RABIA ALTHANI 24, 1442 AH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

16 Pages Max 22º Min 09º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18304 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Biden picks General Austin UK, EU strike N Ireland pact Independent musicians thrive as Abu Dhabi royal family member 6 as first black Pentagon chief 8 as Brexit talks near climax 12 pandemic silences Bollywood 16 buys half of Israeli football club

PM Sheikh Sabah reappointed by Amir to form new Cabinet

Mutair says he will not contest speaker’s post • MPs welcome ‘sacrifice’

By B Izzak Monday, Mutair and MP Bader Al-Humaidhi, a for- mer minister, had said they will contest the election KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad for the speakership against the incumbent Ghanem. Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday issued a decree reap- But following appeals from several lawmakers for pointing HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- concessions and sacrifices in a bid to have only one Khaled Al-Sabah to form a new Cabinet after the candidate for the post, Mutair said he has decided previous government resigned following general to withdraw. Mutair said in a statement he posted elections. Sheikh Sabah will have to form his on Twitter that he took the decision “in response to Cabinet before the new National Assembly holds its his historical responsibility to rescue Kuwait, its inaugural session next Tuesday, in accordance with institutions and authorities from a handful of cor- the Kuwaiti constitution. rupt people” who wrested control of the country in HH the Amir’s decision came after he held tradi- the past few years. tional consultations on Monday by meeting former The group of new lawmakers is scheduled to Assembly speakers Ahmad Al-Saadoun and meet today to elect a candidate for the speaker’s Marzouq Al-Ghanem and former premiers HH post, who is expected to fight against Ghanem. The Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and Sheikh new development means that if all the 38 MPs stay Sabah Al-Khaled. The formation of the new Cabinet together, Ghanem will have a very slim chance of will take into consideration the new structure of the retaining his seat, which he occupied almost uncon- Assembly, as an overwhelming majority of newly- tested for the past seven years. The lawmakers, who elected MPs are pushing for changing Assembly call themselves reformists and nationalists, believe Speaker Ghanem. The position of the new Cabinet is that removing Ghanem is the first step towards crucial in electing the Assembly speaker, as all the wider reforms. 16 members of the Cabinet are allowed to vote. Lawmakers warmly welcomed Mutair’s withdraw- Late yesterday, leading opposition figure MP al. MP Khaled Al-Otaibi said Mutair’s withdrawal is Mohammad Al-Mutair said he has decided to with- the right step for unity among reformists, adding that KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah is received by HH the Amir draw from the race for speaker, only a day after it is hoped the meeting today will agree on one can- Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace yesterday after the Amir signed a decree declaring his intention to contest the post. At a didate for the speaker and another for his deputy. appointing him as prime minister. — KUNA meeting of 38 members of the new Assembly on Continued on Page 2

more than 1.5 million people world- News in brief UK starts virus wide and ravaged economies. “My advice to anyone offered the vaccine UAE supports Saudi efforts is to take it,” said Keenan, wearing a jabs as Europe mask and a penguin T-shirt. “If I can DUBAI: The UAE said yesterday it supports have it at 90 then you can have it too.” Saudi efforts to end a three-year Gulf dispute, cases top 20m The UK’s second jab reportedly Abu Dhabi’s first reaction to recent statements went to a man named William suggesting the rift between four countries and LONDON: Britain became the first Shakespeare. The over-80s, care home Qatar could soon ease. Cairo yesterday also Western country to start a mass coro- workers, and at-risk health and social commented on the Gulf crisis, saying it appreci- navirus vaccine campaign yesterday care staff will be at the front of the ated Kuwait’s efforts to end the dispute. — AFP with a 90-year-old receiving the initial line. Almost 40 percent of the new jab, as the number of cases in Europe cases detected over the last seven hit 20 million. Kicking off Britain’s “V- days worldwide have been in Europe, Heavy metals found Day”, Margaret Keenan said she felt the region topping 20 million cases “privileged” to be given the injection, yesterday. But the rate of infection BANGALORE: Traces of heavy metals such as the first of millions expected to be appears to be stabilizing. lead and nickel have been found in samples tak- administered in the hard-hit country Russia, one of Europe’s hardest-hit en from 550 people stricken by a mystery illness over the coming months. countries in terms of cases, began in a southern Indian town where some victims The Pfizer-BioNTech jab is one of vaccinating high-risk workers with its COVENTRY: Nurse May Parsons administers the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine to have collapsed in the street, officials said. The several vaccines bringing hope for an own jab on Saturday, and Beijing has Margaret Keenan, 90, at University Hospital yesterday, making her the first person to government has rushed medical experts to Eluru end to the pandemic that has killed Continued on Page 2 receive the vaccine in the country’s biggest ever immunization program. — AFP in Andhra Pradesh state to investigate the ill- ness, which first appeared Saturday. One man died after showing the symptoms of seizures, ning out. The Electoral College is to meet on Dec 14 have strained credulity, however, and the flimsy law- nausea and chronic pain. — AFP Time running out to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s victory and yester- suits rely often on convoluted conspiracy theories day was the deadline for state-level challenges to that have been repeatedly debunked by state elec- be resolved. tion officials - many of them Republican. One wit- WhatsApp adds shopping carts on Trump bid to Among the latest blows to Trump’s bid to tarnish ness, Melissa Carone, who appeared besides

the vote with baseless fraud claims was the Giuliani at a hearing in Michigan, was so over-the- SAN FRANCISCO: WhatsApp yesterday announcement on Sunday that former New York top that she ended up going viral and being lam- added virtual shopping carts people can load overturn results mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized with pooned on the comedy show “Saturday Night Live”. with purchases and then use to fire off orders to WASHINGTON: Humiliation in the courts, wit- COVID-19. Giuliani, 76, has been leading the Trump Carone had already been deemed “not credible” businesses as the Facebook-owned messaging nesses who provide more farce than facts and a campaign’s legal team, filing lawsuits that purport to by a Michigan judge but that did not stop Giuliani service pushed deeper into e-commerce. chief lawyer battling coronavirus - Donald Trump’s expose ballot fraud and staging public hearings in from parading her before the Michigan House hear- WhatsApp already let users browse online cata- efforts to overturn the results of the Nov 3 presi- the swing states where Trump lost narrowly. ing. When the lawsuits filed by Giuliani and other logs from shops. The addition of a “carts” fea- dential election are not going well. And time is run- Many of the witnesses put forward by Giuliani Continued on Page 2 ture lets people combine multiple items into a single ordered set via WhatsApp instead of tending to transactions separately, according to the service. — AFP Everest ‘grows’ as China, Jordan opens field hospital Nepal agree new height

AMMAN: Jordan has opened the first of three KATHMANDU: The highest point meters above China’s official figure. field hospitals for COVID-19 patients, northeast on Earth got a bit higher yesterday as This discrepancy was due to China of the capital, as a sharp rise in cases has over- China and Nepal finally agreed on a measuring the rock base on the sum- burdened health facilities. The hospital admitted precise elevation for Mount Everest mit and not - as with the new reading its first patients on Monday, said the interim after years of debate. The agreed - the covering of snow and ice on the director-general of medical services in the king- height of 8,848.86 meters (29,031 peak. Everest straddles the border of dom Brigadier General Nidal Khasawneh. The feet) - unveiled at a news conference Nepal and China. Employing 300-bed hospital was erected in two weeks in in Kathmandu - was 86 cm higher trigonometry hundreds of miles away A Nepal Survey Department team member places a Global Navigation Satellite the northern Zarqa province at a cost of around than the measurement previously rec- on the Indian plains, British colonial System (GNSS) receiver after drilling it on a rock during Mount Everest’s height $12 million. — AFP ognized by Nepal, and more than four Continued on Page 2 measurements. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 Local Kuwait Army Chief of Staff meets UK Defense Middle East Advisor National Guard, Interior Ministry discuss boosting cooperation

Deputy Chief of Kuwait National Guard Lt Gen Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad KUWAIT: Kuwait Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Khaled Saleh Al-Sabah meets the UK Defense Senior Advisor to the Middle East John Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and State Lorimer. — Defense Ministry photo Minister of Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh. — Kuwait National Guard photo

KUWAIT: Kuwait Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Khaled Sampson. The two sides discussed issues of mutual Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Kuwait National cussed ways of boosting cooperation in terms of Saleh Al-Sabah received the UK Defense Senior interest, and ways to boost cooperation, especially in Guard Lt Gen Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad providing assistance and back up to state depart- Advisor to the Middle East John Lorimer at the the military field. Kuwait Army Deputy Chief of Staff Al-Jaber Al-Sabah met yesterday with Deputy ments. Saleh also congratulated Sheikh Ahmad Al- General Staff Headquarters of Kuwait Army yesterday. Lt Gen Fahad Al-Nasser and top military brass attend- Prime Minister, Interior Minister and State Minister Nawaf on earning the political leadership’s trust, Lorimer is on a visit to Kuwait, where he is accompa- ed the meeting, the Ministry of Defense’s Moral of Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh in his office at the Kuwait National Guard said in a statement released nied by Royal Air Force Air Commodore Martin Guidance Department said in a press statement. National Guard’s headquarters. The two sides dis- to the press.

Woman dead, two injured in Salwa house blaze

KUWAIT: A 58-year-old Kuwaiti woman died fire, while paramedics treated the two persons and two people suffered from smoke inhalation on site. Meanwhile, firemen freed a Kuwaiti man in a Salwa house fire reported Monday night, who was trapped in his vehicle after it crashed Kuwait Fire Force said. Firemen from Bidaa and into an asphalt paver. Paramedics rushed the vic- Mishref fire stations responded and put out the tim to hospital in critical condition. KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Force inspection teams closed down five facilities for failure to meet prevention condi- tions. Deputy Director General for the Prevention Sector Major General Khalid Abdullah supervised the closings.

be reimposed - roughly 30 million people in the US Judge Linda Parker. “This case represents well the UK starts virus state of California are now under stay-at-home Time running out phrase: ‘This ship has sailed’.” Parker said the suit seek- orders. And the World Health Organization has ing to overturn Biden’s victory in Michigan was “stun- warned that successful vaccines on their own will not ning in its scope and breathtaking in its reach”. “If jabs as Europe... immediately end the crisis. America’s floundering on Trump bid to... granted, the relief would disenfranchise the votes of the efforts to quell the pandemic have been widely criti- more than 5.5 million Michigan citizens who, with dig- Continued from Page 1 cized - the nation is the world’s worst-hit with more nity, hope, and a promise of a voice, participated in the than 283,000 deaths. Continued from Page 1 2020 General Election,” she said. The judge said the also begun an emergency inoculation campaign Even as hopes rise for vaccines and a resulting eco- suit appeared to be mainly aimed at shaking “People’s with a medicine made in China. The United States is nomic recovery, governments are being forced to tight- Trump allies have actually reached the courts they faith in the democratic process and their trust in our expected to grant emergency authorization for the en restrictions to contain surges in infections. German have been tossed out by judges - sometimes in scathing government.” terms. The latest defeat - bringing the Trump cam- Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine later this week, announc- Chancellor Angela Merkel urged regions with high A letter published Monday by more than 1,500 paign’s win-loss record in court to 1-47 - came on lawyers from across the country made a similar point, ing yesterday that no concerns had been found in coronavirus rates to tighten curbs, while Denmark said trial data. Monday in Michigan, where Trump lost to Biden by accusing Giuliani and other attorneys of filing “frivolous it will close middle and high schools, bars, cafes and 154,000 votes. court claims” in a bid to “undermine citizens’ faith in our Despite the vaccination news, curbs continue to restaurants in half of the country. — AFP “The People have spoken”, wrote US District Court election’s integrity”. — AFP

time to make concessions and coordinate for the sake clothing lines, restaurants and even a vodka brand. In PM Sheikh Sabah of the loyal people”. Everest ‘grows’ 1999 the US National Geographic Society concluded New MP Muhalhal Al-Mudhaf said there is no the world’s highest point was 8,850 m, but Nepal choice for MPs but to agree on one candidate for the never officially recognized this - although it is widely reappointed... speaker’s post to reflect the will of the Kuwaiti people, as China, Nepal... quoted. adding the lawmakers should not let the people down. China meanwhile conducted several surveys of its Continued from Page 1 New Islamist MP Abdulaziz Al-Saqabi said the Kuwaiti own, and in 2005 came up with a measurement of Continued from Page 1 people have voted for reforms and change and law- 8,844.43 m. The provoked a row with Nepal, which MP Bader Al-Dahoum said the withdrawal will serve makers must respond. Kuwait’s interests, while MP Thamer Al-Suwait praised geographers first determined Everest’s height in was only resolved in 2010 when Kathmandu and New MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa yesterday said Beijing agreed that their measurements referred to dif- Mutair for his “sacrifice”, adding this will help “restore cooperation with the new Cabinet will depend on its 1856 at 8,840 m above sea level. ferent things - one to the height of Everest’s rock and the presidency of the people’s house”. position towards the election of the new speaker, After Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa The host of today’s meeting, opposition MP alluding that it should not support Ghanem. He said famously first reached the summit of Everest on May the other to the height of its snowcap. Abdulkarim Al-Kandari, had earlier called on MPs to cooperation will also depend on the government’s 29, 1953, an Indian survey readjusted the altitude to Nepal decided to conduct a survey - initially alone cooperate and make concessions. He said on Twitter position over approving a general pardon law, tack- 8,848 m. That measurement was widely accepted, and later joined by China - after suggestions that tec- that the Kuwaiti people made sacrifices by braving the ling corruption and improving the standard of living with the number appealing not only to ambitious tonic plate movements including a major earthquake in coronavirus and the rainy weather to vote, and “it’s of citizens. mountaineers but also inspiring names for adventure 2015 may have affected the height. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Wednesday, December 9, 2020 Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled to form 37th cabinet of Kuwait Seven statesmen served as prime ministers since 1962

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, this cabi- including four MPs. The government resigned Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah assigned net includes 13 ministers. Sheikh Jaber Al- on March 21, 1998 after a no-confidence motion yesterday His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad formed the following cabinet, the was tabled against then information minister Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to form a govern- eighth, on February 9, 1975, included of 15 Sheikh Saud Nasser Al-Sabah. The following ment, the first under His Highness the Amir and ministers. It served for only 19 months and government, the 18th, was formed by Sheikh the 37th in Kuwait’s history. This will be His ended a month after the dissolution of the par- Saad on March 22, 1998. It served for 15 months Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled’s second liament in August 1976. and resigned on July 12, 1999, in the wake of an cabinet following the one he formed on The ninth government, formed while the par- Amiri decree to dissolve the parliament. The December 17, 2019 until he tendered the cabi- liament was dissolved on September 6, 1976, 19th cabinet, formed on July 13 of 1999, was net’s resignation on December 6, a day after was chaired by Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al- chaired by Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah. The gov- parliamentary elections. In addition to His Jaber Al-Sabah and consisted of 18 ministers. ernment resigned on January 2001 after rela- Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, seven other This government ended in December 1978 tions with the parliament deteriorated when officials served as prime ministers of Kuwait after the passing of then Amir Sheikh Sabah former MP Hussein Al-Qallaf requested the since 1962. Al-Salem Al-Sabah. Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad interpellation of Minister of Justice and Article 56 of the constitution states that His Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, then Crown Prince and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Saad Highness the Amir shall, after the traditional Prime Minister, was named as Amir. The 10th Al-Hashel. However, the cabinet was formed by consultations, appoint the Prime Minister or government was formed on February 16, 1978. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber relieve him of office. The Amir shall also Then Crown Prince Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah because Sheikh Saad had to leave the appoint ministers and relieve them of office Al-Salem Al-Sabah chaired the cabinet. The country for treatment. Sheikh Sabah selected 15 upon the recommendation of the prime minis- cabinet consisted of 18 ministers and served ministers including three MPs. ters. It says ministers shall be appointed from until March 3, 1981 when new elections were amongst the National Assembly members and announced. The 11th government was formed Separation of posts Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah from others, and that the number of ministers in on March 4 1981 and chaired by Sheikh Saad The 21st government was formed on July 14, all shall not exceed one-third of the MPs. 2003, by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad because the post of Crown Prince was separat- On December 13, 2001, His Highness Sheikh Transitional cabinet ed from the post of Prime Minister for the first Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah formed The first government was called the transi- time. This government served until February 8, his first government, the country’s 29th. This tional cabinet. It was formed on January 17, Political upheaval 2006, in the wake of the passing of the Amir care-taker government was mandated with 1962, and chaired by the late Amir Sheikh forced several Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The organizing elections and its term expired on Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, consisting of 14 22nd government was formed by His Highness February 13, 2012. His Highness Sheikh Jaber ministers. It had a specific mandate; writing a resignations the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al- Al-Mubarak formed the 30th government the constitution, and therefore it ended with the Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on February following day. However, this government was end of its task on January 27, 1963. The second 9, 2006. This government, which consisted of dropped because the Constitutional Court government, formed on January 28, 1963, was 15 ministers, lasted for five months only due to annulled parliamentary elections. The govern- chaired by Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah parliament’s dissolution that was caused by an ment resigned on July 18, 2012. His Highness and consisted of 15 ministers including the late Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, consisting of 15 minis- interpellation against the Prime Minister over the Prime Minister formed the 31st government Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ters including one MP. The cabinet served a full the electoral districts. His Highness Sheikh on July 19, 2012 with 13 ministers. This cabinet who was named Foreign Minister for the first four-year term up until March 2 1982, ahead of Nasser, following the parliamentary elections, lasted for four months due to parliament’s dis- time in post-independence Kuwait. parliamentary elections. formed the 23rd government on July 10, 2006. solution. The 32nd government was formed by The third government was formed on The 12th government was formed on March Minister of Health Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber December 6 1964, chaired by Sheikh Sabah Al- 1985 and chaired by Sheikh Saad. The cabinet Sabah was grilled and a no confidence motion Al-Mubarak on December 11, 2012. It served Salem, consisting of 14 ministers, four of them served for 16 months only due to deterioration was tabled against him thus triggering the gov- for seven months until the Constitutional were MPs. This government survived for 28 of relations between executive and legislative ernment’s resignation on March 4, 2007. The Court’s annulled parliamentary elections that days only because it failed to win confidence authorities, which forced the parliament’s disso- 24th government was formed by His Highness took place in the same month. Elections were of the National Assembly due to constitutional lution in 1986, triggering the government’s res- Sheikh Nasser on March 25, 2007, and held on July 27, 2013. measures regarding the selection of some min- ignation on July 11 of the same year. The 13th resigned on May 19, 2008, in the wake of the The 33rd government was formed on August isters. Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem chaired the government was formed in the following day and dissolution of the National Assembly. 4, 2013, and ministers tendered their resigna- fourth government that was formed on January consisted of 21 ministers. Sheikh Saad formed His Highness Sheikh Nasser formed the 25th tions after the Constitutional Court rejected all 3, 1965 and included 13 ministers. the 14th government with 22 ministers on June government on May 28, 2008. However, the lawsuits against the legitimacy of the parlia- The fifth government was formed on 20, 1990. This government continued in office extremely tense relations between the legisla- mentary elections. The thirty-fourth govern- December 4, 1965, and was chaired by Sheikh despite the August 2, 1990 Iraqi invasion of tive and executive authorities caused by an ment was formed on December 10, 2016 head- Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This gov- Kuwait, and was functioning from the Saudi City interpellation against the Prime Minister forced ed by His Highness Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al- ernment consisted of 13 ministers including of Taef until the liberation in February 1991. the government to resign on November 25, Hamad Al-Sabah, consisted of 15 ministers, three MPs. The late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad The 15th government, the first after libera- 2008. His Highness the Amir accepted the res- including one MP. The 35th government was was given the portfolios of finance, oil and for- tion, was dubbed the ‘government of recon- ignation and the government continued as formed on December 11, 2017 under the chair- eign affairs. This government resigned at the struction.’ It was formed on April 20 of 1991 caretaker until January 22, 2009. The 26th gov- manship of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al- end of the legislative term; on February 3, 1967. and consisted 20 ministers. The government ernment was formed by His Highness Sheikh Mubarak, consisting of 15 ministers, including The sixth cabinet was formed on February 4, lasted until October 16, 1992, when new parlia- Nasser on January 23 of the same year and one MP. The 36th government was formed on 1967, also chaired by Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad mentary elections were held. The 16th govern- resigned after four months. The 27th govern- December 17, 2019, headed by His Highness Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It consisted of 14 ministers ment, formed on October 17, 1992, was chaired ment formed by His Highness Sheikh Nasser on Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- including three MPs, and served for four years by Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah May 29 and served for two years. It resigned Mubarak Al-Sabah. It consisted of 15 ministers, until February 1971, at end of the parliamentary and consisted of 15 ministers including six MPs. following the growing number of interpella- including two MPs, along with the return of legislative term. The seventh government, The 17th government was formed on October tions. His Highness Sheikh Nasser was reas- seven ministers from the 2017 government and which also served a full four-year term, was 15, 1992. Chaired by Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah, signed to form the 28th government that con- the entry of three women in the new ministerial formed on February 2, 1971. Chaired by Sheikh the government consisted of 14 ministers sisted of 15 ministers including one MP. formation.—- KUNA Kuwait lists 301 new COVID-19 cases, three deaths

