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MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 / RAJAB 25, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17631 16 PAGES 150 FILS Iran to meet UN technical experts over uranium find

‘Wisdom prevails’

BERLIN, March 7, (AP): Iran has agreed to sit down with international technical experts investigating the discovery of Israelis upgrade contingency uranium particles at three former unde- clared sites in the country, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog said Thursday, af- ter months of frustration at Tehran’s lack of a credible explanation. The agreement came as three of the remaining signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran - France, Germany and Brit- plan for attack on Iran targets ain - backed off the idea of a resolution criticizing Iran for its decision to start lim- iting access by International Atomic Ener- gy Agency inspectors to current facilities. ‘The Iranian nuclear escalation must be stalled’ IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told reporters in Vienna it was not up to him to say whether Iran’s move to hold talks with his technical experts was linked TEL AVIV, Israel, March 7, (AP): Israel’s de- activities. Last week, an Israeli-owned cargo ship, the MS Helios Ray, was to the decision of the so-called E3 group, fense minister said his country is upgrading Former President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of damaged by a mysterious explosion in the strategically important but suggested it was difficult to separate the atomic accord in 2018 and imposed a so-called campaign of Strait of Hormuz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ac- the political side of Iran’s nuclear pro- contingency plans to strike Iranian targets if maximum pressure, including sanctions, on Tehran. cused Iran of attacking the vessel. Iran denied the charge. gram from the technical side. Tehran shows signs of nuclear escalation, the Since then, Iran has stepped up uranium enrichment. The U.N. In the interview with Fox News on Thursday, Gantz was asked “It is obvious for everybody that all latest sign of rising tensions between the two atomic watchdog agency said earlier this week that Iran nearly tri- about the ongoing uranium enrichment and whether Israel was these matters need to have some reso- pled its stockpile of enriched uranium since November in violation completing preparations to strike Iranian targets if needed. lution, and when it comes to Iran - and archenemies. of its deal with world powers. “We have them (plans) in our hands of course but we will con- I’m not saying anything that Iran itself Benny Gantz told the American cable network Fox News Iran and the Biden administration are deadlocked over how to tinue constantly improving them,” Gantz said. “The Iranian nucle- hasn’t said - everything is interconnected, that Israel is still working on its plans, but that “we have revive the deal, with Tehran demanding an immediate lifting of ar escalation must be stalled. If the world stops them before, it’s of course,” he said. “These are different them in our hands of course.” sanctions and the U.S. calling on Iran to first return to full compli- very much good. But if not, we must stand independently and we parts of a single whole.” His comments came as President Joe Biden considers rejoining ance with the restrictions of the nuclear agreement. must defend ourselves by ourselves.” The E3 had floated the idea of the reso- a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers to limit Iran’s Israel has vehemently opposed the nuclear deal. At the same Iran denies it is pursuing nuclear weapons, and says its nuclear lution after Iran began restricting interna- nuclear program, with some changes to toughen curbs on Tehran’s time, tensions have been rising between arch foes Israel and Iran. program is for peaceful purposes. tional inspections last week. After a last- minute trip to Tehran by Grossi, however, some access was preserved. Resolution Russia and China - the other members of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - were re- portedly against the resolution, saying it could antagonize Iran further. Germany’s Foreign Ministry told The Associated Press it was common to “dis- cuss all possible options for action” ahead of such meetings, and that despite drop- ping the resolution, the E3 still had con- cerns about Iran’s “serious violations” of the nuclear deal. “Above all, we would like to support the Director General of the IAEA in his efforts to start talks with Iran regarding the open safeguards issues,” the ministry said. Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, tweeted after the decision that “wisdom prevails” and that the E3 had prevented unnecessary tension. Iran’s Foreign Ministry applauded the move. “Today’s development can main- tain the path of diplomacy opened by Iran and the IAEA, and pave the way for full implementation of commitments by all parties to the nuclear deal,” spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said. The nuclear deal promised Iran eco- nomic incentives in return for the curbs on its nuclear program. President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal uni- laterally in 2018, saying it needed to be renegotiated. Since then, Iran has slowly violated the restrictions to try and pressure the re- maining nations to increase the incentives to offset new, economy-crippling U.S. sanctions. Before the decision to start limiting IAEA access, it had already begun en- riching more uranium than allowed and to a greater purity than permitted, among Pope Francis, surrounded by shells of destroyed churches, arrives to pray for the victims of war at Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq, once the de-facto capital of IS, March 7. The other things. long 2014-2017 war to drive IS out left ransacked homes and charred or pulverized buildings around the north of Iraq, all sites Francis visited on Sunday. (AP) U.S. President Joe Biden has said he is ready to join talks with Iran and world powers to discuss a return to the deal but the violations complicate the matter, and Pope addresses plight of Yazidis over the weekend Iran turned down a Eu- ropean Union offer to host joint talks. Outside the JCPOA, Grossi has also been pushing Iran for answers on three sites where inspections had revealed Mosul ... Mass as Pontiff calls for peace traces of uranium of man-made origin, suggesting they were once connected to Iran’s nuclear program. QARAQOSH, Iraq, March 7, (AP): Pope Francis Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, made his only public ap- made a emphatic appeal for peaceful coexistence pearance when he gave a Friday sermon calling on Issue in Iraq on Sunday as he prayed for the country’s all Muslims to follow him as “caliph.” Saudis ‘down’ Grossi said that with Iran agreeing to war dead amid the ruins of four demolished Mosul held deep symbolic importance for IS Newswatch face-to-face talks about the findings he churches in Mosul, which suffered widespread and became the bureaucratic and financial back- hoped that “we could try to go beyond the destruction in the war against the Islamic State bone of the group. It was finally liberated in July Houthi drones exchange of letters and messages which, group. 2017 after a ferocious nine-month battle. Between Francis travelled to northern Iraq on the final 9,000 and 11,000 civilians were killed, according JEDDAH, March 7, (KUNA): A KUWAIT CITY: Director General of Public Authority for to me, seemed a lot like talking past each Civil Information Musaed Al-Asousi, said Sunday, PACI other on this issue, and really try to tackle day of his historic visit to minister to the country’s to an AP investigation at the time. Al-Baghdadi Saudi-led Arab coalition inter- cepted and destroyed 10 explo- reactivated permit function, which enables public to leave them and try to solve them.” dwindling number of Christians, who were forced was killed in a U.S. raid in Syria in 2019. houses curfew of a period not exceeding two hours. The first meeting is to take place at to leave their homes en masse when IS militants The Vatican hopes that the landmark visit will sive-laden drones fired by Houthi militias against civilian popula- He explained the permits would be granted for specifi c the beginning of April and Grossi said overtook vast swaths of northern Iraq in the sum- rally the country’s Christian communities and reasons like medical treatment, patient aid, blood dona- he hoped to “come to some satisfactory mer of 2014. encourage them to stay despite decades of war tion in Saudi Arabia, a coalition tion, Covid-19 swab and vaccine. outcome” by the next IAEA board meet- Few have returned in the years since IS was and instability. Throughout the visit, Francis has spokesman said Sunday, stepping Al-Asousi explained that these permits, in coordination ing in June. routed in 2017, and Francis came to Iraq to en- delivered a message of interreligious tolerance up attacks on the Kingdom after with Ministries of Health and Interior, can be obtained In his address to the board, U.S. represen- courage them to stay and help rebuild the country and fraternity to Muslim leaders, including in an lifting its name from the terror list. through: www.paci.gov.kw. tative Louis Bono urged Iran to cooperate and restore what he called its “intricately designed historic meeting Saturday with Iraq’s top Shiite “Lifting the Houthis from the He also added that the authority also reactivated curfew fully with the IAEA to resolve these issues. carpet” of faith and ethnic groups. For the Vati- cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. list of terrorist groups has been permits for employees in government and private sectors He also called Iran’s recent restrictions can, the continued presence of Christians in Iraq is The Rev. Raed Kallo, was among the few who justified in a hostile manner by who would be working during curfew hours. on IAEA inspections “troublesome and vital to keeping alive faith communities that have returned to Mosul after IS was defeated. “I returned the militias,” Colonel Turki Al- Curfew Permits application will be used by security counterproductive” and said they should existed here since the time of Christ. three years ago and my Muslim brothers received Malki was quoted by Saudi press personnel to verify the validity of these permits, he added. be reversed. In a scene unimaginable just four years ago, me after the liberation of the city with great hospi- agency as saying. (KUNA) “IAEA verification is the cornerstone the pontiff mounted a stage in a city square sur- tality and love,” he said on stage before the pontiff. He said systematic attacks by ❑ ❑ ❑ the Houthis against populated of the nuclear nonproliferation regime rounded by the remnants of four heavily dam- Kallo said he left the city in June 10, 2014, BEIRUT: A suspected missile strike on an oil-loading fa- and the foundation on which the JCPOA aged churches belonging to some of Iraq’s myr- when IS overran the city. He had a parish of 500 areas and hundreds of civilians cility used by Turkey-backed opposition forces in north- is built,” Bono said according to a copy iad Christian rites and denominations. A jubilant Christian families, most of whom have emigrated were violating international hu- ern Syria appears to have sparked a massive fi re across a of his remarks provided by the U.S. del- crowd welcomed him. abroad. Now only 70 families remain. “But today manitarian law. large area where oil tankers are normally parked, satellite egation. “Iran should not undermine that “How cruel it is that this country, the cradle of I live among 2 million Muslims who call me their “Victories of the Yemeni army images show. foundation at the very time we all seek a civilization, should have been afflicted by so bar- Father Raed,” he said. and tribes in Maareb against el- Syrian opposition groups and at least one war monitor return to the deal - especially considering barous a blow, with ancient places of worship de- Gutayba Aagha, the Muslim head of the In- ements of the militias explain blamed Russia for the strike Friday night near the towns of that the IAEA continues to investigate stroyed and many thousands of people - Muslims, dependent Social and Cultural Council for the the recent escalation of terrorist Jarablus and al-Bab, near the border with Turkey. (AP) a number of serious, outstanding safe- Christians, Yazidis - who were cruelly annihilated Families of Mosul, encouraged other Christians acts,” he said. ❑ ❑ ❑ guards concerns regarding possible unde- by terrorism - and others forcibly displaced or to return. The coalition forces, asserted clared nuclear material in Iran.” killed,” Francis said. “In the name of the council I invite all our Al-Malki, would take all possi- BERLIN: A young Syrian man has been charged with ble measures to protect civilians murder over an Islamic extremist attack on two tourists He said that reliable verification could He deviated from his prepared speech to ad- Christian brothers to return to this, their city, their last year, German federal prosecutors said Thursday. not be used by Iran as a “bargaining chip” dress the plight of Iraq’s Yazidi minority, which properties and their businesses.” from attacks by the Houthis. Abdullah A.H.H., whose last name wasn’t given in with the U.S. was subjected to mass killings, abductions and Francis will later travel by helicopter across the Arab League chief urges ne- line with privacy laws, is alleged to have attacked two “As President Biden has made clear, sexual slavery at the hands of IS. Nineveh plains to the small Christian community cessity of further pressure on German tourists, aged 55 and 53, in the eastern city of the United States, in close coordination Today, however, we reaffirm our conviction of Qaraqosh, where only a fraction of families Houthis. Dresden in October. (AP) with our allies and partners, is ready to that fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that have returned after fleeing the IS onslaught in Arab League Secretary-Gen- ❑ ❑ ❑ re-engage in meaningful diplomacy to hope is more powerful than hatred, that peace 2014. He will hear testimonies from residents and eral Ahmed Aboulgheit assured achieve a mutual return to compliance more powerful than war.” pray in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the importance of putting more BERLIN: Swiss voters decide Sunday on a proposal to with the JCPOA, a key achievement of The square where he spoke is home to four dif- which was believed to have been torched by IS international pressure on the ban face coverings, both the niqabs and burqas worn by multilateral diplomacy, and a vital in- ferent churches - Syro-Catholic, Armenian-Ortho- and has been restored in recent years. Houthi group, to persuade them a few Muslim women in the country and the ski masks strument in addressing the international dox, Syro-Orthodox and Chaldean - each of them He wraps up the day with a Mass in the stadium into halting their military actions. and bandannas used by protesters. Polls are pointing to a community’s longstanding concerns with left in ruins. in Irbil, in the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish This came during a meeting close outcome. Iran’s nuclear program,” Bono said. IS overran Mosul in June 2014 and declared region, that is expected to draw as many as 10,000 between Aboulgheit and Ye- The measure would outlaw covering one’s face in pub- “We hope that Iran will agree to begin lic places like restaurants, sports stadiums, public trans- a caliphate stretching from territory in northern people. He arrived in Irbil early Sunday, where he men’s Foreign Minister Ahmed port or simply walking in the street. (AP) necessary discussions on a diplomatic Syria deep into Iraq’s north and west. It was from was greeted by children in traditional dress and Mubarak, an Arab League state- way forward without delay.” Mosul’s al-Nuri mosque that the group’s leader, one outfitted as a pope. ment revealed. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 2

TELLS A STORY

ope Francis arrived in northern Iraq on Sunday, where he Pope visits war-ravaged north Pplanned to pray in the ruins of churches damaged or destroyed by Islamic State extremists and celebrate an open-air Mass on the last day of the fi rst-ever papal visit to the country. The Vatican hopes that the landmark visit will rally the coun- try’s Christian communities and encourage them to stay despite decades of war and instability. Francis has also delivered a mes- sage of interreligious tolerance and fraternity to Muslim leaders, including in an historic meeting Saturday with Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Francis headed to the northern city of Mosul, which was heavi- ly damaged in the war against IS, to pray for Iraq’s war victims. In a scene unimaginable just four years ago, he mounted a stage in a Pope Francis, surrounded city square surrounded by the remnants of four damaged churches by shells of destroyed belonging to some of Iraq’s myriad Christian rites and denomina- churches, attends a prayer tions. A jubilant crowd welcomed him. for the victims of war at IS overran Mosul in June 2014 and declared a caliphate stretch- Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq, once ing from territory in northern Syria deep into Iraq’s north and the de-facto capital of IS, west. It was from Mosul’s al-Nuri mosque that the group’s leader, on March 7, 2021. The long Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, made his only public appearance when 2014-2017 war to drive IS he gave a Friday sermon calling on all Muslims to follow him as out left ransacked homes “caliph.” and charred or pulverized Mosul held deep symbolic importance for IS and became the buildings around the north bureaucratic and fi nancial backbone of the group. It was fi nally of Iraq, all sites Francis liberated in July 2017 after a ferocious nine-month battle. Be- visited on Sunday. (AP) tween 9,000 and 11,000 civilians were killed, according to an AP investigation at the time. Al-Baghdadi was killed in a U.S. raid in Syria in 2019. Francis will later travel by helicopter across the Nineveh plains to the small Christian community of Qaraqosh, where only a frac- tion of families have returned after fl eeing the IS onslaught in 2014. He will hear testimonies from residents and pray in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, which was torched by IS and restored in recent years. He wraps up the day with a Mass in the stadium in Irbil, in the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, that is expected to draw as many as 10,000 people. He arrived in Irbil early Sunday, where he was greeted by children in traditional dress and one out- Pope Francis, center, fi tted as a pope. leaves Mar Youssef Church Iraq declared victory over IS in 2017, and while the extremist in Baghdad, Iraq, on March group no longer controls any territory it still carries out sporadic 6, 2021. Pope Francis and attacks, especially in the north. The country has also seen a series Iraq’s top Shiite cleric deliv- of recent rocket attacks by Iran-backed militias against U.S. tar- ered a powerful message gets, violence linked to tensions between Washington and Tehran. of peaceful coexistence The IS group’s brutal three-year rule of much of northern and Saturday, urging Muslims in western Iraq, and the grueling campaign against it, left a vast the war-weary Arab nation swathe of destruction. Reconstruction efforts have stalled amid to embrace Iraq’s long-be- a years-long fi nancial crisis, and entire neighborhoods remain in leaguered Christian minority ruins. Many Iraqis have had to rebuild their homes at their own during a historic meeting in expense. the holy city of Najaf. (AP) Iraq’s Christian minority was hit especially hard. The militants forced them to choose among conversion, death or the payment of a special tax for non-Muslims. Thousands fl ed, leaving behind homes and churches that were destroyed or commandeered by the extremists. Iraq’s Christian population, which traces its history back to the earliest days of the faith, had already rapidly dwindled, from around 1.5 million before the 2003 US-led invasion that plunged the country into chaos to just a few hundred thousand today. Francis hopes to deliver a message of hope, one underscored by the historic nature of the visit and the fact that it is his fi rst international trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP)

Pope Francis, surrounded by shells of destroyed churches, attends a prayer for the victims of war at Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq, once the de-facto capital of IS, on March 7, 2021. The long 2014-2017 war to drive IS out left ransacked homes and charred or pulverized buildings around the north of Iraq, all sites Francis visited on Sunday. (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the next with light to moderate south east- Bubyan - - Prayer Timings 24 hrs: erly wind to light variable wind Jahra 27 12 Fajr ...... 04:49 Asr ...... 15:21 By Day: Warm with light vari- with speeds of 08-26 km/h. Salmiyah 25 17 Sunrise .. 06:08 Maghrib .. 17:51 able wind to light to moderate Station Max Exp Min Rec Ahmadi - - Zohr ...... 11:59 Isha ...... 19:07 south easterly wind with speeds Kuwait City 26 16 Nuwaisib 27 12 of 08-30 km/h. Kuwait Airport 26 10 Wafra 26 12 By Night: Rather cold to cold Abdaly 27 10 Salmy 25 08

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

National Bank of Kuwait rallies 7 fils, Humansoft Holding slips Kuwait’s stock index logs robust gains, volume turnovers swells By John Mathews Arab Times Staff ▲ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30225/350.30225/35

KUWAIT CITY, March 7: Kuwait stocks ▼ Euro/KD 0.3615 forged ahead on Sunday after charting mixed course in the previous week. The ■ Yen/KD 0.0028 All Shares Index rallied 40.65 points to 56,93.97 pts paced by blue chips even as the ▼ British £/KD 0.4198 overall mood turned cheery. The Premier Market sprinted 56.1 points ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0041 to 6,220.11 pts taking the month’s gains to 63 pts while Main Market added 5.79 ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 points. The BK Main 50 index was up 12.58 points at 4,840.98 pts. The volume turnover meanwhile rose for the second straight ▼ FTSE -20.36 pts at closing March 5 session. Over 232 million shares changed hands – up 11.5 percent from Thursday. ▼ Nikkei The sectors closed mostly in green turf. -65.79 pts at closing March 5 Utilities outshone the rest with 3.23 percent gain whereas Technology slid 5.94 pct, the ■ Gold 1727.05 per oz (London) worst performer of the day. Volume wise, Financial Services topped with 113.3 mil- lion shares whereas Banking sector domi- ▲ NYMEX crude $66.26 per barrel nated with KD 17.88 million. Among the prime movers, NBK rallied ▲ Brent crude $69.55 per barrel 7 fils to 840 fils on back of 3.36 million shares and Kuwait Finance House followed LIBOR rate 0.18538% suit to close at 734 fils with a volume of over 8 million. Boubyan Bank and Maba- nee Co scaled 4 fils each to end at at 570 session. It sagged slightly thereafter before fils and 703 fils respectively. Zain dialed up closing with robust gains. 2 fils after pushing 2.4 million shares and Top gainer of the day, ALOLA rallied Ooredoo was up 6 fils at 656 fils. stc stood 12.66 pct to 71.2 fils and Tahssilat galloped pat at 914 fils and logistics major Agil- 9.96 percent to stand next. Fujairah Cement ity sprinted 11 fils to 670 fils. Humansoft skidded 8.96 percent, the steepest decliner Holding dipped 9 fils to KD 3.692 whereas of the day and ALOLA also topped the vol- Boursa Kuwait Securities gained 8 fils each. ume with 68.2 million. The bourse opened firm and pulled high- The market was mixed during the previous er in early trade. The main index continued week. The main index closed higher in two to rise amid strong buying in most of the of the four sessions adding 4 points week-on- heavyweights and scaled the day’s high- week. It had slid 132 points during whole of est level of 5,702 points half way into the February and is up 124 points year-to-date.

