golf basketball Page 14

THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com Pages 15 & 16

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 / SHABAAN 10, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17644 16 PAGES 150 FILS Iran Guard crosshairs post McNair

Top general also target

WASHINGTON, March 22, (AP): At a virtual meeting in January to discuss the proposed restrictions, Army Maj Gen Iran has made threats against Fort Omar Jones, commander of the Military Dis- McNair, an Army post in the US trict of Washington, cited “credible and spe- capital, and against the Army’s cific” threats against military leaders who live on the Army post. The only specific security vice chief of staff, two senior US threat he offered was about a swimmer who intelligence officials said. ended up on the installation and was arrested. They said communications intercepted Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the district’s by the National Security Agency in Janu- sole representative in Congress, was skepti- ary showed that Iran’s Revolutionary cal. “When it comes to swimmers, I’m sure Guard discussed mounting “USS Cole- that must be rare. Did he know where he was? style attacks” against the Army post, re- Maybe he was just swimming and found his way to your shore?” she said. ferring to the October 2000 suicide attack Jones conceded that the swimmer was “not in which a small boat pulled up alongside a great example there, but our most recent ex- the Navy destroyer in the Yemeni port of ample” of a security breach. Aden and exploded, killing 17 sailors. He said the Army has increased patrols The intelligence also revealed threats to kill along the shoreline, erected more restricted Gen Joseph M. Martin and plans to infiltrate area signs and placed cameras to monitor the and surveil the installation, according to the Washington Channel. officials, who were not authorized to publicly Puzzled city officials and frustrated resi- discuss national security matters and spoke dents said the Army’s request for the buffer on condition of anonymity. The Army post, zone was a government overreach of public one of the oldest in the country, is Martin’s waterways. official residence. Discussions about the Fort McNair pro- The threats are one reason the Army has posal began two years ago, but the recent in- been pushing for more security around Fort telligence gathered by the NSA has prompted McNair, which sits alongside Washington’s Army officials to renew their request for the bustling newly developed Waterfront District. restrictions. In this March 19, 2021 photo, a water taxi passes in the waterway next to Fort McNair, with the Capitol seen in the background in Washington. City leaders have been fighting the Army’s Iran has made threats against Fort McNair, a US army base in Washington DC, and against the Army’s vice chief of staff, according to two The intercepted chatter was among mem- senior US intelligence officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters. (AP) plan to add a buffer zone of about 250 feet bers of the elite Quds Force of Iran’s Revolu- to 500 feet (75 meters to 150 meters) from tionary Guard and centered on potential mili- the shore of the Washington Channel, which tary options to avenge the US killing of the would limit access to as much as half the former Quds leader, Gen Qassem Soleimani, width of the busy waterway running parallel in Baghdad in January 2020, the two intelli- to the Potomac River. gence officials said. The Pentagon, National Security Council and They said Tehran’s military command- NSA either did not reply or declined to com- ers are unsatisfied with their counterattacks ment when contacted by The Associated Press. so far, specifically the results of the ballistic As District of Columbia officials have missile attack on Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq fought the enhanced security along the chan- in the days after Soleimani’s killing. No US nel, the Army has offered only vague infor- service members were killed in that strike but mation about threats to the installation. dozens suffered concussions.

Opinion The Government’s cloaks: appearance or substance?

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah prominence, which ultimately led to the Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times current situation. Therefore, the state, in order to ward IS it possible to exit from the current im- off the dangers caused by this disease, is passe that Kuwait is enduring due to the required to restore unity between it and absence of a firm decision and the inabil- the people. It must get out of the cocoon ity to confront and solve problems? of narrow interests, especially with re- The answer to this does not need much gard to issues pertaining to livelihood, thought ... all that is needed is to resort housing, economy and freedoms. It must turn back the clock to where we were be- Map shows the location of Fort McNair and surrounding area along with the proposed buffer zone. Proposed new restrictions along Fort to the country’s Constitution and all its McNair’s Southwest Waterfront would protect army housing. (AP) components that made Kuwait occupy an fore we entered the darkness of the crisis important status in the region in the 1960s in which we are currently. and 1970s and become a true democratic Unfortunately, the current crises rep- oasis. All the things that burden the citi- resent the most important factor in the zens or weaken the performance of official political investment to blackmail the gov- Day by Day bodies must be avoided. However, in case ernment, especially at the parliamentary of inability, it is necessary to resort to the level. In the absence of a government MP eyes cautious on last medicine, which is cauterization. program, these people exploit problems What we are experiencing today is the for marketing themselves, either in terms ‘General Minister’ of the housing crisis, or in economic and natural result of the continuous practices WHILE the vaccinations against since the mid-1980s, which caused a deep financial proposals that touch the nerves of Kuwaitis such as the issue of loans and “Corona” are proceeding slowly, crisis that made the citizens fear for their the pressure on people is intense, tomorrow. This happened in the absence writing them off, or the incentives, which is still a slogan echoed by ministers even and even those who have been inching toward Israel of a clear vision concerning the state’s vaccinated are asked to stay in function, after corruption became ram- though they did not present any realistic solution in that regard. homes and not go ‘out’ for a few pant and selectivity prevailed over equal- days, and if they object, the pro- By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh operation of powers. No Authority shall be allowed to ity in the application of the law. In addition, the image drawn by social waive all or part of its jurisdiction as prescribed in this media shows the regime as a monster. cedures of ‘General’ Minister of Arab Times Staff This is why all attempts to exit from Health Dr Basil Al-Sabah will be Constitution.” this impasse have failed, for instance, Even though this is not the case, the lack Article 179 says: “Law provisions shall become ap- of decisiveness and decision-making abil- applicable to them. KUWAIT CITY, March 22: MP Osama Al-Shaheen for- the financial and economic crisis because Even those who have received warded queries to 15 ministers asking about the proce- plicable only from the date of their coming into force of reliance on the opinions of a group of ity, and the inability to market the gov- and shall have no retroactive effect. In articles other than ernment and its programs have convinced the vaccine abroad and came dures they have taken to enforce law number 21/1964 on pessimists who portrayed social justice back with certificates to prove boycotting Israel. He explained his queries are in line with those stipulating punitive measures, it may be permis- as a way to appropriate public funds and a significant proportion of the citizens to fall for the smearing campaign against the that, they are ‘tossed’ into a hotel the shameful normalization of relations between some sible with the consent of the majority of members com- shrink the gains of people, as well as ex- in the Capital for two weeks. Gulf countries and the Zionist entity. He then stressed the posing the Assembly, to provide otherwise by law.” press a desire to increase their wealth, and government. All this can be summed up in an Arabic The vision is not clear, and importance of making sure that Kuwait does not fall into MPs Thamer Al-Suwait, Mehalhal Al-Mudaf, Fayez prevent even crumbs from going to those people ask: What is our fault if indirect normalization of ties through commercial, sports Al-Jomhour, Osama Al-Menawer Farz Al-Daihani, who deserve assistance. adage which translates to – “In the cloak there is a man”. The government should we received the vaccine abroad? or cultural activities with some Gulf countries. Saleh Zeiab Al-Mutairi, Mubarak Al-Hajraf, Hamad Since the inception of Kuwait four focus on addressing its essence instead We are old, and we have docu- He criticized the participation of Kuwait in Rally Rouhaldeen, Abdullah Al-Mudaf, Muhannad Al-Sayer, centuries ago, there has been a cordial of its appearance, given that all this will ments to prove we suffer from Baha in Jordan in which Israel participated. He called Muhammad Obaid Al-Rajhi, Mubarak Al-Arow, Mu- relationship between the rulers and the disappear, or else crises will follow and chronic diseases? on Kuwait Olympic Committee, Public Authority for hammad Al-Hewaila and others have agreed that since people. This relationship is free from the there will be no way out of the tunnel of … Yet, tomorrow is another Sports and sports associations to correct the errors and the two courts issued contradictory verdicts; the Assem- feelings of injustice or resentment be- crises. day. stop normalizing relations with Israel. bly should take the decision through voting. cause social justice was based on the cor- Zahed Matar Several MPs have confirmed support for former MP MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa asked Minister of Com- rect principle, which is to stand with the Email: [email protected] Badr Al-Dahoum, stressing that he still enjoys his par- merce and Industry Abdullah Essa Al-Salman about aggrieved and the oppressed, and imple- Follow me on: liamentary membership. the reasons behind the renewal of contract number 208 ment the law without favoritism or nar- This is in reaction to the decision of the National Assem- signed by the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) on the row interests or fraud. Astra at 79% bly Secretariat General to remove Al-Dahoum from the list rental of State-owned plots. All this changed when the game of LONDON, March 22, (AP): As- of MPs and members of parliamentary committees. The lawmaker said the contract was terminated on securing jobs started to turn into elec- On his Twitter account, Al-Dahoum asserted that he May 31, 2019 and it was renewed in favor of the same toral investment, and tribal and sectarian [email protected] traZeneca says advanced trial data from a U.S. study on its COVID is still a member of the Assembly as per the verdict of company as per the recommendation of PAI’s Board of vaccine shows it is 79% effective. the Cassation Court. He said the Constitutional Court’s Directors. He argued this violates the law on establish- Although AstraZeneca’s vaccine verdict violates articles 32, 50 and 179 of the Constitu- ing PAI, adding that the contract was renewed without has been authorized in more than 50 tion and the previous verdicts. the approval of relevant monitoring institutions like the countries, it has not yet been given Article 32 of the Constitution states that “crime and State Audit Bureau (SAB) and the Fatwa and Legisla- Newswatch the green light in the U.S. The U.S. punishment will be regulated by law. Criminal punish- tion Department. study comprised 30,000 volunteers, ment shall not be inflicted on the basis of ex post facto He added the contract stipulates renting out State- 20,000 of whom were given the laws.” owned plots to the company for 100 fils per year, yet vaccine while the rest got dummy Article 50 stipulates: “In conformity with the pro- the company rents out these plots to others for 100 fils KUWAIT CITY: Kuwaiti Ministry of ers, and to ensure the implementation of shots. The results were announced visions of the Constitution, the system of government per square meter a month. He argued the renewal of the Health announced the registration of the social distancing, and to visit the of- Monday. shall be established on the basis of separation and co- contract caused a huge loss for the public treasury. 1,192 new cases of COVID-19 in the past fi cial accounts of the Ministry of Health 24 hours, bringing the total number to and offi cial authorities. (KUNA) 219,125, while 11 deaths were recorded, ❑ ❑ ❑ putting the total at 1,226. The Ministry spokesperson, Dr. Ab- BEIRUT: Airstrikes on several locations dullah Al-Sanad, told Kuwait News in northwest Syria near the border with Agency (KUNA) that the number of peo- Turkey have killed at least one person and ple receiving treatment in intensive care set afi re several trucks used to distribute has reached 232 cases. There are 14,360 aid, opposition activists and a paramedic cases receiving necessary treatment. group said Monday. Al-Sanad added that the number of The late Sunday attacks angered Tur- swabs that were performed in the past 24 key, which had asked Russia to secure hours reached 7,072, raising the total to an immediate end to the strikes, Turkey’s 1,967,210 tests. Defense Ministry said, adding that Turk- He renewed the call for citizens and ish troops had been placed on alert. residents to continue adopting all preven- Turkey and Russia support rival parties tive measures, to avoid contact with oth- in Syria’s 10-year confl ict. (AP) ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 2

Weather Expected weather for the next By Night: Rather cold and part- Jahra 32 17 Prayer Timings 24 hours: ly cloudy with light variable wind Failaka Island - - Fajr ...... 04:30 Asr ...... 15:23 By Day: Rather hot with light with speeds of 06-22 km/h. Salmiyah 26 19 Sunrise .. 05:49 Maghrib .. 18:00 variable wind to light to moderate Station Max Exp Min Rec Ahmadi 25 21 Zohr ...... 11:55 Isha ...... 19:17 south easterly wind with speeds Kuwait City 29 19 Nuwaisib 28 15 of 08-28 km/h and some scat- Kuwait Airport 31 15 Wafra 31 14 tered clouds will appear. Abdaly 31 13 Salmy 31 16

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

NAPESCO climbs 15 fils, Humansoft Holding slips Kuwait market clocks modest gains as volume recedes By John Mathews Among the standouts, Kuwait Finance million shares. Jazeera Airways rose 5 fi ls ed during the session. ■ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30190/000.30190/00 Arab Times Staff House rallied 4 fi ls to 765 fi ls on back of to 686 fi ls whereas ALAFCO stood pat at In the banking sector, National Bank 7.4 million shares while Boubyan Bank 206 fi ls. Mezzan Holding inched 1 fi l in of Kuwait was unchanged at 867 fi ls after KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Kuwait stocks scaled 5 fi ls after pushing 1.9 million green. moving over 4 million shares while Gulf ▼ Euro/KD 0.3595 eked modest gains on Monday extending shares. Commercial Bank galloped 25 fi ls The market opened wobbly and fell Bank gave up 3 fi ls with a volume of 15.9 the winning spree to eighth day on the trot. to 525 fi ls with thin trading and Mabanee slightly in early trade to bottom at 5802 million. Kuwait International Bank took in ■ Yen/KD 0.0028 The All Shares Index climbed 20.87 points Co added 3 fi ls. KCPC jumped 24 fi ls to pts. The main index gained traction amid 1 fi l whereas Burgan Bank eased 1 fi l to ▼ British £/KD to 5,826.19 pts helped mostly by mid-caps 514 fi ls with a volume of over 3 million buying spurt in some of the counters to 221 fi ls. 0.4189 even as the broader sentiment remained and NAPESCO darted 15 fi ls. scale the day’s highest level of 5,843 Warba Bank rose 2 fi ls to 237 fi ls and ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0042 soggy. Zain rose 5 fils to 632 fils on back points Ahli United Bank dialed up 1 fi l with brisk The Premier Market rose 18.56 of 4.3 million shares Ooredoo tripped 1 It drifted listlessly well past the mid- trading. Ahli United Bank Kuwait scaled ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 points to 6,385.16 pts while Main Mar- fil. stc climbed 7 fils to 914 fils extend- session and dipped before briefl y before 4 fi ls whereas Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait ket scaled 27 points. The BK Main 50 ing an identical gain in the previous ses- clawing back in the fi nal minutes to close paused at 203 fi ls. sprinted 57.92 points to 4926.22 pts. The sion while logistics major Agility closed with modest gains. KIPCO was fl at at 162 fi ls and Al Imtiaz ▼ FTSE -23.57 pts at 13:50 hr, March 22 volume turnover meanwhile retreated 3 fils in green after pushing 1.2 million Top gainer of the day, Sanam Real Es- Investment inched 1 fi l higher to 112 fi ls. for the second straight session. Over 237 shares. Humansoft Holding slipped 6 fils tate rallied 20.55 pct to 39.3 fi ls and NCCI National Investment Co trimmed 1 fi l and ▼ Nikkei -617.90 pts at closing March 22 million shares changed hands – down 5.5 to KD 3.725 and Boursa Kuwait Securi- sprinted 9 percent to stand next. Al Rai KFIC added 3.8 fi ls. Noor Financial Invest- pct from the day before. ties paused at KD 1.140. YIACO skid- Media Group skidded 9.72 pct, the steep- ment and Tamdeen Investment clipped 1 fi l The sectors closed mixed. Banking ded 49 fils to 580 fils. est decliner of the day and Kuwait Real each whereas Kuwait Investment Co took ▲ Gold 1737.20 per oz (London) sector outpaced the rest with 0.54 pct National Industries Group was fl at at Estate topped the volume with 36.5 million in 1 fi l. Gulf Insurance Group dived 30 fi ls gain whereas Technology skidded 5.36 193 fi ls and Gulf Cable too did not budge shares. to 610 fi ls. ▼ NYMEX crude $61.02 per barrel percent, the worst performer of the day. from its earlier close of 864 fi ls. Boubyan Despite the day’s gains, the losers out- The market has been heading north so Volume wise, Financial Services topped Petrochemical Co took in 1 fi ls whereas Al numbered the winners. 51 stocks advanced far during the week, gaining 23 pts in last ▼ Brent crude $64.16 per barrel with over 90 million shares while Bank- Qurain Petrochemical Co gave up 6 fi ls. whereas 62 closed lower. Of the 132 coun- two sessions. It has galloped 170 points ing sector dominated in value with KD Integrated Holding Co fell 3 fi ls to 402 ters active on Monday, 19 closed fl at. 9,184 from the start of the month and is up 253 LIBOR rate 0.19688% 18.5 million. fi ls and Aznour added 1 fi l on back of 2.4 deals worth KD 41.6 million were transact- points year-to-date. ‘COVID-hit kidney patients face risk’ Death rate high: Dr Al-Otaibi

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah Staff 2nd in 3 days KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Dr Turki Al- Otaibi, President of the Kidney Associa- Maid ends her life tion, Head of the Department of Nephrology and Transplantation and Vice-President of By Munif Nayef the Arab Society for Kidney Diseases and Al-Seyassah Staff Transplantation, stresses on the importance of all kidney patients, KUWAIT CITY, March 22: A including dialysis or 31-year-old Filipino maid ended her kidney transplant pa- life by hanging herself in her spon- tients, to receive the sor’s home in Waha. Covid-19 vaccine to This is the second hanging case in reduce the chance of three days. infection and the seri- According to a security source, ousness of its compli- the Ministry of Interior’s operations cations on the health room received a notifi cation that a and safety of kidney Filipina domestic worker has com- patients. mitted suicide in the home of her Al-Otaibi said in sponsor in Waha. a press statement on Dr. Al-Otaibi Police and paramedics rushed to the occasion of World the house and referred the corpse to Kidney Day, which falls on the second Forensics. Customary police investi- Thursday of March that any side effects gations are on. of vaccination are not comparable to the ❑ ❑ ❑ Photo by Mohammad Morsi complications of Covid-19 disease and its The price of fish is from moderate to slightly high as fewer customers frequent the Souq Sharq fish market. Business is slow after the imposition ‘Book appointment’: Public Au- of curfew and it is difficult to make ends meet, some vendors say. Zubaidi, which is a delicacy among consumers is selling at KD 11 for big ones impact on the lives of patients, especially thority for Agricultural Affairs and and KD 7 for smaller ones. those with kidney disease and kidney trans- Fish Resources (PAAAFR) has an- plantation. nounced that no livestock breeder He pointed out the slogan of the World will be entertained except after ‘Contract rates low’ Kidney Day this year is ‘Living well with booking an appointment through Fire Dept gets kidney disease’, especially since the biggest the ‘Matta’ platform website, start- challenge in light of the Covid-19 pandemic ing next Sunday from 8:00 am until keys to latest is the seriousness of complications from in- 12:00 noon, reports Al-Jarida daily. Kuwait denies delay in hiring Ethiopian maids fection for kidney patients. PAAAFR spokesman, Talal Al- Al-Sour centre In this regard, Al-Otaibi referred to the re- KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Kuwait Daihani, said the elderly over 65 was not late in corresponding with sults of some scientifi c studies in the United years old and people with special KUWAIT CITY, March States, Europe and China, which showed Ethiopia regarding the labor agreement 22: Head of the Directorate- needs are not covered by this deci- and resumption of the recruitment of that the factor of “Covid-19” is high among sion since they don’t need to book an General of Fire Department dialysis patients and requires them to go domestic workers, reports Al-Qabas (DGFD) Lieutenant-General appointment. daily quoting diplomatic sources. three times to dialysis centers in addition to The PAAAFR source said this Khaled Al-Mekrad, in the monitoring the high death rate among these Speaking to the daily, sources con- presence of his Deputy for measure has been adopted as part of fi rmed Kuwait’s commitment to com- patients and kidney transplantation, is up to the preventive measures in line with the Prevention Sector, Major- 20 percent, which is very high. plete the correspondence with labor General Khaled Abdullah the instructions issued by the health exporting countries in the interest of On the other hand, Al-Otaibi pointed to authorities and the Council of Min- Fahd, honored those respon- a study carried out by the Department of isters to confront the Covid-19 pan- the public; while denying the rumor sible for preparing and issu- Nephrology at the Hamad Al-Essa Center demic. that the Kuwaiti Foreign Affairs Min- ing the safety requirements on 110 kidney transplant patients who were istry caused the delay. and fire prevention guide, infected with the “Covid-19” disease and Sources disclosed the Kuwaiti For- which contributed greatly to its results showed that the death rate among tors that threaten to increase the incidence of eign Affairs Ministry sent the required the speed of completion of them was 10 percent and is very high rate chronic kidney disease and its relationship correspondence to Addis Ababa a long transactions electronically compared to other patients and the general with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high time ago and it has been waiting for a and the development of re- population. blood pressure and heart disease. response. Sources expect Ethiopia’s quirements to keep pace with Regarding the statistics on the numbers He explained that 10 percent of the response to the correspondence on the global requirements and elec- and rates of kidney patients in the country world’s population is affected by chronic labor agreement to arrive in Kuwait tronic transformation, reports during the past year, Al-Otaibi indicated kidney disease, and that more than two soon. Al-Seyassah daily. that the efforts of kidney transplants contin- million people around the world receive In addition, the sources said the Al-Mekrad also discussed ue despite the circumstances of the Corona treatment through dialysis or kidney Ethiopian employment agencies have with the Ambassador of pandemic, as it has reached 62 transplan- transplantation. He stressed the impor- communicated with the Kuwaiti labor KUNA photo Pakistan to Kuwait Syed Saj- tation cases inside Kuwait and 35 outside tance of encouraging periodic and regular recruitment offi ces to prepare for the Chief of the General Fire Force, Lieutenant General Khaled Al-Mekrad, dur- jad Haider issues of common the country, while the number of dialysis examination for early detection of kidney recruitment of domestic workers in the ing a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait Syed Sajjad Haider. interest on firefighting and patients reached 2,300, and the service is diseases. coming period. civil protection and ways to provided to them according to the highest He praised the efforts of the Ministry of Sources affi rmed some Kuwaiti offi c- Fire chief meets Pakistan envoy enhance and develop them quality standards. Health in providing all capabilities to hos- es have carried out the required transac- between the two countries. tions to start sending their requests for the Al-Otaibi pointed out that the celebra- pitals and medical centers and supporting Chief of the Kuwait Fire Force est and ways to enhance bilateral He conveyed to him the tion of the World Kidney Day aims to in- awareness-raising efforts to prevent and recruitment of new domestic workers, in- greetings of the Minister of dicating the prices of Ethiopian contracts (KFF) Lieutenant General Khaled ties. crease awareness among the general public limit the increase in the number of patients Al-Mekrad met in his office, Sun- General Al-Mekrad conveyed Foreign Affairs and Min- of ways to prevent kidney disease, believing and the serious health complications result- are low. ister of State for Cabinet According to the statistics of the day, Pakistan’s Ambassador to to Haider the greetings of the in the importance of clarifying the risk fac- ing from that. Kuwait Syed Sajjad Haider. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Public Authority for Civil Informa- Nasser Al-Muhammad. tion (PACI), Kuwait hosts 18,306 In a press statement released Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmed by the KFF, the meeting dis- Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, The Public Authority for ‘We have competent means’ Ethiopian women who work at home. Housing Welfare (PAHW) Workers of this nationality are among cussed issues of common inter- it added. (KUNA) announced it has handed the top 10 nationalities working in over to the Directorate- ‘MoH plans antibody tests soon’ the family sector. Ethiopian domestic Union of Domestic Labor Offi ces labor sector in Ethiopia on the need General of Fire Department workers constitute 2.5 percent of the visited Ethiopia earlier and addressed to provide training for workers in ac- (DGFD) Force the keys By Marwa Al-Bahrawi that the antibody test is considered a “base- total 732,000 domestic workers in the obstacles to the recruitment of Ethio- credited centers for a period of not less to the Al-Sour Fire Cen- country. pian workers. An agreement has been than two months before sending them ter ‘Model 2012’ building, Al-Seyassah Staff line” so that after vaccination a person can know whether his body has responded to the It is worth mentioning that Kuwait reached with representatives of the to Kuwait. in the in Jaber Al-Ahmad KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Consultant vaccination or not. Residential City, Plot (3), Virologist and Assistant Professor at the She stressed that the vaccination does not, reports Al-Seyassah daily. College of Medicine at Kuwait University in any way, exempt a person from adhering Interior minister inspects work mechanism at airport The PAHW said in a press and head of the virus laboratory unit at the to the precautionary measures and health re- statement the building is the Yaqoub Behbehani Center of the Ministry quirements. KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Min- id-19, while at the same time prais- attended by the Director General first of its kind in the Jaber of Health, Dr. Haya Al-Tawalah, announced She said although antibodies are not the ister of Interior Sheikh Thamer Al- ing the efforts of security men, their of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy, Al-Ahmad residential city, that the antibody test will soon be applied in only factor that helps in immunity, it is the Ali visited the Kuwait International effi ciency and their ability to carry Major General Nasser Bursli, as it consists of two floors the Ministry of Health. factor that can measure because other axes Airport and the Saad Al-Abdullah out the tasks and duties assigned to the Assistant Director-General and a basement for parking She noted the European countries are in are diffi cult to measure since they are not at Academy for Security Sciences, re- them. for Academic Affairs, Brigadier firefighting engines, a tower the process of identifying the role of an- the laboratory level but rather at the research ports Al-Seyassah daily. The media department said Ali Al-Waheeb, the Deputy Di- and a communication room, tibodies in detecting infection with ‘Co- level. The Directorate-General of Pub- Minister Al-Ali also visited the rector-General for Administra- a mosque, a gymnasium, offi- vid-19’, but “as for us here in Kuwait, we She added, this factor is what doctors can lic Relations and Security Media Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for tive Affairs, Brigadier Ahmed cers’ room, restrooms, dormi- have tremendous capabilities to implement measure, for example if someone has a nega- tories, dining rooms, toilets, the process, and we have cooperative peo- tive result and after the vaccination tests posi- Department said during the visit Security Sciences to see the final Al-Farhan, the Deputy Director- service rooms, swimming ple.” tive, then it means that the person has respond- the minister was briefed about the preparations for the graduation General for Support Authority pool and all other facilities. She indicated that the very advanced test- ed to the vaccination, and then we determine if mechanism of work at the departure ceremony for the ‘46th’ batch of Affairs, Brigadier Muhammad The sources emphasized ing devices are in Kuwait which are compa- we reach a certain number that this person has and arrival halls and ‘customs’, as cadets from the ‘Bachelor of Po- Al-Roumi, and leaders of the keenness to serve all hous- rable to their counterparts in Europe. immunity and this number varies from person well as the examination center for lice Sciences’. Education and Training Affairs ing areas in residential cities In a press statement, Tawalah confi rmed to person, which is a common matter. the emerging coronavirus Cov- The graduation rehearsal was Sector. with all their needs. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 LOCAL 3 REMEMBER WHEN

