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KUNA photo The Kuwait Army Land Force, namely the Mechanized Liberation Brigade, with the participation of the American nesses, the Amir and the Crown Prince. On the 60th Anniversary of the National Day and the 30th Anniversary Army artillery and air force units, wrapped up the mock battles, code-named ‘Liberation-21’. The Kuwaiti-US of the Liberation Day, the minister recalled the great sacrifices by the army in repelling the enemy that occupied drills were carried out in the region of Al-Udaire – patronized and attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister the country. of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah. In a statement, the minister lauded skills manifested by the Moreover, Sheikh Hamad praised the allied forces that backed up the national forces in resisting and fighting national forces. He also conveyed to the personnel who took part in the maneuvers, greetings from Their High- the occupiers.

Opinion

Recklessness without a cure ... Oh Iran in N-snap-back Amir, Kuwait in crisis ... rescue it International inspections limited

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah not want the country to get out of this fi- TEHRAN, Feb 23, (AP): Iran officially has begun had made good on its threat to reduce cooperation with Interna- Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times nancial impasse. restricting international inspections of its nuclear fa- tional Atomic Energy Agency inspectors. If we contemplate its negative conse- Iran’s move to limit international inspections underscores the daunting KUWAIT is in a predicament due to a quences, we will find that its repercus- cilities, state TV reported Tuesday, a bid to pressure task facing Biden as he seeks to reverse Trump’s policies and return to the floundering government that does not sions are greater than those of the Iraqi European countries and U.S. President Joe Biden’s deal, the most significant pact between Iran and major world powers since know how to treat the wounds that it has invasion. its 1979 Islamic revolution. caused to the country, and a Parliament Meanwhile, the major international administration to lift crippling economic sanctions “The law has gone into effect from this morning,” said Iranian Foreign that does not solve even a single prob- rating agencies are still warning, in their and restore the 2015 nuclear deal. Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, reiterating that Iran would no longer lem and refuses to provide a solution. reports, of the government’s mistake in The state TV report gave little detail beyond confirming that Iran share surveillance footage of its nuclear facilities with the U.N. agency. In between those two is the citizen who handling the financial situation, and are recommending a change in approach. “We never gave them live vid- is faced with a big burden due to issues eo, but (recordings) were given related to his financial and living condi- However, the government seems deaf, and the Central Bank seems to have let go and daily and weekly,” Zarif said of tions, while those responsible for safe- the IAEA’s access to informa- guarding such matters seem unconcerned. chosen silence, because either it is unable to reach a solution, or it has been infected tion recorded by camera moni- Therefore, the only thing left for the tors. “The tape recording of our people to do is to urge His Highness the by the confusion of the executive authority. In addition, the press did not leave a (nuclear) program will be kept in Amir to rescue this country from the tun- Iran.” nel of a crisis that seems to prolong as single occasion without sounding the alarm, as did the country’s top bankers The Atomic Energy Organi- long as the executive authority does ev- zation of Iran, Tehran’s civilian erything as though it doesn’t want to do and experts who have no interest but to maintain Kuwait’s financial and econom- nuclear agency, has promised anything, while the legislative authority to preserve the tapes for three refuses to pass the public debt law and ic strength. However, it seems His High- ness the Prime Minister does not want to months, then hand it over to the withdraw from the future generations IAEA - but only if granted sanc- fund. listen to the words of truth. In theory, it is true that the government tions relief. Otherwise, Iran has In fact, the legislative authority has vowed to erase the tapes, narrow- not prepared any proposals to rescue the has the right to borrow from the future generations fund because it has been ing the window for a diplomatic country, but rather escalate the crises as breakthrough. if they are pushing people into an abyss. saving for the rainy days. Nevertheless, before resorting to this painful surgical Iran announced its plans to A simple challenge related to combat- cease implementation of the so- ing the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a procedure, it has several alternatives that are still available. called “Additional Protocol,” a great confusion. This can only happen to confidential agreement between those who do not understand the alpha- However, it seems the government is bet of administration. Those responsible unable to resolve the situation because of Tehran and the IAEA reached as for the health affairs ignored all measures its loss of vision. And the MPs are only part of the landmark nuclear ac- that could help in containing the spread of concerned with their individual and par- cord. The agreement grants the the virus, and instead devoted themselves tisan interests. This, undoubtedly, is not U.N. inspectors enhanced pow- to resolving the issue faced by hotel own- just the highest degree of weakness and ers to visit nuclear facilities and ers. They did this through their decision indifference, but also a lack of national watch Iran’s program. to mandate Kuwaitis to be quarantined responsibility. Nearly three years ago, former institutionally in a hotel instead of their Amid this chaos, the people of this U.S. President Donald Trump homes. Such a measure contradicts the country can do nothing except urge the US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice- stone: 500,071 dead. unilaterally withdrew America Constitution, but if only they knew. top leadership - the guardian of the Con- President Kamala Harris, and Doug Emhoff partici- ‘That’s more Americans who have died in one year from the nuclear accord and re- stitution and the head of all authorities pate in a moment of silence during a ceremony to in this pandemic than in World War One, World War imposed sanctions on Iran that On the other hand, the government has honor the 500,000 Americans that died from COV- Two, and the Vietnam War combined. That’s more opted to be stubborn regarding the financial - to take decisive steps, because the gov- have squeezed its economy. ernment’s inactivity in this regard indi- ID-19, at the White House, Feb 22, in Washington. lives lost to this virus than any other nation on Earth,’ issue. It has resorted to sending a bill for ‘Today, we mark a truly grim, heartbreaking mile- Biden said in remarks at the White House. (AP) Agreement withdrawing from the future generations cates great danger. In front of this bleak picture that the To create leverage over Wash- fund to the National Assembly, which is ington, Iran has announced grad- suspended temporarily in accordance with legislative and executive authorities have article No. 106 of the Constitution. brought us to, the people of this country ‘Unborn’ own fund ual breaches of the agreement What kind of a mess is this? Can some- turns to you, Your Highness, to get them Ahmed Zaki over recent weeks. The country one, who is not able to resolve a simple out of confusion with firm royal orders has started enriching uranium up matter such as imposing precautionary to preserve the good of the country and to 20% purity, a technical step measures to confront COVID-19 pan- to stop the snowball of crisis that grows Yamani dies away from weapons-grade lev- every day. Bill pulls ‘Future’ 5bn els, as well as spinning advanced demic, be able to solve a sensitive issue DUBAI, Feb 23, (AP): Ahmed Zaki such as the financial situation, to which People do not want anything other than centrifuges and producing ura- their homeland to be prosperous, to enjoy Yamani, a long-serving oil minister By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh if it will be used for covering run- nium metal. the government has negatively contribut- in Saudi Arabia who led the king- ning expenditures, it is just like a ed since the beginning of the pandemic? a decent life, and not to get lost in a bot- Arab Times Staff Zarif stressed in a tweet Tues- tomless institutional maze. dom through the 1973 oil crisis, the temporary painkiller. day that Iran’s new limits on It failed to act in the manner that many nationalization its state energy com- He asserted the interim govern- countries adopted to cushion the effect We are tired of calling both the govern- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: National nuclear inspections and other ment and the National Assembly to come pany and once found himself held Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- ment is repeating its mistake; as violations of the pact are revers- of the COVID-19 crisis. It justified itself hostage by the assassin Carlos the it previously submitted a bill on by claiming that the parliament rejected to a common ground, favor the language Ghanim said he received the in- ible, insisting that the U.S. move of reason over stubbornness, and stop the Jackal, died Tuesday in London. He terim government’s bill on amend- borrowing KD20 billion without first to revive the deal. the public debt law. It also established a was 90. explaining reasons behind such stimulus fund which had nothing stimulus game of procrastination. ing Future Generations Fund Law In a show of defiance, Cabinet Kuwait is bigger than a prime minister, Saudi state No.106/1976 on Feb 17, and that move to the citizens, so the bill was spokesman Ali Rabiei outlined in it. Furthermore, it yielded to the things television rejected. being published in the social media. This a minister or an MP... its fate is not a rash he forwarded it to the Financial and further developments in Iran’s game of drifting. reported his Economic Affairs Committee the On the same issue, MP Badr nuclear program on Tuesday. begs us to wonder - Is this how a country death, with- Al-Dahoum urged Kuwait Eco- is managed? Your Highness, rescue the country following day. Over the last three weeks, he with a series of necessary decrees. For out offering He revealed the bill allows the nomic Society (KESOC), as well told reporters, Iran has installed For a year now, everyone has been a cause. It as the economic experts and aca- talking about the need to transform the those who are walking in their harmful government to withdraw KD5 bil- and started feeding gas into an path will go to no end. Recklessness has said he would lion maximum from the fund every demicians at Kuwait University, additional 148 high-tech IR2-m crisis into an opportunity, even if the be buried in to conduct a study aimed at finding matter calls for issuing a series of laws not found someone to cure it. We are a year in order to address the budget centrifuges at its Natanz nuclear nation that talks too much but does little the Muslim deficit. plausible solutions to the economic enrichment facility and its forti- by decrees of necessity, and investing in holy city of problems of the country. He prom- the purchase of companies’ shares, real work ... Now all that is needed is a series He thinks the Assembly will not fied nuclear complex at Fordo, of royal decrees. Makkah. approve the bill for various reasons, ised to support such studies until bringing the total number of estate portfolios and other international Known for the Assembly approves them. markets. pointing out the present generation centrifuges to up to 492. Anoth- Email: [email protected] his Western- Yamani does not own the fund. He said: He explained that he took this er set of 492 centrifuges will be We are not suggesting to invest in the style business suits and soft-spoken, step after realizing the government Kuwaiti market because there are those Follow me on: “The future generation consists of installed in the coming month, measured tones, Yamani helped our children; so we must work in lacks the ability to address the he said. who will come out to say that we want Saudi Arabia command a dominat- economic problems, denouncing to sell our shares in the Kuwaiti financial their interest, not ours.” He added that Iran has in- ing presence in the Organization of He argued that withdrawing the latter’s plan to withdraw KD5 stalled two cascades of even market. This is the kind of helpless talk the Petroleum Exporting Countries billion from the fund. He added a that can be expected from people who do [email protected] from the fund is not the best option more advanced centrifuges at its from its birth. The Kingdom remains as the cost of liquidating the assets government that failed to manage nuclear enrichment facilities, but a heavyweight in the group even to- of the fund valued at KD5 billion is the State during the surplus period did not specify where. day and its decisions ripple through estimated at KD300 million, while when the price of oil reached $120 On Monday, Supreme Leader the oil industry, affecting prices the cost of obtaining the same per barrel will not be able to find Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also from the barrel down to the gasoline amount of loan from the interna- solutions in difficult times - when signaled Iran would refuse to ca- Newswatch pump. tional market is about $75 million. oil price is very low. pitulate to U.S. pressure over its “To the global oil industry, to He added the fund’s investments He added: “Since HH the Prime nuclear program. Khamenei said politicians and senior civil servants, generate revenues ranging from six Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid that Iran could enrich uranium to journalists and to the world at to 10 percent per year, so what is is not competent enough, let him go up to 60% purity if necessary, KUWAIT CITY: His Highness the Amir Sabah sent similar cables. (KUNA) large, Yamani became the repre- ❑ ❑ ❑ the benefit of liquidating the assets to leave a space for someone who but stressed the country forbids Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- sentative, and indeed the symbol, of of such high yielding fund instead is capable.” nuclear weapons. Sabah sent a cable, Tuesday, to the Em- KUWAIT CITY: The Ministry of Health an- the new age of oil,” author Daniel of obtaining a loan with about one In addition, MP Muhammad Al- But Iran’s curbs would affect peror of Japan Naruhito, congratulating nounced Tuesday that 1,015 new infections Yergin wrote in his seminal book percent interest? Mutair said he has no intention to inspectors’ ability to conduct so- him on his birthday. were recorded in the past 24 hours, bring- on the oil industry “The Prize.” He clarified that borrowing per approve such a bill; pointing out that called “snap” inspections of nu- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh ing the total number of infection cases to “His visage, with his large, limpid, se is not wrong as other countries he might consider it if the withdrawal clear sites, Grossi said. Iran block- Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah 186,004, including eight fatalities, which seemingly unblinking brown eyes are doing the same; but the prob- will be done once, if it is considered a ing access to IAEA cameras also and His Highness the Prime Minister brings the total number of deaths to 1,057 and his clipped, slightly curved lem lies in how the loan is spent. loan with clear payment terms and if means the agency can’t monitor Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- cases. (KUNA) Van Dyke beard, became familiar He said if the loan will be used for the government submits a clear plan Iranian actions when those inspec- the planet over.” investment, it is a correct move; but for dealing with the economic issue. tors aren’t physically at a site. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 2

US vows to help Iraq promote stability in face of ‘enemies’ Biden backs partnership with stable, democratic Iraq he new US administration said Tuesday a top priority in Iraq is to Mills referred to the hundreds of thousands of protesters who have near where US forces are based in the semi-autonomous Kurdish-run re- Thelp the country assert its sovereignty “in the face of enemies” by taken to the streets in Baghdad and the predominantly Shiite south since gion of northern Iraq, killing a civilian contractor working for the US-led preventing a resurgence of the extremist Islamic State group and ad- late 2019. Protesters have called for an end to endemic corruption by coalition and injuring at least eight other people including an American. dressing destabilizing activities of Iran and Iranian-backed militias. a political class largely seen as having squandered Iraq’s oil resources UN special envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert told the council that US deputy ambassador Richard Mills told the UN Security Council through greed and mismanagement over the years. They have demanded “reckless attempts to inflame tensions,” like the Irbil attack, “pose grave that President Joe Biden’s administration “supports a strategic partner- political and economic reforms including early elections. The protests threats to Iraq’s stability.” ship with a stable, democratic Iraq,” including backing efforts to con- were met with a heavy military crackdown and hundreds were killed. She said “a positive, stable relationship between federal Iraq and the trol militias and advising and assisting the country’s counter-terrorism Mills said the US welcomes a recent letter from the Iraqi government Kurdistan region is absolutely essential to the stability of the whole forces. to the Security Council asking the UN political mission in Iraq known as country.” And she lamented “the harsh reality” that Baghdad and Irbil The United States will also be “a steady, reliable partner that supports UNAMI to provide election observers. have failed to agree on key laws including on sharing oil revenue and Iraq’s anti-corruption and economic reform efforts, strengthens regional “We support international observation of Iraqi elections to ensure that disputed territories. relationships, holds accountable human rights violators and those who the elections are free, fair and credible, and look forward to working with As for the October election, Hennis-Plasschaert said parliament has abuse human rights, (and) provides humanitarian assistance,” Mills said. Iraq, the council, fellow members, and the UN to determine the most passed legislation to finance the voting process, and countrywide regis- The Islamic State extremist group seized Iraqi cities and declared a feasible form such an effort can take,” he said. tration of candidates and alliances as well as the updating of voter lists self-styled Islamic caliphate in a large swathe of territory it took control The US is providing $9.7 million to UNAMI to assist the govern- has begun. But she said parliament must immediately finalize the Fed- of in Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014. US airstrikes and a US-backed, ment’s election preparations, and Mills encouraged international donors eral Supreme Court law because the court certifies election results. Iraqi-led ground campaign led to the group’s defeat in Iraq in 2017, leav- to also contribute. Looking at the year ahead, she said, “Iraqis hope to turn the page on ing tens of thousands dead and Iraqi cities in ruins. He said one of the highest barriers to credible elections is the presence a number of fronts: recovery from the pandemic, elections, economic But the group’s sleeper cells continue to launch attacks in different of “armed militias, violent extremists, and spoilers.” He urged Iraq’s reform, strengthening the rule of law and delivering a more secure envi- parts of Iraq including on a market in Baghdad in December that killed electoral administration and key security personnel to start working im- ronment for all.” at least 30 people and wounded over 100. mediately to ensure security around the elections. But this requires decisive and concerted action, including meaning- Mills said helping Iraq prevent a resurgence of IS and working toward Mills stressed that militias, including those backed by Iran, and re- ful reforms and refuting “poisonous” misinformation and conspiracies, the country’s stability also means supporting its efforts to hold peaceful maining Islamic State elements are killing Iraqis, attacking UN convoys, Hennis-Plasschaert stressed. elections on Oct. 10, four months later than originally planned. targeting diplomats and non-governmental organizations, “and depriv- “For elections to be trusted, unfounded theories must be disproved, “These scheduled elections will be critical in establishing responsive ing Iraq of much-needed economic relief and foreign investment.” baseless accusations refuted, intimidation replaced with accountability,” and representative government,” he said. He pointed to Monday’s rocket attack outside Irbil international airport, she said. “Transparency must rule and loyalties cannot be for sale.” (AP)

A student walks outside the newly-inaugurated American University in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Feb 15. Encircled by the blue waters of a man-made lake are palaces turned to faculties promising an ‘American’ schooling to meet the needs of Iraq’s growing youth, in a city where education has lagged since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and unemployment has since soared. (AP) Ambitious scope for Mulnix American university hopes to fill Iraq higher-ed gap

rom afar, the sprawling complex of the newly inaugurated American deal with US fast-food chain Hardee’s is close to being inked. Starbucks refurbish the campus, prompting criticism of too much reliance on the FUniversity in Baghdad appears like a floating mirage. could be next. personal wealth of a single businessman. Encircled by blue waters of a man-made lake, former Saddam Hus- As president, Mulnix’s long list of duties befits the ambitious scope Mulnix brushed off allegations launched by critics of the university, sein-era palaces have been converted to university departments promis- of the university, from overseeing mammoth reconstruction efforts of including some Iraqi and other higher-education officials, that the family ing a US-style education to meet the needs of Iraq’s growing youth. Saddam-era palaces three years ago, to hiring staff, managing food ser- was seeking to make money. Higher education has lagged in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion vices and paying utility bills. “This is 100 percent a non-for-profit university. All the money made that toppled Saddam. Government officials maintain that the American The university is located on the site where Saddam commissioned the via tuition goes back to the university, not to repay the family that started University in Baghdad, which opened this week, is critical to shoring up construction of a resort. The project included the grand al-Fao palace and it.” the country’s flailing state of higher education. numerous villas and smaller palaces in the 1990s to mark Iraq’s retaking AUIB is the first American-style university in federal Iraq. Two The campus is a sight rarely seen in Baghdad’s urban sprawl: Ducks of the al-Fao peninsula during the Iran-Iraq conflict. A lake was formed American-style universities are located in Dohuk and Sulimaniyah in float by peacefully as a handful of students, backpacks slung over their by diverting water from the Tigris River and filled with a special breed the northern Kurdish-run region. shoulders, head to class. Glossy new buses take others across a winding of fish dubbed “Saddam bass.” An American approach to education, which encourages a diverse road. The initials of the deposed dictator are still etched on the walls, col- curriculum, will take time to gain popularity in Baghdad, where high- “I feel more like a mayor of a big city than a university president,” said umns and ceilings. Following his capture by U.S forces, he was impris- school exam scores determine career paths and degrees in engineering AUIB President Michael Mulnix in an interview with The Associated oned in one of the palace buildings. It was later used as a headquarters of and medical sciences are favored. Liberal arts is a novel concept in Iraq, Press, a day after the university officially opened its doors. the US-led coalition force and called Camp Victory. Mulnix said. Critics have raised alarm over the university’s funding scheme, “His presence is here, everywhere,” said Mulnix. “It’s kind of interest- That might explain why enrollment has not met expectations. which is reliant on one influential Iraqi businessman, while the twin ing to take that legacy and transform it into what we are doing.” Fewer than 300 students were admitted to AUIB in its inaugural year threats of coronavirus and attacks by armed groups threaten to add The dream, he said, was to bring an American-style university with this year, far short of the 10,000-30,000 its founders hoped for. The ma- further delays. a core liberal arts program to Baghdad. It’s not just his vision, but that jority went directly to the school’s English Language Academy to im- Still, university administrators are forging ahead with plans to expand. of the university’s chief Iraqi financier, influential businessman Saadi prove their English skills before embarking on a baccalaureate program. Of the 14 colleges that Mulnix hopes will one day be brimming with Saihood whose holdings began with a laundromat in the Green Zone Most of the students have very basic English skills, not enough to avid learners, just three opened this week: Arts and Sciences, Business servicing US forces after 2003. meet the rigorous demands of the university, Mulnix said. and International Studies. Five more, including Health Sciences and For now, the university is “American” in name only. It will be years “We are having to take over from the very beginning. ... The students Law, are planned for the fall. before it might be accredited in the United States. They must first pro- coming here really have quite the job because it will take a year or a year Also in the works are plans for an international school offering kin- duce an initial graduating class, Mulnix said. and a half for some of them when they are starting at a basic level to get dergarten through Grade 12, a teaching hospital, even a movie theater. A So far, the Saihood family has spent $200 million to renovate and through the English program.” (AP)

