Strong Evidence In-Person Schooling Can Be Done Safely

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CDC: Strong evidence in-person schooling can be done safely

In this Feb. 2, 2021, file photo, students wear masks as they work in a fourth-grade classroom, at Elk Ridge Elementary School in Buckley, Wash. Associated Press Associated Press masks, social distancing and oth- The Centers for Disease Control middle of a pandemic that has The nation’s top public health er strategies, and vaccination of and Prevention released its long- killed more than 479,000 people in agency said Friday that in-person teachers, while important, is not a awaited road map for getting stu- the U.S. schooling can resume safely with prerequisite for reopening. dents back to classrooms in the Continued on Page 2 A2 Saturday 13 February 2021 UP FRONT CDC: Strong evidence in-person schooling can be done safely

Continued from Front ing adults and children in to schools. The guidance But the agency’s guidance included a color-coded is just that — it cannot force chart, from blue to red, schools to reopen, and on assessing community CDC officials were careful spread, including rates to say they are not calling of new cases per 100,000 for a mandate that all U.S. people and the percent- schools be reopened. age of positive tests. That Officials said there is strong said, high community trans- evidence now that schools mission does not necessar- can reopen, especially at ily mean schools cannot be lower grade levels. open — especially those The new guidance includes at the elementary level. If many of the same mea- school mitigation measures sures previously backed by are strictly followed, the risk the CDC, but it suggests of spread in the schools them more forcefully. It should still be low, the guid- emphasizes that all of the ance suggests. recommendations must The document suggests be implemented strictly that when things get risky, and consistently to keep elementary schools can go school safe. It also provides hybrid, providing in-person more detailed suggestions instruction at least on some about what type of school- In this Dec. 7, 2020, file photo, students enter P.S. 134 Henrietta Szold Elementary School in New days, but that middle and York. ing should be offered giv- Associated Press high schools might go vir- en different levels of virus tual. transmission, with differing more emphatic than past provide “an additional lay- including students and “The older children get advice for elementary, guidance on the need to er of protection,” she said. parents, have known for ... the more they act like middle and high schools. wear masks in school. The guidance was issued months: It is critical for adults in terms of transmis- Recommended measures “We know that most clus- as President Joe Biden schools to open as safely sion and disease,” Walen- include hand washing, ters in the school setting faces increasing pressure and as soon as possible,” sky explained. “So when disinfection of school fa- have occurred when there to deliver on his promise to he said. we are in areas of high cilities, diagnostic testing are breaches in mask wear- get the majority of schools Becky Pringle, president of transmission, we have and contact tracing to find ing,” Dr. Rochelle Walen- back to in-person teaching the National Education As- pushed more for elemen- new infections and sepa- sky, the CDC’s director, by the end of his first 100 sociation, applauded the tary school hybrid learning. rate infected people from said in a call with reporters. days in office. The White guidance but said schools Government officials es- others in a school. It’s also Vaccinating teachers can House said this week that a are failing to meet it. Most timate that about 60% of national strategy would be still have outdated ventila- K-12 schools right now have guided by science. tion systems, she said, and some form of in-person “We’ve used stronger lan- few have the type of virus learning going on, though guages than prior guid- testing programs suggest- in many cases it may be ance. We’ve been much ed by the CDC. part-time. more prescriptive here as “CDC standards still aren’t Schools also can tighten up to putting some guardrails being met in too many of restrictions for the in-person on what can and should our schools,” Pringle said. learning that is going on. be done to get to a safe “We can and must provide For example, the CDC con- reopening,” Walensky said. students the opportunity to tinues to recommend that “And I can assure you that return to in-person learning, children be spaced 6 feet this is free from political but we also must ensure apart in school settings. meddling,” she added. that every school has the But it should be required There’s wide agreement safety measures in place to when there’s a worrisome that learning in the class- keep students and educa- surge of new infections in room is more effective and tors safe.” the community, said Gre- that students can face CDC officials emphasized ta Massetti, a CDC official isolation and learning set- that in-person learning has who led much of the work backs at home. But teach- not been identified as a on the new guidance. ers unions in some areas substantial driver of coro- Unlike former President say schools have failed navirus spread in U.S. com- Donald Trump, who pres- to make buildings safe munities, and that transmis- sured schools to open and enough to return. sion among students is now blasted the CDC for issu- The new guidance was considered relatively rare. ing guidance that he said embraced by both sides of The CDC also stressed that was impractical, Biden has the debate, with each say- the safest way to open kept his distance from the ing it bolstered their posi- schools is by making sure CDC as it works on recom- tion. House Minority Leader there is as little disease in mendations. Even after the Kevin McCarthy said it’s fur- a community as possible. CDC’s director recently ther evidence that schools The agency urged local of- said that vaccinations are are equipped to reopen ficials to assess whether a not a prerequisite for re- now. bad outbreak is occurring opening, the White House The new information “af- in a community when mak- declined to take a firm firms what many of us, ing decisions about send- stance on the question.q A3 U.S. NEWS Saturday 13 February 2021 Biden will try to close Guantanamo after ‘robust’ review

By BEN FOX enemies and a distraction Associated Press for our allies” and said he WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- supported closing it but left dent Joe Biden will seek to it to his successor. close the prison on the U.S. Under Bush, the U.S. began base at Guantanamo Bay efforts to prosecute some following a review process, prisoners for war crimes in resuming a project begun tribunals known as military under the Obama admin- commissions. It also re- istration, the White House leased 532 prisoners. said Friday. Obama vowed to close White House press secre- the detention center, while tary Jen Psaki said it was the keeping the larger Navy “intention” of the Biden ad- base, but ran into fierce po- ministration to close the de- litical opposition over plans tention facility, something to prosecute and imprison President Barack Obama men in the U.S. and con- pledged to do within a cerns that returning others year shortly after he took to their homeland would office in January 2009. pose a security risk. Psaki gave no timeline, To some extent at least, telling reporters that the that opposition remains. formal review would be “The Democrats’ obsession “robust” and would re- In this photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, the Office of Military Commissions building used for with bringing terrorists into quire the participation of Periodic Review Board hearings is seen, Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Americans’ backyards is bi- Cuba. officials from the Depart- Associated Press zarre, misguided, and dan- ment of Defense, the Jus- gerous,” Sen. John Cornyn, tice Department and other 40 prisoners left and Guan- pected. Biden had said as at Guantanamo include a Republican from Texas, agencies who have not yet tanamo draws much less a candidate he support- five who were previously said after the White House been appointed under the public attention, though his ed closing the detention cleared for release through announcement Friday. new administration. announcement did draw center. Defense Secretary an intensive review process “Just like with President “There are many players some immediate criticism. Lloyd Austin said so as well created under Obama as Obama, Republicans will from different agencies The U.S. opened the de- in written testimony for his part of the effort to close fight it tooth and nail.” who need to be part of this tention center in January Senate confirmation. the detention center and Under his administration, policy discussion about the 2002 to hold people sus- “Guantanamo has pro- transfer the remaining pris- 197 were repatriated or re- steps forward,” she said. pected of ties to al-Qaida vided us the capability to oners to facilities in the U.S. settled in other countries. Obama ran into intense and the Taliban. It became conduct law of war deten- At its peak in 2003, the de- That left 41 under Trump, domestic political oppo- a source of international tion in order to keep our tention center at the Navy who pledged at one point sition when he sought to criticism over the mistreat- enemies off the battlefield, base on the southeast tip to “load it up” with some close the detention center, ment of prisoners and the but I believe it is time for the of Cuba held nearly 680 “bad dudes.” He never did a notorious symbol of the prolonged imprisonment of detention facility at Guan- prisoners. Amid the inter- and approved a single re- U.S. fight against terrorism. people without charge. tanamo to close,” Austin national outrage, President lease, a Saudi prisoner who Biden may have more lee- The announcement of a said. George W. Bush called it a had reached a plea deal way now that there are only closure plan was not unex- The 40 remaining prisoners “a propaganda tool for our in his war crimes case. q White House aide suspended for threatening reporter By ALEXANDRA JAFFE feel uncomfortable, to be Politico broke the story Associated Press put in an uncomfortable Tuesday, People Magazine WASHINGTON (AP) — White position,” Psaki said. published a glowing profile House deputy press secre- Psaki said in a statement of the relationship. It was tary T.J. Ducklo has been earlier Friday that Ducklo the first time either one had suspended for a week with- had been suspended with- publicly acknowledged out pay after he reportedly out pay with the approval the relationship. issued a sexist and profane of White House chief of staff Psaki, White House commu- threat to a journalist seek- Ron Klain. She said Ducklo nications director Kate Be- ing to cover his relationship “is the first to acknowledge dingfield and Anita Dunn, with another reporter. this is not the standard of director of West Wing oper- White House press secre- behavior set out” by Biden, ations, were all reportedly tary Jen Psaki said Friday and that Ducklo had sent involved in conversations that Ducklo’s conduct was the reporter in question “a with Politico editors about “completely unaccept- personal note professing his the incident. Psaki said that In this Feb. 9, 2021 photo, White House deputy press secretary able.” Psaki said while she profound regret.” when Ducklo returns, he TJ Ducklo listens as press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington. had not spoken about the Ducklo’s personal life came won’t be assigned to work Associated Press incident with President Joe under scrutiny earlier this with any Politico reporters. Biden, Ducklo and aides week when Politico report- President Donald Trump’s frequently pick fights with professional tone with the “at the highest levels” of ed on his relationship with a White House was known and lob personal attacks Washington press corps the White House’s commu- reporter for the news outlet for an adversarial relation- at reporters from behind from the start, installing a nications team had apolo- Axios who was assigned to ship with reporters, and the podium. But the Biden cadre of seasoned Wash- gized for the incident. cover the Biden campaign both Trump himself and his White House sought to ington communicators led “No one wants anyone to and its transition. Before lead spokespeople would strike a more cordial and by Psaki. q A4 Saturday 13 February 2021 U.S. NEWS Census: No redistricting data until end of September

