Taste My Aruba: Friday Sustainable, February 12, 2021 Sea-to-table T: 582-7800 Savor www.arubatoday.com facebook.com/arubatoday instagram.com/arubatoday

Page 10 Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper GOP attacks Dems’ $1.9T COVID-19 relief bill from all angles By A. FRAM, R. ALONSO- Democratic leaders hope ZALDIVAR and K. FREKING for House passage later Associated Press this month, with Senate ap- WASHINGTON (AP) — Re- proval and a bill on Biden’s publicans are attacking desk by mid-March. the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion “This is the moment,” said COVID-19 relief package Ways and Means Com- as too costly, economically mittee Chairman Richard damaging and overtly par- Neal, D-Mass., citing the tisan, an all-angles attempt pandemic’s human and to derail new President economic toll. Joe Biden’s top priority as As committees worked, it starts moving through a Republicans proposed Congress his party controls amendments spotlighting only narrowly.Four House what they see as the leg- committees worked Thurs- islation’s soft spots. Their day on their pieces of themes were clear: Demo- sweeping legislation that crats are overspending, would send $1,400 pay- hurting workers and em- ments to many Americans. ployers’ job markets, being It would also provide hun- too generous to some im- dreds of billions for state migrants, inviting fraud and and local governments rewarding political allies — and to boost vaccination allegations that Democrats efforts, raise tax credits dismiss as ludicrous. In this Feb. 9, 2021, photo, President Joe Biden meets with business leaders to discuss a coronavi- for children and increase rus relief package in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. unemployment benefits. Continued on Page 3 Associated Press A2 Friday 12 February 2021 u.s. news

White House says it will defer to CDC on reopening schools By COLLIN BINKLEY na has the “background, AP Education Writer qualifications and temper- Facing criticism that Presi- ament” to become secre- dent Joe Biden has not tary. acted aggressively enough “He’s stressed the need on reopening schools, the for students to get back in White House on Thursday school, and that’s now fi- said it’s aiming for a full re- nally a bipartisan mission,” opening but will defer to Burr said. science experts on how to Biden has made schools achieve it in the middle of a priority as he works to a pandemic. bolster a battered econo- The White House drew criti- my, but critics say he has cism this week when it said scaled back on his goals schools would be consid- amid growing challenges. ered opened if they teach His initial pledge in Decem- in-person at least one day ber was to reopen “the a week. Asked about it majority of our schools” Thursday, press secretary in his first 100 days in of- Jen Psaki said Biden hopes fice. He later specified that to get students in the class- the goal applied only to room five days a week as elementary and middle soon as it’s safe. White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, schools. And this week, the Psaki did not detail a time- Feb. 11, 2021, in Washington. White House said schools Associated Press line for that milestone, how- would be considered open ever, saying the administra- as long as they teach in- tion will act on new school person once a week. guidance that’s expected Republicans say Biden to be released Friday by is backpedaling on his the Centers for Disease pledge and caving to Control and Prevention. teachers unions that have “I can assure any parent opposed reopening un- listening that his objective, til their demands are met. his commitment, is to ensur- Biden’s critics say schools ing schools are open five are safe to open now, cit- days a week,” Psaki said ing CDC findings that, at a press briefing. “That’s with the right precautions, what he wants to achieve, it’s generally safe to hold and we are going to lead classes in-person. with science and the ad- Asked why parents should vice they are giving us.” be satisfied with just one The task of helping schools day of in-person teach- reopen will fall to the CDC, ing per week, Psaki ap- Psaki said, and to Biden’s peared to back away from pick for education sec- her previous stance. “They retary, Miguel Cardona, shouldn’t be. I wouldn’t be, whose nomination was as a parent,” she said. approved Thursday by the Biden’s $1.9 trillion pan- Senate Health, Education, demic relief plan includes Labor and Pensions Com- $130 billion to help schools mittee. upgrade buildings, buy The panel voted 17-5 in protective equipment and favor of Cardona, who is take other steps to reopen. expected to be approved House Democrats ad- by the full Senate. He won vanced that portion of the support from the commit- package this week using a tee’s ranking Republican, special process enabling Sen. Richard Burr of North them to pass the bill down Carolina, who said Cardo- party lines.q A3 up front Friday 12 February 2021 GOP attacks Dems’ $1.9T COVID-19 relief bill from all angles Continued from Front between cities and rural said in a statement that areas, which many Repub- Democrats were pushing The proposals signaled licans represent. “liberal wish-list policies” that Biden’s plan faces “I don’t know if the White and accused them of “sid- solid Republican opposi- House knows this, but ing with teachers’ unions,” tion in a House and Senate you’re supposed to be cre- mostly Democratic-friendly where Democrats have ating jobs, not killing them,” organizations that have few votes to spare, while said Texas Rep. Kevin largely opposed reopening forcing Democrats to take Brady, the top Republican schools until they are safer. positions that could tee up on the Ways and Means McCarthy, eyeing 2022 GOP campaign ads for the panel. He said while his elections that he hopes 2022 elections. party has backed over $3 will make him speaker of a There were amendments trillion in earlier pandemic GOP-run House, suggested to reduce the $400 extra relief bills, “whatever this Republicans were ready to in weekly jobless benefits rushed, partisan, special work to restore jobs, reopen Democrats want to pro- interest ‘stimulus’ package schools and provide vac- In this Nov. 12, 2020 file photo House Minority Leader Kevin vide through August and does, it comes with no bi- cines “to those who want McCarthy, R-Calif., talks during a news conference on Capitol exempt the smallest busi- partisan discussion, no op- it.” But he said Democrats’ Hill in Washington. nesses from Democrats’ portunity for finding com- “policy distractions will only Associated Press plans to gradually raise mon ground.” make America weaker lion package. “Big doesn’t for COVID-19 vaccination, the minimum wage to $15 Biden campaigned on re- and bring our recovery to necessarily mean good,” testing, contact tracing hourly from $7.25. Others uniting a country riven by a halt.” said Rep. Anthony Gonza- and treatments. It would in- would limit emergency President Donald Trump’s One by one, commit- lez, R-Ohio. “Let’s go smart. vest $1.75 billion in “genom- grants for undergraduates divisive four years. He met tees were rejecting GOP Let’s go targeted and let’s ic sequencing,” or DNA to U.S. citizens and bar fed- two weeks ago with 10 amendments, mostly on solve the actual need.” mapping of virus samples, eral subsidies for some job- GOP senators to discuss the party-line votes. Democrats The Congressional Budget to identify potentially more based health insurance to COVID-19 plan in a session disputed Republican as- Office expects the econo- dangerous coronavirus mu- people without Social Se- that seemed cordial but sertions that, for example, my to add an average of tations and study how fast curity numbers, effectively has produced no visible a proposed $400 weekly 521,000 jobs a month this they are spreading. targeting many immigrants. movement. pandemic unemployment year, a sign of robust hir- It would also advance long- Other GOP propos- Democrats say attempts to benefit was so generous it ing made possible in part standing Democratic pri- als would put strings on compromise with Republi- would discourage people by government aid. But orities like increasing cover- emergency funds to help cans wasted time and re- from seeking jobs. those gains will likely hinge age under the Obama-era schools reopen safely, re- sulted in a package that “The whole force of this on containing the virus. Em- Affordable Care Act. quiring that schools offer in- proved too small when amendment is to not, quote ployers kicked off 2021 by It dangles a fiscal carrot person classes or give the President Barack Obama unquote, spoil people by adding a mere 49,000 jobs in front of a dozen states, money to parents for edu- sought an economic stim- giving them too much in January as deaths from mainly in the South, that cation savings accounts ulus compromise in 2009, money,” said Rep. Gwen the disease curbed eco- have not yet taken up the if they remain closed. Still his first year. They want to Moore, D-Wis. She said it nomic activity. law’s Medicaid expansion others would make sure finish this initial Biden goal suggested people who’ve Meanwhile, House Demo- to cover more low-income assistance for renters, ho- without any stumbles and lost jobs do not “deserve crats unveiled new details adults, proposing a tem- meowners and the airline before emergency jobless to live above a starvation- of their plan. porary 5% increase in fed- industry didn’t extend long benefits expire on March level wage.” The Energy and Commerce eral aid to states that newly after the pandemic ends, 14. Even so, Republicans Committee’s section of the expand the health care and divide $26 billion for ur- House Minority Leader voiced concerns about the plan, exceeding $180 bil- program for lower-income ban transportation systems Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., sheer size of the $1.9 tril- lion, would provide billions people. q Biden decree ends ‘emergency’ that Trump used to build wall border. The U.S. has been building tration, the U.S. had com- The White House released a border walls for decades pleted more than 450 miles letter Thursday from Biden under both Democratic (720 kilometers) of new to House Speaker Nancy and Republican adminis- wall construction along the Pelosi notifying Congress trations. Trump made the 2,000-mile (3,145 kilome- that he had rescinded his effort a centerpiece of his ter) border. Much of the predecessor’s February first presidential campaign, construction was in areas 2019 proclamation. vowing to build a wall where there had already It was a formality since across the entire border been some form of bar- Biden ordered a halt to and have Mexico pay for it. rier. Trump administration border wall construction Trump took roughly $6 bil- officials said the border shortly after he took office. lion from military funds un- wall slowed down smug- In his letter, the president der the national emergen- glers and people crossing said Trump’s declaration of cy he declared after Con- the border illegally so they a national emergency had gress refused his demands could be more easily ap- This March 2, 2019 photo shows a Customs and Border Control been “unwarranted” and for wall funding, leading prehended. Critics said agent patrols on the US side of a razor-wire-covered border wall that he had directed that to the longest government there were more effective along the Mexico east of Nogales, Ariz. “no more American tax- shutdown in history. tools for enforcement and Associated Press payer dollars be diverted The Supreme Court up- that parts of the new con- WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- Donald Trump declared in to construct a border wall.” held a legal challenge to struction damaged envi- dent Joe Biden has offi- order to take money from He also ordered a review Trump’s action in a 5-4 vote ronmentally sensitive areas cially ended the “national the Pentagon to build a of all money spent on the in July 2019. or were in places where a emergency” that President wall along the U.S.-Mexico project so far. By the end of his adminis- wall wasn’t needed. q A4 Friday 12 February 2021 U.S. NEWS Judge declines new arrest warrant for Kyle Rittenhouse By TODD RICHMOND ating $2 million for his bail in Associated Press November. MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Binger said he suspect- judge on Thursday refused ed that Rittenhouse had prosecutors’ request to is- moved in November but sue a new arrest warrant it wasn’t confirmed until for an 18-year-old from Illi- a hearing notice was re- nois accused of killing two turned as undeliverable in people during a police bru- January and detectives tality protest in Wisconsin subsequently found some- last summer. one else living there. Kenosha County Assistant Richards acknowledged District Attorney Thomas that he should have updat- Binger alleged that Kyle ed the address but stressed Rittenhouse failed to up- that Rittenhouse has made date his address when he every court appearance moved out of his Antioch and isn’t a flight risk. apartment in November, “We have nothing to fear,” amounting to a bail viola- Richards said. “The truth will tion. set my client free.” In addition to a new ar- Last month, Rittenhouse rest warrant, Binger asked was captured on video at Judge Bruce Schroeder to a Wisconsin bar wearing increase Rittenhouse’s bail This undated booking photo from the Antioch, Ill., Police Department shows Kyle Rittenhouse. a T-shirt that read “Free as Associated Press by $200,000. Rittenhouse’s (expletive),” drinking and attorneys countered that Binger the address, say- tered that Rittenhouse Joseph Rosenbaum, An- flashing white supremacist Rittenhouse is in hiding due ing he didn’t want more doesn’t live in Kenosha thony Huber and Gaige signs. to threats. violence in Kenosha. The County so the sheriff can’t Grosskreutz with an AR- Five men serenaded with Schroeder refused both of move — and the comment touch him. Schroeder cut 15-style rifle. Rosenbaum him a song that has be- Binger’s requests. During a — left Binger flabbergast- Binger off in mid-sentence and Huber were killed. come the anthem for neo- testy hearing the judge said ed. and ended the hearing. Grosskreutz was wounded. fascist group The Proud people out on bail often “I hope you’re not suggest- According to prosecutors, Rittenhouse faces multiple Boys. He could legally drink fail to update their address- ing sharing this with our of- Rittenhouse, who is white, charges, including two in the bar because he was es and aren’t arrested. He fice would lead to further came to Kenosha on Aug. homicide counts. He has with his mother. ordered Rittenhouse attor- violence,” Binger said. “We 25 to protect businesses as argued he fired in self-de- Huber’s father, John, told ney Mark Richards to turn are not the public. We are the city was in the throes fense after the protesters the judge during the hear- over Rittenhouse’s current the prosecuting agency. of chaotic protests after attacked him. ing that he thinks Ritten- physical address but said I have never heard of a a white police officer shot Black Lives Matter support- house’s bail should be set it would be sealed to the situation where the infor- Jacob Blake, who is Black, ers have painted him as at $4 million. public and only he and the mation has been withheld in the back during a do- a trigger-happy white su- “How would you feel if the Kenosha County Sheriff’s from my office.” mestic disturbance. Ritten- premacist, but some con- killer of your son was just Department would have Schroeder said the sheriff house was 17 at the time. servatives see him as a sym- able to walk free and make access to it. could handle any further Rittenhouse allegedly bol for gun rights and have videos in bars and just live it The judge refused to give bail violations. Binger coun- opened fire on protesters rallied around him, gener- up?” he said.q At least 5 killed in massive crash on icy Texas interstate town Fort Worth, a tangle of sponders were falling on usual, said Steve Goss, a semitrailers, cars and trucks the scene,” Zavadsky said. meteorologist with the Na- had crashed into each He said his crews carry a tional Weather Service’s other and had turned ev- sand and salt mixture in the Storm Prediction Center in ery which way, with some ambulances, which they Norman, Oklahoma. vehicles on top of others. began using at the scene. “As a result we’re getting “The vehicles are just man- At one point, he said, one unusually or unseasonably gled,” said Matt Zavadsky, of the ambulances was cold air that’s spilling south spokesman for MedStar, hit, but it sustained only mi- across a good portion of which provides the ambu- nor damage and the crew the United States east of lance service for the area. members were fine. the Rocky Mountains,” he “Multiple tow trucks are on Farther south, in suburban said. scene. It’s going to take Austin, more than two doz- In Tennessee, police re- a lot to disentangle this en vehicles were involved sponded to about 30 traffic wreck.” in a pileup on an icy high- collisions and some flights Vehicles are piled up after a fatal crash on Interstate 35 near Fort Thirty-six people were taken way, and five people were were delayed at Memphis Worth, Texas on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. to hospitals from the crash, taken to a hospital, emer- International Airport after Associated Press several with critical injuries, gency officials said. freezing rain and sleet fell. By JAMIE STENGLE an icy Texas interstate, po- Zavadsky said. Police set The storm came as a po- In Kentucky, the governor Associated Press lice said, as a winter storm up a reunification center lar vortex — swirling air declared a state of emer- DALLAS (AP) — At least five dropped freezing rain, sleet for family members at a that normally sits over the gency to free up funding people were killed and and snow on parts of the community center. Earth’s poles — has moved and help agencies coordi- dozens injured Thursday U.S. “The roadway was so near the U.S.-Canada nate as they responded to in a massive crash involv- At the scene of the crash treacherous from the ice border, resulting in colder reports of slick roads and ing 75 to 100 vehicles on on Interstate 35 near down- that several of the first re- weather farther south than downed power lines. q A5 WORLD NEWS Friday 12 February 2021 European deep freeze serves up fun, frustrations and danger

