.9% to 3,091.24. cents per share, for the period ended Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged up Dec. 27. That compares with $95.5 mil- gain since November last 0.1% to 29,319.47, while the Shanghai lion, or 69 cents per share, a year ago. week. Investors continue to Composite picked up 1.0% to 3,532.45. Removing one-time gains and costs, be focused on company Analysts expect the world economy earnings were $1.27 per share. That to grow this year after contracting last handily topped the $1.14 per share Wall earnings and the higher year because of the pandemic. Export- Street expected. prospects for more eco- driven Asian nations, such as Japan, For the year, the Pawtucket, Rhode nomic stimulus to combat South Korea and China, are expected Island-based company reported a profit to get a big boost out of the recovery. of $222.5 million, or $1.62 per share. the impact of the coronavi- Investors have been encouraged by Revenue totaled $5.47 billion. rus. surprisingly good corporate earnings Hasbro shares rose 3.3% before the The S&P 500 was up 0.4% as of reports, news that a recent surge in market open on Monday. (AP) 12:22 pm Eastern Time. The Dow new coronavirus cases is easing, and ❑ ❑ ❑ Jones Industrial Average rose, 157 progress in the distribution of vac- cines. NASHVILLE, Tenn: Amazon annou- points, or 0.5%, to 31,305 and the nced that it will invest $200 million in Nasdaq composite rose 0.6%. In Asia, some companies have been eastern Tennessee to build a new ware- slammed by the effects of border con- house distribution site that will result in Small-company stocks continued trols and remote working over to far outpace the rest of the mar- 800 jobs. COVID-19. But others have been big Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee ket, with the Russell 2000 index of gainers, such as Japanese video-game Depart-ment of Economic and small company stocks up 1.8%., company Nintendo Co People stuck at Community Development That’s a sign investors are feeling home have turned in droves to Commissioner Bob Rolfe praised the optimistic about the economy. Nintendo games, and the company, Alcoa-based project during a virtual Investors have been encouraged by which has struggled at times, appears event with Amazon officials. surprisingly good corporate earnings to be headed toward a record profit for The facility is expected to be com- reports, news that a recent surge in In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, traders Aman Patel (left), and John Santiago confer on the year. pleted in 2022. It will be Amazon’s new coronavirus cases is easing, and the floor. (AP) Venkateswaran Lavanya of the Asia third fulfillment center to use robotics progress in the distribution of vac- & Oceania Treasury Department at technology in Tennessee and the com- cines. Senate. broader market higher. Energy compa- and other beaten-down companies Mizuho Bank noted that euphoria was pany’s eighth fulfillment center in the “The resilience of the corporate sec- In another sign of optimism, nies were also among the winners as who have been a focus of online inves- mixing with reality checks about vac- Volunteer State. tor has been resounding,” said Ross Treasury yields continued to push oil prices climbed about 2%. tors the last several weeks. GameStop cines slowly being delivered around Separately, Amazon is also building Mayfield, investment strategy analyst higher. The yield on the 10-year Occidental Petroleum jumped 11.6%. shares were up slightly, but are still the world. an operations hub in Nashville that is In energy trading, benchmark US at Baird. “The path of least resistance Treasury note rose to 1.16%, more and Exxon Mobil rose 4.1%. reeling from the massive drop the expected to create 5,000 jobs in the crude rose 69 cents to $57.54 a barrel area. is still higher.” than double where it was six months Tesla rose 2% after the company stock felt last week. Just this month President Biden and Congressional in electronic trading on the New York “Over the past year, Amazon has Democrats appear to be moving for- ago. While there have been near-zero said it had purchased $1.5 billion in GameStop shares are down 80%. Mercantile Exchange. It gained 62 announced projects in each of ward with their own version of a coro- signs of inflation in recent months, Bitcoin and pIans to allow customers Global shares mostly rose Monday, cents on Friday to $56.85 per barrel. Tennessee’s grand divisions, account- navirus stimulus bill that is estimated investors believe improving economic to pay for their electric vehicles with echoing the rally on Wall Street last Brent crude, the international standard, ing for nearly 3,000 new jobs,” Lee said to cost $1.9 trillion. The Senate and fortunes and trillions of dollars in the digital currency. Bitcoin was up week, with Japan’s benchmark reach- added 71 cents to $60.05 a barrel. in a statement. “As we continue to House took procedural steps late last stimulus could make stocks more 14% to $43,715 according to digital ing a three-decade high on growing In currencies, the US dollar rose to navigate through the pandemic and week to pass the bill using a process attractive, and therefore make bond currency brokerage Coinbase. optimism over the global economy. 105.48 Japanese yen from 105.37 yen. reboot our economy, we know our known as reconsolidation, which does yields rise as their prices fall. Investors continue to watch shares France’s CAC 40 added 0.47% to The euro cost $1.2045, inching up recovery is supported by the success of not require 60 votes to advance in the Technology companies led the of GameStop, AMC Entertainment 5,686.03, while Germany’s DAX from $1.2042. our Tennessee businesses.” (AP) ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

Cases fall at nursing homes In pandemic, more opt to die at home MISSION, Kan., Feb 8, (AP): Mortuary owner Brian Sim- mons has been making more trips to homes to pick up bodies to be cremated and embalmed since the pandemic hit. With COVID-19 devastating communities in Missouri, his two-person crews regularly arrive at homes in the Springfi eld area and remove bodies of people who decided to die at home rather than spend their fi nal days in a nursing home or hospital where family visitations were prohibited during the pandemic. He understands all too well why people are choosing to die at home: His own 49-year-old daughter succumbed to the coro- navirus just before Christmas at a Springfi eld hospital, where the family only got phone updates as her condition deteriorated. “The separation part is really rough, rough rough,” said Simmons. “My daughter went to the hospital and we saw her once through the glass when they put her on the ventilator, and then we never saw her again until after she died.” Across the country, terminally ill pa- tients — both with COVID-19 and other diseases — are making similar decisions and dying at home rather than face the terrifying scenario of saying farewell to loved ones behind glass or during video calls. “What we are seeing with COVID is certainly patients want to stay at home,” said Judi Lund Person, the vice presi- Person dent for regulatory compliance at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “They don’t want to go to the hospital. They don’t want to go to a nursing home.” National hospice organizations are reporting that facilities are seeing double-digit percentage increases in the number of A clinical trials patient receives a dose of AstraZeneca test vaccine at the University of Witwatersrand’ Soweto’s Chris Sani Baragwanath Hospital facility outside patients being cared for at home. Johannesburg, Nov 30, 2020. South Africa is scrambling to come up with a new vaccination strategy to combat COVID-19 following its suspension of the rollout of The phenomenon has played out Carroll Hospice in West- the AstraZeneca vaccine, after a preliminary test showed weak results in protecting the variant dominant in this country. Among the possibilities being considered minster, Maryland, which has seen a 30% to 40% spike in are giving one dose of AstraZeneca in the hopes it will protect against severe disease and death from the variant. (AP) demand for home-based care, said executive director Regina Bodnar. She said avoiding nursing homes and coronavirus risks are the biggest factor behind the increase.” Potential Health Lisa Kossoudji, who supervises nurses at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, pulled her own mother, now 95, out of assisted liv- ing and brought her home to live with her after the pandemic hit. She had gone weeks without seeing her mother and was AstraZeneca shot halted due to lack of effi cacy worried that her condition was deteriorating because she was being restricted to her room as the facility sought to limit the potential for the virus to spread. Her mother, who has a condition that causes thickening and S Africa seeks new vaccine plan hardening of the walls of the arteries in her brain, is now re- ceiving hospice services. Kossoudji is seeing the families she JOHANNESBURG, Feb 8, (AP): South serves make similar choices. Africa is considering giving a COV- “Lots of people are bringing folks home that physically, ID-19 vaccine that is still in the testing Congo health officials working to stop they have a lot physical issues, whether it is they have a feed- phase to health workers, after suspend- ing tube or a trachea, things that an everyday lay person would ing the rollout of another shot that pre- look at and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t do this,’” she said. “But liminary data indicated is not effective at new Ebola outbreak in country’s east yet they are willing to bring them home because we want to be preventing mild to moderate illness from able to be with them and see them.” the variant dominant in the country. BENI, Congo, Feb 8, (AP): Health greater strain on an already exas- Before the pandemic, hospice workers cared for patients dy- The country is scrambling to come officials in Congo confirmed anoth- perated system,” said Jason Kin- ing of heart disease, cancer, dementia and other terminal ill- up with a new vaccination strategy er Ebola outbreak in the country’s drachuk, an assistant professor at nesses in long-term care facilities and, to a lesser extent, home east on Sunday, the fourth in less the department of medical micro- after it halted use of the AstraZeneca than three years. On Feb 3, a wom- biology and infectious diseases at settings. Many families hesitated to go the die-at-home route vaccine - which is cheaper and easier because of the many logistical challenges, including work an died in Butembo town in North Canada’s University of Manitoba French Health Minister Olivier Veran to handle than others and which many Kivu province, Minister