G20 Leaders Pledge Fair Distribution of Vaccines King Salman Urges Cooperation to Face Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
RABIA ALTHANI 8, 1442 AH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020 16 Pages Max 24º Min 15º 150 Fils Established 1961 ISSUE NO: 18290 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net Exodus continues: Many expats Nightmare over, but Iraqi World’s deepest diving 10-man Arsenal hold 3 believe it’s time to leave Kuwait 5 Christians dream of leaving 13 pool opens in Poland 16 out for draw at Leeds G20 leaders pledge fair distribution of vaccines King Salman urges cooperation to face impact of coronavirus pandemic RIYADH: G20 leaders said yesterday they will “spare face hurdles that could deny billions the first proven no effort” to ensure the fair distribution of coronavirus protection against the virus. Calls are mounting for the vaccines worldwide, and support poor countries G20 to help plug a $4.5-billion funding gap in the so- whose economies have been ravaged by the crisis. As called ACT-Accelerator, a mechanism led by the the pandemic rages, the club of the world’s richest World Health Organization that aims to ensure access nations adopted a unified tone on the challenges to tests, treatments and vaccines for all. ahead during a virtual summit hosted by Saudi Arabia. In a comment echoed by other leaders, French Saudi Arabia’s King Salman said that the “spirit of President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday that the cooperation” was needed now “more than ever to face coronavirus crisis was “a test for the G20”, stressing the impact of the pandemic and create a prosperous there “will be no effective response to the pandemic future for the people of the whole world”. King Salman unless it is a global response”. However, the final com- said in his closing remarks that the group had “adopt- munique did not spell out how the massive cost of the ed important policies that will achieve recovery all the exercise would be underwritten. way to an economy that is resilient, sustainable, inclu- The unusual format of the summit, in place of a sive and balanced”. real-life meeting that coronavirus restrictions made But after a weekend of “digital diplomacy”, their impossible, has produced some awkward interactions, closing communique lacked details on many of the and deprived Saudi Arabia of an opportunity to show- issues dominating the talks. “We have mobilized case itself on the international stage. US President resources to address the immediate financing needs in Donald Trump made a brief appearance at the open- global health to support the research, development, ing session, lauding his administration’s achievements manufacturing and distribution of safe and effective on coronavirus before logging off and going golfing, COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines,” while other leaders braved technical quirks and the they said in the statement. “We will spare no effort to lack of opportunity for spontaneous interactions. ensure their affordable and equitable access for all The mercurial president made another splash yes- people.” terday, defending his decision to pull out of the Paris RIYADH: Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud (right) speaks as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin While richer nations plan their vaccination pro- climate accord, calling it “unfair and one-sided” and Salman attends the second session of the G20 summit yesterday, held virtually due to the coronavirus grams, with the US expecting to launch in early designed to kill the “American economy”. pandemic. — AFP December, experts warn that developing countries Continued on Page 2 Salem Rashed Al-Duwseri, Waleed News in brief Remains of Ibrahim Al-Jeeran, Munther Numaan Al-Saif, Hussein Ali Al-Qabandi and Candidates press for dual Saliva tests for children Khaled Faraaj Al-Duwseri. 7 POWs Adsani said these prisoners had citizenship, debt write-off DUBAI: Dubai’s health regulator said yesterday been arrested during the Iraqi invasion children aged between 3-16 could now be tested identified of Kuwait in 1990. He added the foreign By B Izzak zenship in the country, currently for COVID-19 by providing a saliva sample ministry informed the martyrs’ families banned by law. instead of the widely used nasal swab. The saliva KUWAIT: Kuwait identified remains immediately after the completion of the KUWAIT: Candidates for the Dec Qahs said that hundreds of thou- test had been permitted following a research belonging to seven Kuwaiti prisoners genetic examination process of all 5 National Assembly elections are sands of Kuwaitis hold citizenship of study by the regulator and a local university, the of war (POWs) or missing persons information related to the results of using social media and television European countries, the United Dubai Health Authority said on Twitter. The after DNA tests were conducted by identification and related procedures. interviews to reach out to voters States, Gulf states and others, effec- United Arab Emirates has