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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 / RAJAB 21, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17628 16 PAGES 150 FILS Duplicity, denial, deception and cover-up

— Details Page 2 & 3 — More amnesty Kuwait grows 1.2 pct in Q3 KUWAIT CITY, March 3: In- terior Minister Sheikh Thamer Al-Ali has issued a decision to KUWAIT CITY, March 3, (KUNA): Kuwait’s econo- The contribution of the oil sector to the economy extend the deadline for residence my witnessed 1.2 percent growth in the third quarter of was worth KD 2.6 billion (USD 11.8 billion), some law violators until the end of this 2020 compared to the quarter prior, amounting to KD 33.5 percent. This value rose to KD 4.4 billion (USD month (March 31), reports Al- 8.6 billion (USD 28 billion), according to the Central 14.5 billion), the proportion of which is estimated at Anba daily quoting Interior Min- Statistical Bureau on Wednesday. 51.2 percent. istry sources. Based on initial estimates, the quarterly GDP at cur- Non-oil GDP dropped by 7.6 percent compared to The decision comes to give rent rates dropped by 20.3 percent during this period in 2019, which had an estimated value of KD 4.2 billion more time for violators to amend contrast to a year prior, where the GDP was estimated (USD 13.8 billion), with a contribution of 48.8 per- their status during the new dead- line, and a call to motivate them at KD 7.9 billion (USD 26 billion). cent. to take advantage of the opportu- Growth worth 25.9 percent from the second The contribution of oil and natural gas products nity to avoid being punished and quarter to the third was attributed to the recovery decreased from 53.2 percent to 51.2 percent, it said, harsh measures that are expected in global oil prices and an uptick in economic ac- citing a 40.4 percent drop in the added value of this to be taken by the ministry after tivities. activity compared with the year 2019. the end of the amnesty. Abadeh site before being sanitized. ‘Deep concern’ Opinion ON Tuesday, the National Coun- cil of Resistance of Iran held a press conference to elaborate upon the latest disclosures from Stop dancing with snakes, be government of decision the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding undeclared prior nuclear activities in Iran. On February 23, the IAEA is- sued its first report on presence of uranium particles at two sites that had not been previously identified as locations for nuclear enrich- ment or related activities. At the same time, the agency called at- tention to the persistent absence of a satisfying explanation for the earlier discovery of similar par- ticles at a third undeclared site. On Monday, the agency’s Executive Director Rafael Grossi spoke be- fore a meeting of the 35-member Board of Governors and expressed “deep concern” over the findings in the latest report, the publica- tion of which closely coincided with Iran’s decision to withdraw from the Additional Protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Additional Protocol stipu- lated that IAEA inspectors would have access to suspect sites on short notice in the country where it was implemented. By reversing that implementation, the Iranian regime has potentially hampered monitoring efforts that critics of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal be- lieved were already inadequate. The host of Tuesday’s press conference, NCRI Foreign Af- fairs Committee member Ali Sa- favi, pointed to remarks that the NCRI’s President-elect Maryam Rajavi had delivered in July KUNA photo 2015, when those negotiations HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah meets HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al -Sabah and members of the newly-appointed Cabinet. were drawing to a close. “Total implementation of the UN Secu- rity Council resolutions, in par- ticular total halt of enrichment, By Ahmed Al-Jarallah accepting the Additional Pro- Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times tocol, and free and unhindered access of the IAEA inspectors IT is an old government with four new faces ... but at least, Protect public funds to all suspected centers and fa- it is not a transitional or rather a caretaker government like cilities, are necessary in order for the previous one which had led to further paralysis of the the regime to give up its drive to state institutions. acquire nuclear weapons,” Mrs. Despite its old age, we hope it will better the situation of Constitution rules Rajavi said while criticizing the Kuwait. Otherwise, we will end up in square one after all Other Voices emerging agreement for falling the justifications given in the past weeks and months which far short of this. led to a crisis that was never experienced in Kuwait in the KUWAIT CITY, March A key complaint about the last six decades. content of the JCPOA was the in- 3, (KUNA): His Highness herent limits it placed on access All we hope is for His Highness the Prime Minister and the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- for international inspectors. The the ministers to abide by the royal directives of His High- Between a President and MP Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah IAEA’s privilege of snap inspec- ness the Amir, and to have learned from past experiences so tions applied only to previously that they do not fall into the same traps or commit the same By Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli rona pandemic era which caused the called on government and disclosed sites, thus excluding mistakes they did in the past. Former Minister of Oil bankruptcy of hundreds of Kuwait’s Parliament Wednesday to the three that the agency identi- The current economic and financial situation is critical commercial enterprises, expatriate have “constructive coopera- fied in its latest report as having and sensitive amid the regional conditions. This neces- “ALLAH does not change what is in youths and families due to irrational tion” to address pressing is- been active years ago. Asked sitates the existence of a strong decision-making govern- a nation unless they change what is in decisions that are ill-considered, il- whether the NCRI’s information ment that is capable of confrontation and does not shiver themselves”. Last Monday, an honor- logical and unprecedented! sues and protect public funds pointed to those sites being as- in fear of parliamentary questioning or turn into a victim able sentence was imposed on former and promote rule of law in sociated with currently-ongoing the minute the MPs, collectively or individually, encroach O government, why are you with nuclear activity, Safavi empha- French President Nicolas Sarkozy. He some people and against others? Why line with the Constitution. sized that Iran’s longstanding on their powers, because they, through that are contradict- “I call upon the Legislative and Ex- ing the constitutionally stipulated principle of separation was sentenced to several years in pris- did your ministers of Health and Inte- efforts to conceal those sites are of powers. on for a petty crime, yet you ask us not rior not join the centenary gathering ecutive Authorities for constructive evidence that the regime has Indeed, it is a great challenge that His Highness the to express our admiration for the West, in support of the new MP with a loud cooperation, armed by our social fabric something significant to hide Prime Minister has to overcome ... otherwise, more weak- which you consider mouth?! It is an open movement to and national unity, to achieve national and should not have been trusted goals, address pressing issues and pro- when negotiating the limits of ac- ness awaits the prestige of the state. Therefore, he has to set infidels. He or they influence the court ruling that will be cess. the record straight. in the West apply issued against him - the MP - for violat- tect public funds, in line with the consti- tution, and the decisive and transparent To its credit, the JCPOA in- The MPs are here to legislate and monitor, and not to bul- the teachings of re- ing the law in broad daylight. cluded procedures for the IAEA ly a speciality minister through a journalist or an informant ligions, including application of law on all,” His Highness to request access to sites that in order to impose on him his sick desires. There shouldn’t These two incidents happened in one the Amir said in a speech after Cabinet Islam, better than day, that is, the issuance of a prison came under suspicion after the be a minister who yields to an MP to suspend a recreational us thousands of members took oath before him. deal’s signing. But in practice, activity for the public, as if he is an employee in his secre- sentence for a former superpower pres- His Highness the Amir told the new this allowed Iranian authorities to tariat, and not the incumbent of the highest executive au- times!!! ident, and the silence and negligence of ministers they have “great responsibilities delay and obstruct that access for thority in his institution. This was what led to the current Our money was a government that claims Arabism and in this important time, and I am confident weeks, months, or as Safavi said devastation that we are enduring ... due to the weakness of stolen from the Islam in front of a dangerous gathering you are, Allah’s willing, capable of con- of one of the newly-identified the executive authority. Public Institution which exposes hundreds to death, forc- fronting them.” sites, for more than a year after Likewise, a minister shouldn’t waste the public funds for Social Secu- Ali Al-Baghli He urged them to work “collectively the authorities realized that it had ing us to extend our tongues to those with the one team spirit to push forward been exposed. Safavi explained on illegal appointments and employment, or bid deals, to rity (PIFSS), Army with long beards and shorter ‘dishda- serve an MP who only sees democracy as a ladder to illegal funds, Euro Fighter, Jaber Bridge and the national action towards reforms and that intelligence about the site in wealth at the expense of the voters. In the end, the same MP shas’ who formally claim Islam and development” in order to achieve aspira- the city of Abadeh in Fars Prov- hundreds of millions of others. The ask: Where are you from?! tions of the Kuwaiti people at all levels. ince had first leaked in July 2019, comes out bragging how he made this or that MP submit thieves still walk in our midst or out- His Highness the Amir thanked His but was not made available to to his will. Why we did not hear any word of side, unharmed by those who praise protest from you about the violation Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sa- inspectors until August 2020. In This is not a time pass government ... It is responsible for bah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for his the meantime, the Islamic Revo- getting the country out of the tunnel of the worsening cri- the teachings of Islam day and night. of the most important principle of the We believe in the Islam of our rightly- “great efforts” and urged the ministers lutionary Guard Corps reportedly sis, and restoring confidence in the economy and financial Islamic religion - justice and equality to “double efforts” and show dedication razed the buildings at that site strength, both internally and externally. This will only be guided caliphs and the Islam of Omar between the ruler and the ruled?! in their national duties in order to create and initiated efforts to sanitize it. achieved by putting an end to the MP-MP tussle and MP- bin Abdul Aziz. As for your Islam, it Therefore, we hope you return your opportunities and alleviate burden of citi- Safavi also noted that this minister’s struggle for influence. is the Islam of the insane caliphs who hypocritical tongues to your throats zens. His Highness the Amir also thanked sanitization was noticeably simi- If this continues, it will open the gates of corruption, enslaved the creation of God, obtained when we are proud of our tradition, the former ministers for their services. lar to that which had been under- which will flood all aspects of this country ... Hence there His Highness the Prime Minister said taken in 2004 and again in 2012 unlawful money and conserved it for and our admiration for the unbeliev- is a need of having a Cabinet that is able to take decisive themselves and those close to them. the Constitution and law would be the at two other sites that apparently actions. Whenever it finds obstinacy or waste of time on the ing West in your view and the Muslim foundation of cooperation with the Par- had roles to play in the Iranian Otherwise, tell me how your irratio- nuclear weapons program. In the Continued on Page 7 more than you in our view. We hope liament with the objective reaching com- nal government could allow hundreds that in the future, we will not hear mon goals between the two authorities. first place, the regime received Email: [email protected] of people to gather in support of a law- from you a single word blaming us His Highness the Prime Minister, ad- a request from the IAEA for in- Follow me on: maker with a loud mouth reminding us dressing His Highness the Amir after tak- spection of the Shian-Lavizan when we show this unrivaled admira- ing constitutional oath, said the speech site, but granted that request only about a lawmaker who dodged a prison tion for the West, its customs, tradi- sentence imposed on him. of His Highness the Amir would “be our after destroying onsite build- tions and path. ings and turning over the soil to This happened under the ear and roadmap to work as one team serving Ku- ❑ ❑ ❑ wait, interests of Kuwait and its citizens.” depths as great as four meters, [email protected] glare (in full view) of the irrational in an effort to conceal traces of last Monday, while we live in the co- Email: [email protected] Continued on Page 7 nuclear material. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 2

SPECIAL REPORT

A big reveal on Iran’s Abadeh nuclear site Duplicity, denial, deception and cover-up

ccording to the latest report by the International the Supreme National Security Council. Companies AAtomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on February 23, controlled by the IRGC s Khatam al-Anbia engineer- 2021, the nuclear watchdog has found anthropogenic ing arm executed the construction project. An IRGC uranium particles at two sites in Iran. The Iranian re- engineer with the last name Hashemi Tabar, a project gime had blocked access to these sites to IAEA in- manager for clandestine IRGC projects, managed the spectors for months. The regime has not yet answered construction. He has also led various other projects the Agency s questions relating to the possible pres- involving the construction of tunnels and other secret ence at these locations of nuclear material. The IAEA locations for the IRGC. Director, Rafael Grossi, yesterday in his introductory In order to build this site, the IRGC first took con- statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, expressed trol of a large area of land there. including the stone agency’s deep concerns on finding of undeclared nu- mines. Since then, local residents are not allowed to clear material in undeclared locations in Iran. enter the area. The northern part of this area is limited One of the two above mentioned sites is located in to the asphalt road that stretches from the village of the Abadeh region where a project called Marivan has Shurjestan to the northeast. This road passes through been underway. Today, I will reveal some information a relatively mountainous area and ends at a crossroad. about this site, which has been obtained from various The road to the south goes to the stone mines and the entities of the regime through the network of the Peo- nuclear site, and traffic to the south is prohibited and ple s Mojahedin Organization of Iran or Mujahedin-e Dr Saeed Borji, a top explo- is considered the IRGC s restricted area. The east- sives and high impact spe- ern part of this region is also under the control of the Khalq (MEK). cialist, who for years worked At a high level, this information reveals the fol- directly under the supervision IRGC. and is separated by a series of mountains, be- lowing: of Brig. Gen. Mohsen Fakhri- tween the main highway to Abadeh and Shahreza. 1. The subject site, which is located north of Aba- zadeh, the key figure in the Both the project and the site are related to the ac- deh city in Fars province, was built by companies regime s nuclear weapons tivities of the Center for Research and Expansion of controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps project, has been involved in Technologies on Explosions and Impact (METFAZ), (IRGC) in the mid-1990s under the supervision of the the Marivan project. Currently, which is a subsidiary of SPND (previously AMAD). Minister of Defense at the time. Borji is in another role, along To this end, IRGC-affiliated engineering companies 2. The site was part of a project managed by the with some of the most senior built large concrete locations at the site for experi- experts. He is still conducting ments related to high-impact explosions. Extensive main entity in charge of research and development research for the nuclear weap- of nuclear weapons, the Organization of Defensive ons program s explosives and nuclear weapons-related explosions in 2003 at the site Innovation and Research (Sazman-e Pazhouhesh- impact fields using a cover. were referred to as the Marivan project. haye Novin-e Defa i), known by its Persian acro- According to the February 23, 2021 IAEA report, nym SPND). In the 1990s, this entity was known as this site involved the possible use and storage of nu- AMAD. clear material where outdoor, conventional explosive 3. This site was specifically constructed for a project dubbed Mari- testing may have taken place in 2003, including in relation to testing of van, specifically for the use of one of SPND’s subdivisions, called shielding in preparation for the use of neutron detectors. METFAZ (Center for Research and Expansion of Technologies on According to internal SPND reports, one of the key METFAZ ex- Explosions and Impact). METFAZ is engaged in the research and con- perts is Saeed Borji, who for years worked directly with IRGC Brig. struction of nuclear high-explosive detonators. Gen. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the director of SPND (aka AMAD). Fakhri- 4. Dr. Saeed Borji, one of the regime s top explosives and high-im- zadeh was killed in the outskirts of Tehran on November 27, 2020. pact specialists who for years worked directly under the supervision of Among Borji s activities was working with the Ukrainian nuclear Brig. Gen. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the key figure in the regime’s nuclear scientists Vyacheslav V. Danilenko and Vladimir Padalko on high ex- weapons project, has been involved in the Marivan project. plosive testing and also on explosive chamber for nuclear weapons in 5. Currently, Borji is in another role, along with some of the most Parchin site (southeast Tehran). senior experts. He is still conducting research for the nuclear weapons According to SPND s internal reporting, Saeed Borji and two other program’s explosives and impact fields using a cover. SPND experts, Khodadad Meihami and Hossein Ghafouri, worked on 6. The process to sanitize the site is very similar to processes imple- a project related to METFAZ in 2011. The location of this specific pro- mented in Shian-Lavizan in 2004 as well as a part of the Parchin site in ject in SPND s internal reports is referred to as Ahmad-Abad. In light 2012, where there was a special explosive chamber. of the new evidence revealed about the regime s nuclear activities at So now, allow me to provide more details about the various dimen- this site, Ahmad-Abad is most likely the Abadeh site. An expert from sions of these activities. the IRGC-affiliated Imam Hossein University, named Mirtajeddini, Photos courtesy of Google Earth According to information obtained by the MEK from inside the Ira- was in charge of planning and designing this project. Abadeh site before being sanitized. Inset: The general area of the Abadeh site. nian regime, and publicly available information inside Iran, the con- While Saeed Borji has been one of the most prominent explosives struction of the subject complex in Abadeh for the Marivan project and impact experts and a senior member of the regime s nuclear weap- began in the mid-1990s under the supervision of Major General Ali ons program, in addition to being one of SPND s managers, according THE MARIVAN PROJECT: PART OF THE CLERICAL REGIME S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM Shamkhani, then-Minister of Defense and currently the Secretary of Continued on Page 3

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the next partly cloudy with light to mod- Kuwait Airport 25 10 Prayer Timings 24 hours: erate freshening at times south Abdaly 26 10 By Day: Warm and partly easterly wind changing to wind Jahra 27 12 Fajr ...... 04:54 Asr ...... 15:19 cloudy with light to moderate with speeds of 15-50 km/h with Failaka Island - - Sunrise .. 06:13 Maghrib .. 17:48 freshening at times south easterly a chance for rising dust and a Salmiyah 22 17 Zohr ...... 12:00 Isha ...... 19:05 wind with speeds of 15-42 km/h Ahmadi 21 18 causing rising dust and a chance chance for scattered rain . Nuwaisib 23 12 for scattered rain. Station Max Exp Min Rec Wafra 25 10 By Night: Rather cold and Kuwait City 25 16 Salmy 24 11 VACCINE REGISTRATION WEBSITE: https://cov19vaccine.moh.gov.kw/SPCMS/CVD_19_Vaccine_Registration.aspx PACI stresses need for online business ‘Staff must not exceed 30pc’ By Muhammad Ghanem pointment will be in the main building in Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies South Surrah from 9 am to 1 pm for Ku- waitis and from 2 pm to 5:30 pm for expatri- KUWAIT CITY, March 3: ates and the Jahra branch will work from 9 am to 5 pm in the afternoon. The Public Authority for Civil The sources stated the Civil IDs will be Information (PACI) said that delivered in the main building from 8:00 it will not receive any trans- am to 8:00 pm evening, and in the Jahra and action that can be completed Ahmadi branches 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. PACI requests everyone to adhere to the ‘online’ and through the elec- health requirements to prevent the spread of tronic services provided on its the Covid-19 virus. website www.pack.gov.kw. The Public Authority for Civil Informa- tion (PACI) has updated its annual demo- PACI said in a press statement it is graphics data, including the registration of committed to the instructions issued the names and ages of citizens and expa- by the Council of Ministers to reduce triates for the year 2020, reports Al-Qabas the number of workers in government daily. workplaces during the pandemic which According to PACI, the oldest age re- should not exceed 30 percent. corded is that of a 119-year-old Kuwaiti The sources indicated the number of ap- woman along with a 115-year-old Kuwaiti pointments will be reduced in proportion to man. the work capacity, stressing that no transac- Also, the demand for registering the tion will be received without a deadline. name ‘Ahmed’ increased which came in The sources also indicated that the dates third place in the list of the most registered for receiving transactions that cannot be names in 2020 compared to ninth in 2019. completed through the authority’s website The name ‘Muhammad’ is in fi rst place ‘online’ and by booking an advance ap- among males, and ‘Fatima’ among females. KFH rallies 5 fi ls, NAPESCO skids Kuwait bourse edges up amid mixed trading, volume tapers By John Mathews Arab Times Staff ▼ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30190/000.30190/00 KUWAIT CITY, March 3: Kuwait stocks ▲ Euro/KD 0.3648 crept higher on Wednesday recouping last session’s slight pullback. The All Shares In- ■ Yen/KD 0.0028 dex, after a wobbly start, rose 6.96 points to 5,684.51 pts led by heavyweights even as ▲ British £/KD 0.4225 the overall mood remained mixed. The Premier Market paced 10.68 points Indian Rs/KD to close at 6,203.66 points while Main ■ 0.0041 Market eased 1.54 points. The BK Main 50 was little changed at 4,846 points. The vol- ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 ume turnover meanwhile slipped below the Top: Lavizan-Shian site, Iran — August 11, 2003 and above the site on March 22, 2004 200 million mark to hot a 10-day low. Over ▲ FTSE +61.72 pts at closing March 3 196 million shares changed hands – down 6.6 pct from the day before. The sectors closed mostly in red. Con- ▲ Nikkei +150.93 pts at closing March 3 sumer Goods outshone the rest with 0.75 percent gain whereas Utilities shed 1.99 percent, the worst performer of the day. ▼ Gold 1728.50 per oz (London) Banking sector topped in both volume and value with over 57 million shares traded for ▲ NYMEX crude $60.80 per barrel KD 26.4 million. Among the notable movers, Kuwait Fi- ▼ Brent crude $63.65 per barrel nance House climbed 5 fi ls to 731 fi ls with brisk trading while Boubyan Bank scaled 4 LIBOR rate 0.18338% fi ls after pushing 2.3 million shares. Human- soft Holding slid 35 fi ls to KD 3.765 ex- tending last session’s losses and NAPESCO spectively. shed 34 fi ls. Mabanee Co tripped 1 fi ls to Warba Bank climbed 8 fi ls to 240 fi ls end at 703 fi ls. while Ahli United Bank BSC took in 1 fi l on Zain eased 1 fi l to 624 fi ls after moving back of 10.6 million shares. Al Ahli Bank 4.6 million shares while added 3 fi ls. stc dialed up 1 fi l whereas Commercial Bank gave up 7 fi ls while logistics major Agility of Kuwait and Ahli United Bank Kuwait was down 5 fi ls at 672 fi ls with a volume paused at 500 fi ls and 300 fi ls respectively. of over 3 million paring the month’s gains Investment major KIPCO eased 1 fi l to to 12 fi ls. Boursa Kuwait rose 5 fi ls to KD 171 fi ls and Al Imtiaz Investment ticked 1 fi l 1.150 whereas Aznour slipped 5 fi ls after higher. National Investment Co gave up 2 fi ls pushing 6.2 million shares. whereas Kuwait Investment Co and KMEF- The market opened fi rm and tick up be- IC held ground at 124 fi ls and 145 fi ls re- fore slipping into red in early trade. The spectively. International Financial Advisors main index plumbed the day’s lowest level clipped 1fi l. Coast Investment trimmed 0.6 of 5,679 pts and vacillated briefl y before fi l and Arzan Financial Group added 0.5 fi l. pulling higher. It peaked at 5,694 points Satellite imagery of the sanitized Parchin site Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) and past the mid-session and gave up most of Unicap stalled at 82 fi ls and 39.5 fi ls re- the gains in the fi nal minutes. spectively whereas KFIC scaled 3.1 fi ls be- Continued from Page 2 detonation of multiple explosives at the same a nuclear weapon. This pursuit has continued Top gainer of the day, Energy Holding fore settling at 51.2 fi ls. Gulf Investment to credible intelligence, he and some other sen- time, which had dual use in connection with the unabated for the past three decades. sprinted 10 pct to 28.6 fi ls while KFIC House and Aayan Leasing clipped 1 fi ls ior SPND experts have formed front companies explosion of nuclear weapons (EBW), the mul- More than 100 revelations by the Iranian Re- scaled 6.44 percent to stand next. Warba each while KAMCO fell 1.6 fi ls to 79 fi ls. lahs’ regime falsely claimed that it needs the sistance about the sites, centers, projects and Capital skidded 9.5 pct, the steepest de- Bayan Investment Co eased 0.1 fi l to 40.9 to conduct their research to advance SPND’s cliner of the day and Kuwait Finance House objectives. technology to operate oil wells. experts involved in the program confi rm this fi ls and Noor Financial Investment Co slipped As such, with offsetting up these this front fact. is part and parcel of the mullahs’ strategy topped the volume with 13.2 million shares. 6 fi ls. Tamdeen Investment Co dropped 8 fi ls Among these front companies is the “Azar Refl ecting the day’s uptick, the winners Afrooz Saeed Limited Liability Company,” company, Saeed Borji and some other senior for survival. As the popular dissent is growing to 221 fi ls while Gulf Insurance Group was offi cials of SPND created cover for the continu- in Iran, demonstrated clearly during the nation- slightly outnumbered the losers. 59 stocks down 10 fi ls at 620 fi ls. Kuwait Insurance Co which was formed in the city of Isfahan in May advanced whereas 55 closed lower. Of the 2015 to work on “forming and shaping metals ation of activities related to the nuclear weap- wide uprising in November 2019, and with the and Warba Insurance took in 1 fi ls to close at ons program and objectives of SPND. change of balance of power in the region to the 135 counters active on Wednesday, 21 405 fi ls and 119 fi ls respectively. using gas.” Saeed Borji’s position in this com- closed fl at. 9,644 deals worth KD 47.57 Kuwait Reinsurance Co was fl at at 429 pany is Vice Chairman of the Board. Another noteworthy point concerns the sani- mullahs’ detriment, the mullahs need to obtain million were transacted during the session. tizing of the Abadeh site. the bomb more than ever before. fi ls and First Takaful Insurance Co closed The company builds spherical tanks that are In the banking sector, National Bank of 1.9 fi ls in green. Tamdeen Real Estate Co shaped to explode quite similar to explosions This site is very similar to other major sites The Iranian regime’s engagement with the Kuwait stood pat at 836 fi ls after trading where the body in charge of the regime’s nu- world community over its nuclear program dipped 8 fi ls to 240 fi ls with thin trading used in nuclear weapons detonator experi- 9.9 million shares and Gulf Bank too did not while Salhia Real Estate dialed down 2 fi ls. clear weapons program was conducting serious over the past three decades has been entwined budge from its earlier close of 216 fi ls. Ku- ments. These tanks are made of steel frames research and testing, but when the IAEA re- with duplicity, denial, deception and cover-up. National Real Estate Co eased 0.1 fi ls. that are welded latitudinally to create an almost wait International Bank and Burgan Bank quested to visit them and sample them, leading Deception and Duplicity are parts of the regime were unchanged at 202 fi ls and 223 fi ls re- Continued on Page 4 polygonal structure. To make it spherical, the the regime to sanitize them. DNA because, as I said, the ultimate objective shell is then fi lled with water and an explosive The Shian-Lavizan site in northeastern Teh- of the nuclear program is to obtain the bomb. charge is detonated at the core. The explosion ran, where the regime’s nuclear weapons or- Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of creates a symmetrical internal pressure wave of gan, AMAD (now SPND) was located, was the National Council of Resistance of Iran, has water that produces a perfectly smooth sphere exposed in May 2003 by the National Council stated time and again, including on July 14, from the welded polygon. of Resistance of Iran. Following the IAEA’s re- 2015 immediately following the initial agree- On the other hand, Saeed Borji and a chemi- quest to visit the site, it was razed to the ground, ment of P5+1 with the clerical regime, that if cal engineer named Akbar Motalebizadeh, who and when Agency inspectors arrived in 2004, the world powers had acted steadfastly, with- is also an explosives specialist and another sen- up to 4 meters of soil was turned over. (This is out economic and political considerations, ior manager of SPND, along with several others, one of four sites mentioned in the IAEA’s latest they could have totally contained the regime’s established the “Arvin Kimia Abzar Company” report, where the Agency is still seeking infor- bomb-making apparatus in that round of nego- in Tehran in March 2019. This front company is mation about their activities). Saeed Borji col- tiations. She had warned: Total implementation involved in the production, purchase, sale, ex- laborated with Fakhrizadeh at Shian-Lavizan. of the UN Security Council resolutions, in par- port and import of tools and materials used in In the early 2000s, the regime set up an explo- ticular total halt of enrichment, accepting the drilling and operation of oil wells. Saeed Borji is sive chamber in the Parchin military complex in Additional Protocol, and free and unhindered the chairman of the board and Akbar Motalebi- southeastern Tehran to test powerful explosions access of the IAEA inspectors to all suspected zadeh is the managing director of this company. related to the production of nuclear weapons. In centers and facilities, are necessary in order Prior to setting up this company, Saeed particular, Saeed Borji was working on these ex- for the regime to give up its drive to acquire Borji, Akbar Motalebizadeh and Fazlollah Ke- periments with Ukrainian experts there. When nuclear weapons. She reiterated her call also shan Zare (explosion experts), formed another the IAEA requested to visit the site in 2012, the on July 14, 2015, hours after the JCPOA was company called “Parsian Asr Arvin Private regime began a complete clean-up of the area agreed upon. Stock Company” in Tehran in December 2015. in Parchin. The Agency fi nally gained access to It is naïve to think that by providing conces- It is active in the fi eld of “commercial activi- this part of Parchin in 2015. sions or overlooking its violations, the regime, ties and services for the production, purchase, In relation to the Abadeh site, after the IRGC will change its behavior. This has not happened sale, export and import of tools and materials discovered that the site has been exposed, in and will never happen. A leopard never chang- used in the oil industry, drilling and operation July 2019, it abruptly destroyed the facilities on es spots. of oil wells.” Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi the site. After more than a year since the demo- The ultimate solution is regime change by the (the eliminated head of the SPND) acted as the lition of this site, the regime only made it acces- Iranian people and the organized resistance. If the main inspector in this company. Very tellingly, sible on August 26, 2020. international community is genuinely seeking to the company was located in the Chamran com- Conclusion prevent the central banker of terrorism from ob- plex on Langari Street in Tehran, next to the The fact is that the mullahs’ regime is seek- taining nuclear weapons, it must exercise fi rm- head offi ce of the SPND. The company was ing to acquire a nuclear weapons as a strategic ness and hold the regime accountable for its ac- dissolved in March 2018. It is worth noting means to guarantee its survival, and for this tion, including its nuclear hide and cheat. that in response to the IAEA’s inquiry into the reason it has never abandoned its pursuit of (Source: National Council of Resistance of Iran) ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 LOCAL 4

