JAMADA ALAWWAL 13, 1442 AH MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020

16 Pages Max 16º Min 08º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18320 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

2020: World rocked by COVID, Aussie lobster sector claws From bean to bar, Haiti’s cocoa Liverpool stumble as West 5 Trump and Black Lives Matter 8 back trade after China ban 13 wants international recognition 16 Brom snatch draw at Anfield

MPs discuss general amnesty law in meeting with premier Lawmakers target expats in govt jobs • Foreign consultants terminated

By B Izzak

Kuwait’s COVID KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled Al-Sabah yesterday met around 10 MPs and discussed with them the government’s position vaccination drive towards a proposed general amnesty law to pardon political activists. MP Ahmad Al-Azemi said the meet- begins in earnest ing also tackled other issues like cooperation between the Assembly and the government and popular issues KUWAIT: Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al- including housing, education, health and others. Sabah yesterday hailed the high turnout of med- The lawmaker said the meeting focused on the ical personnel and frontline workers at the coro- need to pardon a group of former opposition MPs navirus vaccination center after the vaccination and activists who have been living in exile in Turkey campaign kicked off yesterday. The actual inocu- for more than two years. The Assembly’s legal and lation campaign began yesterday after its inau- legislative committee yesterday discussed the general guration on Thursday, the minister said in a amnesty law and invited authorities to send their statement to journalists while inspecting the cen- views on the legislation within two weeks, head of the ter at the International Fairgrounds in Mishref. committee MP Khaled Al-Enezi said. Medical personnel will be the first to take the He said the committee also discussed draft laws for vaccine against COVID-19 throughout the week, amending the election law and for Kuwaitization of Sheikh Basel affirmed. A shipment of vaccine government jobs. The government was given two doses will arrive in Kuwait every month and they years to send its views on these bills, after which the will be provided to willing citizens and expatri- committee will invite the concerned minister for dis- ates throughout 2021, he added. The minister cussion, Enezi said. The Kuwaitization law aims at replacing a majority of expats in government jobs called on everyone to register their names and with Kuwaitis. other required data on the assigned website to KUWAIT: Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah watches as a medic receives a dose of the The move comes after new Commerce and get a date for immunization against COVID-19. Pfizer-BioTech COVID-19 vaccine at the vaccination center at the international fairgrounds in Industry Minister Faisal Al-Medlej dismissed all for- He revealed none of those who had taken the Mishref yesterday. — KUNA (See Page 4) eign consultants at the ministry and banned vaccine suffered from side effects. — KUNA Continued on Page 2

people worldwide since emerging in News in brief EU launches China late last year and caused at least 80 million confirmed cases, according to an AFP tally.

60,000 ration cards canceled vaccinations to But polls have shown many

Europeans are unwilling to take the KUWAIT: The commerce ministry announced vaccine, which could impede its effec- it will be cancelling 60,000 food ration cards of end ‘nightmare’ tiveness in beating the virus, while it will domestic workers who are no longer working PARIS: EU countries yesterday take months for large chunks of the under their employers from the beginning of embarked on a vaccination campaign population to be immunized. “It is with January. A source said some of the domestic to defeat the “nightmare” of COVID- deep pride and a deep sense of respon- workers have left the country but their sponsors 19, with the first to be immunized sibility that I got the vaccine today. A have not updated their records and continue to expressing emotion after their jab and small gesture but a fundamental gesture receive their share. The decision will save leaders hailing a milestone in the fight for all of us,” said Claudia Alivernini, 29, around KD 4.5 million annually. — Al-Rai against the pandemic. The vaccine is a an Italian nurse who was the first in her SEVRAN, France: Mauricette, a 78-year-old French woman, receives glimmer of hope for a continent country to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Rene- yearning for a return to normal from a jab yesterday morning. Muret Hospital on the outskirts of Paris yesterday. — AFP KD 130 health insurance pandemic that has killed 1.76 million Continued on Page 2

KUWAIT: Chairman of Health Assurance Hospitals Co (Dhaman) Mutlaq Al-Sane said the would be given to front line health workers and company plans to launch operations at five pri- Oman launches people who are considered to be vulnerable. Oman mary care centers with a 600-bed capacity by has so far recorded more than 128,000 cases of the the beginning of 2022. Speaking during the novel coronavirus, including 1,495 deaths - the opening of a primary care center in Dajeej, he vaccination drive highest after Saudi Arabia which has recorded over said patients will have to pay annual health MUSCAT: Oman started coronavirus vaccinations 6,000 deaths. insurance of KD 130 per person, in addition to yesterday, two days ahead of plans to resume all Along with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the Gulf sul- visitation fees. — Al-Rai flights and open borders that temporarily closed tanate suspended commercial travel and banned amid concerns over a new strain of the disease. The entry and exit via their land and sea borders last sultanate - which has recorded the second highest week after a new strain of the virus appeared in 600 teachers face termination number of COVID-19 deaths in the Gulf after Saudi Britain. Saudi Arabia has yet to announce whether it Arabia - is the last of the Gulf Cooperation will lift the suspension this week, while Kuwait has KUWAIT: The education ministry is consider- Countries (GCC) to begin inoculating people. Like said it plans to re-open on Jan 1. ing terminating 600 expatriate teachers who are most of its neighbors it has opted for the Pfizer- Oman is hoping to quickly start receiving tourists, still stranded abroad due to coronavirus travel BioNTech vaccine. especially from its wealthy neighboring countries, to MUSCAT: Oman’s Health Minister Ahmed Al-Saidi restrictions. The teachers specialize in subjects Health Minister Ahmed Al-Saidi, one of the first boost its economy that has been hit hard by slump- reacts as he receives his first dose of the vaccine including computer, craft and Islamic education citizens to get a jab at a Muscat clinic, said priority ing oil prices and the pandemic. —AFP yesterday. — AFP - which can be taught by locally-hired teachers. But the ministry decided to bring back to Kuwait around 330 teachers of maths, chem- to rescue 14 during a three-day oper- istry, English and physics who are stuck abroad 11 killed in ation led by 20 emergency teams by issuing them new visas. — Al-Jarida backed by helicopters. On Saturday, rescuers said they had Iran blizzards, found the bodies of eight climbers, Gulf FMs discuss ‘cooperation’ while yesterday morning it was avalanches announced that another had died. The KUWAIT: Gulf Arab foreign ministers held a bodies of another two were recovered virtual meeting hosted by Manama yesterday to TEHRAN: Three more climbers in in the Darabad mountains, the Red bolster “cooperation” ahead of a summit next Iran have died after avalanches struck Crescent said yesterday, adding that month amid efforts to end a rift between a mountains north of the capital Tehran, the rescue operation was now over. Saudi-led alliance and Qatar. The six GCC bringing the overall toll to 11, the Red Tehran lies at the foot of the Alborz countries addressed yesterday “suggestions on Crescent said yesterday. State news mountain range which stretches across supporting and strengthening joint Gulf cooper- agency IRNA said the tragedy began 900 km from the border with on Friday when avalanches and bliz- ation in various political, economic and social Azerbaijan in Iran’s northwest to TEHRAN: A handout picture shows rescue team transporting the zards hit the mountainous region. aspects”, according to a statement by Kuwait’s Khorasan province in the northeast. The bodies of mountaineers who died after blizzards and avalanches hit Several climbers were trapped in the foreign ministry. — AFP (See Page 2) area is famous for its many ski resorts mountains north of Tehran on Saturday. — AFP area but the Red Crescent managed and is popular with climbers. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Monday, December 28, 2020 Local Kuwait Amir condoles with Egypt over hospital fire victims Sheikh Nawaf receives state officials at Seif Palace

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Al-Sabah meets His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Sabah meets National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- Sabah meets His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Ghanem. — Amiri Diwan photos Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of identi- erupted at a hospital in Obour district on north- Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. His Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has sent a cable of cal content to President Al-Sisi. His Highness the ern outskirts of the Egyptian capital. Highness the Amir later received Deputy Prime condolences to Egyptian President Abdulfattah Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- In other news, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Al-Sisi on a deadly fire that happened at a med- Hamad Al-Sabah also addressed Sisi with a simi- Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, and Deputy Prime ical unit for treating COVID-19 cases in Cairo. lar cable. Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Seif Palace yesterday His Highness the Crown Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs His Highness the Amir prayed for the souls of the Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem sent a similar cable to Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Anas Al-Saleh. In the meantime, His Highness the deceased, wished the injured recovery and well- his Egyptian counterpart Dr Ali Abdulal. It was Sabah. His Highness the Amir also received Crown Prince received Ghanem, His Highness being and their families strength and patience. reported in Cairo that the blaze killed seven National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al- patients and injured five people. The fire had and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ali and Saleh at Seif Palace.

Bader Al-Kharafi commented, “The Zain evolves graduate world continues to change at a rapid pace, and the importance of data sci- ence-related disciplines in making program to ‘CODE 7’ data organizations future-ready and success- ful is highly relevant. As such, we believe science focused initiative it is the right time to launch this CODE 7 initiative, taking our graduate program to KUWAIT: Zain Group, a leading mobile gram at the start of 2021, will be guided a new direction. We have every confi- telecom innovator in seven markets through the year with the intention that dence that the efforts we will place in across the Middle East and Africa, they will then go on to support digitiza- these young talents will result in forging announces that after five successful tion efforts within Zain in areas such as high-performing and successful careers, years, the company’s progressive data analytics and data science. as well as being beneficial for Zain Generation Z graduate training program Aligned to the reimagined graduate through the insights they will later be has transformed into an initiative focused program, Zain is set to establish an in- able to offer the company. I encourage on developing cutting edge skills of house Data Science division that will the incoming graduates to make the most future data analysts. harness the talents of the participants of this life-altering opportunity and wish KUWAIT: Five CODE 7 participants: (from left) Omar Saleh, Khalid Al-Jassim, The new program, called ‘CODE 7’ given the company’s focus on identifying them every success.” Abdullah Al-Rasheed, Abdulaziz Khalifa and Sara Al-Rabab. targets Kuwaiti graduates who have future trends and developing skill sets to The year-long CODE 7 program majored in computer science-related match those future requirements. offers an invigorating selection of topics, subjects. Five dynamic young people Ultimately, Zain expects students who subjects, and activities that include: • Behavioral Work (life skills, resilience studies were selected to participate in the inau- pass through its CODE 7 program to • Creativity and Innovation etc) The five successful participants to be gural year-long program by Zain Vice- grow to become highly sort-after data • Data Science Certification to expert • Innovative Sustainable Projects selected for the inaugural CODE 7 pro- Chairman and Group CEO, Bader Al- science professionals who support Zain’s level • Rotations across Zain operations on gram are: Omar Saleh; Khalid Al-Jassim; Kharafi. These bright young recruits, evolution to a digital lifestyle operator • Artificial Intelligence, Machine digitization Abdullah Al-Rasheed; Abdulaziz Khalifa who will formally commence the pro- and beyond. Learning • On-the-job applications and case and Sara Al-Rabab.

Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Serbia, EU launches Singapore and Saudi Arabia have also begun their vac- Officials discuss cination campaigns. Britain, which last week finalized a deal on leaving vaccinations... the EU, began its vaccination campaign amid much fan- Gulf ‘cooperation’ Continued from Page 1 fare on Dec 8, three weeks ahead of the bloc. But it was also in Britain that a new strain of the virus emerged that ahead of summit In Greece, the first in line was nurse Efstathia has already reached several other European countries Kampissiouli who flashed a V-sign while being vacci- as well as Japan and Canada. The new strain, which MANAMA: Top Gulf Arab officials held a virtual nated and later told Ert TV it was “a great honor for me experts fear is more contagious, prompted more than meeting yesterday to bolster “cooperation” ahead but also for those working on the frontline”. European 50 countries to impose travel restrictions on the UK. of a summit next month amid efforts to end a rift Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the Echoing concerns from officials across the continent, between a Saudi-led alliance and Qatar. The foreign campaign start as a “touching moment of unity and a Health Minister Olivier Veran said France has not ruled ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, European success story”, adding the process will “help out imposing a third nationwide lockdown if coron- Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait took part in the meeting to get our normal lives back gradually”. avirus cases continue to rise after the holiday season. hosted by Manama, while Qatar was represented by MANAMA: Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdellatif Al- Countries are however showing different strategies, He said it would become clear in the next months if the its minister of state for foreign affairs. Zayani holds a virtual meeting with top Gulf Arab with Italy focusing on health workers, France the elder- vaccine did not just stop people falling sick but also The participation of Qatar’s foreign minister, officials yesterday. — AFP ly and in the Czech Republic, Greece and Slovakia from passing the virus on. “This would allow us to leave Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, political leaders at the front of the queue. In a sign of this nightmare quicker,” he said. would have been seen as another sign towards end- impatience, some EU countries began vaccinating on Vaccines other than the Pfizer-BioNTech jab are also ing the diplomatic dispute. Saudi Arabia led its allies normalcy in the region, according to Bahraini media. Saturday, a day before the official start, with a 101- in the pipeline, and the United States, where over a million the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt to cut ties with Qatar in Earlier this month, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince year-old woman in a care home becoming the first per- people have already been vaccinated, last week began June 2017, saying it was too close to Iran and fund- Faisal bin Farhan said a resolution was in sight, with son in Germany to be inoculated and Hungary and jabs with the vaccine developed by US biotech firm ing radical Islamist movements - charges Doha the four governments behind the blockade “on board” Slovakia also handing out their first shots. Moderna. Meanwhile the University of Oxford and drug staunchly denies. and a final agreement expected soon as the GCC pre- Araceli Rosario Hidalgo Sanchez, a 96-year-old living manufacturer AstraZeneca have applied to the UK author- After severing ties, the countries issued a list of pares to convene in the kingdom on Jan 5. Egypt and in a care home in central Spain became the first person in ities for permission to roll out their COVID-19 vaccine. 13 demands for Qatar, including that it shut down its the UAE have since given their public support to the the country to be vaccinated yesterday, in an event AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot said yes- broadcaster Al Jazeera. The six countries of the Gulf negotiations although diplomatic sources say the broadcast by national television. She said smilingly she terday its vaccine was a “winning formula” and provid- Cooperation Council (GCC) addressed yesterday UAE has been reluctant to compromise. felt “nothing” from the shot. France began its campaign in ed “100 percent protection” against severe COVID “suggestions on supporting and strengthening joint Sources privy to the negotiations have said the care homes for the elderly in the Paris suburb of Seine- requiring hospitalization. There is concern that wari- Gulf cooperation in various political, economic and Saudi-led quartet was willing to compromise on its Saint-Denis, a low-income area hard hit by COVID-19, ness among Europeans over the vaccine could impede social aspects”, according to a statement by list of demands, with the upcoming summit provid- with a 78-year-old woman named Mauricette the first to its effectiveness, with a poll published in the Journal du Kuwait’s foreign ministry. ing a path to reconciliation but not a final compre- receive the jab to applause from staff. Dimanche saying 56 percent of French people do not This comes after Manama on Wednesday called hensive agreement. According to Majed Alraeesi, an “We have a new weapon against the virus - the vac- plan to take the jab. for an “end to regional disputes”, softening its rhet- Emirati analyst, coining the “coming phase a ‘recon- cine,” tweeted President Emmanuel Macron. Swedish China, accused of covering up the initial outbreak, oric surrounding the Gulf crisis. Bahrain’s Foreign ciliation’ was unrealistic”. “It is a phase (to show) Prime Minister Stefan Lofven described the vaccine as has largely curbed the domestic spread of the virus. Its Minister Abdellatif Al-Zayani expressed confidence credibility and good intentions from point zero with a “ray of light in the darkness”. One of the first Swedes Communist leadership issued a statement hailing the Sunday “in Saudi Arabia’s ability to find a solution the goal to strengthen dialogue... the current opti- to get the vaccine, Stig Larsson, 89, said he “did not “extremely extraordinary glory” of its handling of the to the dispute within the Gulf”. Zayani added during mism is out of place compared to the reality,” he hesitate” about being inoculated. China, Russia, crisis. — AFP the meeting that his country hoped for a return to tweeted yesterday. — AFP

also asked about the reasons of not appointing depends heavily on tourism and retail services, MPs discuss Kuwaitis in their jobs. Dubai cuts 2021 closed its border for several months due to the pan- In his questions to Finance Minister Khalifa demic, resulting in a 10.8 percent GDP plunge in the general amnesty... Hamada, the lawmaker asked about the number of first half of the year. According to government esti- non-Kuwaiti employees, their salaries, qualifications budget as COVID mates published earlier this week, the economy will Continued from Page 1 and experience, who are employed at a number of likely contract 6.2 percent this year but is expected state-owned companies like the Industrial Bank, hits economy to see four percent growth in 2021. The new budget the appointment of non-Kuwaitis in such positions. Kuwait Cement Co, Kuwait Airways and others. “confirms Dubai’s ability to deal with the crisis, Employees working in the following government He also demanded the same information about DUBAI: Dubai said yesterday it expects to cut its restore the pace of economic growth, strengthen agencies will be affected: Supreme Council for companies in which the government owns 25 percent budget to $15.5 billion in 2021 after its economy social benefits and essential services,” the media Planning and Development, Civil Service Commission, or more of their capital. Jowhar also demanded to was impacted by a plunge in tourism and other sec- office said. Public Authority for Manpower, Environmental Public know the size of public deposits at all local banks and tors amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The emi- The government was counting on the six-month Authority, Central Statistical Bureau and Kuwait the interest rates on them. He asked the minister for rate, one of the seven that make up the United Arab Dubai Expo 2020 global trade fair - which was Authority for Privatization. the number of Kuwaitis employed at local banks and Emirates, had posted a record $18.1 billion budget scheduled for October but postponed by one year - MP Hasan Jowhar meanwhile sent a series of ques- their percentage of the workforce. The lawmaker for 2020. “The newly-announced budget takes into to attract millions of visitors. Tourism has long been tions to the prime minister and the ministers of finance asked Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah to account the exceptional economic conditions of the an economic mainstay of Dubai, which welcomed and health about the number of expatriate employees provide him with the number of expat employees at fiscal year 2020 and the repercussions of the more than 16 million visitors last year. Before the in government bodies under their authority. In his the ministry of health, their qualifications and salaries. COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy,” said pandemic, the aim was to reach 20 million this year. question to the prime minister, Jowhar demanded to National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem a statement by the Dubai Media Office. Dubai is renowned for its skyscrapers, including the know the number of non-Kuwaiti consultants said yesterday the Assembly office has been formed Dubai foresees a deficit for the fifth year in a row, world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, but its key employed in bodies under the Cabinet, the terms of and it will meet today to decide the schedule of of $1.3 billion in 2021. In 2019, it had forecast a property sector has been hit since 2014 by lower oil their appointment and their qualifications and pay. He Assembly meetings. $700 million deficit for this year. The emirate, which prices. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Monday, December 28, 2020 Major events connected with the Kuwaiti Cabinet in 2020

