soccer

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MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 / SHABAAN 16, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17649 16 PAGES 150 FILS Iran, China sign critical co-op pact

‘Strategic’

TEHRAN, March 28, (Agencies): Iran and China on Sat- The deal marked the first time Iran has signed such a lengthy agreement with a major recent years. That’s down from nearly $52 billion in 2014, however, because of world power. In 2001, Iran and Russia singed a 10-year cooperation agreement, mainly a decline in oil prices and U.S. sanctions imposed in 2018 after then-President urday signed a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement in the nuclear field, that was lengthened to 20 years through two five-year extensions. Donald Trump pulled the U.S. unilaterally out of a nuclear deal between Iran and addressing economic issues amid crippling U.S. sanctions Before the ceremony Saturday, Yi met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and world powers, saying it needed to be renegotiated. on Iran, state TV reported. special Iranian envoy in charge of the deal Ali Larijani. Iran has pulled away from restrictions imposed under the deal under those sanc- The agreement dubbed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, cov- Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, on Friday called tions in order to put pressure on the other signatories - Germany, France, Britain, the agreement “deep, multi-layer and full-fledged.” Russia and China - to provide new economic incentives to offset U.S. sanctions. ers a variety of economic activity from oil and mining to promoting indus- The deal, which had been discussed since 2016, also supports tourism and cul- Iran and China enjoy a “strategic” relationship based on shared viewpoints over trial activity in Iran, as well as transportation and agricultural collabora- tural exchanges. It comes on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplo- regional and global matters, Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, just before the two tions, according to the report. matic relations between China and Iran. countries sealed the 25-year cooperation agreement. No additional details of the agreement were revealed as Iran’s Foreign Minister The two countries have had warm relations and both took part in a joint naval Citing Beijing as Iran’s “largest trade partner” amid talks with Chinese Foreign Mohammad Javad Zarif and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi took part in a cer- exercise in 2019 with Russia in the northern Indian Ocean. Minister, Rouhani urged more progress on bilateral deals, which include crucial emony marking the event. Reportedly, Iran and China have done some $20 billion in trade annually in sectors such as infrastructure and energy, state media reported.

Photo by Royal Commission for AlUla Photo shows AlUla Old Town. The AlUla Old Town has welcomed its first visitors back after a three-year hiatus. – See Pages 2 & 3

Opinion 32 MPs to boycott Tuesday’s session End of Iranian arrogance, Bid to prevent new govt from taking oath

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Earlier, Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim invited the MPs to the up- gallows, keys to hell gates Arab Times Staff coming session. The new government is expected to take oath during this ses- sion whose agenda includes six bills and two grilling motions against HH the By Ahmed Al-Jarallah KUWAIT CITY, March 28: A total of 32 MPs have announced that they will Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid. Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times boycott the parliamentary session stated for Tuesday in a bid to prevent the MPs Khalid Al-Otaibi, Thamer Al-Suwait and Badr Al-Dahoum submitted new government from taking the constitutional oath in front of the National one of the grilling motions against the premier; whereas MPs Muhammad Al- THE end of authoritarianism is a historical inevitability that cannot be prevented by Assembly. Mutair and Hamdan Al-Azmi submitted the other. the reliance of the tyrants on the strength of their control over their people through As per Article 142 of the oppression. No matter how long it takes, there will come a day when the bridle of ar- National Assembly Decree, rogance will collapse and the flood of popular anger will drown them in tragic ends. Shippers still avoid the first grilling motion is sup- This fact applies to the Mullahs regime, which uses repression and terror as a posed to be removed from the means to prolong its control over the people. However, just as the revolution in the Egypt’s Suez Canal agenda because of the resigna- late 18th century served as the deluge that ended French tyranny after long suffering, tion of the former government. the same will certainly apply to the Mullahs. SUEZ, Egypt, March 28, (AP): The second grilling motion fo- In this regard, one can refer to what was narrated about Napoleon Bonaparte, who Two additional tugboats sped cuses on one issue -- selective was deceived by strength, when one of his advisers told him, “You have to beware Sunday to Egypt’s Suez Canal to enforcement of laws. of people’s anger, as 90 percent of the people are against you”. Bonaparte’s response aid efforts to free a skyscraper- In a related development, was, “I am not afraid ... it suffices that ten percent of these people are with me, and sized container ship wedged for MP Osama Al-Menawer clari- they are the soldiers who carry arms. These are the source of strength, while the rest days across the crucial waterway, fi ed that he was not enthusias- possesses nothing but emotions, and emotions do not kill a person”. even as major shippers increas- tic about boycotting the ses- Since 1979, the Mullahs regime, as a way of hallowing its rule, merged the religious ingly divert their boats out of fear sion earlier; but this step seems cloak with suppression as a means to quell any opposition. While there is a small politi- the vessel may take even longer necessary now considering the cal system that controls military force, security services and the courts through which it to free. government committed several exercises its arrogance, at the same time it fears about 80 million Iranians. The massive Ever Given, violations, such as the measures Therefore, the Mullahs preoccupy the Iranians with stories related to cosmic con- a Panama-flagged, Japanese- taken regarding the parliamenta- spiracy against their country. owned ship that carries cargo be- ry membership of Bader Al-Da- In addition to misinformation, it practices systematic terrorism directly or through tween Asia and Europe, got stuck houm and referring participants agents abroad, suggesting that this is self-defense, and therefore any resistance to it is Tuesday in a single-lane stretch Ever Given, a Panama-flagged cargo ship, that is wedged across the Suez Ca- in a press conference held at Al- of the canal. In the time since, nal and blocking traffic in the vital waterway is seen, March 27. Tugboats and a Dahoum’s house to the Public treachery. It works to apply the law in a theatrical manner to carry out random execu- specialized suction dredger worked to dislodge a giant container ship that has tions, reclaiming the method of the Iraqi Mahdawi Court, which was used by Abdul- authorities have been unable Prosecution. to remove the vessel and traffic been stuck sideways in Egypt’s Suez Canal for the past three days, blocking a MP Khalid Al-Otaibi said: “We Karim Qasim, to humiliate opposition, torture and execute them even on suspicion. crucial waterway for global shipping. (AP) The Mullahs regime has taken this path since Khomeini took power in 1979, through the canal - valued at over cannot believe that the govern- when he adopted execution as a means of terrorizing his people. He had ordered $9 billion a day - has been halted, ment woke up all of a sudden and the execution of about 88,000 dissidents within a year, seeking to instill fear in the further disrupting a global ship- is now willing to ratify important hearts of Iranians. ping network already strained by bills.” He asserted the inclusion of Despite the cruelty of this, the open opposition to the repressive practices contin- the coronavirus pandemic. Newswatch certain bills in the agenda of the ued. This almost toppled the regime, which deliberately stirred up national fervor by The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard upcoming session is a trick aimed igniting the war with Iraq, portraying it as a holy war and a divine order. This regime and the Italian-flagged Carlo at ensuring quorum for the gov- invented the so-called “keys to heaven” to lure young people to go to the front-lines. Magno, called in to help tug- ernment to take the constitutional boats already there, reached the KUWAIT CITY: His Highness the 14,539, with 250 of them in intensive This matter did not stop at Iran, as the countries controlled by its militias endure care units, according to health min- oath. He urged his colleagues to Red Sea near the city of Suez Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- be vigilant in order to avoid fall- the same repressive approach, although by more hideous methods such as assassina- Jaber Al-Sabah on Saturday sent a istry spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al- tions and extra-judicial killings carried out by its gangs in Iraq against any voice that early Sunday, satellite data from Sanad. ing in such a trap. MarineTraffic.com showed. The cable of condolences to Egypt’s Pres- In addition, constitutional ex- speaks out against Iranian hegemony. ident Abdelfattah Al-Sisi. He revealed that some 7,729 swab This is also the case in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is exercising killings and sys- tugboats will nudge the 400-me- tests were conducted over the last day pert Dr Muhammad Al-Fili dis- ter-long (quarter-mile-long) Ever In the cable, His Highness ex- closed that 33 MPs and ministers tematic starvation against the people, seeking to impose its hegemony on the state. pressed sincere condolences over the out of a total of 2,022,843, adding that As for Yemen, the matter is more clear, as the Houthi gang is killing everyone Given as dredgers continue to the positive case to test ratio amounted must attend the session to achieve vacuum up sand from underneath victims of the building that collapsed who opposes it or rejects its religious approach in public. At the same time, it tightens in Cairo earlier in the day. to 15.5 percent over the past 24 hours, quorum. He explained the minis- the screws on the citizens, who are taking them as hostage in an attempt to establish the vessel and mud caked to its His Highness the Amir prayed to government data showed. (KUNA) ters are included in the count even itself as a de facto power, but it has failed in gaining popular support since 2011. port side, said Bernhard Schulte Allah Almighty to bestow mercy on ❑ ❑ ❑ if they have yet to take oath in This gang has resorted to a new way of stealing humanitarian aid. In an attempt Shipmanagement, which man- the souls of victims, wishing a speedy front of the Assembly. JEDDAH: Saudi led-coalition forces to distract the Yemenis from their daily issues, it has deliberately ignited war on the ages the Ever Given. recovery to those injured. Workers planned to make two in support of legitimacy in Yemen Also: rest of the forces opposing it, in addition to attacking Yemen’s neighbors through its His Highness the Crown Prince attempts Sunday to free the ves- said Sunday that it has destroyed two KUWAIT CITY: Minister of Pub- terrorist operations against the innocent and armed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al- sel coinciding with high tides Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness laden drones launched by Yemen’s lic Works and Minister of State In other words, this gang is killing the Yemenis twice - once by starving them, and helped by a full moon Sunday Houthi group toward southern Saudi for Communication and Informa- the other by bombing them. the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah night, a top pilot with the canal Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent territories. tion Technology Affairs Rana Due to the fact that the end of tyranny is always ugly, there is no doubt that the end authority said. The full moon of- In a statement issued on Saudi Al-Fares on Saturday announced of the Tehran regime’s tyranny will not differ from the fate of Napoleon, who died similar cables. (KUNA) fers a spring tide, or king tide, in ❑ ❑ ❑ Press Agency (SPA),the coalition’s that an urgent complaint has been in exile on St. Helena island about 2,000 kilometres from his country, as well as the which high tides are higher and spokesman, Colonel Turki Al-Malki submitted to the Public Prosecu- end of Hitler and Mussolini. the low tides are lower because KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait on Saturday said that The Houthi militias’ hostile tion against those responsible for Email: [email protected] of the effects of gravity during said its daily tally of coronavirus in- attempts to target civilians and civil cutting cables supplying the inter- a straight-line alignment of the fections jumped by 1,198 to take the areas is considered a direct violation net earlier today and damaging it. Follow me on: Earth, the moon and the sun. total to 227,178, while nine fatalities of the international humanitarian law. In a press release, she added “Sunday is very critical,” the over the past 24 hours raised its death He also added that coalition forces that perpetrators would be held pilot said. “It will determine the toll from the outbreak to 1,279. will take the best actions to deal with responsible for all damages, re- next step, which highly likely in- The number of people hospital- these drones in order to protect civil- ferring to the application of pen- [email protected] volves at least the partial offload- ized with the virus currently stands at ians in the city. (KUNA) alties included in the contractor’s ing of the vessel.” contract. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 2

TELLS A STORY

AlUla old town

lUla Old Town has welcomed its fi rst visitors back mer residents and others to visit, however, over the years Aafter a three year hiatus for extensive restoration environmental damage took its toll and it was becoming and conservation in sections of the town’s tightly packed seriously dilapidated. stone and mudbrick buildings. The site was then closed to visitors in 2017 by the Roy- The site, one of four signifi cant heritage sites in AlUla, al Commission for AlUla (RCU) and plans put in place to the home of ancient Kingdoms, is now offi cially open as protect and restore it for the enjoyment of the local com- a year round tourism precinct and will offer four new eat- munity and visitors for future generations. eries, a suq, entertainment and a handicraft pavilion when Since then, restoration efforts have been focused on re- works are completed. AlUla Old Town is estimated to have been established medial conservation in accordance with UNESCO princi- in the 12th century and was inhabited from then until the ples and international standards for the Conservation and 1980s when the last residents left for more modern hous- Restoration of Monuments and Sites. After fi rst repairing ing. For the next nearly 40 years the site was open for for- Continued on Page 3 ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the next to moderate freshening at times Jahra 27 14 Prayer Timings 24 hours: over coastal areas north westerly Failaka Island - - Fajr ...... 04:22 Asr ...... 15:23 By Day: Warm with moder- wind with speeds of 15-45 km/h. Salmiyah 23 16 Sunrise .. 05:42 Maghrib .. 18:04 ate to fresh north westerly wind Station Max Exp Min Rec Ahmadi 24 16 Zohr ...... 11:53 Isha ...... 19:21 with speeds of 20-55 km/h with a Kuwait City 25 15 Nuwaisib 28 16 chance for rising dust. Kuwait Airport 25 15 Wafra 29 14 By Night: Rather cold with light Abdaly 24 11 Salmy 26 10

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

Mabanee Co dips 7 fi ls, Zain ends fl at Kuwait index closes in red, volume ticks up

By John Mathews fi ls to 797 fi ls after pushing 3.6 million points and fl ipped as selling weighed Arab Times Staff shares while Boubyan Bank dialed down on some of the counters. It continued ▲ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30215/250.30215/25 2 fi ls extending last session’s downtick. to erode half way into the session and KUWAIT CITY, March 28: Kuwait Mabanee Co was down 7 fi ls at 727 fi ls moved sideways thereafter. It bottomed ▲ Euro/KD 0.3569 stocks pulled slightly lower on Sunday and Boursa Kuwait Securities gave up 7 at 5,765 points in the fi nal minutes be- after charting lackluster course in the fi ls. Gulf Cable skidded 13 fi ls to 857 fi ls . fore closing with small losses. ■ Yen/KD 0.0027 previous week. The All Shares Index, Zain was unchanged at 635 fi ls after Top gainer of the day, Al Eid soared gave early gains to close 10.90 pts down pushing 2.8 million shares while Ooredoo 11.88 pct to 179 fi ls while YIACO sprint- ▲ British £/KD 0.4173 at 5,760 points weighed mostly by blue shed 14 fi ls. stc added 3 fi ls whereas logis- ed 9.9 percent to stand next. KFIC skid- chips. tics major Agility closed 3 fi ls down 725 ded 10.7 percent, the steepest decliner of ▲ Indian Rs/KD 0.0042 Ancient walls of the Old Town. The Premier Market dropped 10.91pts fi ls with a volume of 1.6 million shares. the day while Arzan topped the volume to 6,321.98 points paring the month’s Humansoft Holding stood pat at KD 3.700 with 22.9 million shares. ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 Continued from Page 2 gains to 154 pts while Main Market and Mezzan Holding too did not budge Kuwait Cement Co paused at 225 fi ls the Tantora Wall, the town’s sundial and a cherished landmark, the inched shed 11.24 points. The BK Main from its earlier close of KD 1.128. whereas Kuwait Portland Cement darted ▲ initial conservation program for the homes and mosques of AlUla 50 was down 9.86 points at 4,855.71 pts. National Industries Group eased 1 fi l 7 fi ls to 875 fi ls. Shuaiba Industrial fell FTSE +65.76 pts at closing March 26 Old Town was composed of three main phases: studies such as ma- The volume turnover meanwhile saw a to 184 fi ls after moving 1.4 million shares 6 fi ls to 162 fi ls whereas Metal and Re- modest bounce following the fi ve-day while Gulf Cable sprinted 13 fi ls to 857 cycling Co added 4 fi ls. NICBM dialed terials testing and site-wide drainage; comprehensive survey of the ▲ Nikkei +446.82 pts at closing March 26 buildings to include 3D laser scanning; and stabilising and conserv- drop. Over 186 million shares changed fi ls. Boubyan Petrochemical Co climbed closed 2 fi ls lower at 150 fi ls. Independ- ing a set of homes, two mosques and two main streets. hands – a 12 percent rise from Thursday. 5 fi ls to 844 fi ls whereas Al Qurain Pet- ent Petroleum Group dropped 9 fi ls to 480 The latest phase of the project commenced in November 2019 The sectors closed mostly in red. Health- rochemical Co gave up 3 fi ls. Jazeera Air- fi ls while Combined Group Contracting ▼ Gold 1727.85 per oz (London) and the conserved area is now open for visitors. In addition, the care outshone the rest with 0.22 pct gain ways skidded 9 fi ls to 696 fi ls paring the Co scaled 9 fi ls. Kuwait Gulf Links was whereas Insurance dipped 1.3 percent, the month’s gains to 58 fi ls while ALAFCO unchanged at 50 fi ls. Incense Road running adjacent to the town has been activated and worst performer of the day. Volume wise, clipped 2 fi ls. Integrated Holdig Co and The market has been largely downbeat ▲ NYMEX crude $60.80 per barrel is now a vibrant area for shopping, eating and entertainment. Financial Services topped with 87 million Aznour was unchanged at 400 fi ls and during the previous week. The main index Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Of- shares while Banking sector was ahead in 258 fi ls respectively. closed lower in three of the fi ve sessions, ▲ Brent crude $64.33 per barrel fi cer, RCU is delighted to be able to welcome visitors to this hugely value with 8.5 million shares. The market opened fi rm and edged shedding 94 points week-on-week. It has signifi cant and fascinating site. In the individual shares, sector bell- higher in early trade. The main index gained 105 points from the start of the LIBOR rate 0.19900% ‘AlUla Old Town is an important chapter in AlUla’s journey wether National Bank of Kuwait fell 3 scaled the day’s highest level of 5,782 month and is up 188 points year-to-date. through time. The site is key to the understanding, continuity, and evolution of the historic routes for trade and pilgrimage that made AlUla such a signifi cant destination until the 20th century as it is for visitors again today,’ said Phillip. Today visitors can access AlUla Old Town to stroll along the Incense Road which is lined with fruit and produce market stalls as ‘Get your shot, stick to health rules’ well as arts and crafts, fashion and souvenirs. Visitors can dwell at one of the open air eateries along the road including AlUla’s new- est fi ne dining restaurant Suhail, offering traditional Saudi food, the more casual One o One Burger or one of several traditional. A ‘Options for normal life’ handicraft pavilion to see live demonstrations of ancient arts and craft and a day / night suq is also coming soon. KUWAIT CITY, March 28: The For a more immersive deep dive experience visitors can book a tour, which will access the specially restored streets which visit government has defi ned the ‘equa- Tantora Plaza and Sundial, the two restored mosques of AlZawiyah tion’ for returning to normal and Hamad bin Yunis and up to the citadel for bird’s eye views of life — getting vaccinated against the town, as well as the recently conserved homes in the southern COVID-19 and continuing the im- end of town. They have the option to do this self-guided or with a rawi, one of AlUla’s skilled storytellers. plementation of health regulations, Cultural Heritage Conservation Manager Michael Jones stresses reports Al-Rai daily quoting sourc- there is much more yet to be done. es from the health sector. ‘The team has been working on conserving the southern and Sources said the Kuwait Vaccination Cent- eastern areas of AlUla Old Town and applying conservation best er at the exhibition grounds in Mishref has practice, experimenting with different mud brick and plasters and been witnessing massive turnout of citizens creating guidelines for best practice in conservation of earthen ar- and expatriates for several days. chitecture in AlUla. The guidelines are in the fi nal stages of prepa- Sources affi rmed that “the path towards return- ration, but there is more yet to be done on the interiors of the houses ing to normal life is now known and determined. along the street near the mosques, as well as the rest of Old Town,’ People must be vaccinated in conjunction with said Michael. continuous adherence to health regulations until AlUla Old Town is open now and is free for visitors to pursue the community immunity is achieved through the vac- market stalls and access Suhail. Tours on the restored pathways can cination of about 70 percent of the population.” be booked online at experiencealula.com Sources pointed out that the rate of corona vi- Backgrounder rus infection among medical personnel, who have About Alula Old Town completed vaccination, is “almost zero.” They as- Located in the narrowest part of the AlUla valley, AlUla Old serted this is a manifestation of the effectiveness Town is built on a slight elevation, and is overlooked by AlUla and usefulness of vaccination, recalling the epide- “Castle”, formerly a citadel which probably dates to at least the miological situation during the same period last 10th century. The town itself is estimated to have been established year when infections were still being announced Photo by Mahmoud Jadeed in the 12th century and played an important role in the development among workers in the medical sector. Police personnel seen at the Erada Square near the National Assembly building. of AlUla’s agriculture and water management. Sources expect a remarkable acceleration of More than 900 properties have been identifi ed in AlUla Old the vaccination pace starting from the beginning MoI declares Erada Square ‘no-go’ area Town which includes 400 shops and fi ve rahbas, or town squares. of next month, especially with the launching of Among the materials used to build the town are stone blocks, mud vaccination campaigns for workers in commercial establishments towards the end of March. The Ministry of Interior has declared and taken to the Salhiya Police Sta- to the Corona pandemic, in addi- brick and date palm trunks. The houses were accessed by a narrow Sources disclosed those entering Kuwait who the Al-Erada Square a ‘no go’ area tion and released after taking nec- tion to calls from citizens on social street network often measuring less than three metres wide. received one dose of the vaccine in the country after twelfth-grade students called essary measures. media to hold the fi rst conference Using natural pigments, artistic and decorative wall art images where they came from will be allowed to take the for a gathering while another group A security source told the Al- under the slogan ‘No Corrup- are still visible throughout the town and include local plants and second dose as scheduled, provided they take the called for a press conference under Seyassah the Ministry of Interior tion’, at 12:00 noon, pointing out animals, household objects such as Arabic coffee jugs, calligraphy same type of vaccine and present proof of receiv- the title ‘Stop Corruption’, reports prevented the sit-in that the stu- that the ministry closed the Erada and abstract symbols. Later examples of artworks include depic- ing the fi rst dose. Al-Seyassah daily. dents had called for a few days Square with police patrols and tions of cars and buses. Within the framework of the Ministry of However, during the course of ago, expressing their refusal to prevented entry citing health rea- The settlement was supported by the fertile land of the oasis Health’s efforts to expand the vaccination plat- action three Kuwaitis were arrested answer the exams on paper due sons. just to the east and was supplied with groundwater from a series forms; sources confi rmed the continuation of of human-made underground and surface canals. The residents of negotiations to reserve Johnson & Johnson and AlUla Old Town had oasis ‘summer homes’ and farming proper- Moderna vaccines, as well as to ensure that these Priority for Kuwaitis; from 18-50 yrs ties, where they tended groves, gardens and fi elds, which provid- vaccines arrive in Kuwait once they are approved. ed foods including dates, cereal crops, fruits and vegetables. The Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs and fertility resulted in AlUla being described as a “land of milk and Community Development has decided to allow honey” into the early twentieth century. the private nurseries to open when the government ‘Defense’ opens door for pro volunteers Other structures found outside the town included public baths, schools return to business as usual and called on butchers’ shops and walled cemeteries. the ministry schools to prepare the schools from By Munif Nayef The decision says those who wish registration and admission procedures. About the conservation work June until August 2021 to receive the students, Al-Seyassah Staff to volunteer must be between 18 and The volunteer job duration is fi ve years Heritage Conservation Consulting Inc. (HCC), directed by Dr says Al-Seyassah. 50 years; must healthy, fi t for military which can be renewed. The ministry said in a statement during this pe- KUWAIT CITY, March 28: Deputy service and the height should not be ❑ ❑ ❑ Mahmoud Bendakir, has completed stabilisation and conservation Prime Minister and Minister of De- less than 155; in addition the applicant work on the Tantora Wall, houses and a street through it known inter- riod the schools must be fully sterilized and all health guidelines must be respected in addition to fense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali has must have a proven good conduct and The National Hospitals Union has nally as the Pilot Project Area at the southern end of Old Town. HCC determining the number of children in accordance opened the door for volunteers in the pass the interview and be profi cient appreciated the efforts of the Minister has also conserved a street along the east side of town to the cita- with the requirements of the Ministry of Health. Kuwaiti army in the rank of a profes- in the work required of him, and that of Health, Sheikh Dr. Basil Al-Sabah, del and has completely restored two mosques there. In some places, A representative of the Kuwait Nurseries sional soldier. the educational certifi cate obtained is and all those in charge of the vaccina- more work on the interiors of houses has yet to be done. Just before Group, Hanan Al-Maahka, has requested the min- The decision issued by the minister approved and certifi ed by the offi cial tion campaign, including undersecre- reaching the citadel, the path connects with the street already restored istry not to link the return of nurseries to the return says priority is given for Kuwaitis, fol- authorities.. taries and assistant undersecretaries by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Heritage (SCTH). of the school citing difference in the two activi- lowed by children of Kuwaiti women The decision says, if the person was and all workers at the Kuwait Vaccina- The work of HCC has applied conservation best practice, experi- ties and said the nurseries be allowed to return in married to non-Kuwaitis and children previously convicted by a court or in- tion Center, reports Al-Rai daily. menting with different mud brick and plasters and creating guide- mid-April. of non-Kuwaitis who are registered volved in case of dishonor or dishon- The union expressed its sincere lines for best practice in conservation of earthen architecture in She said the nurseries are care homes that pro- during the 1965 census or those who esty will not be considered. thanks and gratitude for the efforts AlUla. The guidebook is being prepared by CRAterre under the su- vide care and foster services for the child, from prove their origins in Kuwait before The decision, in its fi fth article, made in vaccinating the front rows pervision of Dr David Gandreau and Sébastien Moriset, who have birth to the pre-school stage through specialized that time or children of non-Kuwaiti states that the Public Authority for workers -- medical and technical staff also conducted materials testing and other studies. Work began in early childhood programs. soldiers. Manpower (PAM) will organize the in private hospitals. November 2019 and the areas mentioned above were fi nished in December 2020. The most serious challenge was the need to stabilize dangerous ‘Sexagenarians’ Woman critical bulging and compromised walls and ceilings. As the buildings are often structurally interconnected, especially by the tayarahs (rooms at the fi rst storey that span the street), it is necessary to address Call to hike fees in home blaze problems across groups of buildings rather than just addressing is- sues in single building units. Also, in their partially collapsed con- KUWAIT CITY, March 28: The KUWAIT CITY, March 28: The dition, houses had achieved an equilibrium which had to be man- Labor Department directors have Directorate-General of Fire De- aged so that conservation intervention would not increase structural submitted a proposal to the Pub- partment (DGFD) said a Kuwaiti stress and endanger both the buildings and visitors to the site. lic Authority for Manpower (PAM) woman who inhaled smoke and Restoration of centuries old Hamad Bin Yunis and AlZawiyah to increase the fee for renewing the suffered burns when a Kuwaiti mosques in AlUla’s Old Town was completed in September 2020, work permit of expatriates, who are house in Bayan caught fi re is in using traditional methods and materials ensuring authenticity of the above 60 years old with high school critical condition, reports Al- buildings. Archaeological trenches excavated in each mosque this diploma and below, to KD 100 and Seyassah daily. month have revealed earlier phases of construction. double the amount annually, reports In a press statement, the The use of traditional methods and materials in the conservation Al-Qabas daily. DGFD said the fi re broke out on work refl ect the lessons learned from the AlUla community’s histo- This will prevent the renewal of the ground fl oor of a three-storey ry and RCU’s commitment to international best-practice standards work permits for this category as the house trapping six people inside. in heritage restoration and conservation. fee will double annually. The option Acting on information fi remen then is to transfer to family visa or self- rushed to the site of the fi re and The objects found during the course of removing the collapsed sponsorship as per the Residency Law. immediately started work to res- debris include, for example, a large number of items that the peo- Since January, hundreds of ex- cue the people trapped inside the ple who left Old Town did not need in their new lives: grinding patriates above 60 years old have house, including a woman. stones, wooden boxes used for storage, discarded saucepans and transferred their visas to articles 22 Emergency medical techni- other kitchen items, and some items of clothing. (family or dependent visa) and 24 cians confi rmed her condition is Residents of Old Town (self-sponsorship). critical. The fi remen are investi- Members of the community, some of them children and grand- Meanwhile, PAM denied the audio gating the cause of the fi re. children of former residents, such as Abdulrahman AlImam, joined clip, which went viral on social me- On the other hand, the fi re- the international experts to lend their knowledge and deep interest dia, stating there are exceptions such fi ghting teams put out two fi res in revitalising the Old Town. Indeed, recording oral histories of the as those who were born in Kuwait, that broke out in a house in the Old Town from AlUla’s community has been vital to building up have been residing in the country for Khaitan and an apartment in a better understanding of its history and role in wider Saudi and more than 25 years and are engaged Hawalli, but no casualties have Islamic society and ensuring an authentic essence lives on in this in certain professions. been reported from these two cultural heart of AlUla. fi res. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 LOCAL 4

