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Secretary of Defense nominee Lloyd Austin, a recently retired Army general, speaks during his conformation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Washington. Associated Press Austin wins Senate confirmation as 1st Black Pentagon chief By ROBERT BURNS and ate confirmation Friday to tor of national intelligence. went through two Senate- Missouri. ANDREW TAYLOR become the nation's first Biden is expected to win confirmed secretaries of Before heading to the Pen- Associated Press Black secretary of defense. approval for others on his defense and four who held tagon, Austin wrote on WASHINGTON (AP) — Lloyd The 93-2 vote gave Presi- national security team in the post on an interim basis Twitter that he is especially J. Austin, a West Point grad- dent Joe Biden his second coming days, including An- during the Trump adminis- proud to be the first Black uate who rose to the Army's Cabinet member; Avril tony Blinken as secretary of tration. The only senators secretary of defense. "Let's elite ranks and marched Haines was confirmed on state. Biden is looking for who voted against Austin get to work," he wrote. through racial barriers in a Wednesday as the first Austin to restore stability were Republicans Mike Lee 41-year career, won Sen- woman to serve as direc- atop the Pentagon, which of Utah and Josh Hawley of Continued on Page 2 A2 Saturday 23 January 2021 UP FRONT officer serving as secretary of de- American forces withdrew entire- fense within seven years of retire- ly, only to return in 2014 after the ment. Austin retired in 2016 after Islamic State extremist group cap- serving as the first Black general to tured large swaths of Iraqi territory. head U.S. Central Command. He At Central Command, Austin was was the first Black vice chief of staff a key architect of the strategy to of the Army in 2012 and also served defeat IS in Iraq and Syria. as director of the Joint Staff, a be- Biden said in December when he hind-the-scenes job that gave him announced Austin as his nominee an intimate view of the Pentagon’s that he considered him "the person inner workings. The House and the we need at this moment," and that Senate approved the waiver Thurs- he trusts Austin to ensure civilian day, clearing the way for the Sen- control of the military. ate confirmation vote. Critics of the nomination have Austin, a large man with a boom- questioned the wisdom of making ing voice and a tendency to shy an exception to the law against from publicity, describes himself a recently retired military officer as the son of a postal worker and serving as defense secretary, not- a homemaker from Thomasville, ing that the prohibition was put Georgia. He has promised to speak in place to guard against undue Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, right, greets Deputy Secretary of Defense David his mind to Congress and to Biden. military influence in national secu- Norquist as he arrives at the Pentagon, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, in Washington. Associated Press At his confirmation hearing Tues- rity matters. Austin has promised to day, Austin said he had not sought surround himself with qualified ci- Continued from Front ing sworn in and getting an intel- the nomination but was ready to vilians. And he made clear at his And a short time later he arrived ligence briefing, Austin would hold lead the Pentagon without cling- confirmation hearing that he em- at the Pentagon’s River Entrance, a meeting on COVID-19 with sen- ing to his military status and with full braces Biden's early focus on com- where he was greeted by holdover ior civilian and military officials. He awareness that being a political batting the coronavirus pandemic. Deputy Defense Secretary David also planned to speak by phone appointee and Cabinet member "I will quickly review the depart- Norquist, who has been the act- with NATO Secretary General Jens requires "a different perspective ment's contributions to coronavirus ing secretary since Wednesday, Stoltenberg and to receive brief- and unique duties from a career in relief efforts, ensuring we are do- and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chair- ings about China and the Middle uniform." ing everything we can — and then man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He East. As vice president, Biden worked some — to help distribute vaccines didn’t stop to answer reporters’ Austin’s confirmation was compli- closely with Austin in 2010-11 to across the country and to vacci- questions but said he looks forward cated by his status as a recently re- wind down U.S. military involve- nate our troops and preserve read- to dealing with the press. tired general. He required a waiver ment in Iraq while Austin was the iness," he told the Senate Armed The Pentagon said that after be- of a legal prohibition on a military top U.S. commander in Baghdad. Services Committee.q GOP lawmaker with gun sets off House chamber metal detector was carrying a concealed gun on his side, according to the reporter. The officer sent Harris away, at which point Harris tried to get Rep. John Katko, R- N.Y., to take the gun from him. Katko refused, telling Harris he didn't have a li- cense to carry a gun. Har- ris eventually left and re- turned less than 10 minutes later. He once again went through security and did not set off the magnetom- Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., speaks during a news conference with members of the conservative Freedom Caucus, on Capitol Hill, eter. He was then allowed Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, in Washington. to enter the House floor. Associated Press Harris, in his sixth term repre- senting Maryland's Eastern By MATTHEW DALY noon. The metal detec- Shore, issued a statement WASHINGTON (AP) — Capi- tors were installed after through his chief of staff, tol Police are investigat- the Jan. 6 insurrection at Bryan Shuy. Gilberto Francois (Betico) Croes ing an incident in which a the Capitol, which left five "Because his and his fam- January 25th, 1938 –November 26th, 1986 Republican lawmaker was people dead, including a ily's lives have been threat- blocked from entering the Capitol police officer. The ened by someone who has House chamber after set- incident was witnessed by been released awaiting To our reader and clients; ting off a metal detector a reporter from the HuffPost trial, for security reasons, while apparently carrying website. the congressman never To our reader and clients; a concealed gun. After setting off the ma- confirms whether he nor In connection with the holiday, Betico Croes Day, Aru- Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., chine, Harris was asked anyone else he's with are ba Today will not be published on set off the metal detector to step aside for further carrying a firearm for self- Monday, January 25th, 2021. We will resume our publi- while trying to enter the screening. At that time, an defense,'' the statement cation on Tuesday, January 26th, 2021. chamber Thursday after- officer discovered Harris said.q A3 U.S. NEWS Saturday 23 January 2021 Biden halts border wall building after Trump's final surge By ELLIOT SPAGAT in 2018 with then-Attorney SAN DIEGO (AP) — In the General Jeff Sessions to an- days before Joe Biden be- nounce a "zero tolerance" came president, construc- policy that caused thou- tion crews worked quickly sands of children to be sep- to finish Donald Trump's arated from their parents at wall at an iconic cross-bor- the border. der park overlooking the An old bullfighting ring and Pacific Ocean, which then- ocean-view restaurants sur- first lady Pat Nixon inaugu- round the Mexican side; rated in 1971 as a symbol of wetland scrub stretches international friendship. into the United States. Biden on Wednesday or- Years ago, people passed dered a "pause" on all wall baked goods, kissed and construction within a week, shook hands through a one of 17 executive orders chain-link fence. Watman issued on his first day in of- remembers passing tools fice, including six dealing back and forth in 2007 to with immigration. plant a cross-border gar- The order leaves billions of den that still stands. dollars of work unfinished Since 2012, after construc- — but still under contract tion of a double wall at — after Trump worked fe- the park, the Border Patrol verishly last year to build has opened a gate many more than 450 miles (720 weekends for up to 10 peo- kilometers), a goal he said ple at a time to exchange he achieved eight days words with those in Mexico. before leaving office. SLSCO Ltd. of Galveston, As of Jan. 15, the govern- Texas, won contracts to ment spent $6.1 billion of build double walls blanket- the $10.8 billion in work it A man looks through the first wall at Friendship Park, near where the border separating Tijuana, ing 14 miles (22 kilometers) signed contracts to have Mexico, and San Diego meets the Pacific Ocean Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Tijuana, Mexico. in San Diego. Company done, according to a Sen- Associated Press spokeswoman Liz Rogers ate Democratic aide with said work at Friendship Park knowledge of the contracts $863 million, but it was not fence with imposing, tightly people over or through it. is separate and done by who spoke on condition of awarded. spaced poles topped with Portions can be sawed with another company. anonymity because details The Army Corps of Engi- flat steel plates rising 30 feet power tools sold at home The Supreme Court is have not been made pub- neers, which has awarded (9 meters), said Dan Wat- improvement stores. scheduled to hear ar- lic. The full amount under wall contracts with Defense man of Friends of Friend- Despite Trump's bravado, guments next month on contract would have ex- Department money, said ship Park, a group that pro- Border Patrol officials have whether the government' tended Trump's wall to 664 Thursday that it told crews motes public access to the said the wall was never illegally