Cabinet takes oath before His Highness the Amir New govt keen on co-operating with Parliament: PM KUWAIT CITY, March 3, (KUNA): oath before His Highness the Amir and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad ers and Missing Persons’ announce- tackle the COVID-19 pandemic by the recent regional and global political de- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, on behalf of the ment that they identified the remains Minister of Health Sheikh Dr Basel velopments, where it expressed con- Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Al-Sabah, whereby His Highness the ministers, expressed his gratitude to of eight missing Kuwaiti persons since Al-Sabah. cern over the continued Houthi attacks stressed his newly-formed government’s Prime Minister welcomed the newly- His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Iraqi invasion in 1990 through Furthermore, the Cabinet called on on Saudi Arabia. keenness to embody the desired coop- appointed ministers and thanked them the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al- DNA tests, the Cabinet expressed con- all citizens and residents to fully ad- It also stressed Kuwait’s solidarity eration with the National Assembly to for their acceptance of their roles at Ahmad Al-Sabah and His Highness the dolences to the martyrs’ families. here to health requirements to limit the with the Kingdom for all measures it achieve the country’s advancement. this stage with its various challenges. Prime Minister for their trust. The Cabinet was then briefed about spread of the pandemic. takes to preserve its security and sta- This came as the Cabinet took the In turn, the Deputy Prime Minister In light of the Committee of Prison- the situation surrounding efforts to The Cabinet also shed light on the bility. Court delays discussions on appeal against MP Dahoum until March 15 Panel OKs draft on accreditation of higher education certificates

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Female employees in service dept hope MoE Arab Times Staff KUWAIT CITY, March abide by CSC’s decision to limit their number 3: The Constitutional Court adjourned delib- KUWAIT CITY, March 3: While a erations on the appeal group of female employees in the Min- KUNA photo istry of Education revealed that they are ‘Iqama’ transfers door opened against the candidacy of HH the Amir with HH the Crown Prince and HH the Premier. working at full capacity in a service de- MP Badr Al-Dahoum in partment, hoping the ministry will abide By Fares Al-Abdan be permitted with the consent of the HH the Amir receives top officials by the decision of the Civil Service the 2020 parliamentary Al-Seyassah Staff employer and without the condition Commission (CSC) to limit the number of the years served, which was previ- election until March 15. of employees reporting for work to 30 His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf presence of His Highness the Crown KUWAIT CITY, March 3: The Pub- ously determined by the expiry of a The court also dismissed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received, Prince, His Highness the Prime Min- percent of the total workforce; a reli- lic Authority for Manpower (PAM) year from the date of issuance of the the appeal filed by former MP Wednesday, at Bayan Palace His High- ister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad able source from the educational sec- has opened wide the door for resi- work permit. Abdullah Al-Kandari against the tor affi rmed that the ministry is one of dency transfer (visa transfer), allow- Al-Mousa said this decision was ness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Sabah and later Speaker of the Na- the government agencies which imple- ing the transfer among the sectors taken in response to the needs of the results of the National Assembly Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. tional Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanim. mented the decision on the fi rst day it of industry, agriculture, herding, labor market during the current pe- speaker election; clarifying this His Highness also received, with (KUNA) took effect, reports Al-Rai daily. fi shing, cooperative unions and so- riod, and will be implemented until is part of the procedures stipu- The source said the ministry asked cieties, and the free trade zone until further notice in light of the repercus- lated in the National Assembly National Day greetings sent most of its sectors to submit a list of further notice subject to the approval sions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Law, not the court’s duties. their employees in order to prepare the of the employer. Meanwhile, informed sources In the meantime, the parliamen- work schedule and divide them gradu- This decision was issued by the from PAM said, “The decision ex- tary Human Rights Committee on ally, as “we cannot exempt 70 percent Director General of PAM Ahmad cludes workers of small and medium Wednesday met the representatives HH Amir congratulates Bulgaria Al-Mousa. enterprises and those registered on of the employees at once and leave of the Permanent National Com- KUWAIT CITY, March 3, (KUNA): His Highness the Crown Prince the transactions pending.” The source The article No. 2 of the decision government contracts. A new deci- mittee for Preventing Human Traf- affi rmed the decision is being imple- allows the transfer of residency of sion is on the way, which will allow fi cking, Ministry of Foreign Af- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber mented in many departments, units expatriates working in the govern- the workers of small and medium en- fairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent, Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime ment agencies and public institu- terprises to transfer within the sector, and sections; especially those that do of Justice and Public Authority for Wednesday, a cable to President of Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- tions, and those holding family visas such that transfer will be from one Bulgaria Rumen Radev, congratulating Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. not have direct contact with the public. to work in the private sector until small project to another similar proj- Manpower (PAM). The source added the ministry decided further notice. ect after a year of the issuance of the Committee Chairman MP Ham- him on his country’s National Day. (KUNA) the service departments which receive As for article No. 3 of the deci- work permit. In the past it was not al- dan Al-Azmi pointed out that hu- visitors and those dealing with employ- sion, the transfer of locally em- lowed to transfer from one small proj- man traffi cking negatively affects ‘Need to up awareness on safety measures’ ment affairs such as promotions are ployed workers in all sectors will ect to another until after three years”. the reputation of Kuwait, indicat- the last to implement the decision. The ing this issue is common in gov- source said all the sectors will most likely ernment projects. He said some implement the decision before the end of Al-Mudhaf for approval. The source next academic year 2021-2022. companies win public tenders to Restaurant owners disappointed this week, at the latest. added the sector will then give retire- The source said March 1 was set implement projects for the gov- On the other hand, the source con- ment and termination letters to those for interviewing teachers who met the ernment; citing as an example a fi rmed that the compulsory retire- covered by the decision. conditions for local contracting. project that requires 1,000 workers with sales movement during Feb ment fi le in the ministry for those who The source went on to say that the Meanwhile, former minister of but the company requests for visas KUWAIT CITY, March 3: This year’s people about the necessity of social reached the legal retirement age include recruitment process in the ministry commerce and industry and minister for 1,300 workers. He added such National Day and the Liberation Day distancing and the use of masks and 65-year-old Kuwaitis and expatriates. continues to hire Kuwaiti teachers of state for economic affairs Faisal Al- companies hire workers from out- holidays were not as merry as they sanitizers would be more useful and The source revealed the Administra- and administrators; while the Admin- Medlej issued Ministerial Decree num- side without providing them jobs or tive Sector submitted the list of these istrative Sector has not been informed ber 61 of 2021 on the establishment of salaries, instead these workers are usually are, especially for restaurants, would help businesses move forward employees to interim Minister of Edu- about any academic manpower need Kuwaiti Consumer Protection Society, thrown into the streets and turn into which consider February as their blos- with their work. cation and Higher Education Dr Ali in the Public Education Sector for the reports Al-Jarida daily. vendors. He asserted some of these som season, reports Al-Rai daily. Be- He said, “We depend on these holi- companies are above questioning cause of the recently imposed restric- days a great deal. Such decisions have because the owners are infl uential. tions on restaurants due to the health caused a great loss for us, which will He holds the ministries of Interior concerns which limit their services to cause the inability to pay labor wages and Social Affairs responsible for only take-away and delivery services, or rents. We welcome precautionary the worsening issue, as such compa- this year’s National Days celebrations decisions, as the pandemic does not nies are not punished even if they do were harsh on businesses. have a specifi c expiry date, and we not pay salaries and do not allow the An offi cial in charge of a store lo- have to live with it”. workers to transfer to other compa- cated on Sha’ara Mata‘am (Restaurant Furthermore, the owner of a ma- nies once the project is completed. Street) in Salmiya area explained that jor restaurant that was established He went on to say that in case the the commercial movement has de- more than 30 years ago, and has many workers are arrested, these com- creased by more than 50 percent. Ear- branches and more than 500 employees panies ask the authorities to deport lier, when a customer used to enter the working in it, said they welcome all the them in order to hire new workers. store to order, he would end up order- health precautionary decisions taken by He disclosed these companies of- ing other things that he spotted inside the Kuwait government to limit the ef- fer low prices for executing projects, the restaurant. However, with the cur- fects of the pandemic, “but this does not because they depend on the recruit- ment of a large number of workers rent decision to prevent the entry of mean that we shut down our economy”. from abroad to earn huge money. customers, the sale movement is based Protect only on what the customer requests. So Response the difference is big between the cur- He said his speech is not related to He affi rmed the comments of rent movement and the sale movement the work of restaurants only, but in all the committee and that of the Na- during the same period last year. sectors, adding, “It is necessary to work tional Committee for Preventing From Salmiya to Hawally, the situa- on teaching citizens and residents how Human Traffi cking were referred tion did not differ in terms of the sales to protect themselves and their coun- to the concerned institutions and movement of restaurants during this try from this disease because this pan- they are now waiting for the re- period that the restaurant owners await demic has no specifi c validity date and sponse of these institutions. annually. we have to live with it and adapt to its Meanwhile, Chairman of the effects”. Women, Children and Family Worst He indicated that his business sector Affairs Committee MP Osama Executive Director of Al-Muhaisin has been affected as it is in the fi eld of Al-Shaheen disclosed that the Group and the owner of Al-Muhaisen hospitality, but there are other shops in committee will hold a confer- Palace Restaurant Osama Al Muhaisen several sectors that have also been af- ence on Monday to celebrate said this period was the worst for not fected, adding, “All these private sec- International Women’s Day. He only them but for all restaurants be- tors form one circle and if one of them said the conference will be held cause of the decisions taken to limit the is affected, the rest will be affected as in the Assembly theater under the spread of COVID-19 virus. well which will in turn affect the citi- sponsorship of Assembly Speak- He said he hopes the government’s zens and residents alike”. er Marzouq Al-Ghanim. decision to take such measures will In addition, the owner of a major res- The conference entitled, ‘Em- powerment of Women and Chil- be clear regarding its expiry date, be- taurant in the country asked, “What is dren,’ will cover a number of im- cause all of their hospitality workers the fault of the restaurant owners and portant issues such as Article 153 are currently working in the ordering merchants that they have to bear the of the Penal Code which stipulates service, and the company needs to mistakes of some who do not abide by “any man who fi nds his mother, develop a specific strategy to reduce the health precautionary conditions”. sister, daughter or wife in a sexual losses. He demanded a decisive decision be act with a man and kills her or him The situation of restaurants in Sharq taken against those who are not com- or both will be treated as commit- area did not differ from that in Salmiya mitted to the quarantine measures and ting a misdemeanor punishable by or Hawally, as their sales movement contribute to transmitting the infection maximum of three years imprison- during these days did not reach 15 to others. ment and/or a fi ne of 3,000 rupees percent of its strength compared to the He said he believes the decision or KD14.” The conference will same period last year. taken in terms of the restaurants was also focus on the challenges that General Manager of Mughal Mahal not fair, as the restaurants did not re- Kuwaiti women married to non- Restaurant in Sharq area Sushil Kumar, cord any COVID-19 cases because Kuwaitis are facing. who has been working in this restaurant they take all measures including social On the other hand, the Edu- for 26 years, explained that the deci- distancing, use of sanitizers, requiring cation, Culture and Guidance sion to prevent dine-in service inside everyone to wear masks, and keeping Affairs Committee approved the restaurant has affected their work the tables clean continuously. the proposal of MP Fayez Al- Jomhour on the accreditation of signifi cantly. They understand the rea- He stressed that they have large higher education certifi cates ob- sons behind the government’s decision monthly obligations in terms of pay- tained by Kuwaiti employees in which is mainly to protect people from ment of rents and salaries for their em- the public and private sectors. COVID-19 virus. However, educating ployees. He proposed cancelling Arti- cle 11 of the decree issued on Feb fil into red. 2, 2019 which prevents the ac- Kuwait bourse Kuwait Cement Co eased 1 fil to 226 creditation of the aforementioned fils whereas Kuwait Portland Cement was certifi cates if the concerned em- Continued from Page 3 unchanged at 88 fils. Metal and Recylcing ployees were not on leave during Co added 4 fils and Kuwait Foundry Co the period of study. National Industries Group rose 2 fils scaled 7 fils to close at 285 fils. ACICO MP Fares Al-Otaibi submitted a to 190 fils on back of over 3 million Industries added 2.4 fils and HEISC gave bill to amend Public Financial Sup- shares while Gulf Cable gave up 4 fils. up 2 fils. Educational Holding Co took in port Law No. 23/2013 to add the Boubyan Petrochemical Co paced 5 fils 1 fils with thin trading while Gulf Petro- following benefi ciaries: children and Al Qurain Petrochemical Co stood leum Investment crept 0.1 fil up. under the custody of non-Kuwaiti pat at 370 fils. Mezzan Holding gained Burgan Company For Well Drilling women who got divorced from 4 fils and Integrated Holding closed 3 fils Co fell 3 fils to 161 fils and Combined their Kuwaiti husbands, Kuwaiti in red. Group Contracting Co inched 1 fil down women married to non-Kuwaitis, Jazeera Airways fell 2 fils to 649 fils to 207 fils Oula Fuel edged 1 fil into minor orphans, male orphans who while ALAFCO tripped 1 fil. United Proj- green and Soor Fuel was flat at 119 fils. are 18 years old to 26 years old and ects Holding darted 8 fils to 209 fils with The market has been mixed so far do not have jobs, and a Kuwaiti razor thin trading and OSOS Holding during the week gaining 35 points in family whose guardian (the father) took in 0.9 fil. Mashaer Holding crept 0.5 last three sessions. It had slid 132 points left Kuwait or escape due to a court fil up to 59.4 fils and Inovest BSC erased during whole of February and is up 156 verdict issued against him. 0.8 fils. IFA Hotels and Resorts ticked 0.1 points year-to-date. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 LOCAL 5 REMEMBER WHEN

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

© N.M.M. diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Govt, parliamentarians must share blame for the state of affairs’ “‘We buried it together’ is an Egyptian proverb when more than one party par- and the other party must share the blame, not the government alone.” key’s options are sometimes superior to its validity more than the options of the ticipates in a certain crime, then one of the parties disavows it, and the other specialists, which proves the fact that there is a law of chance or un-examined side replies ‘We buried it together’. Yesterday, I remembered this proverb Also: possibilities that is equivalent in some cases to the considered options,” col- while reading the reactions of some current and former MPs and some populists “Perhaps the next government is one of the longest in terms of time taken umnist Sami Al-Nisf wrote for Annahar daily. to the statement of Finance Minister about the current budget defi cit, in which for formation and we hope this government will take us out of the whirlpool of “So it was surprising, within that given theory, how many wrong decisions he expected the cumulative budget defi cit to reach 55 billion dinars after fi ve affairs and give hope for reform and achievement, relieve us of at least some we have lived through during previous eras, as the chances of error are sup- years. They attacked and blamed the government alone for the current situa- of our public concerns and come out of this dark tunnel in which we have been posed to equal the chances of right but the truth shows that we used to make tion,” columnist Ahmad Baqer wrote for Al-Jarida daily. stuck for a long time and disturbed even our democratic life, and the Constitu- mistakes in almost every major decision and then pay heavy prices for that “There is no doubt the government is the fi rst responsible party according to tion which we so much cherish,” columnist Yousef Al-Shihab wrote for Al- mistake unnecessarily. the text of the Constitution that made it the one who dominates the interests of Qabas daily. “We have tried the path of mistakes, so why do we continue with it, and why the state, Article (123). Certainly, some previous gov- “Previous and even current governments have hindered more than one path are we still listening to the same counselors and assign them in positions of re- ernments had caused catastrophic errors to the budget, to reform and development, because they were unable to set a clear-cut policy sponsibility despite their failure? Why do we keep away the creative people of but they are not the only ones responsible because many through which the country’s aspiration for development and effective manage- accomplishment and we do not see that there is a high price to be paid for that? of the big expenditures were approved by laws or pres- ment could be achieved. If these were available or at least part of them, we “Lastly, Kuwait has become much more than relying on personal knowledge sure from members of the National Assembly as well. would not have seen the abuse of public funds and forgery of nationality and to fi ll the leadership positions. We need information centers, think tanks and “Big expenditures here do not mean the necessary ex- Kuwaiti passport through bribe accepted by those of weak conscience at the committees to support government choices.” penditures such as the costs of liberation, subsistence, expense of this country and the society only to see the thieves merry-making ❑ ❑ ❑ war, and the interests of the citizens. Rather it means the abroad. enormous, unnecessary expenditures that the govern- “No matter what election is held and no matter how governments are formed, “All this government laxity in taking decisions and serious accountability has changed, resign and return, we will always come back to the fi rst square of ment agreed to upon demands from many members of brought us to where we are today, and unfortunately with the blessings of min- power struggle if the electoral system does not change. We will return to the the Assembly during the past years. isters, some of whom view the position as an honor rather than an assignment. same struggle for infl uence that has continued for decades,” columnist Za’ar “Have we forgotten how some deputies denied there “Yes, some deputies obstruct the government performance, but we also can- Al-Rasheedi wrote for Al-Anba daily. was defi cit just because they wanted to pass spending Ahmad Baqer not blame everyone but rather some ministers who bow to pressures from MPs “Changing the electoral system will not change the reality of the confl ict, but laws under the pretext of solvency? By that they mean to please them for fear of being interrogated contrary to some other ministers it will at least change the rules of the game, reduce the number of contestants the future generations’ fund that many members refuse to withdraw from? who have the ability to confront because of their conviction of their position in controlling the constitutional tools and lessen the impact of the interference Didn’t many members oppose every attempt at economic reform despite the and insist on their confrontation even if it leads to their resignation. of the contestants. fact that the Assembly could have approved what would benefi t the country and “It is not diffi cult to form a salvation government comprising salvation ministers “There is no other solution than changing the electoral system which, by the lead to reforming the budget while rejecting what affects the ordinary citizen? as well. I think that this will only be achieved if the ministers are chosen accord- way, is not politically costly. Yes, it may be a disadvantage if it is approved Did the last Parliament not neglect the strategic alternative draft law despite ing to the correct approach that is far from courtesy, pressure and mediators, all of through a decree of necessity as it will be in a form close to the government’s its presentation in its fi rst session? Did not the government and some members which have made many ministers not commensurate with their role and unfortu- political desire. However, there is hope that it will pass through the current support what is known as the tourism medical treatment that cost more than one nately this is what forces us to play the game of musical chairs, as our problems National Assembly, thus, will be a balanced electoral system, involving both billion dinars in a short period? continue to increase until we lose the insight of managing our affairs.” the government and Assembly. “The National Assembly could have made the maximum parliamentary ef- ❑ ❑ ❑ “If the political election law and the constituencies are passed through the fort to increase and diversify revenues and stop the behavior of the govern- Assembly, I think it will be a political beginning for everyone. It also means ment and proposal of some MPs that have increased budget expenditures (with “In America, stock experts train a monkey to throw arrows at a large board opening a new page of parliamentary work, ending the boycott, changing the government decisions) from 4 billion in 2000 to 23 billion Kuwaiti dinars now. on which the shares of listed companies are displayed on the stock exchange, compass of political confl ict, and limiting political interference from outside “Today, the vision of those who had warned of the current state of affairs – a and the names of the companies that are hit by the monkey are recorded and the Assembly.” result of actions of some previous governments and some parliamentarians – then compared at the end of the month with the prices of the shares of compa- has come true. So both sides are partners in the crime. So both the government nies recommended by senior specialists. It has been discovered that the mon- — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli

Audit no to KD 281m transactions Other Voices ‘Report to work or no salary’ ‘Polite’ people are losers KUWAIT CITY, March 3, (Agencies): Ku- By Ahmad alsarraf In contrast to these, the concern of others who are non-sectarians and non- wait State Audit Bureau examined 2,647 he role of a Member of Parliament tribal sectarians is to practice the par- fi nancial transactions between April 2020 Tin most parliaments is to partici- liamentary work in a proper manner, or and February 2021 with a value of KD 2.8 pate in enacting laws, approving inter- close to that, and therefore they often national treaties, concluding peace and did not accept for themselves or begged billion ($9.2 billion), and disapproved 113 alliances, monitoring any expenditures of them valued at KD 281 million ($928 not included in the budget, accepting ministers or their president to employ or refusing to impose taxes and fees, their relatives or their voters in higher million), a SAB offi cial said Monday. monitoring national wealth, reviewing positions, and if they did, it would be Loulwa Al-Fozan, Auditor at Pre-Audit for Social and approving the state budget, and the minimal and out of conviction of the Affairs Department, said in a statement 92 percent of right in forming committees, expressing competence of those nominating him. transactions, or KD 2.6 billion ($8.5 billion), were desires in public The result that we see in front of us related to government budgets, and the rest belonged matters, the right is that the MPs who showed politeness to budgets of independent authorities. to interrogate, and self-esteem did not seek appointing KFSD photo The auditing took place between April 1, 2020 and put confi dence their constituents or their relatives to Personnel from the Fire Dept during an inspection tour at one of the malls. February 28, 2021. in ministers, ex- obtain the fatty positions, nor did they The pre-auditing process, she added, did not include press non-coop- make illegal fortunes for themselves. As transactions related to sale and purchase of oil and by- eration with the for those who were not ashamed were Health check raids continue products, nor investment. prime minister, the most harvesting the government po- Al-Fozan said 73 percent of transactions, or KD two bil- and so on and so sitions for their relatives and constitu- Personnel from the Directorate-General ance with preventive measures. lion ($6.6 billion), have been approved, of them 65 percent forth. ents, and this is how we saw that polite- of Fire Department (DGFD) continue to The Deputy Chief of the Preven- were conditional on completing financial and technical However, since ness and integrity were harmful and the organize inspection tours in all governo- tion Sector at the DGFD Major General 1963 what we lack of modesty is useful. rates, in cooperation with the Ministry Khaled Abdullah Fahd stated the fi refi ght- procedures. have seen is an alsarraf It is therefore necessary to rationalize of Health to follow up and implement ing teams continue their inspection rounds Informed increasing num- this improper behavior and issue an or- health requirements in the country, re- during mornings and evenings in all gover- The pre-auditing department informed SAB’s financial der or law or call it what you want that ports Al-Seyassah daily. norates to ensure serious commitment to ber of MPs are not concerned with these penalties department about violations committed by some issues, except when issues are of personal prohibits appointment to any high posi- The inspectors cover various activities implementing health requirements as part departments which carried out transactions without obtain- tion, if the employee does not meet the and different sectors to ensure compli- of the community security in Kuwait. nature – politically and fi nancially. Con- ing SAB’s approval, she said. sequently, they focused on issues that required conditions and passing specifi c Al-Fozan said SAB recommended disapproval of 113 bring personal benefi ts – wealth, whether tests. transactions with a value of KD 281 million ($928 million) from government gifts and grants or by The issuance of such a decision will Strict check launched on hospitals because they would inflict damage on public funds. exploiting their supervisory positions to remove the embarrassment of the prime KUWAIT CITY, March 3: The Ministry of patients and health facilities are not violated. Throughout the auditing process, she said, SAB also suc- achieve or expand their commercial inter- minister and the rest of the ministers, Health (MoH) has formed 29 committees ❑ ❑ ❑ ceeded in preventing waste of KD 75 million ($247 million) ests and enter into deals with the govern- and prevent them from accepting any for medical, technical and administrative in public funds due to variation in prices and quantities. ment; appointing their relatives and vot- exceptions. specialties to carry out supervision and in- Drugs found in car: Personnel from the In another development, in a preliminary step to halt the ers in senior state positions, regardless of Whoever tries to identify the back- disbursement of salaries, the Assistant Undersecretary for spection work in hospitals, medical centers, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) competence and paying attention to pro- ground of the majority of senior state are looking for an unidentifi ed young man Public Education Affairs at the Ministry of Education private clinics and hospitals that support the viding services in their electoral district offi cials will know the meaning of the for abandoning two young women when he Osama Al-Sultan has requested for the names of non- such as roads, cooperative societies and subject of this article, and this is not an medical profession in the private medical saw a police patrol approaching. According Kuwaiti teachers who had worked until the end of the first sector, reports Al-Anba daily. mosques, and have even shown interest in attack on the MPs who sought and me- to the security sources, the two young wom- semester and failed to report to work in the second semester. lampposts and garbage containers for the diated to appoint their relatives or voters The committees will ensure that the require- en were with the man in his vehicle and they In a bulletin he circulated to educational zones and the benefi t of their voters. ments established in hospitals, medical centers to the highest positions and the best em- were under the infl uence of alcohol. superintendents of all subjects, religious education and the This radical difference or position bassies of the country overseas. Rather, and clinics in the private medical sector are ap- However, when the young man saw police Department of Special Education, Al-Sultan stressed the taken by an MP led to the emergence it is a criticism of the administrative and plied, as well as check patient records in private approaching he got behind the steering wheel need for the data to include the teacher’s name, civil ID or increase in random hires, or appoint- political system that allowed such ap- clinics and ensure the correctness and integrity and stepped on the gas pedal. In a vain attempt number, subject, work center, nationality, educational zone, ment in senior positions without going pointments. of procedures that have been applied to also en- to escape he crashed into a palm tree which and reason. He said the concerned authorities should be through the normal channels of promo- ❑ ❑ ❑ sure that provisions of Law No. 70 of 2020 re- forced him to abandon his vehicle and escape on addressed to halt the disbursement of the salaries of these tion or following the rule of seniority or garding the practice of the profession of medi- foot. Inside the vehicle police found a quantity teachers in the event that they fail to report to work in the eligibility. e-mail: [email protected] cine and the auxiliary professions and rights of of shabu, narcotic pills and drug abuse tools. coming 15 days as per the law. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 LOCAL 6

Sir Philip highlights UK’s commitment to tackling climate change UK’s most senior diplomat visits Kuwait for virtual meetings KUWAIT CITY, March 3: The Permanent Secretary will be held in Glasgow in the United Kingdom in Also, Sir Philip met with Dr Samira Al Omar, Director for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Develop- November. Sir Philip highlighted the UK’s commit- General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientifi c Research ment Offi ce, Sir Philip Barton, visited Kuwait for a ment to tackling climate change both through domes- and and Dr Khaled Al Begain, President of the Kuwait series of virtual meetings. Sir Philip, the UK’s most tic policy and in international fora. Sir Philip heard College for Science and Technology. senior diplomat, met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs from [offi cials] at the Environment Public Authority On conclusion of his visit Sir Philip said “I was offi cials, hosted a roundtable on climate change and and the Supreme Council of Planning & Develop- delighted to visit Kuwait virtually just after Kuwaitis launched a year-long campaign focusing on UK ex- ment’s Dr Khaled Mahdi. Also at the meeting were marked the 60th Anniversary of Independence and pertise in innovation, research and technology. the Hideko Hadzialic, Resident Representative for the the 30th Anniversary of Liberation. It was inspiring Sir Philip Barton visited Kuwait for a virtual visit UNDP and Ghassan Al Khoja, regional representative to hear the vital work being done by my colleagues on Tuesday, March 2. After engaging with British for the World Bank. at the British Embassy to advance the UK-Kuwaiti Embassy staff, Sir Philip met with Assistant Foreign The visit concluded with the launch of the British Em- partnership. Minister Waleed Al Khobeizi, where they discussed bassy’s Innotech 2021 campaign, which showcases UK “My discussions today showed we share a determi- Kuwait’s leading role in resolving the GCC dispute, excellence in scientifi c research, collaboration and inno- nation to tackle regional and global challenges such bilateral co-operation and regional issues. vation. The launch included details of the logo, social as climate change and security, as well as providing At a roundtable meeting, Sir Philip discussed the media tags (#InnotechUKQ8) and schedule for events, an exciting glimpse of future scientifi c collaboration upcoming COP26 UN climate change talks which details of which will be shared during the coming year. through the Innotech 2021 campaign.”

Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Secretary for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth Kuwait marks 10th anniversary of and Development Offi ce. Japan’s Sanriku Railway relaunch

Kuwait’s support expression of true friendship: Zaman

By Miyoko Ishigami ku Railway Company President Ichiro On the sidelines of the ceremony, Nakamura reiterated Japan’s gratitude the Ambassador held an offi cial meet- TOKYO, March 3, (KUNA): and appreciation to the Kuwaiti lead- ing with Iwate Governor Takuya Tasso Kuwaiti Ambassador to ership, government and people for the at the prefectural offi ce, during which Japan Hasan Zaman has generous support it provided. Tasso underlined the strong ties of On his part, Zaman stressed that Ku- friendship between the two friendly participated in a ceremony wait’s support to the friendly Japanese countries and his keenness to strength- marking the 10th anniversa- people is just an expression of the true en and deepen them, again expressing ry of the relaunch of Japan’s friendship that brings together the two thanks to Kuwait for the generous sup- disaster-hit Sanriku Rail- friendly peoples, and in recognition of port. the honorable positions of Japan and its Iwate’s allocation of the donation, way, which was damaged by people to support the Kuwaiti during about JPY 8.4 billion (USD 80 million) a magnitude 9.0-quake and the ordeal of the brutal Iraqi invasion. was used in rebuilding damaged houses ensuing tsunami in March “The determination of the Japanese and Sanriku Railway stations as well as 2011, the Embassy said people and the solidity of their strength purchasing eight new train cars. Zaman were the main motivation behind the expressed his great admiration for the Wednesday. reconstruction efforts achieved since determination of the friendly Japanese During the ceremony that took the disaster,” the Ambassador said in people and their great efforts to over- KUNA photo The Guest Show poster place on Monday, a number of train Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan the speech, expressing the honor of the come the effects of the enormous dis- drivers wore traditional Kuwaiti Hasan Mohammad Zaman and Kuwaitis for their contribution along aster and rebuild what was destroyed, uniforms, while the event featured Iwate Governor Takuya Tasso. with their Japanese friends to this great stressing that the friendship between TGS features Mae Al Hajjaj performances by many school chil- historic achievement. Kuwait and Japan is historic and solid, The donation, equivalent to some dren in Iwate, according to a press As the two countries celebrate the and that all Kuwaiti offi cials are deter- The Guest Show on Radio Kuwait the world. release from the Embassy. USD 500 million, was distributed to 60th anniversary of the establishment mined to strengthen it and raise it to a celebrates International Women’s Mae Al Hajjaj is the dynamic The railway, located in Iwate Prefec- three affected northeastern prefec- of their diplomatic relations this year, wider horizon. Day with Mae Al Hajjaj, President president of this very active organi- ture about 450 kilometers northeast of tures of Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi, Zaman also reiterated Kuwait’s com- The visit of the Ambassador to Iwate of Soroptomist Kuwait. Soropti- sation. Professionally Mae is an ed- Tokyo, had resumed its operations with which suffered as a result of the Great mitment to continue to stand with the was highly publicized by the most mist Kuwait, founded by Dr Sta- ucation consultant who began her using a fund generated from Kuwait’s East Japan Earthquake that left nearly friendly Japanese people and work hard prominent Japanese media, which not- cey Al Ghawas and a bunch of career as a librarian in the banking donation of fi ve million barrels of crude 19,000 people dead or missing and an to strengthen their friendship, while ed the bilateral friendship between the like-minded, strong women is a industry. Mae, who loves to inspire, enormous number of houses, buildings, wishing Japan and its friendly people two countries, and the great apprecia- branch of Soroptimist Internation- guide and build awareness, joined oil, which was provided 10 years ago al, a global volunteer movement the Soroptimists when it was fi rst upon directives of the late Amir Sheikh cars and ships destroyed. a lasting prosperity, success and pro- tion for the Kuwaiti people, according that works at transforming the chartered in 2015, and since then, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In his speech at the ceremony, Sanri- gress. the Embassy. lives of women and girls around it has been quite a journey. ‘Reconsense’ to issue second part of Governance Research KUWAIT CITY, March 3: The ‘Re- Dr Dawood Salman bin Issa, Profes- consense’ Center for Research and sor of Comparative Jurisprudence and Studies said it will issue the second Islamic Finance at the Kuwaiti Interna- part of a series of research papers on tional College of Law, and Ahmed Al- the fi le of governance in Kuwait this Badr, Director-General of the Taiba March, reports Al-Seyassah daily. Center for Sharia Consulting, who spe- The Center’s Executive Vice-Pres- cializes in regulatory compliance, gov- ident, Yousef Al-Ghoussein, said the ernance, combating money-laundering Center published the fi rst part of this operations, terrorist fi nancing and risk specialized research series last Febru- management, and Nasser Salah Burasli ary, which dealt with the government will contribute to preparing research role in codifying governance, and gov- papers. ernance applications at both the Cen- Burasli holds a degree in regulatory tral Bank of Kuwait and the Kuwait compliance (University of Manches- Capital Markets Authority. The second ter) and a Master’s degree in Business KUNA photos part of this research series will focus Administration, specializing in super- Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Hasan Mohammad Zaman during the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the relaunch of Japan’s disaster-hit San- on two main points – the Audit Bureau vision of banks and investment com- riku Railway. and Nazaha. panies.

Bid to raise awareness Kuwait takes part in ‘Hearing Care for All’ By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, March 3: Head of the Speech and Hearing Department at the Sheikh Salem Al- Ali Center, Dr. Tamim Al-Ali says Kuwait, with other countries of the world, Wednesday partici- pated in International Day of Hearing and Ear Care. In a press statement on the occasion of the celebra- tion of the event which the world celebrates on March 3 of each year, Al-Ali said the Ministry of Health repre- sented by the Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Center for Speech and Hearing Therapy held a number of activities to raise Dr Tamim Al-Ali awareness. He said the Sheikh Salem Al Ali Center for Speech and Hearing celebrated the event at the center’s headquarters at the Al Sabah Special- ized Medical District. Effi cient The special booth which was put up for the benefi t of visitors included the introduction and awareness raising activities about highly ef- fi cient medical services provided by the center and pointed out that hearing clinics in the six governorates participated in the event. He explained the campaign’s goals are to share information and to promote measures aimed at preventing hearing loss and improv- ing hearing. He added hearing impairment is one of the most common disabilities, as 1 in 5 people suf- fers from a hearing loss that may cause diffi cul- ties in communication, pointing out there are about 500 million people in the world who suffer from hearing impairment to various degrees, and the number is expected to reach 900 million in 2050. He emphasized that 60% of the causes of children’s hearing impairment can be prevented through timely and proper care. Dr. Al-Ali said the event was held under the slogan ‘Hearing Care for All’. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 LOCAL 7 Distance education will bring about ‘failure of generation’

‘Two-side coin which has its benefits and harm’

Ahmadi Governor exchanges memorial shield with the Greek ambassador. By Najeh Bilal Ahmadi Governor receives Greek envoy Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, March Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al- The meeting also touched upon 3: According to the lat- Khaled received at the Governorate- the opportunities available to develop General Office, the Greek Ambassador the existing joint cooperation and ex- est statistics issued by the to Kuwait, Konstantinos Piperigos. change experiences between the two Public Authority for Civil During the meeting both sides ex- countries in general, and at the level changed cordial views and discussed of local administrative systems, gov- Information until the end closed relationship between the lead- ernorates and regions in particular. of December 2020, the total erships and peoples of the two coun- At the end of the meeting both tries and ways to strengthen them in sides exchanged commemorative number of students in Ku- all fields. shields. wait was 440,578, of whom 262,822 are Kuwaitis. ■ Minister of Education, Dr. Ali Fa- With the COVID-19 pandemic Protect public had Al-Mudhaf. ■ continuing to disrupt normal life Minister of State for Municipality for more than a year, the Al-Seyas- Continued from Page 1 Affairs and Minister of State for Hous- ing Affairs and Urban Development, sah daily got the feedback from His Highness the Crown Prince Shaya Abdulrahman Al-Shaya parents and specialists on several Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber ■ Minister of Commerce and Indus- questions such as the benefits and Al-Sabah attended the oath-taking cer- try Dr. Abdullah Issa Al-Salman. harms of distance education and emony. ■ Minister of Electricity, Water and the negative effects on the resourc- His Highness the Prime Minister Renewable Energy and Minister of So- es of private schools who indicated thanked His Highness the Amir for ap- cial Affairs and Societal Development, proving the Cabinet line-up and prayed that distance education alone will Dr. Mashaan Mohammad Al-Otaibi. lead to the failure of the current to Allah the Almighty’s help to conduct Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs this mandate. Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, head of the generation after graduation. “We pledge before Your Highness Amiri Diwan Sheikh Mubarak Faisal All those who the daily spoke to to work as one team and to exert every Al-Sabah and Deputy Minister of the stressed on the importance of imple- effort to achieve progress, advancement Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Moham- menting the two direct education sys- and prosperity of our nation under Your mad Abdullah Al-Sabah were present at tems, along with distance education, in order to protect the educational pro- Highness and His Highness the Crown the ceremony. Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy Prince’s leadership,” he said. Attendees also included head of His cess in Kuwait. A Kuwaiti, who identified himself Shafi Al-Hajri, Chairman of the Board of the Kuwait Disabled Sport Club, being honored by H.E. Philippine Ambas- Earlier, His Highness the Amir re- Highness the Amir’s office and Under- sador to Kuwait Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot. ceived at Bayan Palace His Highness secretary of the Amiri Diwan Ahmad as, A.A., says he supports the continu- the Prime Minister on the occasion of Fahad Al-Fahad, head of His Highness ation of distance education, as long as PH Embassy fetes Kuwait Disabled Sport Club chairman for support to Filipinos his swear-in as head of the Cabinet. the Crown Prince’s office Lieut-General it protects the health of his children in The members of the new Cabinet, Jamal Al-Theyab, head of His High- light of the increases Coronavirus in- accompanying His Highness Sheikh Sa- ness the Prime Minister’s office Ahmad fection cases which, he says, is much H.E. Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Mohd. Noordin residence visas, to renew their passports at a bigger bah Al-Khaled, were also sworn-in. The Mahmoud Al-Rahmani, and Acting more important than going to school. Pendosina N. Lomondot on March 2, 2021 honored and safer venue. new Cabinet included: Secretary General of the Cabinet Wael He explained his three children receive Shafi Al-Hajri, Chairman of the Board of the Kuwait “Mr Al-Hajri’s unbounded generosity and patience ■ Deputy Prime Minister and Min- Issa Al-Asousi. education online and for him there Disabled Sport Club, for his unwavering support to the will always be remembered by the tens of thousands of ister of Defense, Sheikh Hamad Jaber is no difference between learning in programs of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. Filipinos in Kuwait who benefited from the Embassy’s Al-Ali Al-Sabah. school and at home. This includes the ongoing Mobile Passport Service programs that he has supported,” Ambassador Lomon- ■ Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of However, another Kuwaiti S.K. has that allowed Filipinos, especially those with expiring dot said in praising Al-Hajri. Justice and Minister of State for Nazaha Stop dancing different views. He believes distance Enhancement, Abdullah Youssef Al- education will damage the future of the Educational expert Khawla Al- efits and harm at the same time. as the absence of a teacher in front of Roumi. Continued from Page 1 current generation and said after grad- Ateeqi says that distance education He added, one of the most impor- them will make them bored and a sense ■ Minister of Awqaf and Islamic uation they will be a failure because has its pros and cons, but “we must tant disadvantages is that it nega- of laziness will creep in. Affairs, Issa Ahmad Mohammad Al- side of the MPs, it shouldn’t withdraw distance education does not stimulate not forget that it will teach the future from confrontation or flee by resigning. tively affects outstanding students He indicated distance education Kanderi. the minds of the students to actively whether we like it or not, pointing and others. also has its detriments on outstand- ■ Instead, the ministers should use their and energetically receive knowledge, Minister of Oil and Minister of out that the most prominent nega- Routine ing students and said a weak student Higher Education, Dr. Mohammad individual constitutional powers, which and called on the state to open schools tive aspect is its negative impact on start with submitting a letter of non-co- is psychologically comfortable for Abdullatif Al-Fares. just as it has opened commercial ac- young students in the early stages of Research and activity will decrease distance education because it will ■ operation with the parliament, and end tivities. Minister of Health, Dr. Bassel Hu- education, as distance education will as the academic atmosphere inside prevent him from being embarrassed moud Al-Sabah. with suspending the constitution. This He said the government can put in damage their written and literary the university or school is considered ■ is necessary so that the country does not place all conditions to protect the stu- among the motivational factors that inside the classroom, especially Foreign Minister and Minister of skills, but for other subjects it will since some students who are aca- State for Cabinet Affairs, Sheikh Dr. fall even an inch into the the controver- dents from Covid-19. create positive competition among stu- not be a problem. demically weak feel a lack of excel- Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sa- sies that prevailed in the past years. Another Kuwaiti, M.S., says dis- Al-Ateeqi stated that distance edu- dents, especially since direct education bah. Perhaps His Highness the Prime Min- tance education affects the outstanding cation will affect the pseudo-superior breaks the routine due to direct contact lent students in the classes, stressing ■ Minister of Public Works and Min- ister and his Cabinet should ponder over students in the first place and may be student who depends on memoriza- between the student and the teacher. that distance education despite its ister of State for Communication and In- the events of the previous phase, and useful for students at the university, tion in the first place, indicating that Psychological sciences expert Dr danger, but it is better for students of formation Technology Affairs, Dr. Rana stop following the policy of dancing but it is difficult to apply it to young the state had no choice but to move to Ahmed Salam says there are psycho- average understanding. Abdullah Al-Fares. with the snakes of corruption and op- students. distance education due to the Corona logical effects that afflict some stu- Another expert in office informa- ■ Minister of State for National As- portunism that made the Kuwaitis resort pandemic. dents as a result of the sudden shift tion, Dr. Muhammad Al-Razzaz sembly Affairs, Mubarak Salem Al- to the National Assembly to implement Professor of from traditional direct education to said e-learning has become a modern Harees. their demands as if there is no govern- computer sci- distance education, indicating that necessity to keep pace with the mod- ■ Minister of Interior, Sheikh Tham- ment or a system of government. ence at Kuwait various countries have automatically ern developments taking place in the er Ali Al-Salem Al-Saba. The Cabinet must also ponder over University and turned to education “online” because world during the past fifty years, and ■ Minister of Finance and Minister the past cruel lessons ... otherwise, this political thinker, of the Corona pandemic that struck the its importance has appeared in the re- of State for Economic and Investment government will survive longer than its Dr. Ahmed Al- world a year ago. cent period after the outbreak of the Affairs, Khalifa Musaed Hamada. predecessor. However, it may be the last Munayes, says He warned the university students Corona virus, and this type of educa- ■ Minister of Information and Cul- chance for His Highness Sheikh Sabah distance education may not be directly affected by their tion has become a safe haven for stu- ture and Minister of State for Youth Af- Al-Khaled and the ministers in whom is a two-side coin psyche, but the greater psychological dents all over the world in general and fairs, Abdulrahman Baddah Al-Mutairi. we still have faith. Al-Razzaz Al-Munayes Al-Ateeqi which has its ben- impact will be on elementary students, Arab countries in particular. United expands order for Boeing 737 Max aircraft