KUWAIT: This December 14, 2020 file photo shows His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with members of the new Cabinet after ministers took the oath of office. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Cabinet had its hands full ing at educational facilities in Kuwait for two more by His Highness the Amir donating $40 million, half of gyms, restaurants, cafes, and businesses in malls. during 2020, signing several agreements with Arab weeks due COVID-19. the sum from Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Aug 30: Partial curfew was lifted effective 03:00 pm and foreign governments. The government’s forma- March 9: Cabinet ordered the closing of cinemas, Development (KFAED) and the other half from Kuwait however some businesses remained shut according to a tion also saw a resignation of the Cabinet and the theaters, and wedding halls until further notice due to Foundation for Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). A Cabinet decision on the 20th of the month. emergence of a new incarnation this year. The spread the coronavirus pandemic. Funerals at the cemetery total of $100 million of the fund was allocated for the Sept 7: The Cabinet approved a bill for forming a of the coronavirus (COVID-19) also had an impact were still allowed in compliance with health regulations. World Health Organization (WHO) as a contribution to joint committee with South Sudan and another draft law on the government’s performance, which tried to Employees under quarantine were prevented from combating the novel coronavirus and $60 million also regarding the Arab protocol on barring and combating handle the pandemic in the best way it saw fit. The going to work and the exhibitions ground at Mishref for WHO to aid limited income countries against the piracy at sea and armed robbery, as complementary to following are the major activities and events involv- area was handed over to the Health Ministry for use in pandemic. the Arab Convention on Combating Transnational ing the Cabinet: COVID-19 screenings. May 10: Comprehensive curfew went into effect as of Organized Crime. Jan 6: Cabinet approved draft laws over Saudi- March 9: Cabinet halted issuing of entry visas to 04:00 pm and was set to remain until May 30 as part of Sept 25: His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- Kuwaiti neutral zone and nearby submerged area. Kuwait in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus. the state measures against the pandemic. Hamad Al-Sabah, the Representative of His Highness the Jan 8: The government communication center March 11: Cabinet declared an official rest days on May 25: The Cabinet, upon Amiri instructions, Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and announced that the account of Kuwait News Agency March 12- 29 to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. approved a proposed mechanism for honoring civil ser- the Prime Minister, declared in a statement during the (KUNA) was hacked, stressing that the news item March 11: Cabinet halted all commercial flights to and vants and personnel tasked with facing the novel coron- 75th session of the UN General Assembly, allocating regarding the withdrawal of US forces was false. from Kuwait until further notice as a COVID-19 preven- avirus between February 24 and May 31 (2020). $270 million to back up global efforts against the novel Jan 14: Cabinet approved the formation of a cooper- tion measure. May 30: Partial curfew indefinitely effected as of coronavirus (COVID-19). ation committee between Kuwait and Niger. March 11: Cabinet banned gatherings in gyms, 06:00 pm until 06:00 am following the full lockdown Sept 28: The Cabinet agreed to reopen Al-Abdali Jan 14: Cabinet ratified a draft law concerning income restaurants and cafes to prevent coronavirus from enforced on May 10. border checkpoint with Iraq for exports. and budget. spreading. May 28: The Cabinet decided to enforce full lock- Oct 19: The Cabinet approved a draft decree calling Jan 16: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah March 12: The government of Kuwait launched a down on Al-Farwaniya district and some sections of on constituents to partake in the National Assembly’s Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah attended and sponsored website to update the public on the spread of Khaitan, in addition to complete lockdown on elections for the 16th legislative term on December 5, the 19th Asian men’s handball tournament held at Sheikh COVID-19. Hawally, Nugra, Maidan Hawally while the full one on and decided to refer it to His Highness the Amir. Saad Al-Abdullah indoor sports stadium. March 16: The Cabinet erected a temporary fund to Al-Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh would remain Oct 26: The Cabinet accepted the resignation of Jan 20: Cabinet approved draft decree on aviation receive institutional, corporate, and individual donations in effect. Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth services between Kuwait and Rwanda. to help in the fight against COVID-19. May 28: The Cabinet adopted a plan for staged Affairs Mohammad Nasser Al-Jabri. Jan 20: Cabinet passed a draft decree to appoint a March 21: Cabinet announced a curfew starting on restoration of normal life. Nov 19: The Cabinet approved a draft decree number of Kuwaiti figures at the GCC’s Consultative March 22 until further notice to prevent the spread of June 3: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah appointing retired Lieutenant General Sheikh Ahmad Authority for a period of three years. coronavirus. It started at 05:00 pm local-time and end- Al-Khaled said — during a meeting with chief editors of Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as Deputy Chief of the Jan 30: The Prime Minister attended and patronized ed at 04:00 am. local newspapers, the minister of information, and the National Guard with a minister’s degree, and decided to the flag hoisting ceremony at the Jaber Al-Ahmad March 26: Cabinet decided to continue providing a chairman and director-general Kuwait News Agency submit it to His Highness the Amir. Cultural Center (JACC), an event coinciding with monthly salary for Kuwaiti students abroad. It also (KUNA) — that Kuwait’s financial solvency is excellent Dec 2: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Kuwait’s national celebrations. ordered the halt of press conferences, opting for virtual but economic reforms were slow, which required the Al-Khaled announced in the second international con- Jan 30: A decree was issued approving the resigna- ones, and suspended taxi services nationwide. restructuring of the economy. ference to support Beirut and the Lebanese people that tion of Minister of Social Affairs Dr Ghadeer Al-Aseeri. April 6: The Cabinet decided to enforce full June 3: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh a sum of $30 million will be allocated to repair the grain Waleed Al-Jassem was appointed as acting Minister. lockdown on Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Al-Mahboula Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah affirmed, during a silos in Beirut port affected by the horrific explosion and Feb 6: The Prime Minister attended, patronized districts. meeting with the press chief editors, information min- also pledged $11 million in humanitarian assistance. the “Shamel 6” Kuwait Fire Service Directorate April 6: The Cabinet decided to alter the curfew ister, and KUNA chairman, his concern for tackling Dec 2: In his address to the fourth ministerial form (KFSD) exercise at Araifjan area with the participa- duration making it, indefinitely, effective as of 05:00 pm GCC rifts. titled ‘achievements despite challenges’, His Highness tion of 32 entities. until 06:00 am. June 25: The Cabinet decided to form a main com- the Prime Minister said that 57 cases of public wealth Feb 13: The Prime Minister arrived in Germany to April 6: The Cabinet accepted a request by the mittee, including the minister of health and ministries’ infringement and 1,042 violations on state properties partake in Munich’s 56th security conference. Ministry of Health (MoH) to bring specialized medical undersecretaries, for following up on anti-COVID-19 were sent referred by the Cabinet during its short- Feb 19: The Prime Minister attended and patronized teams from abroad to back up the frontline teams. measures. lived term. “Henna Laha” celebration at Al-Shaheed Park. April 6: The Cabinet tasked Deputy Prime Minister, June 29: The Cabinet nodded a bill regarding the Dec 2: In his address to the fourth ministerial form Feb 20: The Prime Minister inaugurated the new Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Arab protocol for combating human trade. titled ‘achievements despite challenges’, His Highness the Jahra governorate building. Affairs Anas Al-Saleh with taking legal measures to June 29: The Cabinet blessed a bill on cultural coop- Prime Minister said that 42 deaths and 9,000 infections Feb 24: Cabinet ordered the cancelation of all nation- bring into account persons responsible for non-produc- eration with Sierra Leone. were reported amongst frontline workers since the al celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. tive workers and residencies’ traders. June 29: The Cabinet approved bills regarding spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kuwait. Some Feb 26: Cabinet declared that studying in all edu- April 6: The Cabinet approved a proposal by the cultural, economic, and aviation cooperation with 154,000 frontline workers and 10,000 volunteers took cational facilities would be halted due to the coron- Minister of Commerce and Industry, offering online Burkina Faso. part in the campaign to curb the spread of the virus. avirus spread. dates’ booking for visits to shopping stores to mini- June 29: The Cabinet nodded a bill approving an avi- Dec 13: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Feb 26: Cabinet, upon a request from His Highness mize mingling and stem infections with the novel ation cooperation accord with the Gambia. Sabah Al-Khaled kicked off Kuwait’s Achievers for the Amir, named a historical monument after the late coronavirus. June 29: The Cabinet Okayed a bill approving an Future Opportunities (KAFO), a project supporting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to honor his previ- April 9: The technological back-up committee of the accord with Holland for cooperation in aviation youth talents and innovations. ous stances and support to Kuwait. novel coronavirus crisis launched the website services. Dec 14: The Cabinet held a session headed by Prime Feb 26: Cabinet announced the arrival of a medical “Ma’akom” including data about citizens abroad to June 30: Work was back at ministries and other gov- Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled after swearing oath to team from the World Health Organization (WHO) to facilitate their comeback. ernment departments after the government declared an His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber assess Kuwait’s response to the coronavirus (COVID- April 13: The Cabinet launched a five-phase plan official and indefinite holiday as of March 12 due to Al-Sabah. 19) pandemic. for evacuating citizens abroad. Phase one (April 19- repercussions of the novel coronavirus. Dec 15: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh March 2: Amiri decree issued approving the resigna- 21): Patients who finalized treatment and their com- Aug 9: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Sabah Al-Khaled, in his address to the opening session tion of Minister of Water and Electricity Mohammad panions, also tourists and personnel on official Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah declared, during an interna- of the 16th legislative term of parliament, said that the Bushehri. Minister of Oil Dr Khaled Al-Fadhel was assignments. Phase two (April 23): Patients in need of tional conference for Lebanon, the contribution of $41 Cabinet believed in cooperation amongst constitutional appointed as acting Minister of the post. medical beds and life support apparatuses. Phase million to aid the country in aftermath of the Beirut port institutes was the cornerstone of democracy. March 6: Cabinet approved, in an exceptional meet- three (April 25-May 1): Students. Phase 4 (May 3-4): bombing. The sum included $30 million worth of a pre- Dec 21: The Cabinet suspended commercial flights ing, a weeklong suspension of flights to and from Diplomats and the fifth stage (May 6-7) for other vious pledge by Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic from and to Kuwait International Airport and also Bangladesh, Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Syria, segments. Development (KFAED) and $11 million worth of urgent blocked traffic in land and sea borders until January 1, Lebanon, and Egypt as a measure to counter the April 20: The Cabinet amended curfew duration set- medical and food aid. 2021. The decision will be reviewed after the term is COVID-19 spread. ting it from 04:00 pm until 08:00. Aug 18: Fourth phase of restoring normal life began concluded with a possibility of extension. Cargo opera- March 9: Cabinet extended the suspension of study- May 4: The Cabinet was informed about instructions after a five-month closure of barber and tailor shops, tions were excluded from the decision. — KUNA

integrity in economic and administrative Major events connected with transactions. Aug 12: The National Assembly renewed National Assembly in 2020 confidence in Finance Minister Barrak Al- Sheetan with 32 votes in favor in the inter- pellation spearheaded by MP Riad Al- KUWAIT: The National Assembly saw pellation concluded with a number of rec- Adsani. Ten MPs proposed no confidence. several laws approved and interpellations ommendations. Aug 19: The parliament approved a bill against members of the Cabinet. The 15th June 17: The National Assembly agreed stipulating that employees in the private legislative term concluded this year, paving to delay payment of due installments of sector are entitled for end of service com- the way to the 2020 elections and the open- defaulters fund for six months as of the first pensation based on the full salary. ing of the 16th legislative term. Those are the due payment in April 2020. Aug 19: The National Assembly passed a major events and that happened in parlia- June 17: The National Assembly agreed law regarding domestic violence. ment this year: to amend the law of the Public Institution Oct 7: The National Assembly blessed a Jan 7: National Assembly refused the lift- For Social Security (PIFSS) to lower bill for protecting competition, in tandem ing of immunity of MP Riyadh Al-Adsani on retirees’ monthly pensions from 25 percent with rapid developments in this respect, KUWAIT: This December 5, 2020 file photo shows voters outside a school turned into a polling station on the National Assembly’s election day. — KUNA the backdrop of an electronic media case. to 15 percent. globally and regionally. Jan 22: National Assembly approved a June 17: The National Assembly Oct 7: The National Assembly approved memorandum between Kuwait and Saudi approved a bill allowing individuals and a bill with respect to practicing medicine, Oct 8: National Assembly Speaker elections for the 16th legislative term closed Arabia concerning the neutral zone and companies to solicit permits online. back-up professions, patients’ rights and Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem declared the con- with tally of candidates standing at 395, nearby submerged area. June 17: The National Assembly agreed health facilities, with aim of promoting the clusion of the National Assembly’s fourth including 362 males and 33 females. Jan 30: Minister of Social Affairs Dr to modify some provisions of the commer- level of the medical services. regular session of the 15th legislative term Registration for the candidates kicked off on Ghadeer Al-Aseeri submitted resignation after cial and civil lawsuits’ law for setting up a Oct 7: National Assembly Speaker and said the parliament would re-convene October 26. MP Dr Adel Al-Dhamki is grilling motion. system where judges and public prosecu- Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem declared voting on on October 20. Dec 5: Polling stations opened for Feb 18: Finance Minister Mubarak Al- tion personnel can be indicted. a non-cooperation motion submitted by ten Oct 20: The National Assembly endorsed 567,694 eligible voters to elect 50 MPs for Sheetan and Minister of Electricity and June 17: The National Assembly MPs against His Highness the Prime Minister a bill amending the law of special needs’ citi- the 16th legislative term of parliament. Water Mohammad Busheri swore constitu- approved a bill amending some provisions Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah zens, stipulating continuous care for this Dec 15: National Assembly elected tional oath at the National Assembly. of criminal proceedings allowing petitions would not be held during a parliamentary segment and those caring for them as well as Marzouq Al-Ghanem as speaker of parlia- Feb 19: The National Assembly approved a against final verdicts in some cases. session after these legislators withdrew it. securing all comfort accommodations in an ment during the opening session of the 16th draft law connected with monetary policy, the June 17: The parliament nodded bills to Oct 7: The National Assembly approved equal manner with other members of society. legislative term. Eight individuals held the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), and the bank- amend the decree-into-law regarding com- a bill specifying financial allocations for the Oct 20: The National Assembly title since the first legislative term in 1963. ing jobs. The draft aimed at forming a mercial and civil lawsuits in relation to digi- ‘Head of State’ and referred it to the approved a bill for regulating the demo- Dec 15: National Assembly elected MP supreme overseeing authority on a legal level. tal advertisements. Cabinet. It stipulated that these allotments graphic status, tackling defects, specifying Ahmad Al-Shuhomi as Deputy Speaker of June 16: Finance Minister Barrak Al- Aug 5: The National Assembly approved would be projected in the state budget, proportions of persons of various countries parliament during the opening session of the Sheetan was grilled according to a motion a law stipulating stricter safety precautions along with specifying terms for payments to that are allowed to be present in the country 16th legislative term. filed by MP Riad Al-Adsani on June 4. The against fires. members of the ruling family, ways of their in a manner that would not overburden eco- Dec 15: National Assembly elected MP interpellation ended without recommenda- Aug 5: The parliament blessed bills for specification and disbursement, in line with nomic, social, and services sectors. Osama Al-Shaheen as observer of parlia- tions or proposals. property rents protecting tenants’ rights an Amiri Order. Oct 20: National Assembly Speaker ment during the opening session of the 16th June 16: Minister of Education and against evacuation. Oct 8: The National Assembly unani- Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem wrapped up the legislative term. National Assembly elected Higher Education Dr Saud Al-Harbi was Aug 5: The National Assembly approved mously declared allegiance to His Highness fifth follow-up regular session of the 15th MP Farz Al-Daihani as secretary of parlia- grilled according to a motion submitted by bills concerning the right to have access to Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Sabah legislative term. ment during the opening session of the 16th MP Faisal Al-Kandari on May 13. The inter- information to boost transparency and as Crown Prince. Nov 4: Nomination for parliamentary legislative term. — KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Monday, December 28, 2020

Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 COMMERCIAL : 24835618 P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. Email: [email protected] Website: www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait lists 204 new COVID-19 cases, two deaths KUWAIT: A large number of medical personnel and frontline workers headed yesterday to the Kuwait Vaccination Center, at the Kuwait International KUWAIT: Kuwait yesterday listed 204 new coron- Fairground in Mishref, to receive their vaccines against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat avirus infections recorded over the past 24 hours, raising the total to 149,653. Meanwhile, two virus- related deaths were recorded during the same peri- od as the death toll rose to 931, the health ministry said. The ministry had earlier reported that 199 patients recovered during the same period, raising Low-key New the total number of recoveries to 145,579. The num- ber of patients hospitalized stood yesterday at 3,143, with 36 of them in intensive care units, Year celebrations according to ministry spokesman Dr Abdullah Al- Sanad. He further revealed that 2,158 swab tests amid pandemic were conducted over the same period, bringing the total up to 1,243,422. He went on to urge the public By Ben Garcia to continue to abide by health precautions, mainly wearing facemasks and maintaining social distanc- KUWAIT: 2020 will end for many of us without ing, which he said are the most effective ways to celebrations and parties. Families will spend the halt the spread of the virus. — KUNA New Year in the comfort of their homes, share food with their loved ones, and take some rest. Kuwait Times spoke to some expats and asked what they have planned for the New Year. “My husband and I will spend New Year at home. It’s a tradition for us since when we were newlyweds and younger. Our where we are,” Patricia said. “I will call some friends ple looking after the business, which will be open children have families of their own now, so we see to see if they can come over to my house and cele- even on the New Year. That’s the time we get more to it that we come home and share the blessings brate with us, otherwise I will celebrate with my customers, so I keep the restaurant open and give together every New Year,” said 55-year-old husband only,” she added. my workers additional money or bonuses,” he said. Patricia, a nurse who is married to an architect. Rafiq and his wife have invited their three mar- “I see to it that we are all at home at the advent Family gathering ried children to spend the New Year with them. of every New Year. My two kids have their own lives An Indian family is planning to spend New Year’s “It’s good that we are all here in Kuwait. I have now - one is in Australia, the other in the Philippines, Eve away from the city. “We have an invitation from two other children who are unmarried, and we and they have their own families. We greet each oth- a family friend in Kabd. We are planning to go there want all of them to be in one place during the New er at the time of our respective New Years since we on New Year’s Eve and stay there until the follow- Year. I thank Allah - because of COVID-19, they are in different time zones,” she said. ing day. That’ll be a change since we cannot go out were unable to leave Kuwait. We can now gather “If not for COVID, we would’ve been in Australia of the country right now,” said Sunil, a father of as one family, unlike previous years, as my kids are now. But we opted not to travel, not because of the three. “We want to unwind from the busy days and scattered across the Middle East and Europe. recent travel lockdown in Kuwait. If we go to challenges - it’s draining, so we want to begin the Now they are all here in Kuwait because of Australia, we will not enjoy the holiday because of year with new ideas and prospects of life.” COVID, so we can gather and talk until the morn- too many restrictions there, so we preferred to stay Sunil owns a restaurant in Salmiya. “I have peo- ing of January 1,” he said. stc builds on commitment to combat COVID-19 in Kuwait KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Company - stc, a world-class digital leader providing inno- vative services and platforms to customers, enabling the digital transformation in Kuwait, announced that it has distributed hand sanitizers an array of products and services to new and stands, face masks, and other safety supplies to existing customers from the comfort of their the Ministry of Interior in a gesture of apprecia- homes. stc’s online platforms also allow customers tion to ensure their safety while on duty. to seamlessly execute transactions related to their The initiative falls under stc’s “Stay Safe” cam- accounts online and hassle free. Considering the paign, which was launched during the early stages conditions the country is going through, the of the pandemic. Additionally, the Company Company launched a series of online exclusive equipped its headquarters and branches with simi- offers to enrich the customers’ experience at lar safety supplies and disinfection stations to pre- home, whether it be online gaming, working vent the spread of disease. To ensure the safety of remotely from home or enjoying free services to its employees during these unprecedented times, fulfill their entertainment needs.” stc carried out yet another aware- Jasem thanked the frontline heroes, ness campaign focused on preventa- including ranking officials and police tive guidelines and precautionary officers at the Ministry of Interior for measures that must be applied to placing their lives on the line to serve maintain the health and safety of and protect the residents of Kuwait. both employees and stc’s valued cus- Even though curfew restrictions have tomers. been lifted, their critical role in pre- In recognition of the Company’s serving the health and safety measures critical and vital role in the communi- in Kuwait does not go unnoticed. ty, stc’s Corporate Communications Colonel Abdulillah Abdulrazzaq Al- team, led by Danah Al-Jasem, with Abdulsalam, Assistant Director the presence of Hadeel Al-Abdullah, General of the General Administration Ahmed Al-Shayji and Ahmed Al- Danah Al-Jasem of Security Relations and Media in the Nowaibet, visited the MOI head- Ministry of Interior, praised the efforts quarters to distribute the infection made by stc to provide a helping hand preventative items. during the Coronavirus pandemic, extending his Danah Al-Jasem, General Manager of appreciation to the Company’s employees for this Corporate Communications at stc, said, “In line kind gesture. with our commitment to our society and the social Abdulsalam added, “The Ministry of Interior responsibility framework under our “Stay Safe” acknowledges and highly values the cooperation campaign, we launched a series of humanitarian placed forth by companies and civil society insti- activities aimed at mitigating the risks impacting tutions. Through this belief, this collaboration was the residents of Kuwait during these unprecedent- formed by stc to distribute sanitizer stands in the ed times. It is critical for the private sector to take Ministry of Interior building to be used by both a strong stand and continue its role in backing the visitors and employees.” Kuwaiti community, as well as the decisions taken It is worth mentioning that stc launched several by the country.” internal and community-based activities in the She said, “This initiative comes as an additional past period, including distributing face masks and step in the range of activities launched by stc since hand sanitizers to several key areas around the Coronavirus outbreak in support of the relent- Kuwait. This comes in addition to the awareness less efforts made by State officials to overcome campaigns carried out on the Company’s social current challenges. It goes without saying that stc media platforms. stc also distributed 5,000 vouch- and other members of the private sector, will con- ers to returning citizens and at Ambulance Centers tinuously support the Kuwaiti society and govern- to front-liners during the Company’s field visits to ment institutions during both challenging and welcome back citizens and as a token of apprecia- prosperous times.” tion to paramedics. The initiatives were held under In relation to actions taken by stc during the the framework of stc’s “Stay Safe” campaign, also pandemic, Jasem added, “To better serve its cus- including the distribution of 25,000 free prepaid tomers, stc upgraded its digital channels to offer lines to travelers returning to Kuwait. International MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020 Niger stages historic elections despite jihadist bloody attacks Catholics and evangelicals unite against Argentina’s abortion bill Page 6 Page 7

NEW DELHI: A man sits in front of a mural representing a frontline warrior of the COVID-19, painted on a wall along the roadside yesterday. — AFP World rocked by COVID, Trump, BLM