By MIKE SCHNEIDER ing member, President Pro Associated Press Tempore Jake Corman, The U.S. Census Bureau said said late-arriving data Friday it won’t be delivering could mean postpone- data used for redrawing ment of next year’s primary congressional and state election, currently set for legislative districts until the May 17, 2022. The state end of September, caus- House and Senate will hold ing headaches for state a joint committee hearing lawmakers and redistricting Wednesday on the impact commissions facing dead- of the delay in the Census lines to redraw districts this Bureau data. year. Officials at the statis- The announcement from tical agency blamed op- the statistical agency erational delays during the came as a bipartisan group 2020 census caused by the of U.S. senators introduced pandemic. legislation that would ex- “The biggest reason? CO- tend the deadline for turn- VID-19. It’s something being in the redistricting data yond the Census Bureau’s to Sept. 30. control,” said Kathleen The legislation introduced Styles, the Census Bureau’s by Democratic U.S. Sen. chief of Decennial Com- Brian Schatz of Hawaii and munications and Stake- In this Oct. 5, 2020 file photo, a flashing sign near the iconic “Freedom Tower,” advises people to Republican U.S. Sens. Lisa holder Relations, in a call fill out their census forms in downtown Miami. Murkowski and Dan Sul- Associated Press with reporters. livan, both of Alaska, also Styles had previously said states on a flow basis, the New Year, primaries may “We are consistently aware sets an April 30 deadline the redistricting data would 2020 redistricting data will have to be delayed. of the urgency and needs for turning in the apportion- be available no earlier than be made available to the In the end, though, ex- of the states for this data,” ment figures used for divvy- the end of July because of states all at once, accord- perts said the elections will Whitehorne said. ing up congressional seats delays caused by the virus. ing to the Census Bureau. proceed as normal in No- Eric Holder, a U.S. attorney among the states. The Cen- Before the pandemic, the The delayed release cre- vember 2022. The biggest general in the Obama ad- sus Bureau had previously deadline for finishing the ates a chain reaction in impact will be to compress ministration, warned that announced it was aim- redistricting data had been the political world. Sev- the window during which the new deadline shouldn’t ing to hand in those state March 31. eral states will not get the lawyers can challenge bad be “a pretext to hold 2022 population counts by that The redistricting data in- data until after their legal maps in court. elections on old maps” in date. cludes counts of popula- deadlines for drawing new Census Bureau officials are an effort at political gain, or The once-a-decade cen- tion by race, Hispanic ori- districts, requiring them to aware of the deadlines to draw maps without sig- sus is used to determine gin, voting age and hous- either rewrite laws or ask facing lawmakers and re- nificant public input, using how many congressional ing occupancy status at courts to allow them a districting commissions na- the compressed timetable seats and Electoral Col- geographic levels as small free pass due to the delay. tionwide, but “we have a as an excuse. lege votes each state gets. as neighborhoods, and Candidates may not know strong schedule that re- “I will oppose any such ef- It also is used for redrawing they are used for drawing yet whether they will live in flects the time we need,” forts,” said Holder, who state and local political dis- voting districts for Congress the district they want to run said James Whitehorne, chairs the National Demo- tricts and determining the and state legislatures. Un- in by the filing deadline. In chief of the Redistricting cratic Redistricting Com- distribution of $1.5 trillion like in past decades when some cases, if fights over and Voting Rights Data of- mittee. In Pennsylvania, in federal spending each the data were released to new maps drag into the fice at the bureau. the state Senate’s rank- year.q

Man charged with shooting guard at Virginia federal facility

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Rankin was also wounded want my money!,” court but the officer fired back, man accused of shooting in an exchange of gunfire. documents stated. wounding Rankin, court a security guard at a Virgin- Norfolk police previously The guard told Rankin he documents said. The guard ia social security building said Rankin’s wounds were could not enter the building went upstairs to contact came equipped with sev- life-threatening but it’s un- due to COVID-19 protocols, police and later came eral weapons, 600 rounds clear whether his condition but Rankin became agitat- downstairs to watch Rankin of ammunition and three has changed. The guard ed, pulled out a pistol and until authorities arrived. bottles of beer, authori- was expected to recover. told the guard he wasn’t Authorities found sever- ties said. William Rankin, Rankin’s wife told FBI agents leaving without the money, al guns and roughly 600 44, was charged with at- after the shooting that he the document said. rounds of ammunition in tempted murder of some- had been dealing with Rankin asked the guard Rankin’s rifle bag, along one helping an employee Social Security over the to put his gun down and with beer and sandwiches. of the U.S. government, phone for months regard- when the guard refused, Officers later interviewed and other offenses, after ing his mother’s benefits, Rankin fired at the officer, Rankin’s wife, who told he entered the Norfolk So- according to the affidavit wounding him in several them he was having issues cial Security Administration filed against Rankin. places including the up- getting Social Security ben- In this 2017 photo released building Monday afternoon The incident began when per chest, Goodrich said. A efits for his mother. by the Chesapeake Sheriff’s and wounded a guard, Rankin entered the build- bulletproof vest saved the It’s unclear whether Rankin Office is William D. Rankin. FBI Special Agent Justin ing with a rifle bag on his guard. had an attorney who would Associated Press Goodrich said Thursday. shoulder and shouted, “I Rankin turned to leave comment on his behalf.q A5 WORLD NEWS Saturday 13 February 2021 Russia says it’s ready for split if E.U. imposes new sanctions