EPA records 225 violations in February: official ‘Social Affairs’ forms 6 special inspection teams for Ramadan KUWAIT CITY, March 28: An offi- and address the concerned govern- Relations and Information at the environmental violations that were cial source in the Ministry of Social ment agencies, such as the minis- Environment Public Authority committed either by individuals, Affairs told the Al-Anba daily the tries of Commerce and (EPA), Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, said the companies and institutions. ministry has formed 6 special inspec- Communications, to take the neces- authority recorded 225 violations She pointed out 114 cases were set- tion teams during Ramadan, in addi- sary legal measures. last February, and that some of these tled amicably after paying the finesse. tion to a special team which will The source pointed the Social violations have been referred to the She explained that the EPA continues monitor unauthorized companies Affairs Ministry coordinates with the Public Prosecution and or were set- its monitoring and inspection work and which collect donations, whether Ministry of Awqaf in the area of col- tled amicably after paying the fines, through messages on WhatsApp ser- lecting donations inside mosques reports Al-Anba daily. will not tolerate environmental viola- vice or via SMS messages or any during the month of Ramadan, pro- Al-Ibrahim told the daily the latest tions in any of the sectors with the aim other means of communication, vided this is done in adherence to census conducted by the EPA on its of protecting the environment and pub- reports Al-Anba daily. health requirements and approved activities during the past month lic health, stressing that the process of The source asserted that the min- rules for collecting donations. shows 121 cases were referred to the recording violations is to deter the vio- istry will monitor these violations Meanwhile, the Director of Public Public Prosecution Office concerning lators. ‘Ample supply of food stuff available, not affected by Suez Canal incident’

Photo by Rizk Taufiq ‘Kuwait mostly imports from East Asia and India’ Swarms of locusts in one of the areas.

KUWAIT CITY, No crops damaged: PAAAFR March 28: The country has ample supply of food products – most of ‘Locusts using country’s airspace which are imported from East Asia and as a stage of transit, not to settle’ India, reports Al-Qabas KUWAIT CITY, March 28: For the reduces the fears associated with the second day in a row, teams from the survival of some swarms in desert areas daily quoting a reliable Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs or even in some residential areas for source from Kuwait and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) contin- limited periods, especially in light of Ports Authority (KPA). ued to track and monitor the locust the persistence of dust during the past This came after KPA swarms in a number of areas, after they two days. advised shipping companies entered Kuwait from Saudi Arabia and These swarms gradually leave the and agents to inform the across the country’s coastal strip, reports country’s airspace with the rising tem- Al-Qabas daily. peratures. They pass over Wafra farms authority about changes in the According to reliable sources from as a transit station without settling there. dates of cargo ships’ arrival PAAAFR, the teams spotted swarms of All the agricultural crops are intact and in the country, such that the locusts in some locations, and waited for have not suffered any damage from the necessary measures are taken them to settle on the land by evening in locusts passing through. to avoid any delay in the sup- order to start the control process in open The sources stated that the emergen- ply of goods and food prod- areas. The other swarms were intercept- cy team from the plant resource sector ucts as it happened when the ed between the cities of Sabah Al-Ahmad that is responsible for combating desert MV Ever Given – a giant and Wafra and the Umm Safak road in locusts has been following up around Evergreen container ship – the south of the country. the clock any reports received in this got stuck at Suez Canal and The sources highlighted the designa- regard from agricultural or residential blocked marine movement tion of PAAAFR’s hotline number to areas. KUNA photo due to the bad weather condi- receive complaints and reports related to Also, the sources highlighted that the Kuwait Red Crescent Society obtained an ISO Certificate of International Conformity for Quality Management the presence of desert locusts. team dealt with swarms of locusts while Systems. Above: KRCS’ Chairman Dr Hilal Al-Sayer receiving the certificate. tions recently. The source pointed out that They explained that locusts are using they were dormant at night near the sub- since Kuwait imports most food the country’s airspace as a stage of urb of Ali Sabah Al-Salem, adding that products from East Asia and transit and transition, and not to settle. it is likely that the desert locusts will Number of requests to set up hotels increasing India, it has been able to guaran- There are countries in the region that leave the atmosphere latest by the begin- are considered sites of its spread, which ning of next week. KUWAIT CITY, March 28: The num- try; as well as loopholes in laws gov- ment plans regarding the hotel sector tee ample food supply as ships ber of requests to establish hotels, erning hotels, regulatory decisions, in different ministries; lack of support, from the aforementioned coun- which are expected to be located near random construction expansion, trans- investment and revitalization plans for tries do not pass through the the existing hotels and hotel apart- fer, distribution and overlapping func- domestic tourism; and lack of tourists Suez Canal. He said the ships ments, has been increasing at an tions related to hotel sector supervi- at home and abroad due to the eco- from the United States of alarming amid legitimate concerns sion in various ministries, reports nomic repercussions of the COVID-19 America, including South about the ambiguous future of the Al-Qabas daily. pandemic have exacerbated the situa- America, might be delayed for a tourism and hotel sector in the coun- The absence of support and invest- tion in the country. few days as they avoided passing through the Suez Canal. He added the goods from European countries will be delayed as well, indicating that 80 percent of European imports are equipment and devices. According to the source, KPA’s advisory to the shipping companies and agents is aimed at determining the actual number of ships arriving in Kuwait. He said the local ports will most likely face problems due to the simulta- neous arrival of ships, as this causes congestion which could delay the delivery of goods by at least two days. The source revealed that KPA has coordinated with ports in the United Arab Emirates, specifi- cally Jebel Ali Port, which has been designated for re-export and a station for giant ships from various parts of the world. From there, the goods and foodstuffs are re-exported to Kuwaiti ports using medium and small ships, he concluded. The Guest Show poster. ‘Al-Baghli’ distributes The Guest Show hosts Hanouf Al-Munaifi food baskets to needy This Thursday, The Guest Show on what is interesting is for the first time By Fares Al-Abdan Radio Kuwait presents Hanouf a candidate took up the cause of cul- Al-Seyassah Staff Al-Munaifi. Hanouf Al Munaifi is an art tural engagement in Kuwait as her and cultural management profession- political agenda. KUWAIT CITY, March 28: The al who was a candidate for the recent Hanouf believes that culture is a head of Al-Baghli Foundation national elections from the third con- catalyst of change in a civilized soci- Murarrah Al-Baghli announced stituency in Kuwait. ety and a means of empowering and the distribution of food baskets Hanouf withdrew from the race enriching social development in (vegetables and fruits) to the because of personal reasons, but Kuwait. needy families under the slogan ‘The basket of good things,’ 80 social workers waiting for CSC response indicating at the same time the foundation embarked on a blood donation campaign to contribute ‘Inst quarantine’ exemption for some has to providing the strategic stock for hospitals. Al-Baghli said in a press state- no significant effect on hotels: says union ment, the aim of the foundation KUWAIT CITY, March 28: Hotel vaccinated with the approved vaccines is to extend a helping hand to the Owners Union Secretary General in Kuwait from the institutional quar- needy families, especially since Muhammad Najia said the recent deci- antine. Members of diplomatic mis- many poor families find it hard sion of the government to exempt sions in the country, their families and to meet the expenses during the some categories from institutional visiting official delegations have also month of Ramadan and espe- quarantine has no significant effect on been exempted from the requirement cially at this time because of the hotels, reports Al-Anba daily. to register on ‘Kuwait Mosafer’. outbreak of the corona pandem- In a statement to the daily, Najia Meanwhile, about 80 social workers ic. He pointed out the campaign disclosed that about 2,200 Kuwaitis (Kuwaiti women) are still awaiting a was organized by the volunteers have been quarantined in 47 hotels decision from the Civil Service of the Social Committee at allocated for this purpose on ‘Kuwait Commission and the Ministry of Al-Mabarrah Foundation. Mosafer’ application since the institu- Education for their appointment, Al-Baghli extended his sin- tional quarantine decision took effect reports Al-Anba daily. cere thanks and appreciation to on Feb 21. Informed educational sources told the Ministry of Social Affairs for He added the losses of hotels in the daily the Education Ministry is supporting the mission and Kuwait are estimated at KD 172 mil- awaiting instructions from its objectives of Al-Mabarrah by lion of operating revenues in the past Undersecretary Faisal Al-Maqsid, to giving its approval and also year. He pointed out that this is the open the way for children of Kuwaiti thanked the owner of the biggest loss incurred by local hotels as women to work as researchers, not- National School, Abdul-Ilah the tourism and travel sector is among ing that after conducting personal Marafie, and school director for the worst hit by the corona crisis. interviews the names of those who hosting the Social Committee in It has been reported that passengers passed were sent to the CSC but the Al-Mabarrah and facilitating the from ‘high-risk’ countries are required reply from the CSC is still awaited task of the volunteer team to to undergo quarantine for a period of although the names were sent in organize the event. For her part, Vice-President of 14 days; while those from the rest of August 2020. the Social Committee in the countries must be in quarantine at The sources stated the Education Al-Mabarrah, Hawraa Al-Baghli, any of the approved hotels in Kuwait Ministry is awaiting a response from confirmed that Al-Mabarrah pre- for a period of seven days on their own the CSC so the researchers can begin pared and distributed the expense. work, especially since the social and Ramadan basket which contains Also, the Council of Ministers psychological service departments of more than 12 items of essential recently decided to exempt some cate- government schools suffer from a food supplies. gories of arriving passengers who got severe shortage in this area. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 LOCAL 5 REMEMBER WHEN

Local Architecture

This is the front door of a typical house in the old city. water cistern stood. In daytime, there would be plenty of Note the simple decoration at the top and the small open- sunshine throughout the house. Invariably, a few stairs led ing underneath it, which is an outlet for rainwater after an to the roof, a much preferred place for sleeping during hot Photograph courtesy unexpected storm. summer nights. Close to the house stood the diwaniya, or of The Center for Re- The architecture in old Kuwait is characterized by its suc- men’s meeting place, with its private entrance and coffee- cess in “transforming the local values and way of life into ar- hearth in the center. It was there that the men of the house search and Studies on chitectural terms,” as stated by a contemporary architect of would entertain their guests. Kuwait and the work Kuwait. The Kuwaiti master builder, known locally as ustad, In nearby villages, however, houses were less sophis- of Dr Yacoub Al- drew no plans on papers; he fi gured the proportions and made ticated and blended beautifully with the surrounding en- the plan in his mind. His success, however, in using traditional vironment. Some were fi shermen’s homes; others, such Hijji in the book Old- techniques with locally available materials such as mud, gyp- as the romantic kubar, were retreats that belonged to city Kuwait: Memories sum, coral and mangrove poles, is all too evident. dwellers. They resided there in the spring when the desert A house or a mosque in old Kuwait was always built bloomed after the winter rains. (From the book ‘Old Ku- in Photographs fi rst around a courtyard where a brackish water well or a fresh- wait: Memories in Photographs’) published in 1996. Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait

diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION Uncertainty ... How do we get out of the current political stalemate? “SINCE the announcement of the results of the National Assembly elections and challenges and act with wisdom and political acumen. It also needs that this major- constitute an important source of income in the country, and will contribute to the convening of its fi rst session more than three months ago, Kuwait has entered ity is aware of its national and historical role, and that it does not miss the possible reaching the export stage, based on the experiences of multiple countries that have into an intractable political crisis because of the lack of ‘or rather absence’ of co- and available opportunities. the same climatic conditions as Kuwait. operation between the legislative and executive authorities and between the parlia- “Its members are under obligation to achieve the aspirations and ambitions of “There is also a very valuable opportunity in this regard to take full advantage mentary majority and the Speaker of the National Assembly,” columnist Nassar the Kuwaiti people to achieve clear national goals and objectives and these are of the weather conditions in our beloved country, from November to April, which Al-Khaldi wrote for Al-Shahed daily. their historical role, no matter how great differences and tense positions appear. is the period in which the climate is suitable for many seasons of cultivation at a “The crises snowballed following the ruling of the Constitutional Court which “What matters is the result that can be reached, and the goals that can be time when many countries suffer from diffi cult weather. nullifi ed the membership of MP Badr Al-Dhahoum which achieved during this stage of Kuwait’s history rich with successes, despite many “In conclusion, we hope that the offi cials will issue a set of decisive and bold dragged the judicial authority into the whirlpool of this pitfalls and crises that have been and are always overcome by reaching conver- decisions that will serve the country and provide an important agricultural re- crisis and made its decisions the subject of a wide political gence of patriotism points.” source, especially in the coming decades.” debate, especially because of the existence of a previous Also: ❑ ❑ ❑ ruling by the Administrative Court of Cassation that per- “The issue of reaching the stage of agricultural self-suffi ciency in Kuwait has mitted Al-Dahoum to contest for election. “The government must submit its priorities to the National Assembly, includ- become one of the important matters in which the state takes serious steps, but ing combating corruption, economic reform, restructuring its system, developing “This political fi le formed an overlap between the legis- it – if compared to other countries -- will seem few, so our demand to achieve lative, executive and judicial authorities, which made the infrastructure and public services, and the Public Debt Bill,” columnist Abdullah this self-suffi ciency is right, based on previous experiences that Kuwait has gone Abduljader wrote for Al-Anba daily. crisis more complex. On the other hand, the National As- through in the past decades, during which it was at the mercy of importers and the sembly has been suspended for more than three months “Also, the priorities of the Assembly should be in line with that of the gov- conditions they imposed, especially during the Corona pandemic when countries ernment, in addition to a special legislation on supporting the owners of small as a result of positions adopted between the two authori- closed their borders to the outside world to protect their respectively populations and medium enterprises, Kuwaitization of jobs in the government sector, general ties, and it became a duty and a necessity to resolve these from infection,” columnist Dr Issam Al-Omairi wrote for Al-Rai daily. amnesty and others. entanglements and come up with consensual solutions to Al-Khaldi “The time has come to acquire self-suffi ciency in agricultural produce of the State “Certain priorities and topics must be tackled in the fi rst session of the Assem- restore the fl exibility of parliamentary and government of Kuwait, as it has become an urgent necessity to impose itself on the local arena, and bly after the oath taking of the new government, in addition to the priorities that work, in the interest of the country and the safety of the work of state institutions. push the state to adopt appropriate policies to secure the needs and requirements of have been put forward by the government and the Assembly, such as alternative “The cooperation of the legislative and executive authorities forms the basis of self-suffi ciency, starting with granting lands to those interested in agricultural wealth sources of income which must be effective, implementable, do not take time to be smooth political work in Kuwait and in any democracy around the world, and if the among the Kuwaitis to go into the fi eld of agriculture according to the conditions, activated, and help address the budget defi cit. They must learn and benefi t from Kuwaiti street looks with concern to this crisis and to the convulsion of positions, then capabilities and nature of the climate in this part of the world. the experiences of other countries. it is waiting at the same time for the resolution of this crisis and the start of serious “The prices of these lands must be cheap in addition to providing all the fa- “Another problem is the educational output that led to lack of job opportunities work to endorse reforms which the people are waiting for, which are long overdue, cilities to help them achieve the required productivity, and then overcome the and unemployment among fresh Kuwaiti graduates, especially in the private labor and perhaps its delay is one of the reasons for these successive crises, for which the obstacles they face, with follow-up and control to make sure they adhere to what market. This must be taken cared of by updating and developing the curricula at Kuwaiti democratic experiment is known. is required of them. Kuwait University and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, “Every objective observer notices that any parliamentary elections that produce “In Kuwait, there are many areas which are not properly exploited. It needs to as well as not sending students for local and foreign scholarships unless they pur- an ‘opposition’ parliamentary majority that respond to the pulse of the street must make some agricultural reforms to make the soil arable by providing fertilizers, sue specializations which the labor market needs. be followed by a stifl ing crisis that often plagues the parliament and the choices water, etc. “There are differences between Kuwaitis who have the same qualifi cation, spe- of the Kuwaiti people and the February 2012 Assembly is the best example, as if “Self-suffi ciency is a very important issue, as it is unreasonable to continue cialization and job, but their salaries differ in government agencies. This was re- the Kuwaiti people have to choose representatives of a certain size if they want the relying on foreign imports to meet the needs of domestic demand, especially for solved through the Strategic Alternative Project for the new salary policy.” democratic experience to go smoothly. food commodities. “This makes us call on the current parliamentary majority to understand the “The implementation of the self-suffi ciency project, if duly implemented, will — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli Pharmacies get go ahead Court ruling nullifi es law

By Jaber Al-Hamoud individuals licensed before the issuance of Law No. 28/1991 Al-Seyassah Staff regarding the regulation of the profession of pharmacy and the circulation of medicines. It involves an arbitrary distinc- KUWAIT CITY, March 28: The Constitu- tion between cooperative societies on one hand and com- panies and individuals on the other, as well as a violation tional Court has issued a ruling in the lawsuit of the principles of equality, social justice and freedom of fi led by the Rawda, Zahra, Adailiya, Mishref competition, which leads to companies and individuals mo- and Zahra cooperative societies, stating that nopolizing the activity of dealing and trading in medicines in violation of articles 7, 8. 20, 29 and 153 of the Constitution. it is unconstitutional to close pharmacies in The defense appealed against Article 1 of Law No. cooperative societies. The court thus allowed 30/2016 amending some provisions of Law No. 28/1996 them to practice their activities prior to the in the matter of organizing the profession of pharmacy and dealing with medicines. It states that, “It is not permissible issuance of the law regulating the profession to open a private pharmacy without obtaining a license from of pharmacy. the Ministry of Health. Licenses to open pharmacies will be The court affi rmed the nullity of the pharmacy Law issued for the following categories - No. 30/2016 regarding the exclusion 1. Kuwaiti pharmacists. of pharmacies of cooperative socie- 2. Private hospitals where the number of beds is not less ties licensed before the issuance of than 50. Law No. 28/1996 in the matter of or- 3. Cooperative societies, provided the license is issued in ganizing the profession of pharmacy the name of a Kuwaiti pharmacist. The pharmacist must not be a government sector employ- and the circulation of medicines. This ee. The pharmacist or the cooperative society is not licensed means returning to the previous law, to have more than one pharmacy. It is not permissible for the which stipulates the right of coopera- pharmacy to have a branch anywhere else. Nevertheless, the tive societies to have their own phar- Minister of Health may grant a cooperative society, whose macies without them being owned by activity extends to more than one residential area, the license a Kuwaiti pharmacist. to open a pharmacy or a branch of it in each region on the The contesting cooperative societies Al-Fadhli basis of each license that shall be issued in the name of a established - before the court through Kuwaiti pharmacist, independent of the other”. their defense Lawyer Mansour Al-Fad- The defense emphasized that this article contains arbitrary hli - the original direct claim of the unconstitutionality of discrimination between them, and breaches the principles of Article 1 of Law No. 30/2016 amending some provisions of equality, social justice and freedom of competition, as well Law No. 28/1996 in the matter of organizing the profession as leads to companies and individuals monopolizing the ac- of pharmacy and the circulation of medicines. tivity of dealing and trading in medicines in violation of Ar- This is according to a document fi led by the clerical ad- ticles 7, 8, 20, 29 and 153 of the Constitution. ministration of this court on 10/15/2019 on the basis of the The court ruled in its verdict that Article 2 of Law No. statement that the contested text required the licensed co- 28/1996 regulating the profession of pharmacy and the cir- operative societies, upon the entry into force of this law, to culation of drugs amended by Law No. 30/2016 regarding reconcile their positions within a year from the date of its the exclusion of pharmacies of cooperative societies having issuance. In violation of that, it was ordered to close their licenses prior to the issuance of law No. 28/1996 from the pharmacies that were licensed in accordance with the provi- exception contained in it that restricted its ruling to pharma- sions of the old law. cies of companies and individuals licensed before the issu- This new law excluded the pharmacies of companies and ance of that law. Give prior info on shipping dates, days: KPA KUWAIT CITY, March 28: Kuwait Al-Anbaa. It explained that the delay of the ship Ports Authority (KPA) has emphasized In a recent press statement, KPA ‘Ever Green’ last Tuesday was due to the need for shipping companies and stressed the importance of taking the bad weather; which impeded naviga- agents to inform the authority about necessary measures to avoid any delay tion in the Suez Canal – one of the changes in shipping dates and days in supplying goods, commodities and most important shipping channels for when ships arrive at their ports, reports strategic foodstuff supplies to Kuwait. goods, oil, grains and other products. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 LOCAL 6

