PM Submits Govt Resignation to Amir As Mps Set Priorities

JAMADA ALAWWAL 30, 1442 AH THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

16 Pages Max 22º Min 07º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18334 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait Towers shimmer US deaths hit daily record as Washing clothes can create Pogba ‘happy’ when winning 2 with sadu patterns 5 Japan, China tighten curbs 9 Arctic microplastic pollution 15 as Man Utd go top of league

PM submits govt resignation to Amir as MPs set priorities

Assembly panel rejects KD 100 fine for not wearing facemask

By B Izzak

13 Kuwaiti martyrs laid to rest KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who submitted the government’s resignation to him. Cabinet ministers had submitted their resignations to Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled on Tuesday. Sixteen opposition MPs yesterday signed a statement calling on the next Cabinet to make fighting corruption its top priority. The statement also called on the future government to cooperate in passing laws to amend the election law and legislation linked to freedom of expression, in addition to the Kuwaitization of public sector jobs. Meanwhile, the National Assembly’s health and labor committee yesterday rejected a government proposal to impose a fine of KD 100 on people not wearing a facemask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Rapporteur of the committee MP Saadoun Hammad said the majority of the panel members rejected the proposal except MP Saleh Al-Mutairi, a physician, who called for raising the fine to KD 500. KUWAIT: Security forces carry the coffins of Kuwaiti prisoners of war (POWs) Hammad said the committee rejected the princi- whose remains were found in a mass grave in Iraq during a funeral procession ple of imposing fines on citizens, adding that MPs KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives HH the at Sulaibikhat cemetery yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat (See Page 3) asked the health ministry about the way it plans to Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who submitted the Continued on Page 2 government’s resignation, at Bayan Palace yesterday. — KUNA

seven days ahead of Democrat Joe News in brief Trump on the Biden’s inauguration, would make Trump the first US president to have Israeli raids on Syria kill 57 been impeached twice. Trump’s epic brink of 2nd downfall was triggered by his January 6 BEIRUT: Israeli raids targeting arms depots speech to a crowd on the National and military positions in east Syria killed 57 impeachment Mall, telling them that Biden had stolen regime loyalists, in the deadliest such strikes the election and that they needed to since the start of the conflict, a monitor said WASHINGTON: The House of march on Congress and show yesterday. At least 14 Syrian regime forces, 16 Representatives was set to impeach “strength.” Iraqi militia fighters, and 11 Afghan members of President Donald Trump for inciting Amped up on weeks of conspiracy the pro-Iran Fatimid Brigade were among those insurrection yesterday, with several key theories pushed by Trump, the mob killed, said the Britain-based Syrian Republicans backing the Democrat-led stormed into the Capitol, fatally injured Observatory for Human Rights. The nationality push to bring down the real estate one police officer, wrecked furniture of the remaining 16 who lost their lives in the 18 tycoon in flames just a week before he and forced terrified lawmakers to hide, strikes was not immediately clear. Days before leaves office. Washington was in a state interrupting a ceremony to put the the strikes, the Fatimid Brigade transported a of siege as lawmakers opened their ses- legal stamp on Biden’s victory. One consignment of Iranian-manufactured weapons sion, with armed National Guard sol- protester was shot dead, and three oth- WASHINGTON: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer walks past members of the diers deployed, central streets barred to er people died of “medical emergen- to eastern Syria from Iraq. — AFP National Guard as he arrives at the US Capitol ahead of a House vote impeaching cars and public spaces fenced off. cies”, bringing the toll to five. US President Donald Trump yesterday. — AFP The expected majority vote, coming Continued on Page 2 Negative COVID test to enter US nesses, Facebook executive Adam WASHINGTON: All air passengers bound for WhatsApp Mosseri, who heads Instagram, said in the US will require a negative COVID-19 test a tweet. within three days of their departure, the Centers WhatsApp’s new terms sparked for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said users flock criticism, as users outside Europe who Tuesday. The policy will take effect on Jan 26. do not accept the new conditions The CDC also recommends that travelers get to rivals before February 8 will be cut off from tested again three to five days after their arrival, the messaging app. “The policy and stay home for at least seven days. The test SAN FRANCISCO: WhatsApp on update does not affect the privacy of must be for “current infection” and passengers Tuesday reassured users about priva- your messages with friends or family are required to provide written proof of its out- cy at the Facebook-owned messaging in any way,” Mosseri said. The update service as people flocked to rivals come to airlines before they are allowed to regards how merchants using Telegram and Signal following a board. The policy expands on a previous test- WhatsApp to chat with customers can tweak to its terms. There was “a lot of share data with Facebook, which could ing rule that targeted Britain following the misinformation” about an update to use the information for targeting ads, emergence of a coronavirus variant believed to terms of service regarding an option according to the social network. NEW DELHI: An advertisement by WhatsApp is seen in newspapers at a stall be more transmissible.— AFP to use WhatsApp to message busi- Continued on Page 2 yesterday. — AFP

Death sentence for boy’s murder came in the final days of the government of - the first for a female inmate since 1953 - a First woman US President Donald Trump, which pushed “vicious, unlawful, and unnecessary exer- RABAT: A Moroccan court sentenced a 24- forward with her execution despite a legal cise of authoritarian power.” year-old to death yesterday for the rape and battle that the Supreme Court ended with a “The craven bloodlust of a failed murder of an 11-year-old boy, in a case that has executed by US ruling in the early hours of yesterday. administration was on full display tonight,” sparked calls for renewed executions. The Montgomery, 52, murdered an expectant Henry said. “Everyone who participated in accused was arrested after he sent a ransom govt in 67 yrs mother to steal her baby, though she had the execution of Lisa Montgomery should demand to the child’s parents in an ill-con- sought a stay of execution on the grounds feel shame.” The US Supreme Court voted ceived bid to put police off his trail by persuad- she was mentally ill. She was the 11th per- 6-3 in favor of lifting a last minute stay of WASHINGTON: An American woman was ing them money was the motive. He was son to be put to death after the Trump execution and allowing Montgomery’s put to death by lethal injection yesterday, administration successfully fought to execution to proceed despite doubts accused of keeping his victim captive in his becoming the first female to be executed by resume federal executions in July following about her mental state. The court’s three rented apartment, raping him and then killing US federal authorities in nearly seven a 17-year hiatus. Her lawyer Kelley Henry, liberal dissenters voted to grant her a stay Lisa Montgomery him before burying the body nearby. — AFP decades. Lisa Montgomery’s execution in a scathing statement, called the decision of execution. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Thursday, January 14, 2021 Local Kuwait Amir receives Crown Prince, parliament speaker

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. His Highness the Amir also received National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince received His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as well as Ghanem at the Bayan Palace yesterday. — KUNA photos

praise as well upon His Highness the Prime Minister Foreign Ministry Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah who had closely followed up organizational procedures that ensured success of the latest GCC summit, held celebrates Sheikh in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. The honoring by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Dr Ahmad’s honoring Ahmad continued, should be also addressed to all ministers who had held the portfolio since 60 years KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs ago, starting with the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al- yesterday celebrated His Highness the Amir’s recent Sabah, Kuwait’s first foreign minister, as well as the decoration of the Foreign Minister with the First- late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, in addition to the ex- Class Order of Kuwait. Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al- Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah inaugurat- Sabah “and my great brother His Highness the Prime ed the ceremony at the foreign ministry building, Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah marking His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- who had exerted remarkable efforts when held the Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s recent honoring of the post.” Moreover, he eyed the Amir’s gesture as minister with the state top decoration. Addressing appreciation for all founders of the departments, the the ceremony, Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad said he diplomats who had fallen as martyrs in the service was honored with His Highness the Amir’s gesture and those who had devoted all their life time for the that crowned the outcome of efforts for addressing diplomatic work abroad, in addition to all personnel various issues during the era of the late Amir, and would-be staff. Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, namely Minister Ambassador Khaled Al-Jarallah also spoke the work that had been done to tackle the inter- at the ceremony, thanking His Highness the Amir for GCC rift. He congratulated His Highness the Amir on his overture and expressing felicitations to the for- the fruitful efforts that healed the wedge among eign minister, saying the honoring “constituted the some GCC countries, recalling the shuttle missions peak of civilization and faithfulness.” He pledged KUWAIT: Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and other ministry officials cut by the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad who continuing work alongside the foreign minister for a the cake during the ceremony. — KUNA spared no effort to reunify the GCC ranks, heaping better performance by the department. — KUNA

Kuwait Towers shimmer with sadu patterns ‘til Jan 31 News in brief Amir condoles with Saudi King

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has addressed a cable of condolences to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on the demise of Prince Khaled bin Abdullah Al Saud. Their Highnesses the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, respectively, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah and Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Sabah addressed identical cables to the Saudi Monarch. — KUNA

539 new COVID cases

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti announced yesterday recording 539 new COVID-19 cases and one death in the previous 24 hours, raising total infections and deaths to 155,874 and 947 respectively. Meanwhile, total recov- eries reached 149,809 with 234 fresh ones registered in the same period. The total number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals stood yesterday at 5,118, including 48 in intensive care units. Health workers conducted 11,567 swab tests during the same period, bringing the total up to 1,359,421. — KUNA

Aid to 440 refugee families

AMMAN: The Kuwaiti International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO), in cooperation with the Kuwait “Tarahom” volunteers’ team, launched yesterday a winter relief project to dis- tribute aid to about 440 Syrian refugee families in Jordan. Kuwait’s Ambassador to Jordan Aziz Al- KUWAIT: Sadu House Chairperson Sheikha Bibi Al-Sabah (second from right) in a group photo in front of Kuwait Towers. — KUNA Daihani said that Kuwait, led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, KUWAIT: Kuwait Towers will continue beaming Cooperative Society (Sadu House) Sheikha Bibi Duaij race immaterial heritage. Sheikha Bibi affirmed the pursues its humanitarian approach, based on sup- with ornamented and colored lights depicting inscrip- Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah said yesterday. Kuwait Towers association approach to preserve the national tradi- porting and helping people within the framework tions and patterns of the national sadu craft works are shimmering with the lighted ornamentations in tional art, one of the most important components of of humanitarian projects and programs around until January 31, chairperson of Al-Sadu Weaving celebration of listing sadu in UNESCO’s list of human the Kuwaiti cultural heritage. — KUNA the world. — KUNA

“We’re giving businesses the option to use secure sliding momentum. WhatsApp hosting services from Facebook to manage WhatsApp Trump on the His insistence that his infamous speech to the chats with their customers, answer questions, and send crowd had been “totally appropriate” and that he helpful information like purchase receipts,” WhatsApp brink of 2nd... bore no blame infuriated allies and opponents alike. users flock... said in the post. “Whether you communicate with a While the House impeachment is all but assured, it business by phone, email, or WhatsApp, it can see what Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 1 had seemed highly unlikely that the Republican- you’re saying and may use that information for its own controlled Senate would follow through with a trial. marketing purposes, which may include advertising on Senate leader Mitch McConnell made clear that “We can’t see your private messages or hear your Facebook.” Trump still remains defiant, refusing to accept calls, and neither can Facebook,” WhatsApp said in a Encrypted messaging app Telegram has seen user responsibility for his campaign to undermine there was no time before the Jan 20 change in pres- blog post. “We don’t keep logs of who everyone is mes- ranks surge on the heels of the WhatsApp service Americans’ belief in the election system and his idency because the Senate is in recess until Jan 19. saging or calling. We can’t see your shared location and terms announcement, said its Russia-born founder final, fiery speech on the Mall. But his once seem- Other than scheduling problems, there has been no neither can Facebook.” Location data along with mes- Pavel Durov. Durov, 36, said on his Telegram channel ingly unbreakable grip on Republicans is eroding as appetite among Republicans, who acquitted Trump sage contents is encrypted end-to-end, according to Tuesday that the app had over 500 million monthly leaders run out of patience - and look to a post- in his first impeachment trial a year ago, to strip him WhatsApp. active users. — AFP Trump rebuilding of their party. of office just days before he is set to leave anyway. Vice President Mike Pence threw Trump a lifeline However, according to The New York Times, Hammad said the ministry has also signed a on Tuesday, saying he would not invoke the 25th McConnell signaled privately on Tuesday that he PM submits govt contract to import three million AstraZeneca vac- Amendment that allows him and the Cabinet to strip believes Trump did commit impeachable offenses cines, enough for 1.5 million people. This means a sitting president of his powers. But impeachment and he welcomes the impeachment. If confirmed, that throughout this year, the ministry will be on the single charge of “incitement of insurrection” this would be a potentially fatal shift in the ground resignation... importing vaccines enough for two million people, is all but assured to pass. A vote had been sched- under Trump’s feet. McConnell could in theory call he said. The committee however called on the min- uled for around 3:00 pm (2000 GMT). the Senate back for an emergency session or Continued from Page 1 istry to sign more contracts directly with manufac- Trump, who has been stripped of his social media encourage his senators to join Democrats in con- turing companies to import vaccines enough for megaphones by Twitter and Facebook, and finds victing Trump even after Biden assumes office. impose the fine. The lawmaker said the commit- the entire population of the country within the himself increasingly ostracized in the business In the House, the number three Republican Liz tee also discussed the vaccination drive against current year. world, is struggling to impose his message - let Cheney said she would be voting to impeach, and the coronavirus and the vaccines the ministry has In a related development, MP Osama Al-Shaheen alone any kind of resistance. On a quick trip to called Trump’s actions “a betrayal” of his office. This already contracted to buy. He said the health min- asked the health minister why the vaccination drive in Texas on Tuesday he visited the US-Mexico border came after top House Republican Kevin McCarthy istry explained that it has already contracted to Kuwait has been so slow. He also asked him about the wall, which he regards as one of his biggest said members would not be required to toe the par- purchase one million vaccines from Pfizer, enough ministry’s vaccination plan and if it plans to recruit achievements. But the brief, low-energy speech he ty line on the vote - a significant weakening of sup- to inoculate 500,000 people. foreign teams to help in the vaccination process. made there did nothing to recapture his rapidly port for Trump. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Thursday, January 14, 2021 Kuwait martyrs laid to rest; Amir sends condolences to families Sheikh Nawaf recalls martyrs’ great sacrifice

KUWAIT: The funeral prayer is performed on the martyrs at the Sulaibikhat cemetery yesterday. Family members carry coffins of the martyrs during the funeral procession. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Kuwaiti security forces carry coffins of the martyrs to their final Family members bury one of the martyrs during the funeral. Kuwaiti security forces carry coffins of the martyrs during the resting place. funeral procession.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Highness the Amir expressed most sincere sor- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah addressed cables row on their demise, recalling their sacrifices, of condolences to families of Kuwait’s martyrs. brave action for defending the homeland and The names of the martyrs, who have been laid to shedding their blood for Kuwait’s sake. He has rest yesterday, are Bader Hussein Murad Al- also prayed for the martyrs’ souls, wishing their Kandari, Suleiman Kadhim Qatie Ali Taher, Tariq loved ones patience and solace. Meanwhile, His Mohammad Ahmad Abdullah Al-Yaqout, Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al- Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Showaimani, Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent cables of identical Abdulmahdi Abdulhameed Mohammad Maarafi content of deep solace to the families on their Behbehani, Essa Mohammad Zaman Mohammad, loves ones’ death, also praying for God Almighty’s Kamil Abdulrahman Mohammad Nasser Al-Fayez, mercy and forgiveness for the martyrs. He has Mohammad Saad Masoud Al-Ahmad, also voiced solidarity with the bereaved families. Mohammad Saleh Mohammad Suleiman Al- Moreover, cables of same content were Muhaini, Mahdi Habeeb Ali Zaid Al-Boloushi, addressed by His Highness the Prime Minister Mustafa Hussein Ahmad Mohammad Al-Qattan Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to and Yousif Zaid Zamel Saud Al-Zamel. His the martyrs’ families. —KUNA Coffins of the martyrs are carried to their final resting place.

News in brief Four handed life sentences

KUWAIT: The criminal court headed by Judge Abdullah Al-Osaimi handed four Europeans working at the Kuwait health office in London life sentences and fined them double the embezzled amount of 11 million euros, Al-Qabas Arabic daily reported yesterday. A source said tremen- dous efforts were exerted by the public prose- cution in this case through questioning officials as well as health ministry employees, and found documents that prove funds were embezzled.

8.3% polygamist marriages

KUWAIT: Latest official statistics for 2019 revealed 1,155 married men married again - some of them have two wives and others three and even four, Al-Qabas reported. This number makes up 8.3 percent of 13,886 marriages of Kuwaitis and expats in the same year. Statistics by the central census department said the number of those taking a second wife is the highest among the total number, as 1,059 men married a second wife - 698 Kuwaitis and 361 expats. Statistics revealed that 85 men married a third wife, 60 of whom are Kuwaitis and 19 expats.