Brexit, Hong Kong clampdown, Beirut blast cast a long pall over 2020 PARIS: The COVID-19 pandemic cast a long pall Christmas Eve. While British Prime Minister Boris much of Beirut’s port and devastates swathes of Netanyahu sparks speculation that the kingdom is over 2020 but it also saw President Donald Trump Johnson claims victory, Scotland’s anti-Brexit leader the capital, killing more than 200 and injuring at set to follow. In another twist, Morocco “resumed beaten by Joe Biden in a tumultuous US election Nicola Sturgeon says its future is “an independent, least 6,500. The blast from a vast stockpile of relations” with Israel on December 10 in return for and the Black Lives Matter movement shake the European nation”. ammonium nitrate fertilizer devastates an already the US recognizing its claim to Western Sahara. world. Here are some of the key events of the year: teetering Lebanese economy and the credibility of US-Taleban accord its governing elite. China-US tensions Rampaging virus The US and the Taleban sign a deal in Doha on 2020 sees US-China relations nosedive, with On January 11, less than two weeks after it alerts February 29, with all foreign forces to quit Fires and hurricanes Trump calling COVID-19 the “China virus” and a cluster of pneumonia cases “of unknown cause”, Afghanistan by May 2021 after nearly two decades Enormous bushfires rage across Australia in saying Beijing is responsible for “a mass world- Beijing announces its first death from an illness of war. Talks between the Afghan government and what becomes known as its “Black Summer” while wide killing”. They also clash over the repression which will become known as COVID-19. By March insurgents start in September, but fighting rages on in September San Francisco and other regions of of Turkic speaking Uighur minority in the Chinese a pandemic has been declared and a month later as the Taleban launch attack after attack and a the American West Coast wake to orange skies as region of Xinjiang, as well as the national security half of humanity is in lockdown as governments string of civil society figures are assassinated. The the state’s largest ever inferno breaks out. In law imposed on Hong Kong. scramble to halt its spread. Massive state aid pro- Pentagon is due to pull 2,000 of 4,500 US soldiers November, two hurricanes devastate Central grams are rolled out to save jobs as the out of the country by January 15, 2021. America, leaving more than 200 dead. Biden beats Trump International Monetary Fund predicts recession, Deeply-divided Americans vote in record num- with the global economy shrinking by 4.4 percent. George Floyd killed The Navalny affair bers in the November presidential election In November, drug companies announce positive The killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is flown to Berlin between outgoing Republican Donald Trump and results for several vaccines as a second wave of African American, by white police officers on May in a medically induced coma after becoming vio- Democrat Joe Biden. After four days of nail biting, cases lashes the planet. Within a month, the first 25 in Minneapolis sparks protests across the US lently ill after he boarded an internal flight to Biden takes the White House by seven million shots are being given but by Christmas some 1.7 and inspires anti-racism rallies across the world. Moscow. Tests reveal he was poisoned with the votes. Trump cries fraud without evidence and has million people are dead, with the US the worst hit. The Black Lives Matter movement leads to a major Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok. Navalny accus- yet to concede defeat. debate about race and the toppling of statues of es Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to Iranian roulette figures linked to slavery or colonization. kill him and later releases a recording where he Nagorno-Karabakh The world holds its breath after top Iranian com- appears to trick the alleged agent responsible into Heavy fighting for the Armenian-populated mander Qasem Soleimani is killed in a US drone Hong Kong clampdown telling him the poison was put in his underpants. region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which broke away strike in Iraq on January 3, days after pro-Iranian In June, a year after a massive wave of demon- from Azerbaijan after a war in the 1990s, goes on protesters storm the US embassy in Baghdad. Iran strations, China imposes a sweeping new security Crisis in Belarus for 45 days. Several thousand die before a retaliates by launching a volley of missiles at bases law on Hong Kong that opponents say undermines Belarus strongman President Alexander Kremlin-brokered peace deal on November 9, in Iraq housing US troops. The same day, it shoots the semi-autonomous city’s liberties, promised Lukashenko’s disputed victory in August 9 elec- with Armenians losing swathes of territory to down a Ukrainian passenger plane “in error” shortly under its handover from Britain in 1997. Pro- tions sparks four months of anti-government Azerbaijan forces. after take off from Tehran, killing all 176 people on democracy lawmakers are ousted, harassed and protests, centred on his main rival, political novice board. Tensions mount again at the end of arrested. In December, three prominent Hong Kong Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. Opposition leaders are Ethiopia: Tigray conflict November when top Iranian nuclear scientist activists are jailed including Joshua Wong. jailed or driven into exile. Ethiopian Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is assassinated, with Tehran Prize winner Abiy Ahmed orders a military blaming Israel. Thais rise up Israel’s new friends response to attacks on federal army camps in Brexit endgame Students spark pro-democracy protests in July The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normal- the dissident northern Tigray region. The Britain becomes the first country to leave the that roll on for the rest of the year calling for a new ize ties with Israel on September 15 as Tigray People’s Liberation Front - which has European Union on January 31 following its 2016 constitution, reform of the untouchable monarchy, Palestinians condemn the move as a “stab in the dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly three Brexit referendum. But crucial talks on future ties and for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha to resign. back”. The next month Donald Trump announces decades - denies responsibility and says the and trade with the bloc drag on for months, break- that Sudan is joining them, while in November reported attacks are a pretext for an “inva- ing deadline after deadline as negotiators try to Beirut blast unconfirmed reports of a secret trip to Saudi sion”. Federal forces take the Tigrayan capital avert a hard Brexit before a last-gasp deal on A massive explosion on August 4 destroys Arabia by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin on November 28. — AFP

where our money is” to buy the vaccine and “this You have stolen our money everywhere you found Iran says US wants country has accepted”, Rouhani said during a it,” Rouhani said Saturday, addressing the US meeting of Iran’s coronavirus task force, without administration. The Islamic republic has been bat- identifying the country in question. tling the Middle East’s deadliest outbreak of the vaccine payments In theory, medicines are exempt from the sanc- novel coronavirus since February, with almost tions, but in reality, international banks tend to turn 1,195,000 cases and over 54,500 deaths, accord- to go via its banks down transactions involving Iran to avoid being ing to official figures. exposed to potential litigation. The US Treasury’s Health Minister Saeed Namaki said early this TEHRAN: President Hassan Rouhani said Office of Foreign Assets Control had initially indi- month that Iran had “pre-purchased” about 16.8 Saturday that Washington was demanding Iranian cated that “it didn’t have a problem” with such a million vaccine doses “via COVAX”, without speci- transactions for novel coronavirus vaccines pass transfer of funds, he said. But “it said later that the fying which vaccine. COVAX is an international ini- through US banks, and expressed fear the money money had to first pass through a US bank before tiative that aims to ensure equitable access to coro- could be seized. US President Donald Trump has being transferred” for the vaccine purchase, navirus vaccines for all countries. The vaccine pur- imposed wave after wave of sanctions on the Rouhani said. chase “could be more costly and be delayed, but it Islamic republic since 2018, when he unilaterally In April, the Iranian president said the country will certainly happen”, Rouhani said Saturday. Iran TEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani chairs withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. Iran has had won a legal “victory” over $1.6 billion of its has also called for volunteers for the start of clinical the weekly coronavirus taskforce meeting on assets frozen in several countries, including in the assets that had long been frozen on a US request trials for its own vaccine, which it began to develop Saturday. — AFP US. “We want to transfer money from a country in Luxembourg. “Who can trust people like you? in the spring, the health ministry said. — AFP 6 Established 1961 Monday, December 28, 2020 International Catholics and evangelicals unite against Argentina’s abortion bill Catholic Church wielding more political than religious clout

BUENOS AIRES: At the entrance to Argentina’s Argentina, according to Mallimaci. Congress is a plaque reminding legislators that Our Lady of Lujan is the patron saint of the coun- Francis stays silent try’s political parties - a not-so-subtle nod to reli- However, Catholicism has been losing influence gion in a nation considering whether to allow as evangelical Christianity gains ground. abortions. As Argentina’s Senate prepares to vote According to a 2019 poll by a government agency, on a bill that would legalize the practice, the 62.0 percent of Argentines identify as Catholic, Catholic Church has joined forces with evangelical 18.9 percent as non-religious and 15.3 percent as Christians to fight the measure tooth and nail. evangelical. The Catholic Church’s sway can be The bill, which aims to legalize voluntary abor- seen in Argentina’s delay compared to other coun- tions at up to 14 weeks, was passed by the Chamber tries in adopting a number of laws: divorce was of Deputies on December 11 and will be debated legalized only in 1987, sex education introduced in and voted on in the Senate on Tuesday. Two years 2006, gay marriage approved in 2010 and a gen- ago a similar bill passed the lower house but was der identity law passed in 2012. Abortion is cur- defeated in the Senate following a determined cam- rently only allowed in two cases: rape and a dan- paign by both Catholics ger to the mother’s life. and evangelicals. “There is an opposition Argentina’s constitu- and huge rejection from tion guarantees freedom the Catholic Church, of religion and a 1994 which weighs heavily” on reform removed the Bill aims the chances of the law requirement that the to legalize passing, constitutional president be Catholic. lawyer Alfonso Santiago However it retains a ref- abortions told AFP. erence to God in its pre- However, Santiago amble and its second arti- believes the relationship BUENOS AIRES: Demonstrators celebrate with green headscarves - the symbol of abortion rights cle guarantees govern- between the government activists - outside the Argentine Congress on Dec 11, 2020, after legislators passed a bill to legal- ment support for the of President Alberto ize abortion. —AFP Catholic Church. “The Catholic Church in Fernandez, who sponsored the abortion bill, and Argentina has great sway. There’s a very strong the Catholic Church will remain strong regardless Catholic culture in the political world,” sociologist of which way the vote goes. “I don’t think there state, to ensure that its faithful comply with a pro- brandished by evangelicals at their protests, as a Fortunato Mallimaci, who wrote a book on what he will be a break in collaboration on other issues. It hibition that will be only religious,” said Mallimaci. counterweight to the green ones sported by abor- says is the myth of Argentine secularism, told AFP. didn’t happen before” when, for example, same- A 2020 government poll found that 22.3 percent of tion rights activists. “Catholics don’t mobilize in “Religious groups look for state support and sex marriage was approved, he said. Catholics in Argentina believe that a woman should that way.” Despite their constant growth, evangeli- the state, when it feels weak, looks for support While Francis has in the past likened abortion have the right to an abortion if she wants one. cal churches in Argentina “don’t have the same from religious groups. Today the Catholic Church to hiring an assassin, he’s remained silent over the Meanwhile 55.7 percent said it should be permitted political weight as in other countries, such as Brazil wields more political than religious clout,” he said. current debate. only in certain situations while just 17.2 percent where they can count on a parliamentary bloc.” Catholicism is a strong force in Argentina, the supported a blanket ban. Since 2018, evangelicals Their strength, however, lies is in street protests homeland of Pope Francis. The state pays a salary Protest strength have come to the fore in protesting legalization. and they will be out in force Tuesday in front of to archbishops and subsidizes Catholic schooling, “The problem for the Catholic Church if abor- “They have the momentum of the reborn,” said Congress, face-to-face with abortion rights which accounts for 36 percent of education in tion is legalized is that it will be up to it, and not the Mallimaci, pointing to the light blue handkerchiefs demonstrators.—AFP AstraZeneca COVID level jumped to 90 percent depending on dosage. ‘Storm’ over data Behind this average figure from large-scale trials in the With Biden, Britain’s vaccine has ‘winning UK and Brazil was a 62 percent effectiveness for those who were vaccinated with two full doses of the shot. For Brexiteers lose their formula’ volunteers who received a half-dose first and then a full dose one month later, however, the vaccine was found to LONDON: The COVID-19 vaccine developed by the have 90 percent efficacy. Soriot said he was “surprised” cheerleader British drugs group AstraZeneca and the University of by the initial findings. “We would have preferred a simpler Oxford has achieved a “winning formula” for efficacy, the set of results,” he added. The lack of clarity and trans- WASHINGTON: Promoters of Britain’s divorce from company’s chief executive said yesterday. The vaccine, cur- the European Union had said they would revitalize parency over the discrepancy in the results was widely rently being evaluated by Britain’s independent medicines criticised. Soriot said he had not expected the pushback bonds with the United States, where President regulator, provides “100 percent protection” against severe Donald Trump, with his shared disdain for multina- that followed. “We assumed people would be a bit disap- COVID disease requiring hospitalization, Pascal Soriot said pointed, that’s for sure,” he said. “But we didn’t expect that tional bodies, seemed the perfect partner. Come in an interview with the Sunday Times newspaper. January, Britain both definitively leaves the 27-nation storm”. A surge in cases has hit nationwide over the past He added he believes trials will show his firm has Great hopes have been placed in the AstraZeneca shot, week, falling especially on the southeast of England and bloc and will deal with a new US president, Joe Biden, achieved a vaccine efficacy equal to Pfizer-BioNTech at who prioritizes the EU and shares none of the originally based on a weakened version of a chimpanzee blamed on a new strain of the virus believed to be more 95 percent and Moderna at 94.5 percent. “We think we virus, because of its low cost. AstraZeneca’s vaccine also infectious, which was first identified in the UK. According Brexiteers’ romanticism about going it alone. Biden, have figured out the winning formula and how to get effi- an Irish-American who will be the second Catholic enjoys a logistical advantage over the Pfizer-BioNTech to one British study the strain is 50 percent to 74 percent cacy that, after two doses, is up there with everybody alternative, as it can be stored, transported and handled at more contagious. In an effort to contain the spread of the president, had already warned Prime Minister Boris else,” the chief executive said, while saying only that data Johnson not to jeopardize peace in Northern Ireland normal refrigerated conditions of between two and eight disease, millions across Britain were placed under would be published at “some point”. The UK government degrees Celsius (36-46 Fahrenheit) for at least six months. tougher lockdown restrictions that came into force on 26 by erecting a hard border between the British-ruled announced on December 23 that the developers of the province and EU member Ireland. That is a far cry from the -70C needed for December. Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine had submitted their data to Pfizer/BioNTech’s offering and could allow use of the Dozens of countries have also imposed travel Even as trade talks dragged on, Britain reached a the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory deal with Brussels on special arrangements for existing refrigerated supply chain to cut costs. restrictions on the UK to stop the spread of the new Agency (MHRA). strain. Writing in the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Northern Ireland - a sign to observers that Biden’s Approval is expected to be granted to roll out the election had already made an impact. “It was recog- ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ Finance Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged it had been jab on Jan 4, The Sunday Telegraph newspaper report- In a vote of confidence for its homegrown vaccine, the “a tough year for everyone in this country”. However, he nized in London that if you messed up the Northern ed. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was the first coron- Irish border, it would have been absolutely poisonous bulk of Britain’s requirements are expected to be met by added that “the early roll-out of vaccines - and the avirus shot to be authorized for use by the UK’s inde- the jab. The government has ordered 100 million doses, incredible work of our scientists and NHS - means we for the US-UK relationship,” said Jacob Kirkegaard, a pendent medicines regulator and has been given to senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the with 40 million doses scheduled to be available by the can now see light at the end of the tunnel”. Nearly 200 600,000 of the country’s most vulnerable people since end of March. UK officials will hope that confidence is million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be made United States. last month. Earlier trials had shown varying outcomes in Johnson’s Conservative government has empha- rewarded, not least because the country has been one of before the end of the year, the UK drug manufacturer the AstraZeneca shot’s efficacy. The vaccine initially the countries most affected by the pandemic with more has said, and more than 700 million globally by the end sized issues on which it enjoys common ground with showed an average 70 percent effectiveness but that Biden, including fighting climate change, and than 70,000 deaths. of March next year. —AFP announced a historic boost in military spending. Kirkegaard said Britain was hoping to punch above “Now is not the right time for a vaca- its weight as a strategic security partner of the United Fly south or roost? tion abroad,” Prime Minister Justin States, especially at a time of high tension with China, Trudeau said on Wednesday, as the but said Biden could find similar capabilities in the ‘Snowbirds’ weigh country’s second coronavirus wave much larger EU, where France is a major military surges with no sign of slowing. About player. “Brexit Britain has made itself nice to have but Florida pandemic 900,000 Canadians spend a large por- no longer strictly necessary to have onboard for the tion of the winter in Florida and in other US,” he said. southern US states, Johanne Blain, MONTREAL: Birds of a feather normal- director of the Canadian Snowbird ‘I’m Irish’ ly flock together, but the pandemic has Association for the French-speaking Biden is surrounded by Barack Obama’s former divided Canada’s “snowbird” warm province pf Quebec, told AFP. aides who have not forgotten Johnson’s 2016 quip, in weather migrants into two camps: those She estimates that only 30 percent of line with thinking on the US far-right, that the then staying home this winter and those that number are doing so this year, how- US president had an “ancestral dislike” of Britain heading to Florida no matter the cost. ever. That said, rules on the US side are because of his “part-Kenyan” heritage. While the Nearly a million Canadians make the fairly welcoming to sun-starved north- racial undertones differ markedly, Biden has himself annual pilgrimage, fleeing to the south- erners: The country is allowing in said, at least partly in jest, that his Irish ancestry ern United States to pass what would Canadians who fly even for non-essen- soured him on Britain. otherwise be gray and snowy months tial travel. Canada, on the other hand, is In footage that went viral after his election, Biden with their toes tucked in the sand and not admitting Americans under the same MONTREAL: People make their way to St-Hubert airport to drop off their is seen walking on as a BBC journalist tries to ask him ocean breeze in their hair. The coron- circumstances. And while Canadians do a question, responding, “The BBC? I’m Irish!” before avirus has led a majority to forgo the trip motor home to be driven across the border by a commercial company on not have to respect quarantine rules in Dec 18, 2020. —AFP flashing a friendly smile. “Clearly I think there is a this year - but for those flouting Florida, they must do so for 14 days sense among some people in Biden’s orbit that Brexit Canada’s repeated calls to stay put, the upon return home. was a completely misguided policy and Prime price tag on winter at the beach has Those who want to make the trip by His clients board a plane in the Montreal plane ticket costs Can$500 (around Minister Johnson has been too close to Trump and skyrocketed. car or motorhome, meanwhile, simply suburbs and arrive 12 minutes later in $390) and hauling the vehicle 55 miles therefore there’s a need to downplay this relationship With the land border between the take advantage of a legal loophole to Plattsburgh, New York, where a KMC (90 kilometers) across the border sets a little bit,” said Erik Brattberg, director of the Europe US and Canada closed for non-essen- circumvent the closed land border. employee meets them with their vehicle, customers back $1,000. Around 2,000 program at the Carnegie Endowment for tial travel since March, Canada has Michael Couturier, CEO of Quebec- transported across the border. The people have so far used the service, International Peace. —AFP implored its citizens to stay home. based Transport KMC, leads the way. experience does not come cheap: Each according to Couturier.—AFP

President Donald Trump continues to delay signing fits,” Biden said in a statement. The stimulus meas- Tuesday, Trump, who is due to leave office in less Blocking pandemic a COVID-19 economic relief bill passed by ure is wrapped up with a $1.4 trillion funding bill, than a month, called the $900 million bill “a dis- Congress. Biden spoke out as millions of Americans without which the government will be forced to grace” - despite it being passed Monday with a saw their jobless benefits expire after Trump threw shut down at midnight Monday. “In just a few days, large bipartisan majority after months of negotia- relief: Biden warns a long-awaited pandemic aid package into doubt - government funding will expire, putting vital serv- tion. The legislation was designed to throw a lifeline demanding lawmakers more than triple the $600 ices and paychecks for military personnel at risk,” to businesses and people struggling to keep their of ‘consequences’ direct payments to US taxpayers. Biden added. heads above water. But in a pre-recorded statement “This abdication of responsibility has devastat- “In less than a week, a moratorium on evictions made in the White House, Trump said he would WASHINGTON: US President-elect Joe Biden ing consequences. Today, about 10 million expires, putting millions at risk of being forced from refuse to accept the bill without changes increasing warned Saturday of “devastating consequences” if Americans will lose unemployment insurance bene- their homes over the holidays.” In a video late the checks to taxpayers to $2,000. —AFP Established 1961 7 International Monday, December 28, 2020 Niger stages historic elections despite jihadist bloody attacks Poll could seal a first peaceful handover between elected presidents