Photo by Mahmoud Jadeed Members of the Police Dept carry the coffin of a martyr to the grave. Other Voices

Remains of 8 martyrs laid to rest Please ... do not lie to us By Ahmad alsarraf of a doctor and a university professor. Senior govt leaders grace occasion PAAET does not award either Master’s ogically, the academic and MP or Doctorate, and there is no college for LHamad Al-Matar, whose name pre- postgraduate studies in PAAET in the By Munif Nayef cedes the titles of ‘Professor’ and ‘Doc- first place. tor’, is assumed to be the representative MP Al-Matar also stated that the Ed- Al-Seyassah Staff of the education facility within the leg- ucation Committee of the National As- Vaccinated travelers may be islative institution by virtue of his ‘ex- sembly will not approve the decision to KUWAIT CITY, March 7: On Saturday after- perience and position as a professor’. transfer the affiliation of PAAET to the noon Kuwait laid to rest the remains of 8 mar- In his tweet a few days ago, he de- Ministry of Education, and this objec- exempted from ‘quarantine’ manded that the government separate tion is meaningless, and he has no right tyrs which were identified and brought from Iraq. the Ministry of to it in the first place. KUWAIT CITY, March 7, dersecretary of general health af- The eight were listed among the prisoners of war Education from For your information, the Ministry (KUNA): Kuwait’s Ministry of fairs Dr Bothaina Al-Mudhaf told (PoWs) and Missing during the Iraqi invasion the Ministry of of Higher Education was, at one point, Health is looking into exempt- KUNA on Saturday. of Kuwait in 1990, including one who was listed Higher Educa- managed by Professor Ali Al-Shamlan, ing people who took a corona- She added that the ministry com- tion. As far as while retaining his prestigious posi- missing by Saudi Arabia. anyone knows, tion as Director-General of the Kuwait virus vaccination from institu- pleted vaccinating people aged 65 The funeral took place amid military ceremonies in the pres- the two minis- Foundation for the Advancement of tional quarantine upon returning years and over, including both na- ence of ministers of Interior, Health, the media, the Saudi am- tries have been Sciences (KFAS) and the building of to Kuwait from abroad, allowing tionals and expats, who registered bassador to Kuwait, senior state leaders and the families of the separated for the Higher Education was then rented them to go into home quarantine for the inoculation. martyrs. decades, and the out, and I believe that the situation is instead. Registration in the country has His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad sent telegrams of only common still, after tens of years the same … The ministry is closely moni- only reached 17.4 percent of the condolences to the families of the martyrs Asaad Ali Abdulrahman Al- factor between where false diplomas galore. toring recent international studies population, she said, calling on ev- Sultan, Muhammad Mubarak Muhammad Abdullah Al-Samim, Mu- them was the as- alsarraf We also refer to the statement of Mr and measures regarding the matter eryone to quickly register on the saed Muhammad Falah Hamad Al-Dossary, Yusef Yaqoub Muham- signment of one Tariq Al-Muzrim, the official spokes- to take the decision, ministry un- relevent website. mad Al-Yaqoub, Khalil Saud Khalil Al-Qattan, Amin Ali Muhammad minister to manage them. man for the government, or the justifier Ashkanani, Nasser Eid Al-Khaled Al-Anzi, and Abdullah Ibrahim Al- Since the state has separated the two for its actions, that the redistribution of Qudayfi. ministries, even in a comical manner, some ministries, such as transferring His Highness expressed his sincere condolences to the families of or handing them over to two differ- the subordination of higher education the martyrs and recalled with great pride their sacrifices and heroic ent ministers, and this is what MP Al- to the Minister of Oil, and the subor- roles in defending and protecting their dear homeland and pouring out Matar demanded, he is now required to dination of PAAET to the Education their pure blood for the sake of its soil. His Highness prayed to Al- explain and show us how this separa- Ministry is based on modern vision. mighty God to fill them with His mercy and forgive them and give tion will result in reforming public and We hope, along with others, he will solace and patience to their families. higher education, and how the separa- brief us on this modern vision which His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal tion between the two ministries will be was not originally present 24 hours be- Al-Ahmad and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- the gate for development as stated in his fore the announcement of the formation Khaled sent similar telegrams of condolences to the families of the tweet. of the government. So dear, why you martyrs and prayed to Almighty God to be merciful and forgive them It may be strange that such tweet was lie to us? and give the martyrs place in Paradise. issued by a man who is supposed to be We also wonder with others why a politician and an academician, but the Minister of Oil and the Minister what is strange and most sad is what he of Higher Education bowed, as is said, told a local newspaper that he objects to the pressure of MP Al-Matar, and Temporary permits in curfew the government transferring the affilia- transferred the current university exams tion of the Public Authority for Applied from paper-based to online? KUWAIT CITY, March 7: The Public Authority for Civil Information Education and Training (PAAET) to This crooked decision did not come (PACI), in cooperation with the Traffic Affairs and Operations Sector the Ministry of Education, justifying from the Health Ministry and it will in the Ministry of Interior, has activated its website for the issuance of that it is not permissible to be affiliated open the way for cheating and will ex- temporary exit permits during the partial curfew – from 5:00 am to 5:00 with an academic institution that grants tend the time for answering because of pm for a period of one month starting Sunday, reports Al-Qabas daily. Masters and PhDs for the Ministry of the modest ability of the majority of The new platform – https://curfew.paci.gov.kw/request/create – was Education. students to print. launched for granting permission to go outside during the curfew hours This is inaccurate and a big ‘dis- ❑ ❑ ❑ KUNA photo for five activities only – emergency case, visit to the doctor, blood do- grace’ coming from the mouth of an Kuwaiti rally champion Mishary Al-Dhafiri and his Qatari assistant, Nasser nation, COVID-19 swab test and COVID-19 vaccination. The leave academic and a deputy holding the title e-mail: [email protected] Al-Kuwari. The rally was held in the Saudi province of Baha. — See Page 14 permit period ranges from 30 minutes to two hours. Those applying for the leave permit (curfew pass) should provide the following information on the automated system: civil ID number or Bid to increase Net speed nationality number, mobile number, car plate number, reason for going out, PACI address of the applicant and PACI address of the destination. PACI addresses can be obtained through the Kuwait Finder platform. The competent authorities have warned curfew pass applicants Schools provided with fiber-optics against submitting incorrect data, as they will be imprisoned for six months and fined not exceeding KD 5,000 or any of these penalties By Abdulrahman Al-Shammari educational stages in cooperation as per law number 8/1969 on health precautions for the prevention of Al-Seyassah Staff with the educational research sec- communicable diseases. tor and curricula that which has Meanwhile, reliable sources from PACI told the daily that the auto- KUWAIT CITY, March 7: Assis- devised these plans and circulated mated systems are monitored regularly with the concerned employees tant Undersecretary for the Public to the technical guidance sector in and teams providing online support round the clock. Education Sector at the Ministry educational areas and schools. Sources affirmed the authority is coordinating with the concerned The sources explained the government agencies and the Civil Defense Committee regarding the of Education, Osama Al-Sultan, system for issuing leave permits. Sources disclosed the number of announced interviews for the posi- schools have been provided with beneficiaries of the leave permits platform during the last lockdown tion of deputy director at the Salah a fi ber-optic network to increase exceeded 1.9 million citizens and expatriates; while 200,000 leave per- El-Din Secondary School for Boys the speed of the Internet to support mits were issued at the time. in the suburb of Al-Zahra will start the implementation of the distance from Sunday morning. education strategy through coop- On the other hand, the Ministry eration between the Department of of Education affi rmed its eagerness Information Systems, the Ministry Situation calm in Kabad to complete the distance education of Communications and the Central strategy and the study plan set in Agency for Information Technol- this regard, while the provision and ogy. livestock pens, stables distribution of textbooks for the In this context, the Ministry KUWAIT CITY, March 7:Livestock pens and camel stables in Kabad various educational stages Kinder- pointed out that it has held a series have been among the places frequented by citizens; especially during garten, Primary, Intermediate and of meetings with the Ministry of the corona pandemic, as such places turned into destinations for hiking Secondary has been completed in Health in preparation for the start and entertainment in the country due to the moderate climate, reports all educational districts. of the second semester and the in- Al-Anba daily. In a press statement, the Minis- troduction of the Ministry’s em- Kabad has been a favorite destination during summer and winter, try stressed on its readiness for the ployees into the priority groups for because of the existence of many livestock pens and family entertain- second educational semester of the receiving vaccination against the ment centers – a perfect getaway for many citizens and their families academic year 2020-2021 for all emerging corona virus “Covid-19”. during weekends and public holidays, as it is far from the city noise. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 LOCAL 4

Put trust in government measures: ex-MP PAM inspectors get mandate to check workers’ residence KUWAIT CITY, March 7: The Pub- visiting stores and other activities to account the number of inspectors, reports Al-Anba daily. the good effects. capital and its suburbs), to ensure lic Authority for Manpower (PAM) ensure compliance with all health which is specifi ed in proportion to On her Twitter account she said as She pointed out Kuwait must learn enforcement of the Cabinet deci- said its inspectors in coordination requirements. As for workplaces, the approved preventive health meas- if it is an organized process of dis- from other countries how to deal with sion on institutional quarantine for with other authorities have the man- the inspection continues during the ures. tortion, campaigners use all means their crises and support their leader- those coming from abroad, reports date to carry out inspections of work- specifi ed working hours to ensure Meanwhile, former MP, Safa’a of communication to belittle the ship so that we can soon win over this Al-Anba daily. ers’ residence or places of activities compliance with the specifi ed work- Al-Hashem, has called for the need community and its procedures, de- epidemic. Informed sources said the task of according to a decision issued by the ers’ rates. to trust the measures taken to control grade and belittle its offi cials who In the meantime, the National the guards in securing hotels will be Council of Ministers, reports Al-An- The source emphasized that the the coronavirus, stressing that we are mocked, insulted and slandered Guard forces have begun securing throughout the validity of the deci- ba daily. inspection teams have put in place work as a team and one people to get time and time again, even videos are 20 hotels (10 hotels in the south sion and not linked to a specifi c time The source indicated this includes inspection schedules, taking into out of the crisis with the least losses, posted in the social media to distort of the country and 10 hotels in the frame. ‘Grant educational zones power to suspend absent employees salary’ Al-Sultan’s proposal seeks to ensure smooth flow of work

KUWAIT CITY, March 7: Assistant Undersecretary for Public Education at the Ministry of Edu- cation Osama Al- Sultan has submitted a proposal to acting Undersecretary of the ministry Faisal Al-Maqsid on grant- ing educational zones the power to suspend the salary of employ- ees who are absent without a valid reason as per the integrated systems program, re- ports Al-Qabas daily. Al-Sultan disclosed the main objective of the Public Education Sector Photo by Bassam Abu Shanab in submitting the pro- Shopping rush in Salmiya area on Saturday after the government announced a partial curfew from 5.00 pm to 5.00 posal is to ensure smooth am starting from Sunday. fl ow of work. He called for immediate suspen- sion of the salary of em- Housing minister meets with director-general of PAAAFR ployees who are absent without a valid reason, in Photos by Mahmoud Jadeed ‘Need to remove obstacles to S. Saad Al-Abdullah project’ accordance with the legal Top: Ladies salon employees cleaning and sanitizing their work place after the govt procedures. He reiter- allowed to open the salons from Sunday. Above: the salon employees posing with By Abdel Nasser Al-Aslami project. sides touched on the issue of develop- ated that the educational the salon owner. districts and concerned Al-Seyassah Staff Al-Shaya said in a press statement ing parks in all governorates and invest after his meeting with the Director-Gen- in them to generate state revenue with- work places should not ‘Elementary’ evening classes to continue KUWAIT CITY, March 7: Minister of eral of Public Authority for Agricultural out prejudice to the citizen’s pocket, delay the suspension of State for Municipal Affairs and Min- Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) because the gardens are public property the salary under such cir- ister of State for Housing and Urban Sheikh Muhammad Al-Youssef said and an outlet for all, while tightening cumstances. He added the Development Shaya Al-Shaya stressed all issues related to the housing project control over their facilities to protect other objectives are elimi- ‘Partial ban includes personnel on the need to remove obstacles facing must be paid attention to. them from damage, and singled out the nating bureaucracy; pre- the South Saad Al-Abdullah housing He added during the meeting both (Martyr’s Park) as a model. venting wastage of time; of diplomatic missions, envoys’ easing the burdens of the fi nancial, administrative KUWAIT CITY, March 7: The partial tinue despite the partial lockdown as the and other sectors in the ban which has been imposed by the gov- classes are conducted online. ministry; stopping malin- ernment of Kuwait from 5:00 pm to 5:00 Sources affi rmed there is no change gering which contributes am also includes personnel of the diplo- in the study schedule because teachers to the fi nancial burdens of matic missions and ambassadors, reports will conduct classes from home during the ministry; and reducing Al-Rai daily quoting highly reliable gov- the evening period, pointing out certain fi nancial and administra- ernment sources. recommendations should be handled in tive irregularities uncov- The same sources said those wanting a fl exible manner. Sources added there ered by the auditors at the to leave their residences will have to take is no change in other academic levels as State Audit Bureau (SAB) permission from the Ministry of Interior well. and Civil Service Com- website (and receive a barcode). Regarding the supervisory job or new mission (CSC). The sources said ambassadors, diplo- hire interviews, sources revealed the in- He pointed out there have mats and other personnel working in the terviews will be rescheduled to the morn- been delays in the procedures missions are not exempt from the deci- ing period instead of the evening; while for suspending the salary of sion from the partial ban. the venue will be a school which will be malingering employees and The sources concluded in the event announced later. the payment of salaries for that any diplomat leaves, legal measures In the meantime, distribution of food those who have been report- will be taken, and the issue of breaking a supplies will not be affected during the ing for work since the reo- ban and not adhering to the laws and de- curfew period through the established pening of public institutions cisions of the country will be recorded. points of sale including cooperative soci- after the lockdown. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education eties and supermarkets, reports Al-Qabas On the other hand, the min- confi rmed its readiness to work during daily. istry announced that it needs to fi ll up the vacant observer the partial curfew period based on a com- The daily confi rmed there will be no post in the Human Resources prehensive plan under the supervision of home delivery. However, the sources in- Department at the Adminis- acting Undersecretary Faisal Al-Maqsid, dicated the issuance of permits to food trative Affairs and Adminis- reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources companies that supply goods to the co- trative Development Sector. from the educational sector. operative societies and supermarkets will Applicants for the post must Sources told the daily that the evening be done through the Ministry of Com- hold a university degree in classes for elementary students will con- merce and Industry. the required specialization and must have experience in the same fi eld of work for a Decision to put PAAET under MoE slammed period of not less than eight ears; while those holding a specialized diploma or high school diploma should have Nationalizing jobs in public sector completed a two-year course or its equivalent and have ex- perience in the same fi eld of among several bills on the agenda work for a period of not less than 12 years. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh lah Al-Rumi who is representing the Arab Times Staff government, and former MP Musallam Al-Barrak. Pharmacies will KUWAIT CITY, March 7: The parlia- It can be recalled that in February mentary Human Resources and Public 2015, the Court of Appeals sentenced Al- work normal hrs Funds Protection committees were set to Barrak to two years in prison for offend- meet on Sunday to discuss various bills ing HH the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- By Marwa Al-Bahrawi and reports. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in a speech Al-Seyassah Staff Items in the agenda of the Human Re- entitled, “Enough Frivolity,” which he sources Committee include bills on na- delivered at Erada Square. KUWAIT CITY, March tionalizing jobs in the public sector; such 7: The head of the Kuwaiti On the other hand, Education, Culture as that of MP Abdulkareem Al-Kandari and Guidance Affairs Committee Chair- Pharmacist Association, on obligating ministries, public institu- Walid Al-Shimmari said the man MP Hamad Al-Matar criticized pharmacies will continue to tions and independent authorities to re- the decision to put the Public Author- work normal hours during place expatriate workers with Kuwaitis ity for Applied Education and Training the partial ban saying the within one year. (PAAET) under the Ministry of Educa- medicines will be available According to the bill, vacant posts in tion. around the clock based on the abovementioned entities should never Al-Matar pointed out that separating the recommendations of the be fi lled with expatriates unless no Ku- the Ministry of Education and Ministry Ministry of Interior. waiti applies for the job. In such case, it of Higher Education is a good decision In a statement to Al- is possible to hire expatriates, but they in response to the calls of academicians, Seyassah daily, Al-Shimmari should be under temporary contracts but it is illogical to put PAAET under the pointed to the cooperation of which will be renewed annually if neces- Ministry of Education considering it of- the Ministry of Interior in sary. Every entity should regularly sub- fers bachelor and higher education cours- ensuring the activities of the mit reports on vacancies without Kuwaiti es. He urged His Highness the Prime pharmacies which will con- applicants to the concerned authorities in Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid to cor- tinue to operate without any order to determine the reasons why no rect this error by putting PAAET under change in timings as was the citizen applies for the job. the Ministry of Higher Education. case before the partial ban The Public Funds Protection Commit- was declared. MP Osama Al-Menawer posted on Secretary-General of the tee’s agenda includes the reports of mon- his Twitter account that countries will Kuwaiti Pharmacist Asso- itoring institutions regarding the invested not overcome the coronavirus crisis un- ciation, Ali Hadi, praised public funds. less they persuade their people get vac- the efforts of the Ministry In another development, talks on spe- cinated. of Interior and its great role cial amnesty surfaced recently and reli- MP Osama Al-Shaheen submitted a in overcoming obstacles for able sources disclosed that negotiations proposal to exempt the disabled citizens pharmacists to perform their are ongoing between Deputy Prime from institutional quarantine and allow duties during this crisis. Minister and Minister of Justice Abdul- them to quarantine at home. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 LOCAL 5 REMEMBER WHEN

The local souks A group of men relax at a clothing well-guarded. store while a friend stops for a chat. To wander through the souks was Photograph courtesy They were as happy talking as sell- a pleasure for a visitor to the old city. ing. He would enjoy walking through the of The Center for Re- Kuwait’s traditional markets, or narrow and covered markets teem- search and Studies on souks, were an integral part of the ing with activity. He would pass by Kuwait and the work old city. Souks were colorful and a group of bedouins from the desert diverse, some being highly special- sitting near an arms shop waiting pa- of Dr Yacoub Al- ized. They were the meeting place tiently for their guns to be repaired, Hijji in the book Old- of merchants, men, women and the or hear a group of women bargain- people of the desert. After a light ing with a textile vendor, or watch Kuwait: Memories breakfast and a cup of coffee, shop- an old man waiting calmly for his in Photographs fi rst keepers left their homes and headed turn to get a free cup of fresh wa- for the souk. They stayed in their ter from an earthen jar provided published in 1996. shops buying, selling and receiving by a wealthy citizen. These were friends until noon when they went but a few interesting sights the old home for lunch and the noon siesta. souk had to offer before modernity In the afternoon they returned to changed the spirit of the souk and their shops where they stayed un- hastened the disappearance of most til sunset. Although the souks then of them. (From the book ‘Old Ku- became deserted, the shops were wait: Memories in Photographs’)

Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait

© N.M.M. diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Budget defi cit solutions ... stop waste, diversify, rationalize spending’ “THE Council of Ministers has referred to the National Assembly Decree No. Generations Fund, but to stop waste, rationalize spending, and create alternative equate monitoring devices to calculate and collect this tax, and the corporate tax 16 of 2021 referring the draft law to amend some provisions of Law No. 106 of sources of income such as corporate taxes, public-private partnerships, privatiza- has a negative impact on prices as it will rise artifi cially upon the announcement 1976 concerning reserves for future generations, that allows taking an amount tion, manufacturing industries, the use of renewable and alternative energy and of its implementation due to the lack of a highly effi cient body to control prices from the fund not exceeding 5 billion dinars annually to meet any defi cit in the foreign investments, and the most important thing is to learn from the experiences and merchants will avoid paying the tax, and the citizen will end up bearing the general reserve to the state,” columnist Abdullah Al-Abd Al-Jader wrote for of other countries that have delved into alternative sources of income and suc- cost of artifi cial increase to the merchant instead of the state. Al-Anba daily ceeded such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. “The real and comprehensive treatment which the government should imple- “Before 2014, we had surpluses of between 18 and 19 billion dinars due to “Also, the funds granted to other countries from the Kuwait Fund for Eco- ment must be based on the following -- controlling corruption and reducing ex- high oil prices and their revenues compared to the size of nomic Development and the Arab Fund for Economic Development must be penditures by limiting government waste and reducing budgets of ministries by budget expenditures, and after 2014 oil prices began to stopped until Kuwait solves the problem of its fi nancial defi cit and revive the canceling the added items, restricting the expenses of independent institutions fl uctuate between 30 and 40 dollars after reaching $100 local economy and demand countries which borrowed from Kuwait to return such as oil and investment and reconsidering their reward systems and the sala- per barrel, so the government began to estimate oil prices because for several years the money has not been paid. ries and allocations to senior offi cials, reducing the expenses of conferences and in the annual budget at between $40 and $45. “We must also recover millions of dinars which have been embezzled from the external tasks, and controlling unforeseen expenses such as electricity costs in “Nevertheless, the oil prices during 2020 and the begin- public treasury while the thieves of public money inside and outside continue to view of expanding use of alternative energy. ning of 2021 stand at between 50 and 60 dollars a barrel and bask in ‘glory’ because there are infl uential people who put obstacles in the legal “This is in addition to increasing national income and the income of individu- still there is a defi cit in the budget because of our depend- procedures to delay and disrupt work in this area.” als by evaluating and reviewing the distribution of state property, limiting it to producing and service agencies, developing the price control sector and establish- ence solely on oil. Since 2014 there have been trends for Also: alternative sources of income and economic reform, but un- ing a college to graduate a highly trained apparatus for tax collection work. fortunately nothing has been implemented and by the time of “The economic reform must be consistent with the general frameworks of the “Then paying attention to the imposition of tax in accordance with the consti- the Corona crisis, expenditures increased, the defi cit soared, Constitution without any deviation, by adhering to articles related to national tution regulations and involve the citizen in supporting the economy after raising and for this the government proposed withdrawing from the wealth and the nation’s ownership of it. In 2016 the government announced its the level of performance of state institutions, in a gradual and progressive man- Future Generations Fund to meet the defi cit. Al-Abd Al-Jader project to reform the economy and took it away from the essence of solution, as ner, so that it is not a sudden obligation that cannot be fulfi lled. “There were proposals from the government, the private sector and the Na- it focused on selling -- not privatizing -- a group of the most important sectors “Add to this the comprehensive treatment of the economy and major develop- tional Assembly for alternative sources of income, but unfortunately, none of of the state and their producing companies which are associated with national ment projects by pumping suffi cient liquidity into the market to motivate it to these proposals and economic reforms have been completed because we have no security and others that are part of the country’s main income and constitutionally provide liquidity for borrowing from the global and local markets to benefi t from interest and no serious thinking about what we will face in the future in terms of protected,” columnist Dr Ali Al-Ruwaihel wrote for Al-Rai daily. low interest rates and to protect high-cost investment assets, and the develop- fi nancial problems, and there are those who are concerned more with their inter- “The government has kept pace with its measures with a view to reducing ment of petrochemical and other industries, refi ning plants, and entering the fi eld ests and personal interests inside the government and outside, and to add insult the subsidies provided to the citizen and announcing the intention to implement of marketing, the international trade in oil and its derivatives, and encouraging to injury we are plagued with the theft of public money which clearly showed its the income tax system, starting with companies at a rate of 10 percent of their foreign investment beginning with the Silk Road, developing the Northern Oil ugly hood during the Corona pandemic. income, subject to increase. This high fi gure would have led to the death of the Fields, Mubarak Port and the islands.” “Therefore, the solution does not lie in withdrawing billions from the Future project before its implementation as the state does not have the necessary and ad- — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli Garages see huge rush Mixed opinions on lockdown

KUWAIT CITY, March 7: Automobile workshops in Shuwaikh Industrial Area witnessed a huge number of motorists who were keen to repair their vehicles prior to the start of the partial curfew from Sunday, reports Al-Anba daily. There was congestion in garages, auto shops and car wash stations, as well as car decoration shops which attracted a large number of customers, especially the youth. Despite being a weekend, many shops were open to receive custom- Photo by Bassam Abu Shanab ers who wanted to repair their vehi- Bohra community members donating blood. cles or buy spare parts. The number of motorists who re- paired their cars complained about Bohras blood donation drive the high prices, indicating that some shops took advantage of the The Bohra community in Kuwait or- second home. ganized a blood donation campaign More than 400 men and women current situation and the advent of on the occasion of the National Day participated in the blood donation the curfew to raise the prices. and Liberation Day holiday at the campaign. Imposing Salwa Al-Sabah Center in the Al- The press statement pointed out Sabah Health District, reports Al- the representative of the Sultan Regarding the imposing of a par- Seyassah daily. of Bohra in Kuwait, Sheikh Yahya tial curfew, the opinions of motor- In a press statement the organ- Badri, thanked the community for ists differed. Some consider the izers said the campaign came in their participation in the campaign decision as positive, and part of the the belief that the members of this and urged them to take part in such precautionary measures to prevent community consider Kuwait as their campaigns in future. the spread of the COVID-19 virus, while others saw it as an exagger- mandatory for all to produce the The inspector of hygiene in the ated and ill-considered decision, PCR certifi cate at the point of entry Capital branch of the Kuwait Mu- and called on the government to in line with the health requirements. nicipality, Salah Al-Farhan, indi- reconsider it. This is in addition to adhering to all cated that all cars ‘parked’ outside The Directorate General of Pub- health requirements, including so- the garages and shops, in addition lic Relations and Security Media cial distancing and wearing gloves to the cars let in the public squares, Department of the Interior Ministry and face masks. will be lifted. stated within the framework of im- The security sources stressed no He added, there is a compre- plementing decisions issued by the one will be permitted to enter the hensive campaign to lift these Council of Ministers to confront the country beyond the specifi ed times. cars, even if they are old or new. spread of the new Corona virus, a The Kuwait Municipality, in He also said the Municipal au- decision has been taken to amend cooperation with the ministries of thorities have issued 26 citations the entry timings for Kuwaitis, their Commerce and Interior represented against the shops, for violating the fi rst-degree relatives, their com- by the Technical Inspection Depart- hygiene rules and exploiting state panions of domestic workers into ment, toured the Shuwaikh Indus- property. the country through the land ports trial Area and placed 350 stickers The ministries of Commerce and which has now been set at 9:00 am on the vehicles some of which ne- Interior also toured the shops that until 3:00 pm, reports Al-Qabas glected and others parked for long install special exhausts, particularly daily. time on government property, re- in sports cars that generate irritating The ministry pointed out it is ports Al-Seyassah daily. noises and sounds. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 6

