RAMADAN 24, 1442 AH THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

16 Pages Max 41º Min 21º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18428 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Lawmakers lash out at Afrobeats put Ghana back on Mahrez double takes Man City MoH over coronavirus international music scene into first Champions League final 3 13 15 Fajr 03:35 Shurooq 05:02 Dhuhr 11:45 Asr 15:20 Maghrib 18:27 Isha 19:52

Amir lauds efforts of frontline staff in combating coronavirus

‘Safeguard Kuwait’s stability, national unity and security’

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh staff have assumed responsibilities to face properties. “In this regard, I have affirmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yes- the epidemic, endangering themselves in that cooperation between the State’s bod- terday commended efforts made by the order to combat this disease, HH the Amir ies is the basis of any successful national frontline staff in combating the coronavirus noted. With a high national spirit, the coro- action and the optimal method for achieve- (COVID-19) since the outbreak of the pan- navirus frontline staff have implemented ment to meet development aspirations demic. This came during HH the Amir’s the best precautionary measures set by the desired by the country’s people, in line with speech on occasion of the last 10 days of World Health Organization (WHO) aiming the democratic path,” HH the Amir said. He the holy month of Ramadan. to eradicate the deadly virus, he said. called for avoiding any tension and divi- “We have been facing exceptional con- HH the Amir stressed the necessity of sion, which lead to slowing production in ditions for more than a year that required protecting Kuwait and combating any the country, urging a calm and purposeful vigilance and caution due to the coron- attempts seeking to undermine the coun- dialogue without accusation to evade avirus which has been affecting the whole try’s stability, national unity and security attempts of those who want to undermine world,” HH the Amir said in his speech to through disseminating malicious calls. The the national constants. the nation on this occasion.” This required national unity is the only source and way HH the Amir called on all to stand further understanding and patience in deal- adopted by the grandfathers and fathers to against any rumors posted on social media ing with the repercussion of this pandem- maintain this dear homeland, he said, and stick to accuracy to know the full reali- KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah delivering a ic,” HH the Amir added, urging all people to affirming that people will remain untied to ty, praying to Allah Almighty to protect the speech on the occasion of the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan. — Amiri Diwan abide by health precautions. The frontline safeguard this country and protect its Continued on Page 2 2 Established 1961 Thursday, May 6, 2021 Local Amir receives senior state officials at Bayan Palace

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

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- His Highness the Amir also received National Assembly Speaker Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince Jaber Al-Sabah received His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem. Furthermore, His Highness the Amir received Speaker Ghanem and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al- Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace yesterday. received His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Khaled at Bayan Palace yesterday.— KUNA

