JAMADA ALTHANI 19, 1442 AH MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021

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

ISSUE NO: 18349 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

UK opens visa scheme for With Amazon billions, Scott Libya peace brings back Palmeiras sink Santos to 7 millions of Hong Kongers 8 shakes up philanthropy 13 traditional weavers 15 win Copa Libertadores

Kuwait gets 200,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine Minister inspects health measures at Kuwait airport

KUWAIT: The health ministry Bader added. the COVID-19 pandemic. The airlines, announced yesterday that 200,000 The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in cooperation with the country’s doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vac- requires storage at a temperature ground services companies and local cine against COVID-19 will arrive at between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. The laboratories, will conduct PCR exami- dawn today. In a press statement, vaccine has been approved by the nations of travelers arriving to the Assistant Undersecretary for Drug and European Medicines Agency (EMA) country, he added, underlining the Food Control Affairs Dr Abdullah Al- and the UK Medicines and Health health ministry will only monitor and Bader said the ministry authorized the Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) supervise these swabs. vaccine for emergency use based on a for use in people aged 18 and above. During Marafi’s tour, he commended decision by the joint technical commit- Meanwhile, Minister of State for the great efforts by the health ministry tee of the pharmaceutical and herbal Housing Affairs and Minister of State and the Directorate General of Civil medicines registration and control for Services Affairs Abdullah Marafi Aviation (DGCA) during this phase, department and the public health inspected at Kuwait International which played a vital and clear role to department for the evaluation and reg- Airport the latest regulatory and health confront the COVID-19 pandemic in istration of vaccines. measures following the Cabinet’s deci- various fields and sectors. He appreci- The first batch will arrive at dawn sion that airlines should conduct poly- ated the efforts of officials at the air- today in order to ensure that the min- merase chain reaction (PCR) tests on all port, including members of the interior istry does not delay its vaccination passengers arriving to the country. ministry and customs, as well as all program after verifying quality reports, In a statement to KUNA yesterday, workers at the airport to serve passen- evaluating the data of the product and Marafi said the task of checking pas- gers, facilitate arrival procedures and ensuring that the principles of good sengers arriving at Kuwait International ensure utmost health security. All trav- manufacturing are applied at the facto- Airport will be assigned to airlines to elers and workers in the airport build- KUWAIT: Minister of State for Services Affairs Abdullah Marafi, accompanied by President of ries producing the vaccine - according ease the burden on health teams from ings should abide by health controls the Directorate General of Civil Aviation Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, to international standards - to ensure Kuwait’s ministry of health, which have and guidelines issued by MoH or inspects health measures at Kuwait airport yesterday. — KUNA quality in all manufacturing stages, exerted great efforts since the start of DGCA, he pointed out. — KUNA

WHO team visits Wuhan Dubai announces market at heart of outbreak WUHAN, China: A team of WHO weighed down by political baggage, alliance to speed experts investigating the origins of has a remit to explore how the virus COVID-19 yesterday went to a market jumped from animal to human. But with vaccine delivery in Wuhan where one of the first report- the fieldwork element of the trip in its ed clusters of infections emerged over early stages, World Health DUBAI: Key transport hub Dubai yesterday a year ago, with one member tweeting Organization officials have already announced an initiative to accelerate the delivery the visit was “critical” to understanding played down expectations of finding of coronavirus vaccines, particularly to develop- the virus. Members of the group the source of a virus which has killed ing nations, after the WHO warned against aban- arrived at Huanan seafood market - over two million people and devastated doning the world’s poor. The Vaccine Logistics which has been sealed since January the global economy. Alliance, which includes Dubai-based Emirates last year - driving into its barricaded Yesterday, the WHO team visited airline and global logistics giant DP World, is premises as guards quickly blocked Huanan market and another wholesale designed to “speed up distribution of COVID-19 others from entering, according to AFP one, as part of a long-planned trip WUHAN: Members of a World Health Organization team, investigating the origins vaccines around the world through the emirate”. journalists at the scene. closely monitored by the Chinese of the COVID-19 coronavirus, visit the closed Huanan Seafood wholesale market The alliance will “support” the World Health The mission, delayed by China and Continued on Page 2 yesterday. — AFP Organization’s Covax initiative to distribute two billion vaccine doses, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement, without specifying how many Nov 26; but the rally turned into a rampage which doses it would deliver. “The distribution will par- Modi vows to left one person dead and hundreds of police injured. ticularly focus on emerging markets, where pop- Modi called the farmers’ assault on a historic fort ulations have been hard-hit by the pandemic, an “insult” to the national flag. His government has and pharmaceutical transport and logistics are pursue reforms insisted that the agriculture sector needs to be challenging,” it said. modernized, but farmers fear the deregulation laws The United Arab Emirates, which includes after farmer riot will place them at the mercy of big corporations Dubai and six other emirates, has administered that already dominate other industries. vaccines to more than a quarter of its population, NEW DELHI: India will push on with sweeping In his first public comments on Tuesday’s events, second only to Israel in the global race. The agriculture reforms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi stressed that the government remained “com- WHO has urged wealthy countries to avoid said yesterday, as he criticized last week’s deadly mitted to modernizing agriculture”. “The efforts of repeating past mistakes of hoarding medicines riot in the capital following a long-running protest the government shall also continue in the future,” and vaccines, saying such behavior would only campaign by farmers. Thousands flooded New the Indian leader said in his regular monthly radio NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi drag out the pandemic. Delhi on Tuesday, driving tractors from border address yesterday. addresses the media upon arriving for the budget “We are all too aware of the challenges facing camps where they have been holding sit-ins since Continued on Page 2 session at the parliament yesterday. — AFP us globally in this pandemic and necessity to work together,” the UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, said in a tweet. “Vaccine nationalism should not be tolerated in our common battle to defeat COVID,” he said. Car bombs kill Covax, the globally-pooled vaccine procurement and distribution effort, has struck agreements 11 in north Syria with manufacturers for two billion vaccine doses, and secured options on a billion more. AZAZ, Syria: Car bombs killed 11 people including Dubai said the alliance will work with phar- six civilians in two separate incidents in Turkish- maceutical manufacturers, forwarders, and gov- held northern Syria yesterday, a monitoring group ernment agencies to transport vaccines, some of said. The first attack near a cultural center in the which have to be kept at very cold temperatures. town of Azaz killed six civilians including a young “Together, we are able to store a large volume of girl, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for vaccine doses at a time and bring in and distrib- Human Rights said. An AFP reporter at the scene ute vaccines to any point around the world with- saw a mangled car ablaze, black smoke billowing in 48 hours,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al- into the sky. A man rushed away from the site of the Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports and blast, carrying what appeared to be a child Emirates Airline. The UAE itself has suffered a wrapped in a bloodied cloth. spike in cases after the holiday period, after In the second incident, a car bomb targeted a aggressively opening up to tourism. But it checkpoint of pro-Ankara rebels near the town of reported 2,948 new virus cases yesterday, the Al-Bab, killing five fighters, the Observatory added. AZAZ, Syria: Civilians carry young victims at the scene of an explosion in this town in the rebel-controlled lowest number since Jan 11. — AFP Areas of northern Syria held by Turkish forces and Continued on Page 2 northern countryside of Aleppo province yesterday. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Monday, February 1, 2021 Local Amir receives Crown Prince, state officials Sheikh Nawaf condoles with Saudi King on death of Prince Turki bin Nasser

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His Highness the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets National Assembly Speaker Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- meets Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Hamad Al-Sabah. Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah. Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir at Seif Palace. His Highness Sheikh Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Mishal also received Foreign Minister Al-Sabah received His Highness the Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al- Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al- Mohammad Al-Sabah and Minister of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Seif Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al- Palace yesterday. His Highness the Salem Al-Sabah. Amir also received National In other news, His Highness the Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al- Amir yesterday expressed heartfelt Ghanem, His Highness the Prime condolences to Custodian of the Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Abdulaziz Al-Saud on Prince Turki Minister and Minister of Defense bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud’s Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al- demise. His Highness the Amir, in a Sabah, and Deputy Premier and cable to King Salman, prayed to Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Allah the Almighty to bestow bless- Anas Al-Saleh. ing upon the deceased, and solace Meanwhile, His Highness the for the royal family. His Highness Crown Prince received Ghanem, His the Crown Prince and His Highness Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled, the Prime Minister sent similar His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets a number of Cabinet ministers. Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali and Saleh cables. — KUNA

sites. He was photographed being taken to court the case on constitutional grounds. But the trial is still Modi vows to yesterday, where he is expected to be charged Republican Party sure to see battle lines drawn over who controls the on unknown offences, local media reported. party following Trump’s first-term defeat. On Jan 6, Since Tuesday, at least five complaints have Trump gave a fiery speech outside the White House pursue reforms... been registered against Indian journalists and an future in balance as exhorting his supporters to march on the US Capitol to overturn the election results. The protesters then vio- Continued from Page 1 opposition Congress member of parliament on several allegations, including sedition and crimi- Trump trial looms lently stormed the Capitol building in scenes that shocked the world. “On January 26, seeing the insult of our tri- nal conspiracy. Global media watchdog the Committee to WASHINGTON: US Republicans yesterday braced “The president’s comments that day were partly color, the country was very sad,” he added. responsible for what happened, for the horrible vio- The demonstrators swarmed the 400-year- Protect Journalists called for Punia and another for a battle over the future of their party after Donald journalist who was reportedly also detained to Trump changed lawyers days before his impeachment lence,” Republican Senator Rob Portman told CNN’s old World Heritage-listed Red Fort on Tuesday, “State of the Union.” “What he did was wrong and raising religious and farm union flags, though be released immediately. “Indian authorities trial in an apparent sign he is determined to maintain should allow journalists to do their work without the 2020 election was fraudulent. Trump’s Senate trial inexcusable. “I am a juror. I’m going to keep an open they did not remove the national flag from the mind as we go through this (trial). But I do think that interference,” the CPJ tweeted late Saturday. On is due to start on Feb 9, but he parted ways with his top of the monument. Modi’s comments came as this constitutionality issue has to be addressed. We Saturday, police tightened security around the legal team after they reportedly refused to focus their police arrested at least one journalist and filed defense on his baseless claims of election fraud, rather would be convicting a private citizen, someone who’s complaints against others, stoking fears of a camps after cutting Internet connections in the out of office. That sets up a precedent.” local areas, as thousands more farmers arrived than on constitutional issues. media crackdown over the reporting of the The trial of the former president for alleged “incite- Adam Kinzinger, one of 10 Republicans in the protests. at the sites to join the protests. Farming has long House of Representatives to vote for impeachment been a political minefield, with nearly 70 per- ment of insurrection” over the storming of the Capitol Mandeep Punia, who writes for the English- by his supporters has exposed a rift between Trump earlier this month, said Sunday that Trump was “des- language Caravan magazine, was detained on cent of the 1.3-billion-strong population drawing perate to continue to look like he’s leading the party.” their livelihood from agriculture. — AFP loyalists who dominate the Republican Party, and its Saturday at Singhu, one of the main protest moderate wing. “The Senate trial... is going to call all “We need to quit being the party that even an iota Republicans to take a position more clearly,” Arkansas defends an insurrection, a dead police officer and oth- Governor Asa Hutchinson told ABC’s “This Week”. er dead Americans on the Capitol,” Kinzinger told avirus was passed on from cold-chain products into “President Trump has helped build the party in the NBC’s “Meet the Press”. WHO team visits Wuhan, or more specifically, to the Huanan wet mar- last four years; I hope he does not help to destroy the Kinzinger has launched a new political action com- ket... cannot be ruled out”. party in the coming four years.” Hutchinson added: mittee seeking to raise funds to challenge the Trump Chinese officials identified wild animals sold in the “We’ve got to have a regard for those people that sup- wing of the party. While signaling opposition to Wuhan market... market as a likely source of the outbreak in initial ported Donald Trump... But at the same time, we don’t Trump’s trial, Republican senators are instead fueling stages of the pandemic, clamping down on the exotic want to gloss over the terrible actions that happened efforts to censure him over his role in the Capitol assault. But, while a conviction would lead to a simple- Continued from Page 1 animal trade in response. A price list issued by a mer- at the Capitol.” majority vote on whether to bar Trump from holding chant at the emporium, which circulated online, Trump looks increasingly likely to avoid conviction authorities. Team member Peter Daszak described due to party support in the Senate - where all but five future public office, a censure resolution carries no showed an array of exotic wildlife available including such trigger. — AFP the tours on Twitter as “very important site visits”, civets, snakes and even live wolf pups. Republicans already backed an attempt to throw out adding that the team had “met with key staff at both But, more recently, state media have thrown sup- markets and asked questions to help better under- port behind suggestions that the virus may have orig- tors. He appreciated the efforts of officials at the stand the factors involved in the emergence of inated elsewhere, with a resurgence of local infections airport, including members of the interior ministry COVID”. Kuwait gets blamed instead on imports. Chinese authorities have and customs, as well as all workers at the airport to Despite the fact that over a year has elapsed since relentlessly pushed a positive narrative of heroism and serve passengers, facilitate arrival procedures and the outbreak there, Daszak said speaking to staff and decisive action in their fight against the coronavirus 200,000 doses... ensure utmost health security. All travelers and seeing the layout of the Huanan market was “very that has spurred an economic recovery and kept workers in the airport buildings should abide by informative”. The visits were “critical for our joint deaths down to 4,636. Continued from Page 1 health controls and guidelines issued by MoH or teams to understand the epidemiology of COVID as it On Saturday, the WHO experts’ itinerary included DGCA, he pointed out. — KUNA started to spread at the end of 2019”, he said in a propaganda exhibition in Wuhan lauding the emer- COVID-19 pandemic in various fields and sec- another tweet. gency response of the city’s health authorities in the The experts did not take questions, and a member outbreak and the marshaling of the crisis by China’s of the team shrugged and rolled up the car window leader Xi Jinping. China has faced criticism at home On Saturday, explosives planted in another vehi- when asked about his expectations for the visit. and abroad for playing down the initial outbreak and Car bombs cle took the lives of eight civilians including four Security staff told reporters outside to leave and concealing information when it first emerged in children in the city of Afrin, which Turkish forces and shook a tall ladder on which a photographer was sit- Wuhan in Dec 2019. kill 11 in north... their proxies seized from Kurdish forces in 2018. ting for a better view. Later, in response to a shouted Details of the WHO team’s itinerary have remained Syria’s war has killed more than 387,000 people and question on whether the experts were satisfied with thin, with international media kept firmly at arm’s displaced millions since starting in 2011 with the access, a member of the mission gave a thumbs-up. length - the only glimpses of the trip have come Continued from Page 1 brutal repression of anti-government protests. Earlier this week, state media outlet Global Times through broadly positive tweets by some members of It has since evolved into a complex conflict published a report downplaying the importance of the expert team. China continues to take a firm line their Syrian proxies are regularly rocked by involving jihadists and foreign powers. Northern Huanan as an early epicenter of the virus, claiming against a recent surge in infections, with 12 officials in such bombings. There is usually no claim for them, neighbor Turkey has seized control of several “subsequent investigations” have suggested the mar- northeastern Harbin city recently punished for dere- although Turkey routinely blames Kurdish fighters it regions inside Syria in military campaigns against ket was not the source of the outbreak. Yesterday, the liction of duty after a cluster of cases in a food pro- accuses of being “terrorists” linked to its outlawed the Islamic State group and Kurdish fighters tabloid argued that “the possibility that the coron- cessing company. — AFP Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). since 2016. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Monday, February 1, 2021 Travel restrictions complicate situation of deportees in Kuwait Inmates threaten to commit suicide due to prolonged incarceration

KUWAIT: The deportation center is experiencing pend security campaigns until further notice so as conveyed to their embassies, which are being held unprecedented overcrowding due to unavailability not to cause overcrowding and spread infectious responsible for not accepting them. of flights to take inmates back to their countries, Al- diseases among the detainees. Meanwhile, informed Qabas Arabic daily reported yesterday. The number sources said the interior ministry invited the Sri Digital platform of those awaiting deportation is around 800 viola- Lankan ambassador several times and arranged a In other news, Al-Anbaa Arabic daily yesterday tors from five Asian and African countries. Some of meeting with inmates at the deportation center so quoted an informed source at Kuwait International them are in police station holding cells, the deporta- Airport who said a unified health digital platform will tion prison, residency violators’ holding cell, crimi- be launched at the airport, most likely next week. He nal detectives’ holding cell and the Drugs Control said preparations are being made to carry out PCR General Department for nine months. tests as per the Cabinet decision, which calls for tak- Security officials attribute this to the air travel Exorbitant ticket ing swabs of all arriving passengers by private ban to 35 countries, adding it has negatively affect- prices delay healthcare providers at T1, T3, T4 and T5, which are ed the deportation of nationals of these countries also expected to start working next week. The due to exorbitant ticket prices. They said that most release source said that work is ongoing to restart commer- of the detainees are from Sri Lanka, Vietnam and cial operations at 30 percent capacity after deciding Madagascar, including entire families with women to reduce the number of arriving passengers. and children. There are no direct or transit flights to Meanwhile, Kuwait Airways categorically denied deport them, so they are looking for flights with social media reports about suspending flights to commercial reasons, Al-Qabas Arabic daily report- multiple stops, which require more money than they London and New York, adding that the current halt ed yesterday. Reports on social media claimed that are able to pay. The interior ministry was able to he can convey their suffering to his country’s offi- is due to the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on Kuwait Airways cancelled its New York and London obtain tickets for some of them through NGOs and cials. Many inmates, particularly Sri Lankans and supply and demand, and in compliance with instruc- routes after Israeli passengers won a court ruling to charity societies. Vietnamese, have threatened to commit suicide due tions by health authorities. It added the New York- force Kuwait Airways to accept them on its flights Security sources also said they decided to sus- to being held for a long time at the center. This was London route has been suspended for years due to to London.