MoE announces suspension of teachers’ transfer, delegation Decision taken during meeting with directors

KUWAIT CITY, March didates for the position of assistant director, reports Al-Rai daily. 28: The Ministry of Educa- It has been issuing announcements tion announced the suspen- for other job vacancies as part of the sion of transfer and delega- vacancy placement plan it launched tion of teachers as of April in the administrative and educational sectors. 7, provided the door re- The administrative sector an- mains open until that date, nounced the need for the ministry to reports Al-Anba daily. fi ll the position of head of the nutrition This decision was taken during department in the control services of the General Services Department in a meeting with the directors of all the Administrative Development Sec- educational zones last week. It was tor. chaired by the Acting Undersecre- The ministry has defi ned the condi- tary of the Ministry of Education tions to be fulfi lled by the candidates. Faisal Al-Maqsid, and held in the The applicant must have a university presence of the Assistant Under- degree of a relevant specialization and KUNA photos secretary for Public Education Af- experience in the fi eld of work for a Some of the scenes during the aptitude tests. fairs Osama Al-Sultan. Faisal Al-Maqsid, Acting Undersec- period of no less than six years. Many matters related to the twelfth retary of the Ministry of Education. If not, the applicant should atleast grade exams, which will start at the have a specialized diploma or should Tests amid precautionary measures end of May, were discussed during Al-Maqsid said the ministry is in a have a general secondary school cer- the meeting. The most important of state of emergency during this period. tifi cate and completed a two-year them are the rotation of committees He affi rmed his confi dence in the course or equivalent as well as have 6,000 students take aptitude tests: Kuwait University according to each of the educational experience in the fi eld of work for a educational zone directors in ensur- KUWAIT CITY, March 28: The ties to perform academic aptitude can access the registration system zone council’s vision. A weekly ing the implementation of the mecha- period of no less than ten years. meeting will be held every Thursday. Also, the applicant must have an ex- Kuwait University said 6,000 Grade tests every academic year, starting to see the results after they are an- nism and the tasks assigned to the 12 students Saturday answered the in January. nounced. She added that those Awareness campaigns for students subcommittees, the most important cellent competency report for the last and educational and administrative two years. aptitude tests, amid precautionary She explained today’s tests was wishing to register to take the next of which are the best methods in the measures and strict preventive meas- for the months of March and April, academic aptitude test must follow bodies during the examination period event of monitoring any case during They must be profi cient in using computers, have specialized training must be arranged. It is necessary to the exam period and providing the re- ures in view of the repercussions of and the students were divided into Kuwait University’s accounts on provide 27 health items in each com- courses serving the career fi eld, and the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect batches over a period of 45 days to social media, because the date of mittee, and to establish coordination quired health conditions and steriliza- pass the personal interview in accord- tion methods in coordination with the the students from infection. adhere to health requirements, to registration will be announced in the and sub-committees in the education- ance with the ministerial regulatory Deputy Director for Evaluation prevent gatherings. coming weeks. al zones where tasks are to coordinate health committees. decisions. Al- Maqsid stressed that the number and Measurement at the Kuwait With regard to students who are Dr Al-Jarallah praised the efforts with the health districts regarding any The ministry also announced its University, Dr. Rawa Al-Jarallah, sick with COVID-19, must com- exerted by the National Union of Ku- emergency. of students in each school should be need to occupy the position of super- The council asked the educational between 160 and 175 students maxi- visor of the administrative develop- said in a press statement that test municate with the Evaluation and waiti Students (NUKS) and its role zone administrators to prepare their mum, indicating that middle schools ment sector, and the position of the was in Arabic, English for mathe- Measurement Department via the in organizing the exams, at the same proposals regarding school attendance will be used for evening students and head of the department of job rank and matics conducted at three university e-mail address giving the entry card time appreciating the efforts of the during the month of Ramadan, in addi- home study students. description. It also announced the va- sites -- Sabah Al-Salem University found in social media to provide concerned authorities represented by tion to their proposals on a mechanism Meanwhile, for the third day in a cant position of head of the secretarial City, Khaldiya and Jabriya. evidence of infection and then set an the ministries of Health and Interior for correcting exams and monitoring row, the Ministry of Education com- department in the administrative af- Al-Jarallah explained the Kuwait appointment to take the test and the Department of Security and their scores. pleted interviews with dozens of can- fairs sector. University offers three opportuni- Dr Al-Jarallah indicated students Safety for their related efforts. Legal measures eyed Cooperatives must purchase directly from farms – Damak By Abdel Nasser Al-Aslami Al-Seyassah Staff

KUWAIT CITY, March 28: President of the Farmers’ Union, Abdullah Al-Damak, has threatened to take all available legal measures against those who ‘tamper’ with the local agricultural produce by repacking them and sell- ing as imported products, stressing the need for compa- nies to purchase agricultural products directly from farms at a rate of no less than 75 percent. Al-Damak said in a statement to Al-Seyassah daily that the tampered goods are supplied to some stores as im- ported products while in fact these are national products. He called for preserving food security by offering agri- cultural food produce at the right price for the consumer and for the benefi t of farmers as well. The Assistant Undersecretary for Cooperatives Affairs at the Ministry of Affairs has called for the implementa- tion of the ministerial decision “45 A/2020 Article 3”, which concerns with the companies buying agricultural produce directly from farms at a rate of no less than 75% and preventing the middle man from manipulation. Tamper He regretted some merchants tamper with the local product and sell it as imported right under the noses of some offi cials and as a result the biggest losers are the farmers and the consumers and rightfully called for im- mediate intervention by the Ministry of Social Affairs to support the local produce. He stated, the Kuwaiti farmer is looking for fairness and protection by the Ministry to confront the greed of some, but unfortunately, with the support of some of- fi cials in the ministry the farmers are harmed. He also pointed to the few benefi ciaries who work as intermediar- ies who work for personal interests at the expense of the citizens and consumers. Al-Damak expressed thanked the Minister of “Munici- pality” and Minister of “Housing” Shaya Al-Shaya after his meeting with the President of the Dairy Union, Abdul Hakim Al-Ahmad and the Head of the Fishermen’s Un- ion, Zahir Al-Soyyan, for his assurance of his constant support for the Kuwaiti farmers and other national prod- ucts and his readiness to solve any problems facing the agricultural sector, the farmers’ union, and other unions.

Shaya Al-Shaya and other members of delegation. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

Immigration

Exhausted, disillusioned US expelled migrants weigh their next step REYNOSA, Mexico, March 28, (AP): In one of Mexico’s most notorious cities for organized crime, migrants are ex- pelled from the United States throughout the night, exhausted from the journey, disillusioned about not getting a chance to seek asylum and at a crossroads about where to go next. Marisela Ramirez, who was returned to Reynosa about 4 a.m. Thursday, brought her 14-year-old son and left fi ve other children - one only 8 months old - in Guatemala because she couldn’t afford to pay smugglers more money. Now, facing another agonizing choice, she leaned toward sending her son across the border alone to settle with a sister in Missouri, aware that the United States is allowing unaccompanied children to pursue asylum. “We’re in God’s hands,” Ramirez, 30, said in a barren park with dying grass and a large gazebo in the center that serves as shelter for migrants. Lesdny Suyapa Castillo, 35, said through tears that she would return to Honduras with her 8-year-old daughter, who lay under the gazebo breathing heavily with her eyes partly open and fl ies circling her face. After not getting paid for three months’ work as a nurse in Honduras during the pandemic, she Biden wants steady work in the US to send an older daughter to medical school. A friend in New York encouraged her to try again. “I would love to go, but a mother doesn’t want to see her child in this condition,” she said after being dropped in Rey- Police offi cer and rescue workers carry a body bag containing what is believed to be human remains outside a church where an explosion went off in Makassar, nosa at 10 p.m. South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Sunday, March 28. A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a packed Roman Catholic cathedral on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island during The decisions unfold amid what Border Patrol offi cials say a Palm Sunday Mass, wounding a number of people, police said. (AP) is an extraordinarily high 30-day average of 5,000 daily en- counters with migrants. Children traveling alone are allowed to remain in the US to pursue asylum while nearly all single adults are expelled to Mexico under pandemic-era rules that Asia deny them a chance to seek humanitarian protection. Families with children younger than 7 are being allowed to remain in the US to pursue asylum, according to a Border Pa- trol offi cial speaking to reporters Friday on condition of ano- nymity. Others in families - only 300 out of 2,200 on Thursday At least 14 wounded: police - are expelled. Agreements Reynosa, a city of 700,000 people, is where many migrants Suicide bomber targets Mass in Indonesia are returned after being expelled from Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, the busiest corridor for illegal crossings. The Border MAKASSAR, Indonesia, March 28, Patrol has said the vast majority of migrants are expelled to (AP): At least one suicide bomber Mexico after less than two hours in the United States to limit blew himself up outside a packed Ro- Myanmar protests continue a day the spread of COVID-19, which means many arrive when man Catholic cathedral during a Palm it’s dark. Sunday Mass on Indonesia’s Sulawesi In normal times, migrants are returned to Mexico under island, wounding at least 14 people, after more than 100 people killed bilateral agreements that limit deportations to daytime hours police said. and the largest crossings. But under pandemic authority, A video obtained by The Associated YANGON, Myanmar, March 28, Guterres said he was shocked by Mexicans and citizens of Guatemala, El Salvador and Hon- Press showed body parts scattered near (AP): Protesters in Myanmar re- the killings of civilians, including duras can be expelled to Mexico throughout the night and in a burning motorbike at the gates of turned to the streets Sunday to children. the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in press their demands for a return to “The continuing military crack- smaller towns. democracy, just a day after security down is unacceptable and de- Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott acknowledged in an inter- Makassar, the capital of South Sulawe- Migrants cross the Usumacinta River si province. forces killed more than 100 peo- mands a fi rm, unifi ed & resolute view last year that agreements limiting hours and locations for ple in the bloodiest day since last international response,” he wrote deportations are suspended “on paper” but said US authorities aboard motor boats into Mexico from Rev. Wilhelmus Tulak, a priest at Guatemala, in Frontera Corozal, the church, said he had just fi nished month’s military coup. on Twitter. try to accommodate wishes of Mexican offi cials. The US also Protests were held in Yangon In the United States, Secretary coordinates with nongovernmental organizations. Chiapas state, Mexico, Wednesday, celebrating Palm Sunday Mass when a loud bang shocked his congrega- and Mandalay, the country’s two of State Antony Blinken said in a “I would never sit here and look at you and say Tijuana is March 24. (AP) biggest cities, as well as elsewhere. tweet that his country was “horrifi ed not dangerous, Juarez is not dangerous, Tamaulipas (state) is tion. He said the blast went off at about Some of the demonstrations were by the bloodshed perpetrated by not dangerous,” Scott said. “However, a lot of it is like any 10:30 am as a fi rst batch of churchgo- again met with police force. Burmese security forces, showing other US city. There are certain US cities that there are pockets ers was walking out of the church and At least 114 people were killed that the junta will sacrifi ce the lives of it that are very dangerous and there are pockets of it that another group was coming in. Saturday as security forces cracked of the people to serve the few.” aren’t.” He said security guards at the church down on protests against the Feb The military chiefs of 12 nations Tamaulipas, which includes Reynosa, is among fi ve Mexi- were suspicious of two men on a mo- 1 coup that ousted Aung San Suu issued a joint statement condemn- can states that the US State Department says American citi- torcycle who wanted to enter the build- Kyi’s elected government, accord- ing the use of force against un- zens shouldn’t visit. A US travel advisory says heavily armed ing and when they went to confront ing to the online news service My- armed people. criminal groups patrol Reynosa in marked and unmarked ve- them, one of the men detonated his anmar Now. The reported fatalities “A professional military follows explosives. included several children under 16 international standards for conduct hicles. The wounded included four guards More than 100 fathers, mothers and children who were ex- years old. and is responsible for protecting – and several churchgoers, police said. Similar tallies of the death toll not harming – the people it serves,” it pelled overnight waited in a plaza outside the Mexican border Police could not immediately confi rm were issued by other Myanmar me- said. “We urge the Myanmar Armed crossing at sunrise Saturday, many bitter about the experi- Manchin Blair whether both of the men on the motor- dia and researchers, far exceeding Forces to cease violence and work ence and scared to venture into the city. Several said they left bike were killed or just one. the previous highest death toll on to restore respect and credibility with Central American in the past two months because they could The attack a week before Easter in March 14. The number of killings the people of Myanmar that it has fi nally afford it, but information about President Joe Biden’s the world’s most populous Muslim- since the coup is now more than lost through its actions.” more immigrant-friendly policies contributed to their deci- In Brief majority nation came as the country 420, according to multiple counts. The statement was issued by the sions. Some reported paying smugglers as much as $10,000 a was on high alert following Decem- The coup reversed years of pro- defense chiefs of Australia, Cana- person to reach US soil. ber’s arrest of the leader of the South- gress toward democracy after fi ve da, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Michel Maeco, who sold his land in Guatemala to pay decades of military rule and has Denmark, the Netherlands, New 1 dead, 6 hurt in stabbing: A man went east Asian militant group, Jemaah Is- smugglers $35,000 to bring his family of fi ve, including chil- lamiyah, which has been designated a again made Myanmar the focus of Zealand, South Korea, the United on a stabbing spree inside and around a li- international scrutiny. Kingdom and the United States. dren aged 15, 11 and 7, said he was going home after a 25-day brary Saturday, killing one woman and in- terror group by many nations. journey. He left Guatemala after hearing “on the news” that The Saturday killings by police The human rights group Amnesty juring six other people in North Vancouver, Indonesia has been battling militants and soldiers took place throughout International revived criticism that Biden would allow families to enter the United States. British Columbia, authorities said. since bombings on the resort island of Maeco’s family was expelled to the streets of Reynosa at 3 the country as Myanmar’s military the international community was Sgt Frank Jang of the Integrated Homi- Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly celebrated the annual Armed Forc- not doing enough to end the state a.m. Saturday. cide Investigation Team said a suspect was foreign tourists. Attacks aimed at for- “Supposedly (Biden) was going to help migrants, but I see es Day holiday with a parade in the violence in Myanmar. in custody. He said the man is in his 20s and eigners have been largely replaced in country’s capital, Naypyitaw. “U.N. Security Council member nothing,” said Maeco, 36. has had interactions with police in the past. recent years by smaller, less deadly A Honduran woman who declined to give her name said she The bloodshed quickly drew in- states’ continued refusal to mean- Jang said offi cials didn’t have any infor- strikes targeting the government, po- ternational condemnation, both ingfully act against this never-ending left two months ago because her home was destroyed in Tropi- mation yet about a motive. lice and anti-terrorism forces and peo- from diplomatic missions within My- horror is contemptible,” said Ming cal Storm Eta and she heard Biden would “open the border” for One witness, Steve Mossop, said he and ple militants consider as infi dels. anmar and from abroad. Yu Hah, the organization’s deputy 100 days - unaware that the president’s 100-day moratorium his partner stopped in traffi c when they saw President Joko Widodo condemned UN Secretary-General Antonio regional director for campaigns. on deportations, suspended by courts, doesn’t cover new arriv- a bloodied woman who told them she had Sunday’s attack and said it has nothing als. She planned to send her 9-year-old daughter and 12-year- just been stabbed. They then saw several to do with any religion as all religions old son across alone to live with their aunt in Alabama while victims within about 100 meters (yards) of capital, Jakarta, that police were still sustained crackdown, in recent years each other, he said. would not tolerate any kind of terror- she returns to Honduras. ism. trying to identify the two attackers on a new threat has emerged in militants “There was a man, there was an older the motorbike and whether they were who fought with the Islamic State Crossing woman, there was a younger woman, a “I call on people to remain calm while worshipping because the state linked to a local affi liate of the banned group in Iraq and Syria and returned Underscoring the dangers, the Border Patrol said Friday that mom – a random group of individuals in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Mos- guarantees you can worship without Jemaah Islamiyah network or were act- to Indonesia or those inspired by the a 9-year-old Mexican girl died crossing the Rio Grande near sop said. fear,” Widodo said in a televised ad- ing independently. group’s attacks abroad. the city of Eagle Pass. On Twitter, Canadian Public Safety Min- dress. Indonesian forces in December ar- Indonesia’s last major attack was Mexico’s migrant protection agency, Grupos Beta, per- ister Bill Blair expressed shock and sadness He offered his prayers to those in- rested the group’s leader Aris Sumar- in May 2018, when two families car- suaded many overnight arrivals to be bused to a distant shelter. over the incident, calling it a “senseless act jured and said the government would sono, also known as Zulkarnaen. Over ried out a series of suicide bombings Crowds at the nearby park had thinned from a few hundred of violence.” (AP) cover all costs of medical treatment. He the past month the country’s counter- on churches in the second-largest city migrants days earlier. ❑ ❑ ❑ said he had ordered the national police terrorism squad has arrested about 64 of Surabaya, killing a dozen people in- Felicia Rangel, founder of the Sidewalk School, which chief to investigate the attack and crack suspects, including 19 in Makassar, fol- cluding two young girls whose parents gives educational opportunities to asylum-seeking children in Video shows cops berating boy: A down on any militant network that may lowing a tipoff about possible attacks had involved them in one of the attacks. Mexican border cities, sees the makings of a squalid migrant police department in Maryland has released be involved. against police and places of worship. Police said the father was the leader of a camp like in nearby Matamoros, which recently closed. body camera video that captured two of its National Police spokesperson Argo While Jemaah Islamiyah has been local affi liate of the Islamic State group “If they get a foothold in this gazebo, this is going to turn offi cers berating a 5-year-old boy who had Yuwono told a news conference in the weakened over the past decade by a known as Jemaah Anshorut Daulah. into an encampment,” she said as a church distributed chicken walked away from his elementary school, soup, bread and water to migrants for breakfast. “They do not calling him a “little beast” and threatening him with a beating. want another encampment in their country.” cial entities. China has strongly rejected accusations false information about its policies toward Martin Vasquez is among the migrants staying for now. The video released Friday by the Mont- gomery County Police Department shows The commission’s vice chair, Tony of human rights abuses in Xinjiang and has Uyghurs and members of other Muslim mi- The 19-year-old was expelled after being separated from his one of the offi cers repeatedly screaming at Perkins, was also included on the sanc- launched calls for boycotts and other pun- nority groups in Xinjiang. 12-year-old brother, who was considered an unaccompanied the crying child, with her face inches from tions list, along with Canadian Member of ishments against foreign fi rms including “They must stop political manipulation child and will almost certainly be released to a grandfather in his. Parliament Michael Chong and the body’s retailer H&M and Nike, along with sanc- on Xinjiang-related issues, stop interfering Florida. He said he was inclined to return to Guatemala, where “Oh, my, I’d beat him so bad,” the offi cer Subcommittee on International Human tions against foreign government offi cials in China’s internal affairs in any form and he worked for a moving company, but wanted to wait a while said in the child’s presence before telling Rights. and activists whom it says are spreading refrain from going further down the wrong “to see what the news says.” him, “You do not embarrass me like this at path. Otherwise, they will get their fi ngers On the day this week that Mexico imposed new measures school.” burnt,” the Foreign Ministry statement to shut down migrant crossings at its southern border, some The boy’s mother has filed a lawsuit said. (AP) 1,200 made the trip at a single remote jungle outpost without over the January 2020 interaction. Law- ❑ ❑ ❑ showing a document to anyone. yers for the child’s mother, Shanta Grant, NKorea slams Biden: North Korea on A man who helped board the migrants for the fi ve-minute said the video shows the officers treating Saturday snapped back at US President boat ride Sunday from Guatemala across the Usumacinta Riv- her son “as if he were a hardened crimi- Joe Biden’s criticism of its ballistic mis- nal.” They said Grant is seeking “justice er knew the count because each one received a ticket. sile tests, calling his comments a provoca- Mexico wants to again appear cooperative, as in 2019 when, and fair compensation for the trauma he endured.” tion and encroachment on the North’s right faced with tariffs from then-President Donald Trump, it de- to self-defense and vowing to continuously ployed its newly created National Guard to slow the fl ow of “She also hopes that the incident will lead to changes in policy and training, both with expand its “most thoroughgoing and over- migrants from Central America. whelming military power.” But the reality is it’s business as usual, with entire commu- the school and the police,” the attorneys, Matthew Bennett and James Papirmeister, The statement issued by senior offi cial Ri nities making a living off the passing migrants. said in a statement. (AP) Pyong Chol came after the North on Thurs- Their reasons for heading north are familiar: violence, an ❑ ❑ ❑ day tested-fi red two short-range missiles off inability to support their families, the devastation wrought by its eastern coast in the fi rst ballistic launches two major hurricanes in November and egged on by rampant China sanctions ‘offi cials’: China since Biden took offi ce. misinformation. announced new sanctions against US and Experts say the fl ight data released by Among those crossing Sunday was Yuri Gabriela Ponce, a Canadian offi cials in a growing political South Korea’s military and North Korea’s 30-year-old mother from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, along with and economic feud over its policies in the own description of the tests indicted that the her husband and three children, ages 2, 5 and 9. traditionally Muslim region of Xinjiang. North tested a new solid-fuel weapon that is Now, having reached Mexico, they were uncertain how to A statement from the Foreign Ministry on designed to evade missile defense systems proceed. As she rested Wednesday in the shade at a crossroads Saturday said the head of the US Commis- and is potentially nuclear capable. just north of the border, she worried about what would come sion on International Religious Freedom, The launches showed how the North next. Gayle Manchin, will be barred from visit- continues to expand its military capabilities ing mainland China, Hong Kong or Macao, Anti-coup protesters run around their makeshift barricade they burn to make de- while nuclear negotiations with the United and having any dealings with Chinese fi nan- fense line during a demonstration in Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, March 28. (AP) States remain stalled. (AP) ThredUp’s shares pop in stock market debut