of Health and who is conducting research on schedules and complicated medical needs. receives a dose of the AstraZeneca- had hoped would be crucial to combat- But the pandemic changed things. People were suddenly Eteni Longondo announced. survivors from the 2014-2016 West Oxford COVID-19 vaccine at the ting the pandemic in developing coun- The woman from the nearby Africa Ebola outbreak, the deadli- working from home and had more time, and they were more South Ile-de-France Hospital Group tries. Among the possibilities being village of Biena felt sick for a few est ever. comfortable with home hospice knowing the alternative with in Melun, on the outskirts of Paris, considered: mixing the AstraZeneca days before being tested in a clinic The Ebola virus is highly con- lack of visitation at nursing homes. Feb 8. French health facilities were vaccine with another one and giving there. She then went to a hospital tagious and can be contracted “What happened with COVID is everything was on steroids taking in their first batches of Astra- Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vac- in Butembo, but died before receiv- through bodily fluids such as vomit, so to speak. Everything happened so quickly that all of a sud- Zeneca vaccines on Saturday. (AP) cine, which has not yet been author- ing the results. The government blood, or semen. While the source den family members were prepared to care for their loved ones ized for use anywhere, to 100,000 has begun tracing everyone who of contamination is still unknown, at home,” said Carole Fisher, president of the National Part- health care workers while monitoring came in contact with her to try to the woman who died was the wife nership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation. “Everything its effi cacy against the variant. “eradicate the epidemic as soon as of an Ebola survivor, according to accelerated.” Discovery South Africa’s inoculation strategy possible,” said Longondo. the government. The virus can live “I have heard families say, ‘I can care for my aged mother is being watched globally because the This is the 12th outbreak in con- in the semen of male survivors for now very differently than I could before because I am working variant fi rst detected and now domi- flict-ridden Congo since the virus more than three years, according to from home,’” she added. “And so there is more of a together- nant here is spreading in more than 30 was first discovered in the coun- a study in the New England Jour- Monolith appears in Turkey : Turk- try in 1976, and comes less than nal of Medicine, and health experts ness in the family unit because of COVID.” countries. Offi cials say this form of the Dying at home isn’t for everyone, however. Caring for the ish authorities are investigating the ap- three months after an outbreak in say as outbreaks become more fre- pearance of a mysterious monolith in virus is more contagious, and evidence the western province of Equateur, quent, it’s important to understand needs of a critically ill relative can mean sleepless nights and is emerging that it may be more viru- added stress as the pandemic rages. southeastern Turkey. officially ended in November. The more about how it’s contracted. The metal block was found by a farm- lent; recent studies have also shown it 2018 outbreak in Eastern Congo In a statement on Sunday, the Karen Rubel recalled that she didn’t want to take her own can infect people who have survived was the second deadliest in the World Health Organization said it 81-year-old mother to the hospital when she had a stroke in er Friday in Sanliurfa province with old Turkic script that reads “Look at the sky, the original form of the virus. world, killing 2,299 people before wasn’t unusual for sporadic cases September and then pushed hard to bring her home as soon see the moon.” The monolith, 3 meters it ended in June. That outbreak to occur following a major outbreak as possible. high (about 10 feet), was discovered near Protection lasted for nearly two years and and that previous Ebola responses She is president and CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las the UNESCO World Heritage site named After a second surge, cases and was fought amid unprecedented were already making it easier to Vegas, which has designated one of its in-patient facilities for Gobekli Tepe, which has megalithic struc- deaths in South Africa have begun to challenges, including entrenched deal with this one. COVID-19 patients. tures dating to the 10th millennium B.C., fall recently, but it is still battling one conflict between armed groups, the “The expertise and capacity of lo- “I get where people are coming from,” she said. “They are thousands of years before Stonehenge. of Africa’s most severe outbreaks, with world’s largest measles epidemic, cal health teams has been critical afraid.” Turkish media reported Sunday that more than 46,000 deaths. It is worried and the spread of COVID-19. in detecting this new Ebola case Health officials worry a new Eb- and paving the way for a timely re- Also: gendarmes were looking through CCTV that another spike will come in May or footage and investigating vehicles that June, when the Southern Hemisphere ola outbreak could badly affect the sponse,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, BIRMINGHAM, Ala: Coronavirus cases have dropped at US may have transported the monolith. country heads into its winter. nation’s fragile health system, es- WHO regional director for Africa. nursing homes and other long-term care facilities over the past Other mysterious monoliths have pecially as it faces a resurgence of The WHO is investigating the case So far, early results from trials of the COVID-19. and trying to identify the strain of few weeks, offering a glimmer of hope that health offi cials at- popped up and some have disappeared in Johnson & Johnson vaccine showed it tribute to the start of vaccinations, an easing of the post-holi- numerous countries in recent months. (AP) “While there is hope that this the virus to determine its link to the offers less protection against the vari- early identification of an infection previous outbreak. day surge and better prevention, among other reasons. ❑ ❑ ❑ ant than the original disease but is still More than 153,000 residents of the country’s nursing homes may help with quickly containing Congo has suffered more than a Museum to restore Pathfi nder: The highly effective at preventing severe this outbreak, back-to-back Ebola quarter-century of conflict and dis- and assisted living centers have died of COVID-19, account- US Space & Rocket Center in Alabama and fatal cases, according to Dr. Glen- outbreaks and COVID-19 has trust of government health workers ing for 36% of the US pandemic death toll, according to the announced plans to restore the world’s da Gray, director of the South Africa stretched Congo’s health systems and other outsiders is high in east- COVID Tracking Project. Many of the roughly 2 million peo- only full-sized mockup of a space shut- Medical Research Council, who led to the limit and this could put far ern Congo. ple who live at such facilities remain cut off from loved ones tle coupled with an external fuel tank and the South African part of the global because of the risk of infection. The virus still kills thousands twin rocket boosters. trial. A Novavax vaccine candidate has of them weekly. The shuttle test model, called Pathfi nder, shown similar results. 2,000 healthy volunteers with an av- euphoric. We must recalibrate our ex- The overall trend for long-term care residents is improving, has been weathering outside the museum “We can’t wait. We already have erage age of 31 and showed just 22% pectations.” though, with fewer new cases recorded and fewer facilities re- in Huntsville for more than three decades. good local data,” Gray said, stressing were protected against mild to moder- Now, the country is looking to porting outbreaks. Coupled with better fi gures for the country The restoration work will be funded with a that clinical trials show that it is safe. ate cases of the disease. switch gears. It may end up continu- overall, it’s cause for optimism even if it’s too early to declare $500,000 federal grant and additional cor- She added that South Africa is making Experts say the vaccine may still ing with giving at least one dose of victory. porate donations, offi cials said. urgent plans to “roll it out and evaluate prevent against severe disease — and AstraZeneca in the hope it will protect “We defi nitely think there’s hope and there’s light at the end The shuttle mockup was mated with a huge fuel tank and two prototype solid- it in the fi eld.” that would go a long way in slowing the against severe disease and death from of the tunnel,” said Marty Wright, who heads a nursing home “Our scientists must get together pandemic and avoiding hospitals from the variant. It is also considering com- trade group in West Virginia. rocket boosters for display at the state- owned museum in 1988. The multimillion and quickly fi gure out what approach becoming overwhelmed with patients. bining the shot with one from another Nursing homes have been a priority since vaccinations be- we’re going to use,” Health Minister vaccine. Most of the vaccines being gan in mid-December, and the federal government says 1.5 refurbishment will take several years and Effective involve removing the display, repairing it Zweli Mhkize said Sunday night, an- tested require two doses; Johnson & million long-term care residents have already received at least nouncing the suspension of the use of “Vaccines that are effective against Johnson is an exception. an initial dose. and returning it to its giant concrete stand. Consisting of a shuttle-shaped metal the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is cur- the more severe forms of disease may An experimental study began last Researchers and industry leaders say they are seeing marked frame covered with sheeting, Pathfi nder rently the only one available in South not affect milder forms, so there is week in Britain — the fi rst of its kind improvements after months in which some nursing homes lost was originally used to test ground han- Africa. Deliveries of others, including optimism that severe disease will still worldwide — testing whether doctors dozens of residents to the disease and had to keep others in semi- dling, transportation and other procedures the one made by Pfi zer and BioNTech, be prevented by vaccines,” said Peter could safely mix and match doses of isolation for protection. Some 2,000 nursing homes are now for the space shuttle. Once testing was are expected soon. Openshaw, a professor of experimental the AstraZeneca vaccine with the shot virus-free, or about 13% nationally, according