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV comes “mutually beneficial Associated Press cooperation whenever the MOSCOW (AP) — Russia other side is ready for such is prepared for a split with a cooperation and for such the European Union if the a dialogue,” adding that EU imposes new crippling Russia has “indicated that sanctions amid a dispute they are not really willing to over the treatment of op- go in this direction.” position leader Alexei Na- German Foreign Ministry valny, the nation’s top dip- spokeswoman Andrea lomat warned Friday. Sasse described Lavrov’s In response to a question comments as “really dis- about Moscow’s willing- concerting and complete- ness to rupture links with the ly incomprehensible to us.” EU, Foreign Minister Sergey She told reporters in Berlin Lavrov said in televised re- that Foreign Minister Heiko marks that Russia doesn’t Maas had made Germa- want to be isolated but ny’s grievances with Russia must increase its self-suffi- clear but also emphasized ciency to face potential EU that “we are interested in sanctions. cooperation with Russia.” “We don’t want to be iso- Russia-EU relations have lated from international life, sunk to new lows over Na- but we must be ready for In this photo taken on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 and provided by the Babuskinsky District Court, Russian valny’s arrest and impris- that,” Lavrov said. “If you opposition leader Alexei Navalny stands in a cage during a hearing on charges of defamation in onment. The most promi- want peace, you must pre- the Babuskinsky District Court in Moscow, Russia. nent political foe of Rus- Associated Press pare for war.” sian President Vladimir Asked if Russia is heading for the worst and increas- Kremlin spokesman Dmi- asked about Lavrov’s com- Putin was arrested Jan. 17 toward a split with the Eu- ingly rely on its own resourc- try Peskov emphasized that ment. “We must be self- upon his return from Ger- ropean Union, Lavrov re- es. Russia wants to maintain reliant. We must ensure our many, where he spent five plied, “We proceed from “We must achieve that in normal ties with the EU but security in the most sensi- months recuperating from the assumption that we are the economic sphere, if needs to prepare for the tive strategic areas and be the nerve agent poisoning ready for that.” we see again, as we have worst, if the bloc takes hos- prepared to replace every- he blamed on the Kremlin. He emphasized the impor- felt more than once, that tile actions. thing we could be deprived Russian authorities have tance of economic ties sanctions imposed in some “If we face a destructive of with national infrastruc- denied the allegations. with the 27 EU nations, add- areas create risks to our course that will hurt our in- ture in case madness pre- Last week, a court in Mos- ing that Russia would con- economy, including in the frastructure, our interests, vails and such unfriendly cow sent Navalny to prison tinue engaging in mutually most sensitive spheres, such Russia must be ready in ad- actions take place.” for two years and eight beneficial cooperation. as supplies of parts and vance for such unfriendly European Commission months for violating terms At the same time, Lavrov components,” the Russian steps,” Peskov said during spokesman Peter Stano of his probation while recu- said, Russia must prepare foreign minister added. a call with reporters when said Friday the EU wel- perating in Germany. q Air travelers to Canada to isolate at hotels starting Feb 22 By ROB GILLIES Trudeau said Friday. firmed that — with limited affect Canadian “snow- their workers safe. Associated Press Trudeau previously an- exceptions — nonessential birds” who winter abroad Travelers would then iso- TORONTO (AP) — Air trav- nounced stricter restric- air travelers will be required and return home in the late at home or elsewhere elers to Canada will quar- tions would be imposed on to reserve a three-night spring. if the test is negative. Can- antine in a hotel starting nonessential air travelers stay in a government-au- Health Minister Patty Hajdu ada already requires those on Feb. 22 as they await in response to new, likely thorized hotel at their own said vaccinated Cana- entering the country to the result of a coronavirus more contagious variants. expense before they de- dians will not be exempt self-isolate for 14 days and test, Prime Minister Justin Government officials con- part for Canada, because research is still bans nonessential travel to Those who cross the U.S. not clear on whether those the country. border by land won’t have vaccinated can still trans- Trudeau also said he spoke to isolate at a hotel, but mit the virus to others. to the chief executive of will have to show a nega- Some Canadian “snow- vaccine-maker Pfizer and tive test taken within three birds” are getting vacci- said he confirmed Cana- days before arrival and be nated in Florida and Ari- da will get 4 million doses tested on arrival as well as zona. from that company be- toward the end of a 14- Trudeau said it could take fore the end of March, as day quarantine at home up to three days for test well as 10.8 million doses or elsewhere. results to be available and in April, May and June — Public Safety Minister Bill he previously said the cost more than previously an- Blair said less than 5% of of a hotel stay for air travel- nounced. those who cross the land ers could be $2,000 Cana- Trudeau also said Canada border are nonessential, dian (US$1,576.). The steep is buying another 4 million one reason why the ho- cost for the hotel stay in- Moderna vaccines and is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a news conference at tel stay is not required for cludes the cost for security, looking at the possibility Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. those who enter by land. food and measures hotels of getting vaccines from Associated Press The measures especially will have to take to keep India.q A6 Saturday 13 February 2021 WORLD NEWS Myanmar draft cybersecurity law adds to protests over coup

By ELAINE KURTENBACH urging authorities to main- AP Business Writer tain an open internet. BANGKOK (AP) — A draft But it also noted it needed cybersecurity law due to to consider the safety of its be implemented in Myan- own employees. mar has raised protests that A group of 158 Myanmar it will be used to quash dis- nongovernmental organi- sent rather than protect pri- zations also has released vacy. a statement protesting the Human rights advocates draft law. issued statements Friday Before the coup, the gov- urging the country’s military ernment had been working leaders to drop the plan on a master plan for inter- and end internet disrup- net management and cy- tions that have intensified bersecurity. since a Feb. 1 coup. Among other requirements, The draft law shows the opponents of the draft law military’s intent to “perma- said it calls for banning on- nently undermine internet line anonymity, removing freedom in the country,” content the government said Matthew Bugher, head deems unacceptable and of the Asia program for the punishing violations with group Article 19, which is- criminal penalties. sued a statement con- Buddhist monks display pictures of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a street march The law demands the elimi- demning the plan along against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. nation of online comments with the Open Net Associa- Associated Press considered to be misinfor- tion and the International said. The military’s seizure “unprecedented power to COVID-19 pandemic, and mation or disinformation, Commission of Jurists. of power and arrest of na- censor citizens and violate for economic opportuni- that might cause “hate” Internet service providers tional leader Aung San Suu their privacy, contraven- ties,” the company said in a or disrupt stability, and any and others were given un- Kyi and other members of ing democratic norms and statement posted on a sec- comment that might vio- til Monday, Feb. 15, to re- her National League for fundamental rights guar- tion of its website devoted late any existing law. spond to the proposed law. Democracy party have anteed under international to the Myanmar crisis. Its provisions call for a sen- “It is telling that controlling sparked massive peaceful law.” He urged coup lead- “When following author- tence of up to three years cyberspace is one of the protests across the country, ers to consider “potentially ity orders in these irregular and/or a fine for any per- top priorities of the Myan- despite efforts by authori- devastating” impacts on times, we know it has neg- son convicted of creating mar military, which seized ties to enforce order by dis- the Myanmar economy ative impact on human “misinformation” and “dis- power through an illegiti- rupting internet services. and people. rights in Myanmar. We are information” with the intent mate coup d’etat only last That has put internet ser- Norway’s Telenor, a major working to minimize this im- of causing public panic, week,” said Sam Zarifi, the vice providers and other mobile service provider, pact,” it said. loss of trust or social division International Commission telecommunications com- said it was facing “several The company said it was in cyberspace. of Jurists’ secretary general. panies in a bind. dilemmas.” assessing each govern- The law also would require “The military is used to hav- Jeff Paine, managing di- “Access to telecom servic- ment order according to its internet service providers ing total power in Myan- rector of the Asia Internet es is essential for people to legality, impact on human to keep usernames, IP ad- mar, but this time they have Coalition, a group of lead- exercise their basic right to rights, necessity and trans- dresses and other personal to face a population that ing global internet compa- freedom of opinion and ex- parency. It listed five active data for up to three years. has access to information nies including Facebook pression, and to gain infor- directives from the govern- The data has to be kept in and can communicate in- and Google, said the bill mation. These services are ment since Feb. 1 to block a place designated by the ternally and externally,” he would give the military also critical in the ongoing IP addresses and said it was government. q U.N.: Over 2 million Yemeni children may starve in 2021 der the age of 5 are expect- Yemen, as donor nations UNICEF and the World ed to endure acute malnu- have failed to make good Health Organization. trition in 2021, four United on their commitments. “The crisis in Yemen is a Nations agencies said Fri- Compounding the crisis, toxic mix of conflict, eco- day, urging stakeholders to around 1.2 million pregnant nomic collapse and a se- end the yearslong conflict or breastfeeding women in vere shortage of funding,” that has brought the Arab Yemen are also projected Beasley explained. In 2020, world’s poorest country to to be acutely malnourished humanitarian programs in the brink of famine. this year. Yemen received only $1.9 The U.N. report warned “These numbers are yet an- billion of the required $3.4 that nearly one in six of other cry for help from Ye- billion, the report said. those kids — 400,000 of the men, where each malnour- UNICEF estimates that virtu- 2.3 million — are at risk of ished child also means a ally all of Yemen’s 12 million death due to severe acute family struggling to survive,” children require some sort In this June 27, 2020 file photo, a medic checks a malnourished malnutrition this year, a sig- said David Beasley, execu- of assistance. newborn baby inside an incubator at Al-Sabeen hospital in nificant increase from last tive director of the World This can include food aid, Sanaa, Yemen. year’s estimates. Food Program, which joint- health services, clean wa- Associated Press The report also said a lack ly issued the report with the ter, schooling and cash By NOHA ELHENNAWY CAIRO (AP) — More than 2 of funds was hampering Food and Agriculture Or- grants to help the poorest Associated Press million Yemeni children un- humanitarian programs in ganization, families scrape by. q A7 WORLD NEWS Saturday 13 February 2021 Int’l Criminal Court member states to elect new prosecutor