Shares of ThredUp rose 30% in than 60% since then. Select Market under the symbol ceeds from the initial public In this file photo, their stock market debut Friday, Late Thursday, ThredUp’s ini- “TDUP.” Shares came down a offering will be used to invest in thousands of reflecting investor enthusiasm for tial public offering of 12 million bit and were trading at $18.11 software at its facilities, while garments are the online seller of second-hand shares was priced at $14 by mid-day. expanding beyond the U.S. to stored on a women’s and children’s clothing. apiece, the high end of its esti- “I am thrilled with how the stock possibly Europe. three-tiered con- The stock market debut fol- mated range of $12 to $14, is being received, but it’s just one ThredUp sellers can order a veyor system at lowed strong investor enthusi- according to a statement by the day and we have great years of clean out kit, fill it and return it using the ThredUp asm for Poshmark Inc., whose company. That raised about opportunity in front of us,” said the company’s prepaid label. sorting facility in stock more than doubled to $168 million before underwriting James Reinhart, the co-founder ThredUp then takes it and gets it Phoenix. (AP) $101.50 valuing the company at fees and valued the company at and CEO of ThredUp, during an ready for resale. In comparison, $7.4 billion in its showing on around $1.3 billion. The shares, interview with The Associated Poshmark is a social marketplace Jan. 14. However, Poshmark’s opened at $18.25 late Friday Press Friday. where users buy and sell directly shares have come down more morning on the Nasdaq Global Reinhart said that the pro- with each other and interact. (AP)

Market Movements 26-03-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +40.47 7,063.09 PHILIPPINES - PSEi -36.37 6,544.63 JAPAN - Nikkei +446.82 29,176.70 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -204.53 45,521.63 GERMANY - DAX +127.58 14,748.94 FRANCE - CAC 40 +36.40 5,988.81 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +34.11 3,866.68 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +60.04 6,538.19 INDIA - Sensex +568.38 49,008.50 Business Biden administration pledges dramatic steps to address climate change In shift, oil industry group backs federal price on carbon WASHINGTON, March 28, (AP): long-term ban on leases or other jobs without making global warm- and western states and suspended The oil and gas industry’s top lob- steps to discourage drilling and ing worse. leasing in Alaska’s Arctic National bying group on Thursday endorsed reduce emissions. “We have over 100,000 (oil and Wildlife Refuge. a federal price on carbon dioxide Industry representatives and gas) wells that are not capped, Interior officials say the fossil fuel emissions that contribute to global Republican lawmakers have sharp- leaking methane. We can put as program has failed to consider cli- warming, a reversal of longstand- ly criticized the leasing suspension many pipefitters and miners to mate impacts and that irresponsible ing policy that comes as the Biden and warn that widespread job loss- work capping those wells at the leasing practices carve up wildlife administration has pledged dra- es are likely in energy-producing same price that they would charge habitat, threaten Native American matic steps to address climate states should it become permanent. to dig those wells,” Biden said. cultural and sacred sites and lock up change. But Haaland, the nation’s first The White House declined com- public lands that could be used for The American Petroleum Native American cabinet member, ment Thursday, but the industry recreation or conservation. Institute, whose members include said it was time to “take a longer turnaround on carbon pricing was After what they call a “fire sale” ExxonMobil, Chevron and other view” just as her ancestors did as met with doubt among some envi- of public energy reserves under oil giants, announced the shift they farmed the same land for cen- ronmentalists and scorn from con- former President Donald Trump, ahead of a virtual forum Thursday turies. “In order to tackle the cli- gressional Republicans. Biden’s team argues that compa- by the Interior Department as it mate crisis and strengthen our “We’re deeply skeptical,” said nies still have plenty of undevel- launches a months-long review of nation’s economy, we must man- Joshua Axelrod, senior advocate oped leases - almost 14 million the government’s oil and gas sales. age our lands and waters and for the Natural Resources Defense non-producing acres in western API also called for fast-tracking resources, not just across fiscal Council. states and more than 9 million commercial deployment of long- years, but across generations,” she API has not specified what price acres offshore. Companies also sought technology to capture and In this file photo, pumpjacks work in a field near Lovington, New Mexico. said. should be put on carbon, and a tax have about 7,700 unused drilling store carbon emissions, as well as President Joe Biden shut down oil and gas lease sales from the nation’s Ahead of the forum, the White alone would not directly address permits - enough for years. federal regulation of methane vast public lands and waters in his first days in office, citing worries about House hosted a videoconference other environmental problems Despite the moratorium on new emissions from new and existing climate change. (AP) meeting Monday with industry caused by drilling, such as ground- leases, the Biden administration oil and gas wells, after strongly celling the contentious Keystone oil companies want “market-based executives, including ExxonMobil water contamination from fracking has continued to issue permits for resisting such regulations pro- XL oil sands pipeline from Canada. solutions” such as a carbon tax or and Royal Dutch Shell. The White or air pollution from oil refineries, existing leases, including more posed by the Obama administra- House said climate adviser Gina Axelrod said. than 200 in March, records show. tion. Biden said during the campaign a cap-and-trade policy, rather than McCarthy “made clear that the Louisiana Rep. Garret Graves, Environmentalists want that to “Confronting the challenge of he supports “an enforcement “heavy-handed government regu- administration is not fighting the top Republican on a special House stop, but an outright drilling ban climate change and building a low- mechanism” that targets carbon lation.’’ The oil industry played a oil and gas sector.” committee on climate change, said would raise thorny legal issues. er-carbon future will require a pollution, and the White House has key role in the defeat of proposed The meeting came after weeks a carbon tax would increase the Companies could claim they have combination of government poli- left open use of a carbon tax to cap-and-trade legislation in the of friction over moves the admin- cost of everything from “food for the right to extract oil and gas after cies, industry initiatives and con- help lower U.S. emissions of Senate a decade ago, and its istration made to halt new oil leas- our families to fuel for our cars,” spending years and millions of tinuous innovation,” API President greenhouse gases. Treasury endorsement of a carbon price and ing on federal lands and to review while costing jobs and harming the dollars to secure leases. and CEO Mike Sommers said in a Secretary Janet Yellen has spoken other federal action marks a turn- Trump administration deregulation economy. Thirteen states sued the Biden statement. in favor of the idea, telling the around after years of opposition to efforts aimed at helping U.S. oil “We need serious American administration Wednesday to end The reversal comes as President Senate Finance Committee, “We federal legislation to address cli- and gas producers. solutions that are based on the leasing suspension. The Joe Biden has made tackling cli- cannot solve the climate crisis mate change. During a Thursday press confer- American innovation ... not a cop- Republican-leaning states, led by mate change a top priority, moving without effective carbon pricing.” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland ence, Biden pitched an emerging out approach to appease the radical Louisiana Attorney General Jeff in his first days in office to sus- While industry critics expressed on Thursday kicked off a broad $3 trillion proposal to upgrade left,” Graves said. Landry, seek a court order ending pend oil and gas lease sales from suspicions over the sincerity of the review of the government’s oil and U.S. infrastructure and other needs Biden has already postponed the moratorium imposed by Biden federal lands and waters and can- move, Sommers emphasized that gas program that could lead to a as an opportunity to create new lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico in a Jan. 27 executive order. US jobless claims ‘down’ to 684,000 A sign the economy is improving

WASHINGTON, March 28, (AP): The number of people seeking unemploy- ment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign that the economy is improving. The report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims fell from 781,000 the week before. It is the first time that weekly applications for jobless aid have fallen below 700,000 since mid-March of last year. Before the pandemic tore through the econo- my, applications had never topped In this file photo, a closed sign hangs in the window of a barber shop in that level. Burbank, Calif. California added 141,000 jobs in February as more than a The number of people seeking ben- quarter of a million people returned to the workforce. The California efits under a federal program for self- Employment Development Department said Friday, March 26, 2021, that employed and contract workers also the state’s unemployment rate in February was 8.5%, down from 9% in dropped, to 241,000, from 284,000 a January. (AP) week earlier. All told, the number of applicants fell below 1 million for the Thursday, slightly faster than its previ- recipients in an extended federal job- first time since the pandemic. ous estimate. That pace is widely expect- less benefits program jumped by Economists are growing more opti- ed to accelerate in the coming months, 730,000 to 5.5 million. Nearly all the mistic that the pace of layoffs, which fueled by substantial government rescue increase occurred in California, which has been chronically high for a full aid. has a biweekly filing system that can year, is finally easing. Credit card data from JPMorgan cause sharp fluctuations, up or down, “While the level of claims remains Chase showed that consumer spending from week to week. elevated,” said Nancy Vanden Houten, jumped last week as the $1,400 checks Historically, the weekly unemploy- an economist at Oxford Economics, “we that are going to most adults under ment claims figure has been consid- expect they will continue to recede as the President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion ered an accurate reflection of the pace recovery gains momentum.” Still, a total of 18.9 million people emergency aid package began to be of layoffs. But that connection has are continuing to collect jobless bene- paid out. The Treasury says it has so weakened during the pandemic. fits, up from 18.2 million in the previ- far distributed 127 million payments Widespread fraud and the processing ous week. Roughly one-third of those worth $325 billion. of backlogged claims have distorted recipients are in extended federal aid Last week, Federal Reserve policy- many states’ jobless aid data. That has programs, which means they’ve been makers substantially boosted their been particularly true for the federal unemployed for at least six months. forecast for the economy this year, program that covers self-employed Their prolonged joblessness could anticipating growth of 6.5% for 2021, and gig workers; this data has fluctu- prove to be a long-term hindrance: up from an estimate of just 4.2% three ated wildly in many states. Typically, many people who have months ago. That would be the fastest And a report from the California been unemployed for extended periods rate of expansion in any year since Policy Lab last week illustrated anoth- struggle to find work even as the econ- 1984. The Fed also projects that the er complicating factor: Many people omy regains its health. unemployment rate will reach 4.5% by have applied multiple times during the The economy has been showing signs the end of this year, down from the pandemic, having been initially laid of emerging from the pandemic crisis current 6.2%. off or furloughed, then been called with renewed vigor, with spending pick- Some individual states reported back to work, then been laid off again. ing up, manufacturing strengthening and sharp drops in applications for aid last Each layoff has triggered a new appli- employers adding workers. Hiring week. In Illinois, they tumbled 80% to cation for unemployment benefits. increased in February, with 379,000 just under 15,000. In Ohio, which sev- The Policy Lab’s report found that added jobs - more than double January’s eral weeks ago had flagged a signifi- 75% of jobless claims in California in total. The economy expanded at a 4.3% cant portion of claims as fraudulent, the final week of February were from annual rate in the final three months of they fell by nearly a third to 69,000. people who had previously been laid last year, the government estimated Nationally, though, the number of off and applied for benefits. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 BUSINESS 9

‘Burden on Huawei lawyer to prove info shared’

There is no evidence proving a retired infuriated Beijing, which sees her case as a questions that benefited US authorities, Chief Financial Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer political move designed to prevent China’s seized her electronic devices, and put them Officer of Huawei, shared with the FBI information taken from rise. in special bags to prevent wiping, and com- Meng Wanzhou the electronic devices of a senior executive The U.S. accuses Huawei of using a pelled her to give up the passcodes before leaves her home for Chinese communications giant Huawei Hong Kong shell company called Skycom her official arrest. in Vancouver, Technologies, a Canadian justice depart- to sell equipment to Iran in violation of US Canadian justice department lawyer British Columbia, ment lawyer told an extradition hearing. sanctions. It says Meng committed fraud by John Gibb-Carsley said the defense has to go to British Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, misleading the HSBC bank about the com- the “burden to prove” retired RCMP Staff Columbia Huawei’s chief financial officer who is also pany’s business dealings in Iran. Sgt. Ben Chang shared Meng’s information Supreme Court on the daughter of the company’s founder, at Meng’s lawyers claim her extraction with the FBI. March 25. (AP) the Vancouver airport on Dec 1, 2018, at should be halted because Canadian Border “There is no evidential basis to reach the request of the US, which wants her Security Agency officers detained and such a conclusion,” he told Associate Chief extradited to face fraud charges. The arrest questioned her without a lawyer, asked Justice Heather Holmes. (AP)

Deal with BowX provides a lifeline to work space company WeWork stock offer comes amid doubtful need for office space NEW YORK, March 28, (AP): ing.” Uncertainty about demand for Still, WeWork said that during office space in a global pandemic is the past year, it has cut costs, shed a big risk that investors will have to non-essential ventures and reduced Economists ‘favor’ increased weigh as WeWork makes a second its workforce by 67% from its peak run at a public stock offering. in September 2019. The company A year after the novel coronavi- said it has focused on landing more rus turned office towers into ghost longer membership commitments. towns worldwide, the embattled Only 10% of its members have communal work space company month-to-month commitments said Friday it would merge with today, while more than 50% have government spending: survey special purposes acquisition com- commitments longer than a year. pany BowX Acquisition and seek a CEO Sandeep Mathrani, who public listing. took over for Neumann, said the Some express concern that relief package could accelerate inflation But the offering comes as many company has transformed its busi- companies are switching to hybrid ness. “As a result, WeWork has work schedules, allowing employ- emerged as the global leader in WASHINGTON, March ees to stay at home part of the time flexible space with a value proposi- 28, (AP): A majority of and go to the office only for group tion that is stronger than ever,” he business economists think meetings or projects. That means said in a statement. firms already locked into leases will The company was able to get the recovering economy have too much space and aren’t expenses under control and fly will benefit from much likely to need WeWork’s short-term under the radar, out of the public more government spending conference rooms or offices. eye, as it made huge adjustments despite concerns in finan- “You’re going to find they can after Neumann’s departure, said accommodate most pop-up meetings Alex Snyder, assistant portfolio cial markets that the $1.9 inside their office, so they don’t have manager for real estate securities at trillion COVID-19 relief to go to WeWork,” said Patrick Dore, CenterSquare Investment measure Congress recently a former Notre Dame real estate law Management. enacted could ignite infla- professor who has handled office “They’re in a great position to space deals in Manhattan. really succeed from here,” Snyder tion. The announcement Friday comes said. That’s the view that emerged almost two years after WeWork’s Other commercial property from a survey released Monday by first attempt at an IPO blew up in experts say the rapid economic the National Association for spectacular fashion, with CEO and recovery expected by most econo- Business Economics of 205 fore- founder Adam Neumann being mists puts WeWork in a better posi- casters. The economists were ousted. tion than in 2019, when it was one polled while the new relief mea- The agreement values WeWork of the most talked-about companies sure was under consideration in at $9 billion plus debt, far below the on Wall Street. Congress but before it was signed $47 billion in September 2019 There’s the typical post-recession into law. when the IPO fell apart after mas- surge in new businesses set up by The relief package, proposed by sive losses were revealed in regula- people who lost their jobs, and “the President Joe Biden and backed only tory filings. obvious place to start your business by Democrats in Congress, is distrib- The deal with BowX provides a nowadays is in a serviced office,” uting $1,400 checks to most adults, lifeline to WeWork. Armed with said Mat Oakley, head of U.K. and renewing federal aid for the unem- ployed and supplying another round of cash raised from investors, SPACs European commercial research at help to small businesses, among other look for private companies to buy Savills. things. But some economists and many This Oct 15, 2019 file photo, shows a WeWork logo at the entrance to one of their office spaces in the SoHo so they can easily list stock on an Oakley said that while leasing Republicans have expressed concern neighborhood of New York. (AP) exchange. WeWork said it would volumes are still low, inquiries for that the size of the package could also raise $1.3 billion. serviced office space have been ris- accelerate inflation and potentially think the first Fed rate increases will During a call with industry ana- ing since the start of the year. force the Federal Reserve to raise occur before the end of 2023. lysts on Friday, WeWork said it “There could be a reasonably interest rates prematurely. Only 12% of the NABE economists Justices say accident victims anticipates strong growth as the optimistic story for serviced office Yet among the business econo- who responded to the survey felt the economy recovers. The company is providers going forward,” Oakley mists surveyed by the NABE, 41 Fed would stick with its forecast that it forecasting 1.5 million total mem- said. percent describe the government’s will keep its key rate near zero through can sue Ford in state courts berships at some point in 2024. But Dore said WeWork’s busi- current fiscal policy, including such at least 2023 to provide continued sup- WASHINGTON, March 28, (AP): “the connection between the plaintiffs’ That compares with 476,000 in ness isn’t compatible with the virus spending, as “about right,” and an The Supreme Court ruled that the claims and Ford’s activities in those 2020. Revenue, excluding China, is at present because there are multi- additional 25% call it too restrictive. port to the economy. Only 34% characterize the current At a news conference last week Ford Motor Co. can be sued in the States ... is close enough” to allow the predicted to climb to $7 billion, ple people crossing paths in its fiscal policy as too stimulative for after the Fed’s latest policy meeting, state courts by people who were killed lawsuits to proceed. more than double last year. buildings, something companies the economy, though that figure is up Chair Jerome Powell stressed that the or seriously injured in accidents “By every means imaginable - WeWork leases buildings and have tried to avoid. “That’s why sharply from the 17% who said so in central bank wants to see substantial involving Ford vehicles. among them, billboards, TV and radio divides them into office spaces to you’re not in your own office,” he August, when the NABE conducted improvement in the job market and the The justices unanimously rejected spots, print ads, and direct mail - Ford sublet to members, which include said. its previous survey. economy. The Fed’s forecasts show it the Michigan-based company’s argu- urges Montanans and Minnesotans to small businesses, start-ups and free- He said the WeWork IPO is com- Last week, the Fed issued forecasts doesn’t expect the unemployment rate, ment that its ties to Minnesota and buy its vehicles,” Kagan wrote. “Ford lancers who want to avoid paying ing too soon because most large from its policymakers that showed now at 6.2%, to return to its pre-pan- Montana were too tenuous to allow it cars ... are available for sale, whether for permanent office space. The office users are still sorting out they expect to keep their benchmark demic level of 3.5% until late 2023. to be sued in those states by accident new or used, throughout the States, at company’s operating expenses were what they want to do with workers short-term rate near zero through After the eruption of the pandemic victims. 36 dealerships in Montana and 84 in exorbitant and it became reliant on and office space. 2023. But the NABE survey found that flattened the economy last March, the The ruling could make it easier to Minnesota. And apart from sales, Ford bring state court lawsuits against other works hard to foster ongoing connec- repeated cash infusions from pri- Yet he says it’s possible that the vast majority of the respondents Fed cut its benchmark short-term rate vate investors. WeWork has a different economic believe the Fed’s first rate hike will to a record-tying low near zero, where car makers and companies that do tions to its cars’ owners.” it had been pinned for seven years business nationwide. Both accidents occurred in 2015. In “Short-term real estate rental is model than two years ago after come earlier, with nearly three in five not a particularly good business,” unloading high-cost leases in many predicting that the central bank will after the 2008 financial crisis. Ford argued that because the cars one, Markkaya Gullett was killed when start raising rates before the end of At his news conference, Powell said were originally sold elsewhere and the tread separated from a rear tire on the said Michael Cusumano, professor markets. MIT’s Cusumano said the 2022. the Fed expects to see a temporary were resold as used cars to people in 1996 Ford Explorer she was driving in of technological innovation, entre- model could make money if compa- The survey found that 12% of jump in inflation this spring but thinks Minnesota and Montana, the company Montana. “The vehicle spun out, rolled preneurship and strategic manage- nies give up a lot of office space, respondents think the Fed will even price increases will settle down once shouldn’t have to face civil lawsuits in into a ditch, and came to rest upside ment at the Massachusetts Institute then lease from WeWork for mobile start hiking rates this year; 46% the economy has fully re-opened. The either state. down. Gullett died at the scene of the of Technology. “WeWork is similar offices or meetings. “That market believe it will start in 2022. An addi- NABE economists express less confi- Justice Elena Kagan wrote the crash,” Kagan wrote. Gullett was mar- to a rental car company that has has existed for at least 25 years,” he tional 28% of the economists said they dence. court’s majority opinion holding that ried and had two children. fleets of cars that nobody is rent- said. “But it’s not a huge market.” In this fi le photo, Tesla and SpaceX agency fi nds that Musk tweet violated federal labor law Chief Execu- tive Offi cer Elon Tesla CEO Elon Musk has tweeted his way into plant, and post a notice dealing with the tweet ruled against Tesla in September of 2019. Musk speaks trouble with another federal agency, this time at all its facilities nationwide. The board also told Tesla to reinstate an em- at the SATEL- the National Labor Relations Board. The UAW, which had been trying to organ- ployee who was fi red for organizing activity and LITE Conference The board on Thursday found that a May 20, ize the 10,000-worker Fremont plant, called the to give him back pay. Other than the back pay, and Exhibition in 2018 Musk tweet unlawfully threatened em- order a great victory for workers who have the Tesla faces no fi nancial penalties, the UAW Washington. Musk ployees with loss of stock options if they chose courage to stand up to companies like Tesla. said. has tweeted his to be represented by the United Auto Workers Vice President Cindy Estrada said in statement Musk tweeted on May 20, 2018: “Nothing way into trouble union. Board members ordered Tesla to make that the system “is currently stacked heavily stopping Tesla team at our car plant from vot- with another fed- Musk delete the tweet and stop threatening em- in favor of employers like Tesla who have no ing union. Could do so tmrw if they wanted. But eral agency, this ployees with loss of benefi ts for supporting a qualms about violating the law.” why pay union dues and give up stock options time the National labor organization. Messages were left Thursday seeking com- for nothing? Our safety record is 2X better than Labor Relations Tesla must also post a notice addressing ment from Tesla. In its decision, the board when plant was UAW & everybody already gets Board. (AP) unfair labor practices at its Fremont, California, agreed with an administrative law judge who healthcare.” (AP) Business PPluslus Main Street businesses forced to wait months for a delivery from China Supply bottlenecks leave ships stranded, businesses stymied