diverted billions of miles (1,069 kilometers). not to install any additional cross-border park overlook- meant to stop everyone dollars from the Defense Biden, seeking to fulfill a barriers and to limit activity ing the Pacific Ocean. but rather to slow their ad- Department to build the pledge not to build "an- over the next few days to Contractors began last vance. wall after Congress denied other foot," gave his ad- what is "necessary to safely week, said Watman, who Jose Edgar Zuleta, whose money that Trump sought, ministration two months prepare each site for a sus- was informed of the proj- business selling religious triggering a 35-day govern- to determine how much it pension of work." ect in a December confer- jewelry in the Mexican city ment shutdown in 2017. would cost to cancel con- John Kurc, an activist who ence call with Border Patrol of Puebla dried up during It is unclear if Biden will tracts and whether money posts videos of dynamite agents but got no expla- the coronavirus pandemic, adopt Trump's position be- could be spent elsewhere. blasts by wall construction nation for it. The agency cleared two walls in Friend- fore the Supreme Court. The Senate aide said fees crews, said he saw one referred questions to the ship Park in October with a The government's brief is would be negotiated with dynamite charge being White House, which had no special ladder. He moved due Feb. 11. contractors and the ad- set Wednesday afternoon immediate comment.q through brush in a heav- Mexican President Andrés ministration would seek to in Guadalupe Canyon in Trump said the border wall ily patrolled area for about Manuel López Obrador spend whatever's left on easternmost Arizona, even would be "virtually impen- half an hour before getting welcomed Biden's decision related uses on the border, as the inauguration was etrable" and paid for by caught. His 21-year-old son, to stop wall construction such as roads, lights, sen- playing out in Washington. Mexico, which never hap- who went ahead of him, but, in defense of Trump, sors and other technology. Heavy machines have pened. While the wall is got picked up hours later. noted that U.S. presidents Publicly, the Trump ad- been crawling over road- much more formidable The cross-border park has going back to 1990s built ministration said it secured ways gouged into rocky than the barriers it re- hosted yoga classes, con- border barriers. He dis- $15 billion for the wall. The mountainsides, tapping placed, it isn't uncommon certs and countless news played a chart to prove his Senate aide said it was open holes for posts on U.S. for smugglers to guide conferences, including one point.q actually $16.45 billion as of Bureau of Land Manage- Wednesday, $5.8 billion of ment property. which was appropriated Advocates in Texas' Rio LIKE US ON by Congress and the rest Grande Valley, the busiest diverted from the Defense area for illegal crossings, and Treasury departments. and near Nogales, Arizo- The Trump administration na, saw idle construction notified the Senate aide on equipment Thursday. Jan. 14 that it was moving But in San Diego, crews ahead with a contract for were out replacing a steel Facebook.com/arubatoday/ A4 Saturday 23 January 2021 U.S. NEWS Former Make-A-Wish Iowa CEO charged with embezzling funds By RYAN J. FOLEY of Make-A-Wish's ethical Associated Press standards and policies, IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — and we will continue to co- The former CEO of Make-A- operate with law enforce- Wish Iowa has been arrest- ment," he said. "We know ed on three felony charges that we have an obligation alleging she embezzled to safeguard every dollar tens of thousands of dol- given to us." lars from the charity that No attorney was listed for supports sick children, the Woodley in online court group confirmed Friday. records. Each charge she Jennifer Woodley, 40, was faces is a class C felony booked at the Polk County that carries up to 10 years Jail in Des Moines on Thurs- in prison. day on two counts of first- Make-A-Wish Iowa has an degree theft and the un- annual budget of $4 million, authorized use of a credit a staff of 16 employees and card. She was released on is governed by a 17-mem- bond. ber volunteer board. Months after becoming its During Woodley's tenure, leader, Woodley secretly the 35-year-old chapter awarded herself a $10,000 granted its 4,000th wish for bonus in October 2019 that a child and said it planned had not been approved to grant about 170 wishes This Jan. 21, 2021, photo provided by the Polk County Jail in Des Moines, Iowa shows Jennifer by the board, according Woodley. for children per year. to criminal complaints un- Associated Press Jail records list Woodley's sealed Friday. new address as Winston Sa- The bonus, which Woodley span, the complaints state. over one year. Iowa, said the organization lem, North Carolina, where added to a list of legitimate Woodley allegedly did not Based in the Des Moines swiftly dismissed Woodley her husband, Matt Wood- bonuses earned by other reimburse the group for suburb of Urbandale, the and notified police after ley, is an assistant basket- employees, cost the orga- those expenses. Iowa group is one of 60 discovering the problems ball coach at Wake Forest. nization $15,540 in all, po- The organization an- chapters of Make-A-Wish last July. He said the orga- The couple has had two lice said. nounced last summer that America, which works to nization was "deeply sad- daughters who have re- Woodley also made 84 un- it had discovered finan- provide support and mem- dened and disappointed quired brain surgery, and authorized purchases on cial irregularities during a orable experiences for chil- by the events" that led to one of them received a an organization credit card compliance review and dren with critical illnesses charges against Woodley. trip to Walt Disney World that were for her personal that Woodley had been and their families. "We thank the Urbandale through Make-A-Wish Iowa use, totaling more than dismissed after serving as Dave Farnsworth, the board Police Department for its in- before Woodley was hired $23,000 over a 10-month president and CEO for just chairman for Make-A-Wish vestigation into this breach as CEO.q

Loathed New York City bus terminal is bound for an upgrade building be replaced." A statue of Ralph Kram- est infrastructure priorities The new station would be den, the fictional bus driver for our region," he said. "The built on top of the exist- from "The Honeymooners," prosperity of our tri-state ing one, with sleek, glass- stands outside its main en- area will depend on our walled entrances and trance. It also provided an ability to provide access added infrastructure to ac- apt backdrop for "Midnight across the region and con- commodate more buses. Cowboy," the 1969 film nect people to jobs." Ramps that stretch across that illuminated New York's Officials have debated several blocks would be seedy underworld. replacing or overhaul- moved, and a storage Prior to the coronavirus ing the bus terminal, the building would be built to pandemic, the terminal country's busiest, for years. keep empty buses off the handled more than 250,000 But political squabbling streets. passenger trips on week- between lawmakers and Construction could begin in days, many commuting Port Authority officials from 2024, finish by 2031 and cost from New Jersey. A Port both states left the project In this March 19, 2015 file photo, large panels of the ceiling are as much as $10 billion, the Authority-commissioned stalled while other major missing at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York. Port Authority said. About study projected that num- infrastructure projects ad- Associated Press $3 billion would come from ber would increase to more vanced, including a new selling rights to build four than 330,000 by 2040. World Trade Center transit By DAVID PORTER veiled a proposal Thursday commercial buildings in the Tom Wright, president of the hub and multibillion-dollar Associated Press to rebuild and expand the area, including one atop Regional Plan Association, makeovers of LaGuardia, NEW YORK (AP) — New embattled midtown Man- the terminal. It would also an urban planning think JFK and Newark Liberty air- York City's main bus termi- hattan bus terminal. require local and federal tank, called the new plan ports. nal, long ridiculed for leaky "Everyone knows the bus funding. "a creative approach to a The bus terminal wasn't in- ceilings, dirty bathrooms terminal. Very few have The Port Authority Bus Ter- complicated problem." cluded in the Port Author- and frequent delays, could anything good to say about minal opened in 1950 at "Fixing the Port Authority ity's 10-year capital plan in be in for a major overhaul. it," Port Authority Executive Eighth Avenue between Bus Terminal for the 260,000 2014, raising the ire of com- The Port Authority of New Director Rick Cotton said. 40th and 42nd streets near people who rely on it every muters and New Jersey York and New Jersey un- "It is way past time that this Times Square. weekday is one of the high- lawmakers.q A5 WORLD NEWS Saturday 23 January 2021 First-ever treaty to ban nuclear weapons enters into force By EDITH M. LEDERER chemical and biological UNITED NATIONS (AP) — weapons and land mines. The first-ever treaty to ban U.N. Secretary-General An- nuclear weapons entered tonio Guterres said the trea- into force on Friday, hailed ty demonstrated support as a historic step to rid the for multilateral approaches world of its deadliest weap- to nuclear disarmament. ons but strongly opposed "Nuclear weapons pose by the world's nuclear- growing dangers and the armed nations. world needs urgent action The Treaty on the Prohibition to ensure their elimination of Nuclear Weapons is now and prevent the cata- part of international law, strophic human and envi- culminating a decades- ronmental consequences long campaign aimed at any use would cause," he preventing a repetition of said in a video message. the