By MIKE CORDER one against ex-President Associated Press Alfonso Portillo. THE HAGUE, Netherlands Gaynor is currently a judge (AP) — Member states of at a Kosovo war crimes the International Criminal court and a prosecutor at Court were electing a new a Cambodia war crimes prosecutor Friday, ending tribunal as well as hav- a drawn-out and divisive ing represented victims at process for appointing the the ICC and been a pros- person who will replace in- ecution lawyer at U.N. war cumbent Fatou Bensouda crimes tribunals for Rwanda when her nine-year term and the former Yugoslavia. expires later this year. He has also acted as a le- The prosecutor holds a gal representative for Pal- position that is one of the estinian victims in the ICC toughest in international probe of alleged crimes in law due to the nature of the Palestinian territories and court’s cases. The Trump for victims in the court’s Af- administration slapped ghanistan investigation. sanctions on Bensouda Lo Voi, a late addition to and one of her top aides the ballot, is a Palermo last year for continuing to prosecutor with a history of investigate war crimes alle- tackling mafia crime in It- gations against Americans, In this Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, file photo the sun bounces off the International Criminal Court in The aly. Human Rights Watch’s although the court was of- Hague, Netherlands. Evenson urged the court’s Associated Press ten criticized in the past for member states to pick the its focus on African crimes. number of innovative steps against his client. tossed the charges for lack best candidate. Last week, ICC judges an- to guide this election pro- Gaynor, one of his rivals of evidence. Fernandez’s “As ICC member countries gered Jerusalem by say- cess, they did not put in for the prosecutor’s job, background includes filing cast their ballots for the ing the court’s jurisdiction place steps to profession- acted as a legal repre- cases against former dic- next ICC prosecutor, they extends to territories occu- ally vet candidates as part sentative for victims in the tators Gen. Jorge Rafael should do so solely with the pied by Israel in the 1967 of an assessment of ‘high Ruto case, which focused Videla of Argentina and merit of the candidates Mideast war, potentially moral character,’ a key re- on post-election violence. Gen. Augusto Pinochet of in mind. The ICC prosecu- clearing the way for the quirement under the ICC Judges said the case was Chile. He also helped win tor drives the work of the prosecutor to open an in- treaty for the prosecutor,” marked by politician med- indictments in war crimes court, in deciding which vestigation into Israeli mili- Liz Evenson, associate inter- dling and interference with and organized crime cases cases to pursue and how,” tary actions and the coun- national justice director at prosecution witnesses, and in Guatemala, including she said.q try’s construction of settle- Human Rights Watch, said. ments in the occupied A diplomat who spoke on West Bank and annexed condition of anonymity to east Jerusalem. discuss details of closed Attempts to appoint the meetings said the fact that global court’s third prose- many of the meetings to cutor by consensus among discuss possible successors the 123 member states to Bensouda took place failed, forcing the process virtually made it difficult for into secret balloting. Fri- member nations to discuss day’s vote involves four concerns during informal candidates: Spain’s Carlos “corridor” meetings. Castresana Fernandez, Fer- Khan, an assistant secre- gal Gaynor of Ireland, Brit- tary-general of the United ish barrister Karim Khan and Nations, was widely seen Francesco Lo Voi of Italy. as the favorite to get the After a first round of voting, job, but neither he nor any no candidate gained the of the other candidates necessary absolute major- garnered enough support ity. Khan led with 59 votes, to be appointed by con- followed by Gaynor with sensus, prompting Friday’s 47. Fernandez got 12 votes election in New York. and Lo Voi five. A second At the U.N., Khan leads ballot was scheduled for an investigative team set later Friday. up to investigate allega- The selection process and tions of genocide, crimes the alleged failure by the against humanity and war ICC’s Assembly of States crimes committed by the Parties to conduct stringent Islamic State group in Iraq. background checks on He is no stranger to the ICC, the candidates has drawn having acted as a defense criticism from civil soci- lawyer for Kenyan Deputy ety groups that work with President William Ruto and the court. “Although ICC persuading judges to throw member countries took a out prosecution charges A8 Saturday 13 February 2021 local

Valentine Vibes

ORANJESTAD — Aruba Today invited their readers to surprise their loved one by sending us a picture of her/him to- gether with a personal message to pub- lish in our newspaper. We are thankful for the wonderful and lovely messages and pictures we received and are happy to share them with you. Enjoy this festive day where you can emphasize the im- portance of this special person in your life. Celebrate love!q Happy Valentine’s Day to the women in my life! Love ya!!!

Drew

Looking forward to many more days in our second home of Aruba. I Love You Very Much. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Your Lunny, David

Happy Valentine’s Day Jimmy! I am so lucky to have Dear Ana, you in my life. I love you!! Feliz Dia de San Valentin. Dean and Sonny, I’m so happy to celebrate Xoxo Mack with you this year in Aruba. After spending Valentine’s Cheers to many more! week with you in beautiful Aruba in our shared condo Neel for the last 22 years, we couldn’t join you this year! Miss you! Hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day.

