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Opinion Seventy-year-old degree holders At ease Assad, all to normalize shown door in PAM automation By Ahmed Al-Jarallah Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times OnLine ... less work MAJORITY of the Arabs are con- Biden to ease on immigration ... path to citizenship ... ‘Values’ vinced that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has become confined to By Faris Al-Abdan the two parties, that the bilateral is- sues between them can be resolved Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies through direct negotiations, and that it is no longer an Arab-Israeli con- KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: flict. Therefore, the normalization of The Public Authority for ties between the Arab states and Israel is no longer a sin, but rather an urgent Manpower (PAM) has imple- need to confront an expansionist sec- mented the decision which tarian enemy - Iran. Based on this forbids the renewal of work fact, the normalization train will pass through all Arab capitals, including permits for those who have Damascus, sooner rather than later. reached the age of 60, with Realistically, there is no escape the exception of holders of a for Syria from reconciling with Isra- el. This will definitely rescue it from high school diploma or uni- Iranian terrorism, which worked versity degree. in partnership with the Americans Informed sources told the Al- directly or indirectly to create the Seyassah daily those who hold ISIS organization, and implement an agenda of sabotage and division of high school diploma or is a post- the Arab world. graduate can renew the residence This agenda is also intended to permit if the concerned person is pave the way for the control of re- from 60 to 65 years old and those ligious and sectarian groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood Group who are above 65 will have to - the historical ally of the Mullahs prove they are graduates is rare regime, Hezbollah, and other sec- specializations such as in special- tarian gangs, so that the Arab world ized medical professions, consul- becomes like a volcano of sectarian tants and other specialties which conflicts that Iran seeks to exploit in order to become the only regional the country needs. superpower controlling all its joints. However, those who are 70 and Those who review the US docu- above, their residence permits can- ments related to terrorism, and read not be renewed and that there is no the statements issued by the US Sec- renewal even for those with univer- retary of State Mike Pompeo about Iran’s involvement in the events of sity degrees and those with a diplo- September 11, 2001, the picture will ma since the new system at the au- become clear to them about the sys- thority does not accept the renewal tematic sabotage practiced by Iran, requests. and how it works through its agents In another context, the sources re- to recruit duped people of other na- vealed a new mechanism has been tionalities and sects to carry out its operations. launched for assessing the need of All the cards in the region have employees after the launch of the become exposed. The fact that Syria new automated system which will maintains its alliance with Iran in- be according to certain rules and creases the high price being paid by depending on the type and the area its people, who are tired of the futile of the business activity. war that has been ongoing for a de- cade and has resulted in hundreds of In another development, about thousands of deaths and injuries, and 5,000 expatriates are now required the displacement of millions. Iran’s to pay fines for the delayed renewal goal was to make Syria an arena for of their residency permits as a re- the implementation of its plan to con- sult of the disruption of the issu- trol the region by changing the reli- ance of work permit procedures due gious culture to one that is based on subordination to an Iranian sect that to the activation of services on the has nothing to do with even the Arab ‘Ashal’ automated system of the Shiites. PAM, reports Al-Qabas daily quot- By playing on sectarian religious ing sources. sentiments, the Mullahs regime sought to dominate Lebanon through Failure Hezbollah, and transformed it into a Sources explained the delayed is- killing and extermination force in suance of work permits and failure Syria. It also moved its other sectar- ian wings to ignite a civil war in it. to access the link system led to the Similar is the case in Iraq, which inability of companies to automati- transformed from being a pan-Ara- cally renew the residency permits bism entity into an abhorrent sectari- of their workers who must pay KD2 anism one. The same happened in fine per day of delay. Sources cited Yemen where the process of cultural the data from the General Depart- change began to unfold through the Houthis’ control of some state insti- ment of Residency Affairs in the tutions in Sana’a, and the devotion Ministry of Interior; stating that of deviant sectarian curricula. about 5,000 expatriates are consid- Today, the option is specific and ered to have violated the Residency clear to all Arabs. It is to seek rec- Law under such circumstances. onciliation with a sane enemy even Sources attributed the issue to the if he possesses nuclear weapons that he will not use because he is aware of recent amendments that PAM made their consequences, instead of con- in its automated system with the aim tinuing to ally with an insane terrorist of switching to an integrated elec- like the Iranian regime which works tronic system to eliminate manual according to a vision that dates back procedures gradually starting from to the Middle Ages, is based on kill- Jan 12, when some of the services ing, destruction and racial hatred. It is not constructive and will impose were launched while others will be a heavy price on Syria which has completed in the coming days. already paid part of it. If it does not The authority has updated its sys- leave the orbit of such a toxic coali- tem to allow linking of academic tion, there is no doubt that the price qualifications with professions in will increase and become heavier. Over the past decades, and even at the labor market, in addition to the the Beirut Summit in 2002, all Arabs amendment of job titles such that accepted reconciliation with Israel the system does not allow the reg- including those who rejected peace The US Capitol building is prepared for the inauguration ceremonies for President-elect Joe Biden as the ‘Field of Flags’ are illuminated on the ground istration of a degree holder whose treaties. They did not say that they on the National Mall on Jan 18 in Washington, DC. Approximately 191,500 flags will cover part of the National Mall and will represent the American specialization is not compatible would not reconcile with Tel Aviv, people who are unable to travel to Washington, for the inauguration. (AP) with the job and vice versa. but announced that they would be the last to do so. According to the new system, Therefore, we do not believe that ... ‘Values’ jobs in the need assessment files Syria will continue to drink the ter- Newswatch Day by Day are divided into three categories rorist venom presented by Iran just WASHINGTON, Jan 19, (AP): President-elect Joe Biden - professions, specializations and out of concern for its relationship plans to unveil a sweeping immigration bill on Day One of academic qualifications. Therefore, with the Mullahs regime. The coun- KUWAIT CITY: Two Kuwaiti it is not possible to register a uni- his administration, hoping to provide an eight-year path to IF the information that His Highness Sheikh try has an open window to salvation, citizenship for an estimated 11 million people living in the female citizens who came from which is reconciliation with Israel to Sabah Al-Khaled has apologized for not form- versity degree holder in a job for a U.S. without legal status, a massive reversal from the Trump Britain were infected with coro- uproot the Iranian cancer. navirus variant, the Ministry of ing the next government is true, this means that secondary certificate holder. There is no doubt that the Syrian administration’s harsh immigration policies. Health announced Tuesday. Al-Khaled is convinced and has denied himself The automated system also re- leadership has detailed information The legislation puts Biden on track to deliver on a major The two persons carried out the right because he does not want to confront jects the registration or renewal of about Iran and Hezbollah’s indirect campaign promise important to Latino voters and other im- PCR tests before boarding the parliamentary tampering while we are at a work permits for certain workers contacts with Tel Aviv. Therefore, migrant communities after four years of President Donald airplane from Britain but another crossroad where we need a prime minister who Trump’s restrictive policies and mass deportations. It pro- PCR test conducted upon arrival is able to stop not only MPs’ transgression on without the accreditation of their it should not be like a deceived hus- the powers of the executive authority but also band. Rather, it is in its interest to vides one of the fastest pathways to citizenship for those liv- at Kuwait International Airport university qualifications. showed they were infected with prevent them from crawling over the rule itself This came after PAM launched publicly announce any contacts with ing without legal status of any measure in recent years, but by repeating falsely interpreting that “the nation the Israelis, for it is ultimately a sov- it fails to include the traditional trade-off of enhanced border the variant, MoH spokesman new services which include a list Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad told is the source of all powers,” as if the ruler and ereign state and has the freedom to security favored by many Republicans, putting passage in a the leaders do not belong to this nation. of registered workers, a signature decide on this. narrowly divided Congress in doubt. KUNA. Should His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled He explained the two were approval certificate, cancellation Email: [email protected] Expected to run hundreds of pages, the bill is set to be in- return to power, he must be decisive and reso- of work permits due to expiration kept in quarantine and underwent lute or leave the position because we are tired, troduced after Biden takes the oath of office Wednesday, ac- genetic tests which showed they of residency outside the country, Follow me on: cording to a person familiar with the legislation and granted and our economy, security, and society are tired were infected with the variant. of this sluggishness and conflict over who has final cancellation of work for travel anonymity to discuss it. Some countries around the As a candidate, Biden called Trump’s actions on immigra- the right to the executive authority. or due to death, cancellation of na- world are taking further meas- … Yet tomorrow is another day. tion an “unrelenting assault” on American values and said ures to prevent spread of the new tional employment registration, and [email protected] he would “undo the damage” while continuing to maintain coronavirus variant, stepping up Zahed Matar registration of national labor no- border enforcement. genetic tests. (KUNA) tices through the automated system. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 2

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19, (KUNA): The Na- tional Council of Culture, Arts and Letters has overhauled some sections of the Kuwaiti her- itage market Al-Mubarakiya, with decorations depicting traditional Kuwaiti construction de- signs. Kamel Al Abduljelil, the NCCAL Secretary General, said after touring the bazaar, located in the heart of the capi- tal, that the face-lifting covered 23 stores, all licensed and ready for work. Fifteen shops will be auctioned for busi- nesses, in line with the NCCAL terms. The renovated and new stores will be ready to be invested by young Kamel Al Abduljelil citizens, Al Abduljelil affi rmed, in line with the State policy to encourage the youngsters. He affi rmed the council responsibility to pre- serve the genuine Kuwaiti features of the ba- zaar, marked with the kiosk of the late Amir Sheikh Mubarak. Al-Mubarakiya is a favorite leisure and rec- reational hub for locals and foreign tourists. The vast popular market is marked with spices’ aroma. It alleys are lined with displayed vari- ous handicraft products, traditional dresses, popular restaurants and others. Merchants and vendors also trade in fi sh, vegetables and dates. The refurbished parts of the market place dis- play dates and some plants, fed to livestock (the section is called Souk Al-Jet). For his part, Bader Al-Deweesh, the NCCAL Assistant Secretary General, affi rmed that the works covered the dates and jet souks, noting that the location where the dates are traded has been one of the historic and favorite landmarks for many years. Al-Deweesh has also affi rmed that the archi- tects, keenly, preserved Kuwait’s original and distinguished building designs while overhaul- ing the stores and other adjacent structures.

Al-Mubarakiya SOMETHING OLD … SOMETHING NEW ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the next 24 hrs: moderate to fresh north westerly wind Jahra 22 11 Prayer Timings By Day: Fair and with light to moder- with speeds of 25-60km/h with rising dust. Failaka Island - - Fajr ...... 05:20 Asr ...... 14:55 ate freshening gradually south easterly Station Max Exp Min Rec Salmiyah 21 16 Sunrise ...... 06:43 Maghrib ...... 17:15 wind to southerly wind with speeds of 12- Kuwait City 24 14 Ahmadi - - Zohr ...... 11:59 Isha ...... 18:36 42 km/h causing rising dust and some Kuwait Airport 22 07 Nuwaisib 21 10 scattered clouds will appear. Abdaly 23 06 Wafra 22 08 By Night: Cold and partly cloudy with Bubyan 19 11 Salmy 21 07

VACCINE REGISTRATION WEBSITE: https://cov19vaccine.moh.gov.kw/SPCMS/CVD_19_Vaccine_Registration.aspx

Kuwait Finance House scales 6 fils, KIPCO flat Kuwait’s stock index ekes out modest gains; volume surges By John Mathews the steepest decliner of the day and Arzan topped the volume with 70.6 million shares. Arab Times Staff Refl ecting the day’s gains, the winners KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: Kuwait stocks outnumbered the losers. 65 stocks ad- plodded higher on Tuesday tracking its re- vanced whereas 43 closed lower. Of the 137 gional peers. The All Shares Index climbed counters active on Tuesday, 29 closed fl at. 10.60 points in volatile session to 5,673.17 11,844 deals worth KD 52.39 million were pts helped by some of the mid and small transacted during the session. caps even as the blue chips remained large- National Industries Group was un- ly subdued. changed at 185 fi ls after moving over 6 The Premier Market rose 4.82 points to million shares and Mezzan Holding too 6,191.57 pts while the Main Index scaled did not budge from ite earlier close of 583 22.82 points. The BK Main 50 sprinted fi ls. Boubyan Petrochemical Co slipped 3 27.81 points to 4,821.81 pts. The volume turnover meanwhile surged to month’s highest level so far. Over 335 million shares ▼ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30310/200.30310/20 changed hands – a 31 pct jump from the day before. ▲ Euro/KD 0.368 The sectors closed mixed. Technology outshone the rest 2.56 pct gain whereas ■ Yen/KD 0.002 Real Estate shed 0.55 percent, the worst performer of the day. Volume wise, Fi- ▼ British £/KD 0.412 nancial Services topped with 158.8 million shares while Banking sector was ahead in ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.004 value with over KD 24 million. Among the notable gainers, Kuwait Fi- ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.006 nance House rallied 6 fi ls to 703 fi ls on back of 11.8 million shares while Boursa Securities Kuwait was up 8 fi ls at KD ▲ FTSE +7.62 pts at closing Jan 19 1.153. Gulf Insurance Co soared 40 fi ls to 650 fi ls and Kuwait Portland Cement ▲ Nikkei sprinted 20 fi ls. International Financial Ad- +391.25 pts at closing Jan 19 visors added 3 fi ls with brisk trading and KUNA photo Tamdeeen Investment advanced 5 fi ls. ▲ Gold $1,833.95 per oz (London) Refugees carry the boxes of foodstuff and basic needs distributed by the Al-Najat Charitable Society. Zain eased 1 fi l to 632 fi ls after pushing 3.2 million shares at the counter whereas Ooredoo jumped 26 fi ls to 690 fi ls taking ▲ NYMEX crude $52.39 per barrel Kuwait’s Al-Najat distributes aid to Syrian refugees the month’s gains to 63 fi ls. stc was up 5 fi ls at 899 fi ls whereas Agility gave up 5 fi ls to ▼ Brent crude $55.34 per barrel Kuwait’s Al-Najat Charitable Society, on Tues- ziantep and Reyhanli, in addition to the dis- food and basic needs in addition to the distri- settle at 739 fi ls. Humansoft Holding Co day, distributed humanitarian aid to Syrian refu- placed in Syria. bution of heating materials, he added. dropped 29 fi ls to KD 3.650. 3-month $ LIBOR rate 0.224% gees and orphans in several Turkish cities. He also noted that 2,185 refugees and dis- For his part, Al-Najat Director of the Or- KIPCO was unchanged at 159 fi ls after In a statement to KUNA, Al-Najat Direc- placed Syrians benefited from the humanitar- phans Department, Abdullah Al-Ruwaished, trading over 1 million shares while KA- tor of Resources and Campaigns Omar Al- ian aid, stressing the society’s keenness to affirmed that the association attaches special MCO tripped 1 fi l. Kuwait Investment Co fi ls to 667 fi ls and Al Qurain Petrochemical Shaqra said that this aid comes within the continue its efforts to help the Syrians in the care to the Syrian orphans, indicating that it and Bayan Investment Co stood pat at 126 Co took in 1 fi l. Integrated Holding erased urgent (warmth and peace) campaign for the neighboring countries. sponsors thousands of orphans in the neigh- fi ls and 41 fi ls respectively whereas Kuwait 4 fi ls after trading 2.2 million shares while Syrian refugees in the cities of Sanliurfa, Ga- The campaign included the distribution of boring countries of Syria. (KUNA) Financial Centre (Markaz) inched 0.2 fi ls Aznour clipped 1 fi l. into green. Jazeera Airways paused at 731 fi ls KMEFIC dialed up 2 fi ls and Osoul whereas ALAFCO was down 4 fi ls at 230 trimmed 2.9 fi ls to close at 142 fi ls. Na- fi ls with a volume of 6.3 million shares. tional Investment Co eased 1 fi l to 139 fi ls Kuwait Cement Co scaled 7 fi ls and Gulf Heated argument erupts as Speaker whereas Noor Financial Investment paused Cable inched 1 fi l up to 765 fi ls. Kuwait at 182 fi ls. Foundry Co tripped 1 fi l while ACICO In- The market opened on a tame note and dustries edged 0.9 fi l into green. NICBM rose sharply higher in early trade. The added 3 fi ls to close at 156 fi ls. main index scaled the day’s highest level UPAC slipped 4 fi ls to 246 fi ls whereas adjourns session for lack of quorum Combined Group Contracting Co dialed up of 5686 points and drifted south amid a selling bout and recovered again. It gave 2 fi ls. OSOS added 2.5 fi ls whereas Soor up some of the gains in the fi nal minutes Fuel and Oula Fuel stalled at 122 fi ls and Govt wasting citizens’ time, disrupting legislation: MP Jawhar before closing in the positive turf. 125 fi ls respectively. Al Rai Media too was Top gainer of the day, Metal and Recy- unchanged at 47.9 fi ls while EK Holding cling Co climbed 7.48 pct to 79 fi ls while Al clipped 2 fi ls. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Deera Holding scaled 7.44 percent to stand KCPC darted 14 fi ls to 434 fi ls whereas close behind. Thuraya skidded 18.7 pct, Burgan Well Drilling Co eased 1 fi l. mp profile getting to know you Arab Times Staff KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: National Assembly ‘We’re surprised at absence of vision’ Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim adjourned Voting Record the session on Tuesday due to the absence of the government which resigned recently. Fate of secondary school students Voting record ■ Law number 39/ 2014 on The decision led to a heated argument between him protecting citizens in 2014 – ap- and a number of MPs due to differences in the interpre- in limbo; ball is in ministry’s court Abdulkareem Al-Kandari proved tation of the relevant articles of the Constitution. Sunni/ Independent ■ Law number 30/2014 on Al-Ghanim pointed out the decision to adjourn the session By Abdulrahman Al-Shimmari effect on the students, their parents and the people working in this fi eld. Third Constituency organizing sports institutions in is in accordance with the Constitution and parliamentary tradi- Al-Seyassah Staff 2014 – approved tions, adding that fi ve former speakers did the same in a similar The sources criticized what they see as ■ Law number 37/2014 on tel- situation from1968 to 2021. He cited the last paragraph of Ar- KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: The fate of second- the state of weakness and shallow vision ABDULKAREEM AL-KAN- ecommunications and information ary school students will remain in suspen- in defi ning the sound educational approach DARI was born in 1981. ticle 116 of the Constitution, stating that the government must technology in 2014 – ap- be represented either by the Prime Minister or one of the min- sion until the Ministry of Education arrives at that the Ministry of Education is supposed He holds Doctor of Phi- proved a decision as to how to give grades because to pursue in light of the exceptional circum- losophy degree in Business ■ isters for a parliamentary session to push through. He argued Law number 29/2014 that although Article 97 of the Constitution stipulates the pres- the members of the education committee re- stances caused by the Corona pandemic, Administration Law and on establishing the Min- jected the proposals submitted by Ministry of saying the concerned offi cials must not isterial Court, corruption, ence of more than half of the MPs is necessary for a quorum, Commercial law. this article should be implemented in line with Article 116. Education during the meeting which was held reconcile with fear when it comes to taking He was a lecturer at the money laundering and fi- in the National Assembly and requested that the decision and bearing its consequences Faculty of Law in Ku- nancing terrorism in 2014 Absence the decision reached by the Ministry be done and defending it as it represents the opinion wait University. He is a – approved through a specifi c mechanism. ■ Law number 2/2014 Citing parliamentary traditions, Al-Ghanim said former of the people who are the closest in under- lawyer by profession. He on establishing the Na- Speaker Ahmed Zaid Al-Sarhan adjourned the session on Jan The sources indicated that the ministry has standing and realizing the requirements of is a member of Kuwait tional Fund for Developing 9, 1968 in the presence of the late constitutional experts Pro- postponed the approval of the grading mecha- the educational reality and its actual needs. Lawyers Society and Cen- Small and Medium Enter- fessor Othman Khalil Othman and Professor Ibrahem Abdul- nism decision in the secondary stage and its The Assistant Undersecretary for Gener- ter of Institutions Law at Al-Kandari prises (SMEs) in 2014 – wahab due to the absence of the government. He added speak- suspension to the second semester and weigh- al Education, Osama Al-Sultan, has issued Strasbourg University in approved ers adjourned sessions on 28 occasions because of the absence ing on the possibility of conducting paper tests a decision on the distribution of grades for France. of the government. for the fi rst and second semesters, pointing out the fi rst semester for all educational levels. He contested the 2013 parlia- He stressed that he fully respects the MPs’ points of view, that the ministry places its hopes individually The text of the decision stated based on mentary elections; during which he urging them to submit a proposal to the Constitutional Court on conducting paper tests for students without the approval of the Undersecretary of the 5,585 votes and ranked first in the to explain the disputed articles and this resulted in a heated referring to the Ministry of Health. won 1,424 votes and ranked 10th Third Constituency. Ministry of Education, please know and in the Third Constituency. He re- argument between them. He said Law No. 14/ 1973 on the The Ministry in this regard can request a work to start monitoring students’ grades. signed from the 2013 National As- Statement establishment of the Constitutional Court states it is the only meeting with the concerned authorities to de- ❑ ❑ ❑ entity to rule on constitutional disputes and it is the only body termine the extent to which this can be achieved sembly. Al-Kandari said the national- authorized to interpret and explain articles of the Constitution. in the coming months, based on its reading of E-payment services: The Ministry of In the 2016 elections; he won ization of the judicial authority is He added that in the 2016 Parliament, MP Mubarak Haif Al- the health situation in the country and discuss- Health has requested for eighth renewal of 3,325 votes and took the fourth necessary, so it does not remain Hajraf submitted a proposal to for the Constitutional Court to ing all possibilities, and then the Ministry giv- the contract for providing electronic payment place in his constituency. hostage in the hands of any foreign explain Articles 97 and 116 but the voting result was a tie - 27 ing its opinion and options without waiting for services concluded with Shared Electronic During the 2020 elections; he got community or party. votes in favor and 27 against. the zero hour to issue a decision. Banking Company (KNET) for a period of He and the previous government were among those who However, the sources say they are surprised three years at a cost of KD 3 million, reports approved the proposal, reiterating his call for the MPs to re- at the absence of any vision to take sound edu- Al-Anba daily quoting reliable sources. Talks on allowances disbursement submit the proposal. He went on to say that he adjourned the cational decisions since it has become evident Sources revealed the extension will be session on Jan 6, 2021 for the same reason but no one objected that the Ministry is creating more chaos and from May 8, 2021 to May 7, 2024; indicat- at the time and nobody said such action is a violation of the confusion in the education fi eld the conse- ing this contract renewal entails continua- Constitution. quences and repercussions will have a adverse tion of electronic payment services. Mid-term break starts Jan 24-Feb 24 On the other hand, several MPs expressed dissatisfaction over the decision of Al-Ghanim to adjourn the session. MP KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: Acting Minis- Abdullah Al-Mudaf said Article 97 stipulates that the presence try of Education Undersecretary Faisal Investment eyed of more than half of the MPs is required to achieve quorum; Al-Maqsid recently issued a decision to while Article 116 states the government should attend the ses- change the mid-year vacation in the aca- ‘Jordan aspires to hike sion but its presence or absence has no bearing on the legiti- demic sector, reports Al-Anba daily. macy of the session. The daily obtained a copy of the deci- Kuwait’s $18bn trade’ MP Hassan Jawhar asked Al-Ghanim what will happen if sion stating that the mid-year vacation AMMAN, Jan 19, (KUNA): Jorda- the government does not attend parliamentary sessions for a will be from Jan 24 to Feb 24; indicat- couple of years, then the speaker retored: “What if the MPs do ing this amendment will be included the nian Prime Minister Dr Bicher Al-Kha- sawneh affi rmed on Tuesday necessity not attend for a couple of years, is it possible to hold the ses- academic calendar of public and private sion in their absence?” of economic cooperation with the State educational institutions, religious insti- of Kuwait expressing Amman’s aspira- Stealing tutes, special education, adult education tion to lure more Kuwaiti businesses, Jawhar described the absence of the government as stealing and literacy centers. currently in the range of $18 billion. With this decision, the second semes- the citizens’ time and disrupting legislative work. He asserted The premier made the remarks dur- the excuse of the government is unacceptable, adding that res- ter of the current academic year will com- ing his reception of the Kuwaiti Am- ignation does not mean the government will not attend the ses- mence at the beginning of March. bassador to Jordan Aziz Al-Daihani, sions as it continues to function until its successor is formed. Meanwhile, Head of the Workers against backdrop of the recent parlia- He pointed out that Article 107 of the Constitution does not Union at the Ministry of Social Affairs ment’s granting of confi dence to the allow the government to disrupt parliamentary sessions, even Yahya Al-Dousari revealed that he re- Cabinet, where the two sides discussed in the event that the Parliament is dissolved. He clarifi ed that cently discussed with the concerned Civil means of enhancing the cooperation in in case the Parliament is dissolved and the government did not Service Commission (CSC) offi cials the the economic and business sectors. call for elections within the grace period of two months, the disbursement of contamination, risk, pol- Al-Daihani in a statement to KUNA Parliament resumes its sessions as if it was not dissolved. lution and noise allowances in a bid to after the meeting quoted premier Al- On Article 116, he stressed the need to read it from the begin- complete procedures related to the fol- Khasawneh as lauding volume of the ning to fully understand it. He said the articles gives the Parliament low up of the demands of workers in the Kuwaiti investments in Jordan; consid- the right to summon the concerned minister to a discussion of mat- Social Care Sector who did not receive ered the largest among the Arab and for- ters related to his ministry and the government must be represented these allowances, reports Al-Anba daily. eign businesses, estimating the Kuwaiti either by Prime Minister or one of the ministers. Speaking to the daily, Al-Dousari dis- investments’ value at $18 billion. He criticized the attitude of Al-Ghanim, saying that it is closed the CSC offi cials confi rmed that in wrong to depend on traditions if there are clear constitutional the next few days, they will contact the min- articles. lowances but were excluded in the previous He warned the new government will be in an era of unfor- istry through eligibility letters for workers disbursements in various sections of the sec- who are entitled to the above-mentioned al- gettable lessons if it adopts the attitude of its predecessor - tor - Juvenile, Elderly and Family Custody. stealing the nation’s time. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 LOCAL 4