U.S. atomic bombings "The elimination of nuclear of Hiroshima and Nagasaki weapons remains the high- at the end of World War II. est disarmament priority of But getting all nations to the United Nations." ratify the treaty requiring But not for the nuclear them to never own such powers. weapons seems daunting, As the treaty was ap- if not impossible, in the cur- proaching the 50 ratifica- Participants deflate balloons in hope of neutralizing and demolishing nuclear warheads, during a rent global climate. memorial gathering at Peace Park in Nagasaki, southern Japan Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. tions needed to trigger its When the treaty was ap- Associated Press entry into force, the Trump proved by the U.N. Gen- administration wrote a let- eral Assembly in July 2017, and possession of nuclear The treaty received its 50th acquire, possess or stock- ter to countries that signed more than 120 approved it. weapons, but the govern- ratification on Oct. 24, trig- pile nuclear weapons or it saying they made "a But none of the nine coun- ment has said pursuing a gering a 90-day period be- other nuclear explosive strategic error" and urging tries known or believed to treaty ban is not realistic fore its entry into force on devices." It also bans any them to rescind their ratifi- possess nuclear weapons with nuclear and non-nu- Jan. 22. transfer or use of nuclear cation. — the United States, Rus- clear states so sharply di- As of Thursday, Fihn told The weapons or nuclear ex- The letter said the treaty sia, Britain, China, France, vided over it. Associated Press that 61 plosive devices — and the "turns back the clock on India, Pakistan, North Korea Nonetheless, Beatrice Fihn, countries had ratified the threat to use such weapons verification and disarma- and Israel — supported it executive director of the treaty, with another ratifi- — and requires parties to ment" and would endan- and neither did the 30-na- International Campaign cation possible on Friday, promote the treaty to other ger the half-century-old tion NATO alliance. to Abolish Nuclear Weap- and "from Friday, nuclear countries. Nuclear Nonproliferation Japan, the world's only ons, the 2017 Nobel Peace weapons will be banned Fihn said the treaty is "really, Treaty, considered the cor- country to suffer nuclear at- Prize-winning coalition by international law" in all really significant" because nerstone of nonprolifera- tacks, also does not support whose work helped spear- those countries. it will now be a key legal tion efforts. the treaty, even though head the treaty, called it The treaty requires that all instrument, along with the Fihn countered at the time the aged survivors of the "a really big day for inter- ratifying countries "never Geneva Conventions on that a ban could not under- bombings in 1945 strongly national law, for the United under any circumstances conduct toward civilians mine nonproliferation since push for it to do so. Japan Nations and for survivors of ... develop, test, produce, and soldiers during war and it was "the end goal of the on its own renounces use Hiroshima and Nagasaki." manufacture, otherwise the conventions banning Nonproliferation Treaty."q

Talks between Indian farmers, government reach stalemate By ASHOK SHARMA protests in years. organizing a massive trac- Associated Press The farmers' organizations tor rally in New Delhi during NEW DELHI (AP) — Talks be- announced Thursday that Republic Day celebrations tween leaders of protesting they would not accept next Tuesday. farmers and the Indian gov- anything other than the re- Shiv Kumar Kakkar, a farm- ernment ended abruptly in peal of the three laws. er leader, complained that a stalemate Friday when No date was set for anoth- police have been issuing the agriculture minister said er round of talks between threats to the farmers to he had nothing more to of- the government and pro- call off their protest. fer than an 18-month sus- test leaders. Tomar told re- Farmers say the legislation pension of contentious ag- porters that he is ready to passed by Parliament in ricultural reform laws. meet again if they decide September will lead to the Agriculture Minister Naren- to accept the government cartelization and commer- dra Singh Tomar asked the proposal. cialization of agriculture, farmers to reconsider their Tens of thousands of farm- make farmers vulnerable to Indian Farmers listen to their leader as they continue to block rejection of a government ers have been blocking key corporate greed and dev- highway leading to Delhi in protest against new farm laws, at offer two days ago to set highways connecting the astate their earnings. Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, India, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. up a committee to look capital with the country's The government insists Associated Press into their concerns about north for nearly two months the laws will benefit farm- the laws, which have trig- and have threatened to ers and boost production It has repeatedly ruled out tion but says it could make gered the biggest farmers' intensify their protest by through private investment. withdrawing the legisla- some amendments.q A6 Saturday 23 January 2021 WORLD NEWS Russia welcomes U.S. proposal to extend nuclear treaty MOSCOW (AP) — The Krem- reaffirmed Russia's denial lin on Friday welcomed U.S. of involvement in any such President Joe Biden's pro- activities. posal to extend the last re- After both Moscow and maining nuclear arms con- Washington withdrew from trol treaty between the two the 1987 Intermediate- countries, which is set to ex- Range Nuclear Forces pire in less than two weeks. Treaty in 2019, New START is Russian President Vladimir the only remaining nuclear Putin's spokesman, Dmi- arms control deal between try Peskov, said that Russia the two countries. stands for extending the Arms control advocates pact and is waiting to see have strongly called for the details of the U.S. pro- New START's preservation, posal. warning that its lapse would The White House said Thurs- remove any checks on U.S. day that Biden has pro- and Russian nuclear forces. posed to Russia a five-year Last week, Russia also de- extension of the New START clared that it would follow treaty. the U.S. to pull out of the "We can only welcome Open Skies Treaty allowing political will to extend the surveillance flights over mili- document," Peskov said in Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting on economic issues via video conference at tary facilities to help build a conference call with re- the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. trust and transparency be- porters. "But all will depend Associated Press tween Russia and the West. on the details of the pro- While Russia always offered posal." gaining have failed to nar- istry's spokeswoman, Ma- cow's meddling in the 2016 to extend New START for The treaty, signed in row differences. ria Zakharova, noted in a U.S. presidential election five years — a possibility 2010 by President Barack "Certain conditions for the statement that Russia al- and other irritants. envisaged by the pact — Obama and Russian Presi- extension have been put ways has called for main- Despite the extension pro- Trump asserted that it put dent Dmitry Medvedev, forward, and some of them taining the treaty and posal, White House press the U.S. at a disadvantage limits each country to no have been absolutely un- said Russian diplomats are secretary Jen Psaki said and initially insisted that more than 1,550 deployed acceptable for us, so let's ready to quickly engage Biden remains committed China be added to the nuclear warheads and see first what the U.S. is of- in contacts with the U.S. to to holding Russia "to ac- treaty, an idea that Beijing 700 deployed missiles and fering," Peskov said. formalize its extension for count for its reckless and flatly rejected. Trump's ad- bombers, and envisages Mikhail Ulyanov, the Rus- five years "without any de- adversarial actions," such ministration then proposed sweeping on-site inspec- sian ambassador at the in- lay." as its alleged involvement to extend New START for just tions to verify compliance. ternational organizations in Biden indicated during the in the Solar Winds hack- one year and also sought It expires on Feb. 5. Vienna, also hailed Biden's campaign that he favored ing event, 2020 election to expand it to include lim- Russia has long proposed proposal as an "encourag- the preservation of the New interference, the chemi- its on battlefield nuclear to prolong the pact without ing step." START treaty, which was ne- cal poisoning of opposition weapons. any conditions or changes, "The extension will give gotiated during his tenure figure Alexei Navalny and Moscow has said it remains but former President Don- the two sides more time as U.S. vice president. the widely reported allega- open for new nuclear arms ald Trump's administration to consider possible addi- The talks on the treaty's ex- tions that Russia may have talks with the U.S. to negoti- waited until last year to tional measures aimed at tension also were clouded offered bounties to the ate future limits on prospec- start talks and made the strengthening strategic sta- by tensions between Rus- Taliban to kill American sol- tive weapons, but empha- extension contingent on a bility and global security," sia and the United States, diers in Afghanistan. sized that preserving New set of demands. The talks he tweeted. which have been fueled Asked to comment on Psa- START is essential for global stalled, and months of bar- The Russian Foreign Min- by the Ukrainian crisis, Mos- ki's statement, Peskov has stability.q