Music and songs A stout mariner from Kuwait plays a in their tents. The sailors of Ku- wind instrument locally called “Ser- wait also had special songs and the Photograph courtesy nay”. Brought from India or Africa, rhythm was intricate and beautiful. this instrument is pleasant to hear but Some sea captains took a lute player of The Center for Re- hard to play. and singer on board to soothe the search and Studies on Elements of music and folklore spirits of the sailors. Such a player Kuwait and the work existed as part of the culture of old held a special place on Kuwait’s Kuwait. Ladies sang and danced in sailing ships and was paid a hand- of Dr Yacoub Al- wedding ceremonies. Men played some fee for his talent. (From the Hijji in the book Old- the lute and danced, and bedouins of book ‘Old Kuwait: Memories in the desert played rababah and sang Photographs’) Kuwait: Memories in Photographs fi rst Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait published in 1996.

© N.M.M. diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘We must unite to face challenges, not squabble over minor disputes’ “AS USUAL, the political leadership intervened in a timely manner to stem prestige of the law and apply it on the old and the young, not according to the interest of this good country.” the strife that was about to grow due to the referral of a number of Parliament desires and whims of people so as not to lose trust in justice, which is the basis ❑ ❑ ❑ members and prominent political and social fi gures among Kuwaitis to the of sovereignty, truth, virtue, development and all the noble values, and may Prosecution on charges of violating health requirements when they participated God protect Kuwait from all harm.” “Despite the justifi cations put forward in an attempt to convince the public in a seminar at the Badr Al-Dahoum diwaniya on the eve of the Constitutional about the usefulness of the curfew and its importance to contain the COVID-19 Court verdict was issued to revoke his membership in the National Assembly Also: pandemic even for a short period, the curfew has health implications that should where the voice of wisdom and reason prevailed, and the detainees were re- “Today, after the general atmosphere calmed down and the tension between not be taken lightly,” columnist Hind Al-Shomar wrote for Al-Anba daily. leased without guarantee after the Minister of Interior withdrew the complaint the Parliament and the state ceased, the country should benefi t from that new “We must have plans regarding such implications, foremost among which he had fi led against them with the Prosecution,” columnist Mishari Al-Ma- political atmosphere and achieve the aspirations of the homeland and citizens is the impact of the curfew on mental health and on healthy habits such as ex- traqa wrote for Al-Jarida daily. to adjust the course and achieve a better future by changing the deteriorating ercising regularly, eating healthy meals, and abstaining from smoking, and the “In fact, this issue was not wise to rise at this time conditions and creating a better atmosphere commensurate with the aspirations suspension of many health awareness campaigns and activities. when strenuous attempts are being made to bridge the of the new era in starting the comprehensive reform that the Kuwaiti people “There is no space in the health media discourse other than to talk about gap between the government and the MPs and to defuse with all its segments are hungry for,” columnist Hamed Al-Seif wrote for An- COVID-19, the vaccination, and the number of cases and deaths. The suspen- the escalating tension since the last National Assembly nahar daily. sion of the reception of non-emergency cases in hospitals has led to a lack of elections and the formation of the government, then its communication between the patients suffering from heart and chronic diseases, resignation and re-formation. “It is the last chance to form a government of specialists from the national and their doctors. “Wisdom and statesmanship should have turned a competencies dedicated to their country. It is the opportunity of a lifetime to “If we do not carefully study the repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis on the blind eye to what happened at the gathering of repre- choose the appropriate government to lead the future instead of successive gov- health aspect for heart patients and those suffering from chronic diseases, the sentatives in the presence of a number of citizens, espe- ernments in terms of choosing ministers that lack the required specializations plans and programs will decline and will be diffi cult to restore. The rates of obe- cially since the Minister of Interior agreed to hold this that delayed the progress of the country and put it on the verge of economic, sity, overweight and physical inactivity will then rise. We must properly study press conference and gave them the green light, and thus scientifi c, cultural and service bankruptcy. the COVID-19’s challenge to the programs for addressing heart and chronic it should have passed without turning it into a crisis. Al-Matraqa “Therefore, time has come to choose a cabinet in a neutral and highly techni- diseases during the periods of curfew and quarantine, and fi gure out whether “If we always demand the application of the law cal manner in its specialization and with a clear vision for the future that works the decisions are based on scientifi c justifi cations or pre-emptive precautionary above all without any discrimination, this incident needed to apply the spirit with full transparency and unimpaired powers to achieve the required real de- decisions. of law, as gatherings occur in many areas of Kuwait and on occasions held velopment, and create a civil state open to the world to benefi t from the exist- “Awareness campaigns must be intensifi ed regarding the need to engage in by officials in ministries and government institutions, and this of course is ing experiences in administration and education and to develop comprehensive physical activity regularly and choose the appropriate kind while staying at contrary to the law and causes an increase in the number of injuries from the services to serve its citizens and develop its fi nancial markets and attracting home, as well as the need to refrain from smoking and reduce the intake of corona epidemic but necessity is the reason. investments to create a site for the country as a commercial and investment sugar, salt and fats through various media so that the COVID-19 pandemic does “Therefore the gathering of MPs should have been dealt with according to center in the region. not end with us suffering from obesity and many chronic diseases. This would this logic, and the blame should be directed to them and be satisfi ed with that “Time has come to choose a specialized government that fulfi lls the aspira- constitute a burden on the state, and thus make it diffi cult for them to combat, without the escalation that occurred as everyone was aware that the govern- tions and ambitions of the people in choosing their representatives from among especially with the suspension of programs concerned with these diseases. ment would listen to the voice of reason and withdraw the complaint, but it is to the members of the National Assembly who are able to cooperate with the new “I hope that awareness campaigns will be intensifi ed to encourage people to blame for creating this crisis from the start. era in setting a clear vision for the present and future of the country in a sci- engage in regular physical activities, eat healthy foods especially vegetables, “Ministers and MPs, struggles, intrigues and stubbornness are enough. Ku- entifi c and technical high manner and they have no allegiance except to the fruits and fi ber, and avoid foods with high content of sugar, salt and fat, in order wait and Kuwaitis are now in dire need of solidarity and cooperation to face all homeland in achieving its interests and the interests of its citizens and with the to preserve the health of everyone.” the health and economic challenges and achieve the long-awaited ambitions help of activating the monitoring bodies and supporting them with men of cred- and restore the wheel of development to rotation with the need to preserve the ibility and loyalty to the homeland, it is a wish that I hope will be fulfi lled in the — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli KNG conducts 15,000 virus tests Theory test sites relocated Vehicle testing to go hi-tech ‘Take vaccine for overall safety’ KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Deputy indicating that this decision will not Director-General of the General Traf- affect the functioning of the exami- KUWAIT CITY, March 22: The National fi c Department for Education Affairs, nation departments in the six gover- Brigadier Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khaled, norates, which are operating at full Guard Bureau has called on its employees said the project to test cars and what capacity. to receive the vaccination to protect against it called ‘smart glasses’ will soon see He pointed out that the Capital the COVID-19 virus in order to ensure their the light of day, reports Al-Jarida Governorate testing department has safety and the safety of society, reports Al- daily. been moved from the driving school Al-Khaled pointed out the Educa- to its old headquarters, until an alter- Seyassah daily. tion Department has begun to apply native location is found. Associate for Administrative Support Brigadier-Gen- new modern testing using advanced He stated that the education sector eral Engineer Issam Nayef Essam said the Health Crisis technological equipment concerning of the Directorate General of Traffi c, Management Cell has been working since the beginning the theoretical and practical tests. has approached the Public Authority of the pandemic to protect the health of National Guard Al-Khaled told the daily, that the for Applied Education and Training employees, and is continuously monitoring the rate of decision to cancel exams in educa- (PAAT) to establish special courses infection and to preserve the health of National Guard tion schools was taken by the con- for driving test examiners, provided members, their families and society from the emerging cerned authorities in the state, after that lectures and materials related to Corona virus. those schools switched from the education will be determined by the He added, in order to provide the best service to the Na- government sector to the “private”, Traffi c Education Department. tional Guard employees, the Medical Services Directorate has opened the Corona examination center for the National Guard, through which more than 15,000 virus checks have been conducted for the affi liates. The ‘Support’ has urged the National Guard employees to receive the vaccine for the sake of their safety and the safety of their families and co-workers, which would con- tribute to limiting the spread of the epidemic at the state level, and indirectly help control the high rate of infections around the world. Director of the Medical Services Direc- torate, Colonel Fahd Abdullah Mayah, said since the begin- ning of the crisis, measures have been taken to create a safe A member of the Kuwait National Guard is administered the vaccine. environment for the National Guard employees by training the medical and technical personnel, providing devices and equipment to combat the virus, following up on the health Bid to ease entry of trucks status of the infected members and providing them with the necessary treatment until fully cured. Automation at customs facilities PAM ‘registers’ 4,602 grads KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Deputy the Vegetables Market in Sulaibiya Director General for Research and provided the automation of Shuaiba, KUWAIT CITY, March 22: The Director of the Guid- Investigation Affairs at Kuwait Cus- Al-Shuwaikh, the Doha ports and the ance and Employment Department at the Public Author- ity for Manpower, Amin Al-Ayoubi, revealed that the toms, Rashid Al-Baraka, told the Al- airport is completed before the end authority has registered about 4,602 graduates since the Rai daily that the automated launch of this year and the evaluation of the beginning of this year, until January 4, indicating that of the entry of trucks and goods into fi rst phase is completed. Al-Baraka the budget that was disbursed to graduates until the the country is one of the strategic pro- said that a great effort is being made March 4 was 25,530, 550 dinars, reports Al-Anba daily. jects for automating customs work to to transport foodstuffs from the Shu- Al-Ayoubi explained the authority has set up a special facilitate the entry of goods into Ku- waikh port to the vegetable shed in mechanism for registering the work request in the sector wait with ease at all ports, reports Al- Sulaibiya for inspection, to protect and has defi ned special procedures and steps for each ac- Rai daily. them from spoilage, and to facilitate tivity, indicating that 1,197 job opportunities have been The next in line for automation are their owners, provided that this is provided in the private sector since the beginning of the the Salmi and Nuwaiseeb ports and done within the next two weeks. Corona crisis from mid-March last year until now. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 LOCAL 4

HH the Amir congratulates new Tanzanian president Kuwait, China exchange greetings on 50th ’versary of diplomatic ties KUWAIT CITY, March 22, (KUNA): His Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister great success to the new leader and prosperity to Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak the Tanzanian people. Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a congratulatory cable Al-Sabah also sent similar cables. His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Monday to Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir congratu- Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplo- lated Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister matic relations between Kuwait and China. after her oath taking and assuming her constitu- Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown tional presidential power. Al-Sabah sent similar cables marking the occa- Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber His Highness the Amir expressed wishes for a sion. MoE to fill vacant posts with Kuwaitis, children of Kuwaiti women & bedouns 2,000 expatriate, Gulf teachers still stranded abroad Photo by Rizk Taufiq Dr Al-Oqab during her meeting with Dr Badr Al-Enezi, head of media at the pavilion, KUWAIT CITY, and member Haya Al-Fawzan. March 22: While the Ministry of EPS to participate in the ‘Dubai Expo’ Education has received 1,176 res- The Kuwait Environment Protection Wajdan Al-Oqab, said in a statement to Society announced it will participate in the daily the Ministry of Information’s ignation requests the “Expo Dubai”, which will be held invitation to the Kuwaiti Environment for teachers from under the title “Connecting Minds and Protection Society came in recognition the six educational Creating the Future” from October 2021 of the efforts exerted by the society in to March 2022, reports Al-Seyassah the area of information and awareness districts in various daily. and its outstanding efforts in environ- disciplines, educa- The president of the association Dr mental work in the State of Kuwait. tional sources in the public educa- tion sector told Al-Jarida daily the sector will look to fill vacant positions with Kuwaitis, chil- dren of Kuwaiti HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince with National Assembly Speaker Al-Ghanim. women married to non-Kuwaiti men, bedoun, Gulf citi- zens, and residents, reports Al-Jarida daily. However, the special- izations of those teachers who have opted to resign will be looked into before making new appointments particular- Photo by Mahmoud Jadeed KUNA photos ly those in short supply, Securitymen checking curfew permit barcode of one of the motorists during the par- Left: HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince with HH the PM Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, and (right) with Minister of especially since the num- tial curfew. Securitymen said arrested several violators of the partial curfew period. Justice Al-Roumi. ber may increase slightly by the end of the school year. Confidence returns in Gulf stock exchanges Audiences of HH the Deputy Amir The sources indicated that the ministry will work, His Highness the Deputy Amir and Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim. Moreover, he received Deputy during the coming period, Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal His Highness the Deputy Amir Prime Minister and Minister of to provide the number of Kuwaiti investors invest in Abu Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Crown Prince also received the Justice and State Minister of teachers in the specializa- received on Sunday at Seif Palace Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Integrity Enhancement Abduallah tions that it needs, especial- National Assembly Speaker Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Yousef Al-Roumi. (KUNA) ly since the start of the new Dhabi SE three months in a row scholastic year will be in KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Kuwaiti $7.68 million. September, and therefore there is ample time to investors continue to pump more of their Since the beginning of the year par- achieve sufficiency in the investments in the Abu Dhabi Stock ticularly in the last two months, the net event of a shortage of any Exchange for the third month in a row in trading value of Kuwaiti investors in specialization. conjunction with the start of the avail- the Abu Dhabi Market in purchase ability of the COVID-19 vaccine and the amounted to 79.91 million dirhams (KD Closure return of confidence in the Arab and 6.59 million) or about $ 21.7 million, Returning to the subject Gulf stock exchanges, reports Al-Anba through purchases amounting to 168.45 of resignations, the sourc- daily. million dirhams (KD 13.9 million), and es confirmed that the The net trading value of Kuwaiti operations sale amounting to 88.54 mil- annual natural rate of res- investors in the Abu Dhabi Stock lion dirhams (equivalent to KD 7.3 mil- ignations is in the range of Exchange by purchase in last February lion). 400 to 500 and more than reached about 39.23 million dirhams This coincides with the money pumped a thousand this year may (equivalent to KD 3.24 million) or about by foreigners since the beginning of the be due to the circumstanc- KD 10.68 million, through purchases year particularly during the past two es of the corona pandem- amounting to 67.46 million dirhams months, which reached KD 3.97 million ic, and the difficulty of (equivalent to KD 5.57 million) or about (equivalent to $ 13.1 million) in Kuwaiti teachers meeting with their families especially $18.37 million, and sales of 28.22 mil- shares as a net purchase of their dealings with the closure of air- lion dirhams (KD 2.33 million) or about during that period. ports, the coercive condi- tions accompanying the pandemic, the high prices Ministry to receive Mangaf wedding hall and difficult living condi- tions that may be a reason for some to leave. MoSA receives some buildings from MPW Meanwhile, as the cur- KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Assistant of Al-Masayel area after making some rent academic year Undersecretary for Planning and observations about it and furnishing it. 2020/2021 approaches its Administrative Development Affairs, and The ministry will receive this month a end, about 2,000 teachers Acting Assistant Undersecretary for wedding hall in Mangaf area, which was are still stranded in their Financial and Administrative Affairs at the established with the donation received countries waiting for a deci- Ministry of Social Affairs Abdulaziz Sari from Talal Khalifa Al-Jeri to serve the sion to either settle their dues or termination of their revealed that the ministry has received the people of Ahmadi Governorate and the sur- services. elderly diwaniya in the West Abdullah rounding areas, after it was connected to In this context, the Al-Mubarak area, reports Aljarida daily. the electricity grid. Al-Jarida daily has learned The “diwaniya for the elderly” is a build- Sari said, “Based on the Ministerial from its sources that 1,400 ing that the Public Authority for Housing Resolution No. 77/A/2014 regarding the stranded teachers are those Welfare (PAHW) has allocated to provide conditions and controls for establishing who left the country during its services to the elderly, based on Law wedding halls, the ministry, upon comple- the mid-year vacation (expa- No. 1/2016 on social care for the elderly. tion of construction and furnishing of the triate and Gulf teachers) He explained that the ministry received hall, will take over and manage it as well as who were unable to begin from the Ministry of Public Works the take care of any maintenance operations, work at the start of the sec- building of the social and community so that it is always ready to host various ond semester because the development center located in the suburb events.” entry ports remained shut to the outside world with the exceptions of Kuwaitis to Customs building set to be ready prevent the virus spreading in the country. Vacation Al-Maqsid meets Chief of Staff Since last summer vaca- tion 600 teachers are strand- ed bringing the total num- Officers in the Kuwait’s Army ber of stranded teachers working in various educa- KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Acting Institute, Brigadier-General Nasser tional specialties to 2,000. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Al-Khureinej, the Head of the Statistics Ministry of Education Education, Faisal Maqsid, held a meet- Branch, Colonel Ibrahim Al-Alaiwi, and sources said recently it had ing recently with a group of Chief of the Head of the Legal Affairs Branch of written to the Corona Staff Officers in the Kuwaiti army, the National Military Service Authority, Emergency Committee and reports Al-Seyassah daily. the Civil Service Jurist Colonel Dr Fadhel Safar. Commission to inquire Maqsid stated that the initial coordina- Customs clearance hall: The General about the mechanism to be tion meeting between the ministries of Administration of Customs (GAC) followed about the 1,400 Education and Defense to discuss the affirmed it always strives to improve its stranded teachers but has issue of (national service) and the possi- services and said its priority is to provide yet to receive a response bility of support by the Ministry of best services to citizens and residents, Education, stressing that this coordina- about those stranded last reports Al-Seyassah daily. summer vacation. tion will bear fruit in a positive way dur- The sources indicated the ing the next phase and will be followed With regard to the video circulating in Finance Department was by more meetings in the coming days social media last February showing pic- asked to stop their salaries as regarding coordination between the two tures of land customs hall in Sulaibiya of January 7, saying the ministries in a way that serves and ben- under construction and accusing the ministry was still waiting for efits the country. administration of delay, the administra- the decisions from the con- The meeting was attended by the tion made it clear the building will be cerned authorities about the ready for customs clearance within days, issue of stranded teachers, Assistant Undersecretary for Public and how to deal with them, Education, Osama Al-Sultan, the Head in cooperation with the investing com- especially since their num- of the National Military Service, pany and called on those who take to ber is big, and will affect the Brigadier-General Imad Aman, the social media to be accurate in their education process. Commander of the National Service reporting. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 LOCAL 5