from 20 to 45 feet long. “Normally a shipment can be booked with a couple days’ notice and cur- rently you have to book containers 30 days in advance,” says Peter Mann, CEO of Oransi, a maker of air purifi ers and fi lters based in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has to account for ship- ment times twice as long as normal in his operating plans. When Mann began having trouble getting shipments in the fall, he decided to place larger orders - getting the goods manufactured wasn’t a problem and fewer deliveries meant less wait- ing time. It has meant investing more money in inventory. Supply disruptions can be a more serious problem for smaller companies because, unlike larger players, they may not be able to shift production to other countries - for example, Western Hemisphere nations whose products can be shipped to East Coast ports. And big companies can better afford to use air freight, which is more expensive than shipping. Because there’s so much competition for containers, the cost of importing is climbing. “The price can be as much as fi ve times as usual,” says Craig Wolfe, whose company, CelebriDucks, has had problems getting rubber ducks from China since the start of the pandemic. One of Wolfe’s shipments sat on In this fi le photo, container cargo ships are seen docked in the Port of Los Angeles. A trade bottleneck born of the COVID-19 outbreak has US businesses waiting for shipments from Asia while the dock for three weeks because there off the coast of California, dozens of container ships have been anchored, unable to unload their cargo. (AP) were no railcars available. Another that he expected to be shipped by mid- February still hasn’t left China. By Joyce M. Rosenberg tion of congestion and snags at ports sells monthly subscription boxes with ships are sailing to the U.S. even as “It would have arrived by now,” and freight hubs across the country as educational crafts and activities for we speak,” says Shanton Wilcox, trade bottleneck born of the says Wolfe, whose company is based With this type of the goods began arriving. children; many of the products are a manufacturing adviser with PA in Kelseyville, California. He’s anxious ACOVID-19 outbreak has U.S. busi- Main Street businesses are now custom-made, so he can’t easily fi nd Consulting. nesses anxiously awaiting goods from because most of his products aren’t ‘ forced to wait months instead of the substitutes. But there are choke points on land typical rubber ducks - they’re based Asia - while off the coast of California, backlog, it will take usual weeks for a delivery from China, Bras has found himself spending as well. It can take 8,000 trucks to haul on presidents and other celebrities and dozens of container ships sit anchored, and no one knows when the situation more time on logistics rather than the cargo away from a ship, says Kip pop culture trends like the Harry Potter several weeks to unable to unload their cargo. will be resolved. Owners do a lot of product development, and more time Louttit, executive director of the Ma- books and movies. Like Mann, he’s The pandemic has wreaked havoc explaining to customers, order more apologizing to the Oakland, California, rine Exchange of Southern California. placed some larger-than-usual orders to work through that. It with the supply chain since early inventory than usual and lower their company’s customers who expect a But when all those trucks hit the road, be sure he has enough stock. 2020, when it forced the closure of expectations for when their shipments shipment each month. Customers have there aren’t enough available when Exporters are also feeling the impact doesn’t go away. factories throughout China. The seeds will arrive. been understanding - they realize the dockworkers are trying to unload the of the bottlenecks. When containers are of the current problems were sown Alejandro Bras used to be able to pandemic has upset shipping and trade next ships in port. Freight rail traffi c unloaded at the ports, many are being last March, when Americans stayed place an order to factories in China and worldwide. has also been affected. sent empty back to Asia instead of be- And new ships are home and dramatically changed their expect to receive his products in 30 The cluster of ships offshore are “When you have more cargo, you ing held and fi lled with U.S. goods. buying habits - instead of clothes, days. Now, with problems throughout perhaps the most dramatic symptom of an have a less effi cient cargo moving sys- Isaiah Industries sells its metal roofs to sailing to the US they bought electronics, fitness the supply chain, “we’re adding an overwhelmed supply chain. As produc- tem,” Louttit says. The pandemic itself Japan, “but we’re having huge delays get- equipment and home improvement additional two months,” he says. And tion surged in Asia, more ships began ar- is also slowing down the fl ow of goods, ting containers scheduled to ship to them. even as we speak products. U.S. companies responded that two months is “iffy” - it can take riving in the fall at ports in Los Angeles, sidelining workers in warehouses at the So, we’re sitting here with orders and by flooding reopened Asian factories even longer. Long Beach and other West Coast cities ports, he says. product to fi ll those orders but no way ’ with orders, leading to a chain reac- Bras’ company, Womple Studios, than the gateways could handle. Ships Put all the problems together, and to get them shipped,” says Todd Miller, holding as many as 14,000 containers when a ship gets into port, it takes president of the Piqua, Ohio, company. have sat offshore, some of them for over five to seven days to unload instead Miller is also waiting for ship- a week. At times there have been as many of two to three, says Shruti Gupta, an ments of raw materials from overseas, as 40 ships waiting; normally, there’s industrial analyst with the consulting including sheeting commonly known no more than a handful, according to the firm RSM. “That again has conse- as tar paper that is placed under roofi ng Marine Exchange of Southern California, quences on truckers and rail service, tiles. His problem is he’s competing a service that monitors port traffi c and because they have to wait until the with every other importer for space on operations. port clears,” she says. container ships. “With this type of backlog, it will Businesses also wait because of the “We can get it produced, but it will take several weeks to work through high demand for space on ships, and in- take four to six weeks before they can that. It doesn’t go away. And new side the shipping containers that range load it on a ship,” he says. (AP) ‘This will not affect oil and gas production or jobs’ States sue to undo pause on oil lease sales NEW ORLEANS, March 28, (AP): Thirteen states sued the Biden adminis- tration Wednesday to end a suspension of new oil and gas leases on fed- eral land and water and to reschedule canceled sales of leases in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska waters and western states. The Republican-leaning states, led by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, seek a court order ending the moratorium imposed after Democratic President Joe Biden signed executive orders on climate change on Jan. 27. The suit specifi cally seeks an order that the government go ahead with a sale of oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico that had been scheduled for March 17 until it was canceled; and a lease sale that had been planned for this year in Alaska’s Cook Inlet. And it calls for other suspended lease sales to go forward. Sales also This picture shows a rig and supply vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, off the cost have been postponed for federal of Louisiana. (AP) lands in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Oklahoma, Nevada and New doesn’t stop companies from drilling communications get you to a point Mexico. on existing leases. But a long-term halt where you’re feeling better about Biden and multiple federal agencies to oil and gas sales would curb future things and the permits are being issued bypassed comment periods and other production and could hurt states like probably isn’t the best time to fi le bureaucratic steps required before Louisiana that are heavily dependent litigation,” Edwards said. such delays can be undertaken, the on the industry. Biden administration offi cials have states claim in the lawsuit, which was Biden’s team has argued that com- declined to say how long the pause on fi led Wednesday in the federal court’s panies still have plenty of undeveloped lease sales will last. Western District of Louisiana. leases - almost 14 million acres (6 Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Geor- The lawsuit notes that coastal states million hectares) in western states gia, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, receive signifi cant revenue from on- and more than 9 million acres (3.6 Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and shore and offshore oil and gas activity. million hectares) offshore. Companies West Virginia are the other plaintiff Stopping leases, the lawsuit argues, also have about 7,700 unused drilling states. would diminish revenue that pays for permits - enough for years. Western Energy Alliance, an indus- Louisiana efforts to restore coastal “This will not affect oil and gas try lobbying group based in Colorado, wetlands, raise energy costs and lead production or jobs for years to come,” sued over the leasing suspension in to major job losses in oil producing White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki federal court in Wyoming on the same states. said when asked about the lawsuit’s day it was announced. The Biden ad- At a news conference, Landry claims at a Wednesday briefi ng. ministration had not responded to the accused the Biden administration of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, complaint as of Wednesday. “effectively banning oil and gas activ- a Democrat, is urging the White House The Interior Department is hosting ity that supports businesses, employees to reconsider the moratorium, but he a livestreamed forum on the leasing our workers and, also, as importantly, also pointed to the stockpiled undevel- program Thursday as it considers funds our coastal restoration projects.” oped leases to suggest the economic changes that could affect future sales Although Landry and the lawsuit’s threat isn’t imminent. He said the and how much companies pay for oil supporters said the moratorium has Biden administration has started to is- and gas they extract. A report outlining already driven up prices and endan- sue permits for those stockpiled leases. initial fi ndings and the next steps in the gered energy jobs, Biden’s suspension “Just as you’re starting to have the review is due this summer. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

World leader in ‘sequencing’ UK variant ‘hunters’ stay ahead of COVID

LONDON, March 28, (AP): On March 4, 2020, when there were just 84 confi rmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK, pro- fessor Sharon Peacock recognized that the country needed to expand its capacity to analyze the genetic makeup of the virus. The Cambridge University microbiologist understood that genomic sequencing would be crucial in tracking the dis- ease, controlling outbreaks and developing vaccines. So she began working with colleagues around the country to put to- gether a plan. Within a month, the government had provided 20 million pounds ($28 million) to fund their work. The initiative helped make Britain a world leader in rapidly analyzing the genetic material from large numbers of COV- ID-19 infections, generating more than 40% of the genomic sequences identifi ed to date. These days, their top priority is fi nding new variants that are more dangerous or re- sistant to vaccines, information that is critical to helping researchers modify the vaccines or develop new ones to combat the ever-changing virus. “They’ve show the world how you do this,” said Dr. Eric Topol, chair of innovative medicine at Scripps Re- search in San Diego, California. Genomic sequencing is essentially Johnson the process of mapping the unique genetic makeup of individual organ- isms - in this case the virus that causes COVID-19. While the technique is used by researchers to study everything from cancer to outbreaks of food poisoning and the fl u virus, this is the fi rst time authorities are using it to provide real-time surveillance of a global pandemic. Peacock, 62, heads Britain’s sequencing effort as execu- tive director and chair of the COVID-19 UK Genomics Con- A lab assistant points at a picture of a cluster of COVID-19 RNA molecules on a computer screen at the Wellcome Sanger Institute that is operated by Genome sortium, known as COG-UK, the group she helped create a Research in Cambridge, Thursday, March 4. Cambridge University microbiologist Sharon Peacock understood that genomic sequencing would be crucial in tracking year ago. the coronavirus, controlling outbreaks and developing vaccines, so she began working with colleagues around the country to put together a plan when there were During the fi rst week of this month, COG-UK sequenced just 84 confirmed cases in the country. The initiative helped make Britain a world leader in rapidly analyzing the genetic material from large numbers of COVID-19 13,171 viruses, up from 260 during its fi rst 12 days of opera- infections, generating more than 40% of the genomic sequences identified to date. (AP) tion in March last year, according to weekly reports on the group’s website. Behind that growth is a system that links the science of genomic sequencing with the resources of Britain’s national Coronavirus health care system. Positive COVID-19 tests from hospitals and community testing programs around the country are sent to a network of 17 laboratories where scientists spend their days extracting the genetic material from each swab and analyzing it to iden- High infections leave NY nursing homes off limits tify that virus’ unique genetic code. The sequences are then cross-referenced with public health data to better understand how, where and why COVID-19 is spreading. Vaccines haven’t cured loneliness Mutations When mutations in the virus correspond with an otherwise HERKIMER, N.Y., March 28, (AP): unexplained increase in cases, that’s a clue that a new variant Vaccines have begun saving lives in New York’s nursing homes, but they Now vaccinated, many older adults of concern is circulating in the area. haven’t yet cured another crisis caused The importance of genomic sequencing became obvious by the pandemic: loneliness. late last year as the number of new infections began to spike Persistently high rates of COVID-19 emerge from COVID-19 hibernation in southeastern England. When cases continued to rise de- have left the majority of the state’s spite tough local restrictions, public health offi cials went to nursing homes off limits to visitors, PORTLAND, Maine, March 28, The excitement she feels, how- work to fi nd out why. despite relaxed guidance meant to help (AP): Bill Griffin waited more than ever, is tempered with sadness. Combing through data from genome sequencing, scien- reopen them. a year for this moment: Newly vac- Her daughter-in-law’s mother, who tists identifi ed a new variant that included a number of muta- Until this week, under state and cinated, he embraced his 3-year- she had been looking forward to tions that made it easier for the virus to hop from one person federal rules, they could admit visi- old granddaughter for the first time sharing grandma duties with, died to another. tors only if they had no new infections since the pandemic began. of COVID-19 just hours after the Armed with this information, Prime Minister Boris John- “She came running right over. I baby’s birth. She contracted it at a among either patients or staff for 14 picked her up and gave her a hug. nursing home. son imposed a national lockdown, scrapping a strategy of days. It was amazing,” the 70-year-old Isolated by the pandemic, older local restrictions that had failed to contain the new variant. That mark proved too hard for most said after the reunion last weekend. adults were hard hit by loneliness The scientifi c sleuthing is crucial, but it’s like looking for to reach. A little more than half of the Spring has arrived with sunshine caused by restrictions intended to a needle in a haystack because researchers must sift through state’s 616 nursing homes were ineli- and warmer weather, and many keep people safe. Many of them the genetic sequences from thousands of harmless variants to gible for indoor visits in mid-March, older adults who have been vac- sat out summer reunions, canceled fi nd the rare dangerous ones, Peacock said. Palmiro Tami, 82, is carried on wheel- according to an Associated Press cinated, like Griffin, are emerging vacation plans and missed fam- “It’s vital so that we can understand what variants are cir- chair by director Maria Giulia Madas- analysis of data from the US Centers from COVID-19-imposed hiberna- ily holiday gatherings in November culating, both in the United Kingdom and around the world, chi, flanked by his wife Franca Per- for Medicaid and Medicare. That’s the tion. and December. and therefore the implications of that on vaccine develop- sico in the garden of the Fondazione highest percentage of any state. From shopping in person or go- In states with older populations, ment and the way that we may have to adapt vaccines,” she Martino Zanchi nursing home, after New York updated its visitation ing to the gym to bigger milestones like Maine, Arizona and Florida, said. receiving the second shot of Moderna rules Thursday in a way that will now like visiting family, the people who health officials worried about the COVID-19 Vaccine, in Alzano Lom- allow visits to resume under certain were once most at risk from CO- emotional and physical toll of lone- The effort is a worldwide collaboration, with more than bardo, northern Italy, March 22. Italy’s VID-19 are beginning to move liness, posing an additional health 120 countries submitting sequences to GISAID, a data-shar- conditions, even if a resident or staffer nursing homes have been declared has recently tested positive. But that forward with getting their lives on concern on top of the virus. ing hub originally created to track infl uenza viruses. an initial success in an otherwise lag- track. Nearly 45% of Americans But that’s changing, and more Iceland, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark actually relaxed standard might not clear the ging vaccine campaign. (AP) way for visitation in many homes hav- who are 65 and older are now fully older people are reappearing in sequence a higher percentage of their COVID-19 cases than vaccinated. public after they were among the ing trouble keeping the virus out. Britain, and Denmark does the work faster. But COG-UK’S Visiting grandchildren is a top first group to get vaccinated. work, combined with Britain’s size and high number of cas- Frustrated priority for many older adults. In Those who are fully vaccinat- Arizona, Gailen Krug has yet to ed are ready to get out of Dodge es, have made it the world leader in sequencing COVID-19. Discovery The lack of visits has frustrated peo- The U.K. has submitted 379,294 of the almost 898,000 se- hold her first grandchild, who was without worrying they were endan- ple like Debbie Barbano, who has been born a month into the pandemic in gering themselves amid a pan- quences in the GISAID database. able to see her 69-year-old mother at a Minneapolis. Now fully vaccinated, demic that has claimed more than That work is paying dividends even for advanced coun- Merapi spews ash: Indonesia’s most central New York nursing home only Krug is making plans to travel for 540,000 lives in the United States. tries like Denmark, where scientists use tools developed in volatile volcano was erupting again Satur- through a window. her granddaughter’s first birthday “Now there’s an extra level of Britain to analyze their own data, said Mads Albertsen, a day, releasing plumes of ash high into the “When this hit last year, it was like in April. confidence. I am feeling good professor at Denmark’s Aalborg University who is part of air and sending streams of lava and de- a bullet to your chest,” Barbano said. “I can’t wait,” said Krug, whose about moving forward,” said Ken the country’s genomic sequencing effort. bris down its slopes. No casualties were “She didn’t understand why I wasn’t only interactions with the girl have Hughes, a 79-year-old Florida resi- “What the UK has just done by far best is the whole set- reported. coming. It was like I was abandoning been over Zoom and FaceTime. dent who is flying with his wife for up,” Albertsen said. “So they have many more researchers An avalanche of rocks spilled down her.” “It’s very strange to not have her in a pandemic-delayed annual trip to and a much more professional structure around how to use Mount Merapi’s slopes before dawn and Under New York’s new guidelines, my life yet.” Arizona in April. the data.” clouds of hot ash shot 200 meters (656 homes would still have to halt visits feet) into the air as the mountain groaned after any resident or staffer tested posi- Policies and rumbled, said Hanik Humaida, the tive, but they could potentially resume Some workers have been hesitant to programmer analyst in Hamlin, New The US is also trying to learn from Britain as the Biden head of Yogyakarta’s Volcanology and for some patients if a thorough round take the vaccine. And as parts of New York, has driven an hour and a half Geological Hazard Mitigation Center. York City and its suburbs see an up- on the weekends to stand outside her administration reverses the anti-science policies of his pre- The volcano unleashed hot clouds of of further testing revealed the outbreak was confi ned to just one part of the fa- tick in cases, the state’s data shows just 93-year-old mother’s nursing home decessor that slowed the country’s sequencing efforts, said ash at least eight times since the morning 68% of nursing home residents and and shout to her through a window Topol at Scripps Research. Representatives from COG-UK as well as a series of pyroclastic fl ows - a cility. It’s unclear, though, exactly how 51% of staffers in New York City have throughout the past year. took part in a recent call with American researchers and the mixture of rock, debris, lava and gasses - been vaccinated. “She gets very upset sometimes,” Rockefeller Foundation aimed at building capacity in the that had reached nearly 2 kilometers (1.2 that guidance will be applied and whether the change would mostly af- Corridi said. “She’ll say: ‘It’s cold out. United States. miles) down its slopes, Humaida said. Caregivers You can’t be out there.’ She starts to “To Peacock and the crew’s credit, they didn’t just stop The 2,968-meter (9,737-foot) high volca- fect large homes with multiple build- no is on densely populated Java island near ings, fl oors or units with little mingling “Nursing homes have fi nally started cry, ‘Why don’t they let you in?’ She at sequence,” Topol said. “They organized labs to do this to see the light at the end of the tun- doesn’t want me standing out in the other work, which is actually very intensive lab assessment. the ancient city of Yogyakarta. It is the most of staff or residents between units. active of dozens of Indonesian volcanoes State Health Commissioner Howard nel,” said Christopher Laxton, execu- cold.” And then there’s the epidemiologic assessment, too. So eve- tive director of the Society for Post- State lawmakers passed a bill this rything has to fi re on every cylinder, you know. It’s like a car and has repeatedly erupted recently. Zucker has justifi ed restrictions on vis- Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geologi- its by pointing to a winter surge that in- Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, year that would allow nursing home with 12 cylinders. They all have to fi re to move.” cal Hazard Mitigation Center has advised fected 15,000 nursing home residents, whose group is seeking clarity on the residents to designate as many as two The UK’s sequencing success was built on the foundation villagers living on Merapi’s slopes to stay killing at least 3,000. new rules from the US Centers for caregivers who can visit them even if of groundbreaking genetic science in Britain, stretching back 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from its crater The federal program to vaccinate Medicare and Medicaid Services. “But general visitation isn’t allowed, as long to the work of James Watson, Francis Crick and Rosalind and be aware of the peril of lava. (AP) nursing home residents has helped we’re not out of the tunnel. We’re see- as they get tested and follow other in- Franklin, who were credited with discovering the chemical ❑ ❑ ❑ drive down COVID-19 outbreaks and ing the end of it.” fection protocols. structure of DNA. Other British scientists developed early ‘Earth safe from asteroid’: Whew, deaths in nursing homes nationwide. In Meanwhile, some relatives are fi ght- Gov. Andrew Cuomo hasn’t yet sequencing techniques and later new technology that slashed now here’s some good cosmic news: NASA New York, 41 nursing home residents ing to see loved ones. signed the legislation, however, and the time and cost of sequencing. has given Earth the all clear for the next cen- died of COVID-19 in the second week Family members in New York and his offi ce didn’t respond to a request That success attracted investment, such as the Wellcome tury from a particularly menacing asteroid. in March, down from 382 for the week nationwide who have organized on Fa- for comment on whether he intended Trust’s 1992 decision to create the Sanger Centre to help The space agency announced this week ending Jan. 17. cebook groups say their loved ones are to do so. His counsel Beth Garvey told map the human genome, further expanding the pool of ex- that new telescope observations have Decreased infections nationwide losing weight, falling, declining cogni- reporters Monday that the administra- pertise in Britain. And Britain’s National Health Service ruled out any chance of Apophis smack- have allowed 80% of nursing homes tively, dying alone and suffering from tion wants to make sure the bill is in provided a wealth of data for researchers to study. ing Earth in 2068. nationally eligible to open doors by lack of attention. Federal and state line with federal guidance. Yet colleagues say Peacock personally deserves much That’s the same 1,100-foot (340-meter) mid-March, including the vast majority guidance allows compassionate care Cuomo has taken political heat over of the credit for COG-UK’s success, though she prefers to space rock that was supposed to come of nearly 1,200 facilities in California. visits, but families in New York and recent revelations that his administra- highlight the work of others. frighteningly close in 2029 and again in Infections in New York are drop- elsewhere say nursing homes don’t al- tion did not disclose the full number of A ferociously good organizer, she glued the nation’s 2036. NASA ruled out any chance of a ping more quickly among nursing ways allow them. nursing home residents who died dur- strike during those two close approaches home residents than among staffers. Laura Corridi, a 56-year-old senior ing the pandemic’s peak. DNA detectives together through goodwill and chatrooms. a while ago. But a potential 2068 collision Part of the trick was persuading eminent scientists to put still loomed. aside their egos and academic rivalries to work together First detected in 2004, Apophis is now to help fi ght the pandemic, said Andrew Page, an expert in offi cially off NASA’s asteroid “risk list.” computer analysis of pathogen genomics who is working “A 2068 impact is not in the realm of University OKs ‘plan’: The University of worth of new investments in solar and with COG-UK. possibility anymore, and our calculations wind developments and projects to limit Peacock’s work on the project has earned her notoriety don’t show any impact risk for at least the Michigan announced a plan to achieve “net next 100 years,” Davide Farnocchia of zero” carbon footprint status for its $12.5 bil- carbon emissions. and the moniker of variant-hunter-in-chief. But she prefers “The fundamental goal is to wring car- a simpler term. NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object lion endowment by 2050 through measures Studies, said in a statement Friday. including shifting away from investment in bon out of our entire investment portfo- “I consider myself, fi rst and foremost a scientist that’s lio,” board member Mark Bernstein said. doing their best to try and help both the population in the Scientists were able to refi ne Apophis’ fossil fuels and toward renewable energy. orbit around the sun thanks to radar ob- The strategy approved by the univer- The plan does not promise a complete United Kingdom and elsewhere to control the pandemic,’’ servations earlier this month, when the sity’s board of regents includes a pledge ban on companies with ties to fossil fuels, she said. “Perhaps there’s a better phrase for that, but scien- asteroid passed within 10.6 million miles to move away from holdings in funds although university President Mark Schlis- tist will do it.” (17 million kilometers). (AP) that focus primarily on extraction of oil sel told The Associated Press they gradually ❑ ❑ ❑ or thermal coal. It calls for $140 million Schlissel Farnocchia would “head down toward zero.” (AP) Music MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 FFeatureseatures on Friday againdeniedbail to city native ence inBostonispayingtributeto President erosity, and,yes,logic,”museum science, intellectualcuriosity,gen- hopes throughhiscommitmentto as ayouth,themuseumsaid. blessing hesawinhissynagogue who wasinspiredbyanancient originated fromNimoyhimself, half-Vulcan’s handgesture He diedin2015atage83. recording artistandphotographer. actor, director,producer,writer, a 60-yearHollywoodcareerasan just blocksfromthemuseum,had designed byartist actor’s familyannouncedFriday. museum andthelate“StarTrek” and prosper”handgesture,the Spock’s split-fi a 20-footsculptureshapedlikeMr underway. fundraising andconstructionis based onreasonandtolerance.” us avisionforbuildingsociety the bestpartofhumanityandgave statement. “Heremindedusabout life andlegacy.” be abeautifultributetomydad’s ance, anddiversity,butitwillalso loved gesturesforpeace,toler- the world’smostrecognizedand sculpture notonlydepictsoneof nent hometothismemorial.The of Sciencewouldbetheperma- honored knowingthattheMuseum loved Bostonandhewouldbe in astatement.“Mydadalways his daughter, my dadbelievedsostronglyin,” symbol representsamessagethat Leonard NimoyDayinthecity. Nimoy inhishonor.(Agencies) death, anasteroidwasnamed4864 character. In2015,afterNimoy’s of sharinghisexistencewiththe were writtenfromtheviewpoint (1975) andIAmSpock(1995), autobiographies, IAmNotSpock Spock wassostrongthatbothhis Mayor made onthesamedayformer museum. Theannouncementwas will beplacedinfrontofthe WINNIPEG, Manitoba: BOSTON: with someoneinfectedbyCOVID-19inrecentweekswereaskednot the 7pmshow. tive resultsgotacodeontheircellphonesvalidatingticketsfor could takeaquickantigentestonSaturdaymorning.Thosewithnega- musicians arecryingoverhere.” band,” singerSantiBalmestoldthecrowd.“Thisisso....someof the concertgoerswereabletomixfreely. was limitedtogatheringsofnomorethanfourpeopleinclosedspaces, permission ofSpanishhealthauthorities.Whiletherestcountry Things thatnowadaysaren’tnormal,sadly.” able torememberbackintimewhenthingslikethisonewerenormal. Parejo. “Wewereinsideoursmallconcertbubble.Andweeven face masksprovidedbytheconcertorganizers. venting outbreaksofthevirusatlargeculturalevents. ing asame-daycoronavirusscreening,totestitseffectivenessinpre- hall Saturdaynight. almost likepre-pandemictimesinBarcelona’sPalauSantJordiconcert face masksdottingthetightlypackedcrowdofmusiclovers,itwas BARCELONA, Spain,March28,(AP):Ifoneoverlookedthewhite 5,000 attendrockinBarcelona concert afterCOVID-19screen “He liftedouraspirationsand The ideaforthehalf-human, The stainlesssteelmonument, Nimoy’s publicprofi Finalization ofthesiteplan, Nimoy, borninthe “The ‘livelongandprosper’ People withheartdisease,cancer,orthosewhohavebeenincontact Ticket buyerschosebetweenthreevenuesinBarcelonawherethey “It’s beenayearandhalfsincewelastsetfootonscenarioas The musicianswerealsosweptupinthemoment. The showbySpanishrockgroupLoveofLesbianhadthespecial “We wereabletoevaderealityforawhile,”said40-year-oldJose The onlyruleinsidetheshowwasstrictuseofhigh-quality Five thousandrockfansenjoyedareal-as-can-beconcertafterpass- Marty Walsh ❑ Tim Ritche The MuseumofSci- Leonard Nimoy Julie Nimoy ngered “livelong David Phillips proclaimed saidina West End le as A judge , said with

