RABIA ALTHANI 13, 1441 AH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019

28 Pages Max 20º Min 07º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18006 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

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Fitch: Kuwait political disputes to delay debt issuance, reform

Ratings agency forecasts budget deficit of over 5% of GDP as oil prices fall

HONG KONG/LONDON: The Kuwaiti government’s resignation and subsequent cabinet reshuffle point to No more survivors on NZ political frictions that could delay new debt issuance and weigh on broader fiscal and economic reforms, Fitch Ratings said in a report issued yesterday. Kuwait has island after volcano eruption been the slowest reformer in the Gulf Cooperation Council in recent years, partly due to these frictions and WELLINGTON: New Zealand police try and find those trapped “no signs of partly due to its exceptionally large sovereign assets, have said no more survivors were life have been seen at any point”. which could finance decades’ worth of fiscal deficits. expected to be rescued from an island “Based on the information we have, we “Parliamentary authorization to issue or refinance volcano that erupted suddenly yester- do not believe there are any survivors debt expired in 2017 and governments have been unable day, suggesting as many as two dozen on the island. Police is working urgently to secure approval for renewed borrowing. We had people could have died. Police said to confirm the exact number of those assumed this would happen in the fiscal year to end- some 50 people were visiting White who have died.” As night fell, deputy March 2020 (FY19/20), but given continued political Island when it exploded in the early commissioner John Tims said volcanic acrimony, we now think it will be delayed until FY20/21,” afternoon -hurling ash and rock high activity made a rescue attempts by land the report said. into the air. Some 23 people made it off too dangerous. “I’ve got to consider the Fitch estimates Kuwait’s central government gross the island, five of whom have since died, safety of our people and emergency financing need at about $23 billion (17 percent of GDP) the rest were being treated for injuries, services staff,” he said. for FY19/20, despite the expectation of a roughly bal- including severe burns. It was earlier The New Zealand military is expect- anced budget. This reflects the government’s legal obli- estimated the number still on the island ed to make a pass of the island at first gation to transfer 10 percent of its revenue into the was in double digits. light in the hope that people may have Reserve Fund for Future Generations (RFFG) and the Police said early today that despite survived against the odds. BAY OF PLENTY, New Zealand: This handout photograph shows the volcano on New fact that principal or income from the RFFG is not avail- several aerial reconnaissance flights to Continued on Page 24 Zealand’s White Island spewing steam and ash moments after it erupted yesterday. — AFP able for financing without special legislation. Continued on Page 24 2 Local Tuesday, December 10, 2019 UK Ambassador hosts reception in support of ‘Britain in Kuwait’ expo

KUWAIT: (From left) Walid Al-Osaimi, Adel Muhammad Reda Behbehani, Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan, Abdullah Bishara, Ambassador Michael Davenport, Eid Al-Rashidi, Ahmed Ismail Behbehani, Abdul Aziz Al-Anjari and (From left) Jaber Ahmed Behbehani, Kawthar Dashti, Madonna Howick, British Ambassador Michael Sulaiman Al-Rifai. Davenport, Jaber Al-Hindal, Namrata Fahim, Ahmed Ismail Behbehani and Dr Youssef Ahmed Behbehani.

KUWAIT: The United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Kuwait and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- organizations who had taken part in or otherwise support- Exhibition organizer Emily Cunha spoke on the importance Michael Davenport hosted a networking reception at his Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in the Diamond Ballroom ed the exhibition. of trade to all countries, and the special relationship residence on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in support of in the Sheraton Hotel from 25-27 November 2019. Following welcome remarks by the Ambassador, HSBC between Kuwait and Britain, which has been celebrated by Britain in Kuwait 2019, the 10th British Trade Exhibition in Ambassador Davenport welcomed over 100 guests to the bank CEO Roger Winfield spoke to the crowd on the topic a series of events this year, as the 120th anniversary of the Kuwait. The exhibition itself was held under the auspices reception, representing more than forty companies and of how digitalization is transforming the modern economy. signing of the Kuwait British Friendship Treaty of 1889.

(From left) Roger Winfield, Diana Winfield, Emily Cunha, Yamama Abdul (From left) Sheikha Toray, Roger Winfield, British Ambassador Michael Hadi, James Walsh, Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan, and Ahmed Ismail (From left) Nathan Taylor, Namrata Fahim, Ahmed Ismail Behbehani, Abdullah Davenport, Emily Cunha and Ahmed Ismail Behbehani. Behbehani. Bishara, Naila Al-Sadah and Rula Al-Sadah.

Industries and Construction Expo opens victims of trafficking in persons and Kuwait marks providing medical and food services in addition to communicating with their country’s embassies. On Int’l Human regional cooperation in this field, he noted that a decision was issued to the Ministers of Justice of the GCC Rights Day States in their twenty-eighth meet- ing to adopt the model rules to com- KUWAIT: The human rights topic in bat trafficking in persons. general and the rights of foreign Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Assistant workers in particular occupy a large Foreign Minister for Human Rights part of Kuwait government strate- Affairs Talal Al-Mutairi affirmed that gies. Coinciding with the celebration Kuwait worked to adopt several of the International Human Rights measures on the ground to limit the Day, which falls on December 10 exploitation of contracting workers. annually, Kuwaiti officials reiterated Mutairi pointed out that there is a yesterday, the continuation of local legislative environment in Kuwait efforts to protect human rights, in that is in line with international stan- the belief in the principles of equali- dards, pointing to Law No. (91/2013) ty, non-discrimination and human concerning combating trafficking in dignity that the Kuwaiti legislator persons and smuggling of migrants. drew from the tolerant Islamic law. He stressed that there are cases that Officials tour the exhibition.— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: Officials inaugurate the industries and construction exhibition. In line with the international reso- are currently being considered in lutions concerned with the field of Kuwaiti courts for people who have human rights, perhaps the most been placed under the penalty of By Ben Garcia pm and 5 pm to 10 pm. Promotional discounts expo is gaining importance in light of the mega prominent of which was the adoption this law, adding that the Kuwaiti are available on construction material, decor development projects that are expected in the of the Universal Declaration of KUWAIT: A four-day industries and construc- and fitting units. Also available are building, fin- coming years,” he noted. “The expo embodies authorities have not and will not tol- Human Rights issued in 1948, Kuwait tion exhibition opened yesterday at Jumeirah ishing and smart technology material, furniture, the construction industry in Kuwait and the erate such cases, which unfortunate- Messilah Hotel. The inauguration was attended garden design, air-conditioning, engineering and region. It is also an opportunity to explore the was keen to adhere to the relevant ly may harm our record in the field by Fahd Al-Oun, Assistant Undersecretary of consulting offices. latest innovations, high quality products and international treaties and covenants, of human rights. the Ministry of Electricity and Water and Dr Dalia Nabil Wafai, Managing Director of services offered by the most important and believing in the importance of the Kuwait is a unique role model in Salem Al-Abalani, Head of the Cultural Expo Tag for Organizing Exhibitions and largest companies specialized in construction, international community joining dealing with and responding to Department at the Kuwait Foundation for the Conferences, said the expo aims to provide decor and furniture. Customers can explore the forces to achieve international peace human rights decisions and recom- Advancement of Sciences. The 9th Industries updates and investment opportunities for every- latest innovations in energy-saving products,” and security, protecting civilians and mendations issued by the UN special and Construction Expo kicked off with the par- one in the construction business, adding an she added. dedicating human rights values. rapporteurs and the UN Human ticipation of about 70 construction and furniture exhibition of this caliber is a perfect place for Wafai said she is confident of the success of Kuwait has clear human fingerprints Rights Council, said the representa- companies, as well as many governmental enti- direct communications between participants, the exhibition as it meets the needs and require- and tangible achievements in this tive of UN Secretary-General, the ties including the Public Authority for Housing experts and stakeholders in the industry and ments of the market and highlights modern, field by disseminating and promoting organization’s resident coordinator Affairs, Ministry of Electricity and Water, consumers from Kuwait and the region. innovative and quality products, and links all public and private freedoms, which in Kuwait, Dr Tariq Al-Sheikh. Ministry of Public Works and Kuwait Credit “Under Kuwait’s 2035 vision and in line with stakeholders and customers in one place in such made it occupy a world-class posi- Sheikh affirmed the UN great Bank. The exhibition is open from 10 am to 1:30 the ongoing urban movement in Kuwait, the a constantly evolving industry,” she concluded. tion in addition to its national human interest in working with Kuwait in rights achievements, most notably the field of human rights because of the creation of the National Human its positive spirit in dealing with any Rights Bureau as a national require- problems related to those rights. Speaker receives Olympics-bound marksmen ment and international benefit. Kuwait is one of the countries that On this occasion, Kuwaiti was pioneering in terms of its con- Undersecretary of the Ministry of stitution towards working to pre- Justice Omar Al-Sharqawi said that serve human rights and dignity and Kuwait believed in the principles of give the greatest measure of protec- equality, non-discrimination and tion to preserve these rights, he human dignity which the Kuwaiti added. This is evidenced by the UN legislator drew from the tolerant naming His Highness the Amir Sheikh Islamic law and out of its keenness Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to criminalize all types of trafficking as the leader of the humanitarian in persons. Sharqawi, who is vice- action, as it came well and deserv- chairman of the permanent national ingly culminating in the course of his committee on implementing the work and the efforts he made over national strategy to prevent traffick- many years to raise the status of ing in people and smuggling of Kuwait high. migrants, stated that Law No. 91 of Sheikh extended his sincere con- 2013 regarding combating trafficking gratulations to Kuwait on the occa- in persons and smuggling of sion of the International Human migrants has been issued. He also Rights Day, appreciating the untiring KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem meets pointed to Kuwait’s keenness to pro- efforts of His Highness the Amir to with a trio of Kuwaiti shooters who qualified for the 2020 Tokyo National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem meets with British tect domestic workers and guarantee preserve human dignity in various Olympics. — KUNA photos Ambassador to Kuwait Michael Davenport. their rights through the promulga- regions around the world and the tion of Law No. 68 of 2015 regard- distinguished role of the Kuwaiti KUWAIT: Kuwait’s National Assembly berths at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Amid accomplishments, which highlight the capabil- ing domestic workers and estab- government that established human Speaker lawmaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem met talks with Saud Al-Kanderi, Mansour Al- ities of young Kuwaiti athletes. Meanwhile, lished a center for manpower shelter, diplomacy in its permanent coopera- yesterday with a trio of his compatriot shoot- Rashidi and Abdulrahman Al-Faihan, Al- Speaker Ghanem received British Ambassador which is concerned with receiving tion with the UN. — KUNA ers, all of whom have recently secured their Ghanem said he was proud of the triumvirate’s to Kuwait Michael Davenport. — KUNA 3 Local Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Kuwait’s Amir heads to Saudi Arabia today for 40th GCC summit Sheikh Sabah meets Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad, Saleh Al-Fadhalah

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Executive Director of the Illegal Residents Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. — Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos Affairs’ Apparatus Saleh Al-Fadhalah.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh level performances demonstrated by the Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Bahraini squad, which enabled the side to his accompanying delegation are set to win their first-ever title. He went on to wish depart today to Saudi Arabia to head the the King of Bahrain the best of health, and Kuwaiti delegation participating in the his country’s growth and prosperity. His 40th Gulf Cooperation Counties (GCC) Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf summit to be held in Riyadh. Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His In other news, His Highness the Amir Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday His Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al- Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Sabah both expressed similar sentiments in Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. His Highness also separate cables. received the Executive Director of the In the meantime, Minister of State for Illegal Residents Affairs’ Apparatus Saleh Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Jabri con- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Al-Fadhalah. His Highness the Crown gratulated Bahrain’s national football team His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Executive Director of the Illegal Residents Affairs’ Apparatus Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber clinching the title of the 24th Arabian Gulf meets with His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Saleh Al-Fadhalah. Al-Sabah also received His Highness Cup in Qatar on Sunday night. “The Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad and Bahraini team have showed an impressive Fadhalah. performance since the beginning of the Separately, His Highness the Amir championship on November 26 until they Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- were able to secure this well-deserved vic- Sabah congratulated on Sunday Bahrain’s tory,” the minister said. Jabri commended King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa on his the performance of the Saudi Arabian team country’s lifting of the 24th Arabian Gulf wishing them good luck in coming champi- Cup, hosted by Qatar. The event achieved onships. “Since its inception in 1970, the its aspired goals of strengthening the bond Arabian Gulf Cup has served as a sports of brotherhood and interaction amongst platform cementing the fraternal relations the Gulf neighbors, read a congratulatory among the countries of the Gulf region,” he cable. His Highness the Amir also hailed the said. The minister praised Qatar’s “impres- sportsmanship of the competing sides at sive organization” of the 24th edition of the the much-celebrated event, and the high- championship. —KUNA

Riyadh hosts 2nd GCC summit in a row

KUWAIT: For the second time in a row, and 29th Gulf events in 2007 and 2008 Saudi Arabia is to host to the 40th Gulf respectively. The 30th, 31st, 32nd and Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit 33rd summits were organized in Kuwait today. This year’s summit will convene in 2009, Abu Dhabi in 2010, Riyadh in amidst even more - critical and complex 2011 and Manama in 2012, consecutively. regional circumstances - than before, Kuwait hosted the 34th summit in 2013, with the leaders of the Gulf bloc expect- while the 35th took place in Doha in ed to table and attempt to thoroughly 2014, followed by the 36th version in look into, as well as genuinely attempt to Riyadh in 2015 and the 37th in Manama safeguard the region’s political, eco- in 2016. Kuwait’s most recent hosting nomic, security and social domains. The was in 2017 for the 38th version of the following is a chronology of the 39th annual summit. Last year was Riyadh’s Gulf summits since the GCC was created turn hosting the 39th summit. This year’s in 1981: version is convening with signs of The first and second Gulf summits mending the political rift among member were held in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in states are in the air, as peoples of the May and November 1981 respectively. Gulf are in anticipation for such step, as The third summit was held in Manama in well as for their other expectations to be 1982, while the fourth and fifth took place fulfilled on all levels. in Doha and Kuwait in 1983 and 1984 Holding the GCC’s 40th summit is respectively. Muscat hosted the sixth “clear evidence” of leaders’ keenness on GCC gathering in 1985, followed by the preserving the bloc’s intactness, seventh in Abu Dhabi in 1986 and the Secretary General Abdulatif Al-Zayani eighth in Riyadh in 1987. In 1988, the said yesterday. His remarks, according ninth summit was held in Manama, fol- to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), came after lowed by the 10th in Muscat in 1989 and being received by Saudi King Salman the 11th in Doha in 1990. Kuwait hosted bin Abdulaziz Al Saud earlier yesterday, the 12th Gulf gathering in 1991, while Abu prior to the summit. The GCC has Dhabi and Riyadh hosted the 13th and proved sturdiness and ability to over- 14th meetings in 1992 and 1993. Manama come hardships and face challenges hosted the 15th Gulf meeting in 1994, and throughout time, as well as continue the following two events took place in with collaborative achievements, Zayani Muscat and Doha in 1995 and 1996. noted. He also extoled the leadership of The 18th version of the annual Gulf Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; gathering was hosted by Kuwait in 1997, King Salman, as well as his efforts to followed by the 19th in Abu Dhabi in always further strengthen the bonds 1998, the 20th in Riyadh in 1999, the 21st among Gulf brethren. in Manama in 2000, the 22nd in Muscat On the 40th summit agenda, he said in 2001 and the 23rd in Doha in 2002. it is packed with political, economic, The 24th summit was held in Kuwait in defense-related and legal issues and 2003, while the 25th version took place items, as well as discussions over recent in Manama in 2004 under the title: regional and international developments. “Zayed Summit” to pay tribute to the The common GCC market, the customs’ late UAE president Sheikh Zayed Bin union, the monetary union, the electrici- Sultan Al-Nahyan due to his major con- ty grid and authorities of economic, tributions and efforts in serving Gulf, developmental and judicial affairs are Arab, Muslim and world causes. Abu among the major achievements attained Dhabi played was to the 26th confer- throughout the Council’s history, Zayani ence in 2005, which was called: “King noted, pointing out that the upcoming Fahad Summit” in appreciation for the endeavor include the completion and late Saudi King Fahad Bin Abdulaziz Al- operation of the Gulf railroad project. He Saud’s great role in the promotion of added that another goal of GCC leaders Gulf, Arab, Muslim and international is to accomplish total equality among issues. In 2006, Riyadh hosted the 27th Gulf citizens in terms of freedom of version entitled: “Sheikh Jaber Summit” movement, work, conducting business as a token of appreciation and gratitude and property-ownership, as well as to the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad enjoying social, educational and health- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his great role in care services, which would contribute to creating the GCC and serving Arab and a thriving pan-GCC trade. Pan-GCC Muslim issues, along with the ones of trade volume reached $147 billion in regional and world peace. 2018, compared to $6 billion in 2003, Doha and Muscat hosted the 28th Zayani indicated. — KUNA 4 Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Local

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: Kuwait City during sunset. — Photo by Ahmad Al-Failakawi (KUNA) Kuwaiti photographer documents photos of endangered Pelican bird

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti photographer Omar Al-Sayed Omar organism in addition to the managed to monitor and take rare photos of the pelican, technical and aesthetic stan- which is classified among the endangered birds, according dards of the work done, to the World Conservation Organization, to win the admi- stressing his pride in this ration of the largest global documentary channels interest- achievement and displaying ed in nature and living organisms. During an interview, his work in one of the most Sayed Omar said that the bird documentary trip started important exhibitions and from Boubyan Island, where it was seen for the first time international channels. He there, and then he flew to the bird’s hometown to Kerkini said that the pelican bird Lake in Greece. reach a length of one meter The Kuwaiti photographer noted that he visited the and eighty centimeters and lake several times for a month and waited a long time to weigh 15 kilograms while its manage taking photos of the rare bird. He stated that the Kuwaiti photographer wing reaches three and a photos were published on social media, amid great praise Omar Al-Sayed Omar half meters and more indi- from the National Geographic Foundation, and he was cating that during the breed- addressed officially to broadcast his experience in this ing season from December to February the skin sac turns regard, which is the first of its kind in the country. He the male bird’s beak into red and the female beak into dark pointed out that he signed a contract with National orange. Sayed Omar affirmed his continued delivery of Geographic to display and sell the bird’s images in its per- what is documented in Kuwait to the world, noting scien- manent exhibitions and to print six million copies and dis- tific projects that he is preparing with his team in coopera- tribute it around the world as well as displaying the photos tion with the General Authority for the Environment and in the institution’s magazine and its official website. international organizations specialized in scientific The Kuwaiti photographer noted that the documentary research and rare birds to show the importance of institution focuses on the criterion of the scarcity of the Kuwait’s strategic location. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Omar Al-Sayed Omar’s picture of rare pelicans, which was selected by National Geographic. — KUNA

themed “the Role of Religions in Promoting Tolerance: Kuwait eager to From Possibility to Necessity,” and is attended by about 1,000 international religious and cultural figures. Religious tolerance is a big part of Islam, said Matouq, promote peace who is also special advisor for the UN Secretary General. Tolerance is built on protecting the freedom worldwide and dignity of individuals, despite their religions or beliefs, he said. Meanwhile, UAE’s Minister of State for Tolerance Nahyan bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan noted that ABU DHABI: Chairman of Kuwait’s International Islamic fighting extremism is the responsibility of all human Charity Organization (IICO) and Amiri Diwan advisor beings. He affirmed the importance of creating dialogue Dr Abdullah Al-Matouq underlined the importance of between people of different cultures and religions to tolerance in creating stability in societies. His remarks resolve issues facing the international community. The came in the opening session of the sixth annual assem- three-day meeting will see the honoring of winners of bly of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim the Al-Hassan bin Ali Award for international peace, Societies, held in Abu Dhabi yesterday. The event is presented by the forum. — KUNA 5 Local Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Social Affairs Ministry owes govt KD 20 million due to ‘lax control’ Spending on employees’ dues, unlawful social aid increased debt

By A Saleh in the previous three reports,” Abdulsamad reiterated, urging the ministry to accelerate its execution of projects KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs owes the gov- as planned and avoid wasting fortunes on urgent mainte- ernment around KD 20 million, as per the last final nance of dilapidated buildings and their rent. statement, Chairman of the parliament’s budgets and final statement committee MP Adnan Abdulsamad said Private schools yesterday. Abdulsamad added that the committee dis- Meanwhile, a number of parliamentarians plan to file cussed the ministry’s final a request to allocate two statement for the fiscal year hours of a parliamentary ses- 2018-2019 and the remarks sion to discuss the situation made by the State Audit Two months in private schools in Kuwait, Bureau and financial auditors with the belief that some of about it. “The committee dis- to deposit them have turned education cussed the ministry’s lax into a business at the control over spending on employees’ expense of students, with the employees’ dues and social result of financially overbur- aid that is sometimes unlaw- salaries dening their parents. In this fully given, which increased regard, parliamentary the ministry’s debts to sources said the request is around KD 20 million - ready and will be officially which has repeated for several years,” he underlined. filed once the new Cabinet is appointed and the new The National Assembly. Abdulsamad noted that the committee stressed the education minister is named to discuss the issue with need to find a clear mechanism to prevent the recurrence them at the educational affairs committee. “The law- Education had set limits to fee hikes. “The services pro- official spokesperson Aseel Al-Mezyad announced that of such remarks and automate various aid payments. In makers intend to give the new minister a chance to vided in these schools do not match the fees they col- according to administrative directive number 26/2019, addition, Abdulsamad said the committee discussed the probe the situation in the ministry prior to discussing lect,” the sources remarked, pointing out that lawmak- employers will be granted a two-month grace period to ministry’s lack of spending on construction projects and the request in parliament,” the sources said. ers had already drafted a number of recommendations deposit the salaries of employees recruited from insufficient knowledge of contracting measures and pro- The sources highlighted the current situation has a to discuss during the session. abroad in local banks effective from issuing their work cedures, as reported by the State Audit Bureau. “The negative impact on both Kuwaitis and expats, as some permits. Mezyad added that the labor inspection committee has been recommending resolving administra- private schools provokingly use twisted ways to Employees’ salaries department will ensure and document employers’ pay- tive problems hindering executing the ministry’s projects increase tuition fees, although the Ministry of In other news, the Public Authority for Manpower’s ment of the salaries within the grace period.

Body found off Sharq beach

Ambassador Nasser Al-Subeeh Kuwait has made

By Hanan Al-Saadoun call, and recovered the body of the man who was In other news, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate important efforts identified as an Asian national in his fifties. Criminal carried out a fire drill in Kabd area yesterday. The KUWAIT: Firefighters recovered a dead body float- Evidence Department men were called to transport exercise was supervised by Kabd Fire Station Chief ing on the Gulf waters in Sharq yesterday. Firemen the body for an autopsy. An investigation was opened Lt Col Anwar Al-Mutairi, and ‘Shift A’ Team Leader Lt to combat had arrived to the scene in response to an emergency in the case. Col Abdullah Al-Haddad. extremism: Official

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Council approves shisha ban in cafes Khaled Al-Jarallah yesterday affirmed that his country has embarked on a series of important By Meshaal Al-Enezi Municipality by presenting cleaning con- efforts towards combating terrorism and vio- tracts. Randi found it strange that there are lent extremism. This came in Al-Jarallah’s KUWAIT: The Municipal Council 21 violations with a cost of KD 200, while speech, which was delivered on his behalf by approved a proposal submitted by member the fine if one throws a tissue is KD 200 to Assistant Foreign Minister for Development Ahmad Al-Enezi to separate restaurant KD 300, adding that this is a disturbing and International Cooperation Affairs licenses from that of cafes and ban shishas irony in the violations section. He said Ambassador Nasser Al-Subeeh in the opening in cafes. The council decided that the mid- there is weak supervision by Kuwait of a workshop, entitled ‘The concept of year holiday will be from Jan 5 until Jan 23. Municipality over cleaning companies. extremism and its impact on society’. He said The council also discussed the public Meanwhile, councilmember Humoud Al- that the concept of extremism is linked to cleanliness issue, which remains on the Enezi said 17 cleaning contracts were agenda awaiting a report on the cleaning reviewed, and commended the way they negative changes and behaviors that violence level and copy of contracts. were drafted. He called for applying the groups seek to spread to achieve political Councilmember Abdelsalam Al-Randi GPS system and monitoring cleaning con- goals and requires to confront this phenome- lauded the role and cooperation of Kuwait tractors in governorates. non spreading a culture of tolerance and mod- eration and respect for human rights and posi- tive dialogues. He stressed that Kuwait has embarked on a national and international level Kuwaitis advised to leave Iraq a series of important efforts towards combat- ing terrorism and extremism, as it issued and BAGHDAD: Kuwait’s Embassy in Baghdad leave the country, according to the state- is still working on issuing several legislations, urged on Sunday its nationals in Iraq to ment. The ambassador also advised laws, decisions and regulations related to leave the country as soon as possible Kuwaitis who are planning to visit Iraq combating extremism and terrorism. because of the current incidents. In a not to fly to the country due to the statement to the press, Ambassador Salem demonstrations occurring in some Iraqi This project represents a firm affirmation of Al-Zamanan appealed to the Kuwaitis in cities. On October 4, the Kuwaiti Foreign Kuwait’s continued enhancement of interna- KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Iraq to be cautious and keep away from Ministry urged its nationals not to visit tional efforts to urge the international commu- Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday Chairman of the State Audit demonstrations and gatherings. He also Iraq at this time, and asked those in Iraq nity and work to adopt a comprehensive Bureau Faisal Fahad Al-Shaya, where he delivered a number of reports relat- called on the nationals to follow up to depart the country at the earliest approach to tackle this phenomenon, he ed to some ministries, bodies and government projects. — KUNA instructions of Iraq’s authorities until they opportunity. —KUNA added. He stated that the workshop organized by Kuwait represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with experts from the United Kingdom would contribute to Kuwait has leading development experience in Africa: Diplomat Kuwait’s continued enhancement of its efforts in the field. This title was chosen for the work- shop in light of the internationally delicate cir- KUWAIT: Kuwait has a successful leading embassies in Kuwait embodies their coun- cumstances that imposed itself as a step experience in the development field in tries’ keenness on developing historical towards understanding and addressing this Africa Continent, a Kuwaiti diplomat said ties with Kuwait, he pointed out. He lauded phenomenon to maintain the pillars of interna- on Sunday. Assistant Foreign Minister for the humanitarian role by Abdulrahman Al- Asia Affairs Ambassador Ali Al-Said made Semain who founded Direct Aid Society tional peace and security, he added. the statement to reporters on the sidelines with the aim of carrying out several devel- Ambassador Subeeh said that extremism is of attending the Africa Day ceremony opment and humanitarian activities in no longer associated with a country or reli- organized by the African union. “Kuwait many areas. Meanwhile, Egypt’s gion, but rather threatens the security of all has enough experience in managing devel- Ambassador to Kuwait Tareq Al-Qoni said countries of the world, stressing that it repre- opment activities in Africa, in addition to Egypt chairing the African Union in this ses- sents a negative element in every society and its consultations in several other activi- sion was keen to take part in the ceremony, has a negative impact on families and individ- ties,” he said. which focused on investment and touristic uals in the education and work environment. Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic opportunities in the African countries. Also, He pointed out that Kuwait and the UK decid- Development (KFAED) has a pioneering Senegal Ambassador to Kuwait Ambassador ed to hold a workshop to exchange experi- expertise in Africa that mirrors the leader- Abdulahad Mbaki extolled His Highness the ences and expertise between the two coun- ship’s interest in maintaining good rela- Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- tries on the scientific concept of extremism tions with the Black Continent, he noted. Sabah’s stances for peace and social and and the best ways and means to deal with this KUWAIT: Ambassador Ali Al-Said cuts the cake during the Africa Day phenomenon. — KUNA Wonderful representation of the African economic development. —KUNA ceremony. — KUNA International TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 Rape victim’s relatives to get Britain’s ‘Brexit election’ campaign in final stretch Page 8 guns and guards Page 9