Islamic State claims deadly and rare twin blasts in Baghdad Associated Press suicide bomber cried out by Iraqi forces and the U.S.- BAGHDAD (AP) — The Is- loudly that he was ill in the led coalition in 2017. lamic State claimed re- middle of the bustling mar- The attack was the first in sponsibility for a rare suicide ket, prompting a crowd to nearly three years to hit the attack that rocked central gather around him — and capital. Elsewhere, in north- Baghdad, killing 32 people that's when he detonated ern Iraq and the western and wounding dozens. his explosive belt. The sec- desert, attacks continue The bombing targeted ond detonated shortly af- and almost exclusively tar- "apostate Shiites," the ter. get Iraqi security forces. group said in a statement The U.S.-led coalition re- An increase in attacks was on an IS-affiliated website cently ceased combat seen last summer as mili- late Thursday. activities and is gradually tants took advantage of At least 32 people were drawing down its troop the government's focus on killed and over 100 peo- presence in Iraq, sparking tackling the coronavirus ple wounded in the blasts fears of an IS resurgence. pandemic and exploited In this Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, file photo, people and security forces gather at the site of a deadly bomb attack in a market on Thursday. Some were The group has rarely been security gaps across dis- selling used clothes, in Baghdad, Iraq. in severe condition. Ac- able to penetrate the capi- puted territory in northern Associated Press cording to officials, the first tal since being dislodged Iraq.q A7 WORLD NEWS Saturday 23 January 2021

Google threatens to pull search engine in Australia By NICK PERRY much tax it pays, Silva said Associated Press last year it paid about 59 WELLINGTON, New Zealand million Australian dollars (AP) — Google on Friday ($46 million) on revenues of threatened to make its AU$4.8 billion ($3.7 billion). search engine unavailable Facebook also opposes in Australia if the govern- the rules and has threat- ment went ahead with ened to remove news sto- plans to make tech giants ries from its site in Australia. pay for news content. Simon Milner, a Facebook Australian Prime Minister vice president, said the Scott Morrison quickly hit sheer volume of deals it back, saying "we don't re- would have to strike would spond to threats." be unworkable. "Australia makes our rules The Australia Institute, an in- for things you can do in dependent think tank, said Australia," Morrison told re- lawmakers should stand porters in Brisbane. firm against Google's bully- "That's done in our Parlia- ing. q ment. It's done by our gov- ernment. And that's how Mel Silva, left, the managing director of Google Australia and New Zealand, appears via a video link during a Senate inquiry things work here in Austra- into a mandatory code of conduct proposed by the govern- lia." ment at Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. The confrontation high- Associated Press lights Australia's leading role in the global move- Google and Facebook price for news, an arbitra- ment to push back against pay Australian media com- tion panel would make a the outsize influence of U.S. panies fairly for using news binding decision on pay- tech giants over the news content the tech giants si- ment. business. phon from news sites. Silva said Google was will- Morrison's comments came Google has faced pressure ing to pay a wide and di- after Mel Silva, the manag- from authorities elsewhere verse group of news pub- ing director of Google Aus- to pay for news. lishers for the value they tralia and New Zealand, On Thursday, it signed a added, but not under the told a Senate inquiry into deal with a group of French rules as proposed, which the bill that the new rules publishers paving the way included payments for links would be unworkable. for the company to make and snippets. "If this version of the code digital copyright payments. She said the code's "biased were to become law, Under the agreement, arbitration model" also it would give us no real Google will negotiate indi- posed unmanageable fi- choice but to stop making vidual licensing deals with nancial and operational Google search available in newspapers, with pay- risks for Google. She sug- Australia," Silva told sena- ments based on factors gested a series of tweaks to tors. such as the amount pub- the bill. "And that would be a bad lished daily and monthly in- "We feel there is a workable outcome not only for us, ternet site traffic. path forward," Silva said. but also for the Australian But Google is resisting the Like in many other coun- people, media diversity, Australian plan because tries, Google dominates in- and the small businesses it would have less control ternet searches in Australia. who use our products every over how much it would Silva told senators about day." have to pay. Under the 95% of searches in the na- The mandatory code of Australian system, if an on- tion are done through conduct proposed by the line platform and a news Google. government aims to make business can't agree on a Asked by one senator how A8 Saturday 23 January 2021

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We celebrate our national hero tion as a commonwealth within the Dutch Kingdom and Betico is honored for this outcome since 1989 by celebrating the Dia di Betico. The official holiday normally features perfor- mances, sporting events and games throughout the island. Still we as Arubans celebrate our national hero, in social distance and Active man imiento Electoral di Pueblo in our hearts. The father of the Aruban (MEP), now the main party nation, as he is called of- that forms the current gov- Croes himself was not able ten, was an active man in ernment that was elected to enjoy the results of his Caribbean organizations in September 2017. There ongoing struggle; he was while he studied in the were two stages in which involved in an accident on Netherlands. Betico was a the Independence was December 31, 1985, and social man, participated formed: the first one was got into a coma. He passed in sports and the social set for 1986, the second away on November 26, and cultural community. was set for ten years later 1986. For the Aruban peo- He worked as a teacher and enhanced the inde- ple, his words will never be and instituted the official pendence from the Neth- forgotten. He told his peo- seal, flag and hymn for the erlands. However, it never ORANJESTAD — The is- late pro-autonomy political ple: “Si mi cai na caminda, island. During the Round came to a total indepen- land of Aruba has a spe- leader Gilberto Francois gara e bandera y sigue cu table Conference of 1981, dence of Aruba in 1996; it cial day coming up this (Betico) Croes. He helped e lucha” which means “If he was responsible for for- was dropped in 1990. The Monday, January 25th. In the island attain the Status I fall along the way, grab mally setting the date for Status Aparte within the a non-pandemic situation Aparte. the flag and continue the Aruba’s independency. Kingdom of the Nether- the island would have lots struggle.” Betico also became leader lands was to be a perma- of festivities that honor the Aruba was allowed to func- of the political party Mov- nent one.q

Aruba closes its borders Father and daughter honored on Aruba EAGLE BEACH — Recent- for Brazil ly, Kimberley Richard- son of the Aruba Tourism ORANJESTAD — Due to the new variant of Covid-19 that Authority had the great is discovered in Brazil and is spreading in South Ameri- pleasure to honor Aruba’s ca, airlines are cancelling flights to destinations in South loyal and friendly visitors America. This in connection with the preventions taken as Goodwill Ambassadors from the new virus variant to spread any further. Dutch of Aruba. airline KLM has informed that they will also cease flying to South America but will continue their flight schedules The Goodwill Visitors cer- to the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, tificate is presented on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba). Stay informed on any behalf of the Minister of news regarding the virus. At the moment Aruba will close Tourism, as a token of ap- its borders with Brazil as from January 25th which is com- preciation to the guests ing Monday. Aruba’s border is also closed at the moment who visit Aruba 10 years will Ambassadors Visitors to them. for Venezuela and Peru. q and more consecutively. of Aruba. The Goodwill Ambas- Richardson together with sador certificate is pre- This lovely duo stated that the representatives of the sented to guests who visit they love the island very Caribbean Palm Village Aruba 20 years and more much, especially for its presented the certificates consecutively. year-round sunny weath- to the honorees, handed er, nice sandy beaches over some presents and The honorees were Fa- and picturesque sunsets, also thanked them for ther Edward Walko and delicious variety of foods, choosing Aruba as their Daughter Krystyn Walko its safety, and Aruba’s favorite vacation destina- from the USA and they warm and friendly people tion and as their home- were honored as Good- who became like family away-from-home.q

A10 Saturday 23 January 2021 local Covid-19 update Aruba ORANJESTAD — Almost a year after the 1st case of Covid-19 hit the is- is applicable for hotel Casinos. Closing times per hotel may differ, land and was completely shut down for 3.5 months, Aruba’s tourism and please check with your hotel for more information. economy is picking up bit by bit. Borders had been reopened for US Trav- • Tables at restaurants can have a maximum of four seats indoor and elers, Europeans, and as per December 1st, 2020 we welcomed back outdoor (excluding children under the age of 12). Tables must be at our visitors of Latin America, South America and the rest of the Carib- least 1.5 m apart. bean with the exception of Venezuela. Rules and protocols are being • All bars, rum shops, and nightclubs are closed until further notice. Res- reviewed and evaluated on a daily basis and adapted as per current taurant bars can serve at tables only. There will be no bar stools and situation by a crisis team, in order to protect each and every one visiting no standing at bars. and inhabiting our island. • Hotel bars can serve at the bar for only registered hotel guests.

