RABIA ALTHANI 18, 1442 AH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

16 Pages Max 25º Min 18º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18299 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

COVID-19 wrecked 2020. Trust a rare asset Egypt’s Berber speakers cling Liverpool advance, Real Madrid 5 Will 2021 be different? 8 for banks in Iraq 13 to language in isolated oasis 16 defeat heaps pressure on Zidane

Coronavirus vaccine will be free for citizens and expats

Government showcases achievements amid challenges

By B Izzak

KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled Al-Sabah yesterday said Kuwait was among the first countries to order the coronavirus vaccine and “it will be available to citizens and expatriates free of charge and on a voluntary basis”. The pre- mier was speaking during a forum called “Achievements Despite Challenges”, where ministers showcased their achievements, stressing they have made significant achievements during a short period. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the government plan during the short duration focused on “strengthening integrity”, “digital transformation” and “developing government performance”. He said the government has referred 57 cases of corruption involving public funds to the public prosecution, in addition to 1,042 misdemeanor cases and encroach- ment on public properties, adding that digital trans- formation will block the way of corruption. He said during the beginning of the pandemic, the government conducted the state’s largest repa- triation operation, in which 12,000 employees and volunteers took part. People were brought back aboard 185 flights from 58 destinations. The flights covered one million kilometers in 1,750 hours. Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh said 70 percent KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah is seen with his Cabinet during a forum called “Achievements Despite Challenges” to showcase the of the ministry’s services are offered online, adding government’s achievements yesterday. — KUNA that 960,000 people are using the Kuwait Mobile Continued on Page 2

monitor the Dec 5 general elections and enter delayed until today its ruling on the disqualification of News in brief Civil society polling stations. Authorities have invited around 200 a number of candidates, including leading opposition Kuwaiti observers from civil societies, in addition to member and former MP Bader Al-Dahoum. Dahoum Britain OKs COVID vaccine rejects foreign 11 observers from several Arab countries to monitor and 33 other candidates were disqualified by an interi- the elections. or ministry commission supervising the elections. LONDON: Britain yesterday became the first Head of the National Integrity Society Mohammad The candidates were barred from running in the Western country to approve a COVID-19 vac- poll observers Al-Otaibi said Kuwait’s well-established constitutional polls mostly over financial issues, but also over politi- cine for general use, while Italy and Japan system is more qualified than testimony by foreign cal issues. A number of opposition candidates were promised free inoculations for all even as the By B Izzak observers. He said the Cabinet has not given observers gathering at the house of Dahoum as a token of sup- global death toll ticked towards 1.5 million. A authorization to enter polling stations, adding that a port for him. More than 20 candidates, including for- mere 12 months after the pandemic began in KUWAIT: Kuwait’s National Integrity Society said team from his society is ready to take part in the polls. mer MPs, have signed a statement condemning China, the UK’s independent medicines regula- yesterday it rejects allowing foreign observers to Meanwhile, the court of cassation yesterday Continued on Page 2 tor gave its green light to the BioNTech-Pfizer drug in double-quick time but insisted safety had come first. — AFP crisis, which has pitted a Saudi-led Kushner eyes alliance against Qatar, suggesting it could result in limited confidence-building WHO recommends masks indoors measures. Gulf crisis on Cinzia Bianco, a research fellow at the GENEVA: The World Health Organization yes- European Council for International terday recommended wearing facemasks when trip to region Relations, said Saudi Arabia was “consid- indoors with other people, if the ventilation has ering a transitional trial phase to see if been deemed inadequate, in an update to its DOHA: US President Donald Trump’s they can start resolving the dispute”. COVID-19 guidance on masks. The UN health son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Riyadh, along with Bahrain, the United agency also urged people not to wear masks Kushner was expected to tackle the Gulf Arab Emirates and Egypt, cut all ties with during vigorous physical activity, and not to crisis and push for progress toward end- Qatar in June 2017 over allegations Doha use masks with valves. — AFP ing the spat during a visit to Qatar yester- was too close to Iran and backed radical day. The official Qatar News Agency Islamists. Qatar denies the charges. reported that Kushner met with the coun- The boycotting countries have closed 2020 second hottest year ever try’s ruler Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad their airspace, land borders and sea chan- Al-Thani, saying they discussed “develop- nels to Qataris and vehicles registered DOHA: Senior Advisor to US President Jared Kushner meets with Qatari Amir GENEVA: This year is on course to be one of ments in the region”. there. That has forced Qatar Airways air- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani yesterday. — AFP the three warmest ever recorded and could even Few details have been made public craft to fly over Iran, Riyadh’s archrival top the record set in 2016, the United Nations about Kushner’s trip, which could be his and long-time adversary of Washington, haps the opening of Saudi airspace for going Trump administration. In return, said yesterday. The past six years, 2015 to 2020, last chance to press diplomatic issues in paying significant overflight fees to Tehran Qatar Airways”. Qatar could agree that its media, including are set to make up all six of the hottest years the region that has been a focal point for in the process. Royal United Services US national security advisor Robert Al Jazeera, would tone down its coverage since modern records began in 1850, the UN’s the outgoing Trump administration. Institute analyst Tobias Borck said he O’Brien said in November that allowing of Saudi Arabia, according to another World Meteorological Organization said in its Analysts expect Kushner will focus on expected “some kind of confidence-build- Qatari planes to fly over Saudi Arabia via analyst, who declined to be named due to provisional 2020 State of the Global Climate efforts to resolve the three-year-long Gulf ing measure to emerge from this - per- an “air bridge” was a priority for the out- the issue’s sensitivity. — AFP report. — AFP

squashed at every turn - is openly Nearly a month after the Nov 3 “To date, we have not seen fraud on Judge blocks rules on tech visas Trump mulls musing about a second run at the US election the 74-year-old Trump still a scale that could have effected a dif- presidency in 2024. “It’s been an refuses to acknowledge that he lost ferent outcome in the election,” Bill SAN FRANCISCO: A US federal judge on amazing four years. We are trying to and has not conceded to his Barr told the Associated Press on Tuesday blocked rule changes ordered by US 2024 White do another four years. Otherwise, I’ll Democratic rival, who is busy building Tuesday. Barr’s statement was all the President Donald Trump making it harder for see you in four years,” he told guests his incoming administration. Shuttered more powerful because he is a staunch people to get skilled-worker visas. The US House run at a White House Christmas party on in the White House, Trump has limited Trump ally. Given the curious political Chamber of Commerce, the Bay Area Council Tuesday. The event, attended by sever- his public appearances to the bare climate, in which the president-elect is and others had sued the Department of al Republican Party power brokers, minimum but has not shied away from busy introducing his cabinet nominees Homeland Security arguing that the changes WASHINGTON: Donald Trump - who finds himself more and more iso- was closed to the media, but a video of spewing furious tweets about alleged while the current president spreads rushed new restrictions through without a the outgoing president’s speech quick- election fraud - which his own attorney conspiracy theories, speculation in the proper public review process. — AFP lated, with his quixotic quest to over- turn Joe Biden’s election victory ly went public. general says is not evident. nation’s capital is running wild. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Thursday, December 3, 2020 Local Amir, Crown Prince meet Kuwait anti-corruption authority chief

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets head of Kuwait’s His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets head of Kuwait’s Public Anti-Corruption Authority Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim. — Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos Public Anti-Corruption Authority Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, and Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al- Ibrahim yesterday at Bayan Palace. His Highness the Crown Prince also Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday His Highness the Crown Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. His Highness the Amir also received head received Chairman of the Board of Directors, Director-General of Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. His Highness the of Kuwait’s Public Anti-Corruption Authority Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al- Amir also received National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince received Speaker Ghanem, Sabah. Furthermore, His Highness the Crown Prince received Kuwait’s His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour and Ambassador to Spain Eyadah Al-Saeedi. — KUNA Health ministry successful during pandemic despite challenges

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Southern Abdullah Al-Mubarak along with Al-Mutlaa Al-Sabah said his ministry has been successful in City, the largest housing project implemented in the providing adequate healthcare to the public in spite history and South Khaitan, which will benefit 1,448 of the many challenges resulting from the COVID-19 Kuwaiti families. pandemic. Laws on medical practices and related professions and the rights of patients and healthcare Demographic imbalance facilities are other important achievements, the min- Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for ister said at a public government briefing. He referred Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel shed light on the to a separate law on mental health, which aims to efforts made to address the demographic imbalances protect the medical and human rights of the psychi- through a digital transformation of facilities manage- atric patient, and gives healthcare professionals the ment. Aqeel stated that the general strategy for the right to intervene to prevent the patient from inflict- people with disabilities affairs is based on supporting ing potential danger to themselves or society. This all groups in society, improving the quality of their law addresses the matters of confidentiality and lives, equality in education, entertainment, health and examination and evaluation procedures for entering vocational rehabilitation for the labor market, in the healthcare facility along with the conditions for addition to the approval of Law 73 of 2020 regard- their stay, he explained. This is important, the minis- ing the rights of persons with disabilities. Within the ter said, because it targets the matter of families, who general strategy for people with disabilities affairs, seek to get rid of their relative for inheritance rights the national initiative to support mental health was or other reasons. launched and it aims to provide support to families of Separately, the ministry has increased the capaci- people with disabilities, she added. Furthermore, the ty of health facilities and hospitals in the calendar KUWAIT: Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah speaks during the briefing. — KUNA minister also emphasized the efforts exerted to pro- year to a number higher than the target stated in the tect and preserve Kuwaiti families, including the country’s development plan despite the challenges serving the structure of the educational system,” help transforming Kuwait into an attractive commer- introduction of a program that serves 32,000 families presented by the pandemic. These include changes Harbi said during the public government briefing cial environment in light of traditional government in need, and the adoption of a law on protection from made at the new Amiri Hospital, Jaber Al-Ahmad which was broadcasted on Kuwait TV. The academic work, to achieve combating administrative corruption domestic violence and international participation in Hospital and the New Jahra Hospital. Regarding 2019-2020 year was completed thanks to long dis- and preserve the time of initiators and employers. He the campaign to combat violence against women. health indicators, the minister said that there is a tance education, as the ministry trained more than emphasized that the ministry had worked to help She pointed to the preparation of the Third noticeable decline in death rates from chronic and 10,929 teachers for the matter. With the start of the Kuwait enter for the first time among the 10 most Development Plan, which includes five axes, seven non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, stress new school year, some 1,243 video lessons were pre- reforming countries in the world, among 190 coun- pillars, nine programs and 51 policies, which were and heart disease. This is a direct result of increased pared, in addition to the activation of 457,222 online tries, and Kuwait jumped 51 steps in the index of prepared by hundreds of researchers and partici- health awareness, the provision of health services accounts for learners, 73,721 for teachers and 29,902 starting commercial activity, and surged 21 steps in pants. The minister affirmed the government man- and easy access to healthcare, which allowed Kuwait for senior school staff. The ministry also employed the index of protecting minority investors. aged to appoint 12,924 candidates out of 15,680, to rank first in the region in regards to comprehen- the use of indicators for the effectiveness of this Kuwait Stock Exchange was classified into an providing online training to 500 trainees in coordi- sive healthcare coverage. strategy. Most schools and departments have been emerging market, which resulted in an influx of for- nation with the General Secretariat for Planning and In regards to healthcare services provided during linked to the Ministry of Education through an online eign capital, which exceeded $8 billion, and an Development. the pandemic, he said the capacity for hospitalization network, he added in reference to another achieve- increase in liquidity of 30 percent over last year, increased by 50 percent, with increases to outpatient ment under his watch, with 250 schools so far and including 20 percent of foreign investments, he 60,000 prescriptions and virtual clinics. Digitization has also improved others in the pipeline. Meanwhile, in regards to high- added. Furthermore, Roudhan said that during Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and services, as several applications and e-platforms er education, a ministry which also falls under the COVID-19 crisis, a national support program was State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said have been launched, including the COVID-19 plat- minister, he said that the number of students sent to launched to confront the repercussions of the pan- that the Kuwait Fire Force has distributed more than form, which provides the public and medical staff pursue their academic learning abroad in 2020-21 demic, which resulted in enhancing food security 60,000 medical prescriptions during the pandemic with figures and test results, efficiently and transpar- has increased by 44 percent compared to a year pri- through logistical support with more than 90 flights, to nationals and has finalized more than 80 percent ently. Another is the Shlonak app, which serves those or, while student applications for medical studies resulting in the provision of approximately 2.3 million of health and safety standard certifications electron- under state-imposed self-isolation, developed locally rose by 12 percent. tons of refrigerated meat, fish, vegetables and fruits. ically. On the achievements of the Public Authority in record speed. The ministry also provides medical for Civil Information, Saleh said that its most promi- reports, clinic appointments, blood test results, pre- Trade environment Road projects nent is the launch of the contactless digital identifi- scription prices, health insurance payment and med- Reforming the trade environment requires legisla- The Public Authority for Roads has been able to cation system, Hawyati, which has so far attracted ical licensing services for state and private bodies tive developments to organize the business opera- relay twice as many roads as were planned for 2020, more than 960,000 users, including individuals, along with individuals online. tion, said Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Minister of Public Works and the State Minister for government institutions and private businesses. The Al-Roudhan. During his speech in the Ministerial Housing Dr Rana Al-Faris said. The inner roads of 48 body also continues to deliver civil ID cards to Students’ health Forum for Government Achievement ‘Achievements areas, encompassing 531kms, were relayed, she said, homes, with some 2,500 cards delivered a day. On Maintaining the health and safety of pupils and Despite Challenges,’ Roudhan affirmed that the min- mentioning that the focus was the most badly-affect- the other hand, the Central Agency for Information teaching staff during the COVID-19 pandemic is the istry launched a legislative reform program resulted ed areas, such as Sabahiya and Sabah Al-Nasser. In Technology has created several digital platforms main challenge for the Ministry of Education, minis- in 11 laws, most notably the Bankruptcy Law and the spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public which serve nationals and residents alike, including ter Saud Al-Harbi said. “Among our priorities is also Law on Protection of Competition. He pointed out Authority for Housing Welfare has also been able to the coronavirus platform, which has received more continuing to provide the right to education and pre- that the ministry launched an integrated program to complete several projects, namely East Taima and than 2.25 million visitors, among others. — KUNA

the private and public sectors coupled with the Ghanem, running from the third constituency, called Coronavirus “smart recruitment” of foreign labor has helped Civil society for wide-scale reforms at the National Assembly, in the efforts to amend the population structure. saying it should start by changing the speaker fol- Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah lowing a bad experience over the past eight years. vaccine will be... said his ministry has been successful in provid- rejects foreign... “We need the speaker of the assembly to rep- ing adequate healthcare to the public in spite Continued from Page 1 resent the people and to speak on their behalf,” Continued from Page 1 of the many challenges resulting from the he said. In addition, the Assembly office must be COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry also reformed and the government should stop inter- ID application. He said the ministry has increased the capacity of health facilities and fering in the election of Assembly panels, he said. referred to the public prosecution 417 compa- hospitals in the calendar year to a number attempts to prevent Dahoum from contesting the elections. The higher election commission MP Thamer Al-Suwait, bidding for re-election nies suspected of trading in visas. He said the higher than the target stated in the country’s from the fourth constituency, said Kuwait is ministry has also increased traffic fines. The development plan, despite the challenges pre- said yesterday that 1,185 judges will supervise the election. Judges will head all principal and passing through a series of dangers including interior ministry also introduced residence per- sented by the pandemic. rampant corruption and the penetration of the Education Minister Saud Al-Harbi said main- secondary polling stations, both for men and mits for foreign investors, Saleh said, adding that “deep state” into all institutions. He said the taining the health and safety of pupils and women. Over 100 schools have been prepared as the cost of deporting expat violators will be country has seen a retreat in almost everything teaching staff during the COVID-19 pandemic is polling stations, spread all over the five con- paid by the party that caused the violation. including education, infrastructure, housing and Minister of Social Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel the main challenge for the ministry. “Among our stituencies. others, and” now we are facing a chronic budget insisted on the ministry’s efforts to amend the priorities is also continuing to provide the right Candidates have called for deep political deficit amid a lack of proper planning by the population structure, which is heavily tilted in to education and preserving the structure of the reforms in the government and the National favor of expats. She said Kuwaitization of jobs in educational system,” he added. Assembly as well. Islamist candidate Waleed Al- government”. Established 1961 3

Thursday, December 3, 2020 Local As Kuwait prepares to return stranded domestic helpers, challenges remain Pandemic crisis tested employer-employee trust relationship