KUWAIT: Kuwait listed 301 new coron- avirus infections yesterday, which raised the total 144,900, while three deaths recorded over the past 24 hours upped the death toll to 900, the health ministry said. The ministry had earlier reported that 297 patients recov- ered over the same period, raising total recoveries to 140,638. The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized stood yes- terday at 3,362, with 83 of them in intensive care units, according to ministry spokesman Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad. He added that 5,783 swab tests were conducted over same period, bringing the total number of swabs to 1,152,203. He went on to urge the public to abide by health precautions, mainly following social distancing rules, as the only way to halt the spread of the virus. — KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf UN, Kuwait maintain close partnership in THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 combating human trafficking: Officials Founder and Publisher KUWAIT: UN officials praised on Monday the YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN “close partnership” with Kuwait to enhance the Editor-in-Chief capacities of local partners and relevant ministries ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN to protect the victims of human trafficking. This came in a press statement issued by Representative EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 of the UN Secretary-General and Resident ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 Coordinator in the State of Kuwait Tariq Al-Sheikh FAX : 24835620/1 during a visit of a UN delegation to the shelter of CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 foreign workers, which was established in ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 November 2014. The center is an actual translation COMMERCIAL : 24835618 of the special attention paid by Kuwait to labor P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. rights and the preservation of human dignity, he KUWAIT: Members of a UN delegation visit the shelter with Kuwaiti government agencies’ representatives. Email: [email protected] added. Sheikh praised Kuwait’s progress in address- Website: www.kuwaittimes.net ing the issues of foreign workers, mainly the female home safely, they added. They commended endeav- respond to the repercussions of the pandemic. This domestic helpers hosted by the shelter, and also the ors of the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM), grace period will allow those who violate the resi- health and social services and care offered to them. supervising the center, to enhance partnerships and dency law in the country to adjust their status or cooperation with different UN organizations, main- leave without paying any fine, she said. Finally, Awareness campaigns ly the IOM to return workers to their home, and Director General of PAM Mubarak Al-Azmi said the UNDP commends Meanwhile, the UN officials said that within the develop capabilities of employees. Head of the IOM authority uses its financial and human capabilities fruitful cooperation with Kuwait over the last years, mission to Kuwait Tareq Abu el-Hassan said that to ensure providing full protection to all workers many awareness campaigns have been organized the shelter is an example of ensuring continued care mainly the domestic ones. The authority provides all Kuwait’s efforts about labor exploitation, trafficking in persons and to the female beneficiaries. He encourages the PAM legal, health and psychological services to the domestic workers’ rights, in addition to providing to continue providing support especially in light of females at the shelter, he said, pointing to the suc- against corruption technical support and advice to support the gov- the coronavirus, noting that Kuwait has been a main cess in facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pan- ernment’s efforts to respond to the challenges of the donor country to back responses to humanitarian demic. He pointed out that the PAM is keen on novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic through crises all over the world. cooperating with all international organizations so KUWAIT: The United Nations Development comprehensive solutions compatible with interna- as to develop their services and enhance capabili- Programme (UNDP) highlighted the Kuwaiti tional laws and standards. Out of Kuwait’s keenness Grace period ties of workers in various sectors to achieve the government’s efforts to tackle corruption, on providing legal, humanitarian and social protec- Furthermore, head of UN Development optimal application of international standards in praising resulting strategies aimed at enhanc- tion to foreign workers, the center was founded so Programme Hideko Hadzialic said that the UN is human rights. The center is hosting women who are ing transparency and promoting integrity. as to provide shelters to female workers and help evaluating the grace period made by the Kuwaiti in dispute with their employers to help them obtain UNDP Resident Representative in Kuwait them adjust their legal positions or return to their Interior Ministry for expatriates as a plan to their rights. — KUNA Hideko Hadzialic said this work is represented by Kuwait’s Anti-Corruption Authority, Christmas messages were also made by IWG ex- Nazaha, in partnership with the General International presidents on video, including the wife of the Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Netherlands Ambassador Hanneke Veling, Jasmine Planning and Development and the UNDP. This Shuhaiber, wife of the South African Ambassador cooperation, she said, has resulted in the for- Women’s Group Sabella Van Tonder, wife of Ambassador of Malta mation of the Kuwait Integrity and Anti- Josephine Cole, wife of the Palestinian Ambassador Corruption Strategy 2019-2024 to enhance the hosts seasonal Rima Khalidi, wife of the Egyptian Ambassador Dr principles of transparency, accountability, the Hiba Nayel, wife of the Russian Ambassador Elena rule of law in the public and private sectors in Slomatina and wife of the Switzerland Ambassador a way that contributes to achieving sustainable celebrations Clethe Gubler. development. The successful implementation of KUWAIT: The International Women’s Group (IWG) The program included a variety of entertainment this strategy, she explained, would help Kuwait held its second virtual meeting for the group’s mem- activities, including a performance of violinist play by to mobilize further resources required to bers on December 6, 2020, to celebrate Christmas and Nancy Safadi, a Christmas Carol by Jessica Shidiac KUWAIT: Layla Boulos and Ambreen Mustafa host the event. achieve its New Kuwait 2035 Vision develop- New Year. Layla Boulos, Public Relations Coordinator, from the Catholic Church and a cooking demonstration ment plan and a higher degree of commitment hosted the meeting. by Chef Khodor Al-Ashek from Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chef Khodor, and the band. to the provisions of the UN Convention IWG President Ambreen Mustafa, the wife of the addition to the quiz and Christmas raffle. At the end, Certificates of appreciation and shields were given vir- Against Corruption with regard to preventive Pakistani Ambassador, gave a warm welcome to the Mustafa expressed her gratitude to the management of tually to the carol singer, violinist and Chef Ashek. measures, law enforcement, international participating members, and spoke about the challenges cooperation and the recovery of funds. A day faced this year. She expressed hope that the new year ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day, will bring better times, and wished everyone a Merry which falls today, she said bribes cost govern- Christmas and happy New Year. She also thanked ments one trillion dollars a year, while the value esteemed members who have been a part of IWG, say- of the sums wasted amounts to more than 2.5 ing that she was thankful for their support and interest. trillion dollars - equal to five percent of the As a part of the celebration, the place was beauti- global GDP. Meanwhile, the head of Nazaha fully decorated in a Christmas theme, and adorned Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim stressed the importance with sparkling lights, as well as a shimmering tree that of concerted state institution and civil society was radiant on the occasion. Red roses representing efforts to bring the economic and development the celebration of the holidays were distributed situation to broader horizons. — KUNA throughout the entrance, which added to the celebra- tion’s atmosphere. Health minister congratulates team on ‘historic achievement’

KUWAIT: Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al- team on this ‘historic achievement,’ which he said Sabah received members of a medical team who “proves the competence of Kuwaiti doctors and carried out the first liver transplant operation in the strength of the health system.” Ministry Kuwait, which was performed on a Kuwaiti citi- Undersecretary Dr Mustafa Redha attended the zen in her sixties. The minister congratulated the reception.

Kuwait’s youth authority, SACGC sign cooperation protocol

KUWAIT: The Public Youth Authority signed a cooperation protocol with Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC) yesterday, aimed at developing scientific, techni- cal and technological skills of youth. Authority Director General Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi said the protocol, signed in Qadsiya Youth Center, aimed at helping youth to be able to spread cul- KUWAIT: Public Youth Authority’s Director General ture of technological creativity as well as holding Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi (left) and SACGC Director General training courses in Qadsiya Youth Center. The Dr Omar Al-Bannai at the signing ceremony. — KUNA authority, he added in a statement, was keen on establishing partnerships with youth-sponsoring more activities in other youth centers nationwide bodies to have the maximum benefits from to contribute to social development, he said. potentials of youths. Dr Omar Al-Bannai, SACGC SACGC, added Bannai, would also setup industri- Director General, said SACGC would place its al and agricultural incubators for the youth capabilities for the service of Kuwaiti youth, and inventors. The protocol aims at establishing a has already organized workshops in strategic partnership between the two parties Governorates of Jahra and Ahmadi. with the ultimate objective of developing skills of SACGC and youth authority seek to open youth. — KUNA International WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 EU citizens in the UK face two-tier system

India farmers block railway tracks, roads in protest Page 7 Page 6

GEDAREF, Sudan: In this photo taken on Dec 1, 2020, an Ethiopian man watches the rising Moon on top of a hill at Um Raquba refugee camp. — AFP Tainted legacy of Nobel Peace laureates Drones, wars, genocide - Abiy’s aura tarnished OSLO: A “champion of peace” doesn’t normally president - according to his recent autobiography ed to US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and things, order the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 threaten to show no mercy before carrying out an even he was asking: “For what?” North Vietnamese leader Le Duc Tho for negotiat- and the (siege) of Beirut, and that indirectly led to attack that sparks a humanitarian crisis. Yet ing an armistice. the massacre of Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatila Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is not the first Three bombs an hour The peace did not hold and Le Duc Tho, who refugee camps,” Sveen says. Nobel Peace Prize laureate to go to war. Officially, Days before accepting his award in Oslo, Obama orchestrated the final offensive against South Vietnam A number of other Peace Prize laureates have the guns in Tigray have been silenced: On decided to send 30,000 more troops to two years later, declined his half of the prize. also seen their aura fade over time, without neces- November 28, Abiy, who won the 2019 Peace Prize, Afghanistan. In his acceptance speech, he defended Kissinger also offered to return his half, in vain, and sarily having been particularly belligerent. Aung declared victory after three weeks of fighting in the the right to go to war, a word he uttered 35 times - his legacy is one of a cynic guided by US foreign pol- San Suu Kyi stands out in that category. Her passiv- northern region. The exact death toll is not known compared with 29 times for the word peace. “To say icy aims rather than respect for rights. “Not only did ity as the military cracked down on Myanmar’s but the International Crisis Group (ICG) has esti- that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to he continue the war in Vietnam but he gave the green Muslim Rohingya - termed a genocide by UN mated several thousand were killed. Civilians have cynicism - it is a recognition of history; the imper- light to Indonesia for the invasion of East Timor,” investigators - has led to numerous calls for her fled the country in droves and the UN has warned fections of man and the limits of reason,” he said. recalls Norwegian historian and Nobel expert Asle 1991 award to be revoked. of a large-scale humanitarian crisis. Not only did Obama fail to put an end to the Sveen, referring to the 1975-76 invasion and annexa- The Nobel statutes do not allow for that and the Abiy’s aura has been tarnished. “Whatever the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan during his two tion of the former Portuguese colony. Kissinger is also prize committee normally refrains from commenting rights and wrongs of the current confrontation, it is mandates, but he also stepped up controversial known for bolstering the power of South American on developments regarding a country or person that certain that his reputation as peacemaker will be drone strikes. In 2016, US forces hit seven countries dictators who were friendly to the US. has won the prize. And yet, that’s exactly what it did severely damaged,” the Financial Times wrote in an with more than 26,000 bombs - or three bombs an in a rare move on November 16, when it said it was editorial on November 11. “For the Nobel committee hour - according to the Council on Foreign Nobel and ‘genocide’ “deeply concerned” about developments in Ethiopia there is a lesson here. When in doubt: wait.” Such Relations think tank. Former Nobel Committee sec- Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin shared and appealed for an end to the fighting - though it patience would also have been a good idea on sev- retary Geir Lundestad once told AFP the expecta- the 1978 Nobel with Egyptian President Anwar still defended its choice of 2019 laureate. This year, eral other occasions, historians note. Ten years tions placed on Obama were “totally unrealistic”. “It Sadat for their Camp David peace deal signed that the committee seems to have gone with a safer and before Abiy, Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace was impossible for anyone to meet (the) expecta- year. But Begin’s hands are also tainted with blood, more consensual pick: the World Food Program, Prize just nine months after taking office as US tions,” he said. In 1973, the Peace Prize was award- according to Sveen. “Begin went on to, among other which will accept its prize on Thursday. — AFP Forgotten Syrians Athens accuses Turkey need winter help: of facilitating Somali IS jihadists built Author Gaiman migration to Greece up arsenal after ‘red flags’ ignored PARIS: The world can’t forget the plight of Syrian ATHENS: The Greek government yesterday refugees this winter despite the global upheaval accused Turkey of encouraging Somali migration PARIS: Islamic State jihadists were able to build caused by COVID-19, fantasy author Neil Gaiman through promotion campaigns and visa offers, and up a major arsenal of explosives, weapons and said yesterday as he helped launch the UN refugee then allowing the migrants to continue on to drones through a sophisticated procurement program’s cold weather appeal. The award-winning Greece. Athens has long accused Ankara of process that saw “red flags” ignored by govern- writer said the pandemic had exposed weaknesses weaponising migration to pile pressure on the ments and suppliers, a monitoring group said yes- in governments’ ability to respond to crises, and European Union. Turkey counters that the EU is terday. The Conflict Armament Research group should serve as a reminder that refugees are ordi- AZAZ, Syria: Syrian schoolchildren sit in a makeshift providing insufficient support to enable it to said in a study that IS was able to build up a store nary people dealing with upheaval. school set up by locals in the village of Maarin in the accommodate around four million migrants, many of of material for a weapons production program in Iraq and Syria from 2015-2019 via individuals and “The thing that if anything 2020 has intensified, rebel-controlled northern countryside of Aleppo whom want to travel to Europe. companies in southern Turkey and also elsewhere. is that we are all one step away from being province yesterday. — AFP In February and March, there were days of skir- IS was ousted last year from its former strong- refugees,” Gaiman, Goodwill Ambassador for mishes between migrants and police at the Greek- holds in Iraq and Syria - where it had wanted to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency said. “We all struggling to survive freezing temperatures and Turkish border after a surge the Greek government build an extremist so-called caliphate - but had plans for 2020. And God has laughed at all of torrential rain in makeshift shelters. “Life is made says was orchestrated by Turkey. “In Somalia, we our plans and given us a completely different even tougher by the devastating impact of COVID- experts warned that the knowhow and connec- understand that the Turkish authorities, the ministry tions in its supply network have not gone away. IS 2020 instead. “For most refugees, that’s their plot 19,” she said. of education and other ministries, are promoting too. They had plans for their life, they were trying “procured key commodities through groups of immigration to Turkey,” Migration Minister Notis linked, family-owned companies and individuals to be where they were because most people like ‘Right to be here’ Mitarachi told a news conference. Citing alleged being where they are, and then everything went To help raise awareness, Gaiman asked his fol- located near key border crossings into IS-held testimony from Somali migrants, Mitarachi said territory,” CAR said, adding these groups were wrong,” he said. lowers on Twitter to share their memories of being applicants were being “facilitated” by a Turkish liai- Gaiman, famed for his surreal novels such as warm. He received more than 25,000 words in centered around the towns of Siverek and son office in Mogadishu to obtain visas based on Akcakale in southern Turkey. The CAR empha- “American Gods” and “The Sandman” comic series, response, using them as inspiration for the poem, certificates and documents provided by Turkish- collaborated with hundreds of fans and artists to which has now been turned in to an animated short sized there was no evidence that these companies funded institutions in Somalia. were “witting accomplices” to IS procurement release a new animated version of his crowd- drawing on artworks from artists and refugees. These include a hospital and a university in sourced poem, “What You Need to Be Warm”. “Twitter can be a cesspit,” he said. “It can be the efforts or guilty of any wrongdoing. Mogadishu, the minister said. “We understand that “They nonetheless acted as key junction points “People are incredibly resilient, people are imagina- worst place in the world and yet, sometimes, you as many as 300 people have flown to Turkey in this tive, people are creative,” he said. “But for a lot of can go out and say ‘what does it mean to be warm?’ within the supply chains that provisioned IS way,” Mitarachi said. “These people are essentially forces,” it said. They are based around two people, and for a lot of refugees, 2020 may have and get 25,000 words of replies from people and all arriving legally in Turkey, for the express purpose of been the final aftershock of the earthquake that extended family groups in the area, it said. It said of them evoke memory, childhood, the joy of coming illegal trafficking into Europe.” “When Somalis finally brings down the house.” that purchases of bulk explosive precursors and from a cold place to a warm place.” Gaiman, who arrive in Istanbul, they are transferred in vans, to UNHCR has warned that winter 2020 - for some explained how many of his family members perished electronic items through this network had unusual specific areas of the city where they stay until their their ninth away from home - is likely to be the in the Holocaust, ends the poem: “You have the right features that should have raised “red flags”. relocation to the western Turkish coast can be harshest yet for the more than six million Syrian to be here.” Companies made large purchases of products arranged,” he said. refugees who fled their country during the near- He said 2020 had shown the fragility of even that were “incongruent” with their business activ- “It is obvious that these people are not at risk in decade long civil war. Annual challenges such as democratic governments and modern health care ities, it said, pointing to how a small mobile phone Turkey and therefore should be given asylum there, snow and freezing temperatures will be harder to systems, just as the 2015 refugee crisis in Europe shop purchased six tons of aluminum paste from manage as COVID-19 has drastically affected relief laid bare the extent of human suffering in those if appropriate. “It is worrying that Turkey appears a large chemical distributor. campaigns. “It’s very easy to forget the refugee cri- fleeing conflict. “If COVID had got worse, if govern- to be facilitating the arrival of these migrants by Mike Lewis, co-author of the report, said the sis, it’s very easy to forget that there are nearly 80 mental handling of it got worse, I can absolutely see willingly providing visas for travel,” Mitarachi said. findings show how “surprisingly fragile” the pro- million people forcibly displaced right now in the a world in which people are trying to figure out how He added that Somali asylum seekers were also curement network was, relying on a small number world,” said Gaiman. “And we can’t forget them. to get out of the United Kingdom and to go some- allegedly using “subsidized tickets and visas paid of key individuals and businesses. “With stronger “It’s getting really cold out there; it’s even colder where else that’s safer,” said Gaiman. “It’s good to for by NGOs”. There was no immediate comment due diligence, much of this trade might have been if you’re living in a tent.” Lisa Abou Khaled, welcome people in because one day you may want from Ankara to the allegations. A Greek migration disrupted,” he said. Namir Shabibi, CAR’s Head of UNHCR’s spokesperson in Beirut, told AFP 2020 to be welcomed.” The animated film and donation ministry source said relevant testimony had been Iraq Operations, warned that although IS forces had been the “hardest year yet” for the one million instructions for UNHCR’s Winter Appeal can be drawn from Somali survivors of a migrant sinking on may no longer hold territory, remaining cells have Syrians exiled in Lebanon. She said many were found at: www.unhcr.org/neilgaiman — AFP December 2 in which two women died. — AFP become increasingly active in the past year. — AFP 6 Established 1961 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 International Biden picks General Lloyd Austin as the first Black Pentagon chief Austin led US troops into Baghdad in 2003