There are currently (January 22nd, closing of this edition) 502 active Co- Testing before your return flight vid cases on the island. 478 residents and 24 non-residents. There are 29 As part of their pandemic travel protocols, some countries/states/cities persons hospitalized of which 10 of them are in the Intensive care unit. 56 now require travelers show a negative COVID-19 test result to be granted persons lost the battle against Covid-19. Due to the amount of increase re-entry to their country of origin. Aruba has all necessary testing facili- in cases these last weeks the Government of Aruba took some additional ties and procedures are in place for visitors. For a list of COVID-19 test- measurements in order to stop the spread as quickly as possible. ing facilities in Aruba, check https://www.aruba.com/us/traveler-health- requirements#measures. These are the decisions taken by the Government of Aruba up till today: From January 7th 2021 to January 31st 2021 the following will be in effect: Important update for USA visitors: • Curfew starting at 11:00 pm until 5:00 am. Effective January 26th, 2021, as announced by the Centers for Disease • In addition to the curfew, there are “restricted zones” that are off- Control and Prevention (CDC), The U.S. government will require all in- limits between the hours of 7pm-5am. Restricted zones include all ternational airline passengers to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test beaches and public parking lots. before boarding flights to the United States. In addition, the results of the • All establishments are currently required to close by 10:00 pm at the test must be from no more than 72 hours prior to departure. For the of- latest. ficial CDC announcement, check https://www.cdc.gov/media/releas- • This is not applicable for establishments at hotel properties, however es/2021/s0112-negative-covid-19-air-passengers.html.q Aruba to me ORANJESTAD — You are back and we would like to portrait you! By inviting you to send us your favorite va- “Aruba is gratitude for me cation picture while enjoy- I am grateful to be in Aruba ing our Happy Island. Looking to the heavens in grat- itude Complete the sentence: Aruba to me is ……. Send Aruba to me is looking forward your picture with that text to a better future (including your name and where you are from) to: Aruba to me is making new [email protected] friends on beautiful beaches and we will publish your vacation memory. Isn’t Aruba to me is swimming on that a special way to keep beautiful natural pool waters your best moments alive? with friends Please do note: By submit- ting photos, text or any oth- Aruba to me is happiness” er materials, you give per- mission to The Aruba Today Newspaper, Caribbean Speed Printers and any of its affiliated companies to use said materials, as well as names, likeness, etc. for promotional purposes with- out compensation.

Last but not least: check out our website, Instagram and Facebook page! Thank you for supporting our free newspaper, we strive to make you a happy reader every day again. For today we received some amazing pictures from Kimberly Campbell’s vacation on Aruba. She is from Ontario, Canada and she shares with us some special moments: A11 Business Saturday 23 January 2021 Mixed finish on Wall Street as worldwide rally takes a pause AP Business Writers will lead to a powerful eco- THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS nomic recovery later this UPDATE. AP's earlier story year as daily life gets closer follows below. to normal. Hopes are also Wall Street is tapping the high that Washington will brakes on its record-setting deliver another dose of rally this week, as markets stimulus for the economy worldwide take a pause on now that the White House Friday. and both houses of Con- The S&P 500 was 0.1% lower gress are under single con- in afternoon trading, a day trol of the Democrats. after inching up to its sec- President Joe Biden has ond straight all-time high. proposed a $1.9 trillion The Dow Jones Industrial plan to send $1,400 to most Average was down 119 Americans and deliver oth- points, or 0.4%, at 31,057, as er stimulus for the econo- of 2:57 p.m. Eastern time, my. But his party holds only and the Nasdaq compos- the slimmest possible ma- ite was up 0.1%. jority in the Senate, raising The modest losses for glob- doubts about how much al markets started early in can be approved. Several Asia and then carried west- Republicans have already ward amid worries about voiced opposition to parts resurgent coronavirus cas- of the plan. In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, traders work on the floor during the es in China and weak eco- United Wholesale Mortgage IPO, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. The coronavirus pandemic nomic data from Europe. Associated Press is also worsening and do- In the United States, disap- ing more damage to the pointing earnings reports you'll see a surge in corpo- the end of 2020 than Wall Bank. economy by the day. In Eu- from IBM and some other rate profits this year and Street expected. That's Seagate Technology fell rope, a survey of purchas- companies gave cover for the Fed made very clear been the big theme so far 5.2% despite joining that ing managers showed on investors to sell and book they're not going to take in the early part of this earn- cavalcade of companies Friday that activity in the profits after big recent the punch bowl away any- ings season, with about reporting better earnings manufacturing and ser- gains. The S&P 500 is still time soon." 13% of companies in the than expected. It also gave vices sectors shrank during on pace to climb 2.1% this IBM dropped 9.9% for one S&P 500 having reported. a forecast for revenue and January in the 19-country week, its third weekly gain of the market's sharpest With bank and some other profit in the current quarter eurozone. The data sug- in four. losses after reporting weak- industries leading the way, that matched or topped gests the eurozone's econ- "The big picture is, it's still er revenue for the last three profit reports have consis- Wall Street's. Analysts said omy may contract again a pretty friendly environ- months of 2020 than ana- tently come in better than a lot of that optimism may this quarter. ment for stocks," said David lysts expected. The tech Wall Street had feared. have already been built In European stock markets, Lefkowitz, head of Ameri- giant's revenue has been "Earnings have been spec- into the stock's price. France's CAC 40 fell 0.6%, cas equities at UBS Global mostly shrinking for years. tacular," said David Lyon, Markets have been mostly and Germany's DAX lost Wealth Management. "The IBM nevertheless also re- global investment special- rallying recently on hopes 0.2%. The FTSE 100 in Lon- pandemic will wind down, ported a higher profit for ist at J.P. Morgan Private that COVID-19 vaccines don dropped 0.3%.q Existing home sales rise in 2020 to highest in 14 years By MARTIN CRUTSINGER The median sales prices Lawrence Yun chief econ- WASHINGTON (AP) — Sales was $309,800 in December, omist for the Realtors. of existing homes rose 0.7% up 12.9% from a year ago. "As Covid-19 levels drop in December, pushing the The big jump in prices re- due to vaccinations and entirety of 2020 to a pace flected strong demand as warmer weather, expect not seen in 14 years and Americans locked down by more Americans to put providing one of the few the pandemic and forced their houses on the market," bright spots for a U.S. econ- to work from home are Robert Frick, corporate omy mired in a global pan- seeking to move to larger economist at Navy Federal demic. homes. Sales have been Credit Union, predicted. Rising sales in the final boosted by record-low The inventory of unsold month of the year lifted mortgage rates. homes fell to an all-time activity to a seasonally ad- Economists predicted those low of a 1.9-months supply, justed annual rate of 6.76 trends would continue this down from 2.3 months in million units in December, year, though mortgage November and 3 months a the National Association of rates may rise slightly from year ago. Homes typically A "sale pending" sign is posted on.a home in Westfield, Ind., Fri- Realtors reported Friday. record lows if the economy remained on the market day, Sept. 25, 2020. Sales of new homes remained steady in Oc- For all of 2020, sales rose to improves as expected as for 21 days in December, tober at a seasonally adjusted rate of 999,000 units. 