Kuwait issues regulations for citizens’ access to personal data KUWAIT: Minister of Justice Dr Nawaf Al-Yassin yesterday announced issuance of executive regu- lations of the Law 12/2020, whereby affirming citizens’ right to retrieve information and documents of personal Kuwait lists 635 concern. The decision will Minister of Justice be effective in March, the Dr Nawaf Al-Yassin minister said in a press new COVID cases statement, explaining that the law and regulations grant the right to nationals KUWAIT: Kuwait Health Ministry yesterday to have access to information, decisions and docu- listed 635 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases ments concerning their rights. A citizen applying and no deaths registered during the past 24 for data collection should pay a KD5 for each doc- hours, raising the caseload of contaminations ument. Minister Yassin noted that the regulations with the virus to 165,257 while fatalities’ overall boost transparency and integrity in government count steadied at 959. The ministry had earlier and administrative transactions. The law, minister announced that 527 patients recovered from the Yassin, elaborated, is warranted by the UN from novel coronavirus during the same period, the member states. Moreover, it is stipulated in the increasing total recoveries to 157,931. The min- Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) (2020). istry’s spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said Furthermore, its enactment boosts Kuwait’s inter- in a statement that number of people who are national status with respect of indices concerning receiving treatment at intensive care units stood freedoms and combating corruption. The CPI is an yesterday at 58, while the whole count of the index published annually by Berlin-based confirmed infection cases that remained under Transparency International since 1995 which ranks medical care stood at 6,367. He pointed out that KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Force announced launching its ‘Shamel’ comprehensive training program, which countries “by their perceived levels of public sec- 8,994 swab tests were conducted in the same includes training courses in rescue, backup, emergency, and other fields. tor corruption, as determined by expert assess- period, bringing the total of such examinations ments and opinion surveys.” —KUNA to 1,529,581. — KUNA

In my view A new role for translators

By Azzah Al-Ghamdi

n this article we will focus on the most important challenge facing anyone who falls sick while trav- Ieling abroad. If they are visiting a country where they do not speak the language and maybe also don’t speak a common third language, like English, how can they communicate easily with doctors? This is an opinion and not medical research. I suffered from such an experience. I got ill while abroad and could not explain to the doctors the reasons for the pain I suffered. The doctors could not speak Arabic or English and I could not speak their language. This may sound silly, but in some circumstances such a situation could be life-threatening, especially for elderly patients who travel abroad. It is possible through x-rays and blood analyses for doctors to diagnose a sick patient, but these won’t always be 100 percent accurate and may not reveal the true reasons or severity of an illness.

So what’s the solution? What if we encourage hospitals to hire translators? This would make the work of doctors and nurses in hospitals that deal with many foreign patients much easier. In every country, there are colleges of literature and languages with a ready supply of students study- ing other tongues. These colleges could be a source of translators for hospitals. Some people may argue but the costs will be high and add to the budget of the hospital. But I say this is an important issue and we can’t ignore it. We can ask governments to assign translators of major lan- guages and they can conduct research to find out which languages are most common among the expa- triate communities in their countries as well as among tourists. This will provide reliable healthcare for everyone - no matter their language background - when they need it.

- Al-Ghamdi is a law graduate from Kuwait International Law School 4 Established 1961 Local Monday, February 1, 2021

Photo of the Day 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

News in brief NCCAL discusses joint GCC work

KUWAIT: The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) discussed the cultural pro- grams plan and joint GCC cultural work, during a meeting of the General Cultural Committee of the GCC yesterday. The online meeting, chaired by Bahrain, discussed implementing a decision of GCC culture ministers related to the Gulf states’ cultural strategy 2020-30, supervisor of NCCAL foreign cultural relations Mohammad bin Redha said. Bin Redha, also member of NCCAL’s Cultural Committee, added that they also dis- cussed Bahrain’s suggestion on celebrating the international Islamic art day, as well as discussing the final statement of the 41st session of the GCC Supreme Council. —KUNA

Accreditation renewal

KUWAIT: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) has recommended a five-year renewal of accreditation of Kuwait University’s Faculty of Administrative Sciences, a scholar said yesterday. Dr Mohammad Zainal, Acting Dean of the Faculty, said in a statement the renewal would help maintain the Faculty as one of the world’s best departments offering administrative science studies. He said a delegation from AACSB was scheduled to visit Kuwait in March 2020 to the accreditation assessment, but the pandemic forced cancellation of the visit. But the Faculty succeeded in providing virtual assessment for the AACSB including attending lectures online, he said. AACSB is an American professional organi- zation that was founded in 1916 to provide KUWAIT: Falcons attack a domestic guineafowl (pintades) and a turkey during a training session at the Mutla Ridge hilly desert terrain, about 60 kms north accreditation to schools of business. —KUNA of Kuwait City, on Saturday. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

pleas until today, pending detailed statements that Constitutional Court to must be presented by the Ministry of Interior, con- taining names of the candidates for the 2020 elec- examine pleas against tions in the first constituency, in addition to the number of the electorate. It had also requested pro- election legality Feb 24 portions of the eligible voters who had actually cast their ballots-as compared to the whole electorate, in addition to the number of votes garnered by each KUWAIT: The Constitutional Court yesterday nominee, number of valid ballots, invalidated votes decided to adjourn hearing in the cases of appeal- and names of the winners in the said constituency. ing legality of the parliamentary elections until The tribunal had also decided to delay the hear- February 24. The rules concern pleas that had been ing until February 1, pending filing a report by the forwarded from the first and fourth constituencies. MoI containing names of the nominees in the fifth Moreover, the tribunal also decided to examine the constituency, number of the registered eligible vot- case of challenging election of the parliament ers, proportion of the voters who cast their ballots speaker; also on February 24. Furthermore, the as compared to the whole count of the electorate, court decided to adjourn cross examination into number of votes garnered by each candidate, count other constitutional pleadings concerning votes’ tal- of the valid and invalid ballots. It had also asked for lies in the elections, held on December 5, until names of the winners in the said constituency and February 9. count of the whole ballots. The tribunal on January The court in a hearing held on January 20 decid- 10 set January 20 as the date for cross examining all ed to delay cross examination into the electoral the appeals in the five constituencies. —KUNA

KUWAIT: A portrait by Mahmoud Al-Qattan, a renowned Kuwaiti artist, was presented to the Embassy of India on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary. Floral tributes were paid to Gandhi by Indian Ambassador Sibi George and friends of India in Kuwait. International MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Britain opens visa scheme for millions Macron gambles by saying ‘non’ to a third lockdown Page 6 of Hong Kongers

Page 7

MOSCOW: Police detain a man during a rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow yesterday. —AFP Massive clampdown on Navalny protesters

US condemns Russia’s ‘harsh’ tactics against protesters MOSCOW: Police detained hundreds security service were instead scattered parked all across the center, an AFP networks to block posts with “false” of people across Russia and blocked off to various parts of the city as organizers journalist reported. information about the protests, Toilet brushes, blue the center of Moscow yesterday in a made last-minute changes in locations. “The whole center is cordoned off,” including those “over-estimating” massive clampdown on protests AFP journalists saw dozens of pro- said Natalya Grigoryeva, who came to the numbers of participants. demanding the release of jailed Kremlin testers detained and forced into police Saint Petersburg rally with her daughter. pants: Symbol of critic Alexei Navalny. From Vladivostok vans. It was unclear amid the chaos how “And who is this all against, against their US condemns clampdown in the Far East to Saint Petersburg on many people were taking part. own people?” Earlier protesters had ral- Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Russia’s protests the Baltic Sea, thousands of police in lied in cities including the Pacific port of Antony Blinken yesterday condemned riot gear were deployed to prevent a ‘People are outraged’ Vladivostok, where several dozen gath- Russian authorities for their “harsh” MOSCOW: Blue underwear and toilet brushes, second weekend of mass demonstra- Independent monitor OVD-Info said ered in a central square despite police response to protests across the country snowball barrages and snow graffiti-Russia’s tions over the arrest of President more than 1,500 people had so far been closing it off ahead of the rally. that called for the release of jailed protest movement in support of jailed Kremlin crit- Vladimir Putin’s most prominent oppo- detained across the country, including Several thousand were also reported Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. ic Alexei Navalny has seen demonstrators get cre- nent. Navalny was detained at a more than 300 in Moscow. It reported to have protested in the Siberian city of “The US condemns the persistent ative. Here’s a rundown of the unusual memes and Moscow airport in mid-January after more than 4,000 detentions during last Novosibirsk despite temperatures use of harsh tactics against peaceful symbols from recent anti-government rallies and flying back to Russia from Germany weekend’s protests. Hundreds were dropping to -20 degrees Celsius (-4 protesters and journalists by Russian what they mean. where he was recovering from an marching through the city centre chant- degrees Fahrenheit). authorities for a second week straight,” August poisoning he blames on the ing “Freedom!” and “Putin is a thief!” as This week several Navalny associ- Blinken said on his official Twitter Blue underwear Kremlin. they headed towards the Matrosskaya ates, including lawyer Lyubov Sobol account. “We renew our call for Russia Since December Russian protesters have hung blue The 44-year-old anti-corruption Tishina prison where Navalny was and his brother Oleg, were placed to release those detained for exercising boxer shorts on street signs, posted pictures clad in just campaigner is being held in a Moscow being held. under house arrest until late March their human rights,” he added, after blue underwear and held them at protests to show how detention centre and facing years of Police followed the protesters, pending charges for violating coron- Russian police detained more than the country’s best-known opposition figure claims he potential jail time in several different breaking up the crowds and playing avirus restrictions by calling people to 1,000 people, including 142 in Moscow. was poisoned. Navalny, who suffered an attack with the Novichok nerve agent in August, says agents from the criminal cases, despite calls from pre-recorded messages on loudspeak- join protests. Navalny’s spokeswoman Authorities have ramped up pressure Federal Security Service (FSB) placed the toxin in the Western governments for his release. In ers warning that the gathering was ille- Kira Yarmysh was detained late on the opposition with arrests and lining of his blue underwear. moves not seen in years in Moscow, gal because of coronavirus restrictions. Saturday also over violating virus criminal probes, including several When President Vladimir Putin marked the police locked down the center of the “The people in power don’t want to measures, the same day she was due to Navalny aides. A second weekend of Orthodox ritual celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ capital on Sunday, with hundreds lining listen to anything or to anybody,” 34- walk free after a nine-day jail term for protests began in several cities Sunday this month by dunking himself in ice-cold water wearing the streets, central Metro stations year-old vet Darya said at the Moscow violating protest laws. including Moscow, Saint Petersburg blue swimming trunks, Navalny’s allies joked that Putin closed and the movements of pedestri- rally. In the second city of Saint In a continued effort to clamp and Vladivostok in the Far East, where was sporting his top opponent’s undergarments. ans restricted. Petersburg police closed off the main down on online platforms used to several dozen gathered in a central Protesters who had hoped to gather thoroughfare Nevsky Prospekt, closed coordinate the rallies, Russia’s media square despite police closing it off Toilet brushes outside the headquarters of the FSB Metro stations and police cars were watchdog yesterday ordered social ahead of the rally. —AFP After spending five months in Germany recovering from the poisoning, Navalny returned to Russia this month and was immediately detained. The 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner called for mass rallies, Palestinian killed Israel says to send spurring on the protests by releasing an investigation into a lavish property on Russia’s Black Sea coast that he in attempted West 5,000 vaccines alleged is owned by Putin. The complex, which Navalny says cost more than $1.35 billion, allegedly features everything from an underground ice rink to a casino. But Bank knife attack to Palestinians what stuck out to the Russian opposition was the reported cost of a high-end toilet brush: 700 euros JERUSALEM: The Israeli army said it killed a JERUSALEM: Israel’s defense ministry said yes- ($619). Several protesters brought what appeared to be Palestinian who carried out an attempted knife terday that it would send 5,000 coronavirus vac- considerably cheaper versions to last weekend’s rallies. attack yesterday in the Gush Etzion area of the cine doses to the Palestinian Authority to inoculate occupied West Bank. “A knife attack was report- medical personnel, following global calls for Israel Snow tools ed at the Gush Etzion junction, south of to ensure Palestinians are vaccinated. “I confirm we At the demonstrations in Moscow, protesters pelted Bethlehem,” the army said in a statement. “The are going to send 5,000 vaccines to medical teams riot police and even a car that reportedly belonged to attacker was neutralized.” The attacker “is in the Palestinian Authority,” a spokesperson for the FSB with snowballs. They also wrote their demands, dead”, the army told AFP, confirming that the Defense Minister Benny Gantz told AFP. including “Free Navalny”, on a snow-covered wall, military had killed the assailant. The military lat- The Jewish state has launched an aggressive which a police officer was filmed immediately wiping er said the incident took place at a bus station, coronavirus vaccine campaign on Israeli territory, away. But the action at times grew violent, with protest- where soldiers were providing security to an effort widely regarded as the world’s fastest per ers cracking a window of the reported FSB car and the TASS news agency reporting that snowball throwers Israelis, with the suspect “running” at the forces capita. More than three million of the country’s nine JERUSALEM: A Palestinian woman receives the Pfizer- damaged the driver’s eyesight. —AFP while brandishing a stick with three knives fas- million people have received the first of two BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the Clalit Health Services tened to it.—AFP required jabs of the Pfizer vaccine. —AFP in the Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. —AFP

ment. “The formation of an all-inclusive government 2021 in exchange for the Taliban halting attacks on US Iran’s Zarif calls must take place in a participatory process and by tak- forces, sharply decreasing the level of violence in the ing into account the fundamental structures, institutions country and advancing peace talks with the government and laws, such as the constitution,” he added. He also in Kabul. The Afghan government blames the Taliban for for ‘all-inclusive’ welcomed the idea of forming an “all-inclusive govern- the lack of progress in negotiations that started in ment with the participation of all ethnic and political September last year and resumed this month. Afghan government groups”. Zarif expressed hope the Taliban would “focus “Since January 6, our delegation is in Doha ready to efforts on an immediate end to the pains of Afghan start the talks based on the agendas. But the other side people, so that the establishment of peace in is busy travelling abroad,” government negotiator TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Afghanistan would strip the outsiders of a pretext for Muhammad Rasul Talib told reporters in Doha. “The Zarif yesterday called for the formation of an “all-inclu- occupation”. Iran has previously called for the forces of negotiation is not in a stalemate yet, but there is a sive” Afghan government during a meeting with a Taliban its arch rival the United States to withdraw from pause and the reason for that is the Taliban,” he added. delegation in Tehran, the ministry said. A delegation from Afghanistan, its eastern neighbor. “The Afghan delegation is calling on them to come the movement headed by its co-founder Mullah Abdul Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday urged the back, we believe the current opportunity to solve the Ghani Baradar arrived in Iran on Tuesday to exchange new US President Joe Biden to put pressure on the problems should not be wasted.” Kabul is pushing for a “views on the peace process in Afghanistan” at the invi- Taliban and not rush to withdraw more troops from permanent ceasefire and to protect governance tation of the ministry. The visit comes as peace negotia- Afghanistan. His appeal came days after the Biden arrangements in place since the ouster of the Taliban by tions between the Afghan government and the Taliban administration said it intends to reconsider a February a US-led invasion following the September 11, 2001 ter- resumed in early January in the Qatari capital Doha, 2020 agreement between former president Donald ror attacks in New York. But violence has escalated meant to end a conflict spanning two decades. Trump and the Taliban. The agreement includes the com- across Afghanistan, with the Taliban refusing to make “Political decisions cannot be made in a vacuum,” plete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan by May concessions. —AFP Zarif told the delegation, according to a ministry state- 6 Established 1961 International Monday, February 1, 2021 Macron gambles by saying ‘non’ to a third lockdown Move keeps France on a different path to Britain and Germany