WASHINGTON: President-elect Joe Biden has chosen lower ranks, and few have achieved high command Lloyd Austin, who led US troops into Baghdad in 2003 positions. The issue became more clear over the past News in brief and rose to head the US Central Command, as the first year when African-American servicemen and women African-American secretary of defense, US media expressed support for the national Black Lives Matter reported Monday. A veteran of conflicts in Iraq and movement against police racism and abuse. 40 jihadists killed in Sinai Afghanistan, the retired four-star army general, 67, beat Former defense secretary Mark Esper said he held CAIRO: The Egyptian army said yesterday it had out the favorite for the job, former under-secretary of numerous listening sessions to make white soldiers killed 40 suspected jihadist militants since defense Michele Flournoy, amid pressure on Biden to understand what their Black colleagues felt. Austin faces September in air and ground operations in the nominate more minorities for positions in his cabinet. several challenges: first is the rule that the position Sinai region, site of an Islamist insurgency. In a CNN, Politico and The New York Times cited unnamed should only be filled by civilians. “He shouldn’t be con- video statement posted on Facebook, the army sources familiar with the decision, after Biden said earli- sidered for the same reason that Sec. Mattis shouldn’t said its air force had “managed to eliminate 25 er Monday that he had made his choice and would have been,” said Congressman Justin Amash in a tweet. takfiri elements” ... in the strategic northeastern announce it on Friday. “The law prohibits recently retired members of the region”. Another 15 suspected Islamist militants Austin would require Senate confirmation to take up Armed Forces from serving in this civilian capacity. had been killed “in special operations” since the post. He would also require a special waiver from Biden would be the second president in a row to violate WASHINGTON: In this file photo, Commander of US Central September, it said. Egyptian security officials use the Senate due to federal law that requires military offi- this norm.” Command Gen Lloyd Austin III conducts a media briefing the term “takfiri” to refer to extremist Islamist cers to wait seven years after retirement before serving Second are Austin’s ties to the defense industry. on Operation Inherent Resolve at the Pentagon. — AFP militants. The army also said seven of its own as the Pentagon chief. The rule is rooted in the view that After retiring in 2016, he joined the board of directors of personnel had been either wounded or killed, only a civilian should serve as defense secretary. The Raytheon Technologies, one of the Pentagon’s largest without specifying how many suffered injuries or waiver has happened twice-most recently for General commanding the Combined Joint Task Force 180, the contractors, with multi-billion dollar arms supply con- died. The operations also “resulted in the arrest of Jim Mattis in 2017, President Donald Trump’s first principle US-led operation seeking to stabilize the tracts up for review. He also was involved with a con- 12 other” suspected extremist fighters, the state- defense secretary. But members of the Senate agreed security situation in the country. In 2010, he was made sultant, WestExec Advisors, already the source of sever- ment said without providing dates or places. In begrudgingly, and several said at the time that they commanding general of US forces in Iraq, and two al senior members of the Biden administration, including addition, the army said it had destroyed 437 wouldn’t want to do it again. years later became the commander of the Central secretary of state pick Antony Blinken and Avril Haines, weapons caches, defused 159 improvised explo- Command, in charge of all Pentagon operations in the nominee for director of national intelligence. sive devices, and confiscated dozens of other Middle East commander Middle East and Afghanistan. That put him in charge of Flournoy was one of the firm’s founders. Women in types of weapons. — AFP Austin spent four decades in the army, graduating the fight against the Islamic State as it captured large the defense and national security community expressed from West Point Military Academy and following a swathes of Iraq and Syria. During that period, he disappointment that Flournoy, who had stellar qualifica- career with a wide range of assignments, from leading reportedly earned the trust of Biden, who was vice tions for the job and would have been the first-ever platoons to running logistics groups and overseeing president at the time. female defense secretary, was bypassed. “Nothing but recruiting, to senior Pentagon jobs. In March 2003, he respect for Lloyd Austin, but picking another 4 star so Lightning strike hospitalizes 13 was the assistant division commander of the 3rd Few in command jobs recently retired that he needs a congressional waiver BRISBANE: Thirteen primary school students and Infantry Division when it marched from Kuwait into Austin would take responsibility for the 1.2 million sends a terrible message,” said Rosa Brooks, a two teachers were taken to hospital after lightning Baghdad in the US invasion of Iraq. active service members, of whom about 16 percent are Georgetown University law professor formerly with the struck a school sportsfield on Australia’s east coast From late 2003 to 2005, he was in Afghanistan Black. But Black people serve disproportionately in the Department of Defense.— AFP yesterday. The children, aged between 10 and 12 years old, were playing on the field at their school in Queensland when the bolt struck nearby, a EU citizens in spokesman for the local ambulance service said. The group was treated for numbness in their legs the UK face and “mild tingling”, with one teacher complaining of chest pains, Greg Christensen said. “It is believed lightning came down between two trees two-tier system on the oval where the kids were playing,” he said. The kids “were pretty wound up” after the incident LONDON: Most EU citizens settled in the UK will but there were no signs of physical injury, he retain their rights to live and work in the country after added. “It could have turned out very differently... Brexit, but on January 1 a two-tiered system comes into with burns and other injuries, but lucky we had force that may exclude thousands. The right of EU citi- none of that there today.”— AFP zens to move to and settle in Britain without a visa will cease to exist on January 1, when Britain no longer has to abide by the bloc’s rules. EU citizens who have been liv- ing in the UK for less than five years have to apply for Death sentence for Iran’s Zam LONDON: Pedestrians cross Westminster Bridge yesterday as talks on a trade deal between the EU and the UK enter a criti- pre-settled residency status to allow them to live, study cal stage. — AFP and work as well as claim healthcare and benefits. TEHRAN: Iran’s judiciary yesterday said it had Those who have lived in the country for more than upheld a death sentence for Ruhollah Zam, a for- mer opposition figure who had lived in exile in five years can apply for settled status, which gives recip- zens separately from other EU nationals under a bilateral France and was implicated in anti-government ients the right to stay indefinitely. Romeo Manciu, 39, arrangement dating back nearly a century that allows Post-Brexit protests. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps arrived from Romania before Brexit and secured pre- continued freedom of movement between Britain and announced the arrest of Zam in October last year, settled status, as did his wife, daughter and father who Ireland. Europeans will be able to keep using EU pet calling him a “counter-revolutionary” who was joined him later. “You just have to prove that you are in borders to divide passports as long as rabies vaccines are up to date. the UK, and this is very simple, for example with a bank “directed by France’s intelligence service”. He was charged with “corruption on earth” - one of the statement,” he said. “I included my father in my bank Business travelers EU, UK citizens most serious offences under Iranian law - and sen- account and got him a credit card and insurance for his Border control for business travelers is one of myriad tenced to death in June. “The supreme court han- car. He can prove that he’s in and that’s enough,” he issues yet to be worked out between the EU and the UK. dled the case more than a month ago,” Iran’s judi- added. BRUSSELS: From January 1 British and EU citizens will In the EU, Britons attending conferences or meetings ciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told Poles (773,840) and Romanians (670,600) have be confronted with the reality of Brexit as the transition likely will be exempt from visas where they do not reporters yesterday. It “upheld the ruling issued by made the highest number of applications for settled sta- period ends and borders done away with decades ago receive payment or provide services. However, for other the Revolutionary Court,” he added, speaking at a tus, followed by Italians (401,800), Portuguese return. From that date, Britons will be treated by the EU UK business travelers, including posted workers and the (306,350) and Spanish (246,600). As of September videoconference. Zam, who reportedly lived in as “third country” nationals, no longer enjoying freedom self-employed, a visa and or a work permit may be 2020, 3.9 million applications have been processed with Paris, ran a channel on the Telegram messaging of movement to work, study or retire across the imposed in line with each individual EU country’s laws. 56 percent granted settled status. Forty two percent application Amadnews.— AFP European Union. Britain in turn will process EU nationals There will also be tax and social security considerations. were granted pre-settled status and two percent of at its borders as it does other non-UK passport holders. Certain services or company ownership in those coun- applications were withdrawn, rejected or found invalid. EU citizens proving residence in Britain, or Britons tries may be off-limits to non-EU citizens or residents or More than a third of the 17,000 individuals rejected already living in a European Union country, will theoreti- those lacking national licences, and customs declarations were from Romania, which has one of the lowest GDPs cally retain their rights under a Withdrawal Agreement may be needed for goods carried in. Japan begins capsule analysis per capita among EU member states. struck in late 2019. Without an EU-UK deal, Britain will likely apply its TOKYO: Scientists in Japan yesterday began ana- current rules for those coming from favored nations, Slip through the cracks lyzing a capsule sent back to Earth by a probe, Tourists meaning a visa needed for work but not for short stays to One of the main arguments made by pro-Brexit cam- hoping to find asteroid material that could offer Tourists will see some immediate changes-apart from attend a conference or training. Those same rules would paigners before Britain’s 2016 referendum was that leav- clues on how the universe was formed. Officials the evolving coronavirus restrictions already crimping require EU citizens with a job offer to prove English-lan- ing the EU would stop the arrival of migrants from poor- from Japan’s space agency said they were jubilant travel-but both sides have agreed that travel will be visa- guage skills and a minimum salary dependent on whether er EU countries. Manciu, who helps his compatriots who about the successful return of the capsule, which free, as long as the other side keeps it that way. But the the position is skilled (26,500 pounds, equivalent to have little or no English, said some Romanians had expe- landed in Australia on Sunday after separating EU will stop British passports being used in its automat- 29,600 euros or $35,000) or a shortage occupation rienced more difficulty settling in the UK. “There are a from the Hayabusa-2 probe. “I’m genuinely appre- ed e-gates, potentially meaning longer queues at manned (20,480 pounds, 22,800 euros). lot of people who work in the black market and are not ciative of the fact that the capsule came back, after passport booths. Britons must hold passports still valid From January, EU students going to Britain will need renting legally. Some also have criminal convictions,” he a 5.24 billion-kilometer round-trip,” project man- for at least six months and will be limited to EU stays of a visa for courses longer than six months, and will have said. The immigration changes at the end of the Brexit ager Yuichi Tsuda told reporters. Scientists hope it 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. to pay steeper tuition fees-four times as much for transition period on December 31 also include a rejec- will yield up to 0.1 grams of material collected from They will also need to show travel insurance coverage, degrees such as medicine or MBAs in prestigious uni- tion of EU citizens who have been jailed for more than a sufficient funds and a return ticket on request. Europeans the asteroid Ryugu some 300 million kilometers year. EU citizens-as well as those from Iceland, versities. UK universities fear that that hefty burden entering Britain can use a national ID card until October, from Earth-though they won’t know for sure until Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland living in the EU- will force many European students to choose EU insti- after which only passports will be accepted, for stays of they look inside. “I’m really looking forward to see- have until June 30 2021 to apply for settled status. But tutions-some of which are free-instead, blowing a big up to six months. EU passport holders will be able to ing (the samples) with my own eyes,” Tsuda said. there are fears the changes could see the elderly in care hole in their finances. They also say they are already continue using British e-gates under current guidance. But that isn’t expected to happen before at least homes, vulnerable children and other people who are being shunned for research projects led by EU univer- Those with criminal records may be banned and non- next week, with a series of steps required first to difficult to contact or unaware of the deadline slip sities. According to UK parliament research, there were European family members of a European may need a ensure the material is not contaminated. — AFP through the cracks.—AFP 143,000 EU students in British universities in the 2018 visa, depending on nationality. The UK treats Irish citi- to 2019 school year.—AFP Central African town finds Muslim-Christian peace after years of war BAMBARI: In the crowded alleys of Bambari’s ing between Muslim former members of the Seleka, an lence”. At the end of 2018, the CAR ranked in 188th Kidjigira market, customers of all faiths brush togeth- alliance that toppled President Francois Bozize in 2013, place out of 189 in the United Nations’ Human er as steam rises from hanging cooking pots and flies and the largely Christian and animist anti-balaka mili- Development Index, while 71 percent of the popula- swarm around them. At last, people are not afraid. tias, claiming to defend their communities. Sporadic tion lived below the international poverty threshold of Until recently, the marketplace remained a no man’s fighting between militias prevails in many parts of the $1.90 per day. land separating the Muslim and Christian districts of CAR, in spite of a peace accord signed by 14 armed In Bambari as across the country, the streets are Bambari, a town at the epicentre of civil war in the groups and the government in 2019. Militia forces reg- still full of young people who live from hand to mouth. Central African Republic (CAR) from 2013 to 2017. ularly attack civilians, carrying out atrocities that “If you see a young man who throws himself into the Today, three weeks before presidential and parlia- heighten the insecurity. Bambari buildings ruined by rebellion, it’s for lack of a job,” said Ousmane, a trader mentary elections in a tense climate, the town at the decades of abandon by the state and the years of con- in a dusty bazaar in the Muslim quarter where goods heart of one of the world’s poorest countries could be flict are today getting a fresh coat of paint. from the capital have piled up. “The few projects initi- an emblem of reconciliation between communities ated by NGOs have slightly reduced the number of that tore one another apart. International donors and ‘For lack of a job’ job seekers. Some have attended professional classes, humanitarian agencies have concentrated their efforts “We rejoice in the return of peaceful cohabitation, but the unemployment remains,” said Bambari mayor on Bambari since 2017, treating the town as a “pilot but it’s fragile because it also depends on the econo- Abel Matchipata. Apart from the national sugar com- project” for the rest of a divided, landlocked nation. my,” says Jeannot Nguernendji, president of Bambari’s pany and a few local mobile phone branches, “there But despite the millions that have been spent, unem- Peace Committee, in his newly refurbished office. In a are no big companies here,” he added. Bambari can ployment and poverty persist and uncertainties weigh report late last month, the World Bank urged the next be proud of its three kilometers of newly paved road, heavy on the future. Two thirds of the CAR’s territory government to diversify an economy that is heavily but the main users are motorcycle taxis and humani- BAMBARI: Shopkeepers sit outside their shops on Nov 18, is still occupied and controlled by armed groups. reliant on subsistence agriculture to “address the tarian vehicles. Goods trucks owned by traders are a 2020. — AFP Bambari was long split in two and ravaged by fight- fragility trap and escape the vicious circle of vio- rare sight. —AFP Established 1961 7 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 International India farmers block railway tracks, roads in protest against new laws Farmers launch a national day of action