KUNA photos HH the Amir with Al-Ghanim (left), and Al-Saadoun. HH the Amir receives state offi cials

His Highness the Amir Sheikh the new government. mad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, former Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sa- His Highness the Amir also re- Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh bah received on Tuesday at Bayan ceived former National Assembly Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sa- Palace National Assembly Speaker Speaker Ahmad Abdulaziz Al- bah and His Highness the Prime Min- Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim within the Saadoun, former Prime Minister His ister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad framework of consultations to form Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Moham- Al-Sabah. (KUNA) Jabriya residents ‘complain’ of govt’s neglect of the area ‘Violators must pay the price’

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: problem is the huge quantity of Rubbish and rubble besiege garbage and waste that pile up on the streets, public places and main Jabriya area from all sides, squares, insisting that the responsi- impeding the movement of ble parties need a clear plan of ac- the public. This has led the tion, instead of allowing chaos in latter to ask - Where are the the streets. It is worth mentioning that Jabriya authorities responsible for area is the most vital area of Kuwait these uncivilized landscapes? because of the commercial feature, They stressed that this area as there are many restaurants, cafes is considered one of the ideal and specialized stores. Residential complexes are spread in this area, areas and is supposed to ap- making it a densely populated one pear in a civilized gown, re- especially for the expatriate com- ports Al-Shahid daily. munity, besides the area occupied by One of the residents of Jabriya citizens. area Muhammad Salem criticized Al-Shahid photo One of the things that the residents Heavy traffi c fl ow in one of the ar- the General Traffi c Department for eas. of and visitors to the region complain not doing anything to put an end to about the most is the congestion ex- perienced daily in the mornings and the daily traffi c jams witnessed at waste and rubble scattered every- evenings. During the morning peri- the entrances and exits of Jabriya where, stressing that, “The violators area, as well as the bottlenecks in od, it becomes very diffi cult to enter must pay the price, and this depends and exit Jabriya. the same area. on the Kuwait Municipality, which He said, “It is assumed that you The area also suffers from negli- would find practical solutions to do not act to issue citations against gence of streets and roads. The street the phenomenon of traffic jams those who contribute directly to the between Blocks 6 and 5 has pot- that last for hours. This has been spread of waste without incurring holes, which prompted the residents happening due to poor planning any responsibility.” to repair them at their own expense and failure to create sufficient exits The residents of Jabriya area criti- or put up signs to alert the motorists for the area.” cized the neglect that has resulted about the existence of potholes that Another resident Khalil Abdul- in the distortion of the beauty of the could cause damage to their vehi- lah said the municipality is “absent” area. cles, in the absence of the role of the from the uncivilized landscape of They lamented that the main responsible authorities. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 LOCAL 5

Other Voices Kuwaiti threatens father with gun The ‘intolerable’ Bedoun issue Man involved in car thefts nabbed “THE Bedoun issue is a bureaucratic “This is the first step that will give KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: When he learned that his father and cooperation with personnel stores or pharmacies leaving their lie. It has grown because of mismanage- this category psychological, social and from the Criminal Evidences vehicles in running mode. ment by successive governments from economic stability, and remove the state had called the police, he escaped The securitymen have Department lifted fingerprints, A security source told the daily 1965 until now. The Bedoun issue of humility that has imposed on them a arrested an unidentified from the house with the gun and evolved from nothing and it was possi- life of misery and poverty or may force hid inside a mosque in the area. which has provided rich informa- the suspect who is in police custody ble to overcome it with simple and them to adopt more dangerous paths in Kuwaiti, who is believed The securitymen then combed the tion and helped close the files of has agreed to guide police to the uncomplicated administrative solu- future. area and found the suspect hiding in many vehicle theft cases, reports locations from where he stole the to be in his 20s, for point- Al-Anba daily. vehicles and disposed them in dif- tions,” columnist Dr. Ali Al-Za’abi “The policy of exclusion practiced ing a gun at his father a mosque. At the time of arrest he wrote for Al-Shahed daily. against the Bedoun category is the poli- was abnormal. A security source said there are ferent places. “On the other hand, we find that there cy of the weak and it may lead the soci- and threatening to shoot He has been handed over to the speculations that the accused is the According to a security source, are more than 200,000 people who have ety to great dangers, and once we bypass at him, reports concerned authorities. one who stole the vehicle of Indian the increase in cases of vehicle been naturalized these inhuman paths, the issue of natu- Al-Seyassah . ❑ ❑ ❑ in Waha, which was reported by thefts whether by deception or coer- in unclear ways, ralization can be resolved calmly away Al-Anba last Thursday, as happened cion, prompted the detectives to and the misfor- from the unhealthy humanitarian situa- This happened following a Vehicle ‘thief’ held: Personnel in the case of the theft of a vehicle of intensify their efforts which resulted tune is that most tion experienced by this group, which quarrel between them inside from the Criminal Investigation an elderly man inside a gas station, in the arrest of a Kuwaiti, who is in of them do not has been plagued by government negli- their house in Jaber Al-Ali. Department (CID), in coordination or cases of people entering grocery his 30s. belong to the gence in a very disturbing manner.” Bedoun category Also: that we know Nepali maid kills herself and are known “In terms of objectivity and impar- by official gov- tiality, and according to the assessment KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: An unidentified Nepali, ernment depart- of specialists, the state has done every- born in 1967 and working as a maid, has allegedly ments. thing it must to protect public health ended her life by hanging at the house of her sponsor “The dilemma Dr. Al-Za’abi and society from the threat of the in Al-Oyoun, reports Al-Anba daily. is created by Corona pandemic since its emergence, In her statement the sponsor said she did not successive government departments and in most cases it has anticipated notice any symptoms that would lead the maid to end over more than sixty years and now we developments and restricted the spread her life. enter the fourth and this category of of the epidemic, and this is evident in She also said if the maid had wanted to leave for people have been cut off from more than the measures and indicators that are her home, she would agree. broader than to mention it in a hurry, three generations from the homelands of A case has been registered at the Taima Police grandfathers, even if they are from out- however, the government, unfortunate- ly, has not done as it should have in the Station. Meanwhile, a Kuwaiti owner of a company side the borders of Kuwait and their has filed a case accusing the company’s accountant belonging to homelands and their last stage, that is to say the vaccination phase which is the most important of breach of trust, reports Al-Rai daily. attachment to the Kuwaiti identity more The complainant said the suspect stole a big sum has been undone. stage in facing the pandemic,” colum- nist engineer Adel Al-Kharafi wrote for of money from the company and did not show up for “These new generations know only work for nearly a week. Kuwait, and their fathers know nothing Annahar daily. but Kuwait, and official papers confirm “The companies that produce the that they did not leave this land for more Corona vaccine have been contracted at than forty years, with the exception of a relatively early stage, and the govern- those who go to Hajj, Umrah, medical ment has organized the vaccination site treatment, take part is sports teams or in the fairgrounds, and thanks to the attend army courses. state and the medical bodies. However, “Now, it is no longer possible -- this does not absolve the government of whether locally or externally -- to accept its responsibility for the slow pace of the the continuation of this miserable situa- vaccination process, the unavailability tion, which is suffocating and restricting of the required quantities of the vaccine, this group until we have reached a stage and the concentration of the vaccination of great socio-economic oppression that site in one location. has led some to commit suicide. This is “It is clear that the government has expected as long as all the doors and rushed to prepare for the provision of the means of livelihood have been shut on vaccine, with only one bird in hand, while the rest are on the trees. The citizens were them. pleased with the arrival of the vaccine, and “Just imagine -- dear reader -- that an the registration in large numbers for expatriate who is holding a high school receiving the dose, but they were disap- certificate can work in the public and pointed as a result of the slow process. private sectors while bedoun holding “Although the number of those who Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate registered to receive the vaccine is more degrees do not find a single door open for than 250,000 citizens, the number of them, and if they find, it is an insulting those who received vaccination does not door in terms of material or moral gain. exceed 20,000 according to official “What is required urgently is the issu- sources, and this is unfortunate, as the ance of laws to enable the Bedoun to vaccine was not available in the expect- obtain the basics of a decent life, includ- ed rate of 10,000 vaccines per day, ing education, health, housing, work, according to official health sources and the right to marry, obtain driving license we fear that seeking wasta (mediation) and right to litigation, in addition to giv- is a means to obtain vaccination. ing them priority for work over an expa- triate. — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 LOCAL 6 EPA, MEW agree to assign office to study design of energy prod stations ‘Emissions currently measured through hand-held devices’

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: The En- vironment Public Authority (EPA) National Assembly Speaker Al-Ghanim. has agreed with the Ministry of Elec- tricity and Water to assign an envi- ronmental advisory offi ce to study the design of energy production sta- Ambassador of the Central African Republic. Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba. tions and to choose the most appropri- ate places to install emission measure- ment systems in order to protect the

KUNA photos environment from HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad. harmful emissions, reports Al-Qabas HH Crown Prince’s audiences daily. Deputy Director Gen- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh on Tuesday. eral for Environmental Ambassador of the Republic of Vietnam. KUNA photos Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Crown Prince also Control Affairs in EPA Ambassador of the Republic of Brazil. received National Assembly Speaker hosted His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- Samira Al-Kandari ex- Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim at Bayan Palace Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. (KUNA) plained that coordination FM receives credentials of newly-appointed envoys was made with the Min- EPA supervises removal operation istry of Electricity and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Central African Republic, Cuba, Vi- Deputy Minister of Foreign Af- Water during the years Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah etnam, and Brazil. fairs Ambassador Khaled Al-Jar- received separately on Tuesday Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ah- allah, Assistant Minister for Pro- 2017 and 2018 to work the credentials of newly-appointed mad wished the diplomats success tocol Affairs Ambassador Dhari Dead whale found near Doha Bridge on installing these sys- ambassadors to the State of Ku- in their mission to bolster relations Al-Ajran, and several top ministry tems and linking them wait. between Kuwait and their respec- offi cials attended the receptions. KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: The Ministry available equipment and referring it to con- automatically with the The ambassadors were of the tive nations. (KUNA) of Interior, represented by the General cerned authorities which will determine the EPA. However, it faced Department of Coast Guard and Kuwait reason behind its death. some diffi culties, which Fire Service Directorate (KFSD), the En- The Technical Affairs Sector in EPA were discussed several Documents ready for signature of concerned body vironment Public Authority (EPA), Pub- explained that the dead whale is of the times, most recently this lic Authority for Agricultural Affairs and “Balinese” type. Another one of the same month when a plan was PART obtains SAB nod for 3rd phase of Al-Ghous St project Fish Resources (PAAAFR), Kuwait Dive kind was found dead in May 2020, and prepared to work on ad- Team, and the Kuwait Ports Authority other such incidents were recorded near coordinated to deal with a dead whale of Failaka Island in 2014 and Qaruh Island hering to the necessary KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: The Public of the concerned authority, while the width of 3.70 meters, and renovating about 20 feet long as soon as a report was in 2015. requirements. Authority for Roads and Transporta- preparation of documents related to the bus stops. received regarding its presence near Doha EPA concluded that the causes of death The ministry is currently tion (PART) has obtained approval contract for the abovementioned project Sources also unveiled a plan to add measuring emissions peri- from the State Audit Bureau (SAB) is underway. another lane as part of the project if the Bridge, reports Al-Qabas daily. among this species of whale in previous ac- odically through hand-held for the third phase of Al-Ghous Street Sources said the project is aimed need arises, explaining that Al-Ghous Efforts were exerted by these state au- cidents were old age, illness, and starvation devices and sending the re- project number H/265 – construction at improving Al-Ghous Street to en- Street is an arterial road with a total thorities to remove the dead whale from the due to the scarcity of food, especially the sults to EPA by email. and maintenance works along this street sure smooth fl ow of traffi c. Sources length of 30 kilometers and is located navigation area inside Kuwait Bay in order small crustaceans found only in the oceans She said, “Energy produc- starting from the Seventh Ring Road to revealed the project includes develop- between Roads 30 and 40 extending to avoid marine accidents, as it was located as well as their collision with ships that tion plants, in general, con- Fahaheel-Ahmadi Road 212, reports Al- ment of intersections with 12 fl yovers, from the Fifth Ring Road to the Fa- in the area between the free trade zone and pass in the maritime shipping lines. sume the fuel supplied by Anba daily quoting reliable sources. increasing the safety level through the haheel-Ahmadi Highway and intersect- the Doha Bridge towards Shuwaikh Port, The size of these whales ranges from 13 the Kuwait Petroleum Cor- Sources disclosed the contracts and provision of service roads for residen- ing with the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh berth No. 15 in preparation for its lifting. to 15.5 meters. The female is usually larger poration. If the fuel is crude documents related to project supervi- tial areas, 11 new pedestrian bridges, Ring Roads which serve motorists from The boats of the Coast Guard, PAAAFR, than the male, and has baleen plates to fi lter oil, gas oil or natural gas, sion are now ready for the signature widening the lanes – up to the standard adjacent residential areas. and KFSD were supervised by EPA. The small fi sh and shrimp (Krill) in the oceans the emissions are invisible, dead whale was found at the reported site where their habitats are found. They enter but if it is heavy fuel such as Al-Kandari stressed that cases, record increases in carries what comes out of ed places, adding that emis- area and transported to an appropriate loca- the Arabian Gulf rarely from the Indian heavy oil, the emissions are EPA’s air quality monitor- pollutants because of the the chimneys of energy pro- sions diminish and dissolve tion in preparation for lifting it using the Ocean through the Gulf of Oman. visible to everyone”. ing stations do not, in all direction of the wind, which duction plants to uninhabit- in the air over time. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 LOCAL 7