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron has gam- bled by not imposing a third national lockdown to contain News in brief COVID-19 — against expectations and the advice of his most senior scientific advisers. The 43-year-old leader Germany threatens legal action opted to tighten existing restrictions on travel and shop- ping at a cabinet meeting on Friday after a week in which BERLIN: Germany’s government yesterday threat- his government appeared to be preparing the public for ened legal action against laboratories failing to deliv- new stay-at-home orders. er coronavirus vaccines to the European Union on The move keeps France on a different path to its schedule, amid tension over delays to deliveries from biggest neighbors Britain and Germany at a time when AstraZeneca. “If it turns out that companies have not the more contagious UK variant of the disease is spread- respected their obligations, we will have to decide ing rapidly across Europe. the legal consequences,” Economy Minister Peter “Everything suggests that a new wave could occur Altmaier told German daily Die Welt. “No company because of the variant, but perhaps we can avoid it can favor another country over the EU after the thanks to the measures that we decided early and that the fact,” he added. There has been growing tension in French people are respecting,” Health Minister Olivier recent weeks between European leaders and the Veran told the Journal du Dimanche (JDD) newspaper British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, yesterday. He said that, unlike in other countries, the num- which has fallen behind on promised delivers of its ber of new coronavirus cases had barely increased last COVID-19 vaccine. —AFP week, while other indicators — such as traces of the virus detected in waste water — were also reassuring. The French government put in place a strict night- time curfew after a second lockdown ended in December, Mexico tycoon Slim leaves hospital while deaths of around 250 a day are currently less than French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to welcome Transition Mali President for a working lunch at the Elysee presidential Palace on January 27, 2021 in Paris.—AFP a quarter of the number in Britain or Germany. MEXICO CITY: Mexican telecoms billionaire Macron was reported to have been concerned about Carlos Slim, one of the world’s richest men, has been the impact of another lockdown on a country struggling discharged from hospital and is doing well after a coronavirus pandemic, argue that early lockdowns are support packages and the vaccination campaign — will with the mental health consequences of nearly a year of bout with Covid-19, a source close to his family said the most effective because they tend to be shorter and come under fierce scrutiny. restrictions, as well as a deep recession. “Even when the Saturday. The 81-year-old tycoon “has been at home reduce the overall economic damage. “The situation is A poll published yesterday in the JDD showed only 36 path is narrow, you need to take it,” the JDD reported since January 28 and is in very good health,” the serious, but we think that we have the means to beat percent had confidence in the government’s handling, Macron as telling ministers at the meeting on Friday. source with the Slim family’s Grupo Carso told AFP. what’s going to happen. It’s worth a try,” an unnamed while 64 percent did not. Using an expression first used “When you’re French, you have everything you need On Monday Slim’s son, Carlos Slim Domit, presidential adviser told Le Monde newspaper. Another during the tumultuous inter-war years of France’s Third to succeed providing you dare to try.” Images of anti- announced on Twitter that his father was being made clear to the same newspaper that another lock- Republic, Le Pen has accused the government of acting lockdown riots in the Netherlands last week are also said treated for Covid-19 and had only mild symptoms. down had not been ruled out, meaning a change in “like a dead dog floating along in the water”. “We have to have weighed on his thinking. “He’s very well. He is making very good progress approach was possible. the feeling of being knocked around without ever antici- But by going against the instincts of health minister with Covid-19 after more than a week of minor “If, in the coming days, we witness an incredible pating, without ever looking ahead, without ever taking Veran and others on his coronavirus scientific council, symptoms,” Slim Domit wrote at the time. — AFP Macron is taking personal responsibility for a decision increase in the epidemic, then we’ll act,” the adviser said. the decisions that allow us to avoid, when it’s possible, with potential to backfire. “Why Macron Said No” read At stake, however, is the government’s credibility and the lockdown number 1, number 2 or number 3,” she said last the front-page headline of the JDD, making it clear who clarity of its messaging, just 15 months from a presidential week. But in arguing against lockdowns, it may be that should be credited — or blamed — in the future. election in which Macron is expected to face off against both Macron and Le Pen are out of step with public Caution on AstraZeneca jab for over 55s resurgent far-right leader, Marine Le Pen. As he bids for a opinion. A poll yesterday in the JDD, showed that 60 per- second term, the French leader’s record on managing the cent would be in favor of a lockdown, but most want Election campaign ROME: Italy’s medicines agency on Saturday coronavirus crisis — including the lockdowns, economic schools and non-essential shops to stay open. — AFP Many experts, citing studies since the start of the approved the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for all adults but recommended alternatives be given to criminology specialists has been formed to identify the people aged over 55. AIFA’s decision comes a day Mexico identifies victims. Residents of the Guatemalan town of after the European Union gave the green light for the Comitancillo suspect at least a dozen of the victims are jab, but Germany’s vaccine commission recommend- their relatives, according to authorities in the Central ed against using it on older people amid questions four of 19 bodies American country. over its effectiveness that have been rejected by the Authorities in Tamaulipas, who worked with the company. “AIFA authorizes the AstraZeneca vaccine found near US border neighboring state of Nuevo Leon, established that 113 for the prevention of Covid-19 disease in individuals bullets were fired into a vehicle where the bodies were over the age of 18, as per European Medicines found. Tamaulipas, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Agency guidance,” it said. — AFP CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico: Mexico has identified is the shortest route to the United States from at least four of the 19 bodies found shot and burnt near Guatemala, but it is dangerous because of the presence the US border, prosecutors said Saturday. Two of gangs that kidnap, extort, and murder migrants. The Guatemalans-believed to be migrants-and two region is regularly the scene of clashes between the Tunisians protest against ‘police state’ Mexicans were identified by their DNA after authori- North West cartel, which controls part of Nuevo Leon, ties discovered the bodies on January 22, the prosecu- and the Gulf cartel, which has been present in TUNIS: Hundreds of young people took to the An audio statement reportedly from Debretsion tor’s office in the northern state of Tamaulipas said in a Tamaulipas for decades. Mexico is experiencing a streets of the Tunisian capital on Saturday to protest Gebremichael, president of Tigray, was aired Saturday statement. wave of violence linked to organized crime, especially against police repression and demand the release of night via US-based Tigray Media House. — AFP It said members of the Interior Ministry’s national drug cartels that vie for control of the routes to the US. demonstrators detained in recent days. The protest- search commission had been added to the investigation The rate of violence has grown steadily in the coun- ers marched from Tunis’s central Human Rights for “greater transparency”, in collaboration with the try since the end of 2006, when the government hand- Square to Habib Bourguiba Avenue, trying to make foreign ministry and the Guatemalan embassy in ed the anti-narcotics file to the army. More than their way to the interior ministry, an AFP reporter Ousted Tigray Mexico. “It was determined that 16 correspond to the 300,000 murders have taken place since that date, said, but security forces blocked their path. male sex, one to the female sex, and two are pending according to official figures. Mexico recorded 34,523 Denouncing what they say is police repression and leader breaks clarification” due to the severity of the burning, the murders in 2020, down slightly from 2019, which was a government corruption, some demonstrators held prosecutors said. record year since the government began tracking them signs that read, “Police everywhere, justice long silence A team of forensics experts, dentists, geneticists and in 1997. — AFP nowhere”. — AFP

thought was gone is back. ADDIS ABABA: A Tigrayan media outlet has released a Pentagon pauses plan Biden talks the talk It adds up to major change. Yet none of it is remark- recording of what it said is the ousted leader of Ethiopia’s able. As late night show host Stephen Colbert quipped conflict-hit region, in which he issues a fresh call to arms about the main difference between Biden’s coronavirus in what would be his first public statement in nearly two to give COVID vaccine in first 10 days, plan and Trump’s version: “There is one.” months. AFP could not independently verify the authen- ticity of the audio statement from Debretsion to Gitmo detainees but can he deliver? It’s the virus, stupid Gebremichael which aired Saturday night via US-based What will happen when Biden’s slickly run messaging Tigrai Media House. In November Ethiopian Prime operation hits harsh reality? To misquote a famous line Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered military operations target- WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said Saturday it was WASHINGTON: Normal is the new extraordinary about the economy from Bill Clinton’s presidential cam- ing leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), putting on hold a plan to give COVID vaccines to under President Joe Biden. “It’s been a busy week,” he paign, everything now boils down to “the virus, stupid.” the regional ruling party, a move he said came in response terror detainees at Guantanamo, following an outcry said in the Oval Office. Biden was referring to the cas- COVID-19 is on track to kill half a million Americans. to TPLF-orchestrated attacks on federal army camps. as the United States struggles to deliver jabs to cade of executive orders he has signed since taking And data Thursday showing the sharpest economic Abiy, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, declared frontline workers and vulnerable elderly Americans. power on January 20, overturning rules enacted by contraction since 1946, with GDP shrinking 3.5 percent victory in late November when federal forces took the “No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated,” Donald Trump on everything from immigration to health in 2020, illustrated the financial impact of all those shut- Tigray capital Mekele, but Debretsion, president of Tigray Pentagon spokesman John Kirby tweeted. “We’re care. But Biden’s most dramatic achievement in 10 days tered restaurants, empty airliners and laid-off workers. when the fighting started, has remained on the run. In the pausing the plan to move forward, as we review force has simply been to remind Americans of a White House So Biden’s presidency could hinge on what happens Tigrai Media House recording of around 20 minutes, protection protocols. We remain committed to our where nothing unexpected happens. next. Get Americans vaccinated, then ride the economic Debretsion said he was speaking “from Tigrayan land” obligations to keep our troops safe.” • No Twitter rages. No branding journalists enemies of revival and Biden could turn disaster into triumph. Fail where “core resistance against invasion is taking place”. The Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba houses the people. No demonizing the opposition party. and he may carry that to the end of his term. “The suc- “I call upon you, wherever you are... to organize and detainees in the US “war on terror,” including top Al- • Daily, detailed, fact-filled, even dull briefings by cess of everything else really hinges on that,” said Mark fight and to strive to make all who have reached fighting Qaeda figure and alleged 9/11 attack planner Khalid experts on Covid-19, the economy and more. Carl Rom, who teaches politics at Georgetown • A president appealing for unity and appearing often age take up the fight, and through this to shorten the lifes- Sheikh Mohammed. The Department of Defense told University. With Biden predicting mass vaccinations by in public-but always carefully stage managed and pan of the enemy,” Debretsion said. US media earlier in the week that it would offer vac- summer, Rom says the president will soon face a simple, never for too long. TPLF leaders were not immediately available for com- cines to its detainees and prisoners, to be adminis- visible test. Can ordinary people “go to the beach and • A secretary of state, Antony Blinken, reassuring the ment, and it was not clear when the recording was made tered “on a voluntary basis.” not worry about getting sick and dying?” Rom asked. world’s diplomats that the United States they or from where Debretsion was speaking. But Kjetil Backlash came from Republican lawmakers “That would be an enormous step.” —AFP Tronvoll, an expert on the TPLF with deep contacts in the including the party’s top congressman, Kevin party, said he believed the recording was genuine. McCarthy. “Though I have not spoken to [Debretsion] personally, “President Biden told us he would have a plan to he has spoken to other contacts of mine in recent days,” defeat the virus on day 1. He just never told us that it said Tronvoll, of Bjorknes University College in Norway. would be to give the vaccine to terrorists before most Thousands have died in the conflict in Tigray, according to Americans,” he said on Twitter. Added New York the International Crisis Group, and tens of thousands of congresswoman Elise Stefanik: “It is inexcusable and refugees have streamed across the border into Sudan. A un-American that President Biden is choosing to pri- Mekele-based regional caretaker administration claims oritize vaccinations for convicted terrorists in Gitmo life is returning to normal. Yet aid workers and some offi- over vulnerable American seniors or veterans.” cials in Tigray have warned of a humanitarian disaster The United States has been the world’s hardest-hit marked by widespread starvation. Media access remains country by the coronavirus pandemic, in absolute tightly restricted, complicating efforts to confirm condi- terms, with 436,000 deaths and nearly 26 million tions on the ground. Abiy’s government has dismissed the cases. President Joe Biden has pledged to vaccine possibility of the TPLF regrouping to mount an insur- gency within Tigray. 100 million Americans in his first 100 days in office, In the recording, Debretsion acknowledged federal but so far the country’s mass inoculation drive has forces’ “temporary military dominance” but said this was been beset by stumbles, including a shortfall in vac- because of an alliance with outside forces including cines and widespread technical difficulties for eligible Eritrean soldiers-something the government denies Americans trying to make appointments. According despite abundant witness accounts to the contrary. to health officials, the US has so far administered just Debretsion also noted that some TPLF leaders “have paid under 30 million of the nearly 50 million doses dis- WASHINGTON, DC: US President Joe Biden spends the weekend at the White House Saturday in Washington, DC. and are continuing to pay the ultimate sacrifice.” —AFP tributed in the country. — AFP Biden met with advisors for the next steps on COVID response measures and an economic relief package. — AFP Established 1961 7 International Monday, February 1, 2021 Britain opens visa scheme for millions of Hong Kongers Website for visa applications goes online at 5pm in Hong Kong HONG KONG: A new visa scheme offering mil- authorities might try to stop Hong Kongers from lions of Hong Kongers a pathway to British citizen- leaving for Britain. ship went live yesterday as the city’s former colonial Yesterday, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs master opens its doors to those wanting to escape Office of China’s State Council said it strongly China’s crackdown on dissent. Anyone with a British condemned the British for violating its promise National (Overseas) passport and their dependents not to give BN(O) passport holders right of resi- can now apply online for a visa allowing them to live dence. “This is a flagrant offense of China’s sover- and work in the United Kingdom. After five years, eignty, and we firmly oppose it,” it said. The office they can apply for citizenship. The immigration claimed the UK was beautifying its colonial histo- scheme is a response to Beijing’s decision last year ry and called this “a shameless logic of bandits’, to impose a sweeping national security law on Hong seriously hurting the feelings of the Chinese”. In a Kong to snuff out the huge and often violent commentary on Sunday, China’s state-run Xinhua democracy protests. news agency accused Britain of having a “colonial Britain has accused China of tearing up its prom- mentality”. ise ahead of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover that the financial hub would maintain key liberties and Applications soar autonomy for 50 years, and has argued it has a It is not clear how many Hong Kongers will take moral duty to protect its former subjects. “We have up the offer-especially as the coronavirus restricts honored our profound ties of history and friendship international flights and mires much of the world, with the people of Hong Kong, and we have stood including Britain, in a painful economic malaise. But up for freedom and autonomy,” Prime Minister the visa offer is available to a huge number of peo- HONG KONG: This file photo shows people queuing to apply for British National (Overseas) passport, or “BNO”, Boris Johnson said of the scheme this week. ple-about 70 percent of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million outside Hong Kong’s Immigration Department building in the Wanchai district of Hong Kong. — AFP The website for visa applications went online at population. Applications for BN(O) passports have 5pm in Hong Kong. China has reacted with fury to skyrocketed more than 300 percent since the the visa offer, announcing that it would no longer national security law was imposed last July, with passport is a legacy of Hong Kong’s return to Britain for six months at a time, but with no working recognize the passports as a legitimate travel or ID 733,000 registered holders as of mid-January. authoritarian China. Many Hong Kongers at the or settling rights. Now it has become one of the few document. The move was largely symbolic as Hong Britain predicts up to 154,000 Hong Kongers time wanted Britain to grant them full citizenship ways out for Hong Kongers hoping to start a new Kongers tend to use their own passports or ID could arrive over the next year and as many as but China was opposed to the move. life overseas as authorities conduct mass arrests of cards to leave the city. But Beijing said it was pre- 322,000 over five years, bringing an estimated “net The BN(O) was a compromise, allowing Hong democracy supporters and move to purge the city pared to take “further measures”, raising fears benefit” of up to £2.9 billion ($4 billion). The BN(O) Kongers born before 1997 the right to stay in of dissent. —AFP Vietnam re-elects party News in brief leader Trong after congress S Africa orders Pfizer vaccines JOHANNESBURG: South Africa has Vietnam’s ruling has claimed high-level party officials, HANOI, Vietnam: secured 20 million doses of the Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu including three Politburo members, Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, the Trong was re-elected yesterday-a vic- said Carl Thayer, an emeritus professor health minister told a Sunday newspaper. tory that makes him the most powerful at the University of New South Wales Africa’s worst virus-hit country has yet to leader in decades-but his win was and an expert on Vietnam. begin vaccinating its population against overshadowed by a serious coronavirus With graft widespread across all COVID-19, stirring criticism over slow pro- outbreak in the country. Trong, a 76- state sectors, Trong’s anti-corruption curement and lack of strategy. A first shipment year-old pro-China conservative who drive has largely proved popular with of AstraZeneca/Oxford jabs produced in India is rumored to be in poor health, was the Vietnamese public and many party is due to arrive today, with injections expected given the nod after a week of closed- members. “We admired him for his to start two weeks later. Health Minister Zweli door talks at the twice-a-decade determination and efforts to cleanse Mkhize told The Sunday Times that 20 million Communist Party congress. It will be and purify the party,” said Nguyen additional vaccines had been ordered from US his third term in office-a feat unprece- Tran Trung, a long-time Communist drugmaker Pfizer.—AFP dented in Vietnam’s modern era. Party member. “Though not in good “On yesterday morning, comrade health, his presence in the leading HANOI, Vietnam: This picture shows Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (sec- Nguyen Phu Trong was elected the position still scares bad cadres in the ond right) congratulating the new Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu General Secretary of the 13th apparatus. He plays a major role in Trong (center) after his re-election during the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) 13th Protesters disrupt vaccination site National Congress in Hanoi, as other nominated top party leaders Vuong Dinh Hue Communist Party Central Committee,” preserving the Communist Party,” the (right), Pham Minh Chinh (second left) and Vo Van Thuong (left) applaud.— AFP the Vietnam News Agency reported. 78-year-old state official told AFP. LOS ANGELES: Protesters briefly disrupt- China’s President Xi Jinping sent a But for opponents of the regime, the ed a coronavirus vaccination distribution cen- message of congratulations to Trong, last five years have been marked by doubled from 84 to 170 since the pre- since 2018. For the moment he remains ter at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, US Chinese state media said yesterday. escalating repression, according to vious congress in 2016, according to so, but will step down later this year media reported Saturday. Several dozen peo- Another stint in the top job for Trong is rights groups and analysts, who Amnesty International, which says a when the National Assembly appoints ple carrying signs demanding the end of lock- seen as a boost for his high-profile warned Trong is likely to push forward large and growing proportion are a replacement. This is expected to be downs and promoting anti-vaccination con- anti-corruption campaign, officially with the crackdown during his third jailed based on their expression online. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, currently prime spiracy theories gathered at the entrance to dubbed a “blazing furnace”, that has stint in power. “We can expect a con- Trong, the first party general secre- minister, who has focused on the coun- the site, one of the largest in the US, social swept through the party, police and tinuing crackdown on dissenting voices tary to serve a third term since the “doi try’s economic growth and integration, media posts showed. “There appears to be armed forces. “We can expect Trong to in the online social media,” Thayer told moi” era of economic reform began in securing a number of international only about 30 protestors total. It’s not clear continue to push” his campaign, which AFP. Prisoners of conscience have 1986, has also served as president trade deals. —AFP why they’ve shut off the whole facility,” tweet- ed social media user Mikel Jollet. —AFP Karachi is the capital-in launching a plea for the lat- Pearl’s family to est verdict to be reviewed. Lawyers for Pearl’s family have argued that One dead, 5 missing in Fiji Sheikh played a crucial role in organizing the SUVA, Fiji: At least one person was dead challenge Pakistan abduction and detention of the journalist before and five were missing yesterday as Fiji was ordering his captors to kill him. Defense lawyers, battered by a tropical cyclone for the second however, say he was a scapegoat and sentenced on murder acquittals time in a month. Cyclone Ana, a Category insufficient evidence. “It is beyond belief that Two storm, slammed into the South Pacific Ahmad Omar Sheikh-who after 18 years of lies, had ISLAMABAD: The family of American journalist island nation with winds up to 140 kilometers finally admitted in a handwritten letter to the court Daniel Pearl will challenge an order by Pakistan’s an hour (87 mph) and heavy rain, causing his role in the kidnapping for ransom of Daniel top court to release a British-born militant acquit- widespread flooding. The National Disaster Pearl-has been given a clean slate and let loose ted of masterminding his kidnapping and brutal Management Office (NDMO) said a 49-year- once again upon the world to continue his interna- murder in 2002. The Supreme Court on Thursday old man drowned while four fishermen and a tional terrorist activities,” Pearl’s family said in the upheld the acquittal of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh three-year-old boy were missing. More than statement. and three other men last year, triggering outrage 7,600 people, many of them rescued from The four men-who have been detained under the from the United States. Pearl was the South Asia flooded villages, were taking shelter in evacu- emergency orders of Sindh government since their bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal when he ation centers. —AFP was abducted and beheaded by jihadists in Karachi acquittal last year-still have multiple court chal- KARACHI: Sheikh Aslam, brother of Sheikh Adil, one of in January 2002 while researching a story about lenges linked to their case. Sheikh, a British-born the accused of murdering US journalist Daniel Pearl, jihadist who once studied at the London School of Islamist militants. gestures as he walks out from the central prison. —AFP “The Pearl family intends to file a review petition Economics and had been involved in previous kid- Trump lawyers leave team against the illegal and unjust majority decision,” nappings of foreigners, was arrested days after parents Ruth and Judea Pearl said in a statement Pearl’s abduction. He was later sentenced to death. State, Antony J. Blinken, on Friday spoke with WASHINGTON: Several of former US presi- that was tweeted by the murdered journalist’s friend US President Joe Biden’s administration was Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, dent Donald Trump’s impeachment lawyers and former Wall Street Journal colleague Asra “outraged by the Pakistani Supreme Court’s deci- pressing his “concern about the potential release of have left his team a little over a week before Nomani. They join both the federal government and sion”, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told these prisoners”, a spokesman for the US his trial, US media reported Saturday. CNN Sindh provincial government-of which the city of reporters last week. The new US Secretary of Department of State said. — AFP cited unnamed sources as saying that five lawyers-including two who were thought to be leading the team-had parted ways with the ture,” said Kim, a 24-year-old civil service intern. just the latest in a long series of such protests. Republican billionaire after disagreeing over New protests “Lots of stores are open, the metro is packed, yet France has recorded 75,000 deaths from coron- his legal strategy. Trump had wanted the cultural sites are closed, even though we can avirus since the outbreak began and the country is lawyers to continue his baseless claims of mass apply protective measures” against the coron- bracing for another possible lockdown. In Paris, the election fraud rather than focus on the legality in France over avirus, she said. large Place de la Republique was half full, AFP jour- of convicting a president after he has left The demonstrators are protesting draft legisla- nalists reported, while around 3,000 people gath- office, CNN said, adding that he was “not security law tion that would ban filming police activities, which ered in Montpellier, southern France. At around 5 receptive” to discussion. —AFP the ruling LREM party of President Emmanuel pm, an hour before the start of the overnight 6-6 PARIS: Tens of thousands of protesters turned out Macron has said it would rewrite. But people are curfew now in place as a measure against the coro- in dozens of French cities Saturday against a securi- also protesting the use of surveillance tools such as navirus, clashes broke out between a group of Congo oppn to boycott elections ty bill they say will restrict the filming and publiciz- drones and pedestrian cameras. Footage of white around 50 youths and police. ing of images of police brutality, but also to protest police beating up a black music producer in his After being pelted with projectiles, the police BRAZZAVILLE, Congo: The Republic of the restrictions imposed against the coronavirus. Paris studio on November 21 has fuelled anger over used water cannon to clear the square. The Paris Congo’s main opposition party will boycott the Those joining the demonstrations included the legislation, condemned by many as signaling a prosecutors office said 26 people had been March 21 elections in which President Denis activists from the “yellow vests” movement that swing to the right by Macron. detained. Hundreds turned out for similar rallies in Sassou Nguesso, in power for decades, is run- gripped France for more than a year before the other cities. The government argues that the pro- ning for re-election. The 77-year-old has held pandemic restricted large-scale protests. Others Numbers down posed law is needed because police officers have office for a total of 36 years, making him one were there to stand up for the cultural sector, hit According to interior ministry figures, 32,077 become the targets of attacks and calls for violence of the longest-serving leaders in the world and hard by the restrictions imposed to curb the spread people turned out to protest across France, signifi- against them on social media. But French media say head of a deeply poor nation. The holding of of the coronavirus. Also among the protesters were cantly down on the 133,000 they said attended the a “new national plan of law enforcement” is being the presidential election “must not divide us as young people calling for the right to hold rave par- largest protest against the measures, back in used to limit media coverage of demonstrations. The it has done in the past”, said Pascal Tsaty ties such as the one in Brittany that attracted 2,400 November-although organizers put the true turnout proposed security law, which has already been Mabiala, first secretary of the opposition at the start of the year. then at more than half a million people. Organizers approved by the National Assembly, is to be exam- group Pan-African Union for Social “I have two reasons for coming today-the com- put the fall in numbers down to the coronavirus ined by the Senate, France’s upper parliamentary Democracy (UPADS). —AFP prehensive security law and also to support cul- restrictions, poor weather and the fact that this was chamber, in March. — AFP Established 1961