NIAMEY: Voters went to the polls in Niger yester- mer interior and foreign minister. “It is a great pride day for an election that could seal a first peaceful that this date of December 27 has been respected,” handover between elected presidents, against the Bazoum said after voting. Bazoum’s main rival, former backdrop of a bloody jihadist insurgency. The West prime minister Hama Amadou, was barred from con- African country, unstable since gaining independ- testing the vote on the grounds that in 2017 he was ence from France 60 years ago, is ranked the world’s handed a 12-month jail term for baby trafficking-a poorest country according to the UN’s Human charge he says was bogus. Development Index. Around 7.4 million people are registered to vote for the ballot for presidency, which Overshadowed by insecurity coincides with legislative elections. Polling stations are scheduled to close at 7:00 pm “I expect the Nigerien but are instructed to close president to put security, later in case of delays to health, progress and ensure 11 hours of voting. democracy first,” Campaigning Partial results for the presi- Aboubakar Saleh, a 37- dential election are expect- year-old launderer, told overshadowed ed to be announced today AFP in Niamey without with final counts on revealing who he voted by insecurity Wednesday or Thursday. A for. Issaka Soumana, a 52- second round, if necessary, year-old lorry driver, said will be held on February 20. he wanted change. “Niger Campaigning has been is not moving forward. Our overshadowed by insecuri- NIAMEY: Niger’s outgoing president Mahamadou Issoufou casts his ballot at a polling station yesterday. — AFP country must rise,” he ty-Niger is being battered said, brandishing his thumb stained with ink to show by jihadists on its southwestern border with Mali, he had cast his ballot. President Mahamadou and its southeastern frontier with Nigeria. lived last year on under $1.90 (1.56 euros) per day, in the southeastern region of Diffa, on the eve of Issoufou, who was elected in 2011 after the country’s A jihadist insurgency that has spilt across borders according to the World Bank, while nearly a fifth of municipal and regional elections that had been repeat- last coup in 2010, is voluntarily stepping down after in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger claimed some 4,000 its surging population of 23 million relied on food aid. edly delayed because of poor security. The army has two five-year terms. lives last year from jihadist violence and ethnic been massively deployed for yesterday’s vote, the “It is a special day for Niger which will experience bloodshed stirred by Islamists, according to the UN. Army deployed authorities say. “Sporadic attacks will not prevent the for the first time in its history a democratic transi- In Niger itself, hundreds have died in the past five On Monday, seven troops and 11 suspected staging of the elections,” a spokesman said on tion,” Issoufou said after voting at the city hall in years, and hundreds of thousands have fled their jihadists died in an ambush in the southwestern region Thursday. The attack in Toumour triggered three days Niamey. The frontrunner in the 30-strong field is his homes. The economy, already fragile, has suffered of Tillaberi, the government said on Thursday. On of national mourning, but the elections the following designated successor, Mohamed Bazoum, 60, a for- devastating blows. Around 42 percent of Nigeriens December 12, 34 villagers were massacred in Toumour, day went ahead smoothly, officials say. — AFP CAR votes in polls News in brief marred by violence Three killed in Illinois shooting WASHINGTON: Three people were killed and another three wounded Saturday in the US state BANGUI: Voters went to the polls yesterday in of Illinois when a shooter opened fire at a bowl- the Central African Republic (CAR) in presidential ing alley, police said. A suspect in his 30s was in and legislative elections marred by the latest flare- police custody. Rockford city police urged peo- up in a long-running civil war, with many voters ple on Twitter to stay away from the area near unable to cast their ballots. Incumbent Faustin the Don Carter Lanes bowling alley, as it was an Archange Touadera is the frontrunner in polls that “active situation” and officers were clearing the follow a week of turbulence marked by accusa- site. The force posted on Twitter shortly after tions of an attempted coup, rebels briefly seizing midnight: “37-year-old white male suspect is in the fourth-largest town and Russia and Rwanda custody. There are no others being sought at dispatching military personnel to help the belea- this time.” “It’s still an ongoing investigation. We guered government. do have three individuals that are confirmed UN peacekeepers and local and Rwandan sol- deceased,” police chief Dan O’Shea earlier told diers were patrolling the streets of the capital yes- a press conference near the scene of the shoot- terday with armored vehicles posted outside polling BANGUI: Voters wait as electoral commission officials check the voters roll at the Barthelemy Boganda high school polling station in the 4th district yesterday. — AFP ing. He said three other people had been stations. Although some stations opened late in wounded from the gunfire and were being Bangui because of a lack of voting materials, senior treated at local hospitals. He did not specify election officials told AFP they would stay open lat- officials who all requested anonymity. it off on Friday saying it would resume its march on whether the shooter had a motive. — AFP er to make up for it. “It’s very important for me to “How do we vote when we don’t even have our the capital. On Tuesday, the CAR’s fourth-largest be here, as a citizen. I think this vote will change our voter cards,” Robert, from Boali 80 kilometers north town, Bambari, 380 kilometers northeast of Bangui, country, whoever the president will be,” teacher of Bangui told AFP by phone - explosions audible in was overrun but security forces backed by UN Hortense Reine said. the background. “Everyone is fleeing at the moment. peacekeepers regained control the following day. Syrian refugee camp set ablaze Sixteen candidates are vying for the presiden- I’m holed up at home.” Ahead of the elections many of Yesterday, polling stations in Bambari remained cy - Touadera’s main rival is former prime minis- the 1,500 candidates contesting the 140 seats in the closed in the morning because of gunfire from armed BEIRUT: A Syrian refugee camp in northern ter Anicet Georges Dologuele. Polls are due to national assembly were unable to campaign. Former groups, according to Jeannot Nguernendji, president Lebanon was set on fire Saturday night follow- close at 5:00 pm with partial results expected on president Francois Bozize, who wanted to stand but of the local peace committee. ing a fight between members of the camp and January 4 and the final totals on January 19. A was barred by judges because he is under UN sanc- a local Lebanese family, state media reported. runoff will be held on February 14 if there is no tions, urged people not to vote and backed a rebel Legitimacy concerns The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, overall majority in the first round. coalition. “Stay at home. Let Touadera place his ballot The mineral-rich but poverty-stricken CAR has confirmed a large fire had broken out in a in the box alone,” Bozize said in an audio message been unstable since independence 60 years ago. camp in the Miniyeh region and said some Threats against voters published online which his party confirmed to AFP. Thousands of people have died since a civil war injured had been taken to hospital, but did not Away from Bangui, sporadic fighting has been erupted in 2013 and more than a quarter of the provide an exact number. “The fire has spread going on for nine days and scattered incidents were Coup allegations population of 4.9 million have fled their homes. Of to all the tented shelters”-made of plastic reported yesterday. In the northwest, more than The government on December 19 accused Bozize these, 675,000 are refugees in neighboring coun- sheeting and wood-UNHCR spokesman 500 kilometers from the capital, rebels seized elec- of attempting a coup alongside armed groups tries and cannot vote. Even though bloodshed has Khaled Kabbara said. The camp housed tion materials in Koui and officials received death advancing on the capital, a charge he denies. Fears receded in intensity over the last two years, vio- around 75 families, he said. The National News threats in Ngaoundaye, according to a senior UN about the rebels swept the city in the following days, lence remains chronic. Militia groups hold sway Agency reported that the fire followed an official. In some areas, rebels threatened anyone although the UN peacekeeping force MINUSCA over two-thirds of the territory. Experts and oppo- “altercation” between a member of a Lebanese who went to vote. Meanwhile, thousands of people said their advance had been stopped. The rebel sition figures have already asked what legitimacy family and “Syrian workers”. — AFP had not received their voter cards because of the coalition on Wednesday announced a 72-hour “uni- the president and 140 MPs to be elected will have, dire security situation, according to local and UN lateral ceasefire” in the runup to the vote, only to call given the obstacles to holding a free vote. — AFP Jihadists snatch dozens of loggers

the most passionate advocates against joining the KANO: Boko Haram jihadists have seized January 1973: EEC organize their last stand on December 31. Five around 40 loggers and killed three others in hundred people join a torchlit procession to the northeast Nigeria near the border with Divided Britain sound of bagpipes in front of the Palace of Cameroon, militia sources and residents told Westminster, the seat of the British parliament. AFP on Saturday. The hostages were rounded up by the insurgents on Thursday in Wulgo for- joins Europe est near the town of Gamboru where they went Stink bombs to collect firewood, the sources said. The PARIS: On January 1, 1973 Britain joined the jihadists have increasingly targeted loggers and European Economic Community in festive spirits Festivities get under way on January 2 at a “European” dinner with 258 attendees hosted by farmers in the northeast, accusing them of following a decade of tough negotiations, though passing information to the military and local public opinion on membership was mixed. For the British Council at Hampton Court Palace, the former royal residence. The next day Heath, Queen militias. “A group of more than 40 loggers left around 10 days, as part of a “Fanfare for Europe” Shehuri on the outskirts of Gamboru on gala, 300 sports and cultural events were held Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip attend the first gala evening, an opera at Covent Garden in Thursday and never returned by evening as nationwide showcasing the EEC countries. usual,” said militia leader Umar Kachalla, who London, where they are met by stink bombs thrown Membership had increased from six to nine, with was involved in the search. — AFP Denmark and Ireland also joining alongside Britain. by 200 protesters. Public opinion is “hesitant and LONDON: Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson ges- The Conservative government’s europhile prime (...) remains - polls say - deeply divided” over join- tures as he holds a remote press conference to update ing, AFP reports. The decision to join had been tak- the nation on the post-Brexit trade agreement at 10 minister Edward Heath described Britain’s entry to 4 killed in army copter crash the bloc as “very moving”. Football players from the en in 1972 by a vote in parliament and it was never Downing Street on Dec 24, 2020. — AFP put to a referendum, unlike in Denmark and Ireland. three new states played against a team of players ISLAMABAD: A military helicopter has from the six other countries. Italy loaned a become an issue, and on the free entry of crashed in mountainous northern Pakistan, Michaelangelo for an exhibition, the Netherlands ‘A fool’s paradise’ Europeans. “I like going to Europe,” says one truck AFP’s reporter Basile Tesselin heads to a London killing four soldiers including the two pilots, the provided a Rembrandt. Only the Louvre spoilt the driver from Scotland. “Particularly to France. I feel army said. The chopper crashed Saturday in the pub to test the mood. “We have our own govern- fun by refusing to let the “Mona Lisa” leave Paris. at home there. I don’t trust the English.” Gilgit-Baltistan region “due to technical rea- ment, a parliament we elect,” a print worker tells Here is a look back at AFP’s reporting from the time. The opposition Labor Party quickly makes clear sons” while transporting the body of a soldier him. “We do not want to be led by who knows what its intention to renegotiate the accession treaty. Its to the military hospital in Skardu, it said in a from Brussels. Everything we have is better than Hastings and Waterloo leader Harold Wilson accuses the government of statement. Pakistan has a chequered military On the eve of the big day, the British press devote what you have.” “I’m wary of you, I see you com- having “abdicated” its responsibilities to Brussels. and civilian aviation safety record, with fre- their front pages to the event. A chapter of a thou- ing,” says a taxi driver from Scotland. In 1974, Labor returns to power and, after securing quent plane and helicopter crashes over the sand years of history is closing, says The Sunday “You suck up to us, and then once we’re in your a renegotiation, organizes a referendum the follow- years. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Times. The Sunday Telegraph predicts joining would sacred trap, your fool’s paradise, you’ll make us fall ing year on whether or not to remain in the EEC. came under heavy scrutiny this year after one prove as decisive for British history as the Battles of out with our real friends, the Americans, the The “Yes” vote wins by 67 percent. On June 23, its planes came down among houses in Karachi, Hastings or Waterloo. “The Daily Mail above all Canadians, the Australians. And you’ll all become 2016, 41 years later, Britons will vote by 52 percent killing 98 people. In August 2015, 12 people warns its readers against the use of inappropriate communists and take us down with you.” The list of to leave the European Union. Brexit plunges Britain were killed when an army chopper crashed in common parlance that could shock the citizens of recriminations grows: fears that VAT (Value Added into more than three years of crisis before its depar- the northwest. — AFP the eight other countries,” writes AFP. Meanwhile Tax) will increase, that the weight of trucks will ture becomes reality on January 31, 2020. — AFP Established 1961

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020 Boursa Kuwait gets CMA nod to revamp its Premier Market’s promotion requirements New initiative will help increase listed companies on ‘Premier Market’

KUWAIT: After the success of the “Premier the suspension or revocation of its license, or the mented around two years ago. With that in mind, Market”, which is considered the ideal destination dismissal of all or some of the members of the board Boursa Kuwait wants to increase the issuer base of for investors for what it offers in terms of trans- of directors or the CEO, during the two years prior that market and entice companies from the “Main parency and liquidity, Boursa Kuwait has received to the annual review was added. Market”, who fit the new criteria and want to attract approval from the Capital Markets Authority to The new filters will be implemented starting the local and international investment community, to restructure its promotion requirements for its from the annual review set to take place in January be promoted to the “Premier Market”. It should be “Premier Market”. The new parameters are of next year, with the results announced on the emphasized that a listed company eligible for pro- expected to raise transparency and increase the second Sunday of January and taking effect on the motion to the “Premier Market” must officially issuer base in the “Premier Market” by potentially second Sunday of February. The Capital Markets accept its promotion to the “Premier Market”. increasing the number of mid to large sized com- Authority Commissioners’ Council also approved a Otherwise, it can opt to stay in the “Main Market”. panies in it, all of which will reflect positively on Boursa Kuwait initiative to suspend reclassification It is worth noting that most investment products the development of the Kuwaiti capital market and of listed companies from the “Premier Market” to are more effective when there is more trading and benefit its investors. the “Main Market” due to not meeting liquidity cri- liquidity on a particular stock and that most mid to Companies listed in the “Premier Market” are teria for this year only. large companies that enjoy high liquidity levels and required to maintain an average market capitaliza- The Capital Markets Authority has supported the continuous communication with their investors usu- tion greater than or equal to 78 million Kuwaiti restructuring of promotion requirements because it ally attract local and international institutional dinars as a minimum, which is the median market aims to develop the Kuwaiti capital market overall investors on a bigger scale. capitalization of all companies listed on the by raising transparency levels and allowing more Boursa Kuwait aims to entice more investors to exchange. This filter was developed by Boursa companies to be promoted into Boursa Kuwait’s the Kuwaiti capital market through its series of the benefits and opportunities of investing in Kuwait, with the cooperation of the Capital Markets flagship market, raising the market’s ability to Corporate Days, showcasing some of its standout Kuwaiti companies. Authority, and will be updated whenever listed attract local and foreign investors. The “Premier listed companies and the investment opportunities Boursa Kuwait is working to develop a strong companies’ market caps undergo considerable Market’s” requirements and obligations, which that reside in the Kuwaiti capital market. Putting and efficient financial market with liquidity and changes. Additionally, the requirement of a price to include bilingual (Arabic and English) disclosures, these companies in touch with some of the world’s transparency, that can effectively put issuers and par ratio will be waived as per the new filters. the establishment of an investor relations depart- leading investment firms and financial institutions, investors in touch with one other for investment Furthermore, a condition that the company has not ment as well as quarterly analyst conferences, have the events aim to highlight these companies’ finan- opportunities and high returns on investment to faced any disciplinary sanctions, which could be made it the premier investment destination for cial health and business strategies and outlooks create a developed capital market that is a pioneer related to the suspension of trading of its securities, investors from all classes since the market was seg- helping investors gain an in-depth understanding of in the region. British business breathes easy after no-deal Brexit averted

LONDON: Business breathed a sigh borders,” he added. The devil of the of relief after London and Brussels deal will be in the detail, according to announced a post-Brexit trade deal, Danker, as the CBI and captains of but called for greater clarity over industry prepared to scrutinize the services, and for the move to a new reported 2,000 pages of the treaty. regime as smooth as possible. “This “Immediate guidance from govern- will come as a huge relief to British ment is required across all sectors,” business at a time when resilience is he added, pointing out that the end of at an all-time low,” said Tony Danker, the standstill transition period ends on director general of employers’ body December 31. the Confederation of British Industry. “Above all, we need urgent confir- He added: “With a deal secured we mation of grace periods to smooth the can begin our new chapter on firmer cliff edge on everything from data to ground.” rules of origin and we need to ensure Britain has been one of the world’s we keep goods moving across bor- worst affected by the coronavirus ders.” Mike Hawes, chief executive of pandemic, plunging its economy into car industry trade body the SMMT, Fisherman Joe Paratore (left) displaying his catch of western rock lobster aboard his boat to customers at the Fishing Boat Harbour that fea- a historic recession and slowing agreed: “A phase-in period is critical tures a bronze statue of a lobster fisherman in Fremantle in Western Australia. — AFP growth. The government expects a to help businesses on both sides adapt contraction of more than 11 percent in and efforts should now be sustained to averaged around $53 per kilo. 2020 before rebounding to 5.5 per- ensure seamless implementation, with Australian lobster sector claws On one muggy pre-Christmas weekday, cent next year. tariff-free trade fully accessible and sweat-drenched customers bought the New variants of the virus, which effective for all from day one.” world-renowned western rock lobster could spread more rapidly, have led to The car industry is one of the most back trade after China ban direct on the quay for $34 a kilogram-a 36 further stay-at-home orders across exposed to Brexit given its reliance percent markdown. “That’s just enough to swathes of southern and southeast on “just in time” supply chain of com- FREMANTLE, Australia: Even in the So far, the broader Australian economy break even,” Camarda said. “But we have England, forcing already struggling ponents and parts from Europe and scorching Australian summer sun, long has weathered the storm. The economy been selling out almost every day. We are businesses to close. across the world. Britain’s car manu- queues of customers snake around returned to growth in the last quarter, exit- taking pre-orders as people want it for facturers export most of their vehicles Fremantle harbor-a soothing sight for ing a COVID-induced recession. Christmas.” Devil in the detail to the EU, and has faced warnings of beleaguered local fishermen trying to But individual businesses have been Ensuring they were set up to manage Britain’s departure from the EU factory closures if tariffs and quotas replace lost business with China. Australia’s forced to find new customers and markets orders and make the product available to single market could see it lose the were imposed. rock lobster exports are worth half a billion overnight to avoid red ink, job cuts or the public had been “a crash course,” he equivalent of 4.9 percent of GDP over Many issues remain unresolved, US dollars a year-and in normal times, 94 bankruptcy. admitted. Such is the demand across 15 years, according to government notably the place of financial services, percent of them go to China. Australia that some supermarkets have had estimates in 2018. A feared “no-deal” which represent 80 per cent of the But all that changed a few weeks ago, Close to home to place limits on the number of lobsters would have compounded that, given it British economy, as the newly inked when Beijing imposed a near-total import Some barley farmers have planted other customers can buy. would have meant World Trade deal focuses on trade in goods. ban on lobster, part of a broader politically grains or re-routed shipments to the Nick Van Niekerk, a resident of nearby Organization rules, with high customs For the financial markets, an amica- charged “shadow trade war”. “It has affect- Middle East, and winemakers have focused Mosman Park, was one of those braving the duties, quotas and tariffs, on top of ble divorce between the EU and the ed us drastically,” third-generation fisher- on selling more in Japan. heat to stand in line for 30 minutes. “I extra paperwork for business. UK should result in smooth market man Fedele Camarda told AFP. “Our But the lobster industry is looking closer came down to support the local fishermen Gregory McDonald, who runs a continuity after four years of prepara- income has been reduced considerably.” to home. In a bid to help the ravaged sec- and show that we as a community care,” he plastic manufacturing firm, Goodfish, tion. But from January 1, the UK finan- Relations between Canberra and Beijing tor, local authorities recently changed leg- said. “It’s important to be able to get lob- in central England, said Brexit had cial sector and the City of London will have been in free-fall for most of this year, islation to allow commercial rock lobster sters directly from the boats and know already cost him £500,000 and lose its European “passport”, a device with China hitting out at a list of issues fishers to sell large quantities from the what you’re actually getting. forced him to cut 20 jobs. “I’m allowing financial products and serv- including Australia’s call for an inquiry into back of their boats during December and “Lobsters are usually really expensive, expecting tariffs will not be significant ices to be sold from the UK in the EU. the origins of COVID-19 and a ban on January. so to get them at an affordable price I think if at all but we’re outside the customs The City is now worried about negoti- Huawei’s participation in the nation’s 5G net- So far the Australian public has is great for the local community.” union so there will be more paper- ating an “equivalence” regime, which work. The row has seen more than a dozen responded enthusiastically, offering a work,” he said. would make the rules compatible to Australian sectors hit with import levies, with much-needed lifeline to Camarda and his The long haul “There will be problems at ports keep trade in certain services flowing the barley and wine industries particularly fellow vendors. Before the COVID-19 pan- But everyone acknowledges back-of- like we saw with France closing its smoothly. — AFP badly hit. Exporters stand to lose as much as demic, prices topped $80 a kilogram ($36 the-boat sales are a short-term fix. In the US$2-4 billion worth of sales. a pound) in Western Australia and usually longer term, Australia’s fishermen are look- ing to get a higher price again in markets like Japan, the United States and Europe, and not just rely on one, politically fickle, customer. “China was willing to pay more and the whole market was essentially moved there,” said Keith Pearce, the former president of the local Professional Fishermen’s Association. “The market needed to be diversified so you don’t end up with the problem we have today,” he added. Camarda is optimistic that the sector can pull though, despite the continued uncertainty. His grandfather began dropping cray- pots in Fremantle in 1912 having come from Italy four years earlier, and he hopes that tradition can continue. “My family has been in the industry for generations but Fisherman Joe Paratore displaying his catch of the day to his customers at the Fishing Boat Harbor this is the sort of thing we have to endure In this picture, flags of the European Union can be seen fluttering outside the that features a bronze statue of a lobster fisherman in Fremantle in Western Australia. —AFP from time to time,” he said. —AFP European commission headquarters in Brussels. — AFP Established 1961 9 Monday, December 28, 2020 Business Taiba Hospital reaccredited by Joint Commission International JCIA reaffirms Taiba’s standards of excellence in healthcare for fourth term in a row