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 3 Weather Expected weather for the next By Night: Cold and cloudy to Kuwait Airport 19 14 24 hours: partly cloudy with light variable Abdaly 19 12 Prayer Timings By Day: Rather cold and cloudy wind to light to moderate freshen- Bubyan - - Fajr ...... 05:01 Asr ...... 15:17 to partly cloudy with light to mod- ing at times north westerly wind Jahra 20 14 Sunrise .. 06:20 Maghrib .. 17:43 erate freshening at times north with speeds of 10-40 km/h and Failaka Island - - Zohr ...... 12:01 Isha ...... 19:00 westerly wind changing to south a chance for rain that might be Salmiyah 18 15 easterly wind with speeds of 12- thundery at times. Ahmadi 18 16 42 km/h and a chance for rain that Station Max Exp Min Rec Wafra 20 14 might be thundery at times. Kuwait City 18 14 Salmy 19 11

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

Agility tumbles 34 fi ls, Tamdeen Investment gains Kuwait market slips into red turf as selling dents sentiment By John Mathews Telecom major Zain eased 1 fi l to 620 fi ls shares whereas Boubyan Bank gained 10 fi ls. ing Monday’s gains while Integrated Holding gave Arab Times Staff after moving 6.3 million shares and Ooredoo Gulf Bank stood pat at 216 fi ls with a volume of up 9 fi ls. Boubyan Petrochemical Co dialed down ▼ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30180/900.30180/90 shed 11 fi ls. stc was down 7 fi ls at 920 fi ls over 8 million and Kuwait International Bank too 2 fi ls whereas Al Qurain Petrochemical Co was up KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: Kuwait stocks headed while Agility tumbled 34 fi ls to 694 fi ls taking did not budge from its previous close of 199 fi ls. 7 fi ls at 365 fi ls. Aznour eroded 5 fi ls before set- ▲ Euro/KD 0.3677 south on Tuesday after logging feeble gains in the month’s losses to 59 fi ls. Humansoft Hold- Burgan Bank tripped 1 fi l while Ahli Unit- tling at 256 fi ls with a volume of 8.8 million. the previous session. The All Shares index slid ing slid 53 fi ls to KD 3.850 and Boursa Kuwait ed Bank BSC shed 13 fi ls with brisk trading. ■ Yen/KD 0.0028 42.74 pts in a broad decline to 5,656.84 points Securities shed 8 fi ls. Warba Bank dialed up 2 fi ls and Al Ahli Bank Jazeera slips led by heavyweight as selling pressure dented Jazeera Airways slipped 5 fi ls to 625 fi ls extend- was unchanged at 203 fi ls. Ahli United Bank British £/KD the market sentiment. Market claws back Kuwait eased 1 fi ls to 299 fi ls. ing last session’s losses while ALAFCO closed 2 ▲ 0.4261 The Premier Market skidded 58.68 points The market opened slightly gap down and Kuwait Investment Co and Imtiaz Investment fi ls in red. EK Holding climbed 10 fi ls to 360 fi ls to 6,167 pts taking the month’s losses to edged slightly higher in early trade. The main in- dialed down 2 fi ls each whereas Commercial and United Projects Co gave up 4 fi ls. Combined ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0041 140 points while Main Market gave up 6.79 dex peaked at 5,695 pts and fell sharply amid sell- Facilities added 5 fi ls. International Financial Group Contracting Co and Oula Fuel erased 3 fi ls points. The BK Main 50 was down 22.45 pts ing spurt in some of the counters. It plumbed the Advisors clipped 2 fi ls after pushing 4.4 mil- each whereas Soor Fuel stood pat at 121 fi ls. ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 at 4,820.47 points. The volume turnover mean- day’s lowest level of 5,640 points past the mid-ses- lion shares while Securities House and Arzan Kuwait Cement Co eased 1 fi l tp 272 fi ls while surged past the 200 million mark. Over sion and clawed back some of the losses at close. whereas Kuwait Portland Cement Co recouped Financial Group trimmed 0.9 fi l each. Tamdeen ▲ FTSE +13.70 pts 242 million shares changed hands – a 36 pct Top gainer of the day, Burgan Well Drilling Investment galloped 10 fi ls to 235 fi ls. last session’s losses with 9 fi ls gain. Shuaiba In- at closing Feb 23 jump from the day before. Co soared 7.09 pct to 151 fi ls and KSHC scaled Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) took in 0.5 dustrial stalled at 150 fi ls while Kuwait Found- The sectors closed mostly in red. Technol- 4.5 percent to stand next. Metal and Recycling fi l whereas Noor Financial Investment and KFIC ry Co dialed down 2 fi ls. ACICO Industries ▲ Nikkei +138.11 pts at closing Feb 23 ogy outshone the rest with 2.23 percent gain Co skidded 12 percent, the steepest decliner of held ground at 183 fi ls and 45 fi ls respectively. inched 0.1 fi l into green. whereas Industries skidded 2.51 pct, the worst the day and Ahli United Bank BSC topped the Bayan Investment slipped 4.6 fi ls to 39.9 fi ls and Kuwait Gulf Links Transport Co crept 0.8 fi l performer of the day. Banking sector topped in volume with 58.7 million. KAMCO clipped 1 fi l. Gulf Investment House higher to 53.7 fi ls and KCPC added 4 fi ls. IFA ▲ Gold 1798.80 per oz (London) both volume and value with 93.4 million shares Refl ecting the day’s pullback, the market erased 2.8 fi ls and Unicap inched 1 fi ls into green. Hotels and Resorts was fl at at 36 fi ls and OSOS traded for KD 28.46 million. spread was skewed towards the losers. 81 Gulf Insurance Group sprinted 17 fi ls to 640 Holding pared 1.5 fi ls. Safat Energy whittled ▲ NYMEX crude $61.45 per barrel Among the standout losers, sector bellwether stocks advanced whereas 35 closed lower. Of fi ls whereas Kuwait Insurance Co and Warba down 0.4 fi l with a volume of over 1 million. National Bank of Kuwait slipped 5 fi ls to 825 fi ls the 129 counters active on Tuesday, 13 closed Insurance Co gave up 1 fi l each. Al Ahleia In- HEISC slipped 9 fi ls to 452 fi ls. ▲ Brent crude after pushing over 6 million shares while KIPCO fl at. 12,428 deals worth over KD 58 million surance Co gained 5 fi ls whereas National Real The market has been mixed so far during the $65.18 per barrel fell 3 fi ls to 169 fi ls. National Investment Co was were transacted during the session. Estate Co fell 3.2 fi ls to 90 fi ls. Salhia Real Es- week shedding 33 points in last three sessions. LIBOR rate 0.17550% down 4 fi ls at 167 fi ls and National Industries In the banking sector, Kuwait Finance House tate was down 9 fi ls at 576 fi ls. It has shed 125 points so far during the month Group slipped 5 fi ls with a volume of 1.2 million. eased 1fi l to 723 fi ls after moving 6.3 million Gulf Cable slipped 5 fi ls to 190 fi ls partly eras- and is up 112 points year-to-date. Citizens, domestics arrive on 48 fl ights ‘Taken shot, no quarantine’

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: In or those who have come in contact with the past 48 hours since Kuwait the persons infected with the virus, re- ports Al-Rai daily. International Airport reo- Reliable health sources told the daily pened for arriving passengers the application of such a measure is at dawn on Sunday, 48 fl ights likely to coincide with achieving an have arrived with 1,442 pas- appropriate rate of vaccination for the sengers on board – 989 citizens target group, which is expected to be and 453 domestic workers, re- completed by next April in light of the efforts exerted to expand the group of ports Al-Rai daily. vaccine recipients. In a recent statement to the daily, The sources emphasized that “with Director of Operations Department at the acceleration of the pace of vacci- the Directorate General of Civil Avia- nation and the continued availability tion (DGCA) Mansour Al-Hashemi of vaccines expected by the end of the disclosed that 25 aircraft arrived on month of Ramadan, the lockdown will Sunday with 713 passengers on board – become history. 382 citizens and 331 domestic workers. Kuwait Health Ministry’s spokes- He said the number of flights as at person Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad an- 7:00 pm on Monday reached 22 flights nounced that 18,452 persons completed with 729 passengers – 607 citizens and their vaccination yesterday. 122 domestic workers. Al-Sanad noted that this shows the He added that majority of the pas- KUNA photo sengers are from other Gulf countries, amount of efforts to absorb the biggest number of people possible. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Director of the Chinese Central Foreign Affairs Commission Offi ce Turkey and India. He affirmed all these Yang Jiechi. The Chinese offi cial delivered to HH the Amir a message from the Chinese President Xi Jinping. arrivals underwent PCR test and are He also mentioned the number of currently under institutional quarantine cases in the ICU since the beginning of HH Amir receives Chinese President’s message at the designated hotels in the country. January have reached 46, meanwhile in February 18th it reached 153, and the He asserted all those who arrived in His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ah- The offi cial delivered to His Highness the The message also touched on issues of the country registered on ‘Kuwait Mo- number of the deaths have reached 25 mad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Amir a verbal message from Chinese Presi- mutual interest as well as regional and inter- safer’ platform for citizens and ‘Belsal- and in February it reached 80. Palace Tuesday Director of the Chinese Cen- dent Xi Jinping focusing on historic bilateral national development. Offi cials from the Amiri The ministry’s official showed that tral Foreign Affairs Commission Offi ce Yang relations and ways to enhance them on all Diwan and the offi ce of His Highness the Amir amah’ for domestic workers; confirm- Jiechi. possible levels. attended the meeting. (KUNA) ing they completed all the procedures the percentage of recovered cases have as per the directives of the concerned reached 93.6 percent, it recorded a 0.1 authorities, including the PCR test cer- percent increase, and the total number Panel in consensus tificate and hotel reservation for those of recovered cases have reached 14,706 Human traffi ckers who are required to undergo institu- since the beginning of February. tional quarantine. He pointed out that the number of infections have increased 13.1 percent, Bid to combat drugs, eve-teasing Quarantine as it recorded 19,146 cases since the get 15 years in jail KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: The Negative Phe- and the General Administration of Customs. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is beginning of February. nomena Committee held a meeting yesterday, All those present during the meeting have By Jaber Al-Hamoud studying the possibility of exempting He went on to urge nationals and to discuss a proposal which has been submit- agreed on the importance of the committee Al-Seyassah Staff those who have received the coronavi- expatriates alike that abiding by health ted by the committee members calling on the to discuss the causes of the phenomena, fore- rus vaccine from the mandatory quar- precautions, mainly, following social Council of Ministers to establish a joint com- most among which are drugs. KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: The Criminal Court sentenced antine, which is usually slapped on the distancing rules, is the only way to halt mittee comprising members from all relevant Meanwhile, according to reliable sources, a a Kuwaiti citizen who works as a company manager, and travelers when they return from abroad the spread of the virus. government agencies to combat the negative group of Kuwaiti men and women have been an expatriate to 15-year imprisonment each with hard la- phenomena in society, such as drugs, com- arrested after it was proven that they illegally bor, and seven other defendants to ten-year imprisonment munity violence, harassment of the fair sex, received the financial support intended for na- with hard labor. They were accused of human traffi cking. reports Al-Seyassah daily. tional manpower working in the private sec- mp profile getting to know you The meeting said the public benefit asso- tor by registering in a fictitious manner in a According to the case fi le, the Public Prosecution ciations and specialists must be called upon contracting company but without actually go- charged the company manager and the nine expatriates to study the causes, implications, motives of ing to work or having an actual workstation, with selling visas to the compatriots of the latter, and ex- such phenomenon and how this phenomenon reports Al-Qabas daily. ploiting them without providing them with employment Voting Record should be treated. They explained that the defendants had re- in Kuwait. The head of the committee, MP Badr Al- ceived salaries, estimated at KD 5,000 to up They were also charged with facilitating and obtaining Dhahoum, said the issue was discussed in the to KD 50,000 throughout the period they were ■ Death penalty for those work permits in exchange of money, and then leaving the convicted of offending God – ap- presence of the concerned authorities – the min- registered under the company, such that their victims to fend for themselves without actual employ- istries of Interior, Social Affairs, Health, Awqaf total salaries amounted to about KD 250,000. Ahmed Mutei Al-Azmi proved ment. ■ Disqualifying parliamentary Sunni/Islamist election candidates convicted Fifth Constituency of offending others in 2013 –ap- ‘Seat vacant’ proved AHMED MUTEI AL-AZMI was ■ No confidence motion against born in 1971. He holds Doctor of Minister of Health Muhammad Philosophy (PhD) in Islam- Al-Abdullah in 2013 – ap- ‘Babol’ no more MP proved ic Sharia and Law. ■ He served as chairman Formation of a fact- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: At the end of a deliberation of the Auditing and Inter- finding committee to in- vestigate the suspicious session, the Bangladeshi parliament decided to drop the nal Monitoring Unit at the swelling of the MPs’ bank membership of one of the parliamentarians Muhammad Office of the State Minister accounts in 2013 – ap- Shahid Islam (known as ‘Kazi Babol’), based on the for Housing Affairs. proved He was a member of prison sentence issued against him by the Kuwaiti judi- ■ Partnership Enterpris- ciary on January 28, reports Al-Rai daily. the Board of Directors es Law in 2014 – rejected at Sabahiya Cooperative ■ Amendment of the Kazi Babol was found guilty by a court in Kuwaiti of Society and member of Constitutional Court Law in human traffi cking and money laundering in the lawsuit the Union of Cooperative Al-Azmi 2014 – approved known as ‘Case of the Bangladeshi MP’. Societies. ■ Cancellation of the The Secretary of Bangladesh Parliament, Zafar He contested the February 2012 grilling motion against HH the Ahmed Khan, announced that a decision had been of- elections during which he got Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- fi cially taken to declare the “Kazi Babol” seat vacant in 14,765 votes and ranked fourth Mubarak in 2014 – abstained in his constituency. In the 2013 ■ Cybercrimes Law in 2015 – the Laxmibor-2 constituency as of the date of the deci- rejected sion, which indicates, in the context of its justifi cations, elections, he won 1,640 votes and ■ ranked 10th. DNA Law in 2015 – approved that the removal of the MP was based on Article No. 66 However, he lost in the 2016 of the Bangladeshi Constitution. elections with 1,997 votes putting For his part, “Humayun Kabir Khandker”, who is him in 23rd place. possible dissolution of the National the Secretary of the Supreme Elections Commission in Once again, he achieved victory Assembly, Al-Azmi asserted “we welcome the dissolution or nullifi- Bangladesh, said that the commission had received an in the 2020 elections with 4,651 offi cial copy of the decision to revoke the membership votes that put him in 10th place in cation of the Assembly as long as the Fifth Constituency. the people will have the final say in of the convicted deputy, indicating that the commission the form of voting for the best can- would proceed to take appropriate measures in accord- Statement didates as their representatives in ance with the stipulations of the law, including prepar- Commenting on talks about the the legislature.” ing for elections within 90 days to fi ll the seat that has become vacant. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 LOCAL 4 REMEMBER WHEN

RULERS OF KUWAIT Sheikh Abdulla Al-Salem ruled Kuwait after the death of Ah- When Sheikh Mubarak died in 1915, Kuwait was in need of a Photograph courtesy mad Al-Jaber. Kuwait progressed much under this wise and strong and just ruler like him. dedicated ruler. This is by far the best photograph of him. After Mubarak, his son Jaber ruled Kuwait for less than two of The Center for Re- Ever since Sabah I assumed leadership in Kuwait in 1756, his years. When he died in 1917, his brother Salem took over and search and Studies on descendants have ruled over Kuwait unchallenged. Some rulers succeeded in defending the city against the danger from the de- Kuwait and the work governed Kuwait for as long as 70 years, others spent only a sert. Sheikh Salem died in 1921 and was followed by Sheikh few years as rulers. It was Sheikh Mubarak, however, who ‘put Ahmad Al-Jaber who ruled Kuwait for thirty diffi cult years, in- of Dr Yacoub Al- Kuwait on the world map.’ Under his fi rm rule, Kuwait became cluding the depression years of the 1930s. When Sheikh Ahmad Hijji in the book Old- a fl ourishing and attractive place. The success of the pearling died in 1950, oil from Kuwait was beginning to reach the fac- industry and the trade with Arabia improved the city’s econo- tories of Europe. (From the book ‘Old Kuwait: Memories in Kuwait: Memories my and attracted people from all over Najd and the Gulf ports. Photographs’) in Photographs fi rst Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait published in 1996.

diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Regional parties tired of wars ... time now for peace conference’ “WARS usually end when parties are exhausted and always followed by a confl ict together in Al-Taif in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. last July, when he found that most of that committee’s proposals would be peace conference. After the fi rst global war, the Peace Conference was held “At last the time has come for a peace conference that does not exclude ink on paper, that is why he chose to withdraw to save face and to end the in Versailles in 1919 and resulted in the emergence of the League of Na- anyone and makes the region follow the path taken by the countries of Eu- work of that committee. tions, and after the Second Global War a peace conference was held in San rope after the Second World War, when the journey of peace, reconstruc- “I do not know the genius who believes that doubling the national labor Francisco in 1945 and resulted in the formation of the United Nations, and tion, development, wealth, and a well-off life for their people began. support for the owners of these projects during the period of their closure is the end of the war for the liberation of Kuwait In 1991, the Madrid Peace “Wars are a loss/loss relationship and peace is a win/win relationship – the magic key to solving the dilemma of the owners of these projects, as the Conference was held,” columnist Sami Abdul Latif Al-Nisf wrote for An- a win for all the participants, so why not replace the worst by the better, amount allocated neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.” nahar daily. and war by peace?” ❑ ❑ ❑ “The Middle East countries have been exhausted by wars for decades in more than one country, so Jawad Bu-Khamseen’s Also: “In the time of coronavirus, the telecommunications sector is no longer proposal to the US Ambassador to Kuwait Alina Ro- “The recent Cabinet decision to close health clubs, salons and barber limited to traditional communication and the search for information, as it manowski came at a time when the United States calls shops in order to cope with the increasing cases of Corona disease came as has become of utmost importance for the use of data and digital applica- for a peace conference that includes all the countries a thunderbolt to the owners of small and medium enterprises, and we do tions by individuals, governments and companies to ensure the continuity of of the region and works to solve all their problems not forget the expatriate workers as well. A very harsh decision, far from economic, social and health activities,” columnist Hind Al-Choumar wrote without exception, and Kuwait can play the role of what the health authorities in the country see because another closure after for Al-Anba daily. presenter and coordinator for that conference when- that of the last year means fi ring a bullet of mercy at the owners of these “At the beginning of the year, the space for digital transformation has ever asked to do so because it maintains balanced re- projects if the closure continues for a long time,” columnist Ebrahim Al- increased with information system programs to complete transactions with lations with most of the parties. Awadhi wrote for Al-Rai daily. a commitment to rules on social distancing as well as partial and total lock- “While ordinary viewers pass by the scenes of “The salaries, fi nancial obligations, operating expenses, loans, etc fall on the down in most countries around the world. bombing and demolition that only takes seconds, the shoulders of these people, and most importantly of all, families who survive “Likewise, all areas of life around us were transformed into a digital businessmen sector is one of the few that knows pre- on these activities. The Council of Ministers decided to deprive them of their space, including healthcare, commercial and banking transactions, and edu- cisely the extent of the damage that is occurring and Sami Al-Nisf livelihood and leave them alone to face their unknown dark side of the fate. cation. This led to investment and development activities in digital technol- the money and time the affected countries need to re- “All countries of the world have adopted plans, policies, and strategies ogy. Digital programs entered every home and every member of the family – the ‘mosafer’, ‘My Identity’, ‘Shlonik’ and education programs are just a pair the destruction and demolition that took place during the excitement to face the economic and social repercussions of the crisis, except for us and wars. few examples. in Kuwait. Any talk about using money to support the owners of small and “It is natural for these programs to develop day by day, as the demand on “Therefore, it was not surprising that businessman Jawad Bu Khamseen medium enterprises is forbidden on the pretext that the state budget and its adopted that call, and businessman Abdulaziz Al-Babtain had previously the Internet increases. Consequently, there has been a need for specialized situation in light of low oil prices and budget defi cits do not allow this. competencies and the development of their capabilities and skills to keep adopted the principle of teaching the culture of peace in schools and in- “It does not need to be evidenced more than the resignation of the Gov- pace with successive developments and future expectations.” stitutes around the world, and the late businessman Rafi k Al-Hariri made ernor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, Mohammad Al-Hashel, 96 days after a good effort to end the Lebanese civil war by bringing the parties to the the formation of the Higher Steering Committee to Stimulate the Economy — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli Agony piles for transit expats Other Voices Some opt to go back home Before I die, I hope to see ... !!! By Ahmad alsarraf implemented and what should not be. KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: The problem of expatriates Reliable sources disclosed the number of people stranded in the United Prevent the car windows being stranded in transit countries on their way to Kuwait Arab Emirates (UAE) on their way to Kuwait is estimated at more than 3,000 ’ve lived for over 75 years on this tinted irrespective of the degree of - some of whom extended their stay for about two months due to the suc- Iland. According to scientifi c equa- tinting. is worsening as their expenses increase day after day, cessive decisions issued by the authorities in Kuwait regarding the entry of tions and calculations, I still theoreti- expatriates through the airport. I wish to see a decision being is- reports Al-Rai daily. cally have twenty years of continuous sued to prevent veiled women from The recent decision to continue the entry ban on non-Kuwaitis Sources pointed out the entry visas of many of those in transit in Dubai work. I do not think that the dreams have expired, but the authorities in there extended the visas until March 31 driving vehicles. If she is involved in broke the resolve of these expatriates who have been trying hard to and hopes of my fathers and grand- an accident, how can we be sure of for free on humanitarian grounds. However, those who entered Sharjah had fathers, in my country, for more than gather their resources in order to bear the cost of institutional quar- to pay the fee for renewing their visas, pending the opening of the airport in her identity, or that she has a driving antine upon their arrival in Kuwait. However, they are now caught two hundred years, differ greatly in license? Kuwait. their funda- between two fi res as they cannot return to Kuwait and their home The recent decision of the authorities in Kuwait prompted many of the I hope to see the appointments mentals from through an intermediary stopped, and countries. stranded expatriates to change their mind as they started procedures to re- my hopes and turn to their home countries that no offi cial is appointed until after dreams now. he has passed the competency tests. after their long wait in transit I hope, I wish, countries without any glim- Before I die I hope to see a good and I dream that fi nance minister, a competent minis- mer of hope that they could all or most of enter Kuwait soon. ter at the helm of education, a humane the following Awqaf minister, and a just social af- Deeper crisis things will be fairs minister. Sources added some of fulfi lled before I hope to see the government pay- these expatriates were happy I die. ing attention to the sidewalks and about the circular on insti- I hope that, Ahmed alsarraf corridors of the Capital’s markets, tutional quarantine as they before I die, the instead of wasting efforts in doing the could return to Kuwait, so paving of roads in my country will same in remote areas where no one they booked hotels for this come to an end and the gravel will ever uses these pavements. purpose using their savings stop fl ying, so that I can be rest as- Before my death I hope to see the only to be slapped with an- sured of comfort on the road and re- Environment Public Authority doing other shocking decision - place my car windows. only 10 percent of the work required continuation of entry ban for Prosecute at least one of the most of it. expatriates. This put them in corrupt (persons) thieves, and put him I hope to see the Public Author- a deeper crisis as they cannot in prison for decades. ity for Agricultural Affairs and Fish immediately refund the fees Supply direct gas to homes instead for booking hotels; while the Resources (PAAAFR) planting trees of the dirty cylinders. During the era around the graveyards instead of giv- decision to remain in transit of British ‘colonialism’, 70 years ago, countries or return home en- ing this resting place a gloomy look. gas was supplied to the homes in Ah- Why not make our fi nal resting place tails more expenses. madi through a pipeline. Meanwhile, the Ministry ‘a proper place for eternal rest’. Women and men of culture, art I also hope to see the end to the era of Electricity and Water sent and high literature in my homeland the list employees eligible for of power cuts and blackouts, and the receive a quarter of the attention, installation of smart electricity meters frontline workers incentive to respect, reverence which the clerics the Civil Service Commis- that we have been hearing about for sion (CSC) after obtaining receive. years; that air pollution will be con- approval from the concerned I hope to see ethics being taught in trolled, and getting rid of forged cer- offi cials, reports Al-Anba school which should be done by re- tifi cates; that the thief of the Patient daily quoting reliable sources. ducing the dose of religiosity and it Aid Fund is put behind bars, and the Sources confi rmed the should be stressed that literature plays investigation reports at the Ministry ministry pushed through a major role in raising young people. of Social Affairs is published on the with its decision to put these I hope to see a decision being is- fate of tens of millions dinars collect- employees under the second sued to prohibit the construction of ed by the Faza’a of Kuwait fund; that category of the benefi ciar- residential buildings among residen- the thefts at the cooperative societies ies of the incentive, as many tial homes, because of all the pressure stopped by at least one offi cial being of them were exposed to this phenomenon put on services, in referred to the judiciary and the gov- coronavirus while carrying addition to the lack of parking spaces. ernment reviews the psychiatric fi les out their work tasks within I hope to see the decision imple- and you will fi nd that some of those the period specifi ed by the mented to ban the import and sale of who control our fate are clerics. Council of Ministers. fi reworks, which are openly offered Finally, I believe that me and my Regarding the amendment for sale in mobile grocery stores, and children will die before many of the of the number of employ- even at the entrances to petrol sta- ees entitled to the incentive, above things are accomplished. tions, right in front of the eyes of our ❑ ❑ ❑ sources clarifi ed there has securitymen, law enforcement offi - been no reduction because cials and no one cares what should be email: [email protected] all employees included in the list deserve the incentive. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 LOCAL 5

National days greetings sent HH Amir congratulates Sultan of Brunei, Guyana president KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23, (KUNA): His Highness the Crown Prince Irfaan Ali on his country’s National His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al- Day, wishing him good health and Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness for Guyana further progress and Sabah sent Tuesday a cable of the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah prosperity. congratulations to Sultan of Bru- Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent His Highness the Crown Prince nei Hassanal Bolkiah on the occa- similar cables to Sultan Hassanal Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al- sion of his country’s National Day, Bolkiah. Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness wishing him good health and for His Highness the Amir also sent the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Brunei further progress and pros- Tuesday a cable of congratulations Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent perity. to President of Guyana Mohammad similar cables.

KUNA photo HH the Amir while receiving HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad.

HH Amir receives HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad

His Highness the Amir Sheikh received at Bayan Palace Tuesday Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- (KUNA) Ban ‘extension’ puts travel, hotel sectors in huge losses

Depends on current situation: DGCA

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: The whose numbers reached 2,500, ac- cedures were carried out as well as the commercial aviation traffi c cording to sources in the aviation way medical tests were conducted easily by the local laboratory staff. was scheduled to resume on sector. Travel and tourism agencies as well as Director of Operations Department Monday with several coun- hotels incurred losses of nearly one mil- at the Directorate General of Civil tries after a year-long sus- lion dinars as a result of cancellation of Aviation (DGCA) Mansour Al-Hashe- tickets and hotel reservations. mi affirmed that instructions were is- pension, and it was decided sued, after assessing the epidemiologi- to receive passengers com- In this regard, informed sources ex- plained that the decision was reversed cal situation, to continue with the ban ing from these countries and after the health authorities reported that in accordance with health procedures place them under institutional the health conditions require an exten- and controls. quarantine for a period of 14 sion of the ban on non-Kuwaitis from Regarding how to deal with the entering the country due to the increase canceled fl ights and passengers whose days. However, a few hours in COVID-19 cases and the spread of reservations have been canceled, Al- before the decision came into new strains in many countries of the Hashemi said, “According to the operat- effect, there was a state of con- world, which required preservation of ing fl ights, this is a normal thing when the health system. restarting in line with the current re- fusion, as the agencies operat- quirements. Returning tickets to travel- ing at the airport received a Regularity ers is a joint matter of the company and letter from the health authori- At the airport level, air traffi c wit- the traveler”. nessed remarkable regularity and calm He refused to forecast a date for the ties stating that the ban on the yesterday, as 35 fl ights arrived and 34 issuance of the decision to lift the ban entry of non-Kuwaitis should departed. The condition of institutional on the entry of non-Kuwaitis, indicating be extended until further no- quarantine was applied to the return- that it depends on the current situation. tice, reports Al-Qabas daily. ing citizens, and some incoming fl ights Meanwhile, private hotel cars were transported a limited number of pas- present yesterday in the airport build- This decision cast a frustrating sengers, with the exception of domestic ings to transport the arriving citizens to fi nancial burden on the hundreds of workers. the sites of their institutional quarantine travelers who booked through the A number of people expressed their amid strict measures to meet the health “Kuwait Traveler” platform and satisfaction over the way the arrival pro- and preventive requirements. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 LOCAL 6

Path for temporary treated water line ‘This year... important milestone’ Municipal Council approves MPW’s request Indian envoy congratulates KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: The Farwaniya Governorate Committee in the Municipal Council approved the Ministry of Public Works request to Kuwait on National holidays allocate a path for the temporary treated water KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: The Indian line from the site of the mobile treated water sta- Ambassador to Kuwait HE Sibi George, on tions in the western Abdullah Al-Mubarak hous- behalf of the government and the 1.3 billion ing area to the treated water line on the Sixth people of the Republic of India, and the Indian Ring Road, reports Al-Seyassah daily. community in Kuwait, has extended his heart- Also during the session yesterday, the commit- iest greetings to the leadership, the tee, headed by Muhammad Al-Rugib, asked for a Government, and the people of the friendly report on the request submitted by one of the State of Kuwait on the happy occasion of the residents of Khaitan to convert Block 5 in the 60th anniversary of National Day and the 30th area into a commercial investment entity. The anniversary of Liberation Day of Kuwait. committee also requested a similar report related “I take this opportunity,” the Indian envoy to the request of the people of Khaitan area, said, “to convey my heartfelt greetings and Block 10. best wishes for the continued good health and The committee has kept on the agenda the personal wellbeing to HH the Amir Sheikh proposal made regarding numbering streets in the Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah; HH Ardhiya storage area, given there are no numbers Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al Ahmed Al to identify the streets following which further Jaber Al Sabah; and HH the Prime Minister, technical opinion and further study was sought. and a warm, festive greetings to the friendly For his part, Municipal Council member Abdul people of the State of Kuwait.” Indian Ambassador Sibi George Salam Al-Randi suggested renovating the land- He went on to say, “This year is an impor- scapes with gardens in residential areas of the tant milestone in our relationship as we will be turies old historical and cultural linkages to cooperative societies. Farwaniya Governorate Committee meeting in the Municipal Council. celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the encompass political, trade, economic and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations of our vibrant people-to-people ties. Today our bilat- two friendly countries. Our already close eral relationship has evolved into a long stand- Checking exhaust becomes new bilateral relationship extends beyond the cen- ing dynamic partnership.” requirement for car registration EPA, Interior ink memo on measuring car emissions

By Abdel Nasser Al-Aslami Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: Director-General of the Environment Public Authority, Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, revealed the EPA employees will be present at the vehicle inspection headquarters to ensure compliance with all requirements. On the sidelines of signing the agreement with the Ministry of Interior Undersecretary Lieutenant General Essam Al-Naham, Sheikh Al-Ahmad added that there will be integration between the two sides to check the car exhausts and that each car will be exam- ined separately. He spoke of the commentaries between the two sides in the presence of the Environment Police and that the coop- eration is an extension of achieving the interests of Kuwait, whether for citizens or residents. If the EPA employee agrees that the vehicle passes the The Guest Show poster emissions test, its document will be renewed or denied until the exhaust is repaired. TGS features Eman Al Awadhi Moreover, the heavy trucks that transport hazardous mate- rials, medical and municipal solid waste and sludge will be Our next guest in the house is Eman Al in the Middle East by Forbes last year. obliged to install a tracking and monitoring system approved Awadhi, the Group Communications Eman is a former journalist, and here by the EPA, in order to follow up the trucks’ progress from Director of Kipco, one of the largest she shares her memories of occupation the waste transfer sites to the treatment and disposal sites. investment holding companies in the and liberation, her interesting career In other news, the Environment Public Authority removed Middle East. A shining star in the corpo- path, and her handling of one of the Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and Lieutenant General Essam 780 kilos of oily waste from the Al-Zour chalets area, in rate firmament of Kuwait, Eman was most extensive portfolios in Corporate Al-Naham after signing the agreement. response to the report received in this regard. listed among the Top 50 Communicators Communications in the Middle East. ‘Second semester’ Attendance dates set for educational, adm bodies By Abdulrahman Al-Shammari Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has set the attendance dates for educational and administrative bodies in schools during the second semester. In this context, Acting Education Undersecretary Faisal Al-Maqsid said in a news bulletin that was circulated yesterday, a copy of which has been obtained by the Al-Seyassah daily, the working hours of secondary schools will be from 9:30 am until 2:30 pm and the intermediate stage from 8:00 until one in the afternoon while the primary school hours will be in two shifts from 8 to 1 pm and from 2:45 to 5:45 pm. He added the kindergarten stage will be from 8:00 am until 12 noon. The ministry has also set the time- table for classes for all educational levels and kinder- gartens within the distance education plan for the second semester of the academic year 2020-2021, to be implemented as of next March. The decision, a copy of which has been obtained by the daily, stipulates that the kindergarten school hours should be asynchronous, and that there are two educa- tional periods with a 10-minute break. According to the decision, the number of classes in the primary stage, from the first to the fifth grade, will be 4 lessons, provided that the time for each session is 35 minutes, starting from 3:00 until 5:40 pm. As for the students’ attendance for the intermediate stage, it will include only 4 lessons and the time of each session is only 40 minutes, starting at 8:00 in the morning and ending at 11:00 am, while the secondary stage will have 4 lessons, but the time of each session is 45 minutes, which starts at 11:00 am and ends at 2.25 pm. KAFO launches campaign ‘Unleash your dream’ aims at ... cultivating national talents KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Achievers for Future Opportunities (KAFO) will launch the “unleash your dream” campaign aimed at cultivating national talents. In a press release, executive director of the campaign Dr Fatema Al-Mosawi indicated that the campaign was looking for individuals and groups that will inspire soci- ety as a whole to boost Kuwait’s status and develop- ment. Al-Mosawi encouraged people to register with KAFO to serve the country and develop it future. Meanwhile, the official indicated that the launch of the campaign coincided with 100-day countdown for the launch of the first Kuwaiti satellite QMR-KWT. SpaceX will handle the launch of the satellite scheduled for mid- 2021. KAFO is an entity associated with the Amiri Diwan and came to existence in according to the wishes of late Amir His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah help the youth achieve their dreams. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 LOCAL 7