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Biden, Democrats seek huge increase in US minimum wage New measure to more than double federal minimum wage to $15

NEW YORK: When President Joe Biden unveiled a a growing number of states and cities that have $1.9 trillion stimulus proposal earlier this month, few already enacted the hike at the urging of the “Fight were surprised by the plan’s hefty price tag or for $15” movement launched by fast-food workers in sweeping scope. More striking was Biden’s inclusion the early 2010s. “The bump up made it a little bit of a measure to more than double the federal mini- easier,” said Maggie Breshears, who works at gro- mum wage to $15. cery store and retailer Fred Meyer in Seattle and has The move, backed by leading Democrats includ- gone from making about $10 per hour in 2013 to ing left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders, establishes the $17.59 after Seattle lifted its minimum wage in 2014. fight for higher wages as a top priority for the new The US minimum wage was first enacted in administration, potentially leading to one of 1938 as part of President Franklin Delano Washington’s boldest adjustments in US social and Roosevelt’s New Deal reforms. The measure has labor policy in decades. been periodically increased since then, most The fate of the initiative-which so far lacks support recently in 2007, when Congress lifted it gradually from Republicans-will help determine whether Biden from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour, which would equal a delivers on a core pocketbook issue as US income $15,000 annual salary. inequality widens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barack Obama was unable to win a boost dur- Sanders, a former presidential candidate, called the ing his eight-year presidency from 2009 to 2017. current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour a In 2019, the House of Representatives approved an “starvation wage” as he unveiled the proposal for an increase, but the bill died in the Republican-led increase in Congress. The senator said he hopes Senate. Republicans “will understand the severity of the cri- sis,” but added that Democrats should be prepared to Compromise ahead? WASHINGTON, DC: Service industry worker John Wenger speaks in support of today’s introduction of the Raise the enact the policy on a narrow party-line vote. Supporters of an increase draw hope from rising Wage Act, which includes a $15 minimum wage for tipped workers and is also included in President Biden’s Such an increase would boost wages for more public support apparent in 2020, when Florida vot- American Rescue Plan at the National Mall in Washington, DC. —AFP than 32 million US workers, according to the ers backed a hike to $15 per hour at the same time Economic Policy Institute, a progressive think tank. the state voted for Republican President Donald campaign. “The only way it was able to pass was Supporters of the wage increase welcome large The Sanders bill proposes “a significant increase in Trump, who ended up losing re-election. In through the ballot.” companies’ endorsements, but say it is too soon to the minimum wage,” Ben Zipperer, an economist at Arkansas, another Republican state, 68 percent of Several large companies, including Amazon, know whether they will shift the politics of the issue. the institute, told AFP. “Unfortunately, we have quite voters in 2018 backed gradually increasing the wage Target and Starbucks, have set $15 as their minimum The Business Roundtable, which represents the a big hole to dig out of in terms of providing what to $11 an hour. wage for US workers. Others that once fought the biggest US companies, said the Sanders bill was a low-income workers need.” “If we had left it to the legislature, it would have measure have given ground. These include starting point. “We agree that the current federal stayed at $6.25,” where it was before the most McDonald’s, which said the discussion on the mini- minimum wage of $7.25 is too low, and we are in Popular support recent federal increase, said Kristin Foster, an mum wage represents an “important one that favor of an increase at the federal level,” said a The bill would put the United States on par with Arkansas political consultant who directed the 2018 McDonald’s looks to advance, not impede.” spokeswoman. —AFP (See Page 9) China’s factory activity slows on new COVID wave With Amazon billions, BEIJING: Factory activity in China around the Lunar New Year is tra- MacKenzie Scott slowed slightly in January, official ditionally an “off-peak season” for data showed yesterday, as the coun- the manufacturing industry. The lat- try rushed to stamp out a recent est data indicated that the business shakes up philanthropy coronavirus wave in northern China. climate remains weak for small WASHINTON: Food banks, immigrant rights The purchasing managers’ index firms, although domestic consump- groups, and struggling colleges across the US dis- (PMI), a key gauge of manufacturing tion picked up ahead of the festive covered a surprise benefactor last year as billions activity, came in at 51.3 this month, as period. of dollars flowed into organizations hurting during the world’s second-largest economy Export demand slowed after the pandemic from MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife tightened COVID-19 precautions Christmas as the pandemic continued of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. ahead of the Lunar New Year. spreading worldwide, the NBS Scott unlocked a staggering sum of nearly $6 The figure was slightly below added. China’s non-manufacturing A worker checking protective suits at a workshop of a company which produces billion in charitable gifts last year, and unlike many December’s reading of 51.9, PMI saw a larger drop to 52.4, from other large donors did not attach any restrictions although still above the 50-point 55.7 last month, taking a bigger hit medical protective equipment in Jishou, in central China’s Hunan province. —AFP or even naming rights requirements. mark separating growth from con- from the domestic virus resurgence. The approach has shaken up the philanthropic traction. “Recently, local clusters of Industries including accommoda- imposing lockdowns and travel bans longer time,” he added. world, not only with the size of her gifts, but with- the epidemic emerged successively tion and catering saw a “more signifi- in some parts of China, Nomura’s Accordingly, non-manufacturing out the limits and accounting requirements of in many places across the country, cant” drop in activity, while the con- chief China economist Lu Ting said. activity could dip further in February, many large foundations or donors. Laura and the production and operations struction industry went into an off- “The inevitable, seasonal rise in pop- he said. But with migrant workers MacDonald, board chair of the Giving USA of some enterprises were temporar- season. The fall in the PMI reflects ulation mobility and family gather- encouraged to stay in the cities Foundation, a nonprofit which conducts research ily affected,” said National Bureau weakening growth momentum due to ings in coming weeks, albeit likely where they work this year instead of on philanthropic giving, said Scott’s approach is of Statistics (NBS) senior statisti- government measures to contain the much smaller than their pre-pandem- returning home, manufacturing PMI part of a movement of “trust-based philanthropy” cian Zhao Qinghe. new COVID-19 wave, including ic levels, may keep these COVID-19 might rebound slightly in the coming which does away with some of the red tape Zhao added that the period tightening social distancing rules, re- prevention measures in place for a month, said Lu. —AFP imposed by many donors. MacDonald said Scott’s approach moved beyond the “Big Brother” approach of some Britain to apply to donors and the venture capital mindset which per- meates much of the business world. “Trust-based philanthropy has catapulted to the top of the list of join Asia-Pacific taking points” in the philanthropic world as a result of Scott’s initiative, MacDonald said. “This free trade bloc may embolden other donors to try something and take more risks.” LONDON: Britain will apply to join a massive In December, Scott’s latest funding round 11-nation free-trade bloc of Asia-Pacific coun- included 384 organizations ranging from Blackfeet tries, it announced Saturday, weeks after leaving Community College in Montana to the Arkansas the European single market with its departure Food Bank to the Immigrant Families Fund. from the EU. “This pandemic has been a wrecking ball in the International Trade Secretary Liz Truss will lives of Americans already struggling,” Scott wrote formally request Monday for Britain to join the in a blog post. “Economic losses and health out- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for comes alike have been worse for women, for peo- Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a market rep- Freight lorries and HGVs disembark from the Stena Line ferry ‘Kerry’, after arriving at the port of Rosslare Harbor in ple of color, and for people living in poverty. resenting half a billion people and roughly 13.5 Rosslare, southeast Ireland. — AFP Meanwhile, it has substantially increased the percent of the global economy. The CPTPP appli- wealth of billionaires.” —AFP cation will come one year after Britain left the agreements, she said people would question the Industry (CBI), said the move marked a “new European Union following more than forty years British government’s decision “to rush into joining chapter for our independent trade policy”. of membership-and after five years of complex another one on the other side of the world without “Membership of the bloc has the potential to trade discussions. any meaningful public consultation at all.” “At deliver new opportunities for UK business across British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the present, Liz Truss cannot even guarantee whether different sectors,” he said. The CPTPP was potential new partnership would “bring enormous we would have the right to veto China’s proposed launched in 2019 to remove trade barriers among economic benefits for the people of Britain”. accession if we join the bloc first,” she said. the 11 nations representing nearly 500 million con- “Applying to be the first new country to join the sumers in the Asia-Pacific region in a bid to count- CPTPP demonstrates our ambition to do business ‘Enormous opportunities’ er China’s growing economic influence. on the best terms with our friends and partners all Truss said joining the CPTPP would offer The partnership is an updated version of a over the world and be an enthusiastic champion of “enormous opportunities”. She has touted joining giant deal originally backed by former US presi- global free trade,” he said. as Britain made agreements with members such as dent Barack Obama. The United States pulled out Negotiations between the UK and the partner- Japan and Canada in the wake of Brexit, with of the agreement under Donald Trump’s presi- ship-which represents 11 Pacific Rim nations British media reporting that CPTPP nations dency-turning away from what he viewed as including Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico accounted for around eight percent of UK exports unfavorable multilateral deals-but 11 countries and Vietnam-are expected to start this year, the in 2019. Truss said the deal will mean lower tariffs eventually agreed to sign the new version. trade department said. But opposition Labour par- for car manufacturers and whisky producers, as Following Britain’s definitive departure from the In this file photo, CEO of Amazon Jeff Bezos (left) and ty shadow international trade secretary Emily well as “delivering quality jobs and greater pros- European Union after a one year transition period MacKenzie Bezos attend the 7th Annual Sean Penn & Thornberry questioned the lack of transparency perity for people here at home”. out of the European single market at the end of Friends HAITI RISING Gala benefiting J/P Haitian Relief surrounding the pact. Karan Bilimoria, president of the UK’s largest 2020, the UK has sought to advance the brand of Organization in Hollywood, California. — AFP After five years of debate over Brexit trade business lobby group the Confederation of British “Global Britain” in 2021. —AFP Established 1961 9 Monday, February 1, 2021 Business Chemikuwait signs strategic agreement with Halliburton Companies to manufacture specialty chemicals for oil and gas upstream industry

KUWAIT: Eng Alaa Hassan, CEO of Chemikuwait for chances of diversifying the economy of Kuwait, as per the industrial sector to support the oil sector, as it Chemical Industries (CKCI), has expressed her satis- the national plan. forms the basis of the economy in the state of Kuwait, faction at announcing a major achievement by the com- This agreement between the two parties was devel- and permanence and continuity of the supply of these pany. A strategic agreement was signed with oped in order to safeguard the availability of these materials without interruption. This effort will lead to Halliburton Overseas Ltd, one of the major companies materials throughout the process of manufacturing, the enhancement and stability of the national products in oil and gas service sector. and to mitigate difficulties that may arise because of supply for businesses and projects being provided at This agreement signals a strategic relationship shipping or any other problems. Eng Hassan believes the right time. between the two companies to manufacture specialty that this association between Kuwaiti factories and By reference to the vision of His Highness the Amir chemicals that are essential in the oil and gas upstream international establishments can only lead to the mutual ‘May God bless and protect him’, and with His industry. Using the latest Halliburton technologies, success of both parties, and the state of Kuwait in par- Highness’s directions to continue to participate in eco- CKCI has already established the special units neces- ticular. Senior Executive Vice president of Chemikuwait nomic development towards future prospects. Knowing sary to produce some of these chemical components Eng Alaa Hassan Eng Ahmad Dashti for chemical Industries Eng Ahmad Dashti added that the importance of this vision we are hoping to look to and materials. the decision to align with one of the major companies the future with all its hopes and aspirations. We at For its part, CKCI sees this welcomed relationship believes that this agreement is a step in the right direc- in the energy domain like Halliburton came in order to CKCI are keen to develop this special field of chemical as a new important development for the advancement tion to building a successful industrial base for Kuwait. use the best technologies and materials available. industries and hope to grow and expand the interest of of the oil sector and general industries. Eng. Hassan It will advance the local economy and help improve the Eng Dashti noted that this comes from our duty in the country, industrial sector and oil sector alike. KFH launches instant cross-border payments to KFH-Turkey

KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has success- account online” for new fully launched instant cross-border payments service customers, citizens and to at KFH-Turkey using Ripple’s technology, the enter- residents within minutes prise blockchain solution for global payments. This without having to visit the confirms KFH’s ongoing keenness to adopt the latest branch. financial technology while delivering superior cus- Alshamlan listed some tomer’s banking experience. of the innovative financial Group General Manager Retail Banking at KFH, solutions provided by KFH Khaled Yousif Alshamlan said that that instant cross- which are: The free of border payments service comes to serve customers charge “SWIFT GPI” serv- who want to perform instant transfers to Turkey for ice to track local and inter- personal expenses or investments, indicating Instant Khaled Alshamlan national banking transfers Transfer to KFH-Turkey is presented to KFH cus- electronically for individu- tomers with zero-fees and the service is available 24/7 als and corporate via KFHonline, Kuwait Clearing in a secure and fast manner through KFHOnline serv- Company KCC dividend subscription, transfer to KFH ice on the website and the mobile App (IOS and Trade, Baiti online, deposit of cheques via mobile, Android). Cardless cash withdrawal by (QR Code, Civil ID& “Financial institutions can send payments any- Mobile Number), and a complete update of KYC where instantly, reliably and cost-effectively by request “Know your customer”. WASHINGTON, DC: Founder and President of Patriotic Millionaires Erica Payne speaks in support of yesterday’s introduc- joining Ripple’s growing, global network He also mentioned the digital services of opening a tion of the Raise the Wage Act, which includes a $15 minimum wage for tipped workers and is also included in President RippleNet”, he added in a statement, indicating the gold account with options of selling, buying and trad- Biden’s American Rescue Plan at the National Mall. — AFP service improves and facilitates customers’ cross- ing online, Skiplino to book appointments electronical- border payment methods through trusted global ly in the banking branches, KFHPay electronic payment banks network, maximizing the role of blockchain service through which the customer can pay through instant payment in providing best service as per the KFHonline mobile application or via the K-Net Minimum wage: How it works highest quality standards”. page, Chatbot, Push Notification service, Instant Alshamlan boasted that KFH was among the first Cheque Printing and receiving gold biscuits instantly in Japan, Germany, UK and France Kuwaiti banks to join RippleNet, reiterating this move through XTMs available at the smart branches; KFH enhances customer experience and comes in line with Go, in addition to many other highly efficient digital PARIS: The minimum wage, which US President Joe lic debate on the minimum wage, there is much discus- KFH digital transformation strategy. services. Biden aims to raise to $15 per hour in the United States, sion about a minimum income for those on unemploy- He pointed out that KFH succeeded in making sig- Alshamlan reiterated KFH’s keenness on constantly can take different forms in different countries. Here is ment benefits or others with low incomes. nificant strides with its digital transformation journey, innovating unique digital banking solutions, confirming how it works in Japan, Germany, Britain and France. drawing attention to its advanced and innovative finan- the ongoing efforts in utilizing AI and teaming up with France, a different ‘helping hand’ cial services and products, indicating the bank suc- Fintech for the best interest of customers, while mov- Regionalization in Japan France’s minimum wage, or Smic, celebrated its 50th cessfully launched the digital service “opening bank ing forward in its digital transformation strategy. Japan has a range of different minimum wages. Each anniversary in 2020. Since 2008 it has been recalculat- of the country’s 47 prefectures sets its own, taking into ed automatically each year based on inflation and pur- What happened where the minimum account the results of annual national negotiations chasing power. In January, it was increased by just What happens when wage was raised to $15? between representatives of employers, employees and under one percent to 10.25 euros ($12.45) per hour There is no consensus regarding the effects, as the labor ministry. There are also specific minimum before taxes. shown in Seattle, which in 2014 became the first major wages for certain sectors in each prefecture, such as Some 2.25 million workers, or 13 percent of the pri- the US increases US city to adopt a $15 minimum wage. A 2018 study the manufacture of auto parts. The minimum wages are vate-sector workforce, benefitted from a 1.2-percent from the University of Washington said the policy higher in urbanized areas. The highest is in Tokyo at increase in the Smic at the beginning of 2020. The pro- its minimum wage? reduced total payroll in low-income jobs, with wages 1,013 yen ($9.68, 7.98 euros) per hour. The lowest is portion of people receiving the minimum wage is three rising by three percent but hours dropping by six to 792 yen in rural areas such as the northern prefecture times higher for those in part-time work or employed in seven percent. But a 2017 study by the University of of Akita or Okinawa in the southeast. small companies, compared to the average of nine per- NEW YORK: Progressive lawmakers this week for- California, Berkeley found the policy increased wages According to the labor ministry, 1.9 percent of cent for employees on full-time contracts. Every year, a mally launched an effort to hike the US minimum wage, in the food services industry with no employment loss. employees are paid the minimum wage or less (there number of trade unions call on the government to raise introducing legislation to gradually raise it from $7.25 Howard Wright, the chief executive of the Seattle are exceptions) in companies with at least five employ- the minimum wage by a greater amount than the auto- to $15 an hour. The proposed increase is much larger Hospitality Group and the co-author of the 2014 meas- ees. The minimum wage was raised by just 1 yen at the matic increase in order to give a “helping hand” to low- than those in the recent past, but supporters argue it is ure, said he largely discounts the conflicting appraisals start of the current fiscal year on April 1, the smallest income workers.—AFP warranted because it has been more than a decade of the Seattle policy. “Our economy has been booming hike in 16 years. The previous four years it was since the wage was lifted, and the current minimum so strongly until COVID,” said Wright. —AFP increased by more than 20 yen as governments tried to wage is too little for life in the United States. boost domestic consumption and, indirectly, chronically low inflation. When did the United States get a minimum wage? First enacted by Congress in 1938 as part of the Germany: No increase in joblessness Electric cars, Fair Labor Standards Act, the wage has been amended Following intense debate, Germany introduced a several times, most recently in 2007, when Congress national minimum wage on January 1, 2015. A special fewer cows in NZ’s voted to lift it gradually from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. commission, the Mindestlohnkommission, made up of Since that time, several states and local governments representatives of employers and trade unions and climate plan have raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour or to headed by an independent president, is responsible for other levels both higher and lower. reviewing it. At 9.50 euros ($11.50) per hour before Of the 50 states, 21 currently honor the federal level taxes, it is relatively low compared to other European WELLINGTON: New Zealand unveiled a blue- of $7.25, while the remaining states have a higher min- countries, and the commission has recommended it be print yesterday to phase out petrol-powered cars imum. Twenty-five states currently prohibit cities and hiked gradually to 10.45 euros ($12.70) by July 1, 2022. while its dairy industry, a key pillar of the economy, counties from setting a higher local wage than the Much of the debate about the introduction of the must slash cow numbers under the ambitious plan state level, according to Resourceful Compliance, minimum wage focused on whether it would lead to be carbon neutral by 2050. which tracks labor law. employers to cut jobs. A study published in January The changes are among a raft of recommenda- 2021 by the Research Institute for the Future of Work tions presented to the government by the Climate How would the proposed increase work? found that the minimum wage had not led to an Change Commission on steps New Zealand must Under legislation introduced by Democrats in the increase in unemployment. It found that that small and take to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions House and Senate, the minimum wage would rise to medium-sized companies had actually transformed and address climate change. Commission chairman $9.50 an hour three months after the law is enacted, temporary jobs into permanent ones. The IW think- Rod Carr acknowledged the advice was ambitious and then to $15 in four intervals over a five-year peri- tank, which is close to employers, found last year that but said it was realistic and made a clear case for od. The proposal also raises base pay for waiters and the minimum wage had little effect on the risk of falling “immediate and decisive” action. “As a country, we other employees who rely on tips, and directs the US into poverty (defined as income less than 60 percent of need transformational and lasting change to meet labor secretary to annually calculate the median hourly the median), mostly because most minimum wage our targets,” he said. wage of all employees. In years where the median workers have other sources of income, such as that of a “There are a few actions that are critical to meet- increases, the federal minimum wage would be raised partner. On the contrary, part-time work, which is com- ing our targets: electric vehicles, accelerated renew- by the same percentage. mon in Germany, was linked to a higher risk of poverty. able energy generation, climate-friendly farming practices and more permanent forests, predomi- Would it hurt the economy? British minimum wage to rise despite crisis nantly natives.” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Economists have long debated whether the eco- In Britain, the minimum wage, or National Living the document, which will now go out for public con- nomic lift from boosting workers’ purchasing power Wage, was created in its current form in 2016. Any sultation, showed the impact of the reforms would more than offsets the added wage burden on business- increases are decided by the government on the rec- not be an economic burden. es. There is no consensus on the matter. ommendation of the independent Low Pay Commission. “The cost of action on the economy is not as “There has been a debate for years,” said Gregory The objective in creating the new system was to great as many have previously thought. In fact, Daco, Oxford Economics’ chief US economist, noting increase the minimum wage to the level of 60 percent action on climate change is an economic opportuni- that some studies have shown it can cause job losses, of the median wage by 2020, a goal which has been ty for New Zealand,” she said. “Action on climate while others have not. achieved according to a government commission. The change is critical to our ongoing economic success. Even the same study can be interpreted differently. hourly minimum wage for employees over the age of 25 New Zealand exporters rely on our clean, green Critics of the higher wage point to a finding in a 2019 was hiked by 6.2 percent on April 1, 2020 to £8.72 brand and there will be new opportunities for Kiwi Congressional Budget Office report that said lifting the WASHINGTON, DC: Service industry workers listen to ($11.98, 9.86 euros). Depending on the employee’s age, businesses as we adapt to a zero-carbon economy.” level to $15 an hour would result in 1.3 million workers remarks and hold up signs during a rally in support of it can fall as low as £4.15 ($5.69, 4.69 euros) for The commission found New Zealand’s current cli- losing their jobs. But defenders of the measure noted today’s introduction of the Raise the Wage Act, which apprentices under 16. About two million Britons are mate commitments were not compatible with global that the same report said the proposal would lift 1.3 includes a $15 minimum wage for tipped workers and is expected to benefit from an increase in the minimum efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius million people out of poverty and boost wages for as also included in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan wage to £8.91 ($12.21, 10.06 euros) coming into effect above pre-industrial levels, but said change was many as 27 million more workers, arguing these bene- at the National Mall. — AFP in April, and the age of people receiving it has been achievable at little cost. —AFP fits more than counter the lost jobs. lowered from 25 to 23. While there is currently no pub- 10 Established 1961 Business Monday, February 1, 2021 Kamco Invest hosts webinar on managing downside risk to achieve long-term goals Investment managers rely on alternative asset classes, most notably hedge funds

KUWAIT: Kamco Invest, a regional non-banking Depression. He emphasized that regardless of the independent financial powerhouse with one of the circumstances, it is essential for money managers largest AUMs in the region, hosted a webinar dis- to constantly assess the landscape and develop cussing the management of downside risk to innovative strategies to navigate such tumultuous achieve long-term outperformance in capital mar- markets in favor of each client’s investment kets. The webinar touched on some of the necessary objectives. actions to consider through the eyes of accom- Managing a portfolio’s downside, while ensuring plished managers who possess a history of manag- proper diversification to mitigate the violent shifts ing client portfolios with same objective in mind. in market trajectories is always paramount to Faisal Al-Othman, Director of Third-Party achieving positive results for clients. To achieve Solutions at Kamco Invest, moderated the discus- such objectives, money managers rely on their sion with Cedric Kohler, Head of Advisory at exposure to alternative asset classes, most notably Fundana, a Geneva-based independent boutique hedge funds, to outperform during these violent specialized in Alternative Investments, and Hedge shifts. Consequently, the mitigatory techniques difference between the outperformers and laggards prism that combines COVID impact, secular Funds managing around $1.3 billion. Cedric pro- implemented by asset managers aid in delivering - the return dispersion - is double that of their trends (e.g. “Access Anywhere Anytime to All vided valuable insights on the benefits of manag- risk adjusted returns in the long-term to clients long-only peers. So even if a client selects two Things”) and cyclical ones (e.g. higher interest ing portfolio drawdowns to achieve long-term irrespective of market conditions. long/short equity managers, one could be up 20 rates due to inflation). performance objectives, achieving downside limi- 2020 reminded investors that protecting capital percent while the other down 20 percent in the Al-Othman concluded by emphasizing that tation with solid upside participation in a portfo- during market drawdowns is key to performing same year. Therefore, hedge fund manager selec- Kamco Invest aims to not only provide clients with lio, how investors should position themselves for over time. Kohler emphasized that well-chosen tion requires experience, discipline, and the time to access to global opportunities, but also offering some of the key events anticipated in 2021, as well long/short equity managers can structure an excel- undertake deep-dive analysis, which are generally valuable insights that can assist clients in making as the tools, strategies and exposure investors lent defensive equity allocation when it comes to only possible with a dedicated specialist advisor. better informed investment decisions with regards should look for or consider to achieve their that. These managers can provide equity-like The managers who navigated 2020 well, Kohler to their portfolios. The Company will be hosting its investment objectives. returns but with significantly reduced risk. The low- explained, will be in a very strong position to con- next webinar in collaboration with M7 Group, a Al-Othman commenced by briefly highlighting er volatility of these investments enables investors tinue that success in 2021. The outperformers tend leading specialist in the pan-European, regional, the exceptional year financial markets witnessed to stay invested over the long run, a key require- to know when to focus on fundamentals and when and multi -tenanted real estate market, to provide in 2020 despite the challenging global economic ment for generating top tier performance. to focus on portfolio management. They know Middle East investors with deep insights into environment triggered by the pandemic. The Kohler added that finding a long/short equity when to participate in the euphoria and when to opportunities and risks facing investors in the mar- emergence of the novel coronavirus triggered manager is a no-brainer but finding one who will have disdain for the irrationality. They are able to ket. For every challenge lies an opportunity and the sharpest quarterly drop in global GDP and generate outstanding performance over an invest- identify vantage points in market rotations such as Kamco Invest positions itself to guide its clients the highest unemployment rate since the Great ment cycle is much more complicated. In fact, the growth vs value, by analyzing stocks through a through the multitude of challenges ahead.

KIPCO launches Generation Alpha in partnership with Eighty Percent and Al-Rai Group Al-Tijari announces KUWAIT: Kuwait Projects Holding Company eration: “This is KIPCO’s first experience in support- launched Generation Alpha program in cooperation ing multiple sports for the young generation. We winners of Al-Najma with Eighty Percent; a socially-driven sports manage- believe that investing in those energies and sports ment company. The program sponsors athletic cham- innovations at an early age would create golden account campaign pions between the ages of seven and 12, who have opportunities to create a distinguished generation of won international medals and championships, and it is champions in the future.” KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait con- considered to be a new initiative that KIPCO worked Al-Omar added: “The cooperation came with on within the framework of the group’s social respon- Eighty Percent, as it is a community-based institution ducted the weekly draws on Al Najma Account Abeer Al-Omar Rawya Al-Hajri and Salary Transfer Campaign yesterday. The sibility, in addition to the pillars that the group works that focuses on sports, especially women and youth draws were conducted in the presence of on, such as education, developing youth, supporting sports.” It is noteworthy that Rabaa Al-Hajri - Ministry of Commerce and Industry representa- and empowering women and health. General Manager of Eighty Percent, and Rawya Al- the most important programs that we have worked on, Generation Alpha was launched last October, after Hajri - CEO of Eighty Percent - are members of tive Ahmad Al-Basman. as it sheds light on athletes at young ages and provides a work process that lasted nearly three consecutive Munjiza platform launched by KIPCO in 2019, in them with an important platform to share their success months, which included photo sessions for fifteen cooperation with Burgan Bank, which is a prominent stories and preparations to achieve their sports dreams The results of the draws were as follows: young athletes under challenging conditions in light member of KIPCO. This project achieves the goals of 1- Al-Najma weekly account - the prize of with the community.” of the outbreak of (COVID-19), taking into account Munjiza that creates partnerships between institu- Ziyad Majzoub - General Manager of Sales and KD 5,000 went to the winner Diyaa Abdullah all necessary precautions and following health tions and organizations of public benefit and non- Al-Harere Marketing and Vice President of Al-Rai Media Group - instructions. profit companies with the private sector that sheds stated that Al-Rai Group is always pleased to support 2- Salary account campaign - the prize of up These episodes were uploaded on “ALAAN” appli- light on women’s issues, as there are six female play- the leading companies in Kuwait, especially KIPCO, in to KD 1,000 went to the winner Khaznah cation launched by “KIPCO” last summer, which is a ers in the first season of Generation Alpha.” their efforts to serve the Kuwaiti community, and Khaled Al-Khaldi modern Kuwaiti digital platform, designed for the Al-Omar also praised the strategic partnership of based on the social responsibility it bears towards its The bank stated that the salary campaign is Kuwaiti community during the pandemic, when it KIPCO with Al-Rai Media Group: “Al-Rai Group has readers and viewers. He also declared that working aimed at customers who transfer their salaries became necessary to move to the digital and social been the media partner of KIPCO for six years, and with KIPCO is a distinguished strategic partnership of KD 500 or more to the Bank, especially media world. ALAAN application allows Kuwaitis and the partnership continues as a successful model for that always aims to enrich the Kuwaiti society and Kuwaiti employees and residents working in the residents to play an important role in developing the partnerships between private sector institutions to benefit it with distinct and new content that keeps government, oil sectors and companies listed community in various fields and interacting with differ- contribute to the development of society.” pace with its aspirations and orientations. with the Bank as well as retirees, and take ent issues in the society. Al-Omar concluded: “We are pleased to launch Majzoub noted that this cooperation is not the first advantage of the benefits of this campaign and Six episodes were filmed to be broadcasted in the Generation Alpha in cooperation with private and civil between Al-Rai Media Group and KIPCO, as it was get an instant cash gift from KD 250 to KD 500 first season of Generation Alpha on Al-Rai TV channel local sectors, which reflects the company’s principles preceded by more than one cooperation, including, Kuwaiti Dinars or an interest-free loan of 5 that showcase success stories of these heroes and in achieving social responsibility and creating partner- for example, the partnership that took place in 2017 times the salary and a maximum of KD 10,000, their talents, through which they demonstrate their dis- ships for a better society. I also salute all parents who in the “From Heart to Heart” campaign to raise aware- Kuwaiti pensioner, along with expatriate cus- cipline, enthusiasm and energy by practicing various collaborated together to work on presenting this pro- ness on heart disease, and the continuous coopera- types of fun sports from horseback riding to gymnas- gram in an honorable manner that carries the collective tomers who transfer their debt amounting to KD tion on ALAAN application, where Al-Rai provides tics, which are considered a source of inspiration for work of the society to raise the name of Kuwait.” 10,000 or above to the bank will receive an the news content in the “What is Happening?” sec- those with a passion for sports at this age. Rabaa and Rawya Al-Hajri - co-founders of Eighty tion of the app. He also stated that the cooperation instant cash gift of 1 percent from their trans- On this occasion, Abeer Al-Omar - Executive Percent Community, said: “One of the main goals of ferred debt. between the two institutions in Generation Alpha will Director of Social Responsibility at Kuwait Projects Eighty Percent is to empower society through sporting not be the last and will be followed by more than one The Bank stated that Al-Najma Account Holding Group (KIPCO) - said about this joint coop- programs and events, and Generation Alpha is one of prizes are distinguished by the highest cash cooperation in various projects. prize and diversity of prizes throughout the year clarifying that the account offers weekly Mastercard and Visa Signature. other payment transaction prize of KD 5,000, monthly prize of KD 20,000 NBK extends On this occasion, Surajit Banerjee, Head of Credit inside or outside Kuwait as and a semi-annual prize of KD 500,000 in Cards Product, National Bank of Kuwait said: “NBK is well as when using their addition to the largest prize - linked bank keen on the safety of its customers and is committed cards while traveling. They account payout of KD 1,500,000. validity of to preserve their rights and give them the utmost ben- can redeem their points Al-Najma Account can be opened by efit from the reward programs provided to them, in online to book flights with depositing KD 100, and customer should main- NBK Miles view of the prevailing exceptional circumstances.” 800 airlines, or an accom- tain a minimum amount of KD 500 to be eligible Banerjee pointed out that the extension of the validity modation with 150,000 to enter all draws on Al-Najma Account prizes. KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) is keen to of NBK Miles Points comes as part of the bank’s hotels or rent a car at lead- As for the chances of winning, the more balance preserve the rights of its customers and to meet all endeavors to provide the required support to cus- ing car rentals from around a customer maintains in Al-Najma Account, the their needs in an easy and convenient way, while keep- tomers by all means, so that they benefit from their the world. Customers can more chances the account holder will get to ing them safe under the prevailing exceptional circum- points in an easy and convenient way once these also exchange their points win, the account also offers additional benefits stances. To this end, the bank has extended the validity exceptional circumstances come to an end. Banerjee with any other airline Surajit Banerjee like the ATM card, a credit card against cus- of NBK Miles Points available for NBK Credit noted that NBK Credit Cards give customers the rewards program partici- tomer’s account and all CBK banking services Cardholders expiring in January 2021 until June 2021. opportunity to take part in the campaigns launched all pating in the NBK Miles Program. that customer can enjoy. This extension gives NBK Customers the opportu- year round. Customers also enjoy a unique lifestyle NBK Credit Cards are the best and convenient The bank revealed that Al-Najma account is nity to use NBK Miles at a later time to allow them thanks to the many benefits offered by these cards to method to make payments and give customers access available to everyone, and anyone can open Al- get the utmost benefits when life returns back to nor- their holders, ensuring they enrich their banking to many benefits, especially when using their credit Najma account through CBK mobile application mal. Customers earn NBK Miles Points when using the experience at all times. card for shopping, including the NBK Rewards in simple steps from anywhere and at any time. following NBK Credit Cards: Visa Infinite Credit Customers earn NBK Miles Points every time they Program, NBK Miles Program, NBK Secure Shopping, Cards, World Elite Mastercard, NBK Miles World shop in stores or online, withdraw cash, or make any and warranty extension service.