GUWAHATI, India: Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) activists take part in a torchlight procession to protest against the government’s Citizenship Amendment Bill yesterday. —AFP Protests over Indian nationality bill Scientists and scholars dismayed over legislation that excludes Muslims NEW DELHI: India’s parliament saw raucous upper house where the Bharatiya Janata Party majority state, and split it into two. three neighboring countries. “This bill is not scenes yesterday and protests raged in the north- (BJP) and its allies lack a majority. Yesterday, 100 scientists and scholars at even 0.001 per cent against minorities. It is east of the country as MPs debated legislation Shashi Tharoor, a member of the opposition institutions in India and abroad published a joint against infiltrators,” Home Minister Amit Shah that stands to give citizenship to religious minori- Congress party, told parliament amid angry letter expressing their “dismay” at the legisla- said in parliament’s lower house. Recently he ties from neighboring countries, but not Muslims. exchanges that the bill “infringes upon the prin- tion. They said that enshrined in India’s constitu- has also proposed a “national register of citi- Saudi training in To Muslim organizations, rights groups and oth- ciple of equality before law” guaranteed to all tion is the notion of treating all faiths equally. zens” that would see “each and every infiltrator ers, the bill forms part of Prime Minister Narendra persons, including non-citizens. The bill seeks to But Modi’s “proposed bill would mark a radical identified and expelled” from India by 2024. Modi’s agenda - which he denies - of marginaliz- amend the Citizenship Act of 1955 which pro- break with this history and would be inconsis- The citizenship bill has led to protests in US under scrutiny ing India’s 200-million-strong Islamic minority. hibits illegal migrants from applying for Indian tent with the basic structure of the constitution”. India’s northeastern states where residents are The Citizenship Amendment Bill provides citizenship. The letter said such a careful exclusion of unhappy about an influx of Hindus from neigh- that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Under Modi, the Islamic-sounding names of Muslims would “greatly strain” India’s pluralism. boring Bangladesh. In Guwahati in Assam state after base attack Christians fleeing persecution in Muslim-major- several cities have been changed, while some protestors set fire to tyres, while tribal groups WASHINGTON: Key US lawmakers called Sunday ity Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan can be school textbooks have been altered to down- ‘Against infiltrators’ staged protests in Tripura. Yesterday, prominent for a halt to a Saudi military training program after a granted citizenship. Modi’s government had play Muslims’ contributions to India. In August The government has defended the bill, say- political groups opposing the bill called for a shooting rampage at a naval base in Florida in which tried to bring in the contentious legislation dur- his administration rescinded the partial autono- ing it was only aimed at flushing out infiltrators, complete shutdown across all the states in the a Saudi officer killed three American sailors. US ing its first term but the bill could not pass the my of Jammu and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim- and that Muslims did not face persecution in the northeast today. —AFP Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he has ordered a review of vetting procedures while defending the training program that brought Mohammed the age of 27. “I myself have never thought about my age or my Alshamrani to Pensacola Naval Air Station. gender, but rather about the issues for which I took on politics Finland picks world’s Alshamrani, a 21-year-old second lieutenant in the and about the reasons for which we were trusted in the elections, Saudi Royal Air Force, opened fire in a classroom on the former transport minister told public broadcaster YLE after Friday, killing the three sailors and wounding eight being picked as the prime minister candidate by her party. youngest PM to head other people before being shot dead by police. Political scientist Jenni Karimaki of Turku University said the Alshamrani, who was armed with a lawfully pur- new government reflected what voters had wanted in last April’s chased Glock 9mm handgun, was reported to have women-led cabinet election, with many new young women and men voted into par- posted a manifesto on Twitter before the shooting liament. “There are more women in the parliament’s composi- denouncing America as “a nation of evil”. The FBI said HELSINKI: Finland’s new prime minister - the world’s youngest tion than ever before...Voters and citizens wish to see more Sunday they were investigating with the “presumption” serving premier - will have a finance minister two years her jun- women in top positions, bearing even the heaviest responsibili- it was an act of terrorism, as in most active shooter ior in a new women-led coalition cabinet, party officials said ties the society can offer,” she told Reuters. probes, but had yet to make a final determination. yesterday. Sanna Marin, 34 from the dominant Social Finland was one of the first country in Europe to give White House National Security Advisor Robert Democrats, was nominated on Sunday. Centre Party chief Katri women voting rights back in 1906 and the first country in the O’Brien went further, however, saying: “To me, it Kulmuni, 32, will get the finance post when the full new cabinet world to vote women to parliament in 1907. Marin will be the HELSINKI: Sanna Marin of Finland’s Social Democrats is seen after appears to be a terrorist attack.” “We’ll have to see is announced today, party members said. third female to head the government. “For the world it’s inter- she was elected to the post of prime minister on Sunday. —AFP what the FBI investigation shows,” O’Brien added, on Finland’s government resigned last week after the Centre esting that they are young, and that they are all female. For CBS’s “Face the Nation.” The FBI’s main goal, special Party said it had lost confidence in Social Democrat Prime Finland, this is not a sensation,” said political commentator agent-in-charge Rachel Rojas told a news conference, Minister Antti Rinne over his handling of a postal strike. The five Risto Uimonen. Marin, who has spoken about growing up in a ter Juha Sipila in September. is to confirm whether Alshamrani “acted alone or was parties in power - four of them led by women - decided to stay in disadvantaged family, is a left-winger within her party and a Green Party leader Maria Ohisalo, 34, will continue as he a part of a larger network.” “We currently assess coalition and continue with the same programs, but said there strong defender of Finland’s generous welfare state. interior minister, the Left Alliance’s chairwoman Li Andersson, there was one gunman who perpetrated this attack would be a reshuffle. Marin will take over in the middle of labor A long-time fan of alternative metal band Rage Against The 32, as education minister and the Swedish People’s Party’s and no arrests have been made in this case,” she said. unrest and a wave of strikes which will halt production at some of Machine, she has said she “dreams of free daycare” for all to Anna-Maja Henriksson, 55, as justice minister. Rinne will US lawmakers, meanwhile, called for the Saudi Finland’s largest companies from yesterday. The Confederation of add to Finland’s public education, which is already free of remain the Social Democrats leader at least until he chairs the training program to be halted pending the investiga- Finnish Industries estimates the strikes will cost the companies a charge from primary school to university. The new government, party’s conference in June. Centre Party said it removed Antti tion’s outcome. “We need to suspend the Saudi pro- combined Ä500 million ($550 million) in lost revenue. consisting of 12 female and 7 male ministers according to media Rinne over his handling of a two-week postal strike which gram until we find out what happened here,” Senator reports, will be nominated today. The Centre Party’s Kulmuni, spread to other industries. “We had to blow the whistle and Lindsey Graham, an influential Republican, said on Rage against the machine fan who previously held the more junior position of Minister of calm down the worsening situation. I explain this with the Fox News. In a pre-taped interview that aired on “Fox Marin has had a swift rise in Finnish politics since becoming Economic Affairs, replaces Mika Lintila as finance minister. She chance to move ahead on important topics,” Kulmuni said on News Sunday,” Esper confirmed several Saudis had head of the city council of her industrial hometown of Tampere at took over as the head of the Centre Party from ex-prime minis- social media yesterday. —Reuters been detained, including “one or two” who filmed the shooting on their cellphones. US media also reported controlled House is likely to vote on before Christmas. ered unlikely. White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said that Alshamrani had shown mass shooting videos at a Democrat says The heart of the issue is whether Trump abused his the White House was not participating in the Judiciary pan- dinner party the night before the attack. Rojas said a power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice el’s proceedings because cooperating would be “colluding number of Saudi students who were close to President Joe Biden, a political rival seeking the with an illegitimate process.” Alshamrani were cooperating with investigators, and Trump violated Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 elec- “We’re not going to do their dirty work,” Conway told the Saudi government had pledged to “fully cooper- ate” with the investigation. tion. Trump denies having done anything wrong and has reporters at the White House shortly before the hearing called the impeachment probe a hoax. The House Judiciary began. “Maybe in the Senate if it’s a fair trial,” the White oath; Reps attack Vetting panel is expected to vote by the end of the week on House may participate, she added. It has been 20 years The attack has struck a nerve in the United States whether to send formal charges to the full House, setting since Americans last witnessed impeachment proceed- with its echoes of the September 11, 2001 attacks, in impeachment probe up an inevitable clash with the White House and its ings, when Republicans brought charges against which Saudi citizens accounted for 15 of the 19 Republican allies. No current House Republican has come Democratic President Bill Clinton arising from a sexual hijackers that flew airliners into the World Trade WASHINGTON: The head of a US congressional panel out in favor of impeaching Trump. relationship he had with a White House intern. He was Center and the Pentagon. Saudi Arabia remains one leading the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump Ahead of the hearing, Republicans placed black-and- acquitted in the Senate. of the closest US allies in the Middle East, and yesterday accused the Republican president of putting him- white signs in the committee room to underscore their President Donald Trump has cultivated Crown Prince self before his country and violating his oath of office. In a argument that Democrats were on a partisan mission to ‘Clear and present danger’ Mohammed bin Salman. statement kicking off a hearing in the US House of unseat a president who did nothing to merit impeachment. After weeks of investigation into Trump’s request that Sunday evening, deputy press secretary Judd Representatives to weigh the evidence against Trump, One sign quoted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying, “We Ukraine investigate Biden and his businessman son, Hunter Deere announced that Trump had spoken with the Judiciary Committee Democratic Chairman Jerrold Nadler cannot accept a second term for Donald Trump.” “They’re Biden, the committee is focused on two articles charging crown prince, who “reiterated Saudi Arabia’s com- said there was extensive proof of wrongdoing. desperate to have an impeachment vote on this president,” Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. mitment to working with the United States to prevent “The evidence shows that Donald J Trump, the president Representative Doug Collins, the ranking Republican on the Democrats have also accused Trump of abusing his power a horrific attack like the Pensacola shooting from of the United States, has put himself before his country. He panel, said during the hearing. by withholding $391 million in security aid to Ukraine - a ever happening again”. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has violated his most basic responsibilities to the people. He A vote in the House in favor of impeachment would trig- vulnerable US ally facing Russian aggression - and holding had previously denounced the shooting as a “heinous has broken his oath,” Nadler said. “I will honor mine.” The ger a trial in the Republican-controlled Senate where a back a coveted White House meeting with Ukrainian crime” and said the gunman “does not represent the hearing yesterday is a key step before determining charges, two-thirds vote of those present would be needed to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as leverage to pressure Saudi people.” —AFP known as articles of impeachment, that the full Democratic- remove the president from office. A conviction is consid- Kiev into investigating the Bidens. —Reuters 7 International Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Iraqis rally against government as Baghdad summons Western envoys Prominent civil society activist killed ● Rockets hit complex housing US forces BAGHDAD: Iraqis turned out yesterday to mourn a promi- seeking a comeback after an attack on a major Baghdad nent activist gunned down the previous evening, the latest protest site left 20 protesters and four police officers violent episode in anti-government demonstrations in dead, sparking nationwide outrage. which more than 450 people have died. That came as The British, French and German ambassadors to Iraq Iraq’s foreign ministry summoned four Western envoys condemned the violence in a meeting with caretaker pre- over their condemnation of a deadly attack against pro- mier Adel Abdel Mahdi, who resigned on Dec 1. “No testers at the weekend. Iraq’s capital and its Shiite- armed group should be able to operate outside of the majority south have been gripped by more than two control of the state,” the envoys said in a statement, urg- months of rallies against corruption, poor public services ing the government to “urgently investigate”. The envoys and a lack of jobs. also pressed the government to implement its recent Prominent civil society activist Fahem Al-Tai was order that the Hashed “stay away from protest locations”. killed in a drive-by shooting in Iraq’s shrine city of In response, Iraq’s foreign ministry yesterday sum- Karbala late Sunday while returning home from protests. moned all three ambassadors as well as their Canadian Hundreds joined his funeral procession yesterday, carry- counterpart, who had similarly condemned the violence. ing 53-year-old Tai’s coffin through the city’s streets. The ministry said their comments were an “unacceptable “We will not forget our martyrs,” read one sign carried intervention in Iraq’s internal affairs”. A diplomatic by tearful protesters. source told AFP the envoys were “not surprised” at hav- The country is expected to see widespread protests ing been summoned, particularly after the PM had today, marking two years since Iraq defeated the Islamic defended his government in response to their criticism at State group group. Activists have called for massive the earlier meeting. marches from other Iraqi cities towards Baghdad, but In addition to those killed, dozens of protesters went paramilitary leaders have warned such protests would be missing after the attack on the parking complex and have “ruinous”. “It will bring the most massive chaos yet to yet to resurface, their relatives told AFP. Demonstrators Baghdad,” said Qais Al-Khazali, the head of the prominent have for weeks complained of being monitored, threat- Asaib Ahl al-Haq armed faction, who was recently black- ened and harassed in an intimidation campaign aimed at listed by the US. blunting their movement. Asaib Ahl al-Haq is one of the most powerful groups in Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi security force, a network of New rocket attacks armed groups integrated into the state. Hashed chief Faleh Since Oct 1, the youth-led rallies have accused the rul- Al-Fayyadh over the weekend ordered the factions to stay ing class both of being inept and corrupt and of being KARBALA: Iraqi mourners attend the funeral yesterday of a prominent civil society activist who was shot away from rallies. heavily influenced by neighboring Iran. Baghdad has close dead the previous night while returning home from anti-government protests. — AFP ties with both Tehran and Iran’s arch-foe Washington, Ambassadors summoned which led the 2003 invasion that toppled Iraq’s former Founded in 2014 to fight IS militants who had seized dictator Saddam Hussein. Some 5,200 US troops are still Security sources said they belong to the elite Counter- pulled out of a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran swathes of northern Iraq and neighboring Syria, the based across Iraq and are facing a spike in rocket attacks Terrorism Service, created and trained by US forces. No and reimposed crippling sanctions. Baghdad, worried Hashed is made up of mostly Shiite factions, many of on their positions. American forces were wounded in the recent salvoes. about being caught in the middle of their bitter dispute, is which have been backed by Iran. It initially backed the The latest in the early hours of yesterday saw four While there have been no claims of responsibility, US also struggling with its own domestic political crisis. government over protests but switched sides, although rockets slam into an Iraqi base that hosts a small contin- defense officials have blamed several of the attacks on President Barham Saleh has until Dec 17 to name a protesters fear Hashed fighters’ presence at rallies could gent of US forces next to Baghdad International Airport. Iran-backed factions in Iraq. Tensions between Iran and replacement premier, and political parties are deep in alks derail their anti-regime movement. Demonstrators are Six Iraqi troops were wounded, according to the military. the US have soared since last year, when Washington to agree on a consensus candidate. — AFP

South Yemen peace News in brief deal stumbles as Turkey deports 11 to France deadline expires PARIS: Turkey has sent 11 French relatives of sus- pected “terrorist fighters” back home, the Turkish DUBAI: The Yemeni government and southern separatists interior ministry said yesterday, the latest in the have failed to meet a deadline to establish a power-sharing country’s renewed push to deport foreign insurgents. government, an ominous sign for hopes of a wider deal to “Eleven French citizens have been deported to their end years of war. Yemen’s conflict, which has killed tens of home country,” it said in a statement. A judicial thousands of people and driven millions to the brink of source in France confirmed that four women and their famine, erupted in 2014 when the government was forced seven children had arrived in France early yesterday. out of the capital Sanaa by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, Two of the women returned were already targeted by triggering a Saudi-led military intervention. arrest warrants and will soon face a judge, while the In August trouble re-erupted on a separate front, as other two were sought by police and have been southern secessionists seized control of the city of Aden, placed in custody, the French source said. Another the internationally recognized government’s temporary source close to the case said the women had escaped capital. The UAE - a key part of the Saudi-led coalition from a camp controlled by Kurdish forces in Syria helping fight the Houthis in Yemen’s main conflict arena - before being captured by Turkish police. — AFP trained and remains close to separatist troops, signalling rifts within the Gulf powers’ intervention. In a bid to end the “civil war within a war”, Saudi Arabia brokered a pow- Anti-apartheid activist dies er-sharing deal with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) under which the government would return to Aden. JOHANNESBURG: South African anti-apartheid The Riyadh Agreement signed on Nov 5 also stipulated ADEN: A Yemeni man walks past a security point in Yemen’s second city yesterday. — AFP activist and outspoken African National Congress the creation within 30 days of a new 24-member cabinet (ANC) veteran Professor Ben Turok died in the early hours of yesterday, his son said. Ben Turok, 92, died with equal representation for the southerners. Yemen’s the Riyadh Agreement but have traded accusations over ernment spokesman Rajih Badi, the secessionists are the on the morning of Dec 9 according to a statement by prime minister Maeen Abdulmalik returned to the city last who is responsible for the failure to meet the deadline to ones failing to abide by the treaty. He said that government his son Ivan Turok, without giving further details month but the new cabinet has yet to materialize, along form a new government. military movements in the south are in line with the Riyadh about his death. “He was always outspoken and dedi- with other key reforms including integrating secessionists STC spokesman Nizar Haitham said on Thursday that Agreement and in coordination with the Saudi coalition, cated - his whole life to fighting for freedom, equality into a central command structure. Yemen’s government was “deviating” from the agreement which continues to lead the anti-Huthi camp comprised of and social justice in South Africa,” Ivan said in the and mobilising its troops in the south, an accusation the both government and secessionist forces. statement. “He was a loyal, lifetime member of the ‘Very ambitious’ government denied. However in recent days an STC offi- But although clashes in the south have largely subsided, ANC, but retained an independent perspective “The timeline of the Riyadh Agreement was always very cial told AFP that work to implement the Riyadh the situation on the ground remains fragile, said Kendall. throughout. His wisdom and counsel will be sorely ambitious. It is no surprise to see deadlines slip,” Elisabeth Agreement was ongoing and that there has been “signifi- “This is a classic case of an agreement being easy to sign missed.” Turok was a key member of the delegation Kendall, Yemen expert and senior research fellow at cant progress” in implementing military and security but near impossible to implement,” she said. Other parts of that drew up the Freedom Charter in 1955 and also Oxford University, told AFP. “The bigger question is: are arrangements. “Starting next week, we’ll begin steps in the deal, including placing forces from both sides under served time in jail during apartheid for treason. the promises simply being delayed, or are they ultimately implementing what was agreed on,” this source said in a the authority of the defense and interior ministries, have Tributes poured in from all sectors of society on not achievable?” The two sides say they are committed to written statement without elaborating. According to gov- also not been fulfilled. — AFP social media. — AFP

Islamic republic. Iran’s government has Iran says ready long demanded that the US first drops the Over 9m facing food shortages sanctions for it to return to negotiations under the auspices of the P5+1. PARIS: The number of people requiring urgent food for more US aid in 16 countries across Africa’s Sahel region more ‘Ball in US court’ than doubled this year to some 9.4 million amid an prisoner swaps Wang, doctoral candidate at Princeton, increase in violence and insecurity, officials and was conducting research in Iran when he experts said yesterday. Three countries - Nigeria, was imprisoned in August 2016. He had Niger and Burkina Faso - are facing crisis conditions, TEHRAN: Iran said yesterday it was open to been serving 10 years on espionage at phase three of five on the scale used by the Food more prisoner swaps with the US while charges. Soleimani, a stem cell researcher Crisis Prevention Network, which includes govern- stressing an exchange at the weekend was at Tehran’s Tarbiat Modares University, ment and United Nations representatives as well as NGOs. Some 9.4 million people are estimated to be in not the result of formal negotiations with its was arrested at a Chicago airport in Oct immediate need of assistance in Oct-Dec 2019 in the arch-foe. US President Donald Trump 2018 for allegedly attempting to ship 16 countries analyzed (excluding Liberia), including 4 thanked Iran for what he called a “very fair growth hormones. The professor returned million in Nigeria, 1.5 million in Niger and 1.2 million negotiation” after an American scholar was to Iran aboard a plane on Saturday with in Burkina Faso. “By June-August 2020, 14.4 million released Saturday in exchange for an Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. people are projected to be in a crisis situation or scientist held in the United States. The “After getting our hostage back this worse, including 1.2 million in an emergency situation JERUSALEM: A Palestinian woman displays her vehicle’s slashed tyre in the exchange involved Xiyue Wang, a Chinese- week, fully ready for comprehensive prison- (phase 4),” the network said in a statement issued Palestinian neighborhood of Shuafat, neighboring the Israeli settlement of Ramat born American held in Iran since 2016, and er exchange. The ball is in the US’ court,” during its annual meeting in Paris. — AFP Shlomo, in Israeli annexed east Jerusalem yesterday. — AFP Massoud Soleimani, an Iranian scientist Zarif tweeted yesterday. Yesterday, the detained in the United States since 2018. Iranian spokesman Rabiei said the prisoner But Iran’s government dismissed the idea lished by Israeli media showed. Police said swap came despite a US rejection of an offer Jordan jails man over plot their forces “continue to search the area that it was the result of any negotiations Tehran made to Washington last year for an 160 Palestinian between the two countries, which have not for the suspects who fled the scene”. exchange of all detainees. A few months ago, AMMAN: A Jordanian court yesterday sentenced a A local official told public broadcaster had diplomatic ties since 1980. “This was he said, Iran had received a message from “a cars vandalized only an exchange and... regarding man to eight years in prison for allegedly plotting to Kann that footage revealed the vandalism former US official” saying the Americans attack the Israeli embassy in Amman last year. The took place overnight under the cover of the exchanges we are ready to act but there were ready to make an exchange. are no negotiations,” spokesman Ali Rabiei state security court ruled that Khaled Abu Raya in hate crime rain, and that the perpetrators were reli- Rabiei appeared to be referring to for- “threatened to carry out terrorist acts”. According to gious Jews. The incident bore the hallmark said on state television. “Negotiations or mer US congressman Jim Slattery who, any kind of talks” can only take place the charge sheet the 33-year-old Jordanian planned of a “price tag” attack, a euphemism for according to the New Yorker magazine, “to open fire on the embassy and its employees in a JERUSALEM: More than 160 cars were Jewish nationalist-motivated hate crimes “within the framework of the 5+1 and after had approached the Iranians on behalf of America has refrained from sanctions and bid to kill a large number of Israelis”. The plot was vandalized in a Palestinian neighborhood of that generally target Palestinian or Arab the Wang family’s lawyer. In its report, alleged to be in response to the transfer of the US Jerusalem with anti-Arab slogans scrawled Israeli property in revenge for nationalistic economic terrorism,” he said. the New Yorker said Soleimani was The P5+1 is the group of countries that embassy from Tel Aviv to the disputed city of nearby, Israeli police said Monday, in a attacks against Israelis. “Three masked set- expected to be deported after pleading Jerusalem in May 2018. It was also motivated by suspected hate crime. The cars in the tlers sneaked into the neighborhood early agreed a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015 - guilty under a deal that Slattery had the five veto-wielding permanent members Israel’s blockade of the impoverished Gaza Strip, Shuafaat neighborhood of east Jerusalem and damaged the tyres of cars on the main worked on with Soleimani’s lawyers. “In a which has been rocked by anti-Israeli protests since had their tyres slashed, with slogans such street,” said Maysa Abu Khdair, a resident of the UN Security Council plus Germany. surprise move, however, the Justice The nuclear deal has been hanging by a March last year. The same court also sentenced as “Arabs=enemies”, “There is no room in whose car was targeted and whose surveil- Department instead dropped all charges another Jordanian, Munir Ibrahim, to three years in the country for enemies” and “When Jews lance cameras caught the scene. “My thread since last year, when Trump unilat- against Soleimani,” before the exchange erally withdrew from the accord and began jail on Monday for allegedly planning to infiltrate are stabbed we aren’t silent” scrawled in daughter went on foot to school in the went ahead, it said, citing an official from Israel and attack soldiers in the Jewish state. — AFP Hebrew with red paint nearby, photos pub- rain,” she added. — AFP reimposing sweeping sanctions on the the US administration. — AFP 8 International Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Britain’s ‘Brexit election’ campaign in final stretch Some polls suggest vote could produce another hung parliament

LONDON: Britain’s election campaign entered its fre- waters to the other 27 EU states. Grimsby is part of a netic final straight yesterday with Prime Minister Boris so-called “red wall” that traditionally backs Labour Johnson trying to lock in the votes needed to draw a because of its support for trade unions and emphasis line under years of arguments and paralysis over on social spending. The party’s would-be finance minis- European Union membership. Johnson is hoping ter John McDonnell promised yesterday to “end auster- Thursday’s poll hands his ruling Conservatives a major- ity” and shift wealth from London to the regions in the ity, to allow him to push through his Brexit divorce deal first 100 days of a Labour-led government. with Brussels. “Don’t be fooled by the doubters who say our plans Parliament has been deadlocked since the result of are unachievable,” McDonnell said. He promised to the last election in 2017, which saw the Tories lose their “remake the government and what people expect from majority and weaken their ability to implement the it.” The deep ideological divide between the two main result of the 2016 referendum on EU membership. The parties has produced a fractious and highly personal main opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn is campaign that appears to have done little to change the trying to upset the odds and usher in Britain’s first left- minds of voters’ who opposed or supported Brexit from ist government in nine years. The veteran socialist has the start. promised to negotiate his own EU divorce deal and Johnson has faced constant questions over his trust- then put it up for a vote in a new referendum that could worthiness and Corbyn has been put on the back foot still keep Britain partially tied to Europe - or simply over anti-Semitism within his party. Corbyn’s main cancel Brexit outright. attack line has been to accuse Johnson of opening up Opinion polls show the Conservatives maintaining a Britain’s cherished National Health Service (NHS) to US healthy lead. But Johnson needs to win at least half of businesses as part of a post-Brexit trade deal with the House of Commons seats because his party has no President Donald Trump. Yet his promise of lavish clear partners among the smaller parties. Some polls healthcare spending has been met with skepticism on suggest the vote could produce another hung parlia- the campaign trail and within some in the NHS itself. ment that extends Britain’s political paralysis and fur- “We needed our politicians to be realistic about the ther frustrates the business community and Brussels. scale of the challenge and either fund it accordingly or GRIMSBY, United Kingdom: Britain’s Prime Minister and Conservative leader Boris Johnson poses hold- “We’re taking nothing for granted,” Johnson said dur- be honest about how far the extra funding would go,” ing a fish with Conservative candidate for Great Grimsby Lia Nici during a visit to Grimsby Fish Market ing a visit to a fish market in the northeastern port of NHS executive Chris Hopson wrote in yesterday’s edi- yesterday. —AFP Grimsby. “We’re working very, very hard across the tion of The Times newspaper. “That’s not happened.” whole country.” points. Pollsters believe Johnson needs to be at least six prominent members who voiced anguish at the anti- Late surge? to eight points clear of Labour to secure a majority. Semitism scandals that have erupted under Corbyn’s ‘Red wall’ Corbyn is yet to show signs of mounting the late Analysts attribute Corbyn’s seeming failings this time watch. The Simon Wiesenthal Center that was formed in The northeast of England bore the brunt of some of surge that put Labour within a whisker of winning the around to his initial refusal to support a second Brexit the United States to support Jewish human rights the global changes that made UK industries uncompet- 2017 election. Polls released over the weekend showed referendum that most Labour voters want. named Corbyn as the top anti-Semitic person or event itive and forced the country to open up its fishing the Conservatives leading by about 10 percentage The century-old party has also been abandoned by for 2019. —AFP Meet Ali, 25, Jeremy Corbyn: Boris Johnson’s Boris Johnson: Britain’s alternative biggest challenger Polarizing leader prime minister UXBRIDGE, United Kingdom: Ali Milani didn’t speak focused on Brexit English when he came to Britain from Iran at the age of LONDON: Jeremy five. Twenty years later, he’s the biggest individual Corbyn hopes to become LONDON: Prime Minister threat to Boris Johnson at this week’s election. The 25- Britain’s prime minister Boris Johnson has promised year-old candidate for the main opposition Labour par- this week after a cam- to end the Brexit turmoil paign in which the and unite Britain if re-elect- ty is trying to unseat the prime minister in his Uxbridge LONDON: Ali Milani (center), the Labour Party’s prospective Labour leader has ed this week, but critics and South Ruislip constituency in west London. parliamentary candidate in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, can- doggedly maintained a accuse him of Trump-style Young political hopefuls are often given campaign- ing experience in places where they stand little chance vasses in the Eastcote area of London on Dec 7, 2019. —AFP neutral line on the burn- populism that will only ing issue of Brexit. The divide the country further. of winning. But Milani is not in it to make up the num- bers. Conservative party leader Johnson has a majority 30 km from central London. Freitas, who said he was 70-year-old leftist has The former London mayor just days left to convince of just 5,034, which makes the seat a key marginal. No wavering between Milani and the smaller opposition has toned down his trade- voters that he can heal sitting prime minister has had such a small majority mark jokes and bluster Liberal Democrats, is unhappy at Johnson’s inability to divisions by impartially ahead of Thursday’s vote, since 1924. Defeat for Johnson is unthinkable. come to Uxbridge, which lies at the end of a branch of presiding over a second as he focuses on a promise Milani, who pitches himself as the “local candidate”, the Metropolitan underground line. “Obviously he’s referendum on Britain’s to “Get Brexit Done” by knows it and has been campaigning relentlessly to claw neglected the local community,” he added. Jeremy Corbyn Boris Johnson EU membership. The finally taking Britain out of as many votes away from his opponent as possible. Few main opposition leader is the European Union. candidates in the high-stakes election can be as dia- Young people offering the country a choice between a newly-negotiated, Opinion polls suggest his efforts to present himself as a metrically opposed as the front-runners in Uxbridge “On paper, turning round a 5,000-majority for the sit- softer form of Brexit and staying in the European Union. strong and optimistic leader are working and his and South Ruislip. As well as being young and born in ting prime minister is not the easiest of challenges to over- His party’s manifesto pledges radical plans to “rewrite Conservative party is on course to win a majority in the Iran, Milani was brought up by a single mother on a come,” Milani said in an article for The Guardian last the rules of the economy”, nationalize utilities and splurge House of Commons. But Johnson remains a polarising figure, social housing estate in the shadow of Wembley month. “But the tide of opinion is turning against Johnson, money on public services. Corbyn commands cult-like ado- not least for his leading role in the 2016 Brexit referendum Stadium in northwest London. who has regarded his constituents as a hindrance, and ration from enthusiastic, pro-European young supporters in campaign, which was marked by exaggerated claims about Johnson, 30 years his senior is a former London treated them with contempt,” he charged. Milani says he’s England’s larger urban centres. But to obtain power, he the EU and anti-immigrant rhetoric. His tendency to play to mayor and foreign minister who attended the presti- seen an “anti-Johnson tactical vote” and an unprecedented must also shore up pro-Brexit, older traditional Labour vot- the crowd both as a politician and in his previous career as a gious Eton school and read Greek and Latin at the his- mobilization of students and young people, urging them to ers beyond the cities and convince Conservative and journalist has also drawn accusations of racism and misogy- Liberal Democrat backers to switch their vote. ny. The list of offences - writing about gay “bumboys” and toric Oxford University. According to his sister, the register to vote and make their voice heard. “I truly believe veiled Muslim women looking like “letterboxes” - has grown charismatic Johnson, with his finely crafted persona as a we are on the brink of a historic victory,” he wrote. bumbling stereotypical Englishman, harboured ambi- Even a right-leaning think-tank appears to back up Big reveal with comments unearthed in the campaign, including about A lifelong campaigner on socialist causes, Corbyn “feckless” working-class men and single mothers. But he tions as a child of becoming “world king”. In contrast, his theory: in April, Onward assessed that the Tories Milani is a politics graduate from Uxbridge’s modern were “vulnerable” in Uxbridge and South Ruislip appears happiest when campaigning on the stump, denies he meant any harm and supporters dismiss this as addressing crowds of cheering supporters who share his Brunel University, a practicing Muslim and a former because of its young demographic. Catherina Knox, an “just Boris”, welcoming his off-the-cuff style as a sharp con- views. But unlike the 2017 election, where Corbyn defied senior figure in the National Union of Students. trast to the soundbites of many other politicians. Crucially, actor and writer in her 30s, said Milani had “the local opinion polls to slash a massive Conservative lead, this many voters believe he is a better proposition than left-wing Thursday’s vote may be taking place against the touch” and was more tapped into the thinking of campaign has been less reliant on unscripted tub-thump- Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who polls put as the most backdrop of Brexit but local issues are still to the fore - younger voters. She has been canvassing on his behalf. ing appearances. This time he has relied on presentations unpopular opposition leader of the past 45 years. and Johnson’s lack of presence in the constituency has “I have been feeling quite depressed about the elec- of supposedly secret dossiers that he claims prove the been noted. “It has always been a Conservative area tion. I worry about Brexit, about our public services, duplicity of the man he is seeking to defeat, Conservative Competence questions but people are not happy with the local hospital,” said about lots of things,” she said. “I needed to do some- Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The main thrust of Corbyn’s Johnson’s relaxed style and lack of attention to detail has Michael Freitas, 42, who works in IT. “The young peo- thing, I thought it would be nice to try to unseat Boris campaign has not been on Brexit but on transforming led to accusations of incompetence - a perception fuelled by a ple situation is not good,” he told AFP among the Johnson in his own constituency. He (Milani) seems to British society. A key plank has been allegations that chequered stint as foreign minister under former premier Christmas decorations of Uxbridge town centre, some care about this area, he is from here.” —AFP Johnson is secretly plotting to sell off the National Health Theresa May. He was notably accused by the family of Service in a “toxic” post-Brexit trade deal with US Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman held in President Donald Trump. Both Johnson and Trump have torate and republicans who favor a united Ireland. At the Tehran for sedition, of jeopardizing her case by mischaracteriz- vehemently denied the claims, with the Conservatives last election in 2017, 17 of the territory’s 18 seats went to the ing her job at the time. His aides point instead to the coordinat- Orange, green or comparing Corbyn to a desperate conspiracy theorist. ed expulsion of Russian diplomats by many of Britain’s allies, DUP (10) and Sinn Fein (seven). Alliance does not take a stance on the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. “We including the United States, after a nerve agent attack in Anti-Semitism row yellow? Campaigning have really tried not to conflate the Brexit question, which is England last year blamed on Moscow. As prime minister, Corbyn’s campaign though has seen him battle allega- quite existential for people, with the green and orange con- Johnson defied his critics in renegotiating May’s unpopular EU tions of anti-Semitism flourishing in the Labour movement stitutional issue here,” said Bradshaw. divorce deal. “Those who did not take him seriously were for votes in Belfast under his stewardship. Britain’s most senior rabbi even “The impact from Brexit will affect everybody equally wrong,” French President Emmanuel Macron said at the time. suggested anti-Semitism was a “new poison” within the regardless of where they sit on their aspirations for His credibility took a hit when, despite MPs passing a law to BELFAST: In the dim light of early evening in south Belfast, party, which had been “sanctioned from the very top”. Northern Ireland.” That may offer a home for shades of stop his threat of leaving the EU with no deal, Johnson refused Paula Bradshaw was knocking on doors, hoping to secure Corbyn’s campaign interviews have, at times, made for opinion lost in the divide, including unionist remainers. to acknowledge Brexit would be delayed past October until it the votes of anti-Brexit householders. “We’re pro-remain, awkward viewing. In one BBC interview, he declined There is public anger at the DUP and Sinn Fein, whose actually happened. He now hopes that, if he wins enough seats, we’re a centre-ground, cross-community party,” she said repeated chances to apologise to Britain’s Jewish commu- inability to resolve their differences has left Northern he can get his deal through in time to leave the EU on the next quickly, after one woman opened the door of a red-brick nity for anti-Semitism. Ireland without a power-sharing government for over 1,000 deadline of Jan 31. However, experts question his pledge to get townhouse. The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland is facing On ITV, he was asked whether he watched Queen days. Across Belfast canary yellow placards of the Alliance a new trade agreement with Brussels by Dec 2020, warning an uphill battle to present itself as a home for pro-EU voters Elizabeth II’s annual 3:00 pm Christmas Day message, the Party urge “Demand Better”. this is only possible with big compromises. in an election drive defined by Brexit. But it’s also up against staunch republican gathered his recollections and said: “It’s more familiar allegiances. on in the morning usually; we have it on some of the time.” Deep-held beliefs ‘One Nation’ Tory In the 2016 referendum, nearly 56 percent of people in He has lost the support of the left-leaning New Statesman Convincing voters Alliance can be truly neutral on the Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson was born in New Northern Ireland voted to remain in the European Union. Since political magazine, which could not bring itself to endorse founding dispute of Northern Irish politics may prove diffi- York in 1964 into a high-achieving family of future politicians then, those 440,000 have been largely voiceless in the British Labour for the first time since it began in 1913. “His reluc- cult, however. The legacy of the bloody, three-decade dis- and media personalities. According to his sister, Rachel, as a parliament. Republican Sinn Fein - the British-run province’s tance to apologize for the anti-Semitism in Labour and to pute over British rule in Northern Ireland is never far from child he once aspired to become “world king”. He attended largest “remain” party - traditionally refuses to take their seats take a stance on Brexit, the biggest issue facing the coun- the elite Eton boys school and Oxford University to become in London, while a solitary independent “remain” MP has the surface, although Alliance leader Naomi Long dis- try, make him unfit to be prime minister,” said the weekly. a journalist for The Times - a job he promptly lost for making retired. That’s left the pro-”leave” Democratic Unionist Party agrees. “Brexit is not an orange or green issue and Alliance up a quote. Johnson was later sacked from the Tories’ top (DUP), whose Westminster MPs have enjoyed a key role back- is not an orange or green party,” Long claimed in the party Lifelong campaigner team for lying about an extramarital affair, one of several ing the minority government of the ruling eurosceptic manifesto. From an impeccable socialist background - his parents personal scandals that have marked his career. Twice Conservatives. Alliance wants that to change on Thursday. But Brexit - particularly fears of a return to a “hard bor- met as activists in Britain during the Spanish Civil War - divorced, he now lives in Downing Street with his girlfriend, “What we want to be doing, especially in constituencies like der” with EU-member Ireland to the south - has revived Corbyn was, he told the BBC, a “not academically success- former Tory party staffer Carrie Symonds. But he rarely talks South Belfast, where 70 percent voted to remain, is really just fears of a return to the tensions and violence of the past. ful student”. He worked for trade unions before being about his private life and some five children. He makes an to provide that voice-a very positive expression of what being Johnson rejects the claims as scaremongering. “There will elected to the House of Commons in 1983. He never held exception for his great-grandfather Ali Kemal, who was in the EU is about,” Bradshaw told AFP. be no checks on goods from GB to NI, from NI to GB,” he major office. Instead he spent decades on the backbenches briefly interior minister in the last grand vizier of the promised on Friday. Still, unionists fear the complicated championing human rights, leftist and anti-war causes, and Ottoman Empire’s government - a fact he often cites to A new color? arrangement could trigger Northern Ireland’s split from was a serial rebel against his party’s line. —AFP reject accusations of racism. —AFP A key aim is to go beyond the “orange and green” poli- mainland Britain. Sinn Fein wants a referendum on Irish uni- tics which traditionally divide a pro-British unionist elec- ty within five years.—AFP 9 International Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Shooting in the dark: Afghanistan war pits brother against brother Taleban gains cause friction with residents in previously govt-held areas KUNDUZ, Afghanistan: The 19-year-old Taleban The government accuses the Taleban of commonly but we had no other choice: The Taleban were Taleban imprisoned one of his younger brothers after deserter is haunted by the memory of the attack on a using the tactic to intimidate families caught up in extorting us,” he said, a sense of resignation in his he joined the security forces. They eventually police checkpoint in northern Afghanistan in August. the 18-year-long war. “The Taleban torture and even voice, on why he allowed his youngest son to join. released him, but after consulting with his father, he The Taleban band of around 20 fighters began its kill innocent people to make them to join, mostly in “They blocked the water to our crops.” He knew the too joined the militant group. “This decision was not assault at 10 pm, he recalled, and by sunrise, all remote rural areas where people have no other impact his decision might have. “Having a son in the his choice or desire, but he was forced, in fact the twelve Afghan police were dead. Kneeling in the option,” said Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the police and giving the other to the Taleban means whole family was forced because we were frustrated blood-soaked sand of the bunker as he and his com- Afghan government. The militant group denies this, telling them to kill each other,” he said. from the daily torture,” Hikmatullah, who goes by rades checked the bodies for weapons and ammuni- though it said it does pressurize families not to join The Taleban now controls more territory than at only one name, said. “Whenever I get into a clash tion, the young militant made a terrible discovery - the security services of a government it regards as any point since it was ousted from power by US-led with the Taleban, I feel that my brother is standing in one of the dead men was his elder brother. illegitimate and propped up by foreign forces. coalition forces in 2001. With that gain comes front of me and I am firing at him.” Two months later, he fled following an air strike increasing friction with Afghans who have lived in Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taleban spokesman, denied that killed several of his band. Now hiding in Kunduz Fine balance what were previously government-held areas, it coerced people to join. “We sometime force those district, fearing reprisals by the Taleban for desert- The family, like many in the northern Kunduz experts said. “The Taleban are not aliens: They are families not to serve in the front line with the Afghan ing, the young man and his father told their harrow- province, make a difficult living subsistence farming undeniable part of Afghan society,” said Atiqullah police or army, because we don’t want them to lose ing story on condition of anonymity. “I faced the wheat, rice and mung beans. To ease the hardship, Amarkhel, a former general who served in the Afghan their precious lives,” he said. “Joining us is their per- darkest moment of my life seeing my brother’s body the elder brother enlisted in police in 2006 to help army between 1960 and 2009. “Many families of sonal choice.” The former Taleban fighter was deeply covered with blood and dust,” the younger brother support his family, his father said. A few months later, members of the Afghan security forces are living in affected by his brother’s death in the raid. In told Reuters, fear visible on his face as he sat inside he recalled Taleban representatives visiting his mud- rural areas and most of these areas are either com- October, after an Afghan airstrike killed five of his a car. “For a while the daylight turned to a dark night brick home to persuade him to make a fateful choice pletely controlled or heavily influenced by the comrades in the Taleban, he fled. He now lives away as if someone put a black hood on my head.” - either he should make his elder son quit the police, Taleban.” from the family’s land with his father and brother’s The father of the brothers said he volunteered the or he should volunteer one of his seven other sons to Similar stories have emerged elsewhere in the family. “Whenever I look to the three children of my younger boy to fight for the Taleban after the mili- join the militants. country. Hikmatullah, a sergeant in the Afghan army late brother, I feel guilty as if I am the killer,” he said. tants learnt that the elder son was with the police. “It was a difficult decision for the whole family, from the eastern Nangarhar province, said the “I don’t forgive myself.” —AFP