Love, Steve and Sally

My JoAnn,

For 42 years you have been my one true companion, my safe place to fall, my My love and I on Aruba, our 38th truest friend. Thank you for straight year, it was really touch and loving me through each go to get here. But love conquered bend in the road and every all, bringing us to our happy place. season of life. Our love is enhanced on beautiful Aruba. I love you Mike! Forever yours alone, Glenn Pat Scimeca A9 LOCAL Saturday 13 February 2021

Simply the Best for your other half at Madame Janette

NOORD — Come and delight your- self and your loved one with a magnificent dinner under the stars. A unique experience for your taste buds that only Madame Janette can present to you on this Valen- tine's Day. Janette will also have their famous To make this night more special cal night. a-La-Carte menu for everyone's Madame Janette has prepared For reservation call +297 587.0184 On February 14th, Madame Ja- preference. a special photo booth so every or send an email to mjrestauranta- nette will have a special 4 course For this day they will have a Live guest can have a nice memory of [email protected] dinner menu with options for Performance Entertainer that will their Valentine's Date night. Please make your reservation on champagne or wine pairing espe- play romantic songs that will bring For 23 years Madame Janette has time so you won't miss out on this cially for the wine lovers. Madame you more into the romantic mood. been the #1 restaurant for a magi- fantastic experience. q

Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.) launches new concept: Promotions for ‘workations Aruba’ receives great

• Hotel • Hotels with kitchens such as timeshares • Condominiums and vacation rentals ORANJESTAD — The latest developments of the tion Bureau (A.C.B) and A.T.A. through their The outcome of this promotion has been very Covid-19 pandemic shows that more and more ‘business-to-business’ (B2B) database and all positive in the US market. Many families see this persons are working from home. The Aruba other marketing channels in order to reach all as an opportunity to leave their country to stay Tourism Authority (A.T.A.) took this fact as an interested in this ‘workation’ in Aruba. ‘Worka- at our island for an extended period as a great opportunity to present Aruba as an alternative tion’ is currently being promoted in the US and opportunity to work and at the same time va- destination for the persons that want to visit the visitors will be able to stay in Aruba for 90 days. cation. US citizens do have to go through dif- island and stay longer while at the same time be In the future Aruba hopes to be able to extend ferent protocols before being able to visit the able to work. This in return will create an income this in order to offer longer periods. island but from reactions received at the A.T.A. for our local businesses and our economy. office it is worth it. They know that despite the Attractive and valuable packages are being challenges caused by the pandemic they still The project is being led by the Aruba Conven- offered at three types of accommodations: feel safe in Aruba.q A10 Saturday 13 February 2021 LOCAL Amazing Azure

Aruba Today was delighted to talk to a wonderful couple market and is able to cap- from New York, Esteban Marquez and his wife who are ture all those people stay- proud owner of one of the condos. “We love the condo ing home at this time. “We we have purchased at Azure. We are planning on retire- continuously show our new ment five years from now, we are from New York. This is ex- projects and new financial cellent, we are very happy with our choice and we love ideas. We are very optimis- the island.” Happy owners on a happy island, it sounds tic. This is going to be the Alberto Perret-Gentil, Vice-president of operations like music to his ears says Alberto Perret-Gentil, Executive best time in sales in our 20 Vice-president of Operations at Azure Beach Residences. years on Aruba,” Perret- EAGLE BEACH — Azure Beach Residences speaks “In August 2020 we had the grand opening of Tower II Gentil states. for itself the moment you set foot on the place. The of Azure Beach Residences. We see that there is a new luxurious real estate has all ingredients to offer you trend of people wanting to work from their second home, Tower 1 of Azure Beach a 5-star-de-luxe plate. Located right on the beach, their vacation condo. Our island is blessed with the per- Residences has 45 units on offering a blend between your own condominium fect beaches and climate, it is very safe and –many do the northern and southern with advantages and experience of a hotel and all not know this- it has the best internet in the Caribbean.” corner and is practically amenities that belong to a spot in heaven. During the COVID-19 crisis Pering Group, also the devel- sold out. The residence oper of Harbour House Aruba, stays connected to their offers two units at the up- per level of the Clubhouse which has on the ground level the restaurant and the lobby and on the up- per level the gym, area for grill and a pool table. Tower 2 offers 60 units with studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom units and 3- bedroom penthouses at the 8th floor. For more information you can visit the website www.azure-aruba. com. Harbour House Aru- ba is another project of this group offering 94 condominiums in Oranjestad, just in front of the Renaissance Mall. More information can be found at: www.har- bourhousearuba.com.q

facebook.com/arubatoday/ A11 business Saturday 13 February 2021 Sign of inequality: U.S. salaries recover even as jobs haven’t

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER For people making less AP Economics Writer than $30,000 a year, em- WASHINGTON (AP) — In a ployment has fallen 14% stark sign of the economic as of December. For those inequality that has marked earning more than $85,000, the pandemic recession it has actually risen slightly. and recovery, Americans For those in-between, em- as a whole are now earning ployment has fallen 4%. the same amount in wages By contrast, job losses were and salaries that they did much more widespread before the virus struck — in the Great Recession of even with nearly 9 million 2008-2009. fewer people working. Relatively higher-paying The turnaround in total blue collar jobs in manu- wages underscores how facturing and construction disproportionately Ameri- were hit worst: Construction ca's job losses have afflict- lost 20% of its jobs, manu- ed workers in lower-income facturing 15%. Even a de- occupations rather than cade later, neither sector in higher-paying industries, had fully recovered those where employees have jobs by the time the pan- actually gained jobs as demic hit. Financial servic- well as income since early es lost 6% of its jobs in the last year. In this Feb. 6, 2021 file photo, a woman walks past a “Now Hiring” sign displayed at a CD One Price previous recession, com- In February 2020, Ameri- Cleaners in Schaumburg, Ill. pared with 1% this time. Associated Press cans earned $9.66 trillion Some companies have cut in wages and salaries, at wages in this recession, but a seasonally adjusted an- cans who have kept their half the economy-wide worked part time. The av- on the whole the many nual rate, according to the jobs have received. average of nearly $30 an erage work week in the in- millions of Americans fortu- Commerce Department The job cuts resulting from hour. dustry that includes hotels, nate enough to keep their data. By April, after the vi- the pandemic recession "It tells the story of an econ- restaurants and bars is just jobs have generally re- rus had flattened the U.S. have fallen heavily on low- omy that has really tanked below 26 hours. That's the ceived pay raises at largely economy, that figure had er-income workers across for the most vulnerable," shortest such figure among pre-recession rates. Some shrunk by 10%. It then grad- the service sector — from said Elise Gould, an econo- 13 major industries tracked of those income gains likely ually recovered before restaurants and hotels to mist at the liberal Economic by the government. The reflect cost-of-living raises; reaching $9.67 trillion in De- retail stores and entertain- Policy Institute. "It's shocking next shortest is retail, at the Commerce Depart- cember, the latest period ment venues. how small a dent that has about 31 hours. The aver- ment's wage and salary for which data is available. By contrast, tens of millions made in the aggregate." age for all industries is near- data isn't adjusted for infla- Those dollar figures include of higher-income Ameri- The figures also underscore ly 35 hours. tion. only wages and salaries cans, especially those able the unusually accelerated The recovery in wages and Tedeschi calculates that that people earned from to work from home, have nature of this recession. salaries helps explain why the typical — or median — jobs. managed to keep or ac- As a whole, both the job some states haven't suf- hourly pay for employed They don't include mon- quire jobs and continue to losses that struck early last fered as sharp a drop in workers has risen about ey that tens of millions of receive pay increases. spring and the initial re- tax revenue as many had 3.5% in the past year, Americans have received "We've never seen anything bound in hiring that fol- feared. That is especially roughly the same pace from unemployment ben- like that before," said Rich- lowed have happened true for states that rely on as before the pandemic. efits or the Social Security ard Deitz, a senior econo- much faster than they did progressive taxes that fall That's a sign of what some and other aid that goes mist at the Federal Reserve in previous recessions and more heavily on the rich. economists refer to as the to many other households. Bank of New York, referring recoveries. After the Great California, for example, "sticky wages" concept: The figures also don't in- to the concentration of job Recession, for example, it said last month that it has Some employers prefer to clude investment income. losses. "It's a totally differ- took nearly 2 1/2 years for a $15 billion budget sur- lay off workers while leav- A separate measure ent kind of downturn than wages and salaries to re- plus. Yet many cities are still ing pay largely unchanged tracked by the Labor De- we've experienced in mod- gain their pre-recession lev- struggling, and local tran- for their remaining employ- partment shows the same ern times. els. sit agencies, such as New ees. result: Total labor income, "Of the nearly 10 million jobs "This is one of the worst re- York City's subway, have Truman Bewley, a retired excluding government that have been eliminated cessions we've ever had — been hammered by the Yale University economist workers, was 0.6% higher in by the pandemic, 40% compressed into one-tenth pandemic. who wrote a book about January than it was a year have been in restaurants, of the time that a normal The wage and salary data the concept of sticky wag- earlier. bars, hotels, arts, and en- recession would take," said also helps explain the es, said that most com- That is "pretty remarkable," tertainment. Retailers have Ernie Tedeschi, policy econ- steady gains in the stock panies have a key core given the sharp drop in em- lost nearly 400,000 jobs and omist at the investment market, which have been of workers they rely on ployment, said Michael Fer- many low-paying health bank Evercore ISI. "Hope- led by high-tech compa- through hard times and oli, an economist at JPMor- care workers, such as nurs- fully, the recovery will con- nies whose products are are reluctant to cut pay for gan Chase. ing home attendants and tinue to be compressed as being heavily purchased them. The figures document that home health care aides, well. That's where the fears and used by higher-income And there's another rea- the vanished earnings from have also been laid off. are and where the debate Americans, such as Apple son, Bewley said, why many 8.9 million Americans who On average, restaurant is." iPads, Peloton bikes, or Am- companies cut jobs instead have lost jobs to the pan- workers make just below One reason why the job azon's online shopping. of pay. While researching demic remain less than the $13 an hour, according to losses have had relatively This week, the New York his book, he said a factory combined salaries of new Labor Department data. little impact on the nation's Fed released research that manager told him why his hires and the pay raises Retail cashier pay is about total pay is that so many of underscored how focused company did so: "It gets that the 150 million Ameri- the same. That's less than the affected employees the job losses have been. the misery out the door."q A12 Saturday 13 February 2021 SCIENCE Mars mission inspires growing fan base back in China