By Ben Garcia kids and they are all studying. We need to send tries from arriving directly to Kuwait, including the “During my entire time in the Philippines, it was them to school, eat and pay our bills - so when my Philippines, which has recorded over 434,000 a huge challenge for my family, especially after my KUWAIT: Kuwait has a plan to allow the return of employer promised to send a minimum amount so infections in a population of more than 100 million, husband’s company closed down. But it was a great domestic helpers stranded abroad as of December we could survive, I trusted her. But all I got from against around 143,000 cases in Kuwait with a opportunity for us to enjoy life together. We creat- 7. The government has set up 58 buildings in her when I messaged her twice was ‘inshallah’. So I population of 4.2 million. ed a vegetable garden in the yard, then sold the Kuwait where 80,000 workers who are expected stopped messaging her and now that her govern- produce to our neighbors. It helped us, and we sur- to arrive within a four-month period on direct ment wants us to return, she is happy to send me a Quarantining in Dubai vived because of the KD 120 I was receiving flights will stay for their mandatory 14-day quaran- message that I can come back? Not anymore!” Cathy, another domestic helper, is quarantining monthly from my employer. As much as I wanted to tine period. The plan will begin with India and the Kyra exclaimed. in Dubai in order to rejoin her employer in Kuwait. stay in the Philippines, the kindness of the Kuwaiti Philippines, two out of 34 countries from which “She did not send me “I went on holiday on Feb family cannot be set aside and I owe much grati- flights to Kuwait remain suspended due to COVID- even one fils! And now 6, 2020 and was expected tude to them,” she noted. 19 restrictions. she has the guts to mes- by my employer to return Marissa, also a housemaid, has another story to Citizens of these countries with valid visas can sage me that I can come 80,000 on March 6, 2020. But the share. Her employer pleaded with her to come back return to Kuwait only if they spend a 14-day quar- back by December? I am pandemic prevented me via Dubai immediately, but her expired passport is antine period at a country not included in the ban not going at all - in fact I workers from coming on time. I preventing her from returning. “Before I left for list and have a negative PCR test result. Among the am now applying for was stuck for 10 months in vacation to the Philippines, I renewed my passport. thousands waiting to return, however, there are also Hong Kong and will leave expected the Philippines, but I am Based on my receipt, I should’ve received my new those who face challenges that may result in never by next week to work in 4 months happy that I received my passport by March. I thought I would be back in coming back to Kuwait. there,” she said. Her monthly salary from my Kuwait by then to collect it. But we were over- Kyra, not her real name, had received an elated Kuwait visa will expire in employer - KD 120 - whelmed by the pandemic and my supposed return voice message via WhatsApp from her female April 2021. She said after every month. I was really in March did not happen,” she said. employer in Kuwait, informing her the government working four years embarrassed that I was “My passport expired in September, and I am will soon allow the return of stranded domestic straight without vacation, she took her annual leave getting the full salary even when I was staying at not allowed to leave the country. I also cannot helpers from all countries. But Kyra was unim- on Feb 8, 2020. “At that time, we didn’t know about home in Bicol,” she said. apply for a new passport in Manila because I have pressed; in fact she did not even bother answering the coronavirus. My employer told me to stay in the “So I told my employer to arrange for my imme- a new one ready in Kuwait. My boss coordinated her message. According to her, this was because Philippines for 45 days, for which I was very grate- diate return. Now I am quarantining in Dubai. I with the Philippine Embassy, but they said only the her boss did not keep her promise to send her ful. She did not give me one month’s salary as men- arrived here on Nov 16 and my quarantine period applicant can collect it. So I was advised to send a money while she was stuck in Manila. tioned in the domestic labor law, but I didn’t will end on Dec 4. I am happy that I was not aban- request letter to my town of Legazpi in Albay “She said she will send me at least 3,000 pesos demand it either,” said Kyra. doned by my boss during the entire pandemic. I am province to allow the Philippine Embassy to send (around KD 20) a month while I waited for the ban In order to curb the spread of coronavirus in the happy to be coming back to my employer of nine my passport to Legazpi, but I am waiting for it until to be lifted by the Kuwaiti government. I have three country, Kuwait banned passengers from 34 coun- years,” Cathy told Kuwait Times. now,” she said. Kuwait signs deal to store 3.14 Heroin, shabu terday. An investigation was opened. Interior Ministry sets Farwaniya fires up voting panels found in air Four fire teams battled a blaze million crude barrels in Japan reported in a Farwaniya house yester- for COVID patients KUWAIT/TOKYO: Japan and side of the country, as well as day. Firemen managed to contain the Kuwait will create a joint petroleum enhancing its plans and marketing cargo shipment flames which covered an area of 750 By Nawara Fattahova reserve for energy-hungry Southeast share in the Far East region as a square meters, before extinguishing the KUWAIT: Airport customs men dis- blaze, Kuwait Fire Force said. No KUWAIT: The interior ministry yesterday Asia, which lacks sufficient buffers major supplier, Deputy Managing covered a shipment containing 2.4 against oil supply instability. Japan’s Director of International Marketing injuries were reported and an investi- announced setting up five voting commit- kilograms of heroin and 500 grams of gation was opened to reveal the case of tees for men and five for women to deal Agency for Natural Resources and Operations KPC Ghadeer Al-Qadfan shabu (methamphetamine), the with COVID-19 patients and those in quar- Energy and the state-run Kuwait said. “With this deal, Kuwait joins the fire. Meanwhile, firemen put out a General Administration of Customs fire reported in three traditional Arab- antine who will be voting on election day Petroleum Corporation (KPC) signed Saudi Arabia and the UAE in storing announced yesterday. The drugs were on Dec 5, 2020. According to ministry an agreement Tuesday on the proj- its oil in Japan for strategic and com- style homes, and another one in a car- found hidden in an electronic device’s decree no. 1058/2020, these committees ect, the Japanese Ministry of mercial purposes, taking into pentry in Farwaniya. No injuries were shipment that arrived to Kuwait yes- are prepared to receive voters in accor- Economy, Trade and Industry account the priority of supplying reported in either case. dance with health requirements. The deci- (METI) said in a statement. Japan with crude oil in case of an sion aims to ensure safety and prevent the For Japan, the roughly 500,000- emergency,” she said in a statement spread of diseases. kiloliter stockpile on its own soil will to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). The committees are divided according help ensure that the nation’s compa- In the event of terrorist attacks or to the constituencies in the following nies operating in Southeast Asia other emergencies that disrupt the schools: First constituency - Abdullah keep their supply chains functioning oil supply, Japan will have priority Adullatif Al-Omar School in Mishref; sec- ond constituency - Ibn Rushd School in during an oil supply disruption. The access to the reserve, which can be Faiha; third constituency - Al Adailiya reserve will contain about 3.14 mil- shared with Southeast Asian and School in Adailiya; fourth constituency - lion barrels, or roughly 1.5 days of other countries. The oil for the Al-Andalus Elementary School in Andalus; Japanese petroleum consumption, reserve is due to arrive from Kuwait fifth constituency - Akifa bin Abdulmuttalib according to METI. It will be housed by the end of March. Southeast High School in Jaber Al-Ali. at Japanese refiner Eneos’ Kiire stor- Asia’s energy demand is forecast to Although it wasn’t specifically men- age yard in southern Japan’s continue rising, and, like Japan, the tioned that these committees are for Kagoshima Prefecture, in tanks region relies heavily on Middle COVID-19 patients in the post on the inte- loaned to KPC, Nikkei Asia reported. Eastern oil. Many Southeast Asian rior ministry’s official social media For Kuwait, the agreement comes nations lack ample oil reserves, put- accounts, Brig Gen Tawheed Al-Kandari, in line with KPC’s 2040 strategy to ting companies operating there at Director General of Relations and Security KUWAIT: A fireman battles a blaze in Farwaniya. secure the storage of crude oil out- risk of interruption. Media, confirmed this to Kuwait Times.

Kuwait sees 268 new COVID-19 cases, one death KUWAIT: Kuwait listed 268 new coronavirus infec- tions yesterday raising the total to 143,260, while one death recorded over the past 24 hours upped its death toll from the outbreak to 882, the health ministry said. The number of people hospitalized with the virus stood yesterday at 4,244, with 79 of them in intensive care units, according to ministry spokesman Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad, who revealed that some 4,244 swab tests were conducted over the same period taking the total to 1,107,581. The ministry had earlier yesterday reported that 509 patients had recovered over the previous 24 hours, raising the total of those to have overcome the dis- ease to 138,134. —KUNA Public works ministry terminates 80 expats KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Public Works has decided to terminate the service of 80 expatriate employees, as the country is seeking to curtail hir- ing of migrant workers, a local Arabic daily reported yesterday. The ministry’s undersecretary Esmail Al Felakawi has issued the decision to end the service of the 80 as of March, Al-Anbaa reported. The min- istry aims at implementing a Kuwaitization plan, empowering national employees, the official said. The terminations comprise advisers, accountants, engineers and other expatriates working on tempo- rary or special contracts, the official elaborated. Foreigners account for nearly 3.4 million of Kuwait’s over 4.8 million population. In recent months, there have been increasing calls in Kuwait for curbing foreigners’ employment to redress a demographic imbalance amid accusa- tions that migrant workers have strained the coun- try’s infrastructure facilities. Several state institu- tions in Kuwait have recently disclosed plans to limit hiring foreigners, prioritizing Kuwaitis’ employment. 4 Established 1961 Local Thursday, December 3, 2020

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Young Writers ‘Twenty twenty’

By Layan Abdullah Al-Qenaei KUWAIT: Traditional fishing boats near the fish market in Fahaheel. — Photo by Sito Mirah Ayu (Instagram: @sito_ayu)

he year of ‘twenty twenty’ is like no other. It had started like any other year, until TCOVID-19 showed up around February. The miserable COVID-19 spread around the world, moving from one country to another, and from a person to another like a walking zombie, Candidate Mulla presents his as if it was fantasy. Alhamdulillah; Kuwait, our beloved country, took excellent care with the pandemic, health services, etc. The year of 2020 is a year of personal and psychological develop- working program ahead of elections ment. Personal development happens in acts such as practicing your hobbies, learning new KUWAIT: Former MP and candidate Dr Bader Al- serious supervision into they cannot monitor the basis of managing of state things, building up confidence, reading and Mulla spoke about a working program he will pres- main points, including funds and the future generations’ reserves. It should writing more often, and many more. ent to voters to help him evaluate the priorities of parliamentary questions, be learned from previous experience when public Psychological development is the act of detox- an MP, monitor their performance and hold them to investigation commit- opinion was absent from monitoring the investment ing your brain from toxic habits and friends, account. Mulla said the program is titled tees, grillings, the Audit mechanism at the Public Institution for Social thinking positively, and basically improving your “Seriousness of Supervision and Quality Bureau, adopting trans- Security, which led to the deterioration of retirees’ mind. Do not put someone else’s comfort over Legislation”, pointing out that this slogan is not just parency in declaring the funds through investment in “poisoned” investments yours, unless you are 100 percent sure the com- a campaign promise that came out of the blue; country’s financial status during the previous administration of the institution. fort is coming back to you, like the case with rather it is an affirmation of an approach he adopt- and fighting corruption. family. Do not underestimate your learning abili- ed and implemented in reality inside the Abdullah Mulla said he will use Fighting corruption ties by listening to jealous people. Remember, it Al-Salem hall when he was elected during the com- parliamentary questions Dr Bader Al-Mulla Mulla said the size of financial and administrative is always more people congratulating you rather plementary election in March 2019. as a serious supervisory corruption that is rampant in Kuwait is not hidden than supporting you in the first place. Once my Mulla stressed the necessity to achieve integra- tool, away from media and political blackmail in from any person, as a result of the absence of pub- mathematics teacher told me that in order to be tion between the two parts of the program - seri- order to follow up the extent of the agreement of lic and private deterrents through the laxity of gov- better in math “do the five P’s; proper practice ousness of supervision must reflect on developing the executive authority’s work with the laws, mak- ernment bodies in strictly monitoring implementa- prevents poor performance.” Since then, the five and upgrading legislations and predicting the need ing sure the government implements the legal duties tion of laws and rules, apart from the weakness of P’s got stuck in my mind with every single detail for them in a way that guarantees the enhancement mentioned in issued laws, and follow up what was supervisory authorities in having strict financial in my life. If you did not pass or accomplish any- of government performance and preserving rights. done and whether it agrees with those duties. supervision on systems. This resulted in corruption thing today, you will tomorrow. In order to be Legislations must keep in mind flexibility and wise issues in the past and present, and the clear evi- successful, you must fall. Stay positive and kind governance that guarantee the best performance in Grillings dence is in the military scandal, the Eurofighters in your journey. Kindness will come back to you. service of Kuwait’s developmental priorities, bear- Dr Bader Al-Mulla insisted that it is not accept- commissions and finally the Malaysian sovereign It is December now. There around 30 days left. ing in mind the study of the practical effects of able to strip the grilling tool of its powers under any fund scam. Mulla said fighting financial and admin- Make them count before ‘twenty twenty’ ends! implementing those legislations. pretext, affirming that he refuses striking out istrative corruption will only be possible through Mulla summarized the first part that is related to grillings. If a grilling has any constitutional discrep- courageous decisions and imposing a sense of the ancies, then MPs should rule whether to drop it law’s clout in the state without any differentiation in after allowing the griller to present the grilling. It is dealing with society members. also not acceptable to send the grilling to the con- Mulla said the quality of legislation depends on stitutional court to explain constitutional texts relat- two elements - Assembly committees and legisla- ed to it because the interpretation of the constitu- tion of laws. He said he will also run for the financial tion must be free of any practical events, in addition and economic affairs as well as the legislative and to not accepting the referral of the grilling to the legal affairs committees. legislative affairs committee to discuss its constitu- As for legislation, Mulla said he wishes to partic- tionality because this is not in its jurisdiction. ipate in presenting new legislations that serve and Mulla said the Audit Bureau is one of the most organize the current needs of the Kuwait society, important supervision tools over the government’s adding that lack of patience in legislation and performance. The bureau’s reports were previously inability of the National Assembly led to issuing used by the investigation committees he chaired or some laws that are full of grave mistakes, and they was the rapporteur of due to their accurate finan- must be amended. cial content. Based on this, Mulla declared that he Mulla said he will propose the upgrading and will seek the removal of any difficulties that the development of the law related to organizing the bureau may face, be they legal, administrative or population structure in a timely and gradual form to otherwise, in order to enable it to continually devel- correct the structure without affecting the market- op and upgrade its systems and its supervisory place, housing care laws in order to guarantee the indicators in a way that guarantees supervision that right of benefitting from housing care for those who it more methodological and objective and which are past the marrying age (men and women) who produces more transparent reports. were not married before, as the laws that regulate Mulla said no one disagrees that the state treats housing care did not pay attention to this group, as the citizen in a way that is mysterious in explaining well as the social security law to increase the maxi- the state’s financial status, as the state’s financial mum insurance limit in a way that guarantees pen- condition is totally absent from public opinion, as sioners a dignified living.

culture to the people of Kuwait. Kei Japanese Kei restaurant Restaurant is named after Keiko Mutoh, and was initially opened by her father in 1981. The restau- commended for rant has since been serving authentic Japanese cuisine and genuine hospitality. Keiko Mutoh took over operation and management of the restaurant promoting Japanese since 2003, and has played a key role in making the Japanese cuisine popular in Kuwait. Moreover, culture this year marks the 20th year anniversary since the restaurant started operations at its current location. Since the location will be renovated in KUWAIT: Masato Takaoka, Ambassador of Japan the coming months, the Japanese restaurant to Kuwait, awarded a certificate of commendation informed their valued customers that they will bid to Keiko Mutoh, the Managing Director and own- goodbye temporarily but, are looking forward for er of Kei Japanese Restaurant, the very first the next reopening once the hotel where they are Japanese restaurant in Kuwait. The award was currently located (JW Marriott) reopens. They given in recognition of Mutoh’s many years of will serve their last recipes menu on Dec 31, 2020 contribution in promoting Japanese cuisine and before the temporary closure.

KUWAIT: Masato Takaoka, Ambassador of Japan to Kuwait, presents the certificate to Keiko Mutoh, the Managing Director and owner of Kei Japanese Restaurant. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat International THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns drive spike in online child abuse For young Senegalese, perilous journey to Europe worth the risk Page 6 Page 7

LONDON: Swimmers enjoy a ‘dawn dip’ in the West Reservoir outdoor swimming lake yesterday as England emerges from a month-long lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic. — AFP Will 2021 be different amid COVID? Disease specialists cannot rule out more resurgences in cases and deaths PARIS: 2020 was a year turned upside-down by the administer “the minimal effective dose” of measures, worldwide. With some countries debating making vaccines will need to be distributed differently, too, novel coronavirus. But with the prospect of several such as bans on large gatherings or high-risk activi- COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory, Toxvaerd with some candidates that have proven to prevent vaccines coming online and less stringent restric- ties, according to Anne-Claude Cremieux, an infec- sounded a note of caution. severe illness likely prioritized for at-risk individuals. tions, experts say it’s possible 2021 will return to a tious diseases expert at Paris’ Saint-Louis hospital. “In the current climate, making vaccines manda- Moncef Slaoui, head scientist with the US’s semblance of normality. With a second COVID-19 She referred to a strategy of “surgical strikes” tory may backfire and cause even more resistance to Operation Warp Speed vaccination program, told wave currently battering Europe, the United States against the virus. That would require full knowledge the vaccine,” he said. “Instead, positive incentives to CNN last month that around 70 percent of the pop- battling its third, and Hong Kong facing a fourth, dis- and control over the transmission chain, with an vaccinate should be considered.” He pointed to cer- ulation would need inoculating in order to achieve ease specialists say they can’t rule out more resur- effective “test, trace, isolate” system and particular tain business and social practices - such as some air- “true herd immunity”. This level is unlikely to be gences in cases and deaths as 2021 gets underway. care taken over protecting vulnerable and elderly lines refusing to admit non-vaccinated passengers - reached before May 2021, he added. individuals. that would be more likely to bring success than ‘Surgical strikes’ enforced vaccination programs. Masks: not just for 2020 France’s scientific council, which guides govern- Vaccine barriers And the logistics of mass vaccination remain This year has seen an unprecedented change in ment policy on the pandemic, envisages “several suc- “We need to hold on until relief arrives, and the dizzying. Even as results from trials need verifying in personal behavior prompted by COVID-19, from cessive waves” of COVID-19 over the winter and relief is a vaccine,” said Cremieux. She however cau- peer-reviewed papers, little still is known about how hand washing and social distancing to the now well into next year. Flavio Toxvaerd, lecturer at the tioned that “it’s clear we’re not going to vaccinate the long the immunity they render will last. Fontanet said almost ubiquitous mask wearing. Experts say these University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Economics, told entire world in six months”. Even if several vaccines that even the most effective vaccines could not be behaviors are unlikely to be limited to 2020 alone, as AFP the question of how many waves the world still are made available, they alone will not be enough to treated as a magic wand guaranteeing protection. protective measures will still be needed until every- faces depends on a variety of factors. These include return to normal. Arnaud Fontanet, an epidemiologist “There will be people who have been vaccinated one is out of the woods. Leading US scientist “seasonal changes in contact patterns as well as how at the Pasteur Institute told RMC/BFMTV television who still get sick,” he said. But he stressed that didn’t Anthony Fauci told AFP in a recent interview he well the disease is managed through a combination that normality could be restored “only by Autumn mean that “the vaccine doesn’t work”. foresaw “a considerable degree of normality” by the of social distancing and vaccines,” said Toxvaerd, 2021” - and even then only if 80-90 percent of the With at least two candidate vaccines undergoing third quarter of next year. Successful vaccination who specializes in the economics of infectious dis- population are vaccinated. review by health authorities ahead of use authoriza- programs could see for example the Olympic Games, eases and economic epidemiology. Universal coverage would be “an extremely ambi- tion, the safety data from trials is also being pored delayed from last summer, take place in Tokyo in late Lessons learned from past interventions could tious goal given the hesitancy that exists today over. “This can provide important additional and July. Meanwhile China, where COVID-19 emerged allow countries to fine-tune their counter-virus towards vaccines,” he said. Fontanet echoed con- more precise information on longer-term safety and late last year, has largely resumed business as usual, measures, implementing modified restrictions while cerns expressed by fellow experts that a massive efficacy of a vaccine against COVID-19,” the while developing its own vaccine and reacting swiftly avoiding total lockdowns. Governments will seek to effort is needed to overcome anti-vaccine sentiment European Medicines Agency said recently. Different to any hint of new cases. — AFP