HE Sibi George commends perseverance of teachers and zeal of their students Indian ambassador inaugurates new Indian community school in Kuwait KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: On the occa- a diffi cult year for all. The pandemic in these diffi cult times. graduate, 4,951 postgraduate and 4,514 spend of US$140 billion having more to express his sincere thanks to HH the sion of inaugurating the Indian School which began as a health challenge soon “I am particularly happy that we wit- diploma courses in AICTE approved than 20 universities among the global Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah of Excellence, the Indian Ambassador became an economic disruption, a geo- ness this inauguration in the year when institutes. India has become the second top 200 universities. All these point to and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal to Kuwait HE Sibi George said he was political shock and a global challenge. It we would celebrate the 60th anniversary largest market for E-learning after the the huge opportunity that exists in de- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the impressed at how well “our schools continues to throw up new challenges to of establishment of diplomatic relations US. The sector is expected to reach veloping partnership between India and leadership of the State of Kuwait for the and teachers have adapted and taken every country, every day and hoped 2021 between India and Kuwait. I see this as US$ 1.96 billion by 2021 with around countries like Kuwait in higher educa- effective handling of this pandemic and to new technology to make sure that would be different and “we will be able one of the shining symbols of the excel- 9.5 million users. However, there is tion. Let’s explore the possibilities.” standing out as a role model in handling the students do not miss out on learn- to overcome the crisis in coming weeks lent relations that several generations still a lot of potential for further devel- “I am confi dent,” the ambassador the coronavirus crisis. ing and education for an entire year”. and months”. have built between our two countries. opment in the education system. said, “that the new school that we open India too is a success story when it “I commend the perseverance of all the “The opening of this new school A relationship that we will endeavor to “We are opening new IITs and IIMs today will soon emerge as one of the comes to handling of COVID-19 crisis. It teachers and the zeal of their students to today is a very happy moment. It is strengthen further each day and I wish all across the country to provide qual- most sought after centers of excel- being a country of 1.3 billion people, one- keep going, despite the outbreak of the indeed a re-confi rmation of our confi - to see more such educational institutions ity education to our new generation. In lence in Kuwait. I wish that as its name sixth of the total population, the number COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. dence in the gradual return to normalcy come up in Kuwait including higher edu- 2030, it is estimated that India’s higher suggests it may emerge as an ‘Indian of cases always appears big. But the fact Addressing the Chairman of the In- of life. It is a signal to all, particularly cation institutions,” the ambassador said. education will emerge as the single School of Excellence’ in Kuwait to is that India’s recovery rate is one of the dian community schools in Kuwait, to our community here, that our life is He disclosed, “India, as most of us largest provider of global talent with build and maintain the highest stand- highest in the world, the recovery rate to- other offi ce bearers, principals of Indian returning to normal and 2021 is going are aware, has one of the largest net- one in four graduates in the world be- ards of education as envisaged in the day is over 96.5%, active cases are just Community schools in Kuwait, teachers, to be a year of recovery. I am confi dent works of higher education institutions ing a product of the Indian higher edu- new education policy, nurturing world 2% and death rate is as low as 1.4%, one non-teaching staff, distinguished guests, that this would also help recover the in the world. In 2020-21, there were cation system. India will be among the class global citizens while staying con- of the lowest in the world. India has un- media representatives and the students morale of our Diaspora, particularly 9,700 total AICTE approved institutes. top fi ve countries in the world in terms nected to their Indian roots.” dertaken over 180 million tests till date, and their parents he said 2020 has been young students, teachers and parents, Of the total, there were 4,100 under- of research output with an annual R&D The ambassador took this opportunity on an average a million tests each day. Issuing new visas for domestics still limited despite Cabinet nod

Shortage of domestic workers estimated at nearly 80,000

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: Despite the Cabinet’s announcement to allow the recruitment of new New crisis over recruitment looms domestic workers within the framework of the plan to bring back domestic workers through the “Bisalama” platform, which was launched ‘Cost of recruiting domestics at KD 990’ earlier this week, the process of issuing new called for increasing the hiring price pointed out that these countries have visas is still very limited. It did not reach the By Faris Al-Abdan Al-Seyassah Staff to cover the medical expenses, fees raised the recruitment fees due to the Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah desired level to address the shortage of man- and tickets, especially these costs have repercussions of the Corona pandemic with Austrian Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, His power in the domestic labor market, reports KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: A new crisis shot up signifi cantly, especially after and the precautionary measures that ac- Excellency Marian Wrba. over the recruitment of domestic work- the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, company the recruitment. Aljarida daily. ers is looming on the horizon, as the stressing that the government’s adher- He added, the travel agencies The current shortage of manpower, which the country Ministry of Commerce and Industry ence to its position will prevent its re- raised the prices of airline tickets, in Bid to boost bilateral ties has been incurring for more than ten months, is roughly and the Public Authority for Manpower cruitment. addition to the medical examinations estimated at a shortage of nearly 80,000 domestic work- (PAM) confi rmed recruitment of do- In this context, Head of the Fed- required for each worker, indicating ers. This makes the Cabinet’s aforementioned decision mestic workers will be done based on eration of Domestic Workers’ Offi ces that this matter greatly burdens the Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah mere ink on paper. The crisis of this labor shortage the old price which works out approxi- Khaled Al-Dakhnan told the Al-Seyas- office owners, wishing to reconsider remains unresolved, and will worsen, especially with the mately to 990 dinars. sah daily that the countries which ex- the old prices in light of the current meets Austrian ambassador advent of the month of Ramadan, during which the To add insult to injury, the Federa- port domestic workers are limited to the developments and the limited recruit- KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: His Excellency Sheikh demand for domestic workers increases dramatically. tion of Domestic Workers’ Offi ces has Philippines, India and Sri Lanka, and ment opportunities. Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Commenting on the labor recruitment decision and the Chairman of the Kuwait-Austrian Business and current reality, Head of the Union of Domestic Labor Friendship Association, paid a friendly visit to the Recruitment Agencies Khaled Al-Dakhnan said, “The cur- Austrian ambassador to the State of Kuwait, His rent domestic worker shortage crisis is great. It has not and Excellency Marian Wrba, in order to strengthen bilat- will not be solved except through rapid action by the rele- eral relations and consolidate the spirit of mutual vant government agencies in a manner that ensures the friendship. Sheikh Mubarak welcomed Ambassador opportunity to bring in domestic workers from several mar- Marian Wrba to his second home for his second tenure kets, without limiting it to only two or three countries.” in which he worked as his country’s ambassador to He renewed his appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kuwait, after he represented his country as ambassa- and the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) that it is dor during the years between 2008 - 2012. necessary to decide as quickly as possible on the memoran- During the meeting, they discussed ways of dum of understanding for the recruitment of Ethiopian cooperation between Kuwait and Austria and the domestic workers. He clarified that the memorandum was economic opportunities available to Kuwaiti and sent from the Ethiopian side and has been at the ministry for Austrian companies. And, to encourage investment several months, but no firm decision has been made by between citizens of the two friendly countries, either the ministry or PAM in this regard. according to the fields in which Sheikh Mubarak Al-Dakhnan stressed that the adoption of this memoran- Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah works, con- dum and the subsequent permits for the recruitment of firming his eagerness to serve his country, Kuwait Ethiopian workers strikes a balance in the market, amid the in all fields.In addition to ways of cooperation in lack of recruitment requests from the three countries - the areas of tourism and social, in an effort to namely the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India - that meet expand and promote the circle of cooperation about 80 percent of the domestic labor needs of Kuwait. between the two parties in several areas. From his side, the Austrian ambassador affirmed Shortage his country’s keenness to open the Austrian market He affirmed that the entry of Ethiopian workers into the to the Kuwaiti investor, and to enhance all opportuni- country would resolve about 70 percent of the problem ties for cooperation in all fields between the two related to shortage of domestic workers currently witnessed friendly countries, and thanked Sheikh Mubarak in the country. Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah for his initiative, Al-Dakhnan indicated that there are a number of reasons expressing his pride in Kuwait and his friends here. for the union’s urgent desire to implement this agreement, adding, “Ethiopia is not among the list of 34 countries banned from entering the country directly. It is outside the platform of “Bisalama” and this saves citizens and residents about KD 500 of the recruitment costs. The cost of recruit- ing Ethiopian workers is less than the amount of KD 990 set and announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to bring in labor. This is another advantage that reflects positively on the pocket of the citizen and resident.” Regarding the resumption of the recruitment of new Filipino workers, Al-Dakhnan explained that the matter depends on the renewal of the recruitment contracts signed between the local offices and their counterparts in Manila. The Embassy of the Philippines in Kuwait has moved to another location and will receive auditors after approxi- mately two weeks. After that, applications will be submitted to renew these contracts. He said, “There are several diffi- culties that stand in the way of the recruitment of new Filipino workers, mainly the long time period for issuing passports for this worker, the difficulty in moving between villages and Manila, and the strict precautionary and health measures that may hinder the recruitment process.” For his part, Bassam Al-Shammari, the owner of a domes- tic labor recruitment office, said, “The governmental proce- dures for resuming the recruitment of domestic workers are hasty and ill-considered. They were carried out without prior coordination between the relevant authorities, and are led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Public Authority for Manpower. This failure makes the recently issued Cabinet’s decision to allow the recruitment of new domestic workers a mere ink on paper”. He stated that the process of recruitment from the Philippines is still suspended so far, despite the memoran- dum of understanding and the joint agreement announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a long time ago. Canada OKs return of Boeing 737 Max aircraft

The Boeing 737 Max can re- fi ed by Transport Canada in Canadian airspace,” Trans- grounded since March 2019 In this fi le photo, a Boe- turn to Canadian airspace December, including allow- port Minister Omar Alghabra following the crashes of a ing 737 Max jet, piloted beginning Wednesday, offi - ing pilots to disable a faulty said in a statement. Lion Air fl ight near Jakarta on by Federal Aviation Ad- cials said, concluding nearly warning system that was The measures go beyond Oct 29, 2018, and an Ethio- ministration (FAA) chief two years of government re- found to be central to two those announced by the US pian Airlines fl ight on March Steve Dickson, prepares view after the aircraft was in- deadly crashes in 2018 and Federal Aviation Administra- 10, 2019, killing a total of 346 to land at Boeing Field volved in two deadly crashes 2019. tion in November, which re- people. Investigators deter- following a test fl ight in that saw the planes grounded “Canadians and the airline quired Boeing to make chang- mined that the cause of the Seattle. (AP) worldwide. industry can rest assured es to the computer systems crashes was a faulty com- Transport Canada said that Transport Canada has inside the plane and required puter system that pushed the Monday the planes will be diligently addressed all safety pilots to undergo training in plane’s nose downward in permitted to fl y as long as issues prior to permitting this fl ight simulators. fl ight and couldn’t be overrid- they meet conditions speci- aircraft to return to service in The planes have been den by pilots. (AP)

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Politics is increasingly shaping how Americans feel about the economy Biden’s test: Engineering economic boom in a partisan divide BALTIMORE, Jan 19, (AP): When Post event. “Our recovery lagged as a Joe Biden entered the White House result.” as vice-president, the economy was During the fi rst nine months of the cratering. Job losses were mounting. Obama presidency, the unemployment Stocks were crashing. Millions of rate climbed to 10% and the swift re- Americans were in the early stages of covery that was predicted never hap- losing their homes to foreclosure as the pened as the country took years to housing bubble burst. work through housing foreclosures and Biden returns to the White House as rebuild its fi nancial system. president a dozen years later with the This left Obama administration offi - economy battered and shaken by a pan- cials having to argue that the economy demic. But this time is different - and it would have been even worse without could reset the nation’s politics if Biden the stimulus. Republicans countered and Democrats can count on a level of that the effort had fl opped as they won growth not seen in a generation. control of the House in the 2010 mid- Despite the 9.8 million jobs lost due term elections. to the coronavirus, there are signs the “There isn’t much doubt that the country is on the cusp of a kind of boom economy did better in 2009 and 2010 unseen in the Obama and Trump eras. because of the recovery act,” said Doug- Checking account balances have las Elmendorf, who was director of the surged by $2.4 trillion since the out- Congressional Budget Offi ce at the time break began. Home prices are soaring and now serves as dean of Harvard Uni- because of hot demand. And each ad- versity’s Kennedy School. “Too many ditional vaccination moves the world’s people took the failure to hit (stronger largest economy closer to fully re- growth) as a sign that the stimulus opening. didn’t work, when, in fact, the economy “If the economy is improving sub- was worse off than widely understood.” stantially by spring or early summer, that might actually help Biden get Helped more of his agenda done ... because Biden can count on backing from success can beget success,” said Jason Wall Street investors this time to bor- Furman, who was top economist for row. Helped by supportive Federal Re- the Obama administration. He pointed serve policies, low interest rates make to the possibility of growth easing the it easier to keep fi nancing a stimulus path for an infrastructure program and and repay added debt. The interest climate investments. rate on a 10-year U.S. Treasury note is But hanging over any effort to boost about 1.15%, compared with 11.67% the economy is an enduring partisan di- in 1984 when growth prospects last vide that contributed to the deadly as- looked this good and the size of the sault on the U.S. Capitol this month as federal debt was signifi cantly smaller. Biden’s Electoral College victory was Republican lawmakers still see the set to be certifi ed. Politics is increasing- need for more aid to contain the pan- ly shaping how Americans feel about demic, but some are voicing concerns the economy, scrambling the political about Biden’s desire for another big In this fi le photo, former Fed Chair Janet Yellen speaks with FOX Business Network guest anchor Jon Hilsenrath in the Fox Washington bureau in Wash- incentives for lawmakers to cooperate. spending package. They stress that ington. President-elect Joe Biden announced Yellen as his nominee for Treasury Secretary. (AP) There also are concerns about any new spending should be directed whether the worsening pandemic and toward increasing vaccinations and slow pace of vaccinations thus far that his proposal for direct checks of could portend more serious problems $1,400 per person could delay people on the coronavirus front that could hurt from returning to work. the economic recovery. “Blasting out another $2 trillion in Congress urged to do ‘more’ borrowed or printed money - when the Potential ink on December’s $1 trillion aid bill The potential for a boom refl ects in is barely dry and much of the money large part the roughly $4 trillion ap- is not yet spent - would be a colossal proved so far in federal aid, with Biden waste and economically harmful,” Re- last week proposing $1.9 trillion more, publican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsyl- to fi ght pandemic recession an unprecedented level of stimulus. vania said in a statement. The additional money, which must be Republican voters have already approved by Congress, is intended to turned bearish on the economy after accelerate the vaccine rollout, reopen President Donald Trump lost. The Uni- Threats of longer downturn too great to cut back on support: Yellen schools and reduce the child poverty versity of Michigan reported Friday rate to a historic low. that its index of consumer expectations The investment bank Goldman among Republicans plunged from a WASHINGTON, Jan 19, Sachs estimates that growth this year reading of 96 in October to 53 in Janu- (AP): Treasury Secre- could be 6.6% if part of Biden’s ary. That could dampen their willing- Bank of America Q4 profi t falls 18% on lower interest rates stimulus plan passes. That would be ness to spend and encourage Republi- tary nominee Janet Yellen the strongest gain since 1984, when a can lawmakers to blame Democrats for is calling on Congress to 7.2% increase in the gross domestic any economic ills. do more to fi ght a deep product helped carry Republican Presi- For now, the Biden team is hoping Goldman profi ts more than double dent Ronald Reagan to a second term to push through its stimulus with Re- pandemic-induced reces- in a landslide. Wells Fargo forecasts publican support in the Senate. But the sion, saying the threats of NEW YORK, Jan 19, (AP): Goldman be in a year or two years’ time. reserves. However Goldman’s expo- growth of 4.6% this year, which would political tensions might force him to a longer and even worse Sachs said its profi ts more than doubled Goldman’s profi ts were driven high- sure through consumer and business be the best since 1999. pursue many of his initiatives - like a from a year earlier thanks to a surge in er by its investment bank and trading loans is signifi cantly smaller than Still, there are plenty of economic $15 minimum wage and tax increases downturn are too great to both trading and advising revenue. desks, the cornerstone to the bank’s commercial banks like Citigroup, JP- risks facing Biden. The most bullish on corporations and the wealthy - with cut back on support now. The New York-based investment business models. Investment bank- Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo so it forecasts hinge on getting much of only Democratic support. “Without further action, we risk bank said it earned a profi t of $4.36 ing revenue was up 29% from a year wasn’t a signifi cant part of its overall Biden’s aid package through Congress. Should Republicans regain control a longer, more painful recession billion, or $12.08 per share, up from a earlier to $2.73 billion. The bank saw results. And any gains would probably depend in Congress, any policies passed exclu- now – and long-term scarring of profi t of $1.72 billion, or $4.69 a share, higher underwriting revenues - fees the The stellar quarter also will result on overcoming the pandemic. There sively with Democratic backing could the economy later,” Yellen said in in the same period a year earlier. The bank collects to take companies public in stellar bonuses for Goldman’s well- is also the possibility that the added be quickly reversed or allowed to ex- earnings were signifi cantly better than or underwrite debt they want to offer - compensated employees. The bank set stimulus championed by Biden could pire. This seesawing between confl ict- testimony prepared for her confi r- be more than the economy needs, per- ing policies could erode the degree of mation hearing Tuesday before the the $7.45-per-share profi t that analysts as well as trading revenue, which rose aside $13.31 billion to pay out bonuses were expecting. 23% from a year earlier. and payroll this year, up 8% from a haps stirring infl ation. certainty that businesses and consum- Senate Finance Committee. Goldman’s results refl ect that Wall The banks also saw revenue gains year earlier. Most of Goldman’s top But the Great Recession taught ers need to make investments that lead Yellen, who will be the first female Street had a strong year, despite the in its wealth management arm as well employees make most of their money Biden’s team the benefi t of going big to growth, said Donald Schneider, a treasury secretary in the nation’s his- pandemic and millions of Americans is nascent consumer banking business, in year-end bonuses. with stimulus. Incoming White House member of the policy research team at tory, is expected to have little trouble out of work. After plunging sharply which focuses on consumer loans, sav- Meanwhile, Bank of America’s Chief of Staff Ron Klain says Biden’s Cornerstone Macro and former chief winning approval in a Senate that will in March and April, the stock market ings accounts as well as handling the fourth-quarter profi ts fell 18% from offi cials learned the hard way that the economist of the House Ways and be narrowly controlled by Democrats went basically straight up for seven underwriting for Apple’s credit card. a year ago, as lower interest rates roughly $800 billion approved in 2009 Means Committee. to fi ght the Great Recession was insuf- “It is a big problem going forward once two Democratic senators from months as investors tried to look be- Like its competitors, Goldman also weighed down its results. However Georgia are seated. fi cient, a mistake they’re unwilling to if one side comes to power and makes yond the near-term death and pain and moved some of the money it had set the bank was able to release more than repeat this time. changes and then the other side comes In her testimony, Yellen, who was focus on where the U.S. economy will aside to cover credit losses out of its $800 million from its credit reserves, a also the country’s first female chair “It wasn’t large enough,” Klain said into power and reverses them and on of the Federal Reserve, said that the sign that it sees the U.S. economy im- Friday at a livestreamed Washington and on it goes,” Schneider said. quick action Congress took by pass- proving in the coming months. ing trillion-dollar rescue packages The North Carolina-based bank said Tuesday that it earned a profi t of $5.47 last spring and an additional $900 billion, or 59 cents a share, down from Germany borrowing comes in billion relief measure last month a profi t $6.99 billion, or 74 cents per were successful in “averting a lot of share, in the same period a year earlier. suffering.” Analysts were expecting BofA to earn well short of forecast in 2020 But she said that even with the 56 cents a share, according to Zacks extraordinary government help, the Investment Research. BERLIN, Jan 19, (AP): Germany totaled 443.4 billion euros, below pandemic has still caused “wide- Like its Wall Street competitors, borrowed 130.5 billion euros the 508.5 billion euros that was spread devastation.” Bank of America was able to release ($157.5 billion) last year as it loos- forecast, the Finance Ministry said “Eighteen million unemployment hundreds of millions of dollars from ened budget rules to help fi nance Tuesday. insurance claims are being paid its loan-loss reserves - money the bank pandemic-related rescue and stim- “Germany is in comparatively every week. Food bank shelves are had set aside earlier in the pandemic to ulus packages – a considerably good shape because we acted going empty. The damage has been cover loans that might be now be un- smaller sum than was originally quickly and strongly in the budg- sweeping and as the president-elect payable. But as the economy has rela- planned. et,” Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said last Thursday, our response tively improved, banks have been able After six years in the black, said in a statement. to free up some of those reserves. Germany resorted to running up “We used a lot of money to pro- must be too,” Yellen said. new debt in 2020 to help cover tect health, support business and “Over the next few months, we In the quarter, BofA released $828 million from its credit reserves. This the cost of huge support packages secure employment,” he added. are going to need more aid to distrib- made necessary by the coronavirus “That pays off in multiple ways. In this fi le photo, the logo for Goldman Sachs appears above a trading post type of release goes straight to a ute the vaccine, to reopen schools, to pandemic and an expected short- The economic development is help states keep firefighters and on the fl oor of the New York Stock Exchange. (AP) bank’s bottom line, but it’s largely be- cause the money was moved out of an fall in tax revenue. The country better, job losses are smaller, tax teachers on the job,” Yellen said. has Europe’s biggest economy. income is higher and new borrow- While Democrats have endorsed the long run, I believe the benefits escrow-like account and was now free She said more support would also be to be used again. Parliament had authorized 217.8 ing signifi cantly lower than was needed to keep unemployment ben- the effort, many Republican law- will far outweigh the costs, espe- Low interest rates were the biggest billion euros in new borrowing. In forecast at times.” efit checks going out and to help makers have expressed concerns cially if we care about helping peo- drag on BofA’s results compared to the end, the economy suffered less Critics say that aid has been too families who are going hungry or in about the price tag given soaring ple who have been struggling for a last year. The Federal Reserve sharply than feared in 2020; the national complex and fl owed too slowly. danger of being homeless. federal budget deficits. very long time.” cut rates once the pandemic hit. Bank statistics offi ce said last week that Germany was able to relax restric- Biden last week unveiled a $1.9 Yellen said that she and Biden The Senate Finance Committee of America’s balance sheet is heavily gross domestic product declined tions relatively quickly after last trillion relief plan that would pro- were aware of the country’s rising hearing with Yellen on Tuesday is weighted toward short-term interest by 5%, ending a decade of growth year’s fi rst phase of the pandemic, vide more aid to American families, debt burden. one of several that the Senate will be rates, so it was hit harder than the rest but still a better outcome than long but has struggled to deal with the businesses and local communities “But right now, with interest rates holding as the incoming Biden of its competitors. Interest revenue in expected. autumn and winter resurgence of and provide more support for vac- at historic lows, the smartest thing administration tries to get its top the quarter went from $12.14 billion to Government spending last year infections. cine production and distribution. we can do is act big,” she said. “In Cabinet officials in office quickly. $10.25 billion. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 BUSINESS 9 WORLD NEEDS TO WAKE UP TO LONG-TERM RISKS Pandemic threatening the global economy, increasing ‘disparities’ Geopolitical stability seen to weaken in next 5-10 years