By MIKE CORDER er bureau reported minus Associated Press 11 degrees Celsius (12 de- THE HAGUE, Netherlands grees F) before dawn on (AP) — Three workers in Thursday. a boat hacked away at Berlin police said a man ice Thursday to create a rescued alive from a frozen watery barrier around the pond in the German capi- Dutch prime minister’s of- tal has died. Police said fice, while others in the Thursday that firefighters Netherlands tentatively pulled the 43-year-old man tested the frozen surfaces out of the water after he of lakes and canals to see if had been submerged for they were safe to skate on. more than two hours and The deep freeze gripping managed to revive him, large parts of Europe is serv- but he died in the hospital ing up both fun and frustra- Wednesday evening. tions, with heavy snow cut- The man and three others ting power to thousands of had made holes in the ice homes in central Slovakia to go ice swimming. and snarling traffic in the Greece, meanwhile, has east of the country, while been enjoying spring-like snow on Dutch roads and weather with temperatures sidewalks allowed some in the 20s Celsius range (68 parents to pull children to A woman takes pictures of icicles on a jetty at the Afsluitdijk, a dike separating IJsselmeer degrees Fahrenheit and school on sleds instead of inland sea, and the Wadden Sea, Netherlands, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. up). But the southern na- Associated Press riding them on bicycles. tion is set to join the rest of Britain experienced its Most of Britain has expe- rus vaccination sites. In France, cold weather Europe in the deep freeze coldest night for a quarter rienced days of sub-zero Icicles coating a jetty on and ice alerts were in force in the coming days, with century, with the tempera- temperatures and snowfall the frozen inland Ijsselmeer for northern swathes of the snow possible even in the ture falling to minus 22.9 in the wake of winter Storm Sea north of Amsterdam country, as thermometers capital, Athens. Celsius (minus 9.2 Fahren- Darcy. drew photographers, while dipped well below freez- In Albania, authorities heit) in Braemar, northeast The cold snap froze the those hanging a house in ing, making roads and evacuated several fami- Scotland — the lowest re- famous fountains in Lon- the central German city pavements treacherous. lies, hundreds of sheep and corded in the U.K. since don’s Trafalgar Square and of Erfurt attracted the at- Among the coldest places thousands of chickens after 1995, according to the Met forced the temporary clo- tention of firefighters, who was the riverfront city of the Buna River in the north- Office weather service. sure of some U.K. coronavi- snapped them off. Nancy, where the weath- west burst its banks.q Interim Libya leader in eastern city in outreach to factions