Covid impact on family life in Gulf region highlighted

he impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on families and children in the Gulf Dr Said Aldhafri, professor and director of the Social Observatory Research in the level of marital satisfaction during the pandemic. Tregion was the focus of the most recent discussion organised by the Pro- Programme at Sultan Qaboos University; and Dr Sarah Almalki, vice dean of Among children, the study indicated that anxiety is skyrocketing amid the gramme for Social Policy and Evaluation Research (Prosper) at the College of Development, Jazan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. pandemic and the toll was particularly striking among adolescents. Public Policy (CPP), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). With the support of regional partners, data was collected from the six Gulf In this group, over 40% reported symptoms of high levels of anxiety. In ad- As part of the Covid-19 Webinar Series and held in collaboration with the countries through an electronic questionnaire. dition, the study showed that the pandemic has affected children’s ability to College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, and the Faculty of The overall findings of the study indicate that Gulf families were resilient to concentrate and deal with others, and their behavioural and emotional abilities. Social Sciences, Kuwait University, the event brought together experts from the pandemic and were able to develop protective factors and adapt positively The majority of study participants indicated strong support for family the Gulf region to discuss the results of the wide-ranging international Co- to the Covid-19 crisis. However, the study indicated a very slight decline in friendly policies and family strengthening programmes such as marital educa- vid-19 Family Life Study, led by Dr Anis Ben Brik, associate professor at the level of parent-children relationships amid the pandemic. tion and parenting programmes, and mental health programmes for children CPP and founding director of Prosper. In addition, data shows symptoms of moderate levels of depression and and adolescents, as well as support for flexible working policies for caring for The cross-cultural research study has examined the challenges faced by par- stress and very severe levels of anxiety among parents in the Gulf region, with children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. ents and children in 72 countries, including the Arab Gulf countries, during higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress in mothers compared to fathers. Dr Ben Brik said, “The wide-reaching data gathered through the Covid-19 the pandemic. The data has also shown that mothers in the Gulf region continue to bear the Family Life Study has highlighted the challenges faced by families and chil- During the webinar, Dr Ben Brik discussed the key findings pertaining to full burden of childcare amid the pandemic due to the continued low partici- dren due to the pandemic and how policymakers can respond through policies Gulf countries with three of his international research team members: Dr Hu- pation of fathers in childcare work. and interventions that will strengthen Gulf families, with its vital role in meet- moud Alqashan, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Kuwait University; Pertaining to spousal relationships, the data showed a slight improvement ing our wider societal and global development goals.”

Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency

Pick joins ‘innovators’ category Al Amiri among Time ’21 list of influential people

er Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technol- laboration with international universities. The team, under her leadership and DubaiSat-2, and the first entirely Emirati-made KhalifaSat. Hogy and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, has been named as one guidance, defied the rising challenge of successfully launching the probe from In 2014, she led the establishment of the Advanced Aerial Systems Pro- of Time’s 2021 list of the Next 100 Most Influential People in the World for Japan in July 20, 2020, amid the COVID-19 outbreak that posed closures to gram, where she championed development efforts on a prototype High Al- successfully leading the UAE’s Hope Probe into Mars’ orbit, in the first-ever international airports and ports. titude Pseudo-Satellite. The project resulted in a successful 24-hour flight of Arab interplanetary mission. In addition to her work in sending the Arab world’s first spacecraft to Mars, the unmanned vehicle, which recorded the highest altitude of any aircraft over The 2021 Time100 Next list, which celebrates 100 emerging leaders who Al Amiri is now ahead of bigger missions: to lead ambitious space and tech- UAE airspace. are shaping the future of entertainment, health, political and business among nology projects that contribute to the UAE’s bigger goal in establishing a Al Amiri obtained her Master’s Degree in computer engineering in 2014 other fields, named Al Amiri for her widely-celebrated role in the historic knowledge-based economy. A lunar mission in 2024 and plans to build a hu- from AUS, while heading the Space Science section at Mohammed Bin arrival of the Hope Probe to the Red Planet’s orbit that placed the UAE as man settlement on Mars by 2117 are among the ambitious projects that await Rashid Space Center, where she set up the research and development unit. the first Arab nation and the fifth in the world to reach Mars on Tuesday, the young minister who’s looking to promote research and development to She has been holding several responsibilities as the Chairwoman of the Feb 9. create new industries as part of her role. Emirates Scientists Council, Chairwoman of the Fourth Industrial Revo- Leading the UAE’s rapidly-growing space sector in her early 30s, Al Amiri On her selection, Al Amiri tweeted, “Thanks to @TIME for naming me on lution Council and Chairwoman of the Dubai Future Academy Board of joins 54 women in Time100 Next list whose prominent roles in bringing hope their 100 Next list, it’s a mark of recognition I accept on behalf of the entire Trustees. to their communities are celebrated amid the worldwide disruption caused by Emirates Mars Mission team, many of whom deserve the accolade a great In 2017, she became the country’s first Minister of State for Advanced Sci- the outbreak of COVID-19. deal more than I.” ences, a title that later changed in the latest cabinet reshuffle in August 2020 Al Amiri joined the ‘innovators’ category in this year’s list for heading the Wearing many hats to the Minister of State for Advanced Technology. She was also then named sustainable Hope Probe that was manufactured and developed six years, in Since she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering the Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency. half the duration and cost of conventional Mars missions, to benefit humanity from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) in 2009, Al Amiri joined the In 2015, the World Economic Forum honored her as one of its 50 Young with new Mars data. Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center — then called the Emirates Institution Scientists for her contributions to science, technology and engineering. As the deputy project manager and science lead of the Emirates Mars Mis- for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) — as a program engineer for She was also invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at Davos 2019 sion, Al Amiri headed the team, of whom 80 percent are women, through the two years. and became the first Emirati citizen to speak at an international TED event in challenging journey of building and launching the first Arab spacecraft in col- She took part in building the UAE’s first two satellites - DubaiSat-1 and 2017.

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

World News Roundup

COVID-19

‘American Rescue Plan’ Highlights of $1.9t COVID bill nearing ‘fi nal passage’ WASHINGTON, March 7, (AP): The Senate approved a sweeping pandemic relief package over Republican opposition on Saturday, moving President Joe Biden closer to a milestone political victory that would pro- vide $1,400 checks for most American and direct bil- lions of dollars to schools, state and local governments, and businesses. The bill cleared by a party-line vote of 50-49 after a marathon overnight voting session and now heads back to the House for fi nal passage, which could come early next week. Democrats said their “American Rescue Plan” would help the country defeat the virus and nurse the economy back to health. Republicans criticized the $1.9 trillion package as more expensive than neces- sary. The measure follows fi ve earlier virus bills to- taling about $4 trillion that Congress has enacted since last spring. A look at some highlights of the legislation: Aid to the unemployed Expanded unemployment benefi ts from the federal gov- ernment would be extended through Sept. 6 at $300 a week. That’s on top of what benefi - In this image from video, the vote total of 50-49 on Senate passage of the COVID-19 relief bill, is displayed on screen in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington ciaries are getting through their on March 6. (AP) state unemployment insurance Biden program. The fi rst $10,200 of jobless benefi ts would be non- taxable for households with incomes under $150,000. COVID-19 Additionally, the measures provides a 100% sub- sidy of COBRA health insurance premiums to ensure that the laid-off workers can remain on their employer health plans at no cost through the end of September. ‘Victory crucial for hoisting country out of pandemic’ More checks The legislation provides a direct payment of $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple that fi les jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent. Individu- als earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount, as Senate OKs $1.9t virus relief bill would married couples with incomes up to $150,000. WASHINGTON, March 7, (AP): An Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said of the day after an agreement among Demo- The size of the check would shrink for those making exhausted Senate narrowly approved House. He added, “It’s not going to be crats on extending emergency jobless slightly more, with a hard cut-off at $80,000 for indi- a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill everything everyone wants. No bill is.” benefi ts seemed to collapse. Nearly 12 viduals and $160,000 for married couples. Saturday as President Joe Biden and In a written statement, Pelosi invited hours later, top Democrats and West Most Americans will be getting the full amount. The his Democratic allies notched a vic- Republicans “to join us in recognition median household income was $68,703 in 2019, ac- Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, perhaps the tory they called crucial for hoisting the of the devastating reality of this vi- chamber’s most conservative Demo- cording to the U.S. Census Bureau. country out of the pandemic and eco- cious virus and economic crisis and of Money for state and local governments crat, said they had a deal, and the Senate nomic doldrums. the need for decisive action.” approved it on a party-line 50-49 vote. The legislation would send $350 billion to state and After laboring all night on a moun- The bill provides direct payments local governments and tribal governments for costs in- Under their compromise, $300 curred up until the end of 2024. The bill also requires tain of amendments – nearly all from of up to $1,400 for most Americans weekly emergency unemployment that small states get at least the amount they received In this Dec. 16, 1998 fi le photo, Attor- Republicans and rejected – bleary-eyed and extended emergency unemploy- checks – on top of regular state ben- under virus legislation that Congress passed last March. ney General Frank J. Kelley speaks senators approved the sprawling pack- ment benefi ts. There are vast piles of efi ts – would be renewed, with a fi nal Many communities have taken hits to their tax base during an interview about his retire- age on a 50-49 party-line vote. That spending for COVID-19 vaccines and payment Sept. 6. There would also be during the pandemic, but the impact varies from state ment at the end of the year in his Lan- sets up fi nal congressional approval by testing, states and cities, schools and tax breaks on some of that aid, helping to state and from town to town. Critics say the fund- sing, Michiga’ offi ce. Kelley, affection- the House next week so lawmakers can ailing industries, along with tax breaks people the pandemic abruptly tossed ing is not appropriately targeted and is far more than ately called the ‘eternal general’ for whisk it to Biden for his signature. to help lower-earning people, families out of jobs and risked tax penalties on necessary with billions of dollars allocated last spring his 37 years as Michigan’s longest- The huge measure – its cost is with children and consumers buying the benefi ts. to states and communities still unspent. serving attorney general, has died at nearly one-tenth the size of the entire health insurance. Aid to schools age 96, his family said on March 6. U.S. economy – is Biden’s biggest Republicans call the measure a Benefi ts The bill calls for about $130 billion in additional Kelley, a Democrat, served from 1961 early priority. It stands as his formula wasteful spending spree for Demo- The House relief bill, largely similar to 1999, winning statewide election 10 for addressing the deadly virus and a crats’ liberal allies that ignores recent to the Senate’s, provided $400 weekly help to schools for students in kindergarten through times. He moved to Naples, Florida, in 12th grade. The money would be used to reduce class limping economy, twin crises that have indications that the pandemic and benefi ts through August. The current 2020 and died Friday night, spokes- affl icted the country for a year. economy was turning the corner. sizes and modify classrooms to enhance social distanc- man Chris De Witt said. (AP) $300 per week payments expire March ing, install ventilation systems and purchase personal “This nation has suffered too much “The Senate has never spent $2 tril- 14, and Democrats want the bill on protective equipment. The money could also be used for much too long,” Biden told report- lion in a more haphazard way,” said Biden’s desk by then to avert a lapse. to increase the hiring of nurses and counselors and to ers at the White House after the vote. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McCo- Manchin and Republicans have provide summer school. “And everything in this package is nnell, R-Ky. He said Democrats’ “top asserted that higher jobless benefi ts Spending for colleges and universities would be designed to relieve the suffering and priority wasn’t pandemic relief. It was discourage people from returning to boosted by about $40 billion, with the money used to to meet the most urgent needs of the their Washington wish list.” work, a rationale most Democrats and nation, and put us in a better position defray an institution’s pandemic-related expenses and Amendments many economists reject. to provide emergency aid to students to cover expenses to prevail.” The agreement on jobless benefi ts such as food and housing and computer equipment. Saturday’s vote was also a crucial The Senate commenced a dreaded wasn’t the only move that showed Aid to businesses political moment for Biden and Demo- “vote-a-rama” – a continuous series of moderates’ sway. votes on amendments – shortly before A new program for restaurants and bars hurt by the crats, who need nothing short of party The Senate voted Friday to eject a pandemic would receive $25 billion. The grants provide unanimity in a 50-50 Senate they run midnight Friday, and by its end around noon dispensed with about three doz- House-approved boost in the federal up to $10 million per company with a limit of $5 million with Vice President Kamala Harris’ minimum wage to $15 an hour by tiebreaking vote. They hold a slim 10- en. The Senate had been in session per physical location. The grants can be used to cover 2025, a major defeat for progressives. payroll, rent, utilities and other operational expenses. Suga Jong Un vote House edge. since 9 a.m. EST Friday. Overnight, the chamber looked like Eight Democrats opposed the increase, The bill also provides $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Bill suggesting that Sen. Bernie Sanders, Protection Program, a tiny fraction of what was allo- an experiment in sleep deprivation. Not one Republican backed the bill Several lawmakers appeared to rest I-Vt., and other liberals pledging to cated in previous legislation. The bill also allows more Asia continue the effort will face a diffi cult non-profi ts to apply for loans that are designed to help in the Senate or when it initially passed their eyes or doze at their desks, of- the House, underscoring the barbed ten burying their faces in their hands. fi ght. borrowers meet their payroll and operating costs and Party leaders also agreed to re- can potentially be forgiven. partisan environment that’s character- At one point, Sen. Brian Schatz, D- Japan extends ‘emergency’: Japanese strict eligibility for the $1,400 stimu- Testing and vaccines Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced ized the early days of Biden’s presi- Hawaii, at 48 one of the younger sena- The bill provides $46 billion to expand federal, that his government is extending a state of dency. tors, trotted into the chamber and did a lus checks for most Americans. That state and local testing for COVID-19 and to enhance emergency in the Tokyo region for another A small but pivotal band of moder- prolonged stretch. amount would be gradually reduced contract tracing capabilities with new investments to two weeks because its medical systems are ate Democrats leveraged changes in Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, until, under the Senate bill, it reaches expand laboratory capacity and set up mobile testing still strained by COVID-19 patients. the legislation that incensed progres- missed the votes to attend his father- zero for people earning $80,000 and units. It also contains about $14 billion to speed up the At a government coronavirus taskforce sives, hardly helping Speaker Nancy in-law’s funeral. couples making $160,000. Those distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines meeting Friday night, Suga said the emer- Pelosi, D-Calif., guide the measure The measure follows fi ve earlier ceilings were higher in the House across the country. gency will be extended through March 21 through the House. But rejection of ones totaling about $4 trillion enacted version. Health care for Tokyo and three neighboring prefec- their fi rst, signature bill was not an since last spring and comes amid signs Many of the rejected GOP amend- Parts of the legislation advance longstanding Demo- tures, where the measure was to end Sun- option for Democrats, who face two of a potential turnaround. ments were either attempts to force cratic priorities like increasing coverage under the day. years of running Congress with virtu- Vaccine supplies are growing, Democrats to cast politically awkward Obama-era Affordable Care Act. Financial assistance He said medical systems in the region ally no room for error. deaths and caseloads have eased but votes or for Republicans to demon- were still burdened with COVID-19 patients In a signifi cant sign, the chair of the remain frighteningly high, and hiring strate their zeal for issues that appeal for ACA premiums would become considerably more and more hospital beds have to be freed. In- generous and a greater number of solid middle-class Congressional Progressive Caucus, was surprisingly strong last month, to their voters. fections have slowed signifi cantly, but not These included defeated efforts households would qualify. Though the sweetened enough, and the pace of decline has stalled, representing around 100 House liber- though the economy remains 10 mil- subsidies last only through the end of 2022, they will he said. “There is a strong concern of a re- als, called the Senate’s weakening of lion jobs smaller than pre-pandemic to bar funds from going to schools lower the cost of coverage and are expected to boost bound,” he said. some provisions “bad policy and bad levels. that don’t reopen their doors or let the number of people enrolled. Suga declared a month-long emergency politics” but “relatively minor con- The Senate package was delayed transgender students born male partici- The measure also dangles more money in front of a on Jan 7 for Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama cessions.” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D- repeatedly as Democrats made elev- pate in female sports. One amendment dozen states, mainly in the South, that have not yet tak- and Chiba that was later extended through Wash., said the bill retained its “core enth-hour changes aimed at balancing would have blocked aid to so-called en up the Medicaid expansion that is available under March 7. An emergency that applied to bold, progressive elements.” demands by their competing moderate sanctuary cities, where local authori- the ACA to cover more low-income adults. Whether other urban prefectures was lifted last week, “They feel like we do, we have to and progressive factions. ties don’t help federal offi cials round such a sweetener would be enough to start wearing underscoring the government’s eagerness to get this done,” Senate Majority Leader Work on the bill ground to a halt Fri- up immigrants in the U.S. illegally. down longstanding Republican opposition to Medicaid allow businesses to return to normal as soon expansion is uncertain. as possible. Bigger tax breaks for households with and with- The state of emergency, which is a non- downsized many of their regular training to U.S.-South Korea drills have been a ma- leader Kim Jong Un urged the US to with- out kids binding request, centers around asking res- create more space for the now-stalled U.S.- jor source of animosities on the peninsula, draw its hostile policy and South Korea to Under current law, most taxpayers can reduce their taurants, bars and other businesses to vol- end drills with the U.S., warning the fate of untarily close at 8 p.m. Japan has never had led diplomatic drive to convince North Ko- with North Korea viewing them as inva- federal income tax bill by up to $2,000 per child. In rea to denuclearize in return for economic sion rehearsals and responding with its own their relations with North Korea depends on a signifi cant change, the bill would increase the tax a mandatory lockdown but has managed to how they behave. (AP) break to $3,000 for every child age 6 to 17 and $3,600 keep infections relatively low with social and political incentives. weapons tests. In January, North Korean ❑ ❑ ❑ for every child under the age of 6. distancing and other voluntary measures. The legislation also calls for the payments to be de- Controlling the spread of the virus, UN envoy urges action: The escalation livered monthly instead of in a lump sum. If the secre- along with progress in vaccinations, are of violence in Myanmar as authorities crack tary of the Treasury determines that isn’t feasible, then considered key for Tokyo’s hosting of the down on protests against the Feb. 1 coup is Summer Olympics, already delayed by one raising pressure for more sanctions against the payments are to be made as frequently as possible. year because of the virus and due to start Families would get the full credit regardless of how the junta, even as countries struggle over July 23. (AP) how to best sway military leaders inured to little they make in a year, leading to criticism that the ❑ ❑ ❑ changes would serve as a disincentive to work. Add global condemnation. The challenge is made doubly diffi cult by in the $1,400 checks and other items in the proposal, S.Korea, US scale back drills: The and the legislation would reduce the number of chil- South Korean and U.S. militaries are scal- fears of harming ordinary citizens who were dren living in poverty by more than half, according to ing back their annual exercises this month already suffering from an economic slump the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to sup- worsened by the pandemic but are braving University. port diplomacy focusing on North Korea’s risks of arrest and injury to voice outrage nuclear program, offi cials said Sunday. over the military takeover. Still, activists The bill also signifi cantly expands the Earned In- and experts say there are ways to ramp up come Tax Credit for 2021 by making it available to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the allies decided to start the pressure on the regime, especially by cut- people without children. The credit for low and mod- ting off sources of funding and access to the erate-income adults would be worth $543 to $1,502, nine-day drills on Monday after reviewing factors like the status of the pandemic and tools of repression. depending on income and fi ling status. The UN special envoy on Friday urged Rental And Homeowner Assistance diplomatic efforts to achieve denucleariza- tion and peace on the Korean Peninsula. the Security Council to act to quell junta The bill provides about $30 billion to help low-in- violence that this week killed about 50 dem- come households and the unemployed afford rent and It said the drills are defensive in nature and are mostly tabletop exercises and simu- onstrators and injured scores more. utilities, and to assist the homeless with vouchers and lations that won’t involve fi eld training. “There is an urgency for collective ac- other support. States and tribes would receive an addi- Last year, the allies canceled their spring- tion,” Christine Schraner Burgener told the tional $10 billion for homeowners who are struggling time drills after some of their troops were meeting. “How much more can we allow with mortgage payments because of the pandemic. infected with the coronavirus. In recent The sun rises behind the buildings of the banking district in Frankfurt, Germany the Myanmar military to get away with?” years, the countries have also suspended or on March 6. (AP) (AP) antivirus software creator charged with cheating investors In this Dec 12, 2012 fi le photo, Antivirus software entrepreneur John McAfee tial appearance Friday before a federal magis- not the right place to debate whether cutting anti-virus software was indicted on fraud and money laundering trate judge in Dallas. McAfee, authorities said, is edge technologies like cryptocurrencies are se- founder John conspiracy charges alleging that he and cohorts detained in Spain on separate criminal charges curities, commodities, or something else.” McAfee answers made over $13 million by fooling investors zeal- fi led by the US Justice Department’s tax divi- It was not immediately clear who might repre- questions to ous over the emerging cryptocurrency market, sion. sent McAfee. There was still no lawyer listed for authorities said . Attorney Arnold Spencer, representing Wat- him in the Memphis, Tennessee, federal court reporters as he McAfee, 75, was charged in a newly un- son, said his client is a decorated former Navy where tax charges were lodged against him in walks on Ocean sealed indictment in Manhattan federal court Seal. October. Drive, in the South along with Jimmy Gale Watson Jr, who served “He fought for other people’s rights and liber- “McAfee and Watson exploited a widely used Beach area of as an executive adviser on what prosecutors ties, and he is entitled to and looks forward to social media platform and enthusiasm among Miami Beach, described as McAfee’s “so-called cryptocur- his day in court to exercise some of those very investors in the emerging cryptocurrency mar- Florida. (AP) rency team.” rights,” he said in an email. ket to make millions through lies and deception,” Prosecutors said Watson, 40, was arrested “Criminal indictments are blunt instruments, US Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement Thursday night in Texas and would make an ini- not precise scalpels,” Spencer added. “This is describing crimes in 2017 and 2018. (AP)