KUWAIT: Taiba Hospital announced yesterday that our patients receive the best of our healthy opera- it is awarded the Joint Commission International tions’.” Al-Fadala added: “ Our resilient Caregivers Accreditation (JCIA) for the fourth term in a row, efficiently conducted the virtual survey, following reaffirming its standards of excellence in healthcare a cycle of local and International governance, and continued investment in its medical services at delivering best practices and standards, to contin- par with international levels of quality in the field. ue to align our policies and procedures with data Taiba Hospital was first accredited by JCI in 2010 driven decision making. Dr Aysha said’ the hospital achieved an overall and has successfully maintained this accreditation Chief Quality Officer at Taiba Hospital, Dr Aysha compliance rate of 98 percent in JCI Hospital stan- throughout the past decade. John, who has led the hospital during the last four dards survey and specially thanked Dr Jamil A J JCI is the recognized global leader in Healthcare JCI surveys said, “This sustained achievement is the Qaddoumi, Medical Director and Carlo A Perino, Accreditation, measuring the quality of care provid- result of hard work and the consistent endeavor of CNO and the entire workforce of Taiba Hospital for ed, safety of patients, management and the our caregivers and a visionary management. She maintaining such high standards even during this approach in providing a streamlined medical serv- congratulated the entire workforce in completing a difficult phase of COVID-19 pandemic. She con- ice. JCI provide an independent, objective assess- decade as a JCI Accredited hospital”. The cluded saying, “JCI Accreditation is a journey and ment of quality achievement, patient care and safety Orthopedic department of Taiba Hospital also got not a destination. In that journey, Taiba Hospital will in a hospital setup. recertified by JCI for a second term as Center of continue to deliver quality care and excellence to Taiba Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Excellence in ‘Total Knee Replacement and Lumbar our patients and plans to maintain all it’s recogni- Lama Al-Fadala, said: “JCI has been a supporting Decompression and Fixation’, recognizing the high- tions including ‘JCI Accreditation’, ‘CAP force in this journey towards excellence. I am est quality of care ensured by the Orthopedic Accreditation’, ‘Baby Friendly Hospital Award’ and proud to be part of a relentless team of Department, headed by Dr Waleed Altnaib and Dr will strive for center of excellence programs in other Caregivers putting our patients first and ensuring Huthayfah Bin Nekhi. specialties as well in the next decade.

expected to quotas that came with EU member- Trucker, fisherman, ship. Fishing communities, like Scarborough where Crow’s family have fished for generations, have been in decline for decades. They hope Brexit will scientist... the bring about a regeneration of their way of life. European businesses “Back in the day the harbor was full of people voices of Brexit to welcome in the lads and help out,” Crow says. hopeful of China-EU “It’s just not like that now. Nobody’s interested.” LONDON: Britain left the EU on January 31, 2020, but ties between the bloc and its former member Greg McDonald, entrepreneur investment deal “Brexit was never good news for the British econo- remained unchanged during a so-called transition BEIJING: European businesses in China are hopeful my,” Greg McDonald the chief executive of Goodfish, period while both sides tried to work out a new of an EU-China investment deal by end of the year, a small company that produces plastic parts for the trading relationship. With that standstill period com- the head of the European Chamber of Commerce in automotive, medical and electronics industries, tells ing to an end on December 31, the realities of Brexit China said on Saturday, although Beijing has declined AFP. “I closed a factory in March because our As talks came down to the wire, European access to will arguably become tangible for both Britons and to commit to a deadline. American customer closed their operation in the UK,” UK waters was a key sticking point. their counterparts on mainland Europe for the first The China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on he says. McDonald’s company is located in the heart time. AFP has spoken to six people whose lives will Investment has been in the works for seven years, and of England’s Midlands in Cannock, not far from be directly affected by Britain’s departure from the is expected to pave the way for European businesses Birmingham. It is also highly dependent on the EU and share things like brain tissues and living cells,” says EU, the single market and the customs union. to invest in financial services, telecommunications, exports a large part of its output to the bloc. the academic who is also the director of the British electric vehicles and other sectors that are gradually “It’s probably cost us half a million pounds Dementia Research Institute. Dimitar Velinov, lorry driver being opened up for foreign investment in China. But (548,000 euros, $668,000) and 20 jobs” out of a “From day one, we will have more difficulties A truck driver with many years of experience the deal is facing opposition from some European total workforce of 110, he says. The entrepreneur with ordering things, such as equipment,” she cau- under his belt, Bulgarian Dimitar Velinov, 74, says members of parliament and the incoming US adminis- slams Brexit as a “political project driven by nation- tions. The researcher explains the end of the Brexit he is expecting long queues at the UK border from tration of President-elect Joe Biden, who say it does alist and populist governments” and questions transition period will pose a “big problem” for January 1. “To me, Brexit means logistical chaos, not address concerns about the use of forced labor by whether those who had voted in favor of leaving will British research funding, which is heavily subsi- which will hinder our work,” he explains in the Chinese manufacturers, especially in the restive north- ever benefit from it. McDonald says he had hoped dized by the EU. “In our university, something garage of his employer Eurospeed, based in the western region of Xinjiang. for “minimum tariffs or no tariffs” when Britain left between 20 and 30 percent of our research funding outskirts of Sofia which employs more than 300 “The next few days will be interesting. My sense is the EU and he complains of “more paperwork” and is coming from Europe,” she says, noting there drivers. “I transport goods across the European that there is a serious push to get this past the finish- Union and for me it is important to be able to do my likely “problems at ports” after December 31. were no plans to replace this funding at the moment. Though “no one will be fired on day one ing line,” Joerg Wuttke, head of the European job without problems, without having to wait at Chamber of Commerce in China, told AFP. Pascal Aussignac, restaurateur because of Brexit,” some of the contracts of the 10 borders for one or two days,” Velinov says. “It’s not a perfect deal, far from it, but it’s a big step “I have become a British citizen, but the com- people she employs will not be renewable. “It’s a Crossing the Channel was already difficult as forward.” China’s commerce ministry has refrained pany to which I have dedicated two decades of real threat,” she says, warning there would also be for years migrants have tried to stow away illegally from committing to a year-end deadline and appears my life is no longer safe here and I am afraid of an inevitable brain drain as European students in lorries heading to Britain. But Brexit will make it prepared for an extension of discussions. “In order to the future,” says Pascal Aussignac, a French chef stay away from Britain. even more so, the driver says, complaining that he preserve its security and development interests, China who has lived in London for 22 years and co- gets no sleep at all while waiting to embark from will conduct the negotiations at its own pace and owns six premises, including a Michelin-starred Wendy Williams, homeowner in Greece the French port of Calais to avoid heavy fines for strive to reach a comprehensive, balanced and ambi- restaurant and a cocktail bar. “2021 could turn Wendy Williams, a 62-year-old Briton, says she those found carrying stowaways. tious investment agreement with the EU,” it said in a out to be worse than 2020. Are we going to sur- feels her “EU citizenship was stolen” by the Brexit statement late Thursday. vive? That’s the big question,” he says. Over the vote. As of January 1, she and her husband will not Sam Crow, fisherman “The China-EU investment agreement is aimed at course of the year, he has already suffered the be able to travel as freely as before to their house “We want to leave, 90 percent of fishermen providing more investment opportunities and sound shock of the coronavirus pandemic and was on the Greek island of Kefalonia, bought in 2018 want to leave,” says 26-year-old Sam Crow from institutional guarantees for the two sides, but to reach forced to close for months. with all their savings, in anticipation of a retire- Scarborough in the north of England. “I still do feel it requires joint efforts and to meet each other He is also already feeling the effects of Brexit, ment in the sun. Unless they have a residence per- like we are left in the dark a lot for what we do. halfway,” it added. which has already sparked a drain on the European mit or a long-term visa, British citizens will now The fish that we land and the scallops and the In an interview with Le Monde on Wednesday, employees needed in kitchens and restaurants. British only be able to visit the European Union for a total shrimps, all that is the freshest food on this planet France’s junior trade minister Franck Riester said people don’t work in the hospitality sector,” of 90 days over a six-month period. and we’re not praised enough for what we do,” he Beijing needed to address the issue of forced labor if Aussignac says. The ability to continue to source the “We will have to calculate the days, and include says. Crow, who principally catches crab in the Paris was to agree to the deal. Human rights organi- local produce from France on which he has built his any days spent elsewhere in the EU,” she says. North Sea for export to Europe and China, says he zations have raised concerns about labor practices reputation remains uncertain. “I have no idea how “We had planned to spend longer periods in has been heartened to see UK politicians fighting in Xinjiang where Uighurs and members of other long it will take to deliver” after January 1, he says. Greece,” Williams says, but now they will only be for the fishing sector in negotiations. As talks came Muslim-minority ethnic groups have reportedly Neuroscientist Tara Spires-Jones, from the able to spend a quarter of their time there. While down to the wire, European access to UK waters been forced to pick cotton under a coercive state- University of Edinburgh, is concerned about inter- she continues to work in the UK, where her elderly was a key sticking point. “I’ve heard that they’ve run scheme. Beijing rejects the accusations. national collaboration between laboratories, which father is also based, Williams said she will not been fighting for our quotas and obviously I am Other critics of the deal say it might undermine she says was “very easy” with membership of the embark on the process of obtaining a two-year grateful for that,” he says. Biden’s efforts to mend bridges with European allies, European Union. “The changes of regulation, if it visa for her family, a process she describes as The fisherman feels the UK fishing industry will following Donald Trump’s divisive tenure. “There is diverges from the EU, will be more difficult to “complicated” and “expensive”. —AFP be given a new lease of life following changes nothing in the agreement that would be at the disad- vantage of the US,” Wuttke insisted. But Biden’s camp has been nervous about Brussels talks, and the deal sees EU fishing vessels steadily for vessels dependent on British waters that want to moving closer to Beijing. France offers give up part of current quotas. stop activity. Jake Sullivan, who has been tipped as National “Fishermen and wholesalers will be able to bene- Britain had insisted it wanted to take back full Security Advisor, tweeted on Tuesday that: “The fit from a flat-rate aid of up to 30,000 euros control of its waters while EU coastal states sought Biden-Harris administration would welcome early fishermen aid depending on their dependence on products caught guarantees their fleets could keep fishing in UK consultations with our European partners on our in British waters,” the French fisheries ministry said waters. common concerns about China’s economic practices.” after trade deal in a statement. The two sides reached a compromise that will The investment deal aims to create an equal play- “The government will soon present its complete see European boats gradually relinquish 25 percent ing field for European businesses in China that have PARIS: The French government announced meas- plan to support French fishermen,” Minister Annick of their current quotas during a five-and-a-half long complained about preferential terms enjoyed by ures to support fishermen and fishmongers, includ- Girardin said. The plan provides for compensation year transition period. domestic firms. ing up to 30,000 euros in individual aid, after the over a limited period for part of the turnover losses After that there will be annual negotiations on The treaty will also strengthen intellectual proper- European Union and the UK reached a post-Brexit of companies dependent on British waters. the amount of fish EU vessels can take from British ty protections for European companies and ban trade agreement. Access to Britain’s rich fishing Other measures include investment aid under a waters-and if Brussels is not satisfied it can impose forced technology transfers. —AFP waters was a major sticking point in the post-Brexit recovery plan and “fleet exit plan” will be available economic measures against the UK. —AFP

government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told a cover 30-40 percent of the nation’s electricity Japan unveils green regular briefing. Japan, which is a signatory to the demand. Paris climate deal, has been seen as reluctant to Ammonia and hydrogen technologies are reduce its reliance on fossil fuel, despite its self- expected to fulfil about 10 percent of the nation’s growth plan for 2050 professed pride as a nation of energy-saving tech- power needs. By the mid-2030s, the government nologies. also wants to end the sale of new passenger vehi- carbon-neutral goal The country was the sixth-biggest contributor cles that are solely powered by gasoline. to global greenhouse emissions in 2017, accord- Japan plans to replace them with hybrids, electric TOKYO: Japan unveiled plans to boost renewable ing to the International Energy Agency. The cars and cars fitted with fuel-cell engines, while energy, phase out gasoline-powered cars and world’s third largest economy still relies heavily bringing down the cost of batteries for those vehi- reduce battery costs as part of a bid to reach an on coal and liquefied natural gas, with most of its cles. But while officials say the new plan is ambitious, ambitious 2050 carbon-neutral goal. nuclear reactors offline since the 2011 Fukushima some critics believe it falls short. Mika Ohbayashi, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the disaster. director of the Renewable Energy Institute, said the new 2050 goal in November, significantly moving up Japan expects demand for electricity to surge figures were “a poor starting point for discussions Japan’s timeline for carbon-neutrality. On Friday, his 30-50 percent by 2050, but the nation’s conserva- and (showed) a lack of ambition.” government laid out for the first time what meeting tive ruling party has so far stayed lukewarm about Japan should aim for renewable energy to cover that target will involve, including setting a provision- renewable energy, though Suga has shifted the tone 50-60 percent of national electricity needs by al goal of generating more than half of the country’s in recent weeks. Under the plans to boost renew- 2030, rather than wait until 2050, the think tank ables, officials are placing a new focus on offshore said. The institution also voiced its skepticism electricity from renewable sources by 2050. TOKYO: Japan unveiled plans to boost renewable wind generation, with the goal of producing up to about whether carbon capture technology will “The government’s actions on the environment energy, phase out gasoline-powered cars and reduce reflect our belief that a significant change of mind- 45 gigawatts within the coming decades. become widely available in the coming decades-an battery costs as part of a bid to reach an ambitious set is required and that these are not constraints Japan also wants to use nuclear and thermal assumption made by Japan as well as other nations 2050 carbon-neutral goal. for growth, rather they are drivers of growth,” top power plants with carbon capture technology to in their carbon-neutral plans. —AFP 10 Established 1961 Monday, December 28, 2020 Business Markaz wins three awards at ‘Mideast Banking Awards 2020’ Markaz was named ‘Best Asset Manager in Kuwait’ and ‘Best Local Investment Bank’

KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz” was global health crisis and the resulting uncertainties. values, Markaz places recently recognized among the leading investment The pandemic-induced situation provided us with corporate social responsi- and asset management institutions across the region an opportunity to prove that we are resilient and bility at the heart of our with three awards from the EMEA Finance maga- well-positioned to weather severe challenges, and operations. Amidst the zine’s ‘Middle East Banking Awards 2020’. the awards from EMEA Finance further reinforced unprecedented circum- Reinforcing its market leadership, Markaz was this reputation. We are delighted to have received stances in both local and named the ‘Best Asset Manager in Kuwait’ and the the ‘Best Asset Manager in Kuwait’ award for the international markets, we ‘Best Local Investment Bank’ for the eighth consec- eighth year in a row in a compelling testimony to have remained steadfast in utive year. The company also won the ‘Corporate the robustness and success of our growing portfolio our commitment to work- Social Responsibility Award - Middle East’ from the of high-performing solutions for sustainable wealth ing towards the better- prestigious regional awards. creation. I would like to thank our colleagues for ment of the communities The reputable awards reflect Markaz’s continu- delivering excellent performance with their hard where we operate. We are ing success and solid performance in the asset man- work and their commitment to follow prudent risk proud that our many ini- Abdullatif W Al-Nusif agement and investment banking business despite management policies in the rapidly changing invest- tiatives have created a the prevailing challenges in the global economy ment environment.” meaningful impact on the beneficiaries that include triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Markaz has He added: “Even though the COVID-19 pandem- our people, society, and the state of Kuwait. We are maintained its strong track record in delivering ic has had an impact on investors’ appetite and mar- greatly encouraged by the award to further our returns to its clients and consolidated its position in ket confidence globally, our comprehensive range of endeavors focused on driving sustainable prosperi- the local and regional market. The awards consid- investment banking services has experienced strong ty around the world.” ered various performance and structural factors demand. Our mandated transactions, which are In another major development, Markaz was such as market share, innovative products, growth in underpinned by excellent execution capabilities, named the ‘Best Investment Bank in Kuwait’ for the important product classes, and corporate strategy. extensive research, and industry expertise, generat- ninth time at Global Finance’s ‘World’s Best The organizer commended the winners’ many ed long-term value for our clients. The winning of Investment Banks 2020’ awards. The magazine said ance of underwritings, and market reputation. impressive initiatives that focused on supporting the ‘Best Local Investment Bank’ award for the the top performers “stand out for their ability to Established in 1974, Kuwait Financial Centre clients, communities, and the public sector. eighth consecutive year represents an acclaimed maintain and even strengthen their market positions K.P.S.C “Markaz” is one of the leading asset man- Abdullatif W Al-Nusif, Managing Director, recognition of our unique offerings and uncompro- in volatile environments.” The criteria used to select agement and investment banking institutions in the Wealth Management and Business Development at mising commitment to service excellence.” the winners included market share, number and size MENA region with total assets under management Markaz commented: “The year 2020 has been a Commenting on the winning of the Corporate of deals, service and advice, structuring capabilities, of over KD 1.03 billion as of 30 September 2020 positive year for Markaz where our investment Social Responsibility Award - Middle East, Al- distribution network, efforts to address market con- ($3.37 billion). Markaz was listed on the Boursa products yielded solid performance, despite the Nusif said: “As an organization that thrives on core ditions, innovation, pricing, after-market perform- Kuwait in 1997.

‘Christmas present’? Britain, EU release Britons in two minds text of post-Brexit about Brexit deal BOSTON, UK: After months of fraught negotiations between the European Union and the UK, Britons trade agreement welcomed “Christmas present” Brexit deal with LONDON: Britain and the European Union on relief and some skepticism. David Ashby, a 62-year- Saturday published the full text of the post-Brexit old from the town of Boston on the east coast of trade agreement aimed at governing their relation- England, called it “a nice Christmas present for the ship when the UK definitively leaves the bloc’s sin- country”, saying it was good “just to get it all fin- gle market in just five days. The document, which is ished and tied up and done with”. more than 1,200 pages long, lays out detail on “I think it’s dragged on for too long now,” he trade, law enforcement and dispute settlement added. Andy Finch, who also lives in the among other arrangements after the UK leaves the Lincolnshire market town which voted by a higher single market and customs union on 31 December. margin than anywhere else in the UK to leave the EU, sounded a pessimistic note. LONDON: A worker loads hay into an automated bedding machine on David Exwood’s farm near Horsham, Despite the complexity of the document, which south west of London. —AFP includes explanatory notes and side agreements “I don’t think it was a good idea in the first place. on nuclear cooperation and the exchange of classi- I still don’t think it’s a good idea. But that’s where fied information, both sides have indicated they will we are. And, well, we’ll just have to see,” Finch said. ultimately “now the debate is over and we need Union, Sharmila Hutchinson, a bank employee, said rush through the adoption. Paul Skinner, leader of Boston Borough Council, to move on”. she hadn’t supported Brexit and was “gutted to However, with fishing rights one of the final also questioned the thinking behind leaving the Student Harry Vincent said it was a “relief” to not be part of Europe anymore”. “It does make me sticking points in the negotiations, a UK fishing European Union. have a deal but questioned whether it would have nervous to think how I’m going to visit the industry body condemned the deal as “paltry”. “At the end of the day, what we do need to be been better to remain in the EU. He said the com- European cities and friends,” the 35-year-old said. David Frost, the UK’s chief negotiator, told doing is working with our partners, whether it’s the promises that had been necessary to strike a deal Henry Gray, a charity worker, said Brexit had reporters on Saturday the deal was “one of the council next door, or the countries next door, it “sort of made me wonder whether it was worth it brought him to think Scotland should become an biggest and broadest agreements ever covering works better if we work together. So that’s the way to begin with it all”. independent country. not just trading goods, but services, aviation, road I see it,” he said. In London the news of the deal Hugh Rowlands also said the Brexit deal was “I think we could be led better from Scotland. transport, Social Security, health cooperation, law was also met with relief. like a “big Christmas present”. It would be nice to feel we would be part of the enforcement”. “It would’ve been a disaster if there would’ve The student added that was especially the EU still,” he said. Lewis Summers, a 25-year-old “This should be the beginning of a moment of been no deal, so very pleased that there is,” Shane case after “Christmas was cancelled” following property developer, was pleased the whole thing national renewal for us,” Frost said, reiterating that O’Neill said. the reintroduction of coronavirus restrictions was over. the agreement allowed Britain to leave the single across much of the country to curb the spread “I’m happy that it’s eventually over the line,” market and the customs union without aligning to Move on of the disease. he said. “There’s been a bit of uncertainty but the EU and the European Court of Justice. O’Neill added he would have preferred for In the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, which vot- hopefully we can just move on and get things Britain to remain in the European Union but that ed overwhelmingly to remain in the European done now.” —AFP UK ‘compromises’ As he tweeted out the 1,246-word agreement, which had been announced on Thursday after Under the agreement, EU fraught negotiations that went right down to the Pound jumps Commission president Ursula Von der wire, Frost’s EU counterpart Michel Barnier called Leyen said that although the UK would the accord: “The result of many months of inten- become a “third country,” it would be a sive and dedicated work.” In the foreword to the after Brexit trusted partner. The agreement became copy of the text published by the UK government, possible after the two sides reached a British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the trade deal compromise over fishing as both sides agreement had been “carefully judged to benefit haggled over the access EU fishermen everyone” and preserve “free trade for millions of will get to Britain’s waters after the end people in the United Kingdom and across Europe”. NEW YORK: The pound jumped, while of the year. “While we made our fair share of compromises European stock markets were little Economists expect both economies, during the negotiations, we never wavered from changed, as Britain and the European already weakened by the coronavirus the goal of restoring national sovereignty,” he Union reached a trade deal after months epidemic, to take a hit as supply chains wrote. Senior UK government minister Michael of talks on the terms of commerce in the are disrupted and costs mount. Despite Gove wrote in The Times newspaper that the deal aftermath of Brexit. this, the threat of a return to tariffs will would allow Britain to bring “innovation and Sterling advanced against both the have been removed, and relations investment to parts of the country that have dollar and euro, while both London and between the former partners will rest Paris ended little changed. Frankfurt was endured economic decline”. He added there were on a surer footing. NEW YORK: In this file photo, the Wall Street sign at the New York Stock still “significant changes” to be prepared for by closed, while Wall Street ended its own While the post-Brexit talks moved Exchange (NYSE) is seen in New York City. —AFP businesses in the short term. holiday-shortened session modestly towards resolution a giant US stimulus higher despite continued uncertainty package remained frozen in place fol- ‘Sacrifice fishing’ over a massive US stimulus package. lowing last-minute criticism from back-and-forth as dealing the bill a is not enacted, and millions more face But Britain’s fishing industry has expressed bit- Traders in London said early gains President Donald Trump. delay rather than a mortal blow. “These losing their home when an eviction ter disappointment, saying a five-year transition were capped by rising fears over a new Congressional Republicans blocked are cantankerous political matters, yet moratorium expires at the end of the period when EU fleets will have free access to fish strain of the coronavirus that has forced a Democratic-backed effort to lift one- the market isn’t overly bothered by year. Recent data have shown worry- in UK waters, including up to six miles off the the UK to impose tougher regional lock- time stimulus payments from $600 to them because, in its mind, it’s a matter ing signs that the world’s largest econ- shoreline, was “pathetic”. “In the end it was clear downs across the nation. The pound was $2,000 after Trump called for the of when, not if, a stimulus deal will be omy is faltering after the sharp that Boris Johnson wanted an overall trade deal the main focus of attention as Britain and change and hinted he would veto the passed,” said Briefing.com analyst rebound in the third quarter fueled by and was willing to sacrifice fishing,” said Barrie the European Union hammered out the bill without improvements. Investors Patrick O’Hare. the $2.2 trillion CARES Act that Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of final details on an agreement that have shrugged off the latest curveball About 14 million jobless workers Congress approved in late March, just Fishermen’s Organizations. ensures that Britain will not now face EU on the stimulus after months of stalled will lose their pandemic unemployment as the pandemic restrictions were tak- A senior member of the UK’s negotiating team tariffs on cross-Channel commerce. negotiations on Capitol Hill, viewing the benefits right after Christmas if the bill ing hold. —AFP conceded it would have been better to get to the end of the new fisheries transition period “a bit Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s minority government working world,” added Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz, faster”, but added “at the end of the transition, it Spain ruling coalition which has ruled the eurozone’s fourth largest economy also from Podemos, on Twitter. returns to normal arrangements, and we have full since January. Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias, The proposal comes as the New Zealand branch of control over our waters”. the leader of Podemos, announced earlier this month Unilever earlier this month began a trial of a four-day Britain’s parliament has been recalled to sit on divided over that the labor ministry was looking into reducing work work week for its staff in the country. Germany’s pow- December 30 so they can ratify the deal. A vote in hours, saying this “could without a doubt favor the erful IG Metall union has also floated the idea. favor is virtually assured after the UK’s main oppo- four-day work week creation of employment”. But in Spain the idea has been met with reluctance sition Labor Party said its MPs would back it. In a He was responding during a TV interview to the from the Socialists, the dominant party in Spain’s first bid to unify his own Conservatives around the deal, MADRID: Spain’s coalition government is deeply split proposal made by a far-left lawmaker that called for coalition government since its return to democracy in Johnson has insisted the accord will stand up to over a proposal to shorten the work week to four days the work week to be reduced to 32 hours from the the late 1970s. Budget Minister Maria Jesus Montero scrutiny by the European Research Group, a core to fight high unemployment sparked by the coron- current 40 hours. said the government “must not lose focus” from its group Eurosceptic lawmakers in his party. —AFP avirus pandemic. The measure is being pushed by far- “Work time requires a new concept which dares to main priority, which is “to return to the growth rates left party Podemos, the junior partner in Socialist challenge, as we do, the laws and customs of the which we had at the start of the pandemic”. —AFP Classifieds Monday, December 28, 2020

