soccer Page 15 Pages 14 & 16 THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT ice hockey Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 / SHABAAN 6-7, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17641 16 PAGES 150 FILS MPs submit barrage of queries to ministers ‘Need to revise law’ Opinion Kuwait reaffirms safety By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff Govt on brink of an abyss KUWAIT CITY, March 18: MP Farz Al-Daihani has submitted a proposal By Ahmed Al-Jarallah of coronavirus vaccines to the parliamentary Legislative and Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times Legal Affairs Committee to include the bills on general amnesty to the THE government always loses the battle because it unfortunately agenda of the upcoming session to be doesn’t know how to gain popular consent. It does not exercise 1,504 new infections reported, 8 dead discussed and approved immediately its role fi rmly because of its fear of parliamentary accountability, after the deliberations on incoming which drives it to hesitation. Therefore, it regrettably reproduces letters. the method that its predecessors followed since the mid-1980s after KUWAIT CITY, March 18, (Agencies): The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health (MoH) reiter- He confi rmed that MPs Mubarak the crisis of “Souk Al-Manakh stock market crash” to this day. ated the safety and effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines approved for use in the country. Al-Arow, Salman Al-Azmi, Musaed Due to this reason, the executive authority always appears hostile The ministry affirmed also that there were unexpected side effects on those who received vaccines. Al-Ardi, Fayez Al-Jomhour, Saleh towards popular demands, indifferent to their concerns, and clings Zeiab Al-Mutairi and Chairman of to laws that are no longer suitable for the 21st century irrespective In a press statement, the ministry’s team tasked with monitoring side effects of COVID-19 vaccines stressed the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency’s reports on the benefi t and safety of Oxford- the Legislative and Legal Affairs of whether it is related to encouraging investment and fi nance or Committee MP Khalid Ayed Al-An- even in the housing issue, the features of which are still the same AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The team pointed to contin- zi support his proposal. as they were in the 1950s, without taking any initiative to solve the Meanwhile, MP Marzouq Al- issue. ued follow-up of health condi- tions of people who obtained Khalifa forwarded queries to Minis- In this regard, it unfortunately did not learn from the experiences ter of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Ahmed of other countries, and this fi le is getting more and more complex. vaccination in the country, it added. Nasser Al-Muhammad on the loans A citizen in Kuwait has to wait 15-20 years to obtain his housing that Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic welfare, while in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and other coun- Neither deaths nor blood tries, the issue was resolved with a modern form of organization clots related to virus vaccines Development (KFAED) granted to without the state incurring any sums that burden public funds. were reported in the country, it Arab and foreign countries. As for the issue of freedom and information, instead of devel- confi rmed. He requested for the list of coun- oping laws, the Twitter post of a Kuwaiti citizen costs him 10-20 The side effects, which were tries, amount of loan granted to years in prison, with some even facing 50 years in prison. The gov- reported, have no danger on each country, period of payment ernments did nothing to cleanse the image of Kuwait in this regard health of people who received and amount of interest. He wants to by abolishing laws that restrain freedom of opinion. This has led the vaccine, it said, indicating know the due date for every loan, the country to appear to the world in a way other than its true im- that these effects are probable loans which were paid and those age of being a habitat for freedom of opinion and expression, and a and temporary. which have not been paid yet. cultural message of enlightenment to the Arab world. The effects registered after MP Badr Nasser Al-Humaidi asked In addition to that, these governments have not worked towards vaccination are expected and Minister of Finance and Minister of correcting the relationship between them and the legislative author- will continue for a short time, State for Economic and Investment ity, which, in the eyes of the people, always appears to be the res- it noted. Affairs Khalifa Hamada about the cuer and savior. That is why the MPs intend to play a populist role There are probable reaction delayed enforcement of law num- with ease, realizing that the executive authority does not have the and response to immunity sys- ber 6/2008 on the transformation of initiative. This was evident in recent events when these contradic- tem when receiving the vac- Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) tory practices of the Cabinet were used to raise the popularity of cine, it said. into a shareholding company. MPs among Kuwaitis, and thus becoming heroes in the eyes of the The team emphasized the He wants to know why the subsidi- people. continuation of following up ary of KAC was attributed to many It is true that the rescue came from the political leadership safety of vaccines, in coordina- institutions for 11 years and none of through directives to withdraw the reports submitted by the Minis- tion and cooperation with the these institutions have taken any step try of Interior. This opened the gates of relief after the government specialized international bod- towards enforcing the abovemen- brought the matter to the brink of the abyss, and this led reassur- ies. tioned law. ance to prevail among Kuwaitis. Meanwhile, Kuwait re- Based on this fact, Kuwaitis are today looking towards a guard- ported 1,504 news coronavirus Decision ian to get them out of the tunnel that the executive authority took infections over past 24 hours, He asked about the loss resulting them into, because of its disarray, and to rid them of what they have bringing the total to 213,673. from the delayed enforcement of the found themselves in. This includes the case of loans, about which In remarks to KUNA, the law, reasons behind the issuance of they do not ask for anything more than rescheduling, reducing or health ministry’s spokesman a decision to transform KAC into a dropping the interest, or guaranteeing them and rescheduling them Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said that shareholding company within a peri- for 20-30 years. It also includes dropping of the lawsuits, which eight people died due to the vi- rus during the last 24 hours to od ranging from fi ve to seven years, have reached about 70 thousand cases in a few years, and the travel why the seven years period has end- ban imposed on about 100,000 citizens over small sums. take the death toll to 1,194. The spokesman also noted ed without transforming KAC into a In this regard, why doesn’t the state follow the same path taken shareholding company, and expected by the other Gulf states, which dropped loans of their citizens and that up to 9,277 virus tests did not imprison them for defaulting for reasons beyond their con- were conducted during the last date of implementing law number trol? Why not open the gates of investment, restore the economic hours, affi rming that the total 6/2008. wheel and social openness in the country, after the shortsighted de- PCR tests reached 1,933,173. On the other hand, the Budgets and Burj Al Arab, a seven star luxury hotel is lit up in green for St. Patrick’s Day in Earlier today, the health min- Final Accounts Committee recently cisions and laws led to its transformation, and eliminate the use of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 17. (AP) the fear-club against the other, which increased people’s losses? istry confi rmed the recovery of discussed the budget of Kuwait Uni- Finally, we reiterate the fact that the state has been unable to 1,452 people from the disease, versity (KU) for fi scal 2021/2022 market itself to its people, while in other countries the authority adding that the total recover- and fi nal accounts for fi scals 2018/ shows itself in a civilized manner and serves as a refuge and a ha- ies in the country climbed to 2019 and 2019/ 2020. ven for people. This is what Kuwait should be, because continuing US House set to okay 198,273. Chairman of the committee MP to rely on a disoriented government will only bring about a worse The consumer cooperative Badr Al-Mullah disclosed the ac- undesirable situation. societies will continue to serve tual expenditure for fi scal 2018/2019 the citizens and residents from reached KD 566 million and KD 560 Email: [email protected] Dems immigration bills 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm every million for fi scal 2019 /2020. Follow me on: day during the curfew – the He said the expenditure for fi s- WASHINGTON, March 18, (AP): Dem- versions of which the House approved partial curfew is from 5:00 pm cal 2021/2022 is estimated at KD ocrats seem poised to claim victory in the in 2019. Seven Republicans voted for until 5:00 am – if the visitor 486 million, while attributing the House’s fi rst votes this year on immigra- the “Dreamers” bill and 34 backed the obtains permission (barcode) expenditure reduction to minimiz- [email protected] tion, but moving legislation on the divi- farm workers measure that year, but from the Ministry of Com- ing construction projects due to the sive issue all the way through Congress GOP support was expected to plummet merce and Industry. coronavirus crisis. to President Joe Biden is an uphill fi ght. this time as the party rallies behind de- The spokesman for the con- The committee discussed the law The House was set to vote Thursday mands for stiffer border restrictions. sumer cooperative societies on public universities, during which Newswatch on one bill giving over 2 million young “It looks like they’re trying to weap- said the cooperatives sector it recorded comments on the delayed “Dreamer” immigrants and others full onize the border situation against Dem- will continue to provide ser- issuance of the relevant executive legal status and a chance for citizenship. ocrats in 2022 to say that we’re weak vices to its visitors. decree despite the end of the six- A second measure would do the same on border security,” said Democratic He added, plenty of products month grace period for this purpose. KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait Control and Meteorological Center said the for around 1 million immigrant farm Rep. Henry Cuellar, whose south Texas are available whether in terms He added the committee agreed on weather will be slightly hot in the morning and moderately cold at night. workers. Both seemed certain to pass. district abuts the border. of fruits, vegetables or other the need to revise the law in order In a statement to KUNA on Thursday, weather forecast supervisor But party divisions and solid Repub- consumables and said there is Measures no need to panic. to fi nd solutions to the overlapping Abdulaziz Al-Qarawi said today’s weather is slightly hot with multi- lican opposition mean pushing legisla- of authorities given to Kuwait Uni- directional to northwesterly light to moderate winds between 12 to 40 Both 2019 measures died in what He said all visitors must km per hour, with a chance of dust in open areas and light clouds. tion through the Senate on immigration versity Council and the councils of remains diffi cult, especially for Biden’s was a Republican-run Senate and nev- adhere to precautionary meas- Highest temperature is between 28 to 33 Celsius with light to mod- ures, especially when it comes each college, particularly in terms erate sea waves between two to fi ve feet. Tonight’s weather will be goal of a sweeping measure helping all er would have received the signature of appointing members of the teach- 11 million immigrants in the U.S. il- of Donald Trump, who spent his four to wearing medical mask and slightly cold and partly cloudy with northwesterly light to moderate physical distancing. ing staff. The committee found out winds between 12 to 42 km per hour. (KUNA) legally become citizens. The partisan years as president constricting legal that the number of lecturers at KU ❑ ❑ ❑ battle shows little promise of easing and illegal immigration. The partial curfew that came into effect on March 7 is ex- decreased despite the need for more before next year’s elections, when Re- To counter GOP messaging, Cuellar teaching staff for Sabah Al-Salem KUWAIT CITY: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has contacted said, Biden must send “a clear message pected to end on April 8, 2021. the Council of Ministers regarding the amendment of Article 40 of the publicans could use it in their effort to University City. decree on the civil service system in order to increase the permitted regain House and Senate control. about the border, ‘Hey, you can’t come accumulated leave balance of State employees for an additional two Work on the legislation comes as the here illegally.’” Republicans say the Performance years, reports Al-Qabas daily. number of migrants attempting to cross administration’s policies and rhetoric 140,000 left The committee also recorded com- According to a reliable source from CSC, the amendment will allow the border has been growing since April have encouraged the migrants to come. ments on the poor performance of the the employees to keep their leave balance for the six previous years, in and has hit its highest level since March In an ABC News interview that aired Audit Offi ce at KU that is refl ected addition to the current year, so that the total leave is seven years. 2019. Homeland Security Secretary Wednesday, Biden said, “I can say ❑ ❑ ❑ labor market in the big number of cases which the Alejandro Mayorkas said Tuesday that quite clearly: Don’t come over.” He Financial Controllers Bureau (FCB) KUWAIT CITY: Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Re- fi gure is on track to reach a 20-year high. has ended Trump’s separation of young KUWAIT CITY, March 18: Ac- did not approve. sources (PAAAFR) has issued a warning to one of the farms owners in Scores of groups supporting the bills children from their migrant families cording to government statistics, The committee also suggested Kabd for using the plot of land to breed and care for a big number of include the U.S. Chamber of Com- and allowed apprehended minors to the number of foreign workers is dogs, reports Al-Rai daily. amending the comments which have merce. Among those arrayed in opposi- stay in the U.S. as offi cials decide if decreasing with 140,000 people been repeated for several years. According to reliable sources the owner is given 72 hours to ‘clear’ tion is the conservative Heritage Action they can legally remain, but has turned leaving the country in 2020 fol- the place. The sources say the owner of the farm allegedly ‘collected’ a away most single adults and families. The committee discussed the way for America. lowing the outbreak of the pan- of dealing with the revenues of con- large number of stray dogs of various kinds and started caring for them No. 2 Senate Democrat Dick Durbin demic, reports Al-Qabas daily. in what is called explicit violation or exploitation of his plot of land Focused of Illinois said this week that he saw Of the number of people leav- sultative offi ces at KU. It was found (farm) for the purpose other than it was meant for. out that the revenues are distributed ❑ ❑ ❑ GOP lawmakers have been singu- no pathway for an immigration over- ing the country, 39 percent ac- larly focused on the growing wave of haul this year, citing GOP demands for count for domestic workers. How- to the consultants who provide con- KUWAIT CITY: The Embassy of the United States of America in migrants, including children, trying to tough border enforcement provisions. ever, this was offset by 11,000 sultations, instead of transferring Kuwait stated that the Kuwaiti specialist, Dr Waddah Al-Rifai, is con- enter the U.S. from Mexico and blam- Democrats would likely need at least Kuwaitis joining the labor market. the revenues to the Central Bank of sidered one of the best doctors in the United States of America, reports ing Biden administration policies for it. 10 GOP votes in the 50-50 chamber to Statistics indicate the popula- Kuwait. Al-Mullah disclosed that he Al-Rai daily. tion of Kuwait stands at 4,670,000 was told this issue will be tackled The embassy said on its Twitter account: “America is known for its Though neither House bill would affect pass immigration legislation. those trying to cross the boundary, top The “Dreamer” bill would grant as of December 2020, citizens once the new law is enforced. medical expertise, as it has the best doctors from all over the world, in- constituting 31 or 1.459 million, cluding the Kuwaiti specialist Dr Waddah Al-Rifai, head of the Oncology Republicans were urging rank-and-fi le conditional legal status for 10 years He added the committee also dis- lawmakers to oppose both measures. to many immigrants up to age 18 who compared to 3,210 million resi- cussed the comments of the State Department at Midstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington. dents who make up 69% of the ❑ ❑ ❑ “By failing to include enforcement were brought into the U.S. illegally be- Audit Bureau (SAB) on the objection total population in the country. of a subsidiary institution to hand provisions to deal with the tide of il- fore this year. They’d have to graduate According to the statistics, the RIYADH: The GCC ministerial council, at end of its 147th session on legal immigration or provisions to ad- from high school or have equivalent over the revenues to Central Bank Wednesday, affi rmed commitment to the fi nal statement of the latest first year of Corona witnessed of Kuwait under the pretext that this GCC summit declarations – alluding to the resolutions of the summit dress the humanitarian crisis at the bor- educational credentials, not have seri- an increase in the population that was hosted by the Saudi town of Al-Ula on January 5. der, the bill would only worsen the fl ow ous criminal records and meet other by 206,192 people (94,799 Ku- violates the regulations of the insti- In the highlights of the meeting statement, the GCC foreign ministers of illegal immigrants to the U.S.,” an conditions. waitis and 11,393 expatriates), tution. He affi rmed that SAB record- and offi cials condemned the Houthis’ recurring attacks on Saudi Arabia, email No. 2 House GOP leader Steve To attain legal permanent residence, compared to a total population ed comments about the violations namely its vital oil installations, Iran’s occupation of UAE islands and Scalise of Louisiana sent his colleagues often called a green card, they’d have to of 4,464,000, as at the beginning in opening bank accounts for some affi rmed that the council member states have remained solidly unifi ed. said of the “Dreamers” measure. obtain a higher education degree, serve of January 2020, of whom 1.365 subsidiaries where revenues are kept (KUNA) Democrats were showing no signs in the military or be employed for at million are Kuwaitis, and 3.099 instead of being handed over to the of wavering from either bill, similar least three years. million residents. Central Bank of Kuwait. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 2

TELLS A STORY

Main picture: Luthier Ali Ak- bar Soleimani plays newly made stringed instrument called Tanbur, at his work- shop in Tehran, Iran. Inset from left to right: Soleimani papers an under construction stringed instru- ment called Setar. Throughout many adversi- ties such as droughts, wars, pandemics and multiple depressions, the Iranian tra- Music ditional music has been one of the main reasons that has kept this nation united. Musician Sheida Hos- seinkhani, right, tests a Setar. (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 3 Weather Expected weather for the next By Night: Rather cold with light Kuwait Airport 33 18 24 hours: Abdaly 35 17 Prayer Timings to moderate freshening at times By Day: Rather hot with light to north westerly wind with speeds Jahra 36 19 Fajr ...... 04:36 Asr ...... 15:23 moderate freshening later on vari- of 15-45 km/h with a chance for Failaka Island - - Sunrise .. 05:55 Maghrib .. 17:58 able wind to north westerly wind rising dust and some scattered Salmiyah 25 19 Zohr ...... 11:56 Isha ...... 19:15 with speeds of 12-40 km/h with a Ahmadi 26 20 chance for rising dust over open clouds will appear. Nuwaisib 36 18 areas later on and some scat- Station Max Exp Min Rec Wafra 37 16 tered clouds will appear. Kuwait City 30 20 Salmy 37 20

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

Humansoft Holding soars 68 fils, Agility skids Kuwait stock market ends higher in last minute buying spurt By John Mathews Banking sector topped in both volume Holding Co slipped 7 fi ls to 405 fi ls and of the day and Ahli United Bank BSC ■ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30190/000.30190/00 Arab Times Staff and value with over 92 million shares Aznour whittled down 1 fi l. topped the volume with 34.8 million traded for KD 37.7 million. National Industries Group eased 1 fi l shares. ▲ Euro/KD KUWAIT CITY, March 18: Kuwait In the individual shares, sector bell- to 193 fi ls whereas Gulf Cable added 3 Despite the day’s uptick, the losers out- 0.3605 stocks ticked up on Thursday to wind wether National Bank of Kuwait rose 4 fi ls. Boubyan Petrochemical Co dropped numbered the winners. 53 stocks advanced ■ Yen/KD 0.0027 up the week on a positive note. The All fi ls to 873 fi ls on back of over 14 mil- 6 fi ls to 820 fi ls whereas Al Qurain Pet- whereas 63 closed lower. Of the 137 coun- Shares Index, after trading in red for lion shares and Boubyan Bank followed rochemical scaled 7 fi ls on back of 18.2 ters active on Thursday, 20 closed fl at. ▲ British £/KD 0.4216 most part of the session, closed 5.41 pts suit to end at 604 fi ls. Kuwait Finance million shares. 10,320 deals worth over KD 71 million up at 5,802.82 points helped by a late scaled 7 fi ls after pushing 12.2 million Jazeera Airways rose 4 fi ls to 682 were transacted during the session. ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0041 spurt in buying in some of the heavy- shares and Gulf Bank added 3 fi ls with fi ls and ALAFCO tripped 1 fi l. Mezzan In the banking sector, Burgan Bank ■ Philippines Peso/KD weights. brisk trading. Holding was up 4 fi ls at 584 fi ls. eased 1 fi l to 223 fi ls and Kuwait Inter- 0.0062 The Premier Market rose 11.66 points Mabanee Co extended last session’s The market opened fi rm and ticked national Bank followed suit to end at to 6364.99 pts taking the month’s gains gains with 5 fi ls rise to 730 fi ls while up in early trade. The main index scaled 200 fi ls with a volume of 1.2 million. ▼ FTSE -3.71 pts at 12:40 hr, March 18 to 207 points while Main Market gave KIPCO dialed up 2 fi ls. the day’s highest level of 5,806 pts and Ahli United Bank BSC fell 3 fi ls to 214 up 9.11 points. The BK Main 50 index Zain stood pat at 625 fils after log- fl ipped as selling pressure weighed on fi ls while Warba Bank trimmed 1 fi l. ▲ Nikkei +302.42 pts at closing March 18 was down 5 points at 4,864.39 pts. The ging robust gains on Wednesday while some of the counters. Commercial Bank slipped 5 fi ls to 500 volume turnover, meanwhile, rebounded Ooredoo took in 1 fil. stc too dialed It continued to erode in choppy trade fi ls and Al Ahli Bank took in 1 fi l. Ahli ▲ Gold 1736.95 per oz (London) to hot month’s highest level. Over 276 up 1 fil while logistics major Agility to bottom at 5,785 pints in the fi nal min- United Bank Kuwait paused at 307 fi ls. million shares changed hands – a 31 pct shed 20 fils before closing at 700 fils utes before clawing back into the green The market was upbeat during the ▼ NYMEX crude surge from the day before. and the counter saw 7.5 million shares turf at close. week. The main index closed higher $63.99 per barrel The sectors closed mixed. Oil and change hands. Top gainer of the day, GIH rallied 9.22 in all fi ve sessions rallying 66 points ▼ Brent crude $67.38 per barrel Gas outshone the rest with 1.14 percent Humansoft Holding soared 68 fi ls to pct to 109 fi ls while Marakez scaled 7.29 week-on-week. It has galloped 147 gain whereas Technology skidded 14.49 KD 3.754 whereas Boursa Kuwait Se- percent to stand next. Sanam Real Estate points from the start of the month and is LIBOR rate 0.1900% percent, the worst performer of the day. curities closed 4 fi ls in red. Integrated skidded 22 percent, the steepest decliner up 231 points year-to-date. More ‘amnesty’ on cards for violators Illegals on rise