NBK Money Markets Report

stagnant near the 0 percent levels until 2023. If real GDP growth last week. From the last US GDP rebound President Joe Biden has vowed to conclude 100 Fed holds key rate we took a look into the Fed Funds Futures it is release in October, there has been a substantial Despite increased restrictions and lockdowns million doses during his first 100 days in office pricing 0 hikes and/or cuts until January of next upward revision to the US GDP forecast with and hence significant drop in economic activity, steady amid weak year. Nevertheless, economic recovery espe- most of Europe downgraded. The US is now real GDP grew at a solid pace in the fourth quar- Lagarde’s speech cially when it comes to the labor market and forecast to grow by 5.1 percent in 2021 with the ter of 2020 in the United States. Real GDP rose ECB president Christine Lagarde said last inflation targets will be main catalysts for $900 billion fiscal stimulus package agreed in 4.0 percent on quarterly annualized basis in Q4 Monday that 2021 could be a year of recovery, US economic data changes in monetary policy, as Fed Chairman December explaining much of that revision. 2020, a touch below consensus expectations. but that would most likely be accompanied by a Powell keeps reiterating in his remarks. President Biden’s latest package that is being The recovery still didn’t make up for a bad first “very high level of uncertainty” before achieving KUWAIT: In its first monetary policy meeting The US dollar rose as a “short squeeze” led negotiated in Congress ($1.9 trillion) is not at all quarter and a historically awful second quarter. the transition to a “new economy”. In an online of the year, the US Federal Reserve delivered a to an unwinding of risky positions as investors incorporated into the IMF projections implying For 2020 as a whole, GDP decreased by 3.5 per- panel discussion for the World Economic Forum, slightly dovish tone as it held its main interest worry massive losses by hedge funds could a further substantial upward revision is possible. cent from the prior year. That was the worst Lagarde said that data from the fourth quarter of rate close to zero and kept its asset purchases force liquidation of other investments. The The IMF estimates that package if passed in full decline since 1946. It was the first time US GDP 2020 indicated that the “journey to recovery” in steady. The central bank described a waning in retreat in stocks and rise in US dollar saw the could add a further 1.25 percent to US GDP declined since 2009, when it fell 2.5 percent dur- the Eurozone has been “somewhat delayed but the recovery evident by weakness in economic Dow Jones drop to a 3-month low while the growth this year and 5.0 percent over the next ing the financial crisis. not derailed” as a series of lockdown measures data. In its statement, the FOMC said: “The S&P 500 index lost 2.24 percent of its value. three years. and restrictions have had to be rolled out despite pace of the recovery in economic activity and Looking at Treasuries, the yield on the US 10- The IMF does make some very crucial US consumer confidence the positive progress in vaccinations. employment has moderated in recent months, year note declined though remained above the assumptions - one that is widely shared Consumer confidence in the US rose slightly The euro showed no immediate reaction to with weakness concentrated in the sectors most 1 percent mark as its safe-haven appeal amongst market participants and one that is in January to a reading of 89.3 from 87.1 in the comments as it kept trading in a narrow adversely affected by the pandemic.” The mod- attracted investors after the growing concerns much more debatable. The first is that the vacci- December. The gain reflects optimism following range throughout the week from 1.2060 to eration in activity led Powell to state it is now of retail-traders speculations in the equity nation roll-outs accelerate and importantly is the release of vaccines as well as the $900 bil- 1.2180. “too early to focus on tapering dates” as the market in certain stocks. quicker than any further developments of lion in additional pandemic relief provided by the economy is still far from its inflation and mutated variants that could cause the COVID government. So far in the US, more than 25 mil- Kuwait employment goals. IMF report crisis to worsen again. This is certainly what is lion people have been infected with COVID-19 Kuwaiti dinar Markets are expecting interest rates to be The IMF released its updated projections for currently priced into asset prices. while about 6 percent have been vaccinated. USD/KWD closed last week at 0.30285. 11

Monday, February 1, 2021

s

i

i i ry

To advertise on this Page Call: 24833199 ext:101,102 or Direct line: 24835616 / 24835617 or email: [email protected] 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Monday, February 1, 2021

front-line Swedish nurse is getting been admitted to the hospital has been Enroth will also have a tablet and some COVID downtime with a passing through the emergency ward,” headphones if she wants to watch films Aweek of private screenings of the she told journalists. elsewhere on the island, which meas- Gothenburg film festival, in a former The organizers said they were sur- ures just 250 meters by 150 meters. lighthouse off the country’s west coast. prised by the numbers of applicants for With only one other person staying per- More than 12,000 candidates from 45 the prize but were confident they had manently on the island-a safety precau- countries applied to watch the festival’s chosen the right candidate-not only for tion-Enroth’s only contact with the out- films in almost near isolation on an her love of cinema. “She has also ded- side world will be through her video Lisa Enroth, 41, an emergency nurse and film fan from Skovde, arrives to Hamneskar island, island 400 kilometers (250 miles) from icated this past year in the frontline diary about the films she has viewed. near Marstrand island, north west of Gothenburg, Sweden. — AFP photos Stockholm. The prize is a week viewing against the COVID-19 pandemic,” the The festival’s films will be shown online as many of the festival’s 70 premieres festival’s creative director Jonas and two venues in Gothenburg itself will as they like in a hotel in the former Pater Holmberg said to AFP. “That’s also allow screenings for just one person at a Noster Lighthouse. But they will be in one of the reasons we chose her”. time. Holmberg, the festival’s creative isolation and will have no access to their own computer or laptop. The bright-red lighthouse, built on a tiny island off Sweden’s west coast in 1868, is surrounded by a scattering of squat, red buildings originally built to house the lighthouse keeper’s family. It can only be reached by boat or helicop- ter, depending on the weather. After a series of interviews and tests, festival organizers chose emergency nurse and film buff Lisa Enroth for the prize, in keeping with the 2021 festival’s theme, Social Distances. Before boarding a Swedish Sandra Fogel watches a movie alone among empty seats in a cinema hall during the small speedboat out to the island on the Gothenburg Film Festival. clear, chill winter’s morning, Enroth said she had applied not only out of her love for the cinema, but also to seek respite from her hectic work as an emergency nurse during the pandemic. “It has been hectic, so it’s a nice opportunity just to be able to land and to reflect over the year,” she said. Swedish Sandra Fogel awaits to watch a movie alone among empty seats in a cinema hall Months working amid COVID crisis during the Gothenburg Film Festival. Sweden, which has taken a light- touch approach to the pandemic com- director, said he hoped events like pared to its neighbors, has been facing Isolated screenings these would maintain interest in the a stronger than expected second wave Boarding the boat dressed in a thick industry at a time when many screens of the virus. So far, more than 11,500 survival suit, Enroth sped over the are closed because of pandemic people have died from COVID-19 calm, icy waters, jumping off in the restrictions. “We are longing so much to across the country. Enroth works in the island’s tiny harbor and disappearing come back to the cinemas and in the emergency ward of a hospital in Skovde into her lodgings. A screen has been meantime we have to be creative and in central Sweden. Since the start of the set up in the lantern room at the top of do the things that we can to create dis- pandemic, her hospital’s work caring for the windswept island’s lighthouse, cussion,” he told journalists. — AFP virus patients on top of their regular offering a 360-degree view of the sea workload has been intense. and coastline around. Another wide “We had a lot of COVID cases dur- screen has been set up in one of the Passers-by walk in front of the entrance of the cinema Draken, where the Gothenburg Film ing this year and every patient that has island’s buildings. Festival takes place.

and imagine a way to recreate the ener- gy of the full festival experience digital- Indian.” The film explores the violence Online Sundance ly,” she added. and trauma that has stalked genera- Rebecca Hall tions of Native Americans, through the ‘Black Woodstock’ tale of two young Ojibwe boys who opens to virtual “CODA” was based on French 2014 explores biracial murder a classmate and must confront comedy “La Famille Belier,” transplant- the truth decades later. Directed by ovation for ed to the US fishing town of Gloucester Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr., who is Native by director and Massachusetts native identity in personal American, the film depicts violence and Sian Heder (“Orange is the New alcoholism among its lead characters, deaf drama Black.”) Both Heder and Jones learned debut ‘Passing’ but places those behaviors within the sign language for the film, which fea- context of the childhood abuse and tures several prominent deaf actors in racism they also face. he Sundance Film Festival, forced In this file photo Emilia Jones attends lead roles including Oscar-winner ritish actress Rebecca Hall on online this year by the pandemic, Netflix’s “Locke & Key” series premiere photo Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser Saturday described how she Tquietly opened to a virtual “stand- call at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, God.”) “This film has changed my life Bdrew on her own biracial identity ing ovation” for deaf family drama California. — AFP forever,” said Jones, who told the virtual to direct her first film “Passing”, as it “CODA” Thursday. Taking its title from audience she was continuing to learn premiered at this year’s online an acronym for child of deaf adult, ed. The unusual debut is a world away the “beautiful” language. Sundance Film Festival. Adapted from “CODA” follows high-school teen Ruby from the flashy, red-carpet screenings The movie employed real CODAs on Nella Larsen’s seminal novel, the movie (Emilia Jones) as she juggles her musi- and after-parties Sundance typically set as translators where needed, and explores “racial passing,” as two child- cal ambitions with her family’s depend- holds each January high in the Utah Heder said she hopes the film will hood friends of mixed racial heritage ence on her to communicate with the mountains, where Hollywood migrates inspire Hollywood to make more disabil- have a chance encounter in 1920s “hearing” world. The first in-competition to watch and cut deals for the coming ity-focused films. “We are hungry to New York while both pretending to be film to stream for remote attendees of year’s hottest indie titles. hear new stories that we haven’t white. “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” star the prestigious indie festival, it drew Sundance organizers have this year heard... this is a world of new stories, in Hall is the daughter of celebrated immediate rave reviews, with Variety invited industry types to “trade in your the disability world,” she said. Thursday British director Sir Peter Hall and calling it “tender, lively, funny, and snow boots for slippers,” and created also saw the premiere of “Summer of Detroit-born opera singer Maria Ewing, beautifully stirring,” and Deadline prais- networking events for filmmakers to min- Soul (...Or, When The Revolution Could whose own father was Black. ing a “breakout performance” from gle with audiences in “avatar” based Not Be Televised),” musician “It was something in my family that Jones (“Locke & Key.”) chat rooms and virtual-reality cinemas. Questlove’s first movie about the huge was always known and not known-that “I would say it’s the equivalent of a “We had a choice to make-we could “Black Woodstock” festival that took my grandfather passed for white, and standing ovation,” Sundance program- cancel or move the festival,” said direc- place in 1969 Harlem.—AFP probably his parents were both African- In this file photo taken Rebecca Hall attends ming director Kim Yutani told the cast tor Tabitha Jackson, opening the festi- American and passed for white also,” the final season premiere event for as she hosted an online Q&A immedi- val Thursday. “Or we could take a risk said Hall. After several “evasive” con- Showtime’s “Homeland” at MoMa in New ately after its streaming premiere end- versations within the family about race, York City.— AFP “I started to think about... how I present as this white-passing person, who has “For a long time Hollywood has por- all of the privileges and am afforded trayed us in grotesque ways,” said that because of how I look,” she Michael Greyeyes, one of the film’s added. Artist Jonas Never many indigenous stars. “I felt safe to The movie is shot in black-and- (@never1959) paints a reclaim that kind of portrayal... in our white, which Hall said was a “concep- mural of Senator Bernie terms.” Also starring are Kate Bosworth tual choice to make a film about col- Sanders in Culver City, and Jesse Eisenberg, who said playing orism... that drains the color out of it.” It California. — AFP a “metaphor... of the upwardly mobile swaps the usual widescreen format for white guy” as glimpsed by Greyeyes’ a tight 4:3 ratio, reflecting the repres- Vermont schoolteacher whose character was a “vital kind of education sion both characters contended with homemade mittens went viral after that Americans should have.” Top US from society and from within, as they try ASenator Bernie Sanders wore indie film festival Sundance, co-found- to find their place in the world. While them at President Joe Biden’s inaugura- ed by Robert Redford, typically takes Irene (Tessa Thompson) is embar- tion has found a manufacturer to fulfill the place each winter in the Utah moun- rassed by her attempt to “pass,” Clare resulting thousands of orders for her tains, where multi-million-dollar deals (Ruth Negga) has disguised herself for cozy gloves. “I have amazing news! I’m are struck for many of the year’s most years, with a wealthy and oblivious partnering with Vermont Teddy Bear to coveted arthouse titles. white husband but a yearning for her make Bernie’s Mittens for EVERYONE!!” Due to the pandemic, all of this old community. Jennifer Ellis tweeted Saturday, adding year’s 72 feature films are making their “I was so crushed by the psycholog- that some of the proceeds would benefit premieres via online streaming, with ical cost of feeling you have to make a the Make a Wish Vermont charity. “I else. Ellis said she was so touched that reached out looking to buy a pair of the festival ending Wednesday. On decision to sever yourself from your knew there had to be a way to get them she sent Sanders another 10 pairs. these awesome mittens. Sadly I don’t Saturday, Apple announced it had community, and essentially from one’s to you-and I found it!!” the second-grade The senator’s homely brown and really make them anymore. But I want to won an intense bidding war for global self, in order to survive,” said Negga. teacher said. beige mittens featured prominently in a make sure that you get a pair,” Ellis said rights to this year’s festival opener “It’s a paradox.” The Hollywood The 42-year-old had sent Sanders a photo from the January 20 inauguration in a video on the Vermont Teddy Bear “CODA.” The movie, about a high- Reporter praised Hall’s “thoughtful, pair of her mittens, made from repur- showing Sanders sitting alone in a fold- Company website. school teen who is torn between pur- provocative and emotionally resonant” posed wool sweaters and lined with ing chair, bundled up and seemingly “Everybody who wants these mittens suing a music career and staying debut, while others criticized its slow fleece made from recycled plastic bot- unimpressed with the pomp and circum- will get them,” she said with the enthusi- home to support her deaf parents and pace, with the Guardian dubbing the tles, after he lost to Hillary Clinton in the stance. The image by AFP photographer asm of, well, a second-grade teacher. brother, drew a rapturous response film “elegant but inert.” 2016 Democratic presidential primary, as Brendan Smialowski became the first Ellis told AFP three days after the inaugu- from critics at Thursday’s premiere. It a consolation gift. Last year, as Sanders viral meme of the Biden era, with the ration that she had received around reportedly sold for a Sundance-record ‘Grotesque ways’ was running again for president, Ellis apparently aloof Sanders superimposed 13,000 emails from people who want to $25 million. — AFP learned that he was wearing the mittens- on everything from “Star Wars” scenes buy her mittens. “Not just one pair-peo- Also tackling the motif of racial bias ”people were calling them his oven to Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last ple want lots of them,” she said. — AFP from a deeply personal perspective mitts”-but had lent them to someone Supper.” “Many, many of you have Saturday was the premiere of “Wild Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Monday, February 1, 2021

People inspect palm wicker products on display, made by Halima Mohamad. Halima Mohamad sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha. A man inspects palm wicker products on display, made by Halima Mohamad.