NEW DELHI: Railway tracks and highways were Fruitless talks blocked across India as farmers launched a national day Five rounds of talks have failed to narrow differences News in brief of action yesterday against reforms deregulating the between farmers and ministers. The laws will allow agriculture sector, upping the stakes after 10 days farmers to sell their produce on the open market- blockading the capital. Tens of thousands of farmers including to supermarket chains-instead of through Striking Tunisia medics protest have set up barricades on roads into New Delhi since state-run organizations that guarantee a minimum price. November 26, vowing not to move until the laws are Farmers say the industry will be taken over by major TUNIS: Thousands of striking Tunisian medics and repealed in one of the biggest challenges to the Hindu firms that will force prices down. “The government is hospital staff staged an angry protest yesterday nationalist government since it was re-elected in a land- misleading the farmers to benefit a few companies, over the country’s crumbling public health infra- slide in 2019. whether Indian or foreign,” Sonipat Agricultural Market structure, after the death of a young doctor in a lift Traders Association president Pawan Goyal said. accident. Badreddine Aloui, 27, died last week after “If the law continues in future, the farmers will be falling down an elevator shaft when the doors reduced to laborers and only become workers for big opened with no lift in place-despite the fault having companies.” But the government insists the changes been reported several years earlier. His death We are worried, are necessary to give agriculture-still the backbone of sparked calls for the health minister to resign and our children the Indian economy-a long-term future. Prime renewed anger over the failings of Tunisia’s long- Minister Narendra Modi said Monday at a rail project neglected healthcare system, buckling under the SINGHU, India: A farmer holds a placard during a nation- will starve launch that “reforms are needed for development”. strain of the coronavirus pandemic. The protesters, wide general strike to protest against recent agricultural many of them wearing white coats, gathered out- reforms at the Delhi-Haryana state border yesterday. - AFP “We cannot build the next century with the laws of the previous century,” he added, in remarks seen as side the health ministry in Tunis and chanted angry alluding to the protests. The blockade has already slogans against the country’s political class. “Killers “We are worried, extremely worried. Our children ior leader from the Communist Party of India told AFP caused fruit and vegetables prices in Delhi to rise of our children! Thieves of our country!” they will starve, what could be a bigger worry than this?,” in eastern West Bengal state. The blockade and strike over restricted supplies. shouted. “Strike! Strike! No crime unpunished!” An farmer Ved Singh told AFP ahead of the strike, echoing have taken on a political dimension with the national The farmers are strongest in the north, but even the AFP photographer said doctors, nurses, hospital fears of his peers that large corporations would lower ruling Bharatiya Janata Party accusing opposition par- government in the southern Karnataka state suspend- staff and teachers took part, with many carrying prices and destroy their livelihoods. “There would be ties of opportunism by rejecting measures they had ed online school lessons for the day to show support. Tunisian flags or portraits of Aloui. — AFP nothing to eat... How will we earn money? This is the called for when in power. Top athletes including wrestler Kartar Singh, who has biggest worry for us.” Authorities put on extra police in Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Common Man won gold medals at the Asian Games, said they would Delhi and boosted security in the rest of the country in Party said he had been placed “under house arrest” return national awards in protest at the laws. Singh, a bid to head off any trouble. since Monday by Delhi Police, which is controlled by alongside hockey player Gurmail Singh-gold medalist Iran prosecutes Rouhani’s ally The farmers were supported in their call for action the national government, after he visited the farmers’ at the 1980 Moscow Olympics-and former women’s yesterday by railway workers, truck drivers, teachers blockade site. Police denied the claim. Footage posted hockey captain Rajbir Kaur tried to march on the TEHRAN: Iranian prosecutors have pressed crimi- and other unions. In many eastern and western states, on Twitter showed an opposition Congress leader in presidential palace Monday to return their awards but nal charges against a deputy of President Hassan protesters blocked railway tracks, roads and halted western Gujarat state riding a scooter being chased by were stopped by police. Fresh talks on the reforms Rouhani, the judiciary said yesterday, making him trains. “We want to support the farmers’ cause,” a sen- a police vehicle as he sought to join the strike. will be held today.— AFP the second Rouhani ally to face prosecution in recent weeks. Vice President Isa Kalantari, who is Iran’s environment chief, is involved in an ongoing case involving the condition of a lagoon in north of 3 fathers sentenced Sister of missing Thai the country as well as “remarks that circulated recently on social media,” judiciary spokesman activist asks Cambodia Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters. He did not after pushing sons elaborate. Kalantari has faced strong criticism from conservative media in recent days over comments to migrate to Europe to investigate he made in a year-old interview that they deemed insulting to the founder of the Islamic republic, Ruhollah Khomeini. “He has presented his explana- PHNOM PENH: The sister of a missing Thai activist DAKAR: A Senegalese court yesterday handed down jail tions. We must wait and see what the court decides, pleaded yesterday with a Cambodian court for a thor- terms to three fathers accused of pushing their sons to as he has only been recently summoned,” Esmaili ough investigation into her brother’s disappearance, migrate to Europe by sea, sending them on a trip that left said. Kalantari told state news agency IRNA on more than six months after he was snatched off the one of them dead, a defense lawyer said. In a high-profile Sunday that his comments had been taken out of streets of Phnom Penh. Democracy activist case, the trio were given two-year jail terms, 23 months of PHNOM PENH: Sitanan, sister of missing self-exiled Thai context. — AFP which were suspended, on a charge of “placing the lives Wanchalearm Satsaksit has not been seen or heard from since June 4, when he was dragged into a car in broad activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, arrives at the Phnom Penh of others in danger,” attorney Assane Dioma Ndiaye said. Municipal Court yesterday. — AFP They were acquitted of the charge of abetting migrant daylight according to witnesses and security camera trafficking, the lawyer said. The sons were with other footage. The 37-year-old was wanted by Thai police for Romania’s PM Orban resigns migrants who boarded a canoe to make the crossing from running an acerbic anti-government Facebook page, the use of illegal weapons” - an apparent acknowledge- and was living in the Cambodian capital in self-imposed ment of Wanchalearm’s disappearance within Senegal to Spain’s Canary Islands, the first step in a plan to BUCHAREST: Romania’s liberal Prime Minister exile before his disappearance. reach continental Europe. But one of them, a lad aged Cambodia’s borders. Amnesty International blasted the Ludovic Orban resigned Monday after a disap- His elder sister Sitanan travelled to Phnom Penh and about 15 nicknamed Doudou, fell ill and died during the trip. “snail’s pace” of the investigation. “The glaring inade- pointing showing for his pro-European National appeared in court yesterday to plead for a proper The fathers of the three, all of them fishermen in the coastal quacies of this probe make a mockery of Cambodia’s Liberal Party (PNL) in elections on Sunday-but the investigation of her brother’s case - which has gotten no town of Mbour, were arrested a couple of weeks later. obligations to conduct a thorough, impartial, and inde- PNL still seems to be on track to lead the next gov- traction in Thailand’s justice system. Sitanan - who has Doudou’s fate triggered uproar in Senegal, prompting pendent investigation,” said Amnesty’s Yamini Mishra, ernment at the head of a centre-right coalition. waged a vocal campaign demanding answers from Thai anguished debate about poverty, parental pressure and adding that key evidence “appears to have been Orban said in a televised statement that his resigna- authorities - said she is not sure she will ever see her the allure of life in wealthy but distant Europe. His father ignored”. tion had “a defined purpose: enabling the start of brother again. “But if I can, I will be very grateful,” she had paid 250,000 CFA francs ($460 / 380 euros) to a Wanchalearm had fled Thailand after allegedly talks on the formation of the next government”. smuggler, who was to take the boy to Spain. His destina- told reporters after the hearing. Cambodian lawyer Sam breaching the Computer Crimes Act and was also want- Defense Minister Nicolae Ciuca has been named tion after that was Italy, where he hoped to sign up for a Chamroeum said the investigating judge had asked for ed for sedition, according to Thai police. His disappear- interim prime minister. Analysts see Orban as taking football training academy. A source close to the investi- more evidence to be presented at a later date - after ance has been taken up by a youth-led pro-democracy the rap for the fact that the PNL came in second on gation said Doudou “died after having problems eating” which they would decide whether the case would be movement in Thailand, drawing thousands to the streets 25 percent compared to 30 percent for the left- during the trip. Further details are unclear, as according taken to trial. demanding answers. At least nine pro-democracy wing opposition Social Democrat Party (PSD). The to local media his body was tipped overboard after he He added that the court has already issued charges activists living in exile have disappeared in recent years, PSD has dominated Romanian politics since the died.—AFP against unidentified people for “illegal confinement and according to Human Rights Watch.— AFP collapse of communism but its last spell in govern- ment was overshadowed by street protests and clashes with the European Union and President Hope, joy for Ethiopian children Klaus Iohannis over judicial reforms.- AFP at refugee-run school in Sudan UM RAQUBA: “Do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do!” an Ethiopian New meaning morning and afternoon shifts. With five makeshift class- Girl arrested for ‘own kidnap’ girl sings to her classmates, who are huddled together on Now, he and his colleagues at the temporary Um rooms to shield the children from the elements, he and a straw mat on the sandy ground of a refugee camp in Raqouba School Site 1 have found meaning to their new his team offer a basic education to the eager students LAGOS: An 18-year-old girl has been arrested in Sudan. Shielded from the hot mid-afternoon sun in a lives. “If we teach these children, they will be happy,” according to their grade. With support from the Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos for allegedly fak- makeshift classroom built from wood and straw, the chil- says Bereket, a graduate of the Academy of Music of Norwegian Refugee Council, each classroom is ing her own kidnap to demand ransom from her fam- dren sing the octave back in unison. When they finish, Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. “If children have an education, equipped with a blackboard and chalk, and the children ily, police said yesterday. Ujunwa Offiah is accused they laugh as they break out into noisy applause, with they can solve their problems,” says the teacher, who have notebooks and pens. “We teach basic subjects: of conspiring with her boyfriend to stage her abduc- nods of approval from their teacher Bereket Weldgebriel. wears his thick black hair in short dreadlocks. Holding English, our national language Amharic, basic sciences tion, asking her family to pay 30 million naira (79,336 “Education is the light of the world,” Bereket, a 35-year- back tears, Bereket says that during the army assault on and, for recreation, ... sports, music and arts,” says the dollars, 65,500 euros). She was arrested along with old English and music teacher, tells AFP. Humera in early November, he saw “many dead bodies” head teacher, adding that the children also study the lan- another alleged accomplice, Precious Chukwu, 22, as He and the children in his class are among some on the streets. “I never expected I would see anything guage of Tigray, Tigrinya. “We simply omitted all the the ransom money was being dropped, police said. 49,000 people who fled their homes after Ethiopian like that,” he says, pulling his phone out of his pocket to subjects dealing with politics,” he says. “Many people “This is a case of conspiracy and staged kidnap- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government launched a scroll through the photos of his school back home. were killed in Tigray due to politics.” ping,” state police commissioner Hakeem Odumosu military operation against the authorities of the northern said in a statement. He said Offiah’s boyfriend, an Tigray region on November 4. They have found shelter No politics Hope and safety Uber driver and “the man at the centre of this case”, in a string of camps along the Sudanese border, where Bereket’s boss Teklebrham Giday, 32, was also a Teklebrham says he fled Humera after a military offi- is still on the run. “We are going after him because he they live in tents and straw huts. According to the UN schoolteacher in Humera. At Um Raqouba School Site 1, cer kicked and beat him with his gun. What followed, he conspired with one of these two ladies, Offiah, who refugee agency, 45 percent of the refugees are children. he is the head teacher. He explains that there are several says, was an extraordinary exchange with the officer. faked her kidnap.” Odumosu said that after negotia- “When I came here, my heart was broken,” says other makeshift schools in the camps, and that his school Speaking in English, he describes the scene: “I told him: tion, the ransom was reduced to 700,000 naira Bereket, who used to run an English-language academy has registered 722 students so far, from grades one ‘My government gave me a chalk to take my responsibil- (1,851 dollars).— AFP and teach at a public school in the Tigray town of through 10. Holding a blue folder, a pen and several ity to accomplish my mission to teach children. And ... Humera. sheets of paper, Teklebrham says classes are held in our government gave you a weapon, so you are (tougher) than me, so you can kill me.’ After I talked like that he calmed down and released me.” Now in Um Liberia votes on presidential terms Raqouba, he gathers the teachers for an afternoon meet- ing, preparing for the next day’s classes. According to MONROVIA: Liberians voted yesterday on Catherine Mercy, education adviser for the NRC, many President George Weah’s plan to shorten presiden- parents arriving at the camp identified the need for tial terms, with critics fearing the former football star schooling as a key priority, even though most had fled to could use the constitutional referendum to cling to Sudan with nothing but the clothes on their backs. power. Weah has argued that keeping the same “Education provides hope, education provides a routine leader for years “is not the way to go” and wants for the children, education provides a safe space for the presidents and lower-house lawmakers to serve five children in such times of conflict, education gives a years instead of six, with senators serving seven chance for children to hope for a better future,” Mercy years instead of nine. But the move has sparked sus- says. Among the children attending classes at the tempo- picion in the region because other presidents have rary school is Emmanuel Thagakiros, a 10-year-old boy used constitutional changes to re-set the clock on who wears a green T-shirt and shorts. He says his their time in office, extending their grip on power. In favorite subject is maths. “I want to learn so I can be Guinea, 82-year-old President Alpha Conde won a happy and get a job to help my parents,” he adds shyly. controversial third term in October after pushing His 36-year-old mother, Askwal Hagos, says Emmanuel through a new constitution that allowed him to has had frequent nightmares since they fled their home bypass a two-term limit. The same month, Ivorian three weeks ago. Wearing a long white cotton scarf over President Alassane Ouattara, 78, was a elected for GEDAREF, Sudan: An Ethiopian refugee and English and music teacher Bereket Weldgebriel gives lessons to grade four her hair, she tells AFP through a translator that both she an equally contentious third term, after having refugees at a makeshift classroom at Um Raquba refugee camp on Monday. — AFP and her son saw “the bodies of people who had been revised the country’s constitution.— AFP slaughtered” in Humera. —AFP Established 1961 Business WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 UK, EU strike Northern Ireland pact Brexit talks near climax as sides brace for face-to-face showdown LONDON: Britain and the European Union yesterday EU negotiator Michel Barnier and UK counterpart announced a pact to regulate complex arrangements for David Frost were holding another session of contacts Northern Ireland after Brexit, as both sides readied for a Tuesday in Brussels, to review progress and draw up a face-to-face showdown to try to salvage a wider trade report for their leaders. deal. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to meet EU After briefing EU ministers, Barnier tweeted: “Full commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels to unity. We will never sacrifice our future for the present. see if they can find the breakthrough that has eluded Access to our market comes with conditions.” their trade negotiators for months, ahead of Britain’s exit from the European single market in just over three ‘Not at any price’ weeks. Neither side sounded particularly hopeful, Even as London and Brussels try to carve out a new although the pact on Northern Ireland offered some trading relationship after nearly five decades of tight grounds for optimism hope that each side is capable of economic integration, the separate and politically vexed compromise on key issues. issue of Northern Ireland has been looming in the back- “I am always hopeful, but I have to be honest with ground. Northern Ireland will have the UK’s only land you, the situation at the moment is tricky,” Johnson said, border with the bloc from next year, and that border is touring a hospital in London for Britain’s historic rollout meant to stay open in all circumstances as part of the of a coronavirus vaccine. “Our friends have to under- 1998 peace deal that ended three decades of violence stand the UK has left the EU to exercise democratic over British rule. control. We are a long way apart still,” he said. “It is How to keep the trade border-free, while also ensur- looking very difficult at the moment. We will do our level ing Northern Ireland retains full access to mainland best. I would say to everybody there’s great options Britain, has been testing a separate channel of talks ahead for our country.” After the negotiating teams’ lat- between senior UK minister Michael Gove and est session in Brussels, Johnson held a phone call with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic. LONDON: Pedestrians cross Westminster Bridge in London yesterday as talks on a trade deal between the EU and the UK von der Leyen late Monday and secured an invitation to After they met in Brussels on Monday, the two officials enter a critical stage. — AFP head over in person. said agreement had been made “in principle” including In a joint statement, they noted yawning gaps still on on border arrangements for Northern Ireland, covering three big issues: ensuring fair cross-Channel competition goods passing from Britain to the province, and onwards demanded London restore “trust and confidence” to the boasts Britain will thrive whatever the outcome of the after Brexit, arbitration of a future deal, and fisheries. The to the EU’s single market via Ireland. relationship. Heading into the meeting with Barnier, Roth talks and has rejected asking for a longer transition, or to 27 EU leaders are due to meet in person at a summit As a result, London will cut three controversial claus- said: “Both sides will undertake additional efforts to prolong the negotiations into next year. “There may tomorrow, so time is short, but Downing Street said es in a bill going through parliament that would have reach a deal. We want to reach a deal, but not at any come a moment when we have to acknowledge that it’s details of Johnson’s trip were still being ironed out. It denied Brussels a say in future trading arrangements price. What we need is political will in London.” time to draw stumps,” he said yesterday, using a cricket confirmed, however, that there were no plans for Johnson between the province and Ireland. In turn, that could Britain left the EU on January 31 and entered a transi- analogy meaning to declare play is over and abandon to meet French President Emmanuel Macron or German smooth the path for Johnson’s trip to EU headquarters tion period to allow negotiations to establish a trade the talks. “But you know, we will prosper mightily” Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brussels. after Germany’s Europe minister Michael Roth pointedly relationship with zero tariffs and zero quotas. Johnson either way. — AFP Second US judge Yusuff Ali nominated blocks Trump’s into top Indian TikTok ban NEW YORK: A second US federal judge has sus- govt award jury pended a Trump administration executive order threatening to ban TikTok in the United States. The NEW DELHI: Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman and preliminary injunction granted late Monday by MD of UAE-based Lulu Group has been nomi- judge Carl Nichols in a district court in Washington nated into the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Samman DC comes more than a month after a similar deci- Awards (PBSA) jury committee by the Prime sion in Pennsylvania. Minister of India Narendra Modi on the occa- Nichols said TikTok’s lawyers had demonstrated sion of 2021 PBD Divas Convention along with that the Commerce Department likely overstepped four prominent personalities from various its authority by seeking to ban the popular social fields. media app and “acted in an arbitrary and capricious Other members who were nominated by the manner by failing to consider obvious alternatives.” Indian Prime Minister along with Yusuff Ali are The White House claims TikTok is a national securi- Professor Manjulal Bhargava of Department of ty risk because of potential links to the Beijing gov- Mathematics, Princeton University, Ramesh ernment through its Chinese owner ByteDance. Babu, Group MD of Kiboko Group of President Donald Trump signed an executive Companies in Uganda, Shayarande, Secretary order on August 6 giving Americans 45 days to stop of non-profit organization Indian Council for doing business with ByteDance-effectively setting a International co-operation and Nivruti Rai, deadline for a sale of the app to a US company. Country Head of Intel India. A notification in Trump’s order said the action was necessary to this regard has been issued in the official “protect our national security” and claimed the per- BERLIN: This file photo taken on February 17, 2020 shows pine logs piled up on the future site where US electric car giant gazette. sonal data of TikTok users could be used by Beijing. Tesla is building its new car factory, in Gruenheide near Berlin. - AFP The Vice President of India heads the pres- TikTok has repeatedly defended itself against alle- tigious award jury committee which also gations of data transfers to the Chinese government, Among the concerns was the destruction of habi- includes External Affairs Minister, Principal saying it stores user information on servers in the Lizards, snakes block tats of protected species of sand lizards and smooth Secretary to the Prime Minister, Home United States and Singapore. snakes in the area, or disturbing them during their win- Secretary and Foreign Secretary. The Pravasi The latest order follows an October 30 ruling by ter hibernation. Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is scheduled a federal court in Pennsylvania which issued a tem- construction on “Tesla cannot and must not place itself above the to be held virtually for the first time due to porary injunction blocking Trump’s ban. After a law,” said Heinz Herwig Mascher, chairman of the COVID pandemic on 9th January 2021. The complaint from three TikTok content creators, Tesla’s Berlin plant Green League in Brandenburg, in a statement. Despite Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards (PBSA) are Judge Wendy Beetlestone ordered the US adminis- the energy-saving image of Tesla, run by eccentric bil- announced on the occasion of Pravasi Bhartiya tration not to prevent other companies from provid- lionaire Elon Musk, the plant has long been in environ- Divas Convention to recognize Overseas ing essential services to the platform, such as online FRANKFURT: US automaker Tesla was forced to mentalists’ crosshairs. Indians who have made significant contribu- hosting. suspend forest clearing for a new German plant yes- In February, a court temporarily halted deforesta- tions either in India or abroad in various fields. Beetlestone had considered that the August 6 terday after environmentalists won an injunction over tion work over the alleged impact on wildlife and con- presidential decree should be suspended. threats to the habitats of resident lizards and snakes. cerns it might harm the drinking water supply. At the end of September, judge Nichols had also The electric vehicle giant ran into opposition from two Work was also stopped earlier this year as authori- issued a temporary injunction stopping the US from nature conservation groups which launched urgent ties defused seven World War II bombs discovered at banning downloads of the app, which he said would court action against the felling of 83 hectares (205 the site. Tesla’s first site in Europe still only has provi- cause “irreparable harm” to TikTok, but he refused acres) of pine trees for its huge “gigafactory” plant at sional construction permits, and has been authorized to rule on its total ban in the United States. TikTok Gruenheide, south of Berlin. The news risks delaying by local officials to begin work at its own risk, pending has a further fight on its hands over an August 14 the company’s hopes to roll its first electric cars off the final authorization. executive order from Trump to force ByteDance to assembly line at the site in July 2021. Tesla said the land covered under the latest injunc- sell its US operations to an American buyer. The administrative court in Frankfurt an der Oder tion must be cleared to allow for pipelines and storage, The US Treasury has repeatedly extended the told AFP it issued an interim injunction Monday according to the Tagesspiegel newspaper. Last week, deadline for the Chinese group to divest, and indi- “imposing a temporary halt to clearing” to allow for an Tesla was allowed to start installing machines in the cated on Friday it would continue negotiations to examination of the case “in view of the rapid progress gigafactory’s paintshop, with the vast factory planned resolve the dispute. TikTok has 100 million users in of the clearing work”. A final decision on the complaint to churn out 500,000 Model 3 sedans and Model Y the United States and 700 million worldwide. filed by the Brandenburg state chapter of the Nature SUVs per year. Musk recently announced the compa- Washington is in a tense trade battle with Beijing, and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) and ny was looking to build the world’s largest battery fac- Yusuff Ali MA and Trump’s administration has stepped up warn- Green League is still pending. tory at Gruenheide alongside the car plant. — AFP ings about China’s growing economic and military power. — AFP The factory will be adjacent to the Hambantota mation project which started in 2014 — has doubled Sri Lanka gets port, which was leased to a Chinese company in the size of Sri Lanka’s current financial district. 2017 after Sri Lanka failed to service the $1.4-bil- When Rajapaksa was president between 2005-15, lion debt from Beijing used to build it. Sri Lanka’s Colombo borrowed billions from China, accumulat- $300m Chinese cabinet approved the setting up of the tyre plant ing a mountain of debt for a string of infrastructure under legislation that allows generous tax conces- projects-including an international airport dubbed factory near key port sions, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told “the world’s emptiest” by media for its lack of flights. reporters in Colombo. He and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa-the cur- He said Shandong Haohua Tire Co Limited will rent president-have rejected accusations that many COLOMBO: Sri Lanka announced yesterday the export at least 80 percent of production, with the such projects are white elephants, and have denied first large-scale Chinese investment in manufactur- option of selling the rest on the local market. The falling victim to a Chinese debt trap. ing in the country, a $300-million tire factory near a announcement came just weeks after Prime Minister With credit agencies cutting Sri Lanka’s debt strategic deep-sea port. Western nations, as well as Mahinda Rajapaksa unveiled the country’s 2021 ratings, the country is expecting more Chinese regional power India, have long been concerned budget, banking on a huge Chinese real-estate loans in the new year. Its economy is struggling with about Chinese influence in Sri Lanka through proj- development in Colombo to attract more investment both the coronavirus pandemic and the devastating ects under its gargantuan Belt and Road infrastruc- and revive the island’s economy. effect the Easter Sunday bombings last year had on In this file photo a general view is seen of the ture initiative. The Colombo Port City-a $1.4 billion land recla- the tourism industry. — AFP TikTok building, in Culver City, California.— AFP Established 1961 9 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 Business Uber to sell autonomous car division to startup Aurora Ride-hailing giant to invest $400m in Aurora, to hold 26% stake in it