KUWAIT CITY, March 18: “Leave Safely” campaign did not achieve its desired goals due to the COVID-19 cir- The General Department for cumstances, the closure of the airports, and Residency Affairs has requested other reasons. for the issuance of a ministerial It is worth noting that the idea was re- ferred to the Assistant Undersecretary for decision for a new amnesty pe- Residency Affairs, who in turn submitted riod of about six it to the undersecretary of the ministry, and months to allow then to the minister of Interior. The idea is within the framework of the those in violation General Department of Residency Affairs’ of the residency work to combat the phenomenon of viola- law to either tion of the residency law and limit the in- crease in the number of violators, making it amend their sta- necessary to adopt an integrated strategy to tus by getting a address the defects in the horizon of elimi- new residency or nating this scourge that harms the country’s exit the country reputation and affects the prestige of the Al-Tawala state and its official institutions. without paying It should be recalled that several minis- fines, reports Al-Anba daily. terial decisions have already been issued to allow people in violation of the residency The department set its request in a law to leave the country within the periods manner that indicates the decision will specified by those decisions, and exempt- be issued after the resumption of flights, ing them from paying the legally prescribed and after schools and various educa- penalties and fines. This occurred in the tional institutions have completed their years of 1998, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, academic year. 2011, 2018 and 2020. The idea was presented by the Director It is worth noting that the relevant sta- General of the department Brigadier Gener- tistics reveal that the number of residency al Hamad Al-Tawala, who stressed the need law violators has witnessed a remarkable to avoid subjecting the transfer of residency increase in recent years, exceeding 100,000 Photo by Mohammad Morsi to paying fines, and opening the door to al- violators. Kuwaitis and residents flock to the vaccination center at Mishref. low the transfer of family visit visas for all The number of violators of the resi- nationalities, especially the Syrians and Ye- dency law and visit visa reached a total of menis, and including family visas of wives, 158,259 as of end of 2017. This number ‘Side effects of vaccine temporary’ children, parents and relatives due to their reached 140,613 by the end of 2018, and special circumstances. then 160,425 by the end of 2019. At the end No deaths or blood clots related to virus vac- side effects, which were reported, have no dan- vaccine. These effects are expected, are tem- He recommended empowering those un- of 2020, this number reached 185,267, in cines have been reported in the country. The ger on the health of people who received the porary and will continue for a short time. (KUNA) der family visa and have reached the age light of the exceptional circumstances wit- to work and hold article 18 visa, to transfer nessed that year due to the outbreak of the their residency to the private sector. COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of MoI wins best film award Sheikh Thamer discusses Brigadier General Al-Tawala said the March 2020. Bid to fight terrorism, extremism boost in ties with envoys KUWAIT CITY, March 18, (KUNA): Kuwait Minister of TUNIS, March 18, (KUNA): Kuwait’s ment said that the conferees discussed Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah met Ministry of Interior (MoI) on Wednes- promoting Arab security cooperation on Wednesday a number of Ambassadors to discuss topics day won the 2020 award for best aware- to set appropriate mechanisms and of common interests. ness fi lm on combating terrorism and policies. The ministry’s department of security media and pub- extremism. The conference agreed on estab- lic relations said in a statement that the minister met indi- The Secretariat General of the Arab lishing a permanent committee on vidually with Senegal’s Ambassador to Kuwait Abdula- Interior Ministers’ Council granted the criminal survey in the Arab countries had Embaki, and Bahrain’s Ambassador to Kuwait Salah award to the MoI at the end of the 44th to help take the right security deci- Al-Maliki. virtual conference of Arab police and sion, it noted. The statement noted that all sides tackled topics of com- security chiefs, the Secretariat said in a The gathering also covered the Arab mon interests and ways to enhance cooperation on the secu- statement. strategy project to combat human traf- rity level. Both Ambassadors expressed gratitude to Kuwait for the Involving the ministries of interior in fi cking crimes, it stated. its generous hospitality and its efforts in reserving security producing fi lms aims to deepen security The project allows creating a frame- and peace in the area, it added. awareness of Arab citizens and encour- work that specifi es Arab cooperation in Minister Al-Sabah later met with Kuwait’s Ambassador age them to take part in the protection the face of dangerous crimes and grave to NATO, EU, and Belgium Jasem Al-Budaiwi, Kuwait’s and combating of crime, it added. violations resulted from such wrongdo- Ambassador to Germany Abdulrahman Al-Bader, Kuwait’s On the 44th conference, the state- ings, it pointed out. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Saud Al-Romi. MPW gets 537 complaints in a week on ‘Hotline 150’ By Muhammad Ghanem Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, March 18: The Ministry of Public Works said from March 8 to March 15, 2021 the ministry received 537 complaints from the six governorates through the min- KUNA photo istry’s Emergency Switch (150) and on the WhatsApp No. Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah was 93333150 in addition to the management switch. received by his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi (right). The ministry stated in a press statement the ministry at- tended to 455 complaints while 83 are being looked into. The Ministry also stressed its complete keenness to respond Kuwait FM arrives in Pakistan promptly to all complaints of citizens and residents around the clock through telephone reports directly on the Hotline (150) or Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs fice, Pakistan acknowledges the positive via the WhatsApp Number for Works Emergencies (93333150). Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Moham- role of the Kuwaiti leadership in building Meanwhile, the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation mad Al-Sabah arrived in Pakistan on bridges among the members of the Gulf (PART) has achieved 50 percent completion rate for the construc- a two-day official visit on the invitation Cooperation Council (GCC). tion of roads and provision of other services in Khaitan (Blocks of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Pakistan also stands in solidarity One and Two), while the contractual completion rate for this proj- Mahmood Qureshi. with the State of Kuwait in the efforts to ect reached 42 percent, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources. The visiting Kuwaiti dignitary reached strengthen unity among Muslim coun- Sources disclosed the works constitute six parts of the the Pakistan Foreign Office here in Is- tries. The visit of the Kuwaiti Foreign project related to the tunnels, sewage network, and the inter- lamabad where his Pakistani counter- Minister will provide further impetus to part Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral ex- locking tiles installation and all these are going in full swing him. The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister also changes and deepening mutual coop- to complete everything within the specifi ed timetable. planted a sapling. eration. Sources affi rmed the technical staff in charge of the proj- During the visit, besides having wide- The visiting Kuwaiti minister is accom- ect achieved a completion rate of 19 percent in February, ranging talks with Foreign Minister panied by a delegation comprising sen- while the actual completion rate in the same month was 16 Qureshi, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister ior officials from the Kuwaiti Ministries percent; noting Minister of Public Works Dr Rana Al-Fares will call on other dignitaries. According to of Foreign Affairs, Health, Interior, and is keen on implementing the projects of the ministry and a press release by Pakistan Foreign Of- Trade and Industry. (KUNA) PART without delay. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 LOCAL 4

Decision considered as clear violation of university council: Dr Al-Dhafi ri KU takes action against professor for her call to hold exams at home KUWAIT CITY, March 18: Act- be held at her home, reports Al- the ban on paper-based examina- In a press statement, Dr Al- actually called for tests to be con- council. ing Director of Kuwait University Anba daily. tions at the university, and her Dhafi ri said he contacted the Act- ducted at her house. He affi rmed that the university Dr Fayez Al-Dhafi ri announced Such a step was taken after unwillingness to hold an online ing Dean of the college Dr Muham- Dr Al-Dhafi ri indicated that the council will, as soon as a report is that necessary legal measures some students posted messages in test. This prompted the daily to mad bin Sabt. legal procedures were taken against received from the college detailing have been taken against a pro- this regard on Twitter, revealing reach out to the university admin- He revealed that some students her because the call she made is the violation, decide to refer it for fessor in the College of Science, that the professor called for an at- istration, and as a result the latter were called in for questioning and considered as a clear violation investigation with an urgent recom- who called for the fi nal exam to tendance test at her home due to moved to investigate. they verifi ed that the professor had of the decisions of the university mendation to hold the test online. Rumors, false info place fear into people’s mind about getting jabs

‘Daytime’ gatherings contribute to high rate of corona cases

KUWAIT CITY, Sixth coordination meeting held March 18: Di- rector of Jahra Capital governor optimistic about development Hospital Dr Ali Al-Mutairi thinks despite accumulated obstacles & irregularities the rumors and KUWAIT CITY, March 18: The Gov- spread of infor- ernor of the Capital, Sheikh Talal Al- mation from un- Khaled, said he is optimistic about re- offi cial sources alizing the governorate’s ambitions in National Assembly Speaker Al-Ghanim. terms of development and getting rid are the causes of of all obstacles and irregularities which have accumulated over the past years, people’s fear and pointing out that the governorate’s work reluctance to be team is determined to put things right at all levels. vaccinated despite This came in a press statement on the the allocation of sidelines of the sixth coordination meet- three vaccination ing, which was held at the governorate’s headquarters which was attended by the centers in the gov- deputy head of the prevention sector at ernorate - Naseem, the Directorate-General of Fire Depart- ment (DGFD), Major General Khaled Capital Governor Sheikh Talal presiding over the sixth coordination meet- Kairouan and Abdullah Fahd, and the deputy director- ing. Jaber Al-Ahmad, general for affairs of the Capital and the governorate to serve the nation. Ku- rain sewers in the governorate and to Jahra Governorates municipality Engr wait deserves the support of its children adopt modern and internationally ad- reports Al-Rai Faisal Sadiq Al-Jumah. in the area of realizing achievements,” he vanced methods in this regard by the daily. The Deputy Director-General for the said and called on “all concerned parties Ministry of Public Works, the Environ- While hosting the Development and Licensing Sector at the to shoulder their responsibilities and play ment Public Authority and other con- Public Authority for Industry, Shamlan their roles in implementing the law with cerned parties, so the treated wastewater Fifth Jahra Forum in Al-Juhaidli, the Deputy Director General regard to marginal and loose employment can be used for agricultural purposes, Al-Saeed Diwan for Technical Affairs at the Environment because of the negative impacts on the se- in addition to developing the related in- recently, Al-Mutairi Public Authority, Dr Abdullah Al-Zaidan, curity, social, environmental, health envi- frastructure to accommodate any future said “the vaccination and the Deputy Director-General for Pub- ronment in the country. operations.” lic Authority for Agricultural Affairs and He explained “a meeting was held He pointed out that “a meeting was process is going on Fish Resources (PAAAFR), Marzouq with offi cials of the Ministry of Public also held with offi cials of the Environ- smoothly. The citizens Al-Azmi, and the Director of the Main- Works and the Environment Public Au- ment Public Authority and the Kuwaiti and expatriates must KUNA photos tenance Department of Roads and Gov- thority to stop pollution in Kuwait Bay, Ports Authority regarding solving the cooperate with the HH the PM Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled. ernorate Networks in the Capital affi liated and the services of the Kuwait Institute problems of the marine reef, which to the Ministry of Public Works Engineer for Scientifi c Research were used to ex- requires setting up a perimeter fence Ministry of Health, and Ayed Al-Azmi, Head of the Follow-up amine the water pollution and determine around the Bay and installing surveil- adhere to the health Deputy Amir, Crown Prince receives state offi cials Department in the State Contracts Prop- the type of pollution to that it can be lance cameras, in addition to adopting regulations to achieve erties Department at the Ministry of Fi- treated and the need to take the neces- security and safety requirements and community protec- His Highness the Deputy Amir and zouq Ali Al-Ghanim. His Highness the nance, Muhammad Dashti also attended sary legal measures against those who preserving environmental conditions, in Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ah- Deputy Amir also received His High- the meeting. caused the pollution.” addition to building a control tower and tion.” He indicated that “one mad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received on ness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah The governor called on “all people of Sheikh Al-Khaled stressed on “the providing security personnel to protect Wednesday Parliament Speaker Mar- Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. (KUNA) the homeland, especially the citizens of need to develop sewage networks and the area. year and a few months have passed since the pandemic started and it continues till date. The Observations made on 25 violating parties entire society must coop- erate by registering for vaccination, stressing the COVID-19 ‘front-line employees’ of world today unanimously agreed that vaccination is 21 agencies to receive reward soon the only way to achieve immunity among individ- KUWAIT CITY, March 18: The ministerial committee to soon begin uals.” payment of the reward for the instructing the bodies that are in Vaccine COVID-19 front-line workers in 21 conformity with the Cabinet’s deci- government agencies is imminent, sion and the requirements in this While urging citizens after the requirements set by the regard to disburse the reward to and expatriates residing in the governorate to register Cabinet in this regard are fulfilled. those who deserve it, after allocat- and book an appointment Observations were made on 25 ing the required amounts into the to take the vaccine, other parties that violated the Central Bank accounts of those Al-Mutairi stressed that requirements. Also, there are seven bodies. “everyone is the priority entities that have not yet provided Regarding the bodies that were now after the elderly, peo- the Civil Service Commission flagged for violating the require- ple with diseases and (CSC) with lists of their employees ments, the sources said, “CSC will front-line workers.” He who are eligible for the reward, also submit its statements to the announced at the same reports Al-Rai daily. ministerial committee with the time the allocation of integrated wards in Jahra According to government sources, observations and violations that Hospital for coronavirus the CSC has submitted the lists of were monitored by those concerned cases, isolated from the eligible entities, which are in confor- with reviewing the lists of those hospital’s entrances and mity with the decision of the Cabinet, bodies so that the committee can exits. to the committee formed by the take the necessary action regarding Meanwhile, despite the Cabinet to implement the proposed this matter.” partial curfew from 5:00 mechanism for disbursing the Concerning the parties that are pm to 5:00 am, the ‘day- COVID-19 remuneration to those delaying the disbursement of the time’ gatherings continue who deserve it via every government reward, the sources said, “Delaying and they directly contrib- ute to the high rate of agency assigned to properly review the payment of the reward to those coronavirus infections the data contained in the statements who deserve it in those areas falls on daily; as well as the of those government agencies, and the shoulders of the officials who increase in the occupancy then submit the matter to the commit- have not yet been able to prepare the rate of beds for Covid-19 tee concerned with following up and lists of the deserving employees even patients and intensive implementing the mechanism of dis- though CSC had given them suffi- care units, reports bursement procedures. cient opportunity to provide it with Al-Qabas daily quoting The sources said they expect the these lists.” sources from the health sector. Sources reported that KOC extends deadline for $150 m project bids most of the infections are due to contact in certain locations where an infect- Move to increase permitted accumulated leave ed person, who does not show corona symptoms, balance of State employees for additional 2 yrs could transmit the virus to others. Sources said the KUWAIT CITY, March 18: The ❑ ❑ ❑ gatherings have been Civil Service Commission (CSC) KOC extends deadline: Kuwait Oil rescheduled from evening has contacted the Council of Company (KOC) has extended the to daytime. Ministers regarding the amendment Groups of people trav- deadline for submitting bids for a of Article 40 of the decree on the $150 million project to install pipe- eling in one vehicle from civil service system in order to one site to another also lines for oil produced from Umm increases the chances of increase the permitted accumulated Naqa oilfield in Kuwait until March transmission of the virus, leave balance of State employees 22, reports Al-Rai daily quoting the sources added. for an additional two years, reports MEED Magazine. Al-Qabas daily. The report added that the scope According to a reliable source of work on the project includes the from CSC, the amendment will installation of flow lines for oil- allow the employees to keep their producing wells; reinforced plastic leave balance for the six previous pipelines to get rid of flowing years, in addition to the current water; installation of hot water year, so that the total leave is seven cocks; installation of wellhead con- years. Article 40 stipulates main- nections; extension of existing taining the balance of four years heads and manifolds; a closure sys- leave, in addition to the current tem for flow lines, carbon steel year for a total balance not exceed- pipelines, pipelines, welding; and Dr Ali Al-Mutairi ing five years. installation work. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 LOCAL 5 REMEMBER WHEN

Music and songs Sword dancing was popular among the the desert played rababah and sang people of old Kuwait. Boys were en- in their tents. The sailors of Kuwait Photograph courtesy couraged to learn it and the members also had special songs and the rhythm of The Center for Re- of the royal family often participated was intricate and beautiful. Some sea in its performance. These swords were captains took a lute player and singer search and Studies on never used in actual combat. on board to soothe the spirits of the Kuwait and the work Elements of music and folklore sailors. Such a player held a special existed as part of the culture of old place on Kuwait’s sailing ships and of Dr Yacoub Al- Kuwait. Ladies sang and danced in was paid a handsome fee for his tal- Hijji in the book Old- wedding ceremonies. Men played ent. (From the book ‘Old Kuwait: Kuwait: Memories the lute and danced, and bedouins of Memories in Photographs’) in Photographs fi rst Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait published in 1996.

© M.I. diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Govt’s recent escalation illogical ... abundant surprises in store’ “IT IS clear that the government, with more than one measure, is involved in Also: “While everyone talks about the inevitability and necessity of rationalizing an unjustifi ed political escalation despite the fact that it does not need such an “It is said that a decision will be issued for the subordination and supervision government spending and containing the economic and development repercus- escalation, especially as it has in its hands all the strings to control the depu- of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) to the sions of the Corona pandemic, I have read what was published in one of the Tha’ar Al-Rashidi Al-Anba local newspapers about the institutions that work hand in hand with ministers, ties even temporarily,” columnist wrote for daily. Minister of Education, Dr. Ali Al-Mudhaf, while the subordination and super- and I do not hide my shock at this large number of institutions, which of course “It seems illogical to resort to further escalation as it happens in these days vision of Kuwait University remains with the Minister of Oil and Minister of and it is also clear that the escalation does not target MPs are headed by an undersecretary or assistant undersecretary -- an organizational only, but also reformers and opponents from outside the Higher Education Dr Mohammad Al-Faris. If this news is true, then that can structure with multiple functions and this has an adverse monetary effect on the parliamentary hall, and this is also an incomprehensible be called confusion, moodiness and done for the satisfaction of some and not budget, the outcome of which we do not know,” columnist Hind Al Shoumer escalation or an unclear goal as the reformers do not an institutional work based on a strategic vision,” columnist Dr Mohammad wrote for Al-Anba daily. have anything that can disrupt or affect any government Al-Duwaihees wrote for Al-Shahed daily. “It is astonishing that some institutions that are subordinate to ministers are il- decision or direction, even one percentage point. “We thought the process of separating the Ministry of Higher Education logical or diffi cult to accept, and these days I think that the time has come to merge “With a careful reading of the scene, it becomes clear from the Ministry of Education is based on organizational foundations, convic- some of these institutions with ministries or with other institutions without cour- that the government, with its escalating steps is seeking tions, careful scientifi c study, and a clear and agreed strategic vision based on tesies, since it is obvious some of these institutions are growing like tumor in the to create a new state of government that is not compro- a future outlook aimed at increasing the effi ciency of the educational process administrative and organizational body of the state. Rather, the multiplicity of bodies mising or rather creating a new government approach in to improve the status of the State of Kuwait in the fi eld of education as well opens doors to corruption which may be diffi cult to close later. dealing with opposition inside and outside the Assem- as improving the global position of the Kuwait University and PAAET in the “The independent institutions are good examples of waste and add to this bly, a government with a different personality, not only global classifi cation of institutes and universities at the global level, as well as the administrative and fi nancial laxity and courtesies at a time when the state giving greater freedom, independence and support to scientifi c research centers an approach, but also dealing with all political move- Tha’ar Al-Rashidi budget does not support all of these bodies. ments with some severity. and institutions such as the Kuwait Institute for Scientifi c Research. “In view of some institutions whose work is similar must be done away with “I do not think this new government with its character different from the pre- “Immediately after the issuance of the decree forming the new government and their work must be attached to the concerned ministries to achieve rational- vious appeasing governments will succeed in achieving anything on the ground to separate the Ministry of Education from the Ministry of Higher Education, ization in spending and prevent the multiplicity and confl icts. in the long run. It may succeed to some extent and to a large extent also in we believed that the goal was to better manage and streamline the educational ❑ ❑ ❑ stopping the impulse in the parliament, and its new noncombatant personality process on one side, as well as higher education on the other side to advance may contribute to changing the positions of some of the deputies (swinging education and higher education in the State of Kuwait. “Several days have passed since the imposition of the partial curfew. Be- positions), but rather it may reduce the intensity of interrogations, but in the “I believe that whoever suggested to HH the Prime Minister the separation of tween supporters and those who opposed the move, the package of government long term this harsh political method used by the government in dealing with the Ministry of Education from the Ministry of Higher Education, with PAAET decisions comes in re-imposing the partial curfew and opening clubs and salons Parliament will not be of any use. attached to the Ministry of Education lacks practical, administrative and orga- in the backdrop of the increasing number of people infected with the covid-19 “It will of course be met by another parliamentary stubbornness, especially nizational experience and knowledge of the close relationship that links educa- virus,” columnist Tariq Bouresly wrote for Al-Anba daily. since the shape and mood of the orientations of the new political blocs and tional institutes and centers with higher education, in addition to his ignorance “In a previous article, I mentioned that failure to comply with health regula- independent deputies are not fully clear and they can become fi ercer because of of the laws and decrees issued during the past twenty years, as well as the tions is the main reason behind the increase in the number of cases. this change in the government’s approach towards the opposition and may even negative organizational and administrative effects that will result in the future “Government efforts are continuing to curb the spread of the virus, but a be the spearhead of the attack on the government. of PAAET employees and their functional and fi nancial positions. large segment of Kuwaiti society believes these decisions are useless, and that “As I mentioned, all the recent government escalation measures cannot be “This suggests that the process of distributing ministerial portfolios for the the ‘schedule’ of infections and disease spread between rise and fall indicates logically justifi ed, especially since the political reality shows it is not needed at new government in general lacks scientifi c and organizational professionalism, the futility of these decisions. all unless this is a prelude to an upcoming political change that can only happen administrative and legal expertise, and a future vision. “There were some government reservations about social reactions to the vac- with such an escalation and this is the only explanation for what is happening “I hope that the reason for the separation of the Ministry of Education and cine. It is worth noting that Kuwait will soon receive the shipment of vaccines now. Higher Education is not due to personal differences between the higher leader- estimated at three million doses in the interest of the health and lives of citizens “Right now everyone’s attitude is ‘Let’s wait and see what happens next ships in the two ministries.” and expatriates on this good land.” month’. As it appears now there seems to be abundant surprises.” ❑ ❑ ❑ — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli Work at temporary HQ stopped Other Voices Swab tests conducted The 4 things for Dr. Sheikh By Ahmad alsarraf devise an unparalleled plan in which KUWAIT CITY, March 18: Despite the there is healing, medicine, happiness, health precautionary measures taken by he number of Kuwaitis is one and acceptance and contentment. Ta half million, and if any of them Forgiveness, leniency and chaos the temporary consular section of the Phil- was given the opportunity to become will unleash the Corona monster to ippine Embassy at the Kuwait Disabled a Minister of Health in these circum- destroy us all. The curfews and lock- Sports Club in Hawally, one of its employ- stances, they downs which continues to rule the ees exhibited coronavirus symptoms re- would not have roost for the second year will suffo- refused the posi- cate and kill us softly and slowly of cently, reports Al-Rai daily. tion, and you will thirst while springs of water are abun- Ambassador of the Philippines to Kuwait Mohd. then hear from dant around us. Noordin Lomondot confirmed in a statement to the each of them a I do not claim to have a perfect solu- daily that an employee showed symptoms of the dis- plan, philosophy, tion, and even something close to it, but ease two days ago, so work in the temporary office has policy and meth- I tend to keep the minister in his place been suspended until the results of the swab tests of all od different from for the next six months, at least, with a employees in the Consular Section are out. the other to man- focus on the following four matters -- He added the temporary headquarters is currently being age the current the application of the law on everyone sterilized according to the approved health procedures in crisis. alsarraf with no exception and the imposition of order to guarantee the safety of both employees and visi- I am not a fan fi nes immediately on every violator. The The liquor is destroyed. tors, indicating the results of the swab tests of the rest of the of the Minister of Health, and I think mood in the application of the law was employees will determine the period of work suspension. He that he failed in some things, and suc- the cause and disease in the government Booze hidden in labor camps expects that the results will be out within two days. ceeded in others. administration. He reiterated that this temporary headquarters contributed The position of the Minister of The next is to think deeply before The Jahra Municipality launched an exten- The daily said the Municipality found to the completion of thousands of transactions for the mem- Health is not easy, and his hesitation issuing any decision, adhering to it af- sive campaign on a number of camps off the booze bottles and barrels of raw ma- bers of the Filipino community. is due to the large number of his en- terwards, and not subjecting it to the the mainland, which resulted in the seizure terial hidden in some homes in the ar- ❑ ❑ ❑ emies and their ferocity, and this has desires of this or that party, or chang- of locally manufactured alcohol including eas when the Violation Removal Depart- Jabs for co-op workers: Specialized medical teams have caused him to make mistakes and ing it after hours; thinking seriously a house which was used as an outlet for ment in the Jahra Municipality received made the necessary preparations to vaccinate the workers of confusion in issuing decisions, with- about preventing those who refuse manufacturing booze, reports Al-Seyas- a report from the Ministry of Interior that drawing them and reinforcing them sah daily. The Al-Seyassah daily said there were some obstructions in the cooperative societies, since they come in direct contact with to take the vaccination from entering citizens and residents while shopping, reports Al-Qabas daily. again all within hours, perhaps under cooperative societies, supermarkets, thousands of bottles of booze were seized area and during a check of the area the external pressure and this makes his and the bottles of alcohol were destroyed Municipality workers were surprised to The sources indicated that coordination is underway with the restaurants, cafés and shopping malls, by the Municipality bulldozers. find hundreds of bottles of booze. Union of Associations and the Ministry of Social Affairs to fi nd position uneasy. or using public transportation, or trav- the appropriate mechanism to start providing all workers in 70 Supporters of ‘curfew’ do not eling. cooperative societies with anti-corona vaccines. agree with him. Supporters of re- And fi nally expediting, at any cost Charity accused of embezzling money Meanwhile, the sources pointed out that the plan to in- turn to normalcy do not agree with import of vaccines and to vaccinate crease the frequency of vaccinations is continuing, and some him. School and university owners the largest possible number of people, KUWAIT CITY, March 18: A local, well- fully constructed and there are only 200 segments of people who may not be able to register will be do not welcome his decisions. The known charity stands accused of embezzling houses, and the rest of the houses are built contacted via the Ministry’s vaccination link. citizens and expatriates and open- Council of Ministers is confused ing of a large number of centers and money of philanthropists who had donated by various other charity societies, some of ❑ ❑ ❑ about him, and cannot decide what money to build ‘The Model Village’ in Mu- them built from individual collections and hospitals as the current numbers are a ‘Vaccinated’ sticker: The Ministry of Health is studying to to do whether to accept him or re- stain of shame that cannot be erased zaffarabad in Pakistan, reports Al-Seyassah others by local associations. ject him, but rejecting him has be- daily. A number of ‘Village’ residents are ask- generalize all the medical, technical and administrative staff who from the brow of the achievements of According to reliable sources this is the ing “Where is the money collected by the has received the vaccine against “Covid-19” and to place a ‘vac- come rather more difficult. the Ministry of Health and the disrup- third complaint that has been fi led by the people of Kuwait and its institutions gone cinated’ sticker on the chest of their uniforms, reports Al-Jarida. The National Assembly is divided tion of giving vaccines during the Isra Public Prosecution with the Attorney-Gen- and the funds allocated to build the village.” Informed health sources said that dozens of health centers between a deputy who is satisfi ed, an- and Mi’raj holiday was a health, ad- eral about major fi nancial abuses. Sources pointed out the complaint un- have fi nished vaccinating all their staff, while others have other who rejects, a third who is a los- ministrative and moral disaster that no The new complaint has been fi led under the covers the facts so that the good people in vaccinated about 70 percent of their workers. er, and a fourth winner. Neither this one could absorb or understand. title ‘Embezzling public funds and damaging Kuwait can know where the money they The sources indicated that this step will lead to the enthusiasm minister nor any minister of health ❑ ❑ ❑ the reputation of Kuwait and its charity institu- have sent to build the village for their af- of the visitors and urge them to get vaccinated; pointing out that who comes will be able to satisfy ev- tions working in the humanitarian fi eld. fected brothers in Pakistan in 2010 due to medical team will be allocated to explain the benefi ts of vaccina- eryone in these circumstances, or to e-mail: [email protected] Sources say the ‘Model Village’ is not the fl oods is going. tion to the people visiting the health facilities. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 LOCAL 6