By RAMI MUSA and NOHA of national elections in De- which serves Benghazi. vinced both parties to sign end the suffering,” Menfi ELHENNAWY cember. His visit follows a U.N.- a cease-fire agreement tweeted shortly before his Associated Press Mohammad Younes Men- sponsored conference last and embark on a political arrival. Shortly after leav- BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — fi, chairman of Libya’s week in which delegates dialogue. ing the airport, he met with The president of Libya’s Presidential Council, ar- from Libya’s warring sides Menfi, a diplomat from the Hifter at his forces’ head- newly elected interim gov- rived from Athens, where picked four leaders to country’s east, was picked quarters in the village of ernment arrived Thursday he had been living for the guide the nation ahead of to head the Presidential Rajma, 27 kilometers (17 in the eastern city of Beng- past three years, and im- the December elections. Council, which includes miles) east of Benghazi. hazi, the stronghold of the mediately met with dozens The election of the presi- two other officials. During the meeting, Hifter divided country’s eastern of tribal elders, academics dential council was a The forum also chose Ab- reiterated his backing of factions, as part of a cam- and activists inside the VIP major if uncertain — step dul Hamid Mohammed the new transitional au- paign to foster unity ahead lounge at Benina airport, toward unifying the North Dbeibah, a powerful busi- thorities and his support for African country and end- nessman from the western a “peaceful and demo- ing one of the intractable city of Misrata, as interim cratic alternation of pow- conflicts left behind by the prime minister. er” in Libya, according to Arab Spring. Each member of the a statement released by Since 2015, Libya has been three-man council repre- his office. divided between two gov- sents a region of old Libya: Hifter had already wel- ernments, one in the east Tripolitania in the west, comed the appointment and another in the west, Cyrenaica in the east, and of the new government, each backed by a vast ar- Fezzan in the southwest. hailing its leaders as “na- ray of militias. The appointment of an in- tional figures.” Although In April 2019, Khalifa Hifter, terim government capped Menfi comes originally from a military commander al- months of U.N.-brokered the eastern city of Tobruk, lied with the eastern gov- talks that resulted in an some observers argued ernment, launched an of- agreement to hold elec- that he is politically allied fensive to seize the capital, tions on Dec. 24. to western factions, which In this Jan. 17, 2020 file photo, Libyan Gen. Khalifa Hifter joins Tripoli. “Our objective is to may undermine the transi- a meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in His campaign failed after achieve unity and true tional authorities’ ability to Athens. 14 months of fighting and reconciliation and to col- represent the political in- Associated Press last October, the U.N. con- laborate with all in order to terests of the east.q A6 Friday 12 February 2021 WORLD NEWS Belarus leader vows to defeat foreign-backed ‘rebellion’

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The have dismissed the result as authoritarian leader of Be- rigged, and some poll work- larus on Thursday slammed ers also have described six months of demonstra- voting manipulation. tions against him as a for- Speaking at the assem- eign-directed “rebellion,” bly, Lukashenko defended and he announced plans the election’s validity, ad- for constitutional reforms, mitting that local officials which the opposition has could have tinkered with rejected as window dress- it to show him winning 80% ing. Speaking to 2,700 par- of the vote but insisting he ticipants of the All-Belarus won a strong majority any- People’s Assembly in the way. capital of Minsk, President “If some don’t like 80, let it Alexander Lukashenko al- be 76 or even 68!” he said. leged that “very powerful “But we won it anyway, we forces” abroad were be- were backed by an over- hind the protests. whelming majority.” Lukashenko didn’t elabo- Authorities have cracked rate, but in the past several down hard on the largely months, he has repeatedly peaceful demonstrations, accused the West of fo- the biggest of which at- menting the protests. tracted up to 200,000 peo- “We must stand up to them Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, front left, Belarusian President Alexander ple. Police have used stun no matter what, and this Lukashenko, centre, Speaker of the Council of the Republic of Belarus Natalya Kochanova, front grenades, tear gas. water year will be decisive,” he right, listen to the national anthem at the opening of the All-Belarus People’s Assembly in Minsk, cannons and truncheons said at the opening of the Belarus, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. to disperse the rallies. Ac- two-day assembly made Associated Press cording to human rights up of delegates nominated anger with vague promises changes would be drafted asna human rights group. advocates, more than by labor collectives in sync of reform. later this year and put to Mass protests have gripped 30,000 people have been with state-controlled unions Lukashenko, who has ruled a nationwide vote in early the ex-Soviet nation of 9.5 detained since the protests loyal to Lukashenko. Belarus for more than 26 2022 million people since offi- began, and thousands of He convened the group to years, vaguely promised The opposition has urged cial results from the Aug. 9 them were brutally beaten. discuss plans for the coun- Thursday to step down Belarusians to take to the election gave Lukashenko During his tenure, Lukash- try’s development, but the someday, saying that “the streets to protest the assem- a landslide victory. The enko has relentlessly stifled opposition has denounced time will come and other bly.Police detained several main opposition candi- dissent and relied on cheap it as an attempt to shore up people will come.” He people in Minsk and other date, Sviatlana Tsikhanous- energy and other subsidies his rule and soothe public said a set of constitutional cities, according to the Vi- kaya, and her supporters from his main ally, Russia.q Opposition calls on Haitians to ‘rise up’ as strife deepens By EVENS SANON “We’re all asking for the caught the attention of ment in January 2020 amid with protesters on Wednes- Associated Press population to rise up,” said the international commu- a delay in legislative elec- day also demanding a PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) former Sen. Youri Latortue, nity, prompting a public tions given political grid- better life. — Hundreds of Haitians one of Haiti’s opposition statement from the U.S. lock and protests that par- The peaceful protest was chanted “Down with kid- leaders. “We’re not back- Embassy in Haiti on Tues- alyzed the country in 2019. interrupted by police fir- napping! Down with dicta- ing down.” day, a day after Moïse’s His administration also has ing tear gas on demon- torship!” as they marched The opposition coalition administration basically faced an increase in vio- strators and on a group of through the streets of Port- recently announced that fired three Superior Court lence and kidnappings journalists.q au-Prince on Wednesday, another Supreme Court judges by announcing and a deepening poverty, bolstering opposition lead- judge, Joseph Mécène that they had been forced ers who stepped up their Jean-Louis, had become into retirement. Among demands that President Haiti’s supposed transition- the three is Jean-Louis and Jovenel Moïse resign. al president. Jean-Louis Yvickel Dabrézil, who was The latest protest is the accepted the position, arrested on Sunday. biggest one yet this year, which no one in the inter- The U.S. Embassy said it and it comes just days af- national community has was scrutinizing the order ter Moïse announced that recognized. to determine if it’s legal. police had arrested nearly The opposition claims that “We are deeply con- two dozen people ac- Moïse’s five-year term end- cerned about any ac- cused of an alleged coup ed on Feb. 7, but Moïse tions that risk damaging conspiracy, including a has reiterated that it ends Haiti’s democratic institu- Supreme Court judge, in February 2022 since he tions,” the embassy said as who was ordered released wasn’t sworn in until 2017. it called on Moïse to hold Wednesday. Prior to that, a provisional overdue legislative elec- Opposition leaders la- president ruled Haiti for tions. beled the arrests as politi- one year following chaotic Moïse has been ruling by A protester holds up a copy of the Haitian constitution during a cal repression while critics elections marred by alle- presidential decree for protest to demand the resignation of Haiti’s president Jovenel accuse Moïse of trying to gations of fraud. more than a year after dis- Moise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. become more powerful. The situation in Haiti has solving a majority of Parlia- Associated Press A7 WORLD NEWS Friday 12 February 2021