6.48 million, the highest lev- vaccines become more down from 41 days that Associated Press el since 2006 at the height widely available. a home would be on the of the housing boom. That "Expect economic condi- market before selling in De- to the strong demand but single-family homes rose represented a 5.6% gain tions to improve with addi- cember 2019. still face supply constraints 0.7% to a rate of 6.03 mil- from the 5.34 million previ- tional stimulus forthcoming Economists said that home such as a lack of available lion while sales of condo- ously owned homes sold in and vaccine distribution builders have boosted building lots. miniums were up 1.4% to 2019. already underway," said construction in response For December, sales of 730,000.q A12 Saturday 23 January 2021 TECHNOLOGY Judge says Amazon won't have to restore Parler web service By MATT O'BRIEN about free speech," a point speech" away from "the tyr- AP Technology Writer also underscored by the anny and hubris of our tech Amazon won't be forced judge. overlords." to immediately restore web Parler CEO John Matze had Amazon said the compa- service to Parler after a fed- asserted in a court filing that ny signed up for its cloud eral judge ruled Thursday Parler's abrupt shutdown computing services about against a plea to reinstate was motivated at least a month later, thereby the fast-growing social me- partly by "a desire to deny agreeing to its rules against dia app, which is favored President Trump a platform dangerous content. by followers of former Presi- on any large social-media Matze told the court that dent Donald Trump. service." Matze said Trump Parler has "no tolerance U.S. District Judge Barbara had contemplated joining for inciting violence or law- Rothstein in Seattle said the network as early as Oc- breaking" and has relied she wasn't dismissing Par- tober under a pseudonym. on volunteer "jurors" to flag ler's "substantive underlying The Trump administration problem posts and vote An Amazon logo appears on an Amazon delivery van, Thurs- claims" against Amazon, day, Oct. 1, 2020, in Boston. last week declined to com- on whether they should be but said it had fallen short Associated Press ment on whether he had removed. More recently, in demonstrating the need planned to join. he said the company in- for an injunction forcing it magnet for the far right, shows some of Parler's users Amazon denied its move formed Amazon it would back online. sued to get back online, have engaged in." She also to pull the plug on Parler soon begin using artificial Amazon kicked Parler off arguing that Amazon Web faulted Parler for providing had anything to do with intelligence to automati- its web-hosting service on Services had breached its "only faint and factually political animus. It claimed cally pre-screen posts for Jan. 11. In court filings, it contract and abused its inaccurate speculation" that Parler had breached inappropriate content, as said the suspension was market power. It said Trump about Amazon and Twitter its business agreement "by bigger social media com- a "last resort" to block Par- was likely on the brink of colluding with one another hosting content advocat- panies do. ler from harboring violent joining the platform, follow- to shut Parler down. ing violence and failing to Amazon last week revealed plans to disrupt the presi- ing a wave of his followers Parler said Thursday it was timely take that content a trove of incendiary and dential transition. who flocked to the app af- disappointed by the ruling down." violent posts that it had re- The Seattle tech giant said ter Twitter and Facebook but remains confident it Parler was formed in May ported to Parler over the Parler had shown an "un- expelled Trump after the will "ultimately prevail in the 2018, according to Ne- past several weeks. They willingness and inability" to Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. main case," which it says vada business records, with included explicit calls to remove a slew of danger- Capitol. will have "broad implica- what co-founder Rebekah harm high-profile political ous posts that called for the Rothstein said she rejected tions for our pluralistic soci- Mercer, a prominent Trump and business leaders and rape, torture and assassina- "any suggestion that the ety." backer and conservative broader groups of peo- tion of politicians, tech ex- public interest favors requir- Amazon said it welcomed donor, later described as ple, such as schoolteach- ecutives and many others. ing AWS to host the incendi- the ruling and emphasized the goal of creating "a ers and Black Lives Matter The social media app, a ary speech that the record that "this was not a case neutral platform for free activists.q

Google's parent deflates internet-beaming balloon company empire finance risky ideas phones during the past de- lion during the same pe- like internet-beaming bal- cade. riod. loons and another high- That made it even more Loon's balloons had been profile flop, internet-con- challenging for Loon to find working with telecom pro- nected glasses. a way to make money, cul- viders to provide internet As reflected by its name, minating in the decision to access in Kenya and will Loon was viewed as a deflate it. continue to do that until crazy idea from the start. "The road to commer- March, according to Teller. Yet Google's hopes for the cial viability has proven Because it has been work- project were a lofty as the much longer and riskier ing with other companies high-flying balloons them- than hoped," Astro Teller, on that access, Loon ex- selves when the company the head of the X division, pects little or no disruption finally took the wraps off wrote in a blog post. to the Kenyan customers' the project in New Zealand Alphabet doesn't disclose internet access. in June 2013. the results of other compa- To help Kenya expand its In this Feb. 14, 2018, file photo the logo for Alphabet appears on The ambitious goal at that nies besides Google. The internet access, Alphabet a screen at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York. Google’s par- time was to launch thou- group of other far-flung is will give $10 million to ent company, Alphabet Inc., is letting the air out of an internet- beaming balloon company that was providing online access sands of massive balloons companies that include nonprofits and businesses from the stratosphere. 12 miles (20 kilometers) self-driving car pioneer aimed at advancing that Associated Press into the stratosphere in or- Waymo, health services cause. der to bridge the gaping venture Verily and drone Most of the employees By MICHAEL LIEDTKE was announced late Thurs- digital divide between the delivery gambit Wing are working at Loon will be laid AP Technology Writer day, ending what started world's 4.8 billion unwired clumped together with off with severance packag- SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — out nine years ago as one people and their 2.2 billion Loon and others in a divi- es while some others will be Google's parent company of Google's secret projects plugged-in counterparts. sion known called "Other offered jobs at X, Google is letting the air out of an in its so-called "moonshot Since then, more countries Bets." Those operations or Alphabet, Teller said. He internet-beaming balloon factory," a division now that had little or no internet have suffered a combined didn't disclose how many company that was provid- called X. Google, Loon and access now have gotten $12 billion in operating loss- of Alphabet's 132,000 em- ing online access from the X all are owned by Alpha- more ways to get online es since 2016 while Google ployees, — most of whom stratosphere. bet Inc., which draws upon partly because of the ex- has produced a combined work within Google — are The plan to shut down Loon Google's digital advertising plosive growth of smart- operating profit of $140 bil- at Loon.q A13 CLASSIFIED Saturday 23 January 2021 HEALTH FDA approves 1st long-acting HIV drug combo, monthly shots dOCTOR ON DUTY Oranjestad By MARILYNN MARCHIONE ven Deeks, an HIV specialist of viral resistance to the Hospital 7:00 pm / 10:00pm AP Chief Medical Writer at the University of Califor- two drugs in Cabenuva. Tel. 527 4000 U.S. regulators have ap- nia, San Francisco, who has The agency also approved proved the first long-act- no ties to the drug's makers. a pill version of cabotegra- San Nicolas ing drug combo for HIV, "People don't want those vir to be taken with rilpi- Imsan 24 hours Tel.524 8833 monthly shots that can re- daily reminders that they're varine for a month before These illustrations, provided Women in Difficulties place the daily pills now HIV infected." switching to the shots to be by drugmaker ViiV Health- PHARMACY ON DUTY used to control infection Cabenuva combines rilpi- sure the drugs are well tol- care on Thursday, Dec. 10, with the AIDS virus. virine, sold as Edurant by erated. 2020, shows a rendering of the Oranjestad: Thursday's approval of the Johnson & Johnson's Jans- ViiV said the shot combo packaging and vials contain- del Pueblo Tel. 582 1253 San Nicolas: two-shot combo called sen unit, and a new drug would cost $5,940 for an ini- ing its new HIV treatment, Ca- benuva, approved by the U.S. San Lucas Tel. 584 5119 Cabenuva is expected to — cabotegravir, from ViiV tial, higher dose and $3,960 Women in Difficulties Food and Drug Administration make it easier for people Healthcare. They're pack- per month afterward. The on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. OTHER to stay on track with their aged together and given company said that is "within Associated Press Dental Clinic 587 9850 HIV medicines and to do as separate shots once a the range" of what one-a- Blood Bank Aruba 587 0002 so with more privacy. It's month. Dosing every two day pill combos cost now. with mental illness or sub- Urgent Care 586 0448 a huge change from not months also is being tested. How much a patient pays stance abuse problems.q Walk-In Doctor’s Clinic +297 588 0539 long ago, when patients The U.S. Food and Drug depends on insurance, in- Women in Difficulties had to take multiple pills Administration approved come and other things. EMERGENCY several times a day, care- Cabenuva for use in adults Deeks said long-acting fully timed around meals. who have had their disease shots also give hope of Police 100 Oranjestad 527 3140 "That will enhance quality of well controlled by conven- reaching groups that have Noord 527 3200 life" to need treatment just tional HIV medicines and a hard time sticking to treat- Sta. Cruz 527 2900 once a month, said Dr. Ste- who have not shown signs ment, including people San Nicolas 584 5000 Police Tipline 11141 By Dave Green Ambulancia 911 Fire Dept. 115 1 8 Red Cross 582 2219 TAXI SERVICES For Sale: Casa del Mar 4 5 6 7 Taxi Tas 587 5900 Presidential unit at Casa Del Prof. Taxi 588 0035 Mar for week 1, room 1317. 2 2 3 6 Taxi D.T.S. 587 2300 bedroom, 2 bath, full kitchen, Taxi Serv. Aruba 583 3232 dining room, pool and fitness A1 Taxi Serv. 280 2828 center. Asking $16,000. 