Goal is to create opportunities for young people, while building connections with the UK: Gordon HSBC, British Council to host Career Talks webinars for young Kuwaitis KUWAIT CITY, March 18: HSBC The webinars will be delivered by come issues that could undermine tor of The Careers Group, Univer- for young people, and thereby in- Middle East. Kuwait in collaboration with the Brit- an inspirational Kuwaiti role model academic or career success, craft a sity of London and Mr Abdulaziz Al crease knowledge and understanding To mark the occasion, Michael ish Council developed a series of Ca- to students from American Univer- long-term plan for reaching career Loughani - Chief Executive Offi cer, between the two countries. Gordon, Country Director of British reer Talks webinars and workshops sity of Kuwait , Gulf University for objectives and highlight the diverse Floward while second theme will “HSBC is a keen supporter of the Council Kuwait said “ I am delighted supporting the country’s nationaliza- Science and Technology and Kuwait range of employment options in the be “Marketing & Communications” Kuwait National Strategic Plan to- to be partnering with HSBC to offer tion plan to increase the number of College of Science and Technology private sector. and will be delivered by Dr Terry wards nationalization and invests in this series of career guidance talks to Kuwaiti citizens working in the private as well as a specialist from the UK . Senior leaders from HSBC will O’Sullivan - Management Senior the development of a strong Kuwaiti Young Kuwaitis in Higher education. sector. The webinars will introduce The speakers from Kuwait will talk shed light on the many different op- Lecturer, The Open University Busi- talent pool within the bank. HSBC, We have some great speakers lined students and young graduates to the about their own career path, achieve- portunities of employment within the ness School and Ms Eman M. Al- as an international bank, is an excit- up, and I am really looking forward nature and scope of available employ- ments, advantages of building a banking and fi nance industry with Awadhi - Group Communications ing employer with great opportuni- to hearing them. As with all British ment in the private sector in Kuwait career in the private sector and the a special focus on opportunities to Director, Kuwait Projects Company ties for careers in Kuwait and abroad. Council initiatives, the goal is to cre- as well as raise awareness of the skills diverse range of job opportunities learn from international experts in (Holding) KIPCO. The bank values dynamic and for- ate opportunities for young people, necessary to perform specifi c job func- available to Kuwaiti graduates. more than 66 markets globally. The British Council’s core purpose ward thinking employees that can while building connections with the tions and to increase students’ knowl- UK specialists will develop both First Theme will be “Management is to use the cultural resources of the bring new ideas and innovation to UK, and to support Kuwait’s nation- edge about the different career paths hard and soft skills guidance for stu- & Growth Strategy” and will be de- UK, in the areas of Education, Eng- the team,” said Sabrin Rahman, Head al vision for skilled future national they can start after graduation. dents, advise them on how to over- livered by Dr Kate Daubney - Direc- lish and Arts to create opportunities of Sustainability for Europe and the workforce.” Growing intolerance around the world alarming: Kuwait Meet marks Int’l Day to Combat Islamophobia

NEW YORK, March 18, (KUNA): The State of Kuwait on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the recent intolerance incidents, including those motivated by religious dis- crimination in the world. This came during a speech de- livered by Kuwait Permanent Rep- resentative to the United Nations Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi at the virtual international meeting on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. He recalled what had been includ- ed in the speech of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, when he served as Foreign Minister in 2019, before the UN General Assembly, during which Sheikh Sabah KUNA photo Al-Khaled called for combating ter- Kuwaiti Minister of Oil Mohammad Al-Fares met with Saudi Minister of En- rorism and other acts of violence ergy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman in Riyadh. based on religion or belief. Al-Otaibi said Sheikh Sabah Agreements reviewed Al-Khaled noted that Islamophobia, hate speech, discrimination and vio- lent acts are of the most dangerous Kuwait oil min, Saudi energy scourges targeting the safety of soci- eties. He pointed out that many coun- minister discuss co-op boost tries in the world have repeatedly warned against those growing RIYADH, March 18, (KUNA): Ku- stages that target strengthening the scourges, stressing the need to con- waiti Minister of Oil Mohammad Al- relations between Kuwait and Saudi front them in order to achieve peace, Fares met on Wednesday with Saudi Arabia by executing the agreements security and harmony amongst peo- Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz which would refl ect in moving for- ples of the world. bin Salman in Riyadh. ward towards achieving common Ambassador Al-Otaibi renewed During the meeting, both sides interests. call for taking necessary measures to discussed ways of bolstering coop- On the other hand, both sides dis- prevent those heinous acts, urging eration on the energy level, They also cussed recent market standings, joint the international community to work reviewed the positive aspects of the cooperation to support the stability of so as to protect individuals from acts signed agreements to divide the Neu- the petroleum market and their active of discrimination, violence and tral Zone between both countries and roles in the OPEC+ agreement which crimes based on religious hate. a memo of understanding of resuming led to regaining balance of interna- Niger’s delegation as head of the joint oil production along the border tional oil markets. Islamic group organized the virtual which embodied the strong brotherly The two sides stressed on the im- high-level meeting, in cooperation bonds between the two countries. portance of joint efforts and coopera- with the Organization of Islamic Furthermore, the Kuwaiti and Sau- tion to maintain achievements and Cooperation (OIC); the Permanent di ministers discussed the upcoming for more to come. Observer Mission. KUNA photos Kuwait Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar while visiting New Delhi. Kuwait FM delivers letter from PM to Indian counterpart

Kuwait Foreign Minister and Min- Hamad Al-Sabah to Indian Prime gional and international issues. ister of State for Cabinet Affairs Minister Narendra Modi on means The meeting was attended by Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Moham- of boosting strategic partnership, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian mad Al-Sabah met with Indian For- foreign ministry said in a statement. Ali Al-Saeed, Kuwait Ambassador eign Minister Subrahmanyam Jais- The letter also dealt with historic to India Jassem Al-Najem, Ministry hankar while visiting New Delhi on relations between Kuwait and In- of Health Assistant Undersecretary Thursday. dia, as well as a host of issues of for Food and Drug Control Dr. Ab- Sheikh Dr. Ahmad handed over a mutual interest, it added. dullah Al-Qinai and Deputy Assis- letter from His Highness the Prime Sheikh Dr. Ahmad and Jais- tant Foreign Minister for Minister’s Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- hankar, meanwhile, discussed re- offi ce Ahmad Al-Shuraim. (KUNA) Khalaf Al Habtoor donates AED 1m to Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital DUBAI, March 18: Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group (AHG), wel- comed to his offi ce Dr Abdulla Al Khayat, Chief Executive Offi cer and Dr Mohamed Al Awadhi, Chief Op- erating Offi cer of Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, where he donated AED 1M to Al Jalila Children’s. Al Habtoor said: “I fi nd it sad that, in the twenty-fi rst century, there are children who do not have free access to medical care. Our government is generously caring for our youngsters from the UAE and beyond. But I be- lieve that those of us blessed with the means have a duty also to extend our support to the government’s efforts.” “Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital is doing great work for chil- dren from all nationalities, religion or race, without differentiation. And I thank Dr Al Khayat and the manage- ment team and have the honour in pre- senting them with this gift,” he added. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group (AHG) do- On his part, Dr. Abdullah Al- nating AED 1m to Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital. Khayyat, CEO of Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, appreciated this humanitar- of their peers”. tered in the United Arab Emirates ian gesture, said: “We extend our Known for his extensive charitable (UAE), is one of the region’s largest heartfelt thanks and great gratitude work and programmes, Al Habtoor and most respected conglomerates. to the philanthropist Mr. Khalaf Al donations to charity have surpassed Founded in 1970 by Khalaf Ahmad Habtoor, for this gift of hope to our AED 500M over the years in various Al Habtoor, the Group has grown children at Al Jalila Hospital. This forms. These include food aid pro- in unison with the UAE and today generous donation will go towards grammes, assistance to war-stricken has a diverse portfolio of successful the treatment of young patients to refugees, supporting medical re- business operating in key economic improve their lives. Being the only search, educational institutes, and (hospitality, automotive, real estate, hospital specializing in pediatric several other initiatives in the United and education). Al Habtoor Group care in UAE, we will help the largest Arab Emirates and abroad. has an unwavering commitment to number of children to enable them to About Al Habtoor Group excellence, applied throughout all its live a healthy childhood like the rest Al Habtoor Group, headquar- units. www.habtoor.com ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021

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‘A humanitarian and prominent social worker, who loved everyone without boundaries’ KKMA holds condolence meeting on demise of Sageer Thrikkarippur

KUWAIT CITY, March 18: “He was a (KKMA), Eby Varikkad, Albert, Ra- great philanthropist and reformer who jpal Thyagi (ICSG Kuwait), Ashok saw every human beyond communal, Kalra (Former Chairman ICSK Board], political and linguistic considerations, Kareem Irfan (Fima), R.C.Suresh, and loved and constantly worked for Apsara Mahmood, HamsaPayyanoor, the community” said by His Excellen- Ayub Kachery, T.A. Ramesh, John cy Sibi George, Ambassador of India Thomas, Rajan Daniel, Faisal Manjeri, to the State of Kuwait. He was deliv- S.A.Labba, Sharafudheen Kanneth ering the keynote address on occasion (KMCC), Jyotish Cheriyan (Kala), of condolence meeting organized by Varghese Puthukulangara (OICC), Indian community on the demise of Engineer Aboobacker,. Anwer Sayed late of Sageer Thrikkarippur, who was (Welfare Kerala), S.M.Basheer a prominent Indian community leader (KKMA Karnataka), Binoy (Than- in Kuwait. ima), Hamid Madhur (IMCC), Mo- His excellency recalled that Sageer hammed Rafi (MES), Sajeev Peter, who lived in Indian community for Abdul Hakeem Dharimi (President, the past 40 years and gave so much to- ICF), Divakaran Ammenath (Amma wards community service and was the Kuwait), Binoy Sebastian (BPP), Mrs. embodiment of sincere intentions and Nabeela Nousha (IWA Kuwait), Mrs. hard work which resulted in outcomes Indian Ambassador Siby George addresses the audience. A photo from the event. Rema Ajith (Vanidha Vedhi), Basheer beyond his or anyone’s expectations. Batha, Musthafa Mulayankav (Indian Sageer Thrikkarippur witnessed great Committee and President of the Indian keerkka, who was fondly called. Sathar Kunnil, Habibullah Muttichur rum), Sideeh Valiyakath, Habibulla Social Forum), Usama AbdulRazak affection, respect and influence in Indi- Doctors Forum Kuwait who presided General Secretary of KKMA Abdul and KC Gafoor were present at the re- Mutichoor (Nilavu Kuwait) gave con- (Youth India), Naser Mashoor Than- an society. “His sad demise is a big loss over the function. Ghafoor, presented a resolution of con- lease function. SatharKunnil narrated dolence speeches. Condolence video gal, Muhammed Khaleel Khan (UP for the Indian community”. Tributes to “During his forty years in exile Sa- dolence on the death of the deceased. the documentary and the documentary messages of Hamad Al-Turkait (Chair- NRI Forum), Manoj Udayapuram the late community leader poured from geer sacrificed his entire being for the His Excellency Ambassador of India was screened by Abdul Fattah Thayil, man, PIC and Former CEO EQUATE (Kerala Association), Sharafudheen various leaders and representatives of benefit of the weaker people in the to Kuwait Sibi George handed over BabujiBathery, Habibullah Mutti- Petrochemicals Co), Faisal Malallah (IMA), Chesil Ramapuram (GPCC), Kuwait, all over the GCC and India community. Sageer always observed the program supplement in memory chur, Sathar Kunnil, KC Gafoor and (CEO, AlKout Industrical Projects), Venkitta Krishanan (Urpan Kuwait), through social media. A meeting was and invented means to improve the of late Sageer Thrikkarippur to the Ratheesh CV Ammas. K.T. Jaleel (Minister for Higher Edu- Sunil Rapuzha (SMCA), Jyothi Das held at the Indian embassy auditorium standard of life, improving medical The Convener of the Program Sathar Then various social leaders from cation Kerala State), E.T. Mohammed (Swanthanam), Premraj were deliv- that attracted large number of audi- aid, educating the uneducated of the Kunnil.His Excellencey also released various walks of life given their con- Basheer MP, Rasheedali Shihab Than- ered their condolences over the video ences on Zoom and Facebook. most deserving and needy people in “SnehapoorvamSageerkak (with love dolence messages. A.P. Abdul Salam gal, Sathyan Mokeri (Ex MLA, Kera- message. Babuji Batheri, Nalinakshan “Mr Sageer Thrikkarippur was af- the community. He always touched to brother Sageer)” a video docu- (President KKMA), N. Ajithkumar la), Abdulsageer, Dr Puthoor Rahman were rendered welcome and thanks fectionate and had a touch of love in the hearts of those who were suffering mentary demonstrating the footsteps (Pravasi Welfare Board), K.P. Suresh (KMCC Dubai), K.Sidheek (Chief notes respectively. every action so he lived in every per- from hunger, disease and lack of edu- of Sageers’s life. Dr Ameer, PK Ak- (IBPC), Sam Painamood (Pravasi Patron, KKMA), A.P. Nizamudheen K.C. Abdul Gaffoor, General Secre- son he met.” said Dr Ameer Ahmed, cation”. All participants in the memo- bar Siddique, KP Suresh, AP Abdul Welfare Board), Mathew Varghese, (Gen.Sec. CIGI), N.A. Muneer (Chair- tary, KKMA. Mob: 9725 83245 Email General Convener of the Organizing rial shared their experiences with Sa- Salam, BM Iqbal, BabujiBathery, Munawer Mohammed (Friday Fo- man KKMA), Abdul Fathah Thayyil [email protected].

A photo from the event. Janasena NRI Sevasamithi Kuwait conducts blood donation camp

On March 12, under Janasena NRI Sevasamithi, Ku- programme was supervised by president Rama Chan- The Samithi organizing President Kanchan Sreekanth mittee members Madasu Narasimhulu, Kottaplli Srini- wait a blood donation camp was conducted at Jabriyah. dra Naik. To give more information about the Samithi, and Vice-President Pagadala Anjan Kumar believe that vasulu, Guntur Sankar, Dandu Suresh, Prem, Balaji, In this event around 125 units of blood was donated the General Secretary Dandu Chandra Sekhar, said because of the current situation in Kuwait, it’s neces- Venu Chapala Ramana, Srinu, Kola Murali, has given by Samithi members in the eve of Janasena formation that this Samithi helps the needy people by way of sary to conduct such camp, which will help to save lives their massive support. The hospital committee has ex- day on March 14 in respect of Pawan Kalyanji. This health and finance support in Kuwait as well as in India. of so many people. To make this event a success com- pressed their warm wishes to all donors. ‘Poorna Sankula’ conducted online Kuwait Kannada Koota holds 2020 AGM

KUWAIT CITY, March 18: Ku- wait Kannada Koota (KKK) a socio- cultural association for the people of Karnataka State, conducted its AGM program “Poorna Sankula”, also cel- ebrating Christmas and New Year, on Dec 25, 2020. Due to the current pre- vailing conditions, the whole program was conducted online. The program started with lighting of traditional A poster of the ‘Inspirational Women of Pakistan.’ lamp by the Executive Committee led by President Shri. Rajesh Vittal. Vice President Sandeep Chabbawished PWF marks International Women’s Day with everyone on the occasion of Christ- mas and New Year while welcoming docu on ‘Inspirational Women of Pakistan’ the viewers for the program. A video clip showing Indian Ambassador to By Nighat Tariq dana Ansari (OBE), and Samina A. Kuwait,HE Sibi George’s message Hasan (Bureaucrat). was played out to the audience. A short KUWAIT CITY, March 18: Inter- In their messages, these influential la- presentation was shown to the viewers, national Women’s Day (March 8) is dies expressed and embodied the strength recalling Koota’s last year’s programs a global day for celebrating the so- of women and also showcased the factors and efforts, in spite of huge challenges cial, economic, cultural, and politi- that empower them. They also thanked thrown by pandemic. The presentation cal achievements of women. Pakistan PWF for their contribution in expressing highlighted Koota’s efforts in provid- Women’s Forum, Kuwait (PWF) cel- the need of uplifting and supporting wom- ing much required assistance to expats ebrated International Women’s Day in en through their platform. in distress, by joining hands with In- a unique way by presenting a beauti- The documentary was composed, dian Embassy’s initiative, ICSG and ful documentary on the Inspirational created and designed by Nadiya Mu- contributing to State CM’s relief fund. Women of Pakistan from different hammad, and its screenplay, direction The program continued with the felici- fields of life. and PR coordination were done by tation and honoring of various com- The founder of PWF, Mrs. Yasmeen Romina Sarwar. The commentary was mittee members from cultural commit- Mozaffar, extended her gratitude to all given by both Nadiya Muhammad and tee, PR committee, Sports committee, the women around the world with her Romina Sarwar in an eloquent way. Technical committee, Marala Mallige KKK Executive Committee with family. beautiful message; “Dignity and Ele- Critical analysis was done by Hina Sal- committee, souvenir committee, fi- gance are the other names of women.” eem. Technical support was given by nance committee, Strategic Technical the journey over the last year and also – Sharavathi, Netravati, Kaveri and He- conducted the election of the office Bear- In the documentary, the accomplish- Nighat Tariq and the pre-event posters committee, Strategic Coordination thanked all the committees and members mavathi were announced and winning ers for the year 202i. Members of the ments of five distinguished and inspir- were designed by Rabiah Burney. committee, strategic media commit- for their hard work and commitment for house Hemavathi and runners, Kaveri association unanimously elected pres- ing women were highlighted; Mrs. At the end of the documentary, the tee and House Captains. Winners of conducting various programs. Koota’s were honored. CA Prashantha Shetty ident-elect, Revanasiddappa Hombali, Ambreen Mustafa (Patron-in-chief Executive Board of PWF thanked Rajyotsava e-Sanchike competition secretary, Praveen Kumar Shetty & presented the annual report of Koota as President, Shri VikramKunjibettu as PWF), Masarrat Misbah (Cosmetolo- these dynamic women for contribut- under different age categories of were treasurer Pradeep Rao presented finan- Welfare Association, which is focused Vice-President, Shri YogeeshaJayaramu gist and Philanthropist), Neelum A. ing to the celebration of International announced and honored. cial report for the year 2020. The scores on past and present members of Koota. as General Secretary and Shreenivas Basheer (Critic and Novelist), Dur- Women’s Day. President, during his address, recalled achieved by the four houses of Koota Returning officer, Dr ShashikiranPrabhu Kshatriya as Treasurer. Elected presi- dent addressed the gathering and assured the members that his committee would do everything possible to run the Koota ONCP Kwt elects new office bearers affairs in a smooth possible manner. In addition, Koota elected Chinmaya K. as KUWAIT CITY, March 18: ONCP Treasurer Sreebin Sreenivasan and President-elect for 2021. Kuwait appointed new offi ce bearers executive committee members No- The audience was treated to an en- recently. As per the COVID proto- ble Jose, Suraj Ponath, Joffy Mut- tertaining standup comedy program cols, meeting was held online and tath, Mathew V John, Biju Man- conducted by renowned Kannada art- new committee was formed with nayath, Biju Stephen and Shadab ist, GangavathiPranesh along with his approval from ONCP national com- Anjum, Mohammad Sajid, Aftab team members, Basvaraj Mahamani, mittee. Kuwait Chapter President Jafar Ali, Manjeet Singh, Ganesh and Narshimha Joshi. Members thor- oughly enjoyed the program and ap- Jeeves Erinjeri, General Secretary Lalji Patel,Om Prakash, Ramesh preciated the efforts by the artists from Arulraj KV, Treasurer Raveendran Mughala,Odichinna and Smt.Susan Karnataka. T.V, Patron Babu Francis, Vice Jose were also elected. Jeeves Erin- Program ended with a vote of thanks President Sunny Miranda, Joint jeri presided over the meeting which presented by the outgoing secretary, Raveendran T.V. Babu Francis Jeeves Erinjeri Arulraj K.V. Secretary Maxwell Dcruz, Joint was inaugurated by Babu Francis. Praveen Kumar Shetty. Angie’s List is changing its name to Angi