to an industry completed and it wasn’t further needed by The suspension threw South Af- medicine at Imperial College London. made by Pfi zer and BioNTech. group, and many are dealing with far fewer cases than before. the National Aeronautics and Space Ad- rica’s vaccination plans into disarray But the results were disappointing An added complication is that the In West Virginia, where about 30% of the state’s roughly ministration. just one week after the country re- enough that South African offi cials AstraZeneca doses in South Africa 2,080 COVID-19 deaths occurred at long-term care centers, NASA administrator is Jim Briden- ceived its fi rst 1 million doses of the decided to postpone the rollout of the have an April expiration date, mak- fewer outbreaks are happening and fewer residents are requir- stine. (AP) vaccine. It came after the early results vaccine, which was supposed to be ing it diffi cult to administer two doses ing hospitalization, said Wright, chief executive of the West ❑ ❑ ❑ of a small clinical trial showed that the given to front-line healthcare workers within such a short period. Virginia Health Care Association. Pennsylvania-based Genesis shot did not prevent mild to moderate starting in mid-February. Last week, Sarah Gilbert of Oxford HealthCare, which operates more than 325 nursing homes, as- Med school facility eyed: Creighton University has unveiled a plan to build a cases of COVID-19 in young adults, The preliminary study has not been University, who helped develop the sisted-living facilities or senior living communities in 24 states, according to an announcement by the peer-reviewed - the gold standard in AstraZeneca vaccine, said research- Lori Mayer $75 million medical school facility, much has seen similar improvements, said spokeswoman . of the funding for which will come from University of Witwatersrand, which scientifi c studies - but was still “a real- ers were currently working to tweak The American Health Care Association and National C.L. and Rachel Werner of Omaha. conducted the test. ity check,” said Professor Shabir Ma- their vaccine by inserting a genetic se- Center for Assisted Living, an industry trade organization, Creighton’s president, the Rev Daniel The AstraZeneca study involved dhi, who conducted the trial. “We were quence from the new variant. said Thursday that data from about 800 nursing homes where Hendrickson, announced the plan dur- initial vaccine doses were administered in late December of- ing his annual convocation, saying the fered promising results. Cases among residents fell by 48% planned health sciences facility will serve at homes where immunizations had occurred, compared to a as the new front door for the Creighton 21% decline at non-vaccinated facilities nearby. Meanwhile, School of Medicine, the Omaha World- labs and administrative areas, Hendrick- The offi cials feed the birds to prevent cases among employees dropped by 33% at vaccinated homes, Herald reported. son said. It will on what is now a faculty- their starvation as weather conditions in compared to 18% at non-vaccinated facilities. The building will be named the C.L. staff parking lot. It’s scheduled for com- the Himalayan region deteriorate, with After reaching a high of almost 73,600 new weekly cases Werner Center for Health Sciences Edu- pletion in the fall of 2023. (AP) two heavy snowfalls since December. in long-term care facilities nationwide in mid-December, the cation. Werner is the founder of Werner ❑ ❑ ❑ Enterprises, an Omaha-based trucking Temperatures have plummeted to minus number was down 31% by late January, to about 50,000 new 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahren- cases per week, an Associated Press analysis found. Still, the company. The building will house pro- Wildlife offi cials feed birds: Wild- most recent weekly count is 18% higher than the seven-day grams for medicine, nursing, physician life offi cial Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar and heit). period that ended on Thanksgiving, when numbers started assistant, physical therapy, occupational his colleagues break the ice on a frozen Vast paddy fi elds and apple orchards climbing. therapy and other disciplines. wetland, row their boats and spread grain are blanketed in snow. Scores of wetlands The new center will provide class- to feed migratory birds in Indian-con- and lakes, including parts of famed Dal rooms, a simulation center, study areas, trolled Kashmir. Hendrickson Bridenstine Lake, have frozen. (AP) Music TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 FFeatureseatures Patriots. (AP) Boston CelticsandNewEngland Ortiz memoir byBostonRedSox Holley “Heart andSteel”with Press andbytheSportingNews. coach oftheyearbyTheAssociated year withPittsburgh,hewasnamed ence championships.Inhisfi eight divisiontitlesandtwoconfer- Bowl winhelpedguidetheteamto 1992-2006 andbesidestheSuper refl opportunity towritethisbookand the pandemichit,itwasagreat mon andSchusterimprint.“When ment issuedthroughAtria,aSi- career,” Cowhersaidinastate- to berefl Hall ofFamehonor,itallowedme ning of2020andIreceivedthe months ofeachother. his wifeandfatherwithinthree private struggles.In2010,helost not justonhiscareer,but NFL HallofFame,willlookback Steel.” Cowher,inductedintothe Books forthememoir“Heartand 2005 season,hasadealwithAtria Super Bowltitleattheendof ers coach,wholedhisteamtoa a footballstory.” publisher iscalling“morethanjust a bookcomingoutinJunethathis and NFLanalyst Winfrey last yearwaschosen by explained McBride, whosenovel with them.ButinPhilly,youcan,” because youcan’tleavethelibrary thing youwantbutittakeslonger Philadelphia in branchesNewYorkCityand cities andwrotepartsofhisnovel has librarycardsinfourdifferent winner for“DeaconKingKong,” nonfi World intheWhale”received ian authorwhose“Fathoms:The says my walletisfulloflibrarycards,” books intheirtime. have eachcheckedoutafew American LibraryAssociation, and nonfi of theCarnegiemedalsforfi H. BeecherHicksIII,themuseum’spresidentandCEO.“Soit’sone NEW YORK: NEW YORK: this museumbillsitselfasthefi seums aroundthecountrythatfocusoncertainaspectsofBlackmusic, a museumdedicatedtoBlackartsandculture.Andwhiletherearemu- civic leaders,FrancisGuessandT.B.Boyd,backin1998,whowanted as anationalchairforthemuseum. or itinthistypeofway,”saidgospelgreatCeCeWinans,whoserves important partithasplayedinourcountry,waslongoverduetohon- gospel, blues,jazz,R&Bandhip-hop. looked storyabouttherootsofAmericanpopularmusic,including the newmuseumfi Music HallofFameandMuseum. tonks andthefamedRymanAuditoriumblocksfromCountry in theheartofNashville’smusicaltourismdistrict,alongsidehonky- with avirtualribbon-cuttingonMartinLutherKingJr.Day,isseated through thelensofAmericanhistory. the makingistellinginterconnectedstoryofBlackmusicalgenres NASHVILLE, Tenn.,Feb8,(AP):Anewmuseumtwodecadesin ofBlackmusicacrossNew museumtraceshistory genres Cowher iscollaboratingon Cowher, 63,ledtheSteelersfrom “As Iwentthroughthebegin- The formerPittsburghSteel- ect uponmylife.” With agrantfrom theCarnegie “In NewYorkyoucangetany- James McBride “I workfromlibrariesalot,and “Most musicmuseumsdealwithalabel,genreoranartist,”said The ideaforthemuseumcamefromtwoNashvillebusinessand “When wethinkofthehistoryAfricanAmericanmusicand Even asNashvillehaslongcelebrateditsroleinthehistoryofmusic, The NationalMuseumofAfricanAmericanMusic,whichopened ction prizeThursday. Rebecca Giggs and onbooksaboutthe , whohasalsoworkedona ective uponmyfootball ction, presentedbythe forherbookclub. ❑ . Thisyear’swinners Hall ofFamecoach Bill Cowher , thefi , anAustral- lls agapbytellinganimportantandoftenover- Michael Oprah ction rst rst ction David has rst ofitskindtobeallencompassing. Yorker, wouldvisit themoften braries. McBride, a longtimeNew strong childhoodmemories ofli- and Tartt, DorisKearnsGoodwin Previous honoreesinclude each categoryreceiving$5,000. award in2012,withwinners library associationestablishedthe Corporation ofNewYork,the McBride andGiggseachhave end ofherlifeandMaudbelievessheisuniquelyposi- And besides,shehasBigQuestionsaboutthenearing than mostpeopleseemtobeaboutthemousyMaud. dialogue. AtleastAmandaiscurious,whichmore her, butwedon’tgetthebenefi wants toonAmanda,andAmandadoesthesamefor seem opentoeachotheratfi possibility ofconnectionbetweenthetwowhoatleast self-involved.” Butthefi little timeforcreativetypes,“astheytendtoberather is purehedonism.Maudevensaysearlyonthatshehas Maud hasaVictoriansternnesstoher,whileAmanda not longfortheworld. stage 4lymphomaofthespinalcordand,Maudsays,is Anatomy ofDanceandTheBodyisaStage.Shehas ty” whohaswrittenbookswithvaguelyerotictitleslike 49-year-old dancer,choreographerand“minorcelebri- entries. than this,”shesays.Hermusingsoftensoundlikediary ing thatyoumusthavesavedmeforsomethinggreater she’ll fi She’s nottalkingtous,butGod,wonderingwhen (Morfydd Clark),ispackinguptoleave. ern Ireland,notNewYork).Thewomanthere,Maud ment intheseasidehamletConeyIsland(inNorth- tomato soupinagrimandclaustrophobicstudioapart- blood. Thenextimageweseeisaclose-upofboiling young womaninthecornerwithherfacecovered or theend.There’sabodyonanoperatingtableand at fi the middleofabloodymess,althoughit’sambiguous Lean andmeasured,Glass’fi right fromthestartandbarelyletsupforduration. soul ofherterminallyillpatient. hospice nursewhobecomesobsessedwithsavingthe The fi of theconstructinherpromisingdebut“SaintMaud.” R A psychologicalhorror in‘SaintMaud’ Colson Whitehead They areamismatchedpairinalmosteveryway. The newclientisAmandaKohl(JenniferEhle),a The fi An uneasyandslightlysinistermoodisestablished rstastowhetherornotwe’reseeingthebeginning Variety writer-director RoseGlasscraftssomethingfresh eligion andhorrorarehardlynovelbedfellows,but lm followsthepsychologicalundoingofadevout nd clarityofpurpose.“Ican’tshakethefeel- rst wordswehearfromherareinvoiceover. By LindseyBahr This imagereleasedbyA24FilmsshowsMorfyddClarkinascenefrom‘SaintMaud.’(AP) Museum allowsvisitorstovirtuallyexploremusic . Donna lm teasesusa bitwiththe