Embassy of Japan Japan Ambassador’s greetings on the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor The following is the message of His Excellency Masato Takaoka, Ambassador of Japan to the State of Kuwait, on the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan: 1,000 health workers from Al-Sabah Ladies and Gentlemen, As Japan celebrates this week His Majesty the Emperor’s birthday on the 23rd of February, I wish to con- vey my warmest greetings to the Medical District register for vaccine leadership and people of the State of Kuwait. I am always thankful that Japan and Kuwait enjoy great partnership. MoH continues to expand vaccination units There are genuine warm feelings between us which have been cultivated By Marwa Al-Bahrawi in our long history. Al-Seyassah Staff The year 2021 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of our KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: The diplomatic relations. Ministry of Health continues Japan is one of the first countries its efforts around-the-clock that recognised the independence of H.E. Masato Takaoka, Japan’s Am- to expand the vaccination the State of Kuwait. bassador to the State of Kuwait. This week’s calendar is also marked units for medical and tech- by the 60th Anniversary of the Kuwait We will not forget the Kuwaiti gen- nical staff in health areas, National Independence and the 30th erosity and kindness. People in such as the Sabah Specialized Anniversary of Liberation. Fukushima, for example, are eager to Medical District which two Japan and Kuwait have come a long host the Kuwaiti Olympic team this way together over those years, helping summer. days ago joined the regions each other. Japan and Kuwait are friends in of Farwaniya, Al-Adan and Thirty years ago, at the time of trag- need and friends indeed. Al-Jahra and inaugurated the edy in Kuwait, Japan provided an Currently we are faced with the facilities to vaccinate health unprecedented level of support total- national and global crisis of corona, ling 13 billion dollars for the opera- but we will overcome together. workers against ‘Covid-19’. tions of the multinational coalition The Embassy of Japan in Kuwait is Director of Al-Sabah Medical forces and for contributing to the planning to organise a number of District, Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti regional stability. events this year, initially on-line, to informed the Al-Seyassah daily We also sent Japanese minesweep- commemorate the important milestone about 1,000 health workers from the ers to Kuwait to remove dangerous of the relations between our two coun- Al-Sabah region had registered via mines floating in the water to ensure tries. the online platform for vaccination, the safe navigation of vitally important I invite all Kuwaiti friends to par- saying 293 people were vaccinated sea lanes. ticipate in our activities. over two days, confirming the pro- On the other hand, ten years ago, I hope we will soon be celebrating when Japan was devastated with the our friendship face-to-face. gressive increase in the number of major earthquakes and tsunami, Thank you for your attention. I look vaccinated people in the region after Kuwait came to offer enormous sup- forward to working closely with you news spread of the self-experience port. for a coming Year. among doctors, nurses, technicians, engineers, administrators and legal workers in the region and in the central departments as well as from Embassy Greetings the Department of Health Promotion, Overseas Treatment, Records, Health Information Center, General A part of the vaccination of medical staff in the Al-Sabah Medical District. Medical Council and the Department of Laboratories, as well as other sec- Embassies greet Amir, Kuwait tors such as agriculture, workshops Cooperation boost on agenda and medical engineering. on Nat’l, Liberation ’versaries The senior official called these med- ical personnel ‘live ammunition’ we The following is a message need to confront the coronavirus. Kuwait, Brazil hold 2nd round of consultations from His Excellency Dr Hong Youngki, Ambassador of the Efforts KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23, (KUNA): Republic of Korea to the State He added, “We launched the vacci- The second round of consultations Kuwait decries ‘attack’ on WFP convoy of Kuwait: nation unit for medical, technical and between the State of Kuwait’s On behalf of the Government administrative personnel in the region Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23, (KUNA): along with another person in the armed and the people of the Republic of two days ago at the Islamic Medicine Brazil was held on Monday via au- The State of Kuwait has denounced assault on the convoy in the east of the Korea, and the Embassy of the Re- Center, within the framework of the the attack on a convoy of the United African country. Ministry of Health’s efforts to increase dio-visual technology, discussing Nations World Food Programme in the Moreover, the Kuwaiti Foreign public of Korea in Kuwait, I wish means of boosting cooperation at to convey my heartiest greetings the number of vaccinations within the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Ministry has emphasized the State of target segments of society and to various levels and swapping views the Italian ambassador was killed. Kuwait’s principled and unwavering to His Highness the Amir Sheikh increase the number of the total com- on issues of joint concern. This criminal operation affirms stance that renounces all forms of Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- munity percentage of vaccination. The Assistant Foreign Minister pending need for doubling internation- these two phenomena. Sabah, His Highness the Crown He added, the place has been for the two Americas Affairs, Am- al efforts to nip violence and terrorism It extended condolence and sincere Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad equipped with complementary and in the bud, said the Foreign Ministry in solace to the government and people Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness bassador Hamad Al-Meshaan, said concerted efforts exerted by the in a statement to KUNA the vir- a statement on Tuesday, a day after of the friendly Republic of Italy and the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Islamic medicine center, public health, Italy declared that its envoy was killed families of the victims. Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah information technology center, nurs- tual meeting involved offi cials of and the friendly people of the State ing staff, pharmacy, public relations concerned government authorities of Kuwait on the happy occasion and administration sectors, in concert from the two countries. that Khaled Al-Khaled, representa- to Brazil, Nasser Al-Mutairi. of 60th Anniversary of National with media efforts and social media The two sides agreed on holding tive of Kuwait Fund for Arab Eco- The Brazilian side was headed Day and the 30th Anniversary of platforms. a larger number of such meetings nomic Development (KFAED), by the secretary of bilateral ne- Liberation Day of Kuwait. H.E. Dr Hong Youngki, Ambas- He said the working hours at the and boosting cooperation in sec- gave a wide presentation about gotiations in the Middle East and sador of the Republic of Korea vaccination unit during the exploratory The Republic of Korea is to the State of Kuwait. tors such as food security, noting prospected cooperation between Europe at the Brazilian Ministry proud to have been part of the phase start from eight in the morning that the consultations addressed the fund and Brazil. of Foreign Affairs, Kenneth Felix, multinational coalition that con- until one in the afternoon, and that joint defense cooperation between The Kuwaiti side during the along with other offi cials. tributed to the liberation of Ku- over the first two days 293 workers were vaccinated, pointing out that the the two countries’ ministries of de- meeting was headed by Ambassa- The fi rst round of such consulta- wait from the Iraqi invasion in vaccination mechanism depends on fense. dor Al-Meshaan with participation tions were held on June 30, 2018, 1991, and also proud of the in- registering on the electronic platform Ambassador Al-Meshaan noted of the State of Kuwait Ambassador in Kuwait. credible progress the two coun- and that the registered person can pro- tries have made in their bilateral ceed directly to the center for vaccina- relationship over the past years. tion, noting health professionals from The State of Kuwait has po- more than 20 hospitals and medical sitioned itself as peacebuilder, centers received the Covid-19 vaccine. negotiator, humanitarian and de- Al-Shatti called on all workers in velopment icon, both regionally the region to register and apply to the and globally, and contributed to Islamic Medical Center for vaccina- keeping peace and stability of tion, taking advantage of the priority the Middle East. of acceptance and spatial proximity. I hope both countries continu- Director of Al Farwaniya Hospital ously work together to overcome H.E. Tshering Gyaltshen Pen- Dr. Mohammad Al-Rashidi said about jor, Ambassador of the King- two thousand people in the Farwaniya the crisis caused by the pandem- dom of Bhutan to the State of ic and expand their ties in new health area were vaccinated during the Kuwait. first week of the launch of the Covid- areas. 19 vaccination unit in the region, indi- ❑ ❑ ❑ between Bhutan and Kuwait, will cating that the daily average is 310 The following is a message continue to grow under the wise, people, and that the unit works in two from His Excellency Tshering dynamic and enlightened leader- shifts -- mornings and evenings -- for Gyaltshen Penjor, Ambassa- ship of our two leaders, His High- medical staff. ness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- The center provides 4 to 6 vaccina- dor of the Kingdom of Bhutan tion rooms, in addition to a doctor to the State of Kuwait: Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait and His Majesty from the preventive health medicine On the joyous occasion of the who is present in the observation 60th National Day and the 30th Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wang- chuck, King of Bhutan. room, in addition to a reception and Anniversary of the Liberation Day statistics office, a resuscitation room, of the friendly country of Kuwait, May I avail this opportunity to extend our sincere congratulations and a reception room that can accom- His Majesty the King and the modate 30 people. Royal Family of Bhutan, the Gov- and best wishes for His Highness ernment and the People of Bhutan, the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness join me in sending our warm fe- the Crown Prince and His High- licitations and Tashi Delek to His ness the Prime Minister, personal Highness the Amir of the State of well-being, happiness and health as well as for continued peace, pro- Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad gress and prosperity of our friendly Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness people of Kuwait. the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal ❑ ❑ ❑ Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister The following is a message Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad from Rolando Lozada, Chargé Al-Sabah and the friendly people d’affaires of Peru: of Kuwait. On behalf of the Embassy of the Over the years, Kuwait has Republic of Peru in the State of witnessed rapid development Kuwait and on my own behalf, I in various fi elds. Politically, the extend my sincere congratulations government has succeeded in es- and best wishes to His Highness Dr Ahmed Al-Shatti tablishing deep rooted principles the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf of democracy, people’s partici- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, pation in decision making, free- His Highness the Crown Prince, dom of speech and expression. Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al- Economically, there is rapid pro- Jaber Al-Sabah and people of gress in its path to transform the Kuwait, on the occasion of the country into an economic and fi - National Day and the Day of the nancial hub in the region. In dip- Liberation of the State of Kuwait. lomatic front, His Highness the This special event, under the Amir continues to be the lead- current circumstances of the pan- ing voice on the world stage for demic of COVID-19, reminds us peace, moderation and friendly of the struggles in which each relations. generation had to strive against I am confi dent that the close in order to succeed and achieve and deep rooted ties of friendship, prosperity, peace, freedom and understanding and cooperation health. Dr Mohammad Al-Rashidi Macy’s closes out a horrendous year with hope for 2021

Macy’s fourth-quarter profi t $17 billion that Wall Street had its release. lion, or $1.09 per share, for plunged 52% and sales slid been projecting. Macy’s also For the fi nal fi scal quarter the same period in 2019, the nearly 19%. In the context of a expects adjusted earnings per of the year that ended Jan last before COVID-19 emptied Shoppers walk into a year spent under the weight of share in the range of 40 cents 30, Macy’s reported profi ts retail stores nationwide. Since Macy’s department store a pandemic, that was seen as to 90 cents for the year, much of $160 million, or 50 cents then, the New York company Monday, Feb 22, 2021, at a pretty good ending to 2020 better than the $2.92 loss that a share. It was 80 cents per furloughed a majority of its Miami International Mall in for the besieged department analysts forecast, according to Doral, Florida. (AP) share if one-time costs are employees. It began reopen- store. FactSet. considered, and that was also ing stores in May, but the Shares rose more than 3% “Macy’s, Inc anticipates far better than the per-share recovery has been painfully before the opening bell Tues- 2021 as a recovery and re- forecasts of 11 cents from in- slow. day with Macy’s predicting building year as the company dustry analysts, according to a Quarterly sales were $6.78 sales of up to $20.75 billion this sets a foundation for growth, survey by FactSet. billion, also edging out analyst year, far exceeding the roughly “ the department store said in It’s still well below $340 mil- projections. (AP)

Market Movements 23-02-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +49.29 7,110.84 GERMANY - DAX -85.23 13,864.81 JAPAN - Nikkei +138.11 30,156.03 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 -10.75 3,689.10 FRANCE - CAC 40 +12.40 5,779.84 S. KOREA - 1KRX 100 -28.68 6,607.24 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +4.33 6,814.67 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -161.29 45,728.75 INDIA - Sensex +7.09 49,751.41 CHINA - Shanghai SE -6.09 3,636.36 Business US consumer confi dence rises for 2nd straight month US home ‘prices’ SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Feb 23, (AP): The Conference Board reported Tuesday to 92 from 85.5 last month. the labor market also improved. U.S. consumer confi dence rose again in that its consumer confi dence index rose to The percentage of consumers who said The expectations index - based on con- February as an accelerating COVID-19 vac- 91.3, up from 88.9 in January. business conditions are “good” increased sumers’ near-term outlook for income, busi- up 10.1% in Dec cine push provides hope for Americans who The present situation index, which is from 15.8% to 16.5%, while the proportion ness, and labor conditions - ticked down have lived through a year of unprecedented based on consumers’ assessment of current claiming business conditions are “bad” fell slightly to 90.8 this month from 91.2 in restrictions. business and labor market conditions, rose to 39.9% from 42.4%. Consumers’ views of January. Fastest pace since 2014

WASHINGTON, Feb 23, (AP): US home prices surged at the fastest pace in nearly seven years in December, fueled by low mortgage rates and Americans moving from crowded urban areas to houses in the suburbs. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index, released Tuesday, climbed 10.1% in De- cember from a year earlier. The year-end jump was the biggest since April 2014 and follows a strong 9.2% year-over-year gain in November. Home prices climbed 14.4% in Phoenix , 13.6% in Se- attle and 13% in Seattle in December. But prices rose all over. Chicago, which recorded the slowest price gain, saw a 7.7% uptick. Detroit was not included in the year-over- year fi gures because of record-keeping delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. “These data are consistent with the view that COVID has encouraged potential buyers to move from urban apartments to suburban homes,” said Craig Lazzara, global head of in- dex investment strategy at S&P DJI.XX. But he said it was unclear whether the trend would last. Prices have also been pushed up by the limited supply of homes on the market. “With mortgage rates remaining rela- tively low and the wave of eager buyers continuing to swell, it’s unlikely that this competition for housing, and subse- quent strong price appreciation, will meaningfully abate in the near future,’’ said Matthew Speakman, economist at the real estate fi rm Zillow. Homebound consumers are also sprucing up their living quarters. Commenting on a year-end surge of revenue and earnings at Home Depot, Neil Saunders of GlobalData cal- culated that Americans each spent the equivalent of $402 last year at the home-improvement giant. The housing market has been resilient throughout the cor- onavirus pandemic, helped by rock-bottom rates on home loans. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year, fi xed-rate mortgage ticked up to 2.81% last week from 2.73% but re- mains well below where it was a year earlier: 3.49%. But the Commerce Department reported last Thursday that U.S. home construction fell 6% in January, dragged down by a 12.2% drop in construction of single-family homes; apartment construction climbed 16.2%. Still, appli- cations for building permits, which typically signal where home building is headed, rose sharply in January.

In this fi le photo, a sign rests in front of a newly con- structed home, in Westwood, Massachusetts. (AP)

‘... they need help now’ Biden ‘boosts’ lending to smallest businesses WASHINGTON, Feb 23, (AP): President Joe Biden an- nounced changes Monday to target more federal pandemic assistance to the nation’s smallest businesses and ventures owned by women and people of color. Biden says a lot of these mom and pop businesses “got muscled out of the way” by larger businesses seeking federal money in the early days of the pandemic. He said changes taking effect Wednesday will provide long over- due aid to these smaller enterprises that he says are being “crushed” by the pandemic-driven economic downturn. “America’s small businesses are hurting, hurting badly and they need help now,” Biden said. Under the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program, the administration is establishing a two-week window, starting Wednesday, in which only businesses with fewer than 20 employees - the overwhelming majority of small businesses - can apply for the forgivable loans. Biden’s team is also carving out $1 billion to direct to- ward sole proprietors, such as home contractors and beau- ticians, the majority of which are owned by women and people of color. Other efforts will remove a prohibition on lending to a company with at least 20% ownership by a person arrested or convicted for a nonfraud felony in the prior year, as well as allowing those behind on their federal student loans to seek relief through the program. The administration is also clarifying that noncitizen legal residents can apply to the program.

US President Joe Biden speaks about the Paycheck Protection Program during an event in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Feb 22, in Washington. (AP) ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 BUSINESS 9

Zain Group HQ building in Kuwait City. The Group announced its consolidated financial results for the full-year 2020. Zain Group reports revenue of $5.3bn and net profit of $605 million for 2020

Board recommends cash dividend of 33 fils per share

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: Zain Group, a leading mobile telecom innovator in seven markets across the Middle East and Africa, announces its consolidated finan- cial results for the full-year 2020, and fourth quarter ended 31 December, 2020. The Group ended the year with a custom- er base of 47.8 million customers. For the full-year 2020, Zain Group generated con- solidated revenue of KD 1.63 billion (USD 5.3 bil- lion), reflecting a 2% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) decrease, while consolidated EBITDA for the period declined by 8% Y-o-Y, to reach KD 673 million (USD 2.2 bil- lion), reflecting a healthy EBITDA margin of 41%. Ahmed Tahous, Zain Group Chairman. Consolidated net income reached KD 185 million (USD 605 million), down 15% and reflecting Earnings Per Share of 43 Fils (USD 0.14). For the full-year, foreign currency translation impact, mainly due to the 16% currency devaluation in Sudan dation is a result of the operational performance attained crisis.” from an average of 45.6 to 54.4 (SDG / USD), cost the by the Group in 2020, supported by our decisive effi- “Moreover, I would like to express my deep, personal Group USD 110 million in Revenue, USD 50 million in ciency drive that succeeded in reducing operational gratitude to our customers, the Board of Directors, and EBITDA and USD 16 million in Net Income. expenses by USD 168 million since the beginning of the the government agencies and bodies we cooperate with to The Board of Directors of Zain Group recommended a pandemic. It also reflects the confidence in the future deliver the mobile experience we do at such a high level.” cash dividend of 33 fils per share for 2020, adhering to potential of our digital growth strategy in seeking new Operational review of key markets for the 12 the Group’s commitment made last year of a minimum 33 business verticals. Moreover, due to operational efficien- months ended 31 December, 2020 fils dividend for 3 years. This is subject to the Annual cies, we managed to reduce the Group’s total net debt by Kuwait: Maintaining its market leadership on all lev- General Assembly and statutory approvals. approximately USD 1 billion, an achievement that has els, Zain Group’s flagship operation saw its customer For the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020, Zain Group gener- bolstered our financial position.” base serve 2.6 million. It remains the Group’s most profit- ated consolidated revenue of KD 432 million (USD 1.4 “We are focused on optimizing the synergies between able operation with revenue for full-year 2020 reaching billion), down 2% Y-o-Y. EBITDA for the quarter Bader AlKharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO. the Group and all operations and investing heavily in 5G KD 321 million (USD 1.05 billion), EBITDA reaching amounted to KD 172 million (USD 563 million), down rollouts, FTTH, 4G expansion and spectrum whereby we KD 112 million (USD 367 million), representing an 10% Y-o-Y, reflecting an EBITDA margin of 40%. Net 10. Zain joins a global effort with GSMA to invested USD 1.4 billion in CAPEX during 2020, repre- EBITDA margin of 35%. Net income reached KD 76 mil- income for the period amounted to KD 54 million (USD improve Digital Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities senting 26% of revenue. Moreover, we are mobilizing lion (USD 248 million), with data revenue accounting for 11. Zain ranked best Telecom employer in the resources to capitalize on the enormous opportunity that 38% of total revenue. 176 million), down 16 % Y-o-Y, representing Earnings 5G technology and FTTH provides, creating vast oppor- Saudi Arabia: Zain KSA generated revenue of SAR Per Share of 13 fils (USD 0.04). region by Forbes’ World’s Employers list for 2020. Also ranked 4th best regional employer across all industries tunities particularly related to Enterprise (B2B) services 7.92 billion (USD 2.1 billion), EBITDA for the period For Q4 2020, foreign currency translation impact, cost to government and businesses of all sizes. The recent reached SAR 3.44 billion (USD 918 million), reflecting the Group USD 33 million in Revenue, USD 14 million and only company from Kuwait in Forbes list Commenting on the results, the Chairman of the Board establishment of Zain Data Park will provide cloud host- an EBITDA margin of 43%. Net income reached SAR in EBITDA and USD 7 million in Net Income. ing and managed services across the ICT stack, including 260 million (USD 69 million). Data revenue grew by 8% Key Operational Notes for 12 months ended 31 of Directors of Zain Group, Ahmed Al Tahous said, “Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group’s applications, cybersecurity and networking.” Y-o-Y and represents 50% of total revenue with the December, 2020 Al-Kharafi further noted, “Zain is also focused on reap- operator serving 7.0 million customers. 1. COVID-19 pandemic disrupted economic activity key focus has been on providing meaningful connectivity and implementing more digitalization initiatives to better ing the lucrative opportunities in the digital space. Iraq: Zain Iraq’s revenue reached USD 943 million due to lockdowns and travel bans across all Zain markets, Management is very optimistic of the potential of Zain and EBITDA amounted to USD 378 million, reflecting impacted Group’s revenue by USD 417 million for the serve communities, businesses and governments, aiming to lessen the impact of the pandemic on society. I would KSA’s fintech subsidiary, ‘Tamam’, which was recently EBITDA margin of 40%. The operation reported a net full year granted the region’s first consumer micro-financing profit of USD 80 million, a 27% Y-o-Y increase. The 2. Decisive cost optimization measures such as con- like to thank all the government ministries and regulatory authorities across our markets for their wisdom and license by the Saudi Central Bank. Innovation is key and operator served 16.2 million customers maintaining its tracts renegotiation and management of cashflows suc- investing in viable digital services such as the fintech sec- market leading position. ceeded in reducing operational expenses by USD 168 understanding of the emerging industry dynamics, sup- porting us in overcoming challenges faced by the telecom tor is critical to Zain’s sustained evolution and success.” Sudan: Zain Sudan generated revenue of SDG 22.5 million With respect to the recent launch of Zain esports, Al billion (USD 416 million), a 62% increase in SDG terms 3. The year was highlighted by the notable revenue sector during these unique times.” Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Bader Al-Kharafi Kharafi said, “This initiative meets a number of different and 37% increase in USD terms, with EBITDA amount- growth from 5G in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia that under- goals for Zain, including youth development, enriching ing to SDG 9.3 billion, up 67% (USD 171 million, up scored the Group’s consolidated data revenue growth of commented, “The Group’s performance for 2020 reflects the brand, fostering innovation and digital opportunities 41%), reflecting an EBITDA margin of 41%. Net income 9% Y-o-Y, to reach USD 2.2 billion, representing 41% of the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption on across our 4G, 5G and fiber networks. This initiative cre- for the period reached SDG 3.3 billion, up 47% (USD 61 the Group’s revenue for 2020. economic-social activity and the unavoidable impact it ates shareholder value on multiple fronts, and we are million, up 23%). With the continual expansion of 4G 4. Throughout 2020, Zain Group invested USD 1.4 bil- had on the financial results. The Board and management confident Zain esports will develop into a regional gam- services across the country, data revenue represented 26% lion in CAPEX (26% of revenues), predominantly in 5G are working closely together in minimizing this impact ing powerhouse.” of total revenue, growing an impressive 142% in SDG rollouts in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia; 4G upgrades and across our footprint with a particular focus on driving On a final operational note, Al Kharafi emphasized the terms (104% in USD). The operator’s customer base grew new network sites across Iraq and Jordan; expansion of efficiencies, cost optimization and monetizing our 4G and success of Zain KSA’s recent capital restructuring in Q4 4% Y-o-Y to reach 16.6 million, further cementing its Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) infrastructure; and spectrum 5G networks. Our 4Sight strategy is taking shape, build- 2020 that saw the remaining priority rights subscription market leadership. license fees ing on our many strengths while seeking new value-creat- oversubscribed by an unprecedented 469%, saying, “This Jordan: Zain Jordan revenue reached USD 487 mil- 5. Zain KSA completed its capital restructuring during ing business verticals that support our vision of becoming transaction enhances Zain KSA’s ability to expand its lion, EBITDA reached USD 216 million, reflecting an Q4 2020 with massive demand in the remaining priority a leading ICT and digital lifestyle provider.” strategic investments in the Kingdom’s telecommunica- EBITDA margin of 44%, with net income reaching USD rights subscription that was oversubscribed by an unprec- Al Kharafi continued, “Last year, in a first by any cor- tions sector, growing its profitability and paving the way 79 million, a 3% increase. With the expansion of 4G ser- edented 469% porate entity in Kuwait, the Board of Directors recom- for dividends.” vices across the country, data revenue represented 46% of 6. Zain Iraq granted 4G license with mobile license mended a new cash dividend policy committing to a Al-Kharafi concluded, “I would like to recognize and total revenue, an impressive 12% increase. The operator extended to 2030 minimum 33 fils per share for three years. Despite the thank all the 7,500 dedicated and talented Zain colleagues served 3.5 million customers maintaining its market lead- 7. Handover of Lebanon’s network to the Ministry of USD 417 million loss of revenue due to the impact of across all our operations who have remained motivated to ing position. Telecom, effective October 30, 2020 COVID-19 on the business and a foreign currency trans- their duties and provided exemplary services, helping Bahrain: Zain Bahrain generated revenue of USD 164 8. Company launches a new powerhouse in gaming, lation impact of USD 110 million on revenue, I am deliver on the critical role we play in maintaining con- million, EBITDA for the year increased by 2%, to reach ‘Zain eSports’ to boost the gaming ecosystem pleased to reaffirm the Board’s dividend commitment for nectivity and supporting the communities we serve USD 57 million, reflecting an EBITDA margin of 34%. 9. The Zain Group Application Program Interface 2020 will be fulfilled. This 33 fils per share dividend throughout these exceptional times. Zain was committed Net income amounted to USD 14 million, up 3% Y-o-Y. (API) platform witnessed impressive customer uptake, reflects a 77% payout ratio of earnings, one of the highest to ensuring their wellbeing and safety, and the company With the soft launch of 5G services mid-2020 and mon- generating healthy revenues from having over 5 million in the region.” took decisive actions to support and provide them with etization initiatives, data revenue grew 7%, representing transactions per month The Vice-Chairman added, “The Board’s recommen- the tools needed to adapt and deliver during this time of 51% of total revenue. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 BUSINESS 10