blow it off its current course that will see it pass Lab developing near Earth sometime in 2123. Eventech’s deep space event timers are being developed for the follow-up device to help Earth HERA mission, which is planned to launch five years China lunar probe later, to determine if the first mission succeeded. gathers samples dodge asteroids ‘To boldly go’ “Our new technology that will follow on the sec- RIGA, Latvia: In a corner of the campus at Riga ond ESA spacecraft named HERA will measure if after landing Technical University, a team of scientists is working the first impact steered the kilometer-sized BEIJING: A Chinese space probe yesterday on technology that could one day stop asteroids Didymos off its previous course, avoiding harm to began drilling on the surface of the Moon hours from smashing into Earth. The high-precision timers humanity,” Eventech engineer Imants Pulkstenis after landing, in an ambitious attempt to bring being built by hand in the lab of Latvian start-up told AFP at the lab. “It’s much more interesting to back the first lunar samples in four decades. Eventech are currently being used to track satel- boldly go where no man has gone before than to Beijing has poured billions into its military-run lites. This year, the company won a European Space manufacture some mundane consumer electronics space program, with hopes of having a crewed Agency (ESA) contract to develop timers that will for huge profit,” he added, borrowing the famous RIGA: Imants Pulkstenis (left), Research Assistant, space station by 2022 and of eventually send- study the possibility of re-directing an asteroid slogan from Star Trek, the cult 1960s sci-fi televi- and Pavels Razmajevs, Chief Operating Officer of the ing humans to the Moon. The Chang’e-5 space- before it comes too close to our planet for comfort. sion series. Latvian company EvenTech, work on Nov 27, 2020 at craft - named for the mythical Chinese moon NASA plans to launch the first part of the Eventech’s timers are part of a space technology the Technical University. — AFP goddess - touched down on the near side of Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) tradition in the Baltic state stretching back to Soviet the Moon on Tuesday, and is now gathering mission -known as the Double Asteroid Redirection times when Sputnik - the first man-made satellite to samples from the surface, the China National Test (DART) - on July 22, 2021 on a Falcon 9 rocket orbit the Earth - was launched in 1957. They meas- one trillionth of a second - which allows Space Administration said. belonging to tech tycoon Elon Musk’s Space X. The ure the time needed for an impulse of light to travel astronomers to convert a time measure into a dis- Chang’e-5’s goal is to collect lunar rocks 500-kg camera-equipped probe will fly to an aster- to an object in orbit and back. Eventech devices can tance measurement with up to two millimeters of and soil to help scientists learn about the oid named Didymos and smash into it, trying to record the measurement to within a picosecond - or precision. — AFP Moon’s origins, formation and volcanic activity. If the return journey is successful, China will be approval appear to be the United States’ best only the third country to have retrieved sam- Cold, hard mission chance for ending the world’s largest COVID-19 ples from the Moon, following the United outbreak, which is again surging to alarming levels States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and for US warehouse: nationwide. 1970s. This is the first such attempt since the But getting shots to people nationwide will be a Soviet Union’s Luna 24 mission in 1976. logistical undertaking that will test the capabilities Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Help stop COVID of the world’s largest shipping firms, the small busi- Chunying yesterday described the mission as nesses that undergird the US dry ice supply and the “revolutionary in increasing human under- many other companies in between. “We’ve never standing of the history of the Moon” The probe BALTIMORE: A warehouse in the US city of experienced anything like this before in the history had finished drilling for samples by yesterday Baltimore may seem an unlikely place to help save of vaccine administration in the US, let alone glob- morning and is now “gathering surface samples the country from the COVID-19 pandemic, but ally,” said Omar Chane of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ as planned”, China’s National Space Brian Gallizzo is prepared to do just that. “We are life sciences management consultancy. Administration said. The spacecraft was ready, we have our tanks full,” Gallizzo, chief finan- launched from the country’s southern Hainan cial officer for the six-decade-old family firm BALTIMORE: An employee makes dry ice pellets Not unlike Antarctica province last week and entered lunar orbit on Saturday after a 112-hour journey. Capitol Carbonic, told AFP. How his company will at Capitol Carbonic, a dry ice factory, on Nov Anticipation for a vaccine’s approval is particu- State broadcaster CCTV showed rows of help is by keeping things cool - extremely cool. 20, 2020. — AFP larly high in the US, where COVID-19 has killed scientists at mission control, wearing blue jack- Capitol produces dry ice, a necessary compo- some 270,000 people and infected more than 13.6 nent to distribute pharmaceutical giant Pfizer’s ets emblazoned with Chinese flags, monitoring very chilly, temperature. million. Several vaccines are under development, the probe then clapping after it successfully COVID-19 vaccine, which could receive govern- US regulators will decide next week whether to but the candidate from Pfizer and German firm touched down. A huge screen at the front of the ment approval soon. Pfizer called Capitol because it allow Pfizer to become the first major drugmaker to BioNTech is nearest to approval and at the center room displayed images sent by the probe of the was on the hunt for the quarter-inch pellets it spits deploy its vaccine, and manufacturers like Capitol of the US government’s immunization plan. grey lunar surface. A separate state media out of a machine resembling a giant spaghetti maker Carbonic are already finding themselves involved in Assuming it’s approved, 6.4 million doses could be video released later showed the probe drilling in its Baltimore warehouse. The dry ice pellets are one of the most important medical supply chains in distributed starting soon after Dec 10, with 40 mil- into the moon’s surface. — AFP needed to keep Pfizer’s vaccine at just the right, history. The vaccines from Pfizer and others nearing lion available by the end of the month. — AFP 6 Established 1961 Thursday, December 3, 2020 International For young Senegalese, perilous journey to Europe worth the risk IOM says some 18,000 people have landed on the Canaries this year

MBOUR, Senegal: Djiby Dieng packed just a tiny backpack when he boarded a brightly colored wooden News in brief boat at the Senegalese port of Mbour to seek his for- tune in Europe. The 21-year-old left on October 18, without telling his mother, hoping to reach Spain’s Israel releases $1bn in withheld funds Canary Islands-embarking on a perilous ocean journey of about 1,500 kilometers (about 930 miles) made by RAMALLAH: Israel has released more than $1 bil- thousands in recent months. He was lucky to escape lion in funds withheld from the Palestinian Authority, with his life. Fuel and water shortages, and a faulty a Palestinian minister said yesterday, weeks after engine, forced Dieng’s boat to beach in Morocco. coordination was renewed between the two sides. “There were people of all ages, young and old. Fifteen “The #Israeli government transfers all financial dues people were dehydrated,” he said. of the clearance to the account of the #Palestinian According to the International Organization for Authority, amounting to three billion and 768 million Migration (IOM), some 18,000 people have landed on shekels,” civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh the Canaries this year-surging from just over 2,600 last wrote on Twitter, referring to taxes, including cus- year-in a huge movement of mostly West African toms taxes, that the Jewish state collects on behalf of migrants attempting to reach the archipelago and the PA. In May, the Palestinians stopped coordina- escape poverty. But the crossing is treacherous. tion with Israel, with PA leader Mahmud Abbas say- Migrants often leave from Mbour, some 100 kilometers A woman carrying a baby in a sling on her back waits to buy fresh fish at the fishing port in Mbour. Mbour has in ing it was in response to Israeli plans to annex parts south of the capital Dakar, in crammed traditional fish- the recent months been a popular departure site for illegal migrants wanting to reach Europe. — AFP of the West Bank. — AFP ing canoes, known as pirogues. Over 500 people have died this year-most in October and November-accord- tional occupation in the country, which has a 700-kilo- ‘Panic’ ing to the IOM, more than double last year’s figure. The Nike anti-racism ad metre-long Atlantic coastline, and which indirectly Others are less lucky. Saliou Diouf, a 22-year-old sparks big response official death toll is also thought to be conservative. employs some 540,000 people, according to the United fisherman with a wrestler’s build, told AFP that he was In one harrowing case in October that caused out- Nations. It also accounts for 1.8 percent of the coun- en route to the Canaries with about 200 other people in TOKYO: A Nike advert highlighting racism and rage in Senegal, a 15-year-old boy, aiming to enrol in a try’s GDP. Mustafa Fall, an official at a local migration October when the engines failed and jerry cans on football training center in Italy, fell ill and died during bullying in Japan has caused a stir on social media, NGO, said that the current surge of people leaving from board caught fire. with some users even calling for a boycott of the the crossing, and was thrown overboard. “There’s noth- fishing communities was unprecedented. “There was panic,” he said, describing how he and ing left here,” said Dieng, a fisherman, explaining why he company. Nike, which sponsors biracial Japanese The pandemic forced wharves to close for part of other passengers leapt into the water to escape the tennis star Naomi Osaka, released the two-minute decided to risk the ocean route. Locals cite dwindling the week and the heaving seaside fish markets to shut flames. “Some of them couldn’t swim and grabbed onto fish catches in the poor nation as one of the reasons commercial on Monday and it has since racked up early. “People suddenly became impoverished,” Fall said. me. I told myself that I wouldn’t die if God hadn’t decid- more than 14 million views on Twitter. The behind migration, but economic difficulties linked to the “There are departures every day, thousands of people ed it,” he said. COVID-19 crisis are also playing a role in forcing peo- Japanese-language clip, titled “Keep Moving: in all.” Fishermen can hope to earn between 100 and The IOM said that more than 140 people died in that Yourself, the Future”, shows three teenage girls of ple to go overseas. The sudden exodus has turned into 200 euros ($120-$240) a month in Senegal, but often accident, although Senegal’s government disputes the a political problem too, highlighting questions over mixed or non-Japanese heritage being bullied at pay small fortunes to migrate. Khalifa Samb, a 22-year- figures. Diouf told AFP that rescue boats pulled about school before finding confidence through their foot- Senegalese government promises to create hundreds of old fisherman, said his mother Bemy helped him pay the 50 people from the water, suggesting, in line with IOM thousands of jobs. ball prowess. It had been liked more than 50,000 roughly 600-euro ($700-) fee to secure his place on figures, that around 150 people drowned. times on Nike Japan’s YouTube channel by yester- the pirogue to the Canaries. Fishermen such as Samb, Diouf or Dieng are often day, but also disliked by over 30,000 viewers-many ‘Suddenly impoverished’ His attempt ended in failure after the boat’s engine accomplished sailors, accustomed to the trials of long Senegal’s roughly 50,000 local fishermen have long of whom accused the sportswear firm of anti- encountered trouble, and food and drink began to run sea journeys. But many others who risk the crossing, Japanese sentiment. — AFP complained that collapsing stocks and competition from low. “We decided to come ashore in Mauritania, other- such as the women and children, cannot swim and are in foreign factory ships are ruining them. Fishing is a tradi- wise we would have died,” he said. greater peril when disaster strikes. —AFP 10 rescued from Nigeria US lawyer: Trump Karabakh rivals ‘baby factory’ LAGOS: Police in Nigeria have rescued 10 people, using executions including four children, four pregnant women and adjust to life two other women from an illegal maternity home, a as a ‘political tool’ spokesman said yesterday. The operation was car- along new borders ried out at the so-called “baby factory” in the Mowe area of the southwestern Ogun state on Tuesday. WASHINGTON: “Tragic” and “political” is how “Acting on a tip-off, our men stormed the illegal Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer who is to receive the Right BERDASHEN, Azerbaijan: Pomegranate harvest is in maternity home and rescued 10 people, including Livelihood Award, describes the frenzy of federal exe- full swing on a field Zhorik Grigoryan nearly lost in the four kids and six women, four of whom are preg- cutions scheduled by US President Donald Trump Eight federal prisoners have been executed in the US recent fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the nant,” police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi told before his departure from office. “For every nine peo- since July disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. AFP. He said the women told police that the owner ple we’ve executed in the United States, one innocent Azerbaijani forces were just 50 meters (150 feet) hired men to impregnate them and then sell the new- person on death row has been identified,” Stevenson away from the farmer’s land in the eastern Martuni dis- borns for profit. —AFP told AFP in an interview. resumption of federal executions under Trump. “I trict when a Moscow-brokered peace deal halted weeks The 61-year-old African-American attorney is to be actually would love to see the federal death penalty of clashes over the restive region and saw the deploy- honored with three other rights activists on Thursday abolished. “It’s clearly being used in a political way,” ment of Russian peacekeepers there. “There is no fear. 900 Syrian fighters with the Swedish foundation award established in 1980 he said. “And the last few months have shown that it is (Armenian) soldiers are positioned on the ceasefire line, which has been described as the “Alternative Nobel a political tool, at a minimum.” Russian troops are present,” Grigoryan tells AFP, adding: return from Karabakh Prize.” The founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, “But we are concerned about the future”. Stevenson has been able to prove the innocence or ‘Hopeful’ The 73-year-old farmer keeps a watchful eye over a BEIRUT: More than 900 pro-Turkish Syrian commute the sentences of 130 condemned prisoners, a Biden has pledged to work towards abolishing the dozen young men from the village of Berdashen as they fighters have returned to Syria after the end of fight which is recounted in his book “Just Mercy” and death penalty at the federal level but he will need the fill large sacks with the dark red fruit that will be sent to fighting in the disputed area of Nagorno- a movie of the same name starring Michael B. Jordan. approval of Congress to do so and Democrats will the Armenian capital Yerevan to make juice and wine. A Karabakh, a Britain-based Syrian war monitor said For Stevenson, mistaken convictions should have need to take back the Senate. For Stevenson, the death short distance from the pomegranate field, Azerbaijani yesterday. A November 9 truce ended more than a resulted in an immediate “shutdown” to executions. penalty embodies some of the shortcomings of the US and Armenian soldiers are standing guard close to a month of fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia “Like in aviation,” he said. “When a plane crashes, judicial system including the criminalization of mental road that runs from Martuni to Aghdam, a district in the over the ethnic Armenian enclave that broke away we have to figure out why. We don’t allow planes to fly. illness and incarceration of minors, but above all dis- north that Armenian separatists ceded to Azerbaijan. from Baku’s control in a war in the 1990s. Turkey “In health and food and safety we do the same thing, crimination against African-Americans. Orlando Hall, a In late September fresh clashes broke out between has been accused of sending hundreds of Syrian but somehow in our justice system, not only do we Black man who was executed last month, “was con- the ex-Soviet rivals over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic mercenaries to fight alongside Azeri forces in the continue executing people, we don’t even try to figure victed by an all-white jury after 80 percent of the Armenian enclave that broke from Baku’s control in a conflict, though Ankara has denied this. More than out why it is the rate of error is so high,” he said. African-Americans were excluded by a prosecutor war in the 1990s. Under the truce signed on November 2,580 Syrian combatants have been sent to back The Trump administration resumed executions of with a history of racial bias,” Stevenson said. “Our 9, Azerbaijan reclaimed swathes of territory that for Baku in total, of whom 293 have died, according to federal prisoners in July after a 17-year hiatus. There courts refused to address that issue.” three decades were controlled by Armenian separatists. the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor- have been eight since then and five others are sched- The nationwide “Black Lives Matter” protests fol- ing group. — AFP uled, including one on January 15, just five days before lowing the murder of George Floyd by a white police President-elect Joe Biden is to be inaugurated. Until officer in May focused attention on police brutality in July, there had been only three federal executions in the United States towards African-Americans. But the past 45 years. Stevenson said prosecutors and judges can also exhib- Israel’s coalition “It think that’s tragic,” Stevenson said of the it racial bias.—AFP government inches Fritzen said prosecutors were considering requesting towards collapse Baby among 5 killed he be placed in psychiatric care. At the same press conference, Trier mayor Wolfram Leibe said those as car runs down killed when the man drove his SUV into the shoppers JERUSALEM: Israel’s precarious coalition government included a nine-month-old and a 73-year-old woman. was set to move closer towards collapse yesterday with “I think this is Trier’s darkest day since World War lawmakers expected to approve a preliminary measure German shoppers II,” he said. Also killed were a 25-year-old woman and to dissolve parliament, raising prospects of elections a 45-year-old man. Police have not yet released details next year. In a primetime televised address on Tuesday, on the fifth victim. Malu Dreyer, premier of the state LACHIN: Azerbaijani soldiers ride in the back of a truck Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, the key coalition TRIER, Germany: A baby was among five people of Rhineland-Palatinate where Trier is located, through the town of Lachin on Monday. — AFP partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said his killed when a car tore through a pedestrian shopping expressed shock that a baby was among those killed centrist Blue and White party would back a bill to dis- street in the southwestern German city of Trier on by the driver’s “insane act” and shared her condo- New borders solve the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. But yesterday’s Tuesday, police said, after arresting the driver. lences with all the affected families. Not far from the road to Aghdam, an Azerbaijani flag parliamentary vote on an opposition proposal marks Prosecutor Peter Fritzen said the driver, a 51-year- The baby’s mother was being treated in hospital for attached to a utility pole flutters above a makeshift only a first step. old Trier native, appeared to be suffering from “psy- injuries sustained in the rampage. Witnesses had earli- guard post with only a tent and stacked tyres to protect A bill to dissolve the Knesset will require three addi- chiatric problems” and had been under the influence of er described seeing people being flung into the air as a handful of soldiers on duty. On the opposite side, 15 tional successful readings before new elections must be alcohol during the incident, in which 14 other people the car struck them. Armenian soldiers have also set up an equally simple called. But Gantz’s decision to side with the opposition, were hurt. Police said they had “no indications of a The incident started around 1250 GMT and ended camp. The soldiers watch each other without allowing at least for now, highlights the widening cracks in Israel’s political motive” after questioning the suspect, and within four minutes of the first emergency calls arriv- tensions to take hold. “There is no problem,” says officer center-right coalition, imperiled from the start by mis- ing, with police intercepting the driver after he turned Mishik Grigoryan, 45, who is in charge of the post. “We trust, infighting and public recriminations. off a main shopping street. Police said he had are ready to defend our land.” “I had no illusions about Netanyahu,” Gantz said in ploughed through the streets for between 600 meters Some 200 meters away on a strip of concrete, his Tuesday speech. He reminded Israelis that he battled and a kilometer, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Russian peacekeepers are guarding a checkpoint flanked the prime minister in three consecutive inconclusive Officers sealed off the area and cleared people from by armored vehicles. The new border is marked by one- elections that did not allow either leader to form a the center of the city of about 110,000 people. metre high wooden stakes, their tips painted in red and majority government. Gantz said he decided to agree a Smartphone footage from an eyewitness showed the white. Like many Armenians, Grigoryan did not welcome unity government with Netanyahu, who he knew to be a arrest of the driver, handcuffed and lying face down on the ceasefire agreement that saw separatists lose control “serial promise-breaker”, because he wanted to spare the street being pinned down by several officers next of several districts surrounding Karabakh and the his- Israelis “an ugly and costly” fourth election, especially as to the damaged vehicle. In the evening, the cathedral toric town of Shusha. the coronavirus pandemic was accelerating. bells were rung and a memorial service held for the “I am not satisfied with the outcome of the war “Netanyahu didn’t lie to me,” Gantz said. “He lied to victims. Joachim, accompanied by his teenage daugh- because we have lost so many people and territories,” all of you.” The Netanyahu-Gantz coalition, agreed in ters Helena and Sophia, attended the service express- Grigoryan says bitterly. His three grandchildren were April, included strict power-sharing arrangements. TRIER: Rescuers push an injured person into an ambu- ing their sadness. “We wanted to show our sympathy serving in the military when the war broke out. One of Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party, was lance after a car drove into pedestrians in Trier, south- for those who lost their lives and those who lost a them died, another is in a Yerevan hospital with injuries. to serve as prime minister for the first half of the three- western Germany, on Friday. — AFP loved one,” Joachim said.—AFP The third is still on duty. —AFP year arrangement. —AFP Established 1961 7 Thursday, December 3, 2020 International COVID-19 lockdowns drive spike in online child abuse Offenders reach children either in person or via social media sites and dark web