nary other worlds with the explosive success of “The Three-Body Problem” by Liu Cixin, first published as a magazine serial from 2006 to 2010. In 2015, Liu became the first Chinese author to receive the Hugo Award, science fiction’s highest honor. A Hollywood-style blockbuster, “The Wandering Earth,” based on a novella by Liu, grossed more than $700 million worldwide in 2019. China became the third nation to launch an astro- naut into orbit on its own in 2003, four decades after the former Soviet Union and the United States. Its first temporary orbiting laboratory was launched in 2011 and a second in 2016. Plans call for a permanent space station after 2022. Space officials had ex- pressed hope for a crewed lunar mission as early as this A delivery driver waits for an order at a space-themed cafe in Beijing, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. year but said that depend- Associated Press ed on budget and tech- By SAM McNEIL Mars. ent and create “influen- shay Kumar, led a 2019 nology. They have pushed Associated Press Tourists flock to tropical tial original science fiction blockbuster, “Mission Man- back that target to at least BEIJING (AP) — Cui Tingting Hainan island to watch works.” gal,” inspired by the coun- 2024. dyed her hair Mars red rockets blast off. Others visit “You have to leverage the try’s first mission to Mars. Science fiction writers al- for the arrival of China’s mock Mars colonies in des- power of films, movies and A new collection of short ready are imaging Chinese spacecraft at the planet ert sites with white domes, science fiction to broad- stories written in a half doz- colonies on Mars. known in Chinese as the airlocks and spacesuits. The cast propaganda and this en languages called “The Hao Jingfang’s novel Fire Star. number of space-themed idea: we need to go there,” Best of World SF” captures “Vagabonds,” published “This is a great era for space, TV shows, books and fan said Chen, comparing it to this global wonder, said the last year, is set between and the future of mankind clubs is growing. the Renaissance. book’s editor, Lavie Tidhar. a poverty-free but aus- lies in the exploration of The most popular space- That love affair also is In American and British sci- tere Martian society and outer space,” said Cui, di- themed account on the catching on in Japan, India fi, Mars often plays the pris- a poor, crowded, polluted rector of the China Mars Twitter-like Sina Weibo and other countries that tine utopia to Earth’s de- Earth. Hao became the first Society, the local chapter microblog service, “Our are sending probes across crepit dystopia, but not so female Chinese author to of a global advocacy net- Space,” has 1.25 million fol- the solar system, joining a elsewhere, said Tidhar, who receive the Hugo Award in work. She hosted an online lowers. club of explorers long dom- was raised on a kibbutz, a 2016. party Wednesday night to The expanding space pro- inated by Washington and collectivist commune in Is- Luo Lingzuo’s 2019 “Land wait for the announcement gram coincides with Presi- Moscow. rael. In his novels “Martian Without Borders” imagines that the Tianwen-1 space- dent Xi Jinping’s campaign The race to explore Mars is Sands” and “Central Sta- Chinese scientists geneti- craft, launched last July, to promote an image of so crowded that Tianwen-1 tion,” a reborn Soviet Union, cally altering potatoes to had reached Mars orbit. China returning to its former isn’t even the only space- China, and Israel flourish grow in amber Martian soil. Video from participants glory as a world leader. craft to arrive at the planet on the bleak landscape of Physicist Liu Yang’s “Or- across China showed a “It’s a symbol of power for this week. Mars. phans of the Red Planet,” replica of Tianwen-1’s ro- China,” said Chen Qiufan, On Tuesday, Amal, a “It’s boring, it’s hot, it’s about high school students bot rover in the home of a science fiction author in spacecraft launched by cramped. A bit like growing on Mars battling hostile one society member. One Guangdong whose books the United Arab Emirates, up in a kibbutz -– except aliens, is being turned into wore a homemade space include “Waste Tide.” swung into orbit. you can never leave,” he a TV series. suit; another controlled his Xi’s government is trying to In the Emirates’ biggest said. “We need to go to space,” robot dog. nurture public enthusiasm city, Dubai, the govern- China’s first science fic- said Chen, the science fic- “Earth is our mother planet with a five-year Scientific ment projected images of tion book, “City of Cats” in tion author in Guangdong. ... but for me, Mars is the Literacy Action Plan. It in- Mars’ two moons into the 1933, was set on Mars. “Then we have the power same,” Cui said. cludes a promise of support sky. Dubai’s Burj Khalifa The genre died out during equivalent to what the Unit- China is falling in love with for developing Chinese sci- skyscraper glowed red at the ultra-radical 1966-76 ed States has, and then we space, inspired by the rul- ence fiction. night. Billboards depict- Cultural Revolution, when can become the giant.” ing Communist Party’s in- In November, the city ing Amal, Arabic for hope, the U.S.-Soviet space race Cui, of the Mars Society, al- creasingly ambitious plans government of Beijing an- tower over Dubai’s high- inspired film studios to re- ready is planning another over the past two decades nounced plans to build ways. lease “2001: A Space Od- party in May when Tian- to launch humans into orbit a science fiction industry In India, one of the coun- yssey” and “Solaris.” wen-1’s robot lander is due and explore the moon and cluster area to attract tal- try’s biggest film stars, Ak- China re-embraced imagi- to touch down.q A13 BUSINESS Saturday 13 February 2021 HEALTH Report highlights cyber risks to U.S. election systems

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[email protected] 109 Stephanie

facebook.com/arubatoday/ A14 Saturday 13 February 2021 People & arts Dwayne Johnson has ‘surreal’ look back in TV’s “Young Rock”