in yr of pandemic, Home Depot became supplier to millions

The housing market was and exceeded even the lofty 2020, driving prices sky high. for hammers, paint or appli- among the very few bright projections for $30.66 billion On Tuesday, the S&P Core- ances that go along with a spots for the US economy in on Wall Street, according to Logic Case-Shiller 20-city housing boom, the sheer vol- Passers-by walk near the year of the lockdown and a survey of analysts by Zacks home price index recorded ume of goods it sold this year an entrance to a Home Home Depot became its sup- Investment Research. a 10.1% spike in Decem- were staggering. Depot home improvement plier, racking up an unprec- Home improvement stores ber, compared with the same Attempting to put that vol- store on Feb 21, 2021, in edented $132 billion in sales became a beehive during the Boston. (AP) month last year. That topped ume into context, Neil Saun- for 2020. pandemic with millions work- the 9.2% jump the previous ders, the managing director of Sales grew even stronger ing from home and attend- month, and all other months GlobalData, calculated that in in the fi nal quarter of the year, ing school remotely. Many going back almost seven 2020 the equivalent of every surging 25% to $32.26 billion. families concluded that bigger years. person in the United States That is up from $25.78 billion homes, or at least different While Home Depot was not spent $402 at Home Depot. in the same period last year homes, were the answer in alone in meeting the demand (AP)

Unfriended no more Tech sector leads US stock Facebook to lift Australia news ban after govt deal CANBERRA, Australia, Feb 23, Brown, Facebook’s vice president mkt lower; bond yields rise (AP): Facebook announced Tuesday for news partnerships, added that the that it would lift a ban on Australians deal allows the company to choose viewing and sharing news on its plat- which publishers it will support, in- Global shares mixed amid vaccine optimism form after it struck a deal with the cluding small and local ones. government on proposed legislation “We’re restoring news on Face- that would make digital giants pay book in Australia in the coming days. NEW YORK, Feb 23, for journalism. Going forward, the government has (AP):Declines in technol- The social media company caused clarifi ed we will retain the ability alarm with its sudden decision last to decide if news appears on Face- ogy stocks are dragging week to block news on its platform book so that we won’t automatically the broader market lower across Australia after the House of be subject to a forced negotiation,” Tuesday as investors re- Representatives passed the draft law. Brown said. main increasingly focused Initially, the blackout also cut access Frydenberg described the agreed - at least temporarily - to government upon amendments as “clarifi cations” on a big tick up in bond pandemic, public health and emer- of the government’s intent. He said yields and what it means gency services, fueling outrage. his negotiations with Facebook chief for the overall market. Ma- Facebook’s cooperation is a major executive Mark Zuckerberg were jor indexes pared a good victory in Australia’s efforts to make “diffi cult.” two major gateways to the internet, Peter Lewis, director of the Aus- part of their losses by the Google and Facebook, pay for the tralia Institute’s Center for Respon- afternoon. journalism that they use - a faceoff sible Technology, a think tank, said The S&P 500 index was down that governments and tech compa- in a statement that the “amendments 0.8 % as of 12:25 pm Eastern after nies the world over have watched keep the integrity of the media code being down more than 1.8% ear- closely. Google also had threatened intact.” lier. The technology-heavy Nasdaq to remove its search functions from A European publishers’ lobbying Composite was down 2% after be- Australia because of the proposed group that is among those teaming up ing down 3.9% earlier. The Dow law, but that threat has faded. with Microsoft said the deal shows Jones Industrial Average, which is “There is no doubt that Austral- such legislation is possible - and not much less exposed to tech stocks ia has been a proxy battle for the just in Australia. than the two other indexes, was world,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg “The latest twist proves that regu- down 152 points, or just 0.5%, to said. lation works,” said Angela Mills 31,368. “Facebook and Google have not Wade, executive director of the Eu- The companies that were dragging hidden the fact that they know that ropean Publishers Council. “Regula- down the overall market were the big the eyes of the world are on Austral- tors from around the world will be tech names that had pushed the mar- ia, and that is why they have sought reassured that they can continue to ket signifi cantly higher the past year: to get a code here that is workable,” take inspiration from the Austral- Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Tesla. In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, traders work on the fl oor. (AP) he added, referring to the bill, the ian government’s determination to Since the pandemic began, investors News Media Bargaining Code. withstand unacceptable threats from consistently pushed the prices of these rose to 1.36%, continuing its quick climb of the week. It would include $1,400 er to 5,779.84, while Germany’s DAX checks to most Americans, additional In fact, this week, Microsoft and powerful commercial gatekeepers.” companies’ stocks to stratospheric up over the last few weeks. fell 0.61% at 13,864.81. Britain’s FTSE four European publishing groups an- Facebook said it would now nego- heights, betting that quarantined con- When bond yields rise, stock prices payments for children, and billions of 100 gained 0.21% to 6,625.94. tend to be negatively impacted because dollars in aid to state and local govern- Tokyo was closed for a national holi- nounced they would work together tiate deals with Australian publish- sumers would do most of their shopping to push for Australian-style rules for ers. online and spend money on devices and investors turn an increasingly larger ments as well as additional aid to busi- day. South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.3% portion of their money toward the high- nesses impacted by the pandemic. to 3,070.09. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 news payments from tech platforms. “We are satisfi ed that the Austral- services for entertainment. The legislation was designed to ian government has agreed to a num- The bet mostly paid off, as big tech er, steadier stream of income that bonds The large amount of stimulus being gained 0.9% to 6,839.20. Hong Kong’s companies reported big profi ts last year. provide. pumped into the economy has given Hang Seng jumped 1.0% to 30,632.64, curb the outsized bargaining power ber of changes and guarantees that But the pandemic may be reaching its While eventually bond yields impact some investors pause, reviving worries while the Shanghai Composite lost of Facebook and Google in their ne- address our core concerns about al- end stages, with millions of vaccines big dividend-paying stocks like con- about infl ation that have been nearly 0.2% to 3,636.36. gotiations with Australian news pro- lowing commercial deals that recog- being administered each week in the sumer staples, utilities and real estate, nonexistent for more than a decade. The The technology sell-off spilled into viders. The digital giants would not nize the value our platform provides US and across the globe now. It may it does tend to impact stocks that have infl ation worries have been a big driver Asia. Chinese cellphone maker Xiaomi be able to abuse their positions by to publishers relative to the value cause consumers to return to their pre- big valuations like technology stocks of why bond yields have risen. fell 3.1%, e-commerce giant Alibaba making take-it-or-leave-it payment we receive from them,” Facebook pandemic habits. much earlier. Tech stocks tend to have “Overall, the view is this rise in lost 1.2% and Taiwan computer chip offers to news businesses for their regional managing director William Apple fell 2.9%, Microsoft lost 0.9%, higher-than-average price-to-earnings yields is just a refl ection of confi dence maker declined 1.4%. journalism. Instead, in the case of a Easton said. Amazon dropped 0.8% and Tesla fell ratios, which values a stock on how in economy and the vaccine rollout,” Although the world’s economies have standoff, an arbitration panel would “As a result of these changes, we 4.6%. Part of the decline in Tesla was much the company earns in in profi ts said Leslie Falconio, senior strategist at been battered by the coronavirus pan- make a binding decision on a win- can now work to further our invest- caused by the falling price of Bitcoin. each year versus its stock price. The UBS Global Wealth Management. demic, the deployment of COVID-19 ning offer. ment in public interest journalism The electric car maker put $1.5 billion S&P 500 index is currently trading at Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell vaccines is raising hopes for a recovery. Frydenberg and Facebook con- and restore news on Facebook for of its cash into the digital currency ear- a price-to-earnings ratio of 32, histori- speaks to Congress on Tuesday and In energy trading, US benchmark Wednesday as part of his regularly fi rmed that the two sides agreed to Australians in the coming days, ” lier this year, and there’s been a sharp cally high by any measurement, while crude rose $1 to $62.70 a barrel in amendments to the proposed legisla- Easton added. pullback in Bitcoin’s price in the last the price-to-earnings ratio of a company schedule updated for lawmakers. Powell electronic trading on the New York couple days. Investors now use at least like Amazon is north of 75. said the Fed didn’t see a need to alter its Mercantile Exchange. It gained $2.44 tion. The changes would give digital Google, meanwhile, has been part of Tesla’s valuation as a proxy for More broadly, investors remain fo- policy of keeping interest rates ultra-low, to $61.70 per barrel on Monday. Brent platforms one month’s notice before signing up Australia’s largest media Bitcoin’s movement. cused on the future of global econo- noting that the economic recovery “re- crude, the international standard, rose they are formally designated under companies in content-licensing deals A bigger part of the reason for the de- mies badly hit by COVID-19 and the mains uneven and far from complete.” $1.08 to $65.44. the code. That would give those in- through its News Showcase. The plat- cline has been what’s going on in the bond potential for more stimulus to fi x them. Global markets were mixed after a In currency trading, the US dollar volved more time to broker agree- form says it has deals with more than market, and the dynamic that happens to The US House of Representatives is sell-off of shares in technology compa- climbed to 105.21 Japanese yen from ments before they are forced to enter 50 Australian titles and more than 500 stock valuations when bond yields rise. likely to vote on President Joe Biden’s nies on Wall Street. 105.08 yen. The euro cost $1.2158, up binding arbitration arrangements. publishers globally using the model, The yield on the 10-year Treasury note proposed stimulus package by the end France’s CAC 40 edged 0.22% high- from $1.2157. A statement Tuesday by Campbell which was launched in October. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 BUSINESS 11

time for Jeep to end use of tribe’s name: Cherokee chief

It is time for Jeep to stop us- and mascots as nicknames to honor and celebrate Native is to learn about our sover- ing the Cherokee Nation’s or on their products. American people for their no- eign government, our role in name on its Cherokee and “I’m sure this comes from a bility, prowess and pride.” She this country, our history, cul- Grand Cherokee SUVs, the place that is well-intended, but didn’t say whether the com- ture and language and have In this file photo, Cherokee chief of the Oklahoma-based it does not honor us by having pany was considering renam- meaningful dialogue with Nation Principal Chief Chuck tribe said. our name plastered on the side ing the vehicles and she didn’t federally recognized tribes Hoskin Jr., speaks during a Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. of a car,” Hoskin said. immediately reply to an email on cultural appropriateness,” news conference in Tahle- said in a statement first re- Kristin Starnes, a spokes- requesting that information. Hoskin said. quah, Oklahoma. (AP) ported by Car & Driver maga- woman for Jeep’s parent Hoskin says the best way The controversy comes zine that he believes cor- company, Stellantis, said in to honor the Tahlequah, amid a national reckoning porations and sports teams a statement that the vehicle Oklahoma-based tribe is to over the use of Native Ameri- should stop using Native name was carefully selected learn more about its history. can names and images, par- American names, images “and nurtured over the years “The best way to honor us ticularly in sports. (AP) Sharp devaluation could provoke a popular backlash as price of goods and services rises Sudan announces managed currency float to revive economy CAIRO, Feb 23, (AP): Sudan an- value and possible hike in the price at within 5% above or below. that cannot be addressed without and carry them through.” The country was plunged into an nounced a managed fl otation of its of fuel and other essential goods. The managed floating system, making such a decision,” Ibrahim The move was a key demand economic crisis when the oil-rich currency on Sunday, in an unprec- There were already sporadic pro- that took effect Sunday, gives said. “It is in our interest, in the in- by the International Monetary south seceded in 2011 after decades edented but expected step to meet tests over dire living conditions in the central bank the option to set terest of the country, and in the in- Fund. Sudan should conclude a of war, taking with it more than half a major demand by international the past couple of weeks in the capi- a rate based on the trading aver- terest of the citizen.” 12-month Staff Monitoring Pro- of public revenues and 95% of ex- fi nancial institutions to help transi- tal, Khartoum and other parts of the age, Al-Fatih Zayed al-Abidin, Western governments wel- gram with the IMF to win relief ports. tional authorities overhaul the bat- country. the central bank governor said in comed the decision to liberate the on its foreign debt, which is at Sudan was also an international tered economy. The US dollar had been trading at a news conference in Khartoum exchange rate. The US Embassy $70 billion. That program is set to pariah after it was placed on the The move is the boldest economic over 350 pounds to the dollar on the along with Finance Minister Gi- in Khartoum welcomed the “cou- end in September. United States’ list of state sponsors measure taken by the joint military- black market, while its offi cial rate bril Ibrahim. rageous” move, saying it paves Sunday’s move came after Prime of terror early in the 1990s. This civilian government that has ruled was at 55 pounds to the dollar. Fol- The move was part of measures the way for debt relief and sig- Minister Abdalla Hamdok an- largely excluded the country from the African country after a popular lowing the devaluation, local media the transitional government has nificantly increases the impact of nounced a Cabinet reshuffl e to add the global economy and prevented uprising. reported banks were selling the dol- embarked on in recent months to international assistance. rebel ministers. The reshuffl e was it from receiving loans from inter- The revolt led to the military’s lar at an average of 375 pounds, and transform the country’s economy “This decision will also help part of a deal the transitional gov- national institutions like the IMF. overthrow of autocrat Omar al-Ba- buying the US currency for an aver- and rejoin the international com- Sudanese companies and attract ernment struck last year with a rebel Former President Donald shir in April 2019. age of 390, in an attempt to attract munity after over two decades of international investment as both lo- alliance. Trump removed Sudan from the The country has since been on those trading in the unoffi cial cur- isolation. cal and foreign companies will no Sudan has for years struggled blacklist after the transitional a fragile path to democracy with rency market. The Central Bank said its deci- longer encounter diffi culties doing with an array of economic woes, government agreed to pay $335 daunting economic challenges rep- Sudan’s currency will now fl uctu- sion would help “normalization of business in Sudan because of the including a huge budget defi cit and million in compensation for vic- resenting a major threat to that tran- ate according to supply and demand ties with international and regional dual exchange rate,” it said. widespread shortages of essential tims of attacks carried out by Osa- sition. and the the Central Bank of Sudan fi nancial institutions and friendly Volker Perthes, the UN envoy goods and soaring prices of bread ma bin Laden’s al-Qaida network The sharp devaluation could said it will announce a daily fl exible countries to ensure the fl ow of for Sudan, also hailed the fl oata- and other staples. The country’s an- while the terror leader was living provoke a popular backlash as the indicative rate in a “fl exible man- grants and loans” into Sudan’s tion, saying, “It demonstrates that nual infl ation soared past 300% last in Sudan. The removal also was price of goods and services rise in aged fl oat” that banks and other ex- economy. the transitional authorities can reach month, one of the world’s highest an incentive for Sudan to normal- response to the fall of the pound’s change bureaus are required to trade “Our economy is in a situation consensus, take diffi cult decisions rates. ize ties with Israel. British unemployment rate rises for 6th straight month Renewed coronavirus restrictions shut down most businesses

LONDON, Feb 23, (AP): The UK un- employment rate Mexican economy shrinks 8.5% in 2020 rose for a six straight MEXICO CITY, Feb 23, (AP): Mexico’s pandemic-hit leased by the National Statistics and Geography Institute. economy shrank 8.5% in 2020, the largest single-year drop Growth in the second half of 2020 allowed Mexico to beat month in December since 1932 and the second consecutive year of economic projections earlier in the year of a double-digit contraction. as renewed coro- contraction. The second trimester of the year when the pandemic took navirus restrictions Mexico’s gross domestic product grew 3.1% in the final hold and much economic activity was frozen saw a contrac- shut down most three months of the year, according to preliminary data re- tion of 18.7% compared to the same period a year earlier. businesses across the country. The Office for Nation- al Statistics said Tuesday that unemployment rose to 5.1% in December, up 0.1% from the previous month and 1.3% from a year earlier. The number of people on company payrolls has dropped by 726,000 since the pan- demic began last Febru- ary, with 58.5% of the decline coming among people under 25. The fi gures don’t show the full impact of COVID-19 restrictions on employment because some 1.9 million workers remain on furlough. A government program cov- ers 80% of their wages. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday an- nounced plans to slowly end a national lockdown in England in hopes of safely reopening the economy and social life as infection rates drop and widespread vac- cinations reduce the threat from COVID-19. Last week, the British economy suffered its big- gest decline in more than 300 years in 2020 as the corona- virus pandemic closed shops and restaurants, devastated the travel industry and cur- tailed manufacturing. The economy shrank 9.9% last year, more than twice the fi gure for 2009 at the height of the global fi nancial crisis, the Offi ce for National Sta- tistics said. The drop is the largest since 1709, when a cold spell known as the Great Frost devastated what was then a largely agricultural economy. The data comes as Britain’s economy remains shackled by restrictions designed to combat COVID-19. A re- bound in growth during the fourth quarter has been stifl ed by England’s third lockdown, which has closed schools, restaurants and non-essential shops since mid-December. Tough restrictions also re- main in place in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. “The fi gures show that the economy has experienced a serious shock as a result of the pandemic, which has been felt by countries around the world,” the UK’s top treasury offi cial, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, said in a state- ment. “While there are some positive signs of the econo- my’s resilience over the win- ter, we know that the current lockdown continues to have a signifi cant impact on many people and businesses.” ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 SCIENCE 12

This composite image made available by NASA, produced from photos captured Feb 20, by the Perseverance Mars rover, shows the surface of Mars. It landed on Thursday, Feb 18. (AP)