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[email protected] U.S. (860)992-3890 ______212588 facebook.com/arubatoday/ A14 Saturday 23 January 2021 PEOPLE & ARTS 'Human Factor' gets personal about Mideast peace By JOCELYN NOVECK Israeli Prime Minister Benja- AP National Writer min Netanyahu and King Ready for a documentary Hussein of Jordan. Ross de- about three decades of scribes an offended Husse- agonizing fits and starts of in admonishing Netanyahu the Mideast peace pro- as if he were a wayward cess, from the perspective schoolboy: "You don't have of U.S. negotiators? You're the maturity to be a lead- probably thinking that er," he tells him, according doesn't sound too enticing to Ross. "You have to grow right about now. up and become a leader." But there's a reason "The There's silence in the room. Human Factor," by Israeli At another point, Ross de- filmmaker Dror Moreh, es- scribes Clinton exclaiming capes what would seem about Netanyahu: "Who a likely fate of being inter- does he think the super- esting only to policy wonks power is?" and those with a direct This is, of course, after the stake in the issue, and it death of Prime Minister Yit- has something to do with zhak Rabin at the hands of the title. It's a reference to a Jewish extremist in 1995, a line from Dennis Ross, the as he pursued peace. The best-known negotiator of film effectively portrays the the bunch. grudging respect that had "You can't ignore the hu- slowly formed between man factor," he says at the Rabin and Arafat, from beginning. "Someone who a moment when shaking has a human touch treats hands was a painful ges- President Bill Clinton, center, looks on as Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, left, and PLO leader someone else with respect. Yasser Arafat shake hands in the East Room of the White House after signing the Mideast accord ture to a time when Arafat Someone who has a hu- in Washington on Sept. 28, 1995. would casually drape his man touch doesn't think Associated Press arm across Rabin's back. they're going to outsmart For this viewer, the most anybody." entourage watching "The Clinton's presidency, Ross to Obama; Martin Indyk, "human" factor of the film The film goes on to prove Golden Girls" on TV. looks over at his boss' note- twice the U.S. ambassador comes with the shock over the point, threading a deli- The film is full of such hu- pad during a crucial meet- to Israel; and negotiators Rabin's death, especially cate line between giving us manizing touches, not just ing. Clinton is writing: "Focus Gamal Helal, Aaron David from Ross himself. The ne- necessary facts and sound- about Arafat but about Is- on your job. Focus on your Miller and Daniel Kurtzer. gotiator recounts that he'd ing like a dry history lesson. raeli leaders and American job." Through these men, espe- been taking one of his chil- But the value is in the small, ones, too. Like Bill Clinton, The film traces the long slog cially Ross, we get a close- dren home from a doctor's and yes, human details -- depicted here as a man on of peace efforts through up view of world leaders visit when he was paged like the fact that Palestinian a career-defining mission archival footage and in- and how they behaved be- by Secretary of State War- leader Yasser Arafat took to achieve a peace deal. terviews with key nego- hind closed doors. There's a ren Christopher. it upon himself to cut Ross' One small but stunning tiators: Ross, who played fascinating description of Once the news sunk, Ross' chicken for him when they anecdote: As the Monica a huge role for more than a meal in the small dining wife had to explain to their ate together. Or the in- Lewinsky scandal is break- a decade, working for room off the Oval Office children why Dad was cry- congruous sight of Arafat's ing, casting a cloud over presidents from Reagan between Clinton, Arafat, ing. q Tom Brokaw says he's retiring from NBC News after 55 years NEW YORK (AP) — NBC News veteran Tom Brokaw said Friday that he is retiring Brokaw began at NBC in its "During one of the most from the network after 55 Los Angeles bureau in the complex and consequen- years. 1960s, where he covered tial eras in American history, Brokaw, author of "The Ronald Reagan's first run for a new generation of NBC Greatest Generation," public office and the assas- News journalists, producers was NBC's lead anchor at sination of Robert F. Ken- and technicians is provid- "Nightly News" and for big nedy. ing America with timely, events for more than 20 He was a White House cor- insightful and critically im- years before giving way to respondent during Richard portant information, 24/7." Brian Williams in 2004. Nixon's presidency, and be- Brokaw said. "I could not be The 80-year-old newsman gan co-hosting the "Today" more proud of them."q did documentaries and show in 1976. He started 6 3 7 5 1 2 9 8 4 made other appearances hosting "Nightly News" in 4 1 5 6 9 8 7 3 2 for the networks after that, 1983. but he has fought cancer For two decades, the trium- 9 2 8 7 3 4 5 6 1 and his television appear- virate of Brokaw, ABC's Pe- 3 4 2 9 5 7 8 1 6 ances have been more ter Jennings and CBS' Dan 8 9 1 3 2 6 4 7 5 sporadic. Rather were the nation's 5 7 6 8 4 1 3 2 9 He said he will continue to most visible broadcasters, 1 6 3 4 7 5 2 9 8 "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw delivers his closing re- marks during his final broadcast, in New York on Dec. 1, 2004. be active in print journal- anchoring major stories like 7 8 4 2 6 9 1 5 3

Associated Press ism, writing books and ar- the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist 2 5 9 1 8 3 6 4 7 2021 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc. ticles. attacks. Difficulty Level 1/23 A15 SPORTS Saturday 23 January 2021 NFC Matchups: Where else to start but Brady and Rodgers? By BARRY WILNER A real contrast here. AP Pro Football Writer Arians has been around More than 100 players will as long as the NFL itself; suit up for Sunday's NFC well, not quite, but this is his championship game, so try 46th year in coaching. He to ignore all those talking began in college in 1975 heads making mention of and in the pros in 2001, only two: Tom Brady and and his open-minded ap- Aaron Rodgers. proach on offense always Yes, it's as juicy a matchup has matched changes in of quarterbacks as the cur- the game. Arians is a two- rent NFL can offer. The Bat- time AP Coach of the Year, tle of the Bays might well winning as the interim with be decided by what Mr. Indianapolis in 2012 when Six Rings does against the Chuck Pagano was bat- Packers' defense, or what tling leukemia, and in 2014 the 2020 All-Pro Rodgers with Arizona. manages versus the Buc- It took a while, but he has caneers' D. melded the play calls with The only time Green Bay Brady's preferences, and (14-3) was overwhelmed he has allowed Bowles to this season was a 38-10 loss oversee a big-play de- in October to the Bucs (13- fense. 5). Matt LaFleur, also an offen- That said, here's what each sive mastermind but more team will be looking at in in the workings of the re- Lambeau Field. cent schemes, has meshed WHEN THE BUCS HAVE THE beautifully with Rodgers BALL: and what his quarterback We'll get to Brady in a mo- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers waves to spectators after an NFL divisional playoff prefers called. LaFleur, 41, ment, because a decent football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. put more emphasis on the amount of Tampa Bay's Associated Press running game to relieve chances will depend on Rodgers of carrying the en- running backs Leonard safeties Adrian Amos and the time on an underrated David, could be decisive. tire load. Fournette and Ronald Darnell Savage to handle group of cornerbacks fea- The Packers' All-Pro center, Mike Pettine, like Bowles a Jones being productive. the big guy as best they turing Carlton Davis, Jamel Corey Linsley, probably will former head coach, has They have been, particu- can. Dean and Sean Murphy- need to help out against put together an aggres- larly Fournette, in recent For Brady to get a shot at a Bunting. Indeed, both sack threats Jason Pierre- sive squad led by the Smith games. seventh Super Bowl title, his teams have impressive sec- Paul and Shaq Barrett. LG Brothers and Alexander. If the offense is balanced, protection, anchored by ondaries, with rookie An- Elgton Jenkins had a strong INTANGIBLES: Brady is at his most dan- left guard Ali Marpet and toine Winfield Jr., and Jor- season. Green Bay's other While this is old hat for gerous. He might occa- rookie right tackle Tristan dan Whitehead performing standout blocker, All-Pro LT Brady — in a football sense, sionally test cornerbacks Wirfs, must stand up against well at safety for Bowles. David Bakhtiari, is injured. isn't everything to Brady? — Jaire Alexander, Kevin King Za'Darius Smith and Preston Unlike Brady, Rodgers can SPECIAL TEAMS: his new franchise has been and Chandon Sullivan with Smith, both potential game create outside the pocket, Not much to laud on either to one Super Bowl, winning deep throws, but more like- changers for the Packers. and he's especially dan- side. Not very special, no. it in February 2003. There's ly will rely on stud wideout Green Bay will do some gerous when doing so. His Veteran placekicker Ma- a hunger in Tampa, and Mike Evans, the re-emerg- blitzing, though not as star running back, Aaron son Crosby is solid, making there's always a hunger in ing Antonio Brown, and much as Buccaneers de- Jones, not only is terrific in all 16 field goal attempts, Brady. Chris Godwin and Scotty fensive coordinator Todd the ground game, but he's but missed four PATs for Plus, no franchise has ever Miller on shorter plays that Bowles figures to do. a top-level receiver. Few Green Bay. He knows how played in a Super Bowl on allow them to gain yards Don't expect the Bucs (nor teams run screens to wide- to kick in