Festival platform for embracing young fi lmmakers in Kuwait and the Arab world Kuwait New Film Festival incubator for youth creativity: Artists and Media Syndicate KUWAIT CITY, March 22, represents an additional platform (KUNA): The Artists and Media for embracing young filmmakers Syndicate in Kuwait announced in Kuwait and the Arab world to Sunday, the start of receiving partici- launch towards a creative world pants in the New Kuwait Film Festi- that enriches the seventh art indus- val, which will start between May 25 try in Kuwait and the Arab world to 27, considering it an incubator for and develops the vocabulary of youth creativity. dialogue and new Arab cinematic The head of the Kuwaiti Artists cooperation. He indicated that the and Media Syndicate, Dr Nabil Al- festival is the first of the demon- Failakawi, said in a press statement strations launched by the union, that the last date for receiving fi lms as a number of festivals and ar- participating in the festival competi- tistic and media initiatives will be tion will be on May 10, explaining launched in the coming period that that the festival’s presentations and consolidate the role of the union activities will be remotely online as a starting point for its creative with regards to the precautionary cadres to fly away into spaces of measures taken by the State of Ku- innovation and distinction. wait and the world to confront the For his part, the head of the fes- COVID-19 pandemic. tival, head of the cinema sector Al-Failakawi added that the in the Syndicate, artist Abdulaziz Kuwait New Cinema Festival Al-Sayegh, said that the offi cial represents one of the fruits of the competitions for the Kuwait New Dr Nabil Al-Failakawi Festival logo Artists and Media Syndicate in Cinema Festival include the short Kuwait, which includes an elite fi ctional fi lms competition, the short fi lms. Al-Sayegh emphasized that world, with an emphasis on the role events in addition to the offi cial indicated that the festival manage- group of Kuwaiti and Arab spe- documentary fi lms competition for the festival seeks to add another of youth of both genders. competition of the festival, which ment will receive the participating cialized cinema and media cadres. Kuwaiti fi lmmakers, and a special platform to the group of fi lm fes- He indicated that the festival will will also cover the latest Kuwaiti fi lms at the following address (Km- He mentioned that the festival also competition for short fi ctional Arab tivals held in Kuwait and the Arab include a number of activities and and Arab cinematic productions He [email protected]).

NPL set to peak in 2021 Banks in Middle East urged to Real estate market prices ‘minimize’ NPL consequences

DUBAI, March 22: The ongoing pandemic has resulted in Middle Eastern economies confronting exaggerated, say experts severe repercussions, with banking institutions widely expected to ex- perience companies defaulting on loans and cashfl ow problems. In Continued hike in prices have unhealthy repercussions times of economic crisis, commer- cial banks with issues surrounding KUWAIT CITY, March houses in the next fi ve years, Al-Faris Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) 22: Real estate experts have explained that it is a long period and must, however diffi cult, minimize Bid to repair environmental damage diffi cult to analyze, because real es- such impacts and secure NPL port- unanimously agreed that the tate has internal infl uences, such as the folio value, according to a new current prices in the real es- adoption of new laws, the supply and report by Arthur D. Little (ADL). tate market are exaggerated, 10% electricity in new buildings demand rate and the internal economic The report, titled ‘Non-Performing conditions. There are also external in- Loan Management: The case of and have unhealthy repercus- sions on the market, reports from renewable energy sources fl uences that affect the market, such as setting up a Workout Unit,’ pro- Philippe DeBacker the global economic crisis in 2008. vides exclusive insights into how Al-Qabas daily. banks can mitigate NPL issues and KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Di- tion among the state agencies Also: They indicated that this matter rector General of the Environ- with the aim of achieving what offers a detailed overview of how constitutes a burden on the citizens KUWAIT CITY: The Kuwait Municipal- to establish a dedicated Workout ment Public Authority (EPA) is better for the environment and ity announced the Jahra and Farwaniya who wish to obtain their dream Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmad an- public health. Unit. home, insisting that a serious Governorates issued 75 building permits “The COVID-19 pandemic nounced that a decision will be He explained that it will be al- on the fi rst day of receiving transactions has devastated economic activity stance must be taken to fi nd solu- issued soon with the cooperation lowed to request from the state for citizens who have residential plots across the globe and GCC coun- tions to limit the crazy price hikes of the Ministry of Electricity institutions concerned with these in Mutla’a and South Abdullah Al- tries have not been shielded from in the real estate market. and Water to ensure new build- projects to obtain the approval of Mubarak, reports Al-Jarida daily. these effects,” said Philippe De- The experts said they expect the rate ings in the country will cover ten EPA for any new development The Director-General of the Munici- Backer, Managing Partner, Global of increase in residential prices to con- percent of their electricity needs project to ensure the existence of pality, Ahmed Al-Manfouhi, said in Practice Leader Financial Services, tinue in the year 2021 from fi ve to ten through renewable energy sourc- the ten percent allocated to envi- a statement after receiving representa- at Arthur D. Little. “Major disrup- percent. es, reports Al-Anba daily. ronmental projects. tives of the volunteer committee for Al- tions to the hospitality, retail,F&B, In an interview, they stressed that a In a special press statement, Mutla’a city that he is happy the pro- and travel and tourism sectors will state of stagnation may occur in the re- Implementing cess of issuing building permits have al-estate sector after the month of Ram- Sheikh Abdullah explained that severely impact both companies’ this approach is being worked The authority will continue to begun which will enable the citizens to fi nancials and overall employment adan and with the third quarter period, build their homes. which may help in correcting the prices. on, with the cooperation of the work with the Kuwait Munici- levels in the GCC countries. This Nima Obbohat pality for implementing special Al-Manfouhi pointed out the con- will, in turn, hinder the ability of The Vice-President of Real-Estate Ministry of Electricity and Wa- struction process begins in less than 48 GCC banks’ corporate and retail Brokers Union Emad Haidar explained ter, to fi nd the best solutions to requirements, and building or- hours from the time of submitting the ap- ing system demonstrating ro- ders, and for activating this de- customers to repay loans and honor bustness in the face of oil price that the residential sector is currently reduce the carbon footprint of plication through the electronic platform other commitments.” and economic growth adversity, going through an exceptional phase, as Kuwait, as traditional power sta- cision. if the plans are in conformity with the As per the report’s fi ndings, the growth here is heavily dependent all residential areas are witnessing an tions are among the sectors that One of the most prominent en- Municipality’s systems and regulations. current crisis will impact banks on the oil market in any scenario increase in prices despite the general contribute to increase in the car- vironmental projects that can be It is expected the number of con- with a signifi cant degree of strain. and susceptible to economic and economic situation of the country. Oth- bon footprint in the country. undertaken within the develop- struction permits to be issued by the er real estate sectors are being affected ment projects is the increase in Municipality to reach about 12,000 dur- While banking sector problems in geopolitical trends. In 2021, it is Switching the 2007 fi nancial crisis resulted expected that lower interest rates, by a decline in circulation and prices, the green areas and the orienta- ing the next phase. in liquidity problems in the over- hindered growth, and higher risks “otherwise we fi nd the residential real This approach comes in the tion to alternative energies like ❑ ❑ ❑ all economy, the current dilemma will collectively increase pressure estate sector to be active and witnessing context of working on switching solar such as photovoltaic, ther- an increase in circulation”. Egypt and Kuwait intend to create has already been unequivocally on Saudi banks’ profi tability. Al- to new means and new stations mal and wind energy through defi ned as a ‘real’ economic crisis. He indicated that the prices in the a joint venture that will initially pump though institutions can navigate for renewable energy that con- the establishment of wind power nearly fi ve billion Egyptian pounds The severe GDP declines following residential sector are exaggerated, add- these issues and maintain a return ing that, “today everyone is complain- tribute to repairing environmen- stations that increase air quality ($318 million) into the construction pandemic-inducted lockdowns will on average assets of approximately tal damage. and reduce emissions from tradi- and real estate sectors in Egypt, reports have a devastating effect on com- ing, and blaming the offi cials as well as 1.2 per cent in due course, careful the speculators and traders”. He said, “The Shagaya Power tional power stations by reduc- Zawya. panies and retail customers’ credit- management of NPLs will be es- Station is one of the most suc- ing pressure on them. The new venture, to be named “Mo- worthiness, something that directly sential. Housing cessful experiences in the coun- Sheikh Abdullah said, “The don” (cities) will be announced in the affects players in countries across “So far, we do see a rather small Haidar went on to explain that the try, and there is hope to imple- authority is working with all next few days by the Egyptian-Kuwaiti the Middle East. uptake in NPL numbers at major housing sector is currently coherent Company (EKC), which will own the “Looking ahead, it’s inevitable fi nancial institutions and the na- ment similar projects in the near government and private agen- and the fate of the properties cannot be future.” cies in the country to raise new venture. that NPL fi gures will rise quite tional level for all GCC countries,” predicted after fi ve years. However, the “This company will invest 5 billion substantially in the next year or revealed De Backer. “We believe In a related context, Sheikh awareness on the environmen- readings indicate that the market share Abdullah Al-Ahmad revealed tal issue in the country. Any pounds in the fi rst stage … we are also two” explained Nima Obbohat, GCC banks became much more is up and the curve is upward until the considering increasing investments to Partner, Global Head of Banking, adept in handling NPL situations that the Board of Directors of project that takes place in the price reaches the ceiling. Each area has EPA approved the allocation of country must have studies on its 10 billion pounds ($636 million), EKC Arthur D. Little. “Given the impli- after the previous crisis, improving a higher price ceiling, and every rise has Chairman Talaat Georges said, quoted cations of rising NPLs on profi ta- their capital position considerably. a fall. There is an ongoing price correc- ten percent of the areas of de- environmental impact through on Wednesday by Al-Wafd and other bility and capital position of banks However, we are also of the view tion process, which is a real estate cycle velopment projects for the es- which scientifi c solutions can Egyptian newspapers. it’s crucial to be well prepared and that a major uptake of the NPL lev- that takes its time. tablishment of environmental be developed to deal with waste He said the new venture would invest make the necessary adjustments els across the region is not prevent- In this regard, the founder and gen- projects in order to contribute and manage energy use in build- in real estate, construction and manu- ahead of time” able. GCC banks should, with this eral manager of Al-Faris Real-Estate to reducing emissions resulting ings in a manner that contrib- facture of building materials, adding Challenging Regional Outlook in mind, have a strategy ready to Company Yousef Al-Faris explained from these projects. utes to reducing emissions and that its activities would be concentrated The turbulent fi nancial climate go as soon as possible to manage that the residential real estate prices He said this decision comes positively affects the public in the New Administrative Capital from a regional perspective has their balance sheets through 2023.” in 2019 were gradually escalating and within the framework of integra- health in the country.” and El-Alamein. been reaffi rmed by S&P Global’s Strategic Non-Performing were not exaggerated. The rise was jus- The company will start with the 2021 Banking Outlook, which de- Loan Options tifi ed until the beginning of 2020. construction of three residential com- tails why current events and those ADL has identifi ed three strate- However, the turning point was the as a result of the huge hikes during the estate evaluator and the need to monitor pounds and a number of skyscrapers, that will transpire in the near fu- gic options for regional banks to start of the COVID-19 pandemic and last period. The market will witness the market continuously. its general manager Famm Najeh said. ture represent the most challeng- explore when dealing with large the associated repercussions represent- a recession phase after the month of The continued rise in prices in the The fi rm’s commercial manager ing test for banks in over a decade. NPL portfolios. Despite differing ed in the global situation, lockdown, Ramadan and during the third quarter sector for a long time is an unhealthy Osama Tariq said it would be formally In terms of the UAE, a slowing in terms of resources required, and the accumulation of housing de- of this year. factor, as the reasons for the continuous launched in the next few days and that economy will weaken banks’ as- each is a viable option: mands during the lockdown period im- Refl ecting on the valuation of resi- rise lie in the lack of land, and specula- the event would be attended by share- set quality and profi tability. With 1. Continue business as usual: posed by the government, as well as the dential lands and the rise in house prices tions as well as the increase in the trend holders and diplomats from both coun- the national economy expected to Institutions can abide by pre-crisis low interest rate and the increase in the on the real estate market, Al-Faris said, towards private housing, which has be- tries. contract by approximately 8.5 per processes and practices, keeping borrowing ceiling. All these factors led “The evaluation is one of the impor- come limited to certain areas, making “The company will invest 3 billion cent in 2020, a mild recovery in NPLs on balance sheets and fol- to the housing sector movement signifi - tant elements in the real-estate market the rate of demand higher than supply”. pounds ($191 million) in a huge hous- 2021 is the most likely outcome . lowing traditional methods when cantly during the last period. prices, so we always recommend the Regarding his expectations of the ing project in the new administrative Although regulatory forbearance dealing with delinquent loans. There will be a corrective price slide accuracy of the evaluation with the real price trends of residential lands and capital in the fi rst year,” he added. measures delay the recognition of 2. Set up a workout unit: As an problems, assets-quality indicators independent body closely aligned will be affected by a less resilient with the risk departments and com- ‘Man on a mission’ macroeconomic environment and mercial banking units, such a de- continued correction in the real partment will be tasked with miti- estate sector. Moreover, the relaxa- gating undesirable operational and tion of certain prudential require- fi nancial NPL portfolio impacts. ‘The Guest Show’ welcomes ments carries risks for the national 3. Create a bad bank: This en- banking sector. tails segregating NPLs operation- “From a UAE standpoint, the ally, fi nancially, and legally. ADL HE Ambassador Sibi George impact of COVID-19 on SME’s details the benefi ts of all three op- compounded by the current low oil tions in the report, elaborating on prices and the economic slowdown their effectiveness in particular KUWAIT CITY, March 22: On Switzerland, Liechtenstein and will drive problem loan increases situations. Thursday, The Guest Show on the Holy See. and a rise in associated risks,” “It is crucial that banks confront Radio Kuwait welcomes its fi rst Ambassador Sibi George is continued DeBacker. “Besides today’s reality directly and make male guest – HE Sibi George, a man on a mission. He took real estate, other industries are also a well-informed decision on the Ambassador of India. Ambassa- charge at a tough time when witnessing substantial revenue de- strategy they wish to pursue,” con- dor Sibi George is a career diplo- the pandemic was raging, and clines. This damages credit qual- cluded Obbohat. “Because every ity and nonperforming loans will, bank will experience fi nancial and mat who received the S.K. Singh thousands of Indians were leav- most probably, reach a record high operational situations stemming Award for Excellence In Indian ing Kuwait. He has been on an in this particular crisis. Although from higher NPL volumes, the Foreign Service while serving as overdrive since with his active most banks are expected to remain issue is very time-sensitive. Mid- Deputy Chief of Mission in Ri- outreach both with the commu- profi table and government support dle Eastern banks are required to yadh. The Middle East is close nity and the locals. On The Guest to the banking sector is likely, as- choose a strategy, build their ca- to the Ambassador’s heart. One Show, he chats with Chaitali B. set quality will deteriorate and pabilities, and ensure resources are reason for this is his several post- Roy about his journey as a dip- bank profi tability will remain low . in place ahead of schedule. Those Therefore, minimizing impacts and that do so while adhering to these ings in the region. He began his lomat, the challenges of his early securing NPL value is essential.” best practices will be better posi- diplomatic career in Cairo, and days in Kuwait, the reforms and With regards to the KSA, the tioned to emerge from this crisis, served in Qatar, Pakistan, Iran initiatives he is undertaking economy was projected to con- with quicker recovery periods and and Saudi Arabia. His postings to streamline services and the tract by around 4.5 per cent last better access to capital if and when also include Washington DC. critical collaboration between year . Despite the country’s bank- required.” Before Kuwait, HE Sibi George Kuwait and India in their fi ght The Guest Show poster was Ambassador of India to against coronavirus. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 LOCAL 6

‘Post Covid-10 Living - Implication on Architectural Design‘ French Business Council-Kuwait, The Harvard Club organise joint webinar By Chaitali B Roy - that identity has to be worked on.” Special to the Arab Times Nasser Abulhasan spoke of fl exibil- ity, adaptability and sustainability in KUWAIT CITY, March 22: The living space while fi tting in typical hu- French Business Council-Kuwait man needs. “A comfortable living en- and The Harvard Club of Kuwait vironment should live within nature,” organised a joint webinar on ‘Post he said. “By 2030, all new buildings Covid-10 Living - Implication on must operate at net zero to meet our Architectural Design ‘ on March climate change targets. As designers, 16. The COVID-19 pandemic is it is our responsibility to ensure that bringing about changes that will our buildings reach these objectives cause a substantial shift in our way and provide a healthy future for their of living. A panel of experts com- inhabitants and the environment. “He prising Joaquin Perez Goicoechea spoke of introducing concepts like nat- and Nasser Abulhasan, both Princi- Joaquin Perez Goicoechea Nasser Abulhasan Sheikh Sabah Al Sabah - Harvard Club, Kuwait ural cooling, solar shading, insulation, pal and Founding Partners of AGI building orientation and ventilation in Architects, an architecture and de- the French Business Council, Ku- mate spaces that help isolated living said, “What has been key, especially possibility of transforming spaces design. “It is not only important to sign fi rm based in Madrid and Ku- wait, expressed his gratitude to Anne without impairing mental health. in the pandemic, is the need for col- into something positive. You have have as much green spaces around in wait, shared their thoughts on Post Claire Legendre, the Ambassador of Goicoechea spoke of the need for laboration at all levels. Collaboration experience with fast transformation. an urban setting, but to ensure ways Covid-19 living and its impact on France to Kuwait and spoke briefl y a sustainable and adaptable living that hastened the vaccine –we need to see You can show the rest of the world to control the urban environment and architectural design. They provided of the work of the Council. transforms itself with time in response the same collaboration in the urban how to reconnect with nature.” to ensure that nature is a part of the insights on the upcoming new prac- Covid-19 has had an immediate to changing situations, promoting space.” Collaboration, although chal- Joaquin Perez Goicoechea high- living environment.” Elements like tices in architectural design. and tangible effect on urban life. healthy living and has its own unique lenging, is a necessity to provide a lighted the need for green cities. integrating shared space and viewing The webinar marked the fi rst It has completely transformed the identity. He approached the project on new vision, a new concept of living, “Now, it has become more important them as an extension of one’s dwell- event of the series held jointly be- daily experience of city living. Edu- three scales: the urban, the organism he said. to understand how to create a natu- ing are essential. Nasser Abulhasan tween the French Business Council cational Institutions are closed, and and the cell. He highlighted the need ral landscape within the city. In the also spoke of cities having multiple of Kuwait and the Harvard Associa- people’s relationship with work has for sustainability and the need for the Urbanism past one year, a lot of people have fi lters and spaces transforming during tion. The collaboration aims to bring completely transformed. Millions built environment to coexist with na- While referring to the urban scale, been talking about leaving the city a pandemic with new protocol areas to lively debate based on fresh ideas are working from home, raising fur- ture, benefi t from it, and protect it. Goicoechea mentioned the need for and going back to the countryside, create a more secure space within the and new perspectives. In his opening ther questions about the future of Referring to the SDGs introduced by new urbanism in Gulf states, which but for us, that will not happen as the dwelling. remarks, Sheikh Sabah Al Sabah, housing design. Health, safety, envi- the United Nations in 2015 concern- addresses new transportation meth- city is still the centre of effi ciency.” The webinar drew attention to the President of Kuwait Harvard Club ronment and comfort are some of the ing Sustainable Cities and Communi- ods, promotes pedestrian movement, But he also spoke of the need for a need to build a safe environment remarked, “The pandemic has forced main features of residential build- ties, he said that the concepts were al- effi cient consumption, and provides change of vision. “We have to bring ensuring contact with family and us to scrutinise every detail we fi nd ings that have been tested during ready there in the UN plan, which for fl exible living options for all users. the natural ecosystem back into the friends - an element human beings ourselves in. The term multipurpose the lockdown. There is a signifi cant the fi rst time addressed environmental He said the Gulf States have seen city. We have to transform technol- have been deprived of in the pan- room has taken on a new meaning in transformation toward sustainability. issues and the relationship between high urbanisation standards, high liv- ogy into something that will help us demic, the need to gain effi ciency, this era. It never rang quite as true It is expected that residential build- human being and nature. “The project ing standards, and industrialisation, connect to our roots to produce other the urgent need to protect the natural as it does today.” Flexible living, he ings should provide specifi c health shows us the complexity of that inter- which has placed the surrounding types of energy and a healthier way habitat, stop the expansion of land, said, is the way forward. On behalf and safety protective measures such action and relationship. How can we, ecosystems under tremendous pres- of living. In the Gulf, for instance, it use technology to respond to nature of the French Business Council of as new touchless technologies, better as human beings, address all that?” sure. “In the Gulf, you have already is important to reconnect with the and achieve an integration of the in- Kuwait, Firas Oggar, President of air quality, greener and more inti- Urging the need for collaborations, he created joyous spaces that show more desert ecosystem and the waterfront ternal and external world. Kuwaiti-Chinese relations taking steady steps towards strong ties Historical, deep friendship at all levels: Hayat