Coronavirus Space

Not to be sniffed at Perseverance team felt like they were riding along Agony of post-Covid Mars video: ‘Stuff of our dreams’ CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Feb 23, loss of smell & taste (AP): NASA on Monday released the fi rst high-quality video of a NICE, France, Feb 23, (AP): The doctor slid a miniature cam- Bone cancer survivor to join era into the patient’s right nostril, making her whole nose glow spacecraft landing on Mars, a three- red with its bright miniature light. minute trailer showing the enormous “Tickles a bit, eh?” he asked as he rummaged around her orange and white parachute hurtling nasal passages, the discomfort causing tears to well in her eyes open and the red dust kicking up as billionaire on ‘SpaceX flight’ and roll down her cheeks. rocket engines lowered the rover to The patient, Gabriella Forgione, wasn’t complaining. The the surface. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Feb 23, employees who had once been pa- 25-year-old pharmacy worker was happy to be prodded and The footage was so good - and the (AP): After beating bone cancer, tients and could represent the next poked at the hospital in Nice, in southern France, to advance images so breathtaking - that mem- Hayley Arceneaux figures rock- generation, said Rick Shadyac, her increasingly pressing quest to recover her sense of smell. bers of the rover team said they felt eting into orbit on SpaceX’s first president of St. Jude’s fundraising Along with her sense of taste, it suddenly vanished when she SpaceX rocket at the aerospace com- like they were riding along. private flight should be a piece of organization. pany’s headquarters in Hawthorne, cosmic cake. Arceneaux was at home in Mem- fell ill with COVID-19 in November, and neither has returned. Calif. Arceneaux, 29, will become the “It gives me goose bumps every St. Jude Children’s Research phis, Tennessee, when she got Being deprived of the pleasures of youngest American in space when time I see it, just amazing,” said Hospital announced Monday that the “out of the blue” call in January food and the scents of things that she she blasts off in SpaceX’s first pri- Dave Gruel, head of the entry and the 29-year-old physician assistant asking if she’d represent St. Jude loves are proving tough on her body vate spaceflight planned for the fall of descent camera team. - a former patient hired last spring - in space. and mind. Shorn of odors both good 2021 with entrepreneur Jared Isaac- The Perseverance rover landed will launch later this year alongside Her immediate response: “Yes! and bad, Forgione is losing weight and man and two yet-to-be-chosen con- last Thursday near an ancient river a billionaire who’s using his pur- Yes! Please!” But first she wanted self-confi dence. test winners. (AP) delta in Jezero Crater to search for chased spaceflight as a charitable to run it past her mother in St. Fran- “Sometimes I ask myself, ’Do I signs of ancient microscopic life. fundraiser. cisville, Louisiana. (Her father died stink?’” she confessed. “Normally, I After spending the weekend binge- Arceneaux will become the of kidney cancer in 2018.) Next she wear perfume and like for things to youngest American in space - beat- reached out to her brother and sis- smell nice. Not being able to smell watching the descent and landing ing NASA record-holder Sally Ride ter-in-law, both of them aerospace bothers me greatly.” video, the team at Jet Propulsion by over two years - when she blasts engineers in Huntsville, Alabama, A year into the coronavirus pan- Laboratory in Pasadena, California, off this fall with entrepreneur Jared who “reassured me how safe space shared the video at a news confer- Isaacman and two yet-to-be-cho- travel is.” Hummel demic, doctors and researchers are still striving to better understand and treat ence. sen contest winners. A lifelong space fan who embrac- the accompanying epidemic of COVID-19-related anosmia - “These videos and these images She’ll also be the first to launch es adventure, Arceneaux insists are the stuff of our dreams,” said Al with a prosthesis. When she was those who know her won’t be sur- loss of smell - draining much of the joy of life from an increas- 10, she had surgery at St. Jude to prised. She’s plunged on a bungee ing number of sensorially frustrated longer-term sufferers like Chen, who was in charge of the land- replace her knee and get a titanium swing in New Zealand and ridden Forgione. ing team. rod in her left thigh bone. She still camels in Morocco. And she loves Six off-the-shelf color cameras Condition limps and suffers occasional leg roller-coasters. Morris Mills were devoted to entry, descent and pain, but has been cleared for flight Isaacman, who flies fighter jets Even specialist doctors say there is much about the condition landing, looking up and down from by SpaceX. She’ll serve as the for a hobby, considers her a perfect they still don’t know and they are learning as they go along in different perspectives. All but one crew’s medical officer. fit. their diagnoses and treatments. Impairment and alteration of camera worked. The lone micro- “My battle with cancer really “It’s not all supposed to be about smell have become so common with COVID-19 that some re- Discovery phone turned on for landing failed, prepared me for space travel,” Ar- getting people excited to be astro- searchers suggest that simple odor tests could be used to track ceneaux said in an interview with nauts someday, which is certainly but NASA got some snippets of The Associated Press. “It made me cool,” Isaacman, 38, said last week. coronavirus infections in countries with few laboratories. sound after touchdown: the whir- For most people, the olfactory problems are temporary, often New rules to save whales: Ameri- tough, and then also I think it really “It’s also supposed to be about an ring of the rover’s systems and wind taught me to expect the unexpect- inspiring message of what we can improving on their own in weeks. But a small minority are com- ca’s lobster fi shery is getting close to the gusts. plaining of persistent dysfunction long after other COVID-19 date when it will have to contend with ed and go along for the ride.” accomplish here on Earth.” symptoms have disappeared. Some have reported continued new rules designed to try to save a species Thrilled She wants to show her young He has two more crew members patients and other cancer survivors to select, and he plans to reveal total or partial loss of smell six months after infection. The long- of whale from extinction. Flight controllers were thrilled The North Atlantic right whale num- that “the sky is not even the limit them in March. est, some doctors say, are now approaching a full year. with the thousands of images anymore.” One will be a sweepstakes win- Researchers working on the vexing disability say they are bers only about 360, and scientists have said the animal’s small population of beamed back - and also with the “It’s going to mean so much ner; anyone donating to St. Jude optimistic that most will eventually recover but fear some remarkably good condition of to these kids to see a survivor in this month is eligible. So far, more will not. Some doctors are concerned that growing numbers breeding females could spell doom for the species. The National Marine Fisheries NASA’s biggest and most capable space,” she said. than $9 million has come in, ac- of smell-deprived patients, many of them young, could be rover yet. It will spend the next two Isaacman announced his space cording to Shadyac. The other seat more prone to depression and other diffi culties and weigh on Service is developing new rules to reduce the possibility of entanglement in fi shing mission Feb. 1, pledging to raise will go to a business owner who strained health systems. years exploring the dry river delta $200 million for St. Jude, half of uses Shift4Payments, Isaacman’s gear, which can kill the whales. and drilling into rocks that may hold “They are losing color in their lives,” said Dr Thomas A court decision required the fi sheries that his own contribution. As the Allentown, Pennsylvania, credit Hummel, who heads the smell and taste outpatients clinic at evidence of life 3 billion to 4 billion flight’s self-appointed commander, card-processing company. service to fi nalize the rules by May 31. years ago. The core samples will University Hospital in Dresden, Germany. The agency is on track to produce the fi - he offered one of the four SpaceX Liftoff is targeted around October “These people will survive and they’ll be successful in their nal rules on time, said Jennifer Goebel, a be set aside for return to Earth in a Dragon capsule seats to St. Jude. at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, lives, in their professions,” Hummel added. “But their lives spokesperson. decade. Without alerting the staff, St. Jude with the capsule orbiting Earth two will be much poorer.” The whale protection rules will focus NASA added 25 cameras to the $3 chose Arceneaux from among the to four days. He’s not divulging the At the Face and Neck University Institute in Nice, Dr. Clair on lobster and crab fi sheries in the North- billion mission - the most ever sent “scores” of hospital and fundraising cost. Vandersteen wafted tube after tube of odors under Forgione’s east by reducing the number of vertical to Mars. The space agency’s previ- nose after he had rooted around in her nostrils with his camera. lines in the water, the federal government ous rover, 2012’s Curiosity, man- “Do you perceive any smell? Nothing? Zero? OK,” he has said. It will also modify seasonal re- aged only jerky, grainy stop-motion gymnast daughter wore a camera lowing touchdown “are the closest asked, as she repeatedly and apologetically responded with stricted areas and make other changes, the images, mostly of terrain. Curiosity while performing a backfl ip. you can get to landing on Mars with- negatives. government has said. is still working. So is NASA’s In- Some of the spacecraft systems out putting on a pressure suit.” Only the last tube provoked an unequivocal reaction. The coming restrictions have sparked a Sight lander, although it’s hampered - like the sky crane used to lower The images will help NASA pre- “Urgh! Oh, that stinks,” Forgione yelped. “Fish!” rancorous debate between environmental- the rover onto the Martian surface - pare for astronaut fl ights to Mars in ists and lobster fi shermen over the proper by dusty solar panels. Test complete, Vandersteen delivered his diagnosis. They may have company in late could not be tested on Earth. the decades ahead, according to the “You need an enormous amount of an odor to be able to way to save the whale. Lobster fi shing groups have said overly restrictive rules spring, when China attempts to land “So this is the fi rst time we’ve had engineers. smell something,” he told her. “You haven’t completely lost could put them out of business. its own rover, which went into orbit a chance as engineers to actually see There’s a more immediate benefi t. your sense of smell but nor is it good.” The Maine Lobstermen’s Association around Mars two weeks ago. what we designed,” Wallace told re- “I know it’s been a tough year for He sent her away with homework: six months of olfactory said the industry has a “long history of Deputy project manager Matt porters. everybody,” said imaging scientist rehab. Twice daily, choose two or three scented things, like a conservation of lobster resource and large Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s sci- Justin Maki, “and we’re hoping that sprig of lavender or jars of fragrances, and smell them for two Wallace said he was inspired sev- whale protections.” eral years ago to fi lm Perseverance’s ence mission chief, said the video maybe these images will help bright- to three minutes, he ordered. Many environmentalists, meanwhile, and also the panoramic views fol- en people’s days.” “If you smell something, great. If not, no problem. Try have said the proposed rules don’t go far harrowing descent when his young again, concentrating hard on picturing the lavender, a beautiful enough. purple bloom,” he said. “You have to persevere.” “Ultimately the top line is we don’t think it’s enough to save the species,” coverups and delayed disclosures of prob- During Monday’s meeting, regulatory missioning process and add to the large Unnoticed said Michaela Morris, oceans associate lems at the plant. offi cials said they were concerned about amounts of contaminated water being Losing the sense of smell can be more than a mere incon- for Environment America. “They are not Regulatory offi cials asked TEPCO at the declining water levels and pressure stored at the plant. (AP) venience. Smoke from a spreading fi re, a gas leak, or the stink going to get us where we need to be if the the meeting why it did not have seismo- in the Unit 1 and 3 primary containment ❑ ❑ ❑ rule is fi nalized as written right now.” logical data from the Unit 3 reactor for chambers because of the possibility that of rotten food can all pass dangerously unnoticed. Fumes from Volunteers refl oat 28 whales: Vol- a used diaper, dog’s dirt on a shoe or sweaty armpits can be The fi sheries service is accepting Saturday’s quake, and utility offi cials ac- the quake had expanded the existing dam- comments about the proposed rules un- knowledged that both of its seismometers age or opened new leakage paths, and unteers in New Zealand were optimistic embarrassingly ignored. they could save the 28 whales that remain And as poets have long known, scents and emotions are of- til March 1. It’s holding public hearings had failed - one in July and the other in urged the utility to closely check for any October - and had never been repaired. increased radiation levels in the ground from a mass-stranding after refl oating ten like lovers entwined. about the proposed rules in New England, including one for southern Maine on Feb. TEPCO also said that seismometers water surrounding the reactor buildings. them Tuesday for the second time in two Evan Cesa used to relish meal times. Now they’re a chore. A 23 and one for northern Maine on Feb 24. at all but two of the reactor buildings TEPCO said no abnormality has been days. fi sh dinner in September that suddenly seemed fl avorless fi rst The National Oceanic and Atmospheric that survived the 2011 disaster were sub- detected in water samples so far. A pod of 49 long-fi nned pilot whales fl agged to the 18-year-old sports student that COVID-19 had Administration has also proposed a conser- merged by water from the tsunami and New damage could further compli- was fi rst found stranded early Monday attacked his senses. Foodstuffs became mere textures, with vation framework for the whales, which is have never been replaced. cate the plant’s already diffi cult decom- on Farewell Spit, a remote beach on the only residual hints of sweet and saltiness. a requirement of the Endangered Species South Island. Twenty-one of the whales Five months later, breakfasting on chocolate cookies before Act. Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, have since died. classes, Cesa still chewed without joy, as though swallowing said in a letter to the agency that she has Volunteers fi rst managed to refl oat cardboard. “grave concern” that the rules could be the whales on Monday evening’s high “Eating no longer has any purpose for me,” he said. “It is devastating for the lobster fi shery. (AP) tide. But sometime overnight, the whales just a waste of time.” ❑ ❑ ❑ beached themselves again. So the volun- Cesa is among the anosmia sufferers being studied by re- teers refl oated them again on Tuesday. searchers in Nice who, before the pandemic, had been using ‘Seismometers broken’: The operator Louisa Hawkes, a spokesperson for scents in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. They also used of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power nonprofi t whale rescue group Project Jo- plant said Monday that two seismometers nah, said the whales had moved into deep- comforting fragrances to treat post-traumatic stress among at one of its three melted reactors have er ocean than on the fi rst attempt, giving children after a truck terror attack in Nice in 2016, when a been out of order since last year and did them more hope. driver plowed through holiday crowds, killing 86 people. not collect data when a powerful earth- “They’ve gone much further out than The researchers are now turning their expertise to COV- quake struck the area earlier this month. yesterday,” she said. “We’re cautiously ID-19, teaming up with perfumers from the nearby fragrance- The acknowledgement raised new optimistic they won’t come back.” producing town of Grasse. Perfumer Aude Galouye worked questions about whether the company’s She said it’s fairly common for pilot on the fragrant waxes that were wafted under Cesa’s nose to risk management has improved since a whales to restrand themselves once or measure his olfactory impairment, with scents at varying con- massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011 twice before swimming away. Up to 200 centrations. destroyed much of the plant. volunteers helped keep the whales healthy “The sense of smell is a sense that is fundamentally forgot- The malfunctioning seismometers sur- and calm while they were beached. ten,” Galouye said. “We don’t realize the effect it has on our faced during a Nuclear Regulation Au- With guidance from Project Jonah and lives except, obviously, when we no longer have it.” thority meeting on Monday to discuss Department of Conservation rangers, The examinations on Cesa and other patients also include new damage at the plant resulting from the volunteers drenched the whales with language and attention tests. The Nice researchers are explor- a magnitude 7.3 quake that struck the re- buckets of water and kept them upright to ing whether olfactory complaints are linked to COVID-related gion on Feb. 13. Cooling water and pres- ensure the creatures didn’t put too much cognitive diffi culties, including problems with concentrating. sure levels fell in the Unit 1 and 3 reac- pressure on their fi ns. Cesa stumbled by picking the word “ship” when “kayak” was tors, indicating additional damage to their Gabriella Forgione, a 25-year-old patient, holds still as a doctor slides a minia- After refl oating the whales, the vol- primary containment chambers. ture camera up her nose during tests in a hospital in Nice, France, on Feb 8, to unteers then formed human chains in the the obvious choice on one test. The operator, Tokyo Electric Power help determine why she has been unable to smell or taste since she contracted water to try to stop them swimming back Co, has repeatedly been criticized for COVID-19 in November 2020. (AP) to shore. (AP) Fashion WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 FFeatureseatures fore the2016presidential election. nondisclosure agreement daysbe- and waspaid$130,000 aspartofa had anaffairwith Trump in2006 Stephanie Clifford ruling dismissingthecase. in leavingplacealowercourt president lawsuit shefi who soughttoreviveadefamation appeal from Court onMondayrejectedan meeting Rodgers. even seenafootballgamebefore Woodley addedthatshe’dnever the pandemicthispastseason. attendance restrictionscausedby of Rodgers’games,notingthe said shestillhasn’tattendedone engaged forawhile.’” and we’relike,‘Yeah,we’vebeen right nowisfreakingoutoverit so it’skindoffunny.Everybody us, it’snotnewnews,youknow, ley said.“Weareengaged.Butfor didn’t sayhername. career MVPawardonFeb6but fi his engagementandthanked 37-year-old Rodgersmentioned got engaged“awhileago.”The Fallon Tonight ShowStarring tionship withRodgerson“The ley very goodatsports.”(AP) know. Hejusthappenstoalsobe ‘Jeopardy!’. 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Jean,whogotherbreakwhenGiorgioArmaniinvitedto on Instagram,demandingthattheyputactionbehindtheirsocialmedia houses expressedsolidaritywiththeBlackLivesMattersMovement Afro FashionWeekMilanofounderMichelleNgomoafterfashion world.” alism thatispartofthementalityacertainItalianfashion Fashion campaign.“Ihavebeenworkinghardtoovercomethisgradu- said Jean,oneofthefoundersBlackLivesMattersinItalian ers, includingfi in pushingthroughanenhancedcollaborationwithfi credits theItalianNationalFashionChamberwith“alotofgoodwill” Black ItaliandesignerbelongingtotheMilanfashionchamber. one tangibleresultofacampaignlaunchedlastsummerbytheonly designers ofAfricanoriginopensMilanFashionWeekonWednesday, MILAN, Feb23,(AP):Adigitalrunwayshowbyfi BLM inItalianFashioncampaignshowsearlytangibleresults Daniels, whoserealnameis The justicesdidnotcomment “He’s fi The 29-year-oldWoodley “Yes, weareengaged,”Wood- The actordiscussedherrela- “I don’tknowhimasafootball Woodley saidsherealized confi The collaborationwiththeItalianfashioncouncilwillcontinuein She launchedthecampaignwithdesignerEdwardBuchananand “When youwanttodosomething,canthemimmediately,’’ Aftersomeinitialresistanceandaslowstart,designerStellaJean ” onMonday,sayingthey rmed thatshe’sengaged ❑ rst off just a wonderful, rst offjustawonderful, Donald Trump led againstformer Stormy Daniels . nancing andpartnershipswithItaliansuppliers. Shailene Wood- The Supreme , allegesshe ve newdesignersfromItaly’sminoritycommuni- Jimmy . , SAN FRANCISCO: attorneys’ fees.(AP) Daniels topaynearly$300,000in the lawsuitin2018andordered tryst asa“totalconjob.” threatened tokeepquietaboutthe he dismissedherclaimsofbeing She suedhimfordefamationafter A federaljudgedismissed Day hadbeenthinkingabout,butshefi Grammy buthadneveracted.Itwassomething with AndraDay,whohadbeennominatedfora her fi named actor?Anunknown?Asingermaking what hewaslookingfor-shouldgoa ing therightactorforHoliday.Hedidn’tknow was soterrifi Blues,” togethisblessing. Berry Gordy,whoproduced“LadySingsthe so Ihadtotellthestory.” that aren’ttoldwedon’tknowabout.And said. “Itmademethinkaboutthemanystories I did,whenitcomestoBlackhistory,”Daniels I sortofknoweverybody’sstory,orthought years? HowcomeIdon’tknowthisstorywhen debuts FridayonHulu. winning playwrightSuzan-LoriParks.Thefi vs. BillieHoliday,”writtenbyPulitzerPrize- It’s thisstorythat’stoldin“TheUnitedStates drug useandherprotestsong,“StrangeFruit.” who wastargetedbytheUSgovernmentforher come torealize,wasanunsungcivilrightshero want tobeadirector. screen before.Itwasthefi romance andaHarlemlikehe’dneverseenon Ross andBillyDeeWilliamsshowedhimBlack ready existedafterall.The1972fi L Daniels, DaytakeonHoliday’s legacy At thesuggestionofhismanager,hemet Naturally thebiggestchallengewouldbefi “I justwantedtodoherright,”Danielssaid. He evencalleduplegendaryrecordproducer “I waslike,wherehaveIbeenforallthese59 But itwasn’therfullstory.Holiday,he’d ❑ Variety Billie Holiday.“LadySingstheBlues”al- ee Danielsdidn’twanttotouchthestoryof lm debut,likeRoss had50yearsago? rst obstaclesthecam- Show tohighlightJean’s roleinshakingupItalianfashion ve Italianfashion ve youngdesign- ed.” After 139 By LindseyBahr This imagereleasedbyHulushowsAndraDayin‘TheUnitedStatesvsBillieHoliday.’(AP) Film States, despitetheroleBlackculturehashadoninspiringfashionthere. Jean’s roleinshakingupItalianfashion. will bereleasedonFIT’sYouTubechannelThursdaytohighlight conversation withtheItaliandesignerforBlackHistoryMonth,which States andelsewhere. museum, saidmanyofJean’sideascouldbereplicatedintheUnited gaffes. does noteconomicallybenefi signer seesthemoveasabulwarkagainstculturalappropriationthat fabrics, motifsandotherculturalreferences.TheItalian-Haitiande- lm thatmadehim Steele saidBlackdesignersarealsounder-representedintheUnited Steele, whohassomeofJean’screationsinthecollection,recordeda Valerie Steele,directoroftheFashionInstituteTechnology’s Jean isalsoworkingonadatabaseofAfricanartisanaltechniques, ode Rodgers Woodley tion ordesire,’’Jeansaid. people areworking99%sustainably,asaresultofnecessity,restric- anything butsustainable,believeme.InthecountrieswhereIwork, fashion system. sustainable productionmethodsinexchangefortrainingtheglobal of creatingpartnershipsbetweenItalianfashionhousesthatcanlearn an eventfeaturingdesignersandartisansfromAfrica,withthegoal “You speakaboutsustainabilityadnauseamhere,andwhatIseeis lm withDiana gured be- Film depicts‘unsungcivilrightshero’ nd- lm she’s gettingreadytobemegafamousafter other story.ItevenalarmedDaniels. of herproblems.Gettingoutcharacterwasan- keep that(expletive)onlock.” nerable andopen,”Daysaid.“I’maCapricorn,I than I’musedtobeing,moreemotionallyvul- cigarettes anddrinkingalcoholjustwilder when she’ddriftintoBillie-ismsinreallife. to prepare,whichstartedconfusinghermother ting pushedback.Shehadaboutayearandhalf that screenisus.It’soursoul.” was greattojustdous.Everythingyouseeon who don’tknowanythingaboutourculture.It “I getemotionaltalkingaboutthisgirlbecause Getting intocharacterturnedouttobetheleast “My behaviorswouldchange.Iwassmoking Day wasgratefulthatthestartdatekeptget- “There’s nooutsideinterferencefromsuits body buttheactorsandmycrew,”Danielssaid. cinema becauseIdon’thavetoanswerany- they couldscrapetogetheris“onthescreen.” her worldandallitsglamour,sothemoney the budget,andhewantedtomakesuredepict Daniels shotonfi and hewassold.IthadtobeDay. acting coach,ofhertransformingintoHoliday, Daniels sawatape,fi they boththoughtthiswasa“terribleidea.”Then who she’dlovedsinceage11,andthefactthat him, “Idon’tthinkIshoulddothis.” and reallylearnthecraft. fore shedidanything,she’dtakeafewyearsoff Creations t Africansandawaytopreventracist “There’s abeautyofworkinginindependent Making thefi Still, theyformedaconnectionoverBillie, When shesatdownwithDaniels,Daytold rolled — at atopspeedof1 mph to snapphotosasthe structure blocks away. moved Sundayto a locationsix was loadedontogiantdolliesand windows andabrownfrontdoor house hasanewaddress. Francisco, atwo-storyVictorian years at807FranklinStinSan Onlookers linedthe sidewalks The greenhomewithlarge lm wasachallenge,though. lm, whichateupalargepartof Culture lmed insecretbyDay’s situation.” term solutionsforthisheritagemuseumwhichisinaverycomplicated to meetwithHoguetearlierthismonth“inorderthinkaboutlong- had intervenedtogetthelandlorddelaydeadline. an intangibleheritagelistonlylastyear. more toprotectthesmallmuseumthatFrenchoffi artifacts aspayment. 23 andthelandlordhadthreatenedtoseizemuseum’spriceless incurred duringviruslockdownslastyear.ThemoneywasdueJan. historic monument—owed117,000eurosinrentarrearsduetolosses ment, themuseumsaidrecently. down thecity’sindebtedFanMuseumtoextenditsdeadlineforpay- PARIS: Paris DeputyMayor “It’s ahugerelief.Wehopetoliveanotherday,”Hoguetsaid. Hoguet saidthatParisCityHalloffi In responsetoAP’sreporting,UNESCOcalledon Director 1% ofthedesignerswhowerefeaturedBlack,”Steelesaid. shocked torealizethatontheVogue.com,somethingridiculous,like signers, whichwasaninternationalshowStellain,wewerevery journey involves goingdownhill. part becausethefi city agencies. secure permitsfrom morethan15 Joy San FranciscoChroniclereported. the planningstagesforyears, — to635FultonSt. “When afewyearsagowedidanexhibitiononBlackfashionde- ParisCityHallhasinstructedthelandlordseekingtoclose Joy saidthismove istrickyin Veteran housemover The house’sjourneyhasbeenin toldthenewspaperhehadto Anne Hoguet tears madeitintothefi knew sheletmedown.Sostartedcrying.” couldn’t doit,shecouldnotleaveBillieand Billie. You’vegottosingitasAndranow...She of Me’andIsaid,it’stimeforyoutorelease the lastthingsthatweshotwashersinging‘All as wewerecomingtoanend.Oneof this,” Danielssaid.“(But)Iwasterrifi I’m notoutonacliffanymore.”(AP) that wasgoingdowninAmerica.” portant toreleaseitrightnow,giveneverything pushed ittonextyear.ButIthoughtwasim- couldn’t makethatup,”hesaid.“Wecouldhave ica andeverybodywenttothestreetsyou get itout. protests oflastsummerheknewneededto fought sohardtoshootitonfi won’t bereleasedwidelyintheatersafterhe and awinforMo’Nique. directed, gotanominationforGaboureySidibe Berry herOscarandthen“Precious,”whichhe Daniels-produced “Monster’sBall”gotHalle Globe Awards. buzz andanominationatSunday’sGolden like “purposeagain.” get excitedtodoadditionalshoots,whichfelt back, shehadtroublelettingBilliegoandwould the production. his leadtoTulum,Mexico.Hesplitthecostwith the nextthinghedidwastobookavacationfor Day didnot,infact,letDanielsdownandthe “I’m stilltryingtonavigateit,”Daysaid.“But As forDay?Billieisstillthereinsomeways. “We hadthatincidentjustchangedAmer- Daniels isstillabitheartbrokenthatthefi “It’s thatLeeDanielseffect,”shelaughed.The And thecommitmentisearningherawards But Daywastooattached.Evenaftershegot rst partofthe Karen Taieb saidherbeleagueredmuseum—aregistered Phil Also: toldtheAPthatoffi cials confi cials nalmomentsoffi Chronicle said.(AP) in feesandmoving costs,the Brown house, SanFrancisco broker relocated. trimmed andtraffi were rippedup,treelimbs house,” hesaid. “That’s alwaysdiffi The ownerofthesix-bedroom Along theroute,parkingmeters rmed toherthatthey , willpayabout$400,000 lm, butafterthe cials hadplacedon France edforher c signswere cials were cials lm,but cult fora todo lm Tim ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 SPORTS 14