CHANGE OF NAME

I, HUSEIN AKBER SAJJAD HUSEN KOTHAMBAWALA, Sabah Hospital 24812000 Passport No. N7016963 hereby change my name to Amiri Hospital 22450005 HUSSAIN AKBAR KOTHAMBAWALA in all my dealings DAAYY: 6XXQQGD\  99DDOLG )URP  $0 7R  30 and documents. My new & correct name shall be First Maternity Hospital 24843100 Name: HUSSAIN, Middle Name (Father’s Name): Expected WeWeather for the Next 24 Hours Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 AKBAR, Surname: KOTHAMBAWALA. (C 5827) 28-12-2020 %< '$$<< 5DWWKKHU FROG  DQG  3DUUWWO\  FORXG\  WR FORXG\  ZLWWKK OLJKW  WR PRGHUDWH IIUUHVKKHQLQJ  DW WLPHV  RYHU  FRVWDO  DUUHDV  QRUUWWK Chest Hospital 24849400 ZHVWHUO\ ZLQG  ZLWK  VSHHG  RI    NPKK ZLWWKK D FKDQFH IIRRU  VFDWWWWHUHG  OLJKW  UDLQ Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 %< 1,*+7 &ROG DQG 3DUUWWO\ FORXG\ WR FORXGG\\ ZLWWKK OLJKW WR PRGHUDWH YDULDEOH  ZLQG WR QRUUWWK ZHVWHUO\ ZLQGG ZLWWKK VSHHG RINPKK ZLWWKK D FKDQFH IIRRU  VFDWWWWHUHG  UDLQ  ZLWK  D FKDQFH IIRRU IIRRJ IIRRUUPPLQJ  RYHU  VRPH  DUHHDV Adan Hospital 23940620 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Sabah Hospital 24812000 :($7$7+(5:$:$51,1* 1R&XUUHQW ::DDUQLQJV Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Amiri Hospital 22450005 STTAAATTION 0$;(;33 0,1 5(& 6)& &+$57   87& Maternity Hospital 24843100 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 .8::$$,7 &,7<  ƒ&  ƒ& Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 .8::$$,7 $,5325577  ƒ&  ƒ& Chest Hospital 24849400 $%'$//<<  ƒ&  ƒ& Kaizen center 25716707 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 %8%<<$$$11  ƒ&  ƒ& Rawda 22517733 Adan Hospital 23940620 -$+55$$  ƒ&  ƒ& Adaliya 22517144 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 ))$$,/$.$ ,6/$$11' ƒ& ƒ& Khaldiya 24848075 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 6$/0,<<$$+  ƒ&  ƒ& Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 $+0$', ƒ& ƒ& Kaifan 24849807 18::$$,6,%  ƒ&  ƒ& Shamiya 24848913 ::$$)5$  ƒ&  ƒ& Shuwaikh 24814507 112 6$/0<  ƒ&  ƒ& Abdullah Salem 22549134

4 DAAYYS FORECAST Nuzha 22526804 Temperatures Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 DAAYY DAATTE WEAATTHER Wind Speed Automated enquiry MAX. MIN. Wind Direction Qadsiya 22515088 0RQGD\  5DWKHU FROG ZLWK D FKDQFH IIRRUVFDWWHUHG  UDLQ  ƒ&  ƒ&1:95%      NPK about theCivil ID card is 7XHVGD\  5DWWKKHU FROG DDQQG3DDUUWO\  FORXG\  WR FORXG\ ƒ&   ƒ& 1:95%      NPK Dasmah 22532265 ::HHGQHVGD\  )DLU DQG 3DDUUWO\  FORXGG\\  ƒ&  ƒ& 1:95%      NPK Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 1889988 7KXXUUVGD\  5DWKHU FROG DQG 3DUUWWO\ FORXG\ ZLWK DFKDQFH IIRRU  ƒ&  ƒ& 95%1(      NPK VFDWWHUHG UDLQ Shaab 22518752 PRAAYYER TIMES RECORDED YESTERDAAYY AATT KUWWAAIT AIRPORT Qibla 22459381 Fajr  MAX. Temp.  °C Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 For labor-related inquiries Sunrise  MIN. Temp.  °C Zuhr  MAX. RH  % Mirqab 22456536 and complaints: Asr  MIN. RH  % Sharq 22465401 Sunset  MAX. Wind 1  km/h Call MSALHOTLINE 128 Isha TOTTAALL RAINFFAALLL IN 24 HR.  mm Salmiya 25746401

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Today you may get the opportunity to feel You tend to want to explain everything that You're often like a Zen master who doesn't say Are you going to be available to other people proud of yourself. But don't let things get too out of hand. It goes on around you, Cancer. You rationalize everything in anything to pupils for months, until the day the pupils today? Someone in your entourage may need to confide in isn't often that you allow yourself this little bit of narcissism. an instant, and group all your experiences into great theo- begin to not believe any more and find themselves growing you. If the superficiality of the exchange bothers you, you Everything you say will be pertinent, and people will let you ries. But you've been very quiet for quite some time now. It's indifferent to the whole thing. Then the master pronounces will understand what the atmosphere of today is all about! Yes, you're available, but not for just anything. You're in no know. For once, the stars are giving you the opportunity to as if something is keeping you from speaking. Today you one or two phrases that are so incredibly true that no one knows what to say! You could be that Zen master today. mood to waste time at the moment. cater to your own ego, so take advantage of it! will get a few words in, so don't worry.

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

Today you may be overcome by a current of As a Leo, you don't really like to talk about It's time to take some time out of your You may come in contact with someone today with whom you enjoy a highly emotional humanist thought, Taurus. Your consciousness is traveling, things. Talking just isn't one of your specialties. Everyone busy day for your personal life, Scorpio. One of your exchange. You may even fall in love! Be very attentive and you probably couldn't care less about the details of the has his/her own role, and yours is to take action and cre- family members or friends may need to talk to you, and you need to listen attentively to what they have to your moods and everything going on inside you, events going on around you. You're freethinking, which is ate, not talk about doing it. However, the planetary posi- to say. You need to use all your wonderful energy to Aquarius. They will be particularly strong, and they inspired by your spirit of fairness. You may even be in a situa- tions today might make you utter a few very deep words. get down to the heart of the matter. Who knows? You will help you understand what is changing in you. tion where you have to act as a kind of "enlightened" refer- Come on! Tell us a little something about how you feel Just be careful to distinguish your feelings from deep inside! may discover some hidden treasures along the way. ee, which you will only be too happy to do! those of your (future?) partner.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Pisces (February 19-March 20) Today is a good day to clarify your life, Even if you're a good judge of character, Scientists seem to live in a world apart from It's possible that you're having some ups Sagittarius. You may have understood lately Gemini, the people who know you say that you base your the rest of us, Virgo, and from the events in everyday life, and downs in your love life at the moment. Someone that it's useless to undertake anything new when you're opinions on your personal feelings, which often affect your because they're so absorbed in other realities. This is a lot may be asking you to play another role than you're used confused. You've figured out that all it takes to get out of good judgment. Today your critics are wrong, and your judg- like your universe. If you were a scientist, you might do to playing in your relationship. Today, Pisces, you should ments are as precise and objective as they can possibly be. what they sometimes do - make parallels, like those that state is to take care of yourself, eat better, get more take the time to think about these pressures on you. They may even help you out of a sticky situation. learned men who apply their scientific reasoning to sleep, or take a vacation. Your mind will be sufficiently rest- You're going to need the answers to these questions events in the world by analogy. Tell us your theories! ed today to deal with all the problems that come your way. over the next few months. 12 Established 1961 Monday, December 28, 2020 Lifestyle Features Virtual idols take to the real-life stage in China

This handout photograph released by the Beijing Mizhi Tech company, shows fans watching projections of mem- This photo shows pillows and a shopping bag featuring images of idols of the virtual girl band And2girls at the bers of the virtual girl band And2girls on a screen at an event in Shanghai. —AFP photos apartment of fan Liu Jun in Beijing.

iu Jun has long been a fan of a career from the start and said he cried when ed by a mixture of computer animation Xu Xingmei, the animator in charge of Shanghai Henian Technology, which creat- Chinese star called Amy, a teenage he saw her on the talent show, feeling the and actors-Amy’s clothes, hairstyle and designing Amy’s expressions and motions. ed one of China’s most successful virtual Lpop singer with red hair whose auto- performer would finally get the bigger plat- appearance are created by animators, “When I saw Amy show up on the stage, I idols. Since virtual idols live and die graph he treasures-and who only exists in form she deserved. At one of Amy’s fan before her human actor takes on every- felt that my daughter had finally grown up.” through the strength of their technology, the digital world. On Saturday “Amy” won a events, Liu and other fans talked with her thing else. Real-time motion capture and the risk of embarrassing technical failures breakthrough virtual talent show in China, through a two-meter high screen, and a rendering technology mean as the human Technical bloopers is high. In one awkward show appearance, where computer-generated entertainers printer attached to the screen gave him her moves it is reflected by the on-screen idol. Amy belongs to a booming virtual idol only Amy’s cap appeared onstage. Other perform in front of real-life judges and tens “signature”. Although the virtual idol con- To prepare for Amy’s performances, the industry that is expected to be worth 1.5 performers have disintegrated mid- of millions of online viewers. “You can’t see cept originated in Japan, these digital actor had to take extra dance training. But billion yuan ($230 million) within the appearance after technical breakdowns- what they are like in real life, so you can avatars are now stealing airtime in China, creators avoid all mention of the existence next two years, according to Beijing- including one contestant who froze when have more fantasies about them,” said 28- where they appear on TV shows, billboards of the actor behind the idol. “Our logic is based market researcher Newsijie. he tried to teach the judges kung fu. year-old Liu, who has attended more than and even news programs. They now com- that every virtual idol has a real soul,” said Video-sharing website Bilibili reported a “It’s so embarrassing that I don’t think ten of Amy’s concerts and fan events in mand growing fanbases-research from iQiyi Beijing Mizhi Tech chief executive Liu 200 percent increase in viewing hours of it’s fit for humans to watch,” complained recent years. “The virtual idol is indestructi- estimates an audience of 390 million nation- Yong, whose firm created Amy. its virtual idol live streaming channels in one viewer on social media. But the ble-as long as the image is still there, she wide. “The idea of making this talent show “They have their own personality, char- the first ten months of this year. Some show’s creators have batted away criti- can stay in your heart forever,” he added. is to let everyone know that virtual idols can acteristics and preferences... they really experts worry that if too many compa- cism. “Many viewers who have followed Amy found fame on “Dimension Nova”, show up in our real world now,” the show’s exist in this world,” he told AFP. Instead of nies pile in on the market the quality our show from the beginning will find that which claims to be the world’s first talent executive producer Liu Jiachao told AFP. showing the actor, the show runs footage could suffer. there has been a great improvement in show bringing together digital performers of animators anxiously waiting backstage, “If you really want to join (the indus- our technology,” said Liu, the producer. to dance and sing in front of three-real-life- Making stars as if they were the performer’s family. “I try), you need money, technology and per- “Controversy is inevitable when new celebrity judges. But Liu has followed Amy’s The virtual stars in the show are creat- see Amy as my daughter,” said 26-year-old severance,” said Cao Pu, chief executive of things come out.” —AFP

A cutout of virtual idol Amy on the desk of an animator at the Beijing Mizhi An animator works on designs for virtual idol Amy at the Beijing Mizhi Tech An animator works on hairstyles for a virtual idol at the Beijing Mizhi Tech Tech offices in Beijing. offices in Beijing. offices in Beijing. Jackson’s Neverland ranch sold to US billionaire at discount

ichael Jackson’s former Burkle previously worked as an Neverland Ranch in adviser for the singer on business MCalifornia has sold to US matters, including resolving debts billionaire Ron Burkle, his incurred by his lavish lifestyle in spokesman said Thursday, report- the years before his death. The edly at a steeply discounted price 2,700-acre (1,100-hectare) estate of around $22 million. The late located 40 miles (65 kilometers) “King of Pop” famously converted from Santa Barbara features a These pictures released by the Pompei Press Office shows a thermopolium, a sort of his sprawling, gated home into a main house with six bedrooms street “fast-food” counter in ancient Rome, that has been unearthed in Pompei, decorat- fairytale-themed retreat-complete along with three guest houses, a ed with polychrome motifs and in an exceptional state of preservation. —AFP photos with toy railroad, Ferris wheel and four-acre lake with a waterfall, orangutans-and penned some of tennis courts, several barns and ‘Fast-food’ bar frozen in Pompeii ash his top hits on the ranch. But animal shelter facilities. Jackson’s Neverland was also the infamous ranch was raided in 2003 as part gives clues on Roman snacking habits location where Jackson invited of a child molestation case against children to visit and sleep over, him and police at the time seized a 2,000-year-old fast-food stall and discovered near a child’s bed. “It is and where he was accused of large collection of pornography unearthed from the ash of possible that someone, perhaps the old- molesting young boys. It was and images of nude children. Pompeii has given researchers est man, stayed behind and perished rebranded after Jackson’s 2009 This file photo shows an aerial view of singer Michael Jackson’s Jackson was acquitted in the case A death as Sycamore Valley Ranch. in 2005. Last year, HBO documen- new clues about the snacking habits of during the first phase of the eruption,” Neverland Valley Ranch in Santa Ynez, CA. —AFP the ancient Romans. The ornate snack Osanna told Ansa news agency. The Burkle, a Montana-based busi- tary “Leaving Neverland” aired bar counter, decorated with polychrome remains of another person were also nessman with investments ranging a dramatic decline from the ranch’s House private club network when testimonies of two men who claim patterns and frozen by volcanic ash, was found and could be an opportunist thief from supermarkets to the enter- $100 million asking price in 2015. he spotted the ranch and called its Jackson sexually abused them as partially exhumed last year but archae- or someone fleeing the eruption who tainment industry, purchased the That lofty fee, dubbed “optimistic” owner, according to the children all over the ranch, includ- ologists extended work on the site to was “surprised by the burning vapours ranch “as a land banking opportu- by realtors even at the time, was spokesman. Jackson reportedly ing the attic, the master bedroom reveal it in its full glory. Pompeii was just as he had his hand on the lid of the nity,” his spokesman told AFP. slashed to $31 million last year, but paid $19.5 million for the property and the pool. The Jackson estate- buried in a sea of boiling lava when the pot that he had just opened”, added The $22 million price tag the ranch still did not sell and was in the 1980s. Thomas Barrack Jr.’s which is suing HBO for $100 mil- volcano on nearby Mount Vesuvius Osanna. reported by the Wall Street taken off the market. Burkle was Colony Capital investment firm lion over a “posthumous character erupted in 79 AD, killing between 2,000 In the latest stage of their work, Journal-and confirmed to AFP as flying in the region recently to purchased the ranch from the assassination”-denies all the alle- and 15,000 people. Archaeologists con- archaeologists uncovered a number of roughly accurate, by a source scout a neighboring property as a heavily indebted singer for $22.5 gations, as Jackson did in his life- tinue to make discoveries there. The still life scenes, including depictions of familiar with the deal-would mark possible new branch of his Soho million the year before his death. time. —AFP thermopolium-from the Greek “ther- animals believed to have been on the mos” for hot and “poleo” to sell-at what menu, notably mallard ducks and a was a busy intersection of Silver rooster, for serving up with wine or hot US parents in bizarre ‘balloon boy’ hoax granted pardon Wedding Street and Alley of Balconies, beverages. Previously unearthed was a was the Roman era equivalent of a fast- fresco bearing an image of a Nereid wo Colorado parents jailed for falsely lic.” Law enforcement’s suspicions were inflated food snack stall. nymph riding a seahorse and gladiators claiming their six-year-old son Falcon had when Falcon let slip in a CNN television interview The team found duck bone fragments in combat. “As well as bearing witness Tfloatedaway in a homemade balloon that the entire episode had been done “for the as well as the remains of pigs, goats, fish to daily life in Pompeii, the possibilities shaped like a flying saucer have been granted show.” The hoax was seemingly confirmed within and snails in earthenware pots. Some of to analyse afforded by this thermopoli- pardons by the western US state’s governor. 48 hours of the interview, when Japanese-born the ingredients had been cooked um are exceptional because for the first Richard and Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty in Mayumi Heene reportedly broke down under together like a Roman era paella. time we have excavated a site in its 2009 to the “balloon boy” hoax, which became a police questioning. But the couple’s lawyer told Crushed fava beans, used to modify the entirety,” said Massimo Osanna, direc- worldwide media sensation with millions watch- AFP Thursday they only pleaded guilty to stop her taste of wine, were found at the bottom tor general at the Archaeological Park of ing live as the silver helium balloon drifted from being deported, and had genuinely feared of one jar. The counter appears to have Pompeii. through the skies for 70 miles (110 kilometers). their son was aboard the balloon. “They regret not The October 2009 incident ended after five checking this all out more thoroughly, but it was a been closed in a hurry and abandoned The thermopolium was very popular In this file photo Richard Heene and Mayumi by its owners-perhaps as the first rum- in the Roman world. Pompeii alone had hours when the grounded balloon was found to coerced guilty plea,” said David Lane. “And I think blings of the eruption were felt- around 80. The massive site that spreads be empty and Falcon emerged from a hiding that also influenced the governor.” He added: “I Heene (left) walk out of Courtroom 3A after Massimo Osanna, director general at the over 44 hectares (110 acres) is what place at the family home. can now finally say the balloon-acy has ended.” their sentencing hearing at the Larimer Archaeological Park of Pompeii, told remains of one of the richest cities in the The husband and wife, accused by prosecutors Richard Heene, handed a 90-day sentence for County Justice Center in Fort Collins, Ansa news agency. Roman empire. Layers of ash buried of plotting to use the publicity to land a reality tel- trying to influence a public servant, now owns a Colorado. —AFP many buildings and objects in a nearly evision series, were pardoned Wednesday by small business and has contributed to his com- Witness to antiquity pristine state, including curled-up Governor Jared Polis. “It’s time to no longer let a munity “by researching and educating about Florida. Falcon, now a teenager, went on to form Amphorae, a water tower and a foun- corpses of victims. Pompeii is Italy’s sec- permanent criminal record from the balloon boy extreme weather events,” wrote Polis. Mayumi a heavy metal band with his brothers, Ryo and tain were found alongside human ond most visited site after the Colisseum saga follow and drag down the parents for the rest Heene, sentenced to 20 days in jail for false Bradford, releasing a song titled “Balloon Boy, No remains, including those of a man in Rome and last year attracted around of their lives,” wrote Polis in a statement, saying reporting to authorities, has become a natural- Hoax” and an accompanying low-budget video believed to have been aged around 50 four million tourists.—AFP the pair had “paid the price in the eyes of the pub- ized American citizen. The couple now live in featuring a mocked-up flying saucer. —AFP Established 1961 13 Monday, December 28, 2020 Lifestyle Features From bean to bar, Haiti’s cocoa wants international recognition