KD 500 deposit per deliveryman

KUWAIT: Delivery companies owners are waiting for organizing the registration of vehicles and motorcycles and the allowed number in each license, reported Al-Qabas. Sources said the traffic department, after placing a maximum limit of 15 motorcycles and 10 private cars, suspended registration of vehicles and motorcycles until the organizational decision is issued this month. Sources said the manpower authority has also started collecting a refund- able deposit of KD 500 for each driver. Sources said license owners and the delivery union plan a sit-in if the organization’s decision is not issued, because banning registration of vehicles and motorcycles hampers their interest and those of the businesses they serve, particularly restaurants. 4 Established 1961 Local Thursday, January 14, 2021

Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf Indian embassy celebrates THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 Founder and Publisher ‘National Youth Day’ YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN

Editor-in-Chief By Sajeev K Peter munity in Kuwait and for their leadership in strength- ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN ening the bilateral relations between the two friendly EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 KUWAIT: The Indian Embassy in Kuwait on Tuesday countries. “I would also like to express my gratitude to ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 celebrated ‘National Youth Day’ marking the birth the government and the people of Kuwait for the per- FAX : 24835620/1 anniversary of Swami Vivekananda -India’s ‘youth icon sonal care and humanitarian support extended to the CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 for ages’. In a solemn ceremony held at the Indian Indian community during the pandemic,” he said. ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 embassy, Indian Ambassador Sibi George announced Highlighting the symbiosis between the embassy COMMERCIAL : 24835618 the launch of Swami Vivekananda annual address in and the community that exist today, he said the Kuwait. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) embassy is working very closely with the community; P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. President Vinay Sahasrabuddhe delivered the first to support those in distress and also collectively cele- Email: [email protected] ‘Swami Vivekananda Address’ and unveiled the portrait brate India in Kuwait. “Together we celebrate every Website: www.kuwaittimes.net of Vivekananda on the embassy premises. important occasion, every festival, every national day The ambassador said the embassy would organize of importance; and collectively strive for strengthening this address annually on the ‘National Youth Day’ on of relations between India and Kuwait. Today’s event is News in brief January 12. “Today, we commemorate not just an indi- also part of this endeavor to celebrate India, celebrate KUWAIT: Indian Ambassador Sibi George announces the vidual, but a phenomenon, who cannot be described in the life and contribution of Swami Vivekananda, who is launch of Swami Vivekananda annual address in Kuwait PCR test required just mere words. Swami Vivekananda was a colossal an embodiment of the Indianness in the modern during a function at the Indian embassy on Tuesday. figure in our nation’s history who played a leading role world,” he said. before traveling to US in bringing about a new awakening in India,” the The year 2021-2022 marks the 60th anniversary of anniversaries,” he informed. ambassador said. Swami Vivekananda emphasized on establishment of diplomatic relations between Kuwait The ambassador thanked ICCR president, Dr Vinay WASHINGTON: Kuwait’s Embassy in Washington has the ideals of service and renunciation. His belief in and India and the embassy is planning to organize a Sahasrabuddhe, for joining the Indian community to called all citizens heading to the US to do the pre-depar- youth energy was unwavering; which found expression series of events as part of these celebrations. “We deliver the first Swami Vivekananda address and also ture PCR test starting from January 26, 2021. In a state- in his iconic saying ‘give me 100 believing youth and I also look forward to celebrating the 75th anniversary install the portrait of Swami Vivekananda in Kuwait. “In ment late Tuesday, the embassy said travellers should have shall transform India’, he said. of our Independence and 125th birth anniversary of the last few years, under the visionary leadership of its certificate proving that they are not infected with the The ambassador thanked His Highness the Amir Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. The embassy, with the dynamic president, ICCR has transformed itself as the COVID-19, issued 72 hours before the date of departure, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His support of ICCR, looks forward to working closely most important forum in promoting Indian culture according to the new procedures that will be applied by Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad with all the Indian community associations in Kuwait abroad and in building cultural partnership with the the US health authorities. For more information visit the Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for hosting the large Indian com- and our partners to celebrate these important world, he added. National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)website: www.cdc.gov. from the quarantine period, the Department of Health - operational capabilities, capable of safely organizing a IDEX, NAVDEX 2021 Abu Dhabi is keen to promote business activity in the global mega-event. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Indian Embassy hosts open house emirate. We worked closely with ADNEC as a strategic stringent precautionary and safety measures have been participants exempt partner throughout the pandemic on a number of initia- our foremost priority. KUWAIT: A digital open house with Indian Ambassador tives that ensured the health of the community. “This exemption has been enabled by the continued Sibi George will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at from quarantine in UAE Accordingly, we are confident of their ability to imple- cooperation and support from our strategic partners and 3:30 pm, the Indian Embassy announced. The open house ment rigorous precautionary measures including the nec- stakeholders. Such support has allowed us to continue to will be open to all Indian nationals in Kuwait. Those inter- essary PCR tests that ensure the health and safety of visi- strengthen the position of this event, building on its suc- ested may register by sending their details including full ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions tors and exhibitors attending this event. cess and continuing to attract a wider range of visitors name as in the passport, passport number, Civil ID number Company (ADNEC), the organizer of the International “Participants exempt from quarantine procedures still and exhibitors. In attracting such a high caliber of inter- and contact number and address in Kuwait, through an Defense Exhibition (IDEX 2021) and the Naval Defense must observe the strict guidelines in place before entering national companies, IDEX and NAVDEX will continue to email to [email protected]. Questions and Exhibition (NAVDEX 2021), held under the patronage of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In doing so, they will ensure the showcase the latest developments in the defense sector.” comments may also be sent by email. Those registered will the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa implementation of preventative measures, safeguarding the Through the IDEX, NAVDEX, and the International be intimated about the meeting ID and other details. bin Zayed Al Nahyan, from 21-25 February, has received highest standards of health and safety for all residents.” Defense Conference, ADNEC aims to attract global approval from the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre for all “We will co-ordinate extensively with authorities to expertise in the land, sea, and air defense industries, badge holders to be exempted from the 10-day quaran- facilitate the entry of participants to the conference, sup- localizing knowledge in the UAE. The 15th edition of the Israel stamp tine procedure on their arrival into Abu Dhabi. porting their attendance by preserving the health of those IDEX and NAVDEX exhibitions is a distinguished global This step has been taken to facilitate the arrival of inter- around them,” Nuaimi concluded. platform which highlights the national defense sector and KUWAIT: Any Gulf national has the right to enter Kuwait national delegations from all over the world. International Humaid Matar Al-Dhaheri, Managing Director and its infrastructure. Further, the exhibitions will showcase even if their passport contains an entry stamp to Israel, Al- visitors to the UAE must present their event badge, printed Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition the latest in cutting-edge technology in these sectors, fol- Anbaa reported yesterday quoting an informed security on A4 paper, at any border, to be exempted from the quar- Company, commented: “This exemption demonstrates lowing the global innovation trends of the Fourth source at the border outlets. The source said there is an antine, and they will not be required to wear tracking how IDEX and NAVDEX are leading the recovery of Industrial Revolution. agreement between GCC countries that guarantees move- wristbands. Detailed protocols to facilitate the entry of del- business activity following the COVID-19 pandemic. A wide raft of health and safety measures have been ment of these countries’ citizens between them, and Kuwait egations and support their participation, are being finalized Additionally, it will showcase how Abu Dhabi continues to designed and implemented across IDEX 2021, has nothing to do with bilateral agreements any Gulf country in collaboration with relevant authorities in the UAE, and an lead as a regional capital for the business tourism sector. NAVDEX 2021 and the International Defense signs with Israel. He said as per the Gulf agreement, any Gulf update will be published on a later stage. We maintain our support to welcome the world, once Conference, ensuring the safety of all participants. All national can enter Kuwait using their country’s passport even Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu again, in spite of the ongoing global conditions caused by those attending will be required to follow the social if it has Israeli entry and exit stamps, adding many Americans Dhabi Public Health Centre, part of Department of Health the pandemic.” distancing measures and the wearing of face masks is and Europeans enter the country using passports they previ- - Abu Dhabi, said: “Through our decision to exempt par- Dhaheri added: “This stride demonstrates the UAE’s being mandated across exhibition facilities, ensuring ously entered Israel with. ticipants of the IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 exhibitions and ADNEC’s robust range of flexible infrastructure and the safety of all attending the events.

ers at elementary, middle or secondary schools for Embassy announces at least five years in total. c) Applicants should be physically fit to participate in the program. Japanese govt’s d) Applicants must be interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their understanding of Japan after arriving in Japan. Applicants must also have the teachers’ scholarship ability to do research in Japanese and adapt to living in Japan. KUWAIT: The Embassy of Japan is pleased to e) Japanese Embassy will carry out screening, announce that the Government of Japan offers schol- interview and written examinations. arship to teachers who wish to conduct research on Application forms, detailed information and school education at Japanese Universities. other conditions can be downloaded from The Japanese Government Scholarship was estab- Embassy’s page: (https://www.kw.emb- lished in 1954 in order to increase mutual understand- japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00117.html). ing between the people of Japan and other countries as well as to make an international contribution to the The deadline for submitting applications is intellectual field. Thursday, February 18, 2021. Only soft copies, PDF All Kuwaiti citizens who meet the qualifications format, and sent by email to the Embassy, will be below are eligible to apply: accepted. The application process consists of docu- a) Applicants are those who are born on or after April ment screening, written exams, and personal inter- 2, 1986. view. Academic exams will be held on Tuesday March b) Applicants must be graduates of universities or 2, 2021. Inquiries can be made with the cultural sec- teacher training schools and have worked as teach- tion of the Embassy of Japan on 25309426. DWC bids farewell to Kyrgyz envoy

KUWAIT: The honorary president of Diplomatic Republic, a box that contains many things presenting Women’s Committee Sheikha Halah Bader Mohammad traditional Kuwaiti heritage. Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah held a tea gathering at English At the end of the meeting, Her Excellency the tea lounge in Sheraton hotel to bid farewell to Madame Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic thanked Sheikha Samarguil Adamkulova, the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Halah and DWC, specially Madam Nargis Al-Shatti, Republic for her final departure from the country. the advisor of the committee and Fauzia Abdul Basit, Among the attendees were Dr Tarek El-Sheikh, UN the media and public relations officer for their efforts Secretary-General Representative in Kuwait with his and dedication to make DWC an eventful and a suc- wife, the spouse of the Austrian Ambassador, the advi- cessful organization introducing Kuwaiti culture and sor of DWC Madam Narjis Al-Shatti and members of heritage to the world through the diplomatic circle, the committee. Sheikha Halah presented new year gifts wishing a new year ahead full of happiness, peace and to all attendees, she also presented a souvenir of health with special prayers to God to remove the Kuwaiti heritage to the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz scourge of this pandemic from the whole world. International THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 Deserted, boarded up, fenced off: Washington barely recognizable Turbulent Trump diplomacy ends with scrapped Europe, Taiwan trips Page 7 Page 6

WUHAN: A woman wearing a face mask holds a baby that wears a protective shield during rush hour on a street outside of a shopping mall complex in Wuhan yesterday. A team of WHO experts will land directly in Wuhan today, China’s foreign ministry said. — AFP US COVID-19 deaths hit daily record

China rushes to contain outbreaks; global infections soar past 91 million WASHINGTON: The United States has endured its makeshift ICU beds and even the pediatric ward. than 20 million people under some form of lockdown ulation-level immunity this year. One of the Chinese- worst day of the pandemic, with three Americans McGuire said there were “astronomical numbers” in the country’s northern regions. The government of developed vaccines, CoronaVac, demonstrated a 50 dying every minute, as China took decisive steps of COVID-19 deaths-the United States accounts for northeastern Heilongjiang province-home to 37.5 percent efficacy following tests in Brazil, the organiza- yesterday to stamp out a tiny coronavirus outbreak. a fifth of the world’s almost two million coronavirus million people-declared an “emergency state” yes- tion in charge of its production in the South American Global infections have soared past 91 million, and fatalities. Authorities on Tuesday announced that terday after 28 cases were found, telling residents country said Tuesday. While that figure is much lower the spikes have forced governments around the starting January 26, all travelers entering the United not to leave the province unless necessary. than the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, world to reimpose restrictions such as unpopular States by air will need a negative Covid-19 test China is rushing to inoculate millions using home- Indonesia-one of the world’s most populous nations- and economically painful lockdowns, including in before departure. grown vaccines ahead of the Lunar New Year travel has given it the green light and kicked off a mass inoc- Europe which is battling a devastating second wave. Neighboring Canada also scrambled to contain a rush, which authorities fear could boost the risk of ulation drive with it yesterday. The United States is the worst-hit nation, log- worrying outbreak, ordering residents in Ontario-its transmission. Japan was set to expand a coronavirus President Joko Widodo became Indonesia’s first ging a record 4,470 deaths in 24 hours on Tuesday, economic engine and most populous province-to state of emergency yesterday beyond greater Tokyo recipient of that shot on live television. While criti- as it reeled from a winter surge in infections that stay home. Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that to seven more regions to counter a surge in cases. cism and fears over slow vaccine rollouts are grow- has overwhelmed hospitals and clinics in many the healthcare system was “on the brink of collapse.” While Japan’s outbreak remains comparatively ing in North America and Europe, there was some areas even as vaccines are rolled out. “It’s most small, with around 4,100 deaths overall, medics say positive news Tuesday when the European Union definitely the darkest period of my entire career,” Fresh China lockdown hospitals are under heavy strain from the spikes in started the approval process for the Oxford- said Kari McGuire, a palliative care supervisor at The daily US death toll on Tuesday was nearly as the worst-affected areas. AstraZeneca shot. But the government of Ukraine the St Mary hospital in Apple Valley, a small rural high as the official fatality count for the entire pan- was under pressure for failing to secure any town in California. demic in China, where the coronavirus was first Indonesia kicks off vaccinations Western-made vaccines, with health officials in Kiev “I’ve personally had to watch people that I know, detected in late 2019. China largely eliminated its Governments worldwide are racing to acquire and so far rejecting the Russian Sputnik V shot. that I care for, watch their loved ones die. It’s been outbreak through a number of strict lockdowns and deliver vaccines to help end the Covid-19 crisis, President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed for EU very difficult.” Coronavirus patients at the over- extensive testing and tracing, but recent weeks have though the World Health Organization has warned that help Tuesday, saying it was “extremely important to stretched hospital were crammed into hallways, seen a smattering of cases. That has forced more coverage is not expected to be wide enough for pop- get the vaccines.” — AFP How Ireland Biden names became ‘most Power as US infectious’ country aid chief DUBLIN: In the midst of a third wave of WASHINGTON: President-elect Joe coronavirus infections, Ireland now holds Biden yesterday nominated former the unhappy title of the nation with the ambassador Samantha Power, a highest transmission rate in the world. The forceful advocate of humanitarian country of five million has suffered only diplomacy, to lead US foreign aid and 2,397 virus deaths to date and gained elevated the position’s role. Power, if plaudits for the way it handled two previ- confirmed as administrator of the US ous pandemic waves. Agency for International Samantha Power In December, it had the lowest incidence Development (USAID), would sit on rate in the European Union after becoming DUBLIN: Pedestrians shop in advance of a new coronavirus lockdown in Dublin.—AFP the National Security Council along the first member country to launch a sec- with John Kerry, the former secretary US reluctance to label and prevent ond lockdown. But now it sits atop a world Prime Minister Micheal Martin said last He said before the Christmas period of state tapped as climate envoy — genocide around the world. table tracking fresh infections. There were week healthcare workers were facing a there were “pre-pandemic levels of social- for the first time giving such promi- Power, 50, was an early supporter 1,288 confirmed cases per million of the “tsunami of infection”. “Unless you are ization”, abetting the spread of the virus. nence to the two issues. of Barack Obama who in his second population on Monday according to data involved in absolutely essential work you “Samantha Power is a world- term as president made her US compiled by Oxford University-placing have no reason to be away from your UK variant renowned voice of conscience and ambassador to the United Nations. In Ireland first, ahead of the Czech Republic home,” he warned the public. Ireland is also reporting a spike in cases moral clarity — challenging and ral- a memoir published in 2019 entitled and Slovenia. of a new variant of coronavirus first identi- lying the international community to “The Education of an Idealist,” Power Hectic Christmas fied in neighboring Britain. The new strain, stand up for the dignity and humani- described the struggles to fit her ‘Tsunami of infection’ However, just weeks earlier, Ireland which is believed to be up to 70 percent ty of all people,” Biden said in a vision into the reality of governance, Ireland had officially registered just over was one of the nations to dramatically more transmissible, was first identified in statement. including her unsuccessful push for 93,000 cases on January 1 but that figure relax coronavirus restrictions around the the south of England. “As USAID administrator, more action on Syria by Obama, who jumped to more than 150,000 by Monday. festive period. Pubs, restaurants, gyms, Ireland announced the first confirmed Ambassador Power will be a powerful feared stronger US intervention On Tuesday, Switzerland announced a hairdressers and non-essential shops case of the variant on Christmas Day. On force for lifting up the vulnerable, would become a quagmire. quarantine on Irish travellers as World were permitted to reopen in December. Monday health officials said data from the ushering in a new era of human At USAID, Power will face an ear- Health Organization (WHO) emergencies The decision reportedly cut against the first week of 2021 showed the new variant progress and development and ly test in seeing how US assistance director Michael Ryan said the nation has advice of Ireland’s National Public Health now accounts for 45 percent of samples advancing American interests global- can bridge inequalities that have “one of the most acute increases in disease Emergency Team (NPHET), which recom- tested. Ireland banned flights from Britain ly.” Power would be the best-known been aggravated by the Covid-19 incidence of any country”. The head of mended more stringent measures remain from December 20 until January 9 and now figure ever to lead USAID, a new crisis, which the World Bank has Ireland’s health service has warned that in place. requires arriving travellers to present a indication that Biden plans to put a estimated could plunge up to 115 hospitals were “beyond strain”. According Ireland further relaxed restrictions in negative test. However there has been focus on overseas assistance, which million people worldwide into to Tuesday’s figures, there are 1,700 late December-allowing up to three house- some suggestion from media that Ireland’s Secretary of State-nominee Antony extreme poverty. Outgoing president patients hospitalized with the virus, nearly holds to mingle as Martin aimed to give unique border arrangements hamper Blinken has said will be “at the center Donald Trump has been a staunch double the peak registered in Ireland’s first citizens a “meaningful Christmas”. Ireland’s efforts to quash the spread of the new vari- of our foreign policy.” critic of foreign aid, saying the wave early last year. chief medical officer Tony Holohan has said ant from Britain. Ireland borders the UK A former war correspondent born United States should focus on itself, The third lockdown has seen schools, there was “a significant change in the pat- province of Northern Ireland, the site of a in Ireland, Power won the Pulitzer although bipartisan coalitions in non-essential retail and the hospitality sec- terns of socialization” as a result of the sectarian conflict known as “The Troubles” Prize for her 2002 book “A Problem Congress have rejected his more tor totally shut. December alterations. which ended in 1998. — AFP from Hell” in which she critiques the drastic proposals of cuts. —AFP 6 Established 1961 Thursday, January 14, 2021 International Deserted, boarded up, fenced off: Washington barely recognizable Troops on Washington streets to begin carrying arms