United Airlines is expanding ordered 737 Max planes to While United announced our employees in the future,” In this fi le photo, a Boe- its order of Boeing 737 Max next year and fi ve 737 Max to furloughs last week, Nocella he said. ing 737 Max 9 built for airplanes and taking some de- 2023. That’s in addition to the said that the airline must place The 737 Max has been United Airlines lands at liveries sooner as it ramps up 24 737 Max aircraft the com- orders more than a year be- under heavy scrutiny for a King County International for an anticipated increase in pany is already set to receive fore taking delivery of aircraft. while. Aviation authorities Airport - Boeing Field after travel demand. in 2023. “And as the end of the pan- around the world grounded a test fl ight from Moses Chief Operating Offi cer An- “We’ve now put ourselves demic nears and vaccines 737 Max aircraft in March Lake, Washington, in drew Nocella said in a memo in a position to not only sur- continue to roll out, today’s 2019 following deadly crash- Seattle. (AP) on Monday that the company vive the crisis, but thrive as fl eet announcement helps po- es involving the plane model placed an order for 25 new an airline, elevate our product sition us to meet the demand in Ethiopia and off the coast 737 Max aircraft for delivery in for customers and emerge as we expect to see in 2022 and of Indonesia, which occurred 2023. United has also moved a stronger, better United Air- 2023 and puts us on a path within fi ve months of each up delivery of 40 previously lines,” Nocella wrote. toward more opportunities for other. (AP)

Market Movements 03-03-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +57.97 7,067.86 GERMANY - DAX +40.23 14,080.03 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +5.06 3,712.78 FRANCE - CAC 40 +20.33 5,830.06 JAPAN - Nikkei +150.93 29,559.10 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +90.76 6,683.34 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +23.22 6,942.76 Business

‘Saving even a small percentage of your income helps’ Millennial Money: 3 debt strategies for an unequal recovery By Sean Pyles NerdWallet he past year has fractured our Tworld in countless ways. Now, UK extends job support, as people look to pick up the pieces, those managing debt need to account for their position in our uneven eco- nomic recovery. In this so-called K-shaped recovery, one part of the population is rebound- tax breaks for economy ing quickly while another has a longer, slower path. For example, in January the unemployment rate for whites was 5.7%, compared to 8.6% for Hispanics Too soon to cut govt spending: Sunak and 9.2% for Black workers and 6.6% for Asians, according to the Bureau of LONDON, March 3, (AP): Labor Statistics. Those who remain unemployed or Britain’s treasury chief underemployed might continue to rely on Wednesday announced on debt to get by. Meanwhile, those an additional 65 billion whose fi nances have held steady or improved may be primed to wipe out pounds ($91 billion) of debt. support for an economy This fi le photo shows credit cards in Zelienople, Pennsylvania. The past Managing debt in the bottom year has fractured our world in countless ways. How people pick up the ravaged by the coronavi- half pieces of their lives and fi nances depends on where they fi t in a K-shaped rus pandemic, extending economic recovery. (AP) Some consumers have had no job support programs and choice but to rack up debt - including you can’t repay the debt. who is good at managing their money temporary tax cuts to help unpaid rent or mortgage, credit card ● Focus on long-term recovery: generally can be a huge differentiator workers and businesses in debt and overdue utility bills. If this Once your situation stabilizes, focus with actually following through with his annual budget. is your situation, focus on basic needs on paying down debt and make sav- your plan and the grind of paying it off and paying minimums to avoid collec- ings a priority, too. over time,” he says. Chancellor of the Exchequer Ri- tions. Consider using a debt payoff cal- Anyone can have overwhelming shi Sunak told the House of Com- ● Protect the essentials: If you’re culator that can track your debts and debt mons that it is too soon for the gov- among the millions of Americans un- monthly payments. And while you Regardless of your income or em- ernment to rein in spending, saying able to cover your housing costs right may be tempted to throw all your ployment status, you may have too that his plans would “protect the now, take advantage of the eviction spare income toward debt payoff, hav- much debt to realistically pay off jobs and livelihoods of the British moratorium and mortgage relief pro- ing some cash tucked away can help with a strategy like debt snowball. people” through September as the Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak holds the budget box grams now extended through June 30. you weather the next fi nancial crisis. If all your monthly debt payments, government slowly lifts lockdown inside his offi cial residence at 11 Downing Street, London on March 3, Keep an eye out for additional benefi ts Saving even a small percentage of including housing, total more than restrictions that have shut busi- 2021. (AP) in the COVID-19 relief package being your income helps, Christensen says: 50% of your monthly gross income, nesses across the UK. discussed in Washington and call 211 “If you’re not saving anything right you may need to look into debt re- At the same time, he said Britain to get connected to local assistance for now, see if you can get in that 1% to lief, like a debt management plan at must be prepared to cut the defi cit, an- ‘Hope on the horizon’ basic needs like food and shelter. 5% range.” a nonprofi t credit counseling agency nouncing plans to increase the tax on or bankruptcy. Add transportation, internet and cell Managing debt in the top half corporate profi ts and boost revenue phone to your priorities list, too, so The goal is to resolve your debt from personal income taxes in 2023. As virus restrictions bite, EU you can stay connected to friends and If your fi nances held steady or im- quickly and in a way that sets you up “An important moment is upon us,” family for help and to hunt for work. proved over 2020, think about how to meet future fi nancial goals. Other- Sunak told the House of Commons. “A “All creditors will make it sounds you can take advantage of your situ- wise, you may spend years funneling moment of challenge and of change. extends ‘safety net’ till 2023 like they’re the most important ones to ation, whether through charitable giv- money toward insurmountable debt, Of diffi culties, yes, but of possibilities, get paid,” says Amanda Christensen, ing or using some of your cash to im- sacrifi cing retirement, an emergency too. This is a budget that meets that prove your fi nances. fund and other goals. BRUSSELS, March 3, (AP): The Dombrovskis said. a fi nancial coach based in Morgan, moment.” European Union is set to extend for In its winter economic forecasts last Utah. “Housing and transportation And if you’re focused on reduc- Bankruptcy in particular may be a UK public borrowing has risen to ing debt, the classic payoff playbook around two more years the economic month, the Commission predicted that have to come to the top of that list and good option, as it can help you resolve levels not seen since World War II safety net it put in place to help save growth in the 19 nations using the euro take priority.” works well: First, take stock of what what you owe in a matter of months as the government seeks to cushion ● businesses and jobs from the impact of will reach 3.8% this year and next af- If needed, look for cheap credit: you owe. Consider using a spread- instead of years. While bankruptcy the fallout from COVID-19, which restrictions imposed to halt the spread ter a 6.8% drop in 2020. Growth in the If you need to add debt to cover your sheet or online debt tracker to organ- fi lings were down 30% in 2020, ac- has reduced gross domestic product of the coronavirus. wider 27-nation EU is predicted to hit regular expenses, like groceries and ize your balances. cording to the American Bankruptcy by 10% and cost more than 700,000 As countries began locking down in 3.7% this year and 3.9% in 2022 fol- utilities, fi nancial coach Vineet Prasad Then choose a payoff strategy, like Institute, that may change in 2021 as people their jobs. Projections released panic a year ago, the European Com- lowing last year’s 6.3% slide. of Fulton, California, suggests fi nd- the debt snowball method where you consumers’ fi nancial pictures begin to Wednesday by the Offi ce for Budget mission activated a “general escape The fi gures hinged on the assump- ing the cheapest options. “A revolving focus on your smallest debt by paying stabilize. Responsibility show that the economy clause” in the euro single currency rule tion that coronavirus restrictions will credit line on your home equity has a as much on it as you can while pay- To make the most of the fresh start will still be 3% smaller fi ve years from book, allowing the bloc’s 27 govern- remain tight for most of the fi rst half of much lower APR than a credit card. ing minimums on the others. Once bankruptcy offers, don’t wait so long now than it would have been without ments to pour billions into emergency this year but ease in late Spring, when Another option is a personal loan at a it’s paid off, roll the amount you were that you can’t even afford the fi ling the pandemic. health care, tax relief and ailing busi- most vulnerable people around Europe credit union.” paying on it into the payment for your fees. Act when you are in a position to Sunak said government support pro- nesses like airlines. like the elderly and those with other ill- To qualify for a HELOC, you’ll next largest debt and so on until you’re improve your fi nancial situation, says grams have succeeded in mitigating The Commission, the EU’s execu- nesses are expected to have been vac- generally need equity of at least 15% completely debt-free. bankruptcy attorney Cathy Moran of the impact. The unemployment rate is tive arm, reckons that fi scal support cinated. of your home’s value. And weigh the Paying off debt can be a long-haul Redwood City, California. now expected to peak at about 6.5%, worth around 8% of GDP was provided The decision to extend the general risks: HELOCs tend to have adjust- game. To stay focused, Prasad advises “When you’ve hit the bottom and rather than the 11.9% forecast last in 2020, far more than during the fi nan- escape clause is a sign of just how un- able interest rates, which can make fi nding someone who can serve as a things are about to get better, that’s July, he said, citing estimates from the cial crisis of 2008-2009. Economies certain things are. them more expensive over time, and confi dant and provide encouragement. when you want to fi le,” Moran says. Offi ce for Budget Responsibility. The are starting to pick up, but the slow “One year on, the battle against your house is at risk of foreclosure if “Getting an accountability partner (AP) economy is forecast to grow 4% this rollout of vaccines is raising questions COVID-19 is not yet won and we must year and 7.3% in 2022. about how quickly things will improve. ensure that we do not repeat the mis- On Wednesday, Sunak announced “There is hope on the horizon for takes of a decade ago by pulling back plans to extend those support pro- the EU economy, but for now the support too soon,” Economy Commis- Dems propose clean energy tax credits grams for six months. They include pandemic continues to hurt people’s sioner Paolo Gentiloni warned. “For a furlough program, under which the livelihoods and the wider economy,” 2022, it is clear that fi scal support will government pays 80% of the wages for Commission Executive Vice-President still be necessary.” CHARLESTON, West Virginia, March 3, (AP): Two power plants have shuttered. The other half would target private employees unable to work dur- US senators from states with declining manufacturing the auto industry, Manchin said. Valdis Dombrovskis said Wednesday. In a reference to future use of the ing the pandemic, as well as grants for “To cushion this impact and to pro- euro rulebook, the Commission said sectors are pushing to invest $8 billion through tax cred- “This is basically what we need for people to make self-employed workers, a temporary its to create clean energy jobs. the investments so that people can have good jobs in the mote a resilient and sustainable recov- that even in 2023 “all the fl exibilities increase in welfare payments and tax ery, our clear message is that fi scal sup- within the Stability and Growth Pact US Sens Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Debbie area where they want to live,” Manchin said. relief for businesses. Stabenow of Michigan unveiled legislation Monday that The bill is similar to a 2009 tax credit Stabenow au- port should continue as long as needed. will be fully used.” Brussels is likely to Looking to the future, Sunak said the Based on current indications, the gen- provide member countries with budg- aims to help rural communities that have lost jobs in the thored to help the manufacturing sector recover from the government will in 2023 increase cor- coal and and fossil fuel industries. Great Recession. She said the new proposal would help eral escape clause would remain active etary guidance in May, when it releases poration tax to 25%, from the current in 2022 and be deactivated in 2023,” its next series of economic forecasts. The proposal is meant to incentivize companies pro- produce parts and technologies necessary for a clean en- rate of 19%, and freeze personal income ducing batteries, electric and fuel cell vehicles, semicon- ergy supply chain. tax thresholds, which will increase rev- ductor chips and other renewable energy technologies. “We don’t have to be counting on it coming from enue as infl ation boosts incomes. inequality, and this budget isn’t the an- independence from the UK, Blackford The two Democrats said it would aim to uplift Ap- overseas. We don’t have to have China doing the major- But opposition leader Keir Starmer swer to that,” Starmer said. “So rather said. palachia, where the decline of coal has devastated local ity of the solar panels, or the majority of the batteries,” accused Sunak of failing to address than the big, transformative budget that “For the people of Scotland, this economies, and other parts of the country where manu- she said in a Zoom news conference with Manchin. “We deep-seated economic problems and we needed, this budget simply papers budget comes at a critical moment facturing has declined. Half of the $8 billion would go can do that here. And these are great paying jobs, they banking on a “consumer spending over the cracks.” of choice,” he said, echoing Sunak’s to communities where coal mines have closed or coal are union jobs.” blitz” to bail out the economy. Ian Blackford, the Scottish National language. “Post-Brexit and post-pan- Starmer said the budget fails mil- Party’s leader in Parliament, criticized demic, Scotland now has a choice of lions of key workers who are having Sunak for continuing a strategy of tem- two futures: The long-term damage of their pay frozen, businesses swamped porary support that leaves businesses Brexit and more Tory austerity cuts, by debt, and families paying higher lo- and consumers unsure of the future. or the opportunity to protect her place cal property taxes. The budget leaves Scottish voters in Europe and to build a strong, fair “The central problem in our econ- with a clear choice as the SNP cam- and green recovery with independ- omy is a deep-rooted insecurity and paigns to hold a second referendum on ence.” Self-employed, gig workers eligible for the fi rst time Biden directive expands jobless aid WASHINGTON, March 3, (AP): Un- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, for unemployment benefi ts after Dec. employed Americans who have turned made the self-employed and gig work- 27 can receive retroactive payments down job offers because they feared ers eligible for jobless aid for the fi rst back to Dec. 6. Those who applied be- their prospective employers weren’t time. fore then and were turned down can re- providing suffi cient protection from the “Until now, unemployment insur- ceive retroactive payments dating back coronavirus would qualify for jobless ance benefi ts during the pandemic have to when they fi rst applied. aid under a directive the Labor Depart- been too scattered and too uncertain,” With unemployed Americans now ment issued. said Patricia Smith, senior adviser to receiving a $300 weekly federal pay- The measure would also expand a the labor secretary. “That begins to ment on top of state benefi ts that aver- federal unemployment benefi ts pro- change today, with many more workers age about $320 a week, the retroactive gram, established in last spring’s eco- now eligible for unemployment insur- aid could result in signifi cant lump sum nomic relief package, to cover workers ance benefi ts.” payments. who have lost hours or who were laid Speaking to reporters, department The department estimates that states off because of the pandemic. It would offi cials declined to estimate how won’t be able to update their jobless also cover school employees who lose many Americans would now become benefi t systems to include the new cri- jobs or work hours because of school newly eligible for jobless benefi ts. teria until late March, which could mean closings. The benefi ts will be made retroac- that the fi rst payments would amount to The federal program, known as tive, offi cials said. People who applied about four months of benefi ts. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 BUSINESS 9

Bed Bath & Beyond goes with something new to revive brand

Bed Bath & Beyond will launch a slew of Tritton were key in Target’s revitaliza- had lost customers to Target, Macy’s new store brands to lure younger cus- tion. and Walmart. This photo pro- tomers in a bid to energize sales at the Bed Bath & Beyond, based in Union, “We were over-assorted. It was a bit vided by Bed home retail chain. New Jersey, will also begin selling thou- of a jumble,” Tritton told The Associated Bath & Beyond The chain will begin selling eight new sands of exclusive products as it seeks Press Tuesday. shows store store brands this year, six of them in the a bigger share of the $180 billion home Tritton said that customers now want brands on dis- first half of 2021. market. to see more “curation” in stores. play at Bed The new brands were announced Store brands are expected to increase Bed Bath & Beyond under Tritton Bath & Beyond Wednesday by CEO Mark Tritton, who from roughly 10% of the retailer’s overall has attempted a reset, remodeling in Watchung, was hired in late 2019 from Target sales to approximately 30% within the approximately 450 stores. The chain is N.J. (AP) where he did much the same thing as first three years. also eliminating thousands of poor per- chief merchandising officer. The more Bed Bath & Beyond recognized that forming labels, brands and products. than 30 new brands introduced under stores had become cluttered and that it (AP) US stocks mostly lower as yields climb World shares gain ahead of US jobs tally, Fed chair comments

NEW YORK, March 3, (AP): Stocks were mostly lower as another tick up in bond yields gave investors pause. Wall Street contin- ues to look to Washington, where economic data, com- ments out of the Federal Reserve and President Joe Biden’s stimulus package remain front and center. The S&P 500 index was down 0.3% as of noon Eastern. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 98 points, or 0.3%, to 31,489 and the technology-heavy Nasdaq lost 1%. Banks benefited from the increase in bond yields, which allows them to charge higher rates on mortgages and many other kinds of loans. The yield on the bench- mark 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.48% from 1.41%. Goldman Sachs rose 2% and JPMorgan rose 2.5%, while Wells Fargo and Citigroup both rose more than 3%. The KBW Bank Index, a measure of the 24 largest banks, was up more than 2%. “The 10-year yield is saying the economy is going to get stronger,” said Ryan Detrick, chief investment strategist for LPL Financial. Treasury yields hit the psycho- logically important 1.50% mark last week, as investors have braced for stronger economic growth but also a possible increase in inflation. “The good news to remember is there are other groups taking the baton,” Detrick said, adding that technology stocks are slipping while banks and energy companies benefit. “Some higher inflation at the beginning of a new economic In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, Thomas Ferrigno, (center), and fellow traders work with specialist Meric Greenbaum, (right), on the floor. (AP) expansion is perfectly normal,” Detrick said. will speak Thursday on monetary much wages are rising across the pany is too invasive into its users’ Germany’s DAX surged 0.29% quarter of last year. The better than Despite the rollout of millions policy as well. Investors heard from economy, a key component of personal lives. to 14,080.03 and the CAC 40 in expected result was helped by con- of doses of coronavirus vaccines him last week when he testified in inflation. Stocks are higher in Europe and Paris added 0.35% to 5,830.06. sumer demand and public spend- weekly, the US economy contin- front of Congress, but the format – Las Vegas Sands climbed 2.1% Asia after a wobbly day on Wall Britain’s FTSE 100 picked up ing, analysts said. ues to struggle. Payroll processor 0.93% to 6,675.47. India’s Sensex surged 1.5% to ADP released a report Wednesday a question-and-answer session with after the casino and resort opera- Street. showing that private employers The Wall Street Journal – is likely tor announced it would sell its Benchmarks rose Wednesday in In Asian trading, Hong Kong’s 51,036.24. created only 117,000 jobs in to be more illuminating than Las Vegas properties to a private Paris, London, Tokyo and Hang Seng rose 2.7% to In other trading, US benchmark February, far below economists’ Powell’s calculated answers to pol- equity firm. The company, which Shanghai. 29,792.81. In Tokyo, the Nikkei crude oil rose 8 cents to $59.81 per forecasts. iticians. will drop “Las Vegas” from its Investors have taken heart from 225 added 0.5% to 29,559.10, barrel in electronic trading on the On Tuesday, Federal Reserve The big piece of data investors name, will focus on its holdings an easing in bond yields that has while the Kospi in Seoul picked New York Mercantile Exchange. It Governor Lael Brainard sought to will get will be the February jobs in Asia. alleviated worries over possible up 1.3% to 3,082.99. The lost 89 cents to $59.75 per barrel on calm financial markets by empha- report on Friday. Economists sur- Google’s parent company fell interest rate hikes. The yield on the Shanghai Composite index Tuesday. Brent crude, the interna- sizing that the Fed, while generally veyed by FactSet expect employers 1% after the company said it would 10-year Treasury inched down to advanced 2% to 3,576.90. tional standard, added 12 cents to optimistic about the economy, is created 225,000 jobs last month, stop using customers’ Internet 1.40% early Wednesday. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained $62.82 per barrel. still far from raising interest rates but with the disappointing econom- browsing data to target and sell ads But expectations for stronger 0.8% to 6,818.00 after the govern- The dollar rose to 106.88 or reducing its $120 billion a month ic data, investors are likely to starting next year, responding to economic growth in coming months ment reported the economy grew at Japanese yen from 106.68 yen late in asset purchases. dampen their outlooks. The report years of criticism from privacy continue to fuel worries that inter- a 3.1% quarterly rate, but a minus Tuesday. The euro fell to $1.2084 Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell also includes numbers for how advocates who have said the com- est rates will head higher. 1.1% annual rate, in the fourth from $1.2091. Economic crisis worsens the bottomline

MILAN: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Peugeot on Wednesday report- Syrian pound hits a record low ed their last financial statements as inde- pendent companies, each contributing BEIRUT, March 3, (AP): The Syrian full-year profits of around 2 billion euros to the new company, Stellantis, formed pound hit a record low Wednesday in January. just days before the Arab country Fiat Chrysler reported adjusted net marks the 10th anniversary of a con- profits in the pandemic year of 1.9 bil- flict that has left hundreds of thou- lion euros ($2.3 billion), down 57% from sands dead and large swaths 2019. PSA reported earnings of 2.2 bil- destroyed. lion euros, a drop of 32%. The U.S. dollar was trading on the The Italian-American carmaker and black market at 4,000 pounds, the French mass-market automotive company completed their merger on Jan increasing the misery of many 16, creating Stellantis, the world’s Syrians who have been struggling to fourth- largest carmaker. make ends meet with a sharp increase Fiat Chrysler reported fourth-quarter in commodity prices. The official adjusted earnings before interest and price remains 1,256 Syrian pounds to In this April 21, 2020 file photo, Boeing Co workers wearing masks stand taxes of 2.3 billion euros, a record 2.2 the dollar. near an entry door to a 737 Max airplane owned by China-based Lucky Air, billion euros of those generated in North At the start of the conflict in mid- in Renton, Washington. (AP) America. Maserati made a positive con- March 2011, the U.S. dollar was tribution for the first time in nearly three worth 47 Syrian pounds. years. “These figures demonstrate the finan- Syria’s local currency has been hit China not ready to let Boeing cial soundness of Stellantis, bringing In this Jan 24, 2021 file photo released by the Syrian official news agency hard by the war, corruption, Western together two healthy companies,’’ SANA, Iyed Bilal, the director of the treasury department of the Syrian sanctions and more recently a financial Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said in a Central Bank, holds the new banknote of 5,000 Syrian pounds during a and economic collapse in neighboring 737 Max ‘fly again’: regulator statement. (AP) press briefing, in Damascus, Syria. (AP) Lebanon. Syrians are believed to have BEIJING, March 3, (AP): China isn’t crashes must be clear, Dong said. ❑ ❑ ❑ billions of dollars blocked in Lebanese ready to join the United States in “The technical review has not yet DETROIT: The US government is inves- banks that have imposed harsh capital approving Boeing’s 737 Max to return entered the certification and flight test tigating complaints of engine compart- Trustpilot picks London for IPO controls since late 2019. to flying following a two-year ground- stage,” Dong said. He gave no timeline ment fires in nearly 1.9 million Toyota The average salary in Syria stands at RAV4 small SUVs. LONDON, March 3, (AP): Online licly leave feedback for businesses. ing prompted by a pair of fatal crashes, for when that might happen. about 90,000 pounds ($22.50) per a regulator said. China is, along with North America The National Highway Traffic Safety review platform Trustpilot said One of Trustpilot’s selling points is month making it difficult for many Administration began investigating after Monday it plans to sell shares in China was the first country to and Europe, one of the biggest markets that it doesn’t allow businesses to Syrians to survive. With the crash of ground the 737 Max in 2019 after for Boeing Co. and its European rival getting 11 fire complaints involving the London, in a stock offering that helps pick and choose which reviews are the local currency, prices at shops have 2013 through 2018 model years. shore up the city’s status as a financial crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia Airbus. That makes the 737 Max’s The RAV4 is the top-selling vehicle in published on, or deleted from its been changing almost every day. killed a total of 346 people. American approval by Beijing important for its hub and destination for tech compa- platform, as a way to raise trust and In January, a new, 5,000 Syrian the US that isn’t a pickup truck. regulators approved the plane in commercial success. In documents posted Monday, the nies after Brexit. transparency. pound bank note went into circula- Trustpilot, which is based in November to resume commercial Crash investigators blamed anti- agency says fires start on the left side of The company also uses technology tion, the largest denomination in the flights after Boeing updated software stall software that countered the the engine compartment. A terminal on Copenhagen, Denmark, said it will to weed out shady posts. Last year it hold an initial public offering on the country. The Central Bank of Syria and pilots received additional training. plane’s tendency to tilt nose-up the 12-volt battery may short to the took down 2.2 million reviews deemed London Stock Exchange to sell 25% of said the new bank note was issued “Major safety concerns” raised by because of the size and placement of frame, causing loss of electrical power, its shares to raise $50 million. to be fake or fraudulent, 70% of which “to meet the need of the market, Chinese regulators “have not been the engines. That software pushed the engine stalling or a fire. were removed by automated systems. facilitate cash transactions and fully resolved,” said Dong Zhiyi, dep- nose down repeatedly, overcoming the Most of the fires happened while the While not yet profitable, Trustpilot’s vehicles are being driven, but four own- net loss narrowed last year as its reve- The company, which was founded reduce their costs.” uty administrator of the Civil Aviation pilots’ struggles to regain control. In in 2007, says it has hosted more than The United Nations estimates that ers complained that fire broke out with nue rose to $102 million. It’s aiming Administration of China, at a news each case, a single faulty sensor trig- the engine off. for a market valuation of 1 billion 120 million reviews for more than nearly 80% of Syrians live under the conference. gered the nose-down pitch. A Toyota spokesman would not pounds ($1.4 billion), according to a 529,000 websites belonging to busi- poverty line. In recent months, fuel Design changes must pass approval The new software now requires answer questions about whether the person close to the company who was nesses in more than 100 country and and wheat have been in short supply, for airworthiness, pilots must receive inputs from two sensors to activate the SUVs should be parked outdoors until not allowed to speak publicly. territories. Its biggest markets are the driving the government to reduce “effective flight training” and conclu- software, which Boeing says does not the matter is resolved, but said the com- People can use Trustpilot to pub- U.K. and U.S. subsidies and ration resources. sions of investigations into the two override pilot controls. pany is cooperating in the probe. (AP) Hertz eyes bankruptcy exit through $4.2bn stake sale