Mexico president warns against false claims of open U.S. doors

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexi- them, and they wind up can President Andrés Man- in the hands of organized uel López Obrador said crime, they are in danger.” Thursday many migrants Twelve members of an elite believe the “doors are police force in the northern open” to the United States border state of Tamauli- following the election of pas have been charged in President Joe Biden. the Jan. 22 killing of the 14 López Obrador said that Guatemalans and at least wasn’t true, and urged two suspected Mexican migrants not to believe migrant traffickers. They traffickers who tell them were killed, their bodies they could get legal sta- piled in a pickup truck and tus immediately. He noted burned so badly that three that he welcomed Biden’s corpses have still not been policy proposal, but that it identified. Under pressure would take time to be ap- from former U.S. President proved and implemented. Donald Trump in 2018 and “Now, for example, that 2019, López Obrador post- there is a U.S. immigration ed thousands of immigra- policy to regularize the situ- tion, military and National ation of migrants, Mexicans Guard agents at Mexico’s and our Central American border with Guatemala to brothers, people think that Central American migrants rest at La 72 shelter in Tenosique, Tabasco state, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. stop caravans of Central now the doors are open, 9, 2021. American migrants from Associated Press that President Biden is go- entering the country.q ing to immediately regular- and it means we’re just not ize all migrants,” López Ob- equipped to process peo- rador said. ple at the pace that we “It is not true that every- would like to do.” one can go now to the She added that the ad- United States and they will ministration is concerned be regularized, that has about migrants arriving not been defined yet,” he at the border. “We don’t said. “Our brother migrants want people to put them- should have this informa- selves at danger at a time tion so that they won’t be where it is not the right time deceived by human traf- to come,” she said. fickers, who paint a rosy López Obrador also cited picture.” the recent massacre of 19 In Washington, White House people, including at least press secretary Jen Psaki 14 Guatemalan migrants, said Thursday a “vast ma- as justification for his policy jority” of migrants continue of stopping Central Ameri- to be turned away at the can migrants at Mexico’s U.S. southern border. Psaki southern border with Gua- added that Biden is com- temala. mitted to moving away López Obrador said the from the Trump administra- massacre showed that it tion’s immigration policies was too dangerous to allow but it’s going to take time. migrants to travel through “The President is commit- drug cartel turf in northern ted to putting in place, in Mexico. partnership with our De- “This was always our argu- partment of Homeland ment, that we need to pro- Security, a moral and hu- tect migrants, watch out mane process for process- for them,” he said. “If they ing people at the border enter (Mexico) and spread but that capacity is limit- out, we cannot keep an ed,” Psaki said. “Right now, eye on them or protect A8 Friday 12 February 2021

ATSA makes a donation to The Aruba Soccer Academy PALM BEACH —Two suc- my, ASA, founded in March within the island’s tourism cessful island organizations 2016, provides expert sup- sector. The organization banded together to create port to kids with a passion picks an annual essential a sporting venue for the for soccer, ages 4 to 15. and relevant cause worthy benefit of the local com- of supporting, and makes a munity, namely ATSA and The Aruba Timeshare As- donation toward one of its ASA. sociation, ATSA, is the legal specific needs. ASA recent- entity representing the spe- ly invested in a mini soccer The Aruba Soccer Acade- cial interests of timeshare field for its members. The Aruba to me day Newspaper, Caribbean Speed Print- ers and any of its affiliated companies mini pitch is ideal for train- different districts on the to use said materials, as well as names, ing in smaller groups, which island. ASA hopes to en- likeness, etc. for promotional purposes allows ASA to offer more courage youngsters to en- without compensation. variety and options for joy the game, while in a Last but not least: check out our website, when stadiums are closed. safe and friendly learning Instagram and Facebook page! Thank ASA regularly organizes environment where they you for supporting our free newspaper, local soccer camps dur- can hone their skill and tac- we strive to make you a happy reader ing vacations throughout tics. every day again. the year, and welcomes international visitors. As it ATSA established in 1994, For today we received some amaz- celebrates its fifth anniver- currently counts the active ing pictures from Patricia Scimeca from sary, the training academy membership of the major- Jackson, NJ. boasts more than 5,000 ity of timeshare properties She wrote: Facebook followers. in Aruba, as well as select condominium co-op as- Aruba to me is…. Bon Bini, welcome “We believe it’s important sociations. The association in Papiamento. That is what Aruba is to contribute to our com- works on a local level, as to me, the feeling of being welcome. munity, and this project a supporting member of Arubans are the most welcoming, promoting good sports- AHATA, the Aruba Hotel kind, loving, sharing and wonderfully manship among kids, is and Tourism Association, nice people. We have been com- pivotal to the well-balance and with other local orga- ing to Aruba for 38 straight years and development of youth nizations and Government hope to continue for many more. here. ATSA picked the entities. We purchased Playa Linda before it Aruba Soccer Academy was even built and from way back foundation as recipient of On a regional level, where ORANJESTAD — You are back and we then to today we love coming here a donation this year, for Aruba continues to receive would like to portrait you! By inviting you every year. Yes, the weather is awe- their project, to help further recognition as a model to send us your favorite vacation picture some, ocean beautiful, sunsets spec- build the mini soccer field. timeshare destination, while enjoying our Happy Island. tacular, and the occasional rainbow Besides improved over- ATSA has professional ties so lovely, but it is the people that all sportsmanship, players with CHA, the Caribbean Complete the sentence: Aruba to me is make Aruba so special. The smiling train together, and then Hotel Association and also ……. Send your picture with that text (in- face on our beach attendant, our play each other in oppos- benefits from continuous cluding your name and where you are terrific housekeeper, the efficient ing teams in competition, collaboration with ARDA, from) to: [email protected] and concierge, the helpful security peo- nurturing tolerance and the American Resort Devel- we will publish your vacation memory. ple, restaurant owners, the maître understanding. “ opment Association. Isn’t that a special way to keep your best d’ at a restaurant, the server of your moments alive? Please do note: By sub- food, and of course, the Aloe Man – ASA’s program relies on For more info on ASA you mitting photos, text or any other materi- let’s face it: everyone. So that is what non-club based soccer can contact David Ab- als, you give permission to The Aruba To- Aruba is to me….q training with professional dul: davidabdul89@gmail. coaches on weekdays in com.q A9 LOCAL Friday 12 February 2021

Aruba Walk-in Clinic: Meet Dr. Lili Beke: a skilled person and humane doctor at heart every patient, medical school does not teach this, yet this is what defines Dr. Beke. Covid times

Dr. Beke: “My priority during the Covid-19 pe- riod is attending as much patients as I can and that so far went very well. We have been bus- ier as normal, but we managed. Now that the tourists are back again we shift from locals only to a mix of tourists and locals who walk in my practice.” The government imposed protocol for covid-19 which is strictly followed and after each patient the room is thoroughly cleaned.” Her practice is, literally, a stone-throw’s distance from the high-rise hotels offering tourists quick and efficient service. “I noticed that many look for that personal touch and they do not like the assistance on distance by sending pics on a cell phone. I see my patients and this is important as I need to feel them.” PALM BEACH — Doctor Lili Beke from the Walk- medicines with them or simply think they don’t In Clinic has a solid reputation, built on more need it on holiday. But of course the body does Top 5 vacation illnesses than 35 years of experience as a medical not work differently only because you are in an- The most common reasons why patients walk doctor. Both tourists and locals feel great with other place.” This happens especially with pa- into her clinic sound very familiar. Dr.Beke: her for these simple reasons: communicative, tients of higher age and many times with blood “When on vacation you are excited so you mix skilled, empathetic and trustworthy. She has all pressure medication and psychological medi- meals, eat without control and combine this the qualities of a great doctor. When you feel cines, the doctor explains.q with more alcohol than usual resulting in an up- sick during vacation, you want it out of your sys- set stomach. Digestion issues occur and when tem as soon as possible. Don’t look any further; on a diet you can count on it that you will get help is just around the corner. Unique is the fact sick.” Throwing up, diarrhea, dehydration will that you can walk into this clinic without an ap- be a bummer on your vacation. “Second oc- pointment. casion why people step in here is medication. They feel sick because they forgot to take their During the interview with Aruba Today the doc- tor keeps on getting calls from patients and every single call is answered with the all the patience in the world. The calm of Dr. Beke alone will ease you and with her experience, she makes sure that the bad luck on vacation is turned into a bad memory in the blink of an eye. Both locals and tourists are fans of the hu- mane way Dr. Beke goes about her job.