SAN FRANCISCO: Uber agreed to sell its with the leading smartphone-summoned ride service, autonomous car division to Aurora in a deal that gives according to the companies. The companies expected the ride-hailing giant a stake in the startup developing the self-driving technology to be initially put to use for self-driving technology, the companies said Monday. long-haul trucking. As part of the deal, Uber will invest $400 million in Aurora to merge the teams from both firms seeking to Robo-taxis advance the technology for autonomous ride-hailing Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi is joining and will hold a 26 percent stake in Aurora. “By adding the Aurora board of directors as part of the deal. The the people and technology of Uber’s Advanced merged firm will work on the technology to be known Technologies Group to the incredible group we’ve as Aurora Driver. “Few technologies hold as much already assembled at Aurora, we’re shifting the land- promise to improve people’s lives with safe, accessible, scape of the automated vehicle space,” said Chris and environmentally friendly transportation as self-dri- Urmson, co-founder and chief executive of Aurora, ving vehicles,” Khosrowshahi said. “I’m looking for- which has been backed by Amazon and South Korean ward to working with Chris, and to bringing the Aurora carmaker Hyundai, among others. Driver to the Uber network in the years ahead.” Sale of Uber’s autonomous driving unit, which was Uber’s autonomous vehicle aspirations took a after temporarily stalled several years back after a fatal a US investigation into the death of a pedestrian struck crash, comes as it streamlines operations to navigate a by a self-driving Uber car in 2018 faulted driver inat- ride-share market scuttle by the pandemic. tention along with “inadequate” safety measures Uber did not appear to be giving up on self-driving implemented by the company. It also struggled as a cars, which have been part of its vision for a profitable result of litigation by former Google car unit Waymo ride-share business, but was instead swapping the unit claiming Uber had misappropriated trade secrets on for a stake in Aurora Innovation. autonomous technology. “With the addition of ATG, Aurora will have an Waymo opened its robo-taxi project to the general incredibly strong team and technology, a clear path to public in the US city of Phoenix in October, becoming several markets, and the resources to deliver,” Urmson the first widely available driverless ride service. said. “Simply put, Aurora will be the company best Aurora, founded by an engineer for formerly worked positioned to deliver the self-driving products neces- on the Google autonomous vehicle team, has backing sary to make transportation and logistics safer, more from Amazon and Fiat Chrysler. accessible, and less expensive.” Japanese car giant Toyota and investment fund Along with acquiring ATG, Aurora announced a SoftBank Vision Fund have made investments Uber’s WASHINGTON, DC: An Uber car equipped with cameras and sensors drives the streets of Washington, DC. Uber agreed to strategic partnership with Uber to mesh its technology autonomous driving unit. — AFP sell its autonomous car division to Aurora in a deal that gives the ride-hailing giant a stake in the startup developing self- driving technology, the companies said Monday. — AFP

German city courts to build the Grenadier off-roader, its first foray into the Daimler sells French automotive industry, in Wales. But this summer it said it Poles from was considering buying Daimler’s plant at Hambach instead. German auto giant Daimler caused surprise Smart factory to when it announced was putting the factory up for sale post-Brexit Britain to try cut costs in the face of losses caused by the Britain’s Ineos Covid-19 pandemic. It will continue production of an electric-drive Smart and part of a new electric Poles living in Britain may GOERLITZ, Germany: Mercedes SUV at the site until 2024, the source in receive a surprise package in the post this Christmas of METZ, France: Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler has Hambach said. The carmaker’s departure from Hambach dried mushrooms, candied fruit and spice cake-not from sold its Smart car factory in northeast France to Britain’s marks the end of an era that began with great fanfare in Santa, but someone with a less altruistic motive. Ineos, which will use it to build a 4x4, a source close to 1997, when then German chancellor Helmut Kohl and The parcels of Polish and German delicacies are factory management told AFP yesterday. “The sale was former French president Jacques Chirac inaugurated a being sent by the city of Goerlitz in Germany’s former signed on Monday evening,” the source said, adding plant to produce a mini two-seater city car. communist East, as part of efforts to attract Poles in that the deal would preserve 1,300 of the 1,500 jobs at The factory’s communications director, Jean-Yves Britain who are tempted to return to the continent the site in Hambach. Schmitt, told AFP both Daimler and Ineos would issue because of Brexit. Faced with labor shortages and an Petrochemicals firm Ineos had initially said it planned statements on the sale later. —AFP ageing population, the city on the border with Poland has been running a campaign over the past year aimed at the some 900,000 Poles currently living in the UK. Around 100,000 have already left since Britain’s refer- BRISTOL: An aerial view shows Lines of new Honda cars parked up at the Royal Portbury Dock in Avonmouth, near endum on leaving the European Union in 2016. Bristol in south-west England. In the absence of a Brexit The campaign has included adverts in British news- deal, the UK and the EU would move from almost seamless papers, a Facebook page and a website with an FAQ in trade in many areas to trading on standard terms set by three languages where Poles can find answers to ques- the World Trade Organization. — AFP tions such as “Can I transfer my company’s headquar- ters,” “Will my health insurance cover me when I arrive in Goerlitz,” and “Can I work in Goerlitz without lan- guage skills?” The city’s reasonable rents, architectural Deal or no deal, gems and picturesque cobbled streets are also highlight- Britain to pay high ed as selling points. Bilingual classes Goerlitz is a home away from home for Poles, accord- price for Brexit ing to Andrea Behr, in charge of investment strategy for the city authorities and head of the project. “If you go LONDON: Brexiteers have long argued that leaving into a bakery, you might well be served by a Polish the European Union, with or without a trade deal, would woman... If you go to nurseries or schools, you will find herald Britain’s so-called sunlit uplands of economic bilingual classes,” she said. Some 4,000 of the city’s prosperity. 57,000 inhabitants are Polish, and many others commute But the outlook remains uncertain, as the economy across the border every day, drawn by the more gener- struggles to recover from a recession sparked by the ous salaries on the other side of the Neisse river. Goerlitz coronavirus outbreak. Despite eye-wateringly costly is just a short hop across the John Paul II road bridge emergency state interventions, including the subsidy of from its Polish twin town of Zgorzelec. private-sector wages, a bounce back does not look to Like most of the former communist East Germany, be on the cards for months, if not years. Britain will nev- Goerlitz has seen its population decline since German ertheless embark upon life outside its main trading part- reunification. The glitz and glamour of “Goerliwood”, the ner on January 1, 2021, leaving the EU single market and city’s nickname since blockbusters such as “The Grand customs union that benefitted “UK plc” for decades. Budapest Hotel” were filmed there, cannot disguise The nation officially left the EU in January but is cur- crumbling facades, boarded-up windows and derelict rently locked in a Brexit transition period that means the factories. Last year, the far-right Alternative for Germany bloc’s rules still apply until December 31. (AfD) party found itself in a position to conquer the Many analysts predict Brexit will unleash even more town hall in Goerlitz, with the traditional parties forming painful economic damage, delivering another hammer an awkward alliance to block it. “On average, for every blow just as the Covid-19 fallout begins to ease with the child that is born, two people die. In a few years’ time, advent of vaccines. Just how much harm it will do hinges we will be facing a major labor shortage,” said Behr. The on the outcome of fractious trade talks between shortage is already making itself felt. From research to Brussels and the government of Britain’s pro-Brexit blue-collar and manual trades, IT and the medical sector, Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which have jobs are not being filled due to a lack of candidates. Last gone down to the wire. year, Goerlitz’s main hospital placed an advert in a major British daily newspaper urging Poles to consider return- ‘Inevitable disruption’ ing home. The hospital’s management did not wish to Capital Economics analyst Thomas Pugh says there comment on the advert. will inevitably be disruption but predicts it might not be long lasting. “If there were a deal it would probably German salaries mean no tariffs or quotas on goods, and trade in servic- According to the mayor of Zgorzelec, Rafal Gronicz, es would probably remain similar to how it is now,” “most of those leaving the UK will want to maintain the Pugh said in a research note, also sounding optimism same standard of living and will certainly not return to over a possible deal for key financial services. Poland.” In Goerlitz, “they can earn German wages and In the absence of an agreement, Britain will revert to at the same time be closer to their families, to their coun- World Trade Organization (WTO) rules which would try,” he said. Izabela Jucha is one of those who have see tariffs imposed on a wide range of products, from already made the move. After moving to the UK when car parts to beef. UK companies would face an Poland joined the EU in 2004, she now lives in the region overnight spike in their costs-which they are expected with her husband and their daughter, who goes to school to pass on to consumers in the form of higher prices, in Goerlitz. The family live on the Polish side but Jucha is particularly for imported fresh food products. “There learning German in the hope of developing her career in would be some inevitable disruption as firms get used to human resources in Goerlitz, which “presents better eco- the new rules-there will be ‘rules of origin’ checks for nomic opportunities”. the first time in many years,” predicted Pugh. Brexit “marked a leap into the unknown... We didn’t “But the period of disruption should be relatively know if we were going to lose our jobs,” said the 30- short-lived.” At the same time, even a Brexit trade year-old, who lived for 12 years in Northampton and deal would not be as advantageous as being part of Kettering, England, and then in Canada. “The future of the EU’s single market, which ensures a smooth flow our 14-year-old daughter was a determining factor in of trade across the continent. The Bank of England our decision,” she said. “The education system here is has forecast that slumping exports and supply-chain very good, and free.” It remains to be seen how success- disruption arising from no-deal could send the UK ful the Goerlitz campaign will be, especially since it was economy shrinking by 1.0 percent in the first quarter suspended for several months because of the coron- of 2021.—AFP avirus pandemic.—AFP 10 Business Wednesday, December 9, 2020 stc forms strategic partnership with Tecnotree to deliver EDP Enterprise digitalization program to enable digital transformation KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Company - ti-speed digital architecture, enabling the company digital solutions, and build will allow delivery of seamless and personalized stc, a world-class digital leader providing innovative to rapidly deploy new capability models and inte- the infrastructure of its 5G omnichannel customer experiences via leveraging services and platforms to customers enabling the grate both partner and third-party digital channels network. intelligent insights. This will enable stc to become a digital transformation in Kuwait, announced a strate- into a single framework. He added, “Upgrading full digital ICT player and system integrator, whilst gic partnership with Tecnotree to deliver stc’s Tecnotree’s vast experience in driving digital our digital services will also expanding its services & solutions beyond Enterprise Digitalization Program (EDP). The digital transformation engagements globally will underpin provide our customers mobility. Commenting on the strategic partnership, transformation project will provide stc’s enterprise the program. As stc’s partner on this journey, with enhanced connectivi- Tecnotree CEO, Padma Ravichander, said, “The customers with a seamless and personalized Tecnotree brings unique capabilities to the project ty solutions, thereby accel- Telecom industry today stands at the cusp of digital omnichannel experience. via its Digital BSS Suite 5 products, including erating the deployment of transformation where digitalization has become a In its statement, stc mentioned that the three-year Tecnotree Surge, an award-winning Digital smart applications and core necessity to compete and survive. We are partnership supports the Company’s vision to Accelerator Platform that publishes TM Forum certi- promoting digital transfor- delighted that our Digital BSS Suite 5 has been become a world-class digital leader in innovative fied APIs. The two companies will use these tools mation. This initiative Fahad Al Ali selected by stc, as they embark on a digital transfor- telecom services and platforms across the region. together to help stc transition to a digital service builds on stc’s commitment mation journey to become a digital leader. We are The step forward will contribute to enhancing the provider of the future, enabling it to compete in the to continuously offer its confident that our vast experience in driving digital customer experience through innovative solutions, new digital telecom paradigm. enterprise customers with less restricted solutions transformation and superior deployment capabilities facilitating business processes efficiently and expe- On this occasion, engineer Fahad Abdulrahman Al that accelerate digital transformation with an aim to for telecom service providers globally will augment diting customer service responses across the vari- Ali, Chief Technology Officer at stc, expressed his increase productivity and operational efficiency.” stc’s capabilities allowing them to emerge as leaders ous channels used by the Company. happiness in forming the strategic partnership, Upon completion, the multi-phased transforma- in the digitally connected ecosystem. Through this The EDP aims to transform stc’s legacy BSS infra- which serves as an additional step taken by the tion project will upgrade stc’s current systems to partnership, we will deliver visible results that will structure with an open ecosystem composed of mul- Company to widen its offerings, range of innovative state-of-the-art IT architecture and processes that set new industry standards and benchmarks.”

Jazeera Airways offers passengers PCR test JD.com health arm for KD22 only rockets 75% on

KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways yesterday announced Hong Kong debut that its passengers can now have their PCR test done before traveling for KD 22 only. The airline has partnered with the Jarallah HONG KONG: The medical arm of Chinese e- German Specialized Clinic which is accredited by commerce giant JD.com soared 75 percent on the Ministry of Health to provide its passengers its debut in Hong Kong yesterday, valuing the with the reduced rate. Passengers can schedule an company at $50 billion, as investors bank on appointment online while making a reservation with el for more people and enable them to fly to their with all hygiene regulations to ensure a safe flying the pandemic boom in digital health services. Jazeera Airways or by calling the airline’s call center destination of choice whilst complying with entry experience for passengers. Recently, the airline While the coronavirus has left national health at 177. requirements.’’ Tickets and PCR tests can be launched ‘Duo Seat’ that enables passengers to services stretched, demand for digital health- Rohit Ramachandran, CEO Jazeera Airways said: booked at jazeeraairways.com, on the Jazeera App book the middle seat next to them in addition to care providers like JD Health grew on the back “We are pleased to be able to offer our passengers or by calling 177. their seat when travelling, giving passengers more of the virus. an affordable test option. This will help free up trav- Jazeera Terminal 5 and Jazeera flights comply comfort and security on their flight. The company’s chief executive Xin Lijun said it has “changed the entire (health) industry” and pushed the company to accelerate its listing in Hong Kong, the biggest initial public offering in Japan approves the financial hub this year. The company, China’s largest online healthcare platform and retail $700 billion pharmacy, raised HK$26.5 billion ($3.41 billion) in the sale and with demand for the firm outpac- ing supply its share price spiked at HK$123.90 stimulus package — compared with its offer price of HK$70.58 — briefly giving it a valuation of $50 billion. TOKYO: Japan’s government yesterday approved However, it later eased slightly to end up 56 more than $700 billion in fresh stimulus to fund proj- percent at HK$110.00. Xin described the ects from anti-coronavirus measures to green tech, telemedicine company’s listing as a “new start- the country’s third such package this financial year. ing point” in healthcare, adding that the firm The Covid-19 pandemic has wrought global eco- aims to provide “convenient and accessible” nomic carnage and countries across the world have medical services after a challenging year in the announced massive cash injections. Japan’s latest health sector. As China’s coronavirus outbreak package, worth 73.6 trillion yen ($708 billion), peaked in early 2020, the subsidiary of JD.com includes loan schemes and actual government offered free online consultations, attracting tens spending of around 40 trillion yen. of thousands of patients a day and helping stem It is the first stimulus spending Prime Minister the wave of people who may have sought to Yoshihide Suga has announced since taking office in attend a hospital. September, and comes as Japan faces a spike in Covid-19 infections, with record numbers of new Finance ‘shifting east’ cases reported in recent weeks. “We drew up (the The share sale comes after the compa- TOKYO: A woman looks at fruits and vegetables for sale at a street stall in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP stimulus package) to pave the way for new growth, ny’s parent raised around $4 billion in the to protect people’s livelihoods as well as maintain- city in June. ing employment and keeping businesses going,” scheme supporting tourism-dependent businesses. features a $20 billion green tech fund designed to The listing of the Beijing-based subsidiary Suga said. Japan officially exited recession last While Japan has seen a relatively small coronavirus support projects from renewable energy develop- could also raise that much if banks execute an month after three quarters of contraction, and outbreak overall — with 163,929 confirmed cases ment to pollution reduction. option for additional stock. JD’s June sale came hopes to cement its recovery with the latest spend- and 2,382 deaths — there has been a sharp rise in In October, Suga set a 2050 deadline for Japan to around the same time as another tech firm, ing — which follows two previous packages this infections, and doctors have warned that hospitals become carbon neutral, significantly firming up the NetEase, raised $2.7 billion and followed year each worth around 117 trillion yen. could be overwhelmed. Yesterday the defense min- country’s climate change commitments. Yasutoshi Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway’s $4.3 bil- The new package includes financial support for ister also ordered military nurses to be sent to a city Nishimura, the minister in charge of fiscal policy, said lion listing in January. medical institutions and facilities for the elderly, and in the northern Hokkaido region that is facing a the government aims to return the economy to pre- However, the share market was dealt a blow subsidies to continue a controversial domestic travel severe shortage of medical staff. The package also pandemic levels within the next financial year. — AFP last month when Ant Group, the financial arm of Alibaba, was forced to pull its world-record $35 billion listing under pressure from Chinese company from creditors and potential bankruptcy authorities. Ailing Norwegian Air while it tries to restructure its debt. German investor But Tuesday’s debut performance by JD A specialized Norwegian court yesterday also Health, the first big tech offering since Ant’s IPO secures bankruptcy granted it protection. “A supplementary reconstruc- confidence jumps was shelved, showed Hong Kong remains an tion process under Norwegian law will be to the attractive location for listings. benefit of all parties and will increase the likelihood “It’s a sign of how the center of finance is protection in Norway of a successful result,” Norwegian chief executive on vaccine boost shifting to the East in a big way,” Brian Tycango, analyst at Stansberry Research, wrote Jacob Schram said in a statement. FRANKFURT: German investor confidence on Twitter of the market capital added to the OSLO, Norway: Embattled low-cost carrier “Our aim is to secure jobs in the company and to jumped in December, buoyed by hopes that vac- Hong Kong Exchange. Norwegian Air Shuttle said yesterday it had contribute to securing critical infrastructure and cines-which are expected to win approval for gen- Chinese tech companies are increasingly secured bankruptcy protection in Norway, after value creation in Norway,” he added. Pending a eral use in the EU imminently-could help end the looking to move into digital healthcare after recently receiving a similar shield in Ireland. worldwide roll-out of COVID vaccines that could coronavirus pandemic. The ZEW institute’s monthly months of lockdowns caused by the coronavirus Burdened with massive debt after an ambitious enable air traffic to return to normal, Norwegian last barometer measuring economic expectations rose pandemic, which emerged in central China late expansion program and suffering from the Covid-19 week presented a rescue plan that included slashing to 55.0 points from 39.0 points in November, after last year. pandemic that has paralyzed global air traffic, its fleet, debt conversion and a rights issue of up to falling for two straight months. The health arm of JD.com’s rival Alibaba has Europe’s third-biggest no-frills airline is now fight- four billion kroner ($453 million, 374.5 million “The announcement of imminent vaccine more than doubled in valuation in Hong Kong ing for its survival. euros). Shareholders are due to vote on the plan at approvals makes financial market experts more while personalized health company Ping An An Irish court on Monday allowed Norwegian to an extraordinary general meeting on December 17. confident about the future,” said ZEW President Good Doctor has surged in value by more than put itself and several Irish subsidiaries-which man- The company, a pioneer in the low-cost long haul Achim Wambach. Britain yesterday became the first 50 percent during the pandemic. Online health age its fleet and some of its routes in Europe-under sector, has been in the red since 2017 and its debt country to administer the Pfizer/BioNTech coron- services can help plug holes in China’s health “examinership”, the equivalent of the US procedure amounted to 48.5 billion kroner at the end of avirus vaccine outside a clinical trial, and potential system, where smaller cities and rural areas are known as Chapter 11. The manoeuvre shields the September. — AFP approvals of a swathe of vaccines have galvanized not very well covered by the country’s best optimism of a route out of the pandemic. medical professionals. ZEW’s figure, based on a survey of 174 financial Because of China’s widespread internet cov- market experts, came in well above analyst expec- erage, Xin said an online consultation platform tations. However, it did not reach the high of 77.4 like JD Health’s could “become China’s largest points logged in September, ahead of the second tiered diagnosis and treatment platform”. wave of the pandemic. The company already hosts more than Germany reintroduced restrictions in November 100,000 people a day even after the worst of to curb infections, including shutting food-and- China’s outbreak, when it attracted up to drink outlets and leisure and cultural sites, but kept 150,000 daily visitors, he said. The company’s shops and factories open. German data for October platforms now boast 65,000 doctors and showed industrial production and orders rose, with more than 72 million patients. JD Health’s total Germany’s car industry showing promising revenue rose to 8.8 billion yuan ($1.34 billion) resilience. Despite the growing investor optimism, in the first half of 2020 from 5 billion yuan in ZEW’s assessment of the current economic situa- the same period last year, it said in its tion in Germany worsened again, dropping 2.2 prospectus. —AFP points to minus 66.5 points. — AFP Classifieds Wednesday, December 9, 2020