rst. Maudprojectswhatshe lm dropstheaudiencein Film t ofAmanda’sinternal the churchbehindthem,”saidWinans.“Itwasgospelmusicthat down throughtheyears,andMartinLutherKingJr.,itwasalwayswith inspired socialchange,especiallyduringthecivilrightsera. singer. or evenbeapartofmuseum,”saidthe12-timeGrammy-winning Glass establishesherselfasafi “When youlookatallthedifferentmovementsthathavehappened She notedthatthemuseumputgospelmusicincontextwithhowit “You neverstartoutdoingwhatyou’retobeapartofhistory musical career. exhibit onspiritualmusicalongsidetheartiststhatinfl family ofgospelsingers,TheWinans,representedinthemuseum’s naissance andthecivilrightsmovement. the emergenceofbluesthroughGreatMigration,HarlemRe- ments includingthemusicandinstrumentsbroughtbyAfricanslaves, the 1600sthroughpresentdayandframedaroundmajorculturalmove- soundtrack forthatpartofourlives?” environment thatmademusicsomoving,inspirational,suchthe was goingoninourcountryandlivedexperiencepolitical thing tosaythatI’mahiphopfanorbluesfan,butwhy?What rneCowher Prince When Winansrecentlytookatourofthemuseum,shesawherown The museumtellsachronologicalstoryofBlackmusicstartingin Woody Allen Soon-Yi Previn Allen’s relationshipwithMiaFarrow’sadultdaughter, Dylan Farrow ship” offi abused adaughter,willaironHBO. and itsfallout,includingallegationsthathesexually row through interviewswithMia,Dylanand Maud,” Glassfi restrained than,say,anAriAsterhorror.With“Saint teresting ordistinctiveonthescreen.Itisalsomore quickly andviscerallyalwayshassomethingin- character self-destruct,butGlassmovesthingsalong alienating andtestsyourinvestmentinwatchingthis though wedogetsometidbits).Thatbecomesabit became thiswayorwhoexactlyshewasbefore(al- stars outoffour. language.” Runningtime:84minutes.Twoandahalf for “disturbingandviolentcontent,sexualcontent rated RbytheMotionPictureAssociationofAmerica to watch. LOS ANGELES: “Allen v.Farrow”willincludethe“charmedcourt- The documentarywillexplorethe“privatestory” “Saint Maud”isnotterriblyinterestedinwhyMaud “Saint Maud,”anA24releaseintheatersnow,is dreams. Some ofhermodespenancewillsurelyinvadeyour And thingsjustdevolveintoanightmarefromthere. and, eventually,isdismissedinhumiliatingfashion. kind ofawkwardlyfunnyattimes.Butsheoversteps incredibly andoppressivelysanctimonious.It’seven of purposehasecstaticfi veloping obsessionforMaud,whowiththisnewclarity might takeitliterally.Amandaquicklybecomesanen- aspects of“SaintMaud.” timacy ofhospicecarepermeatesthemoreoffwall tioned toprovideanswers.Theoddandimmediatein- andinvestigators,anexaminationofcourtdoc- Inspired But becarefulwhoyoucallyoursavoirbecausethey lmmaker AllenandactorFarrow;daughter CHANHASSEN, Minn: and ’s allegationsofabuseasachild,and rmlyestablishesherselfasafi , whobecamehiswife,HBOsaid. to theworkoutspace. (AP) and hersisteratalibrarynextdoor nights aweek,droppingoffher aerobics “inabigway”and,few remembers hermothergettinginto afford tobuymanybooks.Giggs and becausehisfamilycouldn’t because theywerea“safespace” A documentaryseriesexamining Mia Farrow ❑ Distinctive Also: ts andvisions.Shealsogets ’s doomedrelationship uenced herown One lmmaker towatch Ronan Far- lmmaker and shedied. said herhealthhad beendeclining most doves.Paisley Parkoffi surpassing theaverage lifespanof Divinity, livedtobe 28yearsold, turned-estate hasannounced. at therocklegend’smansion- Park compoundhasdied,offi Prince of theoriginalwhitedovesthat The dove,afemalenamed recordings toshareviaapersonalRFIDwristband. Jones andmaketheirownhip-hopbeats.Visitorscantakehome tor, sing“OhHappyDay”withachoirledbygospellegendBobby including 25stationsthatallowvisitorstovirtuallyexplorethemusic. use outofthespace,exhibitsarelayeredwithinteractivefeatures, B.B. KingandatrumpetplayedbyLouisArmstrong.Tomakethebest and aGrammyAwardbelongingtoEllaFitzgerald,guitarownedby inspired ustoloveoneanother,buildbridges.” Hicks. brothers andwesharemoretogetherthandoourdifferences,”said perhaps morethanothersorintherecentpastthatweare open inthismoment,momentwhereweneedtobereminded, ence. light thecontributionsofBlackmusictooursharedAmericanexperi- Lives Matter,Hickssaidthetimingcouldn’tbemoreperfecttohigh- concerts. Thetraditioncontinuestoday. raise moneyforFiskUniversity.Thegroupsangslavespiritualsattheir Fisk JubileeSingers,anacappellagrouporiginallyformedin1871to There willbeachangingexhibitgallery,withthefi Visitors canlearnchoreographeddancemoveswithavirtualinstruc- The museumhas1,600artifactsintheircollection,includingclothes “(It) isnotanaccidentthatweareabletofi After ayearofracialreckoningthroughthemovementBlack keptathisiconicPaisley his spring-summer2021couturemoviefi er,” thedesignersaidatabehind-the-scenespreviewof Now, Irealizealsoneedtolearnbecomeafi and streamingitonline. out tothepublicbymakingafi Fournie arebecomingversatile:gettingtheirdesigns to thecoronaviruspandemic,designerssuchasJulien self throughdigitalfi with you(isneeded)toevenimaginereinventingone- show. (AP) It isusuallymuchcheaperforthehousethanstaginga the world—optingtoshowtheirdesignsinthisway. among dozensinParis—andfashioncapitalsaround sary” inthefi question “whetherfashionshowswerereallyneces- trasting withthefl sharp bustsandelongatedsilhouetteoftheseason,con- of course,dressedinthestrongarchitecturalsleeves, en areplungedintodreamlikeenvironments.Theyare, PARIS: have beenembracedinthe#MeTooera. maintained thatshewasabusedandherallegations 1990s andAllenwasn’tcharged.DylanFarrowhas tal fabricationfromstarttofi could beevenmisconstruedasabusingher;itwasato- 2020 memoir,hesaid“neverdidanythingtoherthat Farrow. Amy Ziering tary, nordid evaluation inlightofhispersonallife. said. FilmexpertswilldiscussAllen’sworkanditsre- uments andpreviouslyunreleasedmaterial,thechannel HBO, withepisodesairingweekly. “At thestart,Iwasaskedtoknowhowdraw.... With showstakingplacebehindcloseddoorsdue Calling themove“brave,”henotedthat“agreatcrew Fournie’s eponymousfashionhouseisjustone Fournie saidtheimpactofvirushasledhimto In hisvideoentitled“FirstStorm,”threeyoungwom- “Allen v.Farrow,”fromfi Two separateinvestigationswereconductedinthe Allen haslongdeniedsexuallyabusingDylan.Ina Allen andPrevindidn’tparticipateinthedocumen- The newfaceofParisFashionWeekisdigital. rst place. Moses Farrow and cials ❑ uidity ofFournie’s chiffondresses. cials lm.” Amy Herdy Seiffert Park ExecutiveDirector public inOctober 2016,” Paisley Park fi welcomed visitors sincePaisley during toursofhisformerestate. at PaisleyParkandcouldbeseen April 21,2016.Divinityremained an accidentalfentanyloverdoseon “Divinity’s beautifulcoohas Prince was57whenhediedof nish.” , thesonofAllenandMia lm oftheircollection lmmakers rst openeditsgatesto the , willdebutFeb.21on said inastatement. (AP) nish andgetthemuseum lming. Kirby Dick, rst topictobethe lmmak- Alan ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Books

‘Slough House’ soon ‘Slow Horses’ are spies for our times LONDON, Feb 8, (AP): Like a spy in the night, writer Mick Herron’s success has been stealthy. It took a while for the world to catch up with him. A decade after he introduced a crew of fl awed se- cret agents caught between sinister plotters and cyni- cal spymasters in the novel “Slow Horses,” Herron is a best-selling, award-winning writer who has been called the heir to master of espionage John le Carré. A seventh novel in his spy series, “Slough House,” is out this week, and a TV adaptation is in production with an A-list cast led by Gary Oldman. But initially, few took notice. “Maybe it just wasn’t the right time,” the soft-spo- ken Herron recalled recently. “There were voices in my pub- lishing company at the time that were saying the politics of the book were pretty ridiculous because it’s all about the far right and references to (Brit- ain) possibly leaving the Euro- pean Union.” Herron’s original British publisher declined a second book, but Soho Press in the Herron United States stuck by him, and UK publisher John Murray later championed the novels. After a decade that saw Brexit roil Britain and pop- ulism surge around the globe, Herron’s fi ctional world of damaged secret agents, self-serving politicians and buck-passing bureaucrats seems to capture 21st-cen- tury anxieties much as le Carré’s morally ambiguous tales caught the spirit of the Cold War. The Weeknd performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game between during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game between Herron’s spies have all been banished from MI5 the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Feb 7, in Tampa, Fla. (AP) headquarters to do dull work in a drab London of- fi ce building - Slough (rhymes with cow) House - for career-wrecking mistakes. This band of “slow horses” is presided over by Jackson Lamb, a fl atulent, chain- Super Bowl smoking former fi eld agent who alternates between lethargy, insults and fl ashes of ruthless brilliance. Herron’s spies bicker in the offi ce kitchen and wor- ry about money - a mundane existence periodically interrupted by traumatic events. Sullivan, Church blend beautifully on anthem It was one such trauma that Herron says “made me want to write about larger events.” He was working as a copy editor in London when suicide bombers killed 52 commuters on the city’s transit system on July 7, 2005. The Weeknd bores at halftime Victims NEW YORK, Feb 8, (AP): His name “I realized that to be involved, in however small a is The Weeknd but his Super Bowl way, in something like that, all you had to do is be a performance felt like a dreary Monday citizen, a member of a city,” 58-year-old Herron told morning. Amanda Gorman, in a first, The Associated Press from his home in the university The pop star headlined the Super city of Oxford. “We’re all, I don’t want to say combat- Bowl halftime show, running through ants, but we’re all potential victims. his many hits like an Olympic relay brings poetry to Super Bowl “The idea of a terrorist event as an intrusion on or- track team aiming for the gold. But he dinary life, on everyday life, that became something I wasn’t victorious Sunday night — no NEW YORK, Feb 8, (AP): Amanda how much Gorman has seized the wanted to write about.” silver or bronze medals will be handed Gorman, the 22-year-old poet who nation’s spotlight since the inaugu- At the time Herron was writing a detective series, out here. stirred America at the inauguration ration. but found spies better suited his desire for “state of the The Weeknd kicked off his of President Joe Biden last month, Gorman, previously the country’s world” novels. Actress Christina Ricci attends the 14-minute set in his signature red again commanded the spotlight on first National Youth Poet Laureate, Juliet Grames, Herron’s American editor, calls his Christian Siriano Runway Show dur- blazer and sunglasses, directing his one of the country’s biggest stages, was the youngest person to ever re- books “smart, sophisticated takes on real-world prob- ing New York Fashion Week on Feb robotic ensemble and singing “Call the Super Bowl. cite a poem at the U.S. presidential lems, but with sly humor that cuts through the dark- 9, 2019, in New York. Ricci turns 41 Out My Name.” His nasally, semi- Gorman read an original poem inauguration. Her reading of “The ness.” on Feb 12. (AP) Michael Jackson-esque vocals shined Sunday during the pregame festivi- Hill We Climb” at the Capitol im- Violence, usually senseless, often erupts in Her- — especially during “The Hills” and ties in Tampa, Florida. The poem, mediately became a sensation. An ron’s books, but it’s offset by a large dose of mordant “Earned It” — but the