, Nygard will awaithisextradition that deniedhimbail. Thatmeans tempted toappeal an earlierruling modeling overthe last25years. of opportunitiesinfashionand and girlsheluredwithpromises leging hesexuallyabusedwomen December on Nygard Canadian fashionmogul This imagereleasedbyShowtimeshowsAldisHodge,(left),andKevinBaconintheseries‘CityonaHill,’premieredSunday.(A Peter Nygardunsuccessfully at- it’s anactualhumanbeing.” bad orgood,howeveryoudefi feel thatit’sreallyaquestionofjustmakingsurethat, Bacon saidinarecentpaneldiscussion.“Ialways like himornot,”theroleis“incrediblywellwritten,” crusade. of itspolicereformeffortandmakesitapersonal sistant districtattorneywho’scometoBostonaspart necessity isHodge’sDecourcyWard,anuprightas- but effective.Hisnemesisandsometimesally-by- ing DCComics-based“BlackAdam.” nominated “OneNightinMiami...”andtheupcom- whose acceleratingcareerboastsrolesintheOscar- that includesrespectedveteranBaconandHodge, anced charactersthatattracttop-notchactors.Here, heart andintelligenceminusgimmicks,nu- of otherFontana-steeredshows:storytellingwith are partof“CityonaHill,”alongwiththeelements maybe thinkabouttheanswers.” tions, andforpeoplewhoarewatchingtheshowto always feltmyjobasawriterhasbeentoaskques- make apoint,”Fontanasaidinaninterview.“I’ve porary withouthavingitseemlikeyou’retryingto squirm throughalecture. American faultlineswithoutforcingviewersto is anidealhomefordramathatcanrefl adversaries inearly1990s,crime-bedeviledBoston. Kevin BaconandAldisHodgeasincreasinglyfi for itssecondseason(10p.m.EDTSunday)with worthy drama,Showtime’s“CityonaHill.”It’sback Street” and“Oz.” including “St.Elsewhere,”“Homicide:Lifeonthe or helpedmake,withsomeofTV’sbestamongthem, look backwithsatisfactionontheserieshe’screated LOS ANGELES,March28,(AP):TomFontanacan Bacon, Hodgesparinreturnof‘City’ There arealsovividfemalecharactersandstrong “Getting toputJackieupthereisathrillbecause, Bacon playsFBIagentJackieRohr,who’ssleazy Landmines includingracismandsystemicfailure “You’re abletodealwiththingsthatarecontem- As executiveproducerFontanaseesit,thepast But he’susingretrospectioninserviceofanother Variety , whowasarrestedin US chargesthatal- Peter Storytelling with heart andintelligenceminusgimmicks withheart Storytelling ‘We wereabletoevaderealityforawhile’ Television that couldpointtocontagionattheconcert. with thatofthegeneralpopulationtoseeifthereareanydiscrepancies analysis ofinfectionratesamongthe5,000concertgoerscompared after theconcert.Withthatinformation,Revollo’steamwilldoan Revollo’s teamiftheycomedownwiththecoronavirusinweeks hall. this timetherewasnocontrolgroupmaintainedoutsidetheconcert rologist involvedinthedesignofhealthprotocols. cultural events”duringthepandemic,saidDrBorisRevollo,vi- ing nosocialdistancingrules. succeeded inpreventinginfectionsinsidetheconcertdespitetherebe- showed thatpre-screeningwithantigentestsandtheuseoffacemasks December. Theysaidthattheresultsofpreliminarycasestudy also organizedacasestudyaroundsmallerconcertof500peoplein celona’s TheFightAIDSandInfectiousDiseasesFoundation,which ne thoseterms ... that Instead, concertgoersagreedpublichealthauthoritiescaninform In additiontobeing10timeslargerthantheconcertinDecember, “This isanothersmallsteptowardbeingabletoholdconcertsand The concertwasbackedbylocalauthoritiesandexpertsofBar- yadNimoy Nygard except wheneatingordrinkingindesignatedareas. 33), includedthecostoftestandfacemaskthatwasobligatory that bigheldinEuropeduringthepandemic. to signup. The showwassoldout.tickets,rangingfrom23-28euros($27- Organizers saiditwasthefi ect current ect erce city governmentallcametogether.” agencies, thepolicedepartmentprofessionals, Black ministers,thecommunityactivists,city suddenly aperfectplace,”Fontanasaid.“Butthe this period,notthateverybodyandalltheworldwas time series. stretched overyearsandwhichinspiredtheShow- dubbed the“BostonMiracle,”concertedchangethat until thearrivalinmid-1990sofwhatbecame were ableakrealityfortherealEastCoastcity worthy locallawenforcement. housing projectbesetwithdrugviolenceanduntrust- focus ontheRoxburyneighborhoodandafederal a differentsectionofBoston.Itseightnewepisodes Ben Affl based onanideabyMacLeanandactor-fi “They said,‘let’sstopblamingeachotherand “It’s remarkablewhathappenedinBostonduring Devastating gangviolenceandyouthhomicides “City onaHill,”createdbyChuckMacLeanand guage oraculturalbeat,”Fontanasaid. what neededtobeadjusted,whetheritwaslan- free tomakeanykindofcommenttheywantedabout bring theshow’swritersback. changes incompletedscripts,theexecutiveagreedto lice-custody deathofGeorgeFloyd-calledforsubtle support. Whenreal-worldevents-includingthepo- in anemailinterview. talent magnetwhenitcomestoactors,”Levinesaid cherished mentortowritersanddirectors,isa and aHumanitasPrize. Fontana’s honorsincludeEmmys,PeabodyAwards ers. Alsoanacclaimedwriter,theNewYork-born ment, countsFontanainthefi Amanda Clayton,JillHennessyandPernellWalker. actors toplaythem,includingLaurenE.Banks, Study “We allreadthroughthescripts,andeveryonewas Fontana countshimselfluckytohaveLevine’s “He hasthetalentandsoulofaplaywright,is Gary Levine,presidentofShowtimeEntertain- eck, wasdesignedtorotateeachseason rst commercialeventwithanaudience opportunities. of modellingandother fi women andgirlswith thepromise in thefashionindustry tolure 79-year-old ofusinghisinfl District of faces ninecountsintheSouthern ed inDecemberWinnipegand hearings injail.Nygardwasarrest- The judge whooriginally Authorities thereaccusethe Violence New York rstrankofTVproduc- . nancial uence Rock isoutrageousandintolerable,”Brownsaidinastatement. publicly condemntheexchange. religious leadersandMayor wrote Lederman,whosaidhehasreachedouttoBlackcivilrightsand ful, butIknowI,aswellmanyothers,needtolearnfromthis,” vertisers respondedbypullingtheirads. Williams, HalleBerry hosts weresuspended. ing violatedthecompany’sprogrammingprinciples.Twootheron-air terminated” LedermanWednesdaybecausehiscommentsthatmorn- look myselfinthemirror,butIwanttoacknowledgeit.” man from it. saying hewashorrifi ties’ skintonestodescribehowhelikeshistoastapologizedThursday, lmmaker BUFFALO, N.Y.: “The racistcommentarymadeon‘TheMorningBull’show97 The mayor,whoisBlack,wasoneofseveralelectedoffi “Please knowmycommentswereignorant,butnotmeanttobehurt- As aclipoftheMorningBullPodcast,withreferencesto Cumulus Media,theownerof97RockinBuffalo,saidit“swiftly “I 100%understandwhypeoplearejustifi ple,” hesaid.”(Itwas)yesterday’snormality.” wroteinastatementonTwitter.“Imademistakeandit’shardto “A sensationoffreedom,beingabletofeelthewarmthpeo- For 37-year-oldGerardMunne,itwasarelease. his Manhattan offi charges cameafter theFBIraided fi obstructing justice. personnel availabletoassisthimin that Nygardhasthefi witnesses ifreleased. concerns thathewouldcontact denied Nygardbailhadcited cking, racketeeringand related Nygard’s arreston sextraf- Federal prosecutorsargued Joshua Jackson,AlecBaldwin tion inAlbuquerqueandMoriarty. podcast bytheWonderynetworkhasstartedproduc- new televisionseriesbasedonapopulartrue-crime er prompting interventionbytwofellowphysicians. a neurosurgeonwhoseoperationsstartgoingwrong, studio inAlbuquerque. ries willbethefi and LOS ANGELES: The UCPproduction“Dr.Death”starsactors According totheFilmOffi Film Offi and isdirectedby his advantage.” all ofthis24/7,tryingtoseehowusethesystem from theinsidebecauseheisaD.A.,workingaround how tofi shoes “and,withhismission,showwhatthefi panel discussion. are stilllivingthisin2021,”Hodgesaidduringthe it isgoingon.Eventhoughwearesetinthe’90s, communicate withpeoplewhatisgoingonandhow a BlackmaninAmerica. called the“overtracism”thatheexperiencesdailyas sons forthepresent,includingaboutwhatactor every cityinthiscountryshouldbedoingthat.” something notonlyshouldtheyhavecontinued,but has yettoexplorebut,hesaid,“you’dthinkthat’s abandoned byBostonissomething“CityonaHill” other AfricanAmericans,Fontanasaid.Whyitwas reform debatesfueledbythedeathsofFloydand people inlower-incomeareas. sharply reducednumberoffatalshootingsyoung other,’” Fontanasaid,withtheresultsincludinga let’s startusingwhateachofusdoesbestwith Jennifer Morrison He saidhe’sproudtostepintohischaracter’s “This showisoneofthosevenueswhereIcan Hodge agreeswithFontanathatthepastholdsles- The approachcouldandshouldinfl A morningradiohostfi ed whenhelistenedtohimselfandvowedlearn ce Director ce ght fromadifferentperspective,howtofi and ces lastyear. nances and The NewMexicoFilmOffi rst productiontouseNBCU’snew Gayle King Byron Brown P) Also: Maggie Kiley,SoYongKim Also: . Amber Dodson , circulatedonline,severalad- ce, “DrDeath”isabout red afterusingBlackcelebri- ’s offi ably angry,” them. (AP) alcohol ordrugsand thenraped years oldwhenNygard gavethem York City,saidthey were14or15 plaintiffs inthesuit, fi and fashionopportunities.Several cash andpromisesofmodeling women tohisBahamasestatewith enticed youngandimpoverished women suedNygard,sayinghe and The raidcamesoonafter10 ce forguidance. Christian Slat- saidthese- uence police- uence ce saysa Rob Leder- cials to cials ghtis, Serena led inNew ght ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Stage

‘A reset button’ Black theater leaders singing about change

NEW YORK, March 28, (AP): What’s better than a powerful voice from the Black theater commu- nity singing about change? How about 13 such voices? Vanessa Williams, Billy Porter and Audra Mc- Donald and other founding members of Black Theatre United have recorded the song and video “Stand for Change,” with all proceeds donated to social justice efforts. The friends recorded their song parts separate- ly due to the pandemic in partnership with the Repub- lic Records Action Committee. It’s the latest step by Black-led groups trying to make the Great White Way look more like America. “I think that we are at a point now where people are listen- ing and people are willing to make changes,” says Williams. “It’s almost like a reset button now.” Black Theatre United was formed in response to the wave of national unrest over racial injustice that followed the po- lice killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. It has Williams hosted town halls on activism, bolstered census participa- tion and developed mentorship programs for aspiring young Black theater artists. The group also includes Phylicia Rashad, Kenny Leon, Darius de Haas, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lillias White, Allyson Tucker, Michael This image released by Netflix shows Michael Potts, (from left), Chadwick Boseman and Colman Domingo in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.’ Late Boseman won best McElroy, NaTasha Yvette Williams, LaChanze, Ta- actor in a motion picture for his role in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ at NAACP Image Awards. (AP) mara Tunie, Anna Deavere Smith, Wendell Pierce and Capathia Jenkins. Williams says the group wants to push for diversity in every aspect of theater, from what is programed to staffi ng at theaters, who is hired, marketing and bring- Awards ing Black dollars into the theater. “There are conversations that are happening and there are systems that are being put in place for change on every level,” she says. “This is a differ- Abrams wins fi rst Social Justice Impact award ent time and and we’re proud to be a part of making the change.” According to the annual study, “The Visibility Re- port: Racial Representation on NYC Stages,” nearly James, Boseman honored by NAACP 80% of Broadway and off-Broadway shows’ writers were white and 85.5% of directors during the 2017-18 season, the latest time frame analyzed. LOS ANGELES, March 28, (AP): LeBron James received the President’s Inclusion Award for his public service achieve- Murphy inducted into NAACP On stages, over 61% of all roles in New York City ments at the 52nd NAACP Image went to white actors, a rate double the population of Awards that highlighted works by en- white people in New York City. Data on designers is tertainers and writers of color. even more unbalanced: In the 2018-2019 theatrical After James accepted the award Sat- Image Awards ‘Hall of Fame’ season, 91% of Broadway design slots were fi lled with urday night, he thanked the NAACP white designers. for recognizing his efforts beyond the LOS ANGELES, March 28, (AP): ing to America,” “The Nutty Profes- In this Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, Eddie basketball court. Eddie Murphy was inducted into sor,” “Dr. Dolittle” and “Dolemite Is “Diversity is a fact, which we live with. Inclusion the NAACP Image Awards Hall of My Name.” His latest fi lm “Coming is a choice and it’s now time to make those choices Murphy accepts the lifetime achieve- “This award is so much more than ment award at the 25th annual Crit- myself,” he said. “I’m here receiving Fame at the organization’s show 2 America” was released on Ama- across all levels of theater, not only commercially, but ics’ Choice Awards in Santa Monica, that highlighted works by entertain- zon this month. also regionally, too,” says Williams. it, but this dives into everything that Calif. Murphy was inducted into the I’m a part of.” ers and athletes of color. The awards ceremony virtually Other groups created in the past few years to NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame After Murphy accepted his in- aired live on BET. It was also simul- spur change include We See You White American The Los Angeles Lakers superstar during the March 27 ceremony, which was recognized for his effort through duction award Saturday night, the cast on CBS, MTV, VH1, MTV2, Theatre,Black Theatre Coalition,Broadway Advocacy was aired on CBS. (AP) actor-comedian said he was “very BET HER and LOGO. Coalition,Design Action, Musicians United for Social his LeBron James Family Foundation moved” by the honor. He was pre- “Black-ish” star and comedian Equity and Broadway for Racial Justice. and his I PROMISE School, a co- sented the award by his longtime Anthony Anderson hosted the show They’re asking theater companies about the racial curricular educational initiative. Last friend and “Coming 2 America” co- for the eighth consecutive year. makeup of their trustees, their hiring practices and Variety year, he launched More Than a Vote star Arsenio Hall. The late Chadwick Boseman won their pipeline of talent. They’re creating fellowships - a coalition of Black athletes and art- “I’ve been making movies for best actor in a motion picture for his and mentorship programs and demanding equitable ists - that is dedicated to educating and 40 years now ... 40 years. This is role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” representation. protecting Black voters. the perfect thing to commemorate The actor, who also starred in the HUNTSVILLE, Ala: The drummer for James ventured into the entertain- “Instead of longing for old Broadway to come back, Grammy Award-winning rock band that and be brought into the hall blockbuster Marvel fi lm “Black Pan- let’s be excited for the Broadway that’s coming to us Alabama Shakes is in custody on child ment realm with The SpringHill Com- of fame,” he said. “Thank you very ther,” died at 43 last year after he if we take this time and do the work that we all deep abuse charges. pany, which unites three companies much. I’m very moved.” privately battled colon cancer. down want to do and want to be done,” says Celia Steven William Johnson, 35, was ar- he co-founded with Maverick Carter Murphy went on to send a mes- “As always, he would give rested after being indicted on charges of including athlete empowerment brand sage to Hall about his famous red all honor and glory to the most Rose Gooding, who stars in “Jagged Little Pill.” leather suit from his 1983 stand-up high God,” said the teary-eyed The group Broadway & Beyond has launched virtu- willful torture, willful abuse and cruelly UNINTERRUPTED, fi lm and televi- beating or otherwise willfully maltreating sion production company SpringHill special “Delirious.” Simone Ledward Boseman, the al networking workshops for stage managers of color, “My red suit was not that tight Ar- actor’s wife, who accepted the a child under the age of 18, news outlets Entertainment and The Robot Compa- while Broadway Records and the Black Theatre Coa- senio,” Murphy said. “I get a lot of award on his behalf. “He would lition have teamed up to create an album of new works reported. ny, the brand and culture consultancy. During his speech, James said he cracks about that red suit. When I thank his mom and dad. And he by emerging Black musical theater writers, elevating Johnson was taken to the Limestone was rocking that red suit, that (ex- would give honor to his ances- their voices. County Jail. Bond was set at $21,500. It wished he could have accepted the pletive) was fl y.” tors as we now honor him. Thank Musicians United for Social Equity is concentrating was not clear if Johnson has an attorney award on his feet. But under doctor’s The hall of fame induction is you NAACP for always giving who could comment on the charges. orders, he was unable to do so af- bestowed on an individual who him his flowers. He was an un- on ensuring there’s a pipeline for musicians of color Managers for the band did not immedi- who want to work in the theater. It hosts a national ter spraining his right ankle in a loss is viewed as a pioneer in their re- common artist and an even more ately respond to an emailed request for against the Atlanta Hawks last week. spective fi eld and whose infl uence uncommon person.” online directory of Black orchestrators, arrangers and comment. musicians, provides music assistant fellowships and He has been ruled out indefi nitely. shaped the “profession for genera- Boseman spoke about how com- An arraignment date is set for April “I wish I could be standing for this tions to come.” mon Black people have been diag- create opportunities for mentorship, education and 7. outreach connections. award, but the doctors told me I need to Previous inductees include Op- nosed with or died from colon can- Johnson pleaded guilty in March keep the weight off my ankle. I appre- rah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Spike cer. She urged Black people over Practice 2020 to violating a domestic violence ciate all the well wishes and thoughts Lee, Ray Charles and Sidney Poiti- the age of 45 to get screened. protection order in Limestone County. to my injury. I’ll be back soon.” er. The most recent honorees to be “Don’t put it off any longer,” she The directory can help chip away at the standard He received a suspended sentence of a inducted were Cheryl Boone Isaacs said. “Please, get screened. This practice of just hiring friends and would help, say, a year in jail, with 24 months on proba- The awards ceremony honoring en- tertainers and writers of color virtually and Paris Barclay in 2014. disease is beatable if you catch it in touring company in Cincinnati fi nd a trombone player. tion. Murphy began his career as a its early stages. So you don’t have “So the excuse of ‘We don’t know where they are’ can The Athens, Alabama-based band aired live on BET. It was also simul- cast on CBS, MTV, VH1, MTV2, BET stand-up comic while as a teenager anytime to waste, even if you don’t no longer be used,” says Zane Mark, a composer, or- has been on hiatus since 2018, when and eventually joined the cast of have any family history. If you think chestrator, arranger and programmer who co-founded lead singer Brittany Howard decided to HER and LOGO. “Black-ish” star and comedian An- “Saturday Night Live.” He starred nothing is wrong, and younger than the group. focus on her solo project. (AP) in the box offi ce hit “48 Hours” and 45, please be proactive about your “It’s not as simple as just hire a whole bunch of ❑ ❑ ❑ thony Anderson hosted the show for made his mark in a slew of fi lms health. Know the signs. Know your Black guys. That’s not what we’re trying to do. But the eighth consecutive year. such as “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Com- body. Listen to your body.” NEW YORK: A US appeals court The late Chadwick Boseman won we would like to go to the opening night of a show, sided with a photographer Friday in a look over into the pit and not see only white people,” best actor in a motion picture for his copyright dispute over how a foundation ease is beatable if you catch it in its ents helped steer her in the right direc- he adds. His organization is mulling the idea of en- role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” has marketed a series of Andy Warhol early stages. So you don’t have any- tion. dorsing shows by giving its seal of approval. The actor, who also starred in the works of art based on one of her pictures blockbuster Marvel fi lm “Black Pan- time to waste, even if you don’t have “They taught me and my fi ve sib- Trying to refl ect change, several theater companies of Prince. have shaken up their staffs. The Public Theater, Sec- ther,” died at 43 last year after private- any family history. If you think noth- lings that having nothing was not an The New York-based 2nd US Circuit ing is wrong, and younger than 45, excuse for doing nothing,” she said. ond Stage Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company and Court of Appeals ruled that the artwork ly battling colon cancer. Lincoln Center Theater have all appointed or elevated created by Warhol before his 1987 death “As always, he would give all honor please be proactive about your health. “Instead, they showed by word and theater artists of color. Roundabout has a launched was not transformative and could not and glory to the most high God,” said Know the signs. Know your body. Lis- deed. To use our faith as a shield to The Refocus Project to spotlight marginalized Black overcome copyright obligations to pho- the teary-eyed Simone Ledward Bose- ten to your body.” protect the defenseless. To use our plays. tographer Lynn Goldsmith. It returned man, the actor’s wife, who accepted Michelle Obama presented Stacey voices to call out injustices. And to use The recent push for racial equity sees to have had an the case to a lower court for further the award on his behalf. “He would Abrams with the fi rst Social Justice our education and out time to solve the impact on shows scheduled to open when Broadway proceedings. thank his mom and dad. And he would Impact award. Abrams was honored problems that other turn away from.” does. Black playwrights and actors will be showcased In a statement, Goldsmith said she was give honor to his ancestors as we now for her political efforts and voting Viola Davis took home best actress in a revival of Alice Childress’ “Trouble in Mind”; grateful to the outcome in the 4-year- honor him. Thank you NAACP for rights work that helped turn Georgia for her fi lm and television roles in “Ma “MJ,” a musical about Michael Jackson by Lynn Not- old fi ght initiated by a lawsuit from the giving him his fl owers. He was an un- into a swing state. Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “How to tage; “Skeleton Crew” by Dominique Morisseau; Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual common artist and an even more un- The former fi rst lady said Abrams’ Get Away with Murder.” Arts. She said the foundation wanted to common person.” “courage is contagious, her approach is “Bridgerton” star Regé-Jean Page “Thoughts of a Colored Man” by Keenan Scott II; and “use my photograph without asking my Melvin Van Peebles’ “Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natu- Boseman spoke about how common inclusive, and her eyes are fi xed on the let out a scream of surprise after learn- permission or paying me anything for my Black people have been diagnosed mountain top that has always brought ing he won best actor in a drama series ral Death.” work.” Broadway has had seasons where diversity gains with or died from colon cancer. She out the best within us.” for his role in the Netfl ix series. “I fought this suit to protect not urged Black people over the age of 45 After Obama called her “unstop- Jazmine Sullivan gave the awards have been recorded and then lost. The 2013-14 season only my own rights, but the rights of was rich with roles for African Americans, including to get screened. pable,” Abrams accepted the award show’s fi rst performance. She wore a all photographers and visual artists to “Don’t put it off any longer,” she at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. She light blue shag dress while performing “A Raisin in the Sun” starring Denzel Washington, make a living by licensing their crea- Audra McDonald channeling Billie Holiday in “Lady tive work — and also to decide when, said. “Please, get screened. This dis- said her upbringing through her par- “Pick Up Your Feelings.” Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” and the dance show how, and even whether to exploit their “After Midnight.” That season, Black actors repre- creative works or license others to do sented 21% of all roles. But the next season, the num- so,” Goldsmith said. ber fell to 9%. Warhol created a series of 16 artworks based on a 1981 picture of Dede Ayite, who has earned two 2021 Tony Award Judge Gerard E. Lynch. from Goldsmith’s photograph that they costume design nominations and is a member of De- Prince that was taken by Goldsmith, a pioneering photographer known for A concurring opinion written by Cir- transcended copyrights belonging to sign Action, says change has to happen before Broad- cuit Judge Dennis Jacobs said the ruling Goldsmith, whose work has been fea- way doors reopen. Her group is pushing for the day portraits of famous musicians. The series contained 12 silkscreen paint- would not affect the use of the 16 Warhol tured on over 100 record album covers when half of all designers are non-white. Prince series works acquired by various since the 1960s. “You can’t expect things to open and feel like ings, two screen prints on paper and two drawings. galleries, art dealers, and the Andy War- US District Judge John G. Koeltl in we’re all healed,” she says. “We have to do the “Crucially, the Prince Series retains hol Museum because Goldsmith did not Manhattan had concluded that Warhol legwork now so that when we start to come back the essential elements of the Goldsmith challenge those rights. transformed a picture of a vulnerable and then we can really enforce and not return to the way Photograph without signifi cantly adding The ruling overturned a 2019 ruling by uncomfortable Prince into an artwork things were.” to or altering those elements,” the 2nd a Manhattan judge who concluded that that made the singer an “iconic, larger- Circuit said in a decision written by Warhol’s renderings were so different Goldsmith Johnson than-life fi gure.” (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 SPORTS 14