Juve move up to 3rd on table Benteke’s late goal steals EPL Ronaldo scores twice as Juventus blank Crotone victory for Palace at Brighton TURIN, Italy, Feb 23, (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Juventus got back to winning ways by beating bot- Sevilla top Osasuna, tom club Crotone 3-0 in Serie A. Crystal move 10 points above relegation zone Ronaldo could even have had a hat- move into top three trick in the fi rst half. MADRID, Feb 23, (AP): Sevilla Weston Mckennie sealed the result comfortably defeated Osasuna 2-0 BRIGHTON, England, after the break. to extend its winning streak in the Juventus moved up to third on the Feb 23, (AP): Substi- table, eight points behind Serie A lead- Spanish league to six matches and tute Christian Benteke er Inter Milan, having played a match move into the top three in the stand- thumped home a dra- less. ings for the first time this season. It was Crotone’s fi fth successive de- Defender Diego Carlos and striker matic last-ditch volley as feat and left it eight points from safety. Luuk de Jong scored in different halves Crystal Palace snatched a Juventus was looking for a big win to help Sevilla move a point in front 2-1 victory at bitter rival after a disappointing week. The Bian- of fourth-placed Barcelona. Sevilla coneri lost at Porto 2-1 in the fi rst leg trails second-placed Real Madrid by Brighton in the English of the round of 16 of the Champions four points and is seven points behind Premier League. League on Wednesday, days after los- league leader Atlético Madrid. The Belgium striker lashed ing at Napoli 1-0 in Serie A. Osasuna, sitting in 13th place, in Andros Townsend’s cross had won three of its last four league SOCCER matches, including the last two. It in the fifth minute of added is four points above the relegation time to return Palace to win- zone. ning ways following succes- Ronaldo hadn’t scored for Juventus Diego Carlos found the net with a since the start of the month. He came firm header off a corner kick in the sive defeats which had led to close on a couple of occasions before 19th minute and De Jong from inside growing supporter unrest. breaking the deadlock in the 38th minute the area in the 49th. Brighton dominated proceed- when he headed in an Alex Sandro cross. Ronaldo doubled his tally in fi rst- Sevilla’s nine-game winning ings at Amex Stadium and lev- half stoppage time with another im- streak in all competitions was ended eled through Joel Veltman after pressive header, this time from an by a 3-2 home loss to Borussia Dort- the Eagles led at halftime cour- Aaron Ramsey cross. mund in the first leg of the round tesy of a superb, back-heeled fin- The 36-year-old Ronaldo should of 16 of the Champions League on ished from French forward Jean- have had a hat trick moments later but Wednesday. Philippe Mateta. he fi red Ramsey’s pass narrowly wide Sevilla’s next two matches are of the right post. against Barcelona - at home in the Crotone never looked like getting back Spanish league on Saturday and at SOCCER into the match and Juventus wrapped up the Camp Nou Stadium next week in the win in the 66th when a corner eventu- the second leg of the Copa del Rey ally came through to McKennie and he semifinals. Sevilla won the first leg Palace showed little ambition controlled it on his chest before fi ring into 2-0. for much of the match and once the back of the net. again struggled to create in the absence of injured talisman Wil- fried Zaha, with the two superb goals their only attempts on tar- get. Yet, Eagles manager Roy Hodgson will be more than satisfied with a result which Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke, (left), and Brighton’s Ben White challenge for the ball during the English moves his side 10 points above Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the Falmer Stadium in the relegation zone. Brighton, England, on Feb 22. (AP) Defeat for Brighton halted its club-record Premier League un- beaten run at six games, while Dortmund fined after players celebrate win on bus scuppering its hopes of leapfrog- FRANKFURT, Germany, Feb 23, Dortmund fans cheering on the street. The club apologized on Sunday for ging its fiercest foe for the first (AP): Borussia Dortmund was fined The club estimated the bus was greeted the celebrations, saying it would speak time this season. 75,000 euros ($91,000) for breaking by 150 to 200 fans near the Dortmund “with the police and with everyone Graham Potter’s men remain German soccer’s social distancing training center when the team returned involved” about how best to prevent rules after players celebrated a win from the game. similar scenes in the future. just four points clear of the bot- Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo, (left), battles for the ball with Crotone’s Lisan- over a fierce rival inside the team The league said on Monday that Dortmund and Schalke have a long- tom three after failing to capital- dro Magallan during the Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Cro- bus. Dortmund was fined because “players standing rivalry. The win for Dort- ize on their superiority. tone, at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, on Feb 22. (AP) Videos published on social media celebrated the win in the derby in the mund also marked a turnaround after following the 4-0 win over Schalke on team bus without distancing and with- one win from its previous six league Saturday showed players celebrating out covering the mouth and nose.” games. Dortmund is sixth in the No. 19 USC dominates Oregon 72-58 together as the bus passed a crowd of Dortmund said it accepted the fine. Bundesliga. Oklahoma St rallies past Texas Tech in OT STILLWATER, Okla, Feb 23, (AP): Cade Cunningham scored 20 points and Oklahoma State got past Texas Williams, Stanford women top Tech in overtime for the second time this season, beating the 18th-ranked Red Raiders 74-69. Arizona to wrap up Pac-12 title Cunningham, the Big 12’s leading STANFORD, California, Feb 23, all six of her 3-point tries. She began 1 scorer and one of the nation’s top fresh- (AP): Stanford spent two months on for 8, was 2 of 11 at halftime as her team men, put on a show in front of about a the road this season because of lo- trailed 31-25, and finished 8 of 24. dozen NBA scouts and executives, in- cal health department restrictions on The Wildcats (15-3, 13-3) went cluding Oklahoma City Thunder general sports – a major reason why winning more than four minutes without scor- manager Sam Presti. He made 8 of 13 the Pac-12 Conference title was deeply ing late in the first half, missing five shots and had five rebounds. meaningful for Hall of Fame coach straight field goals during one stretch Kalib Boone scored 18 points and Tara VanDerveer’s team. and 10 of 11 as they finished the half Avery Anderson III added 16 for the Among the many championships on shooting 29% (8 for 28). Cowboys (15-6, 8-6 Big 12), who ral- VanDerveer’s resume, this was one of Arizona’s second seven-game win- lied from an 11-point second-half defi- the most special. ning streak of the season ended just cit with Cunningham on the bench due Kiana Williams scored 15 points like the first one, with a loss to Stan- to foul trouble. Oklahoma State won and No. 4 Stanford clinched its first ford. The Wildcats were 7-0 before its third straight overall and is 3-0 in regular-season league title in seven they took a lopsided loss at home to overtime games this season. years, beating ninth-ranked Arizona the Cardinal on Jan 1. S. California 72, Oregon 58 62-48. Haley Jones had 13 points, eight re- In Los Angeles, Tahj Eaddy scored Lexie Hull added 16 points and nine bounds and two steals for Stanford but 24 points and Southern California led rebounds for the Cardinal (21-2, 18-2 also committed seven of her team’s 16 by 16 after a blistering start on its way Pac-12), who won their 10th straight turnovers. to a win over Oregon. game to capture the program’s first Stanford began 5 for 14 to 4 of 13 The Trojans (19-4, 13-3) moved into league title since 2014. Oregon won by Arizona as the teams were tied at 13 sole possession of first place in the Pac- the past three. after one quarter. Only six free throws 12 by dominating the Ducks with just Arizona star Aari McDonald scored were shot in the first half, the Wildcats a seven-man rotation. Second-leading 20 points despite a slow start and missing going 4 for 4 and Stanford 0 for 2. rebounder Isaiah Mobley strained his right calf earlier in the day and missed ence), which ended its four-game los- his first start of the season. ing streak. Damion Rosser added 13 New Mexico 73, Air Force 65 points and nine rebounds. In Air Force Academy, Colo, SE Louisiana 78, Texas A&M-CC 75 Makuach Maluach had 22 points as In Corpus Christi, Texas, Byron New Mexico defeated Air Force. Smith hit a 3-pointer with less than a second to go, Nick Caldwell came off BASKETBALL the bench to tally 19 points and South- eastern Louisiana defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Valdir Manuel had 14 points for Caldwell hit a 3-pointer to tie the game New Mexico (6-13, 2-13 Mountain at 75 with 48 seconds to go. Simeon Fry- West Conference), which ended its er missed a shot for the Islanders with 24 five-game losing streak. Bayron Matos seconds to go. The Lions ran the clock added 13 points and seven rebounds. down with the ball in Jondarius Warren’s Saquan Singleton had 5 points, 13 as- hands. Warren attack the basket and sists and six rebounds. kicked the ball out to Smith in the right Alcorn St 65, Alabama A&M 52 corner and he smoothly knocked it down In Lorman, Miss, Troymain Crosby as time ran out. had 21 points as Alcorn State defeated Drake 74, Evansville 63 Alabama A&M. Stanford forward Francesca Belibi In Des Moines, Iowa, Joseph Yesu- David Pierce III had 13 points for Al- fu had a career-high 36 points as Drake corn State (5-9, 5-4 Southwestern Ath- (5) shoots against Arizona forward letic Conference). Oddyst Walker added Lauren Ware during the first half of topped Evansville. 13 points and six rebounds. Kurk Lee had an NCAA college basketball game Yesufu hit five 3-pointers and was 10 points and seven assists. in Stanford, California, on Feb 22. 9 of 10 from the free throw line. The (AP) sophomore had 32 when the Bulldogs Southern 75, Alabama St. 66 defeated 85-71 on Sunday. In Baton Rouge, La, Terrell Williams western State beat Houston Baptist. Jr posted 15 points and seven rebounds as Morehead St 56, SIU-Edwards- Teasett made 7 of 9 3-pointers and ville 48 Southern topped Alabama State. in a stretch during the second half the Samkelo Cele had 13 points and In Edwardsville, Ill, Johni Broome freshman scored or assisted on 20 had 23 points and 13 rebounds as eight rebounds for Southern (6-8, 6-4 straight Demons points. Southwestern Athletic Conference). Morehead State beat Southern Illinois- Delor Johnson added 10 points. Kirk New Orleans 88, C. Arkansas 63 Edwardsville. Parker had 12 rebounds. In New Orleans, Derek St Hilaire Skyelar Potter had 14 points and 12 came off the bench to tally 18 points to rebounds for Morehead State (18-7, N Colorado 89, Warner Pacific 60 carry New Orleans to win over Central 15-3 Ohio Valley Conference). The 15 In Greeley, Colo, Kur Jockuch had Arkansas. league wins ties a program record. 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead The win ties Privateers coach Mark Shamar Wright had 12 points for the Northern Colorado to win over NAIA Slessinger with Tim Floyd for the Cougars (8-15, 6-11), who have now member Warner Pacific. second most wins in program history, lost five games in a row. Courtney It was the Bears’ first game since 126. Ron Green has the record of 125. Carter added 11 points. Iziah James Jan 29 because of a COVID-19 break. Schellinger is in his 10th season, Floyd had eight rebounds. Northwestern St 86, Houston coached six through 1994 and Green Mike Adewunmi, who led the Cou- Baptist 80 coached eight through 1977. gars in scoring heading into the contest In Natchitoches, La., Carvell Teasett Troy Green had 17 points for New with 14 points per game, shot only 14 had a career-high 25 points as North- Orleans (5-13, 4-6 Southland Confer- percent in the game (1 of 7). ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 SPORTS 15