In a deal to jettison itself from Hertz was among the first cy protection, Hertz named its Hertz, based in Estero, Florida, In this file under bankruptcy protection, major corporations to be felled fourth chief executive in six said the proposed investment, photo, a Hertz Hertz said Tuesday that it may by the pandemic last year as years. combined with a new $1 billion car rental is sell a controlling stake in the infections surged and shut down However, with the rollout of a first-lien financing, a new $1.5 bil- closed during company to two investment travel on a global scale for both suite of vaccines for the coronavi- lion revolving credit facility, and a the coronavi- firms for $4.2 billion. companies and vacationers. rus, pent up wanderlust is expect- new asset-backed securitization rus pandemic Knighthead Capital Hertz filed for bankruptcy pro- ed to explode. Investors are pour- facility to finance its U.S. vehicle in Paramus, Management and Certares tection in May 2020. Sales ing money into almost any com- fleet, will provide the funding New Jersey. Opportunities will have the growth went into negative terri- pany that caters to travelers. needed for the company to com- (AP) chance to buy the entire reorga- tory almost immediately, but the Share of major airlines are up plete its restructuring and emerge nized car rental company, but no 100-year-old company was between 20% and 40% this year. from Chapter 11 bankruptcy pro- less than a majority of its shares, already experiencing some tur- Cruise, lines, hotels and resorts tection in early to mid summer. Hertz Global Holdings Inc. said. moil. When it entered bankrupt- are getting similar interest. (AP) Business PPluslus Scams turning thousands of Americans into unwitting identity theft victims Fraud overwhelms pandemic-related unemployment programs

ment watchdog agency says not enough states are taking the neces- sary steps to prevent fraud. In its memo this past week, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General said that by the end of last year, 22 of the 54 state and territorial workforce agencies were still not following its repeated recommendation to join a data exchange run by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. That system is designed to check Social Security numbers used in claims to see if they are being used in multiple states, or are linked to dead people or other scam methods. The office said it had found $5.4 bil- lion in fraudulent payments from March through October. The biggest chunk of that, $3.5 billion, came through claims that used the same Social Security num- bers in multiple states. One number was used on claims in 40 states. Twenty-nine of the states paid those claims, totaling more than $220,000. “The Department needs to take immediate action and increase its efforts to ensure (states) implement effective controls to mitigate fraud in these high risk areas,” the inspector general warned Labor officials. The people whose identities are used to claim improper benefits often don’t find out until they receive their tax statements. Andrew Heidtke received a letter in September from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development notifying him that unemployment claims he never applied for were being processed. “I had no idea what was happen- ing,” said Heidtke, who works as an administrative assistant for an engi- neering lobbying organization. “I kind Cynthia Sbertoli talks about her experience going on unemployment on Feb 25, in Upper Arlington, Ohio. Sbertoli was receiving $228 a week after she was laid off in March from her job with of just thought it was spam at first.” a nonprofit. Her benefits were put on hold in January after she informed the state that someone had tried to use her identity in a scam to claim benefits. (AP) Another victim was 99-year-old Harry Hollingsworth of Strongsville, By Geoff Mulvihill and Andrew The Labor Department inspector pandemic began that has over- certain weeks in the new year at least Ohio. The retired elevator car factory Welsh-Huggins general’s office estimates that more whelmed state unemployment agen- two-thirds of the claims they worker received a form in late than $63 billion has been paid out cies and antiquated benefit systems received were classified as suspi- January showing he had received ith the floodgates set to open on improperly through fraud or errors - that are easy prey for crafty and per- cious due to problems verifying $3,156 in benefits. Hollingsworth Wanother round of unemploy- roughly 10% of the total amount paid sistent criminals. identities. It’s not the first brush with died recently, and his son, Jim ment aid, states are being hammered under coronavirus pandemic-related In Ohio, weekly first-time unem- serious fraud for Maryland. In July, Hollingsworth, said the bogus claim with a new wave of fraud as they unemployment programs since ployment claims have ranged from officials said they’d discovered a created a big hassle. scramble to update security systems March. 17,000 to more than 40,000 during massive criminal enterprise that had “It looks like the state, they and block scammers who already “We’re all learning that there is an the pandemic. But since late last stolen more than $500 million in dropped the ball on this completely,” have siphoned billions of dollars from epidemic of fraud,” said U.S. Rep. month, those claims have topped unemployment benefits. he said. pandemic-related jobless programs. Kevin Brady of Texas, the ranking more than 140,000 some weeks, with Among states that have been hard- In its own survey of state govern- The fraud is fleecing taxpayers, Republican on the House’s powerful many of them believed to be fraudu- est hit are those participating in the ments, the AP found that many are delaying legitimate payments and Ways and Means Committee. Brady lent. The state has paid at least $330 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance not publicly disclosing the level of turning thousands of Americans into said the $63 billion estimate “is larg- million in fraudulent pandemic program adopted by Congress last fraud. Some officials expressed con- unwitting identity theft victims. er than the entire budget of the unemployment benefit claims. year. It has been a lifeline for out-of- cern that providing any information, We’re all learning that Many states have failed to adequate- Department of Homeland Security.” Trying to catch so many bogus work freelancers and gig workers no matter how general, could provide ‘ ly safeguard their systems, and a “These are frightening levels of claims delays payouts to Ohioans who normally don’t qualify for criminals an opening to exploit their there is an epidemic review by The Associated Press finds fraud,” he said. who are legitimately in need of help. unemployment insurance, but it’s systems further. that some will not even publicly California has been the biggest tar- In the Columbus suburb of Upper also been a boon for criminals who President Joe Biden’s administra- of fraud acknowledge the extent of the prob- get, with an estimated $11 billion in Arlington, Cynthia Sbertoli was use stolen identities to make claims. tion is pledging to cut down on lem. fraudulent payments and an addition- receiving $228 a week after she was Nearly 800,000 of the 1.4 million unemployment fraud even as it tries ’ The massive sham springs from al $19 billion in suspect accounts. laid off in March from her job with a claims Ohio has received through to extend benefits through prior identity theft from banks, credit Colorado has paid out nearly as nonprofit that runs high school stu- this program have been tagged for September. As part of previous legis- rating agencies, health care systems much to scammers - an estimated dent exchange programs. potential fraud. lation, the administration is sending and retailers. Fraud perpetrators, $6.5 billion - as it has to people who Her benefits were put on hold in Scams have been so widespread states $200 million to fight it. sometimes in China, Nigeria or filed legitimate unemployment January after she informed the state that the U.S. Department of Justice is That would be welcome in Russia, buy stolen personal identify- claims. that someone had tried to use her setting aside money to hire more Virginia, where House Minority ing information on the dark web and Other estimates, according to AP identity in a scam to claim benefits. prosecutors. In New York alone, the Leader Todd Gilbert, a Republican, use it to flood state unemployment reporting across the states, range She thought the problem was Department of Labor says it has said the Legislature’s watchdog systems with bogus claims. from several hundred thousand dol- resolved but has yet to see a renewal referred “hundreds of thousands of agency should investigate how the The U.S. Justice Department is lars in smaller states such as Alaska of her benefit checks, which she and fraud cases” to federal prosecutors. state allowed $40 million in bogus investigating unemployment fraud by and Wyoming to hundreds of mil- her husband use to help pay for a The state says it has blocked $5.5 payments through prison inmate- “transnational criminal organizations, lions in more populous states such as son’s vision and auditory therapy. billion in fraudulent claims, while related scams. sophisticated domestic actors, and Massachusetts and Ohio. “It’s just not a good way to take New Jersey says it’s prevented $2.5 “How many desperate people, laid individuals across the United States,” The nationwide fraud has fed on care of people,” said Sbertoli, 49. billion from flowing into the hands off through no fault of their own, could said Joshua Stueve, a spokesman for twin vulnerabilities: a flood of job- In Indiana, Kentucky and of criminals. have been helped with that money?” the department’s criminal division. less benefit applications since the Maryland, officials have said that for Despite those efforts, a govern- he asked. “It’s maddening.” (AP) Many could be affected if a tax break that benefits heirs is eliminated ‘Worry about the right thing with estate taxes’ By Liz Weston Say your savvy aunt paid $7,000 for a single Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. Nebraska, New Jersey and Pennsylvania - also NerdWallet share of Berkshire Hathaway stock in 1990. People who have to pay gift taxes are pretty levy taxes on people inheriting. Different tax That’s her tax basis. If she sold the stock for its rare as well. There’s an annual exclusion, or an rates and exemption limits apply, depending on eath and taxes may be the only certainties closing price of $362,000 on Feb. 10, she would amount you can give away to as many people as the relationship between the inheritor and the The one thing that we Din life, but death taxes are only a remote owe tax on the $355,000 gain. If she generously you want each year without having to file a gift person who died. Immediate family members ‘ possibility for most people. The vast majority gave you the stock and you sold it on Feb. 10, tax return. The exclusion limit is $15,000 for usually pay the least, if anything, while distant do think folks should of Americans won’t ever have or give away you’d owe the same amount of tax because 2021 - you can give up to $15,000 each to an relations and nonrelatives pay more. enough to owe estate or gift taxes. you’d also get her tax basis. unlimited number of people without having to What you should do now: Keep good start doing today is Far more people could be affected if a tax Now, let’s say that instead of giving you the report the gifts. Even if you do have to file a gift records break that benefits heirs is eliminated. While stock, she left it to you in her will and she died tax return, you wouldn’t actually owe gift taxes The idea of eliminating the step-up in basis really starting to think campaigning for president, Joe Biden proposed Feb. 10. The stock would get a new basis for tax until the amount you gave away in your lifetime has been proposed in the past, but it faced head- doing away with something called the “step-up purposes of $362,000. All the gain that occured - over and above the annual exclusion amounts - winds in part because the practice benefits a in basis” that allows people to minimize or during her lifetime would never be taxed. If you totaled more than $11.7 million. wide range of voters. about the record- avoid capital gains taxes on inherited assets. But sold the stock later, you would owe tax only on These historically high limits are scheduled to Since there’s no concrete proposal to change the no legislation has been proposed yet, and such a the gain since her death. end in 2025, which means in 2026 the estate and step-up, there’s not much people can do to prepare keeping change could have a tough time getting Some kinds of inheritances, such as annuities gift tax exemption limits would revert to $5 mil- for change other than what they should be doing ’ approved by a divided Congress. or retirement accounts, don’t get the step-up. lion per person, adjusted for inflation. Biden wants anyway, which is keeping careful records. That “Right now, we’re telling folks to start think- But it’s no exaggeration to say that far more the exemption to drop to $3.5 million per person. means “tracking the basis” of what they paid for ing about this stuff, but we’re not rushing out to people benefit from our estate tax system - by People in some states already face lower lim- any assets as part of routine estate planning. take action,” says certified financial planner inheriting homes and other assets with a its. The 12 states that impose their own estate If you buy shares of a stock in a taxable Colleen Carcone, a director of wealth planning stepped-up tax basis - than have to pay any taxes - Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, account, for example, hang onto records show- strategies at TIAA. estate taxes. Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New ing those purchases. The cost of any improve- How step-up in basis lowers taxes Who pays gift and estate taxes now York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and ments you make to a home or other real estate Although most estates don’t owe estate taxes, This year, an estate has to be worth more than Washington - and the District of Columbia have also can increase its tax basis and potentially anyone who’s inherited a house, stock or other $11.7 million to trigger federal estate taxes. Less lower exemption limits than the feds. reduce taxes later. property has likely benefited from the step-up than 0.1 percent of the people who died in the Massachusetts and Oregon have the lowest “The one thing that we do think folks should tax break that gives such assets a new value at U.S. last year were expected to leave estates exemption amounts, $1 million. start doing today is really starting to think about the owner’s death. large enough to owe any tax, according to the Six states - Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, the record-keeping,” Carcone says. (AP) ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