Report prepared by World Economic Forum GENEVA, Jan 19: For the last 15 years the World Economic Fo- rum’s Global Risks Re- port has been warning the world about the dan- gers of pandemics. In 2020, we saw the effects of ignoring preparation and ignoring long-term risks. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only claimed millions of lives, but it also widened long-standing health, economic and digital disparities. Billions of caregivers, workers and stu- dents – especially minorities who were disadvantaged before the pandemic – are now at risk of missing pathways to the new and fairer societies that the re- covery could unlock. According to the Global Risks Report 2021, released today, these develop- ments may further impede the global cooperation needed to ad- dress long-term challenges such risks, but the lesson here is for all as environmental degradation. of us to recognize that ignoring When it comes to technol- them doesn’t make them less like- ogy access and digital skills, the ly to happen. As governments, gap between the “haves” and the businesses and societies begin to “have nots” risks widening and emerge from the pandemic, they challenging social cohesion. This must now urgently shape new will particularly affect young economic and social systems that people worldwide, as this group improve our collective resilience faces its second global crisis in and capacity to respond to shocks a generation and could miss out while reducing inequality, altogether on opportunities in the improving health and protecting next decade. the planet. To help meet this chal- Financial, digital and reputa- lenge, next week’s event, The tional pressures resulting from Davos Agenda, will mobilize COVID-19 also threaten to leave global leaders to shape the prin- behind many companies and their ciples, policies and partnerships workforces in the markets of the needed in this new context,” said future. While these potential dis- Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director parities could cause societal frag- at the World Economic Forum. mentation for states, an increas- The report also reflects on the ingly tense and fragile geopoliti- responses to COVID-19, drawing cal outlook will also hinder the lessons designed to bolster global global recovery if mid-sized pow- resilience. These lessons include ers lack a seat at the global table. formulating analytical frame- Once again, environmental works, fostering risk champions, risks dominate by impact and building trust through clear and likelihood, looking ahead towards consistent communication, and the next decade. Societal frac- creating new forms of partner- tures, uncertainty and anxiety will ship. The key risks outlined in the make it more difficult to achieve report are complemented with the coordination needed to address recommendations to help coun- the planet’s continued degrada- tries, businesses, and the interna- tion. tional community to act, rather For the first time, the report than react, in the face of cross- also rates risks according to when cutting risks. The report closes respondents perceive they will with an overview of “frontier pose a critical threat to the world. risks” – nine high-impact, low- Clear and present dangers (0-2 probability events drawn from years) reveal concern about lives expert foresight exercises – and livelihoods – among them including geomagnetic disruption, infectious diseases, employment accidental wars and exploitation crises, digital inequality and youth of brain-machine interfaces. disillusionment. In the medium- “The acceleration of the digital term (3-5 years), respondents transformation promises large from COVID-19 will profoundly “The pandemic in 2020 was a believe the world will be threat- benefits, such as for example the impact the way organizations stress-test that shook the founda- ened by knock-on economic and creation of almost 100 million interact with clients and col- tions of economies and societies technological risks, which may new jobs by 2025. At the same leagues long after any vaccine worldwide. Rebuilding resilience take several years to materialize time however, digitalization may rollout. As businesses transform to systemic shocks will require – such as asset bubble bursts, IT displace some 85 million jobs, their workplaces, new vulnerabili- significant funding, international infrastructure breakdown, price and since 60% of adults still lack ties are emerging. Rapid digitali- cooperation and greater social instability and debt crises. basic digital skills the risk is the zation is exponentially increasing cohesion. Resilience will also Existential threats (5-10 years) – deepening of existing inequali- cyber exposures, supply chain dis- hinge on the continued growth in weapons of mass destruction, ties,” said Peter Giger, Group ruption is radically altering busi- connectivity worldwide, as we state collapse, biodiversity loss Chief Risk Officer, Zurich ness models, and a rise in serious know that economies that digi- and adverse technological advanc- Insurance Group. “The biggest health issues has accompanied tized early performed relatively es – dominate long-term concerns. long-term risk remains a failure to employees’ shift to remote work- better in 2020,” said Lee Hyung- “In 2020, the risk of a global act on climate change. There is no ing,” said Carolina Klint, Risk hee, President, Social Value pandemic became reality, some- vaccine against climate risks, so Management Leader, Continental Committee, SK Group. “If the thing this report has been high- post-pandemic recovery plans Europe, Marsh. “Every business continued deployment of 5G and lighting since 2006. We know must focus on growth aligning will need to strengthen and con- AI is to emerge as an engine of how difficult it is for govern- with sustainability agendas to stantly review their risk mitigation growth, however, we must urgent- ments, business and other stake- build back better.” strategies if they are to improve ly bridge digital divides and holders to address such long-term “Economic and societal fallout their resilience to future shocks.” address ethical risks.” ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 BUSINESS 10

profit at Chinese state industry rises with virus recovery

Profit at state-owned compa- the State-Owned Assets and gouge consumers with high dominate air travel, insurance, In this March 27, nies that dominate China’s Supervision and Administration prices. securities, shipping, internet 2013, file photo, banking, oil and most other Commission. Speaking at a Peng’s agency oversees 97 access, power generation, con- Bank tellers sit in industries rose by as much as news conference, Peng said companies directly under the struction, nuclear power tech- a branch office of 25% last year as the country profit rose 2.1% to 1.4 trillion Cabinet including PetroChina nology and coal and steel pro- the Industrial and recovered from the coronavirus yuan ($215 billion). Ltd, Asia’s biggest oil producer; duction. Commercial Bank pandemic, the government said The ruling Communist Party China Mobile Ltd., the world’s Chinese industries benefited of China (ICBC) Tuesday. has built up such “national biggest phone carrier by num- from the economy’s relatively in Hong Kong. Total revenue for national- champions” over the past two ber of subscribers, and early reopening starting in (AP) level companies rose 2.2% decades, but their monopolies Industrial and Commercial March after the ruling party over 2019 to 30.3 trillion yuan and multibillion-dollar subsidies Bank of China Ltd, the world’s declared victory over the virus ($4.7 trillion), according to Peng prompt complaints by the public biggest bank by assets. that emerged in the central city Huagang, secretary general of that they are a waste of money SASAC companies also of Wuhan in late 2019. (AP) US stocks rise, focus shifts to Biden Asian shares mostly higher

NEW YORK, Jan 19, (AP): Stocks are ticking higher FedEx plans to on Wall Street Tuesday, recovering some of last cut 6,300 jobs week’s losses to pull closer MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Jan 18, to their record highs. (AP): FedEx plans to cut up to 6,300 The S&P 500 was up 0.5% in jobs in Europe as it completes the late morning trading and back process of folding a Dutch company within 1% of its record set earlier it bought into its own delivery opera- this month. The Dow Jones tion. Industrial Average was up 114 FedEx said in a statement Tuesday points, or 0.4%, at 30,928, as of that the cuts will take place over 18 11:49 a.m. Eastern time, and the months and include express-delivery Nasdaq composite was 0.8% high- operations and back-office employees er. of TNT Express across the continent. Wall Street’s rally is getting back on Memphis, Tennessee-based FedEx track after stocks ran out of steam last said severance payments will cost week. Markets have been rising on between $300 million and $575 mil- enthusiasm about a coming economic lion through 2023, but that the job recovery as COVID-19 vaccines roll cuts will save the company between out and Washington gets set to try for $275 million and $350 million a year another massive round of stimulus for beginning in 2024. the economy. The president of FedEx’s European Janet Yellen, President-elect Joe express-delivery operation, Karen Biden’s nominee to be Treasury Reddington, said in a statement that Secretary, is calling on Congress to do the job cuts are crucial to make the more to boost the economy. In testi- company more competitive in a mony prepared for her confirmation changing market. hearing on Tuesday, she said that with FedEx plans to downgrade an air- interest rates near their record lows, service hub in Liege, Belgium, to “the smartest thing we can do is act make Paris its sole primary hub. The big” to avoid an even worse downturn company compared that set-up to its in the near term and scarring for the U.S. operation, where Memphis is economy in the long term. the main hub and Indianapolis serves Besides stocks, the optimism about a secondary role. an eventual acceleration for the econo- FedEx paid $4.8 billion to acquire my and another round of stimulus have TNT in 2016 and expand its presence also helped push Treasury yields up in Europe against rivals such as sharply recently. Germany-based DHL. TNT had a The yield on the 10-year Treasury In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, the logo for Stellantis appears above a post on the trading floor, on Jan 19. Shares start trading major ground-delivery business in climbed to 1.09% from 1.08% late in New York in the new auto giant created by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot. (AP) Europe. Friday. Higher rates could eventually In buying TNT, FedEx succeeded add pressure on stocks, underscoring season picks up pace. Wall Street is fell 7.6% after saying it expects to in Tokyo gained 1.4% to 28,633.46. 10-year Treasury zoomed above 1% where US rival United Parcel Service more how expensive stocks have expecting a relatively weak showing report weaker revenue and results for South Korea’s Kospi jumped 2.6% to last week for the first time since last had failed – European regulators become relative to the profits that across the S&P 500 this time around, the end of 2020 than it had earlier 3,092.66. In Australia, the S&P/ASX spring and briefly topped 1.18% this blocked a UPS attempt to buy the companies are producing. company in 2013, arguing that a But some areas of the stock market with another sharp drop in earnings forecast. The energy company said the 500 rose 1.2% to 6,742.60. The week. The yield on the 10-year could benefit, including banks. Higher per share. But analysts expect growth resurgence of COVID-19 infections Shanghai Composite index slipped Treasury was 1.11% on Tuesday. UPS-TNT combination would face rates and a healthier economy would to rebound powerfully through 2021. pushed customers to slow their orders. 1.1% to 3,557.99. India’s Sensex In other trading, benchmark U.S inadequate competition on some allow them to earn bigger profits from General Motors jumped 9.3% for one In Europe, Germany’s DAX lost jumped 1.3% and shares rose in most crude oil lost 7 cents to $52.35 per bar- routes and lead to higher prices. making loans. of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after 0.2%, and France’s CAC 40 slipped other markets aside from Malaysia and rel in electronic trading on the New FedEx hoped TNT would help it Bank of America was up 1.5% after saying its self-driving car company, 0.3%. The FTSE 100 in London fell Indonesia. York Mercantile Exchange. It gave up take advantage of the growth in flipping between small losses and Cruise, will work with Microsoft to 0.1%. On Monday, stock markets got off $1.20 to $52.42 per barrel on Monday. online shopping in Europe, but the gains after reporting a weaker profit develop autonomous, all-electric vehi- Shares advanced in Asia on Tuesday to a slow start for the week despite Brent crude, the international stan- acquisition has not gone smoothly. for the last three months of 2020 than cles. GM, Microsoft, Honda and other as the coming changing of the guard in news that the Chinese economy grew dard, picked up 31 cents to $55.06 per Europe was in the midst of an eco- a year earlier, but still above analysts’ investors will also pump $2 billion into the U.S. raised hopes for more support 2.3% in 2020 after a sharp contraction barrel. nomic slowdown. Then TNT’s com- expectations. The bank also said Cruise, valuing it at $30 billion. GM for the economy and more aggressive early in the year. That followed a The dollar rose to 104.02 Japanese puter systems became infected during a expectations for a healing economy bought Cruise in 2016. measures to fight the pandemic. retreat on Wall Street last week. yen from 103.69 yen late Monday. The worldwide cyberattack called NotPetya, mean it doesn’t need to hold onto as Microsoft added 0.5%. Benchmarks were higher in Tokyo, Treasury yields have been climbing euro strengthened to $1.2098 from causing FedEx to take a $300 million much in reserves to cover for poten- Western Union rose 2.4% after it Seoul and Hong Kong but slipped in on expectations the U.S. government $1.2078. charge against earnings in 2017. tially bad loans. said it will begin offering money trans- Shanghai. World markets were sub- will borrow much more to pay for the On Monday, trading got off to a FedEx said Tuesday that it has suc- Goldman Sachs, State Street and fer and other services at more than dued on Monday, with U.S. exchanges additional stimulus proposed by slow start for the week around the cessfully integrated FedEx and TNT Halliburton also reported stronger 4,700 Walmart stores, beginning in the closed for a holiday. President-elect Joe Biden, in addition world with U.S. markets closed in information-technology systems and results for the end of 2020 than ana- spring. Walmart slipped 0.7%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained to improved economic growth and observance of Martin Luther King key parts of the air and ground net- lysts expected as earnings reporting On the losing end was NOV, which 1.9% to 29,409.03 and the Nikkei 225 higher inflation. The yield on the Day. works. 737 Max will be approved to fly in Europe next week BERLIN, Jan 19, (AP): The Boeing 737 Max will be approved to resume flights in Europe next week, following nearly two years of reviews after the aircraft was involved in two deadly crashes that saw the planes grounded world- wide, the head of the European aviation safety agency said Tuesday. Patrick Ky, executive director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, or EASA, told reporters the planes will be permitted to fly so long as they meet conditions specified by the agency and that pilots are up to date on their training. “It will be cleared to fly again from next week,” he said at an online event hosted by Germany’s Aviation Press Club. The planes were grounded in March 2019 following the crashes of a Lion Air flight near Jakarta on Oct. 29, 2018, and an Ethiopian Airlines flight on March 10, 2019, killing a total of 346 people. Investigators determined that the cause of the crashes was a faulty computer system that pushed the plane’s nose downward in flight and couldn’t be overridden by pilots. Changes mandated by EASA, based in Cologne, Germany, include a recertification of the plane’s flight- control system, called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, which was not a part of previous 737 models. When EASA published its proposed air worthiness directive for the Max in November, Ky said the agency’s review of the aircraft “began with the MCAS but went far beyond.” He said the agency reviewed the entire flight control system and broadened its assessment to include all aspects of design that could influence how the flight controls oper- ated, which resulted in other changes required. It also investigated human factors, which led to new pilot training requirements to ensure they are familiar with all aspects of the aircraft’s flight control system and “will react appropriately to typical failure scenarios.” The proposed air worthiness directive was open for pub- lic comments for a month, which have now been analyzed and incorporated into the final air worthiness directive where needed, Ky said. “We expect to publish it next week, which means that the Max will be cleared to fly again in Europe from our per- spective,” he said. Airlines will still need to ensure their pilots have received the training needed to fly the plane, and that the mainte- nance and changes necessary have been carried out after the long grounding. Some EU states will have to lift their own individual grounding notices as well. The 737 Max returned to the skies in the United States last month, after the Federal Aviation Administration approved changes that Boeing made to the automated flight control system. It has also been allowed by Brazil to resume flights, and Transport Canada said earlier this week that it had been cleared to start flying again Wednesday. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