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First trade breakthrough EU and US agree US trade defi cit up 1.9% in Jan to suspend tariffs Pandemic continues to distort global commerce BRUSSELS, March 7, (AP): A fi rst phone call clinched the fi rst trade breakthrough to start rebuilding trans-Atlantic re- SILVER SPRING, Maryland, lations between the United States and the European Union in March 7, (AP): The level of Germany’s factory the wake of the Trump presidency. imported goods to the U.S. in After U.S. President Joe Biden and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen spoke, both sides decided to suspend January reached unprecedent- orders up strongly tariffs used in the longstanding Airbus-Boeing dispute for ed levels and pushed the trade the next four months. defi cit 1.9% higher as the coro- BERLIN, March 7, (AP): German factory Von der Leyen said that “as a symbol of this fresh start, orders rose more strongly than expected President Biden and I agreed to suspend all our tariffs im- navirus pandemic continues to in January, a promising sign of strength in distort global commerce. Europe’s largest economy, offi cial fi gures posed in the context of the Airbus-Boeing disputes, both on showed Friday. aircraft and non-aircraft products, for an initial period of 4 The gap between the goods and ser- The Federal Statistical Offi ce reported months.” vices the United States sold and what it that industrial orders rose 1.4% in January It hardly covered all outstanding issues which were left to bought abroad rose to $68.2 billion from over the previous month when adjusted for fester ever more under the four-year presidency of former $67 billion in December, the Commerce seasonal and calendar variations, double president Donald Trump, but the EU gladly took whatever it Department reported Friday. Exports what economists had been predicting. could get from the fi rst personal exchange between the two. rose 1% to $191.9 billion, while imports A 2.6% drop in domestic orders was more Von der Leyen called it “a very positive signal for our increased 1.2% to $260.2 billion. than offset by a 4.2% increase in foreign or- economic cooperation in the years to come.” ders, the offi ce reported. “This is excellent news for businesses and industries on Imports of goods, not including ser- vices, increased $3.4 billion to a record Germany’s economy has been doing bet- both sides of the Atlantic,” she said. ter than several others in the 19-country With the initiative to ease the aircraft fi ght that long $221.1 billion in January, led by pharma- ceuticals, which rose $5 billion, or 39%, eurozone as it was supported by manufac- weighed on trade relations, the 27-nation bloc is seeking to turing, which has taken less of a hit than ser- rekindle the spirit of cooperation between Washington and to $17.4 billion. Imports of services fell vices during the pandemic. Europe that has long defi ned global diplomacy. about 1%. In this Nov 4, 2019, fi le photo, cargo cranes are used to take containers off of a Yang Last week the Statistical Offi ce reported Von der Leyen hopes it is the fi rst indication that both the The fi gure exceeded the previous re- Ming Marine Transport Corporation boat at the Port of Tacoma in Tacoma, Wash. the German economy grew 0.3% in last United States and Europe will stand shoulder to shoulder like cord for imported goods of $218.9 billion (AP) year’s fourth quarter compared with the they so often over the past century to face global challenges. set in October, 2018. previous three-month period, a better perfor- Von der Leyen said she invited Biden to a global health U.S. exports of goods rose $2.1 billion the virus outbreak about a year ago. Trump administration, which started a mance than previously thought. summit in Rome on May 21 to streamline the fi ght against to $135.7 billion in January, while ex- Year-over-year, the goods and services trade war with China and imposed steel The revision meant that last year’s over- COVID-19, the common enemy that has killed over a mil- ports of services, like transport and trav- defi cit climbed to $23.8 billion, or 53.7%, all drop in GDP was a touch less sharp than lion people in the EU and U.S. combined. She hope it would and other tariffs on American allies that el, declined $0.3 billion to $56.3 billion. from January 2020. upended seven decades of U.S. policy. originally reported - 4.9% rather than 5%. extend to foreign policy issues as well, where both could The politically sensitive trade gap with Last month, Commerce reported that cooperate better to face the rising power of China. President Joe Biden and his team have China fell 3.2% to $27.2 billion. The in 2020, U.S. trade defi cit rose 18.1% to so far tiptoed around Trump’s hardline policy benefi ts America’s workers, not On Friday though, it was trade that mattered and the sus- trade defi cit with Mexico rose $1.6 bil- pension will give a four-month window to address the more $682 billion, the highest since 2008, as trade policies. Biden hasn’t called off just corporations, and to engage more fundamental issues. In the aircraft dispute, the U.S. was al- lion to $11.9 billion in January. the coronavirus threw global commerce with U.S. allies to counter an increas- The coronavirus has upended trade in into disarray and stymied then-President Trump’s trade war with China or sug- lowed to impose tariffs on $7.5 billion of EU exports to the gested he would scale back the tariffs on ingly assertive China. Tai is waiting to U.S and as a result of the deal, EU tariffs will be suspended services such as education and travel, sec- Donald Trump’s attempts to rebalance tions of the economy in which the United imported steel and aluminum. be confi rmed by the full Senate. Fluent in on $4 billion of U.S. exports. America’s trade with the rest of the world. Mandarin, Tai spent several years as the States runs persistent surpluses. Measured Friday’s January trade data release is Biden’s pick for his administration’s The tariff suspension will affect everyone from French Offi ce of the U.S. Trade Representative’s winemakers to German cookie bakers in Europe and U.S. in dollars, monthly exports of U.S. services the last to include the period covering the top trade negotiator, Katherine Tai, has spirits producers among many others. have declined by nearly one-fourth since promised to make sure that U.S. trade head of China enforcement. ‘No rate hikes in sight’ Higher US infl ation temporary: Powell WASHINGTON, March 7, (AP): Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested that infl ation will pick up in the coming months but that it would likely prove temporary and not enough for the Fed to alter its record-low interest rate policies. His message of wait-and-see patience caused bond yields to jump and stocks to fall further, signaling that investors foresee stronger growth and higher infl ation on the horizon. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note had jumped from below 1% at the end of last year to roughly 1.4% Wednes- day - and then surged above 1.5% during Powell’s remarks. Stock investors, too, dumped shares in the midst of Pow- ell’s remarks, in which he suggested that the Fed would need to see both a near-full recovery in the job market and a sus- tained rise in infl ation above its target level before consider- ing a rate hike. The S&P 500 index ended Thursday with a loss of 1.3% and was showing just a sliver of a gain for the year. The tech- heavy Nasdaq pulled back 2.1%. Higher yields on govern- ment bonds can entice some investors to sell stocks and buy Treasurys instead, thereby forcing stock prices down. Powell also said the outlook for the economy has im- proved after three months of weak job growth. But he cautioned that the economy and the job market are still far from fully recovered and that full employment would not be achieved this year. Rising The chairman also offered no signal that the Fed might respond soon to rising rates on Treasury securities by alter- ing its bond-buying policies. The central bank is purchasing about $80 billion a month in government bonds. Some ana- lysts argue that the Fed could focus more of those purchases on the 10-year Treasury to keep it from rising much further. “The market was really looking for more of a defi nitive stand perhaps against what’s happened with yields,” said Lisa Erickson, head of traditional investments at U.S. Bank Wealth Management. “It was looking for more assurance, for example, that the Fed might take action.” The surge in Treasury bond yields has also forced up mortgage rates. Last week, the average rate on the bench- mark 30-year mortgage breached the 3% mark for the fi rst time since July, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. Powell suggested, though, that the Fed would sit tight for the foreseeable future. “We think our current policy stance is appropriate,” Pow- ell said. Earlier this week, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly and Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said they weren’t bothered by the move higher in interest rates. They charac- terized it as a positive signal that markets expected growth to pick up. Powell said Thursday that the last week’s jump in yields “was notable and caught my attention.” But he said the Fed wouldn’t be concerned unless the Treasury market became “disorderly” or rates rose persistently enough to threaten the economy’s growth. As the economy reopens in the coming months with vac- cines more widely distributed, many economists expect a spending boom that will stretch available supplies of goods and services. That additional spending could send prices up in some sectors of the economy. For example, gas prices have been rising as Americans are venturing out more. Yet oil production hasn’t yet caught up, making gas more expensive. And when Americans do return to pre-pandemic habits, such as going to movies or eating out, they will have fi nd many of their former favorite haunts closed. Once price declines that occurred about a year ago when the pandemic began are removed from the year-over-year calculations, infl ation will temporarily rise. But the Fed won’t see either of those trends as worrisome increases that would force them to change their policies, Powell said. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 BUSINESS 9

exam finds multiple cracks in part of United jet’s engine

Microscopic examination supports early tinuing. have been parked because of weak pas- suspicions that wear and tear caused The Pratt & Whitney engine had been senger traffic during the pandemic. The a fan blade to snap inside one engine used on 2,979 flights since its last in- affected planes are all used by United In this file photo a Boeing of a United Airlines plane that made an spection, the NTSB said. After the Feb. Airlines and by carriers in Japan and 737 Max 9 built for United emergency landing shortly after takeoff 22 incident, the Federal Aviation Ad- South Korea. Airlines lands at King County last month in Denver, federal safety in- ministration ordered that certain blades The engine failure occurred four min- International Airport - Boeing vestigators said Friday. on the same model of engine on other utes after the Boeing 777 took off, bound Field after a test flight from The National Transportation Safety planes be inspected for cracks before for Hawaii. Debris from the engine and Moses Lake, Washington, in Board said the blade found “multiple fa- their next flight. its housing rained down on suburban Seattle. (AP) tigue fracture origins” on the inside sur- The particular Pratt & Whitney engines neighborhoods. The NTSB said the pi- face of the hollow fan blade. The board involved are found on fewer than 100 lots had just increased power to the two said “multiple” secondary cracks were Boeing 777 jets currently in use. They’re engines when a loud bang was captured found, and that the examination is con- also on several dozen other planes that on the cockpit voice recorder. (AP) Crash in local currency delays arrival of fuel shipments Lebanon’s caretaker PM warns of chaos as currency plunges BEIRUT, March 7, (AP): Lebanon’s areas reaching more than 12 hours a caretaker prime minister warned Sat- day. The crisis has driven nearly half urday that the country was quickly the population of the small country of Brazil economy faces headwinds after worst plunge in decades headed toward chaos and appealed to 6 million into poverty, wiped out sav- politicians to put aside differences in ings and slashed consumer purchasing RIO DE JANEIRO, March 7, (AP): year. cording more than 1,000 daily deaths ported on Tuesday. The state-run order form a new government that can power. Brazil dodged the most dire econom- Since the beginning of the health from COVID-19, which could cause Fiocruz Institute said Tuesday that attract desperately needed foreign as- Small groups of protesters blocked ic forecasts in 2020, but offi cial fi g- crisis, Brazil’s President Jair Bol- further economic slowdown. intensive-care unit occupation rates sistance. roads again in several areas Friday, ures released Wednesday show the sonaro has been adamant that the “The worsening COVID-19 out- in 18 states and the Federal District Hassan Diab, who resigned almost setting fi re to tires and pieces of fur- COVID-19 pandemic still battered economy must keep running, argu- break is casting a dark cloud over had surpassed 80% - a level consid- seven months ago as prime minister, niture. the nation and it continues to dim the ing that lockdowns and restrictions the outlook for the next few months ered critical. threatened to suspend his caretaker du- “The dollar is 10,500 (pounds) and outlook for recovery. would infl ict greater hardship on the at least,” William Jackson, an econo- Monica de Bolle, a Brazilian ties if that would increase pressure for everyone has four or fi ve children on Brazil’s gross domestic product population than the disease. That po- mist at Capital Economics, wrote in senior fellow at the Peterson Insti- a new Cabinet to be formed. their neck, including their parents. contracted 4.1% in 2020, the big- sition, which fl ew in the face of pub- a report published Wednesday. Jack- tute for International Economics in He spoke in a terse address to the They (corrupt politicians) need to feed gest annual recession since the series lic health experts’ recommendations, son pointed to a plunge in retail sales Washington, said the GDP fi gures nation as the currency continued its us,” cried one protester. began in 1996, according to Brazil’s helped stave off an even deeper re- and likelihood of tighter measures to don’t yet capture the full impact of rapid collapse against the dollar, trad- “They vaccinated themselves from offi cial statistics institute, known as cession, at least in the short term - limit the virus’ spread. the disaster, including implications ing at nearly 11,000 Lebanese pounds corona but they opened the country so IBGE. Still, the result is better the as did a generous pandemic welfare The number of new COVID-19 of lives lost, people going on disabil- on the black market for the fi rst time that people could die,” he added, refer- 5.3% plunge forecast by the Inter- program. cases in Brazil is still surging, with ity from long-lasting side effects and in its history. Angry protesters have ring to a group of lawmakers who in- national Monetary Fund in April last But the country is once again re- a new record high 1,641 deaths re- lingering costs for the health system. blocked streets and highways across oculated themselves in parliament last the country with burning tires for days, month without prior approval. a move were still sitting at home. the massive August 4 explosion at Bei- In October, former Prime Minis- Lebanon has also been in desperate as the pound slid to record new lows. that led the World Bank to consider “Where are the Lebanese people? rut port, suggested he might stop work- ter Saad Hariri was named to form a need of foreign currency, but interna- The crash in the local currency has suspending its fi nancing of vaccines in The dollar is now 10,500 (pounds) and ing in his role. new Cabinet but fi ve months later, tional donors have said they will only resulted in a sharp increase in prices Lebanon. it will reach to 15, or 20 (thousand). “If it helps to form a government, disagreements between him and Presi- help the country fi nancially if major as well as delays in the arrival of fuel Another protester who identifi ed Why are we in homes? We have to go I am prepared to resort to that option dent Michel Aoun on the shape of the reforms are implemented to fi ght wide- shipments, leading to more extended himself only by his fi rst name, Ali, said down!” even though it goes against my prin- Cabinet has stood in the way of a new spread corruption, which has brought power cuts around the country, in some he was frustrated that other Lebanese Diab, who resigned in the wake of ciples,” he said. government’s formation. the nation to the brink of bankruptcy. US credit card borrowing falls to ‘lowest’ level in four years Data offsets gains in auto loans and student loans

WASHINGTON, March 7, (AP): Borrowing by Americans fell in Janu- ary for the first time in five months, as the use of credit cards fell to the lowest level in four years, offsetting gains in auto loans and student loans. The Federal Reserve reported Friday that consumer borrowing fell by $1.3 billion in January, the first setback since a $9 bil- lion decline in August. The weakness came from a $9.9 billion decline in borrowing in the category that covers credit cards. It marked the fourth straight decline in that category and was the biggest drop since a $10.8 billion fall in Au- gust. It pushed credit card activity down to the lowest level since Janu- ary 2017. The category that covers auto and student loans posted an $8.6 billion increase in the fi rst month of 2021, following an even bigger gain of This Aug 11, 2019 file photo shows Visa credit cards in New Orleans. Borrowing by Americans fell in Janu- $11.6 billion in December. ary 2021 for the first time in five months, as a big drop in the use of credit cards offset increases in auto Consumer borrowing is close- loans and student loans. The Federal Reserve reported Friday, March 5, 2021 that consumer borrowing fell ly watched for indications about by $1.3 billion in January, the first setback since a $9 billion decline in August. (AP) Americans’ willingness to take on more debt to fi nance their spending, which accounts for two-thirds of ‘Unemployment rose 2.6% points to 10.7’ U.S. economic activity. Since the pandemic hit a year ago, millions have lost their jobs and households have grown more UN finds soaring poverty in LatAm cautious, boosting their savings SANTIAGO, Chile, March 7, (AP): levels as a hedge against economic More than 20 million people were uncertainty. pushed into poverty during pan- Nancy Vanden Houten, senior demic-plagued 2020 across Latin economist at Oxford Economics, America and the Caribbean, the said she believes the drop in bor- UN agency for the region reported rowing refl ects a decision by con- Thursday. sumers to use their $400 stimulus Poverty as a whole rose to afflict a checks from a relief bill passed in total of 208 million people – 33.7% December to pay down debt rather from 30.5% of the population – in a than increase spending. year when the overall gross domes- But she forecast that consumer tic product collapsed by 7.7%. borrowing will rebound. Extreme poverty – those without the resources to cover basic food Tecnotree ‘posts’ requirements – rose to encompass 78 million people, 12.5% of the re- ’20 strong growth gion’s population, according to the Economic Commission for Latin TAMPERE, Finland, March 7, America and the Caribbean. That’s (Agencies): Tecnotree, the global the highest percentage in 20 years. A cat stretches in front of a bakery at La Vega market in Santiago, provider of IT solutions for the Poverty as a whole rose to afflict a Chile on March 4, 2021. More than 20 million people were pushed into telecom industry, has recently an- total of 208 million people – 33.7% poverty during pandemic-plagued 2020 across Latin America and the nounced its Q4 and full-year 2020 from 30.5% of the population – in Caribbean, the UN economic agency for the region reported Thurs- financial results. a year when the overall gross do- day. (AP) In a year that will globally go mestic product collapsed by 7.7%. down in history as the year of pan- The report said the situation would demic and resultant economic slow- have been worse without household Alamo Drafthouse files for bankruptcy down, Tecnotree posts a different subsidy programs enacted by many story. With a substantial 76% in- governments to cushion the blow TEXAS, March 7, (AP): Alamo incremental financing to stabilize crease in net income and 48% EBIT for some 84 million households. Drafthouse Cinemas Holdings, a the business during the pandemic, growth, Tecnotree displayed strong The report presented online by Texas-based dine-in theater chain, which has had an unprecedented said that it has filed for bankrupt- and outsized impact upon the resilience even during the most dif- agency director Alicia Bárcena also cy and will enter a restructuring movie theater and dining indus- ficult times. The company struck the found worsening rates of inequality agreement due to financial woes tries,” the company said in a state- right chord for all the key metrics in and unemployment across a region during the pandemic. ment. “More importantly, it will po- 2020; and with 4 new clients and an that accounts for just 8.4% of the The company plans to sell most sition Alamo Drafthouse to return Order-Book of more than 32 mil- world’s population but nearly 28 of its assets to affiliates of Altamont to growth and continue executing lion euros, Tecnotree appears set to percent of global deaths from CO- Capital and Fortress Investment on its long-term strategic vision.” continue the growth momentum in VID-19. Group under Chapter 11 bank- In its bankruptcy petition, 2021. The report said more than ruptcy, which allows Alamo Draft- Alamo Drafthouse listed assets 2020 year performance at a 507,000 people died of COVID-19 house to continue operating while and liabilities of as much as $500 glance: last year across Latin America and its managers and advisers work on million each. Court papers show Net sales grew by 12% to 52.8m the Caribbean. repaying creditors. that private equity firm Altamont euros (47m euros). Net income reg- The report said that deteriorat- “The transaction will provide Capital Management owns 40% istered 76% growth to 13.6m euros ing economic, health and education the company with much-needed of the company. (7.7m euros). Earnings Before In- conditions for households “could terest and Tax (EBIT) grew by 30% forge a vicious cycle of poverty and in the region.” were affected by school closures, to 18.6m euros (14.4m euros). Cash bad health conditions for wide sec- Unemployment rose 2.6 percent- even if some – especially those with & Cash Equivalent showed a 138% tors of the population.” age points to 10.7 by the end of the economic means – were able to turn growth at the end of the period. Bárcena said levels of inequality year, with the greatest losses among to remote learning systems. Share price soared by 312% in the have reached “unsustainable” levels women, informal workers, youths Bárcena also noted “great in- year. Market Capitalization grew by and she called for creation of “a true and migrants. equality in access to vaccines” 360% to 193Me (42Me). EPS grew welfare state, a task long postponed More than 165 million students needed to escape from the problem. to 5c from 3c. Costco Q4 profits rise, helped by pandemic shopping habits