KUWAIT CITY, March leaderships of the two countries was of Quanzhou and Shanghai and Hong established, and senior officials Kong Special Administrative Region. 22, (KUNA): Kuwaiti Am- exchanged many official visits at the He pointed out that there is an “impor- bassador to China Samih highest levels, which culminated in tant and vital” Kuwaiti representation Jawhar Hayat confi rmed many important results and achieve- in China, including the Kuwaiti Monday, that Kuwaiti-Chi- ments in the areas of bilateral coop- Military Office, the Kuwait Petroleum eration. Corporation Representative Office in nese relations are continu- He explained that the march of Beijing, the Kuwaiti Investment ously escalating and are Kuwaiti-Chinese relations witnessed Office in Shanghai, and the Kuwait taking steady steps towards the opening of wide horizons towards News Agency (KUNA) office in enhancing the development and con- Beijing. strengthening the desired struction process in the two countries He added that the existing strategic strategic partnership in KUNA photo and enabling their leaderships and relations between the two friendly many fi elds and levels. Kuwaiti Ambassador to China governments to achieve achieve- countries witnessed great coopera- ments based on strong and stable tion in many different fields, espe- In a statement to Kuwait News Samih Jawhar Hayat. Agency (KUNA), Ambassador bilateral relations based on mutual cially during the emerging COVID- Hayat said, on the occasion of the relations between the two countries respect, equality, increasing mutual 19 pandemic, stressing that there are 50th anniversary of the establish- is a new stage in the development of benefit, and other high-level interna- other great potentials for cooperation ment of diplomatic relations be- bilateral relations, as the 22nd of tional rules and practices. and coordination between the two Ambassador Hayat said, “In the countries more closely to create tween the two countries, which March 1971 is the official date for the establishment of Kuwaiti- past four years, bilateral relations opportunities in various fields. KUNA photos falls on the 22nd of March each Chinese diplomatic relations, but the between the two countries have devel- Ambassador Hayat appreciated the year, “These bilateral relations are relations between the two countries oped in various fields, as Kuwait has efforts of the Chinese leaders and Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah receiving envoys. characterized by a high spirit of re- are much older than this date. in China the largest diplomatic pres- officials aimed at promoting those sponsibility and historical and deep He pointed to the passage of more ence in the world, represented by four relations and elevating them to wider Minister receives envoys friendship at all levels.” than five decades since the establish- diplomatic missions that include the heights and making the bilateral dia- He added that the 50th anniversary ment of these relations, in which the embassy in the capital Beijing and logue between the two countries Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Thang. He also received in his of the establishment of diplomatic traditional friendship between the three general consulates in the cities more “smooth and comfortable”. Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah re- offi ce at Seif Palace this morn- ceived in his offi ce at Seif Palace ing, the Ambassador of the Re- on Sunday the Ambassador of public of Greece to the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Kuwait, Konstantinos Peregios. to the State of Kuwait Ngo Tuan (KUNA) ‘Insolvency, stress testing’ IBS releases study about fi nancial safety nets for Islamic institutions KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Prof. a Central Shari’ah Board in Sep- Yaqoub S.Y. Alrefaei, Director 2020. This is despite the multiplicity General of Institute of Banking of global fi nancial crises that have Studies, has announced about con- caused distress and insolvency of ducting a new research study by many fi nancial institutions, which the Institute of Banking Studies made the regulatory and supervisory through consultancy and research authorities of fi nancial institutions, KUNA photos department entitled “Develop the including the Islamic fi nancial in- KRCS celebrates Mother’s Day Formal Protection Frameworks dustry reconsider the necessity of the and distributing aid to students. and the Insolvency and Liquida- fi nancial stability and the develop- tion Systems for the Islamic Fi- ment of protection frameworks for nancial Institutions” conducted by fi nancial institutions. KRCS marks Mysara Abdelwahab Biuomy. The The study has concluded with a study discusses the current situa- proposed model for developing ef- tion of the financial safety nets in fective fi nancial insolvency and liq- Mother’s Day the Islamic financial industry. As uidation systems for Islamic fi nan- well as, the study has elaborated cial institutions, and some specifi c By Arwa Al-Waqian the main issues of insolvency and recommendations related to such is- KUWAIT CITY, March 22, (KUNA): stress testing for Islamic financial sues of the Islamic fi nancial industry The Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society institutions, along with analyzing in the State of Kuwait. Finally, the celebrated Mother’s Day in recogni- some insolvent cases in the Kuwaiti institute emphasized the importance tion of its achievements and recogni- Islamic financial market. of these topics of Islamic fi nancial tion of its dedication to the upbring- The study has mainly conducted studies, in order to keep pace with ing and education of children and to be in line with the signifi cant the development of Islamic fi nance the preservation of family bonding. growth of Islamic fi nancial industry in Kuwait. The Director of the Society’s Local in Kuwait where the Central Bank For the full study, please visit Aid Department, Maryam Al-Adsani, of Kuwait has recently established website: www.kibs.edu.kw confi rmed in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Monday, the association’s keenness to draw a smile on the faces of families, share Mother’s Day celebrations and pro- vide assistance to them by distributing gifts and food baskets. Al-Adsani said that the celebration of Mother’s Day aims to value wom- en and make them feel proud in what they do as a mother and as a worker in society. With regard to students from needy families, she stated that the asso- ciation is keen to help this group, indi- cating that it has distributed 100 iPads to them to continue their education. She indicated the association’s keenness to support the members of these families and to continue to pro- vide them with possible assistance in an effort to support them and help them endure their living conditions through a series of different projects and programs. Dr Yaqoub S.Y. Alrefaei, Director General of Institute of Banking Studies ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

Myanmar

EU to target 11 offi cials Army uproots over 8K ethnic Karen villagers

BANGKOK, March 22, (AP): In the jungles of southeast My- anmar, the army was shooting and otherwise oppressing civil- ians long before last month’s military coup. This largely unseen repression continues even now. In the country’s remote southeast, an army offensive has driven as many as 8,000 ethnic Karen people to fl ee their homes in what aid groups say is the worst upheaval there for nearly 10 years. They’re now living in the jungle, with fears growing for their health and security, and no prospect of an early return. This crisis in the borderlands has been overshadowed by the deadly crackdown on the mass movement protesting the military’s takeover of power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. But it also is a reminder of the brutal force Myanmar’s army has long used against civilians, and in particular the country’s ethnic minori- ties. The Karen National Union, the lead- ing political body for the Karen, for now is shouldering all of the displaced people’s basic needs for food, shelter and security. But in the long run, that will be a challenge for the group, said Padoh Saw Taw Nee, head of the KNU’s for- eign affairs department, in an email in- Suu Kyi terview. “Therefore the international com- munity should reach out with humanitarian assistance to these people who are in need as soon as possible,” he said. The Karen are among more than a dozen ethnic groups that have been seeking greater autonomy from the central govern- ment since Myanmar, then known as Burma, became inde- pendent from Britain in 1948. At times the ethnic groups’ guerrilla forces have engaged in full-on armed confl ict with the government; in recent years, many have reached an uneasy cease-fi re. Their talks with Suu Kyi’s government failed to reach a comprehensive political resolution before it was deposed by the coup. The army, meanwhile, has aggressively expanded its reach in at least two districts in Karen state since 2017, building new bases and roads to try to dominate an area that doesn’t want Santiago Lopez Paz, 3, a migrant from Honduras, stands in a respite center ity of the problem Tuesday but insisted it’s under control and said he won’t revive it there. hosted by a humanitarian group after he and his family were released from US a Trump-era practice of immediately expelling teens and children. An offi cial Customs and Border Protection custody, Saturday, March 20, in Brownsville, says US authorities encountered nearly double the number children traveling Relief Texas. A surge of migrants on the Southwest border has the Biden administra- alone across the Mexican border in one day this week than on an average day In the last few months, troop numbers and activity have tion on the defensive. The head of Homeland Security acknowledged the sever- last month. (AP) scaled up dramatically, according to relief organizations ac- tive there. The Karen’s own armed force, the Karen National Libera- tion Army, has fought back. In retaliation, the army has in- America creased its attacks and shelled surrounding villages. Relief agencies say the 8,000 or so people who abandoned their homes for the privations of the jungle are safe and are adapting as well as they can, building bamboo shelters and WH aims to prevent migrants from swamping agenda holding school classes in the open. But no one knows when they can return or whether their vil- lages will still be standing when they do. Meanwhile, the fi elds where their crops would grow are untended, threatening food Biden plans to visit US-Mexico border supplies later in the year. A humanitarian group, the Free Burma Rangers, has been WASHINGTON, March 22, (AP): The situation. Career immigration offi cials Michael McCaul, R-Texas. “They have bringing in aid since the attacks began and documenting the Biden administration is scrambling to had warned there could be a surge after created a humanitarian crisis down here Karens’ plight. The group was formed in the late 1990s dur- manage a growing humanitarian and the November election and the news at this border that you have seen now. ing intense attacks that displaced more than 100,000 Karen political challenge at the US-Mexico that Trump’s hard-line policies were And the reason why they are coming is people. border that threatens to overshadow its being reversed. because he says words do matter, and Its founder and director, Dave Eubank, is a former member ambitious legislative agenda. In the fi rst days of his term, Biden they do. The messaging is that if you of the US Special Forces who combines evangelical activities With the number of migrants surg- acted to undo some of Trump’s meas- want to come, you can stay.” with well-disciplined forays by Karen volunteers to deliver In this Sunday, March 7, 2021 fi le ing, administration offi cials say Biden ures, a rollback interpreted by some as The administration also has been medical aid to villagers. photo, people walk past an election inherited an untenable situation that a signal to travel to the United States. pressed as to why it will not allow me- In a recent interview with The Associated Press via satel- poster featuring opposition presiden- resulted from what they say was Presi- While the new administration was dia to see the facilities at the border. lite phone from the affected area, Eubank spoke of what the tial candidate Guy Brice Parfait Kole- dent Donald Trump’s undermining and working on immigration legislation to Mayorkas said the government was displaced Karen desperately need. las, in downtown Brazzaville, Congo. Kolelas, who was hospitalized with weakening of the immigration system. address long-term problems, it didn’t “working on providing access so that He said that stopping attacks by Myanmar troops — “secu- COVID-19 complications on elec- But as Congress pivots to immigra- have an on-the-ground plan to manage individuals will be able to see what the rity and survival” — is the top priority. tion day, has died, a spokesman said tion legislation, stories of unaccom- a surge of migrants. conditions in a Border Patrol station Food comes next. “As they get displaced they’ve got to eat,” Monday, March 22. The 61-year-old panied minors and families trying to “We have seen large numbers of are like.” he said. “They can’t go back and start their crops. They can’t politician was last seen in a video cross the border and seek asylum and migration in the past. We know how But Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., told prepare for the next fi elds, they can’t look after the animals,” circulating Saturday on social media of overwhelmed border facilities have to address it. We have a plan. We are “Fox News Sunday” that “it’s rich that he said. in which he told supporters he was begun to dominate the headlines, dis- executing on our plan and we will suc- Secretary Mayorkas won’t let press Medical care and shelter are also essential, Eubank said. ‘fi ghting death.’ Aides later said he tracting from the White House’s ef- ceed,” Mayorkas said. But, he added, travel with him to the border, but he In 2012, the Karen National Union signed a cease-fi re with was fl own to France for further treat- forts to promote the recently passed “it takes time” and is “especially chal- will come on your Sunday morning the government, which it hoped would end decades of military ment. Spokesman Justin Nzoloufoua $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. lenging and diffi cult now” because of show and peddle the same kind of non- aggression. But Myanmar’s army has repeatedly breached it. confi rmed his death Monday to The Biden told reporters Sunday at the the Trump administration’s moves. sense that has created the Biden border This is the worst breach yet, aid groups say. Associated Press. (AP) White House that “at some point” he “So we are rebuilding the system as crisis in the fi rst place.” Hsa Moo from the Karen Environmental and Social Action would go to the border and that he we address the needs of vulnerable Since Biden’s inauguration on Jan. Network has just returned from the affected area. A former knows what is going on in the border children who arrived at our borders.” 20, the US has seen a dramatic spike refugee herself, she says it’s heartbreaking. facilities. in the number of people encountered “This is not a good time for us. This is after the cease-fi re; “A lot more, we are in the process Capacity by border offi cials. There were 18,945 but we thought the cease-fi re can help them, but actually not. of doing it now, including making sure Biden offi cials have done away family members and 9,297 unaccom- So they have to fl ee and they have to hide, so it is very diffi cult we re-establish what existed before, with the “kids in cages” imagery that panied children encountered in Febru- for them to hide in the jungle,” she said. which was they can stay in place and defi ned the Trump family separation ary — an increase of 168% and 63%, The Karen long ago learned the brutal nature of the mili- make their case from their home coun- policy — though Trump used facilities respectively, from the month before, tary, independent analyst David Mathieson told The Associ- tries,” Biden said upon returning from built during the Obama administration according to the Pew Research Center. ated Press. a weekend at Camp David. — but have struggled with creating the That creates an enormous logistical “What’s interesting about Karen state is a lot of people there The White House dispatched Home- needed capacity to deal with the surge. challenge because children, in particu- see the fi ghting and now the coup and the civil disobedience land Security Secretary Alejandro Unaccompanied children and teenag- lar, require higher standards of care movement as intricately linked,” he said. “It’s like ‘Look, Mayorkas to four Sunday news shows ers in Customs and Border Protection and coordination across agencies. we’ve been telling you for years that the enemy is the mili- Berejiklian Reed in an effort to stress that it was work- custody must be transferred to the care Among the reasons for the surge: tary.’” ing to get things under control. of Health and Human Services within thousands of Central American mi- “For all those people who wanted to accommodate the mili- “Our message has been straightfor- three days, although the minors com- grants already stuck at the border for tary, when you live in these areas of ongoing armed confl ict In Brief ward — the border is closed,” Mayor- ing now are being held for days longer months and the persistent scourge of you know exactly who you are dealing with and you know that kas said. “We are expelling families. than that. gang violence affl icting Northern Tri- you can’t trust them,” he explained. We are expelling single adults. And Offi cials are trying to build up ca- angle countries — Guatemala, Hondu- US Rep Reed retiring: US Rep Tom we’ve made a decision that we will not pacity to care for some 14,000 mi- ras and El Salvador. Actions Reed, a Republican from western New expel young, vulnerable children.” grants now in federal custody — and Still, the encounters of both unac- The lesson he takes from the army’s actions in the cities and York who was accused last week of rubbing The White House has steadfastly more likely on the way. Critics say the companied minors and families are in the hinterlands: “This is the military trying to subjugate the a female lobbyist’s back and unhooking her refused to call the situation a “crisis,” administration should have been better lower than they were at various points entire country once again.” bra without her consent in 2017, apologized leading to a Washington battle over prepared. during the Trump administration, in- to the woman on Sunday and announced the appropriate description of the tense “I haven’t seen a plan,” said Rep. cluding in spring 2019. Meanwhile, health care workers marched through My- that he will not run for reelection next year. anmar’s second-biggest city Sunday as part of a broad civil Reed, 49, said in a statement that the in- disobedience movement against last month’s coup. While their cident involving then-lobbyist Nicolette Da- protest was left alone, security forces used violence elsewhere vis occurred “at a time in my life in which weakened foundations for buildings, for New South Wales Premier Gladys Bere- their presence was a “provocative action of and shot dead at least one person. I was struggling.” He said he entered treat- roads and trees, they all create risk, as do jiklian said up to 38 parts of the state had militarizing the area.” About 100 doctors, nurses, medical students and pharma- ment that year and realized he was “power- downed power lines and rising water levels.” been declared natural disaster areas. (AP) “We call on the Chinese to stop this incur- cists, wearing long white coats, lined up on a main road in less over alcohol.” A year ago, vast swathes of New South ❑ ❑ ❑ sion and immediately recall these boats vio- Mandalay to chant slogans and voice their opposition to the Reed apologized to his wife and chil- Wales had been charred by unprecedented lating our maritime rights and encroaching Feb. 1 coup that toppled the elected civilian government of dren, and to Davis, and said he planned “to wildfi res following years of drought that ‘Leave reef’ – Defense chief: The into our sovereign territory,” Defense Sec- dedicate my time and attention to making gripped most of the state. Philippine defense chief on Sunday de- retary Delfi n Lorenzana said in a statement, Aung San Suu Kyi. adding without elaborating that the Philip- Mandalay has been a major center of opposition to the take- amends for my past actions.” Some of the same areas were now being manded more than 200 Chinese vessels he Reed, who was fi rst elected to Congress by inundated by one-in-50-year and one-in- said were manned by militias leave a South pines would uphold its sovereign rights. over, and later in the day engineers there held what has been A government watchdog overseeing the dubbed a “no-human strike,” an increasingly popular tactic in 2010, had been among the members of 100-year rain events. China Sea reef claimed by Manila, saying Congress calling for the resignation of disputed region said about 220 Chinese ves- that involves lining up signboards in streets or other public Democratic Gov Andrew Cuomo over sex- sels were seen moored at Whitsun Reef, areas as proxies for human protesters. ual harassment allegations. In late February, which Beijing also claims, on March 7. It Also: Reed said he was seriously considering run- released pictures of the vessels side by side ning for governor against Cuomo should the in one of the most hotly contested areas of BRUSSELS: The European Union is set to slap sanctions on 11 Democrat seek a fourth term next year. the strategic waterway. offi cials in Myanmar accused of involvement in the military Reed said in his statement Sunday that he Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin tweet- coup and the violent crackdown on protesters that followed, would not seek any elective offi ce in 2022. ed late Sunday the Philippines has fi led a EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday. (AP) diplomatic protest over the Chinese pres- “We are going to take sanctions against 11 persons involved ❑ ❑ ❑ ence. (AP) in the coup and on the repression of the demonstrators,” Bor- ❑ ❑ ❑ Towns isolated by fl ooding: Hundreds rell told reporters before chairing a meeting of EU foreign of people have been rescued from fl oodwa- Kolelas dies of COVID-19: Republic of ministers. ters that have isolated dozens of towns in Congo’s top presidential opposition candi- Myanmar’s military junta prevented Parliament from con- Australia’s most populous state New South date Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, who was vening on Feb. 1. It claimed that last November’s elections, Wales and forced thousands to evacuate hospitalized with COVID-19 complications won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s party in a landslide, were tainted their homes as record rain continues to in- on election day, has died, a spokesman said by fraud. The election commission that confi rmed the victory undate the country’s east coast. Monday. has since been replaced by the junta. Around 18,000 people had been evacu- The 61-year-old politician was last seen The coup reversed years of slow progress toward democ- ated from fl ooding in New South Wales by in a video circulating Saturday on social racy in Myanmar after five decades of military rule. In the Monday and emergency services feared up media in which he told supporters he was face of persistent strikes and protests against the takeover, to 54,000 people could be displaced with “fi ghting death.” Aides later said he was the junta has responded with an increasingly violent crack- rain forecast to continue until Wednesday. been fl own to France for further treatment. down and efforts to limit the information reaching the out- Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Par- Spokesman Justin Nzoloufoua confi rmed side world. liament that 35 communities in northern his death Monday to The Associated Press. New South Wales had been isolated and Kolelas, who won 15% of the vote in the Internet access has been severely restricted, private newspa- emergency services had conducted more US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wave as they walk on the 2016 election, was expected to fi nish second pers have been barred from publishing, and protesters, journal- than 700 fl ood rescues. South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, March 21, after step- to President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, one of ists and politicians have been arrested in large numbers. “We are grateful at this point that no lives ping off Marine One. The Bidens are returning to Washington after spending the Africa’s longest-serving leaders with more have been lost so far,” Morrison said. “But weekend at Camp David. (AP) than 36 years in offi ce. (AP) JetBlue considers whether to leave NYC and move to Florida

This fi le photo shows JetBlue Airways is considering that its current lease in expires airline has a training center in and is currently the nation’s sixth- a JetBlue airplane whether to stay in New York, in July 2023 and it is review- Orlando and a travel-products largest airline by passenger- at John F. Kennedy where it was founded two dec- ing its options “and considering subsidiary in Fort Lauderdale. carrying capacity. Its strongest International Airport ades ago, or move its head- how our space requirements The airline said that no mat- routes are up and down the East in New York. JetBlue quarters to Florida. may evolve in a hybrid work en- ter what it decides about the Coast. It fl ies to nearby interna- Airways is consider- A spokeswoman for the vironment post-pandemic.” headquarters, it still plans to tional destinations including the ing whether to keep airline said that a decision is JetBlue said it is exploring expand at all three New York Caribbean, and plans to launch its headquarters in expected later this year. She a number of options, including City-area major airports. service to London later this year. New York or move to said more than 1,300 employ- staying in its current headquar- The airline’s plans were pre- Like other carriers, JetBlue has Florida. (AP) ees work at the headquarters ters, moving elsewhere in New viously reported by the New been hit hard by the pandemic. It in Long Island City, across the York City, or shifting some New York Post, which obtained a lost nearly $1.4 billion last year, East River from Manhattan. York-based jobs to existing memo to headquarters staff. as revenue fell more than 63% The airline said in a statement JetBlue facilities in Florida. The JetBlue began fl ying in 2000 compared with 2019. (AP)