Cases surge in China Indian pharma warns some to avoid its shot NEW DELHI, Jan 19, (AP): India’s homegrown coronavirus vaccine developer Bharat Biotech on Tuesday warned people with weak immunity and other medical conditions including allergies, fever or a bleeding disorder to consult a doctor be- fore getting the shot — and if possible avoid the vaccine. The company said those receiving vaccinations should dis- close their medical condition, medicines they are taking and any history of allergies. It said severe allergic reactions among vaccine recipients may include diffi culty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, rapid heartbeat, body rashes, dizziness and weakness. The vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech ran into contro- versy after the Indian government allowed its use without con- crete data showing its effectiveness in preventing COVID-19. Tens of thousands of people have been given the shot in the past three days af- ter India started inoculating health care workers last weekend in what is likely the world’s largest coronavirus vacci- nation campaign. India vaccinated 148,266 people on Monday, taking its total to 381,305, the health ministry lead by Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said. Indian authorities hope to give vac- cines to 300 million people. The recipi- Vardhan ents are to include 30 million doctors, nurses and other front-line workers, to be followed by 270 million people who either are over 50 or have illnesses that make them vulnerable to COVID-19. India on Jan. 4 approved the emergency use of two vaccines, one developed by Oxford University and UK-based drugmak- er AstraZeneca, and the other by Bharat Biotech. The regulator took the step without publishing information about the Indian vaccine’s effi cacy. Bharat Biotech has still not published data on its vaccine’s effectiveness but said it is complying with clinical trial guide- A health worker receives a COVID-19 vaccine at a government Hospital in Mumbai, India, Jan 19. India’s homegrown vaccine developer Bharat Biotech has warned lines. people with weaker immunity and other medical conditions that include allergies, fever, or a bleeding disorder to consult a doctor before getting the shot — and if The regulator maintains the vaccine is safe and gave its ap- possible avoid the vaccine. (AP) proval in the belief that it could be more effective in tackling a new variant of the coronavirus found in the UK The regula- tor and the company have said effi cacy data will be published after ongoing late clinical trials conclude. COVID-19 Vaccine Most hospitals in India are inoculating health care work- ers with the AstraZeneca vaccine. But turnout, particularly in those hospitals using the Bharat Biotech vaccine, has been Tedros lambasts vaccine profi ts relatively low, health offi cials said. Hospitals in New Delhi that have been administering the Bharat Biotech vaccine have seen many doctors hesitate to get the shot. WHO chief demands elderly go fi rst The vaccination drive began at a time when coronavirus in- fections have fallen sharply, and much of life has returned to GENEVA, Jan 19, (AP):The World normal. Health Organization chief on Monday India is second only to the US in the number of confi rmed lambasted drugmakers’ profi ts and China and WHO should have acted cases, with more than 10.5 million. The country ranks third in vaccine inequalities, saying it’s “not the number of reported deaths, behind the US and Brazil, with right” that younger, healthier adults over 152,000. in wealthy countries get vaccinated quicker to ‘stop pandemic’: panel India said on Tuesday that 137 people succumbed to COV- against COVID-19 before older people ID-19 as 10,064 positive cases were registered from different or health care workers in poorer coun- GENEVA, Jan 19, (AP): A panel emerging pandemic,” the panel parts of the country in the last 24 hours. tries and charging that most vaccine of experts commissioned by the said. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that deaths due makers have targeted locations where World Health Organization has criti- The experts also wondered why to COVID-19 rose to 152,556 as the total number of positive “profi ts are highest.” cized China and other countries for WHO did not declare a global pub- cases mounted to 10,581,837. Director-General Tedros Adhanom not moving to stem the initial out- lic health emergency sooner. The The Indian health ministry stated that 10,228,753 people Ghebreyesus kicked off the WHO’s break of the coronavirus earlier and UN health agency convened its recuperated from the pandemic as it spread to 35 Indian states. week-long executive board meeting - questioned whether the UN health emergency committee on Jan. 22, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and A pharmacist holds a vial of Pfizer- virtually from its headquarters in Gene- agency should have labeled it a but did not characterize the emerg- Chhattisgarh contribute to most of the active cases in the coun- Biontech’s Corona vaccine at the va - by lamenting that one poor country pandemic sooner. ing pandemic as an international try. opening of the vaccination center in received a mere 25 vaccine doses while In a report issued Monday, the emergency until a week later. At Meanwhile, China was dealing with coronavirus outbreaks the Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany, over 39 million doses have been admin- panel led by former Liberian Presi- the time, WHO said its expert com- across its frigid northeast on Tuesday, prompting additional Jan 19. The state of Hesse operates dent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and for- mittee was divided on whether a one of its vaccination centers where istered in nearly 50 richer nations. lockdowns and travel bans ahead of next month’s Lunar New “Just 25 doses have been given in one mer New Zealand Prime Minister global emergency should be de- thousands of people usually gather at Helen Clark said there were “lost clared. Year holiday. concerts and trade fairs. (AP) lowest income country -- not 25 million, The country reported another 118 cases on Tuesday, with not 25,000 -- just 25. I need to be blunt: opportunities to apply basic public “One more question is whether 43 of those in the province of Jilin. Hebei province just outside The world is on the brink of a catastroph- health measures at the earliest op- it would have helped if WHO used Beijing saw another 35 cases, while Heilongjiang province ic moral failure,” Tedros said. He did not portunity” and that Chinese authori- the word pandemic earlier than it bordering Russia reported 27 new cases. specify the country, but a WHO spokes- ties could have applied their efforts did,” the panel said. Beijing, where some residential communities and outlying “more forcefully” in January shortly WHO did not describe the CO- woman identifi ed it as Guinea. after the coronavirus began sicken- VID-19 outbreak as a pandemic villages have been placed under lockdown, reported just one “It’s right that all governments want new case. ing clusters of people. until March 11, weeks after the vi- to prioritize vaccinating their own “The reality is that only a minor- rus had begun causing explosive A fourth northern province, Liaoning, has also imposed health workers and older people fi rst,” ity of countries took full advantage outbreaks in numerous continents, quarantines and travel restrictions to prevent the virus from he said. “But it’s not right that young- of the information available to them meeting WHO’s own definition for a further spreading, part of measures being imposed across er, healthier adults in rich countries are to respond to the evidence of an flu pandemic. much of the country to prevent new outbreaks during during vaccinated before health workers and February’s Lunar New Year holiday. older people in poorer countries. There Authorities have called on citizens not to travel, ordered will be enough vaccine for everyone.” That target date could be a tall order, for wider emergency use. schools closed a week early and conducted testing on a mas- because a key producer of vaccines for Dr. Clement Martin Auer, a board Swanke Vucetich Tedros, an Ethiopian who goes by sive scale. his fi rst name, nonetheless hailed the the developing world - the Serum Insti- member from Austria, had sharp words Hebei’s provincial capital, Shijiazhuang, has been building scientifi c achievement behind rolling tute of India - has not confi rmed a date and questions for GAVI, the Vaccine a complex of prefabricated housing units to allow the quaran- out coronavirus vaccines less than a and predicted that its rollout might not Alliance, that also with the Coalition tine of more than 3,000 people as it struggles to control more Discovery year after the pandemic erupted in happen before March or April. for Epidemic Preparedness Innova- infections. tions is leading the effort on COVAX. China, where a WHO-backed team has Remarks China has reported a total of 88,454 cases and 4,635 deaths now been deployed to look into origins While calling its principles of equal since coronavirus was fi rst detected in the central Chinese city Pandemic interrupts ‘studies’: One of the coronavirus. In his opening remarks, Tedros aired access to vaccines a “fantastic idea,” of Wuhan in late 2019. China does not include people who test of the world’s longest-running wildlife “Vaccines are the shot in the arm some of his toughest public words yet Auer faulted COVAX as being “slow” positive but have no symptoms in its count. fi eld studies has fallen prey to the corona- we all need, literally and fi guratively,” toward vaccine makers, criticizing “bi- and unable to close “crucial numbers” A multinational team of investigators from the World virus pandemic. Tedros said. “But we now face the real lateral deals” between them and coun- of contracts. He defended the Euro- Health Organization are currently in Wuhan undergoing two Since 1959, a research team has spent danger that even as vaccines bring tries that the WHO says can deplete the pean Union, which counts among its weeks of quarantine before beginning fi eld visits in hopes of most of the winter observing the inter- hope to some, they become another effectiveness of the COVAX facility - 27 members many of the world’s rich- gaining clues into the origins of the pandemic that has now play between wolves and moose at Isle brick in the wall of inequality between and went further to raise the issue of est countries, for getting vaccines for killed more than 2 million people. Royale National Park in Lake Supe- the worlds of the world’s haves and profi ts. its 450 million citizens and being “the China, Tuesday, reported 118 new coronavirus cases in the rior. But this year’s mission has been have-nots.” “The situation is compounded by single largest donor” in supporting past 24 hours, 12 of them came from abroad, but did not regis- scrapped to protect the scientists and He noted the WHO-backed CO- the fact that most manufacturers have COVAX. ter any virus-related deaths. support personnel from possible expo- VAX program, which aims to get vac- prioritized regulatory approval in rich “We were, in the European Union, Xinhua news agency, monitored in Kuwait, quoted a state- sure to the virus, Superintendent Denice cines out to all countries, rich or poor, countries, where the profi ts are high- skeptical that GAVI-COVAX had the ment by the National Health Commission as saying total regis- Swanke said Friday. based on need, has so far secured 2 bil- est, rather than submitting full dossiers means and the capabilities to fulfi ll its tered infections rose to 88,454 and fatalities remained at 4,635. Experts from several universities, the to WHO,” he said. tasks and negotiate the necessary con- park service and the Grand Portage Band lion vaccine doses from fi ve producers Treatment of Lake Superior Chippewa had planned and options on a billion doses more. That appeared to allude to a shortage tracts and to secure the needs of our citi- “We aim to start deliveries in Feb- of data the UN health agency says it zens,” Auer said, adding that COVAX It added 32 people have recovered from the virus and left to assess how an effort to rebuild the wolf population is affecting the ecosystem. ruary,” he said. “COVAX is ready to has received from vaccine makers so management had “rejected” proposals hospitals in the past 24 hours to reach 82,432. There are still deliver what it was created for.” that the WHO can approve their shots negotiated by GAVI and the EU. 1,387 patients receiving treatment. The remote park is closed from Nov Japan reported 5,257 new cases of the coronavirus over the 1 to April 15. The winter researchers last 24 hours, raising the nation’s total number to 337,728, the use a single cabin, which wouldn’t al- low for social distancing. Also factoring Pakistan launched a fi ve-day vaccination in 2021. The previous campaign took place This time, polio workers will try to vac- health ministry and local authorities said on Tuesday. into the decision to cancel the expedi- The country’s cumulative death toll rose by 69 to 4,603. campaign against polio amid tight secu- last August — during a brief decline in fa- cinate 40 million children across Pakistan tion were the border closure between the rity, hoping to eradicate the crippling chil- talities and infections from the coronavirus while at the same time following social Tokyo added 1,240 new infections, topping 1,000 for the sev- United States and Canada, and a short- enth straight day, which brought the total cases in the Japanese dren’s disease this year. — and included former Taleban strong- distancing measures and other precau- age of fl ight resources to bring supplies, The drive is the fi rst anti-polio campaign holds bordering Afghanistan. tions due to the coronavirus, said Zulfi qar capital to 87,914. Swanke said. South Korea added 386 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, Babakhel, a spokesman for the polio pro- The park service and partners will try gram. bringing the country’s total caseload to 73,115, according to to document wolf population changes this Yonhap News Agency. Supplementary vitamin A drops will be summer using remote cameras and other given to “help build general immunity,” The country reported 19 more deaths, raising the total to techniques, Swanke said. But they won’t he said, adding that the polio workers will 1,283, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have the benefi t of aerial observations that don gloves and face masks and go house- said. can be done only during winter, when the to-house during the campaign. Of the locally transmitted cases, Seoul accounted for 95 animals are easier to spot. There has lately been a steady in- cases and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province took up 128. “There will just be a hole in the data crease in both fatalities from COVID-19 The government extended its current social distancing level that nothing can be done about,” said John and the number of new infections in the for another two weeks from Monday, though it eased some Vucetich of Michigan Technological Uni- country. Pakistan has registered more restrictions on cafes, gyms and other indoor facilities. versity, one of the biologists who have pro- than 504,000 cases of the virus, includ- duced annual reports about the wolves and Under the new measures, the capital area will continue to ing 10,676 deaths since the fi rst infection enforce Level 2.5, the second highest in a fi ve-tier system, and moose that roam the island park, as well as its other wildlife and vegetation. was detected in February. On Monday, it the rest of the nation will remain under Level Two. reported 1,877 new cases and 32 deaths in The ban on private gatherings of fi ve or more people, and Wolves are believed to have crossed ice bridges from the mainland to the is- the past 24 hours. the restriction on business operations after 9:00 p.m., was also land in the mid-20th century. They estab- Pakistan had hoped to eliminate polio extended. lished packs and helped keep the moose back in 2018, when only 12 cases were Travelers to New Zealand from most other nations will need from overpopulating their habitat. reported. But in the years since there has to show negative pre-departure coronavirus tests from Jan. 25, When inbreeding all but wiped out the been an uptick in new cases. offi cials announced Tuesday. New Zealand recently imposed wolves in recent years, offi cials began Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan the rule on travelers from the US. and the UK and is extend- airlifting in others from the US and Cana- are the only two remaining countries in ing it to all other countries, with the exception of Australia dian mainland. the world where polio is endemic, after and a handful of Pacifi c Island nations. Travelers returning The most recent count last year put their Nigeria was last year declared free of the from Antarctica are also exempt. COVID-19 Response Min- numbers at 12 to 14. The moose herd was wild polio virus. ister Chris Hipkins said New Zealand has some of the strictest estimated to number 1,876. (AP) A health team member treats a COVID-19 patient at the new Nurse Isabel Ze- Eradicating polio requires that more border measures in the world, which it needs to maintain its ❑ ❑ ❑ ndal Hospital in Madrid, Spain, Jan 18. As the coronavirus curve of contagion than 90% of children be immunized, typi- strategy of eliminating the virus. turned increasingly vertical after Christmas and New Year’s, the Zendal has cally in mass campaigns involving mil- Pak launches anti-polio drive: De- been busy. On Monday, 392 virus patients were being treated, more than in any lions of health workers — a challenge spite a steady rise in coronavirus cases, other hospital in the Madrid region. (AP) under the coronavirus pandemic. (AP) Obituary WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 FFeatureseatures a year.Butthetourist attraction hundreds ofthousands ofvisitors tions duringthetours. Viewers willbeabletoaskques- and artifactsrelatedtoPresley. complex, whichhousesexhibits walk throughtheentertainment is atourofPresley’sjetand in MemphisonAug16,1977. buried. Thesingerandactordied Meditation Garden,whereheis into amuseum,andthroughthe phis home,whichhasbeenturned tors intoPresley’sformerMem- guided tourswilltakevirtualvisi- rus pandemic. ist attractionduringthecoronavi- can’t traveltotheTennesseetour- the world,includingthosewho live onlinetoursforfansaround ley were eased. when restrictionsonrestaurants period, fromMaytoOctober, reviews intoareducedsix-month that itsqueezeditsanonymous disrupted thedinnerservice. lockdowns, whilestrictcurfews what wasoneofEurope’sharshest large partsoflastyearduring cuisine sawrestaurantsshutfor nationwide. of timebeencompletelyclosed eateries thathaveforlargeperiods guide —basedonreviewsof year’s starsfortheir2021France fl the EiffelTower’ssecond of the ceremony toavirtualpublic. shuttered industryatavirtual It ishandingoutitsstarsforthe that waslikenoother—2020. ceremony inParisfortheyear for foodies,isadaptingitsawards which haslongservedasabook out at different dates. (AP) out atdifferentdates.(AP) awards inothercountriesarehanded sues covering25countries,though and theotherstartinginfall. lockdowns lastyear,oneinspring inspectors asusual.Francehadtwo bringing intwiceasmanyforeign seas foritssecretiveinspections, is theheadofLeGuideMichelin. MEMPHIS, Tenn: PARIS: how traditionalAfricandishesbroughtpleasuretofamiliesandcom- the Blackconditionandexperience. Black writers,photographersandeditorsthefreedomtowriteabout tions forthecountry’sBlackmajority. she wasappointedfoodeditorforTrueLove,oneofthefewpublica- loved thework. ucts bygivingcookingclassesinBlacktownships.Shefoundthatshe was hiredbyacannedfoodscompanytopromotesalesoftheirprod- bestseller, purchasedbyBlacksandwhitesalike. ciation, andamarket,forAfricancuisine.Herbookbecameholiday quietly battledSouthAfrica’sracistapartheidsystemtofi She was65. knew best:tastyAfricanfood. a mentorwhoencouragedthemtosucceedbyhighlightingwhatthey cook tofamous,well-traveledauthor. cember asamovingchronicleofherjourneyfromhumbletownship food writerDorahSitole’slatestcookbookwaswidelyhailedinDe- JOHANNESBURG, Jan19,(AP):SouthAfrica’strailblazingBlack South Africa’s trailblazingBlackfoodwriterdiesofvirus oor, judgesaregivingoutthis Graceland typically hosts Also includedinthe$100ticket Graceland saidthetwo-hour ’s Gracelandisnowoffering Michelin France The countryfamedforits From thepanoramicsplendor The Michelinguidehas28is- And itcalledforhelpfromover- With storiesthatwereaboutmuchmorethanfood,Sitoledescribed The magazine,anditscompetitorDrum,wereknownforgiving In 1987,Sitolebecamethecountry’sfi Sitole’s careerstartedin1980attheheightofapartheidwhenshe In “40YearsofIconicFood,”Sitoleengaginglydescribedhowshe Now theyaremourningSitole’sdeaththismonthfromCOVID-19. The country’snewBlackcelebritychefslineduptopraiseheras Jules Verne