n front of a bundle of palm fronds, Accord (GNA), residents of Tawergha select supple strands and to then “dry Halima Mohamad squats down to began to slowly come back. Around a them in the sun for several days.” Iweave in an abandoned school in third of the original population of the Then the leaves are “soaked in water Tawergha, a town once a flashpoint in town have returned, though the scars of to soften them” before the weaving work Libya’s decade-long war. Mohamad war remain, with houses riddled with can even begin, she added. “My father makes baskets from date palm leaves, bullet holes and craters left by artillery and my sisters have been working in using traditional skills handed down fire. basketry for almost 50 years, and I start- over the generations and reconnecting For some, the town’s ancient tradition ed doing it 20 years ago,” she said. A her to a way of life nearly destroyed by of weaving offers a way to earn an workshop run by a local group and sup- the chaos of conflict. “We must preserve income-as well as resuming a way of life ported by the International Organization this heritage inherited from our ances- that the war had stopped. For for Migration (IOM) brought in experts to tors,” said 55-year-old Mohamad. “It’s Mohamad, her primary motivation is help perfect the weaving techniques. our identity.” The mother of two spends money. “I work long hours because the There is no shortage of raw material, an average of 16 hours a day in the income is decent,” she said. As she sits with thousands of date trees dotted all room that serves as her workshop, plait- knotting the long thin leaves together, around. ing the fronds into baskets, trays, floor the fresh scent brings back memories of “In the past there was a famous mats and wall decorations. her childhood. Monday market, where artisans traded The town has suffered; when Libyan handicrafts, crockery and woven tex- dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled in Keeping traditions alive tiles,” said Faraj Abdallah, head of a 2011 in a NATO-backed uprising, peo- She follows the repetitive handwork handicrafts association in Tawergha. ple took revenge on those seen as his in moves learnt from her elders, and col- But the weavers still struggle, compet- supporters-including the entire town of A man and boy pose for a picture next to palm wicker products on display, made by Halima ors the strands with three traditional ing against modern goods and cheaper Tawergha. Its 40,000 residents, many Mohamad. dyes-blue, green and purple-to add imports from neighboring Algeria, Egypt the descendants of slaves, were forced splashes of design. “We use special and Tunisia, while weavers say there is to flee, with militia forces torching lives-barely surviving for seven years in since the fall of Kadhafi, but rival sides dyes,” she said. “We fill large barrels in no export strategy. “The authorities must homes and destroying buildings. hard-scrabble dusty camps scattered finally agreed a fragile ceasefire last which we boil the palm leaves until they allow exports to allow this craft to pros- across the country, and forbidden to October. Under a separate deal struck soak up the colors.” As her fingers twist per,” said Mahmud Khairi, owner of a Scars of war return home. The oil-rich North African in June 2018 with the backing of the and tie the thin stems, she explained basket shop in Tawergha. — AFP Residents like Mohamad ran for their nation has been riven by civil war ever UN-recognized Government of National how her relatives had taught her to

North Shields, northeast England, The show, with its outlandish costumes The Animals Valentine formed The Animals with and racy sex scenes, has been lauded singer Eric Burdon, bass player Chas Bridgerton sets for casting Black actors in period drama Chandler, organist Alan Price and roles that are traditionally played by guitarist Hilton drummer John Steel in 1963. The band white actors. went on to have a number of other hits new Netflix Valentine dies at 77 including Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood and We Gotta Get Out Of This Place. record with 82 ilton Valentine, a founding mem- The original members drifted apart ber and original guitarist for the towards the end of the 1960s and HBritish 60s pop group The Valentine later produced the solo album million viewers Animals, has died at the age of 77, the All In Your Head. Burdon paid tribute to band’s record label said. “Our deepest the guitarist who wrote the the iconic sympathies go out to @HiltonValentine’s opening riff of House of the Rising Sun. ridgerton has become Netflix’s Scottish electronic pop producer Sophie. family and friends on his passing ... at “The opening opus of Rising Sun will most popular new series, with the age of 77,” the label ABKCO Music, never sound the same,” Burdon wrote more than 82 million households on Instagram. “You didn’t just play it, B posted on Twitter. “Valentine was a pio- tuning in to watch the period drama, the neering guitar player influencing the you lived it! Heartbroken by the sudden streaming service has announced. The sound of rock and roll for decades to news of Hilton’s passing. “We had great show reached number one in 83 coun- come,” it added in a statement Friday. times together, Geordie lad. From the tries including the United States, Britain, The band was best known for its North Shields to the entire world...Rock Brazil, France, India and South Africa, 1964 hit House of the Rising Sun, which In Peace.”— AFP Netflix said in a statement Wednesday. rose to the top of the charts in both “I’m SO proud of the incredible team Britain and the United States. Born in behind this show! And thank you guys for loving it,” 25-year-old actor, Phoebe Dynevor, who plays Daphne Bridgerton, cottish electronic pop producer Hilton Valentine wrote on Instagram. Netflix said a Sophie has died at the age of 34 record 82 million households watched the show in its first 28 days online, “It’s designed to be more lavish, sexi- Sin a “terrible accident”, the artist’s er and funnier than the standard period describing it as its “biggest series ever.” record label said in a statement on drama-and that’s what so surprised and Saturday. The Glasgow-born producer The previous record was 76 million views over a four-week period for “The delighted our members,” said Netflix was nominated for a Grammy for her vice president of original series, Jinny debut studio album in 2019 and collab- Witcher.” The figures are not subject to third party verification, unlike audience Howe. Bridgerton is produced by orated with Madonna and the British acclaimed American producer Shonda singer Charli XCX. “Tragically our beau- measurements for broadcast television. Bridgerton has made the top 10 in every Rhimes and is based on a series of tiful Sophie passed away this morning romance novels by Julia Quinn. It has after a terrible accident,” the statement country except Japan, the company added. The drama, set in early 1800s been commissioned for a second from UK music label Transgressive series. — AFP read. “True to her spirituality she had London, centers on the well-to-do climbed up to watch the full moon and Bridgerton family as it tries to navigate accidentally slipped and fell. Regency-era high society in England. “She will always be here with us. The family thank everyone for their love and impressively preserved. Horta paid work by Horta to have come down to us Saved from demolition support and request privacy at this dev- An Art Nouveau attention in his work to the whole interior, from the Art Nouveau period”. At the end At the time, real-estate developers astating time,” the statement on Twitter from the design of the building’s of the 19th century, the style revolution- had free rein in Brussels and the Avenue added. The producer, also known as exposed structure, to the living room fur- ized architecture with its aesthetic of Louise was engulfed by large office Sophie Xeon, released her debut single, gem unmasked niture, right down to the door handles. “It curves applied to glass and steel, materi- buildings. Even the most awe-inspiring Nothing More to Say in 2013. Her debut gives the feeling of the perfect building, als that were new at the time. The private Art Nouveau edifices were threatened by Album Oil of Every Pearly’s Un-Insides, in COVID-hit everything has been thought out, down mansion went on to have an eventful his- developers, according to the current released in 2018, was met with wide- to the smallest detail,” said Smet, gazing tory after the death of its first owner in owner, Alexandre Wittamer, grandson of spread critical success and nominated Brussels at a decor of yellow, orange and beige, 1930. Damaged by a German bomb the fashion house couple. “It’s hard to for a Grammy for best dance/electronic where the armchairs match the wood- during World War II-the main stained imagine, but in the 1950s and 1960s in album. The transgender artist spoke work. glass window had to be rebuilt-it was Brussels everything was allowed, and it about gender identity in a 2018 interview n emblematic Art Nouveau man- UNESCO included the Hotel Solvay saved from a wrecking ball at the end of happened that Art Nouveau buildings with the US magazine Paper. “For me, sion designed by Belgian architect on its World Heritage List in the early the 1950s, when a couple, running a were demolished, whether they were by transness is taking control to bring your Victor Horta has opened its doors 2000s. According to the UN agency, it is fashion house, decided to make it their Horta or other architects,” said the 43- body more in line with your soul and A to the public in Brussels, revealing a long “the most ambitious and spectacular workshop. year-old finance executive, who now spirit so the two aren’t fighting against hidden jewel of the city’s Belle Epoque organises visits with the help of his wife. each other and struggling to survive,” glory. “It is perhaps even more important For the time being, the architectural she said. Sophie co-wrote Madonna’s in the time of COVID to be able to spend gem will only be accessible on 2015 single B**h I’m Madonna and a relaxing moment in the midst of this Thursdays and Saturdays, provided that worked Charli XCX on the EP Vroom complete beauty,” said Pascal Smet, a time slot has been reserved in advance Vroom and the single After The heritage minister for the Brussels Region. online. That rule applies to all Belgian Afterparty. The French singer and song- Smet acted as a guide for a handful of museums, which have remained open writer Christine and the Queens paid journalists around the Hotel Solvay, a despite the pandemic unlike in Paris or tribute to the Sophie on Twitter calling three-storey mansion with a majestic London. Since the 1980s, after the end of her a “visionary”. “She rebelled against staircase where natural light shines the fashion business, the mansion had the narrow, normative society by being through a multi-coloured stained glass been used for private events and was an absolute triumph, both as an artist window. only visited on rare occasions and city and as a woman,” the singer said. “I The mansion was built between 1895 heritage days. — AFP can’t believe she is gone. We need to and 1903 on the once glitzy Avenue honor and respect her memory and Louise for the son of Belgian industrialist The Hotel Solvay, an Art Nouveau gem legacy. Cherish the pioneers.”— AFP Ernest Solvay, and its architecture is in Brussels, is now open for public visits. 14 Sports Monday, February 1, 2021 Marseille match postponed after ‘savage’ fans attack training ground Angry supporters demonstrate against team’s leadership, poor results

MARSEILLE: Marseille hit out at a “frenzy of have been a tragedy. Everyone is shocked, players violence” as their game against Rennes in France’s and staff. These are not real supporters, they are Ligue 1 on Saturday was postponed after hun- hooligans, delinquents, people who have no dreds of angry supporters broke into the club’s respect for anything.” training ground and caused widespread damage in The French league reacted to the incidents by a protest. postponing Marseille’s home game against Rennes, The hardcore Ultras, who were demonstrating that was scheduled for Saturday evening, “to a later against the club leadership and the team’s poor date”, even though it was due to go ahead behind recent run of results, assembled in the afternoon in closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. front of Marseille’s La Commanderie training Marseille were second in Ligue 1 when last sea- ground, throwing smoke bombs and firecrackers. son ended early because of the pandemic. However, “Several hundred Ultras used force and violence they have lost their last three league matches and to get into the training ground, including the first have slid 14 points behind leaders Lyon, albeit with team’s building,” the club said in a statement. “A two games in hand. frenzy of unjustifiable violence put the lives of A 2-1 win for Lens at Montpellier on Saturday those present in danger. Thefts were committed saw Marseille slip to seventh place. They have won and vehicles damaged. Five trees were burnt just one of their last nine games in all competitions down...several hundred thousand euros worth of and are due to visit Lens in midweek before hosting damage was caused.” fierce enemies Paris Saint-Germain next weekend. Local police in France’s Bouches-du-Rhone On Friday coach Andre Villas-Boas admitted he department earlier said 25 arrests were made and expected to leave at the end of the season. “The seven police officers were injured after “300 OM place needs a clear-out... I’m responsible for the MARSEILLE: A security agent walks at the entrance of Olympique de Marseille’ Robert-Louis-Dreyfus training cen- supporters violently attacked police officers present results and right now they’re awful,” the tre (formally known as La Commanderie) in Marseille, southeastern France yesterday, the morning after angry to secure La Commanderie”. Sports daily L’Equipe Portuguese former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham fans broke in. —AFP reported that Marseille’s Spanish defender Alvaro Hotspur coach said. Gonzalez was struck on the back by a projectile as For several weeks supporters have organized he went to confront the supporters. protests before home matches, which are all being “Follow AVB, get out of here”, “Parisians, get out porters working at the club. “We are all astonished: staff, coaching staff and played behind closed doors. On Saturday an of here”, “Give us back OM”, read some of them. “JHE: No Marseille fans at OM? Get out of players. We were not expecting a savage horde to increased number of banners attacking club leader- Eyraud, who was born in Paris, was a frequent tar- here”, said one banner unfurled above a motorway, turn up and destroy everything,” Marseille presi- ship, including Eyraud, were hung around the city get after he angered fans during a conference on and “JHE, Marseille vomits you out” said another at dent Jacques-Henri Eyraud told Canal Plus. “I on motorway bridges, roundabouts and even the management when he talked about the “danger” of the Prado roundabout, a few meters from the Stade think we avoided an even worse situation. It could Corniche overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. having too many Marseille residents or club sup- Velodrome. — AFP Ooredoo sponsors Int’l Show Jumping Bayern stay Championship 7 points clear KUWAIT: Ooredoo Telecom, the first to introduce innovative digital services in Kuwait, sponsored the in Bundesliga International Show Jumping Championship organ- BERLIN: Bayern Munich remained seven ized by Kuwait Riding Club. The three day event, points clear at the top of the Bundesliga follow- commenced on January 28, 2021, Ooredoo Kuwait ing a 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim on Saturday was the platinum sponsor to the championship, as Robert Lewandowski continued his incredi- which happened for the first time in the State of ble scoring run with his 24th league goal this Kuwait, and held at Kuwait Riding Center in Sabhan season. Industrial Area. It was a well-deserved victory for Lewandowski scored for the ninth straight Ali Al- Kharafi, when he won the Showjumping Bundesliga game, while Jerome Boateng, championship cup. Mijbil Alayoub, Senior Director, Thomas Mueller and Serge Gnabry also hit the Corporate Communications, Ooredoo Kuwait, said: net at the Allianz Arena. “4-1 is a very good “Kuwait International Show Jumping Championship result for us. We have won our last four games is the ultimate opportunity to bring the true Arabian - that is our yardstick,” said head coach Hansi culture to the world, in which it gathered elite riders Flick, whose side have regained form after from the entire world. Indeed, we, at Ooredoo back-to-back league and cup defeats earlier Kuwait looks to future with sponsoring such unique everyone feels welcomed to be educated about the positioning the State of Kuwait as a sports tourism this month. events that allow us to support the community, equestrian world, ignites us to continue delivering destination that hosts major sports events.” Kuwait The European champions exacted perfect improve unity and cooperation among countries, a forward-thinking championships that meet the Riding Center was established in 1996 as the first revenge for their only defeat of 2020 after los- and promote healthy competition.” needs of this contemporary and innovative genera- private riding center in the country. It trains more ing by the same 4-1 scoreline at Hoffenheim last Khalifa Al-Kharafi, Member of the Board of tion. Through its sponsorship, Ooredoo Kuwait than 500 riders and 120 horses, and competes September. Bayern were all business in Munich Directors of the Kuwait Riding Club, said: “Our with its pioneering role in supporting communities, locally and internationally, hence, the majority of as Boateng headed the hosts into an early lead. vision symbolized by building a place where contributes to honoring the Arabic culture and the horses are showjumping horses. Mueller then added a second having earlier struck the post. It was 2-1 at the break as Hoffenheim striker Kuwait bags three Andrej Kramaric, who netted twice in the reverse meeting with Bayern, volleyed home a cross for his fifth goal in three games. However, medals at Asian Bayern moved up a gear in the second half. Lewandowski tapped home having typically shooting tourney been in the right place at the right time after a Kingsley Coman shot was parried. It became a By Abdellatif Sharaa rout when Coman won the ball back and chipped over the defense for Gnabry to fire KUWAIT: Kuwait’s shooting team on Saturday between the legs of Hoffenheim goalkeeper won three silver medals at the Asian Online Oliver Baumann with an hour gone. Shooting Championship organized by the Kuwait A fifth Bayern goal was disallowed following Shooting Federation. The event featured more than a VAR review with Leroy Sane offside in the 400 shooters from 22 countries. Kuwait’s shooter build-up before Benjamin Pavard turned home. Saud Habib came second winning the silver at However, Mueller still saw room for improve- Men’s Skeet competition. Habib’s compatriot ment. “Because it was relatively easy for us to Nasser Al-Maqlad also ranked second with the sil- get into the danger zone up front, we missed a ver at Trap game and Iman Al-Shammaa won silver trick or two at the back” said Mueller, who at Women’s Skeet contest. President of the Arab praised the assured performance of goalkeeper and Kuwait Shooting Federations, and Secretary Manuel Neuer. General of Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC) KUWAIT: Kuwaiti shooters participate in the Asian Online Shooting Championship. Second-placed RB Leipzig kept pace with Duaij Al-Otaibi congratulated the Kuwaiti athletes Bayern in the table after Christopher Nkunku on their splendid performance and remarkable out- Otaibi dedicated this achievement to HH the Amir He also thanked those who were involved in organ- scored in a hard-fought 1-0 home win over comes during the championship, which featured the Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the izing the tournament, as well as all participating Bayer Leverkusen. Peter Bosz’s Leverkusen most outstanding shooters in the continent. He Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- federations. Duaij thanked President of ASC Sheikh dropped to fourth after a third defeat in the last expressed pride for “good results” made by the Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah for fortnight. Eintracht Frankfurt replaced them in Kuwaiti shooters. Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and the Kuwait people. his efforts to enhance the game in Asia. third as Portugal striker Andre Silva scored twice, taking his tally this season to 16 league goals, in a 3-1 home win over Hertha Berlin. about their chances of overturning Atletico’s con- were dangerous, though, and drew level before the Real Madrid siderable lead in the table. And with Real Madrid interval as Jorge Miramon’s cross to the back post Sancho shines slipping up again, it may now take a seismic col- was expertly caught on the half-volley by Morales. After three matches without a win, Borussia lapse for Atletico to miss out on repeating their Vinicius Junior came on for Madrid in the sec- Dortmund climbed to fifth with a 3-1 home vic- beaten to hand incredible La Liga triumph in 2014. “The team were ond half but made the worst possible start by tory over Augsburg as England winger Jadon sad in the dressing room,” said Zidane’s assistant kicking away the leg of Carlos Clerc, who was Sancho notched his third goal of the new year. Atletico title boost David Bettoni, who took charge of the side. “But shown by VAR to have had his right foot inside Dreadful Dortmund defending afforded Andre they still have the will to fight to the end.” the area. Courtois pushed away the penalty by Hahn too much time and space in the area to MADRID: Real Madrid had Eder Militao sent off in “You always have to fight, the season ends in Roger and with 11 men, Madrid might have seized fire Augsburg into an early lead. a 2-1 defeat by Levante on Saturday, handing May,” added goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. “It is the momentum. Erling Braut Haaland blasted a penalty Atletico Madrid the chance to move 10 points clear true that Atletico continue to win and are up there. Instead, their tired legs gave way and a well- attempt against the crossbar on 21 minutes, the We have to win and hope that the others lose.” It at the top of La Liga. Zinedine Zidane’s defending worked short corner by Levante gave a clear third spot-kick missed by Dortmund this sea- also leaves the Champions League as Real Madrid’s champions sit second in the table, seven points sight of goal to Roger, who made amends by fir- son. However, Thomas Delaney calmed their only obvious chance of a trophy this season after behind Atletico. nerves with a headed goal from a corner before they lost in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals and ing into the corner. Sevilla moved up to third in Militao was shown a red card in the ninth minute the table, a point behind Real Madrid, by winning Sancho put Dortmund ahead. went out to Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey. Augsburg defender Felix Uduokhai then at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium, with his team Madrid face Atalanta next month in the 2-0 away at Eibar. already without their injured captain Sergio Ramos Lucas Ocampos put Sevilla in front with a penal- scored an own goal as Dortmund bounced Champions League’s last 16. Militao was sent off for back from consecutive defeats. “A win like and COVID-stricken coach Zidane. Marco Asensio ty after the in-form Youssef En-Nesyri took a tum- bringing down Levante’s Sergio Leon, who was that is much nicer than the results we have gave Madrid the lead four minutes later but Jose ble in the box, before Jordan Moreno slid in at the darting towards goal when Militao cut across him had in recent weeks,” admitted Dortmund Luis Morales equalized close to half-time before on the edge of the penalty area. front post in the second half to seal victory. winger Julian Brandt. Borussia Roger Marti made up for missing a penalty by scor- But Madrid gave themselves a lead to hang onto Villarreal and Real Sociedad had to settle for a Moenchengladbach became the latest big ing the winner. shortly after when Asensio continued his recent point each in their bids for the top four after draw- name to struggle at Union Berlin after being Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman had admitted resurgence by sprinting onto Toni Kroos’ brilliant ing 1-1 but Valencia moved five points clear of the held to a 1-1 draw. — AFP earlier on Saturday his team “have to be realistic” through ball and finishing into the corner. Levante relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Elche. — AFP Established 1961 15 Sports Monday, February 1, 2021 Breno heads late winner as Palmeiras sink Santos to win Copa Libertadores Palmeiras earn spot in Club World Cup in Qatar