What makes a doctor a good doctor? Palm Beach Aruba Walk-in Clinic A good doctor needs first to develop qualities Unit 8 at “The Cove”, Palm Beach of patience, patience and more patience to Open Mon-Fri 10 am – 4 pm Sat 11.00 am – 4.00 pm maintain the ability to care despite her patient's (Friday afternoon 2pm– 4.30 pm) conditions. She needs to take time to explain and educate before medication and take time Unit 9 at “The Cove”, Palm Beach to think about the proper decision, this might Open during weekdays 9am–12pm, 2.30 –5 pm not always be necessarily what is written in the Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 2 pm – 4 pm textbooks. Taking time to explain and under- Phone: +297 588 0539 Email: [email protected] stand, choosing the language to fit each and A10 Friday 12 February 2021 LOCAL Restaurant Taste My Aruba: Sustainable, Sea-to-table Savor

ORANJESTAD — What you see is what you get. These de- scriptions suit both the restaurant and the owner. Straight- forward, honest, pure and local. “Taste My Aruba is all around, they make it as you order. “So this about honest food, it is culture. Quality is my credo and place came available and I thought; let my heart is in this place,” says owner Nathaly de Mey, me turn it into this posh sandwich shop with who personally selects the fish caught daily at the port. everything fresh and all kinds of bread. But “We have a different menu every day depending on what it is simply too hot during the day and my the fishermen bring in.” Taste My Aruba opened on July kitchen space is only 23 m2.” Her clientele 10th, 2018; and this ship has been sailing steadily towards were government employees grabbing a more and more great reviews. If it were not for the food, sandwich and coffee on their way to work the enchanting outside terrace would be worth it all. or picking up lunch. It went well but as De Mey says: “To make it half you need to sell At Padu Lampe Plaza in the heart of Oranjestad, you will 1000 sandwiches at least, I had to make a find a renovated monumental building which used to be change.” One day she bought seven kilos the governor’s mansion. Inside, it is all about local art and of fish and prepared it on a George Fore- crafts, the creative center, Cosecha, is open during the man grill. “This is a historic building, so gas day. At 6 p.m., you will find the most romantically-lit ter- ovens are not allowed, everything needs race under a canopy of trees with tables set up for you to to be electric. Nevertheless, I sold all the indulge in delectable food. The most curious thing is this fish in one day, so I kept selling fish.” Initially place is so unpretentious. she did it by herself. She woke up every Ceviche, Lobster Tower, Grouper Fish Cakes and Lobster night at 3 a.m. to prepare and carrying Bisque are some of the divine starters. Drunken Shrimp Lin- foldable tables to her terrace every day. guini in Creamy Garlic Sauce or Lobster with Truffle Mash “I had to be here at 7 a.m., when the em- Curious about Taste My Aruba? Make sure will make you happy. The entire menu improves your ployees started passing by.” Her principle to make your reservation for one of the 32 mood. But don’t worry; there are also options for meat of fresh and local food counted for her seats. Hours are from 6pm-11pm, Monday lovers. sandwiches and salads too. “This is me, my through Saturday. Website: https://taste- authenticity. I can’t do it halfway.” myaruba.com/reservations/. q Sustainable & local “I buy local out of principle and I stick to that. I wish to sup- port Arubans and by buying 100-300 kg of fish each week Celebrate Love! I give back to the fishermen and their families,” says De special. Mey. She checks every fish she buys because in her opin- ion it is important to see how the catch is being handled. Surprise your loved one with a picture “We use everything from the head to the tail. The lobster of her/him or both of you in Aruba To- is boiled and we make a bisque from the head while the day, accompanied by your personal tail is used for the Lobster Tower. The Grouper’s body and message. Imagine taking your vacation head carry a lot of meat which goes into the fish cakes breakfast in the morning while going and the rest is used for the main course. We are fully sus- through the newspaper and all of a sud- tainable.” She calls her place a ‘boutique fish shack’. Al- den you see YOU. This will make her or though we cannot agree on that because it is way more. his day for sure. Taste My Aruba is like Aruba’s ever-blowing breeze, a fresh and honest surprise and located on a beautiful spot What Do You Do? downtown. “Our guests are mainly tourists and they know Valentine's Day is the celebration of Send your selected picture (high resolu- how we work. If it’s finished, it’s finished because what we love, beauty and romantic mood be- tion JPEG) with short personal Valentine get from the sea is all we can offer you. The only foreign tween couples and/or friends. It is a fes- message (maximum 40 words) to email: products I buy are my wild-caught shrimps from Norway tive day where you would like to em- [email protected] by latest Friday and of course beef _ we do not have cows on our tiny phasis the importance of this special February 12. island.” person in your life. You can do this in many ways, by sending cards, flowers, What Will We Do? Her story gifts, presents or arranging a wonderful We will publish your picture and mes- De Mey lived in the United States for 16 years and another day/night out. sage in the local section of Aruba Today 17 years in Dublin, Ireland. “The season in Dublin runs from on Saturday February 13 in our printed March to September as after that it gets cold. My birth- While enjoying your stay in Aruba you newspaper and on our website and day is in October so I thought; let me come home to cel- can make this day extra special by sur- Facebook page. ebrate and I will stay for the cold season in Aruba.” She prising your love with the help of Aruba did not leave again. “In Dublin, I ran a culinary business Today. Despite the fact that we have Make her/him smile on this special day, where we would hit various eateries in trendy places dur- wonderful dinner and gift options to do something different! ing a culinary walk. I started this here too, but everywhere choose from, advertised in our newspa- I went the food was standing there forever. Do not get me per in the coming days up to February There is only one happiness in this life, to wrong, I like pastechi but it should not be eaten from a 14th, we can make this day even more love and be loved. ... ~ George Sandq hot box, only fresh.” She is firm not to have her food laying A11 business Friday 12 February 2021 Autoworkers face uncertain future in an era of electric cars By TOM KRISHER and JOHN workers make multi-speed SEEWER gearboxes that eventu- Associated Press ally will be replaced by TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — When simpler EV drivetrains. For General Motors boldly an- workers low on the senior- nounced its goal last month ity list, GM’s plans mean to make only battery-pow- that eventually, their ser- ered vehicles by 2035, it vices will likely no longer be didn’t just break from more needed. than a century of inter- “This is that moment to de- nal combustion engines. It fine where we go in the fu- also clouded the future for ture,” said Tony Totty, presi- 50,000 GM workers whose dent of the UAW local at jobs could become obso- the Toledo plant. lete far sooner than they Even though fully electric knew. vehicles now constitute less The message was clear: As than 2% of U.S. new vehicle a greener U.S. economy sales, automakers face edges closer, GM wants a pressure to abandon in- factory workforce that will ternal combustion engines build only zero-emissions to fight climate change. vehicles. California will ban sales of It won’t happen overnight. new gas-powered vehicles But the likelihood is grow- Stuart Hill, a United Auto Workers member who works at the General Motors Toledo Transmission by 2035. European coun- ing that auto workers who Operations facility, poses in Toledo, Ohio, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. tries are imposing bans or Associated Press for decades built machines pollution limits. Biden, in a that run on petroleum will workers, mainly because back of my mind,” Hill said. at University of Massachu- push for green vehicles, need to do different work in electric vehicles contain “Are they going to shut it setts Boston who studies pledged to build a half-mil- the next decade — or they 30% to 40% fewer moving down?” how jobs evolve over time. lion charging stations and might not have jobs. parts than petroleum-run While he and others hope “It’s not going to be just in convert federal vehicles to If the history-making shift vehicles. In addition, many GM will build EV parts in the vehicle space.” battery power. from internal combustion union jobs could shift to Toledo, there are no assur- The number of jobs lost But with American motor- to electric power goes as lower pay as automakers ances that automakers will will likely reach into the ists paying average gas GM, Ford and others envi- buy EV parts from supply need as many workers in thousands, though no one prices $2 a gallon, trucks sion, jobs that now make companies or form sepa- the EV era. A United Auto knows precisely. And those and SUVs have replaced pistons and fuel injectors rate ventures to build com- Workers paper from two losses will be made up, at more efficient cars as the will be supplanted by the ponents. years ago quotes Ford and least partly, by the green nation’s primary transpor- assembly of battery packs Most vulnerable in the tran- Volkswagen executives as economy, from work build- tation mode. and electric motors. sition will be roughly 100,000 saying that EVs will reduce ing electric vehicle parts That demand will keep To- Many of those components workers at plants that make labor hours per vehicle by and charging stations to ledo in business for years. are now built overseas. But transmissions and engines 30%. jobs created by wind and Yet there’s little doubt the President Joe Biden has for gas and diesel vehicles. “There are just less parts, solar electricity generation. move to electricity is inexo- made development of a They are people like Stuart so of course it stands to The most far-reaching man- rable. About 2.5 million EVs U.S. electric vehicle supply Hill, one of 1,500 workers at reason that there is going ufacturing change since were sold worldwide last chain a key part of his plan GM’s Toledo Transmission to be less labor,” said Jeff commercial production of year. IHS Markit expects to create 1 million auto in- Plant in Ohio. At 38 years Dokho, research director internal combustion-driven that to increase 70% this dustry jobs with electric ve- old and a GM employee for the UAW. vehicles began in 1886 will year alone. hicles. for five years, Hill is decades “We’re sort of at the begin- ripple to farm equipment, The trend has heightened Yet for auto workers, that from retirement and worries ning of that transition,” said heavy trucks and even anxiety even at plants now future could be perilous. about the plant’s future. Teddy DeWitt, an assistant lawnmowers. running flat-out to meet de- Factories will need fewer “It’s something that’s in the professor of management At Toledo Transmission, GM mand for GM trucks.q CBO expects $2.3 trillion deficit before Biden relief plan By JOSH BOAK trillion coronavirus relief The CBO expects the bud- The Associated Press package becomes law. get deficit to fall to about BALTIMORE (AP) — The The additional aid — com- $1 trillion in 2022 as the Congressional Budget Of- ing after roughly $4 trillion economy heals and there fice says the federal gov- was approved last year — is less need for government ernment is on track for a would add more red ink spending. Deficits are sup- $2.3 trillion deficit this year, once enacted, but isn’t in- posed to average 4.4% of down roughly $900 billion cluded in Thursday’s CBO GDP from 2022 to 2031. from last year when the projections. Excluding the Several decades of deficit coronavirus pandemic led Biden plan, this year’s defi- spending has meant that Congress to provide histor- cit will equal 10.3% of gross the total federal debt held ic amounts of financial aid. domestic product, which by the public is slightly larg- Stronger economic growth is a measure of the total er than GDP. has helped to reduce the value of the economy’s That figure is projected anticipated shortfall for this goods and services. The to rise to 107% of GDP by year. Still, the deficit could past two years have the 2031 as spending on Medi- This July 16, 2019, file photo shows the Capitol Dome in soon be revised upward if highest deficits relative to care and Social Security Washington. President Joe Biden’s $1.9 GDP since 1945. increases.q Associated Press A12 Friday 12 February 2021 TECHNOLOGY Digital siege: Internet cuts become favored tool of regimes