Viola’s Known Agenda prevails in Florida Derby Mystic Guide wins 25th edition of Dubai World Cup DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 28, (AP): American challeng- er Mystic Guide provided Godolphin with victory in the 25th edition of the Dubai World Cup . Mystic Guide recorded a third suc- cessive victory in the Meydan show- piece in the owners’ blue silks, and their ninth in all following Thunder Snow’s back-to-back triumphs in 2018 and ‘19. Mike Stidham’s 4-year-old, sent off the 6-4 favorite with Luis Saez onboard, prevailed by 3 3/4 lengths from Japan’s Chuwa Wizard. “It’s a totally different atmosphere here, and horses have to be able to handle it,” Stidham said. “It’s not easy for an American horse to come over and do it.” Godolphin’s Magny Cours, trained in France by Andre Fabre, was third. Meanwhile in Florida, Known Agenda owner Vincent Viola kept asking trainer Todd Pletcher the same question over the last few days. “Do you think we really have a shot in the Florida Derby?” Pletcher kept telling him the an- swer was yes. And the horse left no doubt.

HORSE RACING

Known Agenda ran away from the fi eld in the Florida Derby on Satur- day, and might keep on going all the way to Churchill Downs to start the Triple Crown season. Jockey Irad Horses gallop into the fi rst turn in $750,000 Group 2 UAE Derby over 1900m (9.5 furlongs) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on March 27. (AP) Ortiz Jr. guided Known Agenda to the win in the Grade 1, $750,000 nowhere near the front as the group he’s almost certainly headed back to In other full-point Derby prep race at Gulfstream Park, picking headed into the fi rst turn, though the Kentucky Derby. Plus, he leads races: up 100 Kentucky Derby standings settled in along the rail and simply the group that bred Known Agenda Long-shot Rebel’s Romance points - which will be more than waited for an opening. – so this win was doubly signifi cant ($26.10) rolled to an easy win in enough to qualify him for that race By the time he found open space, to him. Saturday’s UAE Derby at Dubai, in fi ve weeks. it was too late. Known Agenda “How does it feel? You feel unde- earning 100 points in the Ken- “Well, that’s certainly the hope,” moved into the lead around the top serving, quite frankly,” Viola said. tucky Derby standings and es- Pletcher said. of the stretch and then took off, win- “Todd has been very patient with sentially clinching a spot in the Pletcher won the Florida Derby ning by 2-3/4 lengths in a margin this horse from the moment he got field - though it remains unknown for a record sixth time, and Known that probably could have been bigger him, very confi dent.” if owner Sheikh Mohammed Bin Agenda covered the 1-1/8 miles on if Ortiz asked. Viola had to be talked out of a Rashid Al Maktoum and trainer the dirt in 1 minutes, 49.45 seconds. “Greatest Honour was one of the plan to send Known Agenda to the Charlie Appleby will send him He returned $12.80 for the win, top horses in the country and he was Santa Anita Derby, simply because over. Panadol was second and New $6.60 to place and $3.20 to show. in the race, so we were going to fi nd he didn’t think the horse was ready Treasure was third. Soup and Sandwich was second out what we’ve got,” Ortiz said. for the Florida Derby. Like The King ($16) survived and heavily favored Greatest Hon- Soup and Sandwich picked up 40 He was thrilled to be wrong. an objection that was made pos- our – who came into the race with Derby standings points, and Greatest “You couldn’t write it any differ- trace and prevailed in the Jeff Ruby more than enough points to get into Honour got 20. ently,” Viola said. “Everything Todd Steaks at Turfway Park, also earning the Kentucky Derby - settled for Viola also owns the Florida Pan- described to me when they were in 100 points toward qualifying for the third. Greatest Honour ran into traf- thers, who are well on their way to the gate actually happened in the Kentucky Derby. Sainthood was sec- fi c coming out of the gate and was the Stanley Cup playoffs, and now race.” ond and Hockey Dad was third.

Mystic Guide’s trainer Michael Stidham and jockey Luis Saez hold the tro- phy after winning $12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup over 2000m (10 Ngannou knocks out Miocic, furlongs) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on March 27. (AP) Kagiyama takes silver at worlds claims UFC heavyweight title Chen wins 3rd straight worlds, beating Olympic champ Hanyu

Luque submits Woodley; O’Malley floors Almeida STOCKHOLM, March 28, (AP): Na- four-rotation jumps with what NBC than Chen already has established him- analyst Johnny Weir dubbed “techni- LAS VEGAS, March 28, ed his ascent by winning every round self as one of America’s greatest fi gure cal wizardry.” But there was more to it: of their first bout in Boston. skaters. His performance Saturday lift- an intensity, even a ferocity, as if Chen (AP): Francis Ngannou has The loss staggered the confidence ed him into the company of history’s was conquering each quad rather than been the next big thing in of a once-dynamic fighter. He barely best worldwide. simply completing them. Plus a bal- the UFC heavyweight divi- threw a punch in his next bout, an In becoming the fi rst American since ance of artistry and technique that has sion for several years. Just embarrassing loss to Derrick Lewis. Scott Hamilton to win a third consecu- improved since 2017, when Chen won But Ngannou impressively tive World Figure Skating Champi- his fi rst of fi ve successive U.S. titles. about everyone believed regained his confidence later in 2018 onships men’s title, the 21-year-old Even the look on his face at the con- greatness was within the and kicked off a run of four consecu- Chen also outskated two-time Olympic clusion of his free skate was intensely powerful Cameroonian tive knockout victories against veter- champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan. focused rather than celebratory. an heavyweights, putting him back in And Chen believes he has been - and Besides, Chen had to await Hanyu’s challenger’s reach if he line for Miocic. can be - even better. performance, which was, for the Japa- could ever put his prodi- In the Vegas cage, Ngannou was “I wouldn’t say this is my best free nese star, rather pedestrian. He opened gious talents together. far too much for Miocic, the fire- program ever,” he said. “But it’s one up on two jumps, had sloppy landings fighter from Cleveland who has been I will defi nitely remember forever and on others, and seemed to know it was All that potential was realized in not nearly enough when he shook his on top of the division for four of the cherish, being able to skate like that six sensational minutes Saturday and skate this piece here at worlds.” head before taking a bow and leaving night when Ngannou took the belt last five years. Miocic’s heavyweight the ice. reign has been the best in the history Russia completed its medals run away from the most accomplished when Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Hanyu, whose artistry is unmatched of a notoriously tumultuous UFC fi ghter in the division’s history. Katsalapov took the ice dance gold. among today’s men, might not have division, and he most recently won Anna Shcherbakova won the women’s been at his best physically. In this early Jan 21, 2018 fi le photo, Stipe Miocic lands a right hand against the final two fights of his trilogy with competition, and Anastasia Mishina MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Francis Ngannou during a heavyweight championship mixed martial arts Daniel Cormier to cement his heavy- and Aleksandr Galliamov earned pairs bout at UFC 220 in Boston. (AP) weight supremacy. gold. FIGURE SKATING In the co-main event of this pay- Ngannou stopped Stipe Miocic round with superior striking and tive about it, being happy about my Chen was dynamic in easily surpass- with ferocious punches early in the per-view show at the UFC Apex gym ing short program winner Hanyu and “Coming into this competition I ground work, but there was nothing improvement.” on the promotion’s corporate cam- have been working a lot on my quad second round to claim the heavy- quiet about the finish. The violence was exactly what stamp himself as the man to beat at weight title at UFC 260. pus, former welterweight champion next year’s Beijing Olympics. Hanyu axel and so I have overworked my Ngannou knocked down Miocic 22 Ngannou’s fans and coaches expected Tyron Woodley lost his fourth con- struggled mightily Saturday and fell to body,” he said. “So it is important to Ngannou (11-2) avenged his blow- seconds into the second round with a when the long-anticipated changing of out loss to Miocic in 2018 by demon- secutive fight when Vicente Luque third place behind 17-year-old country- get my body well. I want to go back crisp left hand to Miocic’s face, but the guard atop the heavyweight divi- submitted him with a D’Arce choke man Yuma Kagiyama, who took silver to practicing it again. I want to be the strating everything he has learned in the champion ate several punches to sion finally happened in this rematch the ensuing three years. The first UFC late in the first round. in his fi rst senior worlds. very fi rst person to land it cleanly in an heavyweight champion from Africa get up. Miocic backpedaled away and of two highly likable fighters. Woodley (19-7-1), who reigned “The fact I’m able to be here at this offi cial competition.” even landed a right hand that stung Ngannou tried to call his mother in over the 170-pound division for near- world championships after this unprec- That won’t happen for a while with flattened Miocic (21-3) twice early in the major events of a truncated sea- the second, finally buckling the Ngannou, but the challenger loaded Cameroon immediately after the ly three years until Kamaru Usman edented year, it’s amazing. I’m elated up a picture-perfect left hook that fight, but said he couldn’t get through took his belt in March 2019, looked right now,” Chen said. “I just tried to re- son concluded. It’s possible Chen and champ’s knees and ending the bout 52 Hanyu won’t face off again until De- seconds into the round. bent Miocic’s legs at a gruesome to her because everyone was “going sharp early and landed some strong ally remind myself to enjoy being here. angle and put him on the canvas crazy” celebrating his win. shots before he was staggered and I don’t know how many more world cember’s Grand Prix Final - or perhaps “Man, it’s amazing,” Ngannou even until the Olympics. said. “The feeling of it is just great. again, where Ngannou landed one The 34-year-old Ngannou is a for- finished by Luque (20-7-1), who has championships I’ll get to be at. Doing finishing hammer fist. mer aspiring boxer who discovered won 13 of his last 15 fights. that, I was able to be a lot more calm.” Kagiyama couldn’t sit still awaiting Imagine something you’ve been wait- his marks after a personal best by 11 ing for your entire life, and struggling “When the journey is longer, the mixed martial arts after he left Earlier, bantamweight Sugar Sean Last year’s event was canceled be- O’Malley overcame an enormous cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. points in which he landed three quads to have it. Sometimes I felt like I was reward is always more appreciated,” Cameroon for France in his mid-20s. and, despite a couple of bobbles, was a Ngannou said. “I’m sure I would have He rose rapidly through his new sport early mental mistake for a vicious No one has had the jumping mastery drowning and I had to struggle back, of Chen. His “Quad King” reputation solid second to Chen in the free skate. but now we’re here.” been happy three years ago, but I with his fearsome power and growing third-round finish of Thomas Almeida. is well founded, and he landed his fi ve Kagiyama leaped and ran in place in the Ngannou won a fairly quiet first think now, I have a different perspec- all-around skill, but Miocic interrupt- O’Malley, the thrilling fighter with kiss-and-cry zone, then sat and practi- rainbow-dyed hair, floored Almeida cally danced in his seat as the magni- in the first round with a head kick and tude of his achievement hit home. a big punch - but instead of finishing “When I go back to Japan, I want Tsitsipas makes 4th round in Miami his opponent on the ground, O’Malley to practice more because today I have anticipated a stoppage and walked seen so many things I need to work MIAMI, March 28, (AP): For tennis break point. American, fueled the buzz building away before realizing the fight hadn’t on,” he said. “So with that takeaway up-and-comers like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tsitsipas will next face No. 28 Kei regarding his potential by rallying past I want to go back on the ice immedi- the draw at the Miami Open began to Nishikori, who outlasted Aljaz Bedene No. 17-ranked Fabio Fognini 1-6, 6-4, been stopped. ately.” look a lot less daunting even before the 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4. 6-2. Fognini is the highest-ranked play- When he floored Almeida again in Hamilton won four successive tournament began. Two other title contenders, No. 4 An- er Korda has beaten. the third, O’Malley briefly tried to worlds from 1981-84. Since then, three Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer drey Rublev and No. 6 Denis Shapoval- In women’s play, top-ranked Ash walk away again before pouncing others (Canada’s Kurt Browning and withdrew because of injuries, and No- ov, advanced in night matches. Barty and three-time champion Victo- and throwing a final punch that Patrick Chan, Russia’s Alexei Yagu- vak Djokovic decided against making ria Azarenka advanced to a round of 16 bounced Almeida’s head off the can- din) have gotten three in a row. the trip from his native Serbia. They showdown. vas. Chen has not lost a competition stayed home with their 58 Grand Slam TENNIS Barty beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, The UFC is headed to Jacksonville since the 2018 Olympics, when per- trophies. 6-2 and had a much easier time than in for its next pay-per-view show next haps the worst short program of his The No. 2-seeded Tsitsipas is among Rublev failed to convert three match the previous round, when she saved a month because Florida officials will career doomed him. He rallied with a those with the best chance to take ad- points in the fi nal game and then had match point to beat qualifi er Kristina allow White to sell every seat in an spectacular free skate to climb from vantage, and he looked the part against to sit for a one-hour rain delay before Kucova. That was Barty’s fi rst match arena, but the promotion still wel- 17th place to fi fth. Damir Dzumhur, winning 6-1, 6-4. closing out his victory over Tennys away from her native Australian since comed a few dozen fans to the Apex. Nathan Chen of the USA stands on He’s been unmatched since, winning Ranked a career-high No. 5, Tsitsi- Sandgren, 6-1, 6-2. Shapovalov also February 2020. The crowd included Cincinnati the podium after winning the gold at worlds, nationals, Skate Americas pas improved to 15-4 this year – and endured a rain interruption in the third She kept Ostapenko on the move and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, medal during the Men Free Skating and Grand Prix Finals. And the quads 2-3 lifetime against Dzumhur. The set before fi nishing off Ilya Ivashka 6-7 on the defensive, pulling in the former Megan Fox, Kourtney Kardashian, Program at the Figure Skating World keep on coming, though he chuckled 22-year-old Greek used his serve to (5), 6-4, 6-4. French Open champion and moving Travis Barker and former UFC own- Championships in Stockholm, Swe- when Hanyu mentioned a 4 1-2 rota- dominate Dzumhur, who never had a Sebastian Korda, a 20-year-old her from side to side. ers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. den, on March 27. (AP) tion quad axel. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 SPORTS 15