police at a press briefing Sunday after Tiger skin, they announced three people had been arrested at the weekend. “We suspect that they would sell the skin to collec- fetuses found tors, not only in Indonesia,” Edward ‘Old man bluffing,’ Hutapea, wildlife enforcement chief in in Indonesia Pekanbaru on Sumatra island, told AFP yesterday. The suspects had previously says N Korea after sold another tiger skin, but had yet to poacher case unload the second skin and fetuses, he Trump warns Kim said, adding that the unborn mammals JAKARTA: The skin of a critically were from the big cat sold earlier this SEOUL: North Korea yesterday slammed US endangered Sumatran tiger and four year. If convicted, the trio could face President Trump for “bluffing” and called him “an fetuses have been confiscated after the up to five years in prison. old man bereft of patience” as Pyongyang ramps arrest of several suspected poachers, Poaching is responsible for almost up pressure on Washington over stalled nuclear Indonesian police said. The suspects 80 percent of Sumatran tiger deaths, talks. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong may have been planning to sell the skin according to TRAFFIC, a global Un engaged in mutual insults and threats of devas- to a foreign collector, while its bones wildlife trade monitoring network. tation in 2017, sending tensions soaring before a were earlier sold, possibly for use in Sumatran tigers are considered crit- diplomatic rapprochement the following year. medicinal products popular in some ically endangered by protection Pyongyang has set Washington an end-of-year parts of Asia, authorities said. It was group the International Union for time limit to offer it new concessions in deadlocked not clear how the foetuses, which were Conservation of Nature, with few- GOH, Indonesia: This picture taken on Dec 7, 2019 shows the three Indonesian men nuclear negotiations, and has said it will adopt an kept in a jar, were to be used. er than 400 believed to remain in being paraded with a seized Sumatran tiger skin and four tiger fetus in a jar. —AFP unspecified “new way” if nothing acceptable is The evidence was presented by the wild. —AFP forthcoming. Denuclearization negotiations have been at a standstill since a summit in Hanoi broke up in Locals told AFP that all illegal facto- February. Trump has indicated that the option of Firemen hailed ries in the area pull down and lock military action was still on the table while down- their shutters at night, which gives playing Pyongyang’s actions, saying the North’s as heroes in workers time to flee if police raid the leader would not want to “interfere” with the premises. “But this time it proved fatal upcoming US presidential elections. “I’d be sur- for them as a lot of precious time was prised if North Korea acted hostiley,” Trump said horror blaze lost in trying to enter the building,” a Saturday. local resident said, as officials from But Kim Yong Chol, who served as the North’s NEW DELHI: Two firemen who res- the electricity department arrived at counterpart to US Secretary of State Mike cued 27 people were hailed as heroes the scene. Pompeo until the collapse of the Hanoi meeting, yesterday after Delhi’s deadliest fire in Firefighter Ashish Malik, who man- slammed Trump’s “odd words and expression”, decades killed 43, prompting outrage aged to carry out 16 people from the referring to him as a “heedless and erratic old that safety regulations were yet again blazing building, said they “had to take man”. “Our action is for his surprise. So, if he does ignored. The blaze early Sunday huge risks” carrying people down the not get astonished, we will be irritated,” Kim, now ripped through a four-storey building only staircase on a rickety floor. “We the chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace that housed small factory units in the rescued workers by carrying them on Committee, said in a statement carried by the offi- congested lanes of the Old Delhi dis- our shoulders. Some had to be cial KCNA news agency. “This naturally indicates trict while the migrant workers inside dragged,” he said. Zameel Ahmed, who that Trump is an old man bereft of patience,” he were asleep. Firefighter Rajesh lost two of his sons aged 32 and 34 in said, adding: “From those words and expressions Shukla, who carried out 11 people and the inferno, was inconsolable. “Five of we can read how irritated he is now.” was injured in the dangerous opera- my grandchildren have lost their The official noted that the North Korean leader had not used “any irritating expression towards the tion, said he was shocked by the num- fathers. We have lost everything.” NEW DELHI: Relatives of fire victims protest as they demand ambulances to US president as yet”, but warned his “understand- ber of people he found. Hardeep Singh Puri, Indian housing carry the bodies back to their hometown yesterday. —AFP ing” of Trump could change. “He must understand “No one in the area informed us and urban development minister, hit that his own style bluffing and hypocrisy sound that so many people were there in the out at the Delhi state government for no one tried to help the victims and Press Trust of India news agency rather abnormal and unrealistic to us,” Kim said. building, some said there were three allowing the owners of the building to operate with “impunity”. The lanes their families who’re facing difficulties reported. Such firms often provide “We have nothing more to lose.” The North has or four people trapped inside,” Shukla in identifying and claiming the bodies sleeping quarters for poor workers, raised tensions in recent months with a series of told the Times of India daily. “I saw at were narrow and congested with wires and cables dangling dangerously, he of the workers who perished in the mostly migrants from elsewhere in assertive statements and multiple weapons tests - least 30 people in the room (on the fire,” said factory worker Rehan. More India who save money by bedding including a “very important test” at its key satellite third floor) with most of them sleep- said in a statement, adding the build- ing flouted safety and fire norms. “If all fire engines were sent to the factory down at their workplaces. Some were launch site at the weekend - as its negotiating time ing. A few others were dead... We yesterday morning to douse a small paid just 1,000 rupees ($14) a month. limit approaches. were told that the laborers slept in these (city) departments had done their job properly then many valuable fire caused by burning waste. Locals said the building, which also Kim’s New Year speech, a key political set- shifts,” he said. He added that if the Police said the owner of the build- made purses and jackets, had just one piece in the isolated country, is also due on Jan 1. fire brigade had had more information lives could have been saved,” he said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind ing and its manager have been arrest- entrance. Twenty rooms on each floor On Thursday, the North’s vice foreign minister sooner, then “we could have saved ed and that the illegal factory units were connected by a single internal Choe Son Hui warned of again referring to Trump more lives”. Kejriwal announced compensation of 1 million rupees ($13,933) for the fami- inside had been operating without fire stairway. Prime Minister Narendra as a “dotard” - Pyongyang’s favored nickname for Yesterday, charred walls and safety clearance. One of the units Modi tweeted that the fire, the dead- the US president at the height of tensions in 2017. smoke-blackened windows bore a lies of those killed. Most workers complained of government apathy. manufactured wall mirrors, one was liest in Delhi since 59 people perished Another senior official said last week that what gift grim testimony to the tragedy that involved in the stitching of schoolbags in a burning cinema in 1997, was the US receives for Christmas will depend entirely unfolded at the cramped premises. “Politicians came to the site, made big announcements and left the scene, but and another stitched skull caps, the “extremely horrific”. —Agencies on Washington’s actions. Trump warned Sunday that Kim had “every- thing” to lose through hostility towards the United States, after Pyongyang said it had carried out a The allegations were reportedly brother and sister came as public anger grows major new weapons test. “Kim Jong Un is too made as part of her Aus$4 million Rape victim’s about perceived police inaction in preventing Daughter smart and has far too much to lose, everything ($2.73 million) claim to Hawke’s estate, and pursuing sexual assault cases across the actually, if he acts in a hostile way,” Trump tweeted which she is disputing after receiving relatives to get country. India has long battled a high number in response to the unspecified test at the Sohae claims Aussie $750,000 in his will. Hawke was of violent crimes against women, particularly space launch center. The announcement of sexual assault, with more than 33,000 rapes unsuccessful in his 1982 attempt to guns and guards Saturday’s test came just hours after Trump said he reported in 2017. Victims and their families ex-PM urged become Labor leader. He took over the often complain of harassment from alleged per- would be “surprised” by any hostile action from LUCKNOW: Indian police yesterday deployed following year and was quickly elected petrators demanding that they withdraw their the North, emphasizing his “very good relation- round-the-clock protection and promised a prime minister, a position he held until cases or agree to out-of-court settlements as ship” with Kim. weapons license to the family of an alleged rape silence 1991. He died in May aged 89. court action drag on for years. Trump and Kim engaged in months of mutual rape victim who died after being set on fire on According to The New Daily, there are The conviction rate in rape cases is 32 per- several inconsistencies in Dillon’s insults and threats of devastation in 2017, sending the way to testify in court. The woman told SYDNEY: The daughter of former tensions soaring before a diplomatic rapproche- police in her dying testimony that two of her cent. The brutal death of the young woman, claims, including the timing of certain Australian prime minister Bob Hawke ment the following year. The pair have met three alleged rapists repeatedly pushed her to with- whose name was not released for legal reasons, said he ordered her to keep quiet about documented historical events. was the latest in a string of cases in which times since June 2018 but with little progress draw the court case before attacking her last her alleged rape by one of his political Dillon’s sister, Sue Pieters-Hawke, alleged sexual attack victims have been mur- towards denuclearization “North Korea, under the week with three other men in Uttar Pradesh allies for fear it would damage his said the family had been aware of the dered. Last week police shot dead four men leadership of Kim Jong Un, has tremendous eco- state. “We have deputed personal security offi- career, Australian media has reported. allegations at the time and Hawke accused of raping and murdering a 27-year-old nomic potential, but it must denuclearize as prom- cers for the brother and sister of the victim, Rosslyn Dillon alleged she was raped found them distressing. “She did tell veterinary doctor in the southern city of ised,” Trump tweeted. “NATO, China, Russia, apart from deploying police force in the vil- three times by a late Labor member of people at the time. I believe there was Hyderabad. Her killing, in late November, Japan, and the entire world is unified on this issue!” lage,” Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district police parliament in the 1980s, The New Daily a supportive response but it didn’t sparked nationwide protests before the sus- Writing that Kim had “signed a strong chief Vikrant Vir told AFP. The family’s request reported Saturday. In a court affidavit, involve using the legal system,” she for an arms license would be given priority pects were killed by police officers in what they Denuclearization Agreement” at their June 2018 Dillon said her father - one of told The New Daily. Dillon reportedly processing, Vir added. All five men have been claimed was a “shootout” during a re-enact- summit in Singapore,” Trump warned: “He does not Australia’s most popular prime minis- said she was “still haunted by the arrested and charged with murder, with two of ment of the alleged attack. The state govern- want to void his special relationship with the ters - told her not to go to the police to sexual assaults” and may have found them still facing rape charges. ment has established a special investigations President of the United States or interfere with the avoid controversy ahead of his chal- closure if she had been able to go to The special provisions for the 23-year-old’s team to probe the men’s deaths. —AFP US Presidential Election in November.” —AFP lenge for the party leadership in 1982. the police. —AFP 10

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Analysis

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India gang-rape shootings revive ‘encounter’ fears

he shooting of four gang-rape and murder sus- pects by Indian police has highlighted the Tscourge of extrajudicial killings in a nation grap- pling with high levels of sexual crimes and a notoriously slow judicial process. Authorities claimed the four men Retired Algerian military men shout slogans calling for elections as they watch an anti-government demonstration in the capital Algiers yesterday. — AFP were killed in a “shootout” during a re-enactment of the attack, carried out just under two weeks ago, in which a 27-year-old veterinarian was raped and mur- dered, before her body was burnt. Police were feted with rose petals, and crowds took to the streets cheer- Algerian army sees vote as route back to shadows ing the men’s deaths, saying “swift justice” had been lgeria’s army, the heart of an opaque regime, exer- demonstrations and calls from Gaid Salah for his by “the majority of Algerians”. That constitutes a bid to meted out. “The law has done its duty,” local police cised power from the shadows until it was thrust impeachment. But while the army was key to his downfall, create “a civilian facade to its rule and pass on... the polit- chief V C Sajjanar told reporters. Ainto the limelight with mass protests and the April Bouteflika’s departure brought the military into direct ical, economic and social crisis to the future president,” These kind of deaths - dubbed “encounters” in departure of president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Eight months confrontation with the Hirak and its demands for more Cheklat said. Filiu said the army “is sincerely hoping to South Asia - where police claim suspects were killed later, commanders are hoping to use Thursday’s con- sweeping reforms. While Gaid Salah has championed the restore the status quo and smother the Hirak by imposing trying to resist arrest or while escaping from custody, tentious presidential vote to create a “civilian facade” and holding of a presidential vote on Dec 12, the protest the reinstatement of a front-line civilian presidency”. are part of a well-worn script trotted out by authori- return to pulling the strings backstage, analysts say. The movement rejects any vote as invalid until root-and- ties. But human rights campaigners warned of a deep- “Hirak” movement of massive street rallies that brought an branch reforms are passed and regime figures ousted. No concessions ening culture of impunity as police take the law into end to veteran Bouteflika’s two decades in power had an Protesters have continued to hold mass demonstra- For Flavien Bourrat of France’s Institute for Strategic their own hands. “Over the decades extrajudicial unintended effect. tions every week, often shouting: “Gaid Salah, forget the Research at the Military School (IRSEM), the army’s killings and custodial torture have assumed legal sanc- “The military high command found itself, against its will, vote!” Indeed, their changing slogans have echoed refusal to grant concessions to the protest movement is a tity in India,” leading Supreme Court lawyer and in centre stage,” said Moussaab Hammoudi, a PhD candi- changing perceptions of the army’s role as protesters bid to stop Algeria’s political transition escaping its con- founder of the Human Rights Law Network, Colin date at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social invoke fears of a military state. The early cries of “the trol. Many in Algeria still harbor dark memories of the Gonsalves, told AFP. “It’s worrying that criminality of Sciences (EHESS) in Paris. “That put it in a very uncom- army and the people are brothers!” have been replaced “failed democratic transition” in the early 1990s, when the police is now getting public approval.” After the fortable position, because it prefers to stay hidden.” with “put the generals in the trash” and even “Gaid Salah the army’s cancellation of elections expected to be won killings, Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde of the Bouteflika’s departure focused the spotlight on one man in is a traitor!” by Islamists sparked a decade-long civil war. “The mili- Supreme Court said he had concerns about the use of particular: army chief of 15 years, General Ahmed Gaid Since Algeria’s hard-won independence from France in tary hierarchy doesn’t want to get (directly) involved in “instant” justice. “Justice never ought to be instant. Salah, who overnight became the North African country’s 1962, the army has operated as “a state within a state”, politics,” Bourrat said. Justice must never ever take the form of revenge. I de facto strongman. wielding discreet but vast political influence, said Kamal He recalled the army’s repression of protests in the believe justice loses its character when it becomes “Even though officially he’s just the deputy defense Cheklat, Maghreb specialist at the Centre for late 1980s and then its role during the civil war, which revenge,” Bobde said at an event on Saturday. minister, he’s emerged as the true master of the country,” Sociological and Political Research in Paris (Cresppa). seriously damaged its image. “Algeria’s economic situa- said Jean-Pierre Filiu, a professor at Sciences Po university “The Hirak wants to question all that,” he said. That tion is extremely difficult and worrying and few people ‘No mercy’ tactics in Paris who has written a book on the Hirak. “The army would represent “a real break in the order of things want to end up in charge of that file,” he said. “Certainly The “staged shootouts” were for decades used to has always been at the heart of the Algerian system.” established by the Algerian military a long time ago.” not the military.” But, Hammoudi warned, the future pres- bypass India’s cumbersome judicial processes when But meeting the protesters’ demands is not on the ident “will have no power over major issues. He will police battled armed separatist movements in West Army vs Hirak army’s agenda, he added, noting that the military estab- receive injunctions (from the army), sometimes implicit - Bengal, Punjab, Kashmir and remote northeastern Bouteflika resigned on April 2 after weeks of street lishment has attempted to force through a vote opposed as has always been the case.” — AFP states. More recently, the encounters have been deployed against those accused of violent crimes. In India’s film-loving culture, “encounter specialist” When the opposition smelled blood, additional allega- president of consulting firm Teneo, told AFP. “The worst police officers have been idolized by Bollywood. Cherry blossoms tions piled in: The chairman of a disgraced company was case scenario for Abe is that (his ruling party) LDP sup- Scores of movies depict them as tough men and glo- once a guest, a member of one of Japan’s infamous porters abandon him, which hasn’t happened thus far, rify their “kills”, particularly relating to the deaths of yakuza mafia attended in 2019. The opposition bloc giving him a floor of around thirty percent (support),” he hundreds of alleged gang members in Bollywood’s prompt full-blown demanded the guest list for this year’s event be pro- added. “But even then, without a smoking gun I think Abe capital Mumbai in the 1990s. duced, only to be told it had been shredded on the very can hold on for a long time.” Rights activists say “encounters” are carried out scandal for Abe same day the request was made. Just a coincidence, Abe as retribution by police, or used to cover up botched insisted to outraged opposition lawmakers: the docu- ‘Better than lying’ investigations, win awards and rewards, or to pacify ments were shredded during “the work hours of a part- Allegations have continued to emerge, including a furious public. According to a government report, t might be the most Japanese of political scandals: A time employee with disabilities,” he added, in remarks claims that Abe invited supporters to a dinner at a luxury 100 suspects were killed in police custody in 2017. furore over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s guest list at a that many saw as an attempt to blame the worker. hotel and let his political support group pick up part of None of the 33 policemen arrested for the killings Iparty to mark the annual cherry blossom season. As the tab in violation of election law. His government denies was convicted, it said. Campaigners say the number scandals go, it has plenty of juicy elements - alleged ‘Abe can hold on’ that, and a criminal investigation is viewed as extremely of those who actually die at the hands of the police is mafia guests, disappearing evidence, even gaffes by Abe, The scandal has seen public support for Abe’s gov- unlikely. Still, Saito said, the allegations risk damaging far higher, with many deaths categorized as suicide who appeared to lay blame for shredded documents on a ernment drop six or seven points to around 50 percent public faith in the political system. “This administration is or from natural causes. disabled worker. It’s the latest headache for Japan’s or lower, but experts said Abe is likely to weather the trying to avert criticism” by withholding documents, and The Supreme Court attempted to clamp down on longest-serving premier, who has already weathered two storm. “Voters are not convinced by the Abe administra- that “hurts a system (of accountability) that is necessary the killings in 2014, ordering mandatory probes and cronyism scandals in recent years and has faced an tion’s explanation of the scandal,” Junichi Saito, a profes- for democracy”. barring governments from rewarding officers before almost daily drubbing by opposition lawmakers since the sor of politics at Tokyo’s Waseda University, told AFP. Next year’s cherry blossom party has been cancelled, determining how and why the shootings occurred. scandal emerged in early November. “But opinion polls will not likely fall by more than 10 per- with Abe promising to “reflect on” how the gathering has The court is currently monitoring probes into cases The outcry involves a tradition that dates back to centage points because there is no other candidate for a been organized. That is likely to be enough to tide him from northeastern Manipur state where rights 1952 - a publicly funded cherry blossom party intended prime minister.” over, Junichi Takase, professor of politics at Nagoya groups allege that 1,530 suspects have been killed by to honor the great and the good for their achievements. Abe benefits from lingering disillusionment with the University of Foreign Studies, told AFP. “The opposition police since 2007. The seemingly innocuous gathering become a lightning country’s opposition, with voters still leery after the dis- bloc has nothing else in their arsenal except attacking Mr It is also hearing a petition on the “staged rod for criticism after claims Abe stacked the guest list astrous performance of the centre-left Democratic Party- Abe for this kind of scandal,” he said. “Mr Abe is good at killings” of at least 58 suspects in Uttar Pradesh with some 850 supporters from his local constituency - led government in 2009-2012. “I’m skeptical at this point handling crises. He admitted there was something wrong, since 2017 after the state government adopted what with the party costing 55 million yen ($504,000) in that the opposition will win public support if it manages apologized, and wants to move on - that’s better than it called “no-mercy” tactics to battle crime. Home public money. to dent Abe’s with this scandal,” Tobias Harris, senior vice lying.” — AFP Minister Amit Shah has said his government would not tolerate police atrocities. He himself was cleared of charges relating to the 2005 extrajudicial killing of a gangster and his wife when he was Gujarat state’s lack even the basic tools of their trade - boats, motor- home minister. Beleaguered DR cycles or pickup trucks. “We can’t organize control mis- sions because there are many rivers to cross and Slow or no justice unpaved roads,” he says. Police have long been criticized for not preventing Congo rainforest His predecessor in the job was suspended for embez- violent crimes or for failing to bring cases, particular- zlement, underlining how corruption feeds the problem of ly sexual assaults, to the courts. The justice system is attacked on all sides deforestation. NGOs have launched a multi-pronged also cumbersome and slow, with some rape and mur- attack against the plunder. Greenpeace Africa and a coali- der cases taking years or even decades to reach their tion of eight NGOs from DRC and neighboring Congo- conclusion. India has a backlog of some 30 million ush rainforest covers millions of hectares of the Brazzaville have demanded a halt to all industrial activities cases, of which nearly 150,000 relate to sexual Democratic Republic of Congo, a central part of in the millions of hectares of peatland shared by the two assault. The conviction rate for rape stands at 32 per- LEarth’s natural defense against global warming - but countries. The ancient wetlands store huge amounts of cent, and victims also have to endure bungled police it is under severe threat from a perfect storm of misman- carbon, but companies are involved in oil exploration, log- investigations and threats by perpetrators. agement and corruption. An array of global and local ging and industrial agriculture in the area. Analysts say the lack of justice for victims has NGOs are in a tense fight to save the rainforest, which lost Global Witness investigated the illegal logging trade fuelled public acceptance of extrajudicial executions. an area twice the size of Luxembourg last year alone, and earlier this year accused a general in the Congolese Joseph Bisole, 27, a former child soldier, manufactures Activist Mihir Desai said rape cases have become sym- according to Global Forest Watch. army of illegally reselling logging permits. However, DRC charcoal as part of the WWF Ecomakala project to reduce bolic of the rot in the criminal justice system, where But the problems run right through DR Congo society - remains impoverished and electricity is a rare luxury, illegal charcoal production, in Burungu in northeastern constitutional rights of both victims and offenders are from the poor who rely on charcoal for fuel in a country meaning that most Congolese still rely on charcoal as their Democratic Republic of Congo on Sept 28, 2019. — AFP violated. “This somehow reflects the justice delivery with meagre supplies of other power, to the senior officials main fuel supply. Making charcoal involves chopping down system and how the state is failing its citizens,” said who profit from illegal logging. “There are lawmakers and trees and slow-burning the wood in covered ovens - all of Desai, whose rights group the People’s Union for Civil soldiers involved. They don’t pay taxes - it’s unfair compe- which comes at a steep price for the environment. “I get is just raising the pressure on the forests. On the hillsides Liberties has mounted several court cases against arbi- tition,” says Felicien Liofo, head of a wood craftsmen’s through a $30 sackful every two months. That’s a fair around the capital, there are scarcely any trees left. NGOs trary police killings. “The young woman didn’t get jus- association. Local police say soldiers simply rip apart the chunk of what I earn,” says Solange Sekera while shopping and the government are once again trying to respond. The tice and the slain men won’t get it too.” — AFP fences around the forest and threaten to shoot anyone at a market in the eastern city of Goma. “We have no other World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is trying to minimize who tries to stop them. means of preparing meals.” the impact of charcoal burning by introducing “eco makala” ovens that burn the fuel more efficiently and so NGOs fight back ‘Our forests may disappear’ use less wood. And President Felix Tshisekedi is trying to The government faces a daunting challenge to pro- The trade in charcoal - known locally as makala - is boost electricity across the country to reduce demand for tect the rainforest. Its 2002 forestry code imposed a worth millions of dollars and it is attracting armed groups wood-based fuel. All articles appearing on this page are the moratorium on new concessions and regulated the num- to the Goma area, threatening Virunga natural park, a He has championed hydroelectric power - and ground personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait ber of trees that could be chopped down under existing sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas. More than was broken in early October on a new dam in Goma. NGOs and locals are not convinced of the viability of the Times takes no responsibility for views permits, but officials complain of a lack of resources. 2,000 km to the west, the reliance on charcoal in Kinshasa Felicien Malu, a provincial environment coordinator, has is also causing severe problems. Kinshasa residents con- project, but Tshisekedi is adamant: “Given the current rate expressed therein. roughly 1,200 workers to cover a province twice the sume five million tonnes of wood a year, according to of population growth and our energy needs, our forests size of Portugal. But his staff, he says, are not paid and French research group Cirad, and increasing urbanization may disappear by the year 2100,” he says. — AFP Established 1961