In Belarus, the internet went down for 61 hours after the Aug. 9 presidential election, marking Europe’s first inter- net blackout. Service was cut after election results handed victory to authori- tarian President Alexander Lukashenko but the vote was widely seen as rigged and sparked enormous protests. Access remained unstable for months, par- ticularly around weekend protests, when mobile in- ternet service repeatedly went down. The risk is that regular shut- downs become normal- ized, said Toker. “You get a kind of Pavlov- ian response where both the public in the country and the wider international community will become desensitized to these shut- In this Feb. 10, 2021, file photo, demonstrators flash a three-fingered symbol of resistance against the military coup andshout slogans calling for the release of detained Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a protest in Mandalay, Myanmar. downs,” he said, calling it Associated Press the “greatest risk to our col- lective freedom in the digi- By KELVIN CHAN book for despots. limiting harmful information, 3. tal age.” AP Business Writer “Internet shutdowns have the latter sometimes used Another long-running in- Internet shutdowns are also LONDON (AP) — When been massively underre- by authoritarian regimes to ternet shutdown is in Ethio- common in democratic In- army generals in Myanmar ported or misreported over justify clampdowns. pia’s Tigray region, which dia, where Prime Minister staged a coup last week, the years,” said Alp Toker, In Myanmar, internet ac- has been choked off since Narendra Modi’s govern- they briefly cut internet founder of internet monitor- cess was cut for about 24 fighting started in early No- ment has increasingly used access in an apparent at- ing organization Netblocks. hours last weekend, in an vember -- the latest in a them to target his political tempt to stymie protests. In The world is “starting to re- apparent bid to head off series of outages with no opposition. His Hindu na- Uganda, residents couldn’t alize what’s happening,” protests against the army’s sign of service returning tionalist government has or- use Facebook, Twitter as documenting efforts like seizing of power and the anytime soon. That’s made dered hundreds of regional and other social media his expand, he said. detention of leader Aung it challenging to know how shutdowns, according to a for weeks after a recent Last year there were 93 ma- San Suu Kyi and her allies. many civilians have been tracking site. election. And in Ethiopia’s jor internet shutdowns in 21 By Sunday afternoon, inter- killed, to what extent fight- Most have been in disput- northern Tigray region, the countries, according to a net users reported data ac- ing continues or whether ed Kashmir, which endured internet has been down for report by Top10VPN, a U.K.- cess on their mobile phones people are starting to die an 18-month blockade of months amid a wider con- based digital privacy and was suddenly restored. of starvation, as some have high-speed mobile service flict. security research group. Norway’s Telenor ASA, warned. that ended last week. But Around the world, shut- The list doesn’t include which runs one of Myan- In Uganda, restrictions on they’ve also been de- ting down the internet has places like China and mar’s main wireless carriers, social media sites including ployed elsewhere for anti- become an increasingly North Korea, where the said the communications Twitter, Facebook and You- government demonstra- popular tactic of repressive government tightly con- ministry cited “circulation Tube took effect ahead of tions, including massive and authoritarian regimes trols or restricts the internet. of fake news, stability of a Jan. 14 presidential elec- farmers’ protests that have and some illiberal democ- Shutdowns can range from the nation and interest of tion, along with a total in- rattled Modi’s administra- racies. Digital rights groups all-encompassing inter- the public” in ordering op- ternet blackout on the eve tion. say governments use them net blackouts to blocking erators to temporarily shut of polling. Authorities said it “It used to be authoritar- to stifle dissent, silence op- social media platforms or down networks. was to prevent opposition ian governments who did position voices or cover up severely throttling internet Telenor said it had to com- supporters from organiz- this, but we are seeing the human rights abuses, rais- speeds, the report said. ply with local laws. “We ing potentially dangerous practice become more ing concerns about restrict- Internet cuts have political, deeply regret the impact street protests. common in democracies ing freedom of speech. economic, and humanitar- the shutdown has on the The social media curbs such as India,” said Darrell Regimes often cut online ian costs, experts warned. people in Myanmar,” it were lifted Wednesday, ex- West, a vice president of access in response to pro- The effects are exacerbat- said. cept for Facebook. Long- governance studies at the tests or civil unrest, par- ed by COVID-19 lockdowns It’s a familiar move by time leader Yoweri Musev- Brookings Institution who ticularly around elections, that are forcing activities Myanmar’s government, eni, who was facing his has studied internet shut- as they try to keep their like school classes online. which carried out one of biggest challenge to pow- downs. grip on power by restrict- The shutdowns play into a the world’s longest inter- er yet from popular sing- “The risk is that once one ing the flow of information, wider battle over control of net shutdowns in Rakhine er-turned-lawmaker Bobi democracy does it, others researchers say. It’s the the internet. In the West, ef- and Chin states aimed at Wine, had been angered will be tempted to do the digital equivalent of seizing forts to rein in social media disrupting operations of an by the social network’s re- same thing. It may start at control of the local TV and platforms have raised com- armed ethnic group. The moval before the vote of the local level to deal with radio station that was part peting concerns about re- cutoff began in June 2019 what it said were fake ac- unrest, but then spread of the pre-internet play- stricting free speech and and was only lifted on Feb. counts linked to his party. more broadly.”q A13 science Friday 12 February 2021 HEALTH Ancient shell horn can still play a tune after 18,000 years dOCTOR ON DUTY Crucially, the tip of the involved in the research. shell was broken off, creat- “This discovery reminds us Oranjestad ing a hole large enough to that their lives were much Hospital 7:00 pm / 10:00pm blow through. Microscopic richer and more complex Tel. 527 4000 inspection revealed the than just stone tools and San Nicolas q opening was the result of big game.” Imsan 24 hours deliberate craftsmanship, Tel.524 8833 not accidental wear, ac- Casa del Mar 2BR/2B Week 2/1113 (16k); Women in Difficulties cording to Tosello. Week 5/1315 (18k); PHARMACY ON DUTY By inserting a tiny medical Week 5&6/1521 (20k/Wk.); Oranjestad: camera, they found that Week 7&8/1408 (18k/Wk.); Sta. Cruz Tel. 585 8028 another hole had been Week 8/1113; 8/1409 (17kWk.); San Nicolas: carefully drilled in the shell’s San Nicolas Tel. 584 5712 Week 9/1218 (15k); inner chamber. They also Women in Difficulties Week 10/1207 (15k); detected traces of red pig- OTHER Week 11/1419 (13k); and, This combination of photos provided by researcher Carole Fritz ment on the mouth of the Dental Clinic 587 9850 Weeks 13-15 also available! in February 2021 shows two sides of a 12-inch (31 cm) conch conch, matching a deco- Blood Bank Aruba 587 0002 [email protected] shell discovered in a French cave with prehistoric wall paintings rative pattern found on the Urgent Care 586 0448 U.S. (860)992-3890 Walk-In Doctor’s Clinic in 1931. wall of Marsoulas cave. Associated Press ______213823 +297 588 0539 “This is classic, really solid ar- Women in Difficulties By CHRISTINA LARSON tory at the Natural History chaeology,” said Margaret EMERGENCY AP Science Writer Museum of Toulouse. The Conkey, an archaeologist WASHINGTON (AP) — A researchers noticed some Police 100 at the University of Califor- Oranjestad 527 3140 large conch shell over- unusual holes in the shell. nia, Berkeley, who was not Noord 527 3200 looked in a museum for Sta. Cruz 527 2900 decades is now thought to San Nicolas 584 5000 be the oldest known sea- By Dave Green Police Tipline 11141 shell instrument — and it still Ambulancia 911 works, producing a deep, Fire Dept. 115 4 9 1 Red Cross 582 2219 plaintive bleat, like a fog- horn from the distant past. 3 8 4 5 TAXI SERVICES The shell was found dur- Taxi Tas 587 5900 ing the 1931 excavation Prof. Taxi 588 0035 of a cave with prehistoric 3 7 Taxi D.T.S. 587 2300 wall paintings in the French Taxi Serv. Aruba 583 3232 Pyrenees and assumed to 6 A1 Taxi Serv. 280 2828 be a ceremonial drinking Women in Difficulties cup. Archaeologists from 4 5 3 1 TRAVEL INFO the University of Toulouse Aruba Airport 524 2424 recently took a fresh look American Airlines 582 2700 and determined it had 2 Avianca 588 0059 been modified thousands Jet Blue 588 2244 of years ago to serve as a 2 7 Surinam 582 7896 wind instrument. They in- Women in Difficulties vited a French horn player 6 5 2 4 AID FOUNDATIONS to play it. FAVI- Visually Impaired “Hearing it for the first time,