performance titled “Chorus of the Captains,” was illustrated book of her poem quickly wit. His cleverly plotted page-turners are driven by felt like it was designed for a typical a tribute to three people for their zoomed to the top of bestseller dialogue that bristles with one-liners. awards show in the vein of the Bill- contributions during the pandemic: lists. Shortly after the inauguration, board Awards or MTV VMAs — not educator Trimaine Davis, nurse she signed with IMG Models, an Much of the humor comes from Herron’s sharp manager Suzie Dorner and Marine agency that represents supermod- eye for the way bureaucracies, whether corporate or the Super Bowl stage. veteran James Martin. els, tennis star Naomi Osaka and clandestine, function and malfunction. The world of Maybe he had restrictions — either Gorman didn’t perform on the playwright Jeremy O. Harris. This Slough House is closer to “The Offi ce” than to 007. creatively, or COVID-ly? Who knows, field but appeared in a taped video week, she covers Time Magazine, “I have no experience of the covert world,” Herron but overall his performance felt limited message that combined Gorman’s in an interview conducted by Mi- said. “But I have worked in offi ces. And I’ve worked and inadequate. Special guests should reading with images of Davis, chelle Obama. for a company that ended up being part of a much have been a non-negotiable. Dorner and Martin. Recited Gor- Gorman’s Super Bowl appear- bigger company. And what I’ve noticed is that the The Weeknd fi nally came to life - 10 man: ance had been planned before the larger an organization gets, the more dysfunctional it minutes to the performance — when he “Let us walk with these warriors, inauguration. She seemed to grasp becomes. Casanova Pope Francis and dozens of his dancers hit the fi eld Charge on with these champi- the unlikeliness of her pre-game “I wanted to show a world where bad things hap- to perform the explosive hit “Blinding ons, reading, the first in Super Bowl his- pen because people make errors. And that’s the basis Lights,” giving off fl ash mob vibes. And carry forth the call of our tory. And with potentially 100 mil- of the series, because all the people in Slough House Variety He was fi nally center stage, where captains. lion viewers on the CBS telecast, have made errors of one sort or another. But also it just he needed to be all night. But it was We celebrate them by acting, it made for one very well-attended seems to me it’s how the world works.” too late to save the show -most of the With courage and compassion, poetry recital. “Slough House” was written before the coronavirus singing was done on the sidelines, as if By doing what is right and just. “Poetry at the Super Bowl is pandemic, but there are plenty of real-world echoes, VALHALLA, NY: Rapper Casanova, it was an afterthought. Maybe because For while we honor them today, a feat for art and our country, including references to Brexit and the 2018 nerve- who is jailed in New York in a gang- it was. It is they who every day honor because it means we’re think- agent poisoning of a former Russian spy in the English related federal racketeering case, is Who did impress the world at the us.” ing imaginatively about human facing disciplinary charges over a dance That Gorman brought poetry connection even when we feel city of Salisbury. Super Bowl? Jazmine Sullivan and to the Super Bowl was an almost siloed,” Gorman said Sunday on challenge video posted on social media. Eric Church. Character The 34-year-old rapper, whose legal unthinkable collision of grace and Twitter. “I’ll honor three heroes The odd couple proved why they glitz. But if the Super Bowl, an an- who exemplify the best of this ef- Then there is the rumpled, unscrupulous, bicycle- name is Caswell Senior, will be disci- plined by offi cials at the Westchester are multiple Grammy-nominated stars nual rite of excess, was an unlikely fort. Here’s to them, to poetry and riding British politician Peter Judd, a character Her- County Jail after a woman recorded him in their own right, blending their vo- platform for a poet, it showed just to a Super Bowl like no other.” ron insists “was never specifi cally intended to refl ect” accepting the so-called Junebug chal- cals beautifully to create a memorable, Prime Minister Boris Johnson. lenge during a video visit, the Journal enjoyable rendition of “The Star Span- “He was intended to refl ect a particular kind of News reported. gled Banner” on Sunday. together — Church letting Sullivan of “America the Beautiful.” Her vocals privileged, self-seeking, self-interested, ambitious, The challenge asks TikTok users to Church kicked off the performance, untrustworthy, unprincipled politician,” said Herron, stand front and center with her beam- were soft and strong, as she strummed perform a set of moves in the strangest strumming his guitar and giving all the ing vocals and him right behind her, her guitar like a true star. who attended Oxford University’s Balliol College at location they can think of. The woman feels with his raspy vocals. Sullivan the same time as the current prime minister. “I can see melding in epically like a perfect Sullivan, Church and H.E.R. per- recorded Casanova dancing in jail and later joined in, her voice also raspy but teammate. formed in Tampa at the Raymond why people do relate that to Boris Johnson.” heavy and rich, belting the lyrics like a posted it on Instagram, the newspaper Before that performance, Grammy- James Stadium before Tampa Bay Herron’s damaged but indomitable secret agents reported. veteran singer. They both gained new include River Cartwright, grandson of a legendary Westchester County Correction Com- fans Sunday night. winning guitar slayer H.E.R. proved Buccaneers took on the Kansas City spymaster; dependable recovering alcoholic Catherine missioner Joseph Spano said correction They finished the song singing her rock star status with her rendition Chiefs. Standish; socially inept computer wizard Roderick offi cials have revoked Casanova’s video Ho; and Shirley Dander, a dynamo fueled by rage and visitation privileges because record- cocaine. ing videos and taking pictures during a particular passion for musical perfor- musicians with a question, asking them emptiness or are we just in a phase of Herron says he is fond of them all, but he has no virtual visit is prohibited. mance though he is known to be a big fan if the silence imposed on them as a result listening?” he asked. “Will (the silence qualms about killing off long-standing characters. It “I’m happy to say we don’t have a lot of the tango and milonga of his native of the pandemic isn’t actually a sign that now) let a new song emerge afterward?” helps to keep readers on edge. of issues with video visits because in- Argentina. something new is coming. (AP) Herron is grateful for his loyal readers, though he mates know it’s a privilege, not a right,” Francis ended his message to the “Is the silence we’re living in an ❑ ❑ ❑ is slightly alarmed by how much some embrace the Spano said. misanthropic Lamb and his repertoire of luridly offen- Casanova faces another charge for not SAN DIEGO: Paul Grisham’s wallet sive put-downs. wearing a mask, authorities said. was missing for so long at the bottom of An email seeking comment was sent to the world he forgot all about it. “Some people have assumed that because I cre- Fifty-three years later, the 91-year- ated this character who does take joy in trampling all Casanova’s attorney on Sunday. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ old San Diego man has the billfold back over barriers of political correctness, that I must be along with mementos of his 13-month like that, too,” he said. “I’ve had emails from peo- ROME: Pope Francis offered encour- assignment as a Navy meteorologist on ple who’ve written to me in terms that Lamb himself agement to musicians who have been Antarctica in the 1960s. might use, and my jaw drops.” silenced as a result of the coronavirus “I was just blown away,” Grisham told Now the slow horses are headed for the screen. pandemic, acknowledging many have The San Diego Union-Tribune after the Herron was a script consultant on the Apple TV se- lost work and the ability to practice wallet was returned on Saturday. “There ries, which stars Oldman as Lamb and Kristin Scott together due to closed concert halls and was a long series of people involved who Thomas as slippery MI5 chief Diana “Lady Di” Tav- social distancing norms. tracked me down and ran me to ground.” erner. Further cast members are still to be announced, In a video message to a conference on The wallet contained his Navy ID card, and Herron says “there are some names there which liturgical music organized by the Vati- driver license, a pocket reference card on people are going to be very impressed by.” can’s culture ministry, Francis recalled what to do during atomic, biological and By the time it is broadcast, the world may have re- the importance of music to the life of the chemical attack, a beer ration punch card, a turned to something like normality. Herron has been church, citing in particular its prominent tax withholding statement and receipts for working on his next book during lockdown, but he role in indigenous Catholic liturgies. money orders sent to his wife. He said he hoped that once the pan- Grisham, who was raised in Douglas, doesn’t think it will dwell too much on the experience Arizona, enlisted in the Navy in 1948. of the pandemic. demic passes the church’s musical life can be reborn “and we can resume sing- He became a weather technician and then “All the characters in it obviously will have undergone ing and playing and enjoying together a weather forecaster. the same experiences we all have, and they’ll reference music and song.” He was assigned to Antarctica as part it and behaviors will change a little bit,” he said. “But on Unlike Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, of “Operation Deep Freeze,” which sup- the whole, I don’t want to write a book set in the world who is an accomplished pianist and liked Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan perform the national anthem before the NFL ported civilian scientists, and shipped out that we’ve just lived through this past year.” to attend classical music concerts in the Super Bowl 55 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay to the frozen continent in October 1967. Vatican, Francis has never showed a Buccaneers, Feb 7, in Tampa, Fla. (AP) (AP) ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 SPORTS 14