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You could be feeling especially sociable An attractive neighbor with whom you seem Lovely dreams could spark your imagination A journey by air to a distant place might be on today. Maybe there's a virtual party of some kind you want to share a bond could become a friend. A group you're affili- and get your artistic abilities going. You could learn a lot your mind, though you might not make it for a long time. to be invited to. You could hear some good news, and ated with could be expressing highly idealized goals and about yourself and whatever has been limiting you. Write Knowledge is important to you, and you can be insatiably there is probably some truth to it, but take everything you purposes. These goals are likely to be admirable, Cancer, but down whatever comes your way so you can work with it lat- curious. This is likely to be one of those days, Capricorn. A hear through the grapevine with a grain of salt. Not every- they may not be all that realistic. Bear that in mind before er, but don't try to make sense of it today. Wait a while and friend or lover could bring some new information that thing you hear is based on fact. If you can, go to someone committing to any course of action. You need more facts then consider everything in a more practical light. You may sparks your curiosity, perhaps something related to astrol- in a position to know and find out from him or her. before you can proceed. be surprised at the difference in you. ogy or the occult. You will want to pursue it.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Leo (July 23-August 22) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

You're feeling especially loving, attractive, and Dreams of a new career could fill your mind A new friend could arrive today, Scorpio. The desire to beautify your home could hit you full force today, Aquarius. Perhaps you're expecting romantic, so romance is likely to be on your mind. Romantic novels today, perhaps because of too much stress in your current You're probably going to like this person very much. future visitors or house guests and want to make a good and movies could seem especially appealing. If you're currently one. You might even think of becoming a movie star! Go for He or she probably shares many of your interests. You your dream if you feel it's what you want, Leo. Remember could become close friends. The downside is that you impression. You could prowl through online antique involved, you will probably receive a lot of attention from your stores looking for knickknacks. You might set your sights mate. If not, expect to receive admiring glances from those around that any moneymaking enterprise, no matter how creative, is aren't likely to see anyone as they really are, only an idealized picture. When you meet this person, try to on doing something a bit more ambitious than you you, including strangers! You could meet a potential date but take still a business. Make use of your natural business talent to originally planned. Enjoy yourself but be careful. You care to get to know this person before getting too excited. find out what you need to know. see the real person behind the mask and accept them as they are. don't want to tire yourself out.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Pisces (February 19-March 20) Spiritual goals may be at the top of your priori- If you've been thinking about a job change An increased level of ESP and imagination or even a new career, a chance interaction A new neighbor could arrive who you feel espe- could have you feeling more creative and artistic. You ty list now, Virgo. You may be looking for online metaphysi- cially drawn to, Pisces. You might have high hopes for a friend- cal seminars or meditation workshops, perhaps taking could provide the opportunity. However, Sagittarius, might want to channel this energy into writing, painting, or remember, "If something seems too good to be true, it ship with this person. He or she may seem especially conge- place in a distant state or foreign country. You're likely to adding touches to your living room. You're likely to be probably is." Get the facts as clearly as you can. Consider nial and share a lot of your interests, and this could seem find it difficult to make a decision about any options right especially attuned to the thoughts and feelings of others, all the ins and outs before committing yourself or getting almost too perfect. However, you're in just the mood to ideal- particularly family. You could grow closer, especially if you now. Whatever you're considering, make sure you know all too excited about it. If you still want to pursue the oppor- ize new relationships, so don't get too excited until you get to sense what they need even before they do. the facts before making a choice of any kind. tunity, go for it. know this person better. 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, December 9, 2020

ollywood movie songs normally Facebook, taking audience requests,” dominate India’s music charts. But the Bangalore-based musician told AFP. Bwhen the coronavirus epidemic He has clocked up to 1.5 million put paid to new film releases, it created views on Facebook, with around 125 a huge opportunity for independent online shows under his belt. His free per- musicians to make a name for them- formances are now paying off, with pri- selves-sometimes from their bedrooms. vate bookings and venues lining up as Singer Carlton Braganza saw his popu- India loosens restrictions. Experienced larity skyrocket when the country went musicians like Braganza are not the only ones profiting from the unexpected pan- demic-induced vacuum in India’s enter- tainment calendar. Hip-hop artist Palak Parnoor Kaur, who has used a small GoPro to shoot videos inside rickshaws and buses under the moniker ‘Lil Malai’ (‘Lil Cream’) since 2018, has also seen an uptick in online followers. Her videos focusing on India’s millennials and the Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela performs during the shoot for her India’s Hip-hop artist Palak Parnoor Kaur (center) also known as ‘Lil issues that trouble them struck a chord upcoming music video album in Mumbai. Malai’ (Lil Cream) performs during the recording of a song video at with young audiences on Instagram and the Bandra Bandstand Promenade in Mumbai. YouTube, with fans praising her for tack- ling difficult subjects like gender vio- music labels such as the US-based CD led lockdowns, even if artists have views money,” said the 27-year-old, who raps lence. “Independent artists fill the empty Baby and Tunecore into India has made and a huge fan following, there are no under the pseudonym ‘Dule Rocker’. “I spot created by Bollywood music with it easier for musicians to release albums offline gigs and hence no revenue.” started rapping to channel my anger India’s hip-hop artist Palak Parnoor Kaur also original and organic content that audi- online. But experts caution that it is only with the governmental system and known as ‘Lil Malai’ (Lil Cream) does her ences can relate to. Now they are more a matter of time before Bollywood claws Social issues everyone responded strongly.” He has make-up before recording a song video at aware of our existence”, the Mumbai- its way back into the spotlight. But for some, money isn’t the main rejected offers from the film industry, the Bandra Bandstand Promenade in based Kaur told AFP. “Once movies start, audiences might motivation behind their desire to grab telling AFP he refuses “to write rap Mumbai. — AFP photos just go back to Bollywood music and the mic. Rapper Duleshwar Tandi’s furi- music objectifying women”. But in a sto- Sea change non-film numbers will tank,” Priyak Dhar, ous videos about the plight of millions of ry arc worthy of a Bollywood movie, he is into lockdown in March, and his phone Data from audio streaming platform editor of MusicPlus.com, told AFP. migrant workers in India’s lockdown now working on an album for US titan is now ringing almost non-stop with JioSaavn reveals the sea change that Many artists are still struggling to make went viral in April, bringing the former Universal Group Music. “I want to bring offers from agents. For more than three has taken place, with their Top 30 week- money, despite acquiring social media waiter unexpected fame. The videos, changes to how society looks at pover- months, the 48-year-old spent nights ly chart dominated by non-film music followers, said Atul Churamani, manag- shot on a mobile phone in his village in ty”, he said. — AFP performing for an online audience from since the lockdown. Until mid-October, ing director of music publishing firm eastern India, attacked the government his small bedroom, gaining tens of thou- the top five songs streamed in India Turnkey. “Although artists have started for its apathy towards the poor. “When sands of new fans in the process. “I per- were all non-film tracks, according to the online concerts, most of them are free,” the lockdown was imposed, my family formed live every night for 70 days on platform. The expansion of independent Churamani told AFP. “With coronavirus- almost starved as there was no work or Universal Music buys Bob Dylan’s entire

he fantasy action movie “Monster Hunter” has vanished from back catalog TChinese cinemas just days after its Helen Mirren release, after a brief line of dialogue niversal Music has bought the was targeted by local social media entire back catalog of Bob Dylan’s users as racist. The movie, an adaption Usongs, it announced Monday, in a of a popular role-playing video game of purported nine-figure deal for one of the the same name, premiered in China on most prized rights’ collections in music Friday but quickly became embroiled in history. The deal covers more than 600 online controversy, the latest example of song copyrights spanning 60 years the sensitivities of operating in the huge including “Blowin’ In The Wind,” “The but heavily censored Chinese movie Times They Are a-Changin’,” “Like A market. In the scene, a character Rolling Stone,” “Lay Lady Lay” and played by Asian-American rapper and “Forever Young,” Universal Music said in actor Jin Au-Yeung tells his companion, a statement. The music company gave eople working in Britain’s the- “Look at my knees!” The white male no financial details of the purchase but atre industry risk homeless- character replies, “What kind of knees the Financial Times reported it was a ness because of the coron- are these?” and Jin jokes, “Chi-nese.” P “nine-figure deal.” The New York Times discriminate, insult or otherwise offend as of yesterday. China has some of the avirus outbreak, stage and screen Criticism of the line went viral on estimated the price at more than $300 anyone of Chinese heritage,” the com- world’s most restrictive censorship and star Helen Mirren warned in an Chinese social media over the week- million. “The deal is the most significant pany said, according to the site. It said the Communist Party’s Central interview published on Monday. end, with many saying it was racist and music publishing agreement this century the line had been removed from the Propaganda Department approves only The curtain came down on theatres some calling for a boycott. China’s cen- and one of the most important of all time,” film. Many users of China’s popular a handful of foreign films for release across the country in March as the sors do not as a matter of course Universal Music said in its statement. announce when films are pulled, but fol- Twitter-like Weibo platform said they each year. Those that are approved pandemic took hold. Lockdown lowing the controversy the movie disap- were offended by the apparent linking sometimes screen with major cuts. Last rules have now eased, but many peared from the country’s ticket-book- of “Chinese” with the symbolism of year, multiple scenes in the film venues cannot afford to reopen with ing sites. Entertainment news site someone being brought to their knees. “Bohemian Rhapsody” referencing icon- limited audience numbers. Some Deadline.com said Constantin Film, a “The lines may not be a big deal for ic musician Freddie Mercury’s sexuality have been forced to close perma- German company that co-produced the westerners but in the Chinese context - a pivotal part of his biography - were nently. That has left many employ- movie with Chinese tech giant Tencent ‘knees’ has a humiliating connotation,” dropped in its China release. — AFP ees-from actors to stagehands-in and Sony Pictures, issued an apology said one user. No public statements dire straits, given that many are on Sunday for the line of dialogue. from either Tencent or Sony Pictures on self-employed and live “from wage “There was absolutely no intent to the movie or the controversy were seen packet to wage packet”, Mirren said. She told Britain’s Press Association news agency that peo- ple in the arts were “really suffer- ing”. “The worry is simply people not being able to pay their rent,” This file photo shows US singer Bob Dylan she said. (front) performing at the 44th Annual “When those wage packets Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. — AFP aren’t there, which has been the case for the last year, it is very, The value of owning music rights has very, very problematic and I’m soared in recent years with the surge in sure a lot of them are looking at popularity of streaming sites such as homelessness. “They have bills to Spotify, a trend that has grown during the pay, they have rent to pay and pandemic lockdowns. Dylan, who burst they very often are not the kind of onto the folk scene in New York in the people who have been able to cre- early 1960s, has sold more than 125 mil- ate a nice little security fund for lion records around the world. His songs, themselves.” The government ear- which include some of the most popular lier this year announced a £1.57 ever written, still feature in movies and in billion ($2.1 billion, 1.7 billion euro) advertisements decades after they were funding package to help the arts released. The US folk and rock legend’s This picture shows a cleaner preparing to abseil from a glass sky- A cleaner abseiling from a glass skywalk to collect litter at Tianmen on top of a wage support scheme songs are also frequently covered by walk to collect litter at Tianmen mountain in Zhangjiajie. mountain.— AFP photos for furloughed workers. But free- other artists, generating massive royal- lancers working in the sector have ties. Before the pandemic brought live “the Spidermen”, after the skyscraper- last 10 years, we’ve seen less and less lit- not always been eligible, leaving performances to a halt, the 79-year-old scaling superhero, and it’s easy to see tering,” says Ding Yunjuan, vice-director them struggling to make ends was still regularly performing in concert. why. Yang descends and hangs off the of marketing for the mountain. meet or forced to take jobs in other Dylan won the Nobel Prize for steep cliff face, patiently picking up rub- “Before, our ‘Spidermen’ collected five industries. Literature in 2016 “for having created bish thrown off the side by tourists. His tons of litter a year. Tourists nowadays are “People need financial support new poetic expressions within the great colleagues at the top hold firmly onto his more civilized.” Even so, Yang and his col- and they need food support,” said American song tradition.” “To represent rope, attached to hooks in the rock. When leagues collected two tons in 2020 — Mirren, who won an Oscar for her the body of work of one of the greatest he is finished, he is hauled up via a sys- despite the fact that the coronavirus pan- portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in songwriters of all time-whose cultural tem of pullies. Yang’s rubbish bag is full of demic significantly reduced visitor num- the 2006 film “The Queen”. She is importance can’t be overstated-is both a water bottles, packaging, and tissues. bers. Unsurprisingly, the job is physically currently fronting a Christmas food privilege and a responsibility,” said “When it rains, we get single-use pon- demanding. “At first, my hands were appeal to provide up to 200,000 Universal Music CEO Jody Gerson. “We chos-and since the pandemic, we get incredibly painful after a day’s work-I meals for the homeless and vulner- look forward to working with Bob and the face masks as well,” he explains. Yang’s could barely use my chopsticks to eat. But able over the festive period. Poverty team in ensuring his artistry continues to team was created in 2010 by the Tianmen it’s a lot better now!” laughs Yang. He and job losses caused by the pan- reach and inspire generations of fans, mountain management to deal with waste says he will keep abseiling down the demic have become major issues recording artists and songwriters around accumulating on its sides, an unfortunate- mountainside as long as it is necessary. this year. The government has been angling 400 meters (1,300 feet) over the world,” she added. ly common occurrence at Chinese beauty While Yang admits that he enjoys the nick- forced to provide free meals to the a void, suspended only by a cord, The purchase is the latest high-profile spots. Numerous stands selling food and name ‘Spiderman’, his real motive is the poorest children during school holi- Yang Feiyue is not your average lit- deal in a battle for back catalog rights D drinks at tourist attractions are a major preservation of the mountain. “We’re act- days after a high-profile campaign ter-picker. The 48-year-old’s job is to that has been a trend of the music indus- source of packaging that sometimes ends ing for the beauty of the site,” he said. “So by Manchester United footballer abseil down cliffs on central China’s try in recent years. New groups backed up being thrown on the ground-or off a I don’t mind working away at it!”— AFP Marcus Rashford.— AFP Tianmen mountain-an area famed for its by powerful investors, notably Primary cliff. Campaigns in schools and the media natural beauty but plagued by plastic and Wave Music and Hipgnosis Songs Fund, have boosted people’s environmental other waste. “Am I afraid?” says Yang as have signed major deals that were previ- consciousness, along with an increase in he steps over a guardrail. “No, I’m used to ously the preserve of the industry’s tradi- recycling bins in public spaces. “In the it.” Local media call Yang and his team tional big players. —AFP Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, December 9, 2020

A paramotorist flies over the Korek Mountain resort near the city of Rawanduz north of A paramotorist poses for a picture as she prepares to fly over the Korek Mountain An Iraqi Kurd prepares to fly his powered parachute over Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. resort. Korek Mountain resort. — AFP photos

azem Amin inhaled deeply and ran imported parachutes are rainbow- Wind and passion towards the cliff edge. His para- A paramotorist coloured, but at least one features the Arbil’s Aeroclub isn’t the oldest one in Hchute swept up smoothly, floating flies over the colours of the autonomous Kurdish flag- Iraq, but it seems to be the most success- him above the scrubby plains, jagged Korek Mountain red and green stripes on either side of a ful. Founding member Haydar al-Saidi, mountains and quaint villages of northern resort. yellow sun. Car window repairman who began flying in 1994 with Baghdad’s Iraq. The Korek mountain, about 120 kilo- Mohammad Abbas, 35, spends his week- Fernas Aeroclub, said that wind quality meters (75 miles) northeast of the Iraqi ends here. Five years ago, he took a was better in the Arbil region. “There were Kurdish capital Arbil, has become a month-long paragliding course with the many factors that encouraged us to start hotspot for paragliding-the newly found club and was impressed with their profes- the club (in Arbil), including the great fly- sport of wind enthusiasts. “It’s a magical sionalism and commitment to international ing wind, the mountain heights and the sport. I feel so happy as I’m taking off,” standards. passionate people,” the 52-year-old said. said Amin, a 30-year-old member of the “The training goes on for 30 days. You Clubs have also opened in Duhok, Arbil Aeroclub. Speaking in his native start with ground training, then move to Sulaimaniyah and Halabja in the Kurdish Kurdish, Amin told AFP he completed an hills, then to the mountains,” he said. autonomous region but they are not as intensive paragliding course with the club Abbas loved the sensation of flying so popular as the one in Arbil. A team from two years ago and has been hooked ever much he wanted to share it with others the Arbil Aeroclub even scored third since. and kept working with the club until he place in a regional competition in “This kind of sport needs courage, became an instructor himself. “The hard- Morocco in 2018. physical strength and a lot of mental con- est thing is taking off. When you can do Ahmad Shaker, secretary general of centration,” he said, as he prepared his that on your own, you can do the rest Iraq’s Wind Sports Federation, said the harness, triple-checked his parachute solo.” Rawez Mustafa, one of four women new clubs could serve as an incentive to and donned a helmet. “There’s adven- al-Atrushi, a Kurdish businessman and who have joined the club, now has four boost the sport and pave the way for a ture, danger and fun all at once.” The one of the club’s founders. “Our love for ‘Dream come true’ solo flights under her belt. “I’ve loved this national team. “The way these activities in Arbil Aeroclub, founded in 2008, has this sport pushed us to establish this club, On weekend afternoons, cars can be sport since I was a little girl. I dreamt of it, the Kurdish region developed so quickly more than 40 members, including trainers without any government support. All we seen driving up to a 2,000-metre (6,500- of taking off into the sky and enjoying the and noticeably will hopefully contribute to and solo jumpers-among them, a growing got from the state was the licence,” he foot) plateau in the village of Rawanduz beautiful views,” the 27-year-old teacher an Iraqi national team that can take part in number of women. While traditional sports said. Atrushi said the founders have paid that serves as a flight deck for paraglid- said. “Now my dream has come true, and international events,” he said. — AFP usually receive backing from the Iraqi out of their own pockets for 30 paragliders ers. They usually take off facing west to I hope the club can accept even more state, the relatively new activity of and safety gear-dishing out up to $5,000 catch the sunset and then glide down female members.” paragliding is fuelled by passion, said Ali for each-as well as one hot air balloon. towards green pastures. Most of the #Covid19, #Black LivesMatter