RIO DE JANEIRO: Breno Lopes scored in the ninth Hyundai before a potential final against European minute of injury time as Palmeiras won their second champions Bayern Munich. Copa Libertadores title on Saturday with a 1-0 vic- tory over Brazilian rivals Santos at Rio de Janeiro’s Santos left with ‘no answer’ Maracana stadium. Santos, who last won the tournament a decade Traditionally decided over two legs, for the sec- ago when a teenaged Neymar scored in the final, ond edition running the final — delayed two months missed out on the opportunity to become the first by the COVID-19 pandemic — was played as a Brazilian club to lift the trophy for a fourth time. one-off contest, kicking off in sweltering heat and “We had no answer. It was the last shot,” said inside a largely empty ground. despondent Santos forward Marinho. “I’m sad not Breno came on as a late substitute and planted a to bring this title home, but we fought until the end.” magnificent header beyond Santos goalkeeper John Despite the ban on supporters from the iconic deep into stoppage time to settle a scrappy 80,000-capacity Maracana stadium, the site of one encounter and earn Palmeiras a spot in this month’s of the city’s coronavirus field hospitals, local Club World Cup in Qatar. authorities agreed to grant entry to a few thousand “I can’t describe the emotion,” said Breno, calling invitees. Palmeiras, who held on to overcome River it an “unforgettable day” as Palmeiras added to their Plate in the semi-finals, were without the injured 1999 triumph, when they overcame Colombia’s Gabriel Veron, the highly-rated 18-year-old linked Deportivo Cali on penalties. “We wanted this title, I to a number of Europe’s top clubs. was rewarded with the goal and we’re the As for Sao Paulo rivals Santos, who won two of Libertadores champions.” their three Libertadores titles with Pele in the side Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira, 42, became just in the early 1960s, in Kaio Jorge, 19, they have one the third European manager to win the tournament, of the country’s most exciting young strikers. With emulating Portuguese countryman Jorge Jesus who attacking flair in limited display in the first half, it masterminded Flamengo’s 2019 triumph. Croatia’s wasn’t until Santos midfielder Diego Pituca’s specu- Mirko Jozic also won with Colo Colo in 1991. lative drive on 76 minutes that either team genuinely RIO DE JANEIRO: Players of Palmeiras celebrate with the trophy on the podium after winning the Palmeiras will pocket $15 million (12.4 million threatened. Copa Libertadores football tournament by defeating Santos 1-0 in the all-Brazilian final match at euros) in prize money after winning South America’s Palmeiras keeper Weverton shoveled the strike Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday. —AFP top club competition, with cash-strapped Santos away and a fizzing follow-up shot from Felipe earning $6 million as runners-up in what was just Jonatan flashed narrowly wide. Kaio Jorge then sent the third all-Brazilian final. Palmeiras now face a a tame overhead kick straight at Weverton, but with off for a touchline tussle with Marcos Rocha. peeled off his marker, hanging in the air to head in a Club World Cup semi-final on February 7 against the game seemingly destined for extra time there Santos briefly lost focus as the eight minutes of deep right-wing cross from Rony to spark jubilant either Tigres of Mexico or Asian champions Ulsan was late drama after Santos coach Cuca was sent stoppage time initially allotted elapsed, and Breno Palmeiras celebrations. —AFP

with 32.8 seconds remaining. Boston’s Lakers end losing Kemba Walker blocked a Davis shot News in brief but missed at the other end. streak with win Teammate Daniel Theis grabbed the Ganguly discharged from hospital rebound but couldn’t get his follow- over Celtics up effort to fall. KOLKATA: Indian cricket great Sourav Ganguly was The victory was especially satisfy- discharged from hospital yesterday after undergoing LOS ANGELES: Anthony Davis ing, Davis said, not necessarily for the a second heart operation in a month, with doctors optimistic that he will make a full recovery. The 48- scored 27 points to fuel the Los long history between two clubs that year-old, who now heads the country’s powerful Angeles Lakers, who ended their two- own 17 NBA titles apiece but because of what happened the last time the cricket board, was admitted to hospital in Kolkata, game NBA losing streak in dramatic the capital of West Bengal state, on Wednesday after Lakers played in Boston in March. style Saturday with a 96-95 victory complaining of chest pains. It was the second time over the Celtics in Boston. A well- “We got a little revenge,” Davis said. this year that the former batsman had to be hospital- rested Davis, who sat out the Lakers’ “This team beat us by 30 the last time ized, after being admitted in early January when he loss to the Pistons in Detroit on we were in this building.” suffered a heart attack while exercising. He under- Thursday with a bruised thigh, added went an angioplasty and had a stent inserted to open 14 rebounds for the reigning NBA Lillard lifts Blazers up his clogged arteries. —AFP champions. It came down to the buzzer in LeBron James finished with 21 Chicago, where Portland’s Damian BOSTON: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball points, seven rebounds and seven Lillard drained a three-pointer as time against the Boston Celtics on Saturday at the TD Garden in Boston, assists for the reigning NBA champi- expired to give the Trail Blazers a 123- Massachusetts. —AFP Garcia wants Pacquiao ons, who bounced back after defeats 122 victory over the Bulls. Lillard fin- in Philadelphia and Detroit. “We’re a ished with 44 points on eight 3-point- LOS ANGELES: Up and coming US lightweight Ryan team that takes pride in not losing two ers. Chicago appeared headed for coronavirus protocols to score 30 Milwaukee Bucks 126-114. Garcia said on Instagram Saturday that he wants to in a row and we lost two in a row,” victory when Coby White made a pair points in the Heat’s 105-104 victory Antetokounmpo scored 34 points with get in the ring with Philippine icon Manny Pacquiao in Davis said. “For damn sure we weren’t of free throws to put the Bulls up 122- over the Sacramento Kings. “You sim- 18 rebounds and nine assists. But with an official bout. With Yahoo among the outlets report- losing three in a row.” 117 with 11.5 seconds remaining. ply cannot put a modern-day analytic Ball’s effort off the bench, and 27 ing such a fight is in the works, Garcia said he wanted It was a close-run game, however. But Lillard, whose 44 points includ- to Jimmy’s will to win,” said Heat points from Gordon Hayward, the to make it absolutely clear that it wouldn’t be an exhi- Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and ed eight three-pointers, closed the coach Erik Spoelstra, who still had to Hornets followed up their victory over bition. “Hey everybody, I just want to make it real pulled down nine rebounds for the deficit to 122-120 with a strike from make do without injured Goran the Indiana Pacers on Friday with clear: My fight with Pacquiao would not be an exhibi- Celtics and Jaylen Brown added 28 beyond the arc with 8.2 seconds left. Dragic, Avery Bradley and others. another win over a top-five Eastern tion,” Garcia said in a video posted on his Instagram story. “It will be a real fight, shooting for 12 rounds, all points. It was a one-point game when The Blazers then forced a jump ball Butler scored 20 points in the first Conference team. with 6.2 seconds left and Lillard was half, but Miami couldn’t get ahead by And the Memphis Grizzlies, back on the line. Our records will be on the line. I just want Boston’s Marcus Smart departed with to make that very clear for everybody.” —AFP 10:28 remaining after a fall that left able to snag a loose ball and make the more than one and trailed by two at after having five games postponed him with what the Celtics said was a winner. It was a narrow escape for a the break. The Heat led by 11 early in because of coronavirus issues, picked calf strain. Blazers team that led by 19 in the third the fourth, before the Kings mounted up right where they left off with a James drained a three-pointer to quarter. Forward Lauri Markkanen a rally that would fall just short. 129-112 victory over the Spurs in San Plant retains title put the Lakers up 88-85 with 5:25 scored 31 points and guard Zach The Charlotte Hornets, with a Antonio. De’Anthony Melton led the career-high 27 points from rookie Grizzlies with 20 points off the bench remaining and the Lakers pushed the LaVine added 26 for the Bulls. LOS ANGELES: Undefeated Caleb Plant retained his lead to as many as seven points And it was close in Miami, where point guard LaMelo Ball, out-lasted and point guard Ja Morant added 19 International Boxing Federation super middleweight before the Celtics again narrowed the Jimmy Butler returned from a 10- two-time NBA Most Valuable Player points and 11 assists as Memphis crown with a unanimous 12-round decision over for- gap. Tatum cut the deficit to 96-95 game absence due to the league’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and the posted a sixth straight win. —AFP mer champion Caleb Truax in an all-American show- down on Saturday. Plant dominated every round, win- to NHL COVID-19 health and safety ning by perfect totals of 120-108 on the scorecards of all three judges in the matchup at Shrine Auditorium in Ovechkin returns protocols. “For me it was my first Los Angeles, staged without spectators due to the game after a 10-day break, so it was COVID-19 pandemic. It was the third time Plant from virus with kind of weird,” Ovechkin said. “But it’s defended the title he took from Venezuela’s Jose nice to get a win.” Uzcategui in January 2019, the 28-year-old improving OT goal for Ovechkin and three Russian team- to 21-0 but disappointed he suffered a hand injury in mates were sent onto the COVID-19 the fourth or fifth round. —AFP NHL milestone list and the Capitals were fined $100,000 by the NHL for “social WASHINGTON: Washington’s Alex interactions among team members Ovechkin scored 28 seconds into who were in close contact and who Rams trade Goff overtime in his return from a four- were not wearing face coverings” game COVID-19 absence to reach an after players reportedly gathered LOS ANGELES: The Detroit Lions are trading quar- NHL milestone Saturday in the without masks in a hotel room. terback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in Capitals’ 4-3 victory over Boston. The The Capitals played their fifth exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, according to 35-year-old Russian star netted the game without forward Evgeny multiple reports on Saturday. The Los Angeles Times, game-winning marker on a wrist shot Kuznetsov and goaltender Ilya NFL Network and ESPN, all citing unnamed sources, for his 708th career NHL goal, match- Samsonov, who remain in the COVID- said the Rams also sent Detroit a third-round NFL Draft selection this year and two future first-round ing Mike Gartner for seventh on the 19 protocol. Defenseman Dmitry Orlov was cleared to return but not in selections. The Rams made Goff, 26, the top draft pick league’s all-time scoring list. WASHINGTON: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals scores the five years ago. He has led the Rams to three playoff Gartner, a Canadian, spent most of the lineup. Washington improved to 6-0 with three overtime losses for 15 game winning goal in overtime in front of David Pastrnak #88 of the appearances in four seasons, reaching the Super Bowl his 19-year career with the Capitals in Boston Bruinsat Capital One Arena on Saturday in Washington, DC. —AFP in 2018. Before the 2019 season, he inked a $134 mil- the 1980s. The next player beyond points, matching Toronto for the league best in the early season. lion contract extension. But in 2020, he passed for a him in NHL goals is former 1970s career-low 20 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions and Vitek Vanecek made 40 saves for Boston star Phil Esposito on 717. 5-2-2, saw their four-game win streak season debut after having hip surgery the Rams finished 10-6. —AFP Ovechkin, the Capitals captain, was the Capitals. It was Washington ended but welcomed back forward in September. Ovechkin and Pastrnak playing in his first game after missing defenseman Zdeno Chara’s first game David Pastrnak, who had an assist and shared last season’s NHL goal scoring Washington’s past four contests due against his former team. The Bruins, played more than 20 minutes in his title with 48 each. —AFP Hertha eyes Khedira

lier. A Riccardo Improta own goal put the hosts midweek Milan derby was overshadowed by a BERLIN: Bundesliga strugglers Hertha Berlin have Lukaku double helps ahead early on against 11th-placed Benevento at clash between Ibrahimovic and former Manchester confirmed they are in talks with Sami Khedira and the San Siro. Lautaro Martinez scored 12 minutes United teammate Lukaku. could sign the former Germany midfielder before the after the break before Lukaku added two more. Ibrahimovic on Saturday drew a blank for a transfer window closes today. “We are talking to him, Inter keep pressure Champions Juventus moved into third, seven second straight league game for the first time this there are a few things to clear up and a few questions points off top spot with a game in hand, after a 2-0 season. Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski to answer before Monday at 1800 (1700GMT),” on leaders AC Milan win over Sampdoria. Milan bounced back after made a brilliant double save from the Swede early when the transfer window closes, Hertha CEO losses to Atalanta in the league and to Inter in the on. The visitors were awarded a penalty when Carsten Schmidt told Sky yesterday. According to MILAN: Romelu Lukaku scored a second-half Italian Cup on Tuesday, a game in which Zlatan Mitchell Dijks brought down Rafael Leao, with magazine Kicker, Khedira arrived in Berlin on double as Inter Milan kept the pressure on Serie A Ibrahimovic was sent off. Ibrahimovic stepping up to take it. But the 39- Saturday and was due to undergo a medical check leaders AC Milan with a 4-0 win over Benevento “It was a strong response from the team. A vic- year-old’s poor record from the spot continued yesterday. The 33-year-old is under contract at on Saturday. Antonio Conte’s Inter sit two points tory that gives us confidence at the end of a diffi- with his fourth penalty miss in all competitions this Juventus until the end of the season, but head coach behind their city rivals, who beat Bologna 2-1 ear- cult week,” said Milan coach Stefano Pioli. The season. —AFP Andrea Pirlo has yet to play him in 2020/21. —AFP Established 1961 Sport

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Liverpool back in business with win

Tuchel celebrates first Chelsea win • Brilliant Bamford helps Leeds sink Leicester

LONDON: Mohamed Salah scored twice as Tuchel said the victory would infuse his side with Liverpool muscled their way back into the Premier confidence but said they needed to sharpen up their League title race with a 3-1 win at West Ham yes- finishing after both goals came from defenders. “It terday after Thomas Tuchel celebrated his first should be a signal to our guys up front that we victory as Chelsea boss. Jurgen Klopp’s injury-hit needed defensive players to score,” he told BT champions appeared to have lost their way after a Sport. “We lacked precision in the last pass and five-game winless spell but are back on track after touch, but in the finishing we will work on this beating Tottenham and West Ham in the space of absolutely. We had a lot of touches, half-chances 72 hours. and deliveries in the box, but in the end I could not Earlier, defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos care less.” Alonso produced stunning finishes as Chelsea beat Chelsea earned the breakthrough their football toothless Burnley 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Leicester, deserved five minutes before half-time when looking to close to within two points of leaders Azpilicueta lashed home after a neat assist from the Manchester City, took the lead against Leeds but lively Callum Hudson-Odoi. The home side created Patrick Bamford played a part in all three goals as a succession of chances after the break and Alonso Marcelo Bielsa’s men stormed back to win 3-1. made the three points safe six minutes from time Liverpool came into their match against high-fly- when he controlled a Christian Pulisic cross on his ing West Ham with no fit senior center-backs and chest and thigh before firing past Nick Pope. The missing forward Sadio Mane. But two goals from Spaniard, who had been frozen out by Lampard Egypt international Salah lifted them to 40 points since September, kissed his Chelsea badge as the after 21 games, a single point behind Manchester players celebrated a vital win. United and four behind leaders Manchester City. Salah put the visitors ahead in the 57th minute Leicester slip up with a fine curling lob over Lukasz Fabianski and Leicester, unbeaten in seven Premier League added the second after a swift break following a games heading into their match against Leeds at the West Ham corner. Liverpool grabbed a third when King Power Stadium, had a chance to put real pres- substitutes Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade- sure on Manchester City. Harvey Barnes gave the Chamberlain combined to set up Georginio home side the lead in the 13th minute but Leeds Wijnaldum for a tap-in before a late consolation for were level just 127 seconds later when Bamford set LONDON: Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah shoots past West Ham United’s English defender West Ham’s Craig Dawson. up Stuart Dallas, who beat Kasper Schmeichel with Aaron Cresswell to score the opening goal at The London Stadium yesterday. — AFP Earlier, Tuchel celebrated victory at Stamford a low finish. Bridge in his second match in charge of Chelsea. The The visitors went ahead in the 70th minute when moments in the game where we played through to bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United in midweek former Paris Saint-Germain boss was brought in to Bamford beat Schmeichel with a left-footed strike their marking and pressure, but we just couldn’t and are now three points adrift of league leaders replace Frank Lampard last week with a brief to haul into the far top corner of the net and the Leeds for- quite find that bit of quality in the final third.” Manchester City having played a game more than stuttering Chelsea back into the race for Champions ward teed up Jack Harrison for a tap-in six minutes Late Saturday, Manchester United’s Premier their local rivals. A point edges eighth-placed League spots. He oversaw a frustrating goalless from time. “We have to go away and learn from that League title challenge suffered a second setback in Arsenal to within six points of the top four and it draw against Wolves in midweek but two moments and then look to get back to winning ways on four days as they failed to breakdown an under- was the Gunners who came closest to scoring when of magic from Azpilicueta and forgotten man Alonso Wednesday,” said Rodgers, who is missing leading strength Arsenal in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates. Granit Xhaka’s free-kick struck the bar in the sec- mean the German has four points from six. scorer Jamie Vardy. “We had a lot of really good United threw away top spot with a shock 2-1 defeat ond half. — AFP