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019

Stocks stutter; attention All eyes on Lagarde’s Jobs of the future clustering 12turns to trade deadline 13 ECB debut this week 13 in handful of US cities: Study

RENNES: TER (Transport Express Regional) trains are pictured at Rennes railway station yesterday. French commuters and tourists braced for another day of public transport chaos yesterday as the government prepared to respond to widespread anger over pension reform that has sparked open-ended walkouts. —AFP French strike chaos deepens Day 5 of public transport chaos as strike bites

PARIS: France’s transport chaos deepened government unveils the full details of its squeezed retailers in the run-up to yesterday on the fifth day of a nationwide plans for a single points-based pension Christmas, raising the prospect of another strike over pension reforms, ramping up ten- scheme that does away with dozens of more bleak year-end after the unrest caused by sions at the start of a crucial week in advantageous plans enjoyed by train drivers, the yellow vests in late 2018. President Emmanuel Macron’s battle with sailors, lawyers and other professions. The first day of the stoppage already trade unions. With only two of the Paris caused an average 30 percent drop in sales, metro’s 16 lines running as normal and sub- ‘A monstrosity’ according to the Alliance of Commerce, urban trains also heavily disrupted, many Critics argue that the shake-up will which represents 27,000 supermarkets and commuters slipped behind the wheel to try require people in both the public and private clothing and shoe stores with almost to get to work in torrential rain, causing sector to work longer for a smaller retire- 200,000 workers. A hotel association said major gridlock. ment payout. Teachers are expected to walk reservations in the larger Paris region By 9 am, the tailbacks in the Paris area ran out again for the second time in a week dropped by 30 to 40 percent on the first day to 600 kilometres, twice the normal level, the Tuesday, leading to widespread school clo- of the strike. Regional and international Sytadin monitoring website said. Large sures. Firefighters, electricity workers and trains, including the Eurostar to London and queues formed at bus stops following an “yellow vest” anti-government demonstra- Thalys to Brussels, have also been hobbled announcement that one out of two buses tors have also joined railway workers in the by the unrest, and several flights were can- would be running but striking workers streets in recent days. The government’s celled on the first days of the strike. blocked seven out of 25 bus depots, leaving pensions envoy Jean-Paul Delevoye, who PARIS: Commuters board a train at Nation suburban train station in Paris, during a strike of more travellers stranded. With many having drafted the reforms, and Health Minister Fairer system for all? Paris public transports operator RATP employees yesterday. —AFP opted to work from home last week and only Agnes Buzyn will meet with trade unions Over 800,000 people took to the streets now returning to the workplace, this week yesterday to try to negotiate an end to the when the strike was launched on December will test public support for the strike. deadlock. 5, many accusing Macron of trying to “If we do not carry out a far-reaching, its pension reforms. Adrien Quatennens, a A poll Sunday in the Journal du Dimanche But the unions have sounded an uncom- weaken France’s generous social safety net. serious and progressive reform today, some- lawmaker from the far-left France Unbowed newspaper showed 53 percent of the French promising note. “I will not negotiate over the The president, Prime Minister Edouard one else will do a really brutal one tomor- party, acknowledged on LCI radio that the supporting the strike or expressing sympa- implementation of what I describe as a mon- Philippe and senior cabinet ministers met row,” Philippe told Le Journal du Dimanche. strike was hard on businesses and com- thy for their demands, up six points in a strosity which endangers tomorrow’s pen- late Sunday to discuss the changes, which The strike has drawn comparisons with late muters, but said: “It’s better to endure a few week. Unions have called a second day of sioners,” said Yves Veyrier, the head of the they argue will ensure a fairer and more 1995 when three weeks of strikes forced the weeks of hassle than... years of hardship” in mass protests for Tuesday, a day before the militant Force Ouvriere union. The strike has sustainable system for all. then centre-right government to withdraw retirement. — AFP

statement. According to a survey of its members were between three and seven Chinese businesses in the top European companies released yesterday, 64 percent of respondents said Arms sales worldwide 100 arms manufacturers. Two major European companies, they have not noticed “any change” in their business Airbus and MBDA were also responding to “demand due to as a result of the trade war. ongoing armed conflicts and severe tensions in several minimize risks from Another 10 percent said they were “completely rises up to nearly 5% regions”, Fleurant added. China has spent 1.9 percent of its affected” by the trade war. However many European gross domestic product on defence every year since 2013. US-China trade war companies said they expected the trade war to be STOCKHOLM: Arms sales rose by nearly five percent The top-ranked Russian firm, Almaz-Antei, jumped to “long-lasting”, and 10 percent have already changed worldwide in 2018 in a market dominated by the United ninth on the list with turnover of $9.6 billion — 18 percent suppliers. At the time of the survey, another eight States, according to a new report published yesterday by up on the previous year. “This increase was based not only BEIJING: European companies in China have been percent had already relocated parts of their busi- the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute on strong domestic demand, but also on continuing growth able to minimize the effect from the tariff war ness out of China or were planning to do so - mainly (SIPRI). The turnover of the 100 biggest arms manufactur- in arms sales to other countries, in particular exports of the between Beijing and Washington, although some are to elsewhere in southeast Asia - while 15 percent ers came to $420 billion, thanks in large part to the US mar- S-400 air defence system,” said the report. One of the buy- considering relocating their businesses, the EU had delayed investment or expansion decisions ket, said the report. US manufacturers alone accounted for ers of this system is NATO member Turkey, which took the Chamber of Commerce said yesterday. The world’s because of the trade war. 59 percent of the market, or a turnover of $246 billion, up deal despite a US threat of sanctions. Turkey’s arms industry two biggest economies have been entangled in a lin- This figure was up from six percent since the 7.2 percent on the previous year. had two businesses in the top 100 and turnover of $2.8 bil- gering trade war for over a year, which has weighed previous survey in January. The report, which sur- “This is a significant increase over one year considering lion, up 22 percent on the previous year. on the global economy and resulted in hundreds of veyed 174 companies in China, was completed in the already high levels of US combined arms sales,” Aude Turkey was “driven by the goal of being self-sufficient in billions of dollars in punitive tariffs slapped on two- September and is released as China and the US Fleurant, the director of SIPRI’s arms transfers and military arms supply and therefore develop arms production capa- way trade. continue to negotiate a way to reach a “phase expenditure programme, told AFP. US firms were benefitting bilities in all segments (land systems, air systems, naval sys- European companies in China “have effectively one” trade deal. In the absence of any agreement, from the Trump administration’s decision to modernise its tems, missiles, etc.),” said Fleurant. “Turkey is also involved negated the tariff effects in a relatively short space Washington is threatening to impose 15 percent armed services to reinforce its position against China and with an enduring armed conflict with the Kurds, which also of time,” said the president of the EU Chamber of additional customs surcharges on December 15, Russia. Russia was second in the rankings for arms produc- tends to increase demand for arms,” she added. The world’s Commerce in China, Joerg Wuttke. Many companies which will apply to Chinese goods which have so tion, with 8.6 percent of the market, just ahead of the United largest arms maker remains the US firm Lockheed Martin, have “effectively side-stepped” the steep tariffs by far been spared, including cellphones and sports- Kingdom on 8.4 percent and France on 5.5 percent. as it has been since 2009, this last year with turnover of rejigging their supply chains and leveraging their wear. They account for some $160 billion in annu- The study did not include China, for which there was $47.3 billion. Its sales alone account for 11 percent of the global corporate networks, the chamber said in a al imports. — AFP insufficient data, but SIPRI’s research estimated that there world market. — AFP 12 Established 1961

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Business Stocks stutter as attention turns to trade deadline, Central bank meetings European shares struggle after Asia ekes out gain LONDON: European stocks fell yesterday as worries that would lead to a risk-off reaction in markets,” said Chinese shivers troubled economies elsewhere in the world and a about a Chinese economic slowdown and the US-China Nomura currency strategist Jordan Rochester. “We China’s exports shrank for the fourth consecutive trade war.” The dollar was also down 0.1 percent trade war outweighed Friday’s strong US jobs data, in a don’t expect tariffs to go into effect as the talks are month in November, sending shivers through a mar- against the Japanese yen at 108.51 yen. Elsewhere in quiet start to trading before several big events later in ongoing but the trade talks are the main driver this ket already concerned about damage being done to currency markets the British pound made more gains, the week. The Federal Reserve meets tomorrow and week,” he said, adding he did not expect any “fire- global demand by the trade war, but growth in rising to a new 7-month high of $1.3180 as investors new European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde works” from the central bank meetings. imports may be a sign that Beijing’s stimulus steps raised their bets on a Conservative Party victory - holds her first policy meeting on Thursday, which will European shares slipped. The Euro STOXX 600 was are helping to stoke demand. The US dollar, which and a ruling majority in parliament - in Thursday’s also see a parliamentary election in Britain, with the down marginally, while the German DAX dropped 0.1 bounced on Friday after data showed US job growth general election. results due on Friday. percent. France’s CAC 40 shed 0.2 percent and the FTSE increased in November by the most in 10 months, Government bond markets were little moved, as However, at the forefront of most investors’ minds is 100 was flat. That followed small gains in Asia, where was down marginally against a basket of currencies investors awaited the central bank meetings. Oil an impending Dec 15 deadline for the United States to Japan’s benchmark Nikkei added 0.33 percent while and the euro, at $1.1064. The strong labour market prices weakened after the disappointing Chinese impose a new round of tariffs on China. Top White MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside data in the United States helped power stock mar- trade data. Brent futures were down 0.56 percent, at House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Friday Japan gained 0.15 percent. Markets have been largely kets and further allay fears about a slowdown in the $64.03 per barrel after gaining about 3 percent last that the deadline was still in place to impose a new working on the assumption that the planned Dec. 15 world’s largest economy. week on the news that OPEC and its allies would round of tariffs on Chinese consumer goods, but he also tariffs, which cover several consumer products such as “This economy is still climbing and shattering the deepen output cuts. West Texas Intermediate oil said President Donald Trump likes where trade talks cellphones and toys, will be dropped or at least post- records for longevity,” said Chris Rupkey, chief finan- futures lost 0.66 percent to $58.90 a barrel, having with China are going. poned, given that Washington and Beijing agreed in cial economist at MUFG Union Bank. “Right now, the risen about 7 percent last week on the prospects for “If we see Donald Trump decide not to delay tariffs, October to work on a trade deal. clouds of recession still remain well offshore despite lower production from ‘OPEC+’. —Reuters

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Banking Conference (WIBC) which was KUWAIT: Warba Bank, “the Best investment Bank” and held in Bahrain under the patronage of the Fintech and BigTech “Best Corporate Bank” in Kuwait, held its weekly Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Nahedh emphasized that “KFH”, like Sunbula draw number 46 and Sunbula Kids. The draws Al Khalifa, and in partnership with the the largest global banks, invests strongly in announced the 8 lucky winners in the presence of repre- Central Bank of Bahrain. On the theme of banking innovation and the latest technolo- sentatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry “Mega Trends in Banking and Finance”, gy while co-operating with “Fintech” com- and bank officials. The bank proudly announced the The WIBC 2019 was the largest gathering panies to meet growth, customers and weekly draw number 46 lucky 5 winners of the 1000 in the world with an attendance of over industry needs. He pointed out that digital Kuwait Dinar prize: Ruba Ibrahim Yousef Sareyah, 1000 delegates including regulators, banks were emerging as competitors to Nawaf Saleh Hamad Al-Thuwaikh, Hamad Dlaim industry leaders, bankers and experts. large financial institutions as they are Mohammad Almutairi, Ahmad Mubarak Mousa Al- The Group Chief Executive Officer at increasingly meeting the growing con- Obaidan and Ebtesam Humoud Abdullateef Al-Duwailah. Kuwait Finance House (KFH), Mazin Saad sumer demand for digital services. 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What’s new in 2019 are the those recorded in the past decades, in satisfaction now is not easy to achieve, and they operate in a highly regulated industry. and assessment about the global economic “Mega Draws” which will be held every quarter to addition to fluctuations in oil prices and that his behavior is linked to global trends It is worth mentioning that 2019 WIBC edi- outlook while focusing on the opportuni- reveal five winners, the 1st winner will get KD their results, negatively affect economic is more sophisticated than before, espe- tion discussed the harmonization of Islamic ties, challenges and the way forward for 100,000! The four winners thereafter will each get growth in general since government cially since he has access to more informa- finance standards, the digital transforma- the Islamic finance presented by the Belt the latest Land Cruiser VXR. Furthermore, the final spending represents the main driver of tion and lower cost channels. 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Deposit investors also get chances in the Sunbula ning with Al Danah by depositing more into their Gulf draws along with high expected returns that reach up Gulf Bank announces Bank accounts using the new ePay (Self-Pay) service, Gulf Bank’s Al Danah account is open to Kuwaiti and to 3.5% distributed either monthly or at maturity upon which is available on Gulf Bank’s online and mobile non-Kuwaiti residents of Kuwait. Customers require a the customer’s preference. banking services. minimum of KD200 to open an account and the same Furthermore, Warba Bank is leveraging on its Al Danah winners Al Danah offers a number of unique services to amount should be maintained for customers to be eligi- customers, including the Al Danah Deposit Only ATM ble for the upcoming Al Danah draws. 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New customers will be able to request opening available on the Gulf Bank website and app. draw within two days. A Rasoul Al Bather; Mekhled Khaled Ayyad the account at anytime, anywhere, through the new Furthermore, loyal Al Danah customers are rewarded To take part in the Al Danah 2020 upcoming quar- Almutairi; Amira Abdulsaheb Hassan; Mohammad and unique electronic system used to implement this with loyalty chances. terly and yearly draws, customers must meet the Ahmad Mohammad Abdul Ghafour and Talal Ahmad service. Representatives will then contact the cus- Loyalty chances are the total chances accumulat- required hold period for each draw. Customers can visit Khalifah Alkhudhur. tomer to determine the appropriate time to visit the ed from the previous year, which are added to the one of Gulf Bank’s 58 branches, transfer online, place Gulf Bank’s final Al Danah draw for KD1,000,000, branch to get required signatures, verify the cus- customer’s chances the following year. Therefore, queries through the official Gulf Bank WhatsApp serv- tomer’s identity, deliver his/her debit card, and acti- will be held on 16 January 2020, where the Al Danah the total chances earned by Al Danah customers in ice or call the customer contact center for assistance vate the account. millionaire will be announced at a live event. Gulf Bank 2018, have been added to their 2019 chances, and and guidance. Customers can visit the website to find encourages customers to increase their chances of win- the same process will take place in 2020, and so on. out more about Al Danah and its winners. EXCHANGE RATES

Egyptian Pound - Transfer 18.904 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 43.610 Chinese Yuan 0.041802 0.045302 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.222 Thai Bhat 11.000 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036772 0.039522 Tunisian Dinar 110.640 Turkish Lira 53.010 Indian Rupee 0.003612 0.004384 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Jordanian Dinar 429.580 Singapore dollars 223.154 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 US Dollar Transfer 304.250 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 0.203 Japanese Yen 0.002716 0.002896 Euro 338.170 Syrian Lira 0.000 Korean Won 0.000245 0.000260 Sterling Pound 402.370 Morocco Dirham 32.162 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Malaysian Ringgit 0.069366 0.075336 Canadian dollar 231.370 Nepalese Rupee 0.002623 0.002963 Turkish lira 53.280 Pakistan Rupee 0.001286 0.002056 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 0.005985 0.006285 Swiss Franc 308.730 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Europe Singapore Dollar 0.218149 0.228149 US Dollar Buying 296.800 British Pound 0.382516 0.406416 Czech Korune 0.005149 0.014449 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001318 0.001898 ASIAN COUNTRIES Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Taiwan 0.009855 0.010035 US Dollar 303.890 Danish Krone 0.040918 0.045918 Japanese Yen 2.802 Euro 0.328696 0.342396 Thai Baht 0.009701 0.010251 Indian Rupees 4.273 Canadian Dollar 229.815 Vietnamese Dong 0.000013 0.000013 Sterling Pound 400.895 Georgian Lari 0.102109 0.102109 Pakistani Rupees 1.975 Hungarian 0.000924 0.001114 Srilankan Rupees 1.672 Euro 337.545 Arab Swiss Frank 303.650 Norwegian Krone 0.029240 0.034440 Nepali Rupees 2.670 Romanian Leu 0.053379 0.070229 Bahraini Dinar 0.800882 0.808932 Singapore Dollar 224.450 Bahrain Dinar 808.155 Egyptian Pound 0.018930 0.021670 UAE Dirhams 83.140 Russian ruble 0.004765 0.004765 Hongkong Dollar 38.862 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000086 Qatari Riyals 84.380 Slovakia 0.009092 0.019092 Bangladesh Taka 3.545 Iraqi Dinar 0.000211 0.000271 Saudi Riyals 81.935 Swedish Krona 0.027952 0.032952 Philippine Peso 5.994 Jordanian Dinar 0.423139 0.432139 Jordanian Dinar 429.905 Swiss Franc 0.300400 0.311400 Thai Baht 10.053 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound 18.870 Malaysian ringgit 77.813 Australasia Sri Lankan Rupees 1.676 Lebanese Pound 0.000101 0.000251 Australian Dollar 0.199355 0.211355 Indian Rupees 4.278 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021175 0.045175 GCC COUNTRIES New Zealand Dollar 0.193007 0.202507 Omani Riyal 0.785133 0.793024 Saudi Riyal 81.187 Pakistani Rupees 1.691 Bangladesh Taka 3.537 Qatar Riyal 0.082914 0.083748 Qatari Riyal 83.620 America Saudi Riyal 0.080047 0.081347 Omani Riyal 790.773 Philippines Pesso 5.988 Canadian Dollar 0.223844 0.232844 Cyprus pound 18.080 Syrian Pound 0.001290 0.001510 Bahraini Dinar 808.420 US Dollars 0.300150 0.305450 Tunisian Dinar 0.102737 0.110737 UAE Dirham 82.891 Japanese Yen 3.795 US Dollars Mint 0.300650 0.305450 Syrian Pound 1.590 Turkish Lira 0.045883 0.055728 UAE Dirhams 0.082203 0.083029 Nepalese Rupees 2.658 Asia ARAB COUNTRIES Yemeni Riyal 0.000989 0.001069 Egyptian Pound - Cash 21.900 Malaysian Ringgit 73.955 Bangladesh Taka 0.002990 0.003791 Established 1961 13 Business Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Jobs of the future are clustering in a handful of US cities, study finds New analysis paints a stark portrait of a divided economy

WASHINGTON: A new analysis of where “innova- wages, and congestion have prompted some tech com- tion” jobs are being created in the United States paints panies to open offices outside of Silicon Valley, those a stark portrait of a divided economy where the indus- moves have not been at scale. tries seen as key to future growth cluster in a narrowing Most US metro areas are either losing innovation set of places. Divergence in job growth, incomes and industry jobs outright or gaining no share, Muro future prospects between strong-performing cities and wrote. Over this decade, “a clear hierarchy of eco- the rest of the country is an emerging focus of political nomic performance based on innovation capacity had debate and economic research. It is seen as a source of become deeply entrenched,” Muro and co-author Rob social stress, particularly since President Donald Trump Atkinson, president of the Information Technology tapped the resentment of left-behind areas in his 2016 and Innovation Foundation, wrote in the report. presidential campaign. Across the 13 industries they studied, workers in the Research from the Brookings Institution released upper echelon of cities were about 50% more pro- yesterday shows the problem cuts deeper than many ductive than in others. thought. Even cities that have performed well in terms of overall employment growth, such as Dallas, are trail- Revive ailing areas ing in attracting workers in 13 industries with the most For much of the post-World War Two period labor productive private sector jobs. Between 2005 and was more mobile, and the types of industries driving 2017, industries such as chemical manufacturing, satel- the economy did not cluster so intensely, a trend that lite telecommunications, and scientific research flocked started reversing around 1980. Concerns that the to about 20 cities, led by well-established standouts United States is separating effectively into two San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Boston and San Diego, economies has sparked support for localized efforts to the study found. Combined, these mostly coastal cities spread the benefits of economic growth. captured an additional 6% of ‘innovation’ jobs - some The Federal Reserve has flagged it as a possible 250,000 positions. risk to overall growth, and some of the presidential SAN FRANCISCO: A now hiring sign is posted at a Jamba Juice in San Francisco, California. — AFP Companies in those industries tend to benefit from candidates running for office in 2020 have rolled out being close to each other, with the better-educated proposals to address it. One aim of Trump’s decision employees they target also attracted to urban ameni- to impose tariffs on imports from China and elsewhere cities with a large enough population and existing of possible candidate cities has bipartisan appeal, ties. Brookings Institution economist Mark Muro said is to revive ailing areas of the country. Muro and tech expertise to contribute. including “rust belt” towns like St Louis and he fears the trend risks becoming “self-reinforcing and Atkinson propose a concerted push involving federal The idea is to be discussed by members of a Indianapolis that lean Democratic but are located in destructive” as the workforce separates into a group of research grants, tax breaks, and loosened regulations Congressional caucus on competitiveness this week. A states that lean Republican. “It is wishful thinking we highly productive and high-earning metro areas and to encourage research into areas such as autonomous federal panel choosing a handful of places for massive will turn this around without some directed federal everywhere else. Even though expensive housing, high vehicles. They suggest focusing on around 10 inland public investment could be controversial. But the list support,” Muro said. — Reuters Hempel launches new passive fire protection coating Inflation, climate and jargon: ECB launches major review

FRANKFURT AM MAIN: The European Central Bank’s new president Christine Lagarde has announced that the Frankfurt-based institute will soon undertake a strategic review, its first KUWAIT: World leading coatings man- cation which can be delivered in two days since 2003. Here is how the ECB’s strategy has ufacturer Hempel’s new generation fire- as part of Hempel’s PFP system, outper- developed over the years and what has prompted protection coating - Hempafire Optima forms in warm conditions and provides the decision to reassess it. 500 - is specifically designed to improve two-hour fire protection in ISO 12944 C3 the productivity of passive fire protection interior environments. It dries to an excel- What is the ECB strategy now? (PFP) coating applications. It achieves lent aesthetic finish meaning there is mini- The ECB’s overriding mandate is to ensure this by reducing the number of coats mum surface reworks to achieve the price stability. In 2003, its main decision-making required and the process time required to required cosmetic finish when applying a body, the governing council, defined that goal as apply them - saving time and costs. topcoat. The ease of application allows an inflation rate of “just below, but close to” two Hempafire Optima 500 helps to main- customers to improve their painting percent, a level that would encourage investment tain the stability of steel structures in process by reducing the number of coats and employment, while warding off deflation. large infrastructure buildings such as air- needed, minimizing drying times and max- Nevertheless, inflation has remained stubbornly ports, stadiums and commercial centres imizing the speed of the application. low at around one percent, a phenomenon that has by delivering up to 180 minutes protec- Taken together, these properties save left many economists around the world scratching tion against cellulosic fires, being opti- both time and money as projects can be their heads. Different theories have been put for- mised for 120 minutes. It is a one compo- completed faster and with lower total in less coats that dry faster. Thus, appli- up 750 microns (m) dry film thickness ward as to a possible explanation, from the rise of nent waterborne acrylic intumescent application costs. cation costs and time to deliver are (DFT) per coat, and can be overcoated in the casual “gig” economy or the suppression of coating (a fire protecting coating that Hempel’s Group Product Manager, reduced. We also wanted a coating that just three hours. For applications where workers’ earnings through globalisation, to politi- insulates the steel substrate from fire for a Cellulosic PFP, Roger Soler, says: “When outperforms in warm climates such as speed is the key, coats of 500 m DFT can cal shocks, such as trade tensions and Brexit. period of time) with zero volatile organic developing Hempafire Optima 500, we those found in the Middle East and in be applied every 75 minutes and recoat- compounds (VOC) and can be used for created a coating to enhance efficiency parts of Europe. We’ve managed to ed with a PU topcoat after 16 hours. This Inflation, climate in focus both open or closed steel sections. for customers by increasing their produc- achieve this without compromising the means that the whole system - primer, There have been increasing calls for the central Hempafire Optima 500 is fast drying tivity and reducing costs. Thickness protection or the aesthetic finish. PFP, and topcoat - can be applied and bank to rethink the inflation target and the issue is and highly resistant to sagging. The appli- build-up of the coating can be achieved At 40 degrees C, it comfortably holds dry to handle within a 48-hour period. certain to feature highly on the ECB’s review, which is expected to take many months. At the tomers through- weighing on cross-border business. same time, the ECB is under pressure to do more NBK gives out the year in German trade Looking in more detail at the figures, to tackle climate change and wealthier countries partnership with 70 billion euros of German exports went like Germany see the review as a chance to call customers chance many valuable surplus swells to the EU, roughly flat year-on-year, into question the ECB’s ultra-expansive policy. partners.” while third-country exports grew 4.6 They have long argued that the bank’s record-low Al-Duwaisan percent to 49.5 billion. Meanwhile both - and even negative - interest rates, as well as its massive “quantitative easing” bond-buying pro- to win KD 600 added: “The FRANKFURT AM MAIN: EU and non-EU imports fell compared Germany’s gramme, are detrimental to savers and help accen- NBK Rewards closely-watched trade surplus expanded in with a year ago. ING bank economist Program is one Carsten Brzeski noted that “German tuate asset price bubbles. Alshaya gift card October, as exports defied global tensions The review will be “an ideal opportunity for of the most with a surprise increase, official data exports have held up surprisingly well in recent months,” but warned that “the Christine Lagarde to reflect on the unconventional KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait prominent pro- Amal Al-Duwaisan showed yesterday. Goods sold abroad out- ongoing drought in order books is a crisis measures adopted over the past decade,” (NBK) and Alshaya Group recently grams that we weighed imports by 20.6 billion euros strong argument against optimism.” Pictet Wealth Management strategist Frederik launched a campaign giving customers have designed ($22.8 billion), federal statistics authority “With disappointing consumption and Ducrozet said. The aim should be “not to ‘reset’ the chance to enter a draw to win for our customers, and we are commit- Destatis said in seasonally-adjusted figures. industrial data but encouraging trade data, monetary policy, but give it a new launching point Alshaya Gift Cards when using their ted to developing it by introducing new Exports grew 1.2 percent month-on- the economy will remain on a windy road for the coming eight years” of her mandate, he NBK Rewards Points at Alshaya features and campaigns that suit our month, to 119.5 billion euros, while imports between contraction, stagnation and mea- said. A change in the definition of the inflation tar- Group’s participating retail and dining customers’ diverse needs.” Al-Duwaisan were roughly flat at 98 billion. The trade gre growth,” he added. In the near term, a get to “around” two percent, instead of “just outlets. Customers will have the chance confirmed that NBK Credit Cards surplus boost stands in stark contrast to second quarter of negative growth for below”, would be “desirable and plausible, if only to win a worth of KD 600 card or one enable customers to take part in cam- the 1.7-percent month-on-month fall in 2019 appears less likely in October- to make forecasts simpler and more credible,” of Alshaya’s 24 Gift Cards worth KD paigns launched by NBK throughout industrial production in October. December than many economists feared, Ducrozet said. 100 each. The campaign comes as part the year, in addition to providing them Meanwhile international trade tensions after Germany narrowly escaped a techni- Meanwhile, environmentalists are lobbying the of NBK’s continued commitment to with a unique lifestyle in which they between Washington and Beijing, US cal recession - two successive quarters of ECB intensively to green both its own operations rewarding its customers through offers benefit from advantages that enrich President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs shrinkage — in July-September. — AFP and its investments in the wider economy through tailored to meet their unique needs and their banking experience. against EU goods and Brexit have all been The NBK Rewards Program is its bond-buying scheme. Lagarde acknowledged lifestyle. last week that “the ECB’s mandate is not climate NBK Credit and Prepaid Cardholders Kuwait’s largest loyalty program with more than 850 partner outlets across change”, but said climate risks could be built into are eligible to enter the draw when its economic forecasting and other aspects of its shopping at any of Alshaya Group’s par- Kuwait. As an NBK Credit Cardholder, your rewards are guaranteed at hun- work, such as banking supervision, without com- ticipating retail and dining outlets. promising the price stability target. Customers receive a chance to enter the dreds of the best local and internation- al brands that will satisfy your fashion, draw for every KD 5 redeemed from Clearer communication their NBK Reward Points before dining, and lifestyle needs. Customers earn 10 NBK Rewards Points for every Until now, ECB meetings have been shrouded in December 15, 2019. Speaking of the more secrecy than those of other central banks, campaign, Amal Al-Duwaisan, Senior KD 1 spend at any participating part- ner outlet. NBK Rewards Points can with an “account” published only weeks later that Manager Consumer Banking Group, neither names participants, nor reveals the voting National Bank of Kuwait, said: “We are be redeemed at any participating out- lets as well. Customers can check record of individual governing council members. pleased to be partnering once again “We think the bank may move to a more transpar- with Alshaya Group in campaigns that their NBK Rewards Points balance and their equivalent value in Kuwaiti ent and systematic process of voting on major pol- reward our customers and add value to icy decisions,” said Capital Economics analyst Dinars through their account on NBK DRESDEN: The illuminated Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) can be seen at the Neumarkt their banking experience. At NBK, we Andrew Kenningham. — AFP are committed to rewarding our cus- Mobile Banking . square as visitors crowd at the traditional Christmas market in Dresden, eastern Germany. —AFP 14 Established 1961 Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Business LuLu’s Twenty14 Holdings completes GBP 300 million investment in the UK Iconic Great Scotland Yard Hotel, London inaugurated

LONDON: Twenty14 Holdings, the hospitality investment essence, we have curated an unmatched experience for every arm of LuLu Group International has completed investments guest while recreating the historic premises into a symbol of of £300 million in UK, with the inauguration of the Great ultimate hospitality. We welcome you to experience this unique Scotland Yard in London yesterday. The hotel will be open and fabulous experience at the Great Scotland Yard.” for business from December 9, 2019. The historic property An 1820s Grade II listed building with Edwardian & was acquired in 2015 for Rs. 1,025 crores, and the makeover Victorian architecture, the high-end luxury boutique hotel of the hotel involved a further Rs. 512 crores. In addition to with 7 floors and spanning 93,000 sq.ft. has 153 rooms and the Great Scotland Yard, Twenty14 Holdings had acquired 15 suites apart from a 2-bedroom townhouse VIP-suite cre- the celebrated Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian ated from part of the original Scotland Yard Police premises. in Scotland in 2018. The hotel also features a library, gymnasium, meeting/con- The Great Scotland Yard Hotel, which is being managed by ference rooms, a 120-seater conference space/ballroom and Hyatt under their The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, is VIP function rooms. located in the St. James’s district of Westminster. The Unbound Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director, Twenty14 Holdings, said Collection by Hyatt brand is a portfolio of independent hotel “The Great Scotland Yard Hotel is a dream come true for us. properties, ranging from historic urban gems to contemporary The culmination of a path set long ago. Transforming one of the trend-setters. Whether it is a fascinating past, an exclusive world’s most historic addresses into an icon of modern hospital- location, famous architecture and design or an award-winning ity. Twenty14 Holdings’ focus remained steady right through, dining experience, each hotel has its own distinct narrative and keeping the building’s reputation in mind, every effort made in creates novel, story-worthy experiences for guests, while at the its rebirth had to be extraordinary, beyond expectations. And, LONDON: The Great Scotland Yard being formally inaugurated by Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State, Lord same time offering World of Hyatt members all of the pro- this is what has been accomplished. The Great Scotland Yard Jonathan Marland, Sir Edward Lister, UAE Ambassador HE Mansoor Abulhoul, Indian High Commissioner gram’s benefits. Hotel invites you to experience its myriad stories.” Ruchi Ghanshyam, Hyatt Hotels Global President & CEO Mark Hoplamazian in the presence of Lulu Group Steeped in history, The Great Scotland Yard was once a Once the famous and historical home of law and order in Chairman M.A. Yusuff Ali and Twenty14 Holdings MD Adeeb Ahamed in London. dwelling for visiting Kings of Scotland during the Tudor period, London’s City of Westminster, Great Scotland Yard will be a while today the building is most famous as the former head- modern destination, an innovative and lively space offering of a better London home for this brand, which is all about cre- secret doors, hidden rooms, shields, emblems, and historic quarters of the London Metropolitan Police force. In 1910, the multiple F&B options - The Yard, The Forty Elephants, The ating unique stays and story-worthy experiences. I want to details etched into glass and metalwork. Walls are lined in wal- building served as the British Army Recruitment Office and Parlour and Sibin serving international & British modern thank the Lulu Group for putting their trust in us and handing nut paneling, antique bronze mirror work, and bespoke joinery, Royal Military Police headquarters. food under the supervision of acclaimed Chef & restaura- us the keys to this one-of-a-kind hotel. We look forward to our secret doors give access to the whiskey bar and signature Speaking about the new project, M. A. Yusuff Ali, Chairman teur Robin Gill. continued success and building further on the fruitful relation- restaurant, marble marquetry design flooring graces the cock- and MD of LuLu Group International said: “London is one of Peter Fulton, Group President EAME/SWA, Hyatt Hotels ship between Hyatt and the Lulu Group”. tail bar with built-in banquet seating lined with button-cushion the world’s greatest cities and the Great Scotland Yard Hotel said “We at Hyatt feel extremely proud to find ourselves The hotel has partnered with the Koestler Trust, the UK leather. Newly commissioned works of art and curated interior represents its illustrious past as well as its modern significance. charged with preserving the illustrious heritage of this iconic prison arts charity, to showcase some of the award-winning displays using antiques, collectables, and ephemera recall mul- The hotel spotlights the city’s vibrant history, its several cele- building, Great Scotland Yard, and give it a new life as the first pictures, ceramics, and sculptures by serving prisoners from tiple aspects of the history of crime, detective work, and the brated aspects and its status as a global melting pot. In hotel within The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. I could not think the Trust’s annual competition. The themed luxury hotel has police-as well as the hotel’s location.