WASHINGTON: Walking through central Washington, it is difficult to distinguish between those buildings News in brief boarded up due to pandemic closures, and those boarded up due to riots. The capital of the United States is known for its grand vistas, historical monuments and S Africans held for not wearing masks crowds of tourists, but the city has radically changed in JOHANNESBURG: South African police have the last year. “This is my first time (in downtown arrested more than 7,000 people caught without Washington) in a year. There’s usually people walking all face masks in public since the end of December, the over the place. This is very, very quiet. I almost think it’s government said yesterday. Officials made face cov- like a ghost of itself,” said Jaime, a mother from erings mandatory in May last year at the same time Maryland who did not wish to give her full name. as they gradually eased movement restrictions Hordes of schoolchildren who normally travel from all imposed in March to stem coronavirus infections. A over the country to visit museums and see the White partial lockdown was reinstated last month as the House now stay at home, as do most foreign tourists. virus resurged, fuelled by a more transmissible vari- The hectic jostle of politicians, lobbyists and lawyers on ant. Officials at the time vowed to be more stringent the street has also fallen quiet, while the large metro in enforcing the regulations, which include an alcohol stations that bring workers in from suburbs are quiet sales ban. Police Minister Bheki Cele yesterday said and little-used. The city of more than 700,000 inhabi- more than 20,000 people had been arrested or fined tants is subdued, one week before the presidential inau- since December 29 for breaching the new rules, guration of Joe Biden on the steps of the Capitol. “The including 7,455 people detained for not wearing face city is basically desolate,” said Nadine Seiler, 55, who masks. —AFP has been demonstrating every day since the end of October near the White House in favor of anti-racist causes. “Usually it’s very stressful, but here it’s like WASHINGTON: Members of the US National Guard arrive at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. — AFP everybody’s away on vacation,” she added. lengthening lines at soup kitchens, and the spread of authorized yet to carry weapons. Authorizing Guard C Africa forces target rebels ‘It’s all over’ tents sheltering homeless people under bridges and members to deploy in a law enforcement role, armed BANGUI: Rebel forces in the Central African As in many Western cities, many workers have been along main roads. Violent protests and unrest has also and empowered to make arrests, would be a “last Republic yesterday launched two attacks that were signing in from home-especially staff at big institutions shaken Washington repeatedly in the last year. resort” if the security situation got out of hand, pushed back on the outskirts of the capital Bangui, headquartered in Washington such as the World Bank After the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Hokanson said. Interior Minister Henri Wanzet Linguissara told AFP. and the IMF, as well as the countless government agen- police in Minneapolis in May, Washington became one It was not clear what changed late Tuesday, and the Officials with the UN peacekeeping force confirmed cies. The city’s famous museums, most of them free, of the hotspots of nationwide anti-racist demonstra- city’s National Guard had no comment. Security the two attacks. Yesterday’s simultaneous dawn have been closed since March. And Mayor Muriel tions. City authorities painted huge yellow letters read- experts have said chatter among extremists and sup- assaults on army units were the first close to the Bowser has again tightened restrictions so that restau- ing “Black Lives Matter” across a wide street outside porters of President Donald Trump on social media capital since President Faustin Archange Touadera rants can no longer serve any indoor customers. the White House, and the location became a popular about holding armed marches and threatening violence was re-elected in a December ballot. Fighting was Eateries instead must try to survive by erecting tents site for rallies. But over the months, clashes between in the US capital and other cities had surged in recent still underway, said UN MINUSCA mission and marquees along sidewalks, and tempting customers anti-racist activists and pro-Trump protesters have days. The Pentagon is mobilizing up to 15,000 National spokesman Abdoulaziz Fall, who only spoke of one to sit down next to heaters of varying efficiency battling brought an edge of tension to the city. Guard for the January 20 inauguration, as Trump and attack. — AFP the winter cold. supporters still refuse to accept Biden’s election victo- “I went to the Christmas market... that’s gone, all Troops on the prowl ry two months ago. that’s gone. You go into bars, (previously) packed bars- National Guard troops deployed on the streets of Five people died on January 6 when Trump support- it’s gone,” laments Timothy Bartholomew, a resident of Washington began carry weapons late Tuesday in a ers attacked and shut down the US Congress in an Arlington, just over the Potomac river. major change of posture ahead of Joe Biden’s inaugura- attempt to halt the certification of Biden’s election win. Widodo gets first COVID jab According to the specialist site Eater, nearly 70 tion as US president, according to an AFP photogra- At the time Guard troops were nearby, but were JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo restaurants have permanently closed in Washington pher. The Guard soldiers were originally mobilized to unarmed and called in too late to back up the Capitol received the country’s first COVID-19 jab yesterday, since the start of the pandemic, and many others are provide mostly logistical support to Washington police, Police to protect the legislature. The New York Times as the sprawling archipelago of nearly 270 million boarded up without any certainty they will ever reopen. and on Monday General Daniel Hokanson, Pentagon reported that weapons had been authorized Tuesday for kicked off a mass vaccination drive to clamp down The economic fallout is even more starkly evident in the National Guard Bureau chief, said they had not been the troops guarding the Capitol complex. — AFP on soaring case rates. The 59-year-old leader, better known as Jokowi, was inoculated on live television at the state palace in Jakarta along with his CDU to pick new health minister and several senior officials, as well as business and religious leaders. “I don’t feel it at all,” he said with a laugh after receiving a dose of the Leader in vote for Chinese-developed CoronaVac, the first of two Merkel succession required.— AFP

BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative S Korea sect leader gets clean chit CDU party will elect a new leader on Saturday, in a key SEOUL: The elderly leader of a secretive religious vote kicking off the race for Germany’s top job as a sect at the center of South Korea’s early coron- deadly pandemic roils Europe’s biggest economy. With avirus outbreak was not guilty of hindering the just nine months to go before a general election, no can- government’s virus prevention efforts, a district didate stands out in the battle for the chairman post of court ruled yesterday. But Lee Man-hee was con- the party that has dominated German politics for 70 victed of embezzling billions of won from his years. Three men are vying for the job, but have strug- organization and given a suspended prison sen- gled to create momentum with their campaigns over- UTOYA, Norway: A computer-generated handout view shows the future memorial to the 77 victims of Norwegian tence. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which is shadowed by the relentless pandemic. far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik at Utoyakaia, near the island of Utoya.—AFP often condemned as a cult, was at the center of Yet Saturday’s vote could lead to a dramatic depar- huge controversy early last year when it accounted ture from the middle-ground consensus politics that right-wing extremist Breivik tracked and gunned down for more than half of South Korea’s coronavirus Merkel has come to be known for internationally, with the youths, shortly after killing eight people in a bombing cases. At the time, the country was enduring one of the veteran politician planning to leave the stage after Memorial of Utoya outside a government building in Oslo. Called the worst early outbreaks of the disease outside September’s general election. In the running is Merkel Utoyakaia-or “Utoya Dock” where the ferry departs for China, but later largely brought it under control ally Armin Laschet, the premier of Germany’s most pop- massacre angers the island 600 meters away-the site of the memorial in with widespread testing and tracing. — AFP ulous state North Rhine-Westphalia. But he is lagging in the village of Hole is next door to the home of the Lien surveys against the chancellor’s arch-conservative rival Norwegian neighbors family, which has lived here for four generations. Friedrich Merz, who has indicated he wants a clean break from the Merkel era. The third candidate, foreign ‘Re-traumatization’ Japan to expand virus emergency affairs expert Norbert Roettgen, is polling neck-and- HOLE, Norway: He rescued terrified youths fleeing The 75-year-old retiree still has a vivid memory of neck with Laschet. The stakes are high for the vote, the bullets of a fanatical killer. Ironically, a decade later the grey summer Friday afternoon, which was coinciden- TOKYO: Japan is set to expand a coronavirus described by some as the second most important for Terje Lien is fighting to stop a memorial to the victims. tally his birthday. At first he mistook the bangs for “fire- state of emergency yesterday to seven more Germany this year after the September 26 election. That Lien and a handful of neighbors are battling to change crackers”, and as he saw people diving into the water to regions including the major cities of Osaka and is because the winner would be in pole position to lead its location, fearing the construction honoring the 77 escape he thought he was witnessing a “swimming con- Kyoto, as infections surge nationwide. While the Merkel’s conservatives to the polls and potentially claim people killed in Anders Behring Breivik’s 2011 attack test”. Then his grandson came running, shouting: “They country’s outbreak remains comparatively small, her job as she retires after 16 years in power. But the will make them hostages to a constant reminder of the are shooting on Utoya.” The two quickly took off in their with around 4,100 deaths overall, there has been a pandemic has also reshuffled the cards and opened up trauma. “We have been given a cemetery-like memo- family boat; 28 youths were rescued from the cold sharp spike in cases this winter and medics say the possibility that someone else could end up snatch- rial: 77 three-meter-high (10-feet) bronze columns waters and they also brought a policeman out to the hospitals are under heavy strain in the worst- ing the conservatives’ coveted “chancellor candidate” that will stand 75 meters (yards) from our house,” island. “When we came out there were bodies floating all affected areas. The month-long emergency meas- nomination to lead them into the elections. Terje Lien tells AFP. over the bay, there were bodies on land and many ure-which unlike strict lockdowns elsewhere in the With the clock ticking down to the vote, the conser- “The first thing we’ll see when we look out of the wounded and bleeding,” Lien recalls. For their bravery, world carries no enforcement mechanism-was vative alliance’s heavyweights including Merkel’s chief kitchen window will be these columns,” he adds. he and other residents who helped were awarded medals implemented in the greater Tokyo area last week. It of staff Helge Braun have come out to plump for Consisting of 77 columns, the memorial is set to stand on and met Norway’s King Harald-but he feels the govern- asks restaurants and bars to close by 8 pm, with Laschet, dubbed the “continuity candidate”. Markus the bank facing the island of Utoya, where 69 people ment is not taking their feelings into account. “We are residents requested to avoid unnecessary outings Soeder, the leader of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party perished on July 22, 2011. The other eight victims died trying to move on,” he says. “But every time we look in and telework strongly encouraged. —AFP the CSU, has also voiced backing for Laschet. Although earlier in Oslo. Most of those killed were teenagers that direction, we will be haunted by these memories,” he was an early favorite, various gaffes in his handling of attending a camp organized by the youth league of the he adds, pointing towards Utoyakaia where construction the pandemic have pushed him way down public country’s Labor Party. Disguised as a police officer, machines are rumbling. —AFP approval ratings. Merz, a veteran hardliner, has promised to shift the party to the right. But some fear that old divisions could surface under Merz.—AFP Kremlin critic Navalny vows to return to Russia on Sunday MOSCOW: Opposition leader Alexei Navalny said attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal in the yesterday he plans to return to Russia on Sunday from English town of Salisbury in 2018. Navalny insists the Germany, where he has been recovering from a poi- attack was carried out by Russia’s main security soning attack, despite facing a threat of jail. The 44- agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), on the year-old Kremlin critic wrote on Instagram that he orders of President Vladimir Putin. had booked a flight that will arrive in Moscow on “I survived. And now Putin, who gave the order for January 17. “There was never any question of ‘return- my murder, is... telling his servants to do everything so ing or not’ for me. Simply because I didn’t leave. I that I do not return,” Navalny added. The Kremlin ended up in Germany... for one reason: they tried to denies any involvement in the poisoning, but the kill me,” the anti-graft campaigner wrote on European Union has imposed entry bans and bank Instagram. account freezes on several officials, including the head Navalny has been in Germany since late August of the FSB. Russia in turn introduced tit-for-tat sanc- after he fell violently ill on a flight from Siberia to tions on EU officials, further increasing tensions BERLIN: This ﬁle photo shows the three candidates for Moscow and was hospitalized in the city of Omsk. He between Moscow and its Western neighbors. the leadership of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union was then flown out to Berlin in an induced coma. Speaking at his annual marathon press conference last (CDU) party (from left) Friedrich Merz, Armin Laschet and Moscow: In this ﬁle photo Russian opposition leader Western experts concluded that Navalny was poi- month, Putin said that if Russia’s special services had Norbert Roettgen posing at the end of a discussion at the Alexei Navalny addresses supporters during an unautho- party’s headquarters in Berlin. — AFP soned using the Soviet-designed nerve agent wanted to poison Navalny “they would have taken it rized anti-Putin rally in Moscow.— AFP Novichok, the same chemical said to be used in the to the end”.—AFP Established 1961 7 International Thursday, January 14, 2021 Turbulent Trump diplomacy ends with scrapped Europe, Taiwan trips U-turn encapsulates turbulent transition period in Washington WASHINGTON: The United States called off last- ic value with Pompeo not scheduled to meet any minute trips by top envoys to its allies in Europe top EU officials in Brussels. and Taiwan on Tuesday in a sudden diplomatic In Luxembourg, an official told AFP on condition volte-face during the chaotic swansong days of the of anonymity that one leg of Pompeo’s trip was can- Trump administration. Secretary of State Mike celed after Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn called Pompeo had been due to make a final official visit to Trump a “criminal” in comments to RTL radio. Europe while Kelly Clark, Washington’s UN envoy, Asselborn described Trump as a “political pyroma- was set to land in Taiwan yesterday afternoon. niac who must be brought before a court” over last But the visits were suddenly scrapped a week week’s attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. before Democrat Joe Biden takes office and as Pompeo has remained staunchly loyal to Trump President Donald Trump faces an all-but-certain despite resignations from a string of his cabinet col- second impeachment on a charge of inciting his leagues and calls to force the president from office supporters to storm Congress last week. The U- over the attack on the Capitol. Craft’s planned visit turn encapsulates the turbulent transition period to Taiwan came at an acutely perilous time for the that has enveloped Washington since Biden’s self-ruled democracy. Authoritarian China regards November election victory. Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to seize But it also allows both Europe and Taiwan to it one day, if necessary by force. dodge hosting what could have been potentially Beijing’s saber-rattling has reached new heights awkward delegations by an outgoing administra- with Chinese jets making a record 380 incursions tion. “It was very late in the game to be having a into Taiwan’s defense zone last year to signal anger visit of this level,” Maggie Lewis, an analyst at over Washington’s burgeoning relationship with Seton Hall Law school who is based in Taiwan, told Taipei during the Trump years. AFP. “It’s appropriate to be focusing on the incoming administration instead of the final days of the China warnings Trump administration.” The stakes are high. A wrong move in the Taiwan Strait could spark conflict between two economic, TAIPEI: Taiwan’s Presidential Office building is seen in Taipei yesterday, as a planned trip to Taiwan by the United States’ UN ambassador Kelly Craft was scrapped in line with the US State Department cancelling trips abroad ahead of ‘Political pyromaniac’ nuclear-armed superpowers, something the Biden Joe Biden’s inauguration. —AFP The canceled trips round off four tumultuous administration will need to grapple with. The US years of foreign policy under Trump that tested switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979 Washington’s traditional allies in both Europe and but it remains Taipei’s leading unofficial ally and is During his tenure, Trump signed off on some $18 Pompeo declared he was lifting “complex internal Asia. The two-day stay in Europe would have been bound by Congress to sell the island weapons to billion in big-ticket arms deals for Taiwan and restrictions” limiting official contacts with Pompeo’s last foreign trip but the State Department defend itself. ramped up the frequency of official visits, including Taiwan. Beijing promptly warned Washington announced he was staying to ensure a “smooth and As Trump feuded with China on a host of issues, sending a cabinet official last year, the highest-level would “receive a resolute counterstrike from orderly” transition. from the coronavirus to trade and national security, delegation since 1979. China” over the move and “pay a heavy price” if The trip was already looking of limited diplomat- Taipei became a way to poke Beijing in the eye. Then on Sunday, Secretary of State Mike Craft visited. — AFP Pakistan virginity tests block justice for victims Coronavirus fails LAHORE: Raped at 14, Shazia took sexually active. That goes some way the rare and courageous step of towards explaining Pakistan’s abysmal to deter massive reporting the crime to Pakistani police, rape conviction rate, activists and only to face a traumatic “virginity lawyers say, with official data putting Ganges pilgrimage test”-a long-standing practice that it as low as 0.3 percent. A woman is denies justice to victims. The teenager supposed to conduct the examina- HARIDWAR, India: Hindu pilgrims flocked was still in a daze after she was tions, but this guideline is not always to the Ganges river in India yesterday, shrug- assaulted by her father’s cousin when followed. Other visual virginity tests- ging off the risk of coronavirus a day before police forced her to see a doctor, who sometimes using glass rods-look for the start of the Kumbh Mela-a religious festi- conducted the invasive medical exam signs of healed tears or scarring. They val that attracts millions each time it is held. intended to determine whether she can have a harrowing effect on sur- Despite India having the second most coron- had a history of having sex. vivors of sexual assault, who already avirus infections in the world-and more than Shazia, not her real name, told AFP face terrible social stigma in a country In this file photo taken, a supporter of Pakistani Islamic political party Jamaat-e- 150,000 deaths-the virus has not stopped in a written statement about the inva- obsessed with upholding the “honor” Islami (JI) holds a placard reading “Stop” during a protest against an alleged gang devout Hindus from making the pilgrimage. sive test. “It was very painful. I didn’t of women. rape of a woman, in Lahore. — AFP “The pandemic is a bit of a worry, but we are know why she was doing it. I wish my “I wasn’t told how they were going taking all precautions,” said organizer mother had been with me.” In a coun- to examine me. They only said that I according to the World Health who handles sexual assault cases, said. Siddharth Chakrapani, who expected try where rape is vastly underreported had to be seen by a doctor to help the Organization. It says the exams “Most rape victims I have worked between 800,000 to a million people to and survivors of sexual assault are police,” Shazia said of her ordeal from amount to human rights violations and with have spoken of being traumatized attend today alone. viewed with suspicion, virginity tests three years ago. Shazia’s parents, who have absolutely no scientific merit. But by it.” Court documents seen by AFP “I’m sure Maa Ganga will take care of their are often ordered as part of police filed the case, later dropped it follow- Pakistani health authorities have long paint a vivid picture of how female safety,” he added, referring to the river consid- investigations. ing family pressure. encouraged all girls and women who rape victims can be shamed and ered holy by the faithful. According to Hindu The result can be critical to any Similar virginity tests are employed report rape claims to be subjected to ridiculed if a medical officer concludes mythology, gods and demons fought a war criminal case, with an unmarried vic- in at least 20 countries around the the tests. “I count this as another rape that they have a history of sexual over a sacred pitcher containing the nectar of tim discredited if she is deemed to be world from Brazil to Zimbabwe, in itself,” Sidra Humayun, an activist intercourse. —AFP immortality. Drops fell at four different locations, which now alternate as hosts for the immense gatherings. congress, footage broadcast on Korea Central Recognised as a cultural heritage by Kim pledges to Television showed. UNESCO in 2017, the last Kumbh Mela in Thousands of delegates and attendees-none of Allahabad in 2019 attracted around 55 million strengthen them wearing masks-repeatedly rose to their feet in people over 48 days. This year, beginning the cavernous April 25 House of Culture venue to today, Haridwar in northern India is the host, interrupt his speech with applause. Earlier in the and several million people were expected to nuclear arsenal eight-day meeting, which has lasted twice as long as throng the holy city in Uttarakhand state over the previous gathering in 2016, Kim called the US the coming seven weeks. — AFP SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “the fundamental obstacle to the development of our pledged to strengthen his country’s nuclear arsenal revolution and our foremost principal enemy”. Its as he delivered his closing address to a top ruling policy towards the North “will never change, whoev- party meeting, state television showed yesterday, er comes into power”, he added, without mentioning days before Joe Biden takes office as US president. Biden by name. Kim is looking to grab the attention of the incom- The North had completed plans for a nuclear- Chinese province ing Biden administration, analysts say, with his coun- powered submarine, he said-a strategic game- PYONGYANG: This picture taken on Tuesday and released try more isolated than ever after closing its borders changer-and offered a shopping list including from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency of 37m declares to protect itself against the coronavirus pandemic. hypersonic gliding warheads, military reconnais- (KCNA) yesterday shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un A nuclear summit between Kim and outgoing US sance satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballis- delivering a speech to conclude the 8th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang. — AFP President Donald Trump in Hanoi in February 2019 tic missiles (ICBMs). ‘emergency’ broke down over sanctions relief and what Pyongyang’s weapons programs have made rapid BEIJING: A Chinese province of more than 37 mil- presents a challenge for North Korea: Biden is asso- Pyongyang would be willing to give up in return. progress under Kim, and at a parade in October it lion declared an “emergency state” yesterday to ciated with the Obama administration’s “strategic “We must further strengthen the nuclear war deter- showed off a huge new ICBM that analysts said was snuff out a handful of Covid-19 cases, as the coun- patience” approach and characterized Kim as a rent while doing our best to build up the most pow- the largest road-mobile, liquid-fuelled missile in the try moved decisively to contain infections. China “thug” during the presidential debates. — AFP erful military strength,” Kim told the Workers’ Party world. The change of leadership in Washington had largely brought the coronavirus under control since its emergence in Wuhan late in 2019. But recent weeks have seen smatterings of cases, Hunt for cockpit tapes prompting localized lockdowns, immediate travel restrictions and widespread testing of tens of millions of people. More than 20 million are now under after Indonesia jet crash some form of lockdown in the country’s northern regions. JAKARTA: Bad weather forced Board (NTSB) prepared to join the Yesterday, the government of northeastern scores of divers to temporarily sus- investigation in the capital, along with Heilongjiang-with a population of 37.5 million peo- pend their hunt for a crashed staff from Boeing, the Federal Aviation ple-declared an “emergency state”, telling residents Indonesian jet’s cockpit voice recorder Administration and jet engine produc- not to leave the province unless absolutely neces- yesterday, as investigators worked to er GE Aviation. While dozens of boats sary, and to cancel conferences and gatherings. read critical details on a flight data and helicopters searched for wreck- That was in response to finding 28 Covid-19 cases device that had already been salvaged. age, poor conditions forced divers to on Wednesday, including 12 that were asympto- The two “black boxes” could sup- temporarily suspend their hunt. matic. Three infections were found in the provincial ply key clues as to why the Sriwijaya “It was called off...due to bad capital Harbin, which is hosting a famous ice sculp- Air Boeing 737-500 plunged about weather. All divers are now on stand- ture festival that is usually a big draw for tourists. 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) in less by,” said search and rescue agency The festival, featuring glittering ice palaces and than a minute before slamming into the spokesman Yusuf Latif. fantastical scenes, has drawn millions over the years Java Sea soon after take-off on A remotely operated underwater to one of China’s coldest cities, where temperatures JAKARTA: Forensic policemen carry a bag containing debris from Sriwijaya Air flight Saturday, taking with it 62 people. vehicle was still searching the wreck- are set to dip to minus 30 degrees Celsius over the SJ182 at Tanjung Priok port yesterday found during search operations. — AFP Divers just off the coast of Jakarta had age-littered seabed. Agency chief next few days (minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit). hauled the data recorder to the sur- Soerjanto Tjahjono said a day earlier Suihua city, a short car journey north and home face Tuesday, with the hunt now that investigators hoped to download and direction of the plane as well as to explain why the 26-year-old plane to more than 5.2 million people, was sealed off on focused on finding a voice recorder on data from the retrieved black box in a flight crew conversations, and helps crashed just four minutes after setting Monday after reporting one confirmed case and 45 the wreckage-littered seabed. matter of days, so “we can reveal the explain nearly 90 percent of all crash- off from Jakarta, bound for Pontianak asymptomatic cases. Several other small cities near The discovery came as a team from mystery behind this accident”. Black es, according to aviation experts. city on Borneo island, a 90-minute Suihua were also sealed off or placed under travel the US National Transportation Safety box data includes the speed, altitude So far authorities have been unable flightaway. — AFP restrictions, authorities said yesterday. — AFP Established 1961