China’s jabs sweep world HK probes death of man after Covid jab

HONG KONG, March 3, (AP): Hong Kong authorities on Tuesday reported the death of a chronically ill man, two days after he received a COVID-19 vaccine and said that it is too early to conclude whether the vaccine was related to his death. The man’s death happened less than a week after Hong Kong began its vaccination program for priority and at-risk groups in the city. The 63-year-old man was inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine on Feb 26 at a government-designated vaccination site and developed shortness of breath two days later on Feb 28. The man then admitted himself to a hospital, but died the same day, according to a statement from health authorities late Tuesday night. While the statement did not specify which vaccine the man was inoculated with, the vaccination program in Hong Kong currently only uses shots from Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac. Hong Kong health authorities said that the man’s death is under investiga- tion. “At the moment, the causal relation- ship with the vaccination could not be ascertained,” the statement said. The patient was suffering from chronic and respiratory diseases, ac- cording to a statement by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hong Kong, Piñera where he was admitted after receiving the vaccination. An expert panel will look into the matter and its fi ndings will be released “in a timely manner,” authorities said. Over 40,000 people in Hong Kong have received the vac- cine since Friday, when the vaccination drive began. More In this Feb 3, 2021 file photo, a medic administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to a fellow medic during a campaign to vaccinate front-line medical workers, at the than 254,000 people have registered to take the vaccine so far. health ministry, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. The Palestinian Authority’s decision to divert some of its tiny stockpile of coronavirus vaccines to senior officials, Meanwhile, the plane laden with vaccines had just rolled to soccer players and others has sparked controversy, feeding into long-standing concerns about corruption as it struggles to respond to a worsening outbreak. (AP) a stop at Santiago’s airport in late January, and Chile’s presi- dent, Sebastián Piñera, was beaming. “Today,” he said, “is a day of joy, emotion and hope.” The source of that hope: China — a country that Chile and Health dozens of other nations are depending on to help rescue them from the COVID-19 pandemic. Diplomacy China’s vaccine diplomacy campaign has been a surpris- Drug could be a game-changer in fi ghting obesity ing success: It has pledged roughly half a billion doses of its vaccine to more than 45 countries, according to a country-by- country tally by The Associated Press. With just four of Chi- na’s many vaccine makers able to produce at least 2.6 billion ‘Diabetes drug works for weight loss’ doses this year, a large part of the world’s population will end up inoculated not with the fancy Western vaccines boasting CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 3: More headline-grabbing effi cacy rates, but with China’s humble, tra- than 800 million people worldwide ditionally made shots. who have obesity could potentially Amid a dearth of public data on China’s vaccines, fears over benefi t from a hormone-mimicking Doctors urge intensive lifestyle their effi cacy and safety are still pervasive in the countries de- medication typically used to treat dia- pending on them, along with concerns about what China might betes and now shown to be effective want in return for deliveries. Nonetheless, inoculations with for weight loss, says an expert at a top change to fight obesity in teens Chinese vaccines have begun in more than 25 countries, and American hospital, Cleveland Clinic, ABU DHABI, UAE, March 3: Easy “There are ways to reverse the shots have been delivered to another 11, according to AP’s ahead of World Obesity Day on March access to high-calorie fast food and and manage this chronic disease tally, based on independent reporting in those countries along 4. fewer physical activity hours are through a good diet and exercise with government and company announcements. Dr. W. Scott Butsch, Director of contributing factorsto the disturb- plan. Even if a patient opts for a It’s a potential face-saving coup for China, which has been Obesity Medicine, Cleveland Clinic’s ing rise of overweight and obesity medical or surgical approach, a determined to transform itself from an object of mistrust over Bariatric & Metabolic Institute, said: levels among young people in the complete overhaul of their lifestyle its initial mishandling of the COVID-19 outbreak to a savior. Dr Rahat Ghazanfar is a staff physi- UAE, say experts at Cleveland is imperative to make any treatment cian in the General Medicine Depart- “Obesity is a complex, highly herit- “We’re seeing certainly real-time vaccine diplomacy start able disease with a strong biological Clinic Abu Dhabi, an integral part of effective and successful,” she says. ment in the Medical Subspecialties In- Mubadala Health. Patients of the Obesity Program to play out, with China in the lead in terms of being able to stitute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. basis. We estimate 40 to 70 percent of manufacture vaccines within China and make them available the variability of the BMI in the popu- Patients with a Body Mass Index are cared for by a multidisciplinary to others,” said Krishna Udayakumar, founding director of the lation is due to genetic traits, which (BMI) above 25, and with risk fac- team of endocrinologists, metabolic Duke Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University. makes it very challenging for people to tors for chronic diseases, such as surgeons, nurses, dieticians and China has said it is supplying “vaccine aid” to 53 countries lose weight. Treatment plans need to diabetes, cardiovascular disease patient educators. As part of the and exports to 27, but it rejected a request by the AP for the Discovery be personalized and include different and cancer, are considered for program, they are evaluated for list. Beijing has denied vaccine diplomacy, and a Ministry of the Obesity Program at Cleveland comorbidities, hormonal problems approaches, such as lifestyle interven- Clinic Abu Dhabi. Doctors saw an associated with obesity, complica- Foreign Affairs spokesperson said China considered the vac- tions, obesity medications, and bari- increase in the number of patients tions and nutritional deficiencies. cine a “global public good.” Chinese experts reject any con- MS patient sues Austria: A man in atric and metabolic surgery. Impor- seeking medical and surgical treat- They are then given a lifestyle, nection between the export of its vaccines and the revamping Austria with a temperature-dependent tantly, the recent STEP 1 trial showing ments for weight loss last year and medical, surgical, or a combination of its image. form of multiple sclerosis is taking his the benefi cial impact of diabetes drug performed 450bariatric surgeries plan based on their history, screen- China has targeted the low- and middle-income countries government to court in an effort to force semaglutide on weight could be a in 2020. The program’s youngest ing and preferences. largely left behind as rich nations scooped up most of the it to do more against climate change, his game-changer in helping many peo- patients have been between14 and Dr. Ghazanfar explains that the pricey vaccines produced by the likes of Pfi zer and Moderna. lawyers said Tuesday. ple with obesity to lose a signifi cant 18 years of age. care for patients seeking weight And despite a few delays of its own, China has largely capital- The case being fi led next month before amount of weight.” “There’s plenty of evidence to loss looks at all aspects of their well ized on slower-than-hoped-for deliveries by US and European the European Court of Human Rights is suggest that the rates of overweight being. supported by the environmental group Semaglutide mimics the glucagon- vaccine makers. like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone to and obesity in the UAE remain stub- “The unique aspect of our pro- Fridays for Future, which is helping to bornly high. What is worrying is that gram is that we look at all dimen- Like many other countries, Chile received far fewer doses of crowdfund the legal costs. increase insulin secretion and has been the Pfi zer vaccine than fi rst promised. Chinese company Sino- marketed as a drug for type 2 diabetes. these numbersseem to be increasing sions of health that can be affected It comes weeks after the Strasbourg- among young adults,”says Dr. Javed by their weight. That includes pul- vac acted quickly, sending in 4 million doses. based court said it would continue to The STEP 1 clinical trial of semaglu- The choices are limited for Chile and many other low- and tide saw the majority of patients with Raza, a staff physician and surgeon monology for sleep apnea, cardiol- fast-track a case by brought six young in the Digestive Disease Institute at ogy, psychiatry, advanced endos- middle-income countries. Vaccine deployment globally has Portuguese activists who argue European obesity lose at least 10 percent of their been dominated by rich nations, which have snapped up 5.4 Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. copy and gastroenterology to deal governments aren’t cutting greenhouse body weight, with one-third losing at “While the rise in the number of with post bariatric problems.” billion of the 7.8 billion doses purchased worldwide, accord- emissions in line with the requirements of least 20 percent. patients is a sign of awareness that Dr Raza adds that they’ve en- ing to Duke University. the 2015 Paris climate accord. Diseases they need to get their health back on hanced convenience for patients China’s vaccines, which can be stored in standard refrig- The court, whose jurisdiction covers all track, it is also an indication of the from across the country during the erators, are attractive to many countries that may struggle to countries that have ratifi ed the European Obesity is one of the world’s most scale of the problem, which needs pandemic with more access to on- accommodate the ultracold storage needs of vaccines like Convention for the Protection of Human prevalent diseases, with the United to be addressed through more com- going support. At the same time, Pfi zer’s. Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, is Nations estimating 800 million people munity education,” he says. patients who have had bariatric Sinovac and Sinopharm rely on a traditional technology in also hearing a separate case brought by a have obesity worldwide. Another 40 According to the Ministry of surgery will be seen even without which a live virus is killed and then purifi ed, triggering an im- group of elderly Swiss women. million children are considered over- Health and Prevention, the preva- an appointment at the clinic if they mune response. Some countries view it as safer than the newer, “The case we are fi ling will be the third weight. lence of obesity amongst children have concerns or questions during less-proven technology used by some Western competitors one and will be among the fi rst bundle of People are classifi ed as having obe- between the ages of five and 17 the first month of their recovery. that targets the coronavirus’ spike protein, despite the lack of cases upon which the court will base its sity if their body mass index (BMI) is in the UAE was 14.45 percent in “To make it convenient for our jurisdiction with an effect on all 47 mem- publicly available safety data on the Chinese vaccines. higher than 30, and at a higher meta- 2018. patients, especially those who live ber states (that are subject to the court’s “2020 added the challenge of in the Northern Emirates, we do jurisdiction),” said Michaela Kroemer, a bolic risk if their waist circumference Infl uence is above 89 cm for women or 102 cm homeschooling, fewer opportuni- regular follow ups virtually through lawyer for the Austrian plaintiff. ties for outdoor activities and the the hospital’s health app. We also In Europe, China is providing the vaccine to countries such Her client, identifi ed only as Mex M. for men. BMI is calculated by taking as Serbia and Hungary — a signifi cant geopolitical victory in convenience of food being deliv- have a patient support group, which for privacy reasons, has Uhthoff’s syn- a person’s weight in kilograms and ered at the click of a button. The used to meet physically but is now Central Europe and the Balkans, where the West, China and drome, which affects his muscles when dividing this by the square of his/her pandemic may not have caused virtual due to the pandemic, for pa- Russia are competing for political and economic infl uence. temperatures rise above 25 degrees Cel- height in meters. the high obesity levels, but it did tients who have benefited from the Hungary is the fi rst EU country to use a Chinese vaccine. sius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Patients who have obesity are at contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle program and want to share their ex- But China’s vaccine diplomacy will be only as good as the “The climate crisis already severely higher risk for more than 220 medi- in young people,” says Dr. Raza. perience and encourage others to vaccines it is offering, and it still faces hurdles. impacts his daily life, his personal dignity cal conditions such as heart disease, Dr. Rahat Ghazanfar, a staff take action,” he said. “The Chinese vaccine, in particular, there was insuffi cient and his wellbeing,” said Kroemer. Under stroke, high blood pressure (hyperten- physician in the General Medicine For more information or to book data available compared to other vaccines,” said Ahmed Ham- Austrian law, inaction by the Alpine na- sion) and diabetes. Department in the Medical Sub- an appointment at Cleveland Clinic dan Zayed, a nurse in Egypt who overcame his initial reluc- tion’s legislature can’t be challenged in In terms of treating obesity, the specialties Institute at Cleveland Abu Dhabi, call 800 222 33, visit tance and got Sinopharm’s vaccine. court, meaning the case is being brought medical establishment has moved on Clinic Abu Dhabi, says she typically www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae or Sinopharm, which said its vaccine was 79% effective based directly to the European court, she said. from measures such as drastic diets recommends a lifestyle-altering ap- download the Cleveland Clinic Abu on interim data from clinical trials, did not respond to inter- Since January 2020, Austria has had a and energy pills to focus on treating proach for young patients before Dhabi app. view requests. coalition government under center-right obesity as a complex disease with mul- suggesting a medical or surgical (Source: Cleveland Clinic Abu Chinese vaccine companies have been “slow and spotty” in Chancellor Sebastian Kurz that includes tiple factors that need to be considered. route. Dhabi) releasing their trial data, compared to companies like Pfi zer the environmentalist Green party, which oversees the powerful climate, environ- Less serious cases may be treated by and Moderna, said Yanzhong Huang, a global health expert exercise, healthier diets, or certain ment and energy ministry. (AP) sleep, increased stress and not having continue to have obesity as an adult.” at the US think tank Council for Foreign Relations. None of ❑ ❑ ❑ medications that target pathways in- China’s three vaccine candidates used globally have publicly volved in weight regulation. People access to healthy foods. Certain medi- Dr. Butsch adds that the complexi- released their late-stage clinical trial data. CanSino, another ‘Reduce area for porpoise’: The with more severe cases may need bari- cations can cause weight gain. In rare ties of the disease are compounded by Chinese company with a one-shot vaccine that it says is 65% Mexican government has said it is con- atric and metabolic surgery such as a cases, patients may have genetic mu- societal pressures, and lack of research effective, declined to be interviewed. sidering reducing the protection area for gastric bypass or a sleeve gastrectomy, tations, for example with their leptin and understanding. There is also confusion around Sinovac’s effi cacy. In Turkey, the vaquita marina in the upper Gulf of which could help them lose 20 to 40 hormone, which regulates the body’s “Many patients who have obesity where Sinovac conducted part of its effi cacy trials, offi cials have California, an apparent admission that the percent of their body weight. appetite. face stigma in body shaming from so- said the vaccine was 91% effective. However, in Brazil, offi cials tiny porpoise may never return to the en- While there is not one cause for “Obesity can develop across any ciety, and also from their healthcare revised the effi cacy rate in late-stage clinical trials from 78% to tire historic range of its habitat. obesity, research points to a combi- population, any age group, and any- providers, public policies, and insur- just over 50% after including mild infections. The move would cut the area where nation of genetic, environmental, and where in the world – and we have to ance coverage plans,” said Dr. Butsch. An expert panel in Hong Kong published data submitted by gill nets are banned to protect the world’s psychological factors, and, in some, pay attention to it, especially in our “Obesity deserves greater levels of Sinovac to health regulators that showed the vaccine was just most endangered marine mammal and smallest porpoise. As few as 10 vaquita may be caused by brain trauma or children,” said Dr. Butsch. “Because it advocacy, research funding, and health over 50% effective. may remain in the Gulf, also known as the surgery. Environmental factors can is highly likely that those who develop insurance coverage.” Globally, public health offi cials have said any vaccine that Sea of Cortez, the only place in the world include lack of physical activity, poor obesity at an early age are likely to (Source: Cleveland Clinic) is at least 50% effective is useful. that the elusive porpoise lives. Receiving countries are also worried that China’s vaccine Mexico’s Environment Department diplomacy may come at a cost. In the Philippines, where Bei- has said that the drop in the number of jing is donating 600,000 vaccines, a senior diplomat said Chi- vaquitas and the area where they have na’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, gave a subtle message to tone been seen in recent years justifi es reduc- marina in the area.” Mexico’s president is China and commands prices of thousands down public criticism of growing Chinese assertiveness in the ing the protection zone, which currently Andrés Manuel López Obrador. of dollars per kilogram. disputed South China Sea. covers most of the upper Gulf. The zone It said the change would be submitted The fi shermen have staged angry protests The senior diplomat said Wang didn’t ask for anything in starts around the Colorado river delta and for discussion by a group including fi sher- and have attacked boats from the environ- exchange for vaccines, but it was clear he wanted “friendly extends south past the fi shing town of San men, the public and authorities, and said mentalist group Sea Shepherd, which re- exchanges in public, like control your megaphone diplomacy Felipe and near Puerto Peñasco. formal proposals could be presented until moves illegal nets in the smaller area where a little.” The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to dis- “The possibility is being studied of March 26. vaquitas have been sighted in recent years. cuss the issue publicly. modifying the area of gill net bans,” the de- The net ban has angered fi shermen, who Alex Olivera, the Mexico representa- Still, the pandemic’s urgency has largely superseded hesita- partment said in a statement. “There have frequently set illegal nets to catch totoaba, tive for the Center for Biological Diver- tions over China’s vaccines. been enough technical studies to indicate another endangered species. Vaquitas of- sity, said the reduction could affect the a possible reduction in the zone, accord- ten get caught in nets set for totoaba, whose admittedly small population of vaquitas ing to the recent distribution of the vaquita swim bladder is considered a delicacy in Obrador Kurz still remaining. (AP) Music THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 FFeatureseatures did it!Iit!”(AP) she smiledatthecamerasaying,“I little bit,”shesaidafterward.Then was lookinggood. doctor andmakingsureherhair laughing, crackingjokeswiththe mask. Sheputonatypicalshow, occasion andamatchingpurple with shouldercutoutsjustforthe jumping theline. didn’t wanttolooklikeshewas widely availablebecauseshe going towaituntilitbecamemore Associated Pressthatshewas virus research. Nashville, Tennessee,forcorona- University MedicalCenterin donated $1milliontoVanderbilt turned 75thisyear.In2020,she day, justbeforereceivinghershot. sang inasocialmediapostonTues- the actor,singerandhumanitarian ging ofyoupleasedon’thesitate,’” vaccine, I’mbeg- to fi COVID-19 vaccine. is thejustrightoneforgettingher and itturnsouthertune“Jolene” songs overherdecades-longcareer Parton travel restrictions. visitors thatwould beimpactedby out-of-state andinternational Further, thefestivaldrawsmany tions thatwouldlimitattendance. would alsohavecapacityrestric- uled forlaterintheyear.Venues venues andcouldn’tberesched- val takesplaceatseveralNashville ern expect,” CMACEO we knoweveryonehascometo for thefullCMAFestexperience members andfanstogethersafely bringing ourmanyartists,crew challenges thatpreventusfrom available, westillfaceseveral cines arebecomingmorewidely the paceatwhichCOVID-19vac- Fair. Itwasalsocanceledlastyear. festivals afterstartingin1972asFan one oftheoldestcountrymusic to canceltheJuneevent,whichis announced onTuesdaythedecision pandemic. row becauseoftheCOVID-19 canceled forasecondyearin in Nashville,Tennessee,willbe Country musicfestivalCMAFest NASHVILLE, Tennessee: NASHVILLE, Tenn: it struckaftermidnight.Morethan140buildingsweredestroyedacross shock.” majority ofthewallsandleavingatangledmessdestructionbehind. nado hadrippedtheroofcleanlyoffalittleafter1a.m.,crumbling people textinghimaboutthedestructionwereexaggerating. Sturgill Simpsonandmanyothersplayedthere. 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It goes, ‘Vaccine, t theoccasion.Itgoes,‘Vaccine, People whopurchased passes Trahern explainedthatthefesti- “While weareoptimisticwith The CountryMusicAssociation The March3stormkilledmorethan20people,someintheirbeds,as “You justdon’twanttobelieveit,”Grimessaid.“Itwasimmediate But whenhepulleduptoTheBeast,hisstomachdropped.tor- Maybe, Grimesthoughtdesperatelyashedroveovertotheclub, The venue,withacapacitylimitof475,quicklybecameknownas Affectionately knownas“TheBeast,”theclubwasonly5yearsold, Could BasementEastreallybedestroyed?Justhoursbefore,the saidinastatement. haswrittenhundredsof ❑ Dolly Sarah Trah- the yearwhen awriter’sstrike from 2020andonly barelybeating viewers, downawhopping 64% Golden Globessunk to6.9million NEW YORK: a refundatCMAFest.com.(AP) ther retainthemfor2022oropt use forthisyear’sfestivalcanei- for lastyearandheldontothemto his fi Akeem learnshefatheredason(JermaineFowler)on fi ing 2America,”directedbyCraigBrewer,reversesthe table R&Bandhip-hopgroupsmakecameos.)“Com- sequel triestokeepsomeofthatera’sspirit.(Afewno- that belongssocompletelytothelate’80seven where itwillbeginstreamingFriday. of thepandemicbyParamountPicturestoAmazon, originally plannedtohittheaterslastyear,wassolddue phy andHallhavereturnedtoZamunda.Thesequel, nothing forgrantedandappreciateeverything.” with ashelfofawardstatuettesbehindhim.“NowItake successful Iwas,”Murphysays,speakingbyZoom take everythingforgrantedwhenyou’reyoung,how says Hall. Akeem andhisloyalaideSemmi.“Wewereinsane,” to aHollywoodnightclubwhilestilldressedasPrince ica,” remembersthemsneakingoutduringtheshoot phy’s longtimefriendandco-starin“ComingtoAmer- “Raw.” Theywereheadytimes.ArsenioHall,Mur- off “BeverlyHillsCopII”andthestand-upspecial est maninAmerica. in theculture.Itbecamelikeacultmovie.Linesfrom ‘Coming toAmerica.’Thenthismovietookonlife following,” saysMurphy.“Wehadtotallyforgotabout lies initsfairytalepremise. Barris —feltthecoreappealof“ComingtoAmerica” writers BarryW.Blaustein,DavidSheffi but itwaslike,eh,let’snotevengothere.” they wereRepublicans,”saysMurphy.“Itwasfunny from Teslastotransgenderpeople. also reprisetheircharacters,theconversationbounces daughter. Atthebarbershop,whereMurphyandHall of femaleempowerment;KiKiLayneplaysAkeem’s W Murphy, HallreturntoZamunda sh-out-water plottobringQueensZamundaafter t concertforDemocraticpres- It’s anunlikelycodatoablockbustercomedy,one Thirty-three yearsafter“ComingtoAmerica,”Mur- “I wassoyoung,allthisstuffhappening.You The ’80s,Murphysays,are“allablur.” Murphy wasattheveryheightofhisfame,coming “This istheonlymovieI’veeverdonethathadacult Instead, Murphyandhiscollaborators—including “We hadadraftwheretheyonMAGAhatsand Some elementshavebeenupdated.There’saplot ❑ rst visittoNewYork. Variety America,” hewas,almostindisputably,thefunni- hen EddieMurphymadetheoriginal“Comingto The pandemic-era By JakeCoyle Eddie Murphy,(left),andArsenioHallappearinascenefrom‘Coming2America.’(AP) Magic ofmusicmakes‘TheBeast’strong ‘Coming toAmerica’sequelkeepssome1980s’spirit Film East fullofmusicloversseemedshakierthanever. Grimes said. ing occurrences“thathasneverhappenedlikethisinourlifetime,” then wehavesomething...likeCOVID-19,”aconfl measures suchassocialdistancing. hard. Small,intimateclubsweren’tdesignedtofactorinvirus-control As thevirusragedon,dreamofonceagainpackingBasement “It’s sostrangetohaveascenariowherethebuildingisgoneand The pandemichitNashville’srenownedmusicsceneparticularly ueksParton Sudeikis died fromCOVID-19. hospitalizations andcases.Todate,morethan11,000residentshave ranked amongtheworsthitincountry,witharecordnumberof the statewithbruteforcelastspring,andbyThanksgiving,Tennessee twister passedover. street. Ittooktwostafferstoshutthedooragainstwinds,justas ing justminutesbeforethepowerfulEF-3tornadoroareddown ers eventescapedharmbyrunningtotheactualbasementofbuild- people inrubbleandbasements. a roughly60-mile(97-kilometer)swathofMiddleTennessee,burying Right ontheheelsoftornadoes,virusoutbreakslammedinto The sixBasementEaststafferswhowerecleaningupaftertheSand- eld andKenya “My NameIsDolemite,”theRudyRayMoorebiopic a dinnerwithJohnSingletonaftertestscreeningof suggested Brewerdirect“Coming2America”during for fouryearsbutshootingstartedquickly.Murphyfi kanda.’” nitely arealplace.Ibelieveit’sjustnortheastofWa- place, right?’”saysBrewer.“AndIsay,‘No,it’sdefi “Coming 2America.”BothwereshotinAtlanta. designed thecostumesofboth“BlackPanther”and a “ComingtoAmerica”birthdayparty.RuthE.Carter depiction ofAfricans)andothercastmembersthrew (once notafanof“ComingtoAmerica”foritscliched During productionon“BlackPanther,”LupitaNyong’o proached himabouta“ComingtoAmerica”sequel. “Black Panther,”MurphyhassaidRyanCooglerap- alty andamythicAfrica—aremany.Beforemaking “Black Panther”—bothraredepictionsofBlackroy- have seen‘BlackPanther’allaroundtheworld.” “If ‘BlackPanther’wasaboutthehood,peoplewouldn’t and traditiondoingtherightthing,”Murphyadds. give as---aboutthataroundtheworld. injustice, whateverourstoryisinAmerica.Theydon’t a s---aboutSelmaandMartinLutherKingcivil all aroundtheworld,”saysMurphy.“Theydon’tgive of themoviesthathadanall-Blackcasttraveled The scriptfor“Coming2America”wasworkedon “I’ve hadpeoplesay,‘NowZamundaisn’tareal The connectionsbetween“ComingtoAmerica”and “It’s notaboutbeingBlack.It’sloveandfamily “‘Coming toAmerica’isthefi To Murphy,that’sthemovie’slegacy. acters fromthefi Chicago. BeyoncéandJay-Zoncedressedupaschar- movie —havebriefl food restaurants—theMcDonald’sknockofffrom role inculturesince1988.Real-lifeMcDowell’sfast- ‘Coming toAmerica.’” now. Theveryfi the moviebecamecatchphrases.Peopledomicdrop than $630millionadjustedforinfl that year.Globally,itgrossed$288.8million,ormore tickets sold—nearlydoublewhat“DieHard”made ing fi sive successonrelease.Itwasthesecond-highestgross- Pandemic “Coming toAmerica”hasindeedplayedaunique But theJohnLandis-directedmoviewasalsoamas- lm domesticallyin1988with$128.2million Queen’s Gambit.” programs “TheCrown” and“The Moviefi madland” and“Borat Subsequent ceremony werethe fi viewers, theNielsencompanysaid. lockdown era,reached18.4million ference announcingthewinners. forced NBCtoshowanewscon- Big winnersinSunday’s Last year’sshow,inthepre- lm forHalloween. rst micdropisRandyWatsonfrom lm” andthetelevision Legacy y poppedupinLosAngelesand uence ofdevastat- rst movieinthehistory lms “No- ation. so strong.” American entertainmentandculturewillensurethatitperseveres. Grimes note.BothbelieveNashville’scentralroleintheworldof ville.” standing: Aportionofawallmuralwiththeslogan,“IbelieveinNash- foot (465-square-meter)space. masks andwillspreadtablesoutthroughouttheclub’s5,000-square- their sightsonthisspring.Buttheystillplantorequirepatronswear are droppingandwithmorepeoplegettingvaccinated,they’veset the partnersarehopingtofi niversary inApril2020,butthetornadoandpandemichadotherplans. a loveforrock‘n’roll—hadwantedtocelebratetheirfi ing. Thepartners—whodescribethemselvesasgrownteenagerswith Grimes felttheycouldbreathe,thatwhatweredoingwaswork- for thevenuetoturnaprofi happen,’” Brownsaid. co-hosted, but on separate coasts: co-hosted, butonseparatecoasts: much. bath, theonlyquestion washow awards in1996. since NBCbegantelecastingthe had byfarthesmallestaudience ence. Otherwise,thisyear’sshow people watchedthenewsconfer- Globes in2008andonly6million rst “The magicofmusic,”Brownsaid.“That’swhatmakesthisplace Like thatwall,thecityitselfissteadfastandresilient,Brown When thetornadostruckBasementEastlastMarch,itleftonething Now, astheanniversaryoftwocatastrophiceventsapproaches, “There weretimesthatthoughtcrossedmymind:‘It’snotgoingto The clubfi NBC anticipateda ratings blood- The writer’sstrikecurtailedthe - Tina Fey self backwherehestarted.(AP) Until then,Murphy,aproudhomebody,hasfoundhim- mance returns,Murphysays,“thenwe’lldostand-up.” Those planshaven’tbeencanceled;whenliveperfor- in 2020hadbeenhisintentionbeforethepandemichit. stand-up material.Along-awaitedreturntoperforming role inthefi dren andagrandchild.Hisdaughter,Bella,hassmall he made“ComingtoAmerica.”Now,has10chil- to America”isratedPG-13.Murphywasjust27when witch doctorpartChappellemighthave.) who hasfourrolesinthemovie,endedupplaying scheduling confl man.’ Hesaid,‘Iwanttobeinthat,’”recallsHall.(A ya’ll aredoing‘ComingtoAmerica2.’Isaid,‘Yeah, Rock andDaveChappelle,sensedeveryonewantedin. Morgan. Hall,whohadbeendoingstand-upwithChris too, includingWesleySnipes,LeslieJonesandTracy Amos andShariHeadley—bringsinmanyothers, of theoriginalcast—includingJamesEarlJones,John ing astheZamundapalace.Themoviereunitesmost sound stages,withRickRoss’nearbymansionserv- — whichisAmerica’sAfrica,”saysHall. going todoasequelto,we’reaboutheadAtlanta and Irealizethismoviethatwethoughtneverwere before talkingaboutasequel. three timesaweekfor40years.Buttheywentdecades timates theclosefriendshaveseeneachothertwoor dic chemistrybetweenMurphyandHall.es- ing togo,like,now.” immediately. Thenitbecamecleartomethatthisisgo- in Memphis,Tenn.“Icouldn’thelpbutjustsay‘Yes!’ ies asateenager,”saysBrewer,speakingfromhishome that helpedspurarevivalforthe59-year-oldMurphy. dation andappreciationtoknowwhoheis.” his familyanddoesnotneedthepublic’sconstantvali- grandchild —youseethathe’strulyamanwholoves you’re everaroundEddieandhiskids—now now. Butthere’ssomethingtothat,”saysBrewer.“If him versusCosbyandwho’sAmerica’sfavoritedad Some thingshavechangedwithtime.This“Coming “One dayinthedressingroom,Daveislike,‘Iheard The shoottookplaceontheTylerPerryStudio “All ofasuddenI’mreadingthisscriptthatIlove “Coming 2America”alsorekindlesthegreatcome- “‘Coming toAmerica’wasoneofmyfavoritemov- Family lifefi “He jokedaboutiton‘SaturdayNightLive,’ rstopeneditsdoorsin2015,butittooknearlyfi and Amy Poehler lm. gures prominentlyinMurphy’snewer ict interferedandtheversatileHall, nally reopen.Amidsigns thatviruscases t. Itwasn’tuntil2020thatBrownand acceptance speech.(AP) Sudeikis bother. “TedLasso” star for theoccasion,others didn’t no redcarpet.Some starsdressed appeared remotelyandtherewas meetings, mostofthenominees in NewYork’sRainbowRoom. home oftheBeverlyHiltonandFey Poehler intheshow’straditional For acountrysickofZoom woreasweatshirt forhis ve-year an- ve-year veyears Jason ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Film