BRISBANE: Out-of-school kids and adult preda- With jobs and income lost and more time spent tors spending more time at home and on the inter- at home as a result of strict virus measures, in the net during the coronavirus pandemic is the “perfect Philippines many of the victims are first abused by storm” driving a spike in online child sex abuse their own parents, who livestream the sexual vio- around the world, activists and police say. From lence for predators in wealthy Western nations. slums in the Philippines to Australia’s suburbs, the “The sexual abuse is directed, it’s paid for and it’s cross-border crime has mushroomed as offenders consumed live by child sex offenders around the take advantage of school closures and lockdowns world who don’t need to leave the comfort of their to reach children-either in person or via social home,” Tanagho said. media, gaming sites and the dark web. Children are abused for an average of two years In Australia, federal police received more than before being rescued, he added, but the trauma is 21,000 reports of child sex abuse in the 12 months long-lasting. Mellanie Olano, lead social worker to June 30, an increase of over 7,000 cases in the with the International Justice Mission in Manila, previous year. Their investigators also recorded a told AFP: “It is a bit chaotic whenever we enter the 136 percent increase in online child sex exploitation house where the abuse is happening, the children material. are all crying.” Young victims are often on high “Some of those dark web sites are actually alert, experience hyperarousal, suffer sleep issues, crashing because they’re not coping with the difficulty concentrating and struggle to control amount of traffic,” Australian Federal Police detec- their emotions. “Of course, because most of the tive superintendent Paula Hudson said. perpetrators are the parents... they are separated She said police “directly attribute” the “incredi- from their parents,” she added. ble influx” to offenders and children spending more time at home because of lockdowns and school Predators pounce in minutes closures, with youngsters often left unsupervised In Indonesia-which along with the Philippines as parents juggle work and care responsibilities. has become a global hotspot for child sex abuse- “COVID-19 lockdowns created the perfect storm around 20 percent of children surveyed by ECPAT, BOGOTA: Dolls are placed at the Bolivar square during a demonstration against child abuse in Bogota. for increases in online sexual exploitation of chil- an international NGO working to end child A thousand cuddly toys were scattered around Bogota’s main square on Monday with a message dren,” explained John Tanagho of the International exploitation, reported predatory behavior online. denouncing the sexual violence that punishes 37 children in Colombia every day. —AFP Justice Mission in Manila. Police in West Java province recently uncovered a The Philippine government saw a 260 percent group on popular messaging app LINE that facili- increase in reports of online child abuse materials tated “live nude shows” including several minors. gaming platforms. “What mostly we found during ducing or sharing child abuse material online and from March to May-when the country was in a Among them was a 14-year-old girl who was this lockdown period is that perpetrators are try- identified 46 alleged victims, including 16 at a sin- strict lockdown, UNICEF said. convinced to do a strip show while her parents ing to reach the kids in a popular app for kids, gle childcare center. They ranged from 16 months Investigators are even “seeing COVID-specific thought she was doing homework online in her such as online gaming platforms with chat fea- to 15 years, with an average age of eight years. child exploitation forums where (offenders) are dis- room. The group’s membership has tripled to 600 tures,” he said. Tackling the issue has been further complicated cussing the opportunities that have arisen during since the pandemic began. “Parents must be even Activists have reported adults pretending to be by the pandemic. Before Australia closed its inter- the COVID period”, Hudson revealed, including one more careful to monitor their children’s online peers, famous YouTubers or even celebrities like national borders to stop the spread of the virus, with 1,000 members. activities because it can take just minutes for them Justin Bieber. “Once the initial interaction started, police regularly arrested suspected child abusers to become a perpetrator or a victim in online they asked them to chat in other platforms so that as they returned home on flights from Southeast Live-streaming sexual abuse crimes,” criminal division head Teuku Rasya they could be in contact without any disturbance Asia. But as offenders have moved online in Online sexual exploitation of children is a “crime Khadafi said. “Everything is there on the internet.” from the game,” Hulley said. greater numbers, Hudson says police have followed of opportunity” driven by demand from sex offend- Former Australian cop Glen Hulley at anti-traf- It is not only children in developing countries them, working more closely across with interna- ers, said Tanagho. The abuse is often repeated ficking organization Project Karma said pae- that are being sexually abused. In recent months, tional counterparts by using virtual tools such as regularly to create new material. dophiles are also bypassing parents by using Australian police arrested 15 men accused of pro- video conferencing. —AFP

(NDRF) said late Tuesday it had deployed 26 teams News in brief Second cyclone in across the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. “Ready for cyclone,” tweeted the NDRF director general yesterday. The Indian Japan residents to get free vaccine a week threatens Meteorological Department issued a red alert in several areas across both states and suspended TOKYO: Japan will give free coronavirus vaccines to Sri Lanka, India fishing activity in some areas until Friday. all of its residents under a bill passed yesterday, as Last Thursday, a more powerful cyclone skirted the nation battles record numbers of daily cases. The COLOMBO: Sri Lanka and southern India battened northern Sri Lanka but hit Tamil Nadu with full bill, which says the government will cover all vaccine down the hatches for the second time in a week force, uprooting trees and delivering 30 centimeters costs for Japan’s 126 million residents, was approved yesterday ahead of the scheduled arrival of another (12 inches) of rain in some areas. But more accurate by the upper house of parliament, having cleared the cyclone from the Bay of Bengal. forecasting and the timely evacuation of several powerful lower house. The country has secured Burevi will pack gusts of up to 100 kilometers hundred thousand people were credited with keep- Covid-19 vaccines for 60 million people from phar- (60 miles) an hour when it makes landfall late on ing the number of people reported killed to three, a maceutical giant Pfizer, and for a further 25 million Wednesday in Sri Lanka before moving west and fraction of the death tolls in previous years. TRINCOMALEE, Sri Lanka: Residents prepare sand people from biotech firm Moderna. It has also con- hitting India around 24 hours later, forecasters said. Seven people were killed and some 20,000 lost bags to protect their homes ahead of cyclone Burevi firmed it will receive 120 million doses of Warning of a storm surge of a meter, and 20 their homes three years ago in Sri Lanka’s north- landfall in Sri Lanka’s north-eastern coast, in AstraZeneca’s vaccine. centimeters (8 inches) of rain in places, Sri Lanka east following a similar cyclone during the mon- Trincomalee yesterday. —AFP ordered a three-day closure of schools in the north soon season. Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh and east and told fishermen to stay on land. depend on the monsoon for power generation as storms cause casualties and destroy property India’s National Disaster Response Force well as irrigation, but excessive downpours and almost every year. —AFP Ardern declares ‘climate emergency’ WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister option” for a protest that besieged the police head- Jacinda Ardern declared a “climate emergency” yes- Joshua Wong leads quarters as she handed Wong a 13.5 months sen- terday, telling parliament that urgent action was tence. Chow, who turns 24 today and burst in tears needed for the sake of future generations. Ardern in court, received 10 months. Lam, the 26-year-old said the science on climate change was clear and young HK trio son of a former policeman, got seven months. New Zealand had to acknowledge the threat. The Hong Kong was convulsed by seven straight center-left leader said the challenges posed by glob- jailed for protests months of huge and often violent rallies last year in al warming meant parliament’s declaration-an act which millions took to the streets. Beijing has undertaken by more than a dozen other countries- HONG KONG: Leading Hong Kong dissident Joshua refused demands for universal suffrage and authori- was warranted. “In those cases where we do issue Wong was jailed alongside two other young activists ties have pursued democracy supporters with crim- declarations, it is often where there is a threat to life, yesterday for taking part in last year’s huge democ- inal cases and a tough new security law. The tactics a threat to property, and civil defense emergencies,” racy protests as the crackdown on Beijing’s critics have stifled the movement and restored a semblance she told parliament. “If we do not respond to climate gathers pace. Wong was prosecuted alongside close of calm. But the finance hub remains deeply polar- change, we will continue to have these emergencies friends and fellow campaigners Ivan Lam and Agnes ized with many still seething against Beijing’s grow- on our shores.” —AFP Chow over a rally outside the police headquarters. ing hold on the semi-autonomous city. HONG KONG: Activists Joshua Wong (center) and Ivan “It’s not the end of the fight,” the 24-year-old said Lam (left) board a police van at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre in Hong Kong yesterday before going to court on Twitter in a message conveyed by lawyers shortly Teen origins Wong and Lam have already spent time in jail for to be sentenced over a protest which took place out- Indian man paraded naked after his sentencing. “We’re now joining the battle in side the police headquarters in 2019. —AFP prison along with many brave protestors, less visible leading democracy protests. For Chow prison is a yet essential in the fight for democracy and freedom first. “I don’t believe prison will bring them down,” AHMEDABAD: Five brothers have been arrested in for (Hong Kong),” he added. Nathan Law, a former jailed student leader fled ing political views. “Once again, the government has India after a man was paraded naked in the streets The trio-some of the city’s most visible and vocal Hong Kong for Britain earlier this year, told AFP. used the politically motivated charge of ‘inciting allegedly in punishment for a social media post, police critics of Beijing’s rule-pleaded guilty to inciting an “I believe they will continue to be very important others to protest’ to prosecute people who have said yesterday. Police said that the 38-year-old victim unlawful assembly and other charges. Magistrate people to Hong Kong in the future.” Amnesty merely spoken out and protested peacefully,” was kidnapped on Tuesday by the brothers, assaulted Wong Sze-lai said prison was “the only appropriate International criticized the sentences as criminaliz- regional director Yamini Mishra said. —AFP and made to walk for 45 minutes around the western town of Khambhaliya with no clothes on. “An investi- gation revealed that the victim... used to do Facebook live videos on regular basis,” police spokesman least to remain in history. Someone will have to give Hirendra Chaudhary said. The brothers were charged China’s #MeToo us an answer.” Zhou said she found herself alone in a with illegal confinement, assault, use of criminal force dressing room with Zhu in 2014, and that he groped with intent to dishonor person, criminal conspiracy, her after asking if she wanted to continue to work for obscenity and other offences. —AFP movement gets its the channel after her internship. Zhu is a former host of the country’s annual moment in court Spring Festival Gala-one of the world’s most- watched television shows-and other major broadcast Ink activist posts tearful video BEIJING: A sexual harassment case against a power- events. He has denied the allegations, and launched BEIJING: A Chinese activist who filmed herself ful Chinese media figure began in Beijing yesterday, his own court case accusing her of damaging his defacing a poster of President Xi Jinping has pub- with his accuser calling it a major moment in the reputation. lished a tearful video saying she is heavily surveilled country’s still-young #MeToo movement. Zhou There were around 100 supporters outside the by authorities and “on the brink of collapse”. Since Xiaoxuan, now 27, sparked a social media storm in court yesterday, some holding banners reading BEIJING: A supporter of Zhou Xiaoxuan, a feminist fig- taking power in 2012, Xi has put himself at the center 2018 after accusing prominent television host Zhu “#MeToo” or “We oppose sexual harassment”. One ure who rose to prominence during China’s #MeToo of a personality cult and authorities have fiercely Jun of groping and forcibly kissing her when she was supporter, Lucy Lu, told AFP: “No matter what hap- movement two years ago, has a #MeToo penned on her stamped out opposition from activists and other crit- an intern at state broadcaster CCTV. China’s first- pens, we think she is very brave.” forehead in front of the Haidian District People’s Court in ics. Dong Yaoqiong, now aged 31, live-streamed her- ever civil code-passed in May-expanded the defini- Zhou broke down in tears as she addressed her Beijing yesterday in a sexual harassment case against self in 2018 splashing ink on a Xi poster in central tion of sexual harassment, but many women are still supporters ahead of the trial, telling them: “We may one of China’s best-known television host. —AFP Shanghai, which was viewed tens of thousands of reluctant to come forward and it is rare for cases like be joyous or we may run into setbacks. But please times on Twitter. In the latest video-the first time she this to make it to court. “I’m very nervous,” she told don’t take my setbacks to heart. “We have to believe that even if history repeats has spoken out since then-Dong claims she was allo- AFP yesterday ahead of the hearing. “But whether supporters protested when police moved in, told the itself, things will definitely progress,” she said. But cated a job in the local government upon her release we win or lose the case, it has meaning.” crowd to put down their banners, and dragged away there were violent scuffles outside the courtroom as from a psychiatric unit earlier this year. —AFP “If we lose, it allows the questions we raised at and detained foreign reporters, including AFP. —AFP Established 1961

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 Biden: Help ‘on the way’ for economy

President-elect says no quick rollback of Trump’s China tariffs

WILMINGTON: President-elect Joe Biden pre- has told US media. Rancor and recrimination have sented his economic team on Tuesday and pledged defined the relationship between the world’s two they would lead the charge on a plan to provide biggest economies over the last four years, with more relief for the faltering US economy, which his Trump slapping import fees on billions of dollars’ nominee for Treasury secretary called an worth of Chinese goods with tariffs. “American tragedy.” Biden meanwhile has been a strident critic of The diverse group, featuring women and China’s human rights record and analysts have pre- minorities in key roles, is set to inherit the fallout dicted his administration will maintain a hawkish from millions of job losses-including an ongoing posture towards Beijing. “I’m not going to make any wave of corporations laying off workers and small immediate moves, and the same applies to the tar- businesses shutting their doors as the number of iffs,” Biden told the New York Times in an interview virus cases spikes. published yesterday. Even with good news on possible vaccines, “I’m not going to prejudice my options.” economists warn they may not come soon enough Since winning last month’s presidential election, to prevent further damage as an initial sharp recov- Biden has hinted at a trade policy that would ery loses steam. “I know times are tough, but I want mend Washington’s alliances with Europe and you to know that help is on the way,” Biden said at the Asia-Pacific. the event to introduce the “tested and experienced” He has said the United States must join forces team led by former Fed chief Janet Yellen, his pick with other world democracies to present a unit- for Treasury secretary. ed front in global trade policy as a counter- He called on Congress to rapidly approve a weight to China. “robust” new relief package, but said anything Biden has targeted Beijing on several fronts and accomplished by the lame-duck legislature will not singled out Chinese President Xi Jinping during a be enough. “We need to act now and we need to debate with other presidential candidates in work together,” Biden said, promising to “build a February. “This is a guy who doesn’t have a dem- WILMINGTON: US President-elect Joe Biden leaves the Queen Theater after he named his economic team on new American economy that works for all ocratic - with a small d - bone in his body,” he Tuesday in Wilmington, Delaware. — AFP Americans.” He said his team already is working on said then. “This is a guy who is a thug.” a new plan that can be launched “on day one” to His campaign also referred to the crackdown revive the economy and create more than 18 million on the Muslim Uighur minority in China’s Xinjiang the aftermath of the global financial crisis, and said be a limited package. “I will continue to work with jobs through investments in infrastructure, clean province as a “genocide,” provocative language to the country is facing another “historic” crisis that is Congress,” Mnuchin said. “I urge Congress to pass energy and manufacturing. The world’s largest Beijing with potential ramifications under interna- hitting the most vulnerable people the hardest. something quickly.” economy shed more than 20 million jobs in the early tional law. Yellen warned that “inaction will produce The goal is to enact a successor to the $2.2 tril- weeks of the pandemic, and has regained only self-reinforcing downturn causing yet more lion CARES Act after its main provisions expired about half of those. American tragedy devastation.” earlier this year, and with more Americans losing aid Yellen previously made history as the first “So many people struggling to put food on the just after Christmas. But the negotiations remain at Tariffs woman to lead the Fed, and would score another table and pay bills and rent. It’s an American an impasse and, without support from Republican Joe Biden will keep Donald Trump’s trade-war first if confirmed as Treasury secretary, a job that tragedy,” she said. Outgoing Treasury Secretary Senate leader Mitch McConnell, the two sides face tariffs on China for the time being when he moves has never been held by a woman. She is well Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday reiterated his support a tough fight for approval in the final weeks of into the Oval Office next month, the president-elect regarded for navigating the central bank through for forging a compromise, although he said it should Donald Trump’s presidency. — AFP