Warehouse retail chain Cost- That’s compared to a profit share in the latest quarter. known for its mammoth ware- co Wholesale said its fourth- of $931 million, or $2.10 per Costco said the premium house stores. quarter profits rose slightly share, in the same period a COVID-19 pay for its employ- E-commerce revenues Shoppers walk into a Costco from a year ago, its profits year earlier. ees trimmed its profits by 41 were up 75% from a year ear- store, March 3, in Tacoma, weighed by wage premiums But the results were below cents per share. lier in the quarter that ended Washington. Costco Whole- paid to employees during the analysts’ expectations, push- Costco has been one re- Feb. 14. sale Corp. reported earnings pandemic. ing the Costco’s stock down tailer that has mostly ben- The warehouse club op- results on March 4. (AP) In a quarter during which about 2% in after-hours trad- efited from the pandemic, erator posted total revenue Costco saw a surge of on- ing. as stay-at-home Americans of $44.77 billion in the period, line shopping, the company The average estimate of stocked up on bulk goods. exceeding Street forecasts. based in Issaquah, Wash- 13 analysts surveyed by The company also is seeing Six analysts surveyed by ington, said it earned $951 Zacks Investment Research a jump in online shopping, Zacks expected $44.5 billion. million, or $2.14 per share. was for earnings of $2.42 per notable for the chain mostly (AP) Business PPluslus 125 people under universal basic income reported lower rates of anxiety and depression: study Employment rose among those in free money experiment

is limited because it only lasted two years, and people are unlikely to drop out of the labor force if they know the extra money is temporary. “Tubbs’ claim that this experi- ment proves that a basic income doesn’t negatively affect employ- ment is overstated,” he said. Researchers found the people who got the money reported lower incidences of anxiety and depres- sive symptoms when compared to another group of people who did not get the money. Those fi ndings could be key to next year’s study, which will look at how partici- pants fared during the pandemic. “It will allow us to ask the question: To what degree did that $500 serve as a fi nancial vaccine as people were entering the pan- demic,” Baker said. “The fact that folks went (into the pandemic) in a much stronger position, I think, bodes really well for the ways in which cash can really alleviate chronic strain.” People got the money once a month on a debit card, which let researchers track how most of the people spent it. Less than 1% of the money went to tobacco and alcohol. Tubbs, who lost his reelec- tion bid as Stockton’s mayor in November, said his goal is to con- vince state and federal lawmakers to implement guaranteed income programs on a larger scale. Aside from conservatives who object to big government spending, opposi- tion also comes from labor unions that worry the government would end other social safety net pro- grams to pay for it. Yang’s plan In this file photo, Susie Garza displays the city provided debit card she receives monthly through a trial program in Stockton, California. A study of people in California who received $500 a month would have cost nearly $3 trillion for free says they used it to pay off debt and get full-time jobs. A pair of independent researchers reviewed data from the first year of the study and released their finding on March 3, 2021. (AP) a year to provide a guaranteed income to everyone. By Adam Beam and avoid debt. But critics argue including a nonprofi t led by Face- University of Pennsylvania. “That’s a question these free money would eliminate the book co-founder Chris Hughes. Tomas Vargas said the extra experiments are not designed fter getting $500 per month incentive to work, creating a soci- A pair of independent research- $500 a month was enough for him to answer,” said Steve Smith, Afor two years without rules ety dependent on the state. ers at the University of Tennessee to take time off from his part- communications director for the on how to spend it, 125 people in Tubbs, who at 26 was elected and the University of Pennsylva- time job and fi nd full-time work California Labor Federation. California paid off debt, got full- Stockton’s fi rst Black mayor in nia reviewed data from the fi rst that paid better. He said he was Still, guaranteed income time jobs and reported lower rates 2016 after endorsements from Op- year of the study, which did not depressed at the start of 2019, programs seem to be gaining of anxiety and depression, accord- rah Winfrey and Barack Obama, overlap with the pandemic. A sec- but now says he is happier and momentum. More than 40 mayors Tubbs’ claim that this ing to a study released Wednesday. wanted to put those claims to the ond study looking at year two is healthier. have joined Mayors for a Guaran- experiment‘ proves that a The program in the Northern test. Stockton was an ideal place, scheduled to be released next year. “Every day I get to wake up teed Income, with many planning California city of Stockton was given its proximity to Silicon When the program started in Feb- and enjoy my kids,” he said. “My projects of their own. A pro- the highest-profi le experiment Valley and the eagerness of the ruary 2019, 28% of the people slated wife, we enjoy time together. We posal in the California Legislature basic income doesn’t in the US of a universal basic state’s tech titans to fund the to get the free money had full-time didn’t have that before.” would offer $1,000 per month for income, where everyone gets a experiment as they grapple with jobs. One year later, 40% of those Tubbs cheered the results, three years to people who age out negatively affect guaranteed amount per month for how to prepare for job losses that people had full-time jobs. A control telling reporters on a conference of the state’s foster care system. free. Announced by former Mayor could come with automation and group of people who did not get the call to “tell your friends, tell your And in Congress, Republican US employment is Michael Tubbs with great fanfare artifi cial intelligence. money saw a 5 percentage point cousins, that guaranteed income Sen Mitt Romney of Utah has in 2017, the idea quickly gained The Stockton Economic increase in full-time employment did not make people stop work- proposed expanding the child tax overstated. momentum once it became a ma- Empowerment Demonstration over that same time period. ing.” credit to send most parents at least ’ jor part of Andrew Yang’s 2020 launched in February 2019, select- “These numbers were incred- Matt Zwolinski, director of the $250 per month. campaign for president. ing a group of 125 people who ible. I hardly believed them Center for Ethics, Economics and Tubbs said that’s a big differ- Supporters say a guaranteed lived in census tracts at or below myself,” said Stacia West, an Public Policy at the University ence from when he fi rst an- income can alleviate the stress and the city’s median household assistant professor at the Univer- of San Diego, reviewed the study nounced this guaranteed income anxiety of people living in poverty income of $46,033. The program sity of Tennessee who analyzed and said it is “really good news program four years ago. while giving them the fi nancial did not use tax dollars, but was the data along with Amy Castro for supporters of a basic income “How the pendulum has security needed to fi nd good jobs fi nanced by private donations, Baker, an assistant professor at the guarantee.” But he said the study swung,” he said. (AP) ‘We do not accept to be cornered as a legacy carmaker’ 4th largest carmaker to be disruptive: Stellantis CEO MILAN, March 7, (AP): Stellantis ogy we need for the automobile technologies that would help the go fast and I should be very ef- reported earnings of 2.2 billion CEO Carlos Tavares said the new world,’’ he said, citing energy company get rid of duplications fi cient at the end of the day,” the euros, a drop of 32%. car company formed from the management, lightweight batter- and save money. He cited bigger CEO said. Fiat Chrysler reported fourth- merger of Fiat Chrysler Automo- ies and quick-charging technolo- engines from FCA, and smaller Offering its fi rst fi nancial quarter adjusted earnings before biles and PSA Peugeot would be a gies. ones from Fiat, and said that PSA guidance, Stellantis announced it interest and taxes of 2.3 billion “disruptive” force in the industry, “We are not going to let our- has been adept at achieving effi - was targeting an adjusted income euros, a record 2.2 billion euros of and that both sides would provide selves be cornered as dinosaurs, ciencies through sharing compo- margin of between 5.5% and 7% those generated in North America, technologies to achieve the prom- that is clear,’’ Tavares said. nents and platforms, while FCA in its fi rst year of operation as a where the profi t margin was ised 5 billion euros ($6 billion) in Tavares also indicated that both has faster processes. new company. 11.6%. cost savings each year. FCA and PSA would contribute “So if I combine both, I should Tavares said one “strong ca- As a result, about 43,000 em- The Italian-American carmaker veat” to the guidance is that they ployees represented by the United and the French mass-market auto- cannot anticipate if there will be Auto Workers union will each We believe that this motive company completed their lockdowns or restrictions on busi- get $8,010 profi t-sharing checks strategic‘ investment is merger on Jan. 16, creating Stel- ness due to the pandemic. on March 15, Stellantis said in lantis, the world’s fourth-largest While strong North American a separate release. Last year the carmaker, despite a pandemic year performance is expected to help workers got $7,820, and the aver- going to be highly con- that saw profi ts plunge. Stellantis meet the goal, Tavares age hourly worker has received “Stellantis is not born from a said “three big gorillas’’ were over $44,700 in profi t sharing vergent with the tech- crisis,’’ Tavares told a conference providing headwinds: rising costs since 2009, Stellantis said. call after fourth-quarter earnings of raw materials, potential produc- All regions and Maserati made nology we need for the were released. “This is not only tion losses due to a shortage of a positive contribution to the about implementing synergies, it semiconductors and increased results, for the fi rst time since the automobile world. will also be a disruptive plan. We costs for electrifi cation. fi rst quarter of 2019, said Mike ’ do not accept to be cornered as a Earlier Wednesday, Fiat Manley, the former FCA CEO and legacy carmaker.” Chrysler Automobiles and PSA current head of North American Tavares cited the recent Peugeot reported their last fi nan- operations for Stellantis. investment in the Archer avia- cial statements as independent The French mass carmaker said tion company to develop vertical companies, each contributing full- second-half operating margins hit fl ying devices for urban mobility year profi ts of around 2 billion 9.4% at record levels. as an example of how Stellantis The Stellantis sign is seen outside the Chrysler Technology Center, Jan euros to the new company. “These fi gures demonstrate the intended to be a disruptive force. 19, in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis, the Fiat Chrysler reported adjusted fi nancial soundness of Stellantis, “We believe that this strategic carmaker created from the merger of PSA Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler, said net profi ts in the pandemic year bringing together two healthy investment is going to be highly Tuesday that the tie-up will help preserve jobs, factories and the 14 storied of 1.9 billion euros ($2.3 bil- companies,’’ Tavares said in a convergent with the technol- brands as billions in annual savings are achieved. (AP) lion), down 57% from 2019. PSA statement. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

Virus fatigue grows Americans still wait for advice after jabs NEW YORK, March 7, (AP): More than 27 million Americans fully vaccinated against the coronavirus will have to keep waiting for guidance from federal health offi- cials for what they should and shouldn’t do. The Biden administration said Friday it’s focused on get- ting the guidance right and accommodating emerging sci- ence, but the delays add to the uncertainty around bringing about an end to the pandemic as the nation’s virus fatigue grows. “These are complex issues and the science is rapidly evolving,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday. “We are mak- ing sure and taking time to get this right and we will be releasing this guidance soon.” Such guidance would address a flood of questions coming in from people who have been fully vaccinat- ed against COVID-19: Do I still have to wear a mask? Can I go to a bar now? Can I finally see my grandchil- dren? The need has slowly grown since January, when the first Americans Biden began to complete the two-dose series of COVID-19 vaccines then available. In Washington state, Raul Espinoza Gomez has 22 grand- children and great-grandchildren and an appointment Saturday for his second dose of coronavirus vaccine. In this Jan 13, 2021 file photo, microbiologist Marielle Bedotto-Buffet prepares samples at the University Hospital Institute for Infectious Diseases in Marseille, By Easter, the 77-year-old’s immune system will be ready southern France, to study the highly contagious COVID-19 variant that has been discovered in the UK. Europe recorded 1 million new COVID-19 cases last week, to protect him from the virus. But how the family celebrates an increase of 9% from the previous week and ending a six-week decline, WHO said March 4. The so-called UK variant is of greatest concern in the 53 countries will depend on government advice, said Melissa Espinoza, monitored by WHO in Europe. (AP) 47, of Carnation, Washington, who plans to drive Gomez, her father-in-law, to get his second shot. “We didn’t gather together as a big family at Christmas,” she said. “We go by what the state and federal guidelines Coronavirus recommend. We’ve had family members adversely affected by COVID. We know the risks are severe.” Worried about persistently high case loads and deaths, the Biden administration has condemned efforts to relax states’ Europe staggers as new cases multiply virus restrictions and pleaded with the public for several months more patience. The caution has drawn critics, who point to the adminis- tration’s own warnings that “fatigue is winning” as evidence Infectious variants power virus surge that they need to be more optimistic about the path ahead to secure the cooperation of those who are yet to be vaccinated. MILAN, March 7, (AP): The virus swept through a nursery school and an Guidance adjacent elementary school in the Study finds mask mandates and “I think it’s going to be overly proscriptive and conserva- Milan suburb of Bollate with amazing tive and that’s the wrong message,” former FDA speed. In a matter of just days, 45 chil- Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told CNBC Wednesday of the dren and 14 staff members had tested dining out influence virus spread forthcoming CDC guidance. “If we continue to be very pro- positive. NEW YORK, March 7, (AP): A new dining - both indoors and at tables scriptive and not give people a realistic vision for what a Genetic analysis confirmed what national study adds strong evi- outside. The study looked at data better future is going to look like, they’re going to start to officials already suspected: The highly dence that mask mandates can from March through December of ignore the public health guidance.” In this Aug 6, 2020 file photo, provid- contagious coronavirus variant first slow the spread of the coronavirus, last year. Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and ed by Russian Direct Investment identified in England was racing and that allowing dining at restau- The scientists found that mask Women’s Hospital in the Division of Health Policy and Fund, an employee works with a coro- through the community, a densely rants can increase cases and mandates were associated with Public Health, encouraged the CDC to be clearer about when navirus vaccine at the Nikolai packed city of nearly 40,000 with a deaths. reduced coronavirus transmission, Gamaleya National Center of chemical plant and a Pirelli bicycle tire The Centers for Disease Control and that improvements in new and how it plans to produce guidelines for the vaccinated. and Prevention released the study cases and deaths increased as “Making the decision to go by the science is also making Epidemiology and Microbiology in factory a 15-minute drive from the Moscow, Russia. Russia’s boast in heart of Milan. Friday. time went on. the decision that you’re going to have to make a decision, August that it was the first country to “All of this is very consistent,” The reductions in growth rates which is really difficult when the science isn’t settled,” he “This demonstrates that the virus has authorize a coronavirus vaccine led to a sort of intelligence ... We can put up CDC Director Dr. Rochelle varied from half a percentage point told the AP. “They’re drinking from a firehose of science, skepticism because of its insufficient Walensky said during a White to nearly 2 percentage points. That all the barriers in the world and imag- House briefing on Friday. “You may sound small, but the large and sometimes, it gets messy.” testing on only a few dozen people. ine that they work, but in the end, it More than 54 million Americans have received at least Now, with demand growing for the have decreases in cases and number of people involved means adapts and penetrates them,’’ lamented deaths when you wear masks, and the impact grows with time, experts one dose of vaccine, and slightly more than half - nearly 28 Sputnik V, experts are raising ques- Bollate Mayor Francesco Vassallo. million - have gotten the recommended two doses. The sin- tions again, this time over whether you have increases in cases and said. Moscow can keep up with all the Bollate was the first city in deaths when you have in-person “Each day that growth rate is gle-dose Johnson & Johnson shot soon will add a couple Lombardy, the northern region that has restaurant dining.” going down, the cumulative effect million more Americans with questions about what new orders from countries that want it. (AP) been the epicenter in each of Italy’s The study was released just as - in terms of cases and deaths - freedoms they can safely enjoy. three surges, to be sealed off from some states are rescinding mask adds up to be quite substantial,” “I do hope I get to see my great-grandchildren more,” said neighbors because of virus variants that mandates and restaurant limits. said Gery Guy Jr., a CDC scientist Rolando Solar, 92, who received his second dose in Miami the World Health Organization says are Earlier this week, Texas became who was the study’s lead author. Wednesday. “But I know things will not go back to normal Discovery powering another uptick in infections the biggest state to lift its mask Reopening restaurant dining and, for an old man like me, this is as good as it will be.” across Europe. The variants also rule, joining a movement by many was not followed by a significant Tami Katz-Freiman, 65, of Miami, got her second dose include versions first identified in governors to loosen COVID-19 increase in cases and deaths in restrictions despite pleas from the first 40 days after restrictions three weeks ago, and plans to watch the Miami Film Festival China sets ‘energy goals’: China, the South Africa and Brazil. virtually Sunday at the home of unvaccinated friends. All health officials. were lifted. But after that, there world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse “It’s a solid piece of work that were increases of about 1 percent- will wear masks. gases, announced generally moderate new Infections Europe recorded 1 million new makes the case quite strongly that age point in the growth rate of “We didn’t have to discuss it with each other, because it’s energy and climate targets on Friday that in-person dining is one of the more cases and - later - 2 to 3 percent- very clear to me that when there is a doubt and you don’t give little sign that it will step up its pace in COVID-19 cases last week, an increase important things that needs to be age points in the growth rate of have a CDC straightforward rule you better be on the safe combatting climate change. of 9% from the previous week and a handled if you’re going to control deaths. side and take care for yourself,” Katz-Freiman said. On a smoggy day in Beijing, Premier Li reversal that ended a six-week decline the pandemic,” said William The delay could be because res- Keqiang Three weeks ago, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated said the country will reduce car- in new infections, WHO said Thursday. Hanage, a Harvard University taurants didn’t reopen immediately bon emissions per unit of economic output “The spread of the variants is driving expert on disease dynamics who and because many customers may people do not have to go into quarantine if they have contact by 18% over the next five years. He was the increase, but not only,’’ said Dr. was not involved in the study. with someone with a confirmed infection (for 90 days after speaking at the annual meeting of the have been hesitant to dine in right the final shot). But the agency said nothing beyond that, noted Hans Kluge, WHO regional director The new research builds on after restrictions were lifted, Guy National People’s Congress, China’s cere- for Europe, citing “also the opening of Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health monial legislature, that began Friday. smaller CDC studies, including one said. professor at George Washington University. The meeting is China’s highest-profile society, when it is not done in a safe that found that people in 10 states Also, there’s always a lag “That (quarantine guidance) seems to imply to me that political event of the year, where the ruling and a controlled manner.” who became infected in July were between when people are infected Communist Party unveils new policies and The variant first found in the UK is more likely to have dined at a res- and when they become ill, and your chance of contracting COVID-19 and being a carrier to taurant and another that found longer to when they end up in the others is pretty low,” said Wen, who previously ran legislation. spreading significantly in 27 European The 18% target is the same as in the pre- countries monitored by WHO and is mask mandates in 10 states were hospital and die. In the case of din- Baltimore’s health department. associated with reductions in hos- ing out, a delay in deaths can also “(But) we need to focus on what is most relevant to peo- vious five-year economic plan. The country dominant in at least 10 countries: uses carbon emissions per unit of economic Britain, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, pitalizations. be caused by the fact that the din- ple’s lives, and my patients are not coming in and asking output, or carbon intensity, instead of abso- Germany, France, the Netherlands, The CDC researchers looked at ers themselves may not die, but me: ‘If I’m vaccinated, do I still need to quarantine if I’m lute emission reduction targets. Israel, Spain and Portugal. US counties placed under state- they could get infected and then exposed?’” she continued. “We were very keen to see what the 14th issued mask mandates and at spread it to others who get sick It is up to 50% more transmissible counties that allowed restaurant and die, Hanage said. Questions five-year plan would say about how to actu- than the virus that surged last spring ally get there, or maybe even more ambitious and again in the fall, making it more Experts say it’s understandable that the CDC has been targets,” said Dimitri de Boer, chief repre- adept at thwarting measures that were were expected to arrive Saturday for While the UK variant is dominant in cautious when many scientific questions remain, including sentative of ClientEarth, an environmental previously effective, WHO experts treatment in Germany, where authori- France, forcing lockdowns in the French how long vaccine-induced immunity lasts, and whether vac- law charity. “What we’ve seen of the actual warned. Scientists have concluded that ties said they had offered to take in 10 Riviera city of Nice and the northern cinated people are still able to transmit the virus to others. plan is that there is a target on reducing car- patients. port of Dunkirk, the variant first detect- bon intensity by 2025 but we can’t tell what it is also more deadly. The answers are important when advising someone what “That is why health systems are ed in South Africa has emerged as the kind of risk they face in different settings, and how much of exactly that means in total emissions.” Supply In September, President Xi Jinping struggling more now,” Kluge said. “It most prevalent in France’s Moselle a risk they are to others. announced that China would aim for carbon really is at a tipping point. We have to Kluge cited Britain’s experience as region, which borders Germany and “The vaccines at their best, in the clinical trials, were 95% neutrality by 2060, and a peak in emissions hold the fort and be very vigilant.” cause for optimism, noting that wide- Luxembourg. It represents 55% of the effective, I didn’t say 100%. And that’s why we have to by 2030. The carbon neutrality announce- In Lombardy, which bore the brunt of spread restrictions and the introduction virus circulating there. keep wearing masks most of the time,” said Dr. William ment led many to expect there would be Italy’s spring surge, intensive care wards of the vaccine have helped tamp down Austria’s health minister said Schaffner, an infectious-diseases expert at Vanderbilt sharper targets. are again filling up, with more than two- the variants there and in Israel. The Saturday the UK variant is now domi- University. Government planners offered a few more thirds of new positive tests being the UK vaccine rollout in the European Union, nant in his country. But the South But CDC has needed to come out with something more specifics in a summary of the new five-year variant, health officials said. by comparison, is lagging badly, most- Africa variant is also a concern in a for vaccinated people than sticking with the same old mask plan. It sets a target for non-fossil energy to After putting two provinces and ly because of supply problems. district of Austria that extends from wearing, social distancing guidance, he added. account for 20% of total energy consumption some 50 towns on a modified lock- In Britain, the emergence of the more Italy to Germany, with Austrian offi- “People are so eager to do something and they want to see by 2025, which will require further invest- down, Lombardy’s regional governor transmissible strain sent cases soaring in cials announcing plans to vaccinate some tangible benefit from the vaccines. Americans are ment in solar and wind energy. It did not announced tightened restrictions Friday December and triggered a national lock- most of the 84,000 residents there to mention any ban on new coal projects, which down in January. Cases have since curb its spread. Austria is also requir- impatient. They want to get on with it,” Schaffner said. experts say would be a significant step. and closed classrooms for all ages. Indeed, “there is a real cost to putting off this guidance,” China obtains 60% of its power from coal Cases in Milan schools alone surged plummeted, from about 60,000 a day in ing motorists along the Brenner high- as people turn to their own doctors for advice, or just make and is the world’s biggest source of climate- 33% in a week, the provincial health early January to about 7,000 a day now. way, a major north-south route, to their own assumptions and decisions, Wen said. changing industrial pollution. As a result, its system’s chief said. Still, a study shows the rate of show negative test results. Waiting too long can diminish the agency’s relevance on carbon intensity is higher than any other The situation is dire in the Czech decline slowing, and the British gov- The South Africa variant, now pres- this kind of matter, said Wen, who believes CDC should country. Republic, which this week registered a ernment says it will tread cautiously ent in 26 European countries, is a have had some kind of guidance in place for vaccinated Climate change experts say the new plan record-breaking total of nearly 8,500 with plans to ease the lockdown. That source of particular concern because people back in January. does not include indicators previously given patients hospitalized with COVID-19. process begins Monday with the of doubts over whether the current Clearly, vaccinated people should have been encouraged by the government, such as a 5-year GDP Poland is opening temporary hospitals reopening of schools. Infection rates vaccines are effective enough against to go get cancer screenings, dental care, or other needed target, which would set more concrete lim- and imposing a partial lockdown as the are highest in people ages 13 to 17, it. The Brazilian variant, which its since carbon intensity is calculated using U.K. variant has grown from 10% of all and officials will watch closely to see appears capable of reinfecting people, medical appointments. CDC officials also could have said GDP. that it’s OK for small groups of fully vaccinated people - infections in February to 25% now. whether the return to class brings a has been detected in 15 European Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Two patients from hard-hit Slovakia spike in infections. countries. maybe two or three couples, for example - to gather together Centre for Research on Energy and Clean for a dinner or other small gathering, she said. Air in Helsinki, said the lack of such con- Regarding small gatherings among people who have been crete numbers could be good because it fully vaccinated, “the relative risk is so low that you would could offer the government more flexibility not have to wear a mask, that you could have a good social in pursuing green policies. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ gathering within the home,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the tion continues into the Arecibo telescope. It Academies of Sciences, Engineering and government’s leading infectious diseases doctor, during a Officials seeking answers: The was until recently the world’s largest radio Medicine to launch an independent and recent White House briefing. National Science Foundation said Friday telescope and was used to study pulsars, expedited study into what caused the tele- Some experts discussed the possibility that movie theaters that it could cost up to $50 million just to detect gravitational waves, search for neu- scope to collapse. or cruise ships or certain other businesses might open up to clean up the debris at a renowned radio tral hydrogen and detect habitable planets, “Ensuring safety has continued to be the vaccinated people, and ask for proof of vaccination status. telescope that collapsed last year in Puerto among other things. NSF’s top priority,” the report stated. “This Israel’s government has begun issuing a “green pass” vac- Rico, adding that investigations into what The NSF noted that results from the includes not only the safety of personnel on cination certificate to anyone who has received two doses of caused its cables to fail are still ongoing. forensic evaluations by engineering firms, the site, but also the safety of the environ- COVID vaccine through an accredited vaccination service. The update is part of a report that the including mapping the distribution of ment in the area and the need to address federal agency, which owns the telescope, debris, won’t be ready until late this year. In concerns about historic and cultural preser- had to submit to Congress as the investiga- addition, the NSF said it asked the National Xi Li vation.” (AP) Television MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 FFeatureseatures interprested andthe songisactu- of thesonginsistit hasbeenmis- ing peacefully,no toElDiablo”. reading inGreek,“We’reprotest- ing families,heldupplacards promotes satanicworship. titled “ElDiablo”—thattheysay the Eurovisionsongcontest— country’s controversialentryfor demand thewithdrawalof state broadcasteronSaturdayto Church hymnsoutsideofCyprus’ Orthodox Christianfaithfulsang called ‘CreateEscape’.”(AP) this pieceofartworkhehasaptly of arts,heritageandculturewith vacant ReadingGaolintoabeacon council’s desiretotransformthe thrown hissupportbehindthe that Banksyappearstohave ough Councilsaiditwas“thrilled ing won thebackingofactorsinclud- mer prisonintoanartsvenuehas Kenneth Branagh with video called“TheJoyofPainting sode ofatraditionalartinstruction footage isjuxtaposedwithanepi- work, titled“CreateEscape.”The spraying painttocreatetheart- is shownstealthilystencilingand future. is duetodecidemid-Marchonits Justice, whichownsthebuilding, arts venue. campaigners wantitturnedintoan cency” inthe1890s. served twoyearsfor“grossinde- where writer Prison, famousasthelocation peared MondayoutsideReading of paperfromatypewriter.Itap- man escapingusingaropemade monochrome pictureshowsa it onhisInstagramaccount.The posted avideoofhimcreating the picturewashiswhenhe prison wasofhismaking. appeared onaredbrickwallofthe artist confi spokesman said,afterthestreet ing intoanartsvenue,atown in theEnglishtownofRead- campaign toturnaformerprison have thrownhissupportbehinda funhouse mirror. the way,servingupadarkerversionofMarvel’salreadydysfunctional ily,” swallowinganentireNewJerseytownanditspeopleand,along Bunch,” “FamilyTies,”“MalcolmintheMiddle”and“ModernFam- sendups of“TheDickVanDykeShow,”“Bewitched,”Brady suburban prison. seven-decade traditionoftheAmericansitcomintoadecade-hopping ably onlyseasonconcludedFriday,tookitallastepfurther,turningthe ment’s billion-dollarbaby,“WandaVision,”whoseinauguralandprob- micromoment. description oflifeinmanycornersAmericaduringthispandemic comics byStanLeesixdecadesago.Notincidentally,it’salsoanapt ay intotheintricate,immersiveuniversefi neighbors withyou,oragainstyou? off attheendofblock?Doeslifeloopbackonitself?Areyour quite rightwithreality.Thedaysfeel…episodic.Doestheworldtaper colorless. Everythinglooksreasonablyplacid,butsomething’snot comedy acrossthreegenerations. ca, butofthewayithasseenitselfthroughitsbroadlydrawntelevision passing day. I NICOSIA, Cyprus: LONDON: ‘WandaVision,’ asitcomsendup,waspandemic parable,too The broadcasterand thesinger Some oftheprotesters,includ- A spokesmanforReadingBor- The campaigntoturnthefor- In hisInstagramvideo,Banksy The prisonclosedin2013,and The elusiveartistconfirmed losing asenseoftheoutsideworld—andyourselfwitheach magine beingtrappedintheconfi The pitch-perfectresult:adistortedrefl Episode byTV-homageepisode,itpinballedthroughunsettling In anerawhenmeticulouslycraftedfi This hasbeenthepremiseof“WandaVision,”Marvel’slatestfor- Things areseemingkindoffl Judi Dench,StephenFry Bob Ross ❑ rmed thatartwork Banksy Britain Oscar Wilde .” appearsto ’s Ministryof . Dozens of By Ted Anthony