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 ECB’s Lagarde confident on outlook despite virus surge Vaccination rollouts ‘laborious’, but growth forecasts ‘plausible’

FRANKFURT: European Central Lagarde said. She cautioned that it Bank president Christine Lagarde would become “a concern” if mem- said yesterday that she remained ber states need to extend their confident of the eurozone’s recovery shutdowns “after the end of in 2021, despite renewed virus curbs March”. But Lagarde said some Stocks struggle as and a challenging start to vaccination uncertainties-which she called programs. The ECB’s forecasts “dark clouds over our heads”-have traders eye historic remain “very clearly plausible”, been cleared, including a post- Lagarde said at an online conference Brexit trade deal, and the outcome hosted by Reuters, adding she had of Senate races in the US state of impeachment bid “no reasons to believe our forecast is Georgia giving Joe Biden more leg- wrong at this point in time”. islative stability as president. “From LONDON: European equities struggled and The ECB in December forecast that basis we start on a more posi- the dollar traded mixed yesterday, with traders economic growth in the 19-nation tive basis,” Lagarde said. on edge ahead of the likely historic second euro area at 3.9 percent in 2021, Lagarde also welcomed the EU- impeachment of US President Donald Trump, after a fall estimated at 7.3 percent wide agreement on its 750 billion dealers said. Sentiment was capped also by in 2020. euro ($913 billion) coronavirus worries about the surge in COVID-19 infec- A resurgence in COVID-19 cases recovery fund, and reiterated pleas tions, which has caused several countries to has seen several eurozone nations for fiscal policy to support mone- reimpose lockdowns as they battle to roll out impose tougher coronavirus tary efforts. vaccines. restrictions, dampening economic “Stimulus needs to be continued In early afternoon deals, London stocks expectations at the start of the and properly targeted to those meas- PARIS: President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde holds her smart- edged 0.1 percent lower, Frankfurt dipped 0.3 year, while vaccination rollouts, ures that would be most conducive to phone as she attends the One Planet Summit, part of World Nature Day, at the Reception percent and Paris flatlined. Shares crept higher which Lagarde described as “labo- growth,” said Lagarde, a former Room of the Elysee Palace, in Paris, on Tuesday. — AFP in Asia earlier with hopes for another vast US rious”, have faced criticism. French finance minister and ex-head virus relief package largely offset by the politi- However, the ECB’s forecasts are of the International Monetary Fund. boosted its pandemic emergency The ECB’s governing council cal upheaval in Washington. “predicated on lockdown measures At its last monetary policy meeting in bond-buying program to 1.85 trillion meets next week to discuss future Oil prices and bitcoin steadied. “The until the end of the first quarter,” December, the Frankfurt-based ECB euros and extended it to March 2022. monetary policy moves. — AFP impeachment of President Trump looked a long shot over the weekend-but if US press reports are to be believed, momentum appears to be building toward larger support within the Republican Party to impeach,” noted MUFG UK billionaire, Daily Telegraph economist Derek Halpenny. “The shift is being fuelled by more violent owner Barclay dies footage of the attack on Capitol Hill last week- with matters made worse by Trump’s lack of LONDON: David Barclay, the secre- pendence of this country and what it remorse.” Democrats are pushing ahead with tive British billionaire whose portfolio could achieve,” Johnson tweeted. impeachment proceedings against Trump, who included The Daily Telegraph newspa- The Barclay brothers entered the is accused of inciting last week’s storming of per and The Ritz hotel, has died aged media industry in 1992 when they the Capitol Building. 86 after a short illness, his newspaper bought The European, a weekly In response, Trump has warned of “tremen- reported yesterday. Barclay and his newspaper launched two years earlier dous anger” across the country, while there are twin Frederick, described by the daily by the media magnate Robert concerns of further unrest in the lead up to Joe as “identical in appearance, lifestyle Maxwell. They later bought The Biden’s January 20 inauguration. Trump’s sec- and often even in dress”, built a vast Scotsman daily before finally realizing ond impeachment could also overshadow business empire from shipping to retail. their ambition of owning Conservative Biden’s first few months in office and distract “The Barclay brothers operated as bastion The Daily Telegraph in 2004. from his goal of pushing through a third rescue one throughout their active business The brothers, long advocates of small package for the US economy that he has said career, while doing their utmost to government and low taxes, were would be worth trillions of dollars. avoid personal publicity and discour- strong supporters of former British “A lot changes in a week and that timeframe age media scrutiny,” the broadsheet prime minister Margaret Thatcher, LONDON: In this file photo taken on January 18, 2004 Sir David Barclay (left) and his twin has taken Donald Trump from hoping to over- added. Among those paying tribute to putting her up in their plush Ritz in brother Sir Frederick pose after receiving their knighthoods from the Queen at turn his election loss-to merely hoping he can David Barclay was a former employee, London during her final days. Buckingham Palace. David Barclay, the secretive British billionaire whose portfolio remain in the White House for another week,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who They were born into a large work- included The Daily Telegraph newspaper and the Ritz hotel, died on January 10, 2021 said IG analyst Joshua Mahony. In London, the made his name on the newspaper as a ing class Scottish family in London in aged 86 after a short illness, his newspaper reported yesterday. — AFP British pound rallied as high as $1.3685, close Brussels-bashing Europe correspon- 1934 and left school at 14 to pursue to a 2.5-year peak, after Bank of England gov- dent, and later a columnist. their joint business ambitions, making The brothers, based on the knighted in 2000, kneeling side by ernor Andrew Bailey distanced himself from the “Farewell with respect and admira- their names initially in the property Channel Island of Sark, became side before Queen Elizabeth II in the idea of negative interest rates-but he still tion to Sir David Barclay who rescued market. “They are very effective embroiled in a rare public row last first double knighthood ceremony in warned Britain faced its “darkest hour” due to a great newspaper, created many stealth buyers,” one financier told the year over the sale of The Ritz to a the modern era. David Barclay, who the virus fallout. — AFP thousands of jobs across the UK and Telegraph. “They come out of brother-in-law of the ruler of Qatar, died on Sunday, was married twice who believed passionately in the inde- nowhere and move quickly.” which ended up in court. They were and leaves behind four sons. — AFP British businesses Uber, Lyft drivers Apple’s Cook wants grapple with Brexit challenge California Capitol attackers border fallout ‘gig worker’ ballot held accountable LONDON: British companies are struggling with SAN FRANCISCO: Drivers for ride-share and a large amount of red tape as a result of Brexit, SAN FRANCISCO: Apple chief Tim Cook says he meal delivery apps filed a lawsuit Tuesday to nul- nearly two weeks since the country’s final divorce wants those involved with the deadly attack on the lify a referendum passed by California voters that from the European Union. Senior government US Capitol last week to be held accountable, even if lets such “gig workers” be treated as contractors. minister Michael Gove recently admitted there will that includes US President Donald Trump. Labor legislation known as Proposition 22 — be “significant disruption” at the border because “Everyone that had a part in it needs to be held passed in November and heavily backed by Uber, of increased bureaucracy that is slowing the flow accountable,” Cook said in a CBS This Morning Lyft and other app-based, on-demand delivery of freight-and is especially damaging for fresh interview posted online Tuesday. “I think no one is services — effectively overturned a state law produce. above the law. We’re a rule of law country.” requiring them to reclassify their drivers and pro- Under the Brexit trade deal, which came into The remarks came during an interview that was vide employee benefits. The lawsuit argued the force on January 1, UK exporters now face costly arranged with Cook at Apple headquarters in measure is invalid because it usurps the power of and time-consuming paperwork, including cus- Silicon Valley to discuss an announcement being state courts and legislators when it comes to toms declarations, regulatory food safety checks and “rules of origin” levies. made by the company yesterday. worker rights and compensation. LOS ANGELES: In this file photo rideshare drivers Cook did not specifically mention Trump, but The logistics industry is experiencing a major The suit was filed directly to the top court in demonstrate against rideshare companies Uber and said that anyone with a role in the insurrection the state by a few drivers and the Service headache with traffic slowing at the border, par- Lyft during a car caravan protest in Los Angeles. —AFP should be held accountable under the law. “I don’t Employees International Union. “The measure ticularly at the Channel port of Dover. Even before think we should let it go,” Cook said. “This is grossly deceived the voters, who were not told Brexit, traffic had been hit by new Covid-19 bor- something we’ve got to be serious about. I think they were voting to prevent the Legislature from fear that big business is rewriting labor laws. der restrictions, as European nations sought to holding people accountable is important.” — AFP granting the drivers collective bargaining rights,” Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi has curb spiking infections, particularly from a viru- the lawsuit argued. vowed to “more loudly advocate for new laws lent new strain. Logistics companies are now try- The suit went on to argue that the initiative like Prop 22.” More than $200 million was spent ing to curb their dependence on Dover. They are also precluded the state legislature “from provid- promoting Proposition 22, while only a tenth of undertaking far longer journeys to reach Ireland, ing incentives for companies to give app-based that amount was spent by labor groups opposing for example, by staying within the European drivers more than the minimal wages and benefits the measure. Under the proposition, drivers Union to bypass the UK. provided by Proposition 22.” Defendants in the remain independent contractors but Uber and Freight had already begun shifting away since litigation were the state of California and its Lyft are to pay them a number of benefits includ- the Brexit referendum in 2016, with goods increas- commissioner of labor. ing a minimum wage, a contribution to healthcare ingly travelling to eastern English ports, and also The November vote came after a contentious and other forms of insurance. Critics of the meas- via railway. UK-registered trucks are meanwhile campaign with labor groups claiming the initia- ure said it failed to take into account the full now only allowed one stop in the European Union tive would erode worker rights and benefits, and costs borne by drivers. Uber and Lyft claimed to unload goods, which has placed the music con- with backers arguing for a new, flexible economic most drivers support the contractor model. But cert touring industry in crisis. model. the firms had been sued by the state which Britain’s chemicals, electrical equipment, The victory for the “gig economy” in argued keeping that model violated California machinery, metals, minerals and textile sectors Apple CEO Tim Cook California was expected to echo across the US, labor law. A Proposition 22 victory renders the have been snared by the trade deal’s so-called in a boon for app-based services while igniting court case effectively moot. — AFP “rules of origin”. —AFP Established 1961 9 Thursday, January 14, 2021 Business Al Mulla Automobiles Co and Kuwait Insurance Co sign mutual agreement KIC will provide offerings to Mercedes-Benz new and certified cars customers