Davis’ jumper gives Arkansas 72-70 win over Oral Roberts Baylor goes inside, muscles past Villanova into Elite Eight INDIANAPOLIS, March 28, (AP): Eric Musselman’s Razorbacks Top-seeded Baylor overcame some (25-6) got their swagger back, turn- NHL Results/Standings frigid outside shooting Saturday to ing defensive stops into early of- move into the Elite Eight, getting 16 fense opportunities and offensive points from Adam Flagler in a 62-51 rebounds into points. Pacioretty scores in OT, WASHINGTON, March 28, (AP): victory over Villanova and its versa- It came down to one fi nal shot and Results and standings from the NHL tile defense. Davis made it, sending Arkansas to games on Saturday. The Bears (25-2) came in as the Elite Eight for the fi rst time since Philadelphia 2 NY Rangers 1 Boston 3 Buffalo 2 the nation’s leading 3-point team, the Nolan Richardson “40 Minutes Detroit 3 Columbus 1 shooting 41.5%, but made only 3 of Hell” days. Vegas 3 Colorado OT 2 Pittsburgh 6 NY Islanders 3 Knights edge Avalanche of 19 in this one, unable to find The let-it-fl y Golden Eagles (18- Carolina 4 Tampa Bay 3 room or get into a comfort zone 11) let history slip through their Toronto 4 Edmonton OT 3 against fifth-seeded Villanova’s grasp. Max Abmas did his best, scor- Nashville 3 Chicago 1 mix of 2-3 zone and man. Davion ing 25 points. His 3-point attempt at Florida 4 Dallas OT 3 Calgary 4 Winnipeg 2 Mitchell, a 46% shooter from 3 this the buzzer bounced off the front of Arizona 4 San Jose 0 season, went 0 for 3 in a 14-point the rim. East Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA night. Oregon St 65, L. Chicago 58 Washington 33 22 7 4 48 114 95 Baylor, which started the season Ethan Thompson scored 20 points, NY Islanders35 22 9 4 48 105 82 18-0 and won its fi rst-ever Big 12 including a pair of clinching foul Pittsburgh 35 22 11 2 46 115 93 Boston 30 17 8 5 39 83 72 regular-season title, is one win from shots with 35 seconds left, and No. Philadelphia 33 16 13 4 36 102 120 the Final Four for the fi rst time since 12 seed Oregon State kept its dream NY Rangers 33 15 14 4 34 103 87 2012. The Bears will play Arkansas March going, beating eighth-seeded New Jersey 32 12 16 4 28 78 101 Buffalo 33 6 23 4 16 68 118 in the South regional fi nal. Loyola Chicago. Central Division This game changed midway GP W L OT Pts GF GA through the second half when Baylor Tampa Bay 34 24 8 2 50 123 82 BASKETBALL Carolina 33 23 7 3 49 112 84 all but abandoned what is normally Florida 34 21 9 4 46 111 97 its go-to shot - the 3. The Bears took Chicago 35 16 14 5 37 102 111 a six-point lead with a 14-2 run dur- Warith Alatishe added 10 points Nashville 35 17 17 1 35 89 105 Columbus 35 13 14 8 34 90 113 ing which not a single point came and 11 rebounds for the Beavers Dallas 31 11 11 9 31 88 84 from outside the arc. (20-12), who were picked to fi nish Detroit 35 11 20 4 26 75 114 West Division The Bears played some defense, last in the Pac-12 but ran roughshod GP W L OT Pts GF GA too. Baylor held Villanova to 37.5% through the conference tournament Vegas 32 23 8 1 47 104 74 shooting in the second half and 0 for and have kept on winning on college Colorado 33 21 8 4 46 113 75 Minnesota 32 21 10 1 43 94 78 9 from 3. basketball’s biggest stage. St Louis 34 16 13 5 37 98 110 The Wildcats (18-7) got 16 points They’re headed for their fi rst Elite Arizona 35 16 14 5 37 92 103 from Jermaine Samuels, but only Eight since 1982 - one that was later Los Angeles 32 13 13 6 32 91 90 San Jose 33 13 16 4 30 91 115 three from Caleb Daniels on 1-for- vacated by the NCAA - and will play Anaheim 35 10 19 6 26 78 116 11 shooting. second-seeded Houston on Monday North Division Arkansas 72, Oral Roberts 70 night for a spot in the Beavers’ fi rst GP W L OT Pts GF GA Colorado Avalanche right wing Joonas Donskoi (72) shoots against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Toronto 34 22 10 2 46 114 88 Fleury (29) as Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) and Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) position in Davonte Davis hit a short jumper Final Four since 1963. Winnipeg 35 21 12 2 44 114 98 with 2.9 seconds left, and Arkansas Not even the fervent prayers of Edmonton 35 21 13 1 43 119 101 the crease during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, on March 27. (AP) beat Oral Roberts to advance to the Sister Jean could help Loyola (26- Montreal 31 14 8 9 37 100 87 Calgary 36 16 17 3 35 95 107 Elite Eight for the fi rst time in 26 4) deal with the constantly changing Vancouver 37 16 18 3 35 100 120 Pens top Isles 6-3 Tarleton St blank Riverhawks years. defenses that Oregon State coach Ottawa 36 12 20 4 28 94 135 Note: Two points for a win one The Muss Buss grinded its gears Wayne Tinkle rolled out. The Ram- point for overtime loss. The top four through the fi rst half into the second, blers wound up shooting 33% from teams in each division will qualify for DENVER, March 28, (AP): bad shots and even worse defense the fi eld and 5 of 23 from beyond the playoffs under this season’s tempo- Max Pacioretty scored at Tompkins’ four-yard run lifts putting third-seeded Arkansas in a arc. rary realignment. 1:56 of overtime to give the 12-point hole against the 15th-seed- All-America forward Cameron ed Golden Eagles. Krutwig led Loyola with 14 points. Houston 62, Syracuse 46 Vegas Golden Knights a UC Davis over Idaho State Quentin Grimes scored 14 points 3-2 victory over the Colo- while Houston’s defense locked rado Avalanche. DAVIS, California, March 28, (AP): record with fi ve TD passes, and Dixie down on surging Buddy Boeheim, Vegas rebounded from a 5-1 loss Trent Tompkins scored on a 4-yard State closed its spring football season helping the Cougars beat Syracuse. in the series opener Thursday night keeper with 8 seconds left and UC Da- with a 60-0 win over Fort Lewis. Justin Gorham had 13 points and vis beat Idaho State 31-27. Wilstead passed for 282 yards and to move a point ahead of Colorado Tompkins, a freshman quarterback Deven Osborne had seven catches for 10 rebounds for the second-seeded atop the West Division. Cougars, who pushed through to the Aggies (3-1, 3-1 Big Sky Confer- 147 yards and two touchdowns for the Pacioretty also had an assist, Alex ence) use in unique situations, fi nished Trailblazers (2-3). Quali Conley ran 10 their fi rst trip to a regional fi nal in Martinez and William Carrier scored, 37 years. with 10 yards on four carries and one times for 73 yards and a touchdown and Marc-Andre Fluery made 22 8-yard reception. Hunter Rodrigues and caught two passes for 24 yards and The Cougars also got a strong all- saves. was 16 of 25 for 168 yards passing, and another score. around effort from DeJon Jarreau, Joonas Donskoi and Devon Toews Lan Larison ran 12 times for 95 yards Darrius G. Smith made his head who fi nished with nine points, eight scored for Colorado, and Philipp Gru- and two touchdowns for UC Davis, coaching debut with Fort Lewis. Em- rebounds and eight assists while bauer made 31 saves. The Avalanche ranked 15th in the FCS Top 25. manuel Nwosu ran 14 times for 69 leading the defensive effort that kept had won eight straight at home. UC Davis then drove 75 yards on 10 yards for the Skyhawks. Boeheim in check. Vegas had a 34-24 shots advan- plays and Chris Venable intercepted Richmond 31, Elon 17 Houston (27-3) came in holding tage, the fi rst time Colorado has been Vander Wall’s pass on the last play of In Richmond, Va., Joe Mancuso opponents to a national-low 37.3% outshot in 20 games. The last time an the game to secure the win. completed 21 of 35 passes for 251 shooting, and then harassed No. 11 opponent outshot the Avalanche was Tarleton St 38, Northeastern St 0 yards, two touchdowns and no inter- seed Syracuse (18-10) into just 28% Vegas on Feb. 16. In Stephenville, Texas, Steven Dun- ceptions to help Richmond beat Elon (14 for 50). Penguins 6, Islanders 3 can passed for 182 yards and a touch- 31-17. Buddy Boeheim managed just In Pittsburgh, Bryan Rust had his down, and Tarleton State earned the one fi rst-half basket and fi nished fourth career hat trick, Sidney Crosby program’s 500th win with a 38-0 vic- FOOTBALL Villanova forward Brandon Slater (3) dunks on Baylor guard Matthew Mayer with 12 points on 3-for-13 shoot- added a goal and an assist and short- tory over Northeastern State. (24) in the second half of a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA men’s college bas- ing, including 1 for 9 from 3-point handed Pittsburgh beat New York. Ryheem Skinner ran for 91 yards ketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, on March 27. (AP) range. Evan Rodrigues and Frederick Ga- and two TDs and caught two passes for Mancuso ran six times for 48 yards udreau also scored, and Tristan Jarry 27 yards for the Texans (5-2). Derrel and Aaron Dykes had 102 yards from stopped 29 shots to help Pittsburgh Kelley III added 56 yards rushing and scrimmage with two touchdowns for Baylor beats Michigan in OT 78-75 pulled within two points of New a TD run. the No. 21 Spiders (3-0, 3-0 Colonial York and Washington for the East Tariq Bitson caught eight passes for Athletic Association). Leroy Henley Division lead. 53 yards and a touchdown. Gabe Doug- caught eight passes for 88 yards and Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beau- las had fi ve receptions for 84 yards. Savon Smith ran for 69 yards and a UConn routs Iowa in women’s Sweet 16 villier and Jordan Eberle scored for Mark Wheeland caught two passes touchdown. New York, but the Penguins beat the for 89 yards for the Riverhawks. Justin Allen passed for 198 yards, SAN ANTONIO, March 28, (AP): N.C. State scored eight straight Aari McDonald scored 31 points Islanders for the fi fth time in seven Dixie State 60, Fort Lewis 0 one touchdown and one interception, Christyn Williams scored 27 points, points to get within two with 1:21 to lead Arizona into the regional fi - meetings by chasing Ilya Sorokin. In St. George, Utah, Kody Wilstead and Jackson Parham had four catches Paige Bueckers had 18 and No. 1 left. The Wolfpack (22-3) had a nal for the fi rst time. tied his career high and the Dixie State for 74 yards for the Phoenix (1-5, 0-4). UConn beat fi fth-seeded Iowa 92- chance to tie it, but Elissa Cunane The Wildcats (19-5) had only 72 in the Sweet 16 of the women’s missed a contested layup with 30 made one previous trip the regional ICE HOCKEY Luke Kunin had two assists to help NCAA Tournament. seconds left. semifi nals, when coach Adia Barnes Nashville move ahead of Columbus The game featured a matchup of Raina Perez made a jumper in the was a player in 1998. This time they Bruins 3, Sabres 2 into fi fth in the Central Division, two talented freshmen in Bueckers and lane to get N.C. State back within rode 13 3-pointers to the school’s In Boston, Buffalo lost its 17th points behind the Blackhawks in the Iowa’s Caitlyn Clark. The friends two with 13.5 seconds left. Patberg biggest victory yet. consecutive game, twice blowing race for the division’s fi nal playoff had taken the women’s basketball then hit one of two free throws to McDonald was 6-of-12 shooting one-goal leads before Craig Smith berth. world by storm this season. make it 73-70 and Cunane missed from long range. She also helped scored with 3:50 left to give Boston Pius Suter scored for Chicago. Bueckers became the third fresh- badly on a 3-point attempt just be- shut down Jordan Nixon, whose the victory. Panthers 4, Stars 3, OT man to earn All-America honors. fore the buzzer. late-game heroics had pulled Texas The Sabres have not won since In Dallas, Aaron Ekblad scored Feb. 23, tying the 18th longest NHL with 9.3 seconds left in overtime after Clark led the nation in scoring and Jada Boyd scored 18 points for A&M through the fi rst two rounds. his apparent winner moments earlier came into the regional semifi nals av- N.C. State, and Perez had 17. Nixon fi nished with three points af- losing streak. Matt Grzelcyk and Nick Ritchie was wiped out by a replay review, eraging 29 points in the tournament. Indiana advances to play third- ter scoring 35 in the second round. and Florida beat Dallas. They didn’t disappoint. seeded Arizona on Monday. Aaliyah Wilson scored 17 points each had a goal and an assist, and third-stringer Daniel Vladar stopped Carter Verhaeghe got the Panthers Bueckers also had nine rebounds Arizona 74, Texas A&M 59 for No. 2 seed Texas A&M (25-3). to overtime with a hat trick and they and eight assists for UConn (27-1). 25 shots for Boston. Sam Reinhart and Kyle Okposo scored for Buffalo. snapped a three-game losing streak Clark had 21 points for Iowa (20-10) Coyotes 4, Sharks 0 that marked their longest of the sea- on 7-for-21 shooting. In Glendale, Arizona, Phil Kessel son. Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves The game marked the return of in the fi rst of back-to-back games be- had his seventh career hat trick, Adin New York Islanders’ Mathew Barzal UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who Hill made 34 saves and Arizona beat tween the teams in Dallas. missed the opening two rounds be- (13) and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Cody San Jose for its third straight victory. Ceci (4) compete for the puck dur- Denis Gurianov, John Klingberg cause he was recovering from the Clayton Keller had a goal and two and Joel L’Esperance scored for the coronavirus. Auriemma arrived in ing the third period of an NHL hockey assists for the Coyotes. They tied St. game, on March 27, in Pittsburgh. (AP) Stars. San Antonio on Wednesday. Louis for fourth place in the West Di- Red Wings 3, Blue Jackets 1 vision with 37 points. Mike Zibanejad scored for New In Detroit, Adam Erne and Robby BASKETBALL Hill made 20 saves Friday night in York. Fabbri scored 29 seconds apart in the a 5-2 win over the Sharks. Maple Leafs 4, Oilers 3, OT fi rst period and Calvin Pickard made Next up for the Huskies is Baylor Hurricanes 4, Lightning 3 In Toronto, Auston Matthews 21 saves in his fi rst start of the sea- on Monday night in the River Walk In Raleigh, N.C., Martin Necas scored 54 seconds into overtime to son, helping Detroit beat Columbus regional fi nal. scored his second goal of the game to give lift Toronto past Edmonton for Blue. Baylor 78, Michigan 75, OT break a tie with 3:53 remaining and its third straight victory. Anthony Mantha also scored for NaLyssa Smith scored 24 points Carolina beat Tampa Bay in a Central Matthews fi red the puck towards the last-place Red Wings. They were and Queen Egbo made two big plays Division showdown. the net that it went off Edmonton’s coming off an embarrassing 7-1 loss in the fi nal seconds of overtime, lead- Necas, who also had two assists, Darnell Nurse and got past goalie at Nashville on Thursday night. ing second-seeded Baylor to the vic- put the Hurricanes ahead on a power Mike Smith. Matthews broke a tie Flames 4, Jets 2 tory. play, with Dougie Hamilton getting with Oilers star Connor McDavid for In Calgary, Alberta, Johnny Ga- Egbo gave Baylor a 78-75 lead an assist to extend his franchise-re- the NHL goals lead with his 22nd. udreau responded to a barb from his with a foul shot with 19 seconds cord points streak for a defenseman The Toronto star also had an assist. coach with a pair of assists in Cal- left. After Leigha Brown scored for to 14 games. That’s the longest active Toronto overcame a two-goal defi - gary’s victory over Winnipeg. Michigan, Egbo picked up an assist streak in the NHL for any player. cit in the third period, with John Ta- Josh Leivo, Mark Giordano, An- on Moon Ursin’s wide-open layup. Goals by Cedric Paquette and Se- vares cutting it to open with 7:39 left drew Mangiapane and Sam Bennett Akienreh Johnson missed a half- bastian Aho in a 1:02-second span and William Nylander tying it with scored for the Flames (16-17-3), who court try for sixth-seeded Michigan, early in the second tied it. Necas put 3:22 remaining. Pierre Engvall also halted a four-game losing streak in and the Big Ten team was unable to Carolina ahead with his fi rst goal lat- scored, and Jack Campbell made 17 the second of three straight meetings er in the period. saves. between the teams. get a last shot near the basket before Gaudreau, who had two goals in time ran out. Blake Coleman and Pat Maroon Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two scored in the fi rst period and Mathieu assists for Edmonton, Tyson Barrie nine games coming in, produced his Smith was 11 for 11 from the fl oor. Joseph tied the game 22 seconds into added a goal and an assist against his fi rst multi-point game in a month in Ursin had 20 points for Baylor (28-2). the third for Tampa Bay. former team, and Nurse also scored. his 500th career game. Brown scored 23 for Michigan Hurricanes goalie James Reimer Mike Smith made 27 saves. McDavid After a 3-2 loss Friday to the Jets, (16-6), which had never before ad- made 19 saves. had two assists to push his NHL-best Flames coach Darryl Sutter said: vanced this far in the tournament. Flyers 2, Rangers 1 points total to 62. “Hopefully he has more energy than Indiana 73, N.C. State 70 In Philadelphia, Sam Morin scored The teams will complete the two- in his 499th game.” Ali Patberg scored 17 points to his fi rst NHL goal with 4:27 left to game set and the nine-game season Winnipeg defenseman Logan Stan- help Indiana reach the regional fi nal help Philadelphia beat New York. series Monday night at Scotiabank ley got his fi rst NHL goal and Mason for the fi rst time in school history. Nolan Patrick also scored for the Arena. Appleton also scored for the Jets Indiana (21-5) had been in the Flyers, who badly needed to win a Predators 3, Blackhawks 1 (21-12-2), who trail Toronto by two Sweet 16 just once before, back in close one against the Rangers. New In Chicago, Mikael Grunland, points atop the North Division. 1983 before the women’s NCAA Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, left, collides with UConn guard Evina Westbrook, York beat the Flyers 9-0 last week Rocco Grimaldi and Ryan Johansen Both clubs started their backup Tournament became a 64-team fi eld. right, during the second half of a college basketball game in the Sweet and again 8-3 on Thursday night, scored and Nashville beat Chicago goalie. David Rittich made 22 saves No. 4 seed Indiana led 70-60 Sixteen round of the women’s NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San scoring 15 straight goals over the two for its fourth consecutive win. for the win. Laurent Brossoit turned with 2:51 left before top-seeded Antonio, on March 27. (AP) games. Juuse Saros made 20 saves, and away 29 shots in the loss. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 16

Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (left), drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade during the fi rst half of an NBA bas- ketball game in Sacramento, Calif, March 27. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Jazz down Grizzlies for 19th straight home victory Barnes beats buzzer with 3, Kings stun Cavaliers SACRAMENTO, Calif, March 28, (AP): Harrison NBA Results/Standings Barnes hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer after catching an in- bounds pass from the oppo- WASHINGTON, March 28, (AP): NBA results and Portugal, Belgium held as site end of the court and the standings on Saturday. Sacramento Kings beat the Washington 106 Detroit 92 Houston 129 Minnesota 107 Cleveland Cavaliers 100-98 New York 102 Milwaukee 96 on Saturday night. San Antonio 120 Chicago 104 Barnes finished with 16 points Boston 111 Oklahoma City 94 Utah 126 Memphis 110 and 11 rebounds. De’Aaron Fox New Orleans 112 Dallas 103 Luxembourg shock Ireland had 36 points and six assists, and LA Clippers 122 Philadelphia 112 Richaun Holmes added 10 points Sacramento 100 Cleveland 98 and 14 rebounds. Sacramento has Eastern Conference Atlantic Division won four straight, matching its lon- W L Pct GB gest streak of the season. Philadelphia 32 14 .696 - Cleveland’s Collin Sexton scored Brooklyn 31 15 .674 1 New York 24 22 .522 8 26 points, including a layup with 1.6 Boston 23 23 .500 9 seconds remaining after Holmes was Toronto 18 27 .400 13-1/2 called for goaltending. Southeast Division That made it 98-97. Fox then W L Pct GB heaved the ball from one baseline Charlotte 23 21 .523 - Atlanta 23 22 .511 -1/2 to Barnes, who caught the ball and Miami 22 24 .478 2 took a few steps before launching a Washington 16 28 .364 7 26-footer as the buzzer sounded. As Orlando 15 30 .333 8-1/2 Central Division W L Pct GB BASKETBALL Milwaukee 29 16 .644 - Indiana 21 23 .477 7-1/2 Chicago 19 25 .432 9-1/2 soon as the ball went through the net, Cleveland 17 29 .370 12-1/2 Kings players stormed the court and Detroit 12 33 .267 17 mobbed Barnes. The play was re- Western Conference viewed and upheld. Southwest Division W L Pct GB Knicks 102, Bucks 96 San Antonio 23 20 .535 - In Milwaukee, Alec Burks and RJ Dallas 23 21 .523 -1/2 Memphis 21 22 .488 2 Barrett each scored 21 points and New Orleans 20 25 .444 4 New York beat Milwaukee, with the Houston 13 32 .289 11 Bucks playing without Giannis An- Northwest Division tetokounmpo and three other injured W L Pct GB starters. Utah 34 11 .756 - Denver 27 18 .600 7 The victory was costly for the Portland 27 18 .600 7 Knicks, who lost starting center Oklahoma City 19 26 .422 15 Mitchell Robinson to a broken right Minnesota 11 35 .239 23-1/2 foot in the first quarter. He will be Pacific Division re-evaluated when the Knicks return W L Pct GB Phoenix 30 14 .682 - to New York on Sunday. LA Clippers 31 16 .660 -1/2 Antetokounmpo has a sprained LA Lakers 29 17 .630 2 left knee. Brother Thanasis Antetok- Golden State 22 24 .478 9 ounmpo had 23 points and Jordan Sacramento 21 25 .457 10 Nwora 21 for the Bucks. They lost their second straight after eight con- secutive victories. the Clippers. They have won five straight and six of seven. Jazz 126, Grizzlies 110 Pelicans 112, Mavericks 103 Turkey’s goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir (center), clears the ball during a World Cup 2022 group G qualifying soccer match between Norway and Turkey at La In Salt Lake City, Donovan Mitch- Rosaleda stadium in Malaga, Spain, March 27. (AP) ell had 35 points and seven assists and In New Orleans, Zion Williamson NBA-leading Utah beat Memphis for its scored 38 points, including 10 dur- 19th straight home victory. ing New Orleans’ 18-8 run in the Jordan Clarkson added 28 points, final 3:42, and Nickiel Alexander- parted early in the third quarter, hav- Netherlands get World Cup qualification back on track and Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 14 Walker added 20 to lift the Pelicans ing started the game with a sore right rebounds to help Utah improve to 34-11 over short-handed Dallas. foot. Jonas Valanciunas had 13 points Williamson, who had 39 points Westbrook had his NBA-best 15th and 11 rebounds for Memphis. Kyle in a close loss to Denver on Friday triple-double to help the Wizards LONDON, March 28, (AP): bia, believing he should have had a scorer, then took his tally to 59 goals Anderson was the top scorer with 16 night, recorded his 23rd consecutive win for the second time in 10 games winning goal. His shot was heading in 91 international matches after Portugal and Belgium were over the line when Serbia’s Stefan Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliant assist. points. Dillon Brooks added 13 and game of at least 20 points. since the All-Star break. left frustrated by draws in Ja Morant chipped in 12. The Mavericks played without Mitrovic slid and cleared the ball. Both teams had depleted squads Celtics 111, Thunder 94 their World Cup qualifying TV replays indicated the ball did after German clubs refused to re- Clippers 122, 76ers 112 forward Luka Doncic, who sat out In Oklahoma City, Jayson Ta- with an illness, and center Kristaps matches. Ireland were left cross the line, but goal-line technol- lease players including Belgium’s In Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard tum scored 20 of his 27 points in the ogy and video review aren’t used in Thorgan Hazard because they could scored 28 points, Terance Mann add- Porzingis, who was resting on the second half and Boston rallied in the in shock. second half of back-to-back games. the World Cup qualifi ers. have been forced into quarantine ed a season-high 23 and Los Ange- fourth quarter to beat Oklahoma City. Cristiano Ronaldo stormed off Diogo Jota put the reigning Eu- after returning from the Czech Re- les beat Philadelphia in its first game Wizards 106, Pistons 92 Jaylen Brown added 25 points to after he failed to score as Portugal ropean champions ahead with a pair public. against former coach Doc Rivers. In Washington, Russell West- help the Celtics even their season were held 2-2 by Serbia - though TV of fi rst-half headers. But halftime In the other Group E match, Bela- Rivers led the Clippers for seven brook had 19 points, 19 rebounds record to close out a four-game trip. replays indicated he did put the ball substitute Nemanja Radonjic set up rus twice came from behind to kick seasons and directed them to six and 10 assists and Washington beat Moses Brown scored a career-high over the line – while top-ranked Bel- two goals to pull the hosts level with off its World Cup qualifi cation cam- playoff appearances. He took the Detroit in All-Star guard Bradley 21 points and tied a Thunder record gium could only salvage a 1-1 draw half an hour to play. Serbia defender paign with a 4-2 win over 10-man Philadelphia job less than a week af- Beal’s injury-shortened outing. with 23 rebounds. Theo Maledon in the Czech Republic. On a night Nikola Milenkovic saw a direct red Estonia. ter being fired by Los Angeles. Beal had 17 points in 21 minutes added 22 points for Oklahoma City. when underdogs tested big names, card in stoppage time for a danger- The Netherlands got their World Paul George added 24 points for before the NBA scoring leader de- Rockets 129, Timberwolves 107 Luxembourg pulled off the biggest ous studs-fi rst tackle on Danilo. Cup qualifi cation back on track by In Minneapolis, Kevin Porter shock of all to beat Ireland 1-0. Also in Group A, Luxembourg’s beating Latvia 2-0, while Turkey Jr scored 25 points in his return to Stéphanie Frappart made more Gerson Rodrigues scored with fi ve continued their strong start in Group Houston’s lineup, John Wall had 13 history as the fi rst woman to referee minutes remaining to humble the G with a 3-0 victory over Norway to points and 12 assists and Rockets re- a men’s World Cup qualifi er as the Irish, who remained winless in 10 go top on goal difference. bounded to beat Minnesota. Netherlands beat Latvia 2-0. She’s games under coach Stephen Kenny. Steven Berghuis curled in a left- On Friday night in the series previously made similar break- Ireland failed to deal with a high ball footed shot in the 32nd minute and opener, Houston blew a 29-point, throughs in the men’s Champions and Rodrigues pounced to smash a Luuk de Jong headed home a corner second-half lead and was out- League and French league. dipping shot past 19-year-old goal- in the 69th as the Netherlands re- scored 22-0 in the final 7:31 of a Fans remain a rare sight in Euro- keeper Gavin Bazunu from 25 yards bounded from a 4-2 midweek defeat 107-101 loss. The Rockets came pean soccer amid the coronavirus on Bazunu’s international debut. in Turkey. back a night later to win for the pandemic, but some countries are Romelu Lukaku extended his im- second time in four games after a changing that. Russia had 13,000 pressive scoring record with Bel- SOCCER 20-game losing streak. supporters for its 2-1 win over Slo- gium to salvage a 1-1 draw against venia, the biggest crowd at this Czech Republic as the top-ranked Spurs 120, Bulls 104 week’s qualifying games. The Neth- team were lucky to escape with a In a match played in the Spanish In San Antonio, Jakob Poeltl erlands had 5,000 fans as part of a point. city of Malaga, Ozan Tufan scored a scored 20 points, DeMar DeRozan trial scheme to test how more public Facing an inspired Czech side goal in each half and Caglar Soyun- had 17 and San Antonio spoiled events can reopen safely. which hit the woodwork twice, cu headed his country’s second goal Nikola Vucevic’s Chicago debut. Ronaldo tossed his captain’s arm- Belgium struggled defensively and as Turkey easily beat Norway. Vucevic had 21 points, nine re- band on the fi eld as he walked off at conceded early in the second half. Montenegro beat Gibraltar 4-1. bounds and four assists in his Chi- the end of Portugal’s draw with Ser- Lukaku, Belgium’s all-time leading Croatia look nothing like the team Philadelphia 76ers center Dwight Howard, (left), and Los Angeles Clippers cago debut. The Bulls acquired the which reached the World Cup fi nal guard Paul George reach for a rebound during the second half of an NBA All-Star center Thursday in a trade in 2018, but at least their fi ve-game basketball game, March 27, in Los Angeles. (AP) with Orlando. winless run is over. A defensive error gave Mario Pasalic the chance to score the only goal in a 1-0 win over Cyprus, but New Zealand overcome Bangladesh in 1st T20 it wasn’t the emphatic victory Croa- tia wanted after their opening loss HAMILTON, New Zealand, March 28, (AP): Devon Con- the second ODI against Bangladesh. to Slovenia. Luka Modric made his way’s prolific international summer continued Sunday with Sunday’s match featured the anticipated debut of the 135th appearance for his country, an unbeaten 92 which led New Zealand to a 66-run win over 21-year-old Finn Allen who has been a run-scoring machine breaking a tie for the record with for- Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 cricket international. in domestic cricket this summer, making 512 runs in 11 mer full back Darijo Srna. Conway took his runs from only 52 balls and combined in a innings in the New Zealand Super Smash at an average of Russia are top of Group H after 105-run third wicket partnership with Will Young who made a beating Slovenia 2-1 to pick up their half century from 28 balls in his T20 international debut. CRICKET second win. Artem Dzyuba scored The pair lifted New Zealand to 210-3 as they batted first both of Russia’s goals to move after winning the toss. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi then took four within one goal of the Russian team wickets in the space of eight balls - three bowled - as Ban- 56.88 and a strike-rate of 198. record of 30 held by retired striker gladesh managed only 144-8 in reply. His first innings for New Zealand lasted only one ball. He Alexander Kerzhakov. There were Conway’s innings - his fourth T20 international half cen- was bowled first ball and in the first over of the day by left- 13,000 people in the stadium in tury in only his 12th match - followed his 126 in the third arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, who was also on debut, giving Sochi on the Black Sea coast be- one-day international against Bangladesh on Friday which that player his first international wicket. Serbia’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (left), and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo Conway put New Zealand back on course with a 52-run cause of competition rules and Rus- helped New Zealand clinch a 3-0 series win. challenge for the ball during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer sian law. Malta earned a rare point in The South Africa-born batsman also made an unbeaten 99 partnership with Martin Guptill who made 35 from 27 balls match between Serbia and Portugal at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, in a T20 international against Australia in February and 72 in with three fours and two sixes. Serbia, March 27. (AP) a 2-2 draw with Slovakia.

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