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the Final packaging, ready for sale is seen in Makaya Chocolat’s shop in Ralph Leroy makes a last adjustment before Santa Claus can be put on sale. workshops of Makaya Chocolat in Petionville, Haiti. —AFP photos Petionville, Haiti.

lthough small in the face of South America’s several plots whereas, in Latin America, a small producer company he founded in 2016, Makaya, and the edible giants, Haiti is slowly developing its cocoa indus- already owns four or five hectares,” explained Aline sculptures that come out of his workshop are a huge Atry, earning better incomes for thousands of farm- Etlicher, who developed the industry at PISA. sensation at parties. His company now has about 20 ers and refuting the stereotype that culinary art is the “We buy fresh cocoa, the same day as the harvest so employees who share his passion. preserve of wealthy countries. Haiti’s annual production the farmer no longer has the problems of drying and “Even in cooking schools, we don’t learn this. I learned of 5,000 tons of cocoa pales in comparison to the storing that they would have if they sold it to an interme- everything here and I am very, very proud,” said Duasmine 70,000 tons produced per year by neighboring diary,” said the French agronomist. In recent months, this Paul, 22, head of Makaya’s laboratory. Echoes of car horns Dominican Republic, but the sector’s development is just-in-time bean collection from all sites has been more reach the ears of Makaya employees carefully sorting recent in the island nation. Feccano, a federation of challenging because many roads were regularly blocked cocoa beans, a side effect of the chaotic traffic that para- cocoa cooperatives in northern Haiti, became the first due to socio-political unrest. Maintaining organic and lyzes Haitian capital Port-au-Prince at the end of the year. group to organize exchanges in 2001 by prioritizing fair trade certifications for the cocoa is delicate, but the From his workshop, where he also concocts chocolate- farmers’ profits. Haitian style has made its mark abroad. “Today there are based cocktails, Leroy sees as sweet revenge the great “Before, there was the systematic destruction of bars sold in the United States that are called Acul-du- marketing of his bars. “The greatest pleasure is when, cocoa trees because the market price wasn’t interesting Nord,” Etlicher said proudly. before traveling, Haitians come here to buy a lot to offer for farmers who preferred very short-cycle crops,” said “With our customers, we are part of the ‘bean to bar’ abroad. It’s become their pride. And also when Europeans Guito Gilot, Feccano’s commercial director. The cooper- movement of chocolate makers who transform the cocoa come and buy all the stock... I tell myself that I am doing a ative now works with more than 4,000 farmers in north- bean into the chocolate bar,” she said, adding that by good job,” he says with a burst of laughter. —AFP ern Haiti. By fermenting its members’ beans before cutting out the middleman, Haitian producers’ revenues export, Feccano has been able to target the market for have doubled. And on the other end of the chain, bean fine and aromatic cocoa. “Feccano’s customers pay for processing remains local. quality: they don’t have the New York Stock Exchange as a reference,” said Gilot. ‘Plant your cocoa’ For master chocolatier Ralph Leroy, making a rum Just-in-time collection ganache-Haitian, just like all the products he uses-was Smelling potential, Haiti’s private sector finally began not an obvious choice. After years in Montreal, he investing in the cocoa industry, which until then had returned home to Haiti as a haute-couture stylist. His been supported solely by non-governmental organiza- shift to cocoa began when he made clothes out of tions and humanitarian efforts. By setting up its fermen- chocolate for a culinary trade show. The training he then tation setter in 2014 in Acul-du-Nord, 15 kilometers underwent for a year in Italy fueled his passion as much (nine miles) from Haiti’s second city Cap-Haitien, the as his pride. “The first week, I think I was insulted when company Produit des iles (PISA) entered the market. But the professor said, ‘Chocolate is made for Europe. You Preparation of hot chocolate drink is done in the work- Preparation of a chocolate mousse by chocolate maker the logistical challenges are many. “The producers we there, plant your cocoa, we buy the cocoa and do the shops of Makaya Chocolat. Ralph Leroy in the workshops of Makaya Chocola. work with farm less than a hectare, often divided into work,’” he recalled. Today, Leroy runs the chocolate

Sorting of cocoa beans according to their size and appearance is done in the Preparation of a chocolate ganache with local rum by chocolate maker Ralph Ganache of espresso chocolate, prepared by chocolate maker Ralph Leroy in workshops of Makaya Chocolat in Petionville, Haiti. Leroy. the workshops of Makaya Chocolat. GoDaddy apologises for Secret Santa delights fake Christmas bonus Canadians with lavish gifts email security test mystery anonymous Santa Claus heartwarming and touching that some- sent gift cards worth Can$250 one would do that,” she said Friday, S web company GoDaddy apologized with poems to several hundred according to CBC. “To have something Thursday after an email that promised A residents of a neighborhood in western like this, I mean, that’s a month of gro- employees a Christmas bonus in the midst U Canada, reports said Saturday. “Woke ceries for us.” of the economic crisis turned out to be a computer up to find this on my step with a very The poem offered soothing words security test. “GoDaddy takes the security of our large gift card. It appears my whole about the possibility of a better year platform extremely seriously. We understand some neighborhood got one,” Edmonton resi- after months of hardship caused by the employees were upset by the phishing attempt and dent Leigh-Ann MacNaughton said on coronavirus pandemic and a mounting felt it was insensitive, for which we have apolo- Facebook alongside a picture of a three- worldwide death toll. CBC reached out to gized,” a spokesman for GoDaddy, the largest verse composition about hope and soli- an email listed at the bottom of the note, internet domain management company in the Snowshoes are the new toilet paper darity. “I have been crying all morning.” which was signed “Secret Santa.” “I world, told AFP in a statement. “While the test Around 400 similar envelopes were decided to do it because I know that lots mimicked real attempts in play today, we need to dropped on December 24, and each con- of people have had a really tough year do better and be as French banned from slopes tained a Can$250 Walmart voucher, resi- and I had the means to help out,” the more sensitive to dents told local media. Elisha Tennant, apparent benefactor replied. “I hope the emand for snowshoes has skyrock- peaks of 10,000 orders on some days since our employees,” who lost her job during the pandemic, gifts gave people a sense that the world eted since the French government President Emmanuel Macron ordered lifts added the Arizona- also welled up when she opened one of is good and there is a brighter future not effectively banned downhill skiing in shut on November 24 as part of a range of based company. D the mystery packages. “It was just very far ahead.”—AFP an attempt to contain Covid-19, the world’s anti-virus measures. Gallay said snowshoe In December, biggest manufacturer of snowshoes report- walking had already become the second around 500 employ- ed on Thursday. TSL Sport Equipment, most-loved winter sport in France after ees clicked on an based in the Alpine city of Annecy, said it downhill skiing, but had taken the crown email from the com- was selling double the usual number of this season. “People want to enjoy the pany offering a snowshoes this winter, with demand on mountains, but they can’t ski, so they go out Christmas bonus of some days spiking to 10 times the seasonal with snowshoes,” Gallay said. TSL has dou- $650 and asking normal. Snowshoes allow walkers to navi- bled its staff to 100 this season to meet them to fill out a gate snowy terrain much more easily than demand, many of whom are seasonal work- form with their per- normal shoes, allowing holiday makers in ers and ski coaches who need work while sonal details. Two winter sport resorts to venture into moun- they wait for lifts to reopen. Nevertheless, days later, a differ- tainous terrain for long hikes. The French the order backlog is currently around ent message government has ordered ski lifts closed 45,000 shoes, Gallay said. In total, TSL appeared in their until January, fearing that queues of skiers expects to sell 200,000 snowshoes this inboxes. “You are receiving this email because you would promote the spreading of coron- year, translating into revenues of around 10 failed our recent phishing test,” the email from avirus, but allowed resorts to open-albeit million euros ($12 million). When announc- GoDaddy’s security chief read, according to with restaurants and cafes shut like every- ing the ski lift ban, Macron warned that Arizona’s Copper Courier newspaper. The tech- where in France. “We’re seeing a similar coronavirus risks made it “impossible” to nique of phishing, widely used by computer hack- phenomenon to toilet paper purchases in allow winter sports to resume quickly, ers, sees emails pretending to be a person known shops,” said Philippe Gallay, the company’s adding he hoped that restrictions could be to the intended target, with the objective of owner for 34 years, in reference to empty lifted in January. France’s 350 ski resorts obtaining information to infiltrate their computer shelves in supermarkets during a lockdown have been up in arms over the decision, systems. The test email sparked uproar on social in the spring when people hoarded toilet saying the weeks around Christmas and media as millions of Americans have been hit hard paper for fear of running out. New Year are crucial for their survival as by the economic crisis linked to the coronavirus He said daily orders had doubled to they account for up to a quarter of their pandemic. —AFP around 2,000 pairs of snowshoes, with annual revenues.—AFP 14 Established 1961 Sports Monday, December 28, 2020

Photo of the day Celtics confirm death of 12-time champion KC Jones NEW YORK: KC Jones, a 12-time NBA champion as a player and coach and 1956 Olympic gold medalist, has died, his former club the Boston Celtics announced. He was 88. Jones, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989, captured 10 titles as a player, two more as a coach and two others as an assistant coach. “The Celtics family mourns the loss of twelve-time NBA champion, two-time NCAA champion, Gold medal-win- ning Olympian and Hall of Famer KC Jones as we cele- brate his remarkable career and life,” the Celtics said in a statement. Jones played college basketball at the University of San Francisco, winning 1955 and 1956 national crowns and a 1956 Melbourne Olympics title alongside future Celtics teammate Bill Russell. Russell tweeted that he was told Jones died Friday morning. “The way that he was revered by the players he played with, by the people he worked with, by the players that played for him, he was special,” said current Celtics coach Brad Stevens. With the Celtics, Jones won eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. The club retired his jersey number, 25, in 1967. Only Celtics teammates Russell and Sam Jones won more career NBA titles as players. “Where KC Jones went, winning was sure to follow,” the Celtics said. Jones joined Russell, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Quinn Buckner, Jerry Lucas and Clyde Lovellette as the only players to complete the “Triple Crown” of NBA and NCAA titles plus Olympic gold. Jones served as an assis- tant coach for the 1972 NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers and served as head coach for the Washington Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates with his team in the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. —Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com Bullets for three seasons, but he joined the Celtics coach- ing staff in 1978 and was an assistant when they won the 1981 NBA crown. —AFP Gutsy Rahane century puts India in driving seat against Australia India build an ominous 82-run lead

MELBOURNE: Stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane rode saw off the tough periods and the loose balls he was his luck to hit a gritty unbeaten century as India built making sure he put them all away.” an ominous 82-run lead over Australia on day two to take a stranglehold on the second Test in Melbourne Problems yesterday. It was a determined and crucial knock On a steamy day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, against a world-class attack by the mild-mannered 32- India resumed on 36 for one in reply to Australia’s first year-old, who assumed the captaincy from Virat Kohli innings 195, having weathered 11 overs Saturday when after he returned home for the birth of his first child. they lost Mayank Agarwal for a duck to Starc. In an Batting at four, he faced 200 balls for his 104 to action-packed morning, the Australian attack consis- steer India to 277 for five before rain ended play 15 tently hit its line and length with Pat Cummins bagging minutes early. Ravindra Jadeja was not out 40. The Gill then the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara for 17. hosts took just four wickets during a frustrating day in That brought Rahane to the crease and - first with the field as the match began to slip away with India Hanuma Vihari, then Rishabh Pant and finally Jadeja - he zeroing in on levelling the series after losing the first built half-century stands to put India in a strong posi- Test by eight wickets in Adelaide. tion. He brought up his 12th Test ton in his 67th game, “Not our best day, but not our worst,” said and his second in Melbourne, with a four off Cummins, Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who has two wickets but but he enjoyed some good fortune. Australia removed also saw catches put down off his bowling. “Jinx first slip during Starc’s first spell in the final session and (Rahane) batted really well through the day there and lived to regret it with Rahane getting an edge on 57 they had some pretty good partnerships. “I thought that would almost certainly have been caught if the there was some really good stuff from us as well, we fielder was there. just didn’t capitalize on some of the chances we creat- He had a huge let-off on 73 when he was dropped at ed to finish in a better position. “We’re just going to second slip by Steve Smith and again on 104 when the have to back up tomorrow and take five wickets as ball popped out of Travis Head’s hands as he landed quick as we can.” after taking the catch. Jadeja, back in the team after While Rahane was the hero, it was a gutsy Indian missing the first Test injured, ably supported Rahane team performance, with three 50-plus wicket partner- after Vihari fell for 21 attempting to sweep Nathan ships to help silence their critics after being skittled Lyon, with Smith taking the catch. That brought the MELBOURNE: India’s Ajinkya Rahane (left) celebrates scoring his century (100 runs) as teammate Ravi for their all-time low of 36 last week. Debutant exuberant Pant to the crease. Preferred to Wriddhiman Jadeja (right) looks on during the second day of the second cricket Test match between Australia and Shubman Gill chipped in with an impressive 45 and Saha as wicketkeeper, he scored a breezy 29 before India at the MCG in Melbourne yesterday. —AFP paid tribute to Rahane. “His knock was all about becoming Starc’s 250th Test victim, caught by Tim patience. Sometimes against such a high-quality bowl- Paine for his 150th dismissal. ing attack you go into your shell and then you’re not India were reduced to 64 for three before lunch after Pujara’s bat. Paine called for a review, believing it took a his overnight score, got a nick and Paine took the catch. able to score runs,” he said. “The way Ajinkya played, Cummins caused all sorts of problems. He signaled his nick, but replays showed it was not out. Cummins finally He then removed Pujara, again enticing an edge with it was such a magnificent knock to watch, the way he intent with the first ball of the day, which zipped past got the wicket he deserved when Gill, who added 17 to Paine holding a brilliant diving catch.—AFP