KUWAIT: Al Mulla Automobiles Co and Kuwait insurance services. Al Mulla Automobiles Co. proud- ued client-centric mentality, KIC will be physically Insurance Company (KIC) have announced the ly welcomes its insurer of choice - Kuwait Insurance present at the Mercedes-Benz showroom as well as launch of a comprehensive mutual agreement to pro- Co. and the variety of quality insurance offerings it the workshop to guide motorists properly and provide motor insurance to Mercedes-Benz clients. This provides to Mercedes-Benz customers in Kuwait.” vide all necessary information and assistance, mak- non-exclusive association aims to provide Commenting on this occasion, Sami Sharif, Chief ing even their claim experience streamlined and has- Mercedes-Benz customers with easy access to one Executive Officer - Kuwait Insurance Company stat- sle-free.” of the leading insurance providers in Kuwait. ed, “Today’s association with Al Mulla Automobiles For inquiries and more information about the lat- Imad Flayhan, Managing Director - Automotive echoes our commitment to offer discerning automo- est Mercedes-Benz offers and services, customers Group- Al Mulla Group, stated: “We’re delighted to Automobiles. This association with KIC enables our tive clientele an enjoyable, trustworthy and hassle- can visit Al Mulla automobiles - Mercedes-Benz in have KIC as a preferred Insurance Service Provider customers to avail the highest level of insurance free ownership experience. With Al Mulla team we Al Rai, Mercedes-Benz Boutique in The Avenues or for our Mercedes-Benz customers. Providing our services from our Preferred Insurance Service designed a comprehensive ‘Premium’ Motor call the customer center at 1887888, follow the customers with the best services and quality insur- Provider. In addition to enhancing our customer’s Insurance product that responds to the needs of account on Instagram @MercedesBenzKuwait, or ance products is a top priority for Al Mulla journey and providing them with a wide array of their distinguished clientele. Emanating from our val- visit the website at www.mercedes-benz-mena.com Pirate attacks Washing your surge in 2020: clothes can create Watchdog KUALA LUMPUR: Pirate attacks on ships worldwide Arctic pollution jumped 20 percent last year driven by a record spate of kidnappings off West Africa, a maritime watchdog PARIS: Households in Europe and North said yesterday, urging increased sea patrols. America are flooding the oceans with plastic A total of 195 incidents of piracy and armed rob- pollution simply by washing their clothes, sci- bery were reported, up from 162 in 2019, the entists said Tuesday after research found the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said in its annual majority of microplastics in Arctic seawater report. Out of 135 sailors abducted globally last year, were polyester fibers. Plastic particles have 130 of them were recorded in the Gulf of Guinea off infiltrated even the most remote and seeming- West Africa-the highest ever number of crew members ly-pristine regions of the planet. These tiny kidnapped in the region. The gulf stretches thousands fragments have been discovered inside fish in of kilometers from Angola in the south to Senegal in the deepest recesses of the ocean-the the north, and its waters are considered among the Mariana Trench-peppering Arctic sea ice and world’s most dangerous for piracy. blanketing the snows on the Pyrenees moun- IMB director Michael Howlett said the surge in kid- tains between France and Spain. nappings showed “the increased capabilities of pirates But questions remain over exactly where in the Gulf of Guinea with more and more attacks tak- this plastic contamination is coming from. ing place further from the coast”. Pirates have shifted In the new study by the Ocean Wise con- from hijacking tankers for oil to the more lucrative kid- This ﬁle photo illustration picture taken in London shows the logos of Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft displayed servation group and Canada’s Department of napping of sailors for ransom in recent years, added on a mobile phone and a laptop screen. — AFP Fisheries and Oceans, researchers sampled Noel Choong, head of the Kuala Lumpur-based IMB seawater from across the Arctic and found piracy reporting center. Choong said the abductions synthetic fibers made up around 92 percent of were increasing at an “alarming rate” and appealed to tections are,” Enright said. Biden’s government will microplastic pollution. West African countries to step up patrols. —AFP Tech giants hope have leeway to legislate, as the Democrats will be in Of this, around 73 percent was found to be control of the House of Representatives and the polyester, resembling the dimensions and for US data Senate. The incoming president will benefit from the chemical identities of synthetic textiles-partic- Sales of electric experience of his deputy Kamala Harris, a former ularly clothing. “The striking conclusion here prosecutor in California, where the majority of the tech is that we now have strong evidence that privacy law giants are located. homes in Europe and North America are vehicles surge “There are more than 100 national data privacy directly polluting the Arctic with fibers from laws in the world,” said Anne Toth, director of laundry (via wastewater discharge),” said lead in China SAN FRANCISCO: Google, Twitter and Amazon are Amazon’s Alexa Trust. “We’re dealing with a forever author Peter Ross, of Ocean Wise and the hopeful that Joe Biden’s incoming administration in the patchwork quilt but we’re trying to minimize the dif- University of British Columbia. BEIJING: Sales of electric vehicles in China rose 10 United States will enact a federal digital data law, sen- ferences.” “The laws must be interoperable,” added He said the mechanisms for this remain percent last year, data showed yesterday, amid a post- ior company officials said at CES, the annual electron- Damien Kieran, director of data privacy at Twitter. unclear, but added that ocean currents appear pandemic economic recovery and a push to establish ics and technology show. “I think the stars are better “The federal government as it thinks about this, has to play a major role in transporting the fibers the world’s largest auto market as a leader for green aligned than ever in the past,” Keith Enright, Google’s to really understand the international future of this,” he northwards, while atmospheric systems may technology. Sales of new energy vehicles-including chief data privacy office, told a discussion Tuesday on continued. “If we get this wrong, not to put too much also contribute. “Plastics are all around us, and all-electric and hybrids-grew 10.9 percent from a year trust and privacy. The European Union’s General Data weight on it, but I think it is this important, you while it would be grossly unfair to specifically ago to 1.37 million vehicles in 2020, the China Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has applied increase the chances for that balkanization of things.” point our finger at textiles as the only source Association of Automobile Manufacturers said. since May 2018, has largely contributed to making Silicon Valley has long been close to elected of micro plastics to the world’s oceans, we Total auto sales in China dropped 1.9 percent to consumers aware of the issues related to the data that Democrats, but the relationship has deteriorated since nonetheless see a strong footprint of polyester 25.31 million vehicles, but the figure was “better than they submit to large digital platforms on a daily basis. the election of Donald Trump in 2016 and the scandal fibers that are likely to be largely derived from expected,” the industry association said. Aggressive This European data rights charter influenced of Cambridge Analytica, a British firm that hijacked the clothing,” he told AFP. lockdowns to contain the Covid-19 virus hit the indus- California, which has now had the California Consumer personal data of tens of millions of Facebook users for try hard in the first quarter of 2020 but sales rebound- Privacy Act (CCPA) for over a year. political propaganda purposes. Washing machine to ocean ed as Beijing brought the domestic outbreak under “That tends to dramatically increase the chances Google is the subject of an anti-trust lawsuit by the Researchers collected near-surface seawa- control. Investors have flooded into the electric vehi- that we can develop the political will at the federal lev- Department of Justice and a coalition of American ter samples along a 19,000-kilometer section cle sector as the Chinese government pushes for new el to do something, just to create a uniform rule of law states. Its YouTube platform, like Facebook and from Tromso in Norway to the North Pole, energy vehicles to comprise 25 percent of car sales by so that companies know what the rules of the road are Twitter, is in the crosshairs of government officials for through the Canadian Arctic and into the 2025. —AFP and individual users know what their rights and pro- their management of personal information. —AFP Beaufort Sea, where they also analyzed some samples up to a depth of around 1,000 meters. But on Wednesday the fund u-turned. “TraHK will “We found microplastic in all but one sample, HK tracker fund resume investments in sanctioned entities that are con- Pandemic boosts underscoring the widespread distribution of stituent companies of the Hang Seng Index with effect this emerging pollutant in this remote region,” from 14 January 2021,” it said in a statement to Hong said Ross. Researchers used microscopy and makes U-turn on Kong’s stock exchange. They would, however, advise profits at infrared analysis to identify and measure the Americans that it wasn’t “appropriate” to invest. TraHK microplastics, which they defined as shreds of China investments was set up by Hong Kong’s government following the plastic smaller than five millimeters. 1998 Asian financial crash and is the city’s biggest India’s Infosys With almost three times more microplastic exchange-traded fund. particles found in the eastern Arctic compared HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s original stock market It is run by the Asian arm of State Street Global MUMBAI: Indian software giant Infosys yesterday to the west, the authors suggested that new tracker fund said yesterday it would continue investing Advisors, a massive US asset management firm. polyester fibres could be being delivered to reported a 16.6 percent jump in quarterly net prof- in companies listed by Washington as having links to Hong Kong-based firms are finding themselves its, boosted by a string of lucrative new deals and the east of the region by the Atlantic. China’s military, backtracking on a decision it made acutely vulnerable to the crossfire of spiralling ten- Ocean Wise has run tests on washing growing demand for digital services during the this week. The announcement highlights how tension sions and competing restrictions. Last year the US coronavirus pandemic. The Bangalore-headquar- machines and estimates that a single item of between the world’s two biggest economies is causing imposed sanctions on multiple Chinese and Hong Kong clothing can release millions of fibres during a tered firm said its net profit rose to 51.97 billion headache for international firms in Hong Kong, which officials over Beijing’s crackdown on democracy sup- rupees ($710 million) for the October-December normal domestic wash. The organization has has long served as China’s gateway to global markets. porters in the city. also warned that wastewater treatment plants quarter, up from 44.57 billion a year earlier. Outgoing US President Donald Trump issued an order The restrictions bar financial institutions from doing The third quarter is traditionally a weak one for are often not catching the plastic fibers, calcu- in November banning Americans from investing in any transactions with the sanctioned individuals. lating that households in the United States and India’s IT industry, but CEO Salil Parekh said new Chinese firms deemed to be supplying or supporting At the same time, Beijing has imposed a sweeping partnerships with top global companies such as Canada could collectively release some 878 the country’s military. national security law on Hong Kong which-among its tons of microfibres annually. “The textile sec- Daimler and Rolls-Royce had helped to boost the On Monday the Tracker Fund of Hong Kong many provisions-outlaws firms from complying with firm’s bottom line. Quarterly revenue at India’s sector can do much to design more sustainable (TraHK) — which has some US$14 billion in assets- foreign sanctions regimes. The dichotomy has left clothing, including by designing clothes that ond-largest IT company climbed 12.3 percent to said it would comply with the order and recommend international businesses fearful of being punished by 259.27 billion rupees from a year ago. shed less,” said Ross, while governments could Americans should longer invest in the fund. both sides. — AFP make sure wastewater treatment plants have India’s software outsourcing industry has proved installed technologies to remove microplastics a rare bright spot for the beleaguered economy, and incentivize innovation. Households can with Infosys and rival Tata Consultancy Services also play their part by choosing products (TCS) both offering employees salary hikes in 2020 made with more environmentally friendly fab- even as the country faces a prolonged slowdown rics and installing lint traps on their washing and high unemployment. “The resilience of Infosys machines, Ross added. has been severely tested over the past several quar- In 2019 a study published in Science ters and I am delighted with our response marked Advances concluded that a large quantity of by strong revenue performance, large deal wins, microplastic fragments and fibers are trans- healthy operating metrics and continued low attri- ported by winds into the Arctic region, and tion,” chief operating officer Pravin Rao said. then hitch a ride Earthward in snowflakes. Infosys was at the forefront of an outsourcing boom Several million tons of plastics also find their that saw the country become a back office to the way each year directly into oceans, where world, as Western firms subcontracted work to a they are broken down into microscopic bits skilled English-speaking workforce. over time. In the last two decades, the world Over 60 percent of the firm’s revenue comes has produced as much plastic as during the from North American markets. Its larger competitor rest of history, and the industry is set to grow TCS saw its quarterly profits climb more than seven by four percent a year until 2025, according to percent last week, one of its strongest third quarter a 2020 report by Grand View Research.—AFP performances. Infosys shares were up more than one percent in Mumbai ahead of the earnings. — AFP 10 Established 1961 Business Thursday, January 14, 2021 Mexico City plastic ban poses challenge for virus-hit firms City generates about 13,000 tons of solid waste every day

MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s ban on single-use plas- oceans have raised global awareness about the tic in its capital, one of the world’s most populous problem. Greenpeace argues that biodegradable metropolises, has delighted environmentalists but or compostable products are not the answer and dismayed some businesses struggling to cope with companies should seek to avoid creating waste the coronavirus pandemic. altogether. Home to around nine million people, Mexico “We see the use of any type of disposable City generates about 13,000 tons of solid waste material as a false solution because it replaces every day. The new rules, which are being phased plastic pollution with other problems,” Garelli said. in, ban the use of disposable plastic items such as “Most of these compostable or biodegradable cutlery, plates, cups, straws and food trays, in items need to reach industrial composting plants, addition to a year-old ban on plastic bags. and many of these don’t exist in Mexican cities,” The move poses yet another challenge for she added. Celina Aguilar, whose restaurant has had to close Mexico City authorities warn that people twice due to the pandemic and like others now breaking the new law risk a fine of up to 150,000 relies on takeout or home delivery. “We still pesos (around $7,500) and the closure of their haven’t recovered from the losses (of the first clo- premises. The ban “not only promotes a change in sure). Now everyone must change to biodegrad- the type of disposables or bags but also seeks to able packaging or they fine you,” Aguilar com- raise awareness of the amount of domestic waste plained. Since December 18, Mexico City has we generate,” said Andree Lilian Guigue, a senior banned non-essential activities including dining in official in the city’s environment department. restaurants in an attempt to curb the soaring num- She acknowledged that the change poses a ber of coronavirus infections. challenge for businesses. The plastics ban “affects us a lot because right “The ban is difficult not only because of the now we’re doing takeaway only, and how can we dependence on plastic we have created, but also give it to the customers?” said food vendor Martin because of the pandemic,” Guigue added. But her Matias. “It’s a daily battle in this situation.” department said that it had informed more than MEXICO CITY: A restaurant worker packs food in a biodegradable and compostable container Environmental group Greenpeace Mexico 1,400 food establishments about the new law in after receiving a call to order delivery food in Mexico City. After years of discussion, single-use argues that businesses in the city have had plenty the six months before it took effect. plastics were banned in Mexico City. —AFP of time to prepare for the change. “It’s been under “Many of them not only continued to use discussion for 15 years, and in all this time the disposables, but also increased their use,” companies have done nothing to find a solution,” Guigue said. Torres, president of Mexico’s national plastic supports the change and tries to persuade cus- said Ornela Garelli, an activist with the group. The law authorizes the use of packaging made industry association. tomers coming to his small food stall to bring of compostable materials like corn starch and avo- Torres warned that the ban would be devas- their own containers. “I know it’s a very difficult ‘False solution’ cado seeds. “But the world’s compostable capacity tating for the industry and could result in the loss step for everyone, but we need to start right now, Images of discarded plastic items littering the is not even enough to cover the needs of Mexico,” of between 20,000 and 50,000 jobs. Despite the in the middle of a health and economic crisis,” he countryside and clogging the world’s rivers and a country of nearly 129 million people, said Aldimir many challenges he faces, Edgar Lopez said he said. —AFP

News in brief ABK congratulates winners of weekly Samsung Visa draw

Ireland may get 1bn euros fund KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) VISA credit or prepaid card on Samsung Pay. Samsung Pay offers users a better way to pay, announced the winners of the “Samsung Visa” To enter the draw, customers must spend a offering a quick and contactless payment solution. BRUSSELS: The EU yesterday unveiled plans to weekly draw campaign, which started in weekly minimum of KD 20, locally or The bank will continue to introduce innovative divide up a four-billion-euro tranche of post-Brexit November 2020. Internationally using their ABK Visa credit or pre- digital solutions, supporting a shift towards a funds, with Ireland getting a quarter of the money to The campaign will run through to 27 January paid card through Samsung Pay on any POS termi- cashless future. help hard-hit businesses. The Brexit Adjustment 2021, awarding three lucky winners a Samsung nal. Each KD10 spent automatically earns ABK Reserve, worth five billion euros in total, is aimed at Galaxy Watch3 every week when using an ABK cardholders one entry point for the draw. ABK’s supporting the bloc’s 27 nations weather the immediate impact of Britain’s departure from the EU’s single market and customs union. The funds are being allot- ted according to how integrated each member was with the UK economy. How big a blow reductions in access to British waters will be to their fishing industries is also being taken into account. —AFP

Telefonica sells mobile phone masts

MADRID: Spain’s Telefonica said yesterday it will sell its telephone masts in Europe and Latin America to US-based telecom infrastructure firm American offensive slur for black people. Towers for 7.7 billion euros ($9.4 billion) in cash. The Australian cheese Hagan had petitioned previous com- sale of the nearly 31,000 mobile phone masts which pany owners over the name but failed its Telxius unit owns in Spain, Germany, Brazil, Peru, rebrands after to sway executives until now. Saputo Chile and Argentina will generate a capital gain of 3.5 said the change came after “careful and billion euros, the heavily indebted Spanish telecoms long racism battle diligent review to honor the brand- giant said in a statement. Telefonica president Jose affinity felt by our consumers while Maria Alvarez-Pallete said the deal would allow the SYDNEY: An Australian cheese com- aligning with current attitudes and per- company to focus on its “most ambitious goals” such pany called “Coon” will rebrand to spectives”. as the merger of its O2 mobile business with Virgin in “Cheer” after an Indigenous activist “Treating people with respect and Britain, the purchase of Oi mobile in Brazil and debt spent two decades fighting for the reduction. —AFP racist name to be changed. Saputo without discrimination is one of our Dairy Australia announced the new basic principles and it is imperative name yesterday, saying replacement that we continue to uphold this in WB emergency aid for Lebanese products would hit supermarket everything we do,” CEO Lino Saputo shelves in July. It follows a 20-year said in a statement. LEBANON: The World Bank Group on Tuesday campaign by Indigenous advocate The announcement comes two approved a $246-million aid package to help and author Stephen Hagan to rebrand months after Nestle said it would 786,000 vulnerable Lebanese reeling under the the product. Although purportedly a rename Australian sweets called ‘Red country’s worst economic crisis in decades and the reference to a US cheese factory Skins’ and ‘Chicos’ amid a global back- coronavirus pandemic. Lebanon, a country of more lash over racist branding. —AFP than six million, is grappling with its worst economic worker, the former name is also an downturn since the 1975-1990 war. A spiralling coronavirus outbreak has compounded the crisis, forcing businesses shut and denying daily wage earners an income in a country where more than half the popu- ‘Corals are being lation lives in poverty. —AFP cooked’: A third of Taiwan’s reefs are dying Polish businesses TAIPEI: Nearly a third of Taiwan’s corals are dying from bleaching caused by warming to defy COVID oceans in an alarming phenomenon that poses a severe threat to the island’s delicate underwater ecosystem, conservationists warned yesterday. lockdown, re-open An investigation conducted last year in 62 loca- WARSAW: Ski slopes, restaurants and hotels in tions around the island by the Taiwan Coral Poland’s tourist-reliant mountainous south have Bleaching Observation Network (TCBON) announced they will defy anti-virus restrictions showed bleaching had reached its worst record- and reopen Monday, as small business owners ed levels. Half of Taiwan’s reefs have been hit by nationwide grow increasingly weary of lockdown. bleaching with 31 percent so badly impacted A couple of hundred entrepreneurs have joined the that they are dying and probably beyond saving. so-called “Highlanders’ Veto” movement, whose “It’s like the corals are being cooked,” said Kuo leader Sebastian Piton announced the disobedi- Chao-yang, a postdoctoral scholar at the TAIPEI: An investigation conducted last year in 62 locations around the island by the Taiwan Coral ence campaign while clad in the traditional outfit Biodiversity Research Center at Taiwan’s lead- Bleaching Observation Network (TCBON) showed bleaching had reached its worst recorded levels. of the Tatra mountains. ing research institute, Academia Sinica. Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean “The entrepreneurs are this determined because told AFP. Much of the ocean they surveyed last without trees and the reef-associated creatures they realize they won’t survive another month-so floor but support a quarter of all marine species, summer was above 30 degrees Celsius for three will have to leave because there is no shelter or they have no choice,” said Piton, who has called providing them with food and shelter. months. The worst area was in Little Liuqiu, a food,” Kuo said. “If corals are dead, the coral coronavirus a “minor, pleasant illness”. Warming waters due to climate change cause coral island off the southwest coast in the reef ecosystem will start to collapse as its root “This is our last chance to veto this government corals to expel the food-producing algae living Taiwan Strait where 55 percent of corals have is cut.” Mingo Lee, a diver who helps document policy, which is ruining us,” he told the Polish news in their tissues, breaking down their symbiotic now been seriously bleached. Another alarming coral health in Taiwan, described the level of agency PAP. On Monday, Poland’s government relationship and leading to loss of colour and sign was bleaching in Yehliu, off the colder bleaching as like “snow in the ocean”. “It was extended most of the anti-virus restrictions through life in a process known as bleaching. The lack northeast coast, for the first time since 1998. white everywhere... I have never seen anything the end of the month, requiring ski slopes, gyms and of typhoons last summer-which could have “Coral reefs are the rainforest in the ocean. A like that in my 20 years as a diver,” he told hotels to remain closed to the general public and stirred up cooler waters from the deep-aggra- coral reef without corals is just like a forest reporters. —AFP restaurants to only do takeaway service. —AFP vated the bleaching, Kuo, a member of TCBON, Classifieds Thursday, January 14, 2021

Sabah Hospital 24812000 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Chest Hospital 24849400 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Adan Hospital 23940620 CHANGE OF NAME Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 I, Abdul Salam Abdul Gafoor Hassan holder of Indian Passport No. Z1959357 resident of Mehsala, District Rigad, Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Maharashtra, has changed my name to Abdul Salam Abdul Gafoor Gantare for all purpose. (C 0207) 13-1-2021

I, Muzzammil Khan holder of Indian Passport No. R8108878 & Civil ID No. 278081006338 has changed my name from Kaizen center 25716707 Muzzammil Khan to Sohrab Khan as Sohrab (Given Name) and Rawda 22517733 Khan (Surname) hereinafter in all my dealings and documents, I will be known by name of Sohrab Khan. (C 0206) 12-1-2021 Adaliya 22517144 Khaldiya 24848075 Kaifan 24849807 Shamiya 24848913 Shuwaikh 24814507 Airlines Abdullah Salem 22549134 Nuzha 22526804 Kuwait Airways 171 Jazeera Airways 177 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Turkish Airlines 1884918 Qadsiya 22515088 FlyDubai 22414400 Qatar Airways 22423888 Dasmah 22532265 KLM 22425747 Royal Jordanian 22418064/5/6 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 British Airways 22425635 Shaab 22518752 Air France 22430224 Emirates 22921555 Qibla 22459381 Air India 22456700 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Air India EXPRESS 22438185/4 Sri Lanka Airlines 22424444 Mirqab 22456536 Egypt Air 22421578 Sharq 22465401 Swiss Air 22421516 Saudia 22426306 Salmiya 25746401 Middle East Airlines 22423073

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) This is a great day to start a partnership of any Work that you're doing either at home or Today your intuition should be sharper than Intuition plays a large part in your work, kind, as it will prove cooperative, rewarding, and stable. Any on your home is likely to go well today and bring you usual, Libra. You might get a few calls involving possible Capricorn. You're apt to sense what others want or need legal papers executed today should definitely work for you, the results you're hoping for, Cancer. Members of your business opportunities. You can use this heightened ESP and foresee the consequences of one course of action Aries. If you've been thinking about signing up for a class or household might want to pitch in and help. You will to discern which ones might be successful. You could also over another. This is definitely going to make a positive difference in what you accomplish. You're likely to be workshop, this is the day to do it. You're more likely to get the probably spend most of your time inside, but you may hear from friends proposing participation in a group quite pleased with what you do. Exercise this intuition results you want. Make plans for travel, too. You've got a lot to also have to spend some time out gathering supplies activity of some kind, which you may want to do. Don't today so it will stay with you in the future. think about. and materials that you may need. hesitate. Have a great day.