Schauffele’s title hopes slip away, ties for 2nd with Lee Healthy again, Koepka eagles 17, rallies to win Phoenix Open SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, Feb 8, (AP): At the lowest points in an 18-month struggle with left knee and hip injuries, Brooks Koepka won- Opposition remains strong to Tokyo Games after Mori remarks dered if he’d ever be back at all, let alone re- capture the magic that carried him to four major TOKYO, Feb 8, (AP): Public opposition re- Organizers and the IOC have said the remarks also generated an on-line petition mains strong in Japan to holding the post- games cannot be postponed again and will that questioned his fitness for the job. championships. poned Tokyo Olympics following derogatory be canceled if they can’t be held. Only 14.5% It stopped short of demanding he resign. “It’s been a wild ride for the last year and a remarks about women made last week by the in the Kyodo poll said the Olympics should go The 83-year-old Mori, a former prime half and very frustrating,” Koepka said. “I’ve head of the local organizing committee. on as planned and open on July 23. minister, apologized for the remarks and had moments where I didn’t know if I was go- A telephone survey over the weekend The poll also showed nearly 60% saying said he did not intend to resign. His stance ing to be the same, if I could even come back.” by Japanese news agency Kyodo showed that Yoshiro Mori is “not qualified” to be the was backed by the Switzerland-based In- just over 82% believe the games should be president of the organizing committee. ternational Olympic Committee and local canceled or postponed again. The results Mori last week suggested women talk organizers, which are beset with myriad GOLF are consistent with polls in recent months too much in meetings. He immediately re- problems trying to pull off the Olympics in showing the strong opposition. ceived widespread condemnation, and his the middle of a pandemic. He looked as good as ever on the back nine in the Waste Management Phoenix Open, rallying of the day to break a tie for the lead. A routine wood 305 yards to the fairway short and left of par-5 third and birdied Nos. 13-15. for a victory that didn’t seem possible not that Brooks Koepka poses with the trophy after par on the 18th gave him a one-stroke victory. the green, then holed out to the largest roar of Schauffele birdied the par-4 18th for a 71 to long ago. winning a PGA golf tournament on Feb 7, in Five strokes behind Jordan Spieth and Xan- the day from the crowd limited to 5,000 a day. tie for second with Kyoung-Hoon Lee (68). The “I went through it mentally,” Koepka said. “I Scottsdale, Arizona. (AP) der Schauffele entering the round, Koepka shot The crowd was a fraction of the usual size but fourth-ranked Schauffele tied for second last think that’s probably the toughest thing, where you a 6-under 65 to fi nish at 19-under 265. He also the most on tour during the COVID-19 pandemic. week at Torrey Pines. don’t know if you’re ever going to be the same It was sunny and fun Sunday in the desert, won in 2015 at TPC Scottsdale for the fi rst of Coming off a career-worst three straight Lee birdied 17 to pull within one of Koepka, but competitor that you were. You go through some especially on the 17th hole. That’s where he his eight PGA Tour titles. missed cuts, Koepka rebounded from a bogey drove into the right rough on the par-4 18th and real dark places, and it’s not a fun place to be.” chipped in from 32 yards for his second eagle On the 334-yard 17th, Koepka hit a fairway on the second with a 24-foot eagle putt on the had his 34-foot birdie try slide by on the high side. Leach dismisses Sharma Djokovic has routine win, but India reach 39-1 vs England, need another 381 for victory CHENNAI, India, Feb 8, (AP): India for 100 to dismiss both Ashwin and crowd is something different needs another 381 runs for an unlikely Shahbaz Nadeem. Washington had victory against England after reaching batted well for 85 not out but ran out 39-1 at stumps on day four of the first of partners. test on Monday. James Anderson wrapped things up, Serena races through 1st round at Australian Open England opted to back its bowlers bouncing out Ishant Sharma before to finish India off in 90 overs on the Ben Stokes held a difficult catch at slip final day, after deciding against buying to remove Jasprit Bumrah. MELBOURNE, Australia, extra time in the game with an earlier Despite easily clearing the 200-run Feb 8, (AP): It’s been so declaration. threshold, Root was never likely to England captain Joe Root decided send India back in to bat, preferring to long since he had a sizeable not to intervene in his side’s second let his bowlers have a break from the crowd to play for, the show- innings, allowing them to bat into the heat. man in Novak Djokovic final hour and pile up a lead of 419 - That meant Rory Burns and Dom setting up what would be a world re- Sibley faced the thankless prospect of just had to come out. cord chase - in a bid to take an unlikely two overs before lunch, a slim window Top-ranked Djokovic began his India win out of the equation. of opportunity that Ashwin accepted. Australian Open title defense with Jack Leach’s dismissal of Rohit He clipped Burns’ outside edge with a clinical, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 victory Sharma gave the tourists a further the first ball of the innings and wheeled over Jeremy Chardy in the closing shot in the arm and nine further break- away in joy as Cheteshwar Pujara held throughs are needed in the final three on at slip. act of the day 1 program on Rod sessions to cap what would be a mem- Laver Arena. There was no shortage of incen- orable away success. tives to score quickly but the reality was harder, with Dan Lawrence and TENNIS CRICKET Sibley restricted to 34 between them in 84 balls. Ashwin set Sibley up nice- ly, drawing him forward outside off “Makes my heart full to see the Earlier, Root declined to enforce the crowd in the stadium again,” Djokovic stump and drawing an inside edge that follow-on despite dismissing the hosts pinged to leg-slip. said in post-match interview at the for 337, a deficit of 241 runs, prefer- 15,000-seat arena, which was about ring to give his bowlers a rest and one-third full. “This is the most peo- stretch the advantage. ple I’ve seen on the tennis court in 12 He went on to top-score with 40 as months. I really ... I really, really ap- his side were bowled out for 178 but preciate your support in coming out his apparent conservatism was always tonight.” likely to cause some debate. It doubt- He bristled at the suggestion that less loomed large in his mind that the he’d been frustrated during quarantine, record chase in India came against focusing again on the fans. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic makes a forehand return to France’s Jeremy Chardy during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb 8. (AP) England at this ground. “I’m just really glad we are free. In 2008, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s We’re playing tennis,” he said. “I’m measures. It was well down on the Day 1 concluded with a look at the said was inspired by former Olympic men scored 387 for the loss of only really glad we’re back in Australia. It’s 64,387 fans that crammed onto the future of tennis, and 21-year-old, No. champion Florence Griffith Joyner, Wil- a happy place for us. Happy Slam.” four wickets, while Virat Kohli’s side grounds on Day 1 of last year’s Aus- 11-seeded Denis Shapovalov finally beat liams dropped her opening serve but re- are just a couple of weeks on from The total crowd Monday at Mel- tralian Open, but way more than any 19-year-old Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, bounded to win 10 consecutive games bourne Park was 17,922, including their audacious pursuit against Austra- other major since then. 4-6, 6-4 in a marathon lasting almost four and beat Laura Siegemund 6-1, 6-1. lia at The Gabba. day and night sessions in three zones After an austere year for tennis dur- hours on Margaret Court Arena. It ended Speed was of the essence also for separated to enhance social-distancing India had started the day on 257 ing the COVID-19 pandemic, there was at 12:49 a.m. local time. No. 2-ranked Simona Halep and No. for six, with Washington Sundar and a unanimous refrain from players across Since losing to Rafael Nadal in 3 Osaka, who each only dropped three Ashwin turning an already frustrating the day, starting with Naomi Osaka in the the quarterfinals of last year’s French games. stand of 32 from the previous evening opening match on Rod Laver, to Serena Open, Sinner has collected his first two U.S. Open champion Osaka beat into a substantial one worth 80. In this March 17, 2019 file photo, and Venus Williams, and to mercurial ATP titles - the second of those was the Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 6-2, It took the introduction of Leach Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton local favorite Nick Kyrgios, who closed Great Ocean Road Open on Sunday. and two-time major winner Halep had to end their stand, with the left- of Britain waves as the drivers’ pa- the day on the so-called Peoples’ court: The state government is allowing a 6-2, 6-1 win over Australian wild- armer making a breakthrough de- rade begins ahead of the Australian Thanks for coming. up to 30,000 people per day into Mel- card entry Lizette Cabrera. spite unimpressive figures of nought Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia. While Djokovic spoke of his “love bourne Park, about 50% of capacity. (AP) affair” with the main show court, There were no fans allowed at the U.S. where he has won eight Australian Open, only about 1,000 per day were titles, Kyrgios was closing the day’s allowed at Roland Garros and Wim- Hamilton signs 1-year deal to stay at Mercedes program out on the third arena stadium bledon was canceled. - where polite applause is always sec- But with the Australian Open start- BRACKLEY, England, Feb 8, (AP): building on our success even further, its forms in motorsport,” the team said. ondary to whoops and whistles - with a ing three weeks later than usual - now Formula One world champion Lewis while continuously looking to improve, “I am grateful that Mercedes has 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Frederico Silva. it’s outside the summer holidays - and Hamilton will stay with Mercedes for both on and off the track,” said Hamilton, been extremely supportive of my call After his first Grand Slam match in some people still nervous about going a ninth season after signing a one-year who has won 74 races with Mercedes. to address this issue,” Hamilton said. a year, Kyrgios told the crowd “it felt out in crowds following a harsh Mel- deal, the team said Monday. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff normal, to be honest, you guys were bourne lockdown last year, it was a Since joining Mercedes for the 2013 said the two parties took time to agree United States’ Serena Williams going nuts. It was good to see. Let’s predictably cautious start. season, Hamilton has won six world MOTOR RACING to a new deal because of the effects of waves after defeating Germany’s hope we can continue it.” That wasn’t the case at all for Serena championship titles – moving him the pandemic. “We have always been Laura Siegemund during their first There’s no love lost between Williams, who arrived ready to race to level with Michael Schumacher on a As part of his new deal, Mercedes and aligned with Lewis that we would round match at the Australian Open Djokovic and Kyrgios, who have been start her bid for a record-equaling 24th record seven for his career. Hamilton have established a charitable continue,” Wolff said, “but the very tennis championship in Melbourne, trading verbal barbs for months and Grand Slam singles title. “Our team has achieved incredible foundation in a commitment to “support- unusual year we had in 2020 meant it Australia, on Feb 8. (AP) added to them this week. In a colorful one-legged catsuit she things together and we look forward to ing greater diversity and inclusion in all took some time to finish the process.” ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 SPORTS 15