Seyfried on ‘Mank’ ‘I am not taking this moment for granted’ By Lindsey Bahr

manda Seyfried has one big regret about A“Mank.” Yes, the David Fincher film about “Citizen Kane” screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz has earned her some of the best marks of her career and made her, for the first time, a top awards con- tender. Yes, her performance has helped reframe the narrative around silent movie star Marion Davies. Yes, she has even been able to push aside her self- deprecating nature and publicly admit that she’s proud of her work. But her father never got to come to the set. And it breaks her heart. Classic movies are Jack Seyfried’s entire world. When she got the role, part of her was just excited to share in something he loves. He’s not just a casual Turner Classic Movies watcher (although the television is usually turned to the channel). He is an old Hollywood die-hard. Grow- ing up, Seyfried said, there Seyfried were projectors and nitrate fi lms and reels “everywhere.” “Every night after seven o’clock, the fl oor would be shaking. The whole house would rumble with the noise of the projector and the 60mm fi lms, the 35mm fi lms,” Seyfried, 35, said. “That’s his life.” Over the years when she had auditions on studio lots, she’d try to bring him along to see the murals, the city streets, and, of course, the projection rooms. He was the fi rst person she called when she did the hair and makeup test and really felt like Marion. The trip to California to see his daughter in action was scheduled for the fi rst week of February last year. Ayat Rawthan (main picture), and Zainab Amjad (inset) petrochemical engineers, pose for a photo near an oil field outside Basra, Iraq, Feb 5. Inset: Rawthan and But he got sick. And soon after, “Mank” wrapped. Amjad are among just a handful of women who have eschewed the dreary office jobs typically handed to female petrochemical engineers in Iraq. Instead, they chose “This is the only time in my life that it was that to become trailblazers in the country’s oil industry, taking up the grueling work of drilling. (AP) important for him to be on set because everything was real. David Fincher creates a real world,” Sey- fried said. “It’s just a huge regret.” Seyfried threw herself into the role of Marion. Neighbors She’d come to it having very few preconceptions about a woman who history had reduced to being the mistress of publishing magnate William Ran- dolph Hearst. And, of course, there was the drunken Female engineers test limits, take rig site jobs and unsophisticated Susan Alexander Kane, the presumed stand-in for Marion in “Citizen Kane,” which didn’t help her reputation even if Orson Welles always insisted that character wasn’t based In Iraq, a few women buck norms on her. Different BASRA, Iraq, March 3, (AP): It’s Following low oil prices dragged Asked if she was certain she nearly dawn and Zainab Amjad has down by the coronavirus pandemic could do the job, she said: “Hire Jack Fincher’s “Mank” script told a different story. Here, Marion was a smart, witty and talented been up all night working on an oil and international disputes, Iraq is me, watch.” woman who held her own with titans of industry rig in southern Iraq. She lowers a showing signs of recovery, with In two months she traded her and who fascinated even the immensely cynical sensor into the black depths of a January exports reaching 2.868 green hard hat for a shiny white Mank. Seyfried felt like she understood her before well until sonar waves detect the million barrels per day at $53 per one, signifying her status as super- she’d even started her own research. presence of the crude that fuels her barrel, according to Oil Ministry visor, no longer a trainee - a month “Clearly Jack Fincher adored her,” Seyfried said. country’s economy. statistics. quicker than is typical. “He knew how to change her legacy in this support- Elsewhere in the oil-rich prov- To most Iraqis, the industry can Rawthan, too, knew she would ing part.” Amy Poehler appears at the 76th an- ince of Basra, Ayat Rawthan is be summed up by those fi gures, but have to work extra hard to suc- Part of her worried that she was too contempo- nual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly supervising the assembly of large Amjad and Rawthan have a more ceed. Once, when her team had to rary, both in her look and her thinking, and wouldn’t Hills, Calif, on Jan 6, 2019. Poehler drill pipes. These will bore into the granular view. Every well presents perform a rare “sidetrack” - drilling “fi t” into this 1930s world. It helped that she got to produces, directs and stars in ‘Moxie,’ Earth and send crucial data on rock a set of challenges; some required another bore next to the original - be more involved than usual in helping develop the premiering Wednesday on Netflix. (AP) formations to screens sitting a few more pressure to pump, others she stayed awake all night. character on screen. The costume and props depart- meters (feet) away that she will de- were laden with poisonous gas. “I didn’t sleep for 24 hours, I ment would lay out options and she’d get to choose cipher. “Every fi eld feels like going to a wanted to understand the whole her own purse or rings, for instance. Variety The women, both 24, are among new country,” said Amjad. process, all the tools, from begin- “I was able to claim parts of her in that decision just a handful who have eschewed Given the industry’s outsized ning to end,” she said. making,” she said. “When you have that kind of the dreary offi ce jobs typically importance to the economy, petro- Rawthan also now works for power and control in creating the character that the KINGSTON, Jamaica : Bunny Wailer, handed to female petroleum engi- chemical programs in the country’s Schlumberger, where she collects audience is going to see, it really makes you feel a reggae luminary who was the last sur- neers in Iraq. Instead, they chose engineering schools are reserved data from wells used to determine closer to them.” viving founding member of the legendary to become trailblazers in the coun- for students with the highest marks. the drilling path later on. She wants Seyfried’s nature is to be modest. About her group The Wailers, died on Tuesday in try’s oil industry, donning hard Both women were in the top 5% of to master drilling, and the company talent. About the work. About her status in the his native Jamaica. He was 73. hats to take up the grueling work at their graduating class at Basra Uni- is a global leader in the service. industry. In her two decades in the business she’s Wailer, a baritone singer whose birth had more than a few undeniable successes (think name is Neville Livingston, formed rig sites. versity in 2018. Reservoirs The Wailers in 1963 with late superstars They are part of a new genera- In school they became awestruck “Mamma Mia!” and “Mean Girls”). But she’s also Relatives, friends and even had “plateaus” and she knows she needs to manage Bob Marley and Peter Tosh when they tion of talented Iraqi women who by drilling. To them it was a new lived in a slum in the capital of Kingston. teachers were discouraging: What her expectations, if only for her own sanity. are testing the limits imposed by world, with it’s own language: They catapulted to international fame their conservative communities. “spudding” was to start drilling about the hard physical work? The When her agent called her to tell her that Finch- with the album, “Catch a Fire” and also scorching Basra heat? Living at the er was making a new movie and was considering helped popularize Rastafarian culture Their determination to find jobs operations, a “Christmas tree” was her for a role, her fi rst thought was “David Fincher among better-off Jamaicans starting in in a historically male-dominated the very top of a wellhead, and rig site for months at a time? And knows who I am?” She wouldn’t even let herself the 1970s. industry is a striking example of “dope” just meant grease. the desert scorpions that roam the believe she had it until she was on set. “Jah-B was a vanguard, always the way a burgeoning youth pop- Every work day plunges them reservoirs at night? pushing the boundaries of expression, ulation finds itself increasingly deep into the mysterious affairs “Many times my professors and Longevity whether in song, in style or in spoken at odds with deeply entrenched below the Earth’s crust, where they peers laughed, ‘Sure, we’ll see you Awards were never her main goal, longevity was. word,” said Brian Paul Welsh, a local out there,’ telling me I wouldn’t reggae musician known as Blvk H3ro. and conservative tribal traditions use tools to look at formations of But in the business of entertainment, she knows that “There was and can only ever be one prevalent in Iraq’s southern oil minerals and mud, until the pre- be able to make it,” said Rawthan. nominations and wins can mean more and better Neville Livingston.” heartland. cious oil is found. “Like throwing “But this only pushed me harder.” opportunities. Ten years ago, she said, she’d prob- Wailer died at Andrews Memorial The hours Amjad and Rawthan a rock into water and studying the Their parents were supportive, ably have downplayed something like getting her Hospital in the Jamaican parish of St. spend in the oil fi elds are long and ripples,” explained Rawthan. though. Rawthan’s mother is a civil fi rst ever Golden Globe nomination. Now she’s not Andrew of complications from a stroke the weather unforgiving. Often engineer and her father, the captain in July, manager Maxine Stowe told The Relegated afraid to admit that she’s excited. they are asked what - as women - of an oil tanker who often spent “I don’t know if necessarily means anything in Associated Press. His death was mourned worldwide they are doing there. To work in the fi eld, Amjad, the months at sea. the outside world, but within the business it is really daughter of two doctors, knew she “They understand why this is important,” she said. as people shared music, memories and “They tell me the fi eld environ- pictures of the renowned artist. ment only men can withstand,” had to land a job with an interna- my passion,” she said. She hopes Her co-star Gary Oldman isn’t surprised that she’s “The passing of Bunny Wailer, the last tional oil company - and to do that, to help establish a union to bring getting this kind of attention. In fact, it’s overdue. said Amjad, who spends six weeks of the original Wailers, brings to a close at a time living at the rig site. “If I she would have to stand out. State- like-minded Iraqi female engineers “Sometimes it’s just the type of movie that one is the most vibrant period of Jamaica’s gave up, I’d prove them right.” run enterprises were a dead end; together. For now, none exists. in isn’t necessarily taken as seriously as other types musical experience,” wrote Jamaica poli- there, she would be relegated to of- The work is not without danger. of movies,” said Oldman. “But she’s incredibly tal- tician Peter Phillips in a Facebook post. Fortunes ented. And I’m so chuffed for her. It couldn’t hap- “Bunny was a good, conscious Jamaican fi ce work. Protests outside oil fi elds led by pen to a nicer girl.” brethren.” Iraq’s fortunes, both economic “In my free time, on my vaca- angry local tribes and the unem- The “awards circus” isn’t entirely new either. She Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew and political, tend to ebb and flow tions, days off I was booking train- ployed can disrupt work and some- saw some of it on the sidelines with “Les Miséra- Holness, also paid tribute to Wailer, call- with oil markets. Oil sales make ings, signing up for any program I times escalate into violence toward ing him “a respected elder statesman of up 90% of state revenues - and could,” said Amjad. oil workers. Confronted every day bles,” going to all the parties and even performing the Jamaican music scene,” in a series of at the Oscars. But that was before she had kids. Now tweets. (AP) the vast majority of the crude When China’s CPECC came by fl are stacks that point to Iraq’s with a 4-month-old and a toddler, she’s grateful that ❑ ❑ ❑ comes from the south. A price to look for new hires, she was obvious oil wealth, others decry she can navigate everything from her farm in up- crash brings about an economic the obvious choice. Later, when state corruption, poor service de- state New York. JACKSONVILLE, Fla: Joe Exotic of crisis; a boom stuffs state cof- Texas-based Schlumberger sought livery and joblessness. “Tiger King” fame has found new attor- “Doing it for my own performance is a privilege neys who say they plan to fi le a motion fers. A healthy economy brings wireline engineers she jumped at But the women are willing to and I do not take it for granted for one day,” she for a new trial in a matter of months. a measure of stability, while in- the chance. The job requires her to take on these hardships. Amjad said. “But I don’t know how I could have done it if Joe Exotic, whose real name Joseph stability has often undermined the determine how much oil is recover- barely has time to even consider it wasn’t virtual.” Maldonado-Passage, was sentenced strength of the oil sector. Decades able from a given well. She passed them: It was 11 p.m., and she was Her mother is also on hand to help while her hus- in January 2020 to 22 years in federal of wars, civil unrest and invasion one diffi cult exam after another to needed back at work. band, Thomas Sadoski, is away working. prison for violating federal wildlife laws have stalled production. get to the fi nal interview. “Drilling never stops,” she said. And it’ll be over soon enough. Oscar nominations and for his role in a failed murder-for- come out March 15. She missed out on a nod from hire plot targeting his chief rival, Carole Baskin, who runs a rescue sanctuary the Screen Actors Guild, but so did Regina King for big cats in Florida. Baskin was not who went on to win the supporting actress Oscar harmed. “This isn’t our fi rst rodeo, so to Maldonado-Passage weren’t presented to two years ago. Maldonado-Passage’s new attorneys, speak,” Phillips said. jurors during his trial, Phillips said. As for her father, he may not have gotten to see John Phillips and Amy Hanna, plan to Maldonado-Passage had previously “For sure, I know there is material in the machinery behind the San Simeon set, but he’s fi le a motion for a new trial in federal been represented by federal public de- there that will help him out,” Phillips got something even better and more permanent: The court in Oklahoma once the appeals pro- fenders in the Oklahoma case. said. fi lm itself is only a click away on Netfl ix. And he cess wraps up in a month or two, Phillips Phillips wouldn’t say what argu- Phillips said he became involved with couldn’t be prouder. said in a phone interview Tuesday. ments he plans to make in a motion for the case after providing advice to the “He defi nitely thinks I captured the essence,” she Phillips, who is based in Jacksonville, a new trial, but it will rely on footage, family of Don Lewis, Baskin’s former has previously represented former White both aired and unaired, from the Netfl ix husband who disappeared in 1997. said. “And that’s really the biggest part. We’re all House aide Omarosa Manigault New- television series, “Tiger King: Murder, Lewis’ case remains open and a Florida trying to just capture the essence.” (AP) man in a public brawl with President Mayhem and Madness.” Statements from sheriff last year assigned a detective Donald Trump. the TV series that could have helped Wailer Exotic supervisor to handle new leads. (AP) ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 SPORTS 14

Ronaldo scores 20th goal of season Morata returns to set Juventus on way to win over Spezia TURIN, Italy, March 3, (AP): Ál- little short on numbers and we have varo Morata made a scoring return to to dig in. set Juventus on its way to a 3-0 win “It’s not been an easy season, but over Spezia and boost its faltering ti- there are still plenty of points to play Mercedes unveil car for Hamilton’s record-breaking F1 bid tle defense. for and we’ll fi ght until the end.” BRACKLEY, England, March 3, six world titles - moving him level whether I still enjoy it.” Alpine car winning the Le Mans Fellow substitute Federico Ber- Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech (AP): Mercedes has unveiled the with Schumacher with a record Hamilton will be teaming up 24 hours race in 1978. nardeschi set up Morata moments af- Szczesny saved a stoppage-time pen- car Lewis Hamilton will drive this seven for his career. with Valtteri Bottas for a fi fth con- The new A521 will be powered ter they had both come off the bench. alty from Andrey Galabinov after season while trying to win an un- Hamilton, who has won 74 secutive year. by a Renault engine and driven Bernardeschi then provided another Emmanuel Gyasi had been tripped precedented eighth Formula One races with Mercedes, said earn- The 2021 F1 season begins by Fernando Alonso and Esteban assist for Fed- by Merih Demiral. title. ing an eighth title “is the ultimate this month in Bahrain. Ocon, who is French. erico Chiesa, Juventus moved up to third, seven The W12 car, presented Tues- dream, but I don’t think it will be Meanwhile, the rebranded A two-time world champion nine minutes points below league leader Inter Mi- day, retains the black introduced the deciding factor as to whether Alpine team presented its new with Renault, the 39-year-old later. lan and three below AC Milan. Spe- last year as part of the team’s I stay or keep going.” Formula One car on Tuesday, re- Alonso is making his comeback Cristiano zia remained seven points above the campaign against racism and dis- vealing a new livery of blue, white in F1 after retiring at the end of crimination, and adds a touch of and red matching the colors of the 2018 season. The 39-year- Ronaldo sealed relegation zone. its more traditional silver. MOTOR RACING the French fl ag instead of yellow old Spaniard has won 32 races, the match late The 36-year-old Hamilton, who and black. with 97 podium fi nishes. He won on with his SOCCER signed a one-year contract ex- “I got into racing because I love The Renault Formula One his titles in 2005 and 2006. 20th goal of the tension last month, is bidding to racing and that has to be the core team changed its name to Alpine “I’ve been working hard to season. He is move one title clear of Michael of what I do. If all you are going at the end of last season and said prepare myself for racing back the fi rst player The Biaconeri were still without Schumacher. Meanwhile, Mer- for is accolades and titles, I feel the new colors are “synonymous in Formula One and the target cedes will be chasing an eighth like I could lose my way,” Hamil- to Alpine’s heritage and pedigree is to attack from the beginning,” in Europe’s top Morata Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiel- fi ve leagues to lini, Juan Cuadrado, Arthur and Pau- drivers’ and constructors’ double. ton said. “It is whether I still have in motorsports.” Alonso said. reach that fi gure for the 12th succes- lo Dybala, who were all injured, but Since joining Mercedes for the that smile when I put on that hel- Alpine has a history in motor- Ocon starts his second year sive season. Morata recovered enough from sick- 2013 season, Hamilton has won met and leave the garage and sports with the Renault-powered with the team. Morata had missed Juve’s disap- ness for a place on the bench. pointing 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona Spezia looked the more dangerous last weekend with illness. The Ju- side in the fi rst half, although Ron- Morata to tap in at the near post, with rebound. McKennie has been at Juventus signed a contract through to June 30, ventus forward had also not scored in aldo hit the post three minutes from his fi rst touch of the match. The goal Spezia was still seeking a way since August, after joining on loan 2025. the league since December, although halftime. was initially ruled out for offside on back into the match but Ronaldo from German club Schalke, but the McKennie, who is the fi rst Ameri- he scored in both Italian Cup games Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo made Bernardeschi but awarded on video dashed the visitor’s faint hopes when Bianconeri have exercised the option can to play for Juventus, has scored and the Italian Super Cup last month. a double change in the 61st minute, review. he drilled in a through ball from Rod- to purchase the player’s full rights. fi ve goals – including one in a Cham- “I’m pleased with the goal, but bringing on Morata and Bernard- Juventus doubled its lead follow- rigo Bentancur, a minute from time. Juventus said the fee was 18.5 pions League win at Barcelona – in the three points are more important,” eschi for Weston McKennie and Gi- ing another Bernardeschi cross from Meanwhile, Juventus made Wes- million euros ($22 million), payable 31 appearances. Morata said. “I’ve not been among anluca Frabotta. the left. Chiesa’s initial shot was bril- ton McKennie’s move to the Serie A over three years, plus up to 6.5 mil- The 22-year-old has already won a the goals, but above all, I was a bit That had an immediate effect as liantly parried by Spezia goalkeeper giant permanent, tying the American lion euros ($7.8 million) in bonuses. trophy at Juventus, helping it lift the low on strength because the last three Bernardeschi ran onto a ball over the Ivan Provedel from close range, but midfi elder to the club for the next The nine-time defending Serie A Italian Super Cup in January with a weeks have been tough, but we’re a top and rolled across from the left for the Juventus forward fi red home the four seasons. champion added that McKennie has 2-0 victory over Napoli.

Schalke hire Grammozis as coach Sancho fi res Dortmund into German Cup semis

BERLIN, Mar 3, (AP): Jadon Sancho scored to send Borussia Dortmund into the semifi nals of the German Cup with a 1-0 win at Borussia Mönchenglad- bach. The game’s buildup had been over- shadowed by Gladbach coach Marco Rose’s move to Dortmund next sea- son, but it was the 20-year-old Sancho who emerged as the main fi gure in a cagey quarter-fi nal. Sancho made the breakthrough in the 66th minute on a counterattack after a Gladbach corner. Nico Schulz intercepted a Florian Neuhaus pass and played the ball forward through Erling Haaland and Marco Reus, who sent Sancho on his way. The England for- ward fi red in off the left post. Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, (left), Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud celebrates after scoring on penalty Dahoud, one of several players fac- kick his side’s second goal during the ing their former team, was sent off German Bundesliga soccer match in injury time with his second yellow between Borussia Dortmund and card for a dangerous lunge at Ramy Arminia Bielefeld in Dortmund, Ger- Bensebaini, who was booked for his many, on Feb 27. (AP) reaction. Dahoud will miss the semi- final. Reus, the Dortmund captain, also Ledecky returns previously played for Gladbach, as did substitutes Schulz and Thorgan Haz- ard, while Gladbach’s Matthias Ginter to ‘competition’ and Jonas Hofmann previously played for their opponents. WASHINGTON, March 3, (AP): Like everyone else, Katie Ledecky SOCCER was forced to shelve her plans when the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Instead of looking far into the fu- Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo (right), scores a goal during the Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Spezia, at the Turin Allianz Stadium, Italy, It was Gladbach’s fourth straight on March 2. (AP) ture, the fi ve-time Olympic champion defeat across all competitions and it swimmer switched to a more immedi- stretched to its winless run to six games ate mindset. - Rose’s worst stretch as a coach. Forget that the four-year cycle lead- Both sides missed good chances to ing to the 2024 Paris Olympics is al- score. Marcus Thuram should have ready underway. Ledecky is still work- scored early for Gladbach before Reus ing toward making a big splash at this replied with another wasted opportu- summer’s delayed Tokyo Games. City top Wolves, extend nity at the other end. “In some ways not traveling over Dortmund suffered a blow in be- the past year and just being able to tween with Raphaël Guerreiro going train has been really good for me and off injured. The Portuguese wing- something I hope will pay dividends,” back was lying down with his left she said from Northern California in a shin-guard off after just three min- recent virtual interview. “I’m someone utes played. Schulz came on in his that really loves training. I kind of like winning run to 21 games place. the day-to-day of just going to work The next big chance fell to Haaland, and putting in that work in the pool and but Nico Elvedi got back and some- eventually seeing the results.” how did enough to just put the young Guardiola’s winning machine powers to Premier League title star off in the 36th. Thuram had a goal ruled out for off- SWIMMING side before the break, and Haaland had matches - tying a club record also achieved MANCHESTER, England, March 3, another ruled out through VAR after it. Ledecky will take a measure of (AP): A 15-point lead, 21 victories in under Guardiola in 2017. Replays showed the Norwegian caught herself when she returns to national City hasn’t trailed for a single minute in any of Bensebaini, causing him to fall, before a row, a club record-tying 28 games he swept in Reus’ cross. competition on Wednesday for the its last 19 league games. fi rst time in a year. She’s entered in unbeaten. Asked how impressed he was by City’s recent More chances went untaken after Sancho scored. six events at the TYR Pro Swim Series The extraordinary numbers are stacking up run, Guardiola said: “Man United” - referring to meet in San Antonio, Texas. for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s win- Defender Stefan Lainer came clos- City’s next opponent at the weekend. est for Gladbach when he fi red just Ledecky is among several big names ning machine powers to the Premier League Pressed to expand, he said: “We talk about over with the fi nal kick of the game. diving back in with three months to title and - whisper it - a potential quadruple. records and everything we have done in the The fi rst quarterfi nal between Jahn go until the US Olympic trials. Cae- Guardiola particularly liked what he saw in Regensburg and Werder Bremen was leb Dressel, Simone Manuel, double league when it is over.” backstroke world-record holder Regan the 4-1 win over Wolverhampton. And it nearly is over. Second-place Manchester called off Monday due to a number Heading into the final 10 minutes at Etihad of coronavirus infections among the Smith, and Ryan Lochte will swim Stadium, City’s players were in the unusual United can restore the 12-point gap to City by second-division team. over four days in the fi rst single-site position of being held, 1-1, but there was no beating Crystal Palace on Wednesday but Meanwhile, Schalke hired the rela- American meet since the pandemic panic. Instead, they just stepped up a gear, over- doesn’t have the consistency being shown by tively unknown Dimitrios Grammozis began. Guardiola’s side, which also is in the final of the as its fi fth coach of a turbulent season Aiming to make his fi fth Olympic whelmed Wolves with their pressing and scored team, Lochte is entered in fi ve events. three goals. League Cup, the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and on Tuesday. The 42-year-old Grammozis – a Ledecky is entered in her usual “When you have a run of 20 wins, you’re leads 2-0 after the first leg of its matchup with events: 200-, 400-, 800- and 1,500-me- Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions former midfi elder with 143 Bundes- not always going to win 3-0, 4-0, 5-0,” liga appearances for Hamburger SV, ter freestyles. She’s also set to swim Guardiola said. “So that is why how you League’s round of 16. Kaiserslautern and Cologne – signed the 50 and 100 free. recover from difficult situations is what I’m City has players in supreme form, too. a contract through June 2022, the Her Olympic schedule will focus on looking for.” Mahrez is one of them, the Algeria winger Gelsenkirchen-based club said in a the 200, 400, 800 and 1,500, plus any playing a key part in the opening goal by con- statement. relays. The 1,500 is a new women’s event in Tokyo. SOCCER trolling a searching pass by Rodri and driving over a cross that would have been turned into the net by Raheem Sterling if Dendoncker hadn’t Gabriel Jesus scored in the 80th minute and done so himself. again from close range with virtually the last Wolves’ only good spell of the game came kick of the game after Riyad Mahrez had made after Coady scored his first Premier League goal, it 3-1, capping a period of incessant pressure by with Adama Traore blazing two shots over the City after Wolves equalized in the 61st minute bar. through Conor Coady’s header - the visitors’ Manchester City’s Kyle Walker jumps next to City regrouped and after Jesus swept in a first touch in City’s box. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rayan Ait-Nouri Leander Dendoncker had given City the loose ball from the edge of six-yard box after during the English Premier League soccer Kyle Walker’s cross was blocked near the goal lead for the first time with an own-goal in the match between Manchester City and Wolves at 15th. the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, on line, Mahrez placed a shot into the bottom corner Another test passed by City in its march to March 2. (AP) in the 90th after Wolves were hounded out of reclaiming the title from Liverpool, with Wolves possession. having proved a tough opponent for City in this season, though. The team has won every Jesus converted from close in for the fourth recent years - winning their meetings home and game it has played in all competitions since Dec. goal in stoppage time after goalkeeper Rui In this, July 27, 2019, fi le photo shows United States’ Katie Ledecky swim- away last season, for example. 19 and now has 15 victories in a row in the Patricio could only parry out a shot from substi- ming in the women’s 800m freestyle fi nal at the World Swimming Champi- City’s class of 2020-21 is made of sterner stuff league. Its unbeaten streak stretched to 28 tute Ilkay Gundogan. onships in Gwangju, South Korea. (AP) ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 SPORTS 15

Baylor clinches Big 12 title with OT win over West Virginia Intense Illinois makes statement, dismantles Michigan ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 3, (AP): Andre Curbelo scored 11 of his 17 points in the fi rst half, and No. 4 Illinois dismantled No. 2 Michigan with a smothering defensive perfor- mance, routing the Wolverines 76- 53. Playing again without injured star Ayo Dosunmu, the Illini (19-6, 15-4 Big Ten) kept Michigan from clinch- ing the conference title and boosted their own chances at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Trent Fra- zier led Illinois with 22 points, and Kofi Cockburn added 12. Eli Brooks scored 11 points and was the only player in double fi g- ures for Michigan. The Wolverines (18-2, 13-2) looked physically over- whelmed for much of the night, un- able to create good shots against the Illinois defense and unable to keep the Illini off the boards. It was an eye-opening blowout - especially since Michigan has rolled to similar margins of victory against other good teams this season. Baylor 94, W. Virginia 89, OT In Morgantown, W.Va., Jared But- ler scored 25 points before fouling out, Davion Mitchell hit the go-ahead basket in overtime and Baylor beat West Virginia to clinch the Bears’ fi rst Big 12 regular-season champi- onship. Baylor (19-1, 11-1) bounced back in a big way from its only loss of the season at No. 13 Kansas on Saturday. Mitchell scored four of Baylor’s 13 points in overtime and fi nished with 20. Matthew Mayer had a sea- son-high 18 points for the Bears. Taz Sherman came off the bench to score a career-high 26 points for the Mountaineers (17-7, 10-5). Miles McBride added 19 points and Sean McNeil scored 18, including 15 after halftime. Alabama 70, Auburn 58 In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jaden Shackelford scored 23 points, made Baylor guard Adam Flagler (10) shoots while defended by West Virginia forward Gabe Osabuohien (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, on March 2, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP) fi ve 3-pointers and helped Alabama quash a second-half threat and beat Auburn. NHL Results/Standings BASKETBALL