TBI was established in a 2003 decree issued by Trust a rare asset the Coalition Provisional Authority, which man- aged Iraq post-invasion. “TBI was meant to help Iraq develop and rebuild, but it was affected by Barnier says no for Iraqi banks sectarian power-sharing and financial corruption,” said Ghanem. guarantee of DIWANIYAH, Iraq: The bustling streets of Iraq’s Now, the bank is the Iraqi government’s main biggest cities are lined with private and public conduit for international transactions but provides banks that promise investment and credit. But few loan options or other services. Brexit trade deal businesses barely use them and individuals don’t trust them. Businesses shun banks “Iraqi banks today are still so far away from The top trio have been used mainly for paying BRUSSELS: Chief EU Brexit negotiator global standards,” said Abbas Anid Ghanem, an salaries and pensions to eight million Iraqis. But Michel Barnier warned yesterday he cannot Iraqi economist and lawyer based in the southern after collapsing oil prices this year drained state guarantee he will strike a trade deal with city of Diwaniyah. The problems date back coffers, the government had to borrow from state- Britain, diplomats said, and the next few days decades, Ghanem told AFP. owned banks for those wages, increasing its will be crucial. “We are quickly approaching a In the 1990s, Iraq was isolated from the outside domestic debt. BAGHDAD: An Iraqi holds out a banknote in downtown make or break moment in the Brexit talks,” Barnier told a video meeting of European world by crippling sanctions on then-dictator And of the 60 private banks in Iraq, most are Baghdad. Following the US-led invasion in 2003, wide- envoys, a diplomat said, in an account of the Saddam Hussein that blocked financial transactions domestic and operate primarily as exchange houses. spread looting saw bank vaults emptied of any cash, even as businesses from around the world were flying video talks confirmed by other sources. with the country. Following the US-led invasion in Iraqi businessmen say the banks’ unappealing pro- into Iraq to sniff out reconstruction deals. — AFP “Intensive negotiations are continuing in 2003, widespread looting saw bank vaults emptied files are hampering the development of the private London, but as of this morning it is still unclear of any cash, even as businesses from around the sector. whether negotiators can bridge the gaps on world were flying into Iraq to sniff out reconstruc- “Iraq’s public banks don’t have the mechanisms transactions. Most companies in Iraq still operate in issues like level playing field, governance and tion deals. for global transactions and don’t seek to draw in cash: only 26 percent use the formal banking sys- fisheries,” Barnier said. Diplomats said Barnier More than 70 banks have popped up since, but entrepreneurs,” real estate developer Adel Salhi tem, the World Bank said. thought the outcome of the eight months of the sector as a whole remains underdeveloped. told AFP. “TBI is the only one that allows investors All but two percent pay their employees in hard talks would be decided in the next few days, The three largest-Al-Rafidain, Al-Rasheed and to open lines of credit, but it does not offer profes- currency and nearly half even pay their suppliers possibly late today or tomorrow. UK officials the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) — are state-owned sional services and it demands enormous guaran- that way. Less than five percent of Iraq’s small and do not recognize a formal deadline, but private- and hold around 90 percent of the entire sector’s tees-sometimes as high as 110 percent to deliver a medium-sized businesses have a domestic bank ly agree the next few days could be crucial. assets, the World Bank said in 2018. The first two letter of guarantee,” he said. loan, with most borrowing from family and friends One European diplomat said there was suffer from “capital deficiencies and asset quality Salhi and his Al-Akhiar group have opted to use instead. Ghanem said that’s because business “frustration” among the member state envoys problems”, the World Bank said, meaning they are a foreign bank, like many other Iraqis who turn to loans come with exorbitant interest rates up to 10 and that “for the moment, we’re still not there.” short on deposits and have risky credits. Jordan, Turkey, Iran or Lebanon to facilitate their percent. — AFP “As of today we’re not able to say whether there will be an agreement or not,” the diplo- pandemic, in March and April, have not been able to mat added. Americans are find work. Barnier’s early morning briefing to envoys The figure is 1.2 million higher than in September, came after certain member states-notably making it “the highest month-over-month increase France and the Netherlands-expressed concerns staying jobless in history,” Michele Evermore, senior policy analyst that the EU negotiation team was giving in too at the National Employment Law Project, told AFP. much to UK demands. “This was mostly an exer- for longer Fernandez has spent fruitless months applying for cise to calm nerves in Paris and elsewhere and to work and is left to wonder what will happen when reassure member states that team Barnier will extended unemployment payments authorized by continue to defend core EU interests, including WASHINGTON: Eleanore Fernandez lost her job Congress in March run out on December 26. on fisheries,” a third diplomat said. as an executive assistant when the coronavirus pan- “I’m going to have to take anything or deliver demic struck in March, and things have only grown groceries, too, or something,” she said. That Bridging the divide worse in the months since. dilemma is exactly what the central bank chief A diplomat from a country with concerns Her husband, a professional musician, was also warned of and what analysts say will make the that Barnier might give too much ground, said: put out of work, and she is just weeks away from pandemic damage linger even after the virus is “I am not sure what Barnier said managed to losing the US government unemployment benefits brought under control. assuage concerns. Bridging the divide would that have helped sustain Fernandez and her teenage When “people lose attachment to the workforce, require too big a leap.” daughter. “I’ve never been in a situation where it’s The coronavirus pandemic caused the US economy to particularly once they fall off of unemployment Barnier spoke to the EU27 officials by vide- like, this hairy,” Fernandez told AFP, noting she is shed more than 20 million jobs, and though some peo- insurance, they stop looking for work, they start fig- olink from London, where he has been locked “taking more out of my savings account.” ple have been rehired, data shows the jobless are uring out something else, you know, turning to the in intense talks with his UK counterpart David “I’m going to run out soon if nothing happens,” remaining out of work for longer as the virus again informal economy,” Evermore said. The government Frost and their teams. Failure to clinch a deal she said. The coronavirus pandemic caused the US surges nationwide. — AFP is scheduled to release the November employment would cause deep economic disruption economy to shed more than 20 million jobs, and report on Friday, and Evermore predicted that, with between the two sides at a time when the though some people have been rehired, data shows “Workers who are out of work for long periods the economy far from fully healed, the ranks of the European economy is already deep in a down- the jobless are remaining out of work for longer as of time, they may lose their contact with the labor long-term jobless will swell further. turn due to COVID-19. The main source of the virus again surges nationwide. market. They may lose their skills.” Before the crisis, the US had a historically low discord is over how to establish some sort of With the extra unemployment benefits approved unemployment rate of 3.5 percent, but most econ- EU-UK alignment on health, labor and envi- by Congress set to lapse at the end of the year, ‘Take anything’ omists believe returning to that level is years ronment regulations, while also ensuring economists warn the US labor face is facing long- Labor Department data for October showed away. And the pandemic could change the labor Britain’s newly found sovereignty. In addition, term damage ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration as nearly 3.6 million people in the United States have market in other lasting ways, as more jobs shift a few countries are especially worried about president in January. “We’ve been concerned about been unemployed for at least six months. That is away from service industries towards the tech the fate of fishing access to British waters for longer run damage to the productive capacity of the equivalent to about a third of the total unemployed sector, requiring costly and time-consuming re- European fishermen, with the UK wanting to economy,” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell population, and is a sign a significant share of peo- training to prepare unemployed workers for these keep tight control. —AFP said last month. ple who lost their jobs in the early weeks of the new opportunities. —AFP Established 1961 9 Thursday, December 3, 2020 Business Second wave of coronavirus crisis pushes jobless into survival mode World Bank estimates 150m could fall into extreme poverty by 2021 PARIS: Thousands of workers around the world who says the idea of another lockdown is “terrifying”. As an suddenly lost their jobs in sectors hit hard by the pan- undocumented migrant, she doesn’t qualify for a new demic such as air travel, hospitality and tourism, said they minimum wage scheme introduced in May. had to find out how they have coped during the second coronavirus wave. Forced to skip meals, weighed down Moving back home by debt or having to move back in with parents, most of Colombian Roger Ordonez, 26, said he had no choice them described being in survival mode, worse off than but to move back in with his parents in the northeastern when AFP journalists first interviewed them five months city of Bucaramanga after losing his job as a flight atten- ago when they suddenly lost their jobs. Several have dant for Avianca. He was open to relocating or retraining avoided the worst, but none has escaped feelings of deep but couldn’t find another job in the airline industry and anguish. Due to the economic downturn caused by the can’t pay rent. Applications to Bogota call centers were coronavirus pandemic, the World Bank estimates that by just as futile. He worries that his previous career may put 2021, 150 million people could fall into extreme poverty, prospective bosses off. “From the salary that I used to with a rising share of them in urban areas. have, people think that I’m going to leave as soon as I get Eight out of 10 of the ‘new poor’ will be in middle- another job,” he said. income countries. From having earned a monthly salary of 1,000 euros Here are some workers’ stories: at Avianca, Ordonez said he’d now be happy with mini- MADRID: Honduran domestic worker Sonia Herrera is now managing to avoid the food banks in Madrid which made mum wage, which is about 210 euros. “But there’s noth- her feel ‘a bit ashamed’ .— AFP Debts and ‘survival mode’ ing,” he said. He used to enjoy travelling and was studying “I’m in survival mode, one meal a day for the family to become a pilot. “You get used to living alone, being and that’s it,” said Frenchman Xavier Chergui, 44, who independent, buying yourself things... Now, I have to live sored ceasefire deal, declared the truce null and void and used to be able to earn up to 4,000 euros ($4,800) in a with my family in their space... it’s cramped,” he said. W Sahara flare-up insisted it had no choice but “to intensify the fight for really good month as a temp maitre d’, filling in at Paris national liberation”. restaurants when they were short-staffed. His situation ‘Better than nothing’ was already precarious after France’s first lockdown but Marie Cedile was relieved to learn the shop where she spells gloom for ‘Apaches in Kandahar’ the married, father of two banked on things picking up works was among those being taken over, after French Zerfi said the rebels, whom he calls “Apaches”, would again from September. Apart from “a few days” of work shoe company Andre went into receivership earlier in the buffer zone businesses often block the road link, harming business in the region that has not happened, due to November’s partial lock- year. Half the staff lost their jobs. “Everything is OK for locals dub “Kandahar” after the city in southern down. “I’m behind on the rent, the electricity bill... I also me, for now,” said Cedile, 54, who has worked for Andre Afghanistan. No UN forces could be seen by a visiting have the car loan to pay,” he said. His family survives on for 30 years and had told AFP previously that, if neces- GUERGUERAT: Kamal Zerfi has long run a junkyard in AFP team in the region, known as a hotspot for smug- state aid and benefits which come to 1,400 euros. The sary, she would clean houses if laid off. a no-man’s land on the far edge of the Sahara desert. gling of all kinds. Zerfi, from Marrakesh in southern rent is 1,000 euros but most of the money goes towards Her husband, who was unemployed in the spring, has Then government soldiers came and things took a turn Morocco, insists his trade is entirely legitimate due to the “filling the fridge”, said Chergui, whose son had wanted found a job in car rentals. “Let’s hope it’s all going in the for the worse. Zerfi lives in a remote outpost of the special status of the demilitarized zone, even if the to study graphics at university but has changed to history right direction. We are scared nevertheless,” she admit- Western Sahara region claimed by both Morocco and Moroccan customs service may disagree. as it’s less expensive. ted. Andre shops were closed under the recent partial Polisario Front pro-independence rebels who recently License plates buried in the sand identify the origins lockdown-they reopened at the weekend-and Cedile was revived their three-decade struggle. of cars that have passed through the junkyard: France, Scrimping and saving on partial unemployment, meaning she got about 1,000 His auto- and scrapyard is located at the desolate Italy, Spain-and Germany, the most sought after among Domestic worker Sonia Herrera is getting by without euros a month. “But it’s still better than nothing, there are truck stop of Guerguerat in a UN-patrolled buffer zone Mauritanian buyers, the dealer said. Now that Moroccan resorting to the food bank again, an experience that countries like Portugal, where they don’t get anything,” along the Mauritanian border, where the deployment of troops have asserted control, tow trucks have taken away made her feel “a bit ashamed” she told AFP earlier this Cedile, who is of Portuguese origin, said. Moroccan soldiers has now put paid to his lucrative busi- the cars that were in decent condition. Spare parts and year. The 52-year-old Honduran, whose employers in Jesus Yepez, 60, has lost everything-the tourists he ness. “They’ve stripped me of my goods!” protested the loads of rubbish, meanwhile, have been set on fire, with central Madrid let her go the day after Spain’s lockdown used to take around the famed Templo Mayor Aztec 42-year-old who said he had been doing good-and, he acrid black smoke swirling into the sky. began, has since managed to pick up a few hours of pyramid in the heart of Mexico City, his home, health insists, legal-business selling cars on to Mauritania until Some businesses in the border outpost “have lost cleaning. Her daughter Alejandra, 33, who lost her job as a and hope. Months after the tour guide entered a home- Rabat sent in the troops on November 13. Western everything”, said Zerfi, since Moroccan forces arrived to cook, does the same-their household of four lives on a lit- less shelter in the capital as work dried up due to the Sahara has been disputed since the end of Spanish colo- secure the road. The Polisario has since declared a “state tle over 1,000 euros a month. pandemic, the once-rotund Mexican is a shadow of his nial rule. Morocco claims all of it as its own, while of war” that put an end to its 30-year-old ceasefire with But they scrimp and save, hanging around town at former self. Yepez’s cheekbones protrude from his Polisario rebels, backed by Algeria, want independence. Rabat in the disputed territory. lunchtime to avoid paying the three-euro bus fare to sunken face and he has dark circles under his eyes from Trouble flared again when Rabat recently accused the Rabat has also built a sand wall to secure the road to come home to eat. With schools having reopened, insomnia. Every night, instead of falling into a restful rebels of blockading the road which links the desert the border post where Moroccan flags are now dis- Herrera’s grandson Izan can have lunch in the school can- sleep, he prays that he will die soon. “My God, come region with Mauritania and the rest of Africa at played. The “parking lots” in Guerguerat have long teen which helps. The few savings that helped Herrera, a and get me. I can’t stand this anymore,” he said in a Guerguerat. The pro-independence movement, which served as a depot for various goods from Mauritania, single mother, scrape by earlier are now gone and she broken voice. — AFP says the road was built in violation of a 1991 UN-spon- providing significant income for locals.—AFP 10 Established 1961 Business Thursday, December 3, 2020 DHAMAN continues innovation in developing healthcare through over 800 training courses Bourisly: DHAMAN initiatives will help achieve ‘New Kuwait’ healthcare goals KUWAIT: Health Assurance Hospitals opportunities to develop and advance its tokens of appreciation were allocated for ical, administrative and technical divisions at Company ( DHAMAN) launched a number of human resources. Along these lines, we have employees to participate and benefit from DHAMAN based on the needs of employees initiatives aimed at the continuous develop- launched a number of training courses for those qualified training organizations. Such a and in line with development opportunities at ment of its human resources to ensure the company’s staff to use more than 45 step targeted achieving the objectives of DHAMAN. achieving ‘Healthcare for New Kuwait.’ websites accredited in professional training each department as per its effective role to Bourisly expressed overall appreciation As part of its 2020 plan, DHAMAN intro- by a number of international organizations. achieve DHAMAN’s Vision to provide quali- to all staff at DHAMAN for their dedication duced a campaign for its staff to participate This was done through virtual online train- ty integrated healthcare services”. and tangible role in realizing the Company’s in online training courses by using virtual ing in accordance with the standards and The overall participation of employees was objectives and aspirations as the “Prime communication technologies, which are in line measures stipulated by the Ministry of truly a record as they completed over 800 Provider of Quality Integrated Healthcare with preventive measures enforced around Health (MoH) as part of prevention and training courses and the employees who Services” that are based on best profes- the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. exemplary handling of the impacts caused received the highest number of programs sional practices to develop staff, as well as In this regard, DHAMAN HR Director by the COVID-19 pandemic”. received token of appreciation based on a continuing to attract qualified human Ahmad Bourisly said, “ DHAMAN pays Bourisly added, “As part of encouraging comprehensive and accurate report for each resources to join DHAMAN as per the great attention to innovation in seizing all and supporting DHAMAN’s employees, training. The participation included all med- approved standards. Ahmad Bourisly

News in brief Choose what suits with Mazda from Xiaomi trade halted in HK KAICO (Al Shaya and Al Sagar)