and at lately,andsometimesdownright public broadcaster toprotestwhat barged ontothegrounds ofthe causing adisturbance whenhe man withuttering threats and of thesong. Church calledforthewithdrawal after thepowerfulOrthodox between twolovers. ally aboutanabusiverelationship nes ofyourownneighborhood, Last week,policechargeda The protestcameseveraldays modern sensibilities,isn’tnearlyasfunnyoredgy sequel, despite(orperhapsbecauseof)itsnodto changin’. munda. 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Akeem -hedidn’tneedtobecalledPrinceCharm- cult classic. popularity andcharisma,becameahugehit ica,” starringEddieMurphyattheheightofhis a kingdomcalledZamunda.“ComingtoAmer- ctional universesareentertain- O ‘Coming toAmerica’fora#MeToo world Show depicts ‘real’ world is still the fantastic one of Marvel Universe Show depicts‘real’worldisstillthefantasticoneofMarvel ectionnotmerelyofAmeri- That’s thegoodnews.Thebadnewsisthatthis And now,PrinceAkeemisnotarandyyoung But 33yearsandone#MeToomovementlater, Oops! Sorry,kids.Somepartsof“ComingTo In thisfi rst cobbledtogetherinthe Variety were born,theymadeafairytalemovieabout nce uponatime,dearchildren,beforeyou ips thegenderdynamicentirelyandgratify- lm, dearchildren,MurphyplayedPrince By JocelynNoveck Film Eddie Murphyappearsinascenefrom‘Coming2America.’(AP) an entertainmentempire.Liketheworldof“WandaVision,”Disney’s memories ofearly20th-centuryMidwesternlifeintothemeparksand is astand-inforWaltDisneyhimself,whobuilthisgauzychildhood children —andontothelandscapeitself. mersive fantasyontomorethanahalfcentury’sworthofAmerican agineers” whowereinstrumentalinstampingthesensibilityofim- past 12yearsbyDisney,aconglomeratebuiltself-described“im- wink-nudge bubblegumdarkness,waspure21stcentury. fl decades tomatchthetimes.Theirsurfacetranquilityandamiablecon- those landscapesofassuagementandthewaytheymorphedover ict werebackdropsforaslowlyunfoldingMarvelplotthat,inits lm -hehasthree WandaMaximoff,theworld-buildingwitchatshow’snucleus, There’s irony,too,inthefactthatMarvelhasbeenownedfor “WandaVision” cooptedthatvisionandupendedit.Itused,asfoils, threatening things. communities populatedwithnonthreateningcharactersdoingnon- sure society’snormswerereinforcedbypresentingnonthreatening esthetic” —astyleofnarrativethatresetitselfeveryweek,making tentment thatpeoplefi into thelexicon. TV watcher’sbrainlongbeforetheword“streaming”evertumbled structured loreofsitcoms,whichwerecomfortfoodfortheAmerican craving moment?Becauseitreachedsolovinglyintothemannered, conceived beforethevirusarrived)tomatchtenorofitscomfort- r Dench Fry The televisionscholarRobertThompsononcedescribedthecon- How didthisshowmanage(inadvertently,ofcourse,sinceitwas Sequel notasfunnyoredgytheoriginal father’s death,learnsheunknowinglysiredason a maleheir.Akeem,whobecomeskinguponhis jor need.Inthiscase,theneedisnotabride,but in ZamundaandtravelingtoQueenssolveama- “Midnight TrainFromZamunda.” notable musicalappearances,GladysKnightsings in Jost,makesthemostofabriefcameo.Among mother. Another“SaturdayNightLive”face,Col- as Lavelle’suncle;andJoneshisuninhibited Izzi, leaderofNexdoria(nextdoor);TracyMorgan amusing WesleySnipesasfl unknown son.Celebrityguestsincludeahighly maine FowlerasLavelle,Akeem’spreviously nd inoldsitcomsas“theaestheticofthean- The plotfollowsafamiliartrajectory,beginning A newpresenceisthecasuallyappealingJer- the knowingreferencestourbangentrifi be toodisappointed.Especiallybecause,despite fl later torecapturethemagic,fansoffi What ithaslessof,isfun. de-aging technologyandoverlayingplotlines. Panther”). Ithassetpiecesandchoreography great RuthE.Carter(anOscarwinnerfor“Black profi original cast,somewell-knownnewcomers,high- as theoriginal.Ithasseeminglyeverything-- in Queens. of coursetheMy-T-Sharpbarbershopcrewisback as Lisa’sdad,stillrippingoffMcDonald’s.And Louie AndersonasMaurice.JohnAmosisback ley asLisa(aseriouslyunderwrittenrole);and James EarlJonesasKingJaffeJoffer;ShariHead- (and abunchofotherroles).Alsoback:thestately star. SoisArsenioHall,astrustysidekickSemmi sary moviesequels,littlehasreallychanged. transgender offspring,Teslasandevenunneces- ock toitonAmazonPrime.Theylikelywon’t Confl Still, justlikewegotocollegereunions30years Obviously Murphyisback,asproducerand le cameos-andeye-poppingcostumesbythe ict but itsboardchairman, that theentrywon’tbewithdrawn, song. he condemnedasa“blasphemous” waded intothecontroversy, with the song. explaining thecore messageof izers shouldhavedoneabetterjob Frangos The statebroadcasterinsisted Even theCypriotgovernment Appealing , concededthatorgan- abyn General amboyant Andreas rst will rst tured Technicolornarrative.Itisus,butamplifi sometimes, brimmingwiththeemptinessofindustriallymanufac- interconnected andself-perpetuating,privilegedcomplexand, the newAmericansuburb—acompletelyimmersiveneighborhood, pantheon ofseculargiants. 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Complicatingmattersentirely,Lavellefalls screen time),whorightlydeservestobequeenone Meeka (aluminousKiKiLayne,notgivenenough lion. There’salsothematterofAkeem’sdaughter, a “princelytest”whichincludesfacingdown with Mom. aspires tomuchmore,backZamunda,along power. SohebringsLavelle,aticketscalperwho Semmi’s fault!)Heneedsamaleheirtocementhis during thatQueenstripthreedecadesago(itwas rststorylineofitsastonishinglyextensivestreaminglineup lm wasoriginallygoingtobeabigtheatrical MPAA defi “Coming 2America,”anAmazonStudiosre- Directed byCraigBrewer(“Hustle&Flow”) Again, itallfeelslikea30threunion-maybebe- But Lavelleneedstolearnroyalways,andpass ected notquiterealitybutitssaccharine stepsibling,rec- sayingthatal- nition ofPG-13:Parentsstrongly Viktoras nd outthatheorsheisstillasleep,in “unfounded.” (AP) that anyotherinterpretation is with herabuser.Tsagrinou insisted and comingtoidentify andbond a “badboy”knownas“ElDiablo” cries outforhelpafterfalling the songisaboutawomanwho artist written statement. tributed,” Papadopoulossaidina The song’sperformer,Greek Elena Tsagrinou ed. (AP) ows, oldstories , saidthat ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Television

Major royal TV moments UK monarchy & TV have complex ties LONDON, March 7, (AP): Britain’s royal family and television have a complicated relationship. The medium has helped defi ne the modern monar- chy: The 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s fi rst mass TV spectacle. Since then, rare in- terviews have given a glimpse behind palace curtains at the all-too-human family within. The fi ctionalized take of Netfl ix hit “The Crown” has molded views of the monarchy for a new generation, though in ways the powerful, image-conscious royal family can’t con- trol. “The story of the royal family is a constructed nar- rative, just like any other story,” said Phil Harrison, author of “The Age of Static: How TV Explains Mod- ern Britain.” And it’s a story that has changed as Britain moved from an age of deference to an era of modern social mores and ubiq- uitous social media. “The royals, particularly the younger royals, have moved from the realm of state ap- paratus to the realm of celeb- rity culture in recent decades,” Harrison said. “That’s worked well for them up to a point - Diana but celebrity culture takes as well as gives and is notoriously fi ckle.” So anticipation and apprehension are both high ahead of Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry In this Tuesday, July 10, 2018 fi le photo, members of the royal family gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, with (from left), Britain’s Prince Charles, Camilla and his wife, Meghan - the Duke and Duchess of Sus- the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate the Duchess of Cambridge, as sex - a year after they walked away from offi cial royal they watch a fl ypast of Royal Air Force aircraft pass over Buckingham Palace in London. The timing couldn’t be worse for Harry and Meghan. The Duke and Duch- life, citing what they described as the intrusions and ess of Sussex were to fi nally get the chance to tell the story behind their departure from royal duties directly to the public on Sunday, March 7 when their two-hour racist attitudes of the British media toward the duch- interview with Oprah Winfrey is broadcast. (AP) ess, who is biracial. A clip released by CBS ahead of Sunday’s broadcast shows Meghan, a former TV star, appearing to suggest the royal family was “perpetuat- People ing falsehoods” about her and Harry. A look at some other major royal television mo- ments, and their impact: Princess Diana First unprecedented peek into couple’s backstory The 1981 wedding of 32-year-old Prince Charles and 20-year-old Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul’s Ca- thedral was a fairy-tale spectacle watched by an esti- mated 750 million people around the world. Harry, Meghan delve into tough royal split But the relationship soon soured. The couple sepa- rated in 1992, and in 1995 Diana gave a candid in- LOS ANGELES, March 7, (AP): The times used affectionately and some- It is unclear what public reaction, if terview to the BBC’s Martin Bashir, discussing the time has fi nally come for audiences to times critically. any, the queen and other royal family pressure of media scrutiny and the breakdown of her hear Meghan and Harry describe the At one point, Winfrey asked Meghan members will have to Sunday’s inter- marriage. backstory and effects of their tumultu- how she felt about Buckingham Palace view. “There were three of us in that marriage,” Diana ous split from royal life. “hearing you speak your truth today?” On Wednesday, the palace said it said, referring to Charles’ relationship with Camilla Sunday night’s airing of a two-hour “I don’t know how they could ex- was launching a human resources in- Parker-Bowles. special hosted by Oprah Winfrey will pect that after all of this time we would vestigation after a London newspaper The interview prompted a wave of sympathy for Di- provide the fi rst, and unprecedented, still just be silent if there was an active reported that a former aide had accused ana, seen by many as a woman failed by an uncaring, peek into the couple’s departure from role that the fi rm is playing in perpetu- Meghan of bullying staff in 2018. out-of-touch royal establishment - a pattern some say royal duties and the strains it has ating falsehoods about us,” she said. A spokesman for the duchess said has repeated itself with Meghan. placed on them. “And if that comes with risk of losing she was “saddened by the latest attack How it’s received is likely to depend Charles and Diana divorced in 1996; Diana was things, I mean, there’s been a lot that’s on her character, particularly as some- on which side of the Atlantic Ocean been lost already.” killed in a car crash in Paris the following year, trig- one who has been the target of bullying gering intense public mourning and a period of refl ec- Dolly Parton performs on the main viewers are on. In another clip, Harry invoked the The show, which includes Win- memory of his late mother, Princess herself.” tion for the monarchy, which has since tried to appear Pyramid stage at Glastonbury music The snippets already released pro- more modern and relatable - with mixed results. festival, England on June 29, 2014. frey’s interviews with Meghan and Diana, who had to fi nd her way alone Harry, will air fi rst in the United after her divorce from Prince Charles. vide some details about the interview, It’s been 51 years since Dolly Parton which includes Winfrey speaking one- Prince Andrew earned her fi rst Grammy nomination, States - Meghan’s home country - at Relieved on-one with Meghan and a joint ses- The biggest scandal to engulf the family in decades and this year the national treasure 8 pm Eastern. Hours earlier, Harry’s who has won nine Grammys through- grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, will “I’m just really relieved and happy sion with the couple. stems from the friendship between the queen’s second Holding hands, Harry and Meghan son, Andrew, and wealthy convicted sex offender Jef- out her career is competing for her deliver a royal address before Com- to be sitting here talking to you with frey Epstein, who died in a New York jail in August 50th honor. (AP) monwealth Day. my wife by my side, because I can’t sat opposite Winfrey while she ques- 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-traffi cking charges. British audiences will wake up begin to imagine what it must have tioned them in a lush garden set- One woman who says she was a victim of Epstein Monday to headlines and social me- been like for her going through this ting. The couple lives in Montecito, alleges she had sex with Andrew when she was 17, a dia posts about Winfrey’s special, but process by herself all those years ago,” California, where they are Winfrey’s claim the prince denies. won’t be able to see the full interview Harry said, adding, “because it’s been neighbors. The prince tried to undo the damage by giving an in- until Monday night when it airs on unbelievably tough for the two of us.” Meghan, who recently announced terview to the BBC’s “Newsnight” program in Novem- ITV. In Britain, the interview is seen as she is pregnant with the couple’s sec- ber 2019. It backfi red spectacularly. Andrew appeared Royal interviews that aren’t tied poorly timed. It will air while Harry’s ond child, wore an empire-style black uncomfortable and evasive, and failed to convey empa- to a specifi c topic are rare, and prior grandfather Prince Philip remains hos- dress with embroidery. Harry wore a thy for those who say they were exploited by Epstein, televised sessions have often proved pitalized after undergoing a heart pro- light gray suit and white dress shirt, even as he defended his friendship with the man. problematic. Prince Andrew’s 2019 cedure. minus a tie. He called Epstein’s behavior “unbecoming,” a term BBC interview about his links with Meghan is shown in a clip released As Meghan Markle, the actor starred interviewer Emily Maitlis suggested was an under- convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Friday contrasting the conversation in the TV legal drama “Suits.” She led to his own departure from royal du- the two women were able to have now statement. married Harry at Windsor Castle in ties after he failed to show empathy for versus in 2018 ahead of her wedding. Charlie Proctor, editor of the Royal Central website, Stanley Dolce May 2018, and their son, Archie, was said at the time that the interview was “a plane crash- Epstein’s victims. Meghan described not being able to Harry and Meghan’s departure from talk to Winfrey, who was seeking an born a year later. ing into an oil tanker, causing a tsunami, triggering a Harry and Meghan’s departure from nuclear explosion-level bad.” After the interview, An- royal duties began in March 2020 over interview, without royal minders pre- what they described as the intrusions sent. royal life was supposed to be reviewed drew announced he was “stepping back” from public Variety after a year. On Feb. 19, Bucking- duties. He has not returned. and racist attitudes of the British media “As an adult who lived a really in- toward the duchess, who is biracial. dependent life to then go into this con- ham Palace confi rmed that the couple Sarah, Duchess of York CLEVELAND: Michael Stanley, a Cleve- Clips released ahead of the airings struct that is um.. different than I think would not return to royal duties and Like Diana before her and Meghan since, Sarah land-based rocker who with his namesake suggest that at least Meghan will have what people imagine it to be, it’s really Harry would relinquish his honorary Ferguson was a young woman who had a bruising col- band reached the Top 40 in the 1980s with some pointed criticisms of royal life. liberating to be able to have the right military titles - a decision that made lision with the royal family. the hits “He Can’t Love You” and “My In one she describes the royal family and the privilege in some ways to be formal, and fi nal, the couple’s split Town” before going on to a long career as as “the fi rm,” a nickname that is some- able to say yes,” Meghan told Winfrey. from the royal family. She was initially welcomed as a breath of fresh air a radio disc jockey, has died. He was 72. for the stuffy royals when she wed Prince Andrew Stanley died Thursday after a seven- in 1986. But she quickly became a tabloid target, month battle with lung cancer, his family suit in an Italian court seeking over $600 Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law Gabbana initially said that Gabbana’s dubbed “Freeloading Fergie” for allegedly scooping said in a statement. The rock radio station million in damages from two US fashion School, which is coordinating the blog- account had been hacked. The two later up freebies and spending more time vacationing than WNCX in Cleveland, where he worked for bloggers who reposted anti-Asian com- gers’ defense. appeared in a video apologizing to the performing public duties. Some saw snobbery in cov- 30 years, posted a message from Stanley ments attributed to one of the designers Lawyers for Dolce&Gabbana reached by Chinese people. erage of a woman who, before and after her marriage, himself, saying: that led to a boycott by Asian consum- the AP declined to comment on the case. “A public apology and a quiet lawsuit worked for a living and was open about her problems “Hey gang... Well, if you’re reading this ers. The case dates back to November 2018, really cancel each other out in my mind,’’ with weight, relationships and money. then I am off to catch up with that big club The suit was fi led in Milan civil court when Dolce&Gabbana faced a boycott in Scafi di told The Associated Press on After her 1996 divorce, the duchess used television tour in the sky. But before the bus pulls out in 2019 but only became public this week Asia after outrage over what were seen Saturday. to speak out - frequently. She appeared on Winfrey’s I wanted to thank all of you for being part when the bloggers posted about it on their as culturally insensitive videos promot- Italian defense attorneys fi led a brief this show in 1996, saying palace life was “not a fairy of my musical journey, both on the stage, Instagram account, Diet Prada. Their feed ing a major runway show in Shanghai and week in Milan civil court, arguing that Italy tale.” She spoke to Winfrey again in 2010 after being on record, and behind the microphone here is widely followed in the fashion world for subsequent posts of insulting comments in is not the correct venue for the case, given caught on video offering access to her ex-husband for at WNCX.” that the blog is produced in the United its cutting commentary on unoriginality in a private Instagram chat. States and the alleged damages occurred $724,000. The duchess said she had been drinking and Accompanied by his signature, Stanley’s designs and on social issues. The show was canceled in the back- send-off continued: “Somebody once said in Asia. was trying to help a friend who needed money. The “This whole case is a way of trying to lash, which included retailers pulling following year she appeared in her own reality show, that if you love your job then it’s not really The fashion house is seeking damages work. And if that’s true (and I defi nitely silence Diet Prada, and to silence Tony Dolce&Gabbana merchandise and Asian totaling more than half a billion euros, “Finding Sarah,” on Winfrey’s OWN network. (Liu) and Lindsay (Schuyler) person- VIPs disavowing the brand. Scafi di said. The duchess was not invited to the 2011 wedding think it is) then I have been happily out of work for over fi fty years!” ally,’’ said Susan Scafidi, director of the Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano She said the fashion house is seeking of Prince William and Kate Middleton, in what was The Cleveland legend released his fi rst 450 million euros spent to restore brand widely seen as a royal snub. album while still in college and formed image since 2018 and damages of 3 mil- ‘The Crown’ the Michael Stanley Band in 1974. After lion euros for the company and 1 million a brief period of national popularity in the for Gabbana, to whom the remarks were It may be fi ction, but Netfl ix’s “The Crown” is the early ‘80s, sales fell off and the band broke attributed. The suit also seeks more than most infl uential depiction of the royals in years. Over up in 1987. Stanley, also a songwriter, 8.6 million euros for the cancellation of the four seasons that have covered Elizabeth’s reign up to continued to record and tour, and remained Shanghai show, another 8.6 million euros the 1980s, its portrait of a dutiful queen, prickly Prince beloved in his hometown as a radio and for staff expenditures and 89.6 million Philip, oversensitive Prince Charles and the rest of the television personality, performer and euros for lost Asian sales from November clan has brought the royal soap opera to a new genera- recording artist. 2018-March 2019. tion. “He was so emblematic of that raging Since going public, Diet Prada, which It is widely seen as helping the royals by human- heart that doesn’t care that it’s gonna has over 2.5 million Instagram follow- izing them, though British Culture Secretary Oliver lose - it’s still gonna leave everything on ers, has raised more than $38,000 for its Dowden suggested it should come with a warning that the fi eld. And when he wrote those songs, defense. it’s drama, not history. those kids in a city where the river caught In a statement, Liu and Schuyler both Prince Harry has defended the show - while under- on fi re and the lake died, they felt like their said they would not allow their platform, scoring that it’s fi ction - telling TV host James Corden lives mattered,” music critic and author which has also been vocal about the that he was “way more comfortable with ‘The Crown’ Holly Gleason told Cleveland.com. “If you #MeToo movement, Black Lives Matter than I am seeing stories written about my family or were a kid coming of age in Cleveland in and recent attacks on Asians in the United the ‘70s or the ’80s, he was our hand on the States, to be silenced by lawsuits. my wife.” “Diet Prada will continue to be a Now Harry and Meghan are getting their chance to tell brass ring.” A private funeral for Stanley was platform to elevate these crucial issues,” their story. It’s a high-stakes strategy, especially since the planned. (AP) Liu said. interview is airing as 99-year-old Prince Philip, Harry’s ❑ ❑ ❑ Schuyler called on “public fi gures and grandfather, in a London hospital after a heart procedure brands to respond to public opinion and - timing critics have called insensitive. MILAN: The Milan fashion house Linda Perry and her son Rhodes perform ‘What’s? Up’ during Rock ‘N’ Relief on media critiques with progressive action, not Dolce&Gabbana has filed a defamation Saturday, March 6, in Los Angeles. (AP) lawsuits.” (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 SPORTS 14 Blachowicz, Nunes keep belts at UFC 259 Sterling wins on DQ