Angie’s List is giving itself a and pay someone online to Starting Wednesday, the also appeared on TV com- new name: Angi. unclog a toilet or mount a TV website’s URL will go from mercials for the site, is still An Angie’s List The website said to the wall. AngiesList.com to Angi.com. involved with the company magazine is Wednesday that it is chang- “At its core, we’re not a The app will reflect the as a chief customer officer shown on March ing its name to better reflect list,” said Oisin Hanrahan, change, too. And the logo and board member. 17, 2021 in what it does now. who was named CEO of the has been redone, losing its As part of the revamp, the White Plains, Founded in 1995 as an website’s parent company former green hue for a bright Denver-based parent com- New York. (AP) online directory to research last month. coral red. pany, ANGI Homeservices and rate local plumbers and It went with Angi, instead Angie’s List was named Inc., will also change its other home contractors, it of Angie, because it was a after Angie Hicks, who co- name to Angi Inc. Its stock has evolved into a site where unique name no one else founded the site nearly symbol will remain users can book, schedule was using, Hanrahan said. 25-years ago. Hicks, who unchanged as “ANGI.” (AP)

Market Movements 18-03-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts JAPAN - Nikkei +302.42 30,216.75 AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries -44.39 7,003.61 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +52.68 6,622.39 INDIA - Sensex -585.10 49,216.52 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +64.02 6,630.85 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -726.22 44,724.09 CHINA - Shanghai SE +17.52 3,463.07 Business Central Bank foresees US economy accelerating quickly this year Fed expects to keep its key rate near zero through 2023 WASHINGTON, March 18, (AP): tion appeared likely. rate increase that far into the future.” “There was a time when inflation The Federal Reserve foresees the On Wednesday, Powell appeared The Fed chair also credited the gov- went up, it would stay up,” he said at economy accelerating quickly this intent on emphasizing that shift. ernment’s emergency spending, the news conference. “And that time is year yet still expects to keep its bench- “We’re going to wait to see actual including substantial relief packages not now. That hasn’t been the case for mark interest rate pinned near zero data,” he said. “And I think it will take approved by both Presidents Donald some decades.” through 2023, despite concerns in people time to adjust to that new prac- Trump and Joe Biden, with preventing This week’s Fed policy meeting financial markets about potentially tice. And the only way we can really an even worse downturn from shut- came as the economy’s outlook has higher inflation. build the credibility of that is by doing tered small businesses and workers improved significantly since it last met With its brightening outlook, the it.” losing jobs permanently. in late January. Job gains accelerated Fed on Wednesday significantly Brian Bethune, an economics profes- Still, the Fed doesn’t expect the in February, sales at retail stores upgraded its forecasts for growth and sor at Tufts University, said: “The mes- unemployment rate to return to its pre- jumped after $600 relief checks were inflation. It now expects the economy sage here is that the Fed is not concerned pandemic level of 3.5% until late distributed at the start of the year and to expand 6.5% this year, up sharply about inflation right now. The trend 2023. Biden signed his economic relief pack- from its previous projection in around the world is toward lower infla- “The faster the better,” Powell said, age into law. Average daily COVID December of 4.2%. And the Fed raised tion. Since that is the case, the Fed is “but realistically, given the numbers, infections have also dropped precipi- its forecast for inflation by the end of saying, why worry about it? This low it’s going to take some time.” tously. And vaccinations have acceler- this year from 1.8% to 2.4% after inflation trend is the Fed’s friend.” At the moment, Powell faces a deli- ated, raising hopes that Americans will years of chronically low price increas- There were signs, though, that at cate balancing act: The economy is increasingly travel, shop, eat out and es. least some Fed officials are edging clearly improving. But if the chairman spend freely after a year of virus- The Fed also said it would continue closer to reining in the central bank’s is perceived to be too optimistic, induced restraint. its monthly purchases of $120 billion In this file photo, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell appears ultra-low-rate policies. The central investors might assume the Fed will As a consequence, economists have in bonds, which are intended to keep before the Senate Banking Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP) bank indicated that four of the 18 poli- reverse its low-rate policies prema- been upgrading their outlooks, with longer-term borrowing costs low. cymakers now expect a rate hike in turely. That could send bond yields many predicting that the economy will On Wall Street, investors registered ers think the unemployment rate will hike then. 2022, up from just one in December. rising and weaken the economy as expand as much as 7% for all of 2021. their approval of the Fed’s low-rate drop faster than they thought in At a news conference after the Fed’s And seven predict a hike in 2023, up borrowing becomes costlier for com- That would be the fastest annual message, sending stock indexes high- December: They foresee unemploy- latest policy meeting, Chair Jerome from five in December. The Fed panies and households. growth since 1984. The brighter out- er. And the closely watched yield on ment falling from its current 6.2% to Powell stressed that the central bank doesn’t name which officials make Yet if Powell sounds worried that look has sent the yield on the 10-year the 10-year Treasury note, which has 4.5% by year’s end and to 3.9%, near wants to see substantial improvement which projections. the job market is recovering only Treasury note climbing as investors surged in recent weeks on inflation a healthy level, at the end of 2022. in the job market and economy and At the same time, Powell down- slowly, it might spark concerns that have dumped bonds, which are typi- concerns, declined slightly. That suggests that the central bank won’t reverse its low-rate policies played the notion that Fed officials can the Fed won’t be watchful enough cally safe-haven investments during Still, the Fed’s upgraded forecasts will be close to meeting its goals by based solely on forecasts. Last year, accurately project their policies well about inflation pressures. That percep- downturns. raised questions about what would 2023, when it expects inflation to the Fed altered its policy framework to past this year. tion, too, could send bond yields rising Still, the job market has a long way cause it eventually to raise its key exceed its 2% target level and for make clear that it would eventually “The state of the economy in two or as investors anticipate rising inflation. to go to a full recovery. With unem- short-term rate, which affects many unemployment to be at 3.5%, which is raise rates only after annual inflation three years is highly uncertain,” he On Wednesday, the chairman down- ployment at 6.2%, the economy still consumer and business loans. As the where it was before the pandemic had exceeded its 2% target “for some said, “and I wouldn’t want to focus too played the prospect that inflation could has 9.5 million fewer jobs than it did economy strengthens, the policymak- struck. Yet it still doesn’t project a rate time” - and not just when higher infla- much on the exact timing of a potential eventually surge out of control. before the pandemic struck a year ago. ‘An early sign of what firms could face’ How Uber Britain case could US housing construction foreshadow gig work revamp LONDON, March 18, (AP): Ride The Bottom Line hailing giant Uber says it’s giving Will these changes mean passen- U.K. drivers benefits like minimum gers pay more and hurt the company’s wage and pensions, after losing a profitability? Uber revealed little in a yearslong court battle to prevent them ‘tumbles’ 10.3 pct in Feb U.S. Securities and Exchange from being classified as “workers.” Commission filing announcement, It’s an early sign of what companies saying only that it’s not making any like Uber face as authorities get to changes to previously announced Applications for new construction fall by 10.8% grips with regulating the app-based quarterly or full year earnings fore- gig economy. casts. More Benefi ts Experts said the company may end WASHINGTON. March up making other adjustments to afford Starting right away, Uber’s more these new policies and shore up its 18, (AP): Severe winter than 70,000 U.K. drivers will get the chances of turning a profit, but they weather in much of the minimum wage, equivalent to about could end up limiting flexibility for country pushed home con- $12 an hour for people aged 25 and drivers - one of the big selling points up, plus pension payments and holi- of working for Uber. struction down a sharp day pay. The company made the One big possibility is restricting the 10.3% in February while changes after the U.K. Supreme Court number of drivers on the platform, applications for new con- rejected its appeal against an employ- said Matthew Taylor, who carried out ment tribunal ruling that drivers an independent review of working struction fell by 10.8%. should be considered workers, not practices for the U.K. government in The decline pushed home and independent contractors as Uber 2017. apartment construction down to a insisted. That doesn’t mean they’re To properly comply with the court seasonally adjusted annual rate considered full-time staff employees, ruling, Uber “probably are going to of 1,42 million units last month, but under U.K. employment law, they have to move to a system where they compared to a rate of 1.58 mil- fall into a middle category of “work- say to drivers you can only log on at lion units in January when hous- ers” who have more casual work certain times,” Taylor told the BBC. ing starts had fallen 5.1 percent, terms but are also entitled to benefits and protections. The Gig Economy’s Future the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Is It Good For Drivers? The Uber case is part of broader Even with the two months of efforts to rein in the gig economy that Yes and no. San Francisco-based are gaining traction, at least in Europe. declines, economists are optimis- Uber Technologies Inc. says a driv- Spain last week unveiled legislation tic that housing will bounce back er’s minimum wage will be calculated classifying food delivery riders as in coming months, helped by based on the time they accept a trip employees of the digital platforms ultra-low mortgage rates and ris- through the app. The drivers union they work for, not self-employed. ing demand by American who behind the legal case said it’s a step in CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has been have been cooped up for the past the right direction but not good a dvocating for reforms to what he year as the coronavirus pandemic enough because drivers should be called outdated labor laws that force rages. paid for time spent waiting for rides gig workers to choose between flexi- However, even with the expected after logging on to the app, as the bility and social protections. His pro- rebound, the growth in housing will A sign sits in front of a KB Home construction site on Feb 2, 2021, in Simi Valley, Calif US home construction fell court ruled, otherwise they’ll be posals could find a receptive audience likely slow from last year’s sizzling 6% in January but applications for building permits rose sharply. The Commerce Department reported Thursday, shortchanged by up to 50%. in Brussels, where the European pace given a series of restraints Feb 18, that the January decline pushed home and apartment construction down to a seasonally adjusted rate of “If you go to work for Starbucks Union’s executive Commission is from a lack of building lots to surg- 1.58 million units in January, compared to 1.68 million units in December. (AP) and no customers come into the shop, looking at how to improve conditions ing lumber prices. should you still be paid? Of course for platform workers. Oxford Economics reports that However, we think the February you should,” said James Farrar, one Meanwhile, Uber’s U.K. case random length lumber prices have data overstates any actual weak- of two former Uber drivers who filed could act as catalyst for wider change, more than tripled since last April. ness in the housing market,” the initial claim. “Uber simply has to by inspiring further legal challenges The National Association of Home Nancy Vanden Houten, lead econ- IRS will delay tax filing do this, this is not difficult to under- and influencing courts elsewhere that omist for Oxford Economics, said stand.” are wrestling with the issues. It all Builders said the lumber price surge is adding $24,000 to the average in a research note. But it may not be so simple. The means that other gig economy compa- Rubeela Farooqi, chief US econ- company has argued that drivers nies, which are often accused of price of a newly built home. due date ‘until’ May 17 That may be playing out in the omist for High Frequency could be logged in to the app while exploiting workers, will face growing WASHINGTON, March 18, (AP): underfunded IRS. The pandemic they’re sitting at home, and not actu- pressure to make improvements for plans this year for homebuilders. Economics, said there were many positive forces that will carry last The Internal Revenue Service is hit in the middle of last year’s ally driving. them. On Wednesday, the US reported delaying the traditional tax filing tax filing season, setting the the first drop in applications for year’s momentum into 2021. “Mortgage rates are historically deadline from April 15 until May agency back in terms of process- new building permits, considered a 17, according to the House Ways ing. good indication of future activity, low and combined with record low and Means Committee. The IRS has also been a key since October, and left applications inventories are likely to support The IRS and Treasury player in doling out government at a seasonally adjusted annual rate building activity, especially in the Department didn’t immediately relief payments, and is helping to of 1.68 million units single-family sector,” she said. comment Wednesday or provide send out the third round of pay- The severe weather last month Housing construction rose 6.9% further details. But the committee ments in the middle of the current included a prolonged period when last year to 1.38 million units, the confirmed and applauded the tax filing season. millions of Texans were without strongest showing since the housing move, which provides added time Additionally, the extension electricity because freezing temper- boom of 2006. for both taxpayers and the IRS gives the IRS time to issue guid- atures over-burdened the Texas Construction starts for single- alike given the pressure from the ance on recent tax law changes. power grid. family homes dropped 8.5% in pandemic. The American Rescue Plan Despite deadly weather patterns February to a seasonally adjusted “This extension is absolutely excludes the first $10,200 of and sky high lumber prices, it’s annual rate of 1.04 million units necessary to give Americans some unemployment benefits from fed- highly likely that housing construc- while the smaller apartment sector needed flexibility in a time of eral taxes for those making less tion will remain one of the stand- fell 14.5% to an annual rate of unprecedented crisis,” said than $150,000. out performers for the economy 372,000 units. Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass. “Never before has the law again this year. Construction activity fell in every and Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J., changed so substantially in the “We expect the pace of housing part of the country except the West chairman of the panel’s oversight middle of tax filing season,” starts to moderate in 2021 as which saw a 17.6% increase. subcommittee. Patrick Thomas, director of Notre This file photo shows an Uber office in Secaucus, New Jersey, USA. Ride homebuilders confront constraints Construction starts fell 39.5% in the The extension comes after an Dame Law School’s Tax Clinic, hailing giant Uber says it’s giving U.K. drivers benefits after losing a yearslong including high lumber prices and Northeast and were down 34.9% in intense year for the chronically said in a statement. court battle to prevent them from being classified as ‘workers’. (AP) shortages of lots and labor. the Midwest and 9.7% in the South. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 BUSINESS 9

Tesla on autopilot drives into Michigan trooper’s patrol car

The US government’s highway safety agency sent drove into it, police said. was not immediately returned. investigators to Michigan for the second time in less The Tesla’s driver was issued citations for failure It’s the second time in less than a week that than a week to investigate an accident after authori- to move over and driving with a license suspended. NHTSA has sent a team to Michigan to investigate The Tesla logo is ties said a Tesla on autopilot crashed into a state In a statement, a spokesperson said the National crashes involving Teslas. A special crash investiga- displayed at the trooper’s patrol car early Wednesday. Highway Traffic Safety Administration is aware of the tion team also was sent to Detroit to investigate a Tesla Gallery on Neither the Michigan State Police trooper nor the incident involving the Tesla. crash that involved a Tesla that drove beneath a Feb 24, 2021, in 22-year-old Lansing man who was driving the Tesla “Consistent with NHTSA’s vigilant oversight and semitrailer and left two people critically injured last Troy, Michigan. were injured in the 1:10 a.m. crash on Interstate 96 robust authority over the safety of all motor vehicles Thursday on the city’s southwest side. (AP) in Eaton County, police said. and equipment, including automated technologies, The circumstances of that crash were similar to two The crash occurred in the Lansing area as the we have launched a Special Crash Investigation others in Florida in which Teslas drove beneath tractor- trooper was investigating a collision between a car team to investigate the crash,” the spokesperson trailers, causing two deaths. In both crashes, in 2016 and and a deer, WLNS-TV reported. The patrol car’s said in the statement. An email message seeking 2019, the cars were being driven while using Tesla’s emergency lights were activated when the Tesla comment Wednesday night from NHTSA officials Autopilot partially automated driving software. (AP) Asia follows Wall St higher on Fed rates promise Benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong advance

BEIJING, March 18, (AP): report. “Inflation is expected to rise economy “run hot” to make sure a helping. But faster economic activity in the coming months, and the Fed recovery is gaining traction. could also translate into some degree Asian stock markets fol- may need to provide more handhold- Before his comments Wednesday, of inflation. lowed Wall Street higher ing to the market during this price the yield on the 10-year US Treasury Fed policymakers foresee unem- on Thursday after the US spike.” bond, or the difference between its ployment falling from 6.2% to 4.5% Federal Reserve said its The Shanghai Composite Index market price and the payout at matu- by year’s end and to 3.9% at the end rose 0.6% to 3,465.85 and the Nikkei rity, widened to 1.68%, the highest of 2022. key interest rate would be 225 in Tokyo advanced 0.9% to level since January 2020. That suggests the central bank will kept near zero through 30,192.11. The Hang Seng in Hong Yields fell and stocks gained after be close to meeting its goals by 2023, 2023. Kong added 1.5% to 29,474.61. Powell spoke. when it expects inflation to exceed its Benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo The Kospi in Seoul advanced 0.7% The S&P 500 rose to 3,974.12, 2% target and for unemployment to and Hong Kong advanced. Sydney to 3,068.01 while Sydney’s S&P- recovering from a 0.7% slide. The be at 3.5%. Yet it still doesn’t project retreated. ASX 200 was off 0.7% at 6,745.90. Dow Jones Industrial Average gained a rate hike then. The Fed’s promise to keep rates India’s Sensex rose 0.5% to 0.6% to 33,015.37. The Nasdaq rose In energy markets, benchmark US near rock bottom came even as it 50,043.87. New Zealand also 0.4% to 13,525.20. crude lost 36 cents to $64.24 per bar- forecast this year’s economic growth declined while Southeast Asian mar- Banks, industrial stocks and com- rel in electronic trading on the New will rebound to 6.5% - its strongest kets advanced. panies that rely on consumer spend- York Mercantile Exchange. The con- since the 1980s - and inflation will Investors have been uneasy that ing helped lift the market. Those tract fell 20 cents on Wednesday to climb above 2% for the first time in inflation might accelerate after gov- gains outweighed a pullback in health $64.60. Brent crude, the basis for years. ernments flooded sagging economies care, utilities and other sectors. international prices, retreated 41 On Wall Street, the benchmark with extra spending and credit to Investors are betting big that the cents to $67.59 per barrel in London. S&P 500 index rose 0.3% to a new A man walks past a bank’s electronic board showing the Hong Kong share reverse the deepest global slump economic malaise will dissipate as It declined 39 cents the previous ses- high. index at Hong Kong Stock Exchange, March 18. (AP) since the 1930s. spring arrives and more Americans sion to $68. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s Central banks traditionally respond get vaccinated against the coronavi- The dollar edged up to 108.90 yen comments at a news conference central banks to raise rates, which investors are satisfied with the Fed’s to higher pressure for prices to rise by rus. The $1,400 stimulus checks the from Wednesday’s 108.86 yen. The appeared to reassure investors who would weigh on economic growth. explanations for now,” said Tai Hui hiking interest rates. But Fed officials Biden administration began sending euro declined to $1.1967 from worry higher inflation might prompt “The market reaction suggests of JP Morgan Asset Management in a have said they would let the U.S. to individuals last weekend are also $1.1979. 20 winners receive KD 1,000 each AUB congratulates Al-Hassad draw winners KUWAIT CITY, March 18: In accordance with full preventive guidelines and measures set by health authorities, Ahli United Bank (AUB) held the weekly draw of Al-Hassad Islamic account on March 10, 2021, which is the very first draw account in Islamic banking in Kuwait. Al-Hassad Islamic account offers over 750 prizes in over 12 month period and has reshaped the lives of thou- sands lucky winners. 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The draws of Al-Hassad include several cash priz- account. es, such as KD 100,000 each Eid and the grand quar- It is worth mentioning that Al-Hassad Islamic terly draw of KD 250,000 prize which continues to account has won the “Best Savings Product in Kuwait be a key aspiration for customers who are wishing to 2019” by the prestigious Banker Middle East fulfill their dreams. Al Hassad offers 20 weekly Magazine for the numerous unique features it pro- prizes of KD 1,000 for each winner. In addition to vides. 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Furthermore, for the first time in Kuwait, the AUB For more information about Al-Hassad Account Al-Hassad presents the “Privilege Draw”, which is a added to the investment savings account, the prizes it quarterly draw of KD 25,000 exclusively for offers and relevant criteria, please visit any of AUB Al-Hassad customers who maintained their balances branches, contact “Hayakom” Service on 1812000 or for more than one year and have not won a prize in visit our website: www.ahliunited.com.kw. Govt aims to ease debt costs Greece sees high demand for 30-yr bond ATHENS, Greece, March 18, (AP): Greece has raised 2.5 billion euros ($3 billion) in a 30-year government bond sale that saw high demand and is aimed at improving the country’s debt profile dur- ing the pandemic. The yield was just below 2% and the auction was more than 10 times oversubscribed, the country’s Public Debt Management Agency said. A steep recession in 2020 and high pandemic relief costs pushed Greece’s debt-to-gross domestic product ratio to over an estimated 200% last year. The government is hoping to take advantage of current low interest rates to improve Greece’s debt sustainability and offset some of the impact of the pandemic on the public finances. It was Greece’s first 30-year bond issue since 2007. Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said Wednesday’s bond auction, the second held so far in 2021, signaled an end to the country’s reliance on funds from successive international bailouts between 2010 and 2018. “This issue marks a full return of our country to international markets,” he said. “It provides securi- ty to investors as it far exceeds the debt-settlement period agreed with (bailout) institutions.” In late January, Greece raised 3.5 billion euros ($4.2 billion) with a 10-year bond issue whose yield was close to 0.8%. Athens is also planning to repay part of its bailout debt to the International Monetary Fund ahead of schedule to reduce annual debt servicing costs. The early repayment worth some 3.3 billion euros ($3.9 billion) would cover nearly two-thirds of the outstanding debt to the IMF, and follow a similar repayment worth 2.7 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in late 2019. Greece sunk back into recession last year due to the pandemic and lockdown measures, with the economy shrinking an estimated 8.2%, while hopes for a strong recovery this year have been dampened by extended restrictions. Shell, Eni acquitted in Nigeria oil corruption case