Alghanim Industries ManageEngine’s participates in 36th technology trends NUKS-US conference KUWAIT: Alghanim Industries, one of the largest for 2020 private companies in the region, participated in the 36th annual conference of the National Union of Kuwaiti Students (NUKS) USA branch, interacting with hundreds of Kuwaiti students in the USA to inform them about career opportunities in the company and its businesses. The conference took place from 28 November to 1 December in San Diego, California. It was attended by Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States HE Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah, and Director of the Kuwait Cultural Office in Washington, DC Dr Aseel Al-Awadhi, Director of the Kuwait Cultural Office in Los Angeles, California Dr Mohammad Al-Rasheedi, in addition to event sponsors, guests and other dignitaries. This is Alghanim Industries’ 12th year to sponsor this annual event. building the future. As a leading private sector of Commerce, Nasser Al Mutawa; Co-Founder of Alghanim Industries also participated in the company with over 30 businesses in 40 countries Coded Academy Ahmad Marafi; and former career fair which took place during the confer- across MENA, Eastern Europe and Asia, we are Minister of Education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi. ence, where representatives from different confident that our competitive and professional The sponsorship of the annual NUKS confer- departments answered students’ questions about work environment will have a lot to offer for ence in the United States reflects the company’s the company, and the career and internship young aspiring youth looking for a challenge to commitment to attracting the best talent that opportunities it provides. Towards the end of the launch their career.” Kuwait has to offer, helping Kuwait’s young men conference, Alghanim Industries held a draw as This year’s student-led conference carried the and women launch successful careers in a variety part of the closing ceremony, and presented the slogan “A Productive Generation for a Giving of sectors and capacities. It also comes as part of winners with valuable gifts from X-cite. Nation,” featuring an array of informative panel Alghanim Industries’ giving forward, which is Commenting on sponsoring this event, Hadeer discussions that cover topics relevant to Kuwaiti focused on empowering the underprivileged, sup- Shelash, Corporate Communications Manager at youth, ranging from sports, society, and economy. porting education and encouraging entrepreneur- Alghanim Industries said: “We are proud of our Speakers included human rights activist and jour- ship. The company is proud of its longstanding longstanding support for NUKS USA, with whom nalist ArwaAl Waqayan; media presenter Ammar relationship with INJAZ Al-Arab, and is among the we are happy to collaborate for the twelfth con- Taqi; athlete and Olympic champion Fehaid Al largest supporters of INJAZ-Kuwait, a youth pro- secutive year. Our sponsorship for this unique Daihani; Kuwaiti entrepreneur and Talabat Co- gram that focuses on delivering educational pro- student activity stems from our deep-rooted Founder Abdulaziz Al Loughani; Undersecretary grams on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and belief in the essential role that youth play in of Technical Services and Planning at the Ministry work readiness. Al Babtain CEO honors top performer of 2019 Renault Skills Contest

KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al ry performance under the category of ‘Sales’ Babtain Co, the authorized agent of Renault and received a cash award also. In honor of Saudi-backed Arabiya. D’Halluin previously worked in the State of Kuwait recently attended the his latest achievement, Al-Babtain CEO, as chairman of the Luxembourg-based first Renault Middle East regional Skills Saleh Al-Babtain rewarded the high achiever media group MBC M7 Group, which operates satellite Pay Contest 2019. Winners of the Renault nation- during a felicitation ceremony in his office, in TV packages in Holland, Belgium, al sales and aftersales contest held in Kuwait the presence of Al Babtain management and hires new CEO as Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, advanced to participate in the regional con- Sales and L&D teams. veteran leaves Hungary and Romania. test that was held in Park Hyatt hotel, Dubai. Al-Babtain CEO - Saleh Al-Babtain said, Saudi authorities took a controlling stake in MBC Group in 2018 as they The competition provided the contestants “I am proud of all of the participants who DUBAI: Saudi-controlled MBC Group an opportunity to showcase their abilities by represented Kuwait in the first-ever Renault said yesterday it has appointed Marc seized assets from those caught up in an participating in a number of role-play activi- Middle East contest. For more than 7 Antoine d’Halluin as chief executive, anti-corruption campaign launched in ties, a written test and a team exercise for decades, Al Babtain has been delivering replacing Sam Barnett who left in 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin both sales and service. Based around the exceptional results across all of domains October after 17 years with the Middle Salman. Last year, Riyadh allowed MBC C@RE 2.0 and R School training programs, and this would not have been possible with- East’s biggest broadcaster. D’Halluin, Group chairman and founder, Waleed all the activities were designed to test each out the commitment and hard work of our who began his career at Sony Pictures, al-Ibrahim, to leave the kingdom for the candidate’s skills and competencies as front- employees. I thank Mohammed Zaher for is expected to join Dubai-based MBC first time since he was caught up in the line staff for the Renault brand. exemplifying the values for which we stand on Jan 5, it said. MBC owns several anti-graft sweep with scores of wealthy Previously awarded ‘Best Sales Executive’ and our lasting determination to succeed satellite TV channels, including the 24- Saudi royals, government officials and award in Kuwait, Mohammed Zaher bagged and excel on such a prominent international hour Arabic language news channel Al businessmen. —Reuters the second runner-up award for his exempla- platform.” Established 1961 15

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 What’s On ACK students shine in Huawei ICT skill competition round 100 students from the Australian College and which will certainly positively serve the beloved of Kuwait (ACK) took part in a recent Huawei Kuwait. AICT Skills Competition which makes around Manager of ACK Alumni and Career Placement 50% of the participants nationwide. From all partici- Center Dr Zeina Nehme, noted that this outstanding pants, 33 were qualified to the national ICT competi- result reflects the dedication of our students and fresh tion of Huawei from all over Kuwait, 16 of which were graduates to this opportunity. Dr Nehme added: “This from ACK. was a great platform for our students and fresh gradu- As a final result, out of five top scorers, ACK stu- ates to be a part of such an important learning experi- dents and fresh graduates, Eng Mariam AlQallaf, Afsah ence and we thank Huawei for their continuous efforts Abdullah and Emad Kebeish won respectively the first, in developing our youth.” fourth and fifth places in the national competition that Speaking on behalf of Huawei Technologies Kuwait was organized in Huawei premises. The 1st place win- Co WLL, the Public Relations Director Sky Gaojun ner, Eng Mariam Al Qallaf, a recent graduate from the stated that: “Turn out for the ICT Skill Competition was Electrical Engineering Department at ACK, is traveling a great success and it was an honor to provide this to China to compete internationally with the national opportunity for local students. As the global digitaliza- winners from universities from all around the world. tion booming and talent development is the key for The Dean of the School of Engineering Dr government strategy, Huawei is working on ICT talent Mohammed Abdul Niby, acknowledged this great development ecosystem, which includes ICT skill com- achievement by ACK students and graduates and petition, Huawei engineer certificate and Huawei ICT thanked them, their supervisors and all involved mem- academy. bers for their dedication and efforts which led to this There are more 900 Huawei academies in the world great success. He also emphasized on the role of the and around 100 certificate exams to provide clear ICT School of Engineering at ACK towards equipping its career development paths. We hope we will support and its students was a pleasure. Both faculty and stu- determination, which is what we hoped for in the com- students with long life learning competencies and skills more local ICT talents to Kuwait in coming years”. Mr. dents were extremely keen and helpful to the Huawei petition. We are definitely looking forward to future that are nowadays required for their continuous growth Sky Gaojun also added that “Collaborating with ACK team. ACK students showed commendable focus and collaborations with the College.”

International Women’s Group hosts annual seasonal dinner

he International Women’s Group congratulations for the New Year. She (IWG) celebrated Christmas and expressed her hope that the next year will TNew Year with a gala dinner at be a good year and peaceful for the State the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sunday, 8 of Kuwait and Arab nations. December, 2019, in the presence of the The evening was filled with entertain- wives of ambassadors accredited to the ment, activities and competitions that State of Kuwait, IWG’s members and a allowed everyone to experience happi- selection of prominent women within ness, and fun. Many gifts were handed out the Kuwaiti society and international to all attendees, in addition to a raffle draw community organized for a grand prize. As part of the The ballroom was beautifully decorat- festivities, a variety of musical entertain- ed in a Christmas and New Year theme, ment was organized, with the main high- with the walls adorned with sparkling lights being the scout’s team performance lights, and a shimmering tree that was of various songs to celebrate the New radiant on the occasion. Red roses repre- Year and a singing session by Shireen senting the celebration of the holidays Hattar and Manar Alamat, who performed were present throughout the hall, which songs to celebrate the occasion. added to the joyful atmosphere. De Vogel expressed her gratitude to Anita de Vogel, the IWG president the management of the Crowne Plaza opened with a welcome speech and Hotel for its cooperation and extraordi- greeted all the members and guests of nary organization involved for the mar- this very special evening, and wishing all velous event, which included the decora- attendees a New Year filled with happi- tions for the hall and seating areas, and ness and good fortune. Sheikha Hanouf the preparation of delicious cuisine spe- Al-Sabah, Honorary President of the cially prepared for this occasion as well Group, delivered a speech welcoming all as other special additions that made up a members and guests, and offered her fabulous night.

BCG to display outstanding products at Horeca Kuwait l-Babtain Companies Group (BCG) said that the Agroup’s food products sections would display a number of their outstanding products of interest to all hospitality manu- facturers in Kuwait at Horeca Kuwait 2020 exhibition and stressed its interest in various events and activities due to be held on the sidelines of this spe- Hani Mer’e cialized exhibition. A statement issued by the works in electronics, electric group renewed its golden spon- devices, real estate, education, sorship to Horeca Kuwait 2020 entertainment and other fields. due to be organized by Leaders Mer’e added that - through Group in collaboration with some of its subsidiary companies, Burgan Bank sponsors ‘Greening, Environmental Awareness Day’ Hospitality Services Co at Mishref Al-Babtan Group is now the sole International Fairgrounds in the distributor of well-known com- KUWAIT: Burgan Bank recently concluded its phere of pollution and building a generation of includes five environmental projects of which green- period of January 20-22, 2020. In mercial brands from the Middle sponsorship of ‘Greening and Environmental conscious, educated and ambitious youth who will ing is one of the most crucial. this regard, Al-Babtain’s consumer East, Europe and US in Kuwait Awareness Day’ that was held under the patron- follow the popular slogan “Let’s make Kuwait a ‘Greening and Environmental Awareness goods group CEO Hani Mer’e including Elle & Vire, CORMAN, age of Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- green oasis” and lead as an example to others.” day’serves as a beneficial opportunity to engage stressed that interest in the exhi- Kiri, La Vache Qui Rit, Wexford, Sabah, Governor of Ahmadi, at Nawfal Bin Al- Al-Najadah indicated that Burgan Bank will in the spirit of deeper cooperation between our bition stems from the group’s role Eurial, MAZOLA, Shoprite, Harith School (Boys) at Al-Riqqa. The social continue to participate and support more events students and inspire them to preserve the sur- as a basic food industries and LAVAZZA Coffee, Perrier, SOHAT, responsibility initiative also witnessed the partici- that integrate the importance of environmental rounding environment while working together services company since its incep- Holsten, Power Horse, Villa pation of the Ahmadi Educational Zone, Public protection through continued practice of green- as a team.” The Bank’s support of this initiative tion sixty years earlier in Kuwait. Germania, Frigomerc Meats, Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish ing and tree-planting projects in our country. falls under its dynamic full-fledged community “We started as a small compa- Glade, Windex, Muscle, Pledge, Resources and the Environment Public Authority. Burgan Bank and Al Ahmadi Governorate’s part- program entitled ‘ENGAGE’ - Together to be ny dealing in basic consumer Ziploc, Kiwi, Pares and many oth- Manager-External affairs at Burgan Bank, nership continues throughout the year which will the change. goods then gradually grew into ers. Mer’e also stressed that Hessa Al-Najadah, said: “By supporting this initia- further highlight several initiatives and activities This program sheds light on important aspects Abdul Aziz Soud Al-Babtain & Horeca Kuwait provides a golden tive, Burgan Bank is keen on spreading a culture of interest to the Kuwaiti community. affecting every segment of the society by pro- Sons company - one of the opportunity to scientifically of accountability for the environment among the The Director of the Technical Office Department moting social welfare through educational, cultur- largest regional commercial exchange expertise that would students and raise their awareness by highlighting from the Ahmadi Governorate, Mr. Ibrahim Al-Fodari al and health driven initiatives. Burgan Bank’s groups thanks to plans and match the local market needs and the importance of greening and its vital role in commented that the event falls under the umbrella of approach to ‘ENGAGE’ begins with a vital princi- strategies that have proven suc- future expansion plans and that it preserving the environment in Kuwait. It is essen- the long-term development plan “My Governorate is ple that as a leading Kuwaiti financial institution, cessful over the years”, Mer’e has a major economic impact of tial to protect our natural environment and its the Most Beautiful” that was launched by Ahmadi its conduct and policies should be aligned with said, adding that the group also the hospitality industry. sustainable beauty, by helping cleanse the atmos- Governor, Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khaled in early 2015. It the needs and interests of the community. 16 Health & Science Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Boy oh boy! Twin male pandas charm Berlin zoo BERLIN: The cuteness level at Berlin Zoo dou- bled yesterday when a pair of twin panda cubs experts, and public, private, philanthrop- made their public debut, with the zoo revealing Experts warn ic, and civil organizations, was set up in the cuddly bundles of fur were both boys. The 2017 to try to speed up the development little ones were born at the zoo on August 31 but of vaccines against newly emerging and in keeping with Chinese tradition they were only of emerging unknown infectious diseases. Among its named after 100 days. Speaking before a crowd first disease targets is Nipah, a virus of excited reporters at the Panda Garden, zoo threat of Nipah carried primarily by certain types of fruit director Andreas Knieriem announced that the bats and pigs, which can also be trans- cubs would go by the names of Meng Xiang, mitted directly from person to person as meaning “long-awaited dream” and Meng Yuan, LONDON: A deadly virus called Nipah well as through contaminated food. or “dream come true”. carried by bats has already caused Within two years of being first dis- The twins, weighing around six kilos each, human outbreaks across South and covered, Nipah had spread to then made their long-awaited first appearance South East Asia and has “serious epi- Bangladesh, where it has caused several before the world’s media. Wheeled out in a demic potential”, global health and outbreaks since 2001. A 2018 Nipah glass-cased “panda bed”, they were seen loung- infectious disease specialists said yes- outbreak in Kerala, India, killed 17 peo- ing close together on a heated mattress. One of terday. The virus, identified in 1999 in ple. “Outbreaks of Nipah virus have so the cubs appeared half-asleep and unfazed by Malaysia and Singapore, has sparked far been confined to South and the attention, while his more active brother outbreaks with mortality rates of Southeast Asia, but the virus has serious repeatedly turned his back on the press pack, between 40 percent and 90 percent and epidemic potential, because Pteropus prompting coos and laughter. spread thousands of kilometres to fruit bats that carry the virus are found But the general public will have to wait a little Bangladesh and India - yet there are no BERLIN: Two giant panda cubs “Meng Yuan” (left) and “Meng Xiang” are presented to the media throughout the tropics and sub-tropics, longer for their own glimpse of the zoo’s newest drugs or vaccines against it, they said. which are home to more than two billion after they were given their names at the Zoologischer Garten zoo yesterday. — AFP stars. The cubs will be kept away from visitors “Twenty years have passed since its people,” Hatchett said. “until they can walk properly” and are more discovery, but the world is still not ade- He said since Nipah can also pass familiar with their surroundings, Knieriem said, around the world-a program dubbed “panda About 1,864 pandas remain in the wild in China, quately equipped to tackle the global from person to person, it could, in theory, expected to be sometime in early 2020. The diplomacy”. Berlin zoo pays $15 million for a 15- up from around 1,000 in the late 1970s, accord- health threat posed by Nipah virus,” said also spread into densely populated areas birth of the cubs has delighted Berlin’s oldest year contract to host the adult pandas, with ing to the environmental group WWF. Just over Richard Hatchett, chief executive of the too. The two-day Nipah conference, the zoo as it is notoriously hard to breed pandas - most of the money going towards a conserva- 400 pandas live in zoos around the world, in CEPI Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness first to focus on this deadly virus, is being and twins are even rarer. tion and breeding research program in China. conservation projects set up with Beijing. The Innovations, which is co-leading a Nipah co-hosted by CEPI and the Duke-NUS Their mother Meng Meng and male giant While the twin cubs were born in Berlin, they species is considered “vulnerable” to extinction conference this week in Singapore. Medical School in Singapore and started panda Jiao Qing arrived in Berlin in June 2017 to remain Chinese and must be returned to China by the International Union for Conservation of CEPI, a partnership between disease yesterday. — Reuters great fanfare. China lends pandas to zoos within four years after they have been weaned. Nature. — AFP 17

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

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CROSSWORD 2381 STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22)

This is not a great time to make changes nor decisions regarding Today may bring an opportunity to have a special time with a love your career. These issues are better being dealt with at a later date. This is a one. This may you lead to emotion on a deeper level with this person. Feelings time of nostalgia for you. A sense of roots and where you actually came from and emotions, you have been craving will be met and satisfied by this interac- seems to be on your mind. You desire to know more about your family histo- tion. You have been feeling a need for an emotional connection and strong ry. Who were your ancestors and what adversity did they face in their lives? support from someone near to you. As independent as you are there as been a This is something that is on your mind and you may find yourself starting to desire to know someone has your back and will be there to support you for research this. You want to feel as if you belong on an intimate and private lev- the long haul. Your timing is perfect, and others are drawn to your mood as el with those close to you. You may feel as if your actions of today could today you are spontaneous and full of life. affect the future of family members yet to come.

Scorpio (O ctober 23-November 21) Taurus (April 20-May 20) It is ok to be different. Others seem to find you witty and eccen- You have friends of all ages, all walks of life, all cultures, and dif- tric. It seems many answers to problems you have been facing may come to ferent races. You may find this to be a very healthy environment. It is always you easily today. You grow to appreciate your responsibilities. You know you beneficial to try to see things from others perspectives. This evening could have been assigned duties because you are trusted. Your hard work is paying find you exchanging ideas and obtaining other’s outlooks on life. This is a very off. Yo u may find the harder you work the more responsibility is placed on enlightening time for you. Always keep an open mind. Knowledge is power you. This may be a blessing and a curse in a way. Is your reward for hard work, and you can gain much seeing things through other’s eyes. Enjoy your evening more hard work? This will pay off in the end. You will be admired for your with friends, Taurus. You may find this to be a great time and a wonderful dedication and may be offered a new position. learning experience for you.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Gemini (May 21-June 20) You have a lot of energy today. You may be tempted to turn it on yourself with negative conversations about you. That’s counter- ACROSS DOWN A great time to reflect and understand your situation and your productive. Focus your energy on someone else you have positive feelings 1. A book of the New Testament. 1. Remote and separate physically or socially. position in life. You may find you feel good about who you are. You have come about, and both of you will benefit. Every encounter is an opportunity to 5. An ancient Greek city in Boeotia 2. Showing self-interest and shrewdness in a long way. There have been obstacles and road blocks in your path. You have affirm and encourage. The results may surprise you. destroyed by Alexander the Great in 336 dealing with others. successfully been able to turn the stumbling blocks into stepping stones, along the way. This seems to be a time you long to surround yourself with friends and BC. 3. A crystalline metallic element not found in 11. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly may feel as if this is where you are more comfortable. A need for change may nature. arise. Make sure the decisions you make now are positive, and well thought out. aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking 4. (British) A paved surface on which cars true stems and roots and leaves. can be made to skid so that drivers can Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 15. A large indefinite number. practice controlling them. 16. Assign a new name to. 5. Public transport provided by a line of rail- 17. A condition requiring relief. ) Resist the urge to act on just a hunch. This could lead to big trou- way cars coupled together and drawn Cancer (June 21-July 22 ble if you do not take the time to do research and find out all of the facts. 18. A soft white precious univalent metallic by a locomotive. element having the highest electrical and Acting with research on this one could leave you in quite a mess. You had 6. Marked by intense agitation or emotion. You may feel secure in your position in life. You may find a career rather be safe than sorry. You may find yourself in a situation you could be in thermal conductivity of any metal. opportunity comes your way. Status and stability are two things you need to 19. Sour or bitter in taste. 7. The compass point midway between over your head before you even realize it. If it seems to good to be true, it northeast and east. take into consideration when making this decision. You have to find a com- usually is. That is the case with something you will face today. You may feel a 21. Admit anew. fortable balance between family and work life. You may find this opportunity 24. A colorless and odorless inert gas. 8. United States writer of poems and plays great desire for travel and adventure. If you stop and take time to think about about racial conflict (born in 1934). is a great one, but at what cost? This is a time to rethink your finances and this, it is really not a great time in your life right now, Capricorn. Sit back and 25. Consisting of or made of wood of the oak investments. Put deep thought into your decision and always keep your family take a deep breath and try to slow down a bit. tree. 9. The act of clasping another person in the first. Family will be your support long after a job has come and gone. 26. A large hemispherical brass or copper arms (as in greeting or affection). Remember, Cancer, money can not buy happiness. percussion instrument with a drumhead 10. A toxic nonmetallic element related to that can be tuned by adjusting the ten- sulfur and tellurium. sion on it. 11. A town in southern Turkey. 27. A member of a Muslim Turkic people of 12. Plant having a large slender white bulb Aquarius (January 20- February 18) western Asia (especially in Kazakstan). and flat overlapping dark green leaves. Leo (July 23-August 22) 29. Having undesirable or negative qualities. 13. A self-replicating protein molecule that Today finds you a wizard of words. Through your words you may be able to bring a group together. You are persuasive and capti- 30. A genus of herbs and shrubs belonging occupies a fixed place on a chromo- When your friends think about the one person they can always vating. Poetry and art would be wonderful outlets for self-expression now. You to the family Euphorbiaceae. some. depend on, they think of you. When there is a problem you are the “go to” may feel as you are walking in a dream. An almost trancelike feeling comes 34. Pertaining to or associated with agony friend to all. You are very solution oriented. You are always willing to lend a 14. Chief port of Yemen. over you. This is a good evening to find an escape, a good book or staying in (especially death agonies). helping hand. You may find someone is very sympathetic of the situation this 20. Fossil fuel consisting of carbonized veg- and watching a movie would be a great way to spend your evening. Even if a 38. The square of a body of any size of type. puts you in and reaches out to assist you today. Accept the help, Leo. No etable matter deposited in the long bath is the route you choose find a way to have a relaxing evening. 39. On or toward the lee. one person can do it all, nor does anyone expect them to. 40. An ancient city of Sumer located on a Carboniferous period. former channel of the Euphrates River. 22. A platform raised above the surrounding 41. (Old Testament) The Hebrew prophet level to give prominence to the person who led the Israelites from Egypt across on it. the Red sea on a journey known as the 23. Title used for a married Frenchwoman. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) Exodus. 28. Large ornamental tropical American tree with bipinnate leaves and globose clus- 44. The blood group whose red cells carry Today finds you ready to take care of business. You crave organi- If it can go wrong, it will. That seems to be the way things are both the A and B antigens. ters of flowers with crimson stamens and zation and practicality. You have set your goals, made your list, and are ready going today. You may feel like going back home and crawl back in bed. Today 46. To make a mistake or be incorrect. sweet-pulp seed pods eaten by cattle. to set out to conquer the world. There is a place for everything and everything finds you very sensitive. Old habits die hard and you seem to be struggling 47. Refresh one's memory. 31. Appeal or request earnestly. has a place as far as you are concerned. You will not stop until you have things with some bad ones today. You feel a lack of support and may find yourself 50. Lacking general education or knowl- 32. Rupture in smooth muscle tissue through just where you want them. You find yourself focused on your health, also. This clashing with someone younger. You will have to gather your strength and edge. which a bodily structure protrudes. is a time you know you cannot achieve your goals unless you are at your best. face each problem as they come. Find a way to relieve stress this evening. You 52. (usually followed by `to') Having the nec- 33. A trademark for a loosely woven cotton Eat your Wheaties, Virgo. You have mountains to climb. need to relax and rejuvenate. essary means or skill or know-how or fabric that is used to make shirts and authority to do something. underwear. 53. A complete metric system of units of 35. Small compact-bodied almost completely measurement for scientists. aquatic bird that builds floating nests. Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 54. (computer science) A rule stating that the 36. The act of losing. quality of the output is a function of the quality of the input. 37. A Mid-Atlantic state. 55. Small cubes with 1 to 6 spots on the 42. One of the two main branches of ortho- faces. dox Islam. 56. Show a response or a reaction to some- 43. (Norse mythology) Wife of Loki. thing. 45. A cry or noise made to express displea- 58. Any group or radical of the form RCO- sure or contempt. where R is an organic group. 48. Loose or flaccid body fat. 61. An edge tool with a heavy bladed head 49. A summary that repeats the substance of mounted across a handle. a longer discussion. 62. A room or establishment where alcoholic 51. (archaic) The meeting place of a medieval drinks are served over a counter. guild. 63. A clap of the hands to indicate approval. 57. Final honors degree examinations at 67. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or BB Cambridge University. gun. 59. Play boisterously. 69. A form of entertainment that enacts a 60. The dialect of Malay used as the national story by a sequence of images giving the language of the Republic of Indonesia or illusion of continuous movement. of Malaysia. 71. Bleeding into the interior chamber of the 64. An interval during which a recurring eye. sequence of events occurs. 74. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine. 65. A long-playing phonograph record. 76. A river in the east central United States. 66. Type genus of the Percidae. 79. An Arabic speaking person who lives in 68. A small cake leavened with yeast. Arabia or North Africa. 70. A small inlet. 80. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 72. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was from aba cloth. formed by an explosion. 81. Involving only main features. 73. A French abbot. 82. Someone who works (or provides work- 75. A unit of absorbed ionizing radiation ers) during a strike. equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiated 83. A boy or man. material. 84. Largest city in Washington. 77. A beverage made by steeping tea leaves 85. A river in north central Switzerland that in water. runs northeast into the Rhine. 78. Not reflecting light.