France ❑ Gwendal Poullennec ’s MichelinGuide, restauranton Elvis Pres- toldtheAP

PARIS: with moredatesexpected. (AP) Jan 27,Feb25,andMarch ity, in-persontours. and isnowopenforlimited-capac- closed forseveralweekslastyear the virusoutbreak.Gracelandwas has seenadropinvisitorsduring Virtual toursarescheduledfor to doubtmuchintheirlives.Linda,whohasinitiated ence iscausingLinda(Hathaway)andPaxton(Ejiofor) in claustrophobiaandshut-infrustration.Theexperi- actors akindofquarantine-screwballatmosphererich also wrotetheeven-more-confi familiar glamour.Knight’slivelyandverbosescript(he Hathaway insuchcircumstanceslendsthemafarless of thenoveltieslastspringnowfeeldatedandstale. demic movies:Somuchhaschangedsofastthatsome screen). “LockedDown”pointstooneproblemofpan- eos playingcharactersseenonlythroughthecomputer Ben KingsleyandMindyKalingmakeremotecam- jama pants,bakingplansandZoomcalls(BenStiller, heist isfi scene atHarrods.Thatthingsbuildtoasemi-ridiculous in atownhouse,onemptycitystreetsandculminating London withCOVIDon-setprotocols-mainlyshooting Max, inJuly,andbySeptember,theywerefi “Locked Down,”whichdebutedThursdayonHBO good, London-set“DirtyPrettyThings.”Knightwrote who pennedanearlybreakoutforEjioforinthevery ven Knight(“EasternPromises,”“PeakyBlinders”), gan, havehaditwitheachother.ThescriptisbySte- as theyplayacouplethat,justbeforelockdownbe- and (especially)Ejioformakingacharmingpair,even performers ampleroomtobreathe. a knackformoreagileandplayfulfi world oflumbering,oxygen-depletedactionfi row” and“TheBourneIdentity,”hasalways,inamovie director of“Mr.andMrs.Smith,”“TheEdgeTomor- the emerginggenreofCOVID-19movies.Liman, comedy-slash-heist moviethatmakesagameentryinto is crucialin“LockedDown,”anenergeticromantic ofor andAnneHathaway.This,notasmalldifference, ences, erratic,alittleabsurdandsporadicallydelightful. ing thepandemic,is,likeourownquarantineexperi- D ‘Locked Down’mirrors ourquarantinelife But seeingtwoterrifi It alsofeelsveryMarch-April2020.Therearepa- That serves“LockedDown”well,withHathaway Unlike ourtimeinquarantine,ithasChiwetelEji- rst Blackfoodwriterwhen There isa rayoflightfor ❑ Variety most ambitiousfi oug Liman’s tting; thewholemoviefeelsstolen. One ofthemostimpactfulBlackwomeninfoodworld This imagereleasedbyHBOMaxshowsAnneHathawayinascenefrom‘LockedDown.’(AP) “Locked Down,” By JakeCoyle nd appre- nd lms tobeconceivedandshotdur- c performerslikeEjioforand ned “Locke”)givesthe Film featuring foodfromalloverAfrica. together,” saidMtonganawhohasopenedarestaurantinCapeTown, and addfl and nowhasatelevisionseriescookbooks. brightest newchefs,whostartedoutasfoodeditorforDrummagazine very truetowhoshewas,”saidSibaMtongana,oneofSouthAfrica’s First, itwassomethingthatdrivenbyherbackground,she “She wouldtakewhatwegrewupeatingandaddatwisttothem, “Mam (mother)Dorah’sapproachtofoodwasamixtureofthings. An energeticromantic comedy-slash-heistmovie rse Poullennec Presley South Africatoday. many Blackchefs,foodwritersandinfl ed TrueLove’seditor-in-chief. Cape toCairo.” learn aboutthecontinent’scuisine,producingbook“Cookingfrom chef andgotadiplomainmarketing.ShetraveledacrossAfricato 1994, Sitolefoundnewopportunities.ShetrainedasaCordonBleu Africa’s townshipswereroiledbyanti-apartheidviolence. won anavidreadershipandbecameahouseholdname,evenasSouth well-known recipesandtipsonhowtomakethemabudget.She munities introubledtimes.Shewasknownforherdistinctivetakeson lms thatgiveA-list oneofthefi Sitole’s warmthandgenerosityiscreditedwithopeningdoorsfor In 2008,Sitole’ssuccesswasacknowledgedwhensheappoint- When apartheidendedandNelsonMandelabecamepresidentin avors thatwewouldnotordinarilyhavethoughtofputting lming in lming lms, had lms, rst and ning, wholiveswithhermother( empty experience. and lived-inperformances,butalsoadrearyoddly is amixedbag:exquisitelybeautiful,withcommitted spired ideaforapieceofhistoricalfi together abitandbecamefriends.Whilethat’sanin- takes afootnotefromtheirlives—thattheyworked briefl geologist sil discoveriesalongthecoastinSouthwestEngland,and who inthe19thcenturymadesignifi women buriedbyhistory:paleontologist writer-director Mary andCharlottetheirwork,in“Ammonite,” Kate Winslet But insteadofilluminatingwhatweknowabout The newfi time: 118minutes.Threestarsoutoffour. guage throughoutandsomedrugmaterial.Running by theMotionPictureAssociationofAmericaforlan- relic, butitsfl dio level.HopefullytheCOVID-mademovieissoona feel connectedtotheirtimearehardfi Little isspontaneousand,asaconsequence,fi have releasecalendarsplannedoutyearsinadvance. making islaboriouslypreordained.Thelargeststudios lasts afterthepandemic.SomuchHollywoodmovie- the moment.ButIhopesomeofitsoff-the-cuffspirit pandemic rhythm—takesshape. “Locked Down”—likesomeonefi their existentialdistresseventuallysyncsup,and house inbetweenvideoconferenceconfessions,but a long-agocrime. never risenabovedeliveryman,hisrecordtarnishedby locked-down blockfromthemiddleofstreet,he’s going. Abikerandpoetwhooccasionallyreadstohis she beginstoquestionhercareer.Paxton’snevergot poration. Afterbeingorderedtofi the break-up,runsLondondivisionofaglobalcor- y alongside her geologist husband. y alongsidehergeologisthusband. Flavors “Locked Down,”aWarnerBros.release,isratedR “Locked Down”isinevitably,andintentionally,of For awhile,they’rebothmonologuingaroundthe Charlotte Murchison lm now able toenterthesculpture- remains closed,visitors are collection ofRodin sculptures, showcasing theworld’s largest reopening tovisitors. Museum sculpturegardensis rus curfew:ThefamousRodin to observeatightenedcoronavi- French nationthisweekend,begin Parisians who,liketherestof Francis Lee “Ammonite” eet-footedness sticksaround. Though therococo museum, , strippeddownandserious,playsAn- ❑ uencers whoarethrivingin (“God’sOwnCountry”) unearths the stories of two unearthsthestoriesoftwo , who worked in the area , whoworkedinthearea Gemma Jones cant prehistoricfos- ction, “Ammonite” re herstaffbyZoom, nallysettlingintoa Mary Anning nd atthestu- lms that lms and everycountrythatIwentto,lovedthefoodexperience.” what youaregoinginto,andthenfi to expect,”shesaidonRadio702.“Itwasalmostlikeyoudon’tknow decade careerwashertripacrossthecontinent. rican culture. women inthefoodworld.” pear soreachableandnormal.ShewasoneofthemostimpactfulBlack spected everybodyandmadewhatseemedlikesuchawilddreamap- something IsawMamDorahdofi us —herdaughterswin.Payingitforwardinmeaningfulwaysis space withpleasantness,”saidMzongwana. that,” saidMzongwana. see aBlackwomanblazingtrailsinfoodmedia.Nobodywasdoing mother, afriend,realartist.Irememberjusthowawesomeitwasto wana, acontributingeditorforfoodretailerWoolworths’Tastemagazine. others enjoyeatingacrossAfrica,andaroundtheworld. Africa’s manycuisinessayingsheloveddescribingtoherreaderswhat ) and Paris, said Sunday.“It’sbeen a Cordell out betweenthebronze forms. bloom, andforsythia budspoke and reopenedSaturday. been shutteredsinceNovember Invalides monument.Theyhad overlooked thegolddomeofLes fi lled surroundinggardensthat She saidSitoleimbuedherwithapassionforexposingtheworldto “I hadalwayswantedtotravelthroughAfricaandInocluewhat In oneofherlastinterviews,Sitolesaidthehighlightfour- Sitole receivednumerousawardsforhercontributiontoSouthAf- “She wassogenerouswithherresourcesandwantedtoseeallof “What madeMamDorahthebestwasdefi “Mam Dorahworesomanyhats—shewasawriter,creator, Another chefwhocreditsSitoleforassistingherisKhanyaMzong- “It’sfantastic,” Now, thepinkviburnumisin , , anAmericanresident of ( afternoon onthebeach.Behindhimishiswife,Charlotte will handoverherlifetimeofworkandexpertiseinan in unconsciouscondescension:HeassumesMarycanand see theworldwaysheseesit.It’sadmirationcloaked stops byhershopandaskstotakehimoutsohecan ings tocurioustouristsformeagersums. searching forfossilsinthecliffsandshillingherfi London. Instead,shetoilsinsilenceherhometown, socialize withthemeninGeologicalSocietyof Although she’snotableinherfi see thetollit’stakeninhereyesandhardenedface. the coastalareaof is strugglingtogetby.Life(ifyoucancallitthat)in minutes. Twoandahalfstarsoutoffour.(AP) graphic sexualityandbrieflanguage.”Runningtime:120 Picture AssociationofAmericafor“somegraphicnudity, tance onarathervacant,butbeautiful,journey. of theirexistence.But“Ammonite”keepsyouatadis- reveal essentialtruthsbeyondthebook-reportversions A fi there’s onlysomuchanactorcandotofi intense affairthatawakensboth,briefl pair. Butafterafeverandconvalescence,theyhavean status andinterests,MaryCharlotteareanunlikely needs themoney.Withtheirdifferencesinage,social instead. Maryisinsultedbutgrudginglyaccepts.She his travels,andpaysMarytotakeCharlotteoutwithher fi dent mealforhimselfandthenputsinplainwhite the factthathe’stypeofhusbandwhoordersadeca- fl wife back,”buthealsotreatsherasadelicatelywilting a lossandisfadingawayintoherowndepression. young andfragilewifeofabusyman.Shehassuffered decade olderthanMary.ButinLee’sversion,she’sthe ow ofaperson.Marybarelytakesnoticeher. sh, nosauce,forhiswife. ower. Youwonderifpartofhermentalstateisdueto Saoirse Ronan Then geologistRoderickMurchison( “Ammonite,” a Neon release, is rated R by the Motion “Ammonite,” aNeonrelease,isratedRbytheMotion Perhaps that’sbecauseLee’sscriptissospare,and He decidessheshouldn’taccompanyhimfurtheron Roderick sayshewantshis“bright,funny,clever The realCharlottewasafellowwomanofscience lm likethisshouldgivelifetoitscharactersand Matthew ), cloakedinblackandafi Lyme Regis rst,” shesaid.“Shelovedandre- Philippe Boirel not exactlyaRodin fan,”visitor extremely important, evenifI’m artist himself. even iftheywereundecidedbythe able togetoutandseesomeart.” museums soit’sreallynicetobe live inParisbecausewelovethe tough confi nd it.Ilovedeverymoment “Coming backtoculture is Others appreciatedthesetting, eld, shedoesn’tgetto isharsh,andyoucan nitely howshecouldfi y. James McArdle nement ...Wechoseto gurative shad- gurative ll inthegaps. saidSunday. (AP) nd- ) ll a ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Film

Poised for change Ben-Adir ‘breaks’ out as Malcolm X LOS ANGELES, Jan 19, (AP): British actor King- sley Ben-Adir may not be a household name yet, but that’s poised to change with his scene-stealing performance as Malcolm X in Regina King’s “One Night in Miami....” The fi lm, which imagines an electric meeting between the civil rights icon, Sam Cooke, Cassius Clay and Jim Brown in February 1964, is currently available on Prime Video. The 35-year-old has been a working actor for over a decade and has had more than a few heartbreaks and near-breaks along the way. In his fi rst fi lm, “World War Z,” his speaking line with Brad Pitt was unceremoniously cut. Then there was the Ang Lee Muhammad Ali fi lm that he spent years testing and months in active training for (he was to play Ali) that ended up losing its fi nancing. “One Night in Miami...” was almost a missed oppor- tunity, too. His agents fi rst suggested him for Clay. He declined (“I felt too old”) but said to call him if anything happened to the actor playing Malcolm. Ben-Adir said he was partially joking, but that Ben-Adir call did come. He offi cially got the part just 12 days before he was due on set. “I thought, I don’t know if I can prepare Malcolm X in 12 days,” Ben-Adir said. “Then I was like, ‘I have to do it.’” Ben-Adir spoke to The Associated Press - hours before he’d pick up the breakthrough actor award at the Gotham Awards - about fi nding the humanity in the icon and the tricky logistics of playing both Malcolm X and Barack Obama at the same time. Re- marks have been edited for clarity and brevity. In this Jan 11, 2020 file photo, Selena Gomez attends the premiere of ‘Dolittle’ in Los Angeles. Gomez will put her quarantine cooking skills on display in a 10-epi- AP: Was Malcolm X a fi gure in your life growing sode series for the upcoming streaming service HBO Max. After an angry mob of President Donald Trump supporters took control of the US Capitol in a violent up in the UK? insurrection, Gomez laid much of the blame at the feet of Big Tech. (AP) Ben-Adir: I grew up knowing exactly who he was. I’d read the autobiography at an earlier stage and he was someone who I was defi nitely aware of. I can’t say the same for the education syllabus here. Media We weren’t taught much about African American history at all and Black British history is almost non- existent in my school. AP: Who is Malcolm X at this moment in 1964? This is about truth versus lies: Gomez Ben-Adir: Regina and I were trying to fi gure out how far we could push the exploration of show- ing Malcolm as a father and as a husband and as a man who at this moment in time was in a very, very vulnerable situation. He was on a ban from the Na- ‘Big Tech cashing in from evil’ tion of Islam and his relationship with Elijah Mu- hammad, who essentially was his father fi gure for LOS ANGELES, Jan 19, (AP): Hours Capitol insurrection both by allowing some including the American Civil 12 years, was really crumbling. There was a sense after an angry mob of Trump support- plans for the uprising to be made on Liberties Union that it was censor- that his life was in danger and there’s a feeling that ers took control of the US Capitol in their platforms and through algorithms ship, and praise from others who say Malcolm knew that his time was maybe coming to a violent insurrection, Selena Gomez that allow dangerous conspiracy theo- the president abused his platform by an end. There’s this wonderful opportunity with laid much of the blame at the feet of ries to take fl ight. That’s even though encouraging violence. this movie to explore the humanity of this “fearless Big Tech. executives, such as Facebook’s Sand- In a thread defending Twitter’s demagogue.” “Today is the result of allowing berg, have insisted that planning for Trump ban, CEO Jack Dorsey said “of- people with hate in their hearts to use the riots largely took place on other, fl ine harm as a result of online speech Malcolm described to his friend Dick Gregory that Book store worker, Dikeledi Nhlapo, he felt weak and hollow and that nobody knew the platforms that should be used to bring smaller platforms. is demonstrably real, and what drives holds a copy of Dorah Sitole’s ‘40 people together and allow people to “The operational planning was our policy and enforcement above all.” torments that he was going through at this time. Dick Years of Iconic Food’ cook book in talks about Malcolm as a sweet and bashful man, a build community,” tweeted the singer/ happening in spaces that Selena, for In addition to banning Trump, Fa- Exclusive Books in Hyde Park Corner, actor. “Facebook, Instagram, Twit- example, was identifying to Sheryl cebook has been removing video and kind man and a good-humored man and someone Johannesburg, on Jan 12. South Af- ter, Google, Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg in advance saying, ‘You photos from Capitol rioters. The com- who would be embarrassed if he could hear us talk- rica’s pioneer Black food writer Sitole, portrait on cover, who quietly defied Sandberg, Jack Dorsey, Sundar Pichai, know, we need to do something about pany also added text on posts ques- ing about him in this way now. And I just thought Susan Wojcicki - you have all failed white supremacist extremism online tioning the election, confi rming that that was just gorgeous. apartheid to win respect and a wide readership for African cuisine, died the American people today, and I hope and their ability to just form a group Joe Biden has been lawfully elected, AP: That seems to belie the imagery that we al- you’re going to fi x things moving for- on Facebook and happily talk away to and saying it was taking enforcement ways see of him. January 2021, of COVID-19. (AP) — Details on Page 12 ward.” each other, plan what they’re going to action against militarized social move- Ben-Adir: I feel like all of the all of the im- It’s just the latest effort by the do next,’” said Imran Ahmed, CEO of ments like QAnon. agery that we’re used to, the stuff on YouTube 28-year-old Gomez to draw attention the Center for Countering Digital Hate, While the changes are positive, and the soundbites... it’s always Malcolm re- to the danger of internet companies which has helped educate Gomez they’re “just a drop in the bucket,” said sponding to usually the next day - or on the same critics say have profi ted from misin- about online misinformation. Jeff Orlowski, director of Netfl ix’s day - as the most hideous instances of racism or Variety formation and hate on their platforms. “The Social Dilemma,” a popular 2020 police brutality or political injustice. It’s no won- Gomez has been calling out Big Tech Search fi lm that showed how Silicon Valley’s der he’s riled up and impassioned and angry in NEW YORK: Add Garth Brooks to the for months - publicly on the very plat- In emails shared exclusively with pursuit of profi t could pose an existen- so much of that archive footage. Watching him lineup of entertainers at the inauguration forms she’s fi ghting and privately in the AP, Gomez told Sandberg in Sep- tial threat to US democracy. when he wasn’t speaking, when he was listening of President-elect Joe Biden. conversations with Silicon Valley’s tember that “a search for a militia Voices like Gomez’s can be a huge and watching him in the moment in the transition “This is a great day in our household,” big hitters. group ‘Three Percenters’ results in help to get the message across, consid- between listening and when he was just about to the country music superstar said during In an exclusive interview with The dozens of pages, groups and videos fo- ering her hundreds of millions of fol- respond, this humanity opened-up. I don’t know a virtual press conference Monday, two Associated Press on Jan. 6, just hours cused on people hoping and preparing lowers, Orlowski said. how to describe it. Also, I think I was a little bit days before Biden is to be sworn in. before the Capitol riot, Gomez said for civil war, and there are dozens of “Think of the advertising revenue in la la land by the end of it. I wasn’t eating. I was “This is not a political statement. This is she’s been frustrated by what she groups titled ‘white lives matter’ that from every Selena Gomez post. Think kind of wired. My blood was full of nicotine and a statement of unity.” views as the companies’ lackluster are full of hate and lies that might lead of the advertising revenue from every caffeine and my mind was just sort of filled with Brooks, who joins Lady Gaga and response. She said they have to “stop to people being hurt or, even worse, Donald Trump post, the advertising these ideas. The whole process was just a little bit Jennifer Lopez among others, per- doing the bare minimum.” killed.” revenue from every post from The formed during the inaugural celebration That’s even though Facebook Rock or whoever,” he said. “Those surreal and a little bit of a whirlwind. of President Barack Obama in 2009. Selling AP: Are Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s 1992 banned US-based militia groups from people are literally generating mil- He turned down a chance to play for “It isn’t about me versus you, one its service in August. lions of dollars for these companies ... fi lm on your mind during this? President Donald Trump in 2017, citing Ben-Adir: I made a decision to sort of just leave political party versus another. This is In the same email, Gomez also The top 20 people on Instagram have a scheduling confl ict. about truth versus lies and Facebook, points to several ads with lies about probably the most infl uence over Mark that. I knew that this Malcolm needed to be different. Invited by incoming fi rst lady Jill Instagram and big tech companies election fraud being allowed to remain and Sheryl compared to anybody else AP: Is it true that you were doing this while you Biden, Brooks has known the Bidens for have to stop allowing lies to just fl ow on Facebook and Instagram and ques- until fi nally Congress as a whole gets were also playing Barack Obama in “The Comey more than a decade, when Joe Biden was Obama’s vice president. and pretend to be the truth,” Gomez tions why that was being allowed. enough momentum and energy to put Rule”? How does that work? said in a phone interview from New “I can’t believe you can’t check ads some legislation together.” Ben-Adir: I shot Malcolm for three and a half Brooks said that for this week’s inau- gural, he will perform solo doing “broken York. “Facebook continues to allow before you take money, and if you weeks and then on a Friday I jumped on a plane to dangerous lies about vaccines and can’t you shouldn’t be profi ting from Also: Toronto and shot Barack for four or fi ve days and down, bare-bones stuff,” and hinted at covering material by songwriters from COVID and the US election, and neo- it,” she wrote. “You’re not just doing NEW YORK: Sen Josh Hawley has then jumped on a plane and went straight back to outside the US. Nazi groups are selling racist products nothing. You’re cashing in from evil.” found a new publisher after his book Malcolm. As a working actor, the schedules are set He does not plan to sing his socially via Instagram. In an email response to Gomez, was dropped by Simon & Schuster in and you have to work around it. I was like, listen, conscious “We Shall Be Free,” which “Enough is enough,” she said. Sandberg defends Facebook’s efforts the wake of the siege of the US Capi- ‘You’ve been asking for this kind of opportunity for he performed at the Obama inaugural. Facebook and Twitter representa- to remove harmful content, saying the tol by supporters of President Donald the last 10 years. Now you’ve got two at the same (Agencies) tives declined to comment. Google platform has removed millions of posts Trump. time. You’ve just got to make it work.’ ❑ ❑ ❑ didn’t respond to an AP request for for hate speech, and bans ads that are The conversative publisher Regn- Also: comment. divisive, infl ammatory, or discourage ery announced Monday that Hawley’s WUHAN, China: Couples go on dates, Gomez is among a growing number people from voting. She didn’t direct- “The Tyranny of Big Tech” will come LOS ANGELES: “Parasite” director Bong Joon Ho has families dine out at restaurants, shop- of celebrities using their platforms to ly address the advertising examples out this spring. been selected as jury president of the 78th Venice pers fl ock to stores. Face masks aside, people are going about their daily life call out social media, including Sacha Gomez pointed to. “Regnery is proud to stand in the International Film Festival, organizers said Friday. Baron Cohen, Leonardo DiCaprio, “It’s beating around the bush and breach with him. And the warning The Oscar-winner will preside over seven jurors pretty much as normal in the Chinese city that was fi rst hit by the COVID-19 Jennifer Lawrence, Kerry Washington, saying what people want to hear,” in his book about censorship obvi- to hand out the festival’s top awards, including the pandemic. and Kim Kardashian West. Gomez said about her interactions with ously couldn’t be more urgent,” Reg- prestigious Golden Lion. He’ll be the fi rst South Ko- It’s a remarkable turnaround for the 11 Gomez became passionate about the Sandberg and Google, among others. nery President and Publisher Thomas rean to hold the post. million residents of Wuhan, a city devas- issue in 2017 when a 12-year-old com- “I think at this point we’ve all learned Spence said in a statement. In a statement, the director said he is, “Honored tated by the coronavirus. The commercial mented on one of her Instagram posts: that words don’t match up unless the Hawley, a Republican from Mis- to be woven into its beautiful cinematic tradition. As hub on the mighty Yangtze river spent 76 “Go kill yourself.” action is going to happen.” souri, has been widely condemned for president of the jury — and more importantly as a days in lockdown last year, from January “That was my tipping point,” she Following the violence at the US his encouragement of the Jan. 6 protest perpetual cinephile — I’m ready to admire and ap- to April. Overwhelmed hospitals sent said. “I couldn’t handle what I was Capitol, tech companies made some of that ended with a violent mob rampag- plaud all the great fi lms selected by the festival. I’m the less seriously ill home, where they seeing.” their biggest changes to date. ing through the Capitol. Thousands fi lled with genuine hope and excitement.” infected others. More than 3,800 people Social media experts have argued Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and had gathered that day as Congress vot- Festival director Alberto Barbera remarked upon died, accounting for nearly 90% of the that companies like Facebook and other platforms banned President Don- ed to formally certify Joe Biden’s win the historic nature of the selection. offi cial coronavirus deaths in mainland Twitter played a direct role in the ald Trump, drawing criticism from over Trump. Hawley and Sen. China. “We are immensely grateful to him for having Today, some residents marvel that agreed to put his passion as a cinephile attentive, what was once considered the most inquisitive and unprejudiced, at the service of our dangerous place because of the pandemic festival,” Barbera said. “The decision to entrust the may now be one of the safest. Bundled made to quarantine for 14 days. (AP) In 2018, Fair Haven residents elected Jury to a Korean fi lmmaker, for the fi rst time in the up against the winter cold, they walk ❑ ❑ ❑ Lincoln the goat as its honorary mayor. festival’s history, is also confi rmation that the Vene- briskly down a pedestrian-only shopping Lincoln helped raise about $10,000 while tian event embraces the cinema of the entire world, street that was a ghost town at the height FAIR HAVEN, Vt: A goat and a dog the current mayor, Murfee, a Cavalier King and that directors from every country know they can of the outbreak. who were each elected mayor have Charles spaniel, has raised $20,000, Town Authorities remain on guard ahead of helped raise money to renovate a Ver- Manager Joe Gunter told the Rutland Her- consider Venice their second home.” mont community playground. The Venice Film Festival was one of the only ma- next month’s Lunar New Year holiday, ald. The town chipped in another $20,000. when Chinese typically return to their The oddball idea of pet mayor elec- Murfee’s owner, Linda Barker, said jor fi lm festivals to proceed in person last year amid hometowns for family gatherings. Even a tions to raise money to rehabilitate the that when she was talked into having the pandemic. The 78th edition is set to run from World Health Organization team, which playground and to help get local kids Murfee get involved in politics, she Sept 1-11. arrived from overseas this week to inves- civically involved came from a local thought it would be easy to raise money tigate the origins of the virus, is being town manager. Brooks Lopez through T-shirts. (AP) ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 SPORTS 14