HONG KONG: China’s number two smartphone KUWAIT: Kuwait Automotive Imports develop its CX-9 to become one of maker Xiaomi briefly suspended trading of its Company “KAICO Al-Shaya and Al- the best SUVs that combines the fea- shares in Hong Kong yesterday after failing to Sagar”, the exclusive distributor of ture of seven-seater and sculpted disclose a multibillion-dollar top-up placement in Mazda vehicles in Kuwait, announced sporty design, in addition to a full time for the market to open. The unusual halt a collection of offers for the end of range of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY came just after business began with a brief state- year period as part of its goal to pro- which now includes the GVC Gravity ment to the stock exchange and remained in vide the best services, financing Steering Control System. The offer place throughout the morning. Trading began solutions and special offers to suit includes the CX-9, which combines again in the afternoon once a full disclosure of a the needs of its customers who want outstanding safety, sporty styling and share and bond sale was published, though shares to own the 100 percent Japanese a T2.5 turbo engine with SKYACTIV were down more than six percent. In that later fil- vehicles. TECHNOLOGY and 231 horsepower. ing to the stock exchange Xiaomi said it plans to Mazda cooperated in presenting its The Mazda CX-9 is a three-row sell 1 billion shares at HK$23.70 a piece, raising $3.1 billion. It also proposed the sale of convert- offers with a group of local banks to family-sized SUV that challenges the ible bonds, raising a net $855 million. - AFP provide exclusive benefits to cus- traditional design and driving features tomers, including, for example, the expected of cars in its class. Other National Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait cool features of the CX9 include Eurozone jobless rate dips Finance House KIB. While KAICO ABSM, Lane Departure Assist System offers special promotions to its cus- (LAS), Lane Departure Warning BRUSSELS: Unemployment in the euro area fell tomers directly, including cash gifts System (LDW), Smart City Brake slightly in October, with the jobless rate slipping and a service package that contains of System (SCBS) and many more. Its to 8.4 percent in seasonally-adjusted terms from free maintenance and free warranty. interior is breathtaking and driving an 8.5 percent in September, the EU’s statistics Mazda offers allow customers to experience like no other. From the agency said yesterday. On a 12-month basis, how- choose between the 0 percent profit moment you step one step closer to ever, the unemployment rate was substantially offers, the 7 benefits offer from KIB or the CX9, you are greeted with an higher than the 7.4 percent recorded in October operational lease offers from Aayan or atmosphere of beauty and subtle last year as the fallout from the coronavirus takes Kuwait Finance House. These unique detail. Detail is scrutinized even in its toll on the economy, Eurostat said in a state- offers allow customers to purchase door handles with a level of sophisti- ment. With the pandemic dealing a devastating one of the CX-9 models, the CX-5, cation that shows sophistication. net connectivity and an advanced nav- blow to global activity, there have been a wave of and the elegant Mazda 6 sedan. igation system. lay-offs in recent months, despite the mammoth On this occasion, Ashish Tandon, Mazda 6... the most elegant While Mazda maintains its estab- rescue package put in place by Brussels to help General Manager of Kaico stated, The “Mazda 6” is the leading model lished traditions of being among the keep firms afloat. —AFP “Kaico has always been proactive in in the lineup of Mazda models. It has few cars that are still entirely manu- providing the strongest offers and always been the most elegant thanks factured in Japan, where the company facilities in the Kuwaiti market, which to its dynamic design and typical was able to develop its “Mazda 6” to French rail operator sees huge loss comes within the company’s strategy three-dimensional wings. It is also a become one of the best sedans that to co-operate with the leading local sports saloon equipped with every- combines the advantage of luxurious PARIS: Hit hard by economic fallout from the banks such as KIB, NBK & others.” thing needed in the cockpit, which has appearance and sculpted sporty coronavirus pandemic, French state rail operator Nader Salmeh, Sr. executive been customized to help you enjoy design, in addition to a full range of And the stunning KODO design of SNCF said yesterday it expected to end the year Manager, added “We know that cus- your trip. The Mazda 6 is equipped SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY now the all-new Mazda CX-5 infuses pure as much as five billion euros ($6.0 billion) in the tomers have great knowledge of the with a highly efficient SKYACTIV-G includes Gravity Steering Control. vitality and solidity that raises it to the red. “We are in the red this year. We are going to market and are closely following all direct injection petrol engine, which status that it deserves and which end the year with a big loss,” chairman Jean- offers from different brands, so we achieves fuel efficiency of up to 15 Mazda CX-5... Driving pleasure defines an SUV. The new CX-5 offers Pierre Farandou told a senate committee, saying made sure to satisfy them by present- Percent. The new Mazda CX-5 features a well-thought-out cabin that makes “we shan’t be far from double” the 2.5-billion- ing the most competitive offers local The car is also equipped with an life in the driver’s seat - and passenger euro loss recorded in the first six months. “I many updates, including standard automotive market. advanced set of safety systems that seats - enjoyable and easy. From the would not have said that before the second lock- cylinder deactivation technology that include the Lane Keeping Assist sys- down,” said Farandou. SNCF would have to keep can close the outer cylinders when perfect placement of the dashboard borrowing on financial markets, he continued, Mazda6, CX5, CX9... fulfills tem, the lane departure alert system there is no need to increase fuel effi- and reclining on the back seats, to the suggesting the company would seek to raise your family needs and the blind spot monitoring system ciency. The all-new Mazda CX5 many features such as HMI Control some 2.5 billion euros from selling off railcar hire While Mazda maintains its long- to ensure the safety of your loved comes with the SKYACTIV-G engine, Switch, Noise Reduction and High fleet Ermewa. —AFP established tradition of being among ones while driving, while the interior is a 4-cylinder, 2.5-liter 185-horsepower Vibration (NVH), a human-centered the few cars still entirely manufactured equipped with the MZD CONNECT engine mated to a 6-speed automatic cabin that’s ideal for long distances in Japan, the company has managed to system that gives you superior inter- transmission. and every day. Greece’s undeclared Australia exits workers hit hard first recession in by virus lockdown almost 30 years ATHENS: Every time Elisa drives to a client’s house for a SYDNEY: Australia has exited its first recession hairdressing job, she makes sure to pack a bag of gro- in almost 30 years, after official figures yesterday ceries in the car in case she is stopped by Greek police. showed the economy grew 3.3 percent in July- Skirting the country’s strict lockdown rules to put food September compared with the coronavirus-hit on the table, she is among thousands of undeclared previous quarter. With local transmission of Greek workers facing additional hardship during the sec- Covid-19 largely under control, official data Greece’s black economy has historically been one of SYDNEY: Workers load containers on a cargo ship at ond wave of the coronavirus pandemic. showed businesses have begun to rebound and the biggest in Europe, accounting for over a quarter of Port Botany in Sydney yesterday. —AFP “I write out a declaration that I’m going shopping, and the country’s output. consumer spending has surged. I mainly work in my neighborhood,” says the 32-year-old. The Australian Bureau of Statistics said “The city center is more risky as police checks are more household spending largely drove the economic navirus sent Australia tumbling into recession as frequent,” she told AFP. majority of delivery men have no social security and the bounce, rising 7.9 percent compared with the whole industries ground to a halt. Greece went into a second nationwide lockdown on police turn a blind eye”. previous quarter. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg Around a million people lost their jobs and November 7 after a dangerous spike in infections accom- According to estimates the mobility rate-how many said the figures “can give Australians cause for many more were forced to take pay cuts or saw panied by scores of daily fatalities. Anybody found by people are going out to work-rose by 35 percent during optimism and hope”, declaring that Australia their hours slashed. In response, the government police venturing outdoors without a valid reason faces a the second lockdown compared to the first, says “has performed better on the health and on the and the central bank have embarked on a vast 300-euro ($359) fine. Company workers may commute Panagiotis Petrakis, a professor of economics at the economic fronts than nearly any other country in stimulus spending program, pumping billions into with a written declaration from their employer. But that’s University of Athens. The mobility rate is one of the indi- the world”. the economy to avert a full-blown depression. not an option for the self-employed-mainly native Greeks rect indices used to track the underground economy. However, central bank governor Philip Lowe Last month, the Reserve Bank of Australia also and long-established immigrants-and especially those The overall losses to the economy as a result of the warned that positive economic indicators masked cut interest rates to a record low of 0.10 percent hiding their full income from tax authorities. first lockdown totalled nearly 2.5 billion euros ($3 billion), lingering difficulties. “These figures... cannot hide as it attempted to help hasten the recovery. Greece’s black economy has historically been one of according to official figures, but the real amount is prob- the reality that the recovery will be uneven and “There is a lot of ground to make up and many the biggest in Europe, accounting for over a quarter of ably double that according to Petrakis. bumpy and that it will be drawn-out. Some parts Australian households and many Australian busi- the country’s output. Now, after a decade-long economic of the economy are doing quite well, but others nesses are doing it tough-very tough,” crisis that wiped out a quarter of the country’s wealth and ‘Living in anguish’ are in considerable difficulty,” he told lawmakers. Frydenberg said. sent unemployment soaring, many Greeks facing job pre- Greece’s jobless rate is expected to reach 18.9 percent Australia’s central bank has predicted the “Many challenges do remain,” he added. “The carity say they cannot afford to keep up with taxes and this year according to the government. And national out- economy will not return to pre-pandemic levels global economic environment remains uncertain living costs. The hairdressing salon that employed Elisa put is set to fall by 10.5 percent before recovering by until the end of 2021. The economy has yet to ful- as many nations experience an increase in was among thousands of small businesses that did not over four percent next year. As in many countries, the ly recover from the coronavirus-fuelled recession, COVID-19 cases and new lockdowns.” survive the 2010-2018 crisis. lockdown has mainly hit tourism, Greece’s main money recording a 3.8-percent slump for the year to Higher unemployment is expected to linger in earner, but also personal and entertainment services, sec- September. Australia, with the jobless rate rising to seven ‘We’re not stealing’ tors where moonlighting is common. The return to economic growth followed a percent in October. Closed borders continue to “I’m forced to break the law. It’s a matter of survival,” The crunch is expected to hit hardest those outside record seven-percent decline in the June quarter drag on the economy, with exports falling due to says Vangelis, a plumber in his 40s who takes jobs in his the official fabric of the economy who are not entitled to and a 0.3-percent dip in the first quarter of 2020. weaker demand for Australian mining commodi- neighborhood and declined to give his real name. “I can’t state benefits during the pandemic-low income, unem- A recession is generally defined as two succes- ties and travel restrictions. stay at home and earn nothing... I’d rather take the risk. ployed or undocumented workers. Anna, a housekeeper sive quarters of economic contraction. The return Wednesday’s figures were roughly in line with This way, I can at least make 50 euros a day and pay my from Georgia, says she lives “in anguish of being to growth comes despite Victoria state-which economists’ expectations, coming as Australia rent and supermarket bills,” he adds. Vangelis says his arrested.” Though she has lived in Greece for more accounts for about 25 percent of Australia’s eco- continues to roll back virus restrictions and open earnings fell by half during the first six-week Covid-19 than ten years, she still has no residency papers. nomic output-spending much of the September domestic borders after largely containing major lockdown in the spring. But thankfully, police are more “I have a certificate saying that I am helping a vulner- quarter in one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, outbreaks. tolerant now, he says. “It’s not like we’re stealing.” able person. But I have lost a lot of clients, especially curtailing economic activity. The country has been relatively successful in Vangelis insists that “everybody knows how the econ- among the elderly, who are afraid of bringing in someone In a pattern repeated across the globe, eco- its pandemic response, recording just under omy works in Greece, the money must circulate; the like me who uses public transport,” she laments. —AFP nomic shutdowns to curb the spread of the coro- 28,000 cases and 908 deaths. —AFP 11

Thursday,December 3, 2020

Dr. Hamoud Abdullah Alarouj ENT Consultant, Laryngologist Kuwait Board of Otolaryngology. Experienced In: Laryngology Fellowship, McGill Management of benign and malignant vocal cord lesions. University- Canada. Vocal cord augmentation. Fellow of the European Board of Diagnosis and treatment of spasmodic dysphonia. Otolaryngology – Head & Neck surgery. Adenotonsillectomy using latest techniques. Member of the American Academy of Myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion. Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. Surgery for the deviated nasal septum. Member of the British Laryngological Endoscopic sinus surgery. Association. Diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis. Member of the European Laryngological Tympanoplasty. Society. Diagnosis and treatment of vertigo. Member of the Canadian Society of Thyroid surgery Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. Diagnosis and treatment of snoring.

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he Oscar-nominated star of “Juno” sleeper hit “Juno.” The actor also entertainment industry and beyond. “The discrimination protections for transgender has come out as transgender, intro- appeared in the 2010 science fiction hit truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy people in the health care system, and Tducing himself as Elliot Page on “Inception” opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, right now... I’m scared of the invasive- also banned transgender Americans from Tuesday in social media posts that voiced and the 2012 Woody Allen comedy “To ness, the hate, the ‘jokes’ and of vio- serving in the military. joy at sharing the news-but also fear over Rome with Love.” Page came out as gay lence,” wrote Page. Page also railed Harry Potter author JK Rowling has a possible backlash. In a landmark move in 2014, quickly become a flagbearer for against politicians who “criminalize trans been at the center of a firestorm in recent for a top Hollywood actor, the performer Hollywood’s LGBTQ community, and mar- health care and deny our right to exist,” as years over comments deemed insulting to formerly known as Ellen Page thanked ried dancer Emma Portner in 2018. While well as influential public figures who use transgender people. Rowling sparked supporters in the trans community for largely absent from big-budget Hollywood “a massive platform who continue to spew controversy in June for tweeting about the helping him on his journey to “finally love blockbusters since 2014’s “X-Men: Days hostility towards the trans community.” use of the phrase “people who menstru- who I am enough to pursue my authentic of Future Past,” Page has repeatedly “You have blood on your hands. You ate” instead of women-prompting some self.” “I love that I am trans. And I love that In this file photo Director/actor formerly shrugged off suggestions of being type- unleash a fury of vile and demeaning rage former fans and activists to call for a boy- I am queer,” wrote the Canadian-born known as Ellen Page attends the premiere cast or shunned by Tinseltown. Page joins that lands on the shoulders of the trans cott of her works. “You aren’t being ‘can- Page, who has recently starred in Netflix of the documentary “There’s Something in a small group of prominent Hollywood community,” added Page, noting high celled,’ you are hurting people. I am one superhero series “The Umbrella the Water” during the 2019 Toronto transgender figures, alongside “The rates of attempted suicide among the of those people and we won’t be silent in Academy.” His statement identifying as International Film Festival Day 4 in Toronto, Matrix” series writer-directors Lana and community. Alphonso David, president of the face of your attacks,” wrote Page, trans won swift praise across Hollywood Ontario. — AFP Lilly Wachowski, “Transparent” creator LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights addressing transphobia in general. and beyond, with LGBTQ charity GLAAD Joey Soloway and actor Laverne Cox. Campaign, thanked Page for “sharing GLAAD provided a “tip sheet” for journal- calling Page “remarkable” and “an out- deserve the chance to be ourselves and your truth with us, and for shining a bright ists covering Page’s statement, advising spoken advocate for all LGBTQ people.” to be accepted for who we are.” Netflix ‘I’m scared’ light on the challenges too many in our reporters to “use he/they pronouns when “He will now be an inspiration to count- tweeted: “So proud of our superhero! We On Monday, Cox described being the community face.” Although Page did not referring to Elliot Page.”— AFP less trans and non-binary people,” said love you Elliot!” Page, 33, burst onto the victim of a recent transphobic attack in name any specific individuals, President the group’s director of transgender media Hollywood scene with an Oscar-nominat- Los Angeles, underlining the hostility fac- Donald Trump’s administration has Nick Adams. “All transgender people ed role as a pregnant teenager in 2007 ing many transgender individuals in the attempted to roll back Obama-era anti-

ab-grown chicken will soon be In this file photo a school teacher helps a pupil reads a In this file photo young Amazigh (Berber) women pose In this file photo a man waves the Amazigh flag as thousands of available in restaurants in text in Amazigh, an ancient tongue in Rabat. for a selfie photograph during the annual mourners attend the funeral procession and burial of Hocine Ait- LSingapore after the country —AFP photos “Engagement Moussem” festival near the village of Ahmed, one of the fathers of Algeria’s struggle for independence became the first to green-light meat Imilchil in central Morocco’s high Atlas Mountains. and a key opposition figure, in the Algerian village of Ait Ahmed. created without slaughtering any animals. US start-up Eat Just said Wednesday that its meat had been approved for sale in the city-state as an ingredient in chicken nuggets. The news marks a “breakthrough for the global food industry”, said the company, as firms increasingly try to find less environmentally harmful ways of producing meat. “I’m sure oussef Diab drives his truck survive. “Everyone uses it here,” he said. wrote her PhD thesis on the language in world,” said Mehdi Al-Howeiti, the head that our regulatory approval for cul- through the Egyptian oasis of Siwa, The Berbers of Siwa are one of the main the oasis. It wasn’t until the 1980s that of the local tourism office. A son of the tured meat will be the first of many singing catchy songs in a local linguistic minorities in Egypt, the most Arabic became more common, due in oasis, he studied elsewhere, but returned Y in Singapore and in countries Berber dialect that clings to life despite populous Arabic-speaking country with large part to “tourism, mass media and to Siwa to live. around the globe,” said Josh the dominance of Arabic. The UN has some 100 million inhabitants and long the mobility for higher education or for work- Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of Eat classified Siwi, the easternmost dialect of flag-bearer of Arab nationalism. ing purposes”. Preservation efforts Just. Consumption of regular meat the Tamazight language spoken across Located some 560 kilometers (350 Despite that devotion to their roots, is an environmental threat as cattle North Africa as far as Morocco, as miles) from Cairo, their oasis only came Siwa residents face several challenges in produce methane, a potent green- “endangered”. But few adults in the oasis under state control when it was occupied protecting their language, including the house gas, while logging forests to speak Arabic as their main language, by Mohammad Ali, the founder of modern cultural dominance of Arabic and the fact make way for animals destroys nat- and the children playing at the foot of the Egypt, in 1820. Its isolation “allowed Siwa the tongue is only transmitted within fami- ural barriers against climate ancient local fortress talk and shout in and its inhabitants to keep their specific lies. “In the past, our parents only spoke change. Siwi. Diab, a 25-year-old tourist guide traditions and a language that sets them Siwi, which had nothing in common with Demand for sustainable meat with a colorful Berber flag in his back win- apart from mainstream Egyptian culture”, Arabic,” said tribal elder Mohamed, who alternatives is rising due to growing dow, is convinced that the tongue will said sociolinguist Valentina Serreli, who wore a black Libyan-style skullcap on his pressure from consumers about the head. “Today, the language is becoming environment and animal welfare, but closer and closer to Arabic.” And while other products in the market are Egyptian curricula feature foreign lan- plant-based. There were concerns guages, neither of the country’s main In this file photo, a young Amazigh that lab-grown varieties would be minority languages-Siwi and Nubian-is (Berber) woman waits for her wedding too expensive, but a spokesman for taught at schools. “The language should ceremony during the annual “Engagement Eat Just said the company had be formally taught so it doesn’t disap- Moussem” festival near the village of made “considerable progress” in pear,” Mohamed said. The local organi- Imilchil in central Morocco’s high Atlas lowering the cost. “Right from the zation “Children of Siwa” has led efforts to Mountains. start, we will be at price parity for he Berbers are descendants of to jail for having brandished the preserve the language. premium chicken at a high-end pre-Arab populations across Amazigh flag, banned from rallies by Language still ‘dominant’ Working with Moroccan and Italian restaurant,” he told AFP. TNorth Africa, from the extreme the army. The UN in 2008 estimated that 15,000 partners, in 2012 it published a collection He did not reveal the price of the west of Egypt to the countries of the people in the oasis, half the population, of songs, poems and proverbs in both nuggets but said they would be Maghreb. The Berbers, who refer to Libya speak Siwi. But Serreli estimates that the Siwi and Arabic. It was the product of launched soon at a Singapore themselves as the Amazigh meaning Persecuted under dictator Moamer real figure is around 20,000. “UNESCO two years work with 60 young local peo- restaurant before other products- “free man”, have long fought for Kadhafi, who denied their existence, considers the language ‘definitely endan- ple and elders. But despite those efforts, including chicken breasts with lab- greater recognition for their ancient the Berbers of Libya have called for gered’ because ‘children no longer learn the book is now out of print and there grown meat-are rolled out. Eat Just ethnic group, their culture and lan- their language to be given official sta- the language as mother tongue in the isn’t enough money for another edition, hopes to bring down the cost to guage. Here is some background on tus alongside Arabic and for greater home’”, she said. But “as far as I can tell, said the association’s vice-president below that of conventional chicken Berber communities that have political representation. They make up this is not true”. “The language is domi- Yahya Qenaoui. “We need to do more to in the coming years, the spokesman stretched across North Africa since around 10 percent of the 6.4 million nant in... conversations, even between preserve our heritage,” he said. “We added. long before the Arab conquests: and live mainly in the mountains west young peers.” Ibrahim Mohamed, an eld- can’t do 10 percent of what we’d like to of Tripoli or in the vast southern desert er of one of the region’s 11 tribes and a do... the association doesn’t get any Morocco regions. Their demands have become respected figure in Siwa, said Siwi was funding.” But Diab remains hopeful that Soaring meat consumption The company conducted more On Africa’s northwestern tip, more vocal in the turmoil-wracked central to the “Amazigh identity” of the the dialect will survive. “At school, my than 20 production runs in 1,200- Morocco is home to the largest Berber country since Kadhafi’s ouster and oasis. And despite an influx of tourists in son Ibrahim learns Arabic, he reads and litre bioreactors to make the chicken community in the region. Their lan- death in 2011. The Berber flag can the last few decades, the oasis remains writes it,” he said. “But at home, he alternative, and checks on safety guage-of which there are three main now be seen on administrative build- relatively isolated, accessible by a single needs to speak Siwi.”— AFP and quality showed that its “cul- dialects-was only given official status ings. Textbooks in their language road from the Mediterranean coast. “Siwa tured” product-the term for meat alongside Arabic in a new constitution have also been produced, but they is to the Siwis what water is to fish-they grown in labs from animal cells-met in 2011. One of the major conse- have not been officially approved by wouldn’t leave it for anything in the quences of this recognition has been the internationally backed govern- food standards. Meat consumption the appearance of their Tifinagh ment. Under a draft constitution is projected to increase more than alphabet on public buildings next to endorsed by parliament, but still 70 percent by 2050, and lab-grown Arabic and French. Since 2010 the awaiting ratification, the languages alternatives have a role to play in Tamazight TV channel has been dedi- spoken by the various communities, ensuring a secure food supply, Eat cated to promoting Berber culture. including Tamazigh, are recognized Just said. “Working in partnership Some years ago lawmakers created a as part of Libyan cultural heritage but with the broader agriculture sector major stir by talking in the Berber lan- not given official status. and forward-thinking policymakers, guage in parliamentary sessions. companies like ours can help meet Despite advances, the Moroccan Tunisia the increased demand for animal authorities still sporadically refuse to In Tunisia estimating the number of protein as our population climbs to register Berber names on the official Berbers is tough as official statistics 9.7 billion by 2050,” said company registry. The Amazigh flag was a based on ethnicity are prohibited. CEO Tetrick. major symbol in protests that hit the Outside their traditional heartland in The Singapore Food Agency, the depressed Rif region in the north of the south, Berbers are mainly found in city-state’s regulator, confirmed it the country in 2016, where the group the capital Tunis following an exodus Ibrahim Mohamed, a sheikh of the Haddadin (blacksmiths) tribe and a respected figure in had approved the sale of Eat Just’s is a majority. from the countryside. They complain Siwa, speaks at his workshop in Egypt’s western desert oasis. lab-grown chicken in nuggets after of marginalisation and exclusion in a concluding it was safe for consump- Algeria state that recognises only Arabic in its tion. The high-tech city-state has The Berber comprise about 10 mil- constitution. Jallol Ghaki, the head of become a hub for the development lion people in Algeria, making up the Tunisian Association of Amazigh of sustainable foods, with start-ups roughly a quarter of the country’s total Culture, estimates that while some half producing goods ranging from lab- population of 40 million. They live of Tunisians may be of Berber origin, grown “seafood” to dumplings mainly in the mountainous northern the vast majority have been fully made with tropical fruit instead of region of Kabylie, and as in Morocco, Arabised and only one percent speak pork. William Chen, a Singapore- they have led a long fight for their the local Chelha dialect. While based scientist and member of an rights. After some progress, such as activists complain that the state takes expert panel that advises the regu- the recognition of Tamazight as the no efforts to preserve or educate chil- lator, said food security was a key country’s second official language in dren about Berber culture, there have concern in the city-state’s drive for 2016, the Berber were the target of been some improvements since developing meat alternatives.—AFP much repression in the crackdown on Tunisia’s 2011 revolution. — AFP anti-government protests. Several dozen demonstrators were sentenced Craftsmen work on traditional palm wicker baskets at their shop in Egypt’s western desert oasis of Siwa. Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Galata Tower is seen after its restoration in Istanbul. Archaelogical artfacts found in Istanbul are on display as people visit People look at a 3D Istanbul map after the restoration of the Galata Tower in after the restoration of the Galata Tower. Istanbul. — AFP photos Turks bristle at botched heritage renovations ith sloppy restoration work and prioritized back then, as part of efforts istry to reject its appeal to inspect the port” the fountain without any authoriza- for Muslim worship. Wdamaged or disfigured histori- to join the European Union,” Koker said. project. “When restoration is seen only tion. “The historical value attributed to a The decision came just a month after cal monuments, experts say a In 2011, the highly successful restora- as a construction activity and when we monument only makes sense in the a similarly controversial conversion to race for profits, ideological considera- tion of the 10th-century Armenian forget that the monument reflects the place it is located. You cannot transport transform the UNESCO World Heritage- tions and favoritism are leaving sensitive church on Akdamar island in Lake Van centuries it has passed through, we it like any other object,” Polat said. recognized Hagia Sophia into a mosque upkeep of cultural heritage by the way- in eastern Turkey received praise from miss the objective of preservation. We “We’ve heard nothing about this foun- for the first time since 1934. With the side in Turkey. In August the Galata many experts. then have brand-new reconstructions,” tain since then”. erasure of cultural heritage, Polat fears Tower-an emblematic 14th-century Polat said. Tugba Tanyeri Erdemir, researcher at the memory of Istanbul will disappear. Istanbul landmark-became the latest ‘Profit above all’ monument at the heart of a dispute. But Ankara’s estrangement from the Criticism from residents managed to EU in recent years and a hardline turn in narrowly block the demolition of one of Erdogan’s policies have transformed the its walls with a jackhammer as part of a situation, said Korhan Gumus, an archi- restoration, only after a video of workers tect specializing in preservation of cul- using the power tool leaked on social tural heritage. “Tenders for renovations media. Culture Minister Nuri Ersoy tried are awarded to favored companies to smooth things over, saying that the which have established a monopoly. destroyed section was not an original And the projects are above all aimed at part of the tower and announcing “sanc- making profits,” he lamented. “The reno- tions” against the construction chiefs for vations are managed entirely by con- using the heavy-duty equipment. struction calls for tenders, without prior But in recent years, the list of poorly reflection on their history,” Gumus said. renovated monuments has grown, rang- Rather than preserving “parts added ing from Roman mosaics damaged by a by different civilizations” over the cen- botched restoration to concrete piled up turies or millennia, project specifications in the middle of an ancient amphitheatre often call for “a restitution of the original, Archaeological artfacts found in Istanbul are on display as people A woman walks upstairs after the restoration of the Galata Tower. or unrecognisable mosques and which leads to grotesque results,” he visit after the restoration of the Galata Tower. citadels. For Osman Koker, founder of added. The culture ministry-in charge of the gallery “Birzamanlar”-a venue to dis- maintaining historic monuments-did not ‘Arbitrary decisions’ the University of Pittsburgh, argued that “The memory of a city is intimately play the country’s cultural diversity-a respond to the criticism when contacted “Arbitrary decisions” sometimes Turkey’s government favours “the domi- linked to its living space. We failed to “harshness” toward ancient buildings by AFP. It was Mahir Polat, cultural her- bypass those in charge of cultural her- nation of cultural heritage rather than its live together with ancient buildings in has always existed in Turkey, aimed itage director for Istanbul’s municipal itage protection, Polat complains. He conservation,” highlighting recent deci- the past,” he deplored. “I hope we will especially at erasing traces of non- government, who raised the alarm on said he discovered in July that a historic sions to convert Hagia Sophia cathedral realize the treasure we have in our Muslim minorities. The picture was the use of the jackhammer during the fountain in Uskudar on the Asian side of and another church into mosques. In hands.”— AFP much brighter in the early 2000s, when restoration work at Galata Tower. The Istanbul had vanished overnight as part August, Erdogan ordered the ancient Recep Tayyip Erdogan-now president- municipality, run by the main opposition of a road-widening project. The district Orthodox Kariye church that became a first became prime minister. “Restoring CHP party since 2019, lodged an imme- municipality led by Erdogan’s ruling mosque and then a popular Istanbul buildings with high symbolic value was diate complaint, only for the culture min- party, he said, had decided to “trans- museum to be turned back into a space ‘Don’t leave trash in the desert’: Utah monolith removal explained