LAS VEGAS, March 7, (AP): Israel Adesanya learned that holding two UFC title belts simultane- ously is not nearly as easy as Amanda Nunes makes it look. And Petr Yan learned that even a momentary lapse in discipline can dearly cost a champion. Jan Blachowicz defended his UFC light heavyweight title with a unani- mous decision over the previously unbeaten Adesanya at UFC 259, thwarting the reigning middleweight champ’s bid to claim a second belt. Two-division champion Nunes defended her featherweight belt with ease, beating Megan Anderson by sub- mission 2:03 into the first round at the Apex gym on the UFC’s corporate campus. Aljamain Sterling also won the UFC’s bantamweight title when Yan was disqualified for an illegal knee strike in the fourth round. The 38-year-old Blachowicz (28-8) made his first title defense in impres- sive style by outworking Adesanya (20-1), the fearsome 185-pound cham- pion moving up for a shot at history. The Polish champion used his size advantage and veteran savvy, taking control of their fight with two huge takedowns and subsequent ground control in the fourth and fifth rounds.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Blachowicz won 49-46 on two judg- Brickyard Ride, (front left), with jockey Alexis Centeno, heads through a turn on the way to winning the San Carlos Stakes horse race at Santa Anita on March 6, in Arcadia, California. (AP) es’ scorecards and 49-45 on the third. The Associated Press scored it 48-47 for Blachowicz. Idol takes Big ‘Cap Blachowicz ended the fight in full Egypt’s El Kama wins men’s 800-meter freestyle mount while raining down punches on Adesanya, who had never lost in a mixed martial arts career that began in Life Is Good wins San Felipe 2012. The charismatic Nigerian-born ARCADIA, California, March 7, in the San Felipe. Ledecky finishes 4-for-4 in Texas meet New Zealander failed to join Nunes, (AP): Life Is Good won the “I always thought he would be a Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier and $300,000 San Felipe Stakes by super horse,” Baffert said, “but at SAN ANTONIO, March 7, (AP): Henry Cejudo as the UFC’s only eight lengths for Hall of Fame train- the quarter pole, I could tell he was simultaneous two-belt champions. Katie Ledecky won the 800-meter er Bob Baffert, affirming the 3-year- just still cruising, just doing it easy.” freestyle in Texas for her fourth Van der Poel masters gravel Adesanya appeared to be the sharper, old colt’s status as the West Life Is Good paid $3, $2.20 and more aggressive striker in the early Coast’s top Kentucky Derby hope- $2.10 as the 1-2 favorite. Baffert’s title in her first national competi- rounds, but Blachowicz countered the ful. other entry, Medina Spirit, returned tion in a year because of the coro- onslaught with his own strikes and even- Ridden by Hall of Famer Mike $2.80 and $2.20. Dream Shake navirus pandemic. roads to win Strade Bianche tually implemented his game plan. Smith, Life Is Good led all the way, was another 2 1/4 lengths back in Her winning time of 8 minutes, SIENA, Italy, March 7, (AP): Mathieu Blachowicz turned the fight in the fourth and despite drifting out very wide third and paid $3 to show. 13.64 seconds at the TYR Pro van der Poel’s many talents across round with an impressive takedown and through the stretch, was timed in Life Is Good is undefeated in multiple disciplines came in handy 1:42.18 over 1 1/16 miles. Smith Swim Series was a whopping 12.3 strong ground work, all but forcing the three career starts, with earnings of seconds ahead of Leah Smith, who when he won the Strade Bianche race judges to give him the round. blamed the infield video board for $274,200, and will be pointed distracting the colt. touched in 8:25.67. Haley ahead of a stellar field. He took down Adesanya again mid- toward the Santa Anita Derby on Having already accelerated on the last way through the fifth before ending April 3. Anderson, who already qualified of 11 sections of white, gravel roads to the fight in a dominant position. In the $400,000 Santa Anita for the Tokyo Olympics in open winnow the lead group down to three, Blachowicz joyously celebrated the HORSE RACING Handicap, Idol rallied wide turning water, was third. the Dutch champion left behind world latest victory in a late-career surge for for home to win by a half-length. Ledecky also won the 200, 400 champion Julian Alaphilippe and 2019 a fighter who won his title last “When the big screen is lit up, Ridden for the first time by Joel and 1,500 freestyles over the four- Tour de France champion Egan Bernal September after six years in the UFC they can see it,” he said. “In the Rosario, Idol ran 1 1/4 miles in day meet. She will attempt all four on the short but steep finishing climb to and 13 years as a pro. mornings, he goes by the screen 2:02.46. He paid $12.80, $6.40 and Siena’s Piazza del Campo on a stretch of $3.40 at 5-1 odds. He is trained by events in Tokyo, and likely some Nunes (21-4) handled her second like it’s nothing because it’s not on. relays, too. cobblestones where the gradient reached featherweight title defense with her He was locked on it down the lane. Richard Baltas. a leg-breaking 16%. usual flair, making short work of her I had a strong hold on him down to Express Train returned $5.40 Van der Poel had time to unleash a Australian challenger while extending the wire, just holding onto him, and $2.80. Maxfield, the even- money favorite, was another 1 1/2 SWIMMING series of fist pumps as he crossed the her winning streak to 12 fights since making sure that he stayed Mathieu van der Poel, of The line in the piazza, which was empty of 2014. After peppering Anderson (11- straight.” lengths back in third and paid $2.40 Netherlands, holds his trophy on to show in having his five-race win- fans due to the coronavirus pandemic. 5) with strikes, Nunes jumped on her Life Is Good earned 50 qualifying Egypt’s Marwan El Kama won the podium after winning the Strade Alaphilippe crossed second, five off-balance challenger and worked her points for the Kentucky Derby, and ning streak snapped. Bianche (White Roads) men’s he has 60 total, which assures him The victory, worth $240,000, the men’s 800 in 7:58.33 over cycling race, in Siena, Italy, on seconds behind, and Bernal came way into a triangle armbar, forcing Jordan Wilimovsky, who has third, 20 seconds back. Anderson to tap out quickly. of a berth in the May 1 race that increased Idol’s career earnings to March 6. (AP) Baffert has won six times. The $416,464, with three wins in six already qualified for the Olympics Van der Poel, who rides for the The fight was Nunes’ first since her trainer earned his record eighth win starts. wife, fellow UFC fighter Nina Ansaroff, in open-water competition. El gave birth to their first child. Nunes has Kama earlier won the 400 free. CYCLING been the UFC’s bantamweight cham- ing on the canvas in front of him. appeared to be losing to Yan (15-2). Simone Manuel won the 50 free Dhafiri, Kuwari win pion since 2016, and she added the MMA rules strictly prohibit such Sterling threw the belt onto the canvas in 24.70 seconds, ahead of Abbey 2nd place in FIA T4 featherweight strap in late 2018. blows to a downed opponent, and the before he left the octagon. Weitzeil, who touched in 25.00. Alpecin-Fenix team, required 4 hours, The much-anticipated slate of three knee clearly hurt Sterling, who strug- Earlier, former bantamweight cham- “I would’ve liked to swim fast- KUWAIT CITY, March 7, 40 minutes to complete the 184-kilo- championship fights at UFC 259 got gled and failed to get up for several pion Dominick Cruz beat Casey er. I’m always going to think that,” (KUNA): Kuwaiti rally driver meter (114-mile) route, which also off to a bizarre start when Yan’s inex- minutes. The bout was called off by Kenney by split decision for his first Mishari Al-Dhafiri and his began in Siena. plicable rules violation handed the referee Mark Smith, who had verbally victory since June 2016. Cruz, who Manuel said. “I had some goal Qatari assistant, Nasser times I wanted to hit at this meet Having won last year’s Tour of 135-pound title to Sterling, the first warned Yan not to throw such a strike turns 36 on Tuesday, saw his ascendant Al-Kuwari, won second place Flanders, this was another big road fighter to become a UFC champion on a few seconds earlier. career derailed long ago by brutal inju- that I didn’t hit. I haven’t been to in FIA T4 category and fourth race victory for Van der Poel, who also a disqualification. Sterling (20-3), a Long Island ry problems, but he persevered against a meet during COVID and that’s a place in the third round of the has multiple titles in cyclo-cross and The fight was stopped with 31 seconds native, appeared disoriented and dis- a similarly exhausted Kenney to win in different experience.” World Championship of the mountain bike racing. left in the fourth when Yan drove his knee appointed when the belt was wrapped just his sixth MMA bout since October Defending Olympic champion Eastern Baha Rally 2021. “This is one of the races I was really into the face of Sterling, who was kneel- around his waist after a fight he 2011. Ryan Murphy won the 100 back- The rally was held in harsh focusing on this year,” Val der Poel stroke in 53.56 seconds. weather conditions and poor said. “I had really good legs and I made visibility that led to the can- the difference where I wanted to.” The women’s 100 back was cellation of Friday’s rally and Crusaders rout Hurricanes in Super Rugby Aotearoa won by Olivia Smoliga in 59.49. Last year’s winner Wout van Aert merging it with Saturday’s finished fourth and last year’s Tour de CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, ties when Savea headed to the bin and Crusaders a 14-6 lead. Taylor made She defeated world-record holder stage, with a total distance of France champion, Tadej Pogaar, March 7, (AP): Hooker Codie Taylor the Crusaders took full advantage of the initial break, dashing from halfway Regan Smith (59.50) and 2016 645 km in Al-Aqi area, came seventh. scored two tries as defending champi- the extra man to turn the match around. and linking with Mitch Drummond Olympic silver medalist Kathleen Al-Dhafiri told KUNA in a The 136-kilometer (85-mile) wom- ons the Crusaders beat the Hurricanes Taylor touched down for his first try whose inside pass sent Mo’unga under Baker (59.57). statement. en’s race had a similar finish and a 33-16 Sunday to stay unbeaten after the posts. The men’s 50 free went to Santo He added he won third Dutch winner, too. two rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa. Backrower Ethan Blackadder who, Condorelli of Italy in 22.49. place in general ranking of the Chantal van den Broek-Blaak, the Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea was RUGBY with Taylor, was a powerful force in Nathan Adrian was second in world championship and keen 2017 world champion, attacked to sin-binned for pulling down a maul in the game, drove over from close range 22.56. to achieve the title of world leave behind Olympic bronze medalist the 19th minute and the Christchurch- on the half hour to give the Crusaders champion for this year. Elise Longo Borghini on the finishing based Crusaders scored three tries three minutes after Savea left, catching a 21-6 lead. Bidding to make a fifth Olympic Al-Dhafiri thanked the climb up Via Santa Caterina. which put them on course to a 26-6 the Hurricanes napping with a quickly Lock Scott Barrett scored just team at age 36, Ryan Lochte fin- Kuwaiti officials who helped Longo Borghini finished seven sec- halftime lead. tapped free kick. before the break to put the Crusaders ished fifth in the 200 individual facilitate his mission to onds behind and Olympic champion The Wellington-based Hurricanes Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga then scored ahead 26-6, taking the match out of medley. He was timed in 2:01.71. achieve these results. Anna van der Breggen came third, led 6-0 from two Jordie Barrett penal- and converted his own try to give the reach of the Hurricanes. Michael Andrew won in 1:58.05. nine seconds back. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 SPORTS 15

Virginia tops Louisville 68-58 to claim ACC title Oklahoma State beats West Virginia without Cunningham MORGANTOWN, W.Va., March 7, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl shot a (AP): Avery Anderson III scored a 3-pointer after a long inbounds pass, career-high 31 points and No. 17 but the shot hit the front of the rim Oklahoma State beat No. 6 West and the buzzer sounded before Virginia 85-80 in their Big 12 regu- Jermaine Samuels tipped it in. lar-season finale. Duke and Nate Watson scored 20 The Cowboys (18-7, 11-7 Big 12) points apiece for Providence (13-12, made up for the loss of two starters 9-10 Big East). by finding holes in the defense for Samuels had 21 points for easy layups and shooting 58% from Villanova (16-5, 11-4). the floor. Arkansas 87, Texas A&M 80 Oklahoma State was without star freshman Cade Cunningham, who In Fayetteville, Ark., Moses injured his left ankle late in a loss to Moody scored 28 points, Jalen Tate No. 3 Baylor on Thursday. Isaac added 22 and Arkansas beat Texas Likekele also sat out for the sixth A&M to match the program’s longest time in seven games with a hand Southeastern Conference winning injury. streak at 11 games. The Razorbacks 21-5, 13-4) also won 11 straight SEC games in 1993-94 BASKETBALL en route to a national championship. Quenton Jackson and Emmanuel Miller each had 23 points for Texas Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe A&M (8-9, 2-8). added 18 points for Oklahoma State. Creighton 93, Butler 73 Taz Sherman led West Virginia In Omaha, Neb., Marcus (18-8, 11-6 Big 12) with 20 points. Zegarowski matched his career high Virginia 68, Louisville 58 with 32 points and Creighton closed In Louisville, Ky., Sam Hauser a difficult week off the court with a scored 24 points, Trey Murphy III victory over Butler. added 17 and Virginia won the The Bluejays (18-7, 14-6 Big East) Atlantic Coast Conference regular- won for the first time in three games, season championship. doing it without head coach Greg Assured of least a No. 2 seed enter- McDermott. He is suspended indefinitely ing the regular-season finale, the for making racially insensitive remarks to Cavaliers (17-6, 13-4) received a his team following a Feb. 27 loss. huge opening for bigger things when Assistant coach Alan Huss served as first-place Florida State lost at Notre interim head coach against the Bulldogs. Dame. Chuck Harris had a career-high 29 Virginia then methodically took points for Butler (9-14, 8-12). care of the Cardinals (13-6, 8-5) to Oklahoma State forward Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe (12) shoots while defended by West Virginia forward Gabe Osabuohien (3) during the first half Purdue 67, Indiana 58 leapfrog the Seminoles. David of an NCAA college basketball game, on March 6, in Morgantown, West Virgina. (AP) Johnson had 14 points for Louisville. In West Lafayette, Ind., Zach Edey scored 20 points, and Jaden Ivey Notre Dame 83, Florida State 73 beat a ranked team for the first since with a concussion and facial injuries Alabama 89, Georgia 79 Sahvir Wheeler led Georgia (14- added 17 and Purdue beat Indiana for In South Bend, Ind., Prentiss Hubb since November 2017. to score 19 points, and Illinois rallied In Athens, Ga., Herbert Jones had 11, 7-11) with 18 points the ninth straight game. scored 22 points and Dane Goodwin Scottie Barnes led Florida State to beat Ohio State. two baskets in a 9-0 run to open the Providence 54, Villanova 52 Purdue (18-8, 13-6 Big Ten) heads had 15 to help Notre Dame beat (15-5, 11-4) with 17 points. Andre Curbelo also had 19 points second half and Alabama beat into next week’s Big Ten Tournament to help Illinois (20-6, 16-4 Big Ten) In Providence, R.I., David Duke Florida State, costing the the Illinois 73, Ohio State 68 Georgia for its school-record 17th with five consecutive wins. Edey Seminles the Atlantic Coast win for the 11th time in 12 games. Southeastern Conference victory. made a tiebreaking tip-in with 2.8 also had nine rebounds. Conference regular-season title In Columbus, Ohio, Ayo Dosunmu E.J. Liddell led Ohio State (18-8, Jahvon Quinerly added 18 points seconds left TO help Providence hold Aljami Durham had 14 points for The Fighting Irish (10-14, 7-11) returned after missing three games 12-8 Big) with 19 points. for Alabama (21-6, 16-2). on after blowing a 20-point lead. Indiana (12-14, 7-12). PVAMU edges Texas Southern No. 3 N. Iowa wins defensive Allmendinger wins Xfinity Series at slugfest against Illinois State Las Vegas for surging Kaulig Racing CEDAR FALLS, Iowa, March 7, seven minutes. (AP): Tyler Hoosman ran for 63 yards Jackson St 33, Grambling 28 and his 13-yard touchdown run with 3:24 left helped seal No. 3-ranked In Grambling, La., Aubrey Miller Hemric finishes 2nd Northern Iowa’s 20-10 win over 15th- Jr. forced a fumble at the 1 with 1:04 ranked Illinois State. left in the game, and Keonte Hampton The Panthers’ (2-1, 2-1 Missouri recovered it to secure Jackson State LAS VEGAS, March 7, Valley Football Conference) four- coach Deion Sanders’ first (AP): AJ Allmendinger play, 24-yard drive was set up when Southwestern Athletic Conference win over Grambling State. raced to the first victory of Jared Brinkman recovered a fumble his comeback season by forced by teammate Spencer Cuvelier Miller had 17 tackles and Hampton on a sack of Illinois State quarterback had 15 for Jackson State (2-0, 1-0), passing Daniel Hemric on Bryce Jefferson. which beat Grambling State (0-1, 0-1) for the first time since 2012 and ended the final restart in the In what was a defensive scrum Xfinity Series race at Las throughout, both defensive units tend- Grambling’s 16-game home winning ed get the better of each others offens- streak that started in 2015. Vegas Motor Speedway. es than the other way around. Grambling State’s late opportunity Allmendinger this year agreed to Under pressure throughout, to go ahead was made possible when it his first fulltime season since 2018 Jefferson finished forced Jackson State’s Tyson in a deal with Kaulig Racing. He’s 13-for-27 passing Alexander to fumble into the end zone resulting in a touchback with 4:52 left. friends with team owner Matt for 69 yards and Kaulig and has slowly been lured ran for 60 yards back into NASCAR as a favor to on 14 carries. FOOTBALL the team. Northern Iowa He was Kaulig’s “Trophy Hunter” quarterback Will last year in 11 races he was entered McElvain was That set up Grambling State’s drive to solely to win for the team. Kaulig then only slightly bet- convinced Allmendinger to run for the ter off at 14 for 33 the goal line only to be undone by the decisive fumble, its first turnover of Xfinity Series championship while for 148 yards and also helping the organization move to running for score the game. Incarnate Word 42, Lamar 20 Cup next season. as well though he Hoosman The victory was the sixth in the threw a pick-6. In Beaumont, Texas, Cameron Xfinity Series for Allmendinger, who McElvain’s Ward passed for 341 yards and four retired at the end of the 2018 season AJ Allmendinger celebrates after winning a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, on 11-yard TD run on the opening drive touchdowns and ran for 24 yards and a rather than drive for an uncompetitive March 6. (AP) ended a brief 35-yard scoring drive set TD to help Incarnate Word beat team. up by Quan Hampton’s 65-yard return Lamar. of the opening kickoff. Matthew Incarnate Word (2-0, 2-0 Southland South Carolina women reach SEC final Cook’s 43-yard field goal made it 10-0 Conference) took a 21-17 lead late in CAR RACING a little more than halfway through the the first half on Ward’s 4-yard TD first period. pass to Darion Chafin and outscored Allmendinger was in tears when he UConn rolls past St. John’s in Big East quarters Following Aidan Bresnahan’s 49-yard Lamar 21-3 in the second half. climbed from his winning Chevrolet. field goal to put the Redbirds (0-2, 0-2) on Kevin Brown ran 13 times for 196 “It’s emotional, hell, you don’t UNCASVILLE, Conn., March 7, Louisville 72, Syracuse 59 longest streak in NCAA women’s the board, Kenton Wilhoit intercepted yards and a touchdown and caught know when you are going to do this (AP): Freshman Paige Bueckers In Greensboro, N.C., Dana Evans Division I history. Baylor has won 13 McElvain and returned it 29-yards for a four passes for 38 yards and a TD for again,” Allmendinger said. “You scored 17 points and top-ranked scored 13 points, Olivia Cochran straight games, and 14 in a row against touchdown to even the score. Incarnate Word. He ran 66 yards for a never know if this is the last one. Matt UConn opened its postseason with a added 10 points and 10 rebounds and the Jayhawks, dating to 2014. Cook’s 44-yard field goal to start score in the first quarter. Kaulig, I love you man.” 77-41 victory over St. John’s in the Louisville beat Syracuse to advance to Holly Kersgieter scored 16 points the fourth quarter put Northern Iowa in Alabama A&M 31, S.C. State 7 Kaulig Racing has eight Xfinity Big East quarterfinals. the Atlantic Coast Conference for Kansas (7-17, 3-15). The Jayhawks the lead for the remainder. Series victories since its 2016 forma- Christyn Williams added 14 points Tournament championship game. have lost 12 of their last 13 games. In Orangeburg, S.C., Aqeel Glass for the Huskies (22-1). UConn has won PVAMU 20, Texas Southern 19 threw for 272 yards and four touch- tion. Four of the wins were by Kianna Smith added 11 points for S. Carolina 67, Tennessee 52 Allmendinger. 158 straight games against conference In Prairie View, Texas, Kristian downs and Alabama A&M bounced Louisville (23-2). In Greenville, S.C., Zia Cooke scored Allmendinger said he holds Kaulig opponents since losing to Notre Dame Emily Engstler had 21 points and 10 Mosley scored on a 4-yard run with South Carolina State in a non-confer- in the 2013 Big East title game. 17 points, Aliyah Boston had 15 points 1:40 to play and Prairie View beat in such high regard that he’s often ill rebounds for Syracuse (14-8). ence FCS spring opener for both before races from the pressure to UConn will face Villanova on and 11 rebounds and South Carolina Texas Southern. teams. Sunday. Baylor 93, Kansas 67 beat Tennessee to reach the Southeastern Prairie View (1-0, 1-0 Southwestern deliver for the team. Glass threw a 16-yard scoring pass “I want to win so bad for Matt every Leilani Correa and Unique Drake In Lawrence, Kan., Nalyssa Smith Conference Tournament title game for Conference) has won six in a row to Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim for the game’s each had seven points for St. John’s had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Dijonai the sixth time in seven years. against the Tigers (0-1, 0-1). week. It’s hard to put into words what initial score with 9:08 left in the sec- he means to me and truly how bad I (8-15). Carrington added 20 points and Baylor The defending champion Freshman quarterback Trazon ond quarter. Just before halftime he beat Kansas. Gamecocks (21-4) will seek their sixth Connley, who replaced starter Tyreke want to win for him,” Allmendinger Georgia 74, Texas A&M 68 threw and 18-yard score to Odieu said. “It’s the same thing as wanting to The Lady Bears (21-2, 16-1 Big 12) tournament crown since 2015 on Starks after halftime, hit Chris Johnson Hilaire to make it 14-0. In Greenville, S.C., Mikayla Sunday against No. 16 Georgia, win for Roger Penske. Coombs scored a season-high 14 have already clinched their 11th to convert a fourth-and-18 from the 22 To start the third, Glass connected straight regular-season title - the fifth- Jordan Walker and Jordan Horston and Mosley scored the winning touch- It means that much to me that he points, including the go-ahead basket with Dami Adekunjo for 65-yard TD believes in me. Thank you for this had 11 points each for Tennessee (16- down on the next play. pass and then later to Brian Jenkins Jr. in the fourth quarter, and Georgia beat 7). opportunity because I don’t take it for Texas A&M to reach its first Nicholls 31, Northwestern St 24 for a 20-yard scoring pass with 4:43 granted.” Maryland 88, Penn St 61 left in the third. Southeastern Conference Tournament In Natchitoches, La., Lindsey Scott Jr. Allmendinger led 44 laps, including final in 17 years. In College Park, Md., Chloe Bibby threw two of his three touchdown passes Ar-Pine Bluff 33, Southern 30 the final 13 after passing Hemric on had 15 points and nine rebounds and to Dai’Jean Dixon, Julien Gums had 36 In Baton Rouge, La., Skyler Perry the restart. Maryland beat Penn State to wrap up the carries for 156 yards and a score, and accounted for four touchdowns, and Hemric finished second and led a BASKETBALL Big Ten regular-season championship. Nicholls beat Northwestern State. Arkansas-Pine Bluff held off Southern race-high 74 laps in a Toyota for Joe Diamond Miller had 14 points for Nicholls (3-0, 2-0 Southland for victory. Gibbs Racing. Brandon Jones, his JGR the Terrapins (21-2, 17-1). Conference), ranked No. 7 in the Perry threw two touchdown passes teammate, was third. Maya Caldwell added 17 points for Niya Beverley scored 15 points for STATS FCS poll, is off to its best start and had TD runs of 31 and 2 yards as Austin Cindric was fourth in a the Bulldogs (20-5). Georgia will play the Nittany Lions (9-14, 6-13). since the 1986 season. the Golden Lions built a 33-14 lead Ford for Team Penske and Noah No. 7 South Carolina in the title game. Indiana 74, Purdue 59 Scott was 21-of-33 passing for 299 midway through the third quarter. He Gragson, the Las Vegas native, was N’dea Jones led the regular-season yards with an interception. Dixon fin- finished with 223 yards passing and 58 fifth in a Chevrolet for JR champion the Aggies (23-2) with 16 In Bloomington, Ind., Mackenzie ished with seven receptions for 115 yards on the ground. Motorsports. points. Jones scored 11 of her 26 points in the yards. Southern got back in it when Rahme Gragson was followed across the fin- fourth quarter and Indiana beat Purdue for ish line by teammates Michael Annett N.C. State 66, Ga. Tech 61 S. Louisiana 25, McNeese St. 20 Shorter blocked a punt and Jamel Byrd its school-record 18th Big Ten victory. returned the ball 17 yards into the end and Josh Berry in three top-10s for JRM. In Greensboro, N.C., Elissa Cunane The Hoosiers (18-4, 16-2) set the In Hammond La., Morgan Ellison zone to pull the Jaguars to 33-26 with Annett is mourning the unexpected had 23 points and nine rebounds and previous mark of 15 in 1982-83. ran for 127 yards and a touchdown to 14:09 left. John Lampley’s 9-yard TD death of his father earlier this week. North Carolina State overcome a Kayana Traylor scored 17 points for lead Southeastern Louisiana over pass to Jarod Simms capped the scor- IndyCar driver Santino Ferrucci, in 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Purdue (7-15, 3-15). McNeese State. his second NASCAR race, finished Georgia Tech in the Atlantic Coast ing with 7:12 remaining. Michigan 63, Northwestern 58 Ellison’s 32-yard scoring run 13th. Conference Tournament semifinals. North Carolina State’s Elissa stretched the Lions’ lead to 19-6 early E. Washington 45, N. Arizona 13 Ty Dillon has had a terrible run Kayla Jones added 12 points and Cunane pulls down a rebound In Ann Arbor, Mich., Naz Hillmon in the third quarter. The Cowboys In Cheney, Wash., Eric Barriere through three races with Joe Gibbs eight rebounds for the defending against Georgia Tech during an had 19 points and 13 rebounds, pulled to 22-20 with 14:10 remaining threw for 413 yards and three touch- Racing. A broken radiator ended his champion Wolfpack (19-2). They will NCAA college basketball game in Akienreh Johnson also scored 19 but then committed three of their four downs, Tamarick Pierce ran for 105 race last week at Homestead and he face No. 5 Louisville on Sunday. the semifinals of Atlantic Coast points and Michigan beat turnovers, the last a Cody Orgeron yards and two touchdowns and Eastern crashed with 20 laps remaining Lorela Cubaj and Lotta-Maj Conference tournament in Northwestern. fumble at the Lions 4 that ended a Washington rolled to win over Saturday when the battery in his spot- Lahtinen each had 17 points for Greensboro, N.C., on March 6. Amy Dilk added 12 points for 14-play, 71-yard drive that took nearly Northern Arizona. ter’s radio died. Georgia Tech (15-8). (AP) Michigan (14-4, 9-4 Big Ten). ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 16