I’ve no doubt spin will definitely have a role.” departing the field when he would have been allowed to Jamieson strikes as The immediate concern for New Zealand was the avail- stay had he argued his case. He was given out caught off Momota wins Japan ability of Wagner who was to have a scan at the end of the the gloves, and after consulting with Williamson they felt day after being hit on the foot by a Shaheen Afridi yorker the ball may have also touched the bat so they decided not title to cap comeback Pakistan stumble in when he batted. Wagner managed three overs when to seek a review when replays later showed the ball hit his Pakistan batted but was clearly in pain. New Zealand, hav- forearm and did not brush either glove or bat. ing started the day at 222 for three, added a further 209 Williamson, a model of patience and concentration, after car crash reply to NZ’s 431 runs before Wagner was the last man out. The innings was needed 261 balls to bring up his century, his slowest Test headlined by Williamson’s 129, his 23rd Test century, with hundred, but once that milestone passed he picked up the TOKYO: Badminton world number one Kento MOUNT MAUNGANUI: New Zealand were banking on a deteriorating pitch to defend their Kane Williamson- sizeable contributions from BJ Watling (73) and Henry pace and needed only 36 more deliveries to get to 129. The Momota won the All-Japan championships yesterday Nicholls (56) to go with Ross Taylor’s 70 on the first day. introduction of Yasir Shah brought the end of the New to complete the first step of his comeback, nearly a anchored 431 after reducing Pakistan to 30 for one on day two of the first Test at Mount Maunganui yesterday. Abid Zealand captain. With his third ball, the leg-spinner found year after suffering serious injuries in a car crash. Patience and concentration enough turn to catch the edge of the bat and Haris Sohail Momota came from behind to beat world number 11 Ali was not out 19 with nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas yet to score after Kyle Jamieson removed opener Shan Williamson described his knock as “really satisfying” took a smart one-handed catch. Kanta Tsuneyama 18-21, 21-12, 21-17 in Tokyo, mark- after New Zealand were sent into bat on a green wicket Watling, who scored a double century against England ing a successful return from the accident that left him Masood for 10. The Bay Oval pitch, Williamson’s home wicket, is and with Afridi and Mohammad Abbas making life difficult on the same Bay Oval wicket a year ago, took over as the fearing his career might be over after fracturing an with swing and seam on the first day. Although there was batting mainstay. He featured in a 36-run stand with eye socket. renowned for supporting the bowlers on the first and last day. But Williamson said it was already showing signs it not the same movement on day two, the drying pitch start- Mitchell Santner (19) and 66 with Jamieson (32). After Tim The win gave Momota his third straight national ed to show signs of turn which brought spin into play with Southee’s nine-ball duck, Watling and Wagner put on 33 title, and he immediately turned his thoughts towards would favor spin through the middle stages, while New Zealand sweated on the availability of short-ball specialist Yasir Shah taking three wickets, including the prized scalp before Watling nicked a wide Afridi delivery to Yasir Shah making his international comeback at the Thailand of Williamson. at gully. It was a productive day for Yasir Shah who also Open in January. “I had the initiative in the first game Neil Wagner. “Hopefully the cracks start to open and hopefully it starts to deteriorate,” Williamson said. “Spin Nicholls, who had partnered Williamson in a 133-run took the wickets of Southee and Wagner (19) to return fig- but then I started to lose my cool once I had the lead,” stand for the fourth wicket, was the first to fall, bizarrely ures of three for 113 while Afridi took four for 109. —AFP said Momota. “I think that’s because I’m still not used will come more into play. There are bits of rough as well so to playing matches. In the second and third games, I wanted to put all my feeling into it regardless of tech- still wowed the crowd with his artistry and skill. He began with a quad nique or tactics, and I think I willed myself to the win. Hanyu caps masterful loop and a quad salchow before nailing a triple axel into a double toe “The Thailand Open starts in the new year and I’ll loop. He then landed a quad toe loop into a triple toe loop, a quad toe be able to play against players from overseas. I want loop-single euler-triple salchow combination, then finished with a to go there and show what I can do as the top comeback with Japan triple axel. Hanyu has been training by himself this year, with his Japanese player.” Momota was badly hurt in January Canadian coach Brian Orser unable to join him because of travel when the vehicle taking him to the airport after he restrictions, and he again sat alone clutching a Winnie the Pooh tissue won the Malaysia Masters crashed, killing the driver. national title box as he waited for his scores. He admitted to feeling nervous as he returned to com- TOKYO: Two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu “I’ve been working on my own for a long time and that’s meant I’ve petition this week in Tokyo, and he was pushed to the crowned his comeback from a 10-month layoff with a commanding had more worries and anxieties to deal with,” said Hanyu. “But I limit by Tsuneyama, who took him to 16-16 in the final victory at the Japanese national championships on Saturday. Hanyu, haven’t really been alone. Training on my own has made me appreciate game only to crumble with victory in sight. who had been out of action since February after deciding his asthma the connections I have. Of course I’ve been getting advice from afar, “I was too cautious,” said Momota, who also had to made competing in this season’s Grand Prix series too risky amid the but I’ve taken more strength from the goodwill people have sent me.” come from a game down in the quarter-finals. “Before, coronavirus pandemic, blew the competition away in Nagano with an Pyeongchang Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno was denied a fifth my game was about using everything I’d built up over effortlessly graceful free skate for an overall score of 319.36. straight national title, finishing second with 284.81 points. Teenager time, and my results gave me the confidence to do The win gave the 26-year-old superstar his first national title since Yuma Kagiyama, who won the NHK trophy last month in his senior that. “This week, I hadn’t played for a long time so I 2015 and earned him a place at next spring’s world championships in Grand Prix debut, was third with 278.79. was very anxious going into each match. But I think NAGANO: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan Stockholm. “Last year was very frustrating for me, and a part of me is Hanyu endured a disappointing 2019 by his stellar standards, finish- my game will start to return now that I’ve won this performs during the men’s free skat- happy that I was able to take revenge,” said Hanyu, who finished sec- ing second to Uno at nationals and losing out to American Nathan title.” Momota is one of Japan’s brightest hopes for a ing at the Japan’s figure skating ond at last year’s nationals. One day after unveiling a new high-octane Chen at the Grand Prix Final. He will now aim to claim a third world gold medal on home soil at the coronavirus-post- national championships in Nagano short program routine set to Robbie Williams’s “Let Me Entertain title next spring after booking his place in Stockholm. “Last year, it felt poned Tokyo Games next year. —AFP on December 26, 2020. —AFP You,” Hanyu performed to the more subdued “Heaven and Earth” but like I wasn’t developing any more,” said Hanyu. —AFP 15 Sports Monday, December 28, 2020 Arsenal sweep aside Chelsea 3-1, ease pressure on Arteta Man City title challenge gaining momentum as Newcastle are blown away LONDON: Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s emphatic games. We were lazy to give away a penalty, lazy to 3-1 win against Chelsea on Saturday as a “turning give away a free-kick that he puts in the top cor- point” in his troubled side’s season. Arteta’s side sat ner,” Lampard said. “I’m very disappointed in the just three points above the relegation zone before way we approached the first half because some kick-off at the Emirates Stadium after their worst things in football are basics. “It is not tactics or sys- start to a season since 1974-75. But the Gunners tems, it is do you want to run, back your team-mate produced their best performance this term to out- out and sprint? Or do you want to jog and say class their London rivals. Alexandre Lacazette’s ‘maybe I don’t have to run’ and we took that deci- controversial penalty opened the scoring before sion instead of the right one.” Granit Xhaka’s superb free-kick increased Arsenal’s Arsenal made the breakthrough in the 35th lead before half-time. minute when Kieran Tierney got across Reece Bukayo Saka bagged Arsenal’s third goal after James into the Chelsea area and tumbled under the the break as they won in the Premier League for the slightest contact from the panicked defender. first time in eight games stretching back to Michael Oliver’s debatable decision to award a November 1. Tammy Abraham’s late strike was no penalty survived a VAR review and Lacazette sent consolation for woeful Chelsea, who missed a Edouard Mendy the wrong way from the spot for penalty through Jorginho in the final moments. his sixth goal of the season. It was no more than Moving six points clear of the bottom three will buy Arsenal deserved for a vibrant first half and Arteta Arteta a little breathing space following talk he was was celebrating again in the 44th minute. in danger of the sack after just a year in charge. “It’s N’Golo Kante fouled Saka and Xhaka did his bit a really big win for us. We were really disappointed to get back in favor when he whipped a brilliant 20- and frustrated with the results,” Arteta said. yard free-kick over the Chelsea wall and into the “The players and fans were suffering and today top corner. Saka made it three in the 56th minute as is a really special day. It doesn’t get any better; Hector Bellerin and Emile Smith Rowe combined to Boxing Day, playing a London derby at the Emirates send the youngster into the area and his cross-shot and winning the way we’ve done it. “Hopefully this looped over Mendy into the far corner. Abraham is a turning point and will elevate the confidence of converted Hudson Odoi’s cross from close range in the team because I know that they can play at this the 85th minute. Pablo Mari’s foul on Mount gave level. “It is how consistent we are throughout the Chelsea a stoppage-time penalty, but Jorginho game to sustain that level.” With matches against missed for the third time this season as Bernd Leno LONDON: Arsenal’s Scottish defender Kieran Tierney (left) and Chelsea’s English defender Reece James compete during Brighton and West Brom coming next in their kept out the Italian’s weak effort. the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on December Christmas schedule, Arsenal have a chance to climb 26, 2020. — AFP to a healthy league position heading into 2021. City gaining momentum “The spirit before the game was really positive, Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is optimistic that they really wanted it,” Arteta said. “I am pleased for Manchester City are on course to challenge moving them back into contention. An eighth clean Everton on Monday and Chelsea next weekend in the players and for the supporters, We have let them Liverpool again for the Premier League title after sheet in 10 games never looked threatened against a two real tests of their ability to reel in Liverpool at down for many weeks so it was a good day.” Having climbing up to fifth and within five points of the Newcastle side lacking in intent or threat, with top the top of the table. won the FA Cup final against Chelsea in August, leaders with a routine 2-0 win over Newcastle on scorer Callum Wilson left on the bench. “We played at the tempo we have to play. We are Arteta has now delivered two major blows to Blues Saturday. At a rain and windswept Etihad Stadium “There are weird results for everyone. This sea- a team that needs to make a lot of passes, not run so boss Frank Lampard this year. Chelsea would have as Storm Bella swept into Manchester, it was plain son is about being calm in the good and bad much and attack in the right moments. Today our gone second with a victory, but instead they remain sailing for the hosts as goals either side of half-time moments,” said Guardiola. “I have the feeling we are positional game was perfect,” added Guardiola. six points behind leaders Liverpool after a third from Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres extended getting better.” Guardiola’s options had been limited “Unfortunately we could not score more goals but it defeat in their last four league games. their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 games. prior to kick-off by Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus is a good result and three more points. We don’t Lacklustre in attack, short of drive in midfield City’s lack of goals has unusually been their testing positive for coronavirus along with two have much time to think about it because in 45, 46 and bereft of a cutting edge up front, Chelsea’s undoing so far this season but despite again not hit- members of the City staff. However, the loss of Jesus hours we are back.” City threw away two points in £200 million ($267 million) pre-season overhaul is ting the free-flowing heights of previous years and Walker is likely to be more keenly felt in the their last home game in a 1-1 draw with West Brom yet to pay off. “I’m angry because I want us to win under Guardiola, an impressive defensive record is coming week as City travel to second-placed after Gundogan opened the scoring. — Agencies McCollum lifts Trail Blazers over Rockets, as Cavs edge Pistons Swansea move into LOS ANGELES: Portland’s CJ of more than 15 people. 2nd place in McCollum drained the game-winning He was fined $50,000, in the latest three-pointer with 6.9 seconds left in installment of the pre-season drama Championship; overtime as the Trail Blazers edged surrounding Harden, who turned up James Harden and short-handed late to training camp amid reports he Watford rock Norwich Houston 128-126 in the Rockets’ belat- has demanded to be traded. The ed NBA season opener on Saturday. three-time - and reigning - NBA scor- LONDON: Swansea moved into second place McCollum scored 44 points, with a ing champion played more than 43 in the Championship with a 2-0 victory at career-high nine three-pointers, and minutes. He connected on 12 of 22 struggling QPR, while new Watford manager Damian Lillard added 32 as the Trail shots from the field, including six Xisco Munoz made a winning start against lead- Blazers withstood a 44-point, 17-assist three-pointers. Harden’s step-back ers Norwich on Saturday. Goals from Andre performance by Harden. three-pointer with 15.3 seconds left in Ayew and Jamal Lowe lifted Steve Cooper’s Center Christian Wood added 31 overtime put the Rockets up 126-125. Swansea into the automatic promotion places as points for the Rockets, who had just But the Trail Blazers responded, Lillard PORTLAND: Christian Wood #35 of the Houston Rockets dunks against Derrick Jones Jr the race to reach the Premier League heats up. nine players in uniform - one above driving toward the basket then kicking #55 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Moda Center on December QPR have now gone eight matches without the NBA minimum of eight - after two the ball out to McCollum who calmly 26, 2020. — AFP a win and boss Mark Warburton is under players tested positive for COVID-19 sank a three-pointer of his own. increasing pressure. At Vicarage Road, Xisco and four more were listed as unavail- “I just got to the corner,” got off the mark with a 1-0 win after becoming second overtime as the Cavaliers beat points. Blake Griffin scored 26 points able due to “health and safety proto- McCollum said. “I knew (Lillard) was Watford’s fifth manager since the start of last the Detroit Pistons 128-119. and Derrick Rose had 13, but the cols” after being declared close con- going to be aggressive, he drew a season following the sacking of Vladimir Ivic. Andre Drummond added 23 points Pistons - with 24 turnovers leading to tacts of those with the virus. The crowd. My man turned his back so I Ismaila Sarr’s first-half goal was enough to sink against his former team, Cedi Osman 31 Cavaliers points - could not hang Rockets’ scheduled season opener just relocated to the open area and the Canaries, who remain four points clear of scored 22 off the bench and Darius on for the win. “It was multiple against Oklahoma City had been post- knocked down the trey.” The Rockets Swansea. Norwich were convinced they should Garland chipped in 21 as the opportunities where we could’ve giv- poned when they could not field eight had the ball again after a timeout, but have had a late penalty when Watford substi- Cavaliers rallied from a nine-point en in, there were multiple opportuni- players. Harden was among those Robert Covington came up with the tute Adam Masina tripped Teemu Pukki in deficit with 2:15 left in the first over- ties that we could’ve lost the fight,” unavailable on Wednesday after he steal from Harden as he was driving front of goal. time. The Pistons appeared to seize Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. was deemed to have violated NBA toward the basket. In Detroit, Watford are up to fifth place as they chase an control in the third quarter, when “Every player, to a man, decided that anti-COVID measures that ban play- Cleveland guard Collin Sexton scored immediate return to the Premier League after Jerami Grant scored 14 of his 28 was not going to happen.” — AFP ers from attending indoor gatherings 32 points, including a layup to force a last season’s relegation. Chris Hughton and Aitor Karanka faced their former clubs in a 0-0 draw between Nottingham Forest and Birmingham at the top flight league - Burgan failed to make that Kuwait shooting the City Ground. It was Hughton’s Forest who Kuwait Football achievement despite their historic win against often looked the more likely to snatch three Kuwait 2-1. The 10 premier league teams now points but they found themselves up against a Championship goalkeeper in good form in Neil Etheridge. are Qadisiya, Nasr, Salmiya, Kazma, Kuwait, Famara Diedhiou came off the bench to fire a League roundup Arabi, Shabab, Sahel, Khaitan and Fahaheel. By Abdellatif Sharaa spectacular late winner as Bristol City beat bot- Meanwhile the lower league includes Burgan, By Abdellatif Sharaa tom of the table Wycombe 2-1 at Ashton Gate. Jahra, Tadhamon, Yarmouk and Sulaibkhat. KUWAIT: The Shooting City took a 23rd-minute lead through Chris Qadisiya’s Redha Hani scored first in the 39th Championship of the late KUWAIT: Three teams had to wait until the Martin’s downward header. Garath McCleary minute, after which Khaitan’s Olson was able to Sheikh Abdallah Al- final round of Kuwait Football League’s ranking equalized on 68 minutes with a shot that took a equalize in the 63rd minute. This result gave Mubarak Al-Sabah will be phase to find out who will stay in the premier wicked deflection off City substitute Adrian held on Thursday league and which one will be out of luck. Khaitan 18 points and Qadisiya 32 points - on Mariappa. Having done so twice before this 31/12/2020 and will con- Khaitan played leaders Qadisiya and managed top of the ranking. Meanwhile Fahaheel defeated season, Diedhiou then proved the match-winner tinue until 2/1/2021. The to get a draw (1-1); while Fahaheel defeated their Sahel 2-0. The goals were scored by Abdallah as a replacement when blasting an unstoppable tournament will be in 10m next door neighbors (2-0) to remain in the pre- Al-Shami and Saad Ayedh - giving them 18 right-footed shot past Ryan Allsop with three Air Pistol and Rifle in mier league. The third team fighting to stay in points - while Sahel remained at 17. minutes remaining. Derby’s unbeaten run under addition to Archery for interim manager Wayne Rooney was ended men and women. Kuwait when Preston scored deep in stoppage time to and Arab Shooting snatch a 1-0 victory at Pride Park. — AFP Federation Secretary Obaid Al-Osaimi General Obaid Al-Osaimi said the Shooting Club is always proud to organize the tournament every year, because it carries good memories for one of Matches on TV Kuwait’s outstanding men who contributed to the Kuwait’s renaissance. (Local Timings) Al-Osaimi thanked the family of the late Sheikh Abdallah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah for their continued support. He said the ranges of Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex are ready, and ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE are equipped with all necessary protection against Crystal Palace v Leicester City 18:00 the novel coronavirus. He hoped shooters exert beIN Sports HD 1 their extreme efforts and seek to get the best of Chelsea v Aston Villa 20:30 results, as it is an important event to prepare for beIN Sports HD 1 the championship of HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Everton v Manchester City 23:00 Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah which will be held from beIN Sports HD 1 12-18/2/2021 in Kuwait Established 1961 Sport

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020

Gutsy Rahane century puts India Arsenal sweep aside Chelsea McCollum lifts Trail Blazers over 14in driving seat against Australia 15 3-1, ease pressure on Arteta 15 Rockets as Cavaliers edge Pistons

West Brom snatch draw at Liverpool Leeds hold off Burnley • West Ham deny Brighton

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (center) plays the ball during the English Premier League football match against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield yesterday. — AFP

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool blew the weekend, but could barely get out of this season and were extremely unfortu- from behind to draw 2-2 with Brighton. important decision and they can’t look chance to open up a five-point lead at their half before the break. nate not to take at least a point away to Marcelo Bielsa’s men now enjoy a nine- at it. The referee played a big part, but the top of the Premier League yesterday Mane ended his longest drought of Manchester United. Allardyce’s game point cushion over the drop zone as they we still have to focus on our part.” as Semi Ajayi’s header eight minutes nine games without a goal as a Liverpool plan to stay in the game as long as possi- moved up to 11th, but needed luck on Defeat sees the Clarets drop to 17th, from time earned West Brom a shock 1-1 player against Palace and showed his ble worked to perfection as West Brom their side as Burnley were denied an still just two points above the relega- draw at Anfield. The Baggies remain sec- sharpness in front of goal is back with a began to threaten in the final quarter. equalizer through Ashley Barnes by a tion zone. ond bottom of the table, but gave their brilliant touch to control and finish from Karlan Grant outpaced Williams to burst refereeing error. The only goal at Elland chances of survival a huge boost by Joel Matip’s pass on 12 minutes. That clear on goal 20 minutes from time, but Road came after just five minutes when West Ham snatch point becoming the first visiting side to take could and should have opened the flood- Alisson Becker spread himself brilliantly Bamford latched onto a long ball over the Brighton edged ahead of Burnley even a point at Anfield in the league this gates for Klopp’s men given their level of to block. top and was wiped out by the onrushing thanks to a point at the London Stadium, season in Sam Allardyce’s second match control before the break. A series of dan- Ajayi was denied his first Premier Nick Pope. but will be disappointed to have thrown in charge. gerous crosses from Andy Robertson League goal when his strike away to City Bamford fired home the resulting away the chance of just a second win in Sadio Mane had given Liverpool a 12th failed to find the finishing touch, while in a 1-1 draw earlier this month was penalty into the top corner for his 10th 14 games. Twice the Seagulls led as Neal minute lead, but Jurgen Klopp’s men lived Mane headed just wide from Jordan credited as a Ruben Dias own goal. But goal of the season. Burnley felt doubly Maupay’s predatory finish to a loose ball to regret not making more of a dominant Henderson’s delivery. he repeated the trick and this time got aggrieved when Barnes smashed home inside the area just before half-time was first-half display to give the chasing pack However, Liverpool’s failure to put the credit with a powerful header in off after Illan Meslier fumbled a high ball just reward for Brighton’s more purpose- in the title race an unexpected boost. The the game beyond West Brom’s reach led the inside of the post that this time left into the box on 17 minutes. The French ful approach in the first-half. defending champions move three points to a nervy second-half. The Reds suf- Alisson helpless. Liverpool have made a goalkeeper was awarded a free-kick for David Moyes reacted with two clear at the top of the table, but just four fered another injury blow at centre- habit of winning games late in the past backing in by Ben Mee and despite changes at half-time to liven up West points separate Everton in second from back as Matip pulled up with a muscle two seasons, most recently when Meslier appearing to be the aggressor, Ham after a dire first 45 minutes and got Southampton in ninth. problem and had to be replaced by 19- Roberto Firmino’s injury time header the goal could not be reviewed by VAR the reaction he wanted when substitutes Allardyce was the last visiting manag- year-old Rhys Williams with Virgil Van beat Tottenham 2-1 in their last outing at as referee Robert Jones had blown for Andriy Yarmolenko and Manuel Lanzini er to win a Premier League game at Dijk and Joe Gomez long-term injury Anfield. The Brazilian nearly did it again the foul before the ball hit the net. teed up 20-year-old Ben Johnson for his Anfield, when in charge of Crystal Palace absentees. Williams was penalized for at the death, but his downward header “Their keeper comes through, knees first senior goal. The visitors retook the back in April 2017, and the former an innocuous foul with his first involve- was brilliantly saved by Sam Johnstone. him in the back,” said Burnley boss lead when a corner broke perfectly for England manager is now unbeaten in his ment, sparking a furious reaction from Sean Dyche. “If a centre-half does that captain Lewis Dunk to fire high into the last four away games against Klopp’s Klopp, which saw the German booked Leeds hold off Burnley he probably gets booked. Not only is it roof of the net. However, Brighton’s men with three different clubs. The by referee Kevin Friend. Meanwhile, Patrick Bamford’s early a penalty, we put it in the goal and he struggles at defending set-pieces cost Baggies set out to limit the sort of dam- Despite their lowly position in the penalty earned Leeds a controversial 1-0 doesn’t give it one second to review it. them all three points when Tomas age suffered by Crystal Palace in a 7-0 table, West Brom have already taken win over Burnley in the Premier League “Ironically, it’s been taking hours to Soucek’s header leveled eight minutes hammering inflicted by Liverpool last points off Manchester City and Chelsea yesterday, while West Ham twice came make a decision and you get a really from time. — Agencies

Brady, who completed 22 of 27 throws, set a coming while watching workouts. “You could feel Brady’s superb half first-half career best and club record in passing this was a playoff practice week,” Arians said. yardage and the four touchdown passes were his “Even with the holidays, they handled their busi- most in a first half since 2014. Brady’s club-record ness well.” The Lions avoided a shutout when lifts Tampa Bay 36 passing touchdowns this season sent the Bucs Jamal Agnew returned a punt 74 yards for a touch- to the playoffs, a feat New England failed to man- down in the third quarter. Detroit, hampered by a into NFL playoffs age without him. The Buccaneers also set a team right ankle injury to quarterback Matthew record with 410 total first-half yards, the most by Stafford, also had five coaches sidelined by Covid- WASHINGTON: Tom Brady threw for 348 yards any NFL club in a decade. In his 300th career 19 and contact tracing, with receivers coach and four touchdowns in the first half Saturday to NFL game, Brady threw touchdown strikes of 33 Robert Prince serving as acting head coach. power Tampa Bay to a 47-7 win over Detroit and yards to former New England teammate Rob Dolphins win thriller lift the Buccaneers into the NFL playoffs. The 43- Gronkowski, 27 yards to Mike Evans, 12 yards to The Bucs became the seventh NFL team to year-old quarterback, who joined the Bucs this Antonio Brown and 7 yards to Chris Godwin. clinch a playoff berth, joining Green Bay, New year after 20 campaigns and six Super Bowl Leonard Fournette added a four-yard touch- Orleans and Seattle in the NFC plus Kansas City, crowns with New England, was benched for the down run and Brady’s back-up Blaine Gabbert Pittsburgh and Buffalo in the AFC. Miami’s Jason second half after guiding Tampa Bay into the post- added touchdown passes of 25 yards to Sanders kicked a 44-yard field goal with one sec- DETROIT: Herb Miller #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers season for the first time since 2007. Gronkowski and 22 yards to Evans in the rout. ond remaining to give the Dolphins a 26-25 victory intercepts a ball during the fourth quarter of a game “We played pretty good in the first half,” Brady “When we do play the way we’re capable of play- at Las Vegas that saw four lead changes in the last against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 26, said. “Good execution. Guys were making plays for ing, we’re tough to beat,” Brady said. “We have to four minutes. The Dolphins (10-5) stayed ahead of 2020. — AFP me all over the field. It was just a great effort by learn to do it more consistently.” Baltimore (9-5) for the last AFC playoff berth by the whole team.” The Buccaneers led 34-0 at half- Evans, who had 10 catches for 181 yards, broke eliminating the Raiders (7-8). delivered a setback to Arizona’s playoff hopes by time in improving to 10-5, securing a playoff spot his own team touchdown reception record with 13. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 34-yard pass - while having beating the host Cardinals 20-12. CJ Beathard while the Lions sank to 5-10. “It’s just the begin- “We’ve been scratching and clawing every year,” his face mask yanked by a defender - was caught threw three touchdown passes for the 49ers and ning,” said Bucs coach Bruce Arians. “Our goal Evans said of the Bucs’ playoff quest. “We’re hap- by Mack Hollins to set up the winning kick. “It did- Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray suffered a leg when this all started was to get into the dance. py we finally accomplished it, but that’s just where n’t feel great,” Fitzpatrick said. “When I threw it, I injury trying to spark a late rally. Chicago can deny Now it’s to win 11 games and see who we play it starts.” didn’t see it because my face mask got ripped off. Arizona a playoff spot by beating Jacksonville on next. “We’re going to be a pretty tough out.” Arians said he could sense a great performance It was pretty incredible.” The San Francisco 49ers Sunday and Green Bay next week. — AFP