2021 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc. Tel. 582 5051 for me it was a big emotion 8 1 9 — and a big stress,” said ar- Difficulty Level 2/12 Alcoholics Anonymous Tel. 736 2952 chaeologist Carole Fritz. Narcotics Anonymous She feared that playing Tel. 583 8989 the 12-inch (31-centime- Fundacion Contra Violencia ter) shell might damage it, Relacional Tel. 583 5400 but it didn’t. The horn pro- Centre for Diabetes duced clear C, C sharp Tel. 524 8888 and D notes. Child Abuse Prevention Tel. 582 4433 Conch shells have been Quota Club Tel. 525 2672 used widely in musical and Women in Difficulties ceremonial traditions, in- General Info cluding in ancient Greece, Japan, India and Peru. The Phone Directory Tel. 118 shell instrument found in the Marsoulas cave is now the oldest known example. Previously, a conch shell instrument found in Syria had been dated to about 6,000 years old, said anoth- er Toulouse archaeologist, Gilles Tosello. The latest discovery was made after a recent inven- facebook.com/arubatoday/ A14 Friday 12 February 2021 people & arts Blart Your Engines: James stars in new Netflix NASCAR comedy By DAN GELSTON dega Nights: The Ballad of AP Sports Writer Ricky Bobby” is the undis- DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) puted champ in the stock — Kevin James fancies him- car racing niche thank self an everyman in his co- to a fearless Ricky Bobby medic roles. He’s worked (Will Ferrell) who lived by as a mall cop and deliv- the creed “If you ain’t first, ery driver. An unlucky zoo you’re last.” The 2006 film keeper and a retired police followed Ricky Bobby as he officer. went from a fervently clue- So it took the actor a mo- less doofus to down-on-his ment to figure out how he luck driver to, well, a clue- might fit in a series set in a less doofus again, though NASCAR garage. with a tinge of humility. The “I don’t know how it would movie spoofs everything work as a comedy,” James from sponsorship -- hello, said. Wonder Bread -- to an un- James said the light went sophisticated fan base that off -- or is it, the green flag counts dinner at Apple- of an idea dropped -- when This image released by Netflix shows Anthony Williams, from left, Dan Ahdoot and Kevin James in bee’s as a big night out. So the show was framed as less a scene from the comedy series “The Crew.” what if the movie didn’t ex- about the inner workings Associated Press actly paint NASCAR in the of the industry and more but the stock car door is dysfunctional team. Much “They’re not really trying to most flattering light? Fer- about the relationships of a open for a contender. like offbeat sponsors of the make us look bad, they’re rell’s vulgar shake `n’ bake tight-knit racing team. “People who don’t love past such as Lightning Mc- just doing something that charm helped “Talladega “It’s the same as anything NASCAR will still love it be- Queen’s Dinoco, the team I think it’s really gonna get Nights” rake in $163 million. else. It’s a workplace com- cause it’s about the char- fields the No. 74 Fake Steak- people watching NAS- “DAYS OF THUNDER” edy, there’s family, it’s acters,” James said. sponsored car. NASCAR CAR.” “He didn’t slam you, he competitive,” James said. James’ only taste of NAS- driver Reed Sorenson, driv- Jeff Lowell, a writer and didn’t bump you, he didn’t “It’s set on the greatest CAR growing up on Long ing for Spire Motorsports, producer of the show, t nudge you... he ‘rubbed’ stage ever. It’s insane what Island, New York, were the raced last season at Michi- weeted the series would try you. And rubbin’, son, is NASCAR is.” highlights aired on “ Wide gan International Speed- and avoid the cliches that racin’.” - crew chief Harry James stars as crew chief World of Sports “ that led way in the Fake Steak car often paint NASCAR and Hogge. Kevin Gibson in Netflix’s him to doodle images of for footage featured in the its fans as simple-minded Tom Cruise made NASCAR new comedy series, “The Richard Petty (“I remember series. bumpkins or stereotypically sexy as Cole Trickle. “Days Crew,” the latest in a line of the mustache, the glasses, NASCAR cooperated with Southern. of Thunder” was a critically NASCAR-themed TV shows the cowboy hat”) on school the project and James was “Our goal is to not have it panned summer block- and movies where the books. James later served coached for the role by ring false to fans. And al- buster that was largely source material tradition- as the grand marshal at a long-time crew chief Tony though ‘Talladega Nights’ lampooned throughout ally bordered on good ol’ handful of NASCAR races, Gibson. Ryan Blaney, Aus- was funny, that’s not at all the NASCAR industry for its boys satire or sensational- sometimes sharing duties tin Dillon and Cole Custer the tone we’re going for,” exaggeration and overin- ism rather than reality. with celebrity friends like are among the drivers who he said. dulgence. But it developed How the “The Crew” how Adam Sandler. cameo on the show that “TALLADEGA NIGHTS” a cult-like following and to- will land in the finishing or- James plays an old-school debuts Monday. Baseball, boxing, golf, most day’s drivers grew up with der among past vehicles crew chief for the fictional “It’s supposed to be a sports have scores of mov- a fondness for the movie. like “ Days of Thunder,” Bobby Spencer Racing lighthearted, funny, sitcom ies that fans can debate Pitbull, NASCAR’s newest “Talladega Nights,” “Cars,” team at odds with a new show in front of a live au- which is the best of the team owner, credited the “Stroker Ace” or even “Six owner (Jillian Mueller) who dience and I think they genre (“Field of Dreams” 1990 flick with igniting his in- Pack” remains to be seen wants to modernize the did good,” Blaney said. vs. “Bull Durham”). “Talla- terest in the sport. Springsteen charged with drunken driving; Jeep ad on pause mercial that features him. Springsteen lives in Colts tion, singing “Land of Hope Springsteen was arrested Neck, about 12 miles from and Dreams” in front of the Nov. 14 in a part of the the site of the arrest. Lincoln Memorial. Gateway National Recre- Springsteen received cita- While during Sunday’s Su- ation Area on the New Jer- tions for driving while under per Bowl, he appeared in sey coast, a spokesperson the influence, reckless driv- a Jeep ad filmed in Kansas for the National Park Ser- ing and consuming alco- that urged people to find vice confirmed Wednes- hol in a closed area. The common ground.q day. spokesperson said Springs- The park is on a narrow, teen was cooperative. beach-ringed peninsula, A message was left seek- 2 4 6 7 9 5 8 1 3 with views across a bay to ing comment with Springs- 3 7 8 1 2 4 9 6 5 New York City. It is about 15 teen’s publicist. 1 5 9 8 3 6 4 7 2 miles north of Asbury Park, The news of the arrest 8 6 2 3 5 1 7 4 9 This Oct. 23, 2019 file photo shows Bruce Springsteen at the world where Springsteen got his came on the heels of two premiere of HBO Documentary Films’ “Very Ralph” in New York. 4 9 5 2 6 7 3 8 1 Associated Press start as a musician and high-profile appearances 7 3 1 9 4 8 5 2 6 bandleader and which was by Springsteen. 9 2 4 6 7 3 1 5 8 HIGHLANDS, N.J. (AP) — in New Jersey, prompting later made famous with On Jan. 20, Springsteen 6 1 7 5 8 9 2 3 4 Bruce Springsteen is facing Jeep to put on pause the his debut album, “Greet- performed as part of Presi- 5 8 3 4 1 2 6 9 7 2021 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc. a drunken driving charge Super Bowl television com- ings from Asbury Park, N.J.” dent Joe Biden’s inaugura- Difficulty Level 2/12 A15 sports Friday 12 February 2021 Feeling pressure: 2020 champ Kenin loses at Australian Open