Market Movements 22-03-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +35.42 6,995.01 JAPAN - Nikkei -617.90 29,174.15 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 +506.02 45,407.33 S. KOREA - KRX 100 -9.85 6,544.27 CHINA - Shanghai SE +38.78 3,443.44 PHILIPPINES - PSEi -40.93 6,395.17 INDIA - Sensex -86.95 49,771.29 Business Hot housing market fuels a rise in homeowners’ equity Many economists expect home prices to continue rising this year

In this fi le photo, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks as he partici- pates in a video conference with European Commission President Ursula von der LOS ANGELES, March Leyen from an old Ottoman palace, in Istanbul. President Erdogan fi red the central 22, (AP): The red-hot U.S. bank governor over the weekend for hiking interest rates. (AP) housing market is paying off for many homeown- Turkish ‘lira’ plummets after ers, even those who aren’t looking to sell their home. On average, homes with a Erdogan fi res cenbank chief mortgage gained $26,300 in eq- uity in the last three months of ANKARA, Turkey, March 22, (AP): The Erdogan, who advocates keeping inter- 2020 versus a year earlier, ac- Turkish currency plummeted against the est rates low to tame infl ation, unexpectedly cording to real estate informa- U.S. dollar on Monday after President Recep fi red Naci Agbal with a decree on Saturday, tion company CoreLogic. That Tayyip Erdogan fi red the central bank gov- just four months after he took offi ce. He re- average gain is the highest since ernor over the weekend for hiking interest placed Agbal with a banking professor who 2013, the fi rm said. rates. has argued for lower interest rates. CoreLogic said homes with a mort- The lira was trading at around 7.9 against Agbal, a respected former fi nance minis- gage account for about 62% of all U.S. the dollar - nearly 10% down from Friday’s ter, was brought in to lead the central bank properties. Taken together, the home close. It had been weaker earlier Monday after the Turkish lira hit record lows and in- equity for those properties surged to at 8.4 per dollar but recovered some of it fl ation soared. In his months in offi ce, Agbal more than $1.5 trillion, an increase of losses after Finance Minister Lutfi Elvan as- had hiked the benchmark rate a total of 875 16.2% from a year earlier. sured markets that Turkey was committed basis points, working to rebuild the credibil- The surge in homeowners’ equity to free market rules and to a liberal currency ity of the central bank after it was damaged can potentially make a positive im- exchange regime. by years of unorthodox policies. pact on borrowers’ fi nances; for one thing, it creates a buffer against po- tential fi nancial hardship, such as job loss. And homeowners could opt to put some of the gains to use, giving a In this fi le photo, a real estate sign is shown at a estate information company CoreLogic says, on av- boost to the economy. home for sale, in Houston. The red-hot US housing erage, homes with a mortgage gained $26,300 in “In our view, these strong equity market is paying off for many homeowners, even equity over the last three months of 2020 versus a gains are a clear positive for home- those who aren’t looking to sell their home. Real year earlier. (AP) owner balance sheets, as well as for overall additional consumer spend- prices higher since last summer. owe more on their mortgage than Miami, Miami Beach and the sub- ing, should homeowners be desirous Sales of previously occupied U.S. their home is worth. That can hap- urb of Kendall, Florida, had an aver- of tapping a portion of their equity homes climbed 5.6% in 2020 from a pen when a home’s value declines, age negative home equity share that gains,” Jonathan Woloshin, a real year earlier to 5.64 million, the high- or when the size of the mortgage in- was among the biggest nationally at estate and lodging analyst at UBS, est level since 2006 at the height of creases, say when someone takes out 6.3%. wrote in a research note last week. the housing boom, according to the a home equity loan. The underwater mortgages at the Rising home values and low mort- National Association of Realtors. Homes in California, Idaho and end of December represent roughly gage rates spurred many U.S. home- The national median home sales Washington saw among the biggest $280.2 billion in mortgage debt, owners to refi nance and cash in some price jumped 12.9% to $309,800. average increases in annual equity down 2.6% from a year earlier, Core- of the equity in their home last year. The strong demand for homes con- gains in the fourth quarter: $54,500 Logic said. Homeowners pulled out $152.7 billion tinued in January, with sales ticking in California, $48,500 in Idaho and When a mortgage is underwater, in equity, an increase of 41.7% from up 0.6% from December and almost $47,000 in Washington state, Core- the homeowner often can’t qualify 2019 and the highest refi nancing cash- 24% from a year earlier. By the end Logic said. for mortgage refi nancing and has lit- out dollar amount since 2007, accord- of January, however, the supply of Even a robust housing market with tle recourse but to continue making ing to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. homes on the market nationally was rising prices can’t limit the risk of a payments in hopes the property even- Homeowners also tapped into the down to a record-low 1.04 million homeowner ending up underwater on tually regains its value. equity in their home via a home eq- units. That amounts to a 1.9 months’ their home loan entirely. Many economists expect home uity line of credit, or HELOC. The supply. A balanced housing market In the fourth quarter, some 410,000 prices to continue rising this year, volume of HELOCs more than dou- tends to have a 6-month supply. The U.S. residential properties were un- which bodes well for homeowners bled in 2020 from a year earlier to Realtors group issues its February derwater on their mortgage, accord- with underwater mortgages. Should $74.9 billion. home sales data next week. ing to CoreLogic. That’s a 21% de- U.S. home prices increase by 5%, then Low mortgage rates, strong de- When home equity rises, it re- cline from the same period in 2019, some 216,000 homes would regain mand and a record low inventory duces the risk that a homeowner when 1.9 million homes, or 3.6% of equity, CoreLogic said. If the reverse of homes for sale nationwide have with a mortgage will end up “under- all properties with a mortgage, were happens, nearly 300,000 homes would fueled home sales and pushed home water” on their loan, meaning they in negative equity, the fi rm said. slip into negative equity, the fi rm said.

Sahar Dashti and Director-General of Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), Abdulrahman Al-Oun with a number of AUB and Red Crescent representatives. Initiative in partnership with KRCS World demand for gasoline AUB supports ‘needy’ students may never recover – report NEW YORK, March 22, (AP): The world’s once-in- satiable demand for gasoline is unlikely to recover to with several iPads & computers pre-pandemic levels, according to a report Wednes- day from the International Energy Agency. KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Within its fruitful partnership between AUB and KRCS, and Gasoline use cratered during the pandemic as cities shut down and many people began working strategic partnership with the Kuwait Red Cres- the role KRCSplays on the humanitarian and from home, a trend that will likely continue as the cent Society (KRCS), Ahli United Bank (AUB) charitable level. COVID-19 crisis eases. Many governments also supports some low-income students with 107 Dashti added that the goals of this initiative have been pushing for low-carbon alternatives. tablets and 5 computers. Earlier, AUB spon- are not only limited to supporting the educa- Oil demand, meanwhile, is expected to continue sored their tuition fees in different majors at tional process and helping students during these rising as developing countries with growing popula- Arab Open University (AOU). exceptional Covid-19 pandemic circumstances tions use more of the fuel. But it is not expected to The objective of this initiative is to ensure , but also to enable them complete their educa- return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023, according to having access to the relative educational tools tion , have better job opportunities to improve the Paris-based intergovernmental agency. and to keep them engaged in the educational their lives and the lives of their families Gasoline demand is unlikely to fully return be- process during this challenging period that re- Dashti pointed out that this donation to cause increased demand in the developing world lies mostly on technology with an increased ad- KRCS is a translation of our national duty to will be offset by consumers shifting to electric vehicles, manufacturers improving fuel effi ciency aptation of e-learning policy. support youth, which we are committed to ful- and businesses increasing telework while decreas- Commenting on this initiative, Sahar Dash- fi ll based on our belief in the pivotal role of our ing travel, the report said. ti, General Manager of Customers’ Protection CSR program in fi nding effective solutions to Meanwhile, gasoline prices have surged. Ameri- and Head of the Corporate Social Responsi- all issues that are fundamental concerns, and it cans are paying 14% more for a gallon of regular bility (CSR) Team at Ahli United Bank, af- also refl ects our fi rm commitment to the educa- than they did in February, and 29% more than a firmed that AUB is proud of the humanitarian tion sector. year ago, according to AAA. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 BUSINESS 9 Benchmarks New SBA head plans changes at agency NEW YORK, March 22, (AP): The new in the rescue package to help, including $10 Guzman already knows how the SBA op- changes, Guzman said. head of the Small Business Administration billion to support state lending to companies, erates, having been a deputy chief of staff at The administrator’s agenda also includes says she expects to make changes at the and $100 million for a new program called the agency during the Obama administration. improving SBA technology to make it more in Asia mixed agency that she says will enable it to fur- Community Navigator aimed at giving edu- “We’ll be looking at our overall programs accessible to businesses; she noted that ther help small companies devastated by the cation and advice to struggling business own- to see a path forward for small businesses,” many businesses adopted or upgraded their COVID-19 pandemic. ers. But, she said, more vaccinations against she said. Guzman acknowledged that the technology in order to survive the virus out- In an interview with The Associated Press the coronavirus and the $1,400 stimulus pay- SBA’s role has changed dramatically as a break. Major Japanese stocks fall on Friday, two days after she was sworn in, ments millions of Americans are receiving result of the pandemic; she said the agency “We just need to ensure that we’ve mod- Isabella Casillas Guzman said her immedi- will also ultimately aid business by helping has gotten attention it never had in the past. ernized the SBA,” she said. TOKYO, March 22, (AP): Asian shares ate focus is implementing the small business the economy recover. The SBA’s lending focus over the past The SBA plans to use Community Navi- provisions in the $1.9 trillion coronavirus Those are indirect aid programs. The res- year has been the PPP, which has approved gator to gather information to help it deter- were mixed Monday as sentiment was rescue package President Joseph Biden cue package also included direct help in the nearly 8 million loans worth more than $700 mine what changes it needs to make, Guz- shaken by the US Federal Reserve’s an- signed into law last week. form of additional money for the Paycheck billion. Before the pandemic, the agency’s man said. The program is aimed at working nouncement that it would end some emer- The country has lost 400,000 businesses Protection Program and more than $28 bil- main lending vehicles were its 7(a) and 504 with community fi nancial institutions and since the start of the pandemic, Guzman lion in grants for restaurants hammered by programs that owners turned to for loans to SBA-sponsored Small Business Develop- gency measures put in place last year to said, warning that “many more are at risk.” government-ordered shutdowns during the start and build their businesses. Those tra- ment Centers to help struggling and disad- help the fi nancial industry deal with the Guzman expects small business provisions virus outbreak. ditional lending programs may see some vantaged businesses. pandemic. Meanwhile, the Turkish lira nosedived early Mon- day, falling about 17%, after the country’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, removed central bank head Naci Agbal from his post on Saturday. The currency was trading at about 7.8 lira to the dollar on Monday morning. Agbal had been struggling to counter infl ation by raising interest rates, while Erdogan contended that raising interest rates would contribute to infl ation - contrary to economic ex- perience and theory, Jeffrey Halley of Oanda said in a com- mentary. He replaced Agbal with a banking professor who has argued for lower interest rates. The central bank had said tight monetary policy would be maintained until infl ation, which has hit 15.61% was brought under control. An increase in the key interest rate by 200 basis points to 19% last week had pushed the lira higher. “Turkey will be an interesting example of what emerging markets can expect if infl ation fears rise markedly,” Halley said. In Asian trading, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped 2.1% in afternoon trading to 29,174.15. South Korea’s Ko- spi lost 0.1% to 3,035.46. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.7% to 6,752.50. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 0.2% to 29,941.21, while the Shanghai Composite jumped 1.1% to 3,443.44. Major Japanese stocks fell nearly across the board, includ- ing automakers like Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., whose earnings get a boost from a healthy US economy. Toyota’s shares fell 3.3% while Honda’s lost 3.6%. “Asia markets had seen a mixed commencement to the week with the rising bond yields once again weighing on sentiment. The see-sawing of the infl uence between rising bond yields and improving economic recovery prospect may well remain for the region going into the end of March,” said Jingyi Pan, senior market strategist at IG in Singapore. The move last week by the Fed will restore some of the capital requirements for big banks that were suspended in the early months of the viral outbreak, in order to give banks fl exibility. The banking industry had hoped those measures would be extended. But most of the Fed’s policies aimed at supporting the re- covery from the pandemic remain intact. Worries about the coronavirus pandemic remain in the re- gion, where vaccine rollouts in some nations such as Japan and Thailand are progressing slowly compared to the US or Europe. Nonetheless, in Japan a “state of emergency” is be- ing lifted this week in the Tokyo area, Wall Street had closed out last week mostly lower, with all benchmarks fi nishing in the red for the week. The S&P 500 lost 0.1% to 3,913.10. The Dow Jones Industrial Aver- age fell 0.7% to 32,627.97, pulled lower by fi nancial compa- nies. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.8%, to 13,215.24. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies clawed back some of its losses from a day earlier, gaining 0.9% to 2,287.55. As interest rates have risen, pricier stocks like technology companies have fallen. The prospect of higher interest rates as bond yields rise has some investors concerned that eco- nomic growth could slow. There are also concerns that the rise in bond yields could be a harbinger of infl ation. In energy trading, benchmark US crude fell 86 cents to $60.58 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mer- cantile Exchange. It gained $1.38 to $61.44 per barrel on Friday. Brent crude, the international standard lost 14 cents to $64.39 a barrel. In currency trading, the US dollar inched up to 108.80 Japanese yen from 108.65 yen. The euro cost $1.1892, up from $1.1880.

A man wearing a protective mask walks in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan’s Nikkei 225 in- dex at a securities fi rm, March 22, in Tokyo. (AP) Japan ‘ups’ tariffs on American beef TOKYO, March 22, (AP): Imported American beef in Japan has proved so popular it’s topped the annual limits called “safeguards,” and the US Meat Export Federation urged To- kyo to raise the threshold. Japan’s import limit for American beef of 242,000 metric tons was reached in early March, and so tariffs will be raised from 25.8% to 38.5% for a month, starting Thursday through April 16, according to the Japanese Finance Ministry. Japan’s limits on imports of meat and other farm products have been a recurring trade issue with the US, which heavily imports Toyota cars and Nintendo video games. “Triggering of the beef safeguard is not unexpected,” US- MEF, which promotes American beef, said in a statement. “In fact, based on our 15-year outlook, USMEF projects that without an increase to the safeguard threshold, Japan’s imports of US beef are likely to trigger the annual safeguard every year.” A bilateral trade agreement signed in 2019 provided for US beef imports to gradually rise, and taxes to drop from 38.5% fi rst to 25.8%, and eventually to 9% in 15 years. The Japan-US Trade Agreement also says that if the safe- guard gets set off, Japan agrees to consult with the US to adjust the level. Japan’s imports of US beef rose 3% in the fi rst part of the year compared to the previous year. American beef exports to South Korea and China have also been growing. For decades, Japanese consumers preferred the local, mar- bled but expensive beef. In recent years, tastes have gradual- ly changed. In 2018, the United States exported $2.1 billion of beef and beef products to Japan. Japan is the US largest export market for beef, based on value. In an effort to make up for the decline in dining out be- cause of the coronavirus pandemic, US meat exporters have been carrying out a social media campaign in Japan with recipes and photos to encourage cooking beef at home. Australia is the biggest rival for the US in beef exports to Japan, but the cattle supply in Australia has suffered lately because of drought. Japan banned American beef imports in December 2003 after the fi rst case of mad cow disease in the US The ban was eased in December 2005, but tightened again the following month, after prohibited spinal bones were found in a veal shipment. Beef imports resumed in 2007.

ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 SCIENCE 12

Coronavirus

50pct UK adults get jabs Some ‘nursing homes’ in NY proved helpless

ALBANY, N.Y., March 22, (AP): As the coronavirus made an end-of-the-year surge across New York, few nursing homes escaped unscathed. But some proved especially helpless at stopping the spread of COVID-19, despite having nine months to stockpile protective equipment and refi ne preventative measures. At least 15 homes each saw at least 30 patients die between November and early February, with most of the deaths oc- curring in a matter of weeks, recently released public records show. Seven homes had more than 40 patients die, a tally that does not include specialized nursing homes that treat only COVID-19 patients. The unusually swift and deadly outbreaks stand out in a state where the great majority of nursing homes reported fa- talities in the single digits during that time period. The Commons on St. Anthony, a 300-bed home in Auburn, was among those hit hardest. It held the virus at bay for months, making it to Christmas Day without a single COVID-19 death. But by the end of January, the disease had claimed 57 lives - just as vaccinations were beginning. Nursing homes had nearly a year to refi ne visitation policies, ramp up testing programs and hone infection- control practices. Yet the virus still got into facilities like the Commons, where Cuomo 90-year-old Constance Cuddy, a former nurse being treated for Alzheimer’s disease, died Jan. 17 from COVID-19 complications, according to her family. “She worked hard her whole life,” said Cuddy’s daughter, Jody Courtemanche. “And I just wish that she could have gone on her own terms when she was ready to go, and not have COVID come in and grab her.” In this Aug 1, 2020 photo, provided by courtesy of Nancy Peters, Joe Peters, (front), sits on the back porch at his daughter’s home for dessert in Cincinnati. Renee Until recently, the full extent of New York’s surge was Schauer, (from left), Ellie Schauer, Brad Schauer, Dan and Sarah Schauer are shown. The pandemic and its isolating restrictions have been especially tough for partially obscured because Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s admin- many of the nation’s some 70 million grandparents, many at ages when they are considered most vulnerable to the deadly COVID-19 virus. (AP) istration did not disclose data on thousands of nursing home residents who died outside of their facilities, a scandal that pre- dates the accusations that he sexually harassed female aides. While the state has made some statistics on nursing home Coronavirus fatalities available since last spring, more complete informa- tion on where and when patients died was only released in February after an order from a judge in a public records case brought by the Empire Center for Public Policy, a nonpartisan think tank. ‘It’s been lonely ... now we can have fun’ Records The latest records provide more details on deaths at the Commons as well as homes outside Buffalo, Syracuse and Pandemic: a lost year for grandparents Rochester that suffered more than 40 resident deaths each dur- ing the late autumn and early winter surge. CINCINNATI, March 22, (AP): No over.’ soccer games last year, but couldn’t at- The Elcor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, about 60 sleepovers with popcorn and Disney “And now she isn’t 3 anymore,” she tend the grandkids’ indoor basketball miles (97 kilometers) south of the Commons, had 62 residents movies. No dance recitals or holiday says. games. die from November through early February, despite precau- pageants, let alone any Grandparents’ Both Peters and Rolark have been “It’s been pretty tough,” says Joe tions that included sanitizing arriving mail, administrator Ed- Day for visiting the kids’ classrooms. fully vaccinated as the shot pace has Peters, who recounts gym-hopping ward Linsler said. No hugs. picked up nationally in recent weeks, Saturdays in previous years when they The situation has improved substantially in recent weeks as The first 12 months of the pandemic with an estimated 60% of those 65 hit as many as eight kids’ basketball most of the nation’s nursing home population has been vac- represent a lost year for many in the and older getting at least one dose so games in a day. cinated. largest group of grandparents in US far. But the CDC reports that only Many grandparents actively help Tracing how the coronavirus breaches any facility can be history. Most of the nation’s some 70 10% of the population as a whole has out their children by baby-sitting and diffi cult. Public health experts say adherence to infection pro- million grandparents are in the fourth been fully vaccinated and reminds that school or daycare pickups, so pan- tocols and proper staffi ng can make a difference. Larger fa- quarter of their lives, and the clock has vulnerability increases with age. The demic barriers against that have made cilities with shared rooms, which the Commons offers, can be Hong Kong Chief Executive Car- kept running. CDC says eight of 10 people who have for “a lose-lose” situation for families, rie Lam gestures after receiving the “Working with older adults, I’m see- died in the United States from the virus Nicholson says. more susceptible to outbreaks. second dose of the Sinovac Biotech “More than 99 percent of facilities in the country have had ing a lot of depression, a lot of increas- were 65 or older. Rolark, of Middletown, Ohio, has COVID-19 vaccine at a central gov- es in loneliness,” says Nick Nicholson, Nicholson says that while some old- always been active with the offspring. at least one case, and most of that has happened in this winter ernment office in Hong Kong, March surge when we’ve known what to do,” said Tamara Konetzka, 22. (AP) a nursing professor and researcher er adults are “just breaking down the She raised three children as a divorced a research professor at the University of Chicago, who special- on aging at Quinnipiac University in door to get out” after a year of isola- single woman, and two of her great- izes in long-term care. “That just says to me that it’s really Hamden, Connecticut. “It’s been really tion, others remain apprehensive with grandchildren lived with her through almost impossible to keep the virus out completely.” difficult ... the anxiety, the despair, the variant strains and other unknowns high school. Her progeny have been Loretto, the company that operates the Commons, said it took social isolation. Over time, there are so ahead. paying her back during the pandemic many steps to keep the virus out. Employees wore gowns, gloves many adverse effects. The sooner we “They wonder: Is it safe?” he says. for all those years of her support when and face shields when working with residents. Family members expand the bubble, the better, so peo- Joaniko Kohchi, who heads the In- she was also working a full-time office could only see their loved ones through a plate-glass window. ple can start healing together.” stitute for Parenting at Adelphi Uni- job at a steelmaking company. The state Department of Health conducted six on-site infec- The federal Centers for Disease versity in Garden City, New York, “I couldn’t have made it without tion-control inspections there along with another by the federal Control and Prevention last week of- says grandparents and other family them,” says Rolark, who says great- government between May and Feb. 3 and found no defi cien- fered some beginning steps forward members need to be cautious as they grandson Amarius Gates kept her cies. for Year 2, saying fully vaccinated try to return to something that passes driveway shoveled during the winter, Cayuga County did not see its fi rst major outbreak until grandparents could visit in a single for normalcy. while granddaughter Davonne Cal- the fall. Loretto spokesperson Julie Sheedy said “out of con- household with healthy children and “There’s going to be unquestionably houn and others in her large family trol” spread of the virus in the surrounding community over- Abbott Edwards grandchildren without masks or other a period of adjustment that will con- have run errands and helped her with whelmed the nursing home’s defenses. special precautions. tinue; planning and flexibility is really house chores. Doris Rolark blew air kisses to important,” she says. Commons resident Kathleen Grader, 86, tested positive af- Struggle ter getting the fi rst of two planned vaccination shots in late her mask-wearing grandchildren Also unknown: how much some December. The mother of 10, who was “always busy” even Discovery and great-grandchildren when they older adults have been hurt not only Nursing homes and other assisted- past the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, died of COVID-19 com- dropped off presents on her 78th birth- emotionally but mentally by losing in- care facilities, too, have faced chal- plications Jan. 12, said her daughter Theresa Smithler. day last month. She resumed hugs last person contacts and other activity out- lenges to keep grandparents connected “The only way these residents got the virus was from an Meteor streaks over Cuba: What is week after the CDC guidelines were side their homes for a year. as many cut off contact visits because announced. of concerns about virus spread. “It’s employee,” Smithler said, noting that even at Christmas, visi- believed to be a meteor lit the sky over Caution tors had been banned. Over the holiday, Smithler and her sister eastern Cuba and caused an explosion, “It was great. I’m getting excited to been lonely,” says Deb McGlinch, a sang carols into a cellphone with their mother on the other side scientists on the island said Saturday. see the rest of them,” says the Middle- “I think seeing the same two to patient in Versailles Rehabilitation & of a window at the home. There were no reports of damage or in- town, Ohio, woman, who has three three people all time, it can be really Health Center in western Ohio. jury. grandchildren and 16 great-grandkids. tough,” says Arman Ramnath, whose She was used to frequent visits from Tested The head of the National Seismologi- “I hope it’s going to be better now.” India-born grandmother Vijaya Ram- her granddaughter, Kortaney Cattell, The Commons tested and screened employees. But those cal Service, Enrique Arango Arias, told Joe and Nancy Peters had one of nath, 94, has lived with his parents in 20, to play card games such as Uno procedures cannot catch every infected worker in time, espe- the offi cial Cubadebate news site that the their 11 grandchildren over to visit last Columbus, Ohio, since before he was with her. She has been able to do video cially if they do not have symptoms. phenomenon was noticed in the towns of week as they began “cautiously return- born. “It kind of ages you faster.” chats with Kortaney and seven other By January, infections were surging among the staff, with Moa, Sagua de Tanamo and Maisí. ing to normal,” he says. Both retired While many grandparents are keep- grandchildren, but has missed their He said the service’s instruments “regis- educators in their 70s, they were used ing in touch by phone, text and video card games. They recently resumed 42 positive cases in three weeks, federal data shows. tered the expansive wave” of the explosion. Kaylee Gabak, a 24-year-old certifi ed nursing assistant, test- to being heavily involved with the chats, others lack access or ability to friendly competition at a distance with Social media users reported seeing red grandchildren, all living near them in use such technology. A study conduct- a virtual slot machine game. ed positive on Christmas after she went to a hospital to deliver and white light followed by an explosion her fi rst child. The baby girl, Charlotte, was born healthy, but suburban Cincinnati, before the pan- ed last September and October found McGlinch says that instead of just at about 10:06 pm local time Friday. (AP) demic and its safety restrictions hit. resilience among older Americans, but trading small talk by phone, now “we Gabak was soon back at the hospital in critical condition. ❑ ❑ ❑ Her mother, Cortney Haberlau, believes her daughter was It was especially tough losing time also signs of trouble, with many re- can have fun.” infected at the Commons in mid-December, just before her Sea turtles released into Gulf: A with the youngest. porting decreased happiness and some One in 10 US grandparents now live reporting increased loneliness and de- in the same household with at least one maternity leave. She battled internal bleeding, a brain abscess small parade of rescued young sea turtles Vaccinated and other complications and returned home this month. has headed into the Gulf of Mexico from pression heading into winter. grandchild. In some Asian cultures, After Gabak awoke at the hospital in early February, her Louisiana - a bright note in a tough season “They’re 3, 4, and 5 years old and During good weather, the Peters- that has long been common. In Ram- mother said she was soon using her phone to look up the obitu- for sea turtles. a whole year has gone,” Nancy Pe- es had gone on and received a lot of nath’s family, his India-born maternal aries of “her people,” the residents of the Commons. The 13 released at Grand Isle were ters says. “They’ve changed a lot ... driveway visits, including a driveway grandmother, Saroja Seetharaman, among more than 1,100 cold-stunned and Amelia would say each day to her one-person dance recital for them by rotates among her three children and “She was really sad about it because a lot of her residents starting in the fall in New England, where that she cared for, and cared about, were deceased,” Haberlau Mom, ‘I am going to have a sleepover a granddaughter. They went to dozens their six grandchildren, in Dallas, At- experts say climate change is contribut- at Grandma’s when coronavirus is of outdoor events such as baseball and lanta and his Columbus home. said. ing to such events. Many thousands were Also: cold-stunned off of Texas in February by the winter storm that killed at least 20 LONDON: Britain said Saturday that half the country’s adults people from Texas to the East Coast. tle if anything for as much as a month and as is Greg Abbott. that’s partly because more Kemp’s ridley have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine as the Once the cardboard boxes holding them their immune systems are in bad shape. In the 1990s, about 100 or fewer cold- are hatching, but also because the Gulf of government races to reach everyone over age 18 by the end were put down on the beach, the dinner The Texas turtles were likely in rela- stunned sea turtles were found every year Maine is warming faster than any other of July. plate-sized turtles began scraping at the tively good shape because the cold came off New England, but the average is now water body, and that warmth is drawing The National Health Service has put shots in the arms of sides and poking their noses out of the on so quickly, she said. Governor of Tex- more than 600, Sampson said. She said in more and more juvenile turtles. 26.9 million people, or 51% of the adult population, accord- holes, The Times - Picayun /The New “What seems to happen is when the ing to the latest government statistics. The NHS passed the Orleans Advocate reported. Their front fl ip- water temperature starts to go down they halfway point by delivering 589,689 fi rst doses on Friday, the pers churned wildly as they were picked up. start heading south and run into Cape highest daily total since the mass vaccination program began “They’re like, ‘Let me back in!’” said Cod,” Sampson said. That hook of land in early December. Gabriella Harlamert, sea turtle stranding, and nearby currents trap the turtles, which “It’s a huge success,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said rescue and rehab coordinator at the Audu- would have to go against their instincts bon Nature Institute. and swim north to get around it, she said. in a video celebrating the milestone. “And I want to say many, Sea turtles get cold-stunned and lethargic Louisiana’s 13 were among a group of many thanks to all those involved, including the half of all when the water around them chills down so 30 brought to the Audubon Nature Institute adults who have come forward. It’s so important because this fast they can’t swim to warmer waters. The after a rough ride from Cape Cod. Louisi- vaccine is our way out of this pandemic.’’ cold alone can kill them. It can also lead to ana Governor is John Bel Edwards. The announcement followed the news from health authori- pneumonia, shock and frostbite. “All the days and nights over the last ties earlier this week that Britain would see a “signifi cant re- Those released this week at Grand Isle four months caring for these turtles have duction” in vaccine supplies next month. The NHS will con- were Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, like most all been for this,” Harlamert said in a tinue during April to deliver fi rst doses to those most at risk of those injured in New England, where news release. “Getting to return them to from COVID-19, along with 12 million second jabs, Hancock volunteers rescued 775 turtles, said Kate the wild is why we do what we do, and it’s said Saturday. Sampson, regional sea turtle stranding the best feeling ever.” In an effort to vaccinate as many people as possible, the UK coordinator for the National Oceanic and During a season when COVID-19 re- decided to stretch the time between fi rst and second doses to 12 Atmospheric Administration. Kemp’s rid- strictions canceled the Mardi Gras parade weeks instead of four weeks as initially planned. Public health ley are the smallest and most endangered season in New Orleans, Audubon staffers offi cials say the vaccines the country is using offer a high level sea turtles - and all six species found in named them all after Mardi Gras parade of immunity after one shot, although two are needed for full US waters are protected under the Endan- krewes and walking and dancing groups. protection. gered Species Act. Those released Monday had been dubbed Britain has delivered 44 doses of vaccine for every 100 peo- Sampson said she didn’t have survival Tucks, Rex, Zulu, Thoth, Endymion, fi gures, but typically about 80% of the Chaos, Themis, Muff-a-lotta, Stomper, ple, more than any other country with a population of more turtles cold-stunned off New England that Athena, Carrollton, Pandora and Proteus. than 10 million, according to data compiled by Oxford Univer- are sent for rehabilitation survive. A woman wearing a glove as a precaution against the coronavirus, holds a vial Fifteen are still being rehabilitated; two sity. The United States is second at 35 doses per 100. “These animals are really sick when for her test as she waits in a line at a coronavirus testing site in Seoul, South died of infection and pneumonia, Audubon they come in,” she said - they’ve eaten lit- Korea, March 22. (AP) said in a news release Wednesday. (AP) Film TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 FFeatureseatures Department. Cultural Heritage and Antiquities involved aninvestigation bythe months-long police operationthat statue wasrecoveredfollowinga around it,Greekauthoritiessaid. ens’ famedAcropolisortheslopes likely adornedatempleonAth- “exceptional artwork”thatonce to sellanancientmarblestatueof antiquities smugglingfortrying been arrestedonsuspicionof artists ofalltime.(AP) be oneofthemostinfl outlets. Shehasbeenconsideredto “Queen ofRap”byseveralmedia culprit wascaught. dren “arepleased”thatthealleged arrest andsaidallofMaraj’schil- very happy”aboutPolevich’s month thatshewas“very,very, estranged wife,toldNewsdaylast father’s death. made anypublicstatementonher Onika TanyaMaraj Marc GannofMineola. listed inonlinecourtrecordsas Sunday withPolevich’sattorney, an InstagrampostFriday. representing CarolMaraj,saidin Crump than seekinghelp,” about runningawayandhiding and negligent,butmoreconcerned at thescene. with hiscarandallegedlylefthim and carelesswhenhehitMaraj Polevich wasnegligent,reckless earlier thismonth,claimsthat County Maraj’s lawsuit,fi dered nottoleaveNewYorkstate. guilty andwasfreedonbailor- physical evidence.Hepleadednot of anincidentandtamperingwith 17 onchargesofleavingthescene next day. 911. Marajdiedatahospitalthe then drivingoffwithoutcalling 64, on cused ofstriking for Marajsaid. run crashlastmonth,anattorney killing Minaj’sfatherinahit-and- against themanwhoisaccusedof has fi Minaj ATHENS, Greece: MINEOLA, NY: Well, apartfromRudyGiulianiwhodideverythingwehopedfor.” cause itstarsrealpeoplewhosebehavioriscompletelyunpredictable. said BaronCohen.“Afi we wonitbecause60%oftheWritersGuildworkedonthismovie,” screenplay andstoryacceptedtheawardbyZoom. land,” “Minari”and“TheFather.” the AcademyAwardsweren’tnominated,including“Mank,”“Nomad- Due toguildregulations,severalofthisyear’sbest-picturenomineesat “News oftheWorld,”“OneNightinMiami”and“TheWhiteTiger.” of Metal,”“JudasandtheBlackMessiah”“PalmSprings.” over AaronSorkin’s“TheTrialoftheChicago7,”alongwith“Sound which isnominatedforfi ising YoungWoman,”bywriter-directorEmeraldFennell.Thefi screenplay wenttothescriptforfeministrevengethriller“Prom- gest winnerswereapairofawards-seasondarkhorses.Bestoriginal Awards’ tophonors,bestadaptedscreenplay. but itstillwalkedawaySundaynightwithoneoftheWritersGuild quent Moviefi NEW YORK,March22,(AP):SachaBaronCohen’s“BoratSubse- ‘Borat,’ ‘Promising Young Woman’ winatWriters GuildAwards Police saidthe5thcenturyBC Minaj hasbeendubbedasthe Carol Maraj,thevictim’s Nicki Minaj,whowasborn A telephonemessagewasleft “He wasnotonlyirresponsible Newsday reportsthatCarol Polevich wasarrestedonFeb. Charles Polevich “Thank youforthisincredibleaward,thoughIcan’thelpthinking Baron Cohenandhisfelloweightcreditedwritersforthefi The “Borat”sequelwincameover“MaRainey’sBlackBottom,” At theguild’svirtual,pre-recorded73rdannualawards,big- led a$150millionlawsuit ’s mother, Long Island , oneoftheattorneys stateSupremeCourt ❑ lm”waspartlyimprovisedandscriptedbyninewriters, Rapper Robert Maraj Carol Maraj led in This imagereleasedbyA24showsStevenYeun,(foreground),inascenefrom‘Minari,’namedoneofthetop10fi onFeb12and Benjamin , 70,isac- A manhas , hasnot uential rap Nassau Nicki lm likethisisextremelyhardtowritepartlybe- ve Oscarsincludingbestpicture,triumphed , , end abovetheshort sidesofan pediment —thetriangular gable- likely haveattached thestatuetoa shoulder, fromwhich rodswould holes arevisiblebehindtheleft legs aremissing,andtwosmall The head,armsandmostofboth who reclinesslightlytotheright. statue depictsaseatedyoungman centimeters (14.5inches)high,the Measuring onlyabout37 at Sundance,whereitwonthetopdramaprize. producer), hassteadilygatheredforcesinceitspremiere the fi to thepaceoflifeandintimatescalefamily.But made forlessthan$10million.It’smodestlyregistered wider digitalrelease,wasn’talargeproduction.Itwas all thetensionwehad.” until Ishowedhimthefi during production,tobehonest,anditdidn’tgoaway were doingbutIkindofsaidno.Wehadsomefriction about it.Hewantedtocomethesetandseewhatwe was gettingatwiththefi ing fromLosAngeles.“IthinkhekindofknewwhatI erations. dressing inafi father —analmostimpossiblypoignantbitofset shoot. Theminariin“Minari”wassowedbyChung’s mysterious. ItwastruckedincratestotheOklahoma a fi been toofrightenedtotellhisfamilyhewasmaking had beengrowinginKansasCity.Thedirector that connection. deeply personalstoryabouthisownupbringing,liked had playedasachild.Chung,inthemidstofmaking fl everywhere Chunglooked,thesoilwaswrong, of KoreanAmericanharmony,resiliency.Atfi nifi popular inKorea. a gentlecreekbedtogrowminari,theleafyvegetable himself. Hismother-in-law(YounYuh-jung)alsofi that hebelieveswillfeedotherKoreanimmigrantslike cal cropsbutforvegetablescommontoKoreancooking of toilatpoultryplants.Hetillsitnotforthearea’stypi- land and,hopefully,releasehimandhiswifefromyears his familytoawide-openArkansasplotfarmthe future. It’sadream.JacobYi(StevenYeun)hasmoved “Minari,” landissomethingmorethanasetting.It’s T In ‘Minari,’harvestinganAmericandream ow notright.Alocationscoutmentionedaplacehe “Minari,” whichA24iscurrentlystreamingwitha “Thatwasn’tlostonme,”Chungchuckles,speak- Chung plantedthespotwithminariplantshisfather In Chung’sfi In LeeIsaacChung’sArkansas-setfamilydrama, lm aboutthem,sohisborrowingoftheminariwas cance —aphysicalsymbolofputtingrootsdown, exactly right. he riverbed,morethananythingelse,neededtobe Variety lm, aPlanBproduction(BradPittisanexecutive lm thatbloomsinthegapbetweengen- Plans solidifyfor93rdOscars:NoZoom,nosweatshirts lm, thewaterybasinthrobswithsig- By JakeCoyle lm andthenitkindofalleviated lm butwewerejustnottalking lm’s lm, showtime, detailsaretricklingoutaboutthe93rdOscarsandneither Film tives offi with talentagenciesoverpotentialconfl episodic drama. for dramaseries;“TheGreat”episodiccomedy;and“Ozark” West. agency representatives,”saidDavidGoodman,presidentoftheWGA as “packaging.” agency tosigntheguild’sagreementoveranindustrypracticeknown LOS ANGELES: Chung’s fi The guild’sawardscameaftertheconclusionofatwo-yearbattle Other awardsincluded“TedLasso”forcomedyseries;“TheCrown” “Our agencycampaignhasmadeustruepartnersagainwithour oeihMinaj Polevich Fogel hasargued,missedoutonanOscarnomination. Monroe. Thefi mentary “TheDissident,”writtenbydirectorBryanFogelandMark living room.Hebegandressedinatuxedoandendedhispajamas. Best documentaryscreenplaywenttotheJamalKhashoggidocu- Kal Pennhostedtheshow,streamedprivatelyforinvitees,fromhis lm andTVwriters.Lastmonth,WMEbecamethefi Withnominationssetandjustoveramonthuntil lm, whichstreamingservicesweretootimidtoacquire, nds rst, lm hasresonated meaningfullyformany bined theneo-realismofRobertoRossellini’s“Strom- and melodrama,Chungimagedsomethingthatcom- the memories,Istartedtoseestory,”saysChung. his ears,parents’lunchbox. in Arkansas.Littlethingslikehismothercleaningout ently. Hejuststartedlistingmemoriesofhischildhood down towritewhatbecame“Minari,”hebegandiffer- ing theRwanda-set“Munyurangabo.”Butwhenhesat the feelingisgettingoutthere.” ting itswayoutthere,specifi by phonefromLosAngeles.“Idon’tknowhowit’sget- thing thatkeepsitconnectedtoeverybody,”saidYeun and ultimatelysettledinMichigan. that emotion.Yeun’sfamilyemigratedwhenhewas4 “Burning” and“TheWalkingDead,”thefi ing feltverynewtome.” embraced afterIshowedhimthefi it wasalmostamirrorimagetothewaymydadandI saw thewaythosetwoembracedafterscreening, ting emotionalattimes,”remembersChung.“WhenI “I couldhearSteven’sdadwatchingthefi Wanting tofi “It wassurprisingtomethatasIwritingdown Chung, 42,hadmadethreemoviesbefore,includ- “This movieisafeelingforme.Thethe For Yeun,theSeoul-born37-year-oldactorof Christina Oh—allthechildrenoffi makers fi resonated meaningfullyformany. entertainment worldsooftenreliantonstereotype,has authentic renderingofanAsianAmericanfamily,in wether. Andperhapsmostimportantly,itshonestand from theScreenActorsGuild,areliableOscarbell- awards elsewhere,includingabushelofnominations language fi fi ing “Minari”(adeeplyAmericanfi sobbed. and hisfatherstoodupattheend,theyhugged, the moviesqueezingherarmindelight.WhenYeun City condocomplex.Ohcouldfeelhermotherduring thers tothepremiere,puttingthemupatsamePark migrants fromKorea—broughttheirmothersandfa- ngers, andlargelyKoreandialogue)toitsforeign- Awards But beforeallthat,“Minari”movedtheparentsofits The GoldenGlobesspawnedacontroversybylimit- Also: rst. AtSundance,Chung,Yeunandproducer lm category.Butthemoviehasrackedup more researchwas needed. part ofalargercomposition, but statue, hesaid,could havebeen police headquartersinAthens.The said duringapresentationat archaeologist even insystematicexcavations,” of thekindnoteasilyfound, ancient temple. icts ofinterestasrepresenta- nd abalancebetweenmemorypiece Authorities didn’t say why “It isanexceptionalworkofart, Emotional Dimitris Sourlas cally. ButIjustdoknow lm. Iguessthatfeel- nal big nal lm, withdirtinits rst-generation im- rst-generation lms oftheyearbyTheAmericanFilmInstitute.(AP) lm isabout lm andget-

at 8p.m.ET. casual isreallynot,”producerssaid. in actualwordsmeansformalistotallycoolifyouwanttogothere,but tive moviesetwithon-siteCOVIDsafetyteamsandtestingprotocols. ble attending.Theproducerssaidtheyplantotreattheeventlikeanac- element possiblefornomineeswhoeithercan’tordon’tfeelcomforta- elements initsbi-coastalbroadcast,theOscarsarenotmakingavirtual been hometotheAcademyAwardssince2001. There willalsobealivecomponentattheDolbyTheatre,whichhas Angeles’ UnionStationfornominees,presentersandlimitedguests. ers havesaidtheyarecommittedtoholdinganin-personeventatLos on April25. Tony Awardwinningdirector Steven Soderbergh television show,”saidshowproducers sweatshirts norZoommadethecut. The 93rdOscarswillbebroadcastliveonABCApril25starting “We’re aimingforafusionofInspirationalandAspirational,which And, yes,theyexpectattendeestodressup. But unliketheGoldenGlobes,whichcombinedin-personandZoom Although considerablyscaleddownfromanormalyear,theproduc- “Our planisthatthisyear’sOscarswilllooklikeamovie,not for thepriceof100,000 euros of seekingabuyer forthestatue arrested Wednesday onsuspicion ern townof possession ofamaninthesouth- its provenance. would narrowdownthesearchfor it camefromatemple—which area, andwhatmadethemsuspect they linkeditwiththeAcropolis The workwasfoundinthe parents sayis,‘Wecamehereforyou.’”(AP) parents alwaystoldmeandI’msurealotofimmigrant ican dreamcometrue,”saysOh.“Thethingthatmy ible, takingastepback,we’realmostliketheirAmer- can dreamthatwassoldtothem.Forme,what’sincred- nari” anodetotheirparents. turned toadry-cleaningbusiness.Sheconsiders“Mi- owned anoften-robbedconveniencestoreandlater no-brainer.” lose themselvesintheworld,ithastobereal.Itwasa speaking fromashootinNewMexico.“Forpeopleto ing, myparentsdidnotspeakEnglishtome,”Ohsays, ticity andhonesty.Forme,havinglivedthatupbring- I’ve gravitatedtowardisthatpeoplerespondtoauthen- few Hollywoodexecutiveswouldadvocatefor. believed fi (“The LastBlackManinSanFrancisco”)withPlanB, the dialoguebechangedtoEnglish.ButOh,aproducer it down.” that formedme,”hesays.“AndIhadtokindofbreak gave ofhisownlife.” larger fi dad representstome,thewayIusedholdhim,asthis to reconstructordismantlepillarsofyouridentity.My life,” saysYeun.“That’sascarypropositioningeneral, I knew,andhowmyparentsorfatherfi ing themoldandsafetyoflifethatIthought America hadn’tbeenpartofhisyouth. family, talkingabouttheexperienceofcomingto own senseofhisfathertoseehimanew.AsinChung’s own fi was moviesthatbroughthimtoAmerica.” ies,’” saysChung,laughing.“Mydadtoldmethatit was: ‘Thisisyourfault.Youwatchedtoomanymov- doctor, oneofthefi be afi on. “East ofEden”and“Giant”thathisfatherraisedhim boli” withtheearthy,wide-screenAmericanepicslike “Our parentscameherechasinganideaofAmeri- Oh’s parentscametoCaliforniainthe1980s.They “The thingthatI’velearnedovertheyearsand Chung hadwritten“Minari”withthepossibilitythat Yeun pauses.“IthinkIwastouchingonsomething “Theinternalemotionaldiffi If Chungwasreconstructinghismemoriesinto “I rememberwhenItoldmyparentsthatwantedto Corinth lmlanguage,Yeunwastryingtodeconstructhis lmmaker, andnolongerwasIplanningtobea gure inmylifethatsacrifi inastatementFriday.They’veenlistedEmmyand rmly itshouldbeinKorean—something , whowas rst thingsmymomsaidtodad Glenn Weiss Jesse Collins,StacySher tools. (AP) bore signsofdamage fromdigging been buriedforalong time,and showed thestatue seemed tohave for it. aged tocontactpotentialbuyers hands, andwhetherhehadman- into howthepiececamehis ($119,000), policesaid. culty formewasbreak- Photos releasedbythepolice An investigationisunderway todirectthelivebroadcast ced andsuffered t intothat and ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 SPORTS 14