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

Work you do today, whether related to your job Today you're likely to feel especially commu- Today you should feel especially opti- Information that you receive from far away could make doing business with a group you're affiliat- or something you do on your own, could lead to a tempo- nicative, Leo. You might want to get on the phone and mistic and enthusiastic, Scorpio, although you may ed with that much easier, Aquarius. All looks promising rary boost in income, which is going to elevate your mood. run ideas for new projects by colleagues or perhaps not know why, at least at first. Later in the day some good news could come your way, possibly involving for group activities and advancing your education, so This could involve a bonus, a project outside work, or your make arrangements to complete current projects. business and money. This should tell you that you these are good focuses for today. Travel might also be own enterprise. You should be feeling healthy and enthusias- Success through creativity is strongly indicated at this were intuitively picking up on something wonderful. on your mind. Friends could be inclined to consider tic, Taurus, ready to tackle just about anything. Finances look time. This is a great day to seek success through writing the idea, so it might be fun to go out on the town with or speaking. If this has been on your mind, get started. As a matter of fact, your intuition should be high for stable, and relations with others congenial and supportive. most of the day. Make it work for you. them tonight.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Pisces (February 19-March 20) A new sense of closeness to those around you You might toy with the idea of getting some Business transacted today either in your home This could prove to be a gratifying day, Pisces. might have you feeling especially happy today, kind of project or enterprise going with a close friend or or concerning your home is likely to be successful and Recent success in business might now be making a positive Sagittarius. Your business and financial life should be going very love partner. If you're serious about it, Gemini, this is defi- bring some extra money your way. You probably feel espe- difference in your financial situation. This is apt to boost well, your future seems bright, and now this puts the icing on the nitely the day to start. Any partnership formed at this time cially optimistic about this. You're looking forward to new your mood quite a bit and you're probably feeling opti- is likely to be successful and beneficial for all involved. This opportunities that may come your way. Your intuition is cake. Your mind may turn to projects that you want to try in the mistic and enthusiastic about your future. You could lapse is even a good day to work out the terms of a legal agree- high, so you're likely to be able to separate the wheat from future, and this could increase your enthusiasm. Even more ideas into some very pleasant daydreams about the possibilities, but don't get carried away. Try to remain practical. ment. Go for it. the chaff where opportunities are concerned. Go for it. could come thick and fast. 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Thursday, January 14, 2021

he Lebanese Canadian Artist Zeina sent women in her work, she said: “The said: “They need to push themselves out TDabbous is preparing for many evolution of my figurative and portrait work of their comfort zones; to create artworks upcoming projects under LOYAC to embody women was, in the beginning, or participate in projects that challenge Performing Arts Academy “LAPA “. Zeina a subconscious effort. Slowly, as I experi- them or have themes that normally do not also expressed her happiness to present mented with this new work, I would gravi- interest them, in order to learn new skills. an art workshop with artist Amira tate towards women’s representation and Had I not done the same, I would not be Behbehani soon. The American 123 ART empowerment with more intent whatever the artist I am today nor would I have a newspaper celebrated Zeina’s activities the project. My message in my work is to strong knowledge of what my identity is or with LOYAC Performing Arts Academy showcase women’s’ beauty, femininity, even know how to reflect that in my art- “LAPA” and had an interview with her, and above all their power and strength. works”. where she said: “As a self-taught artist, I Much of my work reflects women in isola- It is known that Zeina Dabbous is a believe in the journey of self-discovery tion striking a strong pose. This is a clear Photos show the Lebanese Canadian Artist Lebanese Canadian visual artist and through art, as well as emphasizing con- intent that I believe women derive their Zeina Dabbous. head of the Fine Arts Department at ceptualization. Creativity starts with an strength from themselves; that invisible work and not succumbing to more popu- LAPA. She is a creative person with her idea, and that should be the most impor- force women possess seemingly by lar styles. She said: “I overcome this chal- own artistic sense that can be noticed tant factor. instinct is something I always want to lenge by reminding myself how I harshly when viewing her work at first glance, and Zeina said that she benefited from her reflect in my artwork”. oppose artists that are just copying each this distinct sense is what led her to exhib- multicultural upbringing, which was posi- When asked about the biggest chal- other and are not being strong enough to it, sell and publish many of her works on tively reflected in her distinguished artistic lenges she faces in her career, she said create their own identity”. the largest international platforms. work in addition to her keenness to repre- that Maintaining her true identity in her art- As for her advice to young artists, she

in 2021. Sarah Dossett, Marketing Director at Activia said: “We believe that Beyonce named this year people shouldn’t focus on losing their gut but learning to love it instead. We are passionate about happy most inspiring guts and know the impact it can have on our overall wellbeing and in turn body positivity. We’re thrilled that the research female star for has come back so strong at a time when many re-evaluate their goals and we hope that we can continue to support our customers this way.” omanian director Alexander body positivity RNanau, who won global praise for a documentary about a 2015 fire Beyonce disaster, on Tuesday spurned a national eyonce has been named the most award to protest the crisis facing the film Binspiring female celebrity for body industry in his country. Romania had positivity. A survey carried out by promised aid for cinemas and the film yoghurt brand Activia found that the industry like the help extended to the ‘Halo’ hitmaker and the likes of Lizzo, hospitality sector during the coronavirus Adele, Rebel Wilson, Jameela Jamil and pandemic but has yet to fulfill that Chrissy Teigen are the stars people find pledge. “It would be hypocritical on my most empowering when it comes to body part to accept this award while the film acceptance. In 2018, Beyonce, 39, industry is in a state of clinical death”, opened up about how she changed her Nanau wrote in a letter to President Klaus approach after putting “pressure” on her- he erection of the statue of an ancient Egypt and not the Maghreb. self to look how society says she should. ancient Egyptian pharaoh in Algeria Historian Fouad Soufi told AFP Chachnaq Iohannis. The 41-year-old was to receive T the Cultural Merit medal on January 15, She shared: “After the birth of my first in anticipation of the Berber new was “one of the most significant generals Romania’s Day of Culture. child, I believed in the things society said year has caused a storm on social media in Egyptian pharaonic” history. “He took about how my body should look. I put among Algerians and Egyptians alike. power around 945 BC amid a succession pressure on myself to lose all the baby Local authorities in the town of Tizi Ouzou, crisis and the foundation of a dynasty.” weight in three months, and scheduled a Kabylie, commissioned the four-meter- While he is credited with Berber origins, small tour to assure I would do it. plus statue of the Pharoah Sheshonq I- he was “completely Egyptianized and Looking back, that was crazy. I was still Chachnaq, in the Berber language-from turned towards Palestine”, Soufi added. breastfeeding when I performed the two young artists and it was unveiled on The date of January 12, 950 BC, was cho- Revel shows in Atlantic City in 2012. After Friday, according to local media. The sen by Berber activists as the starting the twins, I approached things very dif- pharaoh reputedly had Berber heritage. “I point of their calendar, on the basis that it Top 10 celebrities to inspire ferently.” body positivity for women: venture that we are displaying a flippant- was believed to be Chachnaq’s acces- ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ host Tess ness in the face of history by taking the sion date. But his enthronement is “diffi- Daly - who is a spokesperson for Activia - Beyonce step of erecting a statue of an Egyptian cult” to pin down, noted the historian, who is also included in the Top 10 and spoke Giovanna Fletcher pharaoh on the premise of his vague described both the chosen day and year of the importance of being “kinder to our- Serena Williams In this ﬁle photo Romanian-born German Adele Berber origins and of whom we know lit- as “arbitrary”. Celebrations of the Berber director Alexander Nanau poses after he was selves”. The 51-year-old presenter said: tle,” swiped Djamel Alilat on Facebook. new year were muted this year due to “We’ve given up enough over the last Rebel Wilson awarded with the 2016 Prix France Culture Tess Daly On Twitter, the hashtag “Chachnaq is restrictions imposed to control the spread des Etudiants (2016 France Culture Students year so we need to be kinder to our- Egyptian” trended among citizens of both of the novel coronavirus. — AFP selves and look at all of the ways that we Lizzo Prize) for his documentary ﬁlm “Toto si suro- Jameela Jamil nations, as the net users insisted that the rile lui” (Toto et ses Soeurs - Toto and his can improve our overall wellbeing. I ancient ruler’s history was the purview of know that when I look after my gut, I feel Chrissy Teigen Sisters) on the sidelines of the 69th Cannes Nadia Sawalha Film Festival in Cannes. — AFP better for it so I am hoping to use my own experience to encourage people not to Top 10 celebrities to inspire Nanau’s documentary, “Collective” overlook it and look at the small changes body positivity for men: recounts the corruption and incompe- you can make that will improve your gut health.” The study also found 33-year-old Zac Efron he 38-year-old actor let slip that he honest the main rea- tence in Romania’s healthcare system in Hollywood star Zac Efron - who loves to Joe Wicks recently tied the knot after explaining son I decided to the aftermath of a fire in a Bucharest T pose shirtless for selfies - to be the top Chris Pratt he decided to stay in California after share more publicly nightclub killed 64 people in 2015. The body positive male celebrity. Olly Murs finishing a recent work project because it about my uncle and director urged Romanian authorities to The list also features Harry Styles, James Corden is where his “wife’s family” is from. Riz aunt who passed “implement concrete solutions to save Sam Smith, Chris Pratt, James Corden Robbie Williams appeared on Louis Theroux’s podcast away, because I felt this sector” warning that “most produc- and Jonathan Van Ness. Elsewhere, the Sam Smith ‘Grounded’ when he made the revelation, like there are a lot of tion houses, independent theatres, cine- research revealed the body part people Craig David prompting the broadcaster to say: “You people who weren’t mas and distribution companies will love the most is their legs. While over half Jonathan Van Ness mentioned a wife and I feel very embar- taking COVID seri- already be closed when the health crisis (65 per cent) of the adults surveyed said Harry Styles —BangShowbiz rassed to say I didn’t realize you were ously. “So I felt like comes to an end”. Romania’s culture they felt confident in their body and a married.! His guest replied: “Not very long talking about it and ministry on Tuesday said Nanau’s asser- Riz Ahmed quarter plan to look after their gut health actually, I think it’s the first time I’ve ever saying hey look, this tions were “ill-disposed and baseless”, mentioned it in an interview. So, congratu- is a real thing, it’s adding that his documentary received lations on this incredibly exciting scoop! affected me and my family. state subsidies amounting to around The ‘Night Of’ star admitted he doesn’t “You know, talking about it, a spoken 300,000 euros ($ 364,000). “Collective” talk about his personal life very much word piece that touched on that as well. is Romania’s entry for this year’s Oscars because he doesn’t think it’s “relevant” to Yeah, I guess I’m, I don’t feel like it’s that and is considered a strong candidate in his career, but felt it was a good idea to necessary to go hey here’s everything the Documentary Feature category. It speak about losing family members to that’s happening in my life.” Riz was previ- has already won the European Film coronavirus in the hope it would help peo- ously romantically linked to writer and film- Award prize for best documentary, while ple take the pandemic more seriously. He maker Anya Raza and she accompanied the US National Society of Film Critics said: “I mean, I guess I don’t really feel it’s him to the 2018 Golden Globe awards. awarded it the best foreign language film generally that relevant so I don’t really Radio 4’s ‘Grounded with Louis Theroux’ is prize. Former US President Barack delve into my personal life or my dating available now on BBC Sounds. Obama included “Collective” on his list Chrissy Teigen and John Legend history or even family life much and to be —Bang Showbiz of favorite films from 2020. — AFP

hrissy Teigen has had John Chrissy with this ooh laa tattoo down her igi Hadid has thanked Zayn Malik on Instagram earlier this week: Legend’s lyrics tattooed down her spine. “John wrote this sexy song for her for “making [her] a mamma”. The “Celebrated mamma’s bday tonight C G spine. The ‘Lip Sync Battle’ star so naturally she should have it tattooed on 25-year-old model - who gave @yolanda.hadid. “Every year, I think I paid a visit to tattoo artist Winter Stone aka her right?!!! And if you haven’t heard BIG- birth to the couple’s daughter in couldn’t love, look up to, or learn from Daniel Winter to have the title of ‘Ooh Laa’ GER LOVE John’s new album: listen it’s September - shared a touching tribute to her more-and then I do. She’s the best etched down her back, and documented so good!(sic)” Chrissy’s new tattoo comes the ‘Pillowtalk’ hitmaker on his 28th birth- mom and Oma we could ever ask for. So the process in a video she shared to shortly after the 35-year-old star - who has day on Tuesday, nicknaming her partner blessed. I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU FOR Instagram. The three-minute clip largely Luna, four, and Miles, two, with husband “Zaddy baba”. Alongside a photo of the EVERYTHING. Wishing you the best features footage of the tattoo, but midway John Legend - had her nose pierced couple dressed up and a drawing of year.(sic)” Her mom replied: “I love you through, John asked his wife if she twice. The brunette beauty had to repeat Zayn holding a baby, she wrote on baby, thank you for a beautiful dinner at remembered the first time she heard the the process because the first attempt did- Instagram: “Team No Sleep ! Happiest home.” Yolanda used her own account song, which features on his seventh stu- n’t work. Posting a clip on Instagram, birthday to our Zaddy baba. So special. to reflect on her birthday and hailed her dio album ‘Bigger Love’, but she didn’t. Chrissy wrote: “Second time’s the charm.” Love you long time, thank you for makin granddaughter as the biggest “blessing” She said: “I don’t remember! I remember The model explained last month how she me a mamma to the best girl ever [smil- in her life. Originally sharing a photo of the first time I heard ‘All of Me’, I remem- had got her nose pierced during her holi- ing emoji] Wish you the best every sin- the tot’s face, which she quickly ber the first time I heard...honestly, most day in St. Barts, although it quickly healed gle day.(sic)” Gigi also shared photos removed and changed for a different of your songs. But not this one.” John up and fell out “immediately” after she from the former One Direction singer’s photo of herself and the baby, she wrote: replied: “I remember. It was in our bed- had it done. Alongside a picture of her celebrations on her Instagram Story, “My birthday blessings... When I woke room. We had to test run it to make sure it nose pierced, she wrote on Twitter: “So I which included a number of arcade up this morning and counted all my worked. It worked. “We actually played it did this today and it immediately fell out games, sweet treats in a retro gaming blessings in life this little Angel was on repeat the first time. It was a good con- and healed the second she left because theme, dozens of balloons, and confetti ranked #1. It’s a whole new feeling, I’m versation starter.” Winter Stone also she did it wrong lmao.” She continued: and party hats adorned with Zayn’s face. feeling..., a part of my heart I didn’t know shared a photo of Chrissy’s tattoo tribute “Like how do you do it wrong? It’s a hole, Zayn’s birthday came a day after the existed....(sic)”. — Bang Showbiz to her husband. through the nose. It’s like jerry seinfeld’s family celebrated Gigi’s mother, Yolanda He wrote alongside the black and bobsledding joke.—Bang Showbiz Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik Hadid’s big day on Monday. Gigi wrote white image: “What a blessing to honor Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Thursday, January 14, 2021