St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (right), passes in front of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson (44) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 6, in Los Angeles. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Islanders cruise to 4th straight win Canucks sweep Maple Leafs as Ducks end bad run

UNIONDALE, N.Y., March 7, (AP): Mathew Barzal and NHL Results/Standings Scott Mayfield each had a goal and an assist and the New York Islanders beat WASHINGTON, March 7, (AP): NHL results and standings on Saturday. the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on NY Islanders 5 Buffalo 2 Saturday for their fourth NY Rangers 6 New Jersey 3 Pittsburgh 4 Philadelphia 3 straight victory. Florida 6 Nashville 2 Montreal 7 Winnipeg 1 Semyon Varlamov made 20 Arizona 5 Minnesota 2 saves as the Islanders improved to Vancouver 4 Toronto 2 Dallas 5 Columbus 0 9-0-2 at Nassau Coliseum this sea- Anaheim 5 Colorado OT 4 son and 14-6-4 overall. Cal Clut- Los Angeles 4 St Louis OT 3 Edmonton 3 Calgary 2 terbuck, Brock Nelson and Anders Vegas 4 San Jose 0 Lee also scored. East Division New York beat Buffalo for the fi fth P W L OT Pts GF GA NY Islanders 24 14 6 4 32 68 54 straight time this season, outscoring Washington 23 13 6 4 30 76 75 the Islanders 19-7 in those fi ve meet- Boston 21 13 5 3 29 65 53 ings. The teams meet again Sunday Philadelphia 21 12 6 3 27 70 66 Pittsburgh 23 13 9 1 27 72 74 for their third game in four days in the NY Rangers 22 10 9 3 23 65 58 same venue. New Jersey 20 7 11 2 16 50 66 Sam Reinhart and Jacob Bryson Buffalo 22 6 13 3 15 50 70 Central Division scored for the Sabres, who dropped GP W L OT Pts GF GA their sixth straight. Bryson put Buf- Tampa Bay 22 16 4 2 34 77 45 falo in front when he scored his fi rst Florida 23 15 4 4 34 78 66 Carolina 23 16 6 1 33 81 62 career goal 33 seconds into his sixth Chicago 25 13 7 5 31 79 74 game, but the Islanders responded Columbus 26 10 11 5 25 69 85 with four goals in the second. Nashville 24 10 14 0 20 57 79 Dallas 19 7 8 4 18 53 50 Detroit 26 7 16 3 17 54 87 West Division ICE HOCKEY P W L OT Pts GF GA Vegas 21 16 4 1 33 70 45 St Louis 25 14 8 3 31 81 79 Colorado 22 13 7 2 28 68 55 Canucks 4, Maple Leafs 2 Minnesota 22 13 8 1 27 69 60 In Vancouver, British Columbia, Los Angeles 23 10 8 5 25 68 65 Bo Horvat and J.T. Miller scored in Arizona 24 11 10 3 25 65 73 Anaheim 25 7 12 6 20 55 76 a 42-second span in the third period San Jose 22 8 11 3 19 63 86 and Vancouver beat NHL-leading North Division Toronto to sweep the two-game se- GP W L OT Pts GF GA Toronto 26 18 6 2 38 90 63 ries. Winnipeg 24 15 8 1 31 79 69 Horvat tied it on a power play at San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson, (right), skates in front of Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) during the second period of an Edmonton 26 15 11 0 30 83 80 8:49, and Miller gave the Canucks the NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., March 6. (AP) Montreal 23 11 6 6 28 78 66 Calgary 25 11 12 2 24 68 76 lead at 9:31. Nils Hoglander complet- Vancouver 28 11 15 2 24 81 93 ed the scoring with 3:07 left. Ottawa 26 8 17 1 17 70 102 Brock Boeser had a goal and two Strome scored twice and the streak- Guptill smashes quickfire 71 runs Note: Two points for a win one assists, and Thatcher Demko made 37 ing Rangers sent the Devils to their point for overtime loss. The top four fifth straight loss and eighth in nine teams in each division will qualify for saves to help Vancouver improve to playoffs under this season’s tempo- 11-15-2. games. rary realignment. John Tavares and Jimmy Vesey Adam Fox, Ryan Strome, Kevin NZ beat Australia, win T20 series scored for Toronto. The Maple Leafs Rooney Libor Hajek and Filip Chytil dropped to 18-6-2 after losing two also scored as New York won its third straight and sixth in eight games. WELLINGTON, New Zealand, 33 balls and moved to second place Lewandowski stars, straight in regulation for the fi rst time March 7, (AP): Ish Sodhi led a con- behind Virat Kohli on the list to top this season. Alexandar Georgiev had 24 saves while fi lling in for the injured Igor certed attack by New Zealand’s run-scorers in T20 internationals. Bayern win Klassiker Ducks 5, Avalanche 4, OT Shesterkin, who sustained a groin spin bowlers before Martin Guptill The partnership fi nally was broken In Denver, Ryan Getzlaf scored on smashed a quickfi re 71 runs to set up by Riley Meredith in the 12th over BERLIN, March 7, (AP): Robert injury in a 6-1 win over New Jersey Lewandowski scored a hat trick as a power play 1:59 into overtime and Thursday night. a seven-wicket win over Australia when Conway was caught in the deep Anaheim snapped a nine-game win- in the fi fth Twenty20 international for 36. There was a fl icker of hope for Bayern Munich came from behind less streak. P.K. Subban and Mikhail Maltsev on Sunday and a 3-2 win in the fi ve- Australia when New Zealand captain to stay top of the Bundesliga with Troy Terry had two goals, Rickard scored in a 17-second fi rst-period match series. Kane Williamson fell lbw to Meredith a 4-2 win over Borussia Dortmund Rakell had a goal and two assists and span to give the slumping Devils Leg spinner Sodhi came into the fi rst ball. in their “Klassiker” . Kevin Shattenkirk added a goal and some hope after falling behind 2-0. match as the leading wicket-taker in Guptill was out in the 15th over, Lewandowski completed his an assist to help the Ducks win for the Nathan Bastian closed the gap to 5-3, the series with 10 at an average of having made 71 from 46 balls with hat trick in the last minute, just fi rst time since Feb. 11. but Strome iced the game with an 18 and improved to 13 at 11.8, tak- seven boundaries and four sixes, and after Leon Goretzka put Bayern Ryan Miller made 29 saves for empty net goal. ing 3-24 as Australia were held 142-8 having set the foundation on which ahead for the fi rst time. Erling his 389th career win, tying him with Canadiens 7, Jets 1 after choosing to bat on winning the New Zealand’s win depended. Haaland had fi red the visitors Dominik Hasek for 14th place in In Montral, Brendan Gallagher toss. Phillips fi nished the job, hitting into an early two-goal lead. scored twice in the Canadiens’ four- New Zealand surpassed that total 34 from 15 balls with fi ve fours and “We had a bit of luck in the NHL history. end but it was deserved, because Rantanen had two goals, and goal second period. with 27 balls to spare, steered by Gup- two sixes including a six for the win- Josh Anderson, Tyler Toffoli, Joel we were the dominant team,” Brandon Saad and Logan O’Connor till and Devon Conway who put on ning runs in the 16th over off Adam Bayern coach Hansi Flick said. scored for the Avalanche. Center Na- Armia, Paul Byron and Jeff Petry also 106 for the fi rst wicket in 11.5 overs. Zampa. than MacKinnon missed his second scored for Montreal. Tomas Tatar had Sodhi was supported during Aus- “The other night we took a back- straight game following a hit to the three assists and Carey Price stopped tralia’s innings by left-armer Mitchell ward step and today we wanted to SOCCER head at San Jose on Wednesday night. 28 shots. Santner who took the new ball and New Zealand’s captain Kane Wil- not back down from the fight and liamson holds the series trophy after Penguins 4, Flyers 3 The Canadiens were coming off bowled his four overs at a cost of only we showed that with a good open- The win kept Bayern two points 21 runs. Having noted the infl uence of defeating Australia in their 5th T20 ing stand,” Guptill said. “Today In Pittsburgh, Jared McCann a 4-3 overtime loss at Winnipeg on cricket international match at Welling- clear of Leipzig, which increased pounced on a rebound and knocked Thursday night and had had lost six of spin in the previous match in the se- ton Regional Stadium in Wellington, Devon (Conway) was brilliant out the pressure on the defending it past Bryan Elliott with less than 10 their last seven overall (1-2-4). ries, New Zealand also used part-time New Zealand, March 7. (AP) there. champions earlier with a 3-0 win minutes to go to lead the Penguins Mathieu Perrault spoiled Price’s spinners Mark Chapman, who took “I wouldn’t say I went after them at Freiburg. It was Leipzig’s sixth past the Flyers. shutout bid with a power-play goal 1-9 from two overs, and Glen Phillips from ball one. But it was just good to straight league victory. Ten rounds The Penguins took two of three from with 8:46 to go for Winnipeg, which whose two overs cost 21 runs. spend a bit more time out there and remain after this weekend. the Flyers during Philadelphia’s extend- had won six of its previous seven. The spinners shared 12 of New create a partnership with Devon. He It was the sixth consecutive ed stay in Pittsburgh, with McCann pro- Coyotes 5, Wild 2 Zealand’s 20 overs, more than in any got off to a good start, I caught up and league game in which Dortmund viding the difference in the fi nale when In Glendale, Arizona, Tyler Pitlick of the Black Caps’ previous T20 in- pushed on and the best part about it conceded at least four goals in Brandon Tanev’s shot smacked off El- scored twice, Conor Garland had a ternationals. That followed Austra- was we got the win.” Munich, a bitter blow for Edin liott’s pad and ended up on McCann’s goal and an assist, and Arizona rallied lia’s record in the fourth match when While Australia couldn’t contain Terzić’s team after frustrating stick. McCann fi red it into the net, then Aston Agar, Adam Zampa and Glenn Guptill, New Zealand managed to Bayern for the fi rst 88 minutes. to beat Minnesota. Maxwell bowled 11 overs. mostly neutralize Australia’s big hit- went skates over skull after tripping Lawson Crouse scored for the fi rst Dortmund complained that Le- over Elliott immediately after scoring ters. roy Sané fouled Emre Can in mov- time in 21 games, and Jakob Chych- Australia also tried a new opening his fi fth of the season. run also scored for the Coyotes, who CRICKET ing him off the ball in the buildup to Zach Aston-Reese, Bryan Rust and combination, promoting Josh Philippe Goretzka’s goal, but referee Marco trailed 2-0 after one period. Niklas to join Aaron Finch but the move was Evgeni Malkin also scored for Pitts- Hjalmarsson, Clayton Keller and De- Fritz allowed play to continue. burgh. Tristan Jarry fi nished with 19 The drop-in pitch at Sky Stadium unsuccessful and Philippe was out for “If it was a Bayern player it rick Brassard each had two assists. hosted the last three matches of 2 in the second over, trapped lbw by saves as the Penguins pulled back into Darcy Kuemper stopped 32 shots. would have been a foul. That’s a tie with the Flyers in the cramped the series in the space of six days. Trent Boult who took 2-26. just the way it is,” Dortmund Matt Dumba and Jordan Greenway Australia made 208-4 in the third Finch made 69 in the third match East Division. scored 52 seconds apart in the fi rst for captain Marco Reus claimed. Travis Konecny, Kevin Hayes and match, winning by 64 runs, but in and carried his bat for 79 in the fourth. The visitors made a furious the Wild, who lost for the fourth time the fourth on a pitch which had But he was out for 36 Sunday, falling start. Haaland scored in the sec- Shayne Gostisbehere scored for the in 11 games (7-3-1). Cam Talbot fi n- Flyers. slowed considerably and favored to Sodhi. The Australian captain had ond minute with the help of a ished with 26 saves. spin it defended a total of just 156- been dropped by Tim Southee off defl ection from Bayern defender Panthers 6, Predators 2 Stars 5, Blue Jackets 0 6, winning by 50 runs. Sodhi in a potentially costly miss but Jerome Boateng, seven minutes In Nashville, Tennessee, Noel Ac- In Dallas, Joe Pavelski scored his Until Sunday, each match in the se- fell only two balls later to a catch by before Thorgan Hazard set Haa- ciari scored three goals for his third NHL-leading ninth power-play goal ries had been won by the team batting New Zealand’s Tim Southee bowls to Mitchell Santner. land up for a tap in. career hat trick, and Florida got its and the Stars tallied twice in the open- fi rst. New Zealand won the fi rst two Australia during their 5th T20 cricket Hard-hitting Glenn Maxwell was But Lewandowski pulled one second straight victory. ing period for the fi rst time this sea- by 53 runs and four runs but hadn’t international match at Wellington Re- probably the wicket New Zealand back in the 26th and equalized Acciari, who began the day with no previously been able to put together gional Stadium in Wellington, New most wanted and he fell to the new- from the penalty spot before the son, winning for only the second time Zealand, March 7. (AP) points in 14 games this season, scored in the past 12 games. a substantial innings when chasing in comer Chapman for 1 in the 11th over interval after Mahmoud Dahoud twice in a three-goal second period as The 36-year-old Pavelski scored 45 Wellington. Conway was promoted to open when Australia was 77-3. fouled Kingsley Coman in the area. the Panthers took the lead for good. seconds after Jason Dickinson poked It needed a stronger foundation with Guptill on Sunday the new open- Matthew Wade made a brisk 44 Haaland hurt his right ankle after He fi nished off the hat trick with an a loose puck under the left leg of Blue from its openers: Guptill and Tim ing pair immediately struck gold, before being dismissed by Boult and a foul from Boateng and had to go unassisted goal with 3:02 left. Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo. Stars Seifert put on only 20 in the third reaching their century partnership in Marcus Stoinis fell to Sodhi for 26. off in the 60th. Boateng was carried Aaron Ekblad and Frank Vatrano rookie Jake Oettinger made 21 saves match and 21 in the fourth as Austra- the 12th over. Australia then couldn’t muster a late off 10 minutes later after injuring each had a goal and an assist as the in his fi rst career shutout, coming in lia fought back to level the series. Guptill posted his 17th T20 from charge to enlarge it’s total. himself making a clearance. Panthers improved to 8-1-1 on the his seventh start. road this season. Jonathan Huberdeau Roope Hintz, Radek Faksa and also scored, and Sergei Bobrovsky Kempe scored off a pass from Ga- Golden Knights 4, Sharks 0 his 65th career shutout. three games, all losses to the Toronto Miro Heiskanen also scored for Dal- briel Vilardi to cap a 3-on-1 rush and In San Jose, California, Alex Tuch Devan Dubnyk stopped 28 shots as Maple Leafs. made 28 saves. las. It was the second straight game Eeli Tolvanen and Viktor Arvids- help the Kings end a four-game losing scored twice and Marc-Andre Fleury the Sharks lost for the fi fth time in the Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yama- Heiskanen scored after coming up streak. earned his NHL-leading fourth shut- moto also scored for the Oilers. son scored for Nashville, which lost empty in his fi rst 17. fi rst six games of a seven-game home- its third straight and dropped to 1-9 Matt Luff scored and Jonathan out in his return from a rare night off stand - their longest of the season. Johnny Gaudreau and Noah Han- Kings 4, Blues 3, OT Quick made 22 saves for the Kings, to help Vegas win. ifin had the goals for the Flames. combined against the Central Divi- Oilers 3, Flames 2 sion’s top three teams. Filip Forsberg In Los Angeles, Adrian Kempe who had not overcome a three-goal Mark Stone and Reilly Smith also Gaudreau converted on the power had two assists, including the 200th of scored 1:45 into overtime, Anze Ko- defi cit to win since Dec. 18, 2014. scored. Tuch and Fleury did the rest In Edmonton, Alberta, Connor play, and Hanifin got his first of the his career. pitar had two goals and an assist and David Perron, Nathan Walker and of the damage as the Golden Knights McDavid scored the tiebreaking goal season. the Kings rallied for the win after Ryan O’Reilly scored for the Blues, swept the back-to-back in San Jose with 3:45 left and added two assists to Mike Smith made 34 saves in the Rangers 6, Devils 3 trailing by three goals in the fi rst pe- whose four-game winning streak and extended their winning streak to lead the Oilers. The star forward was win. Jacob Markstrom stopped 30 In Newark, New Jersey, Ryan riod. ended. six games. Fleury made 24 saves for held without a point in his previous shots for Calgary.

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