top Twitter practical pontiff who has to the Vatican state’s 4,000 employees. has been late in arriving this year in eschewed consumerism, Pope A photograph in Il Messaggero daily Italy. Experts are concerned a surge in themes in 2020 2020 about elections around the world AFrancis is giving Vatican employ- showed stacks of pills for cold and flu in flu cases in January will exacerbate and Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Barack ees boxes of cold and flu relief pills for boxes labeled “Gift of the Holy Father to strains on a health care system already Obama, Narendra Modi and Kamala Christmas this year. A Vatican source Vatican employees (five boxes per struggling to overcome the second Harris were among the most Tweeted- confirmed to AFP that the unconvention- employee).” Cold and rainy weather has wave of coronavirus cases. — AFP he coronavirus pandemic and the about global figures.” The most retweet- al gift has already begun to be sent out spread over Rome and the flu vaccine Black Lives Matter movement ed message was the announcement of Ttopped the list of conversation top- the death of Chadwick Boseman, star of ics on Twitter in a tumultuous year, the the ground-breaking superhero movie messaging platform said Monday. In a “Black Panther,” in August. Tweeted by summary of trends, Twitter said the the actor’s family with his account, the hashtag #Covid19 and other variations message garnered 7.5 million likes-the were tweeted nearly 400 million times, most all-time-and 2.1 million retweets. while #StayHome was the third biggest Former US president Barack Obama’s hashtag of the year. The number two tweet about the death of NBA star Kobe hashtag of 2020 was #BlackLivesMatter, Bryant was the second-most like tweet which spread worldwide after the death of the year, with 3.9 million. Bryant’s of George Floyd at the hands of police death made his former Los Angeles in Minneapolis, according to Twitter. Lakers team the most tweeted-about “People continued to utilize Twitter to sports team followed by Manchester publicly advocate for political change United and FC Barcelona. But the NFL’s and demand accountability from world Super Bowl LIV was the top sports event leaders this year,” a Twitter blog post on Twitter this year. — AFP said. “Over 700 million Tweets were sent in A handout picture released courtesy of the Twitter feed of A mysterious metal monolith, similar to the one found in Utah and @AlexiaRFishwick shows an obelisk standing on Compton Beach on Romania, was discovered in a nature reserve near Oudehorne, the southern western coast of the Isle of Wight. — AFP Netherlands. — Newsflash

unique pair of sneakers designed for the Adidas-Meissen shoes, which are by Adidas and German porcelain not meant to be worn. Amaker Meissen that could become The low estimate is one dollar in an the first to fetch $1 million went on sale at attempt to encourage bidding, but auc- a Sotheby’s auction Monday. The leather tioneers expect the final price to be at shoes-based on Adidas’s popular the higher end. “There is that shift in the mysterious metal monolith has placed from above,” hiker Thijs de drawing large crowds and sparking ZX8000 model and painted by craftsmen market looking at these sneakers as appeared on a heath in the Jong, the first person to find the obelisk, speculation about how it got there. A from Meissen-are tipped to set a new art,” said Brahm Wachter, director of e- ANetherlands after similar objects told Omrop Fryslan, adding that it would similar-looking reflective structure record for a pair of trainers. The record commerce development at Sotheby’s. were found in the United States, “certainly have needed two or more appeared briefly in the Utah desert late has already been broken several times The sale runs online until December 16. Romania and Britain, an official said. people” to place it. The broadcaster last month, then two others cropped up this year, most recently by a set of Nike Proceeds will go to the Brooklyn Hikers found the object on Sunday on said there were suspicions the obelisk in southern California and Romania Air Jordan 1s that Christie’s sold for Museum in New York for its young per- private land near the Kiekenberg nature could be a stunt by a ‘New Year’s Eve days later. The initial discovery fuelled $615,000 in August. Sotheby’s has set sons program. — AFP reserve in northern Friesland province, a club”, a tradition in the north of the the imaginations of UFO spotters, con- the pre-sale estimate high at $1 million spokesman for the Dutch Forestry Netherlands to draw attention to a vil- spiracy theorists and fans of the classic Commission said. “We know that it was lage or association. sci-fi film “2001: A Space Odyssey” probably placed this weekend because But it quoted de Jong as saying that which features a strange alien monolith. some hikers who were walking there there was no such club in the area. “I An anonymous art collective has tak- found it, but we don’t know it got there,” myself am thinking more of a kind of en credit for the Utah installation but no forestry commission spokesman Imke artist collective that does something like one has claimed responsibility for those Boerma told AFP. that,” he said. The appearance of the in Romania and the Isle of Wight. In Rangers went to check out the object Utah object in late November sparked Romania, some locals dismissed it as a on Monday morning and were still hunt- wild rumors of alien visitations due to a poorly made replica while on Compton ing for clues to its provenance. A simi- resemblance to the black monolith in Beach locals were initially curious but lar-looking structure appeared briefly in the Stanley Kubrick science-fiction film suspected a similar copycat. “The per- the Utah desert late last month, then two 2001: A Space Odyssey. An anonymous son who put it there knows what they’re others cropped up in southern California art collective has taken credit for the doing,” said Tom Dunford, who stum- and Romania days later. Another Utah installation but no one has claimed bled on the 7.5-foot-high (2.2-metre) mir- appeared on a beach on the Isle of responsibility for those in Romania, the rored object as he walked his dog on Wight off the south coast of England on Isle of Wight and the Netherlands. Sunday morning. “It’s someone playing Sunday. Photos in Dutch media showed a practical joke. I don’t believe in any of the object in Friesland with a dull silver- New shiny obelisk sighted these conspiracy theories,” he told Sky coloured surface, standing next to a on Britain’s Isle of Wight News television. Isle of Wight resident marshy pool on frosty ground. A shiny obelisk similar to ones found Alexia Fishwick called it “incredibly Local broadcaster Omrop Fryslan in the United States and on a hilltop in graceful” but told the BBC: “Many peo- said the Dutch object was not shiny like Romania has been spotted by the sea ple walked past it and ignored it.”— AFP the other monoliths although it was a off the south coast of England. The similar size and shape. “I walked up to gleaming pyramid-topped pillar was In these file photos an art handler from Sotheby’s holds one-of-a-kind Sneakers by Adidas it, but there was nothing to be seen discovered on Compton Beach on the and Meisse named the ZX8000 Porcelain, during a preview at Sotheby’s Auction House in New around the monolith. Just as if it was Isle of Wight early on Sunday morning, York City.— AFP 14 Sports Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Photo of the Day Australia fight off blazing Kohli to win final T20 match SYDNEY: Virat Kohli blasted 85 but it wasn’t enough to prevent Australia from fighting off a T20 series sweep with a thrilling 12-run victory in the final match in Sydney yesterday. While Kohli was at the crease in his imperious 61-ball knock, India had hopes of pulling off victory, but when he fell to a sen- sational diving outfield catch by Daniel Sams 11 balls from the finish India’s hopes went with him. Before a raucous crowd of over 30,000 - with attendance limits lifted in new COVID-19 protocols by the New South Wales state government - Australia set India a competitive 187-run target to chase. But India could not replicate their dynamic batting at the Sydney Cricket Ground two nights ago when they sealed the T20 series after losing the preceding one-day international series 2-1 to the home side. “At one stage when Hardik (Pandya) started going we thought we could pull it off,” Kohli said. “The middle over phase during our batting cost us the game. A partnership of 30-odd would’ve made it easier for Hardik. “We are finding ways to come back Max Verstappen on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain. — Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com and give the opposition a scare and the series win is a little asterisk for us to finish the 2020 season on a high.” Matthew Wade blasted his highest T20 score and an eventful Glenn Maxwell half-century lifted Australia to 186 for five after India had won the toss. Maxwell had a night out. He survived two reviews, was caught off a no-ball, had a six prevented by ath- letic Sanju Samson fielding over the rope and finished Breakdancing gets Olympic with three sixes before he was out for 54 off 36 balls. Wade put on 90 with Maxwell for the third wicket before he was leg before wicket to Shardul Thakur for 80 - his highest T20 score - off 53 balls with sev- en fours and two sixes. “It was a great series, and we green light for Paris 2024 just happened to be on the wrong end of the first two,” Australia captain Aaron Finch said. “It’s the first time in a T20 series we’ve had two leg-spinners in the side, and they were bold with the short bound- Olympic chiefs crack down on Belarus over athlete discrimination aries here, so credit to both of them.” Maxwell was given the new ball and got KL LAUSANNE: Breakdancing was one of four new status were left disappointed in their bid to increase 80 percent of the vote in a presidential election on Rahul’s wicket with his second delivery in India’s sports along with skateboarding, surfing and sport events within their sports as IOC president Thomas August 9. innings, hitting down the throat of Steve Smith at climbing to get the Olympic green light on Monday Bach said that none of the proposed 41 events Since the election, riot police have detained deep mid-wicket. But Smith put down a similar catch for inclusion at the 2024 Paris Games. The four would be included in Paris. While some sports sub- thousands of protesters, some of whom have when Kohli was on nine in Maxwell’s next over in sports were included as the International Olympic stituted in some events within their existing event reported torture and abuse in custody, prompting what could have been a major turning point. Sams Committee (IOC) executive board met to confirm numbers, Bach said medal events had actually gone international condemnation and proposed EU sanc- took a superb diving catch at the second grab in the the Paris 2024 program. Skateboarding, sport down from 339 to 329. He said the athletes’ quota tions. Several people have died in the crackdown. A deep to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan for 28 off leg-spin- climbing and surfing have already been added to for Paris had been fixed at 10,500, including those number of prominent Belarusian athletes signed a ner Mitchell Swepson in the sixth over. — AFP the program for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which participating in the four new sports. petition demanding an end to violence and new will take place in 2021 after being postponed by a That represents a decrease of 600 from Tokyo elections, including two-time Olympic basketball year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Games, while gender equality would be attained for player Yelena Leuchanka, who was detained at The introduction of breaking was “one of the the first time in Olympic history in Paris. The ques- Minsk airport in September while trying to leave News in brief results of the Olympic Agenda 2020”, Bach said. tion of gender equality led to the demise of the the country and jailed for 15 days over the protests. “We had a clear priority to introduce sports (that men’s 50km race walk, which first appeared at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presi- ‘Unhappy’ Pogba wants to leave are) particularly popular among the younger gener- 1932 Olympics. IOC sports director Kit McConnell dent Thomas Bach, speaking after an executive ation and taking into consideration the urbanisation said the event would be replaced by a “mixed gen- board meeting in Lausanne on Monday, said that ROME: Paul Pogba is “unhappy” at of sport.” Breakdancing, which grew up alongside der event”. “the current NOC leadership has not appropriately Manchester United and should leave in the hip hop in the South Bronx of New York in the There was a decision to “reach gender equality protected the Belarusian athletes from political dis- next transfer window, his agent Mino Raiola 1970s and is officially known in sport terms as by removing the men’s 50km race walk”, rather than crimination within the NOC, their member sports said, in comments that may signal the exit of “breaking”, appeared at the 2018 Youth Olympics in introducing a women’s version, McConnell said, federations or the sports movement”. “This is con- the one-time world’s most expensive player. Buenos Aires, in the form of head-to-head “battles”. adding that the men and women’s 20km race walks trary to the fundamental principles of the Olympic Raiola said the World Cup-winning France Russia’s Sergei Chernyshev, competing under the would remain. The replacement event will not, how- Charter, and therefore seriously affects the reputa- midfielder, 27, needs a “change of scene” after nickname Bumblebee, won the first breakdancing ever, be a mixed cross-country, which World tion of the Olympic Movement.” As a result, the IOC struggling to establish himself under United gold medal for boys in that event, while Japan’s Athletics had been pushing hard for. “The event had decided to exclude the currently elected members manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. “Paul’s unhap- Ramu Kawai won the girls’ title. “Today is a historic to fit into an existing Olympic venue,” McConnell of the Belarus NOC executive board, including py at Manchester United, he can’t express occasion not only for b-boys and b-girls but for all said, explaining that a potential re-fit of the eques- President Lukashenko, from all IOC events and himself any more as he would like to and as dancers around the world,” said Shawn Tay, presi- trian or mountain-bike venues to accommodate a activities, including the Olympic Games. we expect of him,” Raiola told Italian newspa- dent of the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF). cross-country was shown to be “too expensive and Furthermore, the IOC suspended “all financial per Tuttosport. “He has to change teams, he “The WDSF could not be prouder to have breaking complex”. payments to the NOC of Belarus, with the excep- needs a change of scene. His contract is up in included at Paris 2024... It was a true team effort to tion of payments related to the preparations of the a year-and-a-half, in the summer of 2022, but Athlete discrimination get to this moment and we will redouble our efforts Belarusian athletes for, and their participation in, the I think the best solution for all sides is a trans- in the lead-up to the Olympic Games to make sure Meanwhile, Olympic chiefs have cracked down Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Olympic Winter fer in the next window.” He added that Pogba, the breaking competition at Paris 2024 will be on the Belarus National Olympic Committee, head- Games Beijing 2022”. The IOC asked international who returned from a spell at Juventus for a unforgettable.” ed by President Alexander Lukashenko, for discrim- sporting federations to “make sure that all eligible then world record fee of £89 million ($118 inating against its athletes for their political views. Belarusian athletes can take part in qualification million) in 2016, has no plans to extend his Paris podiums down to 329 Protesters have taken to the streets of Belarusian events for the upcoming Olympic Games without contract. — AFP Federations of sports that already have Olympic cities since Lukashenko claimed a sixth term with any political discrimination”.— Agencies Qatar WCup to English FA probes booing LONDON: The Football Association announced on Monday that it is investigating open with COVID following the booing of players taking a knee at two English Football League games at the recovered fans weekend. A number of fans at the match in the second-tier Championship between Millwall AL-RAYYAN: Qatar will inaugurate its latest and Derby and at Colchester’s League Two completed World Cup stadium with a domestic fix- home clash with Grimsby booed the players’ ture at which half of tickets will be reserved for fans anti-racism gesture before kick-off. “The FA who have recovered from coronavirus, the coun- can confirm that investigations are under way try’s FA said Monday. The Al-Rayyan Venue, the into crowd-related incidents at both The Den third new stadium to be completed ahead of 2022, and JobServe Community Stadium on will host the domestic Emir Cup final on December Saturday 5 December 2020,” English football’s 18 and will welcome around half of its 40,000 governing body said in a statement. The boo- capacity. “Anyone who enters the stadium must ing from Millwall fans led interim Derby boss ninth. The first three goals of the match were return either a negative COVID-19 test or a posi- Wayne Rooney to condemn their “disgraceful Kuwait’s Football scored by Kuwait in the first half. Ahmad Al- tive Covid-19 antibodies test,” Abdul Wahab Al- and mindless behavior”. And Colchester owner Akaishi scored twice in the 17th and 30th min- Musleh, Qatar’s deputy chief medical officer, said in Robbie Cowling, whose side play in the fourth League: 11th round utes and Jumaa Saeed scored in the 39th minute. a QFA statement. “About 50 percent of the avail- tier, has told supporters who want to boo Jahra’s two goals were scored by Fahad Ayedh in able seats will be allocated to people who have players taking a knee they are not welcome at the 58th minute - then Ahmad Titi scored from previously contracted the virus.” Fans will be the club.— AFP By Abdellatif Sharaa the spot in the 83rd minute. required to undergo tests at one of three locations where their ticket application will be linked to their KUWAIT: The 11th round of Kuwait Football national identity cards and phone number. Black Caps’ Watling declared fit League (the ranking phase) had few surprises as Fans will then be eligible for a non-transferable teams struggled to finish strong in preparation ticket once they receive the required test result. WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s number one for the start of the regular season. The premier Once inside, fans will be required to wear a mask, wicketkeeper BJ Watling is set to return from league will be made up of the top 10 teams, while show their contact tracing app, and stay in their injury for the second Test against the West the other five will remain in the lower rank. The allocated seat. “This is the first time Qatar has host- Indies, while the tourists suffered a double blow first match saw Salmiya defeating Al-Arabi 3-1, ed a match on this scale under such exceptional yesterday with Kemar Roach and Shane after being down by 1-0. Salmiya’s goals were circumstances,” added Musleh. Qatar has slowly Dowrich ruled out. Pace bowler Roach is scored by Hussein Al-Mousawi in the 77th been welcoming fans back to stadiums, permitting returning home following the death of his father minute, then Alex Lima followed by the second in attendances of up to 30 percent in the top-flight last week while wicketkeeper Dowrich contin- the 78th and then Patric Fabiano scored in the Qatar Stars League. ues to be troubled by the hand injury that side- 4th minute of added time. Salmiya now has 21 The human body produces antibodies when it lined him after day one of the first Test. New points in second place while Arabi’s total fights off viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. They are Zealand are looking to sweep the series having remained at 15 in 8th place. proteins that are programmed to target specific wrapped up the first Test by an innings and 134 Meanwhile, Kheitan was able to gain 3 points pathogens. It is thought likely that if re-exposed to runs inside four days, on the back of a career- - raising their total points to 11 after defeating the virus, most people’s immune systems will pro- best 251 first innings by Kane Williamson. Sulaibkhat which remains with 5 points. Sahel duce new antibodies, as well as immune cells that Watling, who had been suffering a hamstring beat Tadhamon 1-0, giving them a total of 16 target and destroy cells that have been infected. strain, was confident he would be able to take points and leaving Tadhamon with 8 points. In Qatar, which has tested 41 percent of its 2.75 mil- his place in the Black Caps line up when the the final match of the day, Kuwait was able to lion population, has recorded 140,086 infections second Test starts on Friday at the Basin hold on and defeated Jahra 3-2. Kuwait now has since the beginning of the pandemic with the high Reserve in Wellington. “It seem to be progress- 18 points in fourth place while Jahra has 11 in rate attributed to aggressive testing and unsanitary ing pretty well,” he said. — AFP accommodation for workers. — AFP 15 Sports Wednesday, December 9, 2020 Southampton beat Brighton to climb to fifth in Premier League Ings scores controversial VAR penalty BRIGHTON: Danny Ings returned from injury to months after the easing of coronavirus restrictions. score a controversial winner from the penalty spot as They took the lead in the 26th minute when referee Southampton came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 David Coote pointed to the spot after a Danny on Monday and climb to fifth in the Premier League. Welbeck cross hit the raised arms of Ward-Prowse Brighton took the lead from the spot, with Pascal Gross and Gross converted. sending goalkeeper Alex McCarthy the wrong way Brighton looked to get forward at every opportu- after James Ward-Prowse handled the ball in the area. nity while Southampton struggled to get going but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men found an equaliser just Saints were level just before the break. Ward-Prowse before half-time, when Jan Vestergaard produced a continued his impressive record from set-pieces, towering header from a Ward-Prowse corner. Then, crossing the ball from a corner for Vestergaard to with nine minutes remaining, substitute Ings fired head past powerfully past Mat Ryan. Ings, who had home after Southampton were awarded a spot-kick, been out of action for five weeks, was brought on at with Brighton players claiming the foul took place the start of the second half. With 13 minutes to go, outside the area. Hasenhuttl was delighted to see his Kyle Walker-Peters was brought down by Solly team grind out a win while not at their best. March. The referee initially awarded a free-kick “I didn’t see the first penalty,” he said. “For the before a lengthy VAR intervention changed the deci- BRIGHTON: Brighton’s English defender Adam Webster (center) shoots at goal during the English Premier second one, that is why we have VAR, especially sion to a penalty. League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at the American Express when it is about decisions if it is in or not then you Ings made no mistake and his side held on for the Community Stadium in Brighton on December 7, 2020. —AFP need this. “I think it was clear inside the box. It is not victory, which lifts Southampton to 20 points, one nice to get a penalty against you but the decision behind fourth-placed Leicester. Brighton stay 16th from what I have seen was relatively clear.” Brighton on 10 points. Disappointed Brighton boss Graham but that’s what the referee seemed to think,” he told the offence is inside and they’ve proved that’s the started the match brightly in front of 2,000 support- Potter said the first challenge appeared to take place Sky Sports. “I thought it was quite an even game so case, then that’s what it’s there for and it’s what you ers-back in the stadium for the first time in nine outside the box. “I don’t know if there was a second I’m disappointed with the result. If it’s factual and have to accept.” — AFP Iniesta on target as Vissel Kobe edge out Shanghai SIPG 2-0 Inter Milan look DOHA: Andres Iniesta and Daigo for all the fans back in Japan who Nishi struck either side of the break as sent us their messages of support,” to Lukaku for Vissel Kobe edged out Shanghai SIPG said Vissel Kobe coach Atsuhiro 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Miura. The only concern was the Asian Champions League on Monday. possibility of Iniesta missing the next survival But fellow Japanese side Yokohama F. match after he had to substituted in MILAN: Inter Milan are counting on prolific Marinos will not be joining them in the the 65th minute with a thigh injury. striker Romelu Lukaku to power the former last-eight phase after they were Vissel Kobe lagged marginally when three-time winners into the Champions stunned 3-2 by South Koreans Suwon it came to ball possession but were League last 16 today in a must-win clash Bluewings, who bounced back from a more incisive with their forays keep- against Shakhtar Donetsk. The Belgian goal down to clinch a thrilling win with ing the Shanghai SIPG defense busy scored a double in a 3-2 win over Borussia two of their goals coming in the final for long spells of time. Moenchengladbach last time out to keep the eight minutes. DOHA: Kobe’s midfielder Andres Iniesta (center) watches his shot go in next to Italian giants alive in the continental competi- Vissel Kobe flew to Doha with Iniesta shines SIPG’s midfielder Yang Shiyuan (right) and defender Wei Zhen (left) during the AFC tion whose knockout rounds they have not mixed feelings, having broken new Spain and Barcelona legend Iniesta, Champions League round of 16 football match between Japan’s Vissel Kobe and reached since the 2011-2012 season. ground in the domestic top flight by who had scored his first goal in the China’s Shanghai SIPG on December 7, 2020. — AFP Bottom of Group B, Inter need to win at winning the Emperor’s Cup and the tournament to help Vissel Kobe reach the San Siro and for ‘Gladbach and Real Super Cup early in the year but also the round of 16 with a 3-1 win over Madrid not to draw their match. “I’ve never suffering five straight morale-shatter- Guangzhou Evergrande on November rescue in the 31th minute when Iniesta just outside the box went marginally played so well in my life,” said Lukaku after ing defeats in the J1 league in 25, was again in his element on pounced on a perfect pass from Hotaru wide to the left. Vissel Kobe doubled bagging four goals in as many European November. But Monday’s spirited Monday. Playing behind lone striker Yamaguchi just outside the box and their advantage five minutes after the games this season. In total, the Belgian has show put them just three wins short of Douglas, the 36-year-old produced dribbled his way up before placing a low break, Nishi lunging forward to make scored 12 goals in 13 games this season, the continental title, a possibility they trademark passes besides enjoying drive between three defenders, the ball contact with a Kyogo Furuhashi cross including the opener at the weekend in a 3-1 would not have contemplated when taking occasional potshots at the streaking under the keeper’s body and from the left and leaving Chen flum- Serie A win over Bologna. For 27-year-old they set out for their very first appear- Shanghai SIPG goal, keeping goal- into the goal. Shanghai SIPG had a fine moxed. Iniesta had another dash at the Lukaku it is the first time in his career that he ance in the competition. keeper Chen Wei on his toes. chance to draw level five minutes later goal from 35 yards in the 65th minute has scored more than seven goals in his first “This victory is not just for us, but But Wei couldn’t come to his team’s from a free-kick but Oscar’s shot from before he was substituted. — AFP 10 league games of the season. Lukaku has come into his own since join- ing Antonio Conte’s side from Manchester face the Eastern Conference champi- United in 2019 for 80 million euros ($89 mil- Reigning champs on Columbus Crew in Saturday’s MLS lion). In his first season Lukaku scored 34 Cup final at Columbus, Ohio. goals in all competitions, matching the per- Minnesota’s Emanuel Reynoso scored Seattle stun formance of Brazilian Ronaldo in his debut on a free kick in the 29th minute. The season for Inter in 1997-1998. The Belgian’s 25-year-old Argentine midfielder loft- high energy levels and sharp play at Inter are Minnesota to ed a free kick into the penalty area to in contrast to United where he spent two sea- set up Mali defender Bakaye sons, scoring 42 goals in 96 appearances, but Dibassy’s header in the 67th minute. reach MLS final just 15 goals in his final season. He was never Seattle’s Will Bruin answered in the far from fan criticism, over his weight and 75th minute, and Peruvian forward professionalism, as he fell down the pecking WASHINGTON: Seattle’s Gustav Raul Ruidiaz blasted in the equalizer order once Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Svensson headed in the winning goal off an 89th-minute corner kick, setting Jose Mourinho. three minutes into stoppage time the stage for the closing heroics. But Lukaku has found a rich vein of form Monday to lift the defending champi- Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro at Inter alongside Argentine Lautaro on Sounders over Minnesota United blasted a corner kick from the right Martinez and former United teammate Alexis 3-2 and into their fourth MLS Cup side into the crowded penalty area in Sanchez. Conte had been a long-time admirer final in five seasons. The Sounders the tension-packed dying moments of of Lukaku, who started his career at became the first MLS playoff team in stoppage time. It found the head of SEATTLE: Cristian Roldan #7 of Seattle Sounders and Chase Gasper #77 of Anderlect, and tried to sign him for Chelsea 18 years to rally from a two-goal 33-year-old Swedish reserve forward Minnesota United react after their collision in the second half during the Western before the Belgian’s move from Everton to deficit, crushing the visiting Loons to Svensson, who nodded it inside the far Conference Final of the MLS Cup Playoffs on December 07, 2020. — AFP United. His move to Italy at the same time as sustain hopes of a third title after post for the deciding goal, which Conte, was also eased by the presence of his 2016 and last year. “That locker room sparked a celebration among the brother Jordan Lukaku, 25, who played as a is a bunch of winners. Those guys are Sounders but silence from the stands, we’ll get right back at it. We’ve got moments,” he said. “We were almost defender for Lazio. Inter finished second in champions,” Sounders coach Brian as spectators were banned as a another game to win.” Schmetzer said there until Will got there and Raul was Serie A last season, one point behind Schmetzer said. “We’ve gone through Covid-19 precaution. Bruin’s entry in the 73rd minute really happy when Will was in there.” Juventus, although Lukaku’s own goal in the so much adversity from 2016 to now. It was Svensson’s first goal since sparked the fightback and that Minnesota lost for the first time since Europa League final handed Sevilla victory. The guys never quit. They find ways scoring in last year’s playoffs on a Seattle must improve in order to beat August 2019 when scoring first. to win.” corner from Lodeiro. “They are in the Crew. Reynoso produced his seventh assist in ‘Rough diamond’ The Western Conference champion there throwing champagne around. “We’ll have to be able to possess three post-season matches for Inter have scored 26 goals from their first Sounders, who stretched their home But we’ll clean it up,” said Schmetzer. the ball against Columbus, just be a lit- Minnesota, setting an MLS one-season 10 matches, their best haul at this stage since playoff win streak to 15 matches, will “I’ll give them tomorrow off and then tle bit more clinical in our transition playoff assists record in defeat. — AFP the 2009/2010 campaign when they won an unprecedented treble under Mourinho. “Romelu can still get better,” predicted Conte with their stylish play in recent years, but have whose side are second in Serie A, five points Ajax, Atalanta face shown a dip in form amid the tight schedule of Matches on TV behind city rivals AC Milan. “I described him games. In 2019 Erik ten Hag’s young guns stunned (Local Timings) as a rough diamond when he arrived. I felt off for Champions Juventus and Real Madrid on their way to reaching that by putting in the work, he could become the semi-finals for the first time since 1997, but last one of the best strikers in the world. League last 16 spot season they failed to make it past the group stage “He’s like an American football player. after selling some of their biggest stars. Atalanta “He’s on the right track because he’s a humble pulled off the improbable by reaching the quarter- UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE player who works hard for the team and has AMSTERDAM: Atalanta head to Ajax with a slen- finals last season on their debut in the European everything in his locker - physical qualities der advantage ahead of today’s showdown for a competition, despite losing their three opening Ajax Amsterdam v Atalanta 20:55 and also the running ability to make a mark place in the Champions League last 16 on the final group games. beIN Sports HD 1 on an open pitch. “I’m happy with him, the day of group action. Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta In their first campaign, the northern Italian side FC Midtjylland v Liverpool 20:55 team, with Lautaro and with Sanchez, who sit second behind Group D winners Liverpool and played their European home games at San Siro beIN Sports HD 2 could become even more decisive and score one point ahead of third-placed Ajax, and need to because their own stadium was undergoing renova- Bayern Munich v Lokomotiv Moscow 23:00 a few more goals given the qualities he pos- avoid defeat in Amsterdam to book their place in the tion work. But despite playing this season in beIN Sports HD 5 sesses. “However, he previously barely played knockout stages for the second consecutive year. Bergamo, they have not won a European match at Red Bull Salzburg v Atletico de Madrid 23:00 at all for two years while at Manchester United, now he’s playing a lot of games and Four-time European champions Ajax - last win- home, with draws against Ajax and Midtjylland, and beIN Sports HD 3 a heavy 5-0 defeat to Liverpool. On the road the can also be a decisive player when coming off ners in 1995 - must win to ensure their passage after Real Madrid v Borussia Monchengladbach 23:00 Italians have had more success, beating Midtjylland the bench.” missing out last season. The encounter at the Johan beIN Sports HD 1 Cruyff Arena features two teams who drew 2-2 in 4-0 and shocking Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield. Ajax lost Former Juventus and Chelsea manager Inter Milan v Shakhtar Donetsk 23:00 Bergamo on matchday two, when Atalanta came 1-0 home and away to Liverpool, and won their two Conte is bidding to avoid a financially-dam- back from two goals down thanks to a Duvan Zapata games against Midtjylland. However Atalanta have beIN Sports HD 4 aging fourth group stage exit from the brace. “We have the advantage of going to picked up just one win in their last six games in Serie Manchester City v Olympique Marseille 23:00 Champions League. The 51-year-old’s best Amsterdam with the possibility of qualifying with a A and the Champions League. Forwards Zapata, beIN Sports HD 2 result as a coach was leading Juventus to the draw,” said Gasperini after a disappointing 1-1 home Luis Muriel and captain Papu Gomez - who have 15 Olympiacos Piraeus v Porto 23:00 2012/13 quarter-finals, and he reached the draw with Danish side Midtjylland last time out. goals between them this season - have gone six beIN Sports HD 6 last 16 with Chelsea in 2017-2018. — AFP Both teams have captured Europe’s imagination games without scoring. — AFP Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