By JOHN PYE last year, but it wasn’t quite AP Sports Writer enough. MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Kanepi said her winning — Sofia Kenin knew this performance wasn’t mere- would be a tough test at ly a case of taking advan- the Australian Open, a po- tage of Kenin’s nerves be- tentially early end to her cause “I was nervous, too first attempt to defend a ... playing the defending Grand Slam title. champion, that was the Upon realizing she prob- thought.” ably would be playing big- Kanepi, 35, had beaten hitting veteran Kaia Kanepi Kenin, 22, in their only pre- in the second round, Kenin vious matchup, part of why acknowledged, she “may- this was not a contest the be kind of broke down a American was looking for- little bit.” ward to. Plus, Kanepi has Kenin was right to be wor- been successful against ried. And, with Kanepi at some of the best on the her best, this one was over biggest stages, with seven quickly. Delivering 10 aces, victories over Top 10 oppo- Kanepi powered her way nents at Grand Slam tour- past the fourth-seeded naments, including against Kenin, overwhelming the then-No. 1 Simona Halep at 2020 champion 6-3, 6-2 in the 2018 U.S. Open. only 64 minutes on Thurs- United States’ Sofia Kenin leaves the court following her second round loss to Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi And then there was recent during at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 11, day. 2021. form. “I obviously felt like I’m not Associated Press Kenin walked off the court there 100% — physically, crying after a 6-2, 6-2 loss mentally, my game. Ev- ranked Michael Mmoh After the brief delay, he hit youngest player out of the last week in a tuneup event erything just feels real off, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the last night two aces to finish off the draw. Gauff had a break- at the site of the Australian obviously. It’s not good,” match, showing no signs of set. He wrapped up the out major in Melbourne last Open and explained after- Kenin said at her news con- the back soreness that has match 1 hour, 47 minutes. year, reaching the round ward that her left leg was ference, where she wiped bothered him. Nadal said it was a “posi- of 16 with wins over Venus sore. Kanepi, meanwhile, away tears. “I mean, I just Nadal was serving for the tive evening.” Except for Williams and Naomi Osaka put an end to No. 7-ranked — I know I couldn’t really second set at 5-4 when one strange thing. before losing to Kenin. But Aryna Sabalenka’s handle the pressure.” a woman yelled out and Asked if he knew the un- Svitolina was just too consis- 15-match winning streak One person who knows made hand gestures as ruly spectator, Nadal said tent when it counted, sav- last week and had won 16 how to defend a major title he prepared to serve. She he didn’t “and, honestly, I ing all four break points she of her past 17 outings. is Rafael Nadal, who shares yelled again at 30-0 and don’t want to know.” faced and converting on With serves topping 175 kph the men’s record of 20 with stadium security escorted In the preceding match two of the three she had on (110 mph), Kanepi saved Roger Federer. her out of Rod Laver Arena. on the main show court, Gauff’s serve. all seven break points she Nadal shrugged off some As the rest of the crowd fifth-seeded Elina Svito- Gauff said she stayed calm faced. And she wound heckling from a specta- started booing the woman, lina beat 16-year-old Coco and was playing at a high- up with a 22-10 edge in tor before beating 177th- Nadal laughed. Gauff 6-4, 6-3, knocking the er standard of tennis than winners.q Tennis, everyone? Participation up 22% in 2020, survey says WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) — headed to a court in 2020. Tennis, everyone? There were nearly 3 mil- The sport played by Ser- lion new players, a 44% in- ena Williams and Roger crease from a year earlier. Federer was a hit last year, According to the USTA, the with recreational participa- Tennis Industry Association tion rising 22% in the United found that entry-level rack- States, according to an an- et sales went up nearly 40%. nual survey from the Physi- The USTA is one of eight cal Activity Council. sports associations listed In a release announcing as partners on the Physical the survey results, U.S. Ten- Activity Council’s website, nis Association CEO Mike which says the survey uses Dowse tied that increase to a representative panel of tennis’s status as an “ideal more than 1 million Ameri- social distancing sport” cans and includes about during the coronavirus 18,000 online interviews. pandemic. The survey examined peo- United States’ Serena Williams makes a backhand return to Serbia’s Nina Stojanovic during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, About 21.5 million people ple about more than 120 Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. picked up a racket and activities.q Associated Press A16 Friday 12 February 2021 sports

Raptors to keep calling Tampa home for rest of season

By TIM REYNOLDS any nonessential travelers at least as much as pos- AP Basketball Writer arriving in Canada by land sible. “We The North” — The Toronto Raptors aren’t will need to show a nega- the team motto — signage going back to Toronto this tive PCR-based COVID-19 is everywhere in the hotel season. test or face a fine if they that the Raptors are us- Ongoing challenges re- don’t have one. ing as a practice facility in lated to the coronavirus That wouldn’t be an issue Tampa, from the elevator pandemic and how that for NBA teams; traveling doors to the ballroom wall affects the process of cross- parties are tested daily, behind one of the baskets. ing the border between players multiple times a The court that the Raptors the U.S. and Canada will day. use for games was shipped keep the Raptors in their The bigger issue is logistics. down from Toronto. adopted Tampa, Florida, The land border already And there’s a 2019 world home for the remainder remains closed to nones- championship banner of the regular season, the sential travelers who are swaying from the rafters, team said Thursday. Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) passes the ball over not Canadian citizens; alongside the Lightning’s The Raptors are 6-5 in their Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross (31) during the second half Canada requires those en- retired jerseys for Vincent “home” building this sea- of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Tampa, tering the country to isolate Lecavalier and Martin St. son, Amalie Arena, which Fla. for 14 days, which wouldn’t Louis, at the same end of Associated Press they’re sharing with the be feasible for NBA teams, the court as the Raptors’ Stanley Cup champion and at Amalie — we’re liv- family, and all those we are and the Canadian gov- bench. Tampa Bay Lightning. Tam- ing in a city of champions, missing back home, and ernment has also strongly “They did a great job,” pa also has the reigning Su- and we intend to carry on we can’t wait until we can discouraged nonessential Raptors guard Fred VanV- per Bowl champion Bucca- the tradition of winning for all be together again.” travel for any reason. leet said earlier this season. neers and the Tampa Bay our new friends and fans The decision is hardly un- Toronto made the move The NBA is preparing to re- Rays played in the World here,” Raptors President expected given the state south last fall, knowing lease the schedule for the Series last season. Masai Ujiri said. “But home of the pandemic in the Thursday’s decision was a second half of the season “Florida has been really is where the heart is, and U.S. and Canada. Cana- real possibility. — mid-March through mid- welcoming to us and we’re our hearts are in Toronto. dian Prime Minister Justin The Raptors tried to simu- May — later this month. The so grateful for the hospital- We think often of our fans, Trudeau announced Tues- late the comforts the team playoffs will run from mid- ity we’ve found in Tampa of our Scotiabank Arena day that starting next week has at home in Toronto, May through mid-July.q AP source: NHL adding game-day rapid COVID-19 testing By JOHN WAWROW nymity because the league Golden Knights forward AP Hockey Writer had not yet released its up- Mark Stone welcomed the The NHL is adding a game- dated protocol. NHL’s decision to add rapid day rapid tests for players The decision comes two testing. to its safety protocols in its days after Vegas Golden “I think now with the reapid latest bid to stem poten- Knights forward Tomas testing getting in place is tial COVID-19 outbreaks Nosek tested positive but going to help,” Stone said. among its teams, a person was not quarantined until “We’re to know more be- with direct knowledge of after playing the first two fore the games, which is the situation told The Asso- periods of a 5-4 win over ultimately what we want.” ciated Press on Thursday. Anaheim. And it comes on The NHL upgraded its safe- Rapid tests provide results the same day the league ty protocols last week, too. within a half-hour, and will delayed the start of Edmon- It had teams remove glass augment daily PCR testing ton’s game at Montreal to panels from behind each already in place, which is complete contact tracing bench for better air flow, similar to the protocols the and testing after an Oilers The New York Rangers prepare to play against the Boston Bruins while also spacing players NBA introduced this sea- player tested positive. in an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in New York. at least 6 feet apart in their son. PCR tests are consid- The Oilers became the first Associated Press locker rooms. ered to be more accurate, of the league’s seven Ca- Teams were also told not but there’s a 12-24 hour nadian team to encounter all involved teams in the teams: the Buffalo Sabres, to show up at arenas until turnaround on results. a virus-related disturbance three U.S.-based divisions in Minnesota Wild, New Jer- one hour, 45 minutes be- The moved was confirmed a little under a month into place for this season. sey Devils and Philadelphia fore faceoff unless players by the person who spoke the season. Otherwise, the The NHL currently has Flyers, though others have need pregame treatment on the condition of ano- 35 postponed games have paused the seasons of four also been idled. or preparation. q