NHL Results/Standings

Varlamov stops 27 shots EDMONTON, Jan 19, (AP): NHL results and standings on Monday. Columbus 3 Detroit 2 St Louis 5 San Jose 4 NY Islanders 1 Boston 0 Calgary 5 Vancouver 2 Toronto 3 Winnipeg 1 Montreal 3 Edmonton 1 Buffalo 6 Philadelphia 1 Anaheim 1 Minnesota 0 Carolina 4 Nashville 2 Vegas 4 Arizona 2 Central Division North Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA as Islanders edge Bruins Tampa Bay 2 2 0 0 4 10 3 Nashville 3 2 1 0 4 10 7 Toronto 4 3 1 0 6 14 12 Carolina 3 2 1 0 4 9 6 Montreal 3 2 0 1 5 12 7 Florida 1 1 0 0 2 5 2 Calgary 3 2 0 1 5 11 6 Detroit 3 1 2 0 2 6 8 Ottawa 2 1 1 0 2 7 6 Columbus 3 1 2 0 2 6 10 Winnipeg 2 1 1 0 2 5 6 Chicago 3 0 3 0 0 5 15 Edmonton 4 1 3 0 2 10 15 Dallas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Vancouver 4 1 3 0 2 9 16 East Division West Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA Washington 3 2 0 1 5 11 9 Vegas 3 3 0 0 6 11 5 Philadelphia 3 2 1 0 4 12 11 St Louis 3 2 1 0 4 9 13 NY Islanders 3 2 1 0 4 5 5 Minnesota 3 2 1 0 4 8 7 New Jersey 2 1 0 1 3 4 4 Arizona 3 1 1 1 3 10 11 Boston 3 1 1 1 3 4 5 Anaheim 3 1 1 1 3 4 7 NY Rangers 2 1 1 0 2 5 4 Colorado 2 1 1 0 2 9 4 Buffalo 3 1 2 0 2 11 9 Los Angeles 2 0 0 2 2 6 8 Pittsburgh 3 1 2 0 2 9 14 San Jose 3 1 2 0 2 11 13 Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each division will qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment.

Gunners keep another clean sheet Auba ends drought as Arsenal rout Magpies LONDON, Jan 19, (AP): Arsenal cap- tain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fi - nally ended his scoring drought in the Premier League with two second-half goals in a 3-0 win against Newcastle as the Gunners try to claw their way out of mid-table. Aubameyang, who hadn’t scored in the league since Dec. 16, broke the deadlock in the 50th minute before Bu- kayo Saka added a second with style in the 61st. An unmarked Aubameyang got his second goal in the 77th. It was a fi fth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions for Arsenal and a fourth win in fi ve league matches. St Louis Blues’ Mike Hoffman (68) and San Jose Sharks’ Fredrik Handemark (37) chase after a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey “We’re all coming together as a game, Jan 18, in St Louis. (AP) group,” attacking midfi elder Emile Smith Rowe said. “We’ve had some meetings off the pitch. The whole group is so much stronger and it Sabres earn first win of season showed on the pitch.” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette UNIONDALE, New York, and St. Louis rallied to beat San Jose. scored early in the third period of Ana- Hurricanes 4, Predators 2 echoed that sentiment. controls the ball during the English “The spirit is better,” he said. “We Premier League soccer match be- Jan 19, (AP): Semyon Var- Mike Hoffman scored his fi rst goal heim’s victory over Minnesota. In Nashville, Tenn, Andrei Svech- tween Arsenal and Newcastle Unit- with the Blues and Brayden Schenn also After two scoreless periods domi- nikov, Sebastian Aho and Vincent have to maintain that run.” ed at Emirates Stadium in London, lamov stopped 27 shots, scored for St. Louis, which beat San Jose nated by Gibson and Minnesota goalie Trocheck each had a goal and an assist But the Gunners only moved up a England, Jan18. (AP) Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored for the fourth straight time on home ice. Cam Talbot, Deslauriers converted a as Carolina beat Nashville. place to 10th with 27 points, as they with 4:09 remaining and the Jordan Binnington made 22 saves. superb pass from new Ducks defen- Nino Niederreiter also scored and try to turn around their season after a dream for us.” seman Kevin Shattenkirk for his fi rst James Reimer made 31 saves for Caro- woeful start. But he’s also learning from a vet- New York Islanders beat the Sabres 6, Flyers 1 goal of the season. The Ducks hung Newcastle remained in 15th place, In Philadelphia, Sam Reinhart and lina. eran player: Alexandre Lacazette. on to earn their fi rst win of the season Viktor Arvidsson had a goal and an only seven points from the relegation Boston Bruins 1-0 in their Curtis Lazar each scored two goals to “He gives me so much confi dence,” while winning their home opener for assist and Filip Forsberg also scored zone. lead Buffalo past Philadelphia for its Smith Rowe said. “As we link up and home opener Monday. the fi fth consecutive year. for Nashville. Predators goaltender Pe- fi rst win of the season. play together, he talks to me.” Adam Pelech fired a shot from Canadiens 3, Oilers 1 kka Rinne made 20 saves. SOCCER Arteta was certainly impressed by the left point and Boston’s Patrice Carter Hutton stopped 21 shots in a light night of work against a Flyers In Edmonton, Alberta, Jake Allen Blue Jackets 3, Red Wings 2 his young players. Bergeron deflected the puck up in “They put a smile on my face,” he team that had scored 11 goals as they made 25 saves in his fi rst game with In Detroit, Alexandre Texier and “There’s no denying that confi dence the air. Pageau batted it past goalie won their fi rst two games. Nicolas Montreal, Shea Weber got his fi rst goal Pierre-Luc Dubois scored 1:16 apart said. “They are developing really well. is low,” manager Steve Bruce said. The performances they are putting in Tuukka Rask. Aube-Kubel spoiled the shutout bid of the season and the Canadiens beat early in the third period to give Co- “We have to keep plugging away at it.” are extraordinary.” Varlamov, who missed Saturday’s with 2:05 left. Edmonton. lumbus a two-goal lead and it held on Aubameyang, who had just three game against the Rangers after he took a Artturi Lehkonen and rookie Alexan- to beat Detroit. league goals this season coming into Arteta was also happy to have puck off his neck in pregame warmups, Ducks 1, Wild 0 der Romanov also scored for Montreal, Oliver Bjorkstrand scored late in the Partey back for his first start since In Anaheim, California, John Gib- the game, seemed like he would con- got his second shutout in two starts this which beat Edmonton for the second time second period and Joonas Korpisalo tinue his poor run of form after missing Dec. 6 against Tottenham after re- season. He had 24 saves in a 4-0 win son made 33 saves in his 20th career in three nights. The Habs also trounced fi nished with 35 saves in the Blue a string of chances in the fi rst half. covering from a thigh injury, saying against the Rangers last Thursday. shutout, and Nicolas Deslauriers the Oilers 5-1 on Saturday. Jackets’ fi rst win of the season. But a perfectly weighted long ball he hopes the player can help Arsenal from midfi elder Thomas Partey found more with the transition from de- Golden Knights 4, Coyotes 2 Flames 5, Canucks 2 fense to attack. In Las Vegas, a stickless Chandler In Calgary, Alberta, Johnny Gaud- the struggling forward on the left, leaving him one-on-one with defender “He has this presence, this aura, Stephenson was credited with the game- reau had a goal and an assist, leading which makes him a special player for winning goal, Robin Lehner made 30 Calgary over Vancouver. Emil Krafth. The Arsenal captain cut inside and us,” Arteta said. “Hopefully, we can saves and Vegas beat Arizona. Mikael Backlund, Elias Lindholm, keep him fi t.” Mark Giordano and Rasmus Anders- struck the ball past goalkeeper Karl Darlow, beating him at the near post. Aubameyang’s second goal came son also scored for the Flames. Cal- when Cedric Soares took the ball to the ICE HOCKEY gary goalie Jacob Markstrom had 25 Aubameyang did his trademark front fl ip in celebration. byline before looking up and fi nding saves to beat his former team for the his unmarked captain, who side-footed Not too long after the fi rst of Reilly second straight time. Then, it was the time for Arsenal’s youngsters to shine. The 20-year-old home. A video review confi rmed the Smith’s two goals tied it early in the Maple Leafs 3, Jets 1 ball was kept in play by Soares. third period, Vegas defenseman Zach Smith Rowe took the ball down the In Toronto, Mitch Marner scored left before cutting in and setting up an Aubameyang didn’t have a chance Whitecloud gathered a loose puck twice, John Tavares also scored and to score a hat trick, as he was substi- from a faceoff in Arizona’s zone and unmarked Saka, 19, who drifted in to Frederik Andersen made 27 saves for near the penalty spot before fi nishing tuted two minutes later with a stomach fi red a shot off Stephenson’s back to Toronto in fi rst of 10 meetings be- issue. give Vegas its fi rst lead of the game. with a simple tap-in. tween the North Division rivals. The two players have come up One of the few Newcastle counterat- Max Pacioretty also scored for the Kyle Connor scored for Winnipeg, through the academy together and tacks came in the 24th, when winger Golden Knights, his third goal in three and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 35 their linkup play is paying dividends Miguel Almiron beat Partey’s sliding games. shots inside an empty Scotiabank Are- for Arsenal as Arteta is starting to rely tackle to intercept the ball and break Blues 5, Sharks 4 na because of COVID-19 protocols. on them and other youngsters in the unmarked down the right. The Para- In St Louis, Jordan Kyrou got the Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise, (right), reaches for the puck in front The Jets were without star Patrik squad. guayan cut in and exchanged passes tiebreaking goal midway through the of Anaheim Ducks left wing Sonny Milano (12) during the second period of Laine, who sat out with an upper-body “We’ve all played together from a with Andy Carroll before fi ring the third period, Justin Faulk scored twice an NHL hockey game, on Jan 18, in Anaheim, California. (AP) injury and is listed as day-to-day. young age,” Smith Rowe said. “It’s a ball over the bar. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 SPORTS 15 Nets edge Bucks in matchup of Eastern powers

Aldridge, DeRozan lead Spurs past Blazers 125-104

NEW YORK, Jan 19, (AP): Kevin Durant made the go- ahead 3-pointer with 36 seconds left, James Harden had 34 points and 12 as- sists, and the Brooklyn Nets edged the Milwaukee Bucks 125-123. Durant finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists to give the Nets their fourth straight victory in a game in which two of the East’s best went toe-to-toe right down to a tense finish that ended when Khris Middleton missed a po- tential winning 3-pointer from the corner. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 12 rebounds and sev- en assists for Milwaukee, which had its four-game winning streak stopped. Middleton added 25 points and Jrue Holiday had 22. Warriors 115, Lakers 113 In Los Angeles, Stephen Curry scored 26 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 23 and Golden State rallied from a 14-point, fourth-quarter defi cit to defeat the Lakers. LeBron James had a chance to win it at the end, but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Lak- ers had their fi ve-game winning streak snapped. Dennis Schröder led Los An- geles with 25 points and James added 19. Anthony Davis had 17 points and 17 rebounds.