WASHINGTON, March 3, (AP): Results Pens top Flyers in front of Shackelford helped the Crimson and standings from the NHL games on Tide (20-6, 15-2 Southeastern Con- Tuesday. NY Rangers 3 Buffalo 2 ference) score 10 straight points af- Columbus 4 Detroit 1 ter the Tigers (12-14, 6-11) pulled to Montreal 3 Ottawa 1 within fi ve late. NY Islanders 2 New Jersey 1 Pittsburgh 5 Philadelphia 2 Herbert Jones had 10 points, nine Winnipeg 5 Vancouver 2 rebounds and six assists for the Tide. Carolina 4 Nashville 2 fans for 1st time in a year John Petty and Jahvon Quinerly each Tampa Bay 2 Dallas 0 scored 11 points. East Division Jaylin Williams led Auburn with GP W L OT Pts GF GA 13 points. Washington 21 12 5 4 28 73 69 Vasilevskiy posts 3rd shutout in row as Lightning down Stars 2-0 NY Islanders 22 12 6 4 28 58 50 Arkansas, 101, S. Carolina 73 Boston 19 12 5 2 26 59 50 In Columbia, S.C., Moses Moody Philadelphia 19 11 5 3 25 63 59 Pittsburgh 21 12 8 1 25 65 67 PITTSBURGH, March 3, 8-1). Carter Hutton fi nished with 16 tied his career high with 28 points NY Rangers 20 8 9 3 19 53 54 (AP): Kasperi Kapanen saves and fell to 1-6-1 this year. and Arkansas beat South Carolina for New Jersey 18 7 9 2 16 46 54 its 10th straight win in the Southeast- Buffalo 20 6 11 3 15 46 60 scored two goals and the Islanders 2, Devils 1 Central Division In Newark, New Jersey, Semyon ern Conference. GP W L OT Pts GF GA Pittsburgh Penguins de- Varlamov made 28 saves and came The Razorbacks (20-5, 12-4 SEC) Tampa Bay 20 15 4 1 31 71 39 did it with the long ball, hitting 15 Carolina 22 15 6 1 31 76 60 feated the Philadelphia within 14 seconds of his fourth shut- Florida 21 13 4 4 30 67 60 Flyers 5-2 . out, and New York beat the slumping 3-pointers. Chicago 23 12 7 4 28 73 68 Devils in New Jersey’s fi rst home Justin Smith had had 22 points, JD Columbus 24 9 10 5 23 66 78 The Penguins won in front of Notae 21 and Desi Sills 15, tying his Nashville 22 10 12 0 20 51 68 game with fans in almost a year. Detroit 25 7 15 3 17 52 82 their fans for the first time in al- Rookie Oliver Wahlstrom and An- career high with fi ve 3-pointers. Dallas 17 6 7 4 16 46 47 most a year. Penguins’ players ders Lee scored for New York, which AJ Lawson led the Gamecocks (6- West Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA raised their sticks and saluted the is 9-2-2 in its last 13. 13, 4-11) with 18 points. Vegas 18 13 4 1 27 56 40 fans in attendance following the Varlamov lost his shutout bid with Texas 81, Iowa State 67 St Louis 22 12 8 2 26 72 71 13.2 seconds to play when Miles Minnesota 19 12 6 1 25 61 49 win. In Ames, Iowa, Kai Jones came off Colorado 19 11 7 1 23 57 48 Bryan Rust scored his seventh, and Wood scored with the Devils’ net the bench to score a season-high 17 Los Angeles 20 9 7 4 22 60 56 Cody Ceci and Mike Matheson added empty. The Islanders were trying for points and lead four Texas players Arizona 21 9 9 3 21 56 64 their second straight shutout after Ilya San Jose 19 8 9 2 18 59 73 goals for Pittsburgh, which has won in double fi gures, and the Longhorns Anaheim 22 6 11 5 17 46 66 fi ve of seven. Tristan Jarry stopped 40 Sorokin blanked Pittsburgh 2-0 on beat Iowa State. North Division shots. Sunday. Texas (15-7, 9-6 Big 12) led for all GP W L OT Pts GF GA Joel Farabee scored twice for the Aaron Dell made 18 saves in his Toronto 23 17 4 2 36 81 55 but 22 seconds, beating the Cyclones Winnipeg 22 14 7 1 29 74 59 Flyers, who had a three-game win- second start for New Jersey, which for the eighth time in 10 meetings. Edmonton 24 14 10 0 28 79 72 ning streak halted. Carter Hart made has lost six of seven. Iowa State (2-19, 0-16) was led by Montreal 21 10 6 5 25 68 61 22 saves for the Flyers. Calgary 23 10 11 2 22 59 70 Hurricanes 4, Predators 2 Jalen Coleman-Lands, who scored Vancouver 26 9 15 2 20 74 90 Lightning 2, Stars 0 In Nashville, Tennessee, Sebastian 22 points. Ottawa 25 8 16 1 17 67 95 Aho scored twice to lead Carolina Courtney Ramey added 14 points Note: Two points for a win one In Dallas, Andrei Vasilevskiy point for overtime loss. The top four stopped 28 shots for his third consec- past Nashville. for the Longhorns. teams in each division will qualify for utive shutout, extending his scoreless Vincent Trocheck and Steven Lo- Texas Tech 69, TCU 49 playoffs under this season’s tempo- rentz also scored for the Hurricanes, rary realignment. streak to 200 minutes, and Stanley In Lubbock, Texas, Kyler Edwards Cup champion Tampa Bay beat Dal- Pittsburgh Penguins’ Mike Matheson (5) tries to control the puck as Phila- winners of three straight. James Re- scored 17 of his 20 points in the fi rst las. delphia Flyers’ Travis Konecny (11) and Connor Bunnaman (82) pursue imer made 35 saves. half to help Texas Tech take control, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, on March 2, in Pitts- Calle Jarnkrok and Mattias Ekholm and the Red Raiders rolled past TCU. burgh. (AP) had the goals for Nashville, which The Red Raiders (16-8, 8-7 Big ICE HOCKEY won its previous two games. Jeff Petry and Brendan Gallagher Juuse Saros stopped eight of 10 12) followed a nine-point home vic- Anthony Mantha got his sixth goal tory over No. 15 Texas with another Vasilevskiy also held the struggling each had a goal and an assist. Tyler of the season and Jonathan Bernier shots he faced in the fi rst but was Toffoli scored into an empty net for dinged on a collision. Pekka Rinne re- strong effort. Stars without a goal four days earlier stopped 23 shots for the Red Wings R.J. Nembhard scored 10 points at home, a 5-0 win in the fi rst meet- Montreal (10-6-5), which snapped a before being relieved in the third pe- placed him to start the second period ing this season between the teams that fi ve-game losing streak. riod by Thomas Greiss, who had nine and fi nished with 16 saves. on a rough shooting night (4 of 12) played in the Stanley Cup Final in the Artem Zub scored for last-place Ot- saves and allowed no goals the rest of for the leading scorer for the Horned Jets 5, Canucks 2 Frogs (12-11, 5-9). NHL bubble last September. tawa (8-16-1), which had won four of the way. In Winnepeg, Manitoba, Kyle Con- The three straight shutouts are a ca- fi ve. Joey Daccord stopped 30 shots in Detroit has lost two in a row and nor and Blake Wheeler each had a Purdue 73, Wisconsin 69 reer best for Vasilevskiy, the 26-year- his second NHL start for the Senators, three of the last fi ve. goal and two assists to lead Winnipeg. In West Lafayette, Indiana, Fresh- old goalie who has played all seven of Blue Jackets 4, Red Wings 1 Rangers 3, Sabres 2 The Jets avenged a 4-0 loss to the man Zach Edey scored a career-high his NHL seasons for Tampa Bay. In Columbus, Ohio, Joonas Kor- In New York, Pavel Buchnevich Canucks a night earlier as the teams 21 points and Jaden Ivey added 18 to Ondrej Palat scored a power-play pisalo made 19 saves and Columbus had a goal and an assist, Igor Shester- completed a two-game set. help Purdue hold on to beat Wiscon- goal and Yanni Gourde added an scored three second-period goals in kin stopped 22 shots and New York Mason Appleton, Mathieu Per- sin. empty-net goal with fi ve seconds left. beating Detroit for the Blue Jackets’ beat Buffalo. reault and Paul Stastny also scored The Boilermakers (17-8, 12-6 Big Dallas has won only once in its last fi rst game in front of home fans in Chris Kreider and Alexis Lafre- for Winnipeg. Mark Scheifele tacked Ten) have won four straight and fi ve Montreal Canadiens goaltender 10 games. of their last six. Carey Price (31) stops Ottawa more than a year. niere also scored for the Rangers, and on three assists. Laurent Brossoit Senators center Chris Tierney (71) Canadiens 3, Senators 1 Cam Atkinson had a short-handed Adam Fox had two assists. New York stopped 30 shots. Ben Davison led the Badgers with as Canadiens’ Ben Chiarot (8) de- In Montreal, Carey Price made 26 goal and an assist, and Riley Nash, won for the fourth time in six games. Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller 15 points. Micah Potter and Nate Re- fends during the third period of an saves and Montreal beat Ottawa to Jack Roslovic and Boone Jenner Sam Reinhart and Tobias Rieder scored for Vancouver. Brock Boeser uvers each had 11 points for Wiscon- NHL hockey game, on March 2, in give rookie coach Dominique Ducha- also scored for the Blue Jackets, who scored for Buffalo, which has lost fi nished with two assists and Braden sin (16-10, 10-9), which has lost four Montreal. (AP) rme his fi rst NHL victory. snapped a fi ve-game losing streak. four straight (0-3-1) and nine of 11 (2- Holtby had 34 saves. of its last fi ve - all against ranked teams. Rutgers wins 8th straight conference game USF women claim 1st AAC regular-season title TAMPA, Florida, March 3, (AP): left. Pinzan was fouled and she made Rutgers 74, Penn State 56 Mael Gilles had 15 points, fi ve re- Elisa Pinzan scored 18 points with two free throws before a heave at the In Piscataway, N.J., Arella bounds and four steals for Rutgers. Di- eight assists, Bethy Mununga had 11 buzzer was off the mark. Guirantes scored 21 points with sev- amond Johnson scored 14 points, and points and 13 rebounds, and No. 15 Elena Tsineke added 12 points en assists, Tekia Mack had 12 points Mack also had four assists, three steals South Florida beat Central Florida for South Florida (15-2, 12-1). Shae and 12 rebounds, and No. 24 Rutgers and three blocks. Rutgers outscored 65-62 for its fi rst American Athletic Leverett grabbed 11 rebounds. beat Penn State 74-56. Penn State 25-12 in the second quarter Conference regular-season title. USF had runs of 11-0 and 7-0 in to take a 37-33 lead at the break. Pinzan sank a 3-pointer for a 58- the fi rst quarter to build an 18-5 lead. Niya Beverley had 20 points and sev- 48 lead with 1:59 remaining and she Another 13-3 spurt in the second BASKETBALL en assists for Penn State (9-13, 6-12). made her next four free throws for quarter extended the Bulls’ lead to Anna Camden added 14 points and four another 10-point lead with 57 sec- 22 points. Rutgers (13-3, 9-3 Big Ten) has steals. Rutgers is scheduled to close its onds left. Lewis scored 27 points with six won eight conference games in a regular season on Friday against No 22 UCF’s Alisha Lewis made two 3-pointers for UCF (13-3, 11-2). row for the fi rst time since the 2004- Ohio State. Penn State’s regular season Michigan forward Brandon Johns Jr (23) shoots on Illinois forward Giorgi 3-pointers in the fi nal 2:15, the last Brittney Smith had 10 points and 05 season - including holding seven is over, losing two straight to Rutgers Bezhanishvili (15) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game to get within 63-62 with 1.6 seconds nine rebounds. straight opponents under 60 points. after a 60-55 contest on Sunday. in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on March 2. (AP) ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 16

Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus scores his team fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Wolves at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on March 2. City won 4-1. (AP) — See Page 14 Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Agar takes career-best 6-30 Australia beat New Zealand to keep series alive WELLINGTON, New Zealand, March Williamson (9) in his second to put respectively. His 69 in partnerships of shots both orthodox and unorthodox. 3, (AP): Glenn Maxwell dashed 70 New Zealand under pressure early. 83 with Josh Philippe (43) and 64 with He used ramp shots to take advantage from 31 balls, Aaron Finch returned to Agar fi rst dismissed Devon Conway Maxwell set a strong foundation for of vacant third man or simply muscled form with 69 and Ashton Agar took a (38), then took the wickets of Glenn Australia’s innings. the ball over the large boundaries at career-best 6-30 as Australia beat New Phillips (13), Neesham (0) and Tim Finch survived two confi dent lbw Wellington’s regional stadium where Zealand by 64 runs in the third Twen- Southee (5) in the space of fi ve de- appeals in the fi rst over, then hit his the match was played without specta- ty20 international on Wednesday to liveries, suppressing New Zealand’s stride, striking the ball powerfully tors. keep the fi ve-match series alive. dangerous lower middle order. He re- down the ground and over the leg side Maxwell said he struggled at fi rst to Maxwell reached a half century from moved Mark Chapman (18) and Kyle to reach his half century from 34 balls get the pace of the pitch and took only 25 balls during an over in which he hit Jamieson (11) to snuff out any chance with a six from a free hit off Ish Sodhi. three runs - all singles - from the fi rst 28 runs - two sixes and four fours - of a late rally and achieve his second seven balls he faced before hitting his from the bowling of Jimmy Neesham. fi ve-wicket bag in T20 internationals. fi rst boundary. From then on, bounda- At its end, his innings included eight “It’s always good to get wickets, CRICKET ries came as a torrent, notably in the fours and fi ve sixes and set Australia particularly when you go wicketless 17th over when he took the long handle on course to their commanding total of in the fi rst two (matches),” Agar said. His partnership with Philippe gave to Neesham and went from 30 to 58. 208-4. “But when you have 200 on the board Australia a strong tempo which saw His innings was full of improvisa- Tall Tasmania fast bowler Riley it makes my job a lot easier. them reach 38 after fi ve over and 89 at tion and he even changed hands at one Meredith took 2-24 in his international “The boys bowled beautifully up the mid-point of their innings. point. debut, then Agar claimed six wickets in front and I was lucky to have a great Philippe, who made 2 on debut in “I wasn’t doing much good right- succession to stifl e New Zealand’s re- team around me.” Christchurch, followed his 45 in Dun- handed so I thought I’d try left-hand- ply. The home team were bowled out Finch rediscovered his form after a edin with another impressive innings of ed,” he said. for 144 in 17.1 overs. lean Big Bash season and after making 43 from 27 balls. Maxwell was out to the last ball of Meredith dismissed Tim Seifert (4) only 12 and 1 in the fi rst two matches the 18th over with Australia 194-4 and Australia’s Matthew Wade attempts to stump New Zealand’s Devon Con- Maxwell took the tempo from new way, (right), during their third T20 cricket international at Wellington Re- in his fi rst over and claimed the prized of the current series which New Zea- heights, using an impressive array of it didn’t fully capitalize, adding only 14 wicket of New Zealand captain Kane land won by 53 runs and four runs, runs from the last two overs. gional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, March 3. (AP)

Having fewer fans will be costly Suns hold off Lakers Fans from abroad unlikely for ‘postponed’ Tokyo Oly TOKYO, March 3, (AP): The new have to set one or another priority.” president of the Tokyo Olympic or- The exclusion of foreign fans has ganizing committee stopped short been almost a foregone conclusion of saying there would be no foreign with the games being held during a fans at this year’s games, but she pandemic. The Japanese public has certainly hinted at it Wednesday been openly opposed to the games, after online talks with IOC Presi- and one sticking point has been the dent Thomas Bach and others. risk presented by visitors entering The Japanese newspaper Main- the country. The other has been the ichi reported Wednesday that the soaring costs. decision had already been made to The games will involve 11,000 exclude foreign fans. It cited only Olympic athletes, and later 4,400 unnamed sources “involved in the Paralympians, and tens of thou- discussions.” sands of coaches, judges, spon- “If the situation is tough and it sors, media and VIPs. Bach said he would make the (Japanese) con- was encouraged at the number of sumers concerned, that is a situ- national Olympic committees that ation we need to avoid from hap- were getting athletes vaccinated. pening,” organizing committee The IOC said it encourages vacci- president Seiko Hashimoto said. nations but will not require them. The news- Bach said his hope was “to have paper report as many participants as possible ar- came just be- riving vaccinated to Tokyo.” fore Hashimo- “There I can inform you that a to’s meeting considerable number of national with Bach. She said a decision on OLYMPICS foreign fans will come by the end of the Olympic committees has already month, and secured this pre-Tokyo vaccina- she wants one Hashimoto tion,” Bach said. by March 25, The general plan is to isolate ath- when the torch relay begins from letes in the Olympic Village along- northeastern Japan. side Tokyo Bay; put them in a bub- The Olympics are scheduled to ble when they arrive, and until they open on July 23. leave Japan. Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) goes to the basket past Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (8) during the fi rst half of an NBA bas- “In the current situation it is im- Hashimoto said a decision on ketball game, March 2, in Washington. (AP) possible to bring in foreign specta- venue capacity will be made by the tors,” the Mainichi newspaper said, end of April. She said the “zero- citing an unnamed government of- fans option” was not discussed. fi cial. “We need to look at the overall sit- Nuggets rout Bucks, Hawks win McMillan’s debut as interim coach Hashimoto was asked after the uation before we decide on any per- meeting how Japan could even centage rates,” she said. “We believe consider letting in thousands of we will not be accepted unless the LOS ANGELES, March 3, his ninth triple-double of the season Tony Snell added 11 for the Hawks. fore the game, but never took the fl oor overseas fans, given how unpopu- citizens feel confi dent that suffi cient (AP): Dario Šarić scored 10 and 50th of his career, and the Denver Celtics 117, Clippers 112 during warmups. The team announced lar the idea is at home where up to countermeasures are taken.” Nuggets trounced Milwaukee 128-97 late in the fi rst quarter that he had been 80% want the Olympics canceled Having fewer fans will be cost- of his 21 points in the fourth to snap the Bucks’ fi ve-game winning In Boston, Kemba Walker had 25 ruled out. He has missed seven previ- points and six assists, and the Boston or postponed again. Japan has at- ly. The organizing committee has quarter, Mikal Bridges add- streak. ous games this season, including two tributed about 8,000 deaths to budgeted income of $800 million Jamal Murray added 24 points as the Celtics took advantage of a late scratch for a mouth laceration, two while in the ed 19 and the Phoenix Suns of All-Star Kawhi Leonard and held off COVID-19, but has controlled it from ticket sales. That shortfall Nuggets earned their third straight vic- health and safety protocols and three for much better than most countries. will have to be made up by Japa- overcame Devin Booker’s tory and showed no signs of wear one the Los Angeles Clippers 117-112 . a bruised leg. Jaylen Brown fi nished with 18 points. Hashimoto confi rmed that the nese government entities. ejection for a 114-104 victory night after winning 118-112 at Chicago. Spurs 119, Knicks 83 subject of fans was a key part of the These are the most expensive Denver handed Milwaukee its most lop- Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard each over the Los Angeles Lakers added 14 as the Celtics posted three In San Antonio, Trey Lyles scored a “fi ve-party” talks with Bach, Inter- Olympics on record. The offi cial sided loss of the year and shot 55.8%, national Paralympic Committee cost is $15.4 billion, though two on Tuesday night. the highest fi eld-goal percentage by any straight victories for the fi rst time since season-high 18 points, Dejounte Mur- Booker scored 17 points before January. ray added 17 and the San Antonio Spurs President Andrew Parsons, Tokyo government audits suggest it might Bucks opponent this season. Governor Yuriko Koike and Olym- be almost twice that much. All but getting ejected for arguing with 7:10 Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 The Clippers, who have lost fi ve of used a balanced effort to beat New York left in the third quarter. The Suns eight, played without Leonard after he 119-83 , ending the Knicks’ three-game pic Minister Tamayo Marukawa. $6.7 billion is public money. points and eight rebounds for Milwau- winning streak. (23-11) still took charge down the kee as the Bucks fi nished an eight-game was ruled out shortly before the game Bach hinted at hard choices to The Tokyo Games have been due to back spasms. San Antonio had eight players score be made in comments before the haunted by problems. A bribery stretch and cruised to their 15th vic- homestand in which they went 5-3. at least eight points, with Patty Mills and Khris Middleton added 20 points. Paul George led Los Angeles with 32 meeting was closed to reporters. scandal tied to the bid in 2013 tory in 18 games while also moving Luka Samanic each adding 14 points in “We will focus on the essentials,” forced the resignation two years past the defending champions (24- Antetokounmpo had his string of four points. Reggie Jackson took Leonard’s place in the starting lineup and fi nished the Spurs’ seventh straight home victory Bach said. “That means mainly the ago of Japanese Olympic Commit- 12) into second place in the Western straight games with at least 35 points over New York. end. The reigning two-time MVP was with 25 points and seven assists. competitions. This has to be the tee President Tsunekazu Takeda. Conference by winning percentage. Leonard was listed as a starter be- Immanuel Quickley led New York clear focus. In this respect we may He denied any wrongdoing. LeBron James scored 38 points for one off the team record owned by Ka- with 26 points. RJ Barrett added 15 and Los Angeles, which has lost fi ve of reem Abdul-Jabbar, who scored at least All-Star Julius Randle had 14. seven with mounting injury problems. 35 points in fi ve straight games on two The Knicks had won seven of nine en- Dennis Schröder added 17 points, but separate occasions during the 1972-73 tering Tuesday’s game, but were never the Lakers couldn’t keep up without reg- season. P.J. Dozier had 19 points, Will able to fi nd a consistent rhythm against NBA Results/Standings Barton 14, Michael Porter Jr. 11 and the Spurs. Monte Morris 10 for Denver. Brook New York had 16 turnovers while BASKETBALL Lopez had 12 points for Milwaukee. failing to score 100 points for the fi rst Hawks 94, Heat 80 time since a 107-89 loss at Orlando on WASHINGTON, March 3, (AP): NBA results and standings on Tuesday. Feb. 17. Memphis 125 Washington 111 San Antonio 119 New York 93 In Miami, Trae Young took over late Atlanta 94 Miami 80 Denver 128 Milwaukee 97 ulars Anthony Davis, Kyle Kuzma and and made sure Nate McMillan would Grizzlies 125,Wizards 111 Marc Gasol. Boston 117 LA Clippers 112 Phoenix 114 LA Lakers 104 win his debut as interim coach of the At- In Washington, Ja Morant had 35 Eastern Conference Western Conference Kuzma was a late scratch with a Atlantic Division Southwest Division bruised right heel, while Gasol missed lanta Hawks. points and 10 assists, De’Anthony Mel- Young scored 18 points, including 13 W L Pct GB W L Pct GB his fi rst game under the NBA’s health ton and Dillon Brooks each added 20 Philadelphia 23 12 .657 - San Antonio 18 13 .581 - and safety protocols. straight for his team in the fourth quar- points, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat Brooklyn 23 13 .639 -1/2 Memphis 16 15 .516 2 Booker was whistled for two technical ter, and the Hawks snapped Miami’s the Washington Wizards 125-111 . Boston 18 17 .514 5 Dallas 17 16 .515 2 fouls in remarkably rapid succession, re- six-game winning streak by beating the Jonas Valanciunas had 11 points and Toronto 17 17 .500 5-1/2 New Orleans 15 19 .441 4-1/2 Heat 94-80. New York 18 18 .500 5-1/2 Houston 11 22 .333 8 sulting in the All-Star’s second ejection 16 rebounds for Memphis, which has Southeast Division Northwest Division in just over fi ve weeks. John Collins scored 17 for Atlanta, won back-to-back road games for the W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Moments before Booker’s ejection, which lost at Miami on Sunday and fi red fi rst time since winning four in a row Miami 17 18 .486 - Utah 27 8 .771 - James and Lakers coach Frank Vogel coach Lloyd Pierce on Monday. Kevin away as part of a seven-game win streak Charlotte 16 18 .471 -1/2 Portland 19 14 .576 7 Huerter scored 16 for the Hawks and Atlanta 15 20 .429 2 Denver 20 15 .571 7 got simultaneous technicals for arguing from Jan. 8 to Feb. 1. Washington 13 20 .394 3 Oklahoma City 14 20 .412 12-1/2 a no-call on Chris Paul. Clint Capela had 10 points and 17 re- After a dominant second quarter, the Orlando 13 22 .371 4 Minnesota 7 28 .200 20 The Suns snapped their fi ve-game bounds. Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Grizzlies led by double digits for all but Central Division Pacifi c Division skid against the Lakers at Staples Center Duncan Robinson and Goran Dragic Schroder, (right), shoots as Phoe- 44 seconds of the second half to follow a W L Pct GB W L Pct GB nix Suns forward Abdel Nader de- Milwaukee 21 14 .600 - Phoenix 23 11 .676 - since November 2017. each scored 14 for Miami, which missed 133-84 victory at Houston with another Indiana 15 18 .455 5 LA Lakers 24 12 .667 - a chance to get over .500 for the fi rst fends during the second half of an comfortable win. Russell Westbrook had Chicago 15 18 .455 5 LA Clippers 24 13 .649 -1/2 Nuggets 128 , Bucks 97 time this season. Bam Adebayo scored NBA basketball game, March 2, in 23 points and 15 assists for the Wizards, Cleveland 14 21 .400 7 Golden State 19 16 .543 4-1/2 In Milwaukee, Nikola Jokic had 37 11 for the Heat, who shot 37% - their Los Angeles.The Suns won 114- but also committed eight of Washing- Detroit 9 25 .265 11-1/2 Sacramento 13 21 .382 10 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for fourth-worst showing of the season. 104. (AP) ton’s 22 turnovers.

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