A court in Milan acquitted oil the OPL 245 offshore oil field. the industry as a whole who Both Anglo-Dutch Shell giants Shell and Italy’s Eni of Non-governmental or- continue to put our planet at and Eni, which is 30% owned In this file photo, ENI CEO corruption charges in a $1.1 ganizations and activists ex- risk and cut short the lives of by the Italian state, denied Claudio Descalzi delivers his billion bribery case involving pressed outrage at the verdict its inhabitants with their toxic wrongdoing. speech during the 2019-22 control of a lucrative Nigerian and called on Milan prosecu- practices.” Eni welcomed the verdict, ENI strategy presentation in oil block. tors to appeal. The court has Milan prosecutors alleged saying in a statement that San Donato Milanese, Milan, In addition to the compa- 90 days to issue its reasoning. that $520 million of the $1.1 the court “has finally estab- Italy. (AP) nies, Eni’s current CEO, his “This verdict must not mark billion paid into an escrow lished that the company, the predecessor and a former a return to business as usual,’’ account for the acquisition CEO Claudio Descalzi and Nigerian oil minister were Global Witness senior cam- was converted into cash and the management involved in among 13 defendants acquit- paigner Barnaby Pace said in distributed as bribes, while the proceedings have all be- ted after a three-year trial in- a statement. “It is no vindica- several hundred million more haved in a lawful and correct volving the 2011 purchase of tion for either company, nor went to a former oil minister. manner.” (AP) Business PPluslus Employers increasingly open to remote work, even as employees return to workplace Will work from home outlast virus? Ford’s move suggests yes

means to do their jobs, said Kiersten Robinson, chief people and employee experiences offi cer. So when its hybrid schedule begins in July or soon thereafter, Ford will give teams a choice of when to come to the offi ce. Robinson said a fl exible schedule will also help Ford compete for talent. “I do think we’re seeing a real shift in expectations among candidates,” she said. Among the employees pleased by the new policy is Kelly Keller, Ford’s chemistry and material compli- ance manager. Keller, who has been working a hybrid schedule since the pandemic erupted a year ago, wouldn’t want to go back to com- muting to work each day. Now she generally works three days from home and then commutes for the next three workdays, an hour each way, to a lab in Dearborn, Michigan. Sometimes when she’s home, she gets to take her daughter to elemen- tary school and start work a little late before fi nishing later in the day. “I defi nitely enjoy the fl exibility,” Keller said. “I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue the hybrid arrangement, for sure.” Of the workers she supervises, seven commute to the lab every day; four work from home. The at-home workers, Keller said, have been more productive than they were before the coronavirus struck because they often work during the time they would have been commuting. In this file photo Saili Gosula, executive director of SYNERGY HomeCare of San Mateo, poses for a photo at her office in San Mateo, Calif. Gosula has a remote administrative staffer and several “For most,” she said, “I think they onsite employees at her Synergy HomeCare franchise. A report this week from the employment website Indeed says postings for jobs that mention ‘remote work’ have more than doubled since put in longer days.” the pandemic began. (AP) A study last month by Alexander Bick, an economist at Arizona State By Tom Krisher and Christopher suggests that what was long called 2019 to 16% in the second half of 2020, the pandemic. Salesforce, Facebook, University, and two colleagues found Rugaber tele-commuting will remain far more according to Indeed data. In banking and Google and other tech fi rms have said that nearly 13% of workers they common than it was a year ago. fi nance, for such jobs as actuaries and they’ll continue work-from-home surveyed plan to work from home t’s a question occupying the minds A report this week from the loan underwriters, remote-work postings policies indefi nitely. Target Corp. full time after the pandemic - nearly Iof millions of employees who have employment website Indeed says surged from 4% to nearly 16%. For will leave one of four downtown Min- double the 7.6% who did so in Febru- worked from home the past year: Will postings for jobs that mention “remote mental health therapists, they rose from neapolis offi ce locations because it’s ary 2020. An additional 25% expect to they still be allowed to work remotely - work” have more than doubled since 1% to nearly 7%. moving to a hybrid model for 3,500 do so at least one day a week, up from at least some days - once the pandemic the pandemic began. Such job post- Such shifts could, in turn, trigger workers. It will keep other downtown 17% before the pandemic. has faded? ings are still increasing even while changes in where people live and offi ces. Company executives overwhelm- The pandemic has bro- On Wednesday, one of America’s vaccinations are accelerating and the affect the varying economic health Flexible remote work is hardly an ingly report that remote work has corporate titans, Ford Motor Co., pace of new confi rmed COVID cases of metro areas. Some highly skilled equal opportunity perk. It is dispro- succeeded during the pandemic, ‘ ken the social and cul- supplied its own answer: It told about is declining. workers could migrate from high- portionately concentrated among more according to research by consult- 30,000 of its employees worldwide “If job postings are a guide, cost coastal cities, where they had educated, well-paid workers. The jobs ing fi rm PwC. About 55% said they tural norms for how we who have worked from home that they employers are increasingly open to clustered in the decade after the Great of lesser-paid employees generally envision allowing continued remote can continue to do so indefi nitely, remote work, even as some employees Recession, to more affordable cities or require on-site work or face-to-face work, according to the survey of 133 with fl exible hours approved by their return to the workplace,” said Jed small towns. Downtown offi ces could contact with the public. executives of mostly large companies. work. Remote work has managers. Their schedules will be- Kolko, chief economist at Indeed. shrink and exist mainly for collabora- More than one-third of Asian Just 17% said they wanted employees come a work-offi ce “hybrid”: They’ll The share of Indeed’s job postings tive work. The tax revenue of large employees and a quarter of whites back in the offi ce as soon as possible. become much more commute to work mainly for group that mention “remote work” or “work cities could tumble as fewer workers worked from home because of the An additional 26% said they preferred meetings and projects best-suited for from home” reached 7% last month, patronize downtown bars, restaurants pandemic in January, according to an only limited remote work but recog- accepted. face-to-face interaction. up from just below 3% a year ago. and coffee shops. analysis of government data by the nized that it’s become popular with Ford’s announcement sent one of But in some industries, the gains were “The pandemic has broken the Conference Board, a business research employees. ’ the clearest signals to date that the far more dramatic, including those social and cultural norms for how we group. Just 19% of Black workers and Ford and other companies have pandemic has hastened a cultural shift that haven’t traditionally welcomed work,” said Timothy Golden, a pro- 14% of Hispanics were able to do so. been redesigning their offi ces, or con- in Americans’ work lives by erasing remote work. fessor of management at Rensselaer Ford has found over the past year sidering doing so, to refl ect fewer cu- any stigma around remote work and In legal services, for example, Polytechnic Institute. “Remote work that employees and supervisors bicles and personal offi ces and more encouraging the adoption of technol- remote-work postings for jobs including has become much more accepted.” believe that more work can be done conference rooms and other spaces for ogy that enables it. Broader evidence paralegals and legal assistants jumped Ford is just the latest company to remotely, that they can still connect workers, who may be on-site for just about the post-pandemic workplace from under 5% in the second half of allow more work from home after with each other and that they have the part of the week, to collaborate. (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Space

Cookie-shaped planet shard Mars rover ‘relays’ sounds of driving CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., March 18, (AP): NASA’s newest Mars rover has sent back the first-ever sounds of driving on the red planet - a grinding, clanking, banging affair that by Earth standards would be pretty worrisome. The noises made by Perseverance’s six metal wheels and suspension on the first test drive two weeks ago are part of a 16-minute raw audio feed released Wednesday by Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. “If I heard these sounds driving my car, I’d pull over and call for a tow,” Dave Gruel, an engineer on the rover team, said in a written NASA statement. “But if you take a minute to consider what you’re hearing and where it was recorded, it makes perfect sense.” Perseverance - the biggest, most advanced rover ever sent to Mars - landed near an ancient river delta on Feb. 18 to search for signs of past life. Samples will be taken from the most promising rocks for eventual return to Earth. The rover carries two microphones. One already has captured the sounds of wind and rock-zapping lasers, the other was meant to record the descent and landing. This second mike didn’t pick up any sounds of the rover’s arrival at Mars, but managed to record the first test drive March 4. This undated combination of microscope images provided by Monash University in March 2021 shows different ‘iBlastoids’ (embryo-like structures) stained to The driving audio contains a unex- highlight different cell types. Scientists made the cell structures in a lab and say they will allow for more research into the earliest stages of human development without running afoul of restrictions on using real embryos. (AP) Loeb pected high-pitched scratching noise, according to NASA. Engineers are try- ing to figure it out. Before it starts drilling into rocks for core samples, Perseverance will drop off an experimental tag-along helicop- Science ter, named Ingenuity. The helicopter will attempt the first powered, controlled flight on another planet sometime next month. Meanwhile, our solar system’s first known interstellar visi- tor is neither a comet nor asteroid as first suspected and looks Development paves way for research, new ethical questions nothing like a cigar. A new study says the mystery object is likely a remnant of a Pluto-like world and shaped like a cookie. Arizona State University astronomers reported this week Lab pre-embryos could spur debates that the strange 148-foot (45-meter) object that appears to be made of frozen nitrogen, just like the surface of Pluto and WASHINGTON, March 18, (AP): For Neptune’s largest moon Triton. the first time, scientists have used human cells to make structures that Nations assess risk of halting and Impact mimic the earliest stages of develop- The study’s authors, Alan Jackson and Steven Desch, think ment, which they say will pave the an impact knocked a chunk off an icy nitrogen-covered planet way for more research without running continuing with AstraZeneca shot 500 million years ago and sent the piece tumbling out of its afoul of restrictions on using real BRUSSELS, March 18, (AP): With were no reports of increased blood own star system, toward ours. The reddish remnant is believed embryos. coronavirus cases rising in many clots in the clinical studies of the to be a sliver of its original self, its outer layers evaporated by Two papers published in the journal places, governments faced the AstraZeneca vaccine. Still, experts cosmic radiation and, more recently, the sun. This 2018 illustration provided by Nature detail how two teams of scien- grimmest of dilemmas: push on would undertake a “very rigorous It’s named Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honor of the William Hartmann and Michael Belton tists independently made such struc- with a vaccine that is known to analysis” and make a recommenda- observatory in Hawaii that discovered it in 2017. shows a depiction of the Oumuamua tures. save lives or suspend use of tion Thursday, she said. Visible only as a pinpoint of light millions of miles away at interstellar object as a pancake- They stressed that their work is only AstraZeneca over reports of dan- Europe has the luxury to be able shaped disk. A study published in for research, not reproduction, but it gerous blood clots in a few recipi- to pick from several vaccine candi- its closest approach, it was determined to have originated March 2021 says the mystery object beyond our solar system because its speed and path suggested likely will pose new ethical questions. ents despite no evidence the shot dates - but the decision is still not is likely a remnant of a Pluto-like “Studying early human develop- was responsible. an easy one on the continent, it wasn’t orbiting the sun or anything else. world and shaped like a cookie. (AP) The only other object confirmed to have strayed from ment is really difficult. It’s basically a It has created a jagged divide where the virus is again surging another star system into our own is the comet 21/Borisov, black box,” said Jun Wu, a stem cell across the globe, forcing politicians and where the vaccination cam- discovered in 2019. biologist at the University of Texas, to assess the health risks of halting paign has repeatedly stumbled. But what is Oumuamua? It didn’t fit into known categories Southwestern Medical Center. the shots at a time when many The choice may be even more - it looked like an asteroid but sped along like a comet. Unlike “We believe our model can open up countries, especially in Europe, are fraught elsewhere because many a comet, though, it didn’t have a visible tail. Speculation this field,” he said, if “you can test already struggling to overcome countries are relying heavily on your hypothesis without using human logistical hurdles and vaccine hesi- AstraZeneca, which is cheaper and flipped back and forth between comet and asteroid - and it was tancy among their populations. easier to handle than some other even suggested it could be an alien artifact. embryos.” Wu’s team used embryonic stem Sweden was the latest to join a shots. The vaccine has so far “Everybody is interested in aliens, and it was inevitable that swelling group of European Union played a huge role in the global this first object outside the solar system would make people cells and the second team used repro- grammed skin cells to produce balls of nations choosing caution over initiative to ensure vaccines get to think of aliens,” Desch said in a statement. “But it’s important speed, even as the head of the poorer countries known as COVAX. in science not to jump to conclusions.” cells that resemble one of the earliest stages of human development. European Medicines Agency said The difficulty of the decision was Using its shininess, size and shape - and that it was pro- there was “no indication” that clear in Thailand, the first country pelled by escaping substances that didn’t produce a visible tail Spichiger Van Westendorp Differentiate AstraZeneca vaccines were the outside Europe to temporarily sus- - Jackson and Desch devised computer models that helped cause of the clots. pend use of the AstraZeneca vac- them determine Oumuamua was most likely a chunk of nitro- These balls, called blastocysts, form a few days after an egg has been fertil- Emer Cooke said Tuesday that cine, only to recant on Tuesday - gen ice being gradually eroded, the way a bar of soap thins the agency is “firmly convinced” that when its prime minister received a with use. ized but before the cells attach to the Ecology uterus to become an embryo. To dif- the benefits of the AstraZeneca shot dose. Their two papers were published Tuesday by the American outweigh the risks, but an evalua- “There are people who have con- Geophysical Union and also presented at the Lunar and ferentiate their models from blasto- tion is ongoing. She noted that thou- cerns,” Prayuth Chan-ocha said Planetary Sciences Conference, typically held in Houston but Zoo euthanizes lion: A 22-year-old fe- cysts created through fertilization, the sands of people across the EU after getting the shot. “But we must virtual this year. male African lion has been euthanized at the researchers refer to the structures as develop thromboses every year for believe doctors, believe in our Not all scientists buy the new explanation. Harvard Phoenix Zoo after developing irreversible “iBlastoids” and “human blastoids.” a variety of reasons and that there medical professionals.” University’s Avi Loeb disputes the findings and stands by his spine issues. “They shouldn’t be considered as premise that the object appears to be more artificial than natural Zoo officials said the lion named Cookie equal to a blastocyst, although they are had “severe, chronic, progressive, irrevers- an excellent model for some aspects of several states prohibit it outright. structures created in a lab may not be - in other words, something from an alien civilization, perhaps a Some scientists now use blastocysts so clear-cut, said Shoukhrat Mitalipov, light sail. His newly published book “Extraterrestrial: The First ible, degenerative changes in her vertebrae biology,” said Jose Polo, an epigeneti- and spinal cord leading to significant hind cist at Monash University in Australia donated from fertility clinics for a human embryologist at Oregon Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth,” addresses the subject. research into the causes of infertility Health and Science University who Given that Oumuamua is unlike comets and asteroids - and limb muscle loss and weakness that greatly who led the second research team. affected her mobility and quality of life.” Both groups stressed that the struc- and congenital diseases. The new work was not involved in the research. something not seen before - “we cannot assume ‘business as The average lifespan of African lions is should allow them to do such research “Both groups show how closely usual,’ as many scientists argue,” Loeb wrote in an email tures they made were not the same as less than 17 years. naturally occurring embryos, and it’s at much larger scales, Polo said. they resemble real embryos,” he said. Wednesday. “If we contemplate ‘something that we had not seen Cookie was transferred to the Phoenix unclear whether they could develop “If they are really as good as embryos, before,’ we must leave the artificial origin hypothesis on the table Zoo from the Pittsburgh Zoo in 2005. into viable embryos. Stages should they be treated as embryos?” and collect more evidence on objects from the same class.” Zoo keepers said Cookie will be remem- “The blastoids are less efficient in “This capacity to work at scale will “This brings new ethical issues,” he When Oumuamua was at its closest approach to Earth, it bered for loving fresh catnip, playing with terms of generating structures mimick- revolutionize our understanding of said. “Are they going to be covered as appeared to have a width six times larger than its thickness. papier-mache balls, hunting ducks that ing later stage human embryos,” said these early stages of human develop- human embryos? Should restrictions Those are the rough proportions of one wafer of an Oreo landed in her enclosure and lying on her Wu, whose team stopped growing the ment,” said Polo. apply?” cookie, Desch noted. back in the warm sun. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ structure in a culture after four days. The scientists stressed that their cre- Scientists previously tried to turn It’s now long gone, beyond the orbit of Uranus, more than Scientists previously generated sim- ations were not intended to be used for the lab-generated mouse cell structures 2 billion miles (3.2 billion kilometers) away - and far too small Experts set to battle hornets: Scie- ilar structures of mouse cells in a lab, human reproduction. into embryos, but they were not suc- to be seen, even by the Hubble Space Telescope. As a result, ntists in the US and Canada are opening but this is the first time they have been “There is no implantation,” said cessful. astronomers will need to rely on the original observations and, new fronts in the war against so-called mur- made from human cells. The new Amander Clark, a stem cell biologist at The optimal scenario for research is hopefully, continue to refine their analyses, Jackson said. der hornets as the giant insects begin estab- models correspond to about three to 10 the University of California, Los to “get as close to a real embryo as By the time the object starts leaving our solar system around lishing nests this spring. days after fertilization, Wu said. Last Angeles who co-authored the paper possible so you can learn from it, but 2040, the width-to-thickness ratio will have dropped to 10-to- The scientists said Wednesday that the year, researchers unveiled structures with Polo. “These structures are not not a real embryo so you don’t get into 1, according to Desch. battle to prevent the apex predators from that model cells 18 to 21 days after transferred to a uterus or uterus-like debates about the moral status of “So maybe Oumuamua was consistent with a cookie when establishing a foothold in North America is fertilization. structure,” she said. “There is no preg- embryos,” said Alta Charo, a professor we saw it, but will soon be literally as flat as a pancake,” being fought mostly in Whatcom County, Research involving human embryos nancy.” emerita of law and bioethics at Desch said in an email. Washington, and the nearby Fraser Valley of British Columbia, where the hornets have and blastocysts is currently ineligible The distinction between blastocysts University of Wisconsin who was not That’s the way the cosmic cookie - this one anyway - for federal funding in the U.S., and derived from fertilization and the involved in the papers. crumbles. been spotted in recent years. “This is not a species we want to tolerate Also: here in the United States,” said Sven-Erik MANAGUA, Nicaragua: Nicaragua has created a new Spichiger of the Washington state were linked to hornets found in Japan, here. Whatcom County is about 55 miles (88 National Ministry for Extraterrestrial Space Affairs, The Department of Agriculture, which eradicat- Spichiger said. Hornet queens tend to emerge from win- kilometers) south of Vancouver, British Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, which is drawing amused ed a nest of the Asian giant hornets last But it is not clear that the hornets found ter quarters in the spring and establish nests Columbia. year. “The Asian giant hornet is not sup- in North America actually migrated directly to birth worker hornets. The hornets start The Washington state agency will con- reactions on social media in a nation that has been struggling posed to be here.” since anti-government protests three years ago. from those countries, said Anne LeBrun, a attacking and destroying beneficial honey tinue using orange juice and rice cooking “We may not get them all, but we will get scientist for the U.S. Department of bees later in the year, eating the bees for wine in traps this year, while citizens can The agency was approved by 76 legislators recently in the as many as we can,” he said of eradication country’s congress, which is dominated by President Daniel Agriculture. The agency is working to pin protein as they raise more hornets, Soichiger use either orange juice or a brown sugar- efforts this year. down the origin of murder hornets found said. based bait, officials said. Residents in Ortega’s Sandinista Party. Fifteen opposition legislators Paul van Westendorp of the British abstained. Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Jefferson, and Clallam counties in In a country that has a hard time supplying its people with Fisheries said the hornets pose threats to Washington have been encouraged to make food, fuel and coronavirus vaccines, it is not clear exactly human life, to valuable bee populations need- their own traps starting in July. what the ministry is supposed to do. ed to pollinate crops and to other insects. Half of the confirmed reports of the spe- It will be under the control of the Nicaraguan army, which “It’s an absolutely serious danger to our cies in the state last year and all of the has no space program. The law says the ministry “will pro- health and well-being,” he said. “These are reports about the hornets in British mote the development of space activities, with the aim of intimidating insects.” One major front will be setting thousands Columbia came from members of the pub- broadening the country’s capacities in the fields of education, lic, officials said. industry, science and technology.” of traps this spring to capture queens that are trying to establish nests, officials said. The first confirmed detection of an Asian Geologist Jaime Incer Barquero, president of Nicaragua’s giant hornet in Washington was made in Academy of Geography and History, told CNN: “Nicaragua Both government agencies and private citi- zens will set traps, they said. December 2019 and the first hornet was does not have a scientific capacity or tradition, does not have Another effort is underway to determine trapped last July. Several more were subse- a serious (space) observatory. We are not scientifically able as exactly where in Asia these hornets came quently caught, all in Whatcom County, a country to undertake this type of research.” from, to try and learn how they are getting which is in the northwestern corner of the Social media users were quick to create memes of Ortega across the Pacific Ocean, scientists said. state. and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, dressed as The theory is they are crossing on cargo Asian giant hornets, an invasive pest not astronauts, and of Nicaraguan police expropriating the moon, ships, Spichiger said. native to the U.S., are the world’s largest as Ortega has done with some buildings in Nicaragua that While hundreds of the hornets were hornet and a predator of honey bees and belonged to media outlets and civic groups he disagreed with. killed when the nest in Whatcom County other insects. A small group of Asian giant Critics said the country does not have the money to spare was destroyed last October, only a handful hornets can kill an entire honey bee hive in for dreams of space exploration. It has yet to acquire any coro- of the hornets were spotted in British a matter of hours. The honey bees pollinate navirus vaccines and has been in a deep social and economic Columbia last year, van Westendorp said. many of the crops in Washington’s multibil- crisis since the government quashed mass protests in 2018. Scientists have been studying the genet- lion-dollar agriculture industry. The space agency is not be the first time Ortega has ics of captured hornets and comparing them The real threat from Asian giant hornets with those that exist in South Korea, Japan A woman receives a dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the Vaccine - which are 2 inches (5 centimeters) long - is endorsed quixotic proposals. In 2014 he authorized a Chinese Village in Antwerp, Belgium on March 16. Belgium on Tuesday reaffirmed its company to build a $50 billion canal across Nicaragua. The and China, Spichiger said. their devastating attacks on honeybees, Initial findings indicate the hornets found support to AstraZeneca vaccines and said it will keep using it in its current vac- which are already under siege from prob- project has made little headway. in the US were linked to hornets in South cination campaign, amid raising concerns over its side effects and with growing lems like mites, diseases, pesticides and the Korea, while those in British Columbia number of EU countries deciding to protectively stop using it. (AP) loss of food. (AP) Film FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 FFeatureseatures his son, William Thompson Walters pasts, TheBaltimore Sunreported. and sharingshamefulpartsoftheir the University andartmuseumsin tions suchastheJohnsHopkins inequality overtheyears. says it’stryingtoshowitsrolein from amuseumwhosespokesman his son,arevelationthatcomes the Confederatecausealongwith bears hisnamecampaignedfor the Baltimoreartcollectionthat theater andmusicsectors.(AP) for peopleinthefi a counselingoffi setting outcomplaintswassentto changed inJanuarywhenaletter before hewasappointed.Butthat with complaintsagainstDoerr said thatnoonecameforward buehne in2018. manager, tookoverattheVolks- he said. with Doerrheldearlierthismonth, were stillevaluatingameeting concerned inlateJanuaryand and sexualharassment.” power, bullying,verbalviolence “reported incidentsofabuse Monday thatemployeeshad harassment. by womenofbullyingandsexual down inthewakeofaccusations nent Berlintheaterhasstepped minister, complaints. come forwardconfi time andenabledemployeesto have recognizedproblemsin tion” withinthetheaterthatwould climate sensitivetodiscrimina- succeeding in“creatinganopen statement releasedbythetheater. words orglances,”Doerrsaidina employees withmybehavior, the citygovernment. stepping downinagreementwith accusations againstme”andwas “complete responsibilityforthe Tuesday. Hesaidthathetakes capital’s Volksbuehnetheateron resignation fromtheGerman C hit Netfl grabbing dramathathasalreadyspawnedoneLifetimemovie. Wednesday onNetfl eration VarsityBlues:TheCollegeAdmissionScandal,”whichdebuts widespread rotinhighereducation.Byshiftingthefocus,Smith’s“Op- of socialmediainfl understand.” machinations anddetailsofhowthisschemeactuallyworked,Ididn’t “Rick” Singer,themysteriousorchestratorofscheme? their children’splacesateliteuniversities.ButwhataboutWilliam and FelicityHuffman—whowenttojailforusingbribessecure storm. Everyoneknowsaboutthecelebritymothers—LoriLaughlin deeper, less-widelyunderstoodlayerstothecollegeadmissionsmedia was wellcovered.”ButlikesomanyAmericanscandals,therewere spectacle betheirnextfi time collaborator,JonKarmen,suggestedanotherrealtaleoffraudand BALTIMORE: BERLIN: ‘Operation Varsity Blues’re-enacts andreorients ascandal During theirlives and after, The disclosurescomeasinstitu- Lederer’s departmenthas Doerr, anexperiencedtheater Offi Klaus Doerr The citygovernment’sculture He addedthatheregrettednot “I deeplyregretitifIhurt Just asthefailedFyrefestivalwasawindowintofarcicalworld “Rick stillfeltlikeanenigmatome,”saidSmith.“Andtheactual “I didn’tseeitatall,”saidSmithinarecentinterview.thought US This imagereleasedbyHBOMaxshows,(fromleft),JasonMomoaasAquaman,GalGadotWonderWoman,andRayFisherCyborg, made foragooddocumentarysubject.Hewasediting“Fyre,”the hris Smithdidn’tinitiallythinkthe2019collegebriberyscandal cials spoketothewomen and Henry ix documentaryaboutthemusic-festivalfi ❑ Klaus Lederer The managerofapromi- Europe , werepraisedas A founderof announcedhis ce set upin2018 lm, television, dentially with areexploring uencers,thecollegebriberyscandalrevealedmore ix,attemptstoreorientcenterstageinaheadline- , said lm. By JakeCoyle and ize aprotestthatled tothePratt in everywaypossible. ters pushedtheConfederate cause revealed WilliamandHenryWal- Art MuseummadepublicMonday research conductedbytheWalters the city’scrownjewels.But class artcollectionthat’samong veloped andbequeathedtheworld- visionary philanthropistswhode- William Waltershelped organ- unfi where visualeffectsweresupposedtogoandan four hours,inblackandwhite,hadstoryboards but itwasn’tinanyshapetobereleased.Itwas day. IthastechnicallyexistedsinceJanuary2017, everyone wasinsearchofcontentfortheirnew change ofleadershipatthestudioandsuddenly for aredoofanepicdisaster? a bitofjoke.Whyonearthwouldstudiopay hashtag becamesoubiquitous,iteventurnedinto a billboardinTime’sSquare.Overtheyears, 2019 SanDiegoComic-Con.Theyevenleased the WarnerBros.lotinBurbankandduring #ReleasetheSnyderCut bannerswerefl getting moreandelaborate:Planeswith ing forTheSnyderCut.Andtheirgestureskept the wholeordeal,butfanswouldn’tstopask- Cyborg, atoxicenvironmenttoo. ing tocastmemberslikeRayFisher,whoplays both acriticalandfi vamp andfi walked away,andJossWhedonwashiredtore- 20-year-old daughterAutumn.SotheSnyders be toomuch,especiallyafterthesuicideoftheir with thestudio,andpressurewasgettingto the fi and producingpartner—hadsteppedawayfrom mer of2017,heandDeborahSnyder—hiswife Momoa’s Aquamanthathittheatersinthesum- Wonder Woman,BenAffl tor oftheDCsuperheromashupwithGalGadot’s ever seethismovie,”hesaid. Z Snyder’s ‘JusticeLeague’hitsHBOMax “When Ifi Well, afewthingshappened:Therewas The Snydershadmostlydisconnectedfrom Although he’soffi nished score. Variety of “JusticeLeague”wouldseethelight ack Snyderneverreallybelievedthathiscut lm monthsearlier.Relationshadstrained asco, whenhislong- nish “JusticeLeague.”Theresultwas nished it,Isaid,ohwell,noonewill By LindseyBahr nancial letdown,and,accord- cially creditedasthedirec- eck’s BatmanandJason Documentary hasadoseofHollywood Documentary Film and distillitintoaformatthatcanbeeasilyconsumed,”saysSmith. fi It’s notjustadirector’s cut...it’s awholenewmovie davit. Partofourjobasfi “Not alotofpeoplehavethetimetoreadthrough200-pageaf- eee Doerr Lederer of top-tiercolleges,didn’tseemsofar-fetched. hooked intoaschemethatinthehigh-priced,ultra-competitiveworld emails toscriptscenesthatshowhowSingeroperated,andparents page affi get alegup.Butnottothispoint,thepointoffraud.” to college—weallwantdowhat’sbestforourchildrenhelpthem for them,”saysModine.“Asaparent—I’vegottwochildrenthatwent daughter workedforacoupleofseasonson‘Shameless.’Ijustfeltbad bribing coaches,cheatingontestsandfalsifyingstudentbiographies. leges likeStanford,YaleandtheUniversityofSouthernCaliforniaby college admissionthathelpedwealthyparentsgettheirkidsintotopcol- former collegecounselorwhocreatedwhathecalleda“sidedoor”to of Justice’stranscriptsandwiretaps.MatthewModineplaysSinger,a talking heads,butitalsousesreenactmentsdrawnfromtheDepartment uses ahybridapproachthatincludesfamiliarnon-fi Karmen, whowrotethedocumentary,focusedonFBI’s204- “Felicity HuffmanisacolleagueandIknowherhusband.My The documentary, like the scandal, has a dose of Hollywood. Smith The documentary,likethescandal,hasadoseofHollywood.Smith davit. HeandSmithusedthetapedphoneconversations on over own this format?Wewouldn’thavebeenabletodo and whotheyarewhattheirstrugglesin To beabletoexploreeachmemberofthatteam 40%. matoes —avastimprovementovertheoriginal’s Wednesday, itwassittingat78%onRottenTo- seems, evencriticshavegottenonboard.Asof a director’scut.It’swholenewmovie.And,it debuts onHBOMaxThursday.It’snotjust are usuallybookedupyearsinadvance. COVID: Itfreedupthevisualeffectshousesthat benefi scene withJaredLeto’sJoker.Itevenproved some 2,650visualeffectsandfi Snyders gotthego-aheadtofi Max, itmeantpossiblesubscriptions.Andthe lmmakers istotakeallofthisinformation Transcripts “It’s thejourneyofteamcomingtogether. The result,“ZackSnyder’sJusticeLeague,” The fanswereacrucialcomponent.ForHBO same thing.” that thiswasadifferentanimal.Thiswasn’tthe ready comeoutweneededtoalsoshoweveryone ness,” shesaid.“Andwithamoviethathadal- to makesurethey’regettingareturnonthatbusi- And theyifthey’regoingtospendX,want the endofday,forthem,it’sabusinessdeal. HBO Maxthatitwasworththemoneytodoit...at in manywaysentirelyunprecedented. tory fortheformeradvertisingexecutivebutalso together apitch.Itwassomewhatfamiliarterri- ish whattheystarted,andshegottoworkputting Snyder said.Buttheysawanopportunitytofi ders iftheycouldreleasewhathad. tures GroupchairTobyEmmerichaskedtheSny- streaming serviceHBOMax.WarnerBros.Pic- “I thinkthebiggestchallengewastoconvince “We werelike,it’sreallyrough,”Deborah cial thateverythingshutdownbecauseof (2-meter) bronzelikeness of Square inBaltimore. It’sa7-foot removed fromMount Vernon William Waltersin 1887hasbeen state legislature. ticket torepresentBaltimoreinthe advocated forasecessionistparty according tothemuseum.He the CivilWar’sfi Street Riotsof1861,resultingin A sculpturecommissionedby Component ction techniques like ction techniqueslike rst casualties, nish thescore,add lm anadditional who waspunishedforraisingmoneyhisemployer.(AP) fi departments anduniversitiesregularlyseek.Easilythemostsympathetic making acceptabledonationstothesailingprogram--kindathletic and candidlyinthedocumentary,hedescribeshowbelievedSingerwas served, andafi sentenced inthescandal.Hewasgivenonedayprison,withtime was JohnVandemoer.” to thestory,”saysSmith.“Oneofonlypeoplethatgotbackus ering evidenceagainsthisclients. felony chargesin2019andwhocooperatedwithinvestigatorsgath- awaiting sentencing.AmongthemisSinger,whopleadedguiltytofour and Huffman—havealreadyservedtheirprisonterms,somearestill While manyofthemorethan50peoplecharged—includingLaughlin ing toeradicatetheinfl fessions ofguilt,parent-childinterviewsorcollegeoffi federal prosecutors’nameforthescheme—anytearyapologies,con- were thebestlensintothatworld.” “Absent manypeoplewantingtogooncamera,thewiretaptranscripts gure inthefi But Vandemoer also didn’t take money, himself. Speaking regretfully But Vandemoeralsodidn’ttakemoney,himself.Speakingregretfully Vandemoer, aStanfordUniversitysailingcoach,wasthefi “We reachedtoanyoneandeveryonethatwecouldwasrelated You won’tseein“OperationVarsityBlues”—thetitlecomesfrom monuments onthe ordersoffor- along withthreeother Confederate Monument. Itcame downin2017 directly facingthe Washington was positionedinthenorthgarden citizenship toBlackAmericans. Dred Scott ered themajorityopinionin Justice former USSupremeCourtChief inascenefrom‘ZackSnyder’sJusticeLeague.’(AP) n- For 130years,Taney’sstatue (AP) are struggling?Tome,thatmeanssomuchmore.” actually helpingpeople...especiallypeoplethat the charactersmeanalottoofpeople.But ‘Justice League’isamovie.Itmeanslot.And else,” shesaid.“Attheendofday,youknow, contributed some$500,000totheASFP. would alsojumponthatcause.Intheend,fans many timesfeltthesameway.” “Through thatjourneywithAutumn,wevery afraid totalkaboutitorembarrassed,”shesaid. tal health,there’ssuchastigmaandpeopleare could makeastatement.Alotoftimeswithmen- can FoundationforSuicidePrevention(ASFP). fact thatitwassuicideandtosupporttheAmeri- ter’s death,theydecidedtobepublicaboutthe ting theSnyderCutreleased.Aftertheirdaugh- fans, butnotjustbecauseoftheirpassionforget- going onwithoutthem. which comesoutinMay.AndtheDCworldis ferent things,likeNetfl like GadotandMomoa,theyaremovingontodif- “Man ofSteel”andbehindthecastingpeople the modernDCuniversegoingbackto2013’s the Snydersweresomeofmainarchitects it. Andit’salsotheclosingofachapter.Although super real.”It’smereweekssincethey’vefi from.” them morebecauseyouseewherethey’vecome at theendit’smorefulfi we gettogoonwiththecharacters.AndIthink we reallygetthisimmersivejourneythat that (fortheaters),”DeborahSnydersaid.“Now Roger Taney “That Ithinktouchedusmorethananything What theydidn’teverexpectwasthatthefans “We feltlikewewerepublicenoughthat The Snydersremainimmenselygratefulforthe Deborah Snydersaidthatit“stilldoesn’tfeel lm, Vandemoer is seen as a possibly naïve but honest person lm, Vandemoerisseenasapossiblynaïvebuthonestperson decisiondenyingU.S. ne of$10,000.Stanfordfi uence ofmoneyfromtheadmissionsprocess. , whodeliv- ix’s “ArmyoftheDead,” lling. Wecareabout red him. the monumentlast year. (AP) The cityof general fortheConfederate states. George Davis statue in 1909, hedonatedfundstoerecta he celebratedtheConfederacy.In during theCivilWar,butasanadult Pugh mer BaltimoreMayor Henry Walters was a teenager Henry Walterswasateenager . North Carolina Wilmington , former attorney , formerattorney nished cas pledg- cials rst person Catherine removed removed honoring honoring ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Film