By LYNN ELBER ered. Is he preparing Amer- are really important.” AP Television Writer ica for his next chapter? Johnson proved “down for LOS ANGELES (AP) — When “I think the people will pre- it all. It was just about him Dwayne Johnson sold pare me. I can say that,” wanting to portray the peo- the idea for a TV comedy he replied with a laugh. ple who affected his life in about his colorful early In the debut episode, he’s a real way,” she said, add- years to NBC in early 2020, interviewed by Randall ing that what’s depicted in he was delighted to tell his Park, also playing himself the series happened or was parents that a version of but as an actor-turned-TV inspired by events. their family life was bound journalist. Park starred in In reflecting on the past, for the small screen. “Fresh Off the Boat,” which Dwayne Johnson said, he’s Just days later, his father Khan created and pro- come to realize the chal- was felled by a blood clot- duced. lenges proved the impetus caused heart attack at As Johnson recalls the past, for real growth. age 75. His loss inevitably there are flashbacks to “It became an anchor- altered “Young Rock,” said This image released by NBC shows Joseph Lee Anderson as scenes of him as a child, ing factor in my struggle Johnson, who plays himself Rocky Johnson, from left, Adrian Groulx as Dwayne and Stacey played by Adrian Groulx; and my determination in the series debuting 8 p.m. Leilua as Ata Johnson in a scene from “Young Rock,” debuting a high schooler (Constant); to, quite frankly, not be a EST Tuesday. A trio of actors on Feb. 16. and young adult, played victim when, again, we portray Johnson’s younger Associated Press by Australian actor Uli were evicted (from hous- iterations. share of his skill and ambi- collaborative, funny and Latukefu. Joseph Lee An- ing) when I was 13 or 14,” “I get emotional when I tion from his Nova Scotia- willing to take chances. So derson and Stacey Leilua he said. As he worked with talk about this, when I talk born father, who held Na- much of comedy is trust.... co-star as parents Rocky Khan to find the right ap- about my dad and think tional Wrestling Alliance and I trust him completely.” and Ata Johnson. proach to the show, “I did about it,” Johnson said, titles and was among the Bradley Constant, who Matthew Willig stands tall know in my heart the most pausing to compose him- first Black champions in plays the teenage John- as the late Andre the Giant, important thing was to be self. “I had a complex re- World Wrestling Entertain- son yearning for girls, cool one of the wrestling world authentic and to be OK lationship with my dad and ment history. threads and a car, took on figures shown as a com- with ripping some stories he was a complex man.” But he may also owe his his first major role with guid- monplace part of John- open and ripping some The series intended to in- dad for the charm and un- ance from him. son’s uncommon child- past open.” clude the elder Johnson’s forced warmth that make “He reassured me just to be hood and youth marred by That includes his own mis- highs and lows, but after Dwayne Johnson instantly myself. He’s a very genuine, setbacks he fought to over- steps, which Johnson has his death his son decided endearing, despite his im- normal guy who’s lived an come. “He really wanted said included arrests for to lean more fully into his posing build and status as incredible life, of course,” to go there and show the fighting and theft before he “really uncanny ability to a box-office star with cred- said Constant, who saw the struggle, that it hasn’t been was 17. Even when things make anyone feel good.” its in the “Fast and Furious” family’s financial difficulties a straight line to the top were tough, Johnson said, With a smile, he recited and “Jumanji” franchises. as a way to help ground for him,” said Khan. “He’s he was bolstered by fam- dad Rocky Johnson’s buoy- The sports comedy “Ballers” him in the role. been knocked down a ily and “had this opportu- ant greetings, including a is part of his TV resume. “Young Rock” is structured lot and he’s had to pivot nity to go and witness these favorite: “’Have you been He’s the real deal, “gener- around Johnson’s depic- off what he thought was real-life heroes in front of working out?’” ous and lovely,” said Nahn- tion as a 2032 presidential his dream and find a new me, like my dad and these Dwayne Johnson, billed in atchka Khan, an executive candidate — a less time- dream, a new path. Being wrestlers who were adored his dazzling wrestling days producer for “Young Rock” certain move the political able to explore those kinds and loved and so strong as The Rock, likely got a along with Johnson. “He’s independent has consid- of moments in a comedy and powerful.”q ABC News to air newsmagazine on the Black experience Glover, David Alan Grier, cate others about what is John Ridley, Saweetie and going on in the commu- Janaya Future Khan. nity. The network saw Black Each “Soul of a Nation” viewership soar last year episode will feature an “in during programming that the kitchen” segment with explored the aftermath of familiar faces discussing Floyd’s death and a two- current events and end hour “20/20” special on with a musical or spoken Breonna Taylor, said Marie word performance. This combination photo shows, from left, Carmelo Anthony, Nick Cannon, David Alan Grier, John Nelson, series creator and “We refer to the show of- Ridley and Danny Glover who will be featured on “Soul of a Nation,” an ABC newsmagazine ABC News’ senior vice pres- tentimes as a news-variety focused on Black life in America. Associated Press ident of integrated content show,” Nelson said.q strategy. ABC also did spe- By DAVID BAUDER The network has commit- oning triggered by George cials on Juneteenth and 1 6 2 9 4 7 8 5 3 AP Media Writer ted to six episodes that will Floyd’s death. Journalist disparities involving race 4 3 7 8 5 1 6 9 2 NEW YORK (AP) — ABC air on consecutive Tuesday Jemele Hill and actor Mar- and class during the pan- 9 8 5 6 2 3 4 1 7 News says that next month nights. No premiere date sai Martin of “Black-ish” are demic. 8 9 1 4 7 2 5 3 6 it will begin airing “Soul of a or time slot has been an- among the guest hosts. Still, at least half of the au- 5 2 3 1 8 6 7 4 9 Nation,” which the network nounced. Besides stories by ABC News dience for several of these 6 7 4 5 3 9 2 8 1 believes is the first prime- Each episode will be cen- journalists, episodes will programs was white, she 3 4 6 7 1 5 9 2 8 said. It illustrates the oppor- time broadcast newsmag- tered on a theme, such present a variety of voices 2 5 9 3 6 8 1 7 4 azine focused on Black life as spirituality, activism in including Carmelo Antho- tunity to both speak to a 7 1 8 2 9 4 3 6 5 2021 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc. in America. sports and the racial reck- ny, Nick Cannon, Danny Black audience and edu- 2/13 Difficulty Level A15 sports Saturday 13 February 2021 Watt, Texans ‘mutually’ agree to split in more team upheaval