Vogue cover photo of a casual give Harris “due respect.” Social media need,” Wintour said. Harris, 56, has not Vice President-elect Kamala Harris users also slammed the photo’s lighting publicly reacted but sources close to her Ahas sparked controversy, with crit- and questioned whether the magazine have told US media that she was sur- ics saying it diminishes the politician’s had lightened Harris’s skin. “Obviously prised by the choice of the more relaxed achievements, forcing editor Anna we have heard and understood the reac- photo. Wintour to defend the image Tuesday. tion to the print cover and I just want to The controversy is the latest to engulf Criticism of the cover has spread on reiterate that it was absolutely not our Wintour, who found herself under pres- social media since it was released on intention to, in any way, diminish the sure during the massive Black Lives Sunday, with users insisting that what importance of the Vice President-elect’s Matter protests that swept the US last they see as a poorly composed portrait of incredible victory,” Wintour said in a summer. She apologized for not making Harris wearing sneakers is disrespectful statement to New York Times reporter enough room for Black stylists and pho- to the first Black woman to be elected Kara Swisher. Swisher, host of the pod- tographers in the magazine. Wintour vice president. The photo-in which Harris cast “Sway,” also broadcast a rare inter- added that she also took “full responsibili- also wears a blazer and jeans-was taken view with Wintour Tuesday that was car- ty” for “publishing images or stories that by American photographer Tyler Mitchell, ried out before the controversy. have been hurtful or intolerant.” Rumors who in 2018 became the first Black pho- that she would resign circulated, but the tographer to shoot a Vogue cover with his ‘Positive change’ British-born 71-year-old-described by portraits of music icon Beyonce. In the interview, the artistic director of Forbes magazine in 2017 as the “most It was this image that Wintour chose to Vogue’s publisher, Conde Nast, powerful woman” in media-has remained grace the cover of the hard copy of the describes the cover as “just so joyful and at the helm of Vogue. “We’ve heard the February issue, rather than a more formal optimistic.” “I cannot imagine that there’s complaints and the issues that have been This combination of pictures shows two handout photo courtesy of Vogue, of US Vice President- portrait of Harris in a light blue Michael anyone that really is going to find this raised by everybody who works at Conde elect Kamala Harris in a Michael Kors Collection suit on the February 2021 cover of Vogue maga- Kors pantsuit, which was also taken by cover anything but that, and positive, and Nast and we’re working towards, I think, a zine (left) and against colors inspired by those of her Howard university sorority, Alpha Kappa Mitchell. Writing in the Washington Post, an image of a woman in control of her life lot of very positive change,” she told Alpha, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris (right) as she wears a Donald Deal jacket and fashion critic Robin Givhan said the print who is going to bring us with the presi- Swisher. — AFP Converse sneakers on the February 2021 cover of Vogue magazine. — AFP cover was “overly familiar” and did not dent-elect the leadership that we so

hen the Marvel superhero Galaxy,’ ‘Thor: Ragnarok’... they’re con- movies reached their box office- stantly playing around with genre and Wshattering climax in 2019, tone and doing things that other people nobody could have predicted the saga’s thought were pretty bonkers,” he said. next installment would be a kitsch, “That worked out great in the end. And black-and-white TV sitcom called ‘WandaVision’ definitely is a big swing... In this file photo Best Director nominee and In this file photo US actor Leonardo Di Caprio “WandaVision.” But a lot has changed it’s very different.”— AFP Best Original Screenplay nominee for “Vice” arrives at a social restaurant that aims to help since Iron Man and friends saved the Adam McKay and wife Shira Piven arrive for the homeless in Edinburgh, Scotland ahead of world in that summer’s all-time record- the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby his appearance this evening at the Scottish grossing blockbuster “Avengers: Theatre in Hollywood, California. Business Awards. — AFP photos Endgame” (and mopped up some loose plot points in “Spider-Man: Far From produced by Jay-Z and with a primarily Home” shortly thereafter.) The wildly Black cast including Regina King and popular franchise of 23 interconnected Netflix Idris Elba, also promises to be one to look movies has ground to a halt along with out for. But the list included premier dates the rest of the world as Covid-19 shut- for only 10 of the titles-from early January tered movie theaters, delaying “Black to mid-March. The announcement-via a Widow” and other big-screen superhero In this file photo (From left) US actress announces 70 brochure on the streamer’s website-was sequels. Elizabeth Olsen, English-US actor Paul accompanied by a short video presented Meanwhile parent company Disney Bethany and US actress Teyonah Parris speak UK-based comedian has by “Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot, has splashed out billions bringing its on stage for the Marvel panel in Hall H of the sparked a censorship row star-packed “Jumanji” lead Dwayne Johnson and biggest franchises and characters to the Convention Center during Comic Con in San Aafter he apologized to “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds. The Disney+ TV platform, as it locks horns Diego, California. Chinese fans and removed a video video also features Regina King, Adrien with Netflix, HBO Max and others in the featuring a fellow YouTube star who Brody, Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock, spendthrift “streaming wars.” So here to three well-received episodes, which are had been critical of Beijing. 2021 films Octavia Spencer, Jeremy Irons-even finally push onward the over-arching plot remarkable mainly for humorous set- Malaysian-born stand-up Nigel Ng Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer of Marvel’s “cinematic universe” is pieces in which the pair narrowly avoid has become a viral sensation in Lawrence-showcasing the several Oscar “WandaVision,” an oddball and fiercely revealing their secret to nosy neighbors. recent months with his character lready the master of 2020’s pan- winners Netflix has snagged for their 2021 original series out Friday on Disney+. It “The (Marvel) movies are hilarious “Uncle Roger”, an alter-ego based demic-era movie landscape, Netflix season. stars witch Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth and that’s definitely a huge part of their on a disapproving middle-aged man Aon Tuesday offered a preview of The directors featured on the slate Olsen), and other-worldly android Vision secret sauce,” said Shakman, who drew who critiques bad attempts at mak- upcoming 2021 releases, a list with no include notable names such as Jane (Paul Bettany), two B-list superheroes influence from his background on other ing Asian cuisine. His video of a hor- fewer than 70 star-studded feature films. Campion for “The Power of the Dog,” who struck up an unlikely but fan-favorite TV comedies including “It’s Always rified Uncle Roger watching a BBC The sneak peek is unusual for the stream- Halle Berry and Lin-Manuel Miranda in romance across several recent Marvel Sunny in Philadelphia.” “The number one presenter butcher fried rice has ing giant, which historically has dropped both of their first spins behind the camera. films. “WandaVision” finds them-without rule that we learned on ‘Sunny’ is if it racked up more than 20 million views news of only one film at a time-a testa- Johnson, Gadot and Reynolds will appear explanation-living happily married in the makes us laugh, it will make other peo- on his YouTube channel. The video ment to its clout as it easily surpasses the in “Red Notice,” an action film with a $160 idyllic 1950s town of Westview, which is ple laugh.” Beyond the gags, starved was also widely ripped and shared release volume of every Hollywood studio. million budget, according to US media. seemingly lifted straight from an episode Marvel obsessives are itching to find out inside China. But Ng now finds him- From drama, comedy and science fiction Netflix did not respond to an AFP query of “Bewitched” or “I Love Lucy” (com- what has happened to their favorite self at the centre of a storm over digi- to horror and even Westerns, the slate will about which-if any-of its 2021 films would tal content creators bowing to take in every major film genre before the also receive theatrical releases. The pre- Chinese censorship-even on plat- year is out, with some releases poised as view came as Warner Bros. dropped its forms that cannot be accessed potential competition for major awards. own slate, revealing that it would release inside the authoritarian mainland. Among the most-anticipated titles is all 17 of its 2021 titles simultaneously in The comedian’s presence in “Don’t Look Up,” from filmmaker Adam theaters and on HBO MAX. — AFP China is relatively small: his account McKay of “The Big Short” and “Vice” fame on the Twitter-like Weibo platform and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. has just 125,000 followers compared “The Harder They Fall,” a Western co- to the three million subscribers on YouTube, a website that is blocked by China’s censors. On Tuesday Ng posted a message on Weibo announcing he had deleted a video which featured Mike Chen, a popular American food blogger and YouTuber. “During the cooperation between me and the YouTuber, I wasn’t aware of his political thoughts and the incorrect remarks he had made on China,” Ng wrote, adding the video featuring Chen had created “negative social impact”. During the video- copies of which were still available In this file photo (From left) President of Marvel Studios/Producer Kevin Feige, actors Chris online-Ng and Chen review another Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy food presenter’s attempts to make This file photo shows Floor Jansen (right) and Marco Hietala of the band Nightwish performing Renner attends the Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: Endgame’ cast place their hand prints in cement dumplings. There is no discussion of at the City National Grove of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. — AFP at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX Forecourt , in Hollywood, California. — AFP photos politics. But Chen is frequently critical of Beijing on own social media plete with canned laughter track.) characters. Marvel has produced platforms, writing posts about human They still have superpowers, but have dozens of TV series before, but rights abuses in Hong Kong and traded battles with genocidal villains for “WandaVision” is the first confirmed to against China’s Uighur Muslim a cozy world of school fundraisers, fit-somehow-into the films’ grand, shared minority. He also highlights Beijing’s neighborhood watch meetings and storyline. An explosion of fan theories pursuit of the Falun Gong, a religious anniversary dinners. If that sounds has tried to solve these riddles, not least sect that has been banned by main- he bass player of the Finnish sym- saw their 2007 album “Dark Passion incredibly weird, it is. “When I first heard how the show gets around Vision’s death land authorities. Ng did not respond phonic metal band Nightwish Play” reach number one in six countries the pitch of the show, I was gobs- in 2018 film “Avengers: Infinity War.” to requests for comment. Tannounced Tuesday he was leaving and make platinum in Germany. With macked,” admitted director Matt “There is so much anticipation for the But Chen decried the decision to the group, citing his mental health and international sales of over nine million, Shakman. “There are so many shows out show,” said Shakman. “The ‘why’ of it all delete the video and said it illustrat- disillusionment with the music industry. Nightwish are the most successful metal there on streaming right now-to find is part of the great mystery of the show,” ed China’s growing sway over artists Nightwish, whose original members export from Finland, the country which a something that feels so special, like it he explained. beyond its borders. “I do think that came from Kitee town close to the 2012 analysis claimed has the world’s hasn’t been done before, that’s really what happened here is the result of Finnish-Russian border, rose to interna- highest concentration of metal bands per rare,” he told AFP. “And this definitely is ‘Crazy risks’ the Chinese Communist Party’s cen- tional fame in the 2000s thanks to their capita. Other noteworthy headbangers one of those.” “WandaVision” is just the first of a sorship, even if it wasn’t direct cen- epic compositions and the operatic from the Nordic nation include HIM, dozen Marvel series in the works for sorship,” he said.—AFP vocals of classically trained singer Tarja Apocalyptica and Lordi, whose monster ‘Secret sauce’ Disney+. Bosses hope the shows can Turunen. “I have some reinventing to hit “Hard Rock Hallelujah” bagged Of course, all is not what it seems. emulate the small-screen crossover suc- do,” Marko Hietala said in a statement on Finland its first Eurovision win in 2006. Mystery shrouds the arrival of Wanda cess of “Star Wars” smash hit “The Twitter, adding: “It’s dangerous for me Two weeks ago Alexi Laiho, frontman of and Vision in their bizarre new home, Mandalorian,” which has sent sub- and the people around me if I continue.” the Finnish group Children of Bodom, and some neighbors appear to know scribers to the new platform in their The 54-year-old accused music execu- died aged 41 following “long-term health more than they initially let on. Trailers droves. But while “Star Wars” films have tives of squeezing artists and “unfairly issues,” according to his bandmates. suggest that later episodes will hop traditionally stuck to a fairly rigid “space sharing the profits”. Hietala joined the The virtuoso player was named Best through time and bring Marvel fans the Western” formula, Marvel have never group in 2001 as bassist and second Metal Guitarist in 2009 by the readers of more familiar popcorn action sequences been afraid to experiment, said vocalist, while Turunen later fell out with Guitar World magazine, public broad- they have been craving-and, indeed, Shakman. co-founder and keyboardist Tuomas caster YLE reported. — AFP scenes shot in color. Keeping plot under “They have been taking these crazy Malaysian-born stand-up Nigel Ng Holopainen and left the band in 2005. wraps, Marvel has shown press just risks the whole time-’Guardians of the Nonetheless the band’s cult status 14 Sports Thursday, January 14, 2021 Photo of the Day Sheikh Ali Shooting Tournament kicks off today By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: The late Sheikh Ali Sabah Al- Salem Al-Sabah Shooting Tournament kicks off today at Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex in the skeet and trap events, with the participation of club and National Guard shooters of both genders. The Obaid Al-Osaimi women’s tournament will start in the skeet and trap events. Participants will go through three rounds for each event shooting at a total of 75 targets, then there will be two rounds of 50 each the next day to determine the qualifiers for the final round. Secretary General of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations Obaid Munahi Al-Osaimi lauded the contributions of the late Sheikh’s family towards Kuwait Shooting Sport Club. He also commended the continued support by Interior Minister Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah for the shooting community and his keen interest in keeping the annual tournament as one of the important events in the club. Osaimi said the tournament Mohammed Jaffar races during Rally Dakar 2021 from Wadi Ad-Dawasir to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. — Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com attracted around 80 shooters. The closing ceremony will be held Saturday at 5:30 pm at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex. Depleted India out to breach Australia’s Gabba fortress Jadeja out, Bumrah questionable for tomorrow’s final BRISBANE: Injury-hit India head to Australia’s Gabba fortress for tomorrow’s final Test with high hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy after securing an epic draw in Sydney to leave the series locked at 1-1. The visitors only need to avoid defeat Palestine-Kuwait in Brisbane after their heroics in Sydney, when they batted out the final day against Australia’s much- sports movement vaunted bowling attack. Australia have come under fire for captain Tim pioneer passes away Paine’s sledging and accusations that Steve Smith deliberately scuffed up batsman Rishabh Pant’s guard during the tense fifth day. Allegations of racist By Ramy Rashid abuse from the crowd also overshadowed the Test. But Australia will be optimistic of snatching a series KUWAIT: Khalil win at the Gabba, where they are unbeaten in more Rayyan, one would than three decades, especially as India have been hit say the father of by succession of injuries. Palestinian journalists All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja became the latest in Kuwait, left us on ruled out yesterday after dislocating his left thumb Friday, January 8, SYDNEY: Australia’s captain Tim Paine (center) and Steven Smith (right) celebrate the dismissal of India’s Rishabh Pant in Sydney, while Indian media reported that fast- 2021. The following bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah could miss out during the ﬁfth day of the third cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in are highlights from with an abdominal strain. The visitors were already Sydney on January 11, 2021. — AFP Rayyan’s illustrious without experienced quicks Mohammed Shami, life. Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma, and batsman KL Hanuma Vihari, who tore his hamstring during his Brisbane, where crowds will be capped at 50 per- •Born in Jaffa Khalil Rayyan Rahul, while captain Virat Kohli is on paternity leave. 161-ball vigil for 23 runs that helped earn the unlike- cent to guard against possible coronavirus infec- 1932. If Bumrah cannot play, their already inexperi- ly draw on Monday. tions. “I know that the Gabba in Brisbane is •He was educated enced attack will be led by Mohammed Siraj, who Fellow Sydney hero Ravi Ashwin, who spent more Australia’s fortress but India have the ability to take in Al-Amriya in Jaffa, and attended courses has only played two Tests, alongside Navdeep Saini than three hours at the crease with Vihari in an on the Australians,” he told Indian media this week. during his work at the American University in who made his debut at Sydney plus one of the unbroken sixth-wicket stand to save the game, has a “They (Australia) have not lost there since 1988 but Beirut. uncapped T. Natarajan or Shardul Thakur. They also back issue. Despite the horror injury-run, India’s for- there is always a first time. If Ajinkya Rahane and •Moved to Gaza in Nakba in 1948. have doubts over the fitness of number six batsman mer great Sunil Gavaskar believes they can win in company do it, I won’t be surprised at all.” — AFP •Worked at UNRWA relief and employment agency as social services observer. England are resuming a Sri Lankan tour that was around that we have had - we have had quite a lot of •Took part in the armed struggle during the Galle rain keeps aborted in March as the coronavirus pandemic fall- rain and there is a lot of moisture around - so seam 1956 war. out spread. Root, who led England to a 3-0 sweep in might play a bigger part.” •He organized sports activities and competi- Sri Lanka in 2018, said his batsmen should be ready James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Olly Stone and tions and Palestinian entries in the Arab Sports England’s Root to adapt on spin-friendly South Asian tracks as they Mark Wood lead the visitors’ pace choices for the Course in Cairo in 1965. look to repeat their success. first Test. Chris Woakes is unlikely to play after •He moved to Kuwait in 1966 and worked in guessing on Sri “That’s one of the big challenges of coming and being in isolation because of his close contact with Al-Rai Al-Aam newspaper as the first full-time playing in Sri Lanka, and in the sub-continent, is that Moeen Ali who tested positive for Covid-19 and is sports journalist in the daily sports journalism the rhythm of the game is so different to playing in still under quarantine. There are six spinners in the field. Lanka selection English conditions,” he said. “There is a lot more spin, England party — Dom Bess, Jack Leach and Moeen •He joined Al-Qabas after its establishment a lot more double spin and that’s part and parcel of in the main squad, supplemented by reserves in 1972 as head of the sports department, and GALLE: Dark clouds and the threat of rain caused playing in this part of the world. Last time we felt like Mason Crane, Matt Parkinson and Amar Virdi. Sri headlined pages as a solo writer for several doubts for England captain Joe Root in choosing his whoever adapted quickest and grabbed those big Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne praised the years. side for the opening Test in Sri Lanka starting today. moments in the game won. And hopefully we can opposition spinners but believes the hosts have •He worked as a referee in the Kuwaiti The southern coastal city has seen several days of repeat that this time around.” learnt from their past mistakes. Basketball and Volleyball Federation, managing wet weather and more is predicted for the first of the “We never underestimate their bowlers,” said important matches, among them the most two Tests leaving the tourists wondering whether to ‘Reverse swing, hostile spell’ Karunaratne. “We know how the conditions are and famous volleyball match between China and use more pace on the usually spin friendly wicket. However the star batsman said seamers could have a few plans against them. We play our normal, Kuwait, which Kuwait won. “We have to consider conditions again, we’ve had become a weapon in the wet conditions. fearless game. We have learnt a lot from the previ- •He covered many local, continental and quite a lot of rain over the last 24 hours, so we’ll have “Throughout the winter we will definitely try and ous series and we will not do that mistake again.” global sporting activities. another look at the wicket and make sure we’re really exploit that as a tactic in these conditions, whether it Karunaratne also held back his team for the game •Participated in the establishment of the clear on the XI we want to go into the game with,” is reverse swing or a slightly more hostile spell of but said Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal Association of Sports Editors at the Kuwait Root told reporters yesterday. bowling,” said Root. “I do think with the weather will play. — AFP Journalists Association. •Supported local sports activities for the “I came here to play some matches after one some things. It’s not just staying in shape,” she said. Palestinian community in Kuwait. Sabalenka takes month of just preparation. I played six matches and “As soon as you stop working on improving your •Participated in the seventh Asian Games in it’s really important and I’m really happy I could play game, you’ll start losing, and I think that’s the key of Iran, which saw the expulsion of the Zionist that long and to win this title,” Sabalenka told successful people,” she added. entity from the sports family. He made interven- third straight title reporters in Abu Dhabi. “I’m going to Australia, I’m In the Abu Dhabi final, Sabalenka drew first blood, tions and contributions to it with the Kuwaiti confident with only one thing, that I’ll do everything I breaking for a 4-2 advantage by using the same suf- delegation. with Abu Dhabi win can to win matches and that’s the only confidence I focating kind of tennis that has kept her undefeated •He worked as the editorial secretary of Al- have right now.” since the French Open third round last October. She Qabas from 1987 until 1990, and left Kuwait at ABU DHABI: Aryna Sabalenka heads to next Sabalenka, who ended her 2020 season by clinch- took a comfortable one-set lead in 26 minutes. the end of August 1990 to reside in Damascus. month’s Australian Open brimming with confidence ing back-to-back titles in Ostrava and Linz, is also It was one-way traffic for the 22-year-old until What I know and many have assured me was after she captured a third consecutive title by out- riding an 11-match winning streak in the Middle East, Kudermetova finally managed to end a six-game los- that he was always with the martyr Sheikh Fahd classing Veronika Kudermetova 6-2, 6-2 in the Abu having triumphed in Doha on her last previous visit ing run by breaking the Sabalenka serve for 1-2 in Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Both chased the Dhabi final yesterday to extend her winning streak to to the region 11 months ago. She now has nearly the second set. The fourth seed retaliated immediate- Zionist enemy in all sports forums, may God 15 straight matches. three weeks before the start of the Australian Open ly though to reclaim control of the contest and it was have mercy on them. God’s mercy and satisfac- The 22-year-old from Belarus is the in-form play- which begins February 8, where she’ll be considered all over in 65 minutes. tion be upon you, and may your honorable peo- er at the moment on the WTA tour and will be look- one of the top contenders. Despite her defeat, Kudermetova can take many ple have patience and solace. ing to translate her success from the smaller events Sabalenka has already arranged for an exercise positives from her week in the UAE into her into the majors, where she has yet to make it past the bike to be set up in her hotel room in Melbourne so Australian Open campaign after making it to her first NOTE: Ramy Rashid is a Palestinian writer fourth round. Sabalenka added a ninth singles trophy she can still work out during the two-week quaran- WTA final and rising to a career-high 36 in the based in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The article to her collection and will rise to a career-high num- tine period. In that 14-day window, players can only world. “Now I have confidence, I beat good players was translated by Nadeen Rayyan, grand- ber seven in the world when the new rankings are leave their rooms for five hours per day to practice. here in Abu Dhabi and I feel OK before Australia,” daughter of Khalil Rayyan. released next week. “I will keep improving my game, keep working on said the 23-year-old Russian. — AFP Established 1961 15 Thursday, January 14, 2021 Sports Pogba ‘happy’ when winning as Man Utd go top of Premier League United takes three-point lead ahead of Liverpool clash Sunday