Laughton’s fi rst hat trick lifts Flyers past Capitals 7-4 DeBrincat scores in OT, Blackhawks hand Stars 1st home loss DALLAS, Feb 8, (AP): Alex DeBrincat Golden Knights 4, Kings 3 scored both Chicago goals, including the In Las Vegas, Chandler Stephenson winner 2:56 into overtime, and the Black- scored twice, including the winner early in hawks handed the Dallas Stars their fi rst the third period, and Vegas beat Los Ange- home loss this season, 2-1. les. DeBrincat has four goals and two assists The Golden Knights improved to 7-1- in three games since his return after miss- 1 and moved into a fi rst-place tie with St. ing four games because of COVID-19 pro- Louis and Colorado in the West Division. tocols. He initially passed to Patrick Kane, Reilly Smith and Zach Whitecloud also and got it back to poke into the net past scored for Vegas. Robin Lehner overcame a rookie goaltender Jake Oettinger. Kane also wild fi rst period and made 29 saves, includ- assisted on DeBrincat’s power-play goal in ing all 11 he faced on four penalty kills. the second period. Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe and Jaret Dallas won its fi rst four games, all at Anderson-Dolan scored for Los Angeles, home, after the start of its season was de- and Calvin Petersen made 29 saves. layed because of COVID-19 issues. The Red Wings 4, Panthers 1 Stars have lost four of fi ve games overall In Sunrise, Florida, Givani Smith had a since. goal and an assist as Detroit beat Florida for Jason Robertson got credited with his fi rst its fi rst win in nine games. NHL goal for Dallas. Marc Staal scored for the fi rst time Flyers 7, Capitals 4 with Detroit, Robby Fabbri and Vladislav In Washington, Scott Laughton scored his Namestnikov added goals and Troy Stecher fi rst career hat trick, Sean Couturier had two had two assists. Thomas Greiss stopped 36 goals in his fi rst game back following a rib shots. Alex Wennberg scored for the Panthers. Florida (6-1-2) became the last NHL team ICE HOCKEY to lose in regulation. Hurricanes 6, Blue Jackets 5 injury and Philadelphia beat Washington. In Columbus, Ohio, six different Carolina James van Riemsdyk added a goal and players scored, James Reimer had 17 stops an assist, running his points streak to seven and the Hurricanes outdueled Columbus. games while helping Philadelphia overcome Brett Pesce, Vincent Trocheck, Jordan an early 2-0 defi cit. Staal and Dougie Hamilton each recorded a Robert Hagg scored his first goal of goal and an assist. Brock McGinn and War- the season in Philadelphia’s first win in ren Foegele also scored for the Hurricanes, regulation in five games. Joel Farabee who won for the sixth time in seven games. Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, (right), shoots as Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half of an had three assists, and Carter Hart made 33 The game was tied four times until Staal’s NBA basketball game, on Feb 7, in Los Angeles. (AP) saves. power-play goal put Carolina up 5-4 at 5:33 Alex Ovechkin scored two goals and had of the third period, and Hamilton’s fl oater two assists for Washington, which lost its over Joonas Korpisalo midway through third straight despite outshooting Philadel- gave the Hurricanes a two-goal lead. Patrik phia 37-23. Laine’s second goal, with 57 seconds left in Tom Wilson added a goal and recorded the game, got the Blue Jackets within one Fox, Kings top Clippers three assists for the fi rst time in his career, again. and Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and two Riley Nash, Nick Foligno and Max Domi assists for the Capitals. also had goals for Columbus. for 4th straight victory Mitchell leads surging Jazz past Pacers 103-95

LOS ANGELES, Feb 8, (AP): NBA Results/Standings De’Aaron Fox scored 36 points, Buddy Hield added 22 and the Sacramento Kings beat the Los WASHINGTON, Feb 8, (AP): Results and standings from the NBA games on Sunday. Angeles Clippers 113-110 for Utah 103 Indiana 95 Miami 109 New York 103 their fourth straight victory. Charlotte 119 Washington 97 The Kings are 7-1 since suffering a Phoenix 100 Boston 91 19-point drubbing by the Clippers on Jan. Sacramento 113 LA Clippers 110 Eastern Conference 20. Atlantic Division Lou Williams scored 23 points off the W L Pct GB bench for the Clippers, who dropped two in Philadelphia 17 7 .708 - Brooklyn 14 11 .560 3-1/2 a row for the fi rst time this season. Kawhi Boston 12 10 .545 4 Leonard had 20 points and 10 rebounds as New York 11 14 .440 6-1/2 Toronto 10 13 .435 6-1/2 LA played without injured Paul George. Southeast Division The Clippers’ reserves outscored the start- W L Pct GB Atlanta 11 12 .478 - ers, 57-53. Charlotte 11 13 .458 -1/2 Miami 9 14 .391 2 Orlando 9 15 .375 2-1/2 BASKETBALL Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) Washington 5 15 .250 4-1/2 Central Division Dallas Stars defenseman Mark Pysyk (13) skates with the puck as Chicago Black- makes a pass in front of Indiana Pacers W L Pct GB hawks center Pius Suter (24) defends during the fi rst period of an NHL hockey game, Neither team led by more than nine points in forward Doug McDermott (20) during the Milwaukee 15 8 .652 - Feb 7, in Dallas. (AP) the back-and-forth affair that featured 11 ties. fi rst half of an NBA basketball game in Indi- Indiana 12 12 .500 3-1/2 anapolis, on Feb 7. (AP) Cleveland 10 14 .417 5-1/2 Nicolas Batum’s potential tying 3-pointer Chicago 9 13 .409 5-1/2 missed in the closing seconds for the Clippers. Heat 109, Knicks 103 Detroit 5 18 .217 10 Jazz 103, Pacers 95 Western Conference NHL Results/Standings In Indianapolis, Donovan Mitchell had 27 In New York, Bam Adebayo had 24 points Southwest Division and 11 rebounds, Jimmy Butler had a big sec- W L Pct GB points and 11 assists as red-hot Utah beat Indi- San Antonio 13 10 .565 - anapolis to improve its NBA-best record. ond half and just missed a triple-double and Miami beat New York in the opener of a home- Houston 11 11 .500 1-1/2 WASHINGTON, Feb 8, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on Sunday. The Jazz (19-5) have won 15 of 16. Memphis 9 9 .500 1-1/2 and-home series. Philadelphia 7 Washington 4 Chicago 2 Dallas OT 1 Former Pacer Bojan Bogdanovic broke an New Orleans 10 12 .455 2-1/2 Vegas 4 Los Angeles 3 Carolina 6 Columbus 5 83-all tie with a three-point play at the 5:36 Butler fi nished with 17 points, 10 rebounds Dallas 10 14 .417 3-1/2 Detroit 4 Florida 1 Northwest Division mark of the fourth quarter and the visitors never and nine assists. He shot just 3 for 11 from the W L Pct GB East Division West Division trailed again. fi eld but scored 12 points after halftime. Utah 19 5 .792 - P W L OT Pts GF GA P W L OT Pts GF GA Bogdanovic fi nished with 18 points. Jordan Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro each added Denver 12 10 .545 6 Boston 11 8 1 2 18 36 24 Vegas 9 7 1 1 15 32 22 16 points for the Heat, who won their second Portland 12 10 .545 6 Philadelphia 13 8 3 2 18 46 41 Colorado 11 7 3 1 15 38 24 Clarkson added 17 off the bench. Rudy Gobert Oklahoma City 10 12 .455 8 Washington 12 6 3 3 15 44 45 StLouis 12 7 4 1 15 40 39 had 16 points and 16 rebounds. straight after dropping seven of eight. Minnesota 6 17 .261 12-1/2 Pittsburgh 11 5 5 1 11 33 41 Anaheim 13 5 5 3 13 25 34 Domantas Sabonis scored 20 points for the Julius Randle had 26 points, 13 rebounds Pacifi c Division New Jersey 9 4 3 2 10 23 26 Minnesota 11 6 5 0 12 30 30 and seven assists, but the Knicks had their two- W L Pct GB NY Islanders 10 4 4 2 10 23 27 Pacers, who have lost fi ve of six. LA Lakers 18 6 .750 - Arizona 11 5 5 1 11 30 30 Suns 100, Celtics 91 game win streak snapped. Reggie Bullock made NY Rangers 10 4 4 2 10 29 28 San Jose 10 4 5 1 9 28 37 LA Clippers 17 8 .680 1-1/2 Buffalo 10 4 4 2 10 30 32 seven 3-pointers and scored 21 points. Phoenix 13 9 .591 4 Los Angeles 11 3 6 2 8 31 38 In Phoenix, Mikal Bridges scored 19 points, Central Division Hornets 119, Wizards 97 Golden State 12 11 .522 5-1/2 P W L OT Pts GF GA North Division Devin Booker had 18 points and 11 assists and Sacramento 12 11 .522 5-1/2 Tampa Bay 9 7 1 1 15 32 18 P W L OT Pts GF GA Phoenix held on to beat Boston. In Charlotte, N.C., Terry Rozier had 26 Carolina 9 7 2 0 14 32 24 Toronto 12 9 2 1 19 45 33 Phoenix improved to 13-9 and has won fi ve points with fi ve 3-pointers, Gordon Hayward Florida 9 6 1 2 14 30 27 Montreal 12 8 2 2 18 48 31 of six. Cam Johnson added 17 points off the added 25 points and Charlotte beat Washington. Bradley Beal, the NBA’s leading scorer com- Chicago 13 5 4 4 14 37 40 Winnipeg 11 7 3 1 15 39 32 Columbus 13 5 5 3 13 36 43 Edmonton 13 6 7 0 12 46 49 bench while Deandre Ayton had 16 points and LaMelo Ball followed up a career-best ing in at 33.3 points per game, led Washington Dallas 9 5 2 2 12 33 23 Vancouver 15 6 9 0 12 49 60 11 rebounds. 34-point effort against the Utah Jazz with an- with 31 points on 11-for-22 shooting. Russell Nashville 11 5 6 0 10 29 36 Calgary 11 5 5 1 11 33 31 Jayson Tatum led Boston with 23 points and other strong game, fi nishing with 19 points, Detroit 13 3 8 2 8 26 44 Ottawa 12 2 9 1 5 28 52 seven assists. Walker added 14 for the Celtics, seven rebounds and fi ve assists as the Hornets Westbrook had 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each division will qualify for playoffs assists, falling short of his sixth triple-double under this season’s temporary realignment. who stayed fairly close for most of the game handed the Wizards their seventh loss in nine despite a rough shooting performance. games. of the season.