‘Raw and vulnerable’ For Bravo, ‘Cherry’ a star-making role

Lindsey Bahr

iara Bravo didn’t have high hopes for her pros- Cpects when she saw the names attached to “Cher- ry.” She’d been working in the business for over a decade, but it was mostly in television and bit film roles. No way, she thought, was she going to be cast to star opposite “Spider-Man” himself, Tom Holland, in a major film based on a bestselling memoir about PTSD and opioid addition from Marvel maestros Joe and Anthony Russo. “It was SO out of my league,” Bravo said in a re- cent interview. She sent in a tape anyway and for four weeks she didn’t hear a word. When her agent texted saying he had news, her fi rst thought was that he was going to drop her. Not because of him, she said, “He’s wonderful.” It was just her anxiety. Then he dropped the bomb- shell: She got the role. No sec- ond audition. No meeting. No chemistry test. The tape was that good. “When Ciara’s audition Bravo came to us at AGBO, we said, ‘Stop the presses,’” said Mike Larocca, a producer and the co-founder of the company. The Russos even claim they knew after 20 seconds. It’s not unlike the revelation many have had or will Aaron Tveit, (right), appears with Karen Olivo during a performance of ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical,’ in New York. Tveit was the only actor nominated for a Tony in have once they see her in the fi lm, which is currently the category of best leading actor in a musical for his role. (AP) in theaters and hits Apple TV+ on Friday. Earlier this year, Robert Downey Jr. declared himself “her new biggest fan” and waxed poetic about her raw and vulnerable performance as a woman who gets drawn Stage into addiction along with her partner, Cherry. Yes, it’s Holland’s big foray into more adult fi lms. But it’s Bravo who steals the show. Now, at just 23, she’s on the brink of stardom. Scholarship created to honor choreographer Reinking Bravo hails from Alexandria, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati. When she was around 8, she was spotted by an agent at a county fair who asked her mother if she was interested in acting or modeling. Tveit rides a roller-coaster of a year “It sounds fake, I know,” Bravo laughs. “And also, like, the scariest start to any story.” By Mark Kennedy Tveit found work elsewhere. Over the said. summer, he shot a Hallmark Channel Tveit sees something of a silver lin- Auditions ven in a crazy year with so many Christmas movie with Laura Osnes ing in the Broadway shutdown: Long But soon after she and her mother started taking Eups and downs, consider the last and fl ew to Vancouver to work on the unaddressed social issues are being trips to Los Angeles for auditions. About four years 12 months of Aaron Tveit. Apple TV+ series “Schmigadoon!” examined, top among them racial rep- in, she got her fi rst big break in the Nickelodeon se- The Broadway star was wowing “Gratitude doesn’t even describe resentation on both sides of the curtain. ries “Big Time Rush” and then in the channel’s movie fans in “Moulin Rouge! The Musi- how I feel,” he said of the employ- While urging donations to the na- “Jinxed.” cal” when it was suddenly shuttered ment. “I think about it every day be- tional services group The Actor’s “I feel very lucky that my mom never put too much by the coronavirus. Then he contracted cause I know so many people who Fund, he also champions Black Lives weight or pressure on it. She was very clear that the COVID-19 himself. He recovered to have not been able to work at all. The Matter groups, anti-racism organiza- second I stopped enjoying acting, we didn’t have to lend his voice to relief efforts, got a question of paying rent, of being able tions, bail relief and transgender re- keep doing it,” Bravo said. “I think that allowed me few high-profi le acting gigs and then to support families and pay bills - it’s sources. Actress Ciara Bravo poses for a por- it’s truly devastating.” “I’ve done a lot of listening,” he to just thoroughly enjoy the experience and just play trait, Feb 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. landed his fi rst Tony nomination. and fi gure out what this world was and if I wanted to The twenty-three-year-old Kentucky “It’s hard to have perspective,” he Nominations said. “I’ve tried to just shut my mouth live in it or not.” said. “I just think that’s going to need and listen to everything around me and native stars in the Apple TV+ movie Tveit’s fi rst big gig was in a “Rent” As she booked other things and started to learn ‘Cherry.’ (AP) a little bit of time and a little bit of a what people need and what people feel more about the craft of acting and building a char- 25,000-foot view to see what actually tour and he made his Broadway debut and then look at how personally I may acter, she realized she loved it and there was no happened in the last year.” as a replacement in “Hairspray” and or may not be helping.” Two back-to-back blows came then “Wicked.” He then had three star- When Broadway restarts, he hopes turning back. At 18 she made the decision to forgo ring roles in “Next to Normal,” “Catch college for the moment and move to Los Angeles. within weeks last March when his the hard work can continue of ensuring show was shuttered and then Tveit be- Me If You Can” and now “Moulin all people have equal access to theater More TV roles followed, notably on Fox’s “Red Rouge!” His fi lm work includes the Band Society” and some films, too, including the came one of the fi rst Broadway actors work, not just friends or those recom- adaptation of “Les Misérables” and mended. indie “The Long Dumb Road” and the Netflix ano- to speak publicly about contracting on TV he was in “Graceland,” “Brain- rexia drama “To The Bone.” But “Cherry” was the COVID-19. Dead” and “Grease Live!” game-changer. “I wanted to kind of say, ‘Look, I’m Also: A bright spot in a dark year was NEW YORK: Long before she became In the book, her role, Emily, is only seen through somebody that really takes care of my when “Moulin Rouge!” earned more Cherry’s eyes, which the fi lmmakers knew was a health and I’d like to think I’m in good a Tony Award-winning choreogra- than a dozen Tony nominations, which pher, Ann Reinking waited tables to problem for the movie. Bravo credits the screenwrit- shape.’ I was basically trying to say, the company celebrated with a Zoom ers Angela Russo-Otstot and Jessica Goldberg for ‘This can affect anyone. Please take toast. “I’d like to think that our show save up enough money to move to New helping turn this idealized projection into a fl awed, Levine Robinson this seriously,’” he said. would have done as well in any year. York City. She arrived with $500, no three-dimensional person. Then she took it to the next Tveit, 37, says he now suspects he So I’m very proud of the work that job lined up and no connections. level. was sicker than he thought at the time. we’ve done,” he said. When she died at 71 last year, Reink- “When Ciara came aboard, we felt there was a full Variety For several weeks, he slept 13 hours a Tveit was the only actor nominated ing left behind many fans, friends and character behind her performance, one we hadn’t day but thankfully, his lungs weren’t in the category of best leading actor in students as well as a legacy of a cool, guessed at,” Anthony Russo said. “She brought vul- affected. “It was like a terrible, terrible a musical for his role as Christian and muscular dance hybrid of jazz and bur- nerability and a fi erceness to her that was unpredict- sinus infection.” it marks his fi rst nomination. Unop- lesque. able.” NEW YORK: Besides working on her A few weeks later, he had a fl are-up. In her honor, friends and admirers newsmaking interview with Meghan posed, he’s poised to win, as long as Bravo dove headfi rst into the preparation, reading “In terms of lasting effects, I think I’ve 60% of Tony voters vote for him in the have established The Ann Reinking everything she could and dissecting the script while and Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey has been OK,” he said. “I know a lot of Scholarship, a $5,000 annual award been busy with the novels of Marilynne category. on the Calgary set of the FX series “A Teacher.” She people that really, really suffered. So “It’s the most wild thing that it just and mentorship for a young dancer even went to Cleveland a few weeks early to visit a Robinson. moving to New York City to help sup- Winfrey announced Tuesday that she I consider myself very lucky that I got worked out that way. But I’m just so rehab facility to try to understand more the life of an has selected Robinson’s acclaimed quar- by with as mild a case as I did.” grateful and I take it as nothing but as a port them in their artistic endeavors. addict. tet of “Gilead” narratives for her next Tveit summoned the strength to recognition of the hard work that I put “She was one of the most profound- “I know without them being very frank and hon- book club selection. Robinson won the lend his support for out-of-work ac- into the show,” he said. ly generous people that I’ve known,” est about what it looked and felt like to battle a beast Pulitzer Prize in 2005 for “Gilead,” the tors - joining stars like Sutton Foster Producer Carmen Pavlovic calls says Bebe Neuwirth, a two-time Tony like heroin addiction, I wouldn’t have been able to fi rst of her books set in the fi ctional Iowa and Jeremy Jordan for a benefi t concert Tveit a unique musical theater actor winner who co-starred with Reinking do a quarter of the work that I did on this project,” town of Gilead, and she has followed hosted by Rosie O’Donnell and later whose vocal talent “just blows you in “Chicago” on Broadway. “This hon- Bravo said. with “Home,” “Lila” and “Jack.” singing “Marry Me a Little” for a Ste- away,” spanning ballads and all-out ors that in a way that also references “As I was recently reading author Relationship phen Sondheim birthday celebration. rock numbers. her story of coming to New York.” Marilynne Robinson’s latest novel, “It felt so meaningful to me to be in- “I’m thrilled he’s received his fi rst The scholarship is being awarded by It was a hard shoot that required intimacy coordina- ‘Jack,’ I thought it would be wonderful cluded but also the message behind it: Tony nomination for his performance, Off the Lane, a mentorship program tors, drug consultants and a lot of trust between her to explore her entire Gilead universe We can still be a community, we can which refl ects not only his work on for young performers moving to New and her collaborators. The Russo brothers, she said, through these four novels. I am looking still learn how to come together even ‘Moulin Rouge!’ but also Aaron’s vast York. It will be open to anyone, from always checked in with her to make sure she was feel- forward to going on this journey with our under these circumstances,” he said. anywhere, with a cut-off age of 21. Book Club community over the coming body of work that brings his career ing safe. And, of course, she had Holland. With “Moulin Rouge!” grounded, journey to this special moment,” she (AP) Forging the relationship with her co-star was, “The months,” Winfrey said in a statement. Robinson, whose other admirers easiest part of the whole process,” she said. “He’s include Winfrey’s friend former US got such a great heart and he’s an absolute joy to be president Barack Obama, said in a state- around. He’s just this warm, bubbly guy.” singers as music or artistic director from Levine became music director emeri- “Requiem” in what turned out to be ment that “Oprah Winfrey is a singular 1976 until forced out by general manager tus and remained head of its young artists In the few weeks before the shoot, they went to voice in this country and in the world. It his fi nal performance, after accounts in dinners with the cast and the crew and spent many Peter Gelb in 2016 due to Parkinson’s program but was suspended on Dec 3, the New York Post and The New York is wonderful and amazing that my books disease. 2017, the day after conducting a Verdi days just sitting on his patio or his couch, watching will have the kind of attention only she Times of sexual misconduct dating to the movies and TV over cups of tea and talking about could bring 1960s. life. Among their selections: A lot of “New Girl” and Tuesday’s announcement continues He was fi red the following March 12 Disney’s “Aladdin.” Winfrey’s partnership with Apple, which and never conducted again. He had been Now, Bravo is thinking carefully about her next she began in 2019 by choosing Ta-Ne- scheduled to make comeback perfor- hisi Coates’ novel “The Water Dancer.” mances of Brahms’ “Ein Deutsches Req- move. She’s been grateful for the time and space over uiem” this Jan 17 and 21 in Florence, the past year to refl ect on where she wants to go from After announcing new picks every two to three months through the fi rst half of Italy, but the concerts were canceled due here. And the opportunities are already starting to to the novel coronavirus pandemic. light up now that “Cherry” is out. She’d like to direct 2020, she has slowed her pace; the Rob- inson books are her fi rst selections since “No artist in the 137 year history of at some point, maybe even a documentary. But for Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste” in August. the Met had as profound an impact as now it’s all acting. Apple customers wishing to learn James Levine,” Gelb said in a statement. “That’s where my true passion lies,” Bravo said. more about why Winfrey chose Robin- “He raised the Met’s musical standards “And I want to keep riding this train for as long as son’s books can now do so by asking Siri to new and greater heights.” possible and see where it takes me.” “What’s Oprah reading?” and hearing a Known for bushy hair an an ever-pre- “Cherry” is a 2021 American crime drama fi lm di- recording of Winfrey. (AP) sent towel draped over a shoulder during rected by Anthony and Joe Russo, from a screenplay ❑ ❑ ❑ rehearsals, Levine greatly expanded by Angela Russo-Otstot and Jessica Goldberg, based the Met’s repertory and was especially on the autofi ctional novel of the same name by Nico NEW YORK: Conductor James Levine, praised for his performances of Wagner, who ruled over the Metropolitan Opera Verdi and Berg. He was closely associ- Walker. The fi lm stars Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo, ated with Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Jack Reynor, Michael Rispoli and Jeff Wahlberg, and for more than four decades before being eased aside when his health declined and Domingo and Birgit Nilsson, who spoke follows an Army veteran suffering from PTSD, who then was fi red for sexual improprieties, on stage at close to 2 am near the end of resorts to robbing banks to support his opioid addic- has died. He was 77. Levine’s 25th anniversary concert, which tion. Levine died March 9 in Palm Springs, stretched on for about eight hours at the “Cherry” was released in theaters on February 26, California, of natural causes, his physi- Met in 1996. 2021, and was released digitally on Apple TV+ on cian of 17 years, Dr Len Horovitz, said Domingo recalled working with Lev- March 12, 2021. The fi lm received mixed reviews Wednesday. ine more than 400 times, his most opera from critics, who praised Holland and Bravo’s per- Levine made his Met debut in 1971 This April 3, 2019 file photo shows actress Felicity Huffman departing federal performances with any conductor. formances but criticized the screenplay and direction. and became one of the signature artists court in Boston after facing charges in a nationwide college admissions brib- “You were a musical genius, an (Agencies) in the company’s century-plus history, ery scandal. A new documentary about the college admissions scandal, ‘Op- outstanding conductor, and a supportive conducting 2,552 performances and eration Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal,’ premiered Wednes colleague, with an amazing sense of ruling over its repertoire, orchestra and day on Netflix. (AP) — Details on Page 12 humor. (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 SPORTS 14 Bayern ease into CL quarter-fi nals