reported 158,990 coro- the General Administration of Criminal Adsani thanked the Iraqi authorities, after authorities banned election tively violating the law. He said that navirus cases and 552 related deaths. — Reuters Evidence, Director-General of the members of the tripartite and technical campaigns because of the coron- certain quarters in the society have National Committee of POWs and subcommittee, International Committee avirus pandemic. Candidate Jazza been using the issue to spread racial Missing Affairs Rabie Al-Adsani said of the Red Cross and the UN Al-Qahs from the fourth constituen- divisions within the society, especially US approves Regeneron treatment yesterday. The committee affirmed that Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) cy said if he gets elected, he will file about those holding Gulf citizenships. the remains belong to Meshaal Ibrahim for their efforts through the work of the a draft law calling to allow dual citi- Continued on Page 2 WASHINGTON: A COVID-19 antibody thera- Al-Khulaifi, Barjas Bilal Al-Khaldi, subcommittee. — KUNA py used to treat President Donald Trump was approved by the US drug regulator on Saturday for people who aren’t yet hospitalized by the Biden was declared the winner of the disease but are at high risk. The green light for Trump digs in Nov 3 election two weeks ago, the drug maker Regeneron came after REGEN- Republican president has launched a COV2, a combination of two lab-made antibod- amid pressure barrage of lawsuits and mounted a ies, was shown to reduce COVID-19-related pressure campaign to prevent states from certifying their vote totals. hospitalizations or emergency room visits in Critics of Trump, including patients with underlying conditions. — AFP to concede Democrats and some Republicans, WASHINGTON: Despite an have accused him of trying to under- emphatic court setback in mine faith in the American electoral Dutch cull 190,000 chickens Pennsylvania, US President Donald system and delegitimize Biden’s victo- Trump showed no sign yesterday of ry by promoting false claims of wide- THE HAGUE: Dutch authorities have culled dropping his long-shot efforts to spread voter fraud. Biden is due to some 190,000 chickens after a highly-contagious overturn the US presidential election take office on Jan 20. “Fight hard strain of bird flu broke out at at least two poultry even as Democratic President-elect Republicans,” Trump wrote on Twitter WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump smiles as he departs the White farms, the agriculture ministry said yesterday. Joe Biden moves ahead with planning yesterday morning as he pressed his House yesterday. — AFP Health workers slaughtered around 100,000 hens for his incoming administration. Since Continued on Page 2 at a poultry farm at Hekendorp outside Gouda while 90,000 chicks were culled at Witmarsum, in northern Friesland. In both cases “a highly-conta- On Saturday, the official Facebook gious strain of the H5 variant” was suspected, the Egypt actor in page of the State of Israel in Arabic ministry said in a statement. — AFP linked to the foreign ministry published a photo of Ramadan hugging Israeli soup over pics singer Omer Adam on a Dubai rooftop. Man dies in shark attack The picture carried the caption “art with Israelis always brings us together”. A short SYDNEY: A man has died after being bitten by a video clip also surfaced on social net- shark at a beach popular with tourists on Australia’s CAIRO: Egypt’s self-proclaimed works showing Ramadan mingling with northwest coast, authorities said yesterday. Police superstar Mohamed Ramadan has fans with the popular Jewish folk song were called to Cable Beach near Broome in the sparked a heated political debate after “Hava Nagila” playing in the back- morning after reports of the attack. The man was snapping selfies with an Israeli singer ground. And another widely shared pulled from the water and given medical treatment and footballer. Ramadan, a 32-year- photo of him with Israeli footballer but later succumbed to his injuries. The man’s death old actor and rapper, boasts millions of Diaa Saba also caused a stir online. marks the eighth fatal shark attack in Australian followers in the Arab world, and is the The pictures and video sparked a CAIRO: This picture taken yesterday shows a man holding a phone showing waters this year. There have been at least 22 shark recipient of the 2019 All Africa Music storm of protest in Egypt, with many a picture of Egyptian “superstar” Mohamed Ramadan hugging Israeli singer maulings in the same period. — AFP Awards prize. Continued on Page 2 Omer Adam on a Dubai rooftop. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Monday, November 23, 2020 Local Amir receives Kuwait National Guard’s new Deputy Chief KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Deputy Chief of the Kuwait National Guard Lt Gen Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in the attendance of His His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives a copy of an encyclopedia Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.