he mystery of how a metal monolith Tappeared in the Utah desert remains, but the riddle of its removal seems to have been solved-and sadly, has nothing to do with aliens. Images emerged Tuesday of four men working in the dead of night to remove the strange, triangular pillar that has gar- Director of “Piguet Hotel des Ventes” auction house Bernard Piguet poses with a rare nered global attention from its remote sabre-toothed cat’s skeleton during a preview of the sale in Geneva. — AFP photos resting place in the western United States desert. Photographer Ross Bernards, who visited the monolith ‘Sabre-toothed tiger’ Friday, described in an Instagram post accompanying the photos how four men suddenly appeared that night, pushed skeleton up for auction the object over and dismantled it before carrying it off in a wheelbarrow. This video grab image shows a mysterious metal monolith that was discovered in Utah nearly 40-million-year-old skeleton season, towards the end of summer “One of them looked back at us all after public safety officers spotted the object while conducting a routine wildlife mission. Abelonging to what is popularly 2019,” Swiss collector Yann Cuenin, who and said ‘Leave no trace.’ That was at called a sabre-toothed tiger is owns the dozens of paleontology lots on 8:48,” wrote Bernards. Later Tuesday, a take it out,” noting that “at least 70 differ- Christensen, also claimed to have been going under the hammer next week in auction, told AFP. “As in most finds, ero- 34-year-old slackline performer and ent cars (and a plane)” had converged among those dismantling the monolith, Geneva, a year after its discovery on a US sion had unearthed part of the skeleton. adventure sportsman called Andy Lewis on the “the delicate desert landscape.” telling The New York Times he was con- ranch. The skeleton, some 120 centime- While walking around his property, the posted a video on YouTube titled, “We Officials who found the monolith did not cerned about “human impacts” upon the ters (nearly four feet) long, is expected to ranch owner saw bones sticking out of the removed the Utah monolith.” It featured disclose the object’s location out of fear land and its ecosystem. “Mother Nature fetch between 60,000 and 80,000 Swiss ground.” While the skeleton is the star of near-identical images and a short clip of that hordes of curious sightseers would is an artist, it’s best to leave the art in the francs ($66,560 to $88,750; 55,300 to the show, there are plenty of other treas- the monolith seemingly being wheeled flock to the remote wilderness, but amid wild to her,” concluded Bernards. 73,750 euros) at auction on December 8 ures from the past up for grabs, including away, but no further explanation was the growing fascination, dozens of in the Swiss city. “This fossil is exceptional, ammolite, an opal-like organic gemstone, provided. The shiny pillar, which protrud- explorers quickly tracked it down. A resi- Mystery over metal monolith above all for its conservation: it’s 37 million in shades of red and orange. Measuring ed some 12 feet from the red rocks of dent of nearby Moab, Sylvan found on Romanian hilltop years old, and it’s 90-percent complete,” 40 cm long by 36 cm wide, the fossil from southern Utah, was first spotted on A metal monolith which mysteriously Bernard Piguet, director of the Piguet auc- the Cretaceous period is 75 million years November 18 by baffled local officials appeared on a hilltop in northern tion house, told AFP on Tuesday. “The few old and hails from the Canadian Rocky counting bighorn sheep from the air. Romania has sparked curiosity-and missing bones were remade with a 3D Mountains. It is estimated to fetch between mockery-online, coming just days after a printer,” he added, with the skeleton 20,000 and 30,000 Swiss francs. Jurassic Alien or art? similar object was found in the Utah reconstructed around a black metal frame. Park enthusiasts can also buy a News of the discovery quickly went desert. Images of the four-meter tall met- Piguet said he was fascinated by the Tyrannosaurus Rex tooth (2,200 to 2,800 viral around the world, with many noting al object were first published last week merger of “the extremely old with modern francs), or, for 5,000 to 7,000 francs, an the object’s similarity with strange alien by local news outlets in the Neamt technologies”. The original bones are impressive 85-cm long fin from a monoliths that trigger huge leaps in region. The Jurnal FM radio station went those of a Hoplophoneus. Not strictly a mosasaur-a marine reptile that in the human progress in Stanley Kubrick’s to investigate the monolith after an email true member of the cat family, they are an Cretaceous period was at the top of the classic sci-fi film “2001: A Space about it arrived on Thursday. “We were extinct genus of the Nimravidae family and submarine food chain. Odyssey.” Some observers pointed out surprised to say the least when we found stalked around North America. Such the object’s resemblance to the avant- a... metallic structure which had spirals extinct predatory mammals are commonly History versus art garde work of John McCracken, a US engraved on its sides”, the station said in called sabre-toothed tigers. “It was found Though dinosaur-mania began in the artist who lived for a time in nearby New a story posted on its website. Local news in South Dakota during the last excavation United States, it has grown in Europe in Mexico and died in 2011. But outlet ziarpiatraneamt.ro also published recent years. Next week’s sale is the sec- McCracken’s representatives have given a video taken by a man who went to the ond time such an auction has been held ambiguous and at times conflicting hilltop to see the object for himself. In a in Switzerland. In September 2019, the responses to this theory, prolonging an video posted to Facebook, the man says skeleton of a dinosaur (Thescelosaurus international guessing game that intensi- the object is “just some old scrap metal Neglectus), 66 million years old and three fied further with the monolith’s sudden that somebody placed here”. metres long, was purchased by a Swiss- removal Friday. Fellow Facebook user Alexandru resident collector for 225,000 francs. The local San Juan County sheriff’s was similarly scathing, commenting: Debate rages as to the balance between office, which is reportedly investigating “We’re not even capable of doing a the scientific value of such items and alongside the federal Bureau of Land proper copy-cat”. Others noted the their worth on the open market. Management, saw the lighter side in a object had obvious welding marks. Some paleontologists insist animal or Facebook post Saturday featuring lineup Asked about the reactions to the struc- plant fossils are not decorative objects for images of nine suspects-all extraterrestri- ture, reporter Cirprian Solomon of collectors, but witness to the evolution of als. It is still not known if the men who Jurnal FM says the attention it has gar- life on Earth and therefore scientific removed the object were the same ones nered “has a lot to do with Utah”. objects that ought to be studied and then who installed it, or even if the two “There are a lot of unanswered ques- shared with the public in museums. But accounts of Bernards and Lewis mesh tions,” Solomon told AFP, adding: “Why Cuenin said: “If we’re talking about the together. According to Bernards, one of in Neamt? Why now?”— AFP sabre-toothed tiger, for example, it’s not a the men removing the monolith said, skeleton which is of major scientific inter- “This is why you don’t leave trash in the A handout picture shows a metal pillar on A rare sabre-toothed cat’s skeleton is displayed est, in the sense that it’s something which desert.” Batca Doamnei hill in Piatra Neamt, at “Piguet Hotel des Ventes” auction house. is already known to science. —AFP Bernards said the men “were right to Romania. — AFP photos 14 Sports Thursday, December 3, 2020

Photo of the Day News in brief Sounders beat Dallas in playoffs

WASHINGTON: Seattle defender Shane O’Neill nodded home a header in the 49th minute as the defending champion Sounders defeated FC Dallas 1-0 on Tuesday in a Major League Soccer quarter-final. The Sounders advanced to Monday’s Western Conference final against the winner of today’s matchup between Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United. That winner will claim a berth in the December 12 MLS Cup final against Sunday’s Eastern Conference final winner - either the New England Revolution or Columbus Crew. After a scoreless first half, the Sounders struck quickly in the second off a cor- ner kick by Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro. — AFP

COVID rocks Pakistan cricketers

WELLINGTON: An eighth member of Pakistan’s cricket squad has tested positive for COVID-19 as the team undergoes quarantine in Christchurch, New Zealand health authorities said yesterday. The health department said there was one new confirmed case among the squad and a further two members were being investi- gated, adding to the seven who previously tested Bryce Menzies competes at the Baja 1000 in Baja, Mexico in November. — Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com positive over the past week. The department said the team would not be allowed to train together until doctors were confident it would not lead to more coronavirus cases. Director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield issued the team with a “final warning” last week for flouting social dis- Surgeon responds tearfully tancing protocols at their hotel. — AFP Fi’s Grosjean leaves hospital

SAKHIR: Formula One driver Romain Grosjean left hospital yesterday, three days after escaping a to Maradona’s death probe fiery high-speed crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix with just burns to his hands, his team said. Grosjean was treated in a military hospital in Bahrain for the burns he suffered while jumping ‘I did everything, up to the impossible’ out of his blazing Haas car following a collision with Daniil Kvyat on the first lap of Sunday’s race. BUENOS AIRES: Diego Maradona’s surgeon on the condition of anonymity. Later in the day, thing I’ve done. I have nothing to hide. I am at the In a video posted to Twitter on Tuesday, Grosjean responded to the launch of an investigation for Luque, who is no relation to Maradona’s former disposal of justice.” said: “I’m getting better and better, obviously a involuntary manslaughter by saying he did “every- Argentina team-mate of the same name, gave an Maradona’s lawyer, Matias Morla, had called for few parts are a bit painful but it’s OK. “After what thing he could, up to the impossible” for an emotional televised news conference. “You want to an investigation into claims that ambulances took happened I guess the pain is not too bad. I’m hap- “unmanageable” patient. Earlier in the day prose- know what I am responsible for?” the 39-year-old more than half an hour to reach the football star’s py to be alive and talk to you.” — AFP cutors in San Isidro, near Buenos Aires, said they doctor asked between sobs. “For having loved him, house in response to an emergency call on the day were investigating Leopoldo Luque while for having taken care of him, for having extended of his death. Luque said an ambulance should have Argentine television showed police raiding the his life, for having improved it to the end.” been parked outside. “A psychiatrist had asked that doctor’s surgery and home. A statement from the Luque said he did “everything he could, up to there should always be an ambulance in front of his NBA camps open amid COVID prosecutors’ office later said they had begun ana- the impossible” and considered himself a “friend” house. I don’t know who is responsible for the fact lyzing material gathered and clarified that “no deci- of Maradona and saw him “as a father, not as a that there was no ambulance,” Luque said. Diego WASHINGTON: Two players for the Golden sions have been made at the moment regarding the patient”. Luque had posted a photograph of him- “was very sad, he wanted to be alone, and it’s not State Warriors and another for the Washington procedural situation of any person.” self with Maradona when the former player left because he didn’t love his daughters, his family, or Wizards have tested positive for COVID-19, the The probe was triggered by concerns raised by hospital on November 12, eight days after the doc- those around him,” Luque said. “He was brave.” A NBA clubs announced Tuesday as individual Maradona’s daughters Dalma, Gianinna and Jana tor operated to remove a brain blood clot. judicial source told AFP that no official complaint 2020-21 pre-season workouts began. Warriors over the treatment he received for his heart condi- Maradona returned home to Tigre where he has yet been filed. general manager Bob Myers said his club delayed tion at his home in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, received round-the-clock medical care and could “The case was initiated because he is a person the start of individual player workouts, with judicial sources said. Maradona died of a heart remain close to his daughters. “He should have who died at home and no one signed his death cer- group sessions to start next week. Wizards coach attack on Wednesday aged 60, and was buried on gone to a rehabilitation centre. He didn’t want to,” tificate. It does not mean there are suspicions or Scott brooks said an unidentified player on his Thursday at the Jardin de Paz cemetery on the out- said Luque who called Maradona “unmanageable”. irregularities,” the source said, requesting to remain roster has tested positive and will be unable to skirts of the Argentine capital. “Our investigations anonymous. A preliminary autopsy report estab- participate in training camp this week. The NBA’s are ongoing, we are talking to witnesses including ‘Nothing to hide’ lished that Maradona died in his sleep at noon on health-and-safety protocol says any player who members of the family” of Maradona, a source Luque said he did not know why there was no Wednesday of “acute lung oedema and chronic tests positive, even if not displaying symptoms of close to the San Isidro inquiry said. defibrillator in case of a heart attack in heart failure”. The prosecutor’s office is awaiting the the virus, must wait 10 days or test negative twice “The clinic had recommended that he go else- Maradona’s home in Tigre, and made clear that results of toxicological tests on Maradona’s body. at least 24 hours apart and then be monitored in where to be hospitalized, but the family decided the home care was not his responsibility. “I am a The three prosecutors working on the case have individual workouts for two more days before he otherwise. His daughters signed for him to be dis- neurosurgeon,” said Luque. “I am the person who requested his medical records, as well as recordings can return to the club. — AFP charged from the hospital,” said a family member, has been taking care of him. I’m proud of every- from neighborhood security cameras. — AFP