Lazio’s slim hopes end

MUNICH, March 18, (AP): that I had the space. It was a super Robert Lewandowski made pass from David.” The game was long since out of sure it was a comfortable Lazio’s reach when Marco Parolo evening for Bayern Munich headed in a free kick in the 82nd. as the defending champion That marked Bayern’s seventh game in a row conceding at least one goal. eased into the Champions “The attack is very strong and League quarter-fi nals. we play with a lot of risk, we know Lewandowski netted in the fi rst that,” Flick told broadcaster Sky. half to end Lazio’s slim hopes of a “It’s important for us to keep playing comeback as Bayern beat the Ital- like this and defend from the front to ian club 2-1 at home to seal a 6-2 put our opponents under pressure.” aggregate win. Flick added that he held talks That meant four German coaches Wednesday with sporting director in the last eight as Bayern’s Hansi Flick joined Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel, Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp SOCCER and Borussia Dortmund’s Edin Ter- zic. Hasan Salihamidzic following re- Lewandowski gave Bayern the ports in German media of a rift be- lead from the penalty spot in the tween the two over transfer policy. 33rd minute for his 39th goal in all Bayern has reached at least the competitions this season, and his quarterfi nals in nine of its last 10 10th in seven games. Lewandowski Champions League campaigns, with calmly sent his former Bayern team- the sole miss coming with a 3-1 ag- mate Pepe Reina the wrong way af- gregate loss to Liverpool in the last ter Lazio’s Vedat Muriqi was judged 16 in 2019. to have held Leon Goretzka as they Bayern coach Flick opted not jostled for position at a corner. to risk goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Lewandowski had the chance to who has a cold, or forward Kings- reach 40 goals but the Polish striker ley Coman, who has a minor muscle hit the post with a low drive from problem. Neuer’s stand-in Alexan- outside the penalty area. der Nübel acquitted himself well in Choupo-Moting came off the stopping a tame header from Sergej bench to replace Lewandowski and Milinkovic-Savic early on, in a rare soon scored Bayern’s second off a fl icker of ambition for Lazio before defense-splitting pass from David the penalty put the game out of the Alaba in the 73rd, chipping the ball Italian club’s reach. He could do lit- over Reina. tle about Parolo’s late header after “Lazio are not a bad team so we poor marking by the Bayern defense. took them very seriously from the In Wednesday’s other game, Chel- Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski, (left), and Bayern’s Lucas Hernandez, (right), vie for the ball with Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic during the Champions fi rst minute,” Choupo-Moting told sea beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 at home League, round of 16, second leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Lazio at the soccer Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, on March 17. (AP) broadcaster Sky. “I felt immediately to complete a 3-0 aggregate win. Sevilla strengthen grip on 4th place in Spanish league Sungjae returns to defend title Navas stars again as PSG reach quarters Westwood, a bit weary after a

PARIS, March 18, (AP): Keylor his left to bat away Yazici’s penalty. points, nine more than fi fth-place scored twice to raise his goals total hot streak, set to play Honda Navas saved another penalty to Djalo made another blunder in the Real Sociedad after 27 matches. to fi ve in England, leading Barnsley help Paris Saint-Germain reach the third minute of injury time, failing to The top four clubs secure a Cham- to a 3-1 win at Wycombe Wanderers PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, French Cup quarterfi nals with a cut out simple a long pass near the pions League spot next season. in the second-tier League Champi- March 18, (AP): Lee Westwood’s 3-0 win over Lille 3-0, with Kylian halfway line and allowing Mbappe Sevilla is three points behind onship. streak of runnetr-up fi nishes is longer Mbappe scoring twice. to sprint clear and loft the ball neatly third-place Real Madrid and fi ve The 20-year-old, on loan from Or- than some might realize. One week after making multi- over Maignan. points from second-place Barce- lando in Major League Soccer, put He was second to Bryson DeCham- ple saves against Barcelona in the lona. Leader Atlético Madrid is nine the visitors ahead 2-0 with a short- beau at Bay Hill two weeks ago, then Champions League, including a pen- SOCCER points ahead. range header in the 49th minute off was second to Justin Thomas at The alty from Lionel Messi, Navas was En-Nesyri put the hosts ahead with a headed pass from Mads Andersen Players Championship last week. key to a win that wasn’t nearly as a header in the 43rd minute for his after Callum Brittain’s corner kick And on Tuesday, he played along- straightforward as the scoreline sug- The match supposed to be played fourth goal in the last three matches was only partially cleared. side 19-year-old son Sam at Augusta gested. in April but was moved forward Dike scored again in the 81st National while fi nishing two days of in all competitions. Vázquez sealed prepping for next month’s Masters. He made a close-range save to because of the Champions League the victory with a neat back-heel in minute with a sliding right-footed deny Lille striker Burak Yilmaz in volley from 7 yards from Brittain’s “I set him a target of 83 and he quarterfi nals. the 89th. chipped in on the last for birdie for the fi fth minute when the game was The sides meet again soon in the Vázquez is not expected to stay cross. still scoreless and stopped Yusuf Ya- Earlier Wednesday, Dike was se- 82,” Westwood said. “So, he won the French league, with leader Lille vis- at Sevilla after his contract ends this money.” zici’s penalty in the 78th with PSG iting defending champion PSG on lected for the U.S. roster for exhibi- leading 2-0. season. He was emotional during Add it all up, and it’s been a lot of April 3. his post-match interview and had to tions against Jamaica on March 25 golf lately for the 47-year-old West- PSG stayed on course to defend and versus Northern Ireland three its trophy, but it was another un- ❑ ❑ ❑ abandon it before it could be com- wood. He’s playing a fourth consecu- pleted. days later. tive event this week at the Honda Clas- convincing performance following Youssef En-Nesyri and Franco Cauley Woodrow had put Barns- sic at PGA National. The back-to-back Sunday’s 2-1 home loss to Nantes Sevilla has won eight of its last Vázquez scored a goal in each half ley ahead with a penalty kick in fi rst- second-place fi nishes, minus the unof- Lee Westwood, of England, putts on and the 1-1 draw with Barcelona last 10 league games, with seven clean half stoppage time. Uche Ikpeazu as Sevilla defeated Elche 2-0 to sheets in that stretch. It was coming fi cial one following his son’s chip-in at the 11th hole during the fi nal round Wednesday. strengthen its grip on fourth place in scored for Wycombe in the 85th. Augusta, have seen Westwood climb of The Players Championship golf Lille paid a heavy price for resting off a home victory against Real Betis Barnsley has nine wins and three the Spanish league. in the Seville derby. 20 spots in the world ranking to No. tournament on March 14, in Ponte captain Jose Fonte — arguably the The match was postponed from draws in its last 12 league matches 19. Vedra Beach, Florida. (AP) league’s best defender this season — Elche, which beat Sevilla at home and is fi fth after 37 games with 64 Even while acknowledging that he’s the second round because Sevilla two weeks ago, stayed one point out- back this year at the Honda after pre- because all of PSG’s goals stemmed played late into last season in the Eu- points, trailing Norwich (82), Wat- a little tired right now — “my legs are from defensive errors. side the relegation zone. vailing in 2020 with a 6-under 274, the ropa League, which was delayed be- ford (72), Swansea (69) and Brent- Mauro Icardi gave PSG the lead ❑ ❑ ❑ ford (67), and ahead of Reading (61) highest winning score at PGA National in the ninth minute. Angel Di Maria, cause of the coronavirus pandemic. GOLF since Mark Wilson shot 275 and won The home victory gave Sevilla 54 American forward Darryl Dike and Bournemouth (59). whose house was burgled while he The top two teams are promoted to in a playoff in 2007. was playing Sunday, hit a right-wing the Premier League at the end of the feeling it a little bit,” he said — West- Daniel Berger, who makes his cross that caused a mix-up between wood didn’t consider skipping Honda, home near PGA National, was to 46-match league season, and Nos. have been the highest ranked player inexperienced defender Tiago Djalo 3-6 go to a playoff for the fi nal pro- an event that he’s tried to remain loyal and goalkeeper Mike Maignan. to for years, even after the grind of in the fi eld at No. 15; Berger missed motion spot. his pro-am round Wednesday with The ball cannoned off Djalo’s ❑ ❑ ❑ contending on two tough courses in leg, with Maignan sprawled on the consecutive weeks and squeezing in 54 a rib injury and later withdrew from Spain’s top health offi cial rejected holes of practice at Augusta National the event. Five former world No. 1s ground trying to cut out the cross, are playing: Adam Scott, Luke Don- and it rolled to Icardi right in front the idea of having fans back in the to start this week. stands for the Copa del Rey fi nal “It’s one of my favorite tournaments ald, Vijay Singh, Martin Kaymer and of goal. Westwood. Yilmaz nearly equalized in the between Basque Country rivals Ath- of the year,” Westwood said. “I really enjoy this golf course. I fi nd it a good Tournament offi cials are allowing 30th but hit the crossbar after turn- letic Bilbao and Real Sociedad in 10,000 fans per day at the Honda, and April. challenge. There’s a lot of shots out ing and shooting. there where you’ve really got to com- if form from the last two weeks holds, Icardi limped off with an unspeci- Health Minister Carolina Darias mit and play the shot. I love the chal- plenty of them will want to see West- fi ed injury close to the interval and said it wouldn’t be appropriate to al- lenge of the Bear Trap. It’s always a bit wood. There’s no metric to precisely was replaced by Mbappe. low fans to attend the April 3 fi nal blowy, which I like, as well.” chart on-course popularity, but his has His penalty made it 2-0 in the 41st in Sevilla. The Bear Trap, named for Jack seemed to soar of late. after he was fouled by Zeki Celik, “Considering the situation we are Nicklaus, is PGA National’s three- It’s obviously not unheard of for who made the rash intervention sec- in, it’s not possible,” she said. “It’s hole defi ning stretch spanning Nos. 15 European players to be revered in the onds after failing to clear a simple not the right moment.” through 17, two par 3s sandwiching a U.S.; Ireland’s Padraig Harrington has ball. The Copa fi nal between Athletic par 5. It’s not uncommon for the wind long fallen into that category. After forwards Jonathan David PSG’s Kylian Mbappe (right), duels for the ball with Lille’s Zeki Celik dur- and Real Sociedad was postponed to blow in three different directions on Harrington is not surprised that and Jonathan Bamba forced Navas ing the French Cup soccer match between PSG and Lille at the Parc des from last year in the hope that fans those holes. Westwood’s popularity has seemed to into smart low saves, Navas dived to Princes stadium in Paris, France, on March 17. (AP) from the fi erce rivals could attend. Defending champion Sungjae Im is surge over the past few weeks. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 SPORTS 15