Australia fight off blazing Kuwait Football League: Southampton beat Brighton, 14Kohli, win final T20 match 14 Kuwait defeat Jahra 3-2 15 to climb 5th in Premier League

PITTSBURGH: Logan Thomas #82 of the Washington Football Team attempts to gain yardage against Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of their game at Heinz Field on December 07, 2020.—AFP Washington stun undefeated Pittsburgh

NFL shocker - Steelers prevented from clinching playoff berth

WASHINGTON: Alex Smith threw for 296 yards season remains the Miami Dolphins in the 1972 cam- pass sparked the drive for the Hopkins go-ahead kick. postponed from last Thursday due to coronavirus and a touchdown Monday, and the Washington Foot- paign. The Steelers fell level with reigning Super Bowl Thomas had a career-high nine catches for 98 rescheduling issues. The Ravens (6-5) hope to end ball Team stunned previously unbeaten Pittsburgh champion Kansas City at 11-1 in a fight for the top yards, and teammate JD McKissic made a career- a three-game losing streak at the expense of the 23-17, preventing the Steelers from clinching an NFL seed in the American Conference and a first-round best 10 grabs for 70 yards. In the night’s only other Cowboys (3-8). playoff berth. Washington’s Dustin Hopkins kicked a playoff bye. Roethlisberger threw second-quarter matchup, Buffalo’s Josh Allen completed 32-of-40 The New York Jets (0-12) fired defensive coor- 45-yard field goal with 2:07 to play and - after Jon touchdown passes of three yards to Diontae Johnson passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns to dinator Gregg Williams on Monday, a day after the Bostic intercepted a deflected Ben Roethlisberger and 50 yards to James Washington as the Steelers power the Bills (9-3) over San Francisco 34-24 at winless club allowed a last-second touchdown pass pass - added another 45-yard field goal with 17 sec- took a 14-0 lead. Arizona. Buffalo, which entertains Pittsburgh on by Las Vegas to give the Raiders a 31-28 triumph. onds remaining to seal the shocking victory. But Hopkins kicked a 49-yard field goal just before Sunday, stayed a game ahead of Miami atop the “I just felt like that was the best thing for our team “It was well earned. Our guys played pretty dog- half-time, and Washington marched 82 yards in 14 AFC East division, while San Francisco fell a game moving forward,” Jets coach Adam Gase said. gone good,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said. “This plays over 6:44 to open the second half, a one-yard back of the final NFC wild-card playoff spot. The Williams called for an attack of the quarterback in- really does rank right up there because of who we touchdown run by Peyton Barber pulling the visitors 49ers (5-7) were forced from their home stadium stead of tighter pass defense and Derek Carr threw beat, in Pittsburgh. To come in and win, it was big for within 14-10. Pittsburgh responded with Matthew by Covid-19 safety measures imposed by local the winning touchdown pass to Henry Ruggs with our guys. Real proud of them.” Rallying from a 14- Wright’s first NFL field goal on the opening play of government officials. 13 seconds remaining. “I obviously wasn’t happy point deficit, the team that dropped its nickname this the fourth quarter. But Smith flipped a 15-yard touch- about that call,” Gase added. “We can’t have that year over Native American racism issues improved to down pass to Logan Thomas with 9:09 to play, lifting Jackson back for Ravens happen.” The Carolina Panthers, 4-8 and coming off 5-7, winning its third consecutive game to match the Washington level at 17-17. Pittsburgh turned over the In off-field news, the Baltimore Ravens activated a bye week, had eight players placed on the club’s New York Giants for the NFC East division lead. ball on downs at the Washington 28-yard line, and a quarterback Lamar Jackson off the COVID-19 list COVID-19 reserve list Monday and closed the team The only Super Bowl champion with an unbeaten one-handed catch by Cam Sims on a 29-yard Smith just in time for him to start against Dallas in a game training facility. — AFP

sport,” Hogeg said in the statement. France handed an Abu Dhabi royal Beitar Jerusalem’s fans have historically been considered anti-Muslim and anti- awkward draw in family member Arab, with their far-right “La Familia” fan group known for its chants against the Prophet Mohammed. WCup qualifying buys half of The first division club is the only Is- PARIS: Holders France were handed an raeli side never to have fielded an Arab awkward draw in qualifying for the 2022 Israeli club player. But it has been working to World Cup on Monday, with Ukraine and change its image in recent years and in Bosnia and Herzegovina standing in their 2017 received an award for its fight way on the road to the finals in Qatar, while JERUSALEM: A member of Abu against racism. Since they normalized England will face Robert Lewandowski and Dhabi’s royal family on Monday bought ties, both the UAE and Bahrain have Poland in their group. Gareth Southgate’s half of Beitar Jerusalem, a top Israeli signed a raft of deals with Israel, rang- England, semi-finalists in 2018 in Russia, will ZURICH: This handout picture released by the International Federation of Association Football football team notorious for its anti- ing from tourism to aviation and finan- also take on Hungary and Albania as well as (FIFA) shows a general view of the stage before the UEFA preliminary draw for the FIFA World Arab fan base, the club said. Sheikh cial services. The accords have been two of international football’s minnows, An- Cup 2022 on December 7, 2020. —AFP Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Nahyan signed a condemned by the Palestinians as a dorra and San Marino, in Group I. “partnership agreement” with club “stab in the back”. Nahyan said he was France will also face Finland - who re- encounters came in the campaign for the postponed Euro 2020 set to go ahead in owner Moshe Hogeg, said a statement “thrilled” by the deal, calling it one of cently beat Les Bleus in a friendly in Paris - 2014 finals, with the sides drawing 1-1 in June and July. from Beitar, calling it a “historic and ex- the “phenomenal fruits of peace and in Group D, with Kazakhstan completing the Warsaw before England triumphed 2-0 at That means a team that reaches the final citing day”. fraternity between the nations,” he said. group that was drawn in a virtual ceremony Wembley. Most famously, England missed of Euro 2020 can expect to play 17 compet- The agreement comes after Israel He ended the statement with the at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich due to the out on a place at the 1974 World Cup after itive games between March and November established ties with UAE and Bahrain, club’s trademark slogan: “Yalla COVID-19 pandemic. Didier Deschamps’ losing 2-0 in Poland and then being held 1- next year. Only the winners of the 10 groups only the third and fourth only Arab na- Beitar!” The deal was brokered by So- side are in a group of just five teams be- 1 at Wembley. “There’s a great history of will qualify automatically for the finals, tions to normalise relations with the viet-born, UAE-based businessman cause they will be involved in the finals of that fixture. There was a spell when we which are to take place in November and Jewish state after Egypt and Jordan. Naum Koen. In a statement, he said the UEFA Nations League in Italy next Oc- seemed to draw them every time,” said December of 2022. The 10 runners-up will Al-Nahyan “purchased approximately the deal showed “how peace between tober. One of the most significant results of Southgate. go into play-offs alongside the two best 50 percent of Beitar in return for in- leaders seeps in and is translated into Deschamps’ time as France coach came in Nations League group winners who miss vesting 300 millions shekels ($92 mil- real peace between two nations.” But qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, when his Fixture pile-up out on qualifying via the traditional path. lion) in the club over 10 years,” the not everyone was happy with the deal. side faced Ukraine in a deciding play-off. The European qualifying competition Those play-offs, in March 2022, will statement said. Shai Elimelech, a longtime Beitar fan, They lost 2-0 in the first leg in Kiev be- begins in March, with 13 countries from the produce three more qualifiers in total. Ger- His son Mohammad will represent found it hard to stomach his team fore winning 3-0 in the return. “A qualifying continent going through to the 32-team fi- many, whose coach Joachim Loew has Al-Nahyan on the board of directors being partly bought by “an Arab.” campaign is always a long road where there nals. There will be three rounds of fixtures been under severe pressure after poor re- “on all matters pertaining to the club,” “Everyone in the league will make fun can be pitfalls,” Deschamps said. “It is better in March, three more in September and two cent results for the 2014 World Cup win- it said. “We’re marching the club to- of us and call us Arabs,” he told AFP to avoid them.” As for England, it is the sev- each in October and November. That will ners, will be expected to come through a gether, all of us, to a new era of coex- as he filled out a lottery form in a enth time they have been drawn with Poland only increase pressure on a fixture calendar group in which Romania and Iceland ap- istence, achievements and fraternity for Jerusalem corner shop. “Money isn’t in World Cup qualifying. Their most recent that is already packed, especially with the pear their main threats. — AFP our club, our community and Israeli everything in life.” ‚— AFP