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — J.J. Watt didn’t just play for the Houston Texans, he was the Houston Texans. The physical embodiment of a young franchise lack- ing much of an identity before the burly Wisconsin kid donned that No. 99 jersey, Watt wowed the football world with his defensive prowess. Now he’s gone, and a team already in the midst of unprecedented upheaval faces a future sud- denly even more bleak. “I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time,” Watt said Friday in a video on social media. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year and 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year has spent his entire career with the Texans In this Dec. 6, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) rushes in during the second half of an NFL football game after being drafted 11th against the Indianapolis Colts in Houston. overall in 2011. The star de- Associated Press fensive end had one year remaining on a six-year, Houston years, and as his shaun Watson requested a sacks and tackles for losses earned All-Pro honors for $100 million contract. resume grew, so did the im- trade. in 2012 (20½ and 39) and the fifth time. “The connection I have age of the Texans. “Change is never easy, es- 2015 (17½ and 29). Watt, who turns 32 next with the people of Houston “He’s just everything that pecially when it involves Since his NFL debut in 2011, month, played just eight is special, and I will never we really want to do here... the ones you love,” Cal he leads the league in tack- regular-season games in take that for granted be- epitomized,” team owner McNair said. “J.J.’s impact les for losses (172), quarter- 2019 after tearing a pec- cause I know how rare it Cal McNair said. on not only our organiza- back hits (281), multi-sack toral muscle, but returned is,” Watt said in the video. “He was a great role mod- tion, but the entire Houston games (26) and sack yards to help the Texans in the “I just want you to know el for the fans and team- community, is unlike any (713 1-2) and ranks second playoffs. He played every that I love you and I appre- mates and to show people player in our franchise’s with a franchise-record 101 game in 2020 and had five ciate you. I want to thank how to do things and do history. I told J.J. earlier this sacks. He also developed sacks, 52 tackles and re- the McNair family for draft- things the right way. So he week that we will forever such a knack for using his turned an interception for ing me and giving me my was wonderful that way.” consider him a Texan. We huge hands to swat down a touchdown. first opportunity in the NFL. Along with his contributions take solace in knowing that passes at the line that he But he struggled dealing Thank you, Houston.” on the field, Watt was laud- this is not a goodbye but a earned the nickname “J.J. with the losses and said the Houston’s franchise had ed for his humanitarian ef- ‘see you soon.’” Swatt.” season was the most diffi- been around for nine sea- forts after raising more than McNair was asked why He is the only player in cult of his career as the Tex- sons before Watt’s arrival, $40 million for Hurricane he chose to release Watt NFL history with 20 or more ans sank to 4-12 after win- but had little success with Harvey relief in 2017. instead of attempting to sacks and 10 or more pass- ning the division the previ- one winning record and “Simply put, there has been trade him and get some- es defended in a single ous two years. never reaching the post- no person in the past de- thing in return. season, doing it in both Now Watt’s a free agent, season. Watt’s presence cade who has made a “We felt this did right by 2012 and 2014. He’s tied for and speculation is he’ll helped change things im- greater impact on the Tex- J.J.,” Cal McNair said. fifth among defensive line- end up in Pittsburgh where mediately: Houston went ans organization than J.J. “Not every decision is easy man in league history with his brothers T.J. and Derek 10-6 to win the AFC South in Watt,” team co-founder or easy to understand. We six touchdowns in the regu- Watt play. his rookie year. He led the and senior chair Janice want to do what’s right for lar season, including three An offshore betting plat- Texans to their first playoff McNair said. our players. We want to fo- TD catches. form released odds for his win that season when his Watt’s departure comes in cus on bringing champion- The four-time Pro Bowler next team with the Steelers interception for a touch- an offseason in which the ships to Houston.” never missed a game until as favorites. down put them on top for Texans have hired coach Watt was booed by Texans 2016, when a back injury Cal McNair has already good in a 31-10 victory over David Culley and general fans on draft night. It didn’t ended his season. He broke thought about what it will the Bengals. manager Nick Caserio to take him long to win over his leg in the fifth game of be like seeing his team’s The Texans finished a fran- replace Bill O’Brien, who the fan base and become 2017 and some wondered most recognizable player chise-best 12-4 the follow- held both jobs and was the most beloved Texan. if he’d be able to return to in another uniform. ing year behind Watt’s stel- fired after an 0-4 start in The fearsome pass rusher form after two serious inju- “It’ll be hard,” he said, “but lar season, reaching the 2020. They’re also facing was the Defensive Player ries in two years. we’re always proud of playoffs again. They won uncertainty at quarterback of the Year in 2012, 2014 Watt answered by finishing J.J. and he’ll always be a the division six times in his because standou t De- and 2015. He led the NFL in with 16 sacks in 2018 and Texan.”q A16 Saturday 13 February 2021 sports Australian Open: No-look shot in Serena’s win; COVID fan ban

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) to begin the second set. — If Serena Williams some- Williams broke right back how manages to conjure with the help of a remark- up another on-the-run, able get on a lob. After back-to-the-net, no-look, somehow putting her rack- over-the-shoulder shot in et on the ball and send- her next Australian Open ing it in the right direction, match, a local coronavirus the 39-year-old paused flareup means there won’t and smiled, assuming the be any spectators to react point was over — and then with the appreciative ap- laughed upon realizing she plause and yells that greet- won the point, because ed this one. Potapova responded by That’s because while Wil- putting an overhead into liams was using that bit of the net. magic Friday to help pull “I mean, that was a great off a comeback victory point. Very beautiful,” Po- over an opponent who is tapova said with a smile in 20 years younger, the head a video interview with The of the Victoria state gov- Associated Press. “That’s ernment was announcing what she does. That’s what a five-day lockdown in re- makes her be great.” sponse to a COVID-19 out- Williams now plays seventh- break at a quarantine ho- seeded Aryna Sabalenka, tel. who matched her best United States’ Serena Williams makes a forehand return to Russia’s Anastasia Potapova during Competition at the year’s Grand Slam showing by their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, first Grand Slam tourna- Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. reaching the fourth round ment will be allowed to Associated Press with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Ann continue, but no fans can Li. attend as of Saturday. errors in the first set alone. gles titles in Australia — fell me, it was an absolutely “It’s always, I think, a big After the pandemic led to “It’s been really fun to have behind in the opening set, mental thing. I was over- challenge to play against the cancellation of Wim- the crowd back, especially which Potapova served for thinking. I was over-playing. these kind of players. But bledon, zero fans at the here. It’s been really cool. at 5-3. Over-hitting,” said Pota- I’m going to do everything U.S. Open and only 1,000 But you know what? At the But the 2016 Wimbledon pova, who was visited by I can to get this win,” Sa- a day at the French Open end of the day, we have to junior champion double- a trainer in the second set balenka said. “We’re all in 2020, the government let do what’s best. Hopefully it faulted five times in that for what she described as here for the wins.” Tennis Australia admit up to will be all right.” game, including twice on pain between her ribs that She’s been accumulating 30,000 daily, 50% of normal A year ago, Williams set point. made it hard to breathe. them at quite a pace go- capacity. dropped just three games Williams then trailed 5-3 in “Respect to Serena. She ing back to the end of last But not anymore. against Potapova in the the tiebreaker. But she took came back. She just didn’t season: Sabalenka has won “It’s going to be a rough first round. But then the the next four points, the last let it go,” the 101st-ranked 18 of her past 19 matches. few days for, I think, every- American was surprised in on a 21-stroke exchange Potapova said. “She kept “She hits very hard. She has one. But we’ll hopefully get the third round, her earliest that ended with Potapova fighting for each point, for a big, big power game,” through it,” Williams said exit in Australia in 14 years. putting a forehand into the each ball.” Williams said about the after beating 19-year-old This time at that stage, Wil- net. Never more so than short- 22-year-old from Belarus. Anastasia Potapova 7-6 liams — who has won seven “I don’t have much expe- ly after Potapova edged “She’s a big girl — strong (5), 6-2 despite 25 unforced of her 23 Grand Slam sin- rience on those stages. For ahead again by breaking like myself.”q MLB cuts spring training travel, drops college opponents

cause of the pandemic, tions to increase distancing team’s schedule from 162 cutting travel for Florida- while putting on uniforms. games to 154. The rejected based teams in an effort to Arizona-based teams tradi- plan would have pushed minimize coronavirus risks. tionally dress at home and back the start of spring College baseball teams, take batting practice at training until March 22. which often play big league home, then travel for road Teams were divided into clubs but are not subject to exhibitions. Pitchers and three groups for the Grape- major league testing pro- catchers open spring train- fruit League season to elim- tocols, were dropped from ing workouts Wednesday, inate longer bus rides: the revised schedules an- and the exhibition season — Florida East Coast: Hous- nounced Friday. starts Feb. 28, two days lat- ton, Miami, New York Mets, Split-squad games, tradi- er than initially announced St. Louis, Washington tionally used in the first half on Sept. 16. — Florida West Coast: Bal- In this Feb. 18, 2014, file photo, Atlanta Braves batting helmets of the exhibition season to The regular season remains timore, Detroit, New York sits on the field under a shining sun during a spring training allow evaluation of more on track to start April 1 af- Yankees, Philadelphia, baseball workout in Kissimmee, Fla. players, also were eliminat- ter the Major League Base- Pittsburgh, Toronto Associated Press ed. Florida-based teams ball Players Association re- — Southwest Florida: Atlan- By RONALD BLUM jor League Baseball re- may decide to dress at their jected the clubs’ proposal ta, Baltimore, Boston, Min- AP Baseball Writer vamped its spring training own ballparks and travel to delay opening day un- nesota, Pittsburgh, Tampa NEW YORK (AP) — Ma- exhibition schedule be- in uniform for road exhibi- til April 22 and cut each Bay.q