Hamlin continues to lead season standings after another strong run Blaney wins in Atlanta after Larson fades on old tires HAMPTON, Ga., March 22, (AP): Ryan Blaney knew he had to let Kyle Larson go. Patience was the key, especially on a day when Larson looked unbeatable. Jones wins Honda Classic by 5 In the end, Larson faded on an bat- tered set of tires, and Blaney raced by him for an improbable victory Sunday. “I was not going to be able to stick with him,” Blaney said. “I’ve got to save my tires ... and see what hap- shots to earn spot in Masters pens.” Blaney became the sixth driver to win in six races to start NASCAR’s Cup season, surging to the front with Harding holds on to claim Kenya Open nine laps to go after Larson easily won the fi rst two stages and led 269 of 325 laps on the 1.54-mile trioval. PALM BEACH GAR- Larson’s tires didn’t stand up to the DENS, Florida, March punishing track after making his fi nal pit stop with 56 laps to go. Ryan Blaney celebrates his win 22, (AP): When Matt Blaney stayed close enough to make after a NASCAR Cup Series auto Jones won his fi rst PGA his move, hugging the outside wall race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on through the fourth turn and cutting March 21, in Hampton, Ga. (AP) Tour title seven years to the inside to pass Larson as they ago, he needed a 45-foot crossed the line in front of the main grandstands. Holder takes 5-27 birdie putt just to get Blaney pulled away to win by 2.083 into a playoff and then seconds in his No. 12 Team Penske Ford, having gone just as long as Lar- Windies ‘dismiss’ a 40-yard chip-in to take son on the fi nal set of tires but getting the victory. much more out of them. Sri Lanka for 169 This win was far less dramat- “It’s cool to win at a place where ic, yet just as meaningful. you’ve got to fi nesse it a little bit and NORTH POINT, Antigua, March 22, It got him back to the Masters. think about it,” Blaney said after his (AP): Freed from the responsibilities Jones won the Honda Classic by fi fth career victory. of captaincy, Jason Holder took 5-27 fi ve shots, a fi nal round of 2-under He led just 25 laps, but was out front as West Indies bowled out Sri Lanka 68 good enough to fi nish the week at for the one that mattered. for 169 on Sunday on the fi rst day of 12-under 268 at PGA National. The When it was over, Blaney strolled the fi rst cricket Test. over to the stands and grabbed the Holder was replaced earlier margin matched the largest in tourna- checkered flag, which he handed to ment history, tying the mark set by this month as captain by Kraigg a young fan wearing the driver’s T- Brathwaite, who chose to bowl after Jack Nicklaus in 1977 and matched shirt. by Camilo Villegas in 2010. winning the toss at the Sir Vivian The 40-year-old Australian earned Richards Stadium. $1.26 million and, this time, he’ll CAR RACING Holder backed up that decision have more than a day to prepare for with his eighth fi ve-wicket bag in the trip to Augusta National. His win Tests, completed in 17.4 overs. He at the Houston Open in 2014 - and his It was a bitter loss for Larson, who was supported by Kemar Roach who Masters invite - came just one day be- missed a chance to become 2021’s fi rst started slowly but found his length in fore he had to go to Augusta, making two-time winner after a victory at Las the second session and took 3-47. it a scramble to get family and friends Vegas two weeks ago. West Indies batted cautiously through the fi nal hour to reach 13-0 together to share in the experience. Matt Jones of Australia holds the trophy after winning the Honda Classic golf tournament, on March 21, in Palm Still, he is off to a strong start in his The Masters starts April 8, so he’s Beach Gardens, Florida. (AP) new job at Hendrick Motorsports, less at stumps. Brathwaite, batting in sun- got much more time to plan this one. than a year after blurting out a racial glasses, was 3 not out from 36 balls ker, then four-putted from 25 feet for slur on the livestream of a late-night and John Campbell was on 7 from 44. video racing game, which cost him his The West Indies bowlers didn’t GOLF triple-bogey. Jones’ lead went to four, and he avoided trouble the rest of the Kuwait para shooter Al-Munaifi job at Chip Ganassi Racing. enjoy immediate success with the way, while Wise fi nished with a 73 “I hate to lead a lot of laps and lose,” new ball and 10 overs had elapsed and tied for 13th at 4 under. Larson said. “The car was stupid fast before the fi rst wicket fell. Rahkeem Jones started the week with a In Nairobi, Kenya, Justin Harding wins trap silver para World Cup for a long time there.” Cornwall removed Sri Lanka captain course-record-tying round of 9-under won the Kenya Open for his second The Cup series returned to the track Dimuth Karunaratne for 12 and that 61. He was three shots behind Aaron European Tour title, closing with a ABU DHABI, March 22, (KUNA): Russia, while the bronze medal where the racing world came to a halt began the unraveling of the Sri Lanka Wise after 36 holes after a second- Kuwait’s Bader Al-Munaifi on went to Ponomarenko’s compatriot a year ago. top order. 5-under 66 for a two-stroke victory. In March 2020, Atlanta was the fi rst round 70, and his round of 69 on Sat- The South African fi nished at 21 Sunday finished second place in Aleksei Pasternak. urday was good enough to put him up the trap competition at the World Al-Munaifi’s impressive showing NASCAR Cup race to be postponed under. He also won the 2019 Qatar Shooting Para Sport World Cup in was a testament to how far the because of the coronavirus pandemic. by three entering Sunday. Masters. Kurt Kitayama of the United CRICKET Brandon Hagy (66) fi nished 7 under the United Arab Emirates’ oasis sport of Paralympic shooting has This time, the race went off as States was second. He had two eagles city of Al-Ain, as the competition come in Kuwait, Duaij Al-Otaibi, the scheduled before a socially distanced and alone in second on his 30th birth- in a 6. day, his chance at winning doomed by chief of the country’s shooting fed- crowd of about 20,000 - far below ca- In Broussard. La., Roberto Diaz of eration, told KUNA via phone. Brathwaite brilliantly ran out Os- a third-round 76. Chase Seiffert (64), pacity because of the lingering COV- hada Fernando for 4 and Holder Mexico won the Chitimacha Loui- SHOOTING In comments after the highly ID-19 outbreak, but a welcome change Brendan Steele (65), C.T. Pan (70), siana Open for his fi rst Korn Kerry competitive outing, the Kuwaiti claimed his fi rst wicket when he Denny McCarthy (67) and Russell from last June when no fans were al- Tour title. Paralympic athlete expressed his dismissed Dinesh Chandimal (4) to Henley (68) tied for third at 6 under. lowed for Atlanta’s makeup race. The 34-year-old Diaz closed with reaches its halfway stage. pride over the accomplishment, leave Sri Lanka 54-3 at lunch. Wise’s chances ended at the par-4 The Kuwaiti para shooter, with a saying he was ecstatic to have The Cup series will be back July 11, a 3-under 68 for a one-stroke victory the fi rst time since 2010 that Atlanta Roach was particularly effective 10th. He hit his second into a bun- total of 22, was held off by gold been given the chance to represent between lunch and tea, dismissing over Peter Uihlein at Le Triomphe medalist Roman Ponomarenko of his homeland. has hosted two races in a season. Golf and Country Club. Diaz fi nished Pole-sitter Denny Hamlin continues Dhananjaya de Silva (13) and Pathum at 18 under. to lead the season standings after an- Nissanka (9), caught by Holder, to Uihlein shot a 67. Tom Whitney teur Rose Zhang with a birdie on the Jbe Kruger won the Sunshine Tour’s other strong run. He was fourth behind leave Sri Lanka 92-5. (63) was third at 16 under. second hole of a playoff. Liu closed Gauteng Championship at Ebotse Blaney, Larson and Alex Bowman. Opener Lahiru Thirimanne and Other Tours: China’s Ruixin Liu with a 3-under 69 at Longbow in Links in Benoni, South Africa. The Hamlin has fi nished in the top fi ve wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella won the season-opening Carlisle Ari- Mesa to match Zhang (66) at 17-under South African closed with a 6-under in every race but Homestead, where he combined in a partnership of 58 for the zona Women’s Golf Classic for her 271. The 17-year-old Zhang win the 66 to fi nish a 21-under, two strokes was 11th. sixth wicket which lifted the tourists to fi fth Symetra Tour title, beating ama- U.S. Women’s Amateur last year. ... ahead of countryman Martin Rohwer. Still, he’s clearly perturbed about 150-6. Dickwella was out at that total failing to take the top spot. for 32 and Thirimanne followed at 160- “We’re just not fast enough,” Ham- 7, bowled by Holder for 70. lin said. “We need more speed.” Thirimanne’s battling innings Stewart-Haas Racing is off to a gave some strength to Sri Lanka’s Oblak secures Atlético victory tough start in 2021. struggling top and middle order. He Kevin Harvick, who had won two wasn’t commanding and he hit only MADRID, March 22, (AP): After Jan home win against relegation-threatened each. of the last three races in Atlanta, was four boundaries in an innings of al- Oblak swatted the ball away with a su- Alavés . Messi played his 768th match for Bar- never in a mix after having to make an most fi ve hours. But he was resilient, perb penalty save in the 86th minute, The victory, Atlético’s third in the last celona to surpass Xavi Hernández for extra pit stop early on to change a fl at standing against the complete col- that resulted from a broken tire stem. Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone seven league games, left the leaders four the record number of club appearances. lapse of the Sri Lanka innings. celebrated on the sideline as if his team points ahead of Barcelona, which stayed Seeking its fi rst league title since He did battle back for a 10th-place had just scored a goal. 2014, Atlético will enter the interna- fi nish. Thirimanne scored mostly by work- His players did, too, rushing to em- tional break six points in front of third- The other Stewart-Haas drivers ing the ball into the leg side, behind brace the man who secured Atlético a place Real Madrid, which won 3-1 at were even farther back: Cole Custer square or through mid-wicket. He SOCCER reached his seventh test half century Aaron Wise reacts to his shot on win that could be decisive in the fi ght for Celta Vigo on Saturday. Suárez, who 18th, Aric Almirola 20th and Chase the third hole during the fi nal round the Spanish league title. had scored only twice in the last nine Briscoe 23rd. None has cracked the in 129 minutes. The Sri Lanka innings of the Honda Classic golf tourna- Luis Suárez had earlier scored his close by routing fi fth-place Real Socie- matches in all competitions, put Atlético top 10 this season. Kurt Busch had the contained only 11 fours and no sixes, ment, March 21, in Palm Beach 500th career goal with club and country dad 6-1. Lionel Messi and American ahead with a diving header in the 54th look of a contender until the restart to a mark of the accuracy of the bowling Gardens, Florida. (AP) to help give Atlético a hard-fought 1-0 defender Sergiño Dest scored two goals minute after a cross by Kieran Trippier. begin the second stage. and the testing nature of the pitch. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 SPORTS 15