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Established 1961 Lifestyle

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019

Newly crowned Miss Universe 2019 South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi waves from stage after the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.

iss South Africa was crowned Miss Universe on Sunday in Atlanta after a Mlavish ceremony filled with glitter and heartfelt speeches about female empow- erment. Zozibini Tunzi, 26, finished first ahead of the Puerto Rican and Mexican finalists in a flashy tele- vised event, hosted by American comic turned TV personality Steve Harvey. Television personalities Vanessa Lachey and Olivia Culpo served as backstage commentators, and a panel of seven women determined the winner. Tunzi earned cheers during her closing speech, a new seg- ment of the competition, in which she talked about wanting to empower young women to feel confident. “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my kind of skin and my kind of hair, was never considered to be beautiful,” she said. “I think that it is time that that stops today,” she said to thunderous applause. Tunzi beat more than 90 con- testants from around the globe in the 68th instalment of Miss Universe, which was held in Atlanta’s Tyler Perry Studios. The two favorites ahead of the com- petition, Miss Thailand Paweensuda Saetan-Drouin and Miss Philippines Gazini Ganados, did not make it Miss Universe 2018 Philippines’ Catriona Gray (right) crowns the new Miss Universe 2019 South Africa’s to the final 10. Zozibini Tunzi on stage during the 2019 Miss Universe pageant. The Philippines’ Catriona Gray, who presented Tunzi with the crown, took home the Miss Universe Homosexuality is illegal in the southeast Asian coun- owned the organization from 1996-2015. Additionally, crown in 2018. Although she did not make the finals, try and is punishable by up to life in prison. Miss Universe continues to host the swimsuit compe- Miss Myanmar Swe Zin Htet made waves last week In 2018, the competition also featured Miss Spain tition, which has drawn criticism for objectifying the when she came out as the competition’s first openly Angela Ponce, who blazed a trail as Miss Universe’s contestants, although that part of the pageant was gay contestant. “I have that platform that, if I say that first transgender contestant. But the pageant has had not televised. — AFP Newly crowned Miss Universe 2019 South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi arrives for a I’m a lesbian, it will have a big impact on the LGBTQ a controversial past. Multiple contestants have press conference after the 2019 Miss Universe pageant at the Tyler Perry community back in Burma,” Htet told People maga- alleged that US President Donald Trump would regu- Studios in Atlanta, Georgia on December 8, 2019. — AFP Photos zine, using her country’s historic name. larly enter the competitors’ changing room while he

Contestants stand around an emotional newly crowned Miss Universe 2019 South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi after the 2019 Miss Universe pageant. Second runner up Miss Mexico Sofia Aragon (left) stands in front of the two finalists Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi (center) and Miss Puerto Rico Madison Anderson (right) during the 2019 Miss Universe at the Tyler Perry Studio. 20 Established 1961 Lifestyle Gossip Tuesday, December 10, 2019 R Kelly’s former tour manager to testify against him emetrius Smith has claimed he whole thing... “I don’t wanna be used as a D purchased a fake ID for late witness to Mr. Kelly. I ain’t afraid to say singer Aaliyah when she was that, I’m saying that so you understand it.” just 15 so she could marry the ‘I Demetrius added that while he doesn’t Believe I Can Fly’ hitmaker, and while he’s think Kelly has “been a good person to spoken about the allegations both in his everybody”, he’d still rather see him get book and the ‘Surviving R Kelly’ documen- help than be jailed. He explained: “He’s tary, he doesn’t want to be the reason Kelly been a good person to everybody? I don’t gets convicted after he recently had a think he has, but at the same time we don’t charge of bribing a public official added to wanna see him locked up.” According to the sexual abuse offences he’s also facing court documents, the ‘Ignition’ singer - trial over. Speaking to TMZ, he said: “I who is already awaiting trial on sexual wanna help. I told [authorities] when they abuse charges - is accused of bribing an interviewed me that I did not wanna be - I official to obtain the “creation of a fraudu- wrote it, if you read it then I have to stand lent identification document Jane Doe #1” on my words. “But I don’t wanna use the and the date cited is one day before he words to prosecute Robert Kelly, because wed the singer, who was just 15 at the time, I feel like there’s another part that people on 31 August, 1994. just don’t realise and understand about this Harry Styles: People Ashley Graham has shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ taken things out of unless they mean it her beauty routine

he 25-year-old singer has after knowing each other for several years. he plus size model has revealed the changes she T opened up about the impor- She tweeted: “Mr Styles gave me a very T has made to her daily beauty routine since she tance of honesty and timing, good advice at 4am at my place. Can’t fall found out she was expecting her first child. She and insisted people shouldn’t back asleep again. “Thank you from the said: “I haven’t really changed my routine since feel pressured into saying things in a rela- bottom of my heart @Harry_Styles. I’ll do I got pregnant, I’ve just taken things out.” And the 32-year- tionship just because “they feel like they it and let you know how it went. If you ever old model relies on eye masks and three-times daily mois- should”. Speaking on Hits Radio, he said: need someone to talk to, dm me anytime of turising. She added: “Most pregnant women in their third “Well don’t say it if you don’t mean it. Erm, any day. Thank you again.” Although a trimester don’t sleep. And I’m one of them. “You know, you that’s relatively obvious but I think some large heart emoji covered up most of see all these people rolling all the time, you [wonder] why people jump the gun because they feel like Harry’s message, the fan revealed her Debbie Harry they’re rolling. When you’re pregnant, you get puffy! ... they should. “I don’t know , if you want to response as she thanked him for taking the says she [The moisturising] is a commitment. But are you committed say it - if you feel it’s true, say it, who time to reply. She wrote: “Thank you from to having supple skin? Because I am!” Ashley does still cares?! Life is too short not to tell some- the bottom of my heart for your advice sir. wear make up but insists she’s not doing it to “cover” any- one, too short not to be honest.” Earlier If you said so, I’ll definitely go for it. thing up. She said: “I’m not really trying to cover anything this year, Harry gave a fan some advice on “Thank you so much for your message. I would have ‘made more up, I’m just trying to make my skin tone even. I mean, the her love life in a sweet direct message on hope your day was good. Goodnight. I’ll pregnancy glow is there, I can see it.” Ashley says preg- Twitter. The user Tisha shared a screen- tell him and let you know how it went. nancy is “different” for everyone but she urged people to shot of her exchange with the One “And, if you ever need someone to talk to money’ as prostitute look to other moms and for support and she relies on them Direction superstar - which included his in life, you can always dm me, I’ll always be to make her feel less “alone”. She told Vogue.com: “Every verified username in the image - after she there for you no matter what.” pregnancy is different. Find pregnant friends, find mommies that have already done it, and you will feel so incredibly reached out about whether or not she he Blondie legend has laughed explained she has made “sacrifices” for her should tell a friend she has feelings for him supported. “You are not alone, and those moments where T off rumours she was a sex career in music. The ‘Maria’ hitmaker you feel like you are alone, just remember we are all out worker before she turned to added: “When you are a woman in a band here doing this, and we need each other.” rock music, and she explained you make sacrifices. I don’t think I could she was “always about” her career, ever have held down a marriage and I nev- although she found it difficult being “a er wanted children. “I was adopted and woman in a man’s world”. Speaking to the that gave me a different outlook. I always Mail on Sunday’s EVENT magazine, she thought that there were too many children said: “Musician or hooker? I would defi- out there needing parents and so I was nitely have made a lot more money if I’d conflicted.” Meanwhile, Debbie - who been a hooker, not a singer. “There were made a name for herself after forming always rumours about me like that. I was a Blondie in New York in 1974 - admitted woman in a man’s world. I was different. A while her early fame felt like “sex”, the girl in a band. “Not everybody liked it so experience was also “strangely anticlimac- what do you expect? But for me it was tic” after enjoying the journey much more. always about the music. Still is. I’m still out there doing it.” The 74-year-old star has never married or had any children, and she

Rebel Wilson has Barbara Palvin prefers more ‘never been drunk’ he 39-year-old actress admitted she’s never ‘minimalistic’ make-up look T been under the influence of alcohol, and explained she has created a “party girl image” on social media which is actually far removed he Victoria’s Secret model thing I’ve seen from make-up artists. I’m from her real life self. Appearing on the ‘Late Late Show’, T wishes people wouldn’t “lay- pretty damn good! I started modelling she told host James Corden: “Fun fact. I’ve never been er” their make-up so much when I was 13, so everything I know is drunk in my whole entire life... That’s not a joke. “I cultivate and she much prefers the from artists. Something that changed my this party girl image, like, on Instagram and stuff, but it’s “natural” approach. She said: “I wish life is contouring, I learnt you should not true. It’s just, like, me with bottles. It’s an internal joke people wouldn’t layer their make-up so draw the number ‘3’ [and a back-to- Madonna’s daughter with myself.” The ‘Pitch Perfect’ star previously admitted much. Recently when you see all these front ‘3’ on the other side of the face], to she found herself questioning someone’s “drinking habits” make-up tutorials, it looks so thick! I shade your jawline, your cheeks, and when the person - who she met on an online dating app - like natural. You can still highlight the your hairline around the forehead.” And Lourdes Leon stripped walked straight “into a moving Uber”. She said: “I’m on parts that you love about your face with Barbara has confessed sometimes she this celebrity dating app-but it’s not really just celebrities. very minimal make-up.” And the 26- has to tell her hair stylists and make-up I’ve never really had a disaster. “One person got slightly... year-old model has confessed she “mim- artists little tricks about her routine to way too drunk and walked into a moving Uber. Just went ics” a lot of things from the make-up achieve the perfect look. off for an artistic show flying into the Uber as it was driving off.” Although Rebel artists who work alongside her on pho- was quick to reassess her options, she did decide to “give toshoots. She added: “I mimic every- he 23-year-old star took part in ent’ is a performance created by the artis- them another chance” once the person in question that T Spanish clothing label tic direction of @carlota_guerrero to realised how much they were drinking. Asked if she went Desigual’s Art Basel perform- showcase the most iconic pieces of on a second date, she added: “Not immediately after that. I ance entitled ‘Love Different’, Desigual 2020. “A representation in which questioned their drinking habits. Later on, when they had which concluded with all of the models the catalan artist affects the most basic realised they were drinking too much, I did give them appearing together in nude underwear and universal act of love: the kiss. Please another chance.” and nipple pasties. In a series of Instagram share in this message of love, multicultur- posts following Friday’s event, the label alism and diversity. (sic)” In the past, shared a video and pictures as they Madonna admitted when her daughter revealed Lourdes “didn’t want to miss” out Lourdes was a teenager, she was “horri- on the show. They wrote: “This is love dif- fied” by the sexual nature of her mum’s ferent. Unveiling ‘love different’ a perform- music. Speaking in 2015, she said: “At this ance by @carlota_guerrero for #Desigual point, Rocco doesn’t care. It just goes over in which to show what Love Different his head. He’s like, ‘Oh, mom. Mom’s being means to us. “Artists like Lola LeÛn, mom.’ “The other little kids don’t really- @naomishimada, @alejandrasmits did not they’re not tuned into that frequency yet. want to miss this message of love towards And Lo [Lourdes] is horrified by all of it. diversity, multiculturalism and difference. She just wants me to be her mom.” (sic)” And in another social media post, the brand explained that the performance was focused on “love, multiculturism and diversity”. Desigual added: “‘Love differ- Established 1961 21 Lifestyle Features Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Mike Bridavsky poses with Lil Bub of the film ‘Lil Bub & Friendz’ at the Tribeca Film Festival 2013 portrait studio in New York City.

In this file photo taken, Grumpy Cat attends the ‘Cat Summer’ video launch party at Bleecker Street Records in New York City. They have millions of followers on Instagram. They generate major profits for their owners. They are... pet influencers. Grumpy Cat, Lil Bub, Boo the Pomeranian and Doug the Pug are just some of the internetís star animals, who do everything from support worthy causes to promote major brands. — AFP Photos

hey have millions of followers on Instagram. They Lil Bub “used her stardom to make the world a better A valuable image generate major profits for their owners. They are... place for animals,” PETA said in a tribute tweet. “Honor As of 2019, American households owned more than 42 pet influencers. Grumpy Cat, Lil Bub, Boo the her legacy by remembering her message: always adopt, million cats and 63 million dogs. The market for pet prod- TPomeranian and Doug the Pug are just some of the never shop.” But while PETA campaigns director Ashley ucts in the US earned $72 billion in 2018, according to the internet’s star animals, who do everything from support Byrne welcomes pet influencers’ charitable ventures, she is American Pet Products Association (APPA). Additionally, worthy causes to promote major brands. The death this also adamant that the work must not come at the expense since Instagram launched in 2010, the word “cat” has been week of Lil Bub, a cat whose tongue was always hanging of the pets’ welfare. Nobody should “treat animals as used on the platform 193 million times and the word “dog” out due to genetic anomalies, inspired a wave of emotion accessories or frivolous possessions,” she told AFP. 243 million times. “Pets raise endorphins and make people that highlighted the internet’s power to elevate just about Instead, “it’s important for people with animals who have feel happy,” Edwards said. anything to cult status. an audience on the internet to encourage their followers to “They are adorable to look at and are easier to connect “She was a ray of pure joy in my life and so many oth- treat their pets like members of the family.” with than human influencers. “Human-facing brands want ers,” said one Instagram user, who uses the handle @miss- That, says animal talent manager Loni Edwards, is to work with pet influencers because they want to show maddyg. Lil Bub rose to fame after her adoption in 2011, exactly what makes pet influencers so successful. that they align on the values of their consumer, and their when her owner, music producer Mike Bridavsky, began Edwards’s talent agency, The Dog Agency, manages pet consumer loves pets.” As a result, pet influencers can be posting photos and updates about her online. influencers of all species, from Bruno the fat cat to CEO incredibly lucrative. Lil Bub’s fellow celebrity feline Her story garnered three million followers on Facebook, Edwards’s own French bulldog. “As a society, we’ve Grumpy Cat - known for her perpetual scowl - amassed 2.4 million on Instagram and more than 800,000 on evolved so that we now think of pets as our children,” 8.5 million fans on Facebook, 2.5 million followers on Twitter. Bub’s fame eventually caught the attention of sci- Edwards said in a November 2018 interview with Vox. Instagram and 1.5 million on Twitter. From 2013 until her entists. In May 2015, researchers at the University of “They’re such an important part of our lives.” death in May, Grumpy Cat served as the face of cat food Missouri sequenced her genome as part of a project to brand Friskies. determine what genetic variations had caused her In 2018, a California court awarded her owner Tabatha adorable deformities. Bridavsky also started a national Bundesen $710,001 in damages for violation of image fund for special needs pets, the first of its kind, with Bub rights, after a coffee company used pictures of Grumpy’s serving as its face. face without authorization. Just before her death, Lil Bub “Bub has made a huge difference in the world of ani- starred in campaigns advertising clothing and coffee for mal welfare and in the lives of millions of people world- “Black Friday” sales. The highly-commercial pet influencer wide,” Bridavsky wrote on Instagram, noting the fund has industry could seem at odds with charitable giving. But raised $700,000 for “animals in need,” with $75,000 Bridavsky said Bub had left a proud legacy of raising both raised in 2018 alone. Over the course of her life, the funds and spirits. — AFP Indiana-based cat lent her star power to multiple causes supported by Greenpeace and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Since 2013, Lil Bub has also been the face of campaigns with Internet celebrity cat Lil Bub known for her People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) pro- unique appearance is held by owner Mike Grumpy the Cat poses on arrival for the World Premiere of moting sterilization and pet adoption, as opposed to buy- Bridavsky at the inaugural CatConLa event in Disney’s ‘Cinderella’ in Hollywood, California. ing designer breeds. Los Angeles, California.

Palestinian children play with pet lion cubs sitting on a concrete ledge along a street in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, placed there by a local zoo owner to promote the venue. The Rafah Zoo in the southern Gaza Strip was known for its emaciated ani- mals, with the owners saying they struggled to find enough money to feed them. In April, international animal rights charity Four Paws took all the animals to sanctuaries, receiving a pledge that the zoo would close forever. However it reopened again in August with two lions and three new cubs, penned in cages only a few square metres in size. — AFP 22 Established 1961

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Lifestyle Features

In this file photo taken, Caroll Spinney ‘Oscar and Big Bird’ attends SiriusXM’s Town Hall with original cast Caroll Spinney and The Muppets attend The 2017 Sesame Workshop Dinner at In this file photo, Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Puppeteer members from Sesame Street in New York City. Caroll Spinney, the big-hearted Muppeteer who play the Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Caroll Spinney lights the Empire State Building in New Sesame Street character Big Bird for almost a half-century, died on December 8, 2019, Sesame Workshop York City. announced. He was 85. — AFP photos

uppeteer Caroll Spinney, who brought master Jim Henson and including pals Bert 1969 through five decades,” Sesame carpet at the Kennedy Center. giant yellow bird with the huge beak, is more Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life on and Ernie, the lovable Cookie Monster and Workshop said in a statement. “His enormous Spinney himself won multiple Daytime than eight feet (2.5 meters) tall. Spinney, who Pthe iconic children’s television show the goofy Kermit the Frog. talent and outsized heart were perfectly suited Emmys for his work, as well as a Lifetime was 5 feet 10, had to use his hands and wires “Sesame Street” for half a century, died on Spinney once told The New York Times he to playing the larger-than-life yellow bird who Achievement Award. He also earned a to manipulate the towering puppet, guided by Sunday at the age of 85. Spinney died at had modeled Oscar the Grouch on a cross brought joy to generations of children and Grammy Award, for best children’s recording. a TV monitor in the costume. home in Connecticut after living for some time between a “magnificently rude” restaurant countless fans of all ages around the world, At the time of his retirement, he was quoted In 2000, he was named a Living Legend by with the movement disorder dystonia, which waiter and a ranting New York cab driver. In and his lovably cantankerous grouch gave us as saying that his Big Bird alter ego had the US Library of Congress, and he has a star causes uncontrollable muscle contractions, 1973, a year after then US president Richard all permission to be cranky once in a while.” “opened my mind and nurtured my soul.” He on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Henson’s according to a statement from Sesame Nixon made his dramatic trip to China, hand-picked his successors in the two major family said in a statement that Spinney man- Workshop, the nonprofit organization that Spinney flew to Beijing for a performance ‘Infectious love and joy’ roles-after mentoring them for more than two aged to “perfectly convey the humor and produces the show. dressed as Big Bird-he said he only paid half- Poignantly, Spinney’s death came as the decades. heart in our father’s creations. Big Bird was The actor retired from the show last year, price for the plane ticket because the charac- show marked its 50th birthday, and as it is A shy child, Spinney embraced puppetry childlike, without being childish. And Oscar having hand-picked successors to play both ter “was only six years old.” When Henson lauded with one of America’s top cultural and reportedly owned 70 puppets by the age the Grouch reflected universal feelings we all Big Bird and Oscar-two very different charac- died in 1990, Big Bird sang Kermit’s sweetly awards-the Kennedy Center Honors-at a gala of 12. He met Henson at a puppeteers festival share, no matter our age.” “That he could do ters he helped create, delighting millions of melancholy tune “It’s Not Easy Being Green” Sunday in Washington. “We are really grateful in 1962 and bumped into him again in 1969; this work so brilliantly, responsibly and with children. Those characters-one a towering at a memorial service. that we are all here together tonight, because months later, he joined “Sesame Street.” such infectious love and joy is his gift to us yellow bird, the other a grumpy, green mon- “Caroll was an artistic genius whose kind he was an inspiration for us all,” Leslie Spinney’s life was the subject of the 2014 doc- all,” the statement said. — AFP ster in a trash can-existed in what many con- and loving view of the world helped shape and Carrara Rudolph, who portrays Abby umentary “I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney sidered a magical world created by puppet define Sesame Street from its earliest days in Cadabby on the show, told AFP on the red Story.” Big Bird, the instantly recognizable

‘Star Trek’ actor Rene Auberjonois dead at age 79

ctor Rene Auberjonois, known for his television roles on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and the In this file photo, Juice Wrld performs onstage during the AUS sitcom “Benson,” died Sunday in Los 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival and Daytime Stage at the Angeles after a battle with cancer. He was 79. “We Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chicago- are heartbroken to confirm that Rene passed away born rapper Juice WRLD, one of a wave of young artists who today,” a statement on the actor’s website said. In his made a name on streaming platforms before breaking out in official biography, the cause given was metastatic the mainstream, died on Sunday at the age of 21. — AFP lung cancer. Auberjonois earned legions of fans for his role as Odo, the shape-shifting head of security on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” one of the many spinoff series spawned by the legendary science fiction show. He became a fan favorite at “Star Trek” conventions for years, donating the proceeds from autographed items to charities, such as Doctors Without Borders. hicago-born rapper Juice WRLD, one of a wave of “I have had my share of successes and my share of flops. But nothing has ever been like this. ‘Deep Space umeirah Group yesterday ship and a 360 degree view of the capi- Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah young artists who earned attention on streaming plat- announced their triumph at the tal, the suite is an abode of tranquillity Living was voted as the World’s forms before breaking out as chart-toppers and social Nine’ is completely beyond anything that I have ever C experienced,” the actor once said. JWorld Travel Awards 2019. With and privacy with meticulous care and Leading Hotel Residences 2019. media celebrities, died Sunday at the age of 21, according to competition spanning 6 continents, attention catering to every need. Combining the refined services of a lux- local authorities. A spokeswoman from the Cook County But he also was known for his portrayal in the 1980s of Clayton Endicott III, the chief of staff to a Jumeirah has been honoured with a Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort ury hotel with the privacy, comfort and Medical Examiner’s Office in Illinois confirmed the death of number of accolades including; World’s and Spa was voted as the World’s generous living space of a contempo- the rapper, born Jarad Higgins, at 3:14 am. An autopsy has governor on the long-running sitcom “Benson.” Other career highlights include his appearance in Robert Leading Luxury All Suite Hotel, World’s Leading Desert Resort 2019. The rary Mayfair residence, Grosvenor been set for today. Leading Hotel Suite, World’s Leading recently opened Jumeirah Al Wathba is House Suites by Jumeirah Living offers Altman’s 1970 film “MASH” as Father Mulcahy; a role Police told AFP that a 21-year-old man had suffered a Desert Resort, and the World’s Leading set in the mesmerizing desert landscape a unique experience for both short and on the quirky TV drama “Boston Legal”; and a host of medical emergency at Chicago’s Midway International Airport Resort Design. of Abu Dhabi and promises a remote extended stays. This home away from voice roles in animated fare, including his perform- after getting off a private jet. Celebrity news outlet TMZ Tipped as the Oscars of the tourism escape complete with spaciously home offers guests the added luxury of ance as Chef Louis in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” reported that Higgins had suffered a seizure. Juice WRLD’s industry, the multiple wins for Jumeirah designed rooms and villas that feature a highly specialised 24-hour concierge, breakout single “Lucid Dreams,” rose to number two on the Auberjonois, the son of a writer, grew up in Paris and Group highlights the brand’s excellence timeless local details, traditional artwork as well as a 24-hour in-residence dining Billboard Hot 100 in 2018, with his follow-up album “Death New York, where his family lived in an artists’ colony. in hospitality and successful dedication and Arabesque accessories. The resort and daily maid service to really com- Race for Love” debuting in first place on the Billboard 200 After university, he broke into showbiz on the to their three key strategic pillars; the ensures guests have an immersive cul- plete the ultimate service experience. earlier this year. stage, and earned a Tony award for his first Broadway elevation of their dining experiences, tural experience; all while being sur- Jose Silva, Chief Executive Officer “Juice made a profound impact on the world in such a musical, “Coco” - about the life of French fashion offering service beyond expectations rounded by breath-taking views of the for Jumeirah Group commented, “We short period of time,” his label Interscope Records said in a designer Coco Chanel - opposite Katharine Hepburn and providing unmatched and redefined desert landscape. are delighted with the success of our statement. “To lose someone so kind and so close to our in the title role. “Star Trek” star William Shatner - who product, architecture and design. hearts is devastating.” “Lucid Dreams” quickly re-entered the worked with Auberjonois on “Boston Legal” - led Burj Al Arab Jumeirah was voted as top 10 on the US iTunes site as news of his death spread. The tributes on Twitter, remembering his “wonderful the World’s Leading Luxury All Suite rapper was of a generation known as the “SoundCloud rap- friendship” with the actor, and fellow series regular Hotel 2019. An architectural spectacle, pers”-a subgenre that takes its name from the streaming plat- George Takei called it a “terrible loss.” “When I look the iconic sail-shaped hotel is reflective form where its artists first find fame. out to the stars, I shall think of you, friend,” Takei of the Emirate’s past and future, as well The crop of rappers in recent years has become a disrup- wrote. Auberjonois is survived by his wife Judith and as its endeavour to transition into one of tive movement in hip-hop, combining a lo-fi underground two children, Tessa and Remy-Luc. — AFP the most culturally diverse and dynamic sound with raw, often emotionally laden lyrics leading some to cities in the world. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah dub them “emo rappers.” These musicians whose careers are not only challenges the norms of tradi- built on internet stardom often rap about popping drugs, tional hotel design but redefines the notably Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication. Along with pre- meaning of luxury hospitality in both scription medication, the subculture’s aesthetic includes face Dubai and globally, and is renowned for tattoos and neon-dyed hair. its exceptional service. This year, the Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort properties at the World Travel Awards. hotel has elevated its culinary offering was voted as the World’s Leading Winning these five accolades is a ‘I have a lot going for me’ under the leadership of new Chief Resort Design 2019. Jumeirah Group’s reflection of our on-going commitment The SoundCloud scene has launched careers and sales fig- Culinary Officer, Michael Ellis, who has first luxury ‘eco-conscious’ beachfront to market excellence and the world- ures but the lives of its figures are often volatile. been instrumental in the introduction of resort, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island over- class guest experiences that we offer.” XXXTentacion was murdered in 2018, while Tekashi69, seek- two new Michelin starred chefs to the looks 400 metres of beautiful white The World Travel Awards are voted for ing leniency on serious racketeering and weapons charges, hotel. sand, offering breath-taking scenery by travel and tourism professionals this year was a star government witness at the trial of alleged Jumeirah Etihad Towers’ Royal and undisturbed wildlife. The hotel’s worldwide. Established in 1993, the former gang associates. And in 2017, the rapper Lil Peep died Etihad Suite was voted as the World’s approach to design reflects its dedica- awards are recognised as a world-class Actor Rene Auberjonois, who played the character Odo at age 21 of what was declared an accidental overdose of fen- Leading Hotel Suite 2019. tion to sustainability and is influenced hallmark of quality. Each year a series of on the television series ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,’ tanyl and Xanax. Speaking to The New York Times in 2018, Encompassing the entirety of the 60th by its natural surroundings. The use of gala ceremonies are staged to acknowl- appears at the Star Trek convention at the Las Vegas Juice WRLD said that he used Xanax heavily as a teenager floor, complete with sitting rooms, din- colours, fabrics and textures create an edge, reward and celebrate excellence Hilton in this file photo. Rene Auberjonois, the actor but was aiming to curb his drug use. “I have a lot going for me, ing facilities, bedrooms and butler facili- earthy yet luxurious feel, while there is in the tourism industry. I recognize it’s a lot of big things, a lot of big looks. I want to best known for his roles in ‘Star Trek: Deep Space ties, the suite exists in harmony with the an ocean-inspired, 13-foot high glass- be there, and you don’t have to overdose to not be there,” he Nine’ died on Sunday at his home in Los Angeles of ocean, providing calming and neutral blown chandelier hanging in the lobby, told the Times. —AFP metastatic lung cancer. — AFP hues to create an aura of understated reflecting the seven different colours of elegance. With 980 sqm of craftsman- the Arabian Gulf. Classifieds Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Sabah Hospital 24812000 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Chest Hospital 24849400 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010

Adan Hospital 23940620 Door No. 4-56(1), Sonu com- CHANGE OF NAME pound, Padubelle Post, Via Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Shirva, Kaup Taluk Udupi I, Sumbul Sadia (old name), D/o District of Karnataka. Have Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Mohammad Mokhtar Ahmad, changed my name as John Ivan resident of new Azimabad Dsouza (new name) for all pur- pose vide affidavit dated 05-12- Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 colony Sandalpur road Mahendru, Bahadurpur, Patna, 2019 sworn before notary Nagaraja Hegde, Udupi. Bihar, Passport No. S2395655 9-12-2019 have changed my name as Sadia Sumbul (new name) for all purposes. (C 5695) Kaizen center 25716707 10-12-2019 Rawda 22517733 I, John Ivon D Souza (old name) 112 S/o Domnic Dsouza residing at Adaliya 22517144 Khaldiya 24848075 Kaifan 24849807 Shamiya 24848913 Shuwaikh 24814507 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Airlines Nuzha 22526804 Kuwait Airways 171 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Jazeera Airways 177 Wataniya Airways 22 066 536 Qadsiya 22515088 Turkish Airlines 1884918 American Airlines 22087425 Dasmah 22532265 Jet Airways 22924455 FlyDubai 22414400 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Qatar Airways 22423888 KLM 22425747 Royal Jordanian 22418064/5/6 Shaab 22518752 British Airways 22425635 Air France 22430224 Qibla 22459381 Emirates 22921555 Air India 22456700 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Air India EXPRESS 22438185/4 Sri Lanka Airlines 22424444 Mirqab 22456536 Egypt Air 22421578 Swiss Air 22421516 Sharq 22465401 Saudia 22426306 Middle East Airlines 22423073 Salmiya 25746401 Lufthansa 22422493