Mexican fi ghter to defend super middleweight title against Turkey’s Yildirim Alvarez headlines fi rst boxing card at Dolphins home stadium MIAMI GARDENS, Florida, Feb 23, (AP): With a growing reputation as NHL Results/Standings boxing’s most popular fi ghter, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is preparing to showcase his skills at the home of the Miami Dolphins. WASHINGTON, Feb 23, (AP): Results and stand- The Mexican fi ghter will defend ings from the NHL games on Monday. his super middleweight champion- NY Islanders 3 Buffalo 2 ship against Turkey’s Avni Yildirim at Calgary 3 Toronto 0 Florida 3 Dallas 1 Hard Rock Stadium. It’s the fi rst box- Tampa Bay 4 Carolina 2 ing event at the 34-year-old venue. Los Angeles 3 St Louis 0 Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s retirement Vegas 3 Colorado 0 and Manny Pacquiao’s 18-month in- Arizona 4 Anaheim 3 Minnesota 6 San Jose 2 activity helped Alvarez become one East Division of boxing’s top names. His ability to GP W L OT Pts GF GA draw crowds to football stadiums dem- Boston 16 11 3 2 24 51 36 Washington 17 9 5 3 21 58 60 onstrates his appeal. NY Islanders 18 9 6 3 21 44 43 “It is an honor for me fi ghting in Philadelphia 15 8 4 3 19 51 51 such an important stadium,” Alvarez Pittsburgh 16 9 6 1 19 51 53 NY Rangers 16 6 7 3 15 40 42 said in Spanish while visiting the ven- New Jersey 13 6 5 2 14 36 37 ue on Monday. “Without question, it is Buffalo 15 5 8 2 12 37 46 great motivation.” Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Without COVID-19 crowd restric- Florida 17 12 3 2 26 59 48 tions, Alvarez would have likely at- Carolina 17 12 4 1 25 64 47 tracted more than the 20% limit al- Tampa Bay 16 11 4 1 23 58 38 lowed at the 65,000-seat venue for Chicago 19 9 6 4 22 55 56 Columbus 19 8 7 4 20 55 64 Saturday’s bout. His fi ght against Liam Dallas 13 5 4 4 14 41 37 Smith in 2016 drew 51,000 to AT&T Nashville 17 7 10 0 14 40 57 Detroit 20 5 12 3 13 39 64 West Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA BOXING Vegas 16 11 4 1 23 48 34 St Louis 19 10 7 2 22 59 59 Colorado 15 9 5 1 19 44 32 Los Angeles 17 8 6 3 19 54 48 Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Arizona 18 8 7 3 19 48 52 “Our last fi ght, 12,000 were allowed Minnesota 15 9 6 0 18 44 38 and it sounded as if the stadium was San Jose 17 7 8 2 16 47 64 Anaheim 19 6 10 3 15 37 54 full,” Alvarez said of his win over Cal- North Division lum Smith at the Alamodome in San An- GP W L OT Pts GF GA tonio Dec. 19. “Hopefully, we can soon Toronto 20 14 4 2 30 72 54 Edmonton 20 12 8 0 24 72 62 return to normal times and fi ll out a stadi- Winnipeg 18 11 6 1 23 61 49 um like this one. But whether it’s 15,000 Montreal 17 9 5 3 21 57 47 fans or 100,000, I feel as if it will be at Calgary 19 9 9 1 19 50 54 capacity. The support from the people is Vancouver 22 8 12 2 18 65 78 Ottawa 20 5 14 1 11 47 80 incredible and I am very appreciative.” Note: Two points for a win one point for over- Alvarez previously fought in the time loss. The top four teams in each division will Miami area as a teenager 12 years qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary ago. The 30-year-old returns with two realignment. Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews (34) gets tied up by Calgary Flames defenceman Mark Giordano (5) as Flames goaltender David Rittich sanctioning body belts and a resume (33) keeps a close eye on the loose puck during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Feb 22. (AP) that includes title reigns in the super “Every fi ghter that comes to fi ght welterweight, middleweight and light me brings additional incentive,” Alva- heavyweight classes. rez said. “Yildirim is a strong fi ghter, “I’m truly very fortunate of being always pressing and ready for battle. again here and opening a new boxing “Obviously, we all know I have bet- venue,” Alvarez said. “Most of the ter boxing skills but one never knows. Rittich notches SO as Flames preparation is already done. This week One punch can change and ruin every- is mainly about maintaining weight, thing. But we are ready.” light workouts and going over what we Alvarez vacated the light-heavy- did in the gym.” weight belt he won against Sergey While he covets becoming the un- Kovalev. His bout with Smith ended disputed super middleweight title- a 13-month absence and earned him top NHL-leading Maple Leafs holder, Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) said the World Boxing Association super he’s not overlooking Yildirim (21-2, middleweight belt. The Mexico-based 12 KOs), who is fi ghting for the fi rst World Boxing Council also recognizes time in two years. Alvarez as titleholder. Quick earns 54th career shutout, Kings down Blues

TORONTO, Feb 23, (AP): third straight time this season after two as part of Vegas’ three-goal spree in victories in Buffalo last week. The Is- the second period, Marc-Andre Fleury David Rittich made 34 landers also moved to 5-0-1 at Nassau stopped 34 shots and the Golden saves for his fi rst shutout Coliseum. Matt Martin and Anders Lee Knights cruised past Colorado. of the season and fourth of scored for the Islanders. Sam Reinhart Fleury earned his 64th career shutout his career as the Calgary and Curtis Lazar scored for the Sabres. in the fi nale of the four-game series, Panthers 3, Stars 1 with the Knights and Avs each record- Flames beat NHL-leading ing two wins. Jonathan Marchessault In Sunrise, Florida, Aaron Ek- Toronto 3-0. blad and Keith Yandle scored, Chris also scored for Vegas in the pivotal Matthew Tkachuk and Sean Mo- Driedger made 24 saves and Florida middle period. nahan each had a goal and an assist, beat slumping Dallas. Coyotes 4, Ducks 3 and Sam Bennett added a goal for Aleksander Barkov scored an emp- In Glendale, Arizona, Christian Calgary. ty-net goal to seal the Panthers’ sixth Dvorak scored two goals and Arizona Rasmus Andersson added two as- win in eight games. rallied from a three-goal defi cit to beat sists for the Flames, who had lost four Blake Comeau scored for Dallas, Anaheim in a testy game. of fi ve in regulation and had been out- and Anton Khudobin stopped 49 of 51 The Ducks, the NHL’s lowest-scor- scored 14-3 in three straight losses, in- ing team, scored twice in the opening cluding a 7-1 decision to Edmonton on period and had a 3-0 lead early in the Saturday. ICE HOCKEY second. Boxers Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, (left), and Avni Yildirim pose for photos at Hard Rock Stadium, on Feb 22, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP) Michael Hutchinson stopped 30 Arizona stormed back to tie it in the shots in a surprise start for Toronto second period with three goals in less (14-4-2). St Louis Blues’ Austin Poganski shots. The Stars lost their sixth in a row than four minutes and went ahead in and eighth of nine overall while play- Kings 3, Blues 0 (53) handles the puck while under the third on Dvorak’s second goal. pressure from Los Angeles Kings’ ing their fi rst game since Feb. 13 due to His Highness the Crown Prince In St Louis, Dustin Brown scored Anze Kopitar (11), of Slovenia, dur- the weather conditions in Dallas. Wild 6, Sharks 2 two goals and veteran Jonathan Quick ing the second period of an NHL Lightning 4, Hurricanes 2 In San Jose, California, Mats Zucca- ‘patronizes’ horse racing event stopped 31 shots for his 54th career hockey game, on Feb 22, in St rello had a goal and three assists, and shutout, lifting Los Angeles past St Louis. (AP) In Raleigh, N.C., Ondrej Palat Minnesota beat San Jose for its third snapped a tie 8:04 into the third period, KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23, Jahra equestrian club. Louis. consecutive win. Islanders 3, Sabres 2 and Tampa Bay beat Carolina. (KUNA): His Highness the Crown His Highness the Crown It was the second shutout this season Palat, Steven Stamkos and Victor It was the highest scoring game of Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Prince will be represented by for the 35-year-old Quick, who helped In Uniondale, New York, Jean- Hedman each had a goal and an assist the season for Minnesota. Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will patronize Governor of Jahra Nasser Falah the Kings win two Stanley Cup cham- Gabriel Pageau scored a tiebreaking for the Lightning, who were shut out in Victor Rask had a goal and two as- pionships in his career. sists for the Wild, who improved to 3-1 the Crown Prince horse racing Al-Hajraf who will attend the power-play goal in the third period each of their fi rst two matchups with Gabriel Vilardi added a goal for the and Semyon Varlamov made 34 saves, the Hurricanes this season. on their fi ve-game road trip. Kirill Ka- tournament held at the Sheikh Sa- race, to be held at 4:00 pm lo- Kings, who scored in each period and leading the Islanders over last-place prizov, Marcus Foligno, Ian Cole and bah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah track in cal-time. extended their winning streak to fi ve Buffalo. Golden Knights 3, Avalanche 0 Jonas Brodin also scored, and Kaapo games. The Islanders beat the Sabres for the In Denver, Alex Tuch scored twice Kahkonen made 31 saves. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 16 Florida Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle (3) celebrates with left wing Anthony Duclair (91) and center Carter Ver- haeghe (23) after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Monday, Feb 22, in Sunrise, Fla. Panthers beat Stars 3-1. (AP) – See Page 15 Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com

NBA Results/Standings

WASHINGTON, Feb 23, (AP): NBA results and standings on Monday. Jazz rout Hornets with Chicago 120 Houston 100 Miami 108 Oklahoma City 94 Dallas 102 Memphis 92 Utah 132 Charlotte 110 Phoenix 132 Portland 100 Washington 127 LA Lakers OT 124 Eastern Conference Western Conference Atlantic Division Southwest Division W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Philadelphia 20 11 .645 - San Antonio 16 11 .593 - Brooklyn 20 12 .625 -1/2 Dallas 14 15 .483 3 Toronto 16 15 .516 4 Memphis 13 14 .481 3 Boston 15 15 .500 4-1/2 New Orleans 13 17 .433 4-1/2 ‘barrage’ of 3-pointers New York 15 16 .484 5 Houston 11 18 .379 6 Southeast Division Northwest Division W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Charlotte 14 16 .467 - Utah 25 6 .806 - Miami 14 17 .452 -1/2 Portland 18 12 .600 6-1/2 Atlanta 13 17 .433 1 Denver 16 14 .533 8-1/2 Orlando 13 18 .419 1-1/2 Oklahoma City 12 19 .387 13 Washington 11 17 .393 2 Minnesota 7 24 .226 18 Central Division Pacific Division W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Milwaukee 18 13 .581 - LA Clippers 22 10 .688 - Indiana 15 14 .517 2 LA Lakers 22 10 .688 - Chicago 14 16 .467 3-1/2 Phoenix 20 10 .667 1 Cleveland 10 21 .323 8 Golden State 16 15 .516 5-1/2 Detroit 8 22 .267 9-1/2 Sacramento 12 18 .400 9

Up to 10,000 supporters could return England plans return of fans in time for EPL finale in May LONDON, Feb 23, (AP): Plans to ease England’s lockdown restric- tions will see up to 10,000 support- ers being allowed back into Pre- mier League stadiums for the fi nal day of the season in May ahead of Wembley hosting European Cham- pionship games. Some sports in England could see fans return even earlier in April, the government said, as part of pi- lots involving coronavirus testing to assess how events can take place without any social distancing from later in the year. English football authorities hope Crystal Palace’s Gary Cahill (left), two showpiece games at Wembley and Brighton’s Neal Maupay chal- - the League Cup fi nal on April 25 lenge for the ball during the Eng- and the FA Cup fi nal on May 15 - lish Premier League soccer match could be test events for the return between Brighton and Hove Albion of spectators. and Crystal Palace at the Falmer stadium in Brighton, England, Feb The government’s roadmap out 22. Palace won 2-1. (AP) – See of England’s third lockdown has Page 14 earmarked May 17 as the earliest Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton wins the tip-off against the Portland Trail Blazers’ Enes Kanter during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, day for the implementation of stage Feb 22, in Phoenix. (AP) three that would see the widescale City’s Guardiola reopening of sports venues to spec- tators. The Premier League ends on Wizards hold off Lakers for 5th straight win downplays hype May 23. LONDON, Feb 23, (AP): It’s SALT LAKE CITY, Feb 3s in the first quarter as 72% of its shot Russell Westbrook scored six of his a decade since Pep Guardiola SOCCER attempts came from behind the arc dur- 32 points in overtime for the Wizards, won the Champions League. 23, (AP): Once again, Utah ing the period. who rallied from a 17-point deficit in If that already feels an ab- Stadiums with more than 40,000 overwhelmed Charlotte with Still, the Jazz fell behind in the sec- the second half. Washington then took surdly long time for someone seats, including the home of Pre- a barrage of 3-pointers. ond quarter and trailed much of the advantage of a missed free throw by widely feted as the greatest ac- third after getting lackadaisical on LeBron James late in regulation and tive soccer manager, consider mier League leader Manchester Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz defense and committing repeated turn- went on to its first win over the Lakers that Guardiola hasn’t even City, will be allowed up to 10,000 enjoyed another record-breaking overs on offense. Charlotte finished at Staples Center since March 2017. reached the fi nal across those fans spaced out. Smaller major performance from long range with 21 fast-break points, 14 by half- James had 31 points, 13 assists and 10 years despite leading the top venues will be permitted a quarter Monday night in a 132-110 vic- time. nine rebounds for the Lakers, who teams in Spain, Germany and capacity. tory against the Hornets. Utah set Charlotte built its first double- struggled in the second half of their England in that period. The release of plans for the re- a franchise mark for 3s with 28, in- digit lead early in the third when P.J. fourth loss in five games. So, can his latest iteration at opening of sports to fans is a boost cluding 19 off the bench – the most Washington’s Montrezl Harrell had a season-high Manchester City - a relentless, to England’s role in staging seven by any team’s backups in NBA steal and slam 26 points and nine rebounds for the record-shattering team closing games at the rescheduled Euro capped a 12-1 defending NBA champions, who have history, according to STATS. lost three straight for the first time this in on another English Premier 2020 across June and July, includ- The Jazz set their previous mark for run that put the League title - end the wait? Hornets ahead season – not coincidentally during ing the semifi nals and fi nal. 3s with 26 in the first meeting between three consecutive games without An- Guardiola, at least in public, “The turnstiles of our sports sta- the teams on Feb 5. 81-70. Charlotte is trying not to get caught up in forced six turn- thony Davis and Dennis Schröder. dia will once again rotate, subject Several of Utah’s outside shots this After carrying the Lakers back into the hype. time came during a 26-2 run that erased overs during the in all cases to capacity limits de- spurt and scored the game in the fourth quarter, James Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell “It’s nothing special, noth- pending on the size of the venue,” a double-digit lead for Charlotte and made a tying layup with 9.8 seconds (45) reacts after scoring against ing different,” Guardiola said put the Jazz (25-6) firmly in control four baskets off Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. those turnovers left in regulation, but missed the ensu- the Charlotte Hornets in the sec- of the Champions League on after an uneven performance on both ond half during an NBA basketball “And we will pilot larger events us- – highlighted Booker ing free throw to put LA ahead. Tuesday, a day before City play ends through the first three quarters. The 36-year-old James played over game on Feb 22, in Salt Lake City. ing enhanced testing, with the am- Mitchell, who had 23 points and by 3-pointers on Borussia Moenchengladbach in three straight possessions from Ball, 43 minutes during the Lakers’ fourth (AP) the fi rst leg of the round of 16. bition of further easing of restric- eight assists, credited an uptick in de- tions in the next step.” Hayward and Washington. overtime game in 17 days, all of them fensive stops starting late in the third at home against teams with losing re- 25 points ended. The fi nal stage of the govern- quarter with breaking open the flood- Utah erased the deficit and went back ahead on back-to-back baskets cords. Two nights after falling behind by SOCCER ment plan, in which all legal lim- gates on offense. 31 at halftime in a 31-point loss to its on social conduct are removed Joe Ingles and Georges Niang led from Clarkson and Niang before the third quarter ended. Their buckets BASKETBALL Phoenix, the Grizzlies were down 23 Pushed repeatedly about the after 15 months of closure, is set the way from the perimeter, making in the second quarter after scoring a a career-high seven 3s apiece. Both sparked the team’s decisive 26-2 run. signifi cance of the Champions for June 21. That is a week before The Jazz opened the fourth with bas- season low for any quarter and trailing League - surely, for example, the scheduled start of Wimbledon, players finished with 21 points. Jordan Suns 132, Trail Blazers 100 26-13 after the first. Clarkson added 20. kets on five straight possessions. Con- In Phoenix, Devin Booker scored 34 it is bigger than the English which was canceled last year due to secutive 3-pointers from Mike Conley Ja Morant had 22 points and nine League Cup? - Guardiola used the pandemic. Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball points, Deandre Ayton added 19 and assists for Memphis. The NBA leaders each scored 21 points to lead the Hor- and Niang punctuated the run and gave Phoenix kept rolling with a lopsided the same old mantra, in a clear Other leading European coun- Utah a 111-92 lead. in field goal percentage coming in shot attempt to take the pressure off nets. Malik Monk added 20. Charlotte win over Portland. 39% and went 6 of 31 from 3-point tries, including France, Germany, (14-16) lost despite scoring 25 points Wizards 127, Lakers 124, OT It was the largest margin of victory both him and City. Italy and Spain, are yet to announce range (19%). “We’re going to play the off 21 Utah turnovers. In Los Angeles, Bradley Beal scored this season for the Suns, who have won plans for the return of spectators to The Jazz continuously attacked six of his 33 points on three consecu- nine of 10. Bulls 120, Rockets 100 game tomorrow like we played sports stadiums. Portland has lost two straight fol- In Houston, Coby White scored 24 the last games, and I would say from the perimeter starting from the tive possessions late in overtime, and Britain has had Europe’s dead- opening tip. They shot 29 3-pointers Washington extended its longest lowing a six-game winning streak. points and Chicago used a big third the whole season in all com- Booker had 17 points in the first quarter to pull away from short-handed petitions,” he said. “Nothing liest coronavirus outbreak, with before halftime – a club record for at- winning streak in three years to five more than 120,000 deaths, and the tempts in a half. straight with a victory over slumping quarter and 22 by halftime. He finished Houston. special. It’s a football game. It paid off at times. Utah made eight Los Angeles. 12 of 17 from the field and 8 for 8 at Zach LaVine scored 14 of Chica- Ninety minutes. government said the dates for the easing of lockdown could be post- the free throw line. go’s 46 third-quarter points, finishing “We’re going to do a good Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 21, and the Bulls outscored the game, to try to continue and poned if infections rise. with 24 points. Rockets by 20 in the period to break get a good result, and afterward But Britain has had Europe’s Mavericks 102, Grizzlies 92 open a tight game. think about West Ham (in the fastest inoculation campaign with David Nwaba had 22 points off the Premier League), Saturday, more than 17.5 million people, a In Dallas, Tim Hardaway Jr scored 20 of his 29 points while Dallas built bench to lead Houston, which has lost 12:30. That’s the target. The third of the country’s adult popula- eight straight. The Rockets had their same process mentally.” a big first-half lead without much help tion, already given the fi rst of two from Luka Doncic, and the Mavericks previous two games postponed be- It’s understandable why doses of vaccine. The government returned from a weather-induced break cause of a winter storm and subsequent Guardiola is trying to keep a aim is to give every adult a shot of with a 102-92 victory over the Mem- utility outages in the Houston area. lid on expectations, consider- vaccine by July 31. phis Grizzlies on Monday night. Wendell Carter Jr added 18 points ing the pain City have gone All venues were closed to spec- Dallas was playing for the first time with 13 rebounds for the Bulls, who through attempting to become tators as sports shut down at the in eight days after two postponements have won four of five. European champions for the start of the pandemic in March because of a wintry weather blast in Heat 108, Thunder 94 fi rst time after years of heavy Texas. Kristaps Porzingis didn’t play In Oklahoma City : Duncan Rob- spending under their Abu Dha- 2020. While it took three months for events to resume, it took longer after showing up on the injury report inson scored 22 points and made six bi ownership. Since the Span- the day of the game with back stiff- 3-pointers, leading the Miami Heat iard arrived in 2016, City have for stands to be even partly fi lled. Up to 2,000 fans were allowed ness. over Oklahoma City in the finale of been eliminated by Monaco in Doncic scored 14 of his 21 points their seven-game road trip. the last 16, Liverpool then Tot- back into some Premier League sta- after halftime in his first game since Kendrick Nunn added 20 points tenham in the quarterfi nals and diums in England in December but the soon-to-be 22-year-old became and nine assists, Bam Adebayo had then - perhaps most disappoint- all venues were shut again as coro- Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, (center), shoots as Los Ange- the first Dallas player to be voted an 19 points and 13 rebounds, and they ingly - Lyon in a one-legged navirus restrictions were tightened les Lakers center Marc Gasol, (left), defends and forward LeBron James All-Star starter in consecutive seasons. hooked up on an alley-oop dunk dur- quarterfi nal last season. later in the month due to the spread watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb 22, The Slovenian star’s franchise record ing Miami’s 15-0 run to start the fourth of new variants of COVID-19. in Los Angeles. (AP) of 14 consecutive games with at least quarter.

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