Oregon State bounces Oklahoma State, Cunningham from NCAAs Loyola Chicago stuns top-seeded Illinois, into Sweet 16 INDIANAPOLIS, March 22, (AP): Loyola Chicago carried out 101-year- old superfan Sister Jean’s plans to a T on Sunday, moving to the Sweet 16 with a 71-58 win over Illinois, the fi rst No. 1 seed bounced from this year’s Lightning defeat Panthers to NCAA Tournament. Cameron Krutwig delivered a 19-point, 12-rebound masterpiece and the quick-handed, eighth-seeded Ram- blers (26-4) led wire to wire. They befuddled a powerful Illinois offense open 4-point lead in Central to return to the second weekend three years after their last magical run to the Final Four. The Ramblers will next play No. 12 seed Oregon State in a Midwest Re- Bratt’s OT winner carries Devils past Penguins 2-1 gional semifi nal. In this Nov 29, 2020 file photo, Illinois’ 7-foot second-team All- TAMPA, Florida, March Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of American Kofi Cockburn fi nished with Britain celebrates after winning the 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting, but 22, (AP): Tyler Johnson Formula One race in Bahrain Inter- worked hard for every shot. broke a tie on a power national Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. Oregon St 80, Oklahoma St 70 (AP) play midway through the Ethan Thompson scored 26 points third period to help the and Oregon State neutralized Oklaho- Driving diversity ma State and star freshman Cade Cun- Tampa Bay Lightning ningham, rolling to an 80-70 upset. beat the Florida Panthers Maurice Calloo, who transferred 5-3. Hamilton ready to from Oklahoma State, scored 15 points and Jarod Lucas also had 15 for the Yanni Gourde and Brayden chase 8th F1 title 12th-seeded Beavers. Point each had a goal and an as- Cunningham, a fi rst-team All-Amer- sist, Alex Killorn and Mathieu PARIS, March 22, (AP): If Lewis ican and possible top NBA draft pick, Hamilton wins an eighth Formula One scored 24 points for Oklahoma State Joseph also scored, and Curtis title, he will stand alone among the (21-9), but the fourth-seeded Cowboys McElhinney stopped 29 shots sport’s greats. And that might be the wasted possessions down the stretch to improve to 3-3 1. The Light- perfect time to walk away from the by failing to get him the ball. ning opened a four-point lead track for good. Avery Anderson scored 16 points Hamilton’s decision to pen a one- and Keylan Boone added 13 for Okla- over Florida in the Central Di- year contract with Mercedes sparked homa State in a game that was delayed vision standings. speculation he may call it quits when for 20 minutes at the start by a power Patric Hornqvist, Carter Ver- the sun sets on the F1 season at the outage. haeghe and Gustav Forsling Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December. scored for Florida, Aleksander Hamilton will be nearly 37 by then Syracuse 75, W. Virginia 72 and, if he does successfully defend his Buddy Boeheim carried his father, Barkov had two assists, and F1 crown, the British driver will move Jim, to the Hall of Fame coach’s 20th Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 19 one ahead of fellow great Michael Sweet 16 appearance, scoring 22 of his shots. Schumacher. 25 points after halftime to lead 11th- Johnson drove down to tap in Hamilton would have nothing left to seeded Syracuse past third-seeded West Virginia. pass from Gourde to make it 4-3. prove, with the most titles, wins (95 so Point added an empty-netter with far) and pole positions (98) all his. Jim Boeheim’s Orange got the bet- Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Mathieu Joseph (7) carries the puck in front of Florida Panthers center Eetu Luos- “Of course, it is the ultimate dream, ter of another legend, Bob Huggins, tarinen (27) during the third period of an NHL hockey game on March 21, in Tampa, Florida. (AP) 14.3 seconds left. but I don’t think necessarily it will be in the second March Madness meet- Devils 2, Penguins 1, OT the deciding factor for if I stay on and ing between coaches with at least 900 Division I victories. Huggins won No. In Pittsburgh, Jesper Bratt keep going,” Hamilton said. “I think it Syracuse pulls away to beat South Dakota State scored on a wraparound at 2:50 is more when I put that helmet on, I 900 when West Virginia beat More- still have that smile when I leave the head State in the fi rst round on Friday. of overtime to lift New Jersey garage. Will that be the case this year? Boeheim got his 982nd at Huggins’ past Pittsburgh. We shall see. Will I enjoy it as much? expense. UConn routs High Point in NCAA opener Bratt took a pass from Pavel Syracuse (18-9) advanced to face We’ll see.” SAN ANTONIO, March 22, (AP): 27 points and 15 rebounds in eighth- Zacha and quickly circled the The season starts Sunday in Bahrain second-seeded Houston. Buddy “Buckets” Boeheim erupted UConn did just fine without coach seeded Oklahoma State’s victory over net, tucking a shot between the after the traditional season-opening Geno Auriemma, with Paige Bueck- ninth-seeded Wake Forest. post and the goalie Tristan Jar- GP in Melbourne, Australia was post- in the second half, when he made all but one of his six 3-pointers. He fi n- ers scoring 24 points to lead the top- Mack was 13 of 22 from the field ry’s skate for his fi rst career over- poned until November because of the seeded Huskies to a 102-59 victory for Oklahoma State (19-8). Ja’Mee coronavirus pandemic. ished 6 of 13 from deep and 8 of 17 time goal. overall, and he helped put the game over High Point on Sunday night in Asberry added 18 points with four As brilliant as Hamilton was last the first round of the women’s NCAA 3-pointers. New Jersey won two of three year, he ended the season feeling away with three late free throws. games in the series. Tournament. S. Carolina 79, Mercer 53 drained after contracting the virus and Houston 63, Rutgers 60 Auriemma is recovering from the Sami Vatanen also scored expending huge energy in the fi ght Quentin Grimes scored 22 points, In San Antonio, South Carolina coronavirus and missed the opener. coach Dawn Staley got her 500th ca- for New Jersey, and Mack- against racism, his push for greater di- Tramon Mark converted a soaring Associate head coach Chris Dailey versity in motorsport, and his call for three-point play with 24 seconds left, reer victory when Aliyah Boston and enzie Blackwood stopped 35 filled in for the Hall of Famer, who is the top-seeded Gamecocks beat Mer- better human rights in some countries and Houston beat Rutgers. also going to miss the second-round shots. where F1 goes. DaJon Jarreau overcame a series of game against Syracuse on Tuesday in cer. Sidney Crosby scored for It all started when Hamilton and bumps and bruises to score a key buck- the River Walk Region. Staley is 328-102 in 13 seasons at Pittsburgh, and Jarry made 33 most drivers took a knee against rac- et down the stretch and fi nished with Dailey is 11-0 filling in for Auriem- South Carolina after going 172-80 in saves. ism at the Austrian GP in July, when 17 points for second-seeded Houston ma over their time together at UConn eight seasons at Temple. the delayed 2020 season began. While (26-3). (25-1). The Huskies also were missing Oregon St 83, Florida St 59 others appeared to fade in their com- assistant coach Shea Ralph, who left In San Antonio, Aleah Goodman ICE HOCKEY mitment, Hamilton continued to ham- BASKETBALL San Antonio after one of her relatives had 24 points, five rebounds, five as- mer home the need to fi ght. contracted COVID-19. Tennessee center Tamari Key sists and zero turnovers, and eighth- Kings 3, Golden Knights 1 Hamilton, who was knighted in Olivia Nelson-Ododa added 22 (top), goes to the basket over seeded Oregon State beat ninth-seeded In Los Angeles, Sean Walker year-end royal honors, has the same The 10th-seeded Scarlet Knights points. Middle Tennessee State forward Florida State. and Dustin Brown scored 51 sec- mindset for the season ahead. (16-12) still had a chance after Mark’s Skyler Curran led the Panthers (22- Courtney Whitson during a college Taylor Jones added 18 points and onds apart in the second period “That’s my driving force this year. free throws, but Geo Baker turned the 7) with 14 points. basketball game in the first round of eight rebounds for Oregon State (12- To make sure that we continue to push and Los Angeles ended Vegas’ ball over and Marcus Sasser made two Syracuse 72, SD State 55 the women’s NCAA basketball tour- 7). for accountability, and on top of that more to extend the lead. Rutgers rushed nament at the Frank Erwin Center Bianca Jackson had 17 points for winning streak at fi ve. hopefully I can deliver good perfor- In Austin, Texas, Emily Engstler in Austin, Texas, on March 21. (AP) back up the fl oor and Ron Harper Jr. let scored 18 points and eighth-seeded Florida State (10-9). Cal Petersen made 41 saves mances,” he said. fl y a potential tying 3 from the wing and fell just short of his second F1’s ‘We Race As One’ campaign Syracuse pulled away to beat ninth- Michigan 87, FGCU 66 Ga. Tech 54, SFA 52, OT that clanked off the side of the rim as seeded South Dakota State. career shutout to help the Kings was among the themes of 2020, he the fi nal buzzer sounded. In San Antonio, Leigha Brown scored In San Antonio, Lorela Cubaj re- said, “But (more) action is needed this Engstler made three 3-pointers in 28 points, including 17 straight for sixth- covered from a scary fall to score 14 avenged a 4-2 loss to the Knights year. We’ve got to make sure that we Baylor 76, Wisconsin 63 the fourth quarter for Syracuse (15-8). seeded Michigan, and the Wolverines points, including the go-ahead free on Friday night. continue to have that conversation.” Davion Mitchell scored 16 points beat 11th-seed Florida Gulf Coast. throws in overtime, and fifth-seeded and spearheaded a dominant defensive Tomas Nosek scored for the Hamilton said there were positive BASKETBALL Big Ten player of the year Naz Hill- Georgia Tech overcame a 17-point fi rst-place Golden Knights to end discussions between drivers at pre-sea- fi rst half, helping top-seeded Baylor halftime deficit to beat 12th-seeded avoid another NCAA Tournament up- mon finished with 14 points and 13 re- Petersen’s shutout bid with 3:27 son testing and F1’s president Stefano bounds for the Wolverines (15-5). Stephen F. Austin. set with a 76-63 win over Wisconsin Baylor 101, Jackson St 52 The Yellow Jackets (16-8) will face to play, but Jeff Carter scored a Domenicali, who “has taken the time In San Antonio, Moon Ursin scored Kentucky 71, Idaho St. 63 to sit with us all and be open.” on Sunday. West Virginia in the second round. breakaway goal 55 seconds later Not long after Illinois became the a career-high 24 points and second- In San Antonio, Rhyne Howard and to seal it. On the track, preseason did not go seeded Baylor routed Jackson State. Chasity Patterson scored 14 points W. Virginia 77, Lehigh 53 well for Mercedes. fi rst No. 1 seed to bow out, the Bears (24-2) looked every bit a Final Four fa- All-American NaLyssa Smith added apiece and fourth-seeded Kentucky In San Antonio, Kysre Gondrezick Predators 4, Stars 3, SO It gave rivals hope that a dominant 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting and had scored 26 points and fourth-seeded In Dallas, Calle Jarnkrok series of seven straight drivers’ and vorite in the fi rst half, smothering Wis- beat 13th-seeded Idaho State. consin with the type of defensive pres- 10 rebounds for the Bears (26-2). They Blair Green added 10 points for the West Virginia beat 13th-seeded Le- scored in the fifth round of the constructors’ championships may at will face Virginia Tech in the second high. last be under genuine threat. sure they played before a late-season Wildcats (18-8). They will play Iowa shootout and Nashville finished COVID-19 pause. round. in the second round. Kirsten Deans had 19 point, eight Red Bull star Max Verstappen rebounds and five assists for West Vir- a franchise-record eight-game picked up where he left off after win- Villanova 84, N. Texas 61 Virginia Tech 70, Marquette 63 Iowa 87, C. Michigan 72 ginia (22-6). trip the same way they started ning last year’s fi nal race in Abu Dhabi Jeremiah Robinson-Earl scored In San Marcos, Texas, Elizabeth In San Antonio, Freshman Caitlin Emma Grothaus scored 14 points it, with a shootout victory over in style and appeared very confi dent in 18 points, Jermaine Samuels Jr. had Kitley had 23 points and seventh-seed- Clark, the nation’s leading scorer, had for Lehigh (11-5). Dallas. testing. 15 and Villanova knocked down 15 ed Virginia Tech built a big lead and 23 points, seven rebounds and seven Mercado Region “I’d say Red Bull are ahead on per- 3-pointers, emphatically ending 13th- held off 10th-seeded Marquette. assists and fifth-seeded Iowa beat Eeli Tolvanen had the tying formance. They are the class act. Are seeded North Texas’ bid for a second Kitley also had eight rebounds, four 12th-seeded Central Michigan. N.C. State 79, NC A&T 58 goal with six minutes remain- In San Marcos, Texas, Jada Boyd we going to have a close season? I upset. assists and three blocks for Virginia Monika Czinano also scored 23 ing in regulation and two as- scored 15 of her 18 points in the sec- would say so,” Mercedes strategy di- Villanova (18-6) will play the sec- Tech (15-9). points for Iowa (19-9). sists for his first career three- rector James Vowles said. “Red Bull ond weekend of the tournament for the Tennessee 87, M. Tennessee 62 ond half and top-seeded North Caro- point game. are a fi erce adversary, they’ve got a third time in the last fi ve. Coach Jay Stanford 87, Utah Valley 44 lina State overcame a slow start to beat In Austin, Texas, Rennia Davis had In San Antonio, Kiana Williams Ryan Johansen had a power- strong package and clearly came out of Wright’s team won the whole thing the 24 points and 14 rebounds and No. 3 16th-seeded North Carolina. the box very, very quick.” last two times it got this far in 2016 and scored 20 points while becoming Stan- State will face South Florida in the play goal in the fi rst period, and seed Tennessee used a dominant sec- ford’s career leader in 3-pointers and ’18. ond half to beat 14th-seeded Middle second round. Filip Forsberg pulled Nashville These Wildcats are not considered the top-seeded Cardinal overwhelmed Chanin Scott led NC A&T (14-3) to 3-2 late in the second. MOTOR RACING Tennessee. Utah Valley. a serious national championship con- Rae Burrell scored 22 points and with 23 points. Lacie Hull added 12 points for Pac- Pekka Rinne had 27 saves for tender - but they seemed to channel Jordan Walker had nine points and 14 S. Florida 57, Wash. St 53 12 champion Stanford (26-2), the No. Nashville. Red Bull has a stronger lineup, those title teams in the fi rst half against rebounds for Tennessee (17-7). The In Austin, Texas, Elena Tsineke Rhett Gardner scored his fi rst too, with Sergio Perez replacing Alex the Conference USA champions at Vols outrebounded the Blue Raid- 1 overall seed for the first time since scored 18 points, including the go- Albon and bringing with him nearly Bankers Life Fieldhouse. ers (17-8) 56-21. Tennessee will face 1996. The Cardinals will face Okla- ahead basket with 1:32 remaining, to NHL goal, fellow rookie Ty Del- homa State in the second round. landrea picked up his third and 200 GPs and 10 podiums, including a Arkansas 68, Texas Tech 66 Michigan in the second round. help South Florida beat Washington second place in Turkey followed by a Justin Smith had 20 points and Anastasia Hayes scored 26 points Oklahoma St 84, Wake Forest 61 State. Radek Faska also scored for the superb win at the Sakhir GP last year. played a key role in a final-play for Middle Tennessee. In San Antonio, Natasha Mack had Leger-Walker had 1 Stars. Hamilton is wary of Red Bull’s defensive stop, helping Arkansas threat, saying “It’s going to be a long beat Texas Tech and secure the pro- Smith found himself defending Kyler Arkansas guard JD Notae snagging the battle with them.” gram’s first trip to the Sweet 16 in a Edwards beyond the 3-point arc. Ed- rebound and sprinting up court to run NHL Results/Standings Verstappen was Hamilton’s main quarter-century. wards drove into the paint with Smith the fi nal seconds out. threat on race days last season, despite In the fi nal seconds of a tense fi nish, on his hip and missed a layup, with The third-seeded Razorbacks are off having a slower car. to the regional semifi nals for the fi rst The early signs are that the 23-year- time since 1996 under famed former WASHINGTON, March 22, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on old Verstappen will add to his 10 GP coach Nolan Richardson. Arkansas Sunday. wins. (24-6) next faces No. 15 seed Oral New Jersey 2 Pittsburgh OT 1 Los Angeles 3 Vegas 1 “It has defi nitely been the best Roberts. Tampa Bay 5 Florida 3 Nashville 4 Dallas SO 3 preseason. The car felt nice to drive, Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 20 East Division West Division which I think is always very positive,” points for Texas Tech (18-11). GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA Verstappen said, referring to Red Washington 31 20 7 4 44 106 92 Oral Roberts 81, Florida 78 NY Islanders 32 20 8 4 44 96 72 Vegas 29 21 7 1 43 95 66 Bull’s reliability issues last year. “But Pittsburgh 32 19 11 2 40 100 88 Colorado 29 19 8 2 40 97 65 it doesn’t give you any guarantees. Oral Roberts became just the second Boston 28 16 8 4 36 77 66 Minnesota 29 18 10 1 37 87 75 We’ll fi nd out through the fi rst race No. 15 seed in NCAA Tournament Philadelphia 29 15 11 3 33 93 105 St Louis 31 16 10 5 37 96 99 history to advance to the round of 16, NY Rangers 30 13 13 4 30 89 79 Los Angeles 30 13 11 6 32 88 84 weekend where we are.” New Jersey 29 11 14 4 26 71 90 Arizona 31 13 13 5 31 77 92 Valtteri Bottas fi nished 124 points be- sending No. 7 seed Florida home. Buffalo 29 6 19 4 16 61 101 San Jose 29 11 14 4 26 83 103 hind fellow Mercedes driver Hamilton, Oral Roberts opened the tournament Central Division Anaheim 32 9 17 6 24 71 110 compared with 87 the season before. The by stunning No. 2 seed Ohio State. GP W L OT Pts GF GA North Division Tampa Bay 31 23 6 2 48 115 73 GP W L OT Pts GF GA margin of defeat last season was even Kevin Obanor and Max Abmas Florida 31 20 7 4 44 105 88 Toronto 32 20 10 2 42 107 83 more emphatic considering there were carried the Golden Eagles out of an Carolina 30 20 7 3 43 101 78 Edmonton 34 21 13 0 42 116 97 four fewer races than in 2019. 11-point defi cit. Obanor scored 28 Columbus 32 13 12 7 33 86 103 Winnipeg 31 18 11 2 38 100 91 points and Abmas, the regular season Chicago 32 14 13 5 33 95 106 Montreal 31 14 8 9 37 100 87 The 31-year-old Finn also has a one- Nashville 32 14 17 1 29 77 103 Vancouver 35 16 16 3 35 99 111 year deal. national leading scorer, fi nished with Dallas 28 10 10 8 28 80 75 Calgary 32 15 14 3 33 87 97 It may prove to be his last chance Loyola Chicago guard Braden Norris (4) drives on Illinois guard Trent Fra- 26 as the Golden Eagles (18-10) closed Detroit 32 10 18 4 24 71 104 Ottawa 33 10 20 3 23 87 130 to topple Hamilton, with Verstappen zier (1) during the second half of a men’s college basketball game in the the game on a 25-11 run to overcome Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in waiting in the wings for a possible fu- second round of the NCAA tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in India- the 11-point lead Florida held with less each division will qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment. ture move to Mercedes. napolis, on March 21. (AP) than 10 minutes remaining. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 16

Paris Saint Germain’s Angel Di Maria (left), challenges for the ball with Lyon’s Jason Denayer (right), during the French League One soccer match between Lyon and PSG in Decines, near Lyon, central France, March 2. PSG won 4-2 to go top of League One. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Chelsea set up FA Cup showdown with City Leicester oust United, reach semis LONDON, March 22, (AP): While Youri Tielemans’ strike eliminated er. their neighbors are chasing a quadru- United, which had leveled through Thomas Tuchel is now 14 matches ple, Manchester United now have only Mason Greenwood. Leicester have the unbeaten since replacing Frank one route to ending a four-year trophy easier route to the final after being Lampard as Chelsea manager. Not drought. drawn to play Southampton. only has he steered Chelsea into the Losing 3-1 at Leicester in the FA The other semifinal will pit Man quarterfinals of the Champions League Cup quarterfinals realistically leaves City against Chelsea, which beat by seeing off Atletico Madrid but he is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with only the Sheffield United 2-0 in Sunday’s other now one match from an FA Cup final. Europa League to produce his first quarterfinal. Oliver Norwood’s own-goal and trophy as United manager. United face The FA Cup semifinals next month Hakim Ziyech’s last-gasp strike sealed Granada in the quarterfinals of the take place a week before the League Europa League. Cup final between City and Tottenham. But with United second in the That is Jose Mourinho’s only way of SOCCER Premier League, albeit 14 points delivering Tottenham’s first trophy behind Manchester City, securing since 2008 after the north London Champions League qualification could club’s elimination from the Europa Chelsea’s quarterfinal win at Stamford be the most significant achievement. League on Thursday. Bridge. It will be lucrative, too, and for But Tottenham helped their chances Mikel Arteta saw the worst and best Leicester, which are only a point of qualifying for the Champions of his Arsenal team at West Ham. behind United in third. League by beating Aston Villa 2-0 in Goals from Jesse Lingard, Jarrod But while Brendan Rodgers knows the Premier League to move within Bowen and Tomas Soucek inside 32 the value of steering Leicester back three points of fourth-place Chelsea. minutes had West Ham cruising to vic- into the Champions League for the Tottenham received some assistance tory. first time since Claudio Ranieri’s side from neighbors Arsenal recovering But own-goals from Soucek and won the Premier League in 2016, the from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with West Craig Dawson hauled Arsenal, at times status of a trip to a first FA Cup semi- Ham, which missed a chance to move shambolic in the first half, back into Leicester’s Dennis Praet, (front), duels for the ball with Manchester United’s Scott McTominay during the English final since 1982 is also notable. level on points with Chelsea after con- the match and Lacazette’s late header FA Cup quarter final soccer match between Leicester City and Manchester United at the King Power Stadium in Kelechi Iheanacho’s double and ceding Alexandre Lacazette’s equaliz- earned the visitors a point. Leicester, England, March 21. (AP) Rockets suffer 20th straight loss

Griffin makes debut as Nets edge Wizards

HOUSTON, March 22, (AP): The Houston Rockets NBA Results/Standings lost their team-record 20th straight game, falling 114- 112 to the Oklahoma City WASHINGTON, March 22, (AP): NBA results and standings on Thunder on Sunday when Sunday. Indiana 109 Miami OT 106 John Wall missed two shots Oklahoma City 114 Houston 112 in the final 10 seconds. New Orleans 113 Denver 108 Boston 112 Orlando 96 The skid is tied for the ninth- Chicago 100 Detroit 86 worst in NBA history and the lon- Brooklyn 113 Washington 106 gest since Philadelphia’s record- Cleveland 116 Toronto 105 setting 28-game losing streak Philadelphia 101 New York OT 100 Dallas 132 Portland 92 across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 Phoenix 111 LA Lakers 94 seasons. Eastern Conference Houston took a 110-109 lead with Atlantic Division less than three minutes remaining. W L Pct GB After the Rockets went ahead, Lu Dort Philadelphia 30 13 .698 - blocked Wall’s layup from behind to Brooklyn 29 14 .674 1 protect a 113-112 edge. Wall then Boston 21 21 .500 8-1/2 New York 21 22 .488 9 missed a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer. Toronto 17 25 .405 12-1/2 Dort scored 23 points and Isaiah Roby had 18 for the Thunder. Southeast Division Christian Wood had 27 points, eight W L Pct GB Atlanta 22 20 .524 - rebounds and two blocks for Houston, Miami 22 21 .512 -1/2 Wall had 24 points and seven assists, Charlotte 20 21 .488 1-1/2 and Victor Oladipo had 23 points. Washington 15 26 .366 6-1/2 Nets 113, Wizards 106 Orlando 14 28 .333 8 Central Division In New York, Kyrie Irving scored W L Pct GB 28 points and James Harden had 26 to Milwaukee 27 14 .659 - lead Brooklyn past Washington. Indiana 19 22 .463 8 Chicago 19 22 .463 8 Cleveland 16 26 .381 11-1/2 BASKETBALL Brazil’s Ferroviaria players celebrate with the trophy winning the Copa Libertadores Women’s soccer final match against Colombia’s America in Buenos Detroit 12 30 .286 15-1/2 Aires, Argentina, March 21. Brazil’s Ferroviaria won 2-1. (AP) Western Conference Southwest Division Blake Griffin dunked for the first W L Pct GB time since December 2019 in his Nets San Antonio 22 17 .564 - Mexico lead Group A Dallas 22 19 .537 1 debut and Nicolas Claxton added 16 Memphis 19 20 .487 3 points, including two three-point plays New Orleans 18 24 .429 5-1/2 down the stretch. Houston 11 30 .268 12 Russell Westbrook had 29 points, Northwest Division 13 rebounds and 13 assists for US rout Dominican in Olympic qualifying W L Pct GB Washington. After trailing by as many Utah 30 11 .732 - as 14 in the first half and 12 in the Denver 25 17 .595 5-1/2 second, Washington pulled GUADALAARA, Mexico, March determine matchups in the semifi- Playing two days after his 24th just inside the penalty area in the Portland 25 17 .595 5-1/2 Oklahoma City 18 24 .429 12-1/2 Celtics 112, Magic 96 22, (AP): U.S. coach Jason Kreis nals against teams from Group B, birthday, Yueill scored just after 73rd minute off a short pass from Minnesota 10 32 .238 20-1/2 In Boston, Jaylen Brown hit a was dismayed by his team’s score- most likely Honduras and Canada. Johnny Cardoso hit the crossbar. Mihailovic, who came in for Pacific Division less first half against the career-high 10 3-pointers and scored Semifinal winners qualify for the Substitutes were waiting on the Salcedo. Dotson combined with W L Pct GB 34 points, Jayson Tatum added 23 and Dominican Republic in qualifying Olympics. sidelines at the time to come in for Mihailovic again in the 78th, scor- Phoenix 28 13 .683 - Boston beat Orlando to snap a three- for the Olympic men’s soccer American players did not gener- both Yueill and Cardoso. ing on a right-foot shot from 8 LA Lakers 28 15 .651 1 game losing streak. tournament. yards, and Mihailovic scored on a LA Clippers 27 16 .628 2 The Celtics made 23 3-pointers, one ate sufficient attempts in the first Dotson, who replaced Cordoso, Golden State 22 21 .512 7 Jackson Yueill redirected half. scored on a right-foot shot from sliding shot from 3 yards in the Sacramento 17 25 .405 11-1/2 short of the franchise record. Brown Sebastian Salcedo’s cross for the was 10 for 18 from the distance. first minute of stoppage time off a Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and go-ahead goal in the 60th minute cross from Benji Michel, another 13 rebounds for Orlando. The Magic to get the offense untracked, and second-half sub. JT Marcinkowski started in goal beat Brooklyn on Friday night to snap second-half substitute Hassani Olympic men’s soccer qualify- in place of David Ochoa, Julian a nine-game losing streak. Dotson added a pair of goals in a ing is limited to players born Jan. Araujo at right back for Aaron Cavaliers 116, Raptors 105 4-0 victory on Sunday night at 1, 1997, or later, and each team Herrera and Henry Kessler at cen- In Cleveland, Collin Sexton scored Guadalajara, Mexico, that advan- reaching the Olympics can add tral defender for Mauricio Pineda, 23 of his 36 points in the second half, ced the U.S. to a qualification three wild-card players. joining central defender Justen Jarrett Allen had 17 points and 15 match on March 28. Glad and left back Sam Vines. rebounds and Cleveland handed Toro- Djordje Mihailovic, another Jackson Yueill was in defensive nto its eighth straight loss. second-half sub, had a goal and SOCCER midfield, and Cardoso, Saucedo Dean Wade scored 16 points, and two assists for the U.S., trying to Darius Garland had 15 points and six and Andrés Perea joined Jonathan assists for Cleveland.. The Cavaliers reach the Olympics for the first The U.S. failed to reach the Lewis in advanced midfield, had dropped five of six. time since 2012. 2012 and 2016 Olympics, a set- replacing Dotson, Mihailovic and Fred VanVleet had 23 points and In the second game of the dou- back that preceded the senior Michel. Ferreira again headed the seven assists for Toronto. bleheader, Mexico beat Costa national team’s failure to reach the attack, then was replaced by 76ers 101, Knicks 101, OT Rica 3-0 on goals by Uriel Antuna, 2018 World Cup. Sebastian Soto at the start of the In New York, Tobias Harris made Alexis Vega and Sebastián The U.S made six changes from second half. two free throws with 5.3 seconds left Córdova. the starting lineup in the opening The Dominican Republic, com- in overtime and Philadelphia ran its Mexico lead Group A on goal 1-0 win over Costa Rica, when ing off an opening 4-1 loss to winning streak against New York to difference over the U.S. and meet Brooklyn Nets forward Jeff Green (8) collides with Washington Wizards Jesús Ferreira scored in the 35th guard Bradley Beal (3) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Mexico, started six teenagers as 15 games. the Americans on Wednesday to minute, part of the youngest roster in the Philadelphia improved to 30-13 March 21, in New York. (AP) with its eighth win in its last 10 games. tournament. Julius Randle scored 24 points, but triple-double by Nikola Jokic to beat Pacers 109, Heat 106, OT scored 15 points and Domantas 16 points and eight rebounds and In contrast to the U.S., the his last shot rimmed out just before the Denver. In Miami, Justin Holiday scored 15 Sabonis had 17 points and 11 rebounds Chicago used a strong defensive per- Dominican team did not have buzzer as New York dropped to 21-22. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 20 points and hit consecutive 3-pointers for the Pacers. formance to beat Detroit. player names on their uniforms. Pelicans 113, Nuggets 108 points for the Pelicans. in overtime to lead Indiana past Miami Bam Adebayo scored 29 points for Zach LaVine scored 18 points for FIFA’s regulations say it is not Miami. In Denver, Brandon Ingram and Jokic had 29 points, 10 rebounds for a series sweep. the Bulls compulsory for the name of the Zion Williamson each scored 30 points and 10 assists for his 11 triple-double Myles Turner had with 16 points Bulls 100, Pistons 86 Jerami Grant had 26 points for player to appear on his shirt during and New Orleans’ overcame another of the season and 52nd overall. and five blocks, Doug McDermott In Detroit, Laurie Markkanen had Detroit. qualifying.

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