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 10/12/2019 KAC 614 Bahrain 13:50 Departure Flights on Tuesday 10/12/2019 JZR 213 Jeddah 12:00 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 221 Riyadh 12:00 IGO 1757 Kochi 00:10 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 KAC 515 Tehran 12:10 AIC 989 Mumbai 00:10 KAC 672 Dubai 14:40 SVA 503 Jeddah 00:05 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 JZR 716 Sohag 00:35 KAC 774 Riyadh 14:40 MSC 406 Sohag 00:15 JZR 115 Doha 13:00 JZR 254 Amman 00:45 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:45 QTR 1093 Doha 00:25 QTR 1075 Doha 13:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:50 KAC 742 Dammam 14:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:35 MSR 611 Cairo 13:00 JZR 734 Cairo 00:50 KAC 118 New York 14:50 JZR 409 Delhi 00:50 GFA 210 Bahrain 13:05 PGT 858 Istanbul 00:55 KAC 286 Dhaka 14:55 AIC 990 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 781 Jeddah 13:30 KAC 102 London 01:25 KAC 692 Muscat 15:00 IGO 1758 Kochi 01:10 SAW 702 Damascus 13:30 DLH 625 Dammam 01:30 KAC 618 Doha 15:00 JZR 111 Doha 01:55 JZR 123 Dubai 13:40 RJA 642 Amman 01:40 KNE 529 Jeddah 15:10 KAC 677 Dubai 01:55 KAC 541 Cairo 13:45 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 JZR 602 Baku 15:10 KAC 285 Dhaka 02:00 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 IGO 1759 Delhi 01:55 ET D303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:00 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:15 JZR 722 Alexandria 01:55 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:25 JZR 119 Dubai 02:05 QTR 1079 Doha 15:00 UAE 853 Dubai 02:15 JZR 222 Riyadh 15:30 THY 773 Istanbul 02:20 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:15 KAC 562 Amman 15:40 KAC 417 Manila 02:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 KLM 446 Bahrain 02:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 DLH 625 Frankfurt 02:30 KAC 775 Riyadh 15:45 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 JZR 732 Cairo 15:50 IGO 1765 Delhi 02:55 KAC 673 Dubai 15:50 QTR 1086 Doha 02:40 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:55 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 KAC 563 Amman 16:00 JZR 152 Mashhad 16:00 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 UAE 854 Dubai 03:40 SVA 501 Jeddah 16:00 KKK 1268 Istanbul 03:05 JZR 212 Jeddah 16:25 PGT 860 Istanbul 03:05 QTR 1072 Doha 16:35 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:55 KNE 530 Jeddah 16:00 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 JZR 116 Doha 16:40 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 KAC 743 Dammam 16:05 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 KAC 502 Beirut 16:45 QTR 1087 Doha 04:00 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 KAC 546 Cairo 16:45 OMA 644 Muscat 04:00 KAC 785 Jeddah 16:30 QTR 1076 Doha 04:00 FDB 051 Dubai 16:45 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:00 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:35 KAC 414 Bangkok 04:00 KAC 516 Tehran 16:50 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 KAC 615 Bahrain 16:45 IGO 1751 Chennai 04:10 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:25 KAC 621 Doha 04:20 JZR 103 Bahrain 16:50 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 PGT 861 Istanbul 04:25 KAC 283 Dhaka 17:00 OHY 352 Istanbul 04:30 JZR 214 Jeddah 17:45 JZR 713 Sohag 04:30 KAC 619 Doha 17:35 KAC 302 Mumbai 04:40 SYR 342 Damascus 17:55 KKK 1269 Istanbul 04:35 KAC 357 Kochi 17:35 JZR 702 Asyut 04:50 KAC 158 Istanbul 17:55 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 FDB 052 Dubai 17:45 FDB 069 Dubai 05:00 FDB 063 Dubai 18:15 IGO 1752 Chennai 05:10 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 JZR 302 Istanbul 18:15 QTR 1077 Doha 05:30 KAC 331 Trivandrum 17:55 KAC 358 Kochi 05:10 JZR 124 Dubai 18:20 OHY 351 Istanbul 05:30 KAC 343 Chennai 18:00 JZR 404 Hyderabad 05:10 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 JZR 101 Bahrain 05:50 QTR 1073 Doha 18:00 KAC 382 Delhi 05:20 QTR 1080 Doha 18:30 THY 771 Istanbul 06:25 JZR 733 Cairo 18:10 KAC 784 Jeddah 05:20 FEG 441 Asyut 18:55 JZR 121 Dubai 06:35 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:20 THY 770 Istanbul 05:25 RJA 640 Amman 19:10 RJA 643 Amman 06:55 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 112 Doha 05:35 KAC 156 Istanbul 19:20 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 JZR 127 Dubai 18:35 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 05:45 RBG 555 Alexandria 19:25 FEG 442 Asyut 07:05 KAC 301 Mumbai 18:35 KAC 284 Dhaka 05:55 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 JZR 403 Hyderabad 18:40 KAC 106 London 06:00 NIA 161 Cairo 19:30 KAC 167 Paris 07:35 KAC 381 Delhi 18:45 FEG 341 Sohag 06:05 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 KAC 171 Frankfurt 08:00 JZR 721 Alexandria 18:55 JZR 402 Mumbai 06:05 QTR 1090 Doha 19:35 IGO 1767 Mumbai 08:10 SYR 341 Damascus 18:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 06:05 KAC 744 Dammam 19:45 KAC 165 Rome 08:15 JZR 253 Amman 19:20 KAC 362 Colombo 06:30 KAC 782 Jeddah 19:50 FDB 064 Dubai 19:20 THY 6376 Dubai/ISL 08:35 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 THY 6376 ISL 06:30 JZR 104 Bahrain 19:55 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 KAC 544 Cairo 07:00 FDB 057 Dubai 20:00 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:00 FEG 342 Sohag 19:55 JZR 120 Dubai 07:00 OMS 225 Muscat 20:05 KAC 501 Beirut 09:00 BAW 157 London 07:05 JZR 653 OSS 20:05 KAC 776 Riyadh 20:05 KAC 163 MXP 09:00 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 KAC 678 Dubai 07:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 JZR 731 Cairo 09:10 IGO 1766 Mumbai 07:10 RBG 556 Alexandria 20:05 QTR 1088 Doha 20:30 KAC 157 Istanbul 09:10 RJA 641 Amman 20:10 KAC 204 Lahore 07:15 AZQ 4565 Baku 20:30 BAW 156 London 09:10 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:30 KAC 691 Muscat 09:20 NIA 162 Cairo 20:30 QTR 1084 Doha 08:00 ICV 6752 Luxembourg 20:35 JZR 601 Baku 09:30 KAC 353 Bengaluru 20:35 KAC 354 Bengaluru 08:10 KAC 166 Rome 20:40 KAC 545 Cairo 09:30 JZR 501 Lahore 20:40 KAC 622 Doha 08:30 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:55 KAC 671 Dubai 09:35 OMS 226 Muscat 20:40 UAE 855 Dubai 08:35 KAC 674 Dubai 20:55 QTR 1085 Doha 09:40 FDB 058 Dubai 20:45 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:55 KAC 542 Cairo 21:10 KAC 561 Amman 09:45 JZR 401 Mumbai 20:55 JZR 102 Bahrain 08:55 ALK 229 Colombo 21:20 KAC 101 London 09:45 QTR 1091 Doha 21:00 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 GOW 061 CNN 09:30 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 DLH 624 Dammam 21:45 KAC 304 Mumbai 09:30 JZR 151 Mashhad 09:55 UAE 859 Dubai 21:30 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 09:55 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 KAC 384 Delhi 09:30 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:30 QTR 1089 Doha 21:55 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KAC 117 New York 10:00 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 UAE 856 Dubai 10:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:15 IGO 1753 Ahmedabad 09:40 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:50 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 IRA 675 Lar 09:40 JZR 301 Istanbul 10:05 KAC 164 MXP 21:55 KAC 613 Bahrain 10:05 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:25 QTR 1070 Doha 09:45 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 JZR 410 Delhi 10:00 AZG 565 Baku 22:00 KAC 773 Riyadh 10:15 KAC 168 Paris 22:00 KAC 155 Istanbul 10:20 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 AZQ 4565 Baku 22:30 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 564 Amman 22:00 GOW 062 CNN 10:30 KAC 620 Doha 22:00 KAC 617 Doha 10:35 ICV 6752 Hong Kong 22:35 AXB 789 CNN/Bahrain 10:40 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:50 JZR 714 Sohag 10:50 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 JZR 122 Dubai 11:15 JZR 211 Jeddah 10:40 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 QTR 1074 Doha 11:35 AIC 987 Chennai/Hyderabad 22:25 IRA 674 Lar 10:40 RBG 213 Sohag 22:30 RBG 214 Sohag 23:10 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 IGO 1754 Ahmedabad 10:40 KAC 783 Jeddah 23:15 MSR 610 Cairo 12:00 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:50 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 383 Delhi 23:20 GFA 209 Bahrain 12:05 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:00 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 KAC 411 Bangkok 23:25 SAW 701 Damascus 12:30 QTR 1092 Doha 23:10 KAC 741 Dammam 11:05 QTR 1083 Doha 23:25 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 JZR 128 Dubai 23:15 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 795 Madinah 23:30 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:15 MSC 405 Sohag 23:15 ZAV 4132 Baghdad 11:30 KAC 543 Cairo 23:30 QTR 1078 Doha 13:35 FDB 071 Dubai 23:40 AXB 790 CNN 11:40 KAC 303 Mumbai 23:40 24 Established 1961 News Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Saudi city once propped up by Qatari high-rollers prays for truce AL-AHSA, Saudi Arabia: Jackhammers and cranes doned after construction was halted abruptly in 2017, a gather dust at half-built Qatari-funded hotel sites in a long-term investment some believe was intended to Saudi city hit hard by an abrupt diplomatic rupture, but accommodate any surplus guests of Qatar’s 2022 foot- signs of thawing cross-border ties are reviving econom- ball World Cup. The manager of another Al-Ahsa hotel ic hopes. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pointed at his vacant parking lot, once full of cars with has downplayed the dispute with Qatar - which led to a Qatari plates. The hotel’s occupancy rate tanked after Riyadh-led embargo on the neighboring emirate and the embargo, and it has barely managed to cover its shuttered their land border in mid-2017 - as a trivial electricity bill, he told AFP. But the fact that the majority matter with limited impact on the kingdom. of Qatari investors have not liquidated their investments But it is anything but trivial for Al-Ahsa, a desert in Al-Ahsa despite the embargo gives some hope it will oasis near the border where Qatari shoppers once kept be business as usual if relations are restored. the local economy humming, crossing over to buy rela- The feud is not irreconcilable, residents say, describ- tively cheaper provisions - from herbs and eggs to milk ing it as a spat between squabbling cousins. And amid and camel meat. The deep-pocketed residents of gas- signs of a thaw, many are betting on the return of rich Qatar - one of the wealthiest countries per capita - Qatari high-rollers. “The rift is between governments, also pumped millions of riyals into local hotels, date not the people,” said an Al-Ahsa businessman who plantations and other real estate. asked not to be named. “We are not different countries, But the Qatari money dried up when the embargo we are one big family.” shut them out, unleashing economic pain and dividing Arab diplomats say both sides are closer than ever extended families on both sides, an unintended conse- to bringing the dispute to an end. Raising hopes is quence of a policy meant to hurt Doha’s government. recent “sports diplomacy”, which saw football teams The Saudi-led bloc accuses Qatar of backing radical from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Islamists including Muslim Brotherhood and seeking Bahrain travel to Qatar for the Gulf Cup despite earlier closer ties with Riyadh’s arch nemesis Iran - charges indications that they would boycott the tournament. Doha denies. State-funded media networks on all sides recently AL-AHSA, Saudi Arabia: A half built Qatari-funded hotel site in this eastern Saudi city is seen on Nov 29, 2019 after “The blockade had a negative impact on towns near appear to have toned down the shrill rhetoric against construction was abruptly halted in 2017. — AFP the border and complicated investments at a time when each other. Qatar’s foreign minister, who travelled to Saudi Arabia’s economy is struggling with large Saudi Arabia last month for talks, has spoken of “some “bifurcated peace”, implying Qatar could possibly nor- “without major concessions from Doha”, after the deficits,” said Samuel Ramani, a doctoral researcher at progress” in negotiations. malize ties with only some blockading nations including blockade boosted its self-reliance. Oxford University. Official statistics are hard to come by But the real bellwether will be the level of Qatari rep- Saudi Arabia, with whom it shares its only land border. Once heavily dependent on food imports, it has but the tell-tale signs of the economic impact are every- resentation at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Saudi Arabia appears to be adopting a de-escalato- developed new trade routes, flown in thousands of dairy where in Al-Ahsa, home to more than a million people. Riyadh on Tuesday. The Saudi king has personally invit- ry approach after a series of what observers describe cows and developed poultry farms to beat the embargo. Its malls and traditional souks are emptier, multiple gas ed Qatar’s amir, but it remains unclear whether he will as foreign policy “missteps” that have spooked “Qatar is like a newborn baby kicked out of a house as stations leading up to the border have shuttered, and attend. Two sources familiar with the negotiations, investors. A cool reception by global investors to state punishment,” the Arab diplomat - who is from outside even salesmen of bisht, traditional gold-trimmed robes, including an Arab diplomat, told AFP that hardliners in energy giant Aramco’s stock sale has highlighted the the Gulf - told AFP. “You thought it would come back complain of depressed sales. Abu Dhabi - Riyadh’s principal ally - are opposed to a downside of its aggressive stance, they say. Ramani crying to you, but it has stood on its feet and does not Shells of three Qatari-funded luxury hotels lie aban- restoration of ties. This has raised the prospect of a said the rapprochement appears to be shaping up need you anymore.” — AFP

free and democratic Algeria, while chanting against the Algeria youth scorn “dinosaurs”. The young protesters summarized their aspirations as wanting to live freely, receive a good education, find a sta- ‘dinosaur’ old guard ble job with a decent salary, have their voices heard, and enjoy entertainment opportunities beyond loitering in the street. Algeria’s leaders have created few jobs, stifled free ahead of elections speech, upheld conservative traditions and turned a blind eye to police oppression, the young protesters told AFP. ALGIERS: Algeria’s contentious presidential election “Before we were afraid to speak out but things have campaign is highlighting the deep gulf between young peo- changed since Hirak,” said Hanya Assala Abdedaim, a 24- ple at the heart of a street protest movement and an ageing year-old student. When the Hirak movement erupted onto elite they see as clinging to power. The poll, set for the scene, 21-year-old Asma said she swapped nice shoes Thursday, will see five candidates, all of them linked to the for sneakers so she could hit the streets to “put some of the 82-year-old deposed president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, com- old people who govern us in a museum of antiquities”. pete for the top office. But the protesters, whose mass “The transition in Algeria isn’t only a political transition, mobilization forced the ex-strongman to resign from his it’s also a generational transition,” said Algerian sociologist two-decade tenure in April, have rallied weekly to demand Nacer Djabi. But age is just one aspect of a deeper issue, that sweeping reforms must come ahead of any vote. said Yamina Rahou of the Centre for Research in Social and “It’s not a gap between the fossils in power and the Cultural Anthropology in the city of Oran. “It’s a political youth, it’s a yawning chasm,” said Lyes, a 22-year-old geol- problem between a mainly young population that wants a ogy student draped in his country’s flag at a student march modern state based on the rule of law, and those who in Algiers. While more than half of the North African coun- appropriated the state to subjugate Algerians,” she said. try’s population is under 30, Algeria’s leaders are geriatric. Mohamed Lamine Harhad, another 22-year old student, The powerful army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah is 79 and inter- said he did not have a problem with old people, just with im president Abdelkader Bensalah is 78. The presidential old “ideas”, noting that all age groups are represented in candidates range in age from 56 to 75. “The dinosaurs who the protest movement. Among the hundreds of thousands have held power since independence made us disgusted who have demonstrated, for many young people abstention with politics,” said Lyes. will be the only palatable choice in the election. Algeria Young people only became interested in politics with “needs a new system based on democracy,” Harhad said. the eruption of the “Hirak” protest movement in February, This would “encourage young people without ignoring old he said, noting that most of his peers are not even enrolled people with experience”. to vote. Around him, his friends agreed. For nine months This view was shared by Lamnaouar Hamamouche, a they have marched every Tuesday to demand change. Each sociology student from Bejaia east of Algiers, who said “the ALGIERS: Algerian security forces contain protesters shouting slogans during an anti-government demonstration in week they wave the national colors and flags calling for a gap is not defined by age but by visions”. — AFP the capital yesterday. — AFP

section for those accompanied by women and a “sin- Saudi eliminates gles” area for men, though many have quietly taken down the barriers in recent years amid the kingdom’s sweeping liberalization drive. gender-segregated The latest reform was hailed by young Saudis but dismissed by archconservatives on social media, with entrances for eateries one Twitter user saying it went “against sharia”, or Islamic law. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has sought to project a moderate, business- RIYADH: Restaurants and cafes in Saudi Arabia are no friendly image of his austere kingdom as he seeks to longer required to have gender-segregated entrances, boost investment. Prince Mohammed has clipped the officials said, in a further easing of social restrictions in powers of hardline clerics as he pursues a moderniza- the ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom. Eateries have tion drive that has allowed mixed-gender music con- long required one entrance for single men and another certs and ended decades-long bans on cinemas and for women and families, in a country where the once- women drivers. powerful religious police zealously enforced sex segre- Until three years ago, the religious police elicited This handout image shows the volcano on New Zealand’s White Island spewing steam and ash yesterday. — AFP gation in public places for decades. widespread fear in the kingdom, chasing men and The ministry of municipalities and rural affairs said women out of malls to pray and berating anyone seen nearby. Volcanic Air said they had landed a helicopter on Twitter Sunday it was eliminating several require- mingling with the opposite sex. The hardline enforcers No more survivors on the island shortly before the eruption carrying four ments for restaurants, including the need for “an of public morality, whose powers began waning even visitors and one pilot. All were now accounted for. entrance for bachelors and a separate entrance for before Prince Mohammed rose to power, are now “It had landed on the island. What happened families”. It was unclear whether a restriction on seat- largely out of sight. But the reforms have been accom- on NZ island after... after that we don’t know, but we know that all five ing inside restaurants will also be removed. panied by a crackdown on activists, including women made it back to Whakatane on one of the tourist Restaurants are currently segregated into a “family” urging faster reform. — AFP Continuied from Page 1 boats,” a company spokesman told AFP. Guillaume Calmelet, the co-director of Skydive Tauranga, saw The eruption occurred just after 2pm (0100 GMT), the eruption from above as he took a customer on a thrusting a thick plume of white ash 3.6 km into the sky. tandem skydive from a plane 12,000 feet above the Implementation of excise or value-added tax remains a Seconds before, live camera feeds showed a group of Bay of Plenty. Fitch: Kuwait remote prospect, subsidy reforms have been limited, and more than a half dozen people walking on the crater “As soon as the parachute opened there was this the government has struggled to contain current spend- ing through executive measures while managing an floor. Then the images went black. A “considerable huge cloud that was really different to whatever political disputes... uncooperative parliament. number” of those caught up in the disaster are believed we’ve seen before,” he told AFP. “I could see it com- In November, Kuwait’s prime minister of more than to be Australian, according to officials in Canberra. ing out in free fall, so probably about 30 seconds for Continued from Page 1 seven years resigned and declined to be reappointed. HH the whole cloud to form, if that. It was pretty quick.” As many as 30 of those involved are also believed to the Amir subsequently replaced the caretaker interior The country’s National Emergency Management be cruise passengers on a day trip from the vessel and defense ministers and asked the foreign minister to Ovation of the Seas, Kevin O’Sullivan, chief executive Agency described the eruption as “moderate”, Fitch Ratings estimates that RFFG foreign assets were form a government. Consultations on the composition of officer of industry body the New Zealand Cruise although the plume of ash was clearly visible from the about $500 billion at end-FY18/19 and assume these the new Cabinet are continuing. Association told AFP. The ship’s operator Royal mainland and from satellites flying overhead. would be made available for financing if required, “Reform will remain slow unless the composition of Caribbean - who had billed the trip to White Island as White Island - also known as Whakaari - is about although this would generate further controversy in par- the new government resolves underlying power strug- “an unforgettable guided tour of New Zealand’s most 50 km offshore in the picturesque Bay of Plenty and is liament. The government’s financing needs are currently gles and enjoys broad support among MPs and different active volcano” - said “a number of our guests were popular with adventurous tourists willing to don hard being met entirely from the General Reserve Fund (less sections of society. Neither of these is likely, in our view, touring the island” but did not confirm that number. The hats and gas masks. It is New Zealand’s most active than $60 billion in estimated assets at end-FY18/19). partly because there are no political parties in Kuwait ship has a capacity of around 4,000 people and set sail volcano cone and about 70 percent of it is underwater, Rising financing requirements will further deplete easily and the government’s support base of individual MPs from Sydney last week on a 12 day voyage. according to government-backed agency GeoNet. available reserves without measures to increase revenue shifts from issue to issue,” Fitch said. “Kuwait’s rating of Tourist Michael Schade, made it off the island just Around 10,000 people visit the volcano every year. It or cut spending, even if debt issuance resumes in ‘AA’/Stable is underpinned by its exceptionally strong in time and was able to capture footage of the devas- has erupted frequently over the last half-century, most FY20/21, according to the report. balance sheet, with sovereign net foreign assets of nearly tation. His videos showed groups of startled tourists recently in 2016. In August of that year the New Fitch is forecasting a budget deficit of over 5 percent 500 percent of GDP. Nevertheless, this buffer could be clustered by the shoreline, waiting to be evacuated as Zealand Defence Force airlifted a 2.4-tonne shipping of GDP by FY21/22 (including estimated investment eroded by sustained low oil prices or an inability to the ground around them smoldered, the sky filled with container onto the island to serve as an emergency income) as average oil prices fall further, increasing the address structural drains on public finances from a gen- white debris. An ash-caked helicopter lay damaged shelter in case of an eruption. — AFP annual central government financing need to $27 billion. erous welfare state and large public sector.” Established 1961 25 Sports Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Guardiola admits Man City standards have slipped Klopp says he never doubted Keita’s quality

LONDON: Pep Guardiola says Manchester City may fight and improve on. Maybe this is going to help us for no longer be able to match the standards of the best the future so we need to live this as a club to be better.” teams after a painful defeat against Manchester United left them 14 points behind Premier League leaders KEITA’S QUALITY Liverpool. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he has never Guardiola’s City have been the Premier League’s doubted the quality of midfielder Naby Keita despite outstanding side over the past two years, clocking up the Guinea international’s limited impact since his 100 points in 2017/18 and retaining the title last term arrival at Anfield last year. Keita has been confined to a during their treble-winning campaign. Guardiola hopes bit-part role since his £52.75 million ($69 million) move City, who have now lost four of their 16 league games from RB Leipzig in July 2018 and before Saturday had this season, will be able to learn from their setbacks. played just 14 minutes of Premier League football this “United have the quality to defend and the quality to season. attack on the counter-attack and you have to accept But the 24-year-old, whose Anfield career has been that,” said the City boss. “That is the level we face disrupted by injuries, gave a reminder of his ability with against Liverpool, United, Barcelona, Madrid, Juventus. a goal and an assist on his first top-flight start of the They are the teams we have to face and the reality is campaign in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Bournemouth. maybe we are not able now to compete with them. We Klopp, who has reassured Keita about his lack of first- have to improve and accept it and move forward. team opportunities, admits the relentless form of his Maybe we need to live that as a club to improve, to league leaders and a series of tight matches have made accept the reality now and improve.” it difficult to give him minutes. Guardiola, however, is not ready to give up on his “Naby had injuries, the team is in really good shape, side’s title defense and there is also plenty more to play so then do you change?” said Klopp. “We are not fly- for in the remainder of the campaign. City have already ing, it’s not like we won all of the games 4-0, or 5-0, so MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts on the touchline during the English qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League ahead we had to bring on a player who helps us with defend- Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in of Wednesday’s final group game against Dinamo ing set-pieces. Then Naby is sitting outside thinking, Manchester, north west England, on December 7, 2019. — AFP Zagreb, are through to the League Cup quarter-finals ‘why don’t I play?’ I get all that. So we stayed in con- and have a kind draw for the start of their FA Cup tact, we talked and we spoke a lot about it.” defense next month. Klopp said he never questioned the player’s quality. Leicester, Klopp is not getting carried away. “I don’t be key to successfully negotiating a hectic December “The reality is we are 14 points behind for the mis- “It was just unlucky and in life you need luck always,” know if it’s so special because we don’t think about schedule, during which they are competing in multiple takes we have done, for the quality of our opponents he said. “He started (his Liverpool career) really well- it,” he said of the unbeaten run. We get confronted competitions. “It was wonderful-maybe the best thing of and especially, as well, the things we cannot control,” everybody forgot that-then got injured. And again we with our winning streak always after the game, that’s the (Bournemouth) game-we didn’t have to use Sadio said Guardiola. “That is the reality but we have to con- had two really good seasons.” the only moment. From that moment on, nobody Mane,” said the German boss, whose team must avoid tinue. We are at the beginning of December and we Liverpool last lost a league game in early January thinks about it.” defeat against Salzburg on Tuesday to guarantee reach- have other competitions to play in and other games to but despite an eight-point lead over second-placed Klopp believes resting and rotating his players will ing the Champions League knockout stages.” — AFP

Free-scoring Euro Roundup Salzburg AC Milan get back on track MILAN: Daniele Ragatzu struck late as pose serious threat Cagliari snatched a 2-2 draw at Sassuolo to reclaim fourth spot in Serie A on Sunday, as AC Milan beat Bologna 3-2 to return to the to leaky Liverpool top half of the table. Fiorentina fell to their fourth consecutive defeat, 2-1 at Torino, LONDON: Liverpool travel to Salzburg today needing to while Cagliari left it late thanks to Ragatzu’s avoid defeat to the confident Austrian champions to 90th-minute equaliser having grabbed vic- guard against an embarrassing Champions League group tory against Sampdoria on Monday five stage exit for the holders. Jurgen Klopp’s men are used to minutes into added time. The Sardinian side getting through to the knockout stages the hard way. In move fourth, four points behind third- each of the past two seasons they have needed home LIVERPOOL: Liverpool players attend a training session at Melwood in Liverpool, north west England yesterday on the placed Lazio, and level on 29 points with wins to secure a place in the last 16 before going on to eve of their UEFA Champions League Group E football match against Salzburg. — AFP fifth-placed Roma. Inter Milan remain top make the final. after their goalless draw against Roma on However, the spectre of a free-scoring Salzburg, led by Friday with champions Juventus two points the Champions League’s top scorer in Erlin Braut Haaland behind to be exploited. the Champions League as they raced into a 3-0 lead, but behind after falling to their first defeat of spells trouble for an injury-hit Liverpool backline that has Goalkeeper Alisson Becker also missed the first two Salzburg hit back to level at 3-3 before Mohamed Salah’s the season 3-1 at Lazio on Saturday. — AFP consistently leaked goals this season despite streaking months of the season due to a calf injury to further unset- winner ensured Liverpool edged a seven-goal thriller. clear at the top of the Premier League. tle the backline. The Brazilian is now back, but another Salzburg have scored 87 goals in 24 games in all com- The Reds’ recorded a first clean sheet in 14 games in injury to Fabinho has robbed the back four of the best petitions this season, 28 of which have come from Marseille keep pace with PSG Saturday’s 3-0 win at Bournemouth, but lost another cen- player to protect them in the holding midfield role. Norwegian wonderkid Haaland in just 21 appearances. tre-back as Dejan Lovren limped off in the first half. The 19-year-old started on the bench when the sides met PARIS: Marseille kept pace with Ligue 1 Should the Croatian miss the trip to Austria, Joe Gomez TOPSY-TURVY FIRST MEETING at Anfield due to injury, but came on to inspire the visi- leaders Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday will be Klopp’s only fit partner for Virgil van Dijk in cen- “I forgot how it feels, to be honest,” said Klopp on tors’ revival in the second half and scored one of his eight after coming from behind to beat Bordeaux tral defense. finally ending the long wait for a clean sheet at the week- Champions League goals. 3-1 and rack up a sixth straight win that Van Dijk narrowly missed out to Lionel Missi in the end. “It’s great, we should have them more often. It was “He’s not the only threat from Salzburg but he’s a keeps them five points behind the champi- battle for the Ballon d’Or last week in recognition of the the most-used word in the dressing room by the boys - proper one,” said Klopp of the danger posed by Haaland ons. Jordan Amavi, Morgan Sanson and transformative effect he has had on Liverpool’s fortunes ‘clean sheet, clean sheet, clean sheet’. Obviously every- ahead of the sides’ first clash. Salzburg need to win to Nemanja Radonjic hit the decisive goals in over the past two years. But even the towering Dutchman body was desperate for that, now we have it so let’s have make the last 16 on their first appearance in the group front of a raucous crowd of around 52,000 has been incapable of stopping the steady flow of goals it more often. The next game where a clean sheet would stage in 25 years. A point would be enough for Liverpool as Andre Villas-Boas’ side maintained a hot against in recent months. be useful is already around the corner, against Salzburg to progress, but they need to win to secure top spot in streak that has seen them rise to second in Injuries have meant there has been a constant rotation [today].” Group E ahead of Napoli. Given Liverpool’s paucity of the French top flight. While a real challenge of Lovren, Gomez and Joel Matip alongside Van Dijk, That is easier said than done as Liverpool know from clean sheets and Salzburg’s thirst for goals, attack would to PSG’s domestic supremacy will be diffi- while the attacking impetus offered by full-backs Andy their first meeting with Jesse Marsch’s men in October. appear to be the best form of defense for the European cult, a return to the Champions League is Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves space in The hosts seemed to be cruising to another Anfield win in champions. — AFP looking more likely after another exciting performance led by Dimitri Payet. — AFP

with Solskjaer’s vision slowly coming to Three things we fruition. Getafe close gap with Sociedad Marcus Rashford has already matched his previous season’s best for MADRID: Real Sociedad clung on to learned from goals with 13, Fred has enjoyed two of fourth place in La Liga but saw their two- his best games since a £50 million point advantage over nearest challengers Premier League move from Shakhtar Donetsk 18 months Getafe wiped out after being held to a ago, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was outstand- goalless draw away to Real Valladolid on ing in nullifying the threat of Raheem Sunday. Getafe earned a 1-0 win away to LONDON: Liverpool’s relentless march Sterling and Harry Maguire marshalled Eibar earlier on Sunday thanks to a sec- to a first English title since 1990 gath- his defence resolutely under a late City ond-half strike from Angel Rodriguez, tak- ered pace with a comfortable win at bombardment. ing them fifth in the standings on 27 Bournemouth, while Manchester City’s There is still much to do for Solskjaer points, level with fourth-placed Sociedad defense of the trophy was hit by a to convince the doubters, not least after 16 games. Athletic Bilbao are sixth painful defeat against rivals Manchester catching Chelsea in fourth to secure a on 26 points after losing 3-2 at Real Betis, United. Fuelled by Jamie Vardy’s blister- return to the Champions League next while Atletico Madrid slipped to seventh ing form, Leicester have emerged as the season, but this was undoubtedly his on 26, having drawn 0-0 at Villarreal on closest challengers to Liverpool. AFP best week as permanent United boss. Friday. — Reuters Sport looks at three things we learned from the Premier League weekend: KLOPP RELISHES LIVERPOOL SHUTOUT Ten-man Celtic down Rangers SOLSKJAER’S BIG WEEK Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool’s MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives a Seven days ago Ole Gunnar Solskjaer first clean sheet in 14 games was the talk thumbs up on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between GLASGOW: Steven Gerrard lamented a was fielding questions over whether he is of the dressing room after the leaders’ 3- Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west huge missed chance to land his first silver- the man to return Manchester United to 0 win at Bournemouth. Klopp’s side England, on December 7, 2019. — AFP ware as Rangers manager as 10-man their former glories after a 2-2 home made it 33 league games unbeaten as Celtic claimed a 10th straight Scottish domestic trophy with a 1-0 win over their draw with Aston Villa left the Red Devils they maintained an eight-point lead over LEICESTER HAPPY TO STAY IN scoring streak from 2015-16. The Foxes fierce rivals in Sunday’s League Cup final. in ninth and with just four wins from second-placed Leicester. THE SHADOWS have reeled off a club record eight con- their opening 14 Premier League games. Goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, With Jamie Vardy on the kind of hot secutive top-flight victories, but Christopher Jullien scored the only goal on A week on and Solskjaer has secured Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah earned streak he last managed when Leicester Rodgers has no intention of talking up the hour mark, but Neil Lennon’s men had the two biggest victories of his time in the victory, but it was Liverpool’s first won their fairytale title in 2016, Brendan his team’s title chances. goalkeeper Fraser Forster to thank for a charge since a famous 3-1 win at Paris shutout since September 28 that pleased Rodgers’ side have become the last hope “I don’t think anyone expects us to string of saves, including from Alfredo Saint-Germain in the Champions League Klopp the most. “I forgot actually how it of a competitive race to be crowned be near the top. We respect that, we Morelos’ second-half penalty after Jeremie in March helped turn his caretaker spell feels, to be honest. It’s great, we should kings of English football. get on with our work and keep devel- Frimpong was sent off for bringing down in charge into a full-time position. have that more often,” Klopp said. Liverpool have left Manchester City oping as a team,” Rodgers said. “It’s the Colombian striker. Rangers enjoyed by United have beaten Tottenham on “For the boys, that was the most used trailing in their wake, but Leicester just natural, Man City and Liverpool far the better of the play and the chances Jose Mourinho’s return to Old Trafford word in the dressing room when I came remain in the hunt after Vardy’s double are both incredible teams. We know we even when Celtic had their full complement and now Manchester City 2-1 to climb in, ‘clean sheet, clean sheet, clean sheet’. inspired a 4-1 rout of Aston Villa. Vardy, are looking to improve and close the but could not find a way past the inspired up to fifth and within five points of the Obviously everybody was desperate for the Premier League’s leading scorer with gap. We have finished ninth in the last Forster and remain without a major trophy top four. On both occasions the score- that and now we have it, so let’s have it 16 goals this term, has netted in eight two seasons but today we looked like a since 2011. — AFP line arguably flattered the losing side more often.” successive games, recalling his 11-match top team.” — AFP 26 Established 1961 Sports Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Davis scores 50 to propel Lakers over Timberwolves

Doncic passes Jordan with most games of at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists

LOS ANGELES: Anthony Davis scored 50 points to said Davis, who laid in a floater with 4:39 left to play power the Los Angeles Lakers to a 142-125 victory to reach 50 points for the night. “My teammates did a over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday that good job of finding me.” gave the Western Conference leaders the best record LeBron James added 32 points with 13 assists in the NBA. despite finding himself in foul trouble with four in the Davis unleashed his aggression to notch the fourth first half. Alex Caruso chipped in 16 points as the 50-point game of his career and his first with the Lakers improved to 21-3. Lakers. He connecting on 20 of 29 shots from the Eight Minnesota players scored in double figures. field — with 16 baskets in the paint and not a single Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins scored 19 three-pointer. “One for the ages,” Lakers coach Frank apiece and the Timberwolves led by five late in the Vogel said. second quarter. Ultimately, however, they had no “The first thing that stands out to me was he had answer for Davis. four steals, a block and great defense for all 39 min- utes he was out there,” Vogel said. “To be able to HEAT FIND A HERRO perform on that end of the floor and anchor us and In Miami, rookie Tyler Herro scored 27 points and still go for 50 in what I feel is an old-school, smash- made a go-ahead three-pointer with 38.2 seconds left mouth way of getting 50. No threes, right? Twenty of in overtime to lift the Heat to a 110-105 victory over 29, living at the free throw line, post-ups, offensive the Chicago Bulls. Herro’s heroics included a three- rebounds, crashes, all those types of things ... just an pointer with 7.1 seconds left in regulation, which end- old-school performance.” ed with the score tied at 97-97. Davis, a perfect 10 of 10 from the free-throw line, He made three more from beyond the arc in the also pulled down seven rebounds and handed out six extra session — including one to tie the game and assists. “I just came out aggressive, playing hard,” one to give the Heat the lead for good as Miami LOS ANGELES: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives teammate, Anthony Davis #3 during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 8, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. —AFP NBA results/standings