BASKETBALL San Antonio Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan, drives to the basket on Portland Trail Blazers guard Rodney Hood, (right), during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Oregon, on Jan 18. (AP) Eric Paschall came off the Knicks 91, Magic 84 bench to score 19 points and An- In New York, RJ Barrett had 22 St. John’s upsets No. 23 UConn 74-70 as teams renew rivalry drew Wiggins added 18 for Gold- points and 10 rebounds, and Ju- en State, which has won 10 of its lius Randle added 21 points and last 12 when playing on Martin 17 rebounds to lead New York Luther King Jr. Day. past Orlando. Baylor still unbeaten with win over Kansas Spurs 125, Trail Blazers 104 Elfrid Payton chipped in with In Portland, Oregon, LaMarcus 12 points and rookie guard Im- WACO, Texas, Jan 19, (AP): Jar- 3-pointer by Earlington gave the Aldridge scored 22 points, De- manuel Quickley added 11 for ed Butler had a season-high 30 Red Storm their fi rst lead of the Mar DeRozan had 20 points and the Knicks, who won their second points and eight assists as No. 2 game, 64-62, with just over four 11 assists and San Antonio beat straight. Baylor remained undefeated with minutes left. Portland. Nikola Vucevic had 24 points a 77-69 victory over No. 9 Kan- Champagnie’s driving layup Rudy Gay and Patty Mills came and 14 rebounds for Orlando, sas, which has lost consecutive made it 71-67 with 1:17 left, and off the bench for 21 points apiece which lost its sixth in a row. Aar- Big 12 games for the fi rst time in St. John’s held off the Huskies as the Spurs’ reserves outscored on Gordon had 18 points and 17 nearly eight years. down the stretch. Portland’s backups 59-24. rebounds while Terrence Ross The Bears (13-0, 6-0 Big 12) Florida St. 78, Louisville 65 Damian Lillard led Portland added 19 points for the Magic. led throughout in a matchup of In Louisville, RaiQuan Gray with 35 points Grizzlies 108, Suns 104 this year’s preseason league had 17 points and eight rebounds, The Spurs took over late in the In Memphis, Tennessee, Ja favorite and the team that has Wyatt Wilkes scored 13 points third quarter and went on an 11-0 Morant had 17 points and 10 as- won or shared 15 of the last and Florida State beat Louisville run early in the fourth to lead 95- sists and took a key charge late as 16 regular-season titles. But- 78-65. 82. Memphis beat Phoenix for its fi fth ler made the first of his seven Wilkes made two of Florida Hawks 108, Timberwolves 97 straight victory. 3-pointers on the first shot State’s four 3-pointers during In Atlanta, Clint Capela had 23 Grayson Allen, who fi nished of the game, part of Baylor’s a 17-3 run for a 22-7 lead and points and 15 rebounds, De’Andre with 16 points, converted four opening 11-2 spurt. the Seminoles led by double Hunter scored 25 and Atlanta beat free throws down the stretch. figures for the rest of the first Minnesota. Brandon Clarke also scored 17 BASKETBALL half. Louisville got within 57- The Hawks, wearing black, tan points for Memphis. 49 with 11:34 remaining in the and white uniforms with “MLK” Deandre Ayton led the Suns second half, but Balsa Kopriv- sewn across the chest to com- with 18 points and tied a sea- Kansas (10-4, 4-3) played for ica answered with a dunk to memorate the national holiday son high with 16 rebounds. the fi rst time since a 75-70 loss Baylor guard MaCio Teague (31) drives against Kansas guard Marcus Gar- start an 8-0 run. honoring slain civil rights leader Mikal Bridges had 17 points, last Tuesday at Oklahoma State rett (0) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, on Jan 18, in Malik Osborne added 12 Martin Luther King Jr., snapped a while Chris Paul finished with before the Jayhawks’ scheduled Waco, Texas. (AP) points, Rayquan Evans scored 11 two-game skid. They had dropped 16 points and seven assists for game Saturday was postponed That came two days after he was Marcellus Earlington scored and Scottie Barnes 10 for Flori- six of seven. Phoenix. because of COVID-19 issues in da State (8-2, 4-1 ACC), which Trae Young had 20 points and Raptors 116, Mavericks 93 Iowa State’s program. scoreless until scoring seven 15 points and Julian Champag- 13 assists for Atlanta. points in the fi nal seven minutes shot 50% from the fi eld includ- In Tampa, Florida, Kyle Low- The Jayhawks were with- nie, the Big East’s leader scor- ing 9 of 21 from 3-point range. D’Angelo Russell fi nished with of a 68-60 win at Texas Tech ry scored 23 points and Pascal in 65-60 with 3:18 left after er, had 10 of his 12 points in M.J. Walker had 10 assists and 31 points for Minnesota, which Siakam had a big second half, Tristan Enaruna drove the that was Baylor’s fi rst game this the second half. Rasheem Dunn has lost nine of 10. fi ve rebounds, but was just 1-of-7 leading Toronto over Dallas. baseline for a slam that capped season decided by fewer than 10 scored 11 points and Dylan shooting for two points. Anthony Heat 113, Pistons 107 Siakam scored 15 of his 19 an 8-0 run. Butler then hit a 3 at points. Addae-Wusu chipped in with Polite, averaging 9.6 points, did In Miami, Bam Adebayo had points in the second half as the the other end, and Kansas never Baylor had as much as a 10 for the Red Storm (8-7, 3-6) not play. 28 points and 11 rebounds and the Raptors pulled away for their got closer. 16-point lead in the fi rst half, at who won for just the second Florida State won its fourth short-handed Heat got their big- third straight victory. Chris Coach Bill Self’s team hadn’t 37-21 following another 3 by time in five games. consecutive game against Lou- gest comeback win of the season, Boucher added 21 points and OG lost consecutive Big 12 games Butler that prompted Self to call R.J. Cole scored 18 points and isville - the Seminoles longest rallying from 19 down to beat De- Anunoby contributed 13 points, since a three-game losing his third timeout. Tyrese Martin had 14 for UConn winning streak against the Cardi- troit and snap a three-game slide. 11 rebounds and much of the de- streak in February 2013 against That came only seconds be- (7-2, 4-2), which played its third Goran Dragic scored 22 points nals since the series began in the fensive work against Dallas star Oklahoma State, TCU and fore what would have been the consecutive game without lead- 1968-69 season. for the Heat, who got 18 apiece Luka Doncic. Oklahoma. under-four media stoppage, but ing scorer James Bouknight, who from Duncan Robinson and Ken- Carlik Jones scored 17 points, Doncic, who was coming off MaCio Teague added 13 points he didn’t wait after the 3 that is recovering from elbow sur- drick Nunn. Miami was again a triple-double in Sunday’s 117- and David Johnson had 15 and Davion Mitchell 10 for the was set up when Matthew May- gery. points and eight rebounds for without Jimmy Butler and Avery 101 loss to Chicago, scored 15 er stole a bad pass by Marcus UConn led by as many as 14 Bradley (virus protocols), Tyler points on 4-for-11 shooting and Bears. Louisville (9-3, 4-2). Jae’Lyn Christian Braun had 14 of his Garrett points in the fi rst half and held Withers added 14 points and Herro (neck) and Meyers Leonard added seven rebounds and nine the lead for the fi rst 33 minutes (shoulder). assists. 17 points for Kansas in the first St. John’s 74, UConn 70 nine rebounds. Jerami Grant had 27 points for Kristaps Porzingis led Dallas half, while Ochai Agbaji had In Storrs, Conn., Posh Alex- of the game. Florida State is scheduled to Detroit, but his layup that could with 23 points and nine rebounds. 13 of his 16 points after half- ander scored 18 points to lead It was 35-32 at the half and the host No. 20 Clemson on Satur- have gotten the Pistons within The Mavericks shot 37.8% with time. fi ve St. John’s players in double Huskies extended that to 49-41 day. three was blocked by Adebayo 23 turnovers and lost their third Butler, the preseason AP All- fi gures and the Red Storm came after a 6-0 run. Louisville is set to face Duke with 31 seconds left. Wayne El- straight. America guard, had nine points from behind to upset No. 23 Alexander tied the game at 59 on Saturday in the second of lington made seven 3-pointers Bulls 125, Rockets 120 in the game’s fi rst fi ve minutes. UConn 74-70. with a pair of free throws and a three straight home games. and scored 24 for the Pistons, who In Chicago, Zach LaVine got 21 from Derrick Rose and 15 scored 33 points, and Chicago NBA Results/Standings from Mason Plumlee. overcame a strong effort by Vic- Boston stars as South Carolina tor Oladipo in his Houston debut, beating the Rockets. WASHINGTON, Jan 19, (AP): Results and standings from the NBA games on women pound Arkansas 104-82 The Bulls made enough shots Monday. down the stretch to win for the New York 91 Orlando 84 Brooklyn 125 Milwaukee 123 COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan 19, (AP): On a the past two seasons. second time in as many days after Atlanta 108 Minnesota 97 Chicago 125 Houston 120 day South Carolina unveiled a bronze Boston accomplished her fi fth dou- San Antonio 125 Portland 104 Miami 113 Detroit 107 statue of A’ja Wilson, current standout ble-double of the season by halftime losing four straight by four points Memphis 108 Phoenix 104 Golden State 115 LA Lakers 113 Aliyah Boston shined in a manner not and the Gamecocks pulled away to win or fewer. Toronto 116 Dallas 93 unlike the Gamecocks great. for the 14th time in their past 15 meet- Lauri Markkanen fi nished with Eastern Conference Western Conference Atlantic Division Southwest Division Boston had 26 points, 16 rebounds ings with Arkansas (11-5, 2-4). 18 points. W L Pct GB W L Pct GB and six blocks to lead the fourth- The Razorbacks and Chelsea Dun- Oladipo looked good in his fi rst Boston 8 4 .667 - San Antonio 8 6 .571 - ranked Gamecocks to a 104-82 victory gee were the last league team to defeat Philadelphia 9 5 .643 - Memphis 7 6 .538 -1/2 over No. 15 Arkansas. South Carolina, winning 95-89 in the game for Houston, pouring in Brooklyn 9 6 .600 -1/2 Dallas 6 7 .462 1-1/2 32 points. The two-time All-Star New York 7 8 .467 2-1/2 New Orleans 5 7 .417 2 SEC Tournament quarterfi nals two Toronto 5 8 .385 3-1/2 Houston 4 8 .333 3 years ago. The Gamecocks haven’t lost was acquired from Indiana as part Southeast Division Northwest Division BASKETBALL against a league team since including of the four-team trade that sent W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Atlanta 6 7 .462 - Utah 9 4 .692 - the past four with Arkansas. James Harden to Brooklyn last Orlando 6 8 .429 -1/2 Portland 8 6 .571 1-1/2 That’s what Staley did for Wilson, Boston’s play was again a big rea- week. Charlotte 6 8 .429 -1/2 Oklahoma City 6 6 .500 2-1/2 a three-time All-America who helped son why. She had six points, eight Miami 5 7 .417 -1/2 Denver 6 7 .462 3 the Gamecocks win the NCAA Tour- rebounds and fi ve blocks in the fi rst Christian Wood scored 30 and Washington 3 8 .273 2 Minnesota 3 9 .250 5-1/2 grabbed nine rebounds. Eric Gor- Central Division Pacific Division nament in 2017. Staley’s guidance is quarter as the Gamecocks opened a don added 21 points after missing W L Pct GB W L Pct GB having a similar effect on Boston, the 28-17 lead. Milwaukee 9 5 .643 - LA Lakers 11 4 .733 - 6-foot-5 sophomore who’s grown into Behind Dungee, the Razorbacks Brooklyn Nets guard James Hard- back-to-back games because of Indiana 8 5 .615 -1/2 LA Clippers 10 4 .714 -1/2 en passes over Milwaukee Bucks Cleveland 6 7 .462 2-1/2 Phoenix 7 5 .583 2-1/2 one of the game’s best. were able to keep things tight. Dun- guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) during tightness in his lower left leg. The Chicago 6 8 .429 3 Golden State 7 6 .538 3 South Carolina (10-1, 5-0 South- gee had fi ve points in a 9-2 burst that the first half of an NBA basketball Rockets lost for the fourth time in Detroit 3 10 .231 5-1/2 Sacramento 5 9 .357 5-1/2 eastern Conference) has won its past cut into South Carolina’s double-digit game, on Jan 18, in New York. (AP) fi ve games. 24 games against conference foes over lead. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 16

Colombia defender Daniela Arias, (center), tries to head the ball to the goal off a corner kick as she is defended by United States defender Abby Dahlkemper (7) and midfi elder Lindsey Horan (9) during the fi rst half of an interna- tional friendly soccer match, on Jan 18, in Orlando, Fla. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com ‘Some of the cases linked to the tournament will be reclassifi ed as ‘non-infectious shedding’ Three more COVID-19 cases linked to Australian Open arrivals MELBOURNE, Jan 19, (AP): Two players are among the hotel.” reviewing the American player’s medical records that he was minority have the loudest voices.” three latest COVID-19 cases that have emerged from test- Tennis Australia declined to provide The Associated Press no longer contagious, although still shedding viral particles. Tiley, appearing on Nine Network television on Tuesday, ing conducted on passengers who arrived on charter fl ights with a list of the 72 affected players, but many have made So he was given approval to fl y to Australia last week. rejected calls from some men’s players to reduce Australian bringing people to Melbourne for the Australian Open. their status known via posts on social media. “My two tests were less than 8 weeks apart. I was sick in Open matches to best-of-three sets instead of best of fi ve. Tournament director Craig Tiley said the players weren’t More than 1,200 players, coaches, staff, offi cials and November, totally healthy now,” Sandgren wrote on Twit- “We’re a Grand Slam,” Tiley said. “Right now, three out considered to be contagious, though, and hadn’t been taken media arrived on fl ights in a 36-hour period until Saturday ter. “There’s not a single documented case where I would be of fi ve sets for the men and two out of three sets for the wom- out of the regular quarantine hotels. morning to prepare for the Australian Open, which starts Feb contagious at this point. Totally recovered!” en is the position we plan on sticking to.” The fi rst six positive tests were reported over the weekend 8. Some players have used social media to detail their per- He also defended Novak Djokovic for appealing to Aus- and connected to fl ights from Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi and Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said some of the ceived hardships of being in lockdown, some saying they tralian Open organizers to ease restrictions in a list reported Doha, Qatar. cases linked to the tournament will be reclassifi ed as “non- weren’t aware of the strict quarantine regulations. on Monday, including a request to shift as many players All passengers on those fl ights, including 72 elite tennis infectious shedding.” “These are high performing athletes and it is hard to keep as possible in Melbourne to private residences with tennis players, were classifi ed by local health authorities as close But the state’s chief medical offi cer, Brett Sutton, later a high performing athlete in a room,” Tiley said. “This is the courts. contacts of people infected with the coronavirus and forced said the reclassifi cation was unlikely to mean any of the 72 contribution that they have to make in order to get the privi- Djokovic’s requests were quickly refused by Andrews. into hard lockdown. That means they’re not allowed to leave players in lockdown – meaning they’re not allowed to leave lege of when they do come out to compete for $80 million “In the case of Novak, he wrote a note, these weren’t de- their hotel rooms for the mandatory 14-day quarantine pe- their rooms for daily practice sessions like the broader player ($62 million) in prize money.” mands, they were suggestions,” Tiley said. “But he, too, is riod. The six infected people, including a member of the air- group – could leave isolation early. Organizers had a zoom conference with players on Mon- understanding what two weeks of lockdown means ... every crew on one fl ight and two coaches on different fl ights, were All people traveling to Australia for the tennis tourna- day night and Tiley conceded he had faced criticism, saying player coming down knew that if they were going to be close transferred to a medical hotel. ment had to return a negative test before boarding the charter some of the advance warnings of the risks may have been contacts or test positive that these were going to be the con- The Victoria state government announced three new posi- fl ights, although there was at least one exemption in the case lost in translation. ditions.” tive tests on Tuesday, the fi rst to involve players. of the historic shedding. “There was some big hits that we took but there were also Djokovic is part of a smaller group of players who landed The Australian Associated Press quoted Tiley as saying Tennys Sandgren, a two-time quarter-fi nalist at Melbourne some compliments. The most heartening thing at the end in in the South Australia capital of Adelaide, along with Serena the health department “will need to confi rm that they are viral Park, originally tested positive for the coronavirus in Novem- the chat there was a scroll of thank yous from all the stars Williams, Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal, and are allowed shedding but I can tell you that they’re not in the medical ber and the Victoria state health authorities determined after and players,” Tiley said, according to AAP. “Sometimes the outside for practice sessions under bio-secure protocols.

Milan sign Mario Messi suspended Pant guides India to historic, for two ‘matches’ MADRID, Jan 19, (AP): Lionel Messi was suspended for two matches on Tuesday after hitting an opponent in an incident away from the ball in the Spanish Super Cup final. series-clinching win at Gabba The Barcelona forward was facing a suspension of up to 12 matches for swinging his arm at an Athletic Bilbao player at the end of the team’s 3-2 loss on Sunday. The Spanish soccer fed- eration’s competition committee did not deem the incident to be too serious and applied a less severe penalty. After passing the ball out to the left flank, Messi swung his right arm at the head of Messi Athletic for- ward Asier Villalibre as they ran toward the box. Villalibre immediately fell to the ground and after a video review Messi was given his first red card in 753 appearances with Barcelona’s main squad. Messi had been sent off twice while playing for Argentina’s national team, including a few seconds into his debut in a friendly against Hungary in 2005. The other time was in the 2019 Copa America in a match against Chile. He was also sent off once while playing for Barcelona’s “B” team. Referee

SOCCER

Gil Manzano said in his match report that Messi hit his opponent with “excessive force” while the ball was not near him. ❑ ❑ ❑ India’s Rishabh Pant hits the ball for six runs during play on the fi nal day of the fourth cricket Test between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, Jan 19. Inset: Pant carries the tro- Atlético Madrid appealed to phy as he celebrates with his teammates after defeating Australia by three wickets on the fi nal day of the fourth cricket Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia. India won the Test series 2-1. (AP) the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday to suspend Kieran Trippier’s ban for breaching Australia’s unbeaten streak dating to 1988 at Brisbane venue ended betting rules. Atlético filed their appeal to CAS a day after FIFA rejected BRISBANE, Australia, Jan To cap that, after never winning India batted through the last four ses- the Spanish club’s attempt to 19, (AP): Cheteshwar Puja- a Test series on Australian soil until sions to force a draw, with Pant and keep the ban imposed on the 2018-19, India have now done it twice Pujara playing key roles. They went US women dominate Colombia defender by the English Football ra took the hits and Rishabh on consecutive tours Down Under. one better this time, against most ex- Association from being applied Pant counterpunched as In- Opener Shubman Gill posted 91, Pu- pectations. ORLANDO, Fla, Jan 19, (AP): concern over COVID-19. worldwide. jara absorbed no fewer than 11 hits in When paceman Pat Cummins (4-55) Having collected her fi rst career Rapinoe served up a per- dia chased down a record to hat-trick, the celebration contin- Spanish league leaders his 211-ball 56. Pant and later Wash- dismissed Rohit Sharma (7) in the 9th fectly placed cross to Saman- Atlético succeeded two weeks win the Border-Gavaskar ued for Samantha Mewis as she tha Mewis in front of the goal in ington Sundar (22) played some auda- over, Pujura joined 21-year-old Gill in cheered on her big sister Kristie. the fourth minute. The younger ago in getting FIFA to pause trophy with three wickets cious shots that belied the pressure of a 114-run stand that not only helped Trippier’s 10-week ban that was Samantha Mewis scored three Mewis, who plays for Manches- imposed in December and runs in hand and three overs to the situation. thwart the Australian attack but also goals and Kristie added another ter City of the FA Women’s Su- through Feb 28. spare against Australia. “It really means a lot to us. I’m just kept India on track for an unlikely win. to give the United States a 4-0 ex- per League, scored again in the ❑ ❑ ❑ With the series tied 1-1 ahead of proud of each and every individual,” Pujara continued with Rahane (24) hibition victory over short-handed 33rd minute. She converted a India captain Ajinkya Rahane said. after Gill was dismissed by Nathan Colombia on Monday. penalty kick early in the second AC Milan signed 34-year-old the fourth Test, India needed only “Credit to Pujara, the way he handled Lyon and then joined forces with Pant The US extended their un- half to complete the hat trick be- Mario Mandžukić on Tuesday, a draw to retain the trophy. But the the pressure was magnifi cent. And after Cummins struck again to remove beaten streak to 33 matches. The fore subbing out. giving 39-year-old Zlatan injury-depleted India squad had a Rishabh was brilliant in the end.” India’s stand-in captain and make the defending World Cup champi- Ibrahimovic support in attack bigger target in mind and played In the third test last week in Sydney, score 167-3. ons have a 49-game undefeated for the Italian league leaders’ streak on home soil. The teams SOCCER title challenge. Milan said the were set to play at Exploria Sta- Croatia veteran “agreed on a deal CRICKET dium again on Friday. Kristie Mewis, who came in as until the end of the current sea- It was the fi rst home game for the Americans since the SheBe- a sub in the second half, scored son with an option to extend the with no fear to post the highest suc- lieves Cup last March. Colombia in the 86th minute. It was her contract for the next one.” did not play a match last year. third international goal. Mandžukić returns to Serie A cessful fourth-innings chase in a Test at the Gabba, ending Austral- Alex Morgan was not with the The television broadcast - where he won four straight team because she contracted caught Samantha’s enthusiastic titles with Juventus from 2015- ia’s unbeaten streak dating to 1988 the coronavirus over the holi- applause in the stands after her 19 - after a spell in Qatar with at the Brisbane venue. days. Carli Lloyd started up top sister’s goal. Kristie has earned league champions Al-Duhail. Pant hit the winning boundary on against the Colombians. Megan call-ups to the national team ❑ ❑ ❑ Tuesday and fi nished unbeaten on 89 Rapinoe also started after taking recently following her standout after a tenacious, three-hour innings. much of last year off because of play for the Houston Dash. Torino hired former player It was a fi tting fi nale to a tension-fi lled Davide Nicola as coach on series. Tuesday to replace the fired India resumed on 4 without loss and While Pujara kept taking blows to Sundar that got India home. The noise Marco Giampaolo. had 98 overs to chase a target of 328, the helmet, hands and body in a stone- from the crowd, only about 4,500 but Giampaolo was let go on or to survive three sessions for a draw. walling innings, Pant kept up the strike mostly India supporters, increased with Monday after a poor start to the No team had scored more than 236- rate. every scoring shot. season left Torino 18th in the 7 in the fourth innings to win a Test He took command when Cummins The India squad did a victory lap of league standings, a point from match at the Gabba. India reached 329- Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne throws the ball at the stumps during play fi nally trapped Pujara lbw late in the the Gabba – a rare sight for a visiting safety. 7 to win by three wickets, replacing the on the fi nal day of the fourth cricket Test between India and Australia at the evening session, and guided the part- team – to acknowledge their supporters 1951 Australian team for that record. Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, on Jan 19. (AP) nerships with Mayank Agarwal (9) and in the stadium.

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