IFZA Gold Cup 2021 to take place from February 14th to March 5th Samuels, Villanova bounce back Habtoor Al Habtoor welcomes CAFU as sponsor of Dubai Wolves Franklin’s late bucket pushes DUBAI, UAE, Feb 8: Habtoor grown polo players have confi rmed Al Habtoor - Patron of the Dubai their participation in the Dubai Polo Indiana past No. 8 Iowa 67-65 Wolves Polo Team - announced that Gold Cup (DPGC) Series’ major CAFU is the team sponsor of Dubai tournaments. Al Habtoor comment- BLOOMINGTON, Indiana, Feb had 12 for the Wildcats (12-2, 7-1 Wolves in the IFZA Silver Cup 2021 ed: “The fact that all teams carry a 8, (AP): Armaan Franklin made a Big East), who rebounded from (January 22nd to February 5th), and handicap of 17 to 18 goals adds a new 15-footer with 1.8 seconds left, giv- Wednesday’s loss at St. John’s. the IFZA Gold Cup 2021 scheduled dimension to the DPGC Series, and a ing Indiana a 67-65 victory and a Jahvon Blair scored 18 points and to take place from February 14th to recognition of it being on a par with season sweep of No. 8 Iowa. Qudus Wahab had 17 for George- March 5th. Habtoor Al Habtoor is the high-level tournaments in the world.” Franklin finished with four town (5-9, 3-6). son of Polo Patron and Emirati Busi- The DPGC Series is held under the points as the Hoosiers (10-8, 5-6 Valparaiso 74, Drake 57 nessman Mohammad K. Al Habtoor, patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum Big Ten) ended a two-game los- In Valparaiso, Ind., Ben Krikke Vice-Chairman & CEO of Al Hab- bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mak- ing streak. Their only wins since scored 15 points and Valparaiso toor Group. toum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Eight Jan. 10 both came against the handed Drake its fi rst loss of the teams are participating at the IFZA Hawkeyes. Trayce Jackson-Davis season. POLO Silver Cup and IFZA Gold Cup tour- scored 17 points and Race Thomp- The defeat by Drake (18-1, 9-1 naments at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & son had 15 for Indiana. Missouri Valley Conferences) left Club. Luka Garza scored 16 of his 18 No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 2 Baylor CAFU is a Dubai-born start-up and The eight participating teams are: points for Iowa in the second half, as the only remaining major college technology-enabled car service de- Habtoor M. Al Habtoor, Team Patron, Dubai Wolves (right), with Antonio Al ■ Abu Dhabi Polo Team (Patron: including 12 straight during the teams without a loss. signed entirely around the consumer’s Asmar, General Manager, CAFU. Faris Al Yabhouni) ■ closing minutes. Iowa (13-6, 7-5) needs, transforming the way a car is Bangash Polo Team (Patron: had one last gasp, but the long in- run and operated. Launched in 2018, during the region’s two most impor- Wolves who are an exemplary team. HaiderBangash) BASKETBALL tant polo tournaments. This synergy We wish Mr. Habtoor Al Habtoor and ■ bound pass hit the backboard and and recognised as ‘App of the Year’ IFZA Polo Team (Patron: Rashid bounced toward midcourt, where at Entrepreneur Middle East’s Enter- further reinforces the strength of the the rest of the Dubai Wolves team the Al Habtoor) prise Agility Awards 2019, CAFU Dubai Wolves team for this season, best, and look forward to an exciting ■ Dubai Wolves by Cafu (Patron: Jordan Bohannon tried a one-hand- A day after Valparaiso (7-12, 4-6) uses technology and innovation to there is no doubt in my mind that the tournament”, said Antonio Al Asmar, Habtoor Mohammad Al Habtoor) ed heave that also bounced off the squandered a double-digit lead in drive simplicity by delivering pure lineup that we have chosen for the General Manager, CAFU. ■ Ghantoot Polo Team (Patron: HH backboard. the second half and lost to Drake convenience to customers through team has never been more on point The ‘Dubai Wolves by CAFU’ Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan) The Hawkeyes have lost two in a 80-77, the Crusaders pulled away services that range from refuelling to in history, all we see over yonder is features young athletes making their ■ Habtoor Polo Team (Patron: row and four of their last fi ve. for just their second victory over a car wash and maintenance - anytime glory.” mark in the sport of polo: Mohammed Al Habtoor) Villanova 84, Georgetown 74 ranked opponent since beating Mis- and anywhere they are needed. “As a Dubai-born and pioneering ■ Habtoor Al Habtoor - Handicap: 1 ■ UAE Polo Team (Patron: HH In Villanova, Pa., Jermaine Samu- sissippi in the 1998 NCAA tourna- Habtoor Al Habtoor thanks his new company, we at CAFU are delighted ■ Kian Hall - Handicap: 3 Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed bin els scored a career-high 32 points to ment. sponsor, saying “I am grateful for the to lend our support not just to a sport ■ Tommy Beresford - Handicap: 6 Rashid Al Maktoum) lead Villanova past Georgetown. Roman Penn scored 17 of his 19 confi dence that CAFU has placed in that’s close to the hearts of our in- ■ Alejandro Muzzio - Handicap 8 ■ Zedan Polo Team (Patron: Saudi Jeremiah Robinson-Earl added points in the second half for the my team by way of this sponsorship spiring leadership, but also to Dubai Some the world’s best and home- businessman Amr Zedan) 14 points and Collin Gillespie Bulldogs. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 16

Boston Celtics forward Daniel Theis, (right), is fouled by Phoenix Suns center Damian Jones, (left), as he grabs a rebound during the fi rst half of an NBA basketball game, on Feb 7, in Phoenix. (AP) — See Page 15 Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com

Pakistan’s team pose for a photograph with the winning trophy of the Test series at the end of the second cricket Test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Feb. 8. (AP) Ali’s 10-wicket haul gives hosts fi rst series win over Proteas in 18 years Pakistan beat South Africa by 95 runs in 2nd Test RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Feb 8, (AP): Fast bowler Hasan Ali’s 10-wicket haul gave Pakistan its fi rst series win over South Africa in 18 years as they beat the Proteas by 95 runs in the sec- Brady wins 7th championship title, ond test on Monday. Hasan, who bagged fi ve wickets in the fi rst innings, tormented the Pro- teas again returning fi gures of 5-60 as South Africa collapsed to 274 all out after lunch on the last day to give him his maiden 10-for in a test. Bucs rout Chiefs in Super Bowl 55 The last time Pakistan beat South Africa in a test series was in 2003 when it won 1-0 at home. Aiden Markram hit a resolute 108 GOAT earns fifth MVP award – the opener’s fi rst test hundred in al- most three years – and Temba Bavuma made 61 before Hasan got two wickets TAMPA, Florida, Feb 8, (AP): off two deliveries with the second new Tom Brady made the Bucca- ball to spark the collapse. neers, their fans and their city “Hasan was outstanding because he believe from the moment he has awareness and took advantage of arrived in Tampa Bay. the experience of playing here,” said With help from old friend Rob Pakistan captain Babar Azam. Gronkowski and a ferocious de- fense, Brady and the Buccaneers CRICKET are Super Bowl champions. Brady threw two touchdown passes “At one time, we thought the to Gronkowski and one to good pal game could’ve gone either way when Antonio Brown, and the Buccaneers Markram and Bavuma were playing routed Patrick Mahomes and Kansas well, but we knew one wicket can City 31-9 on their home fi eld in Super bring us back into the game again.” Bowl 55. Markram and Bavuma put on 106 “You get this far and you wanna runs for their fourth-wicket stand and get the job done and we did it,” Brady had given South Africa hope of chas- said. “We just believed. I”m so proud ing down the 370-run target after the of the guys.” Proteas resumed on 129-1. Despite moving south to a new team But Hasan had Markram and captain and conference during a pandemic, Quinton de Kock caught at second slip off successive deliveries and South Af- rica lost its last seven wickets for just FOOTBALL 33 runs after lunch. De Kock was off his game both as Brady didn’t slow down at age 43. wicketkeeper and middle-order bats- The GOAT earned his fi fth Super man with the lefthander managing to Bowl MVP award and extended his score just 46 runs and getting out for Super Bowl titles’ record in his 10th a duck twice in the two-match series. appearance, nine with New England. Shaheen Afridi mopped up the tail Brady broke his own mark for oldest with 4-51 before legspinner Yasir player to win a Super Bowl and joined Shah brought up the victory by clean Hall of Famer Peyton Manning as the bowling Wiaan Mulder for 20. Markram hit 13 fours and three sixes only quarterbacks to win one with in his 5-1/2-hour stint at the crease but multiple franchises. once Hasan provided the twin break- “I think they’re all special,” Brady through, South Africa lost wickets in said. “I’m not making any compari- bunches as it did in Karachi where it sons. Experiencing it with this group lost the fi rst test by seven wickets. of guys is amazing.” Hasan picked up two wickets at Ka- Stunningly, it was easier than any rachi in his comeback to test cricket of his previous Super Bowl victories, after two years out due to injuries. He which came by an average margin of Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette (28) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs’ Ben Niemann (56) and Alex Okafor (57) during the fi rst half of the NFL followed that up by bowling with pace fi ve points. Mahomes lost by double Super Bowl 55 football game on Feb 7, in Tampa, Florida. (Inset): Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) holds the Vince Lombardi trophy both with the old and new ball on a digits for the fi rst time in his four-year following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game. (AP) slow wicket at Rawalpindi. career. The Buccaneers (15-5) took their novel coronavirus. They won three ries but lost to the Dodgers. I wanted to play,” Mahomes said. second NFL title and fi rst in 18 years road games as a wild card to reach the Mahomes and the Chiefs (16-3) “What else can you say? All you can as the fi rst team to play the big game Super Bowl, and joined the NHL’s failed to become the fi rst repeat cham- do is leave everything you have on the Leagues caution soccer nations at home, capping an unusual and chal- Lightning as a 2020 season champion. pions since Brady’s Patriots in 2003-04. fi eld. I feel like the guys did that. ... lenging season played through the The Rays also went to the World Se- “I didn’t see it coming at all,” Chiefs They beat us pretty good, the worst coach Andy Reid said. “I thought we I’ve been beaten in a long time.” on Champions League ‘revamp’ were going to come in and play these Bruce Arians became the oldest guys just like we’ve been playing coach at age 68 to win the Super Bowl. GENEVA, Feb 8, (AP): The new commercial revenue are key teams, and it didn’t happen that way. His mom, 95-year-old Kay Arians, Champions League is set to grow targets for the 30-nation European I give them credit on that.” witnessed it in person. Brady, Gronk bigger and richer amid fears Eu- Leagues group. The NFL completed its 269-game and defensive coordinator Todd rope’s mid-ranked soccer nations “There is a risk that they’re season on time without any cancel- Bowles helped Arians get that Vince could be even worse off as a result. going to be isolated,” European lations, a remarkable accomplish- Lombardi Trophy. UEFA will update 55 national Leagues President Lars-Christer ment that required nearly 1 million “This really belongs to the coach- member federations on Tuesday Olsson said of UEFA members on its plan to revamp the Cham- who have an online meeting Tues- COVID-19 tests for players and team ing staff and our players. I didn’t do a pions League in 2024, adding four day. personnel. damn thing,” Arians said after he was teams and 100 more matches each UEFA will detail a 36-team Due to the virus, only 25,000 mask- handed the trophy. season. Champions League proposal start- wearing fans attended, including ap- Bowles devised a masterful plan ing in three years’ time with a vari- proximately 7,500 vaccinated health to frustrate Mahomes and shut down ation of the “Swiss system” for- care workers given free tickets by the the Chiefs, the complete opposite of SOCCER mat. Final agreement by UEFA’s NFL. About 30,000 cardboard cutouts Kansas City’s 27-24 win in Tampa in executive committee is likely be- made the stadium look full. Week 12, when the Chiefs jumped to Rewarding the elite brings risks fore the 55 members meet on April A streaker wearing a hot-pink one- a 17-0 lead in the fi rst quarter. Tyreek lower down the ranks. 20 in Switzerland. sie eluded security and slid into the Hill had 269 yards receiving and three How to allocate those extra Teams would face 10 different end zone with 5:03 left in the game. TDs in that one. He was held to 73 entries – to champions of less opponents and rank in a single Kansas City’s high-powered offense yards on seven catches Sunday. wealthy countries or storied clubs league table, replacing the tradi- Fans cheer before the fi rst half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game never got that far against Tampa’s “Coach Bowles is a mastermind,” based on past success – and bil- tional group stage of six games between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Feb fi erce defense. Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunt- lions of euros (dollars) in expected against just three opponents. 7, in Tampa, Florida. (AP) “Obviously I didn’t play the way ing said.

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