LA Lakers 142, Minnesota 125; Miami 110, Chicago 105 (OT); Philadelphia 110, Toronto 104; Washington 119, LA Clippers 135; Portland 96, improved to 10-0 at home this season and 17-6 over- Holmes chipped in 12. Oklahoma City 108; Dallas 106, Sacramento 110; Charlotte 107, Atlanta 122; Brooklyn 105, Denver 102. all. “My teammates trusted me with the ball,” the 19- Eastern Conference Western Conference year-old reserve guard said. “Every time I get a shot, CLIPPERS BOUNCE BACK W L PCT GB W L PCT GB I have confidence.” The Los Angeles Clippers bounced back from an Milwaukee 20 3 0.870 — LA Lakers 21 3 0.875 — In Dallas, Luka Doncic scored 27 points with seven embarrassing 28-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Boston 16 5 0.762 3 LA Clippers 17 7 0.708 4 rebounds and eight assists for his 19th straight game on Friday with a 135-119 victory over the Wizards in Miami 17 6 0.739 3 Dallas 16 7 0.696 4.5 of at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. He Washington. Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and Philadelphia 17 7 0.708 3.5 Houston 15 7 0.682 5 Toronto 15 7 0.682 4.5 Denver 14 7 0.667 5.5 passed NBA icon Michael Jordan for the most such pulled down 11 rebounds for the Clippers as they Indiana 15 8 0.652 5 Utah 13 10 0.565 7.5 games in a row since the NBA/ABA merger in the improved to 1-1 in their six-game road trip. Brooklyn 13 10 0.565 7 Oklahoma City 10 12 0.455 10 1970s, but it wasn’t enough to deliver a victory for “We just wanted to come in and execute,” Leonard Orlando 11 11 0.500 8.5 Phoenix 10 12 0.455 10 the Mavs, who fell 110-106 to the Sacramento Kings. said. “Last game, we played very sluggish on the Detroit 9 14 0.391 11 Minnesota 10 12 0.455 10 Doncic missed a potential game-tying basket with offensive end. “It’s really not about missing shots or Charlotte 9 16 0.360 12 Sacramento 9 13 0.409 11 7.7 seconds remaining as Sacramento thwarted a late making shots, it’s about getting into our offense and Chicago 8 16 0.333 12.5 San Antonio 9 14 0.391 11.5 Washington 7 15 0.318 12.5 Portland 9 15 0.375 12 Mavericks rally. Nemanja Bjelica, who led the Kings executing and making the right play.” Paul George Atlanta 6 17 0.261 14 Memphis 6 16 0.273 14 with 30 points, closed out the scoring with a layup added 27 points as five Clippers players scored in Cleveland 5 17 0.227 14.5 New Orleans 6 17 0.261 14.5 after Richaun Holmes grabbed the rebound of double figures. Montrezl Harrell added nine of his 20 New York 4 19 0.174 16 Golden State 5 19 0.208 16 Doncic’s miss. Buddy Hield added 26 points for the in the fourth quarter to help Los Angeles put away Kings, former Maverick Harrison Barnes had 13 and the determined Wizards. — AFP

with Argentina. African players in ‘Explosive’ Martinez Martinez has scored nine goals for Argentina in 13 appearances, including a hat-trick against Mexico in fuels Inter’s September. “We were not surprised by his explo- Europe: Salah, Keita sion,” said Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti. “When we chose him we were convinced that he could drive Liverpool ambitions at home demonstrate the value he is now showing.” and abroad ‘Big dream’ towards title Martinez opted for Inter ahead of Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Valencia, with the club’s MILAN: Lautaro Martinez has had an explosive former Argentine stars Zanetti and Diego Milito PARIS: Liverpool’s confident march towards a first start to the season, powering Inter Milan’s league acting as intermediaries. His contract is reported to English title since 1990 continued with Mo Salah and title ambitions and European hopes under new coach be worth 1.5 million euros ($1.65 million) a season Naby Keita both on target in the 3-0 win at Antonio Conte. The 22-year-old — known as ‘El until the end of 2023, with a 111 million-euro release Bournemouth. Toro’ (The Bull) — joined the 18-time Serie A cham- clause, but Martinez insists: “Inter is my home.” Algerian defender Ramy Bensebaini, meanwhile, took pions last season from Racing Club, scoring nine “My big dream is to win a championship with the plaudits during Borussia Moenchengladbach’s win goals as Inter finished fourth in Serie A under former Inter,” continued the player from Bahia Blanca, over Bayern Munich which kept them top of the coach Luciano Spalletti. whose father was also a professional footballer. Bundesliga. The Argentina international has flourished this Three-time European champions Inter have not And there were other eye-catching contributions from campaign under former Italy and Juventus manager won the league since 2010, the year they won a his- some of the many Africans playing in Europe’s top Conte, with 13 goals in 20 appearances that have toric treble under Jose Mourinho. leagues over the weekend. made him a fan favourite after fellow Argentine Former Argentina and Inter Milan midfielder Mauro Icardi’s loan move to Paris Saint-Germain. Juan Sebastian Veron believes Martinez chose the England Inter are two points ahead of fierce rivals best place to learn his trade. “The Italian league, for Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Juventus as they look to prevent the Turin giants a football player, is the university of football,” The Egypt forward was in typically deadly form as from winning a ninth consecutive title. “The Veron, who won a Serie A title with Inter in 2006, Liverpool consolidated their eight-point lead at the top of Nerazzurri (Inter) striker is having an incredible told Gazzetta Dello Sport. “If Lautaro is so good the Premier League with a 3-0 win at Bournemouth on season, he is a great player,” said Juve coach right now, it’s largely down to Conte. The coach is Saturday. With Jurgen Klopp’s side already leading by Maurizio Sarri. always fundamental in the growth of a talent. Conte two goals, Salah — who had provided an assist for Naby LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Inter host already-qualified Barcelona in the San has given him confidence, made him feel important. Keita earlier in the match — wrapped up the points in the Salah attends a training session at Melwood in Liverpool, Siro today knowing a win will seal their ticket to the You don’t express yourself so confidently in a sta- 54th minute when he ran onto Keita’s pass and slotted north west England yesterday. — AFP last 16 of the Champions League. It was a brace dium like the San Siro if you don’t have support home. It was Salah’s 63rd goal in his 100th Premier from Martinez and a Romelu Lukaku goal that kept behind you.” League appearance and only Alan Shearer (79), Ruud van Inter in the Group F chase with a 3-1 win at Slavia But Conte, who coached Juventus to three Serie A Nistelrooy (68) and Sergio Aguero (64) scored more in injury time to give Gladbach the three points. Bensebaini Prague last time out. titles and Chelsea to the Premier League trophy, their first 100 games in the competition. Salah has now was cool and calm from the spot — perhaps because he Barca have shown an interest in signing the in- does not want to single out any one player. “When scored more Premier League goals against Bournemouth had forgotten that during the week he was nominated as form Inter striker, who along with former we talk too much about a single player or two I nev- (seven) than any other opponent. the side’s principal penalty taker and needed to be Manchester United forward Lukaku have scored 24 er like it,” said the 50-year-old. “Of course we have reminded by a teammate. of the team’s 40 goals this season. Six-time Ballon Lautaro and young lads who are growing. But I Naby Keita (Liverpool) d’Or winner Lionel Messi has already played with would like to talk about the whole team because get- The Guinea midfielder also impressed to help title- Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund) the striker, whose style of play resembles Messi’s ting hung up on just one is a lack of respect for all chasing Liverpool cruise to victory over Bournemouth. Hakimi was at his very best in Dortmund’s 5-0 Barca teammate Luis Suarez, in the Copa America the others.” — AFP After Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put Liverpool ahead, it destruction of Fortuna Duesseldorf, providing an assist was Keita who made it 2-0 in the 44th minute as he slot- for one of Jadon Sancho’s two goals and proving a con- ted home after Salah set him up with a clever backheel. stant danger on the edge of the box. Hakimi’s pace and Keita turned provider for Salah after half-time as vision are among the best in the Bundesliga and Liverpool extended their club record unbeaten run to 33 Dortmund will sorely miss him should he return to Real league games. They have won 15 of 16 Premier League Madrid at season’s end as expected. matches this season. Streli Mamba (Paderborn) Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester) Mamba’s superb assist set up Sven Michel’s 90th- The Nigeria forward maintained his recent resurgence minute winner away at Werder Bremen, with the German- with an influential display in Leicester’s record-breaking born, Congo-eligible forward showing deft footwork to 4-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday. Iheanacho scored put the goal on a platter. It’s been an incredible few a last-minute winner against Everton last weekend in his weeks for the Paderborn forward, who has struck a rich first league appearance of the season and he was back in vein of form in helping his side accrue valuable points in goal-scoring form at Villa Park. Having already set up the battle to avoid relegation. Jamie Vardy’s opening goal, Iheanacho made a well-timed run to meet James Maddison’s cross and finish from close France range. That doubled Leicester’s lead and made it four Victor Osimhen (Lille) goals in four appearances in all competitions for Victor Osimhen’s reputation as a goalscorer continues Iheanacho this term. to rise after the 20-year-old Nigerian scored the only goal in Lille’s 1-0 victory over Brest on Friday. It was Germany Osimhen’s ninth of the season, all of them coming at home. Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Moenchengladbach) After having one acrobatic effort well saved in the 12th The Algerian defender, who joined Gladbach from minute by Brest keeper Gautier Larsonneur, Osimhen Rennes in August, scored both goals in a 2-1 win over broke the deadlock four minutes later, latching on to Bayern Munich which ensured Borussia remained top of Jonathan Ikone’s pass. It was a third successive win for the table. After converting a corner with a perfectly Lille who are now up to third in Ligue 1 and in good form placed header in the 60th minute to make the score 1-1, heading into their Champions League tie against Chelsea MILAN: Inter Milan’s Argentinian forward Lautaro Martinez chest controls the ball during the Italian Serie Bensebaini converted a penalty deep into second-half on Tuesday. — AFP A football match Inter Milan vs AS Rome on December 6, 2019 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. —AFP 27 Sports Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Patriots jolted by Chiefs, 49ers down Saints in thriller Kansas City, New Orleans clinch divisional titles

LOS ANGELES: Tom Brady and the New England NFL results/standings Patriots slid to a second straight defeat on Sunday, falling 23-16 to the Kansas City Chiefs in a game Carolina 20 Atlanta 40; Baltimore 24 Buffalo 17; Cincinnati 19 marred by a series of officiating blunders. The reign- Cleveland 27; Washington 15 Green Bay 20; Detroit 7 Minnesota ing Super Bowl champions launched a spirited fight- 20; San Francisco 48 New Orleans 46; Miami 21 NY Jets 22; back after trailing 23-7 in the third quarter but lost Indianapolis 35 Tampa Bay 38; Denver 38 Houston 24; LA Chargers 45 Jacksonville 10; Tennessee 42 Oakland 21; Kansas City 23 New crucial momentum after multiple calls went against England 16; Pittsburgh 23 Arizona 17; Seattle 12 LA Rams 28. them at Foxborough. The most glaring officiating error occurred early in American Football Conference the fourth quarter, when N’Keal Harry was wrongly AFC East W L T PCT PF PA adjudged to have been forced out of bounds as he New England 10 3 0 .769 338 168 dived into the corner for a touchdown. Replays clearly Buffalo 9 4 0 .692 274 212 showed Harry was in-bounds and the Patriots should NY Jets 5 8 0 .385 226 301 have been awarded a touchdown — but with coach Miami 3 10 0 .231 221 399 Bill Belichick already out of challenges, the call was AFC North x-Baltimore 11 2 0 .846 430 236 allowed to stand. Pittsburgh 8 5 0 .615 259 242 With the drive eventually ending in a Patriots field Cleveland 6 7 0 .462 273 291 goal, the hosts turned around 23-16 instead of poten- Cincinnati 1 12 0 .077 198 325 tially cutting the Chiefs lead to 23-20 with most of the AFC South fourth quarter remaining. The officiating crew had also Houston 8 5 0 .615 317 309 blown an earlier call, mistakenly whistling play dead Tennessee 8 5 0 .615 318 255 Indianapolis 6 7 0 .462 296 295 after failing to spot a Travis Kelce fumble, denying the Jacksonville 4 9 0 .308 230 337 Patriots a potential defensive touchdown. AFC West The Patriots — who had been booed off the field at y-Kansas City 9 4 0 .692 371 281 halftime after trailing 20-7 — had one last attempt for Oakland 6 7 0 .462 258 366 a game-tying score, but Brady’s pass to Julian Denver 5 8 0 .385 236 261 Edelman in the endzone was batted away by Bashaud LA Chargers 5 8 0 .385 289 251 NEW ORLEANS: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in National Football Conference Breeland. NFC East Patriots coach Belichick refused to be drawn on the the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana.— AFP Dallas 6 7 0 .462 334 267 officiating performance following the loss. Asked what Philadelphia 5 7 0 .417 274 284 officials had said after disallowing Harry’s touchdown, the San Francisco 49ers, going down 48-46 in the would reclaim top spot with victory over the Los Washington 3 10 0 .231 188 310 Belichick replied: “You’ll have to talk to them about NY Giants 2 10 0 .167 230 339 Superdome. Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo Angeles Rams later Sunday. The Saints meanwhile fell NFC North that. I’m not going to speak for them.” finished with 349 passing yards from 26 completions to 10-3 with the defeat, potentially complicating their Green Bay 10 3 0 .769 309 270 “I was proud of the way our guys competed as San Francisco rallied superbly with a late drive route through the playoffs as they chase a berth in the Minnesota 9 4 0 .692 339 249 tonight,” he added. “They battled for 60 minutes. after Drew Brees had helped the Saints take a 46-45 Super Bowl in Miami in February. Chicago 7 6 0 .538 243 232 Wasn’t always perfect, and there’s certainly things we lead with less than a minute left. In other games on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens Detroit 3 9 1 .269 287 335 could have done better. But we were competitive right Garoppolo showed great composure as the sec- sealed their playoff berth with a 24-17 defeat of the NFC South the way down to the final play.” Asked about the boos y-New Orleans 10 3 0 .769 344 296 onds ticked down, converting a do-or-die 4th & 2 with Bills in Buffalo. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson Tampa Bay 6 7 0 .462 378 381 his team had been subjected to at half-time, Belichick a short pass to find tight end George Kittle. Kittle threw three touchdowns but ended with only 145 Carolina 5 8 0 .385 300 360 added: “We’re just trying to win games.” The Patriots then charged forward, shrugging off the attentions of yards and 16 completions on a day when neither Atlanta 4 9 0 .308 300 343 fell to 10-3 with the loss but lead the AFC East. The two tacklers to advance 39 yards and take the 49ers offense managed to fire on all cylinders. The Ravens NFC West Chiefs meanwhile clinched the AFC West divisional within field goal range. It was left to veteran kicker now lead the AFC North on 11-2. San Francisco 11 2 0 .846 397 229 title with the win, improving to 9-4. Seattle 10 3 0 .769 341 321 Robbie Gould to deliver the decisive field goal, the At Lambeau Field, Aaron Rodgers threw for 195 LA Rams 8 5 0 .615 311 262 37-year-old nailing his kick from 30 yards to silence yards and a touchdown as the Green Bay Packers Arizona 3 9 1 .269 272 374 Superdome thriller the Superdome in dramatic fashion. defeated the Washington Redskins 20-15. The y-clinched division title Elsewhere Sunday, the New Orleans Saints also The win sees the 49ers improve to 11-2 to regain Packers improved to 10-3 with the win to tighten their x-clinched playoff berth clinched their division despite losing a thriller against first place in the NFC West division, although Seattle grip on the NFC North. — AFP

Rangers 5, Golden Knights 0 Panthers 5, Sharks 1 NHL roundup: Eichel Alexandar Georgiev made 38 saves for his second Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky won his second game shutout of the season, and Jacob Trouba and Artemi in as many nights as Florida defeated San Jose at Panarin each had a goal and an assist as New York Sunrise, Fla. Bobrovsky made 30 saves, while the extends streak, Sabres began its four-game western road trip with a victory at Panthers got goals from Keith Yandle, Aleksander Las Vegas. Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Jesper Barkov, Mike Matheson, Brett Connolly (his team-high down Oilers in OT Fast also scored goals, and Ryan Strome added two 14th of the season) and Frank Vatrano (empty-netter). assists for the Rangers, who avenged a 4-1 loss to the Yandle and Connolly both scored on power plays, while Golden Knights on Monday at Madison Square Garden. Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad each added two EDMONTON: Defenseman Colin Miller scored his New York finishes up the trip by playing the three assists. Kevin Labanc scored for the Sharks, ending San first goal of the season 1:13 into overtime as the California teams beginning Tuesday night in Los Jose’s 0-for-23 power-play drought over the previous Buffalo Sabres defeated the host Edmonton Oilers 3- Angeles. It was the fourth career shutout for Georgiev. 10 games. Martin Jones made 28 saves for the Sharks, 2 Sunday night. Kyle Okposo and Johan Larsson also It also marked the first time since Feb. 18 at Colorado who have lost four straight games. scored, and goaltender Linus Ullmark made 26 saves (3-0) that the Golden Knights were blanked. for the Sabres, who blew a two-goal, first-period Coyotes 4, Blackhawks 3 (SO) lead. Buffalo wrapped up a three-game Western Jets 3, Ducks 2 (OT) Carl Soderberg had the game-tying goal and an Canada trip with a 1-1-1 record. Riley Sheahan and Mark Scheifele scored his second goal of the game assist, and Arizona rallied for a win in the shootout Joakim Nygard scored for Edmonton, which fell to 1- on a power play with 4:22 remaining, and Winnipeg round against host Chicago. Christian Fischer and 1-1 on its four-game homestand, and Mike Smith held on to defeat visiting Anaheim. Adam Lowry also Conor Garland also scored during regulation for the CLEVELAND: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland stopped 19 of 22 shots. Sabres forward Jack Eichel scored, Mathieu Perreault had two assists and Connor Coyotes, who won for the third time in four games. Browns looks for yards after a first half catch while weaved his way into the offensive zone in overtime Hellebuyck made 31 saves for the Jets. Winnipeg went Garland provided the decisive goal in the shootout playing the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium and fed Marcus Johansson near the right post. on the power play with 4:45 left after Ryan Getzlaf was round, which also featured a goal by Nick Schmaltz. on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. — AFP Johansson sent a cross-crease pass to Miller, who put called for tripping Andrew Copp in neutral ice. Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrincat and Dominik Kubalik the puck into a nearly empty net. Eichel extended his Scheifele hit the crossbar off the faceoff four seconds each scored for the Blackhawks. Patrick Kane tallied point streak to 13 games (10 goals, 13 assists), the into the power play before scoring on a one-timer from the lone shootout goal for Chicago, who earned a point longest current run in the NHL. the slot 19 seconds later. in the standings despite the late letdown. — Reuters Browns’ Mayfield on Beckham’s injury: Kuwait ready to host world junior water polo tourney ‘Wasn’t handled right’

By Abdellatif Sharaa CLEVELAND: Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said Sunday that wide receiver Odell Beckham KUWAIT: Head of Kuwait and Asian Swimming Jr.’s lingering hip/groin injury “wasn’t handled right” after Federations Sheikh Khalid Al-Bader Al-Sabah said prepa- it first surfaced in training camp. “Wasn’t handled the right rations for the 20th FINA World Men’s Junior Water Polo way in our training room,” Mayfield told reporters after Championship, to be held in Kuwait this Thursday at HH the Browns’ 27-19 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. “So Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Olympic Swimming Pools it is what it is. His ‘not 100 percent’ is still good enough for Complex at Al-Naser Sports Club are ready. He said 20 us.” The subject came up during the postgame press con- national teams will participate under the supervision of the ference in reference to an ESPN report Sunday morning International Federation (FINA). that Beckham is considering sports hernia surgery after Sheikh Khalid spoke during a press conference attend- the season. Mayfield was asked if he could tell that the ed by FINA President Dr Juilio Maglione along with sever- injury has bothered Beckham. al federation officials, Public Authority for Sports (PAS) “Yeah, I’d say that wasn’t handled right,” Mayfield Deputy Director General for Competitive Sports Dr Saqer responded. “He’s not able to run as well as he should be Al-Mulla, first Vice-president of FINA, Secretary of able to, as well as he knows, and that’s frustrating for him. Kuwait Olympic Committee Hussein Al-Musallam along You can sense that’s some of his frustration where that with a number of championship sponsors. He said Kuwait’s comes from.” Asked what was not handled right, Mayfield organization of this major world event contributes to the replied, “I think it could’ve been addressed earlier on.” development of water polo game in Kuwait with preparing “... I think looking back on it, obviously hindsight’s facilities and having individuals gain important experience 20/20, but he probably would’ve missed first two (games), in organizing and managing such events. one or two — just based on the fact it was during training Sheikh Khalid Al-Sabah appreciated the support of HH camp. It is what it is, we’re here right now, it’s too late to the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and KUWAIT: Officials speak in a press conference ahead of the 20th FINA World Men’s Junior Water Polo do that. He’s fighting through pain, he’s playing through HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Championship in Kuwait. pain, so that shows you what type of guy he is.” Al-Sabah, which enabled them to host the championship. Mayfield later addressed his comments on Twitter, say- He also thanked National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali ing that his “intentions were not to throw our medical staff Al-Ghanem for patronizing the event, also thanked FINA host major world events, as human resources and world- technicians to run the matches as there will be eight to ten under the bus.” “No I don’t know all the facts about Odell’s officials for their confidence in Kuwait’s federation. class facilities are available ensuring the success of any matches a day. He also commended Kuwaiti volunteers injury,” Mayfield added. “It was emotionally answered Meanwhile, President of FINA Uruguayan Dr Julio major sports event. who worked hard to get things ready for this major events. because I can sense his frustration and I care about my Maglione said the facility where the championship will Mulla said PAS aims to build a generation of adminis- Meanwhile, FINA Executive Director Cornel team and putting us in the best position to win. “Those take place is outstanding and matches those that host trative and technical manpower that is able to organize Marcolescu said the federation is satisfied with technical people within our building know my intentions and where I Olympic games and world championships. He also pointed major sports gatherings, and lauded the efforts of Kuwait and organizational preparations of the championship and am coming from. I truly believe that and I apologize to out the efforts of the Kuwaiti organizing committee which Swimming Federations in preparing for the event. He said expected competition to be strong in the presence of the those that don’t deserve the backlash.... today was a good met all FINA requirements. PAS cooperates with all federations and clubs to support best world teams. team win. On to the next one.” Beckham missed the whole He said this championship is the most important on the development of Kuwait sport to be able to achieve Zain’s Chief of Public Relations and Communications preseason with what was described at the time as a hip FINA’s agenda until the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games, and good results and have Kuwait in a prominent place on the Waleed Al-Khashti said Zain’s sponsorship comes out of injury. He has been on the injury report all season, with a pointed to the role of his first Vice-President Hussein Al- world map. its belief in the vital role of the private sector in developing hip issue designated from Weeks 1-6 and then a groin Musallam in holding the event in Kuwait as part of FINA’s First Vice-President of FINA Hussein Al-Musallam said youth and sports sectors out of social responsibility. He issue listed in every week since the team’s Week 7 bye. effort to spread the game around the world. the gain from countries hosting championships is in creat- said the company will facilitate the 5G technology for the Beckham has mostly practiced in full despite the issue, but In the meantime, Deputy Director General of PAS Dr ing a youth generation that is able to organize and manage workers at the championship. Host country Kuwait plays in he’s been limited the last three weeks. He has not missed a Saqer Al-Mulla said the authority’s support to host this in the sports field. the same group with the United States, Italy, Iran and game this season, catching 59 passes for 844 yards and major world event comes out of its vision to have Kuwait He said FINA provided a large number of referees and Montenegro. two touchdowns. — Reuters Established 1961 Sport

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019

Guardiola admits Man City Davis scores 50 to propel Patriots jolted by Chiefs, 25standards have slipped 26 Lakers over Timberwolves 27 49ers down Saints in thriller

Russia banned from Olympics over doping Russia cannot compete at 2022 World Cup under own flag

SOCHI: This file photo taken on February 23, 2014, shows the Olympic flag and the Russian flag flying during the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi. — AFP

LAUSANNE/MOSCOW: Russia was banned from the world governing body, said it was in contact with Moscow provide an authentic copy of the laboratory world’s top sporting events for four years yesterday, WADA to clarify the extent of the decision. data. The sanctions effectively strip the agency of its including the next summer and winter Olympics and The ban also means that Russian sportsmen and accreditation. Riquelme beats the 2022 soccer World Cup, for tampering with dop- sportswomen will not be able to perform at the The punishment leaves the door open for clean ing tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Olympics in Tokyo next year under their own flag and Russian athletes to compete at big international executive committee acted after concluding that national anthem. The International Olympic Committee events without their flag or anthem for the next four Maradona as Boca Moscow had planted fake evidence and deleted files (IOC), which has come under attack for not taking a years, something they did at the 2018 Pyeongchang linked to positive doping tests in laboratory data that harder line on Russian doping, said it fully backed the Olympics. elect new president could have helped identify drug cheats. ruling by the Swiss-based WADA. “This protects the rights of Russian athletes by The decision was a huge blow to the pride of a “The representatives of the Olympic Movement allowing re-entry for those able to demonstrate they BUENOS AIRES: Former Argentina playmaker Juan nation that has traditionally been a powerhouse in today supported this unanimous decision in the are not implicated in any way (in doping),” Reedie told Roman Riquelme has won a three-way battle with bit- many sports but whose reputation has been tarnished WADA Executive Committee, which is in line with the a news conference. “The decision is designed to pun- ter rival Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta after by a series of doping scandals. “For too long, Russian statement made by the IOC Executive Board last week ish the guilty parties...it stands strong against those his group won the elections at Boca Juniors, striking a doping has detracted from clean sport,” WADA presi- and endorsed by the Olympic Summit,” the IOC said. who cheated the system.” big blow against his old foe Maradona. dent Craig Reedie said. “The blatant breach by the The 2020 Tokyo Olympic organizing committee Some Russian officials have tried to cast WADA’s The list headed by Jorge Ameal, who was club Russian authorities of RUSADA’s reinstatement condi- said it would welcome all athletes as long as they were behavior as part of what they say is a broader president between 2008 and 2011, won 52.8 percent tions...demanded a robust response. That is exactly clean. It would also work with relevant organizations Western attempt to hold back the country. Igor of the vote from Boca’s 84,000 members, bringing what has been delivered today,” he said in a statement. to fully implement anti-doping measures, Tokyo 2020 Lebedev, a lawmaker and deputy speaker of Russia’s Riquelme into the 33-time Argentine champions’ hier- The impact of the unanimous decision was felt imme- spokesman Masa Takaya said in a statement. lower house of parliament, said on Monday the move archy. The 41-year-old stood alongside Ameal as diately, with WADA confirming that the Russian Russia has been embroiled in doping scandals since was a serious blow to Russian sport that required a prospective second vice-president and helped see off national team could not take part in the 2022 World a 2015 report commissioned by WADA found evidence tough response from Russian authorities, the RIA the faction supported by Maradona and powerful out- Cup in Qatar under the Russian flag and could only of mass doping in Russian athletics. Its woes have only news agency reported. If RUSADA appeals WADA’s going president of Argentina Mauricio Macri, which participate as neutrals. But WADA said the sanctions grown since, with many of its athletes sidelined from punishment, the case will be referred to the Court of was led by Christian Gribaldo and only gathered 30.6 would not prevent the Russian city of St Petersburg the past two Olympics and the country stripped of its Arbitration for Sport. Some thought the sanctions did percent of the vote. The list supported by Batistuta hosting matches during next year’s Euro 2020 soccer flag altogether at last year’s Pyeongchang Winter not go far enough. came in a distant third with 16.1 percent. “It was a big championship or the 2021 Champions League final Games as punishment for state-sponsored doping cov- Travis Tygart, head of the United States Anti- party. Our fans voted for the love of the club colors, because they were “not multi-sport major events or er-ups at the 2014 Sochi Games. Doping Agency (USADA) and long a vocal critic of I’m satisfied,” said Riquelme after his side’s victory. There has been bad blood between the pair since world championships but rather regional/continental Yesterday’s sanctions, which also include a four- WADA’s handling of the issue, blasted it for failing to Riquelme snubbed Maradona, then Argentina’s coach, single-sport events.” year ban on Russia hosting major sporting events, impose a blanket ban. “To allow Russia to escape a by refusing to come out of retirement for the 2010 “If they qualify (for the World Cup), a team repre- were recommended by WADA’s compliance review complete ban is yet another devastating blow to clean World Cup, making it clear the refusal was personal. senting Russia cannot participate, but if there is a committee in response to the doctored laboratory athletes,” said Tygart in a statement. “WADA prom- Maradona, who is a hero in Argentina but won little mechanism put in place, then they can apply to partic- data provided by Moscow earlier this year. ised the world back in 2018 that if Russia failed yet with Boca, warned fans against voting for Riquelme’s ipate on a neutral basis, not as representatives of One of the conditions for the reinstatement of again to live up to its agreements, it would use the faction, saying results would worsen on the pitch. Russia,” Jonathan Taylor, chair of WADA’s compliance Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA, which was sus- toughest sanction under the rules. Yet, here we go There was also a concerted effort by the previous club review committee, told a news conference. It was not pended in 2015 in the wake of the athletics doping again; WADA says one thing and does something administration, backed by Macri, to block out clear how that might work in practice. FIFA, soccer’s scandal but reinstated last year, had been that entirely different.” — Reuters Riquelme’s presence in the campaigning. A photo showing him wearing the Boca number 10 was banned from the ballot paper, and the club warned fans ahead of election day that anyone wear- Riyadh from October 4-10 with total prize money of Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud said: “This ing a Riquelme T-shirt would not be allowed to vote at Saudi Arabia to £2.5 million ($3.29 million) as part of the 2020-21 partnership adds further to our hosting of a diverse the club’s Bombonera stadium. World Snooker Tour calendar. range of international sports in Saudi Arabia. Having However Riquelme’s support was key to Ameal’s “This is a giant leap forward for our sport. We have held motorsport and boxing events in recent months, victory as a highly successful playmaker for the capi- host major snooker enjoyed tremendous global expansion over the past and with tennis and equestrian events to follow, we are tal city club. He scored three times in the 5-0 aggre- decade, particularly in Asia and Europe and we are thrilled to add the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, which gate win over Gremio to win their last Copa thrilled to stage a new and momentous tournament in will see world-class snooker played in Saudi Arabia for Libertadores in 2007, Riquelme’s third for the club event for first time the Middle East,” World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn the first time in 2020.” and Boca’s sixth overall. said on Sunday. Saudi Arabia has sought to stage sporting and enter- Boca reached the Libertadores final again last year LONDON: Saudi Arabia has agreed a deal with World The tournament will include all 128 Tour players and tainment events in a bid to attract visitors and move only to lose to fierce rivals River Plate in a controver- Snooker to host a ranking event for the first time after the world’s top 32 will enter at the third-round stage, away from its oil-dependent economy. Britain’s Anthony sial final that saw the second leg moved to Madrid fol- lowing fan trouble. River also eliminated Boca in this signing a 10-year deal with the sport’s governing body. with four local players competing in the first round. Joshua won world boxing heavyweight titles against year’s semi-finals.—AFP The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be held in Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority chairman Andy Ruiz in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. — AFP