LONDON: Paul Pogba said he is “always happy” the best of Paul at the moment. He’s getting better when he is winning after scoring the only goal in a and better every game.” 1-0 victory at Burnley that took Manchester United The manner of victory against a Burnley side that top of the Premier League for the first time in three had not lost at home since October also suggests years on Tuesday. United have the ability of champions to grind out a Despite continued speculation over his future, result when they need to. The first-half was domi- Pogba has played an increasingly important role in nated by controversy over a series of VAR reviews recent weeks to aid United’s first serious title chal- as both sides escaped without having a man sent- lenge since legendary former manager Alex off for challenges by Luke Shaw and Robbie Brady, Ferguson retired in 2013. while United had a goal harshly ruled out for a Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men now lead defending slight push by Harry Maguire when he powered champions Liverpool by three points ahead of a home a header at the back post. top-of-the-table clash between the two most suc- The visitors upped the pressure in the second- cessful sides in English football history at Anfield half and got their reward 19 minutes from time when on Sunday. Pogba’s volley from Marcus Rashford’s cross “I’m always happy when I win,” said Pogba, who deflected off Matt Lowton and through the legs of has been consistently linked with a move away from Nick Pope to head to Anfield leading Liverpool. Old Trafford at the end of the season. “I’m happy we “We couldn’t be going there at a better time to play are playing well and happy we are at the top, but them,” added Solskjaer. “We are in good shape, there is a long way to go and we have big games good form, hungry, these boys want to get better coming up.” and that’s a test again.” United have now taken 29 from the last possible 33 points to recover from just two wins in Everton win at Wolves their opening six games of the season. The sign- Everton moved back into the top four and within ing of Bruno Fernandes shortly after Burnley won four points of United as they overcame an injury BURNLEY : Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba (2R) scores the opening goal during the 2-0 at Old Trafford nearly a year ago in the last crisis to beat Wolves 2-1 at Molineux. Carlo English Premier League football match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor in Burnley, meeting between the sides has transformed Ancelotti was forced to start without a recognized north west England on Tuesday. —AFP United’s fortunes. striker without Dominic Calvert-Lewin and And if Pogba can finally produce consistent dis- Richarlison only fit enough for a place on the bench. plays worthy of the then world record fee United The Toffees took an early lead when Alex Iwobi of the table, Sheffield United ended a 20-game win- to another night to forget for Newcastle. paid for the Frenchman in 2016, there is reason for converted Lucas Digne’s cross but were pegged less league run as Billy Sharp’s penalty earned a 1-0 “It looked like we got our identity back,” said Solskjaer to believe he can end the club’s eight-year back when Ruben Neves levelled for Wolves. victory over 10-man Newcastle. Wilder. “It was us with the handbrake off, going for wait for a league title. Michael Keane’s towering header won the game 13 The Blades still face an uphill task to haul them- it and playing well in and out of possession.” The “I’ve always said Paul is a big, big player for us,” minutes from time to bolster the Blues’ European selves off the bottom of the table as they sit nine Magpies could yet find themselves dragged into a added Solskjaer. “He is a good character in the ambitions. points adrift of safety. But Chris Wilder’s men relegation battle as they remain eight points above dressing room, he is always one the lads look to “We adapted really well to the characteristics of ensured they will not set an unwanted record by the drop zone in 15th, but have played two games (because) he’s a world champion. “We are seeing the players we had,” said Ancelotti. At the other end going a full top-flight season without a win thanks more than Fulham in 18th. —AFP

academy graduate Mason Greenwood Can Man Utd used as a late substitute. In central defense, Eric Bailly is sustain Premier impressing alongside Harry Maguire, offering United real pace at the back. Atletico stretch League title push? But it is not just the personnel that catch the eye — there is a palpable sense of togetherness at the club, Liga lead with LONDON: Manchester United are shown by the players’ wild celebrations top of the Premier League table with when they recently beat Aston Villa 2-1. Sevilla win nearly half the season gone but are they title contenders or mere pre- Manager MADRID: Atletico Madrid extended their lead at tenders? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men Solskjaer — who won six Premier the top of La Liga to four points on Tuesday beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor on League titles as a player at Old after a 2-0 win over Sevilla that strengthened Tuesday courtesy of a Paul Pogba Trafford — has not had an easy ride their title credentials. Goals in each half from goal to move three points clear of in charge. Whenever the club have hit Angel Correa and substitute Saul Niguez on a champions Liverpool after 17 games. a rocky patch the pressure has been freezing night following historic snowfall in the It was the first time United had ramped up, with suggestions he does Spanish capital allowed Diego Simeone’s side to ended the day top of the table so far not have the experience or nous to go increase the gap between themselves and city into the season since their last title- toe to toe with Jurgen Klopp and Pep rivals Real Madrid. winning campaign in 2012/13 under Guardiola. The match at the Wanda Metropolitano was Alex Ferguson. AFP Sport looks at An impressive 29 points from a BURNLEY: Manchester United’s Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer one of three games in hand that Atletico had on whether United can win their first possible 33 show the strength of their (right) talks with Manchester United’s Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani Madrid and Barcelona, who sit a further three top-flight title for eight years as revival after a poor start to the cam- as he leave the pitch at half-time during the English Premier League foot- points back in third. Their home fixture with ball match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor in they prepare to travel to Anfield on paign but Solskjaer is not getting car- Athletic Bilbao at the weekend had to be post- Burnley, north west England on Tuesday. —AFP Sunday. ried away. “We’re almost halfway poned after Madrid experienced its heaviest through the season so it’s a little bit of snowfall in half a century. “I’m very happy to help Squad strength an indication of where you’re at,” said step — a far cry from last year, when the table. They are seven points the team with this goal... the work pays off,” said Manchester United’s success in the the 1999 treble hero. “But no one will defeat at Anfield left them 30 points behind United but have two games in Saul after the win. Sevilla meanwhile stay sixth transfer market has been more miss remember the league table on the 12th behind the Merseyside outfit. hand and are favorites to win their on 30 points, level with fifth-placed Real than hit since Ferguson guided them of January.” Solskjaer, whose side are unbeaten in third title in four seasons. Sociedad. Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid will have a to a 20th top-flight title. But a glance domestic away fixtures since losing to Former United goalkeeper Peter tough task defending their La Liga crown on the at the substitutes’ bench at Turf Moor Rivals Liverpool in January 2020, said Schmeichel, who played alongside evidence of Tuesday’s display which bore all the shows Solskjaer has quietly put Despite their fine run of form, United were looking forward to the Solskjaer at Old Trafford, is not sure hallmarks of a Simeone side. together a powerful squad that gives bookmakers still have United as third challenge. “We just want to go there, his old side are “quite there yet” but Kieran Trippier returned to the Atletico side him enviable options. favorites for the Premier League title, knowing we’re playing the best team believes they are not far away. “If we after FIFA suspended the England international’s The Norwegian started with Paul behind Manchester City and in the country by a mile over the last could add players like (forward Erling) 10-week ban for breaching betting rules. And the Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Bruno Liverpool. Klopp’s men have failed to year and a half,” he said. “They are Haaland from Dortmund or (defender 30-year-old marked his comeback by helping Fernandes in midfield, with in-form hit the heights of last season but are champions by right and it will be a Dayot) Upamecano from Leipzig I Correa open the scoring in the 17th minute with a Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny still firmly in the title picture despite a great test of where we are.” would say then we would be champi- cut back that still left the Argentine with plenty of van de Beek on the bench. Edinson defensive injury crisis this term. For their part, City have quietly put onship challengers,” he told the BBC. work to do as he controlled the ball in the area. Cavani was back as the focal point in United will travel to the home of together an impressive run to move to It is up to his ex-teammate to prove Correa span quickly and got his shot off attack after a three-match ban, with their fierce rivals with a spring in their within striking distance of the top of him wrong. —AFP before Fernando could close him down, and his effort flashed past Yassine Bounou in the Sevilla goal. Trippier almost had another assist eight minutes later when his smart pass put Luis Suarez clean through, but Bounou did well to Milan beat Torino on charge out and block the Uruguayan’s close- range effort. penalties to reach Sevilla pushed a typically dogged Atletico but couldn’t take advantage of the few chances that Italian Cup quarter-finals game their way and were punished with 14 minutes remaining by Saul’s first goal of the season. MILAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic got his first start in over The Spaniard was cool just outside the area as he seven weeks but AC Milan had to battle into the collected Marco Llorente’s low ball from the right Italian Cup quarter-finals with a 5-4 win on penal- before arrowing a left-footed shot into the far ties over Torino after Tuesday’s match ended 0-0 corner to guarantee Atletico’s fifth straight league after extra time. Hakan Calhanoglu slotted in the win since losing the Madrid derby last month. winning penalty with Tomas Rincon missing from They will have the chance to further extend the spot for Torino in the San Siro after a stalemate their lead at the top in a week’s time when they following 120 minutes of play. travel to Eibar while Madrid and Barca-who play “It was a very hard battle, but Milan never gave in the in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals this up, we were a team for 120 minutes,” said coach week-are involved in the Copa Del Rey. Stefano Pioli. “These players make me proud, for Earlier Granada kept in touch with the how they train and their commitment. You can see European places with a 2-0 home win over lowly that I feel good here at Milan. This team makes me Osasuna. Diego Martinez side sit seventh, three proud. And when you are so happy, you convey points behind Sociedad and Sevilla who are in confidence.” the Europa League places, thanks to goals from Ibrahimovic had made a brief late appearance MILAN: AC Milan’s Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu (Front right) kisses the ball after he scored the Colombian forward Luis Suarez and Sergio last weekend in a 2-0 win over Torino in Serie A, winning penalty in the penalty shootout during the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) round of sixteen football Herrera. —KUNA match AC Milan vs Torino on Tuesday at the San Siro stadium in Milan. —AFP having been sidelined with a left thigh injury since scoring a double against Napoli on November 22. “I wanted to give Ibra a longer time after his return to Ciprian Tatarusanu was in the Milan goal in place On the bench, Donnarumma even picked up a red the championship,” continued Pioli, whose side are of Gianluigi Donnarumma with defender Mateo card for protesting a penalty was not awarded for a top of the Serie A standings. “He played a good Musacchio playing for the first time in nearly a year. clumsy Milinkovic-Savic intervention on Leao with match and this will help him find the best condition.” Tatarusanu did well to deny Simone Zaza and Amer 20 minutes to go. Matches on TV On Tuesday, the 38-year-old Swede played the Gojak, while Torino counterpart Vanja Milinkovic- But replacement Tatarusanu proved solid as (Local Timings) first half before being substituted off for Savic kept out Rafael Leao and Davide Calabria Milan next meet either city rivals Inter or Fiorentina Calhanoglu. Ex-Milan coach Marco Giampaolo’s from a distance. in the last eight. Title-holders Napoli are at home ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Torino gave the hosts more of a battle than last Milan’s Brahim Diaz had the best chance to finish against Empoli yesterday with record 13-time win- Arsenal v Crystal Palace 23:00 Saturday, with both sides missing chances in a clash off the game four minutes from time, but the ners Juventus taking on Genoa, who lifted the tro- beIN Sports HD 1 between two former five-time former winners. Spanish forward sent over the bar on front of goal. phy once in 1937, in Turin. —AFP Established 1961 Sport

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 Durant propels Nets past Nuggets, Embiid leads 76ers to overtime win Rockets’ Harden after loss to Lakers: Situation can’t be fixed

LOS ANGELES: Kevin Durant poured in by positive or inconclusive COVID tests or Sunday. The Lakers held the Rockets — led 34 points and handed out 13 assists as the because of risk of exposure, the league and by scoring champion James Harden — to Brooklyn Nets rallied from an 18-point players’ union agreed Tuesday to stricter just 14 points in the first quarter as they deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets 122-116 measures on masks, team meetings and even grabbed a 21-point lead. Harden finished in the NBA on Tuesday. Durant added nine non-basketball activities. with 16 points on five-of-16 shooting. rebounds and Bruce Brown chipped in 16 In Philadelphia, the Miami Heat fielded James’s 22 points in the first half included points in a clutch performance in place of the minimum eight players — with eight a three-pointer from the corner right in front absent Nets star Kyrie Irving. absent due to health and safety protocols — of the Lakers’ bench. The ball had barely left Brown’s jump shot, off a feed from in a 137-134 overtime loss to the 76ers. his hands when he turned to face his team- Durant, knotted the score at 113-113 with Sixers center Joel Embiid scored 45 points mates, who surged up from their seats as it 2:16 to play. He followed with a floater that with 16 rebounds and five steals. dropped through the net. James said he’d put the Nets ahead for good. Durant scored Embiid’s jump shot with 4.3 seconds spun around to make eye contact with guard the Nets’ next six points as Brooklyn put it remaining in regulation tied it up at 120-120 Dennis Schroder, who’d called out “bet you away, denying the Nuggets a sweep on their and he scored the 76ers first nine points in won’t make it” before he took the shot. three-game road trip. overtime. Danny Green drained a career- “You’ve got to look them in the eye” to seal Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 11 assists and high nine three-pointers on the way to 29 a bet, James said. “I turned around and eight rebounds for Denver, but they were points for the 76ers, bouncing back from an looked him in the eye and said, ‘Bet.’” outscored by the Nets 68-46 in the second 0-for-9 shooting performance in a loss to James’s no-look basket drew swift com- half. It was a satisfying end to the day for Atlanta on Monday. parisons to Golden State star Stephen Curry, Brooklyn, who were without Irving for a Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said he who delivered few fireworks for the Warriors fourth straight game for what the team has hoped the new guidelines would keep the in a 104-95 home loss to the Indiana Pacers. NEW YORK: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dunks as Nikola Jokic #15, Paul called personal reasons. number of Covid cases in the NBA at a mini- Myles Turner scored 22 points to lead five Millsap #4, and PJ Dozier of the Denver Nuggets look on during the first half at Barclays His return date remains unknown, with mum and the season on track. “All I can do is Pacers players in double figures. Andrew Center on January 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. — AFP the team and NBA reviewing video that sur- hope,” Rivers said. “Listen, we are not in a Wiggins led the Warriors with 22 points and faced on social media that appeared to show bubble ... we are in cities. So we just have to Curry added 20, but Indiana closed the game the star playmaker at a family gathering do our best, everyone.” on a 16-5 scoring run to claim the victory. mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something want to buy in, it’s hard,” said Wall, who without a mask — in violation of league pro- that I don’t think can be fixed.” The season scored 10 points and handed out five assists tocols aimed at containing coronavirus. No-look LeBron Can’t be fixed opened last month with Harden the center of on Tuesday. In Houston, LeBron James scored 26 Houston star Harden’s frustration with the trade-demand reports. The Rockets have Specifically, Wall said when asked, forg- Games postponed points — and electrified his own Los Rockets boiled over after the team’s second reportedly discussed possible trades with ing a relationship with Harden has been diffi- It’s an especially sensitive topic as the Angeles Lakers bench with a nothing-but- blowout loss to the Lakers in three days. various teams, but they expect a big return cult. “It’s been a little rocky, not going to lie league postponed two more games on net three-pointer — in the defending cham- Harden, the NBA’s top scorer the past three for their star and no deal is yet in the offing. about that,” Wall said. “I don’t think it’s been because teams had too many players out pions’ 117-100 thumping of the Rockets. seasons, finished with 16 points on five-of-16 Guard John Wall, who arrived in Houston the best it could be. That’s all I can say.” At due to coronavirus protocols. That brought Anthony Davis scored 19 points and pulled shooting in the 117-100 home loss, in which this season in the trade that sent Russell 3-6, the Rockets are second from bottom in the total to six postponements heading into down 10 rebounds as the Lakers notched the Lakers never trailed and led by as many Westbrook to the Washington Wizards, the Western Conference. After back-to-back the fourth week of the season. their second big win over the Rockets in as 30 points. “I love this city,” Harden said. “I admitted that team chemistry was lacking. defeats they take on the Spurs in San With a welter of players sidelined either three days — after a 120-102 triumph on literally have done everything that I can. I “When you have certain guys that don’t Antonio today. — AFP