race, the lead was reduced to around 30 seconds, GAZOO Racing leaving no margin for error. But the No 7 TS050 HEV crew rose to the challenge and established a one-minute lead during the final hour, with wins 2019-2020 Kobayashi crossing the line to win after 263 laps, taking the World Championship title in the process. FIA WEC “Congratulations to Conway, Kobayashi and Lopez on winning the final round and winning the championship! Buemi, Hartley and Nakajima also KUWAIT: GAZOO Racing (GR) claimed the 2019- performed strongly in the last race of the TS050 2020 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) HEV. Thank you for driving well and achieving a title with a stunning one-two victory in the 8 Hours one-two finish!” commented Akio Toyoda, of Bahrain recently. Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi President, Toyota Motor Corporation. “In 2018, and Jose Maria Lopez took first place in the No 7 we were able to reach our goal of being on top at TS050 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) during the Le Mans. And in 2019 and 2020, we achieved eighth and final race of the season, which also three straight victories at Le Mans. We were able marked the last WEC championship appearance for to develop the car so that drivers could push to Toyota’s three-time Le Mans-winning vehicle. the limit.” The No 7 TS050 HEV crew overturned a points Toyoda continued: “The TS050 HEV competed deficit going into the season finale to win from pole in 34 races, took 16 pole positions, and we were able position, earning a well-deserved major title. to win 15 fastest laps and 19 victories. And with a Meanwhile, the outgoing World Champions one-two finish at the last race, the smiles of Conway, Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima delivered a Kobayashi and Lopez give us the best motivation perfect result for the GR team alongside Brendon for our next car. Then, we are able to happily move Hartley in the No 8 TS050 HEV to earn second into the battle with our upcoming Hypercar. To the place, 64.594seconds behind. drivers, engineers and mechanics who drove this car, The race brought the curtain down on the LMP1 to all the supporters and fans who supported us, I era in endurance racing, in which GR has participat- sincerely thank you. The desire to make ever-better ed since 2012. During its 64 races, the team has won cars will not change. We hope that all the fans will 29, earned 26 pole positions and set 24 fastest laps, continue to support and be part of GAZOO Racing. winning both the teams’ and drivers’ World Thank you!” Championship in three of its eight seasons. GR has Mike Conway, Driver of the No 7 TS050 HEV, managed to reduce fuel consumption by 35% since said: “It’s a great feeling to be standing here as a 2012, while maintaining the outstanding perform- World Champion at the end of a tough but fantastic ance of its vehicles. season. I want to say a big thanks to the team for Since its 2016 debut, the TS050 HEV has been giving Lopez, Kobayashi and me the chance to overseen by separate entities within the company raced by 11 different drivers in 34 races, winning Le achieve this. The No 7 crew and my team-mates did until April 2015, when Toyota established GR, to Mans three times as part of 19 WEC victories, earn- a perfect job throughout the season so this feels consolidate all of its motorsports activities under ing 16 pole positions and setting 15 fastest laps in really good. I am a bit sad that this was the last race one in-house brand. Representing Toyota’s belief the process- including at the legendary Circuit de la for the TS050 HEV, but it finished perfectly for us.” that ‘the roads build the people, and the people Sarthe. The final WEC race of the season was a Sebastien Buemi, Driver of the No 8 TS050 HEV, build the cars,’ GR highlights the role of motorsports straight fight between the two TS050 HEVs for vic- said: “Congratulations to vehicle No 7 and congrat- as a fundamental pillar of Toyota’s commitment to tory and the world title, with No 7 TS050 HEV ulations to the team who did a race without mis- making ‘ever-better’ cars. holding a theoretical 0.54-second success handi- takes. In our vehicle, the success handicap was quite Harnessing years of experience gained under the cap1 advantage over the No 8 TS050 HEV as a strong, but I am happy with the race we did; we did extreme conditions of various motorsports events, result of the standings going into this event. Conway a perfect job. Now that’s it for the TS050 HEV; I GR aims to forge new technologies and solutions started from pole position and established a lead thought about this in my last laps of the race and that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving that Kobayashi and Lopez extended consistently enjoyed it.” to everyone. While the desert dust is settling on the throughout the next eight hours. Over the years, Toyota has been participating in 2019-2020 season, preparations for the six-race The success handicap proved challenging for the many different forms of motorsports, including 2021 campaign are already underway with No 8 TS050 HEV crew, and, despite a valiant effort, Formula One, the World Endurance Championship endurance tests for the GR team’s new Hypercar the gap expanded to 75 seconds soon after the half- (WEC), and the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance planned in the coming months, prior to its race distance mark. Going into the final quarter of the race. Toyota’s participation in these events was debut in the 1,000 Miles of Sebring on 19 March. Established 1961 15 Sports Thursday, December 3, 2020 Yokohama dump out big guns Jeonbuk to advance Sydney thrash SIPG in Asian Champions League

AL WAKRAH, Qatar: Sydney’s goalkeeper Thomas Heward-Belle (center left) punches the ball ahead AL WAKRAH: Yokohama’s midfielder Teruhito Nakagawa is carried by teammates after scoring of SIPG’s forward Li Shenglong (center right) during the AFC Champions League group H football during the AFC Champions League group H football match between Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos match between China’s Shanghai SIPG and Australia’s Sydney FC on December 1, 2020. —AFP and Koreaís Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on December 1, 2020. —AFP

DOHA: Yokohama F Marinos cruised into the of everyone involved.” Besides being the first team which is a big game and a quality game.” “In the Evergrande and South Korea’s Suwon Samsung knockout phase of the Asian Champions League from eastern Asia to win the Champions League second half, the result as it was wasn’t enough to Bluewings played out a 1-1 draw at the Khalifa for the first time in their history on Tuesday, ham- when it was launched in its current format in 2003, take us forward, so we took more risks.” Sydney International Stadium. Lim Sang-hyub put Suwon mering two-time champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Jeonbuk are also eight-time K League winners, a FC were left wondering why they couldn’t hit their ahead in the 53rd minute but Wei Shihao restored Motors 4-1 in their Group H clash. Yokohama’s South Korean record, which includes four consec- groove earlier in the tournament after a morale- parity in the 72nd for Guangzhou with the help of an Thai defender Theerathon Bunmathan thundered in utive titles starting in 2017. boosting 4-0 thrashing of Shanghai SIPG. assist from Ai Kesen. The result means the second a shot from the edge of the box in the 17th minute Already eliminated from Group H without a qualifying spot from the group will be decided on to set the tone, before three goals in the second Sydney thump SIPG single win from their four previous matches, Friday with the Bluewings needing at least a 2-0 vic- half sent the 2006 and 2016 winners Jeonbuk But at the Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday, their Sydney salvaged some pride against SIPG, who tory to join Vissel Kobe of Japan in the round of 16. crashing out of the tournament. only bright moment came in the 54th minute when qualified in second place before Tuesday’s match Guangzhou coach Fabio Cannavaro was once “It’s a great performance and a credit to the Gustavo fired home from the penalty spot three following Yokohama’s win over Jeonbuk Hyundai. again at a loss to explain his team’s showing. “I am players, because it’s the first time the club has got minutes after Marcos Junior had put Yokohama 2- Alex Wilkinson and Nathan Brattan put the A- not happy because the performance of my team in out of the group stage,” said Yokohama coach 0 ahead. Teruhito Nagakawa’s 71st-minute strike League champions 2-0 ahead in the first half the first half was not so good,” said the Italy great. Ange Postecoglou. “We started really well and put and an own goal by Song - whose attempted before a brace from Trent Buhagiar sealed their “We didn’t control the game and we didn’t even try pressure on them, scored a goal - a good goal headed clearance found his own net seven min- victory at the Al Janoub Stadium. “They are going to play football. Even in defense we did not play from Bunmathan. “We missed some chances in the utes from close - confirmed Jeonbuk’s exit. “The through, we are not, but we are proud of what the well. I don’t want to find excuses.” Suwon’s Park first half which always keeps the opposition in the team gave what it was possible to do with the players have achieved tonight,” said Sydney Kun-ha lamented the fact that his team didn’t make game, but in the second half we were a bit smarter, contingent that we have,” lamented Jeonbuk coach Steve Corica. the most of the chances they got. “We got the first worked our counterattacks really well and scored coach Jose Morais. goal and then unfortunately conceded the equaliz- three good goals. “In the first half, strategically, we went in terms Evergrande baffle Cannavaro er. We had many chances at the end but we could “It’s a fantastic achievement and we are proud of containing the offensive game of Yokohama, In Group G, Chinese giants Guangzhou not win.” —AFP

Schumacher’s son Mick Racing end Flamengo’s ‘exploding emotionally’ Copa Libertadores title Players should keep at F1 breakthrough defense in a shootout taking the knee in SAKHIR: Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time RIO DE JANEIRO: Flamengo’s defense of their world champion Michael Schumacher, will drive in Copa Libertadores title has ended at the last 16 racism fight: Kane Formula One for the first time with Haas next season, stage after the Brazilian giants crashed out on the team announced yesterday, leaving their new penalties at the hands of Argentine outfit Racing. LONDON: England captain Harry Kane says Premier recruit “emotionally exploding” at the realization of a The Rio de Janeiro team came into Tuesday League players should carry on taking the knee in dream. Schumacher junior, 21, long tipped for a night’s second leg level at 1-1 following the first support of the fight against racial injustice, using their profile to raise awareness of the issue. Clubs began Formula One spot, will partner Russian driver Nikita match in Buenos Aires, but another draw by the Mazepin, also 21, in the Haas lineup. making the symbolic gesture before kick-off when same scoreline at the Maracana took the tie to football resumed after the coronavirus hiatus last sea- Haas team principal Guenther Steiner welcomed spot-kicks, where Racing prevailed 5-3. The son, and it has continued into the current campaign. “I the two F1 debutants in a tweet: “Super excited match only went to penalties after a last gasp lev- think we are a huge platform to share our voices about having two rookies in our team for next year! eler in normal time from the home side’s Willian across the world, to be honest,” Kane told the BBC. Welcome, Mick!” They replace Haas’s current driver Arao after Leonardo Sigali had put Racing ahead “Obviously we have done a lot with Black Lives pairing of Romain Grosjean-who escaped a fiery in the 65th minute. Matter and taking the knee before games. “I hear crash in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix-and Kevin Flamengo should have already been out of people talking about taking the knee and whether we Magnussen. “I’m really looking forward to next year’s sight when extra time came to an end, with should still be doing it, and for me I think we should.” challenge...it’s really been a dream that I’ve always Racing’s goalkeeper Gabriel Arias pulling off a Kane said regular supporters were seeing the dreamed about and now it’s finally coming true,” host of top-class saves to keep his side in the tie. same gesture repeated every week but it was Schumacher said in a video posted on Twitter. Chilean Arias then made a stop from Flamengo important to educate new fans. “I think if you look “So I’m just really really happy and emotionally around the world, you see children watching the goalscorer Arao in the subsequent shootout to exploding.” Mick Schumacher currently heads the game for the first time, seeing us all take a knee and see Racing through. Flamengo were reigning Formula Two drivers’ standings with one race to go in asking their parents why-I think it’s a great chance champions after an incredible triumph in 2019, in RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s Flamengo Gustavo Henrique Bahrain this weekend. Haas’s new signing will get a (right) and Argentina’s Racing Club Walter Montoya for people to explain why,” he added. “I think edu- taste of what is in store when he takes part in free which they snatched the final in Lima from previ- cation is the biggest thing we can do. Adults can ous holders River Plate thanks to goals from vie for the ball during their closed-door Copa practice ahead of the 2020 season-ending Abu Libertadores round before the quarterfinals football teach generations what it means, and what it means Gabigol in the 89th minute and second minute of Dhabi Grand Prix on December 11 before taking part match on December 1, 2020. —AFP to be together and help each other, no matter what in testing a few days later. Confirming the news 24 stoppage time. —AFP your race.” —AFP hours after Mazepin’s appointment, Haas announced that they had signed Schumacher “in a multi-year agreement”. Arsenal boss backs ‘Excelled’ Schumacher leads the F2 standings by 14 points temporary subs for after achieving 10 podium finishes and feature race victories at Monza and Sochi. Steiner said the Formula 2 championship had long served as a proving ground head injuries for talent to showcase their credentials. He added: “Mick has won races, collected podiums and excelled LONDON: Mikel Arteta yesterday backed calls for against some pretty exceptional talent in 2020. “I firm- concussion substitutes after Arsenal’s David Luiz was ly believe he’s earned the opportunity to graduate into involved in a sickening clash of heads with Raul Formula 1 based on his performances. “We are putting Jimenez that left the Wolves striker with a fractured in place our building blocks for the continued long- skull. Luiz played on until half-time of Sunday’s match, term growth of the team and I look forward to Mick’s with Arsenal insisting concussion protocols were fol- contributions both on and off the track in that lowed, but was replaced as blood continued to seep process.” Schumacher’s father was seriously injured in through his head bandage. a skiing accident in December 2013 and has not been He has been ruled out of Thursday’s Europa seen in public since. Michael Schumacher’s wife League match against Rapid Vienna but could be fit Corinna, the mother of Mick, issued a rare statement for Sunday’s north London derby at Tottenham. on the Formula One legend’s 50th birthday in January “Maybe it is a moment that we can think to give these 2019, saying the family were doing “everything people a little bit more time and use a temporary sub- humanly possible” to help her husband. stitution, for example, if we don’t want to find our- LONDON: Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz is bandaged after clashing heads with Wolverhampton In a statement on the Haas team’s website selves in those positions,” Arteta told reporters ahead Wanderers’ Mexican striker Raul Jimenez during the English Premier League football match between Schumacher wrote: “I want to acknowledge and of the Rapid match. Arsenal faced fierce criticism for Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers. —AFP extend my love to my parents - I know that I owe not replacing the Brazilian defender immediately after them everything.” British driver Lewis Hamilton this the collision, which occurred just five minutes into the “But obviously you have to make a decision in one referring to concussion substitutes. “It happens and year won his seventh Formula One world title to Premier League match with Wolves at the Emirates. minute, when somebody is bleeding, when you have it’s very common in other sports. “And it’s just a sug- equal Michael Schumacher’s all-time record. Haas But Arteta said that Arsenal’s club doctor Gary someone with a massive concussion next to you- gestion. You know I want to be extra protective, will be counting on their 2021 pairing to prove their O’Driscoll had followed the rules. “He knows exactly whose life is under threat.” Arteta said it was impossi- which I think we have to be in certain moments when mettle on the track after Grosjean and Magnussen’s what to do,” said the Spaniard. “He did all the testing, ble to avoid accidental clashes in football and that we really are considering the welfare of the players frugal haul of just three points between them this he followed all the protocols and we were very com- sometimes they would lead to serious injuries. and have a fair competition while the game is still run- campaign with two races to go. —AFP fortable for him (Luiz) to carry on playing. “Obviously, it’s never happened in football,” he added, ning.” —AFP Established 1961 Sport

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

GAZOO Racing wins Arsenal boss backs temporary Sydney thrash SIPG 4-0 in 142019-2020 FIA WEC 15 substitutes for head injuries 15 Asian Champions League

Liverpool advance; Atletico frustrated

Real Madrid defeat heaps pressure on Zidane

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah is tackled by Ajax’s Argentinean defender Nicolas Tagliafico during the UEFA Champions League 1st round Group D football match between Liverpool and Ajax at Anfield on December 1, 2020. — AFP

PARIS: Curtis Jones sent a depleted Liverpool winners after Atalanta had to come from behind to fate after they went down 2-0 to Shakhtar in Kiev, as they win at home to Gladbach. Madrid have through to the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, draw 1-1 at home to Midtjylland, Cristian Romero their second defeat this season by the Ukrainians. made it out of their group in every year since 1997 while Zinedine Zidane dismissed suggestions he might heading in a late equaliser in response to Alexander Substitutes Dentinho and Manor Solomon scored and so failure to qualify would be seen as a disaster, walk away from Real Madrid after another defeat by Scholz’s thumping opener for the Danes. Atalanta are second-half goals in Kiev as Shakhtar stunned the but Zidane is not considering stepping down. “I am Shakhtar Donetsk left their European hopes in the a point clear in second from Ajax, with the sides 13-time European champions again, having won 3-2 not going to resign, not at all. We are always going balance. Liverpool were without a host of key players meeting in Amsterdam in their last game next week. in Madrid in October. Shakhtar had lost their last to have difficult moments, and we are on a bad run, for the visit of Ajax to Anfield in Group D, with 22- Two-time former European champions Porto also two Group B matches against Borussia but we need to keep going,” said the Frenchman. year-old Irishman Caoimhin Kelleher starting in goal sealed a last-16 spot after drawing 0-0 at home to Moenchengladbach by an aggregate score of 10-0, Real’s city rivals Atletico Madrid will also still in the absence of Alisson. Manchester City, who were already through and are but now move above Real into second place with have it all to do in their final group game after Teenager Jones scored the only goal just before now guaranteed to top Group C. Porto would have one game remaining. being held to a 1-1 draw at home by a weakened the hour, tucking the ball in after Ajax ‘keeper Andre qualified regardless, because Olympiakos lost 2-1 to Gladbach are top by a point, while Shakhtar have Bayern Munich. Joao Felix gave Atletico the lead Onana thought he could afford to let a Neco Marseille in France, with Dimitri Payet scoring two the upper hand on Real thanks to their superior against a Bayern side who had already won Group Williams cross sail over his head. The result was penalties in the second half to turn the game around head-to-head record. However, the damage was A. Thomas Mueller won and then converted a late vital for the Premier League champions after their after Mohamed Mady Camara fired the Greeks in limited for Real after Inter Milan won 3-2 away to penalty to earn the defending champions a draw. home loss to Atalanta a week ago, and it allowed front. The result ends Marseille’s Champions Gladbach to keep their own hopes alive. Matteo Salzburg can snatch a last-16 place if they beat them to secure a spot in the knockout phase. League record run of 13 straight defeats and means Darmian put Inter ahead and Romelu Lukaku Atletico at home next week, after the Austrians won “Honestly since I was at Liverpool that feels like they could yet pip Olympiakos to third place and scored twice for Antonio Conte’s side. Alassane Plea 3-1 away to Lokomotiv Moscow. Mergim Berisha one of the biggest Champions League nights. Without the consolation of a Europa League berth. netted a brace for Gladbach but was denied a hat- scored twice in the first half for Salzburg, and supporters in, it was the most important, most diffi- trick, and a late equaliser, because of an offside call. Karim Adeyemi got their third goal after Anton cult, most exceptional,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Lukaku double, Atletico held It means Inter are bottom of the group but could Miranchuk converted a penalty for the railway- Klopp told BT Sport. They will go through as group Real Madrid could yet be consigned to a similar still qualify, while Real will definitely qualify as long backed side. — AFP

transport, but they will have to observe rules ranging competing. They will also be asked to leave Japan as Less contact, short from mask-wearing and a ban on cheering to keeping soon as their events are over, rather than stay on in the their ticket stubs to help contact-tracing. country for sightseeing. trips: New rules for Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto acknowledged strict safety measures will make the games “different”, but Fan quarantine ‘impractical’ expressed hope they can still be held in a celebratory Penalties for non-compliance have yet to be COVID-hit Olympics atmosphere. “It will be simple rather than festive, but I determined and will be drawn up in conjunction hope it will be something moving that encourages peo- with the International Olympic Committee. “This is ple through the power of sport,” he said. Athletes will not a law, but we need to be careful and ask people TOKYO: be screened on arrival in Japan and then undergo regu- to lay out precautions,” said Muto. “We will create Athletes at the coronavirus-postponed lar tests every four to five days during their stay at the a system that allows team leaders or athlete repre- Tokyo Olympics will face regular testing, restrictions on Olympic Village. sentatives to provide cautions.” Concrete measures mingling and potential punishment for non-compliance An infection control centre will also be set up to to determine how many fans will be able to attend with health rules, organizers said yesterday as they deal with positive cases, which organizers say they pre- will be decided in the spring, with infection rates outlined plans for holding the Games. After months of sume will occur. However officials have not yet around the world at the time taken into account. talks, officials issued a 54-page report outlining how announced how competition rules would be affected if Organizers have decided that imposing a two-week they believe the Games can go ahead, even if the pan- an athlete contracted coronavirus during the Games. All quarantine on visiting fans is “impractical” given the demic is not under control by the new start date of July athletes must sign up to a code of conduct that includes time constraints, and will instead ask them to down- TOKYO: A man walks along a corridor past an official 2021. Quarantine requirements will be waived for over- avoiding speaking loudly, avoiding physical contact load tracking apps and abide by rigorous safety Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics advertisement board in seas spectators, who will also be able to use public with others and wearing masks when not training or guidelines. — AFP the Shinjuku district of Tokyo. — AFP