rough conditions, its home field. after catch. Coach Bruce the Packers) to commit outs as well as the Pack — of course. Among Cheeseheads, Arians ruled out the re- many turnovers, either. except the Buccaneers, Packers punter JK Scott also there's a belief that Rodg- emerging Antonio Brown WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE who rank second in that can deal with the winds ers and the Pack should because of a knee injury, THE BALL: category to Green Bay's and weather at Lambeau, have been in more than but a missed tackle on the Green Bay doesn't have fifth. but he's a bit inconsistent. one NFL title game. This is others by any Green Bay the multi-pronged attack Drops can be an issue for Green Bay struggles in the best overall team he defender easily could lead Tampa Bay does, but it Adams' comrades, but punt coverage and rarely has been on, including the to six points. has the top receiver in this Rodgers seems to have threatens to break a return, 2010 champions. While the Bucs have the game in All-Pro Davante confidence in all of them — but the Bucs are suscep- And the memory of being more established tight ends Adams. It's pretty simple Allen Lazard, Marquez Val- tible to them, especially on blown out so badly in last in Rob Gronkowski and when it comes to some- des-Scantling and TE Rob- kickoffs. year's NFC championship Cameron Brate, they might what neutralizing Rodgers, ert Tonyan, who might be Tampa Bay's Ryan Succop, by San Francisco remains not have the most impact- who is having perhaps the the most improved player now in his 12th pro season, fresh. As does the 38-10 loss ful at the position (see be- best season of his Hall of in the NFL for 2020. Tonyan made 28 of 31 field goal to Tampa Bay three months low). But Gronk in particular Fame-caliber career: slow seems to get more open tries but missed five extra ago. has always been a big-play down Adams. Few op- than any other tight end in points. No, we don't get it, "What's happened in the guy in big games for Brady, ponents have done so no the league. either. past at this point, it really and Green Bay doesn't matter who or how many His matchup with Tampa Punter Bradley Pinion has a doesn't matter," LaFleur have linebackers who ex- DBs cover Adams. Bay's superb linebackers, big leg. said. "It's about what we do cel in coverage. Look for The burden will fall much of Devin White and Lavonte COACHING: moving forward."q A16 Saturday 23 January 2021 SPORTS Hank Aaron, baseball's one-time home run king, dies at 86 ATLANTA (AP) — Hank Clinton credited Aaron with Six-feet tall and listed at 180 Aaron, who endured rac- helping carve a path of ra- pounds during the prime ist threats with stoic dignity cial tolerance that made of his career, Aaron was during his pursuit of Babe Obama's victory possible. hardly an imposing play- Ruth's home run record "We're a different country er physically. But he was and gracefully left his mark now," Clinton said at a 75th blessed with powerful wrists as one of baseball's great- birthday celebration for that made him one of the est all-around players, died Aaron. "You've given us far game's most feared hitters. Friday. He was 86. more than we'll ever give Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt The Atlanta Braves, Aaron's you." described Aaron as "an un- longtime team, said he Aaron spent 21 of his 23 sea- assuming, easygoing man, died peacefully in his sleep. sons with the Braves, first in a quiet superstar, that a '70s No cause was given. Milwaukee, then in Atlanta player like me emulated." Aaron made his last pub- after the franchise moved "He was one of my heroes lic appearance just 2 1/2 to the Deep South in 1966. as a kid, and will always be weeks ago, when he re- He finished his career back an icon of the baby boom- ceived the COVID-19 vac- in Milwaukee, traded to er generation," Schmidt cine. He said he wanted the Brewers after the 1974 said. "In fact, if you weigh to help spread the to Black season when he refused to all the elements involved Americans that the vac- take a front-office job that and compare the game cine was safe. would have required a big fairly, his career will never "Hammerin' Hank" set a pay cut. be topped." wide array of career hitting While knocking the ball Aaron hit 733 homers with records during a 23-year over the fence became his the Braves, the last in his fi- career spent mostly with signature accomplishment, nal plate appearance with the Milwaukee and Atlan- the Hammer was hardly the team, a liner down the ta Braves, including RBIs, a one-dimensional star. left field line off Cincinnati's extra-base hits and total In fact, he never hit more Rawley Eastwick on Oct. 2, bases. than 47 homers in a season 1974. Exactly one month But the Hall of Famer will be (though he did have eight later, he was dealt to the remembered for one swing years with at least 40 ding- Brewers for outfielder Dave above all others, the one ers). May and minor league that made him baseball's But it can be argued that pitcher Roger Alexander. In this April 8, 1974, file photo, Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron holds home-run king. aloft the ball he hit for his 715th career home in Atlanta. no one was so good, for so The Braves made it clear It was a title he would Associated Press long, at so many facets of they no longer wanted be hold for more than 33 the national pastime. Aaron, then 40, returning years, a period in which the his legacy. hate mail as he closed in The long ball was only part for another season on the Hammer slowly but surely "I just tried to play the game on Ruth's cherished record of his arsenal. field. They offered him a claimed his rightful place the way it was supposed of 714, much of it sparked Aaron was a true five-tool front office job for $50,000 as one of America's most to be played," Aaron said, by the fact Ruth was white star. a year, about $150,000 less iconic sporting figures, a summing it up better than and Aaron was black. He posted 14 seasons with than his playing salary. true national treasure wor- anyone. "If I was white, all America a .300 average — the last "Titles?" he said at the time. thy of mention in the same He wasn't on hand when would be proud of me," of them at age 39 — and "Can you spend titles at the breath with Ruth or Ali or Bonds hit No. 756, but he Aaron said almost a year claimed two National grocery store? Executive Jordan. did tape a congratulatory before he passed Ruth. "But League batting titles. He vice president, assistant to Before a sellout crowd at message that was shown I am black." finished with a career aver- the executive vice presi- Atlanta Stadium and a na- on the video board in San Aaron was shadowed con- age of .305. dent, what does it mean if it tional television audience, Francisco shortly after the stantly by bodyguards and Aaron also was a gifted doesn't pay good money? I Aaron broke Ruth's home new record-holder went forced to distance him- outfielder with a power- might become a janitor for run record with No. 715 off deep. While saddened by self from teammates. He ful arm, something often big money." Al Downing of the Los An- claims of rampant steroid kept all those hateful let- overlooked because of Aaron became a designat- geles Dodgers. use in baseball in the late ters, a bitter reminder of a smooth, effortless stride ed hitter with the Brewers, The Hall of Famer finished 1990s and early 2000s, Aar- the abuse he endured and that his critics — with un- but hardly closed his ca- his career with 755, a total on never challenged those never forgot. doubtedly racist overtones reer with a flourish. He man- surpassed by Barry Bonds in marks set by players who "It's very offensive," he once — mistook for noncha- aged just 22 homers over 2007 — though many con- may have taken pharma- said. "They call me 'nigger' lance. He was a three-time his last two seasons, going tinued to call the Hammer ceutical short cuts. and every other bad word Gold Glove winner. out with a .229 average in the true home run king be- Besides, he always had that you can come up with. You Then there was his work 1976. cause of allegations that April night in 1974. can't ignore them. They are on the base paths. Aaron Even so, his career num- Bonds used performance- "Downing was more of a here. But this is just the way posted seven seasons with bers largely stood the test enhancing drugs. finesse pitcher," Aaron re- things are for black people more than 20 stolen bases, of time. Bonds finished his tarnished membered shortly before in America. It's something including a career-best of Aaron still has more RBIs career with 762, though the 30th anniversary of the you battle all of your life." 31 in 1963 when became (2,297), extra-base hits Aaron never begrudged landmark homer. "I guess After retiring in 1976, Aar- only the third member of (1,477) and total bases someone eclipsing his he was trying to throw me on became a revered, the 30-30 club — players (6,856) than anyone in mark. a screwball or something. almost mythical figure, who have totaled at least baseball history. He ranks His common refrain: More Whatever it was, I got even though he never pur- 30 homers and 30 steals in second in at-bats (12,354), than three decades as the enough of it." sued the spotlight. He was a season. third in games played king was long enough. It Aaron's journey to that thrilled when the U.S. elect- To that point, the feat had (3,298) and hits (3,771), was time for someone else memorable homer was ed its first African-American only been accomplished fourth in runs scored (tied to hold the record. hardly pleasant. He was president, Barack Obama, by Ken Williams (1922) and with Ruth at 2,174) and 13th No one could take away the target of extensive in 2008. Former President Bill Willie Mays (1956 and '57). in doubles (624).q