Texans agree to 1-year contract with QB Taylor Some NFL veterans prosper as business season begins NEW YORK, March 18, (AP): As the enjoys watching game fi lm, added John NFL opened its business year Wednes- Brown, recently cut by Buffalo. Brown day, veterans Trent Williams, A.J. Green could be a veteran deep threat in Las and Emmanuel Sanders prospered. Vegas after Nelson Agholor left in free Some teams offi cially announced agency for New England. But Brown, deals that consistently leaked during who turns 31 in April, is coming off the the “legal tampering” period that began second-least productive season of his Zibanejad nets hat trick Monday, and others stayed pretty silent. career and was limited to nine games be- That trio of players with a total of 31 pro cause of knee and ankle injuries. seasons made out very well despite not The Raiders also are bringing back getting big offers immediately. versatile offensive lineman Denzelle The 49ers held onto the best tackle Good on a two-year contract and reserve who could have become a free agent by receiver Zay Jones on a one-year deal. giving Williams the richest contract ever ■ Seattle made its fi rst big move to for an offensive lineman. Williams is a bolster its offensive line and appease as Rangers down Flyers particularly intriguing case. His agents at quarterback Russell Wilson by acquir- Elite Loyalty Sports said the deal agreed ing veteran guard Gabe Jackson from to early Wednesday will pay Williams Las Vegas for a fi fth-round draft pick. $138.1 million over the next six years, The Seahawks addressed another surpassing the $138 million deal David need, agreeing to terms with tight end Bakhtiari got from Green Bay a year Gerald Everett on a one-year deal. They ago. Williams also will get the biggest also signed defensive tackle Poona Ford signing bonus ever to a two-year contract, locking up one of for an offensive the key pieces of their defense. lineman at $30.1 ■ Kansas City agreed to a $5 million million, as well contract for next season with three-time as $55.1 million guaranteed. Basically, he FOOTBALL gambled on him- self. Seeking to get out of Wash- Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long, who will ington, where come out of retirement. Earlier this week, Williams believed the Chiefs gave an $80 million, fi ve-year the medical staff Williams deal to Patriots offensive lineman Joe botched a can- Thuney. KC’s offensive line was a sieve cer diagnosis, he sat out 2019. Midway in its Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay. through that season, he hoped to be The Chiefs also agreed to one-year traded before the deadline, which didn’t deals to keep running back Darrel Wil- occur. Williams was banished from the liams, linebacker Ben Niemann and de- Washington facility by former team fensive end Taco Charlton. president Bruce Allen. ■ Detroit took away one of division- He landed in San Francisco in a draft- rival Green Bay’s offense pieces, giving a day trade for a 2020 fi fth-round pick and two-year contract to running back Jamaal a 2021 third-rounder. Williams. He was a backup to Aaron Jones “Trent’s a game changer,” said fullback with the Packers, and fi gures to fi ll the Kyle Juszczyk, who signed a fi ve-year same role in Detroit behind D’Andre Swift contract to stay in San Francisco earlier and Kerryon Johnson. The Lions also ar- in the week. “He’s somebody that teams ranged a trade with the Rams for steady have to scheme around. They have to defensive tackle Michael Brockers as they change what they’re doing because he’s attempt to rebuild one of the NFL’s worst out there, and he’s a guy that we can just units. They released veteran cornerback completely count on and know that he’s Desmond Trufant. going to get his job done and then some. ■ The Falcons acquired tight end Lee You can’t pay too much for a guy like that. Smith from the Bills for a seventh-round Those are guys that really make a differ- draft pick next year. Mostly a blocker, ence and put you over the top and and put the 11-year veteran has played in 133 you into that championship caliber.” games, with 64 receptions for 458 yards Green joins the Cardinals and ends and 10 touchdowns. ■ a decade in Cincinnati, though he has Tackle Nate Solder renegotiated St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly (right), tries to get a shot past Los Angeles Kings goaltender Calvin Petersen during the second period of an NHL been plagued by injuries recently and sat his contract with the New York Giants hockey game on March 17, in Los Angeles. (AP) out 2019. Arizona, which also acquired and will return after opting out of last center Rodney Hudson from the Raiders season because of family concerns about for a third-round draft pick, already has COVID-19. Solder was to earn $9.9 mil- a No. 1 receiver in DeAndre Hopkins, lion in the upcoming season under his Doughty, Kopitar lead LA Kings’ 4-1 rout of slumping Blues and long-time star Larry Fitzgerald has old contract and will earn roughly $4 not made a decision on returning for million instead. an 18th season. He got a one-year deal The team also re-signed receiver C.J. NEW YORK, March 18, worth $8 million. The Cardinals added Board, defensive tackle Austin Johnson (AP): Mika Zibanejad had Rodríguez named opening day starter veteran placekicker Matt Prater, who and long snapper Casey Kreiter. owns the NFL record with a 64-yard ■ Washington stayed busy by agree- three goals and three as- fi eld goal made in 2013 with Denver. ing with wide receiver Curtis Samuel, sists in New York’s seven- Sanders, joining his fourth franchise, who becomes the No. 2 wide receiver goal second period and the Astros LHP Valdez receives didn’t make out quite so well as Green as behind Terry McLaurin. The 24-year- he heads to Buffalo. But he gets to join old shined in Carolina’s victory at Rangers beat the Philadel- All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs catching Washington last season, setting career phia Flyers 9-0. ‘positive’ update on injury balls from Josh Allen for a team on the rise highs with 106 yards receiving and 52 Pavel Buchnevich had two goals that went to its fi rst AFC title game since yards rushing. Washington also agreed and two assists - all in the second LOS ANGELES, March 18, (AP): The pulled after a leadoff walk to DJ the 1993 season before losing at Kansas with cornerback William Jackson on a Houston Astros received a positive LeMahieu in the third. The team said City. Sanders also played for Pittsburgh contract worth $42 million over three period - and Brendan Lemieux, Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba update on left-hander Framber Valdez on Hatch had discomfort in his right arm. and Denver, where he won a Super Bowl, years with $26 million guaranteed. the same day Forrest Whitley had sea- Bo Bichette singled with two outs in and spent last season with New Orleans. Placekicker Dustin Hopkins will re- and Filip Chytil also scored in the son-ending surgery on his right elbow. the sixth for the Blue Jays’ first hit. He’ll get about $6 million for 2021. turn, as will running back Lamar Mill- Rangers’ most decisive victory Valdez met with Dr. Steven Shin in Marlins 3, Mets 2 Elsewhere: er. Earlier this week, the team reached since beating New Jersey 9-0 on Los Angeles on Wednesday, and new ■ Quarterback Tyrod Taylor agreed agreement with 16-year veteran quarter- March 31, 1986. images of the pitcher’s fractured left ring Miami right-hander Sandy Alcantara to a one-year contract with Houston, back Ryan Fitzpatrick to join his ninth finger showed significant healing, continued his impressive spring training Alexandar Georgiev stopped 26 with five innings of three-hit ball, strik- giving the Texans an insurance policy team and perhaps replace NFL Come- shots for his sixth career shutout. according to the team. Valdez is expect- if they trade Deshaun Watson or if they back Player of the Year Alex Smith, New York Rangers’ Brendan Le- ed to continue his rehab at the team’s ing out nine. Alcantara has thrown 12 2/3 don’t trade him and he decides to sit out who was released. The Rangers were without head scoreless innings, striking out 19. Rookie coach David Quinn and assistants mieux (48) steps into Philadelphia facility in Florida, and there is no time- this season. Watson has been unhappy ■ Defensive tackle Adam Butler got a Flyers’ Connor Bunnaman (82) table yet for his return to the mound. Jazz Chisholm hit his second homer - a with the direction of the team and has $9.5 million, two-year contract with the Jacques Martin, David Oliver and during the fi rst period of an NHL The 27-year-old Valdez went 5-3 with solo shot in the fifth. requested a trade. Dolphins. Butler started four games last Greg Brown were due to NHL hockey game on March 17, in New a 3.57 ERA in 11 games last year, includ- Joey Lucchesi made his first start in ■ Eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Pat- year and had four sacks. COVID-19 protocols. Hartford York. (AP) his second appearance for New York, ing 10 starts. He got hurt when struck by allowing two walks in three scoreless rick Peterson left Arizona after 10 seasons The Dolphins also signed cornerback Wolf Pack coach Kris Knoblauch a comebacker while pitching against the to join the Minnesota Vikings, who agreed Justin Coleman and receiver Robert Fos- and associate head coach Gord Mur- innings. Francisco Lindor had two hits, Mike Hoffman scored for the Mets on March 2. and Albert Almora Jr. drove in two runs. with the 30-year-old on a one-year con- ter. phy, and Rangers associate general Blues. They have lost fi ve straight. Whitley’s Tommy John surgery was tract worth up to $10 million, according to ■ The Cowboys released punter Chris Athletics 10, Royals 5 manager Chris Drury were behind Jets 4, Canadiens 3, OT performed by Dr. Keith Meister in a person with knowledge of the negotia- Jones, who was with the club 10 years the bench. Arlington, Texas. He got hurt while Oakland left-hander A.J. Puk surren- tions, speaking on condition of anonymity and started the past eight seasons. Inju- Brian Elliott started in goal for In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Nikolaj throwing batting practice this spring dered two runs and two hits in two to the AP because the team had yet to an- ries sidelined Jones for the second half Philadelphia and allowed fi ve goals Ehlers scored at 55 seconds of over- training. innings. With Mike Fiers hampered by nounce the deal. of the 2020 season. The move saves Dal- time to push Winnipeg past Montreal. The 23-year-old Whitley, one of an injury, Puk, the No. 6 pick in the 2016 ■ on 13 shots before being replaced The Panthers went for defense with las about $2 million in salary cap space midway through the second period Kyle Connor scored twice, Blake Houston’s top prospects, is expected to amateur draft, could begin the year in the linebackers Haason Reddick and Denzel and clears the way for Hunter Niswan- as the Flyers lost for the third time in Wheeler connected on the first miss at least a year. He was selected by rotation. Perryman and end Morgan Fox. der to take over. the Astros in the first round of the 2016 Jed Lowrie hit two doubles for ■ four games. shot of the game, and Connor Hel- Reddick played under Panthers coach New England brought back center lebuyck made 33 saves. Pierre-Luc amateur draft. Oakland, and Matt Olson hit his fourth Matt Rhule at Temple. The 13th over- Ted Karras on a one-year, $4 million Dubois added three assists to help Rays 10, Pirates 9 homer in the fifth. all pick in the 2017 draft is coming off contract. Karras previously spent four Giants 11, Rockies 8 a breakout season with 12 1/2 sacks, six seasons in New England, winning two ICE HOCKEY the Jets rebound from a 4-2 loss to Tyler Glasnow pitched four innings in forced fumbles and 15 tackles for a loss. Super Bowl rings as a utility offensive Montreal on Monday night in the se- his third start for Tampa Bay, allowing Kevin Gausman pitched 2 1/3 innings ■ Raiders coach Jon Gruden, who lineman and backup center to David An- ries opener. four runs and six hits. Austin Meadows for San Francisco, yielding an earned run likes speedy wideouts as much as he drews. He was with Miami last year. Zibanejad scored three consecutive Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Da- connected for a two-run homer, and Joey and three hits. Alex Dickerson and Jason nault each had a goal and an assists Wendle collected three hits. Krizan connected for the Giants. goals in a 10:10 span of the second for Germán Márquez worked five innings his fi fth career hat trick. The Swedish for the Canadiens, and Tyler Toffoli Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller forced overtime with 1:25 left and was hit hard again, allowing eight runs for the Rockies, striking out six and center also topped 400 career points. and 10 hits in two-plus innings. Keller’s Oilers 7, Flames 3 goalie Carey Price off for an extra at- ERA is 21.60. tacker. Price had 26 saves. In Calgary, Alberta, NHL scoring Bryan Reynolds and Colin Moran BASEBALL leader Connor McDavid had a goal Knights 5, Sharks 4 each hit a two-run homer for the Pirates. Phillies 2, Tigers 0 and two assists and Edmonton beat In Las Vegas, Ryan Reaves broke a allowing three runs and six hits. Jairo Calgary to split the two-game series. tie during a run of four straight Vegas Philadelphia right-hander Zack Díaz allowed three runs and two hits in McDavid has 18 goals and leads the goals in the third period and the Gold- Wheeler tossed five innings of four-hit his inning of relief. NHL with 38 assists and 56 points. en Knights rallied to beat San Jose. ball. Odúbel Herrera led off the fourth Cardinals 4, Astros 4 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jesse Pulju- Cody Glass, Nicolas Hague and with his third homer and Ronald Torreyes Alec Martinez also scored over a added an RBI double. Jose Altuve hit his first homer this jarvi, Dominik Kahun, Darnell Nurse, spring for Houston, spoiling a strong out- Zack Kassian and Alex Chiasson also roughly eight-minute span when Ve- Tarik Skubal made his first start in his third appearance for Detroit, allowing a ing by St. Louis starter Adam scored to help the Oilers rebound gas erased a 3-1 defi cit. The Golden Wainwright. The 39-year-old Knights improved to 13-1-3 in 17 reg- hit and three walks in three scoreless from a 4-3 loss Monday night in the innings. Wainwright allowed two runs in 4 2/3 series opener. ular-season meetings with San Jose, innings, striking out four and limiting Tyson Barrie had a career-high four including 5-0-0 this season. Yankees 1, Blue Jays 0 Houston to five hits. In this Dec. 19, 2020 fi le photo, Carolina Panthers’ Curtis Samuel reaches assists, and Leon Draisaitl had three Shea Theodore also scored for Ve- Jordan Montgomery made his third St. Louis slugger Paul Goldschmidt for a pass that fell incomplete during the fi rst half of the team’s NFL football gas, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped start for New York, pitching fi ve no-hit in- hit his first homer, and Tommy Edman game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP) for the Oilers. Mike Smith made 30 saves. 29 shots. nings and lowering his ERA to 0.90. Aaron had three hits. Jordan Hicks walked two Elias Lindholm, Mikael Back- Matt Nieto, Mario Ferraro, Kevin Judge had two hits and scored a run. and got two outs in a scoreless outing, lund and Johnny Gaudreau scored Labanc and Evander Kane scored for Toronto pitcher Thomas Hatch was his second appearance this spring for the NHL Results/Standings for Calgary in the Flames’ fi rst loss the Sharks. Cardinals. since Darryl Sutter returned as coach. Canucks 3, Senators 2, SO Orioles 5, Braves 2 Baltimore left-hander John Means Sutter directed the Flames to three In Ottawa, Ontario, Adam Gaudette straight victories after taking over for pitched one-run ball over four innings, WASHINGTON, March 18, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on Wednesday. scored in a shootout to lift Vancouver the fi red Geoff Ward. allowing two hits and striking out four. Vancouver 3 Ottawa SO 2 Los Angeles 4 St Louis 1 past Ottawa. The only damage he allowed was a solo NY Rangers 9 Philadelphia 0 Edmonton 7 Calgary 3 Kings 4, Blues 1 Winnipeg 4 Montreal OT 3 Vegas 5 San Jose 4 Bo Horvat had a goal and an assist, homer by Ozzie Albies. Austin Hays had East Division West Division In Los Angeles, Drew Doughty, Brock Boeser also scored in regula- three hits for the O’s, raising his spring GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Moore tion and Thatcher Demko made 30 average to .370. Washington 29 19 6 4 42 103 88 Vegas 27 20 6 1 41 90 61 scored in a dominant fi rst period, saves for Vancouver. Charlie Morton allowed just an NY Islanders 30 19 7 4 42 87 67 Minnesota 27 18 8 1 37 86 64 leading Los Angeles past St. Louis. The Canucks have won three unearned run over 4 1/3 innings for Pittsburgh 29 18 10 1 37 94 82 Colorado 27 17 8 2 36 86 64 Atlanta, striking out four while giving up Boston 27 15 8 4 34 73 65 Moore had a goal and an assist straight - also beating Ottawa 3-2 in St Louis 29 14 10 5 33 89 96 four hits and a walk. Philadelphia 27 14 10 3 31 88 96 Los Angeles 28 12 10 6 30 83 79 for his fi rst multipoint game of the overtime Monday night - and six of NY Rangers 28 12 12 4 28 85 76 Arizona 29 12 13 4 28 70 88 season, while captain Anze Kopitar seven to improve to 15-16-3. Cubs 8, Padres 2 New Jersey 26 9 13 4 22 65 84 San Jose 27 11 13 3 25 80 96 Buffalo 28 6 18 4 16 60 97 Anaheim 30 8 16 6 22 67 103 scored an empty-net goal from the Ryan Dzingel and Josh Norris Willson Contreras had three hits, Central Division opposite goal line and added an assist. scored for the Senators. They lost including a homer, and drove in five for GP W L OT Pts GF GA North Division Chicago. Anthony Rizzo also homered, Tampa Bay 28 20 6 2 42 102 67 GP W L OT Pts GF GA Cal Petersen made 19 saves to end his goaltender Joey Daccord to an injury Florida 28 19 5 4 42 99 81 Toronto 30 19 9 2 40 102 79 fi ve-start losing streak. in the third period. Daccord, who Ian Happ had two hits and Kyle Carolina 28 20 7 1 41 97 72 Winnipeg 29 18 9 2 38 97 85 Los Angeles and St. Louis were had his first NHL victory Sunday Hendricks allowed two runs in 3 1/3 Chicago 30 14 11 5 33 92 98 Edmonton 32 19 13 0 38 110 94 against Toronto, left at 5:07 of the innings for the Cubs, striking out four Columbus 30 11 12 7 29 80 99 Montreal 29 13 8 8 34 93 80 scheduled for two consecutive games Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher and walking one. Dallas 25 9 9 7 25 72 68 Vancouver 33 15 16 2 32 92 104 at Staples Center this week, but Mon- third period. He appeared to twist a Tyler Glasnow delivers during the Chris Paddack gave up four runs in 1 Nashville 29 12 16 1 25 71 97 Calgary 30 14 13 3 31 83 92 day’s game was postponed after a knee when he went down in the net, fourth inning of a spring training ex- 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and three Detroit 30 9 17 4 22 68 99 Ottawa 33 10 20 3 23 87 130 hibition baseball game against the Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each division will blizzard stranded the Kings in Den- and grimaced while being helped walks while striking out two for San qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment. ver, where they had just lost back-to- off the ice. Filip Gustavsson took Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Diego. Tommy Pham had three hits and back games to the Avalanche. over for his NHL debut. Florida on March 17. (AP) Jake Cronenworth doubled. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 16

Boston Celtics’ Payton Pritchard (11) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Cedi Os- man (16) in the fi rst half of an NBA basketball game, March 17, in Cleveland. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Bucks outlast 76ers in overtime Warriors hand Rockets franchise-record 18th straight loss

PHILADELPHIA, March 18, (AP): Giannis Ante- NBA Results/Standings tokounmpo scored 10 of his 32 points in overtime WASHINGTON, March 18, (AP): NBA to lead the Milwaukee results and standings on Wednesday. Sacramento 121 Washington 119 Bucks to a 109-105 vic- Brooklyn 124 Indiana 115 tory over the Philadelphia Detroit 116 Toronto 112 Milwaukee 109 Philadelphia OT 105 76ers on Wednesday night San Antonio 106 Chicago 99 in a matchup of two of the Golden State 108 Houston 94 Cleveland 117 Boston 110 Eastern Conference’s best Denver 129 Charlotte 104 teams. Memphis 89 Miami 85 Dallas 105 LA Clippers 89 Antetokounmpo fi nished with Eastern Conference 15 rebounds and fi ve assists, end- Atlantic Division ing a streak of three straight triple- W L Pct GB Philadelphia 28 13 .683 - doubles. The Bucks pulled within Brooklyn 28 13 .683 - 1 1/2 games of the East-leading Boston 20 20 .500 7-1/2 76ers. New York 20 21 .488 8 With P.J. Tucker reportedly headed Toronto 17 23 .425 10-1/2 Southeast Division to Milwaukee in a trade with Houston, W L Pct GB Donte DiVincenzo scored 20 points Miami 22 19 .537 - and Jrue Holiday added 19 for the Charlotte 20 19 .513 1 Bucks. They have won fi ve in a row Atlanta 20 20 .500 1-1/2 and 10 of 11. Washington 14 25 .359 7 Orlando 13 26 .333 8 Milwaukee’s D.J. Augustin and Central Division D.J. Wilson, who according to ESPN W L Pct GB are heading to Houston in the trade, Milwaukee 26 14 .650 - did not play. Torrey Craig, reportedly Chicago 18 21 .462 7-1/2 headed Phoenix in a separate deal to Indiana 17 22 .436 8-1/2 clear salary space for Tucker, also sat Cleveland 15 25 .375 11 Detroit 11 29 .275 15 out. Western Conference Southwest Division W L Pct GB BASKETBALL San Antonio 21 16 .568 - Dallas 21 18 .538 1 Tobias Harris scored 19 points and Memphis 18 19 .486 3 New Orleans 17 23 .425 5-1/2 Danny Green added 18 for Philadel- Houston 11 28 .282 11 phia. The 76ers had won six in a row. Northwest Division All-Star Joel Embiid sat for the third W L Pct GB straight game with a bruised left knee. Utah 29 10 .744 - Ben Simmons had 13 points and 12 as- Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, (left), steals the ball from Philadelphia 76ers’ Tobias Harris during the fi rst half of an NBA basketball game, Denver 24 16 .600 5-1/2 Portland 23 16 .590 6 sists. on March 17, in Philadelphia. (AP) Oklahoma City 17 23 .425 12-1/2 Nets 125, Pacers 115 Minnesota 9 31 .225 20-1/2 In Indianapolis, James Harden had Houston’s skid surpasses the 17 Celtics, who lost at home to the Utah Jokic has 10 triple-doubles this in Tuesday’s loss to Cleveland but led Pacifi c Division 40 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds straight losses by the San Diego Jazz on Tuesday night. season and 51 overall. He also had the Heat with 24 points on 10-of-20 W L Pct GB for his 11th triple-double of the season, Rockets in 1968, when they went 15- Mavericks 105, Clippers 89 his 228th double-double to move one shooting. Phoenix 26 12 .684 - leading Brooklyn past Indiana. 67 in their first year as a franchise. In Dallas, Luka Doncic scored 42 past Dikembe Mutumbo for the fran- Kings 121, Wizards119 LA Lakers 27 13 .675 - It’s the first time the Rockets have points and Dallas split a two-game chise record. Jokic leads the NBA in In Washington, De’Aaron Fox LA Clippers 26 16 .619 2 The Nets were without fellow All- Golden State 21 20 .512 6-1/2 Stars Kyrie Irving (groin) and Kevin lost nine consecutive home games set against its fi rst-round playoff op- double-doubles this season with 36 in scored 28 points and hit a jumper over Sacramento 16 24 .400 11 Durant (hamstring) and newcomer since they dropped 11 straight in ponent from last season, beating Los 40 games. Bradley Beal with 0.7 seconds remain- Blake Griffi n (knee). 1983. Angeles. Will Barton scored 23 points to help ing to give lift Sacramento over Wash- Harden hit a runner in the lane to Reserve Jordan Poole scored 23 Josh Richardson scored 14 points the Nuggets win for the seventh time in ington. season. But they dominated Chicago tie it at 96 early in the fourth. That points and made a career-high six and was a defensive spark as the eight games and snap Charlotte’s four- Harrison Barnes and Richaun Hol- 39-19 in the fourth to come away with started a 13-4 run that included Hard- 3-pointers for the Warriors. Kevin Por- Mavericks answered a 109-99 loss game winning streak. mes each added 18 points for Sacra- their second straight win after losing en’s 3-pointer and another layup that ter Jr. led the Rockets with 25 points. two nights earlier and won the season Terry Rozier had 21 points to lead mento. three of four. pushed it to 109-100. Cavaliers 117, Celtics 110 series, 2-1. The other Dallas victory the Hornets. LaMelo Ball had 14 Russell Westbrook had 26 points, Zach LaVine led Chicago with 29 Joe Harris added 19 points for the In Cleveland, Collin Sexton scored was by 51 points in LA three games points. 14 rebounds and 10 assists - his 11th points. Nets, and Jeff Green and Tyler John- 29 points, Darius Garland added 25 into the season in December. The Grizzlies 89, Heat 85 triple-double of the season - for the Pistons 116, Raptors son each had 15. and Cleveland’s young guards made Clippers beat the Mavs in six games In Memphis, Tenn, Ja Morant drib- Wizards, and Beal scored 29 points on In Detroit, Saddiq Bey had 28 points Malcolm Brogdon led Indiana with big plays down the stretch to beat Bos- last summer in the NBA’s playoff bled the length of the court for a tie- 12-of-20 shooting. and 12 rebounds and Detroit overcame 24 points, and Domantas Sabonis had ton. bubble. breaking layup with 1.2 seconds left to Spurs 106, Bulls 99 Norman Powell’s 43 points to beat To- a triple-double with 18 points, 11 re- The Cavs ended a four-game losing Paul George had 28 points for the lift Memphis past Miami. In Chicago :Jakob Poeltl tied a ca- ronto. bounds, and 11 assists. streak and a nine-game skid against Clippers. Memphis’ Kyle Anderson inter- reer high with 20 points and set one Bey was 6 of 10 from 3-point range. Warriors 108, Rockets 94 Boston. Nuggets 129, Hornets 104 cepted the inbound pass after Morant’s with 16 rebounds and San Antonio Delon Wright added 18 points, 10 re- In Houston, Draymond Green had Cleveland played with a lead all In Denver, Nikola Jokic had 12 basket, was fouled and made two free used a huge fourth quarter to beat Chi- bounds and eight assists, and Jerami 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists night, but the Cavs had to hold off a points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for throws to end Miami’s winning streak cago. Grant had 23 points. for his third triple-double of the season second-half rally by Boston led by Jay- another triple-double, Michael Porter at fi ve. The Spurs trailed by 23 in the sec- Chris Boucher added 21 points and Golden State handed Houston its son Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum Jr. added 28 points and Denver beat Jimmy Butler was questionable to ond quarter and were down 58-40 after for the Raptors. They have lost six franchise-record 18th straight loss. scored 29 points and Brown 28 for the Charlotte. play after twisting his left ankle late their lowest-scoring fi rst half of the straight.

Sasaki resigns over comments Blues complete 3-0 aggregate win over Atletico ‘Postponed’ Tokyo Oly Chelsea back in CL quarters after 7 yrs

LONDON, March 18, (AP): Chel- paign and was taken off before the hour than that. We need to improve.” awarded a penalty when Chelsea de- hit by another scandal sea eased into the quarterfi nals of the mark in London. This was just the latest setback for fender Cesar Azpilicueta put an arm Champions League for the fi rst time It was the lack of dynamism that Die- Atletico, whose Spanish league lead around Yannick Carrasco in his area in TOKYO, March 18, (AP): In yet event during a pandemic. in seven years with a 2-0 victory over go Simeone was left to rue as his decade has dwindled from 10 to four points in the 25th. another setback for the postponed “The IOC and Japanese politics Atletico Madrid, completing a 3-0 win as Atletico coach won’t be marked by “I was a bit frightened,” Tuchel said. Tokyo Olympics - and another in- are male-dominated territories,” on aggregate. lifting the European Cup for the fi rst With Bayern Munich beating Lazio volving comments about women Dr. Barbara Holthus, deputy di- Chelsea took the lead with a goal cre- time. SOCCER 2-1 to seal a 6-2 aggregate win in the - games’ creative director Hiroshi rector of the German Institute for ated by a trio of summer signings who “We tried to play with four up top night’s other game, the quarterfi nal Sasaki resigned on Thursday af- Japanese Studies in Tokyo, told cost more than $200 million. in the fi rst period and press them when recent weeks. lineup is now complete. England is the ter making demeaning comments The Associated Press. “Japanese Kai Havertz launched a counterattack they were playing out at the back,” he “Of course the fans are going to be best represented country with Liver- about a well-known female celeb- politicians have a long history of after Kieran Trippier’s cross was inter- said. “We couldn’t rob the ball high up hurt, disappointed and annoyed,” Sime- pool and Manchester City also through. rity in Japan. furthering gender inequalities - be- cepted before releasing Timo Werner to like we wanted to. We looked to change one said. “We need to show humility, Borussia Dortmund is with Bayern in The Tokyo Olympics are sched- sides many other inequalities.” run down the left. Werner sent the ball our system, tried to press them, but they work hard and move forward.” Friday’s draw, along with Paris Saint- uled to open in just over four In February, the president of in for Hakim Ziyech, who placed the were able to get through it, they were However, Chelsea may have been Germain, Porto and record 13-time months, dogged by the coronavi- the organizing committee Yoshiro shot under goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the just better than us. You can’t say more a bit fortunate that Atletico was not champion Real Madrid. rus pandemic, record costs, and Mori was forced to resign after 34th minute. numerous scandals. And all of this making sexist comments, saying “There were some diffi cult moments converges as women talk too much in meetings. in the game but for most of the time we the Olympic Two years ago, the head of the had it under control,” Ziyech said after torch relay Japanese Olympic Committee his fi rst goal since October. “It was an starts next Tsunekazu Takeda was also forced important goal and I had to wait a long week from time for it.” northeastern OLYMPICS The goal meant the Spanish leaders Japan, a risky needed to score twice but their slim venture with chances ended when Stefan Savic was 10,000 run- to step dow n in a bribery scandal sent off in the 81st minute for elbowing ners set to connected to vote-buying involv- Chelsea defender Antonio Rüdiger. crisscross Ja- ing IOC members. Two of Chelsea’s substitutes then pan for four Sasaki was in charge of the combined for the second goal in the months. Sasaki opening and closing ceremo- fourth minute of stoppage time. When the International Olym- nies for the Olympics, which are Emerson Palmieri had only been on pic Committee awarded Japan scheduled to begin on July 23. He the pitch a minute when he was set up the games 7 1/2 years ago, To- also designed the Tokyo handover by Christian Pulisic on the break and kyo billed itself as “a safe pair of ceremony at the 2016 Olympics he struck only his second goal in three hands.” It has evolved into any- in Rio de Janeiro, and arranged a years at Chelsea. thing but that. one-year-to-go event in July at To- The win further builds on the mo- Japanese organizers did well kyo’s new National Stadium. mentum the London club have built up with initial planning and organiza- Last year he suggested to plan- in the two months since Frank Lampard ning staff members in online was fi red, with new coach Thomas tion. But they have been buffeted Tuchel unbeaten in 13 matches with 11 by the pandemic and seem snake- “brainstorming exchanges” that clean sheets. bitten with the Olympics causing well-known entertainer Naomi “The guys protect themselves,” new problems and more expenses Watanabe could perform in the Tuchel said. “Defensive work is about almost daily. Support has plum- ceremony as an “Olympig.” courage and reliability that they can feel meted with various polls suggest- Watanabe is a heavy-set young safe around each other.” ing about 80% of Japanese want woman, a fashion icon, and very Luis Suarez symbolized the visi- the Olympics canceled or post- famous in Japan. Sasaki’s “Olym- tors’ struggles as the striker remained poned again. They cite the costs pig” reference was an obvious without an away goal in 25 Champions Chelsea’s Timo Werner (right), jumps for the ball with Atletico Madrid’s Renan Lodi during the Champions League, and the risks of holding the mega- play on the word “Olympic.” League appearances. He hasn’t netted round of 16, second leg soccer match between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid at the Stamford Bridge Stadium, Lon- in any European games in this cam- don, March 17. (AP) – See Also Page 14

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