Kuwait reiterates Kuwait calls for support for Libya permanent Arab unity government seat in UNSC TUNIS: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs assured Libya of his coun- try’s firm support as the Arab North African nation heads towards elections in December, in line with a UN-backed deal after a decade of political turmoil and economic upheaval. In a press conference alongside his Libyan counterpart Najla El- Mangoush on Tuesday, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah conveyed to her the best wishes of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah, nearly two months after the coun- try’s unity government garnered parliamentary Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi backing. The Kuwaiti foreign minister wished the Chairman of Libya’s Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Menfi success as the former diplomat from KUWAIT: This handout photo released by the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday shows Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh NEW YORK: The Arab Group demands a Benghazi looks to get the war-torn nation’s institu- Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah attending a press conference with his Libyan counterpart Dr Najla Al- permanent and full representation in any tions on the same page whilst steering the country Mangoush during his visit to Libya. — KUNA future expansion of the UN Security Council in a path towards free and fair elections slated for (UNSC), said Kuwait’s Permanent December 24. expecting “more agreements to follow suit soon to top diplomat thanked Kuwait for the unflinching Representative to UN Ambassador Mansour Holding talks with officials from across Libya’s meet the collective aspirations of the peoples of the support it has offered Tripoli, saying the return of Al-Otaibi. This came late Tuesday during the political spectrum, including Prime Minister two friendly countries.” a joint committee for higher-level talks, in fifth meeting of the 75th session of the UN Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, all of which centered around He went on to urge the international community abeyance since 2010, would herald in a new era of General Assembly for intergovernmental the “mutual desire” to enhance bilateral ties, he said to stand alongside Libya in this critical juncture, bilateral relations. During his visit to Libya negotiations on the question of equitable the talks also included current happenings around which is crucial to preserve the country’s sover- Tuesday, Sheikh Dr Ahmad handed Menfi a writ- representation and increase in the member- the region. Some 11 “vital” bilateral deals had been eignty and security and invariably help usher in ten message from His Highness the Amir, related ship of the Security Council and related mat- signed in the past to buttress cooperation in a vari- prosperity and development, as embedded in rele- to means of bolstering the solid ties between the ters. Otaibi also noted during his speech on ety of domains, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said, vant UN Security Council resolutions.” Libya’s two brotherly countries. — KUNA behalf of the Arab States the importance of focusing on the reform process on alleviating the injustice inflicted on developing coun- tries, especially Arab and African countries Amir sends letter that are not represented at all in the category of permanent seats on the Security Council. In order to ensure fairness of regional repre- to Algerian sentation at a global level, the specificity of the Arab group as a regional group should be president recognized by the expanded Security Council without being counted on the African groups ALGIERS: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- or the Asia-Pacific, he added. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a letter to Algerian Ambassador Otaibi affirmed that the Arab President Abdelmajid Tebboune, which discussed group does not see a need to hold additional the deep-rooted bilateral relations between both rounds of government negotiations during the sides, and ways to support and strengthen these current session, and the group insists that ties. The message was delivered by Kuwait’s government negotiations are the only forum Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet for reaching an agreement on expanding and Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- reforming the Security Council, in accordance Sabah, who was on an official visit with his accom- with General Assembly Resolution 557/62. panying delegation to the capital Algiers yesterday. Furthermore, the group stresses the need to Meanwhile, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah ensure a smooth transition through a proce- held talks with Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri dural decision that includes all new and old Buukadoum on regional and international develop- IGN documents, in a way that allows member ments. The top diplomats also discussed means of states to continue working collectively during further boosting bilateral relations, as well as chal- the next session to formulate a common lenges facing the region, Kuwait’s foreign ministry understanding that provides the necessary said in a statement. Sheikh Dr Ahmad had arrived in ALGIERS: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah hands a letter from His grounds for reaching a comprehensive reform Algeria Tuesday night on an official visit, part of a Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune. — KUNA for the Council, said Otaibi. — KUNA tour that had taken him to Libya. — KUNA Amir lauds efforts France observes bicentenary of frontline staff... of Napoleon’s death

Continued from Page 1 PARIS: French President Emmanuel known and instantly recognizable French Macron paid tribute to Napoleon figures, usually depicted in his frock coat Bonaparte 200 years after his death yes- and sideways hat, Napoleon is also one dear homeland, the oasis of the safety and securi- terday on an anniversary that has been of the most divisive characters in the ty. “Taking care of our youth, and harnessing their dragged into a heated national debate country’s history. vital and sincere energies and opening horizons of about “cancel culture”. Macron called His huge contribution to the French future in front of them are topping our priorities in Napoleon “part of us” and said the rela- state-the modern bureaucracy, school this phase, HH the Amir stressed. This is made tively modest ceremonies organized in and legal systems bear his stamp-is usu- through the best and modern scientific methods and Paris to mark the occasion were an ally set against his record as an autocrat planting Kuwait’s values in the minds of the youth to “enlightened commemoration”, not a and war-mongerer in Europe and the help them take part in the development and con- celebration of his life. Speaking at the Middle East. In the wake of the Black struction process, understand the country’s future Institut de France, an academy set up by Lives Matter movement and the emer- PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron stand in front and real fortune, he elaborated. “In these blessing Napoleon to promote science and the gence of a new generation of vocal anti- of the tomb of French Emperor Napoleon (1769-1821) during a ceremony marking the arts, Macron listed some of the famed racism campaigners in France, nights of Ramadan, we proudly recall our late Amir 200th anniversary of his death in the “Chapelle Saint-Jerome” at the Invalides.— AFP Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, praying Corsican’s enduring contributions, while Napoleon’s decision to re-establish slav- to Allah to bestow mercy on his soul, accept our also mentioning the darker, blood- ery in 1802 has become the focus of fasting and righteous acts, protect our homeland, stained parts of his legacy. renewed debate. But he called the slavery decision an overthrew France’s first republic that and maintain further security, progress and prosper- “Few destinies have shaped so many Some left-wing politicians and aca- “error” and a “betrayal of the was established in the wake of the 1789 ity to the country as well as bestow mercy on the lives beyond their own,” Macron said of demics had urged Macron to avoid Enlightenment spirit” which had brought revolution that abolished the monarchy. martyrs who sacrificed their lives for home,” he said. the man who seized power in a coup in paying homage to him for this reason, about the 1789 revolution. Renowned for his military prowess, he In addition, HH the Amir prayed to Allah to return 1799 and died in exile on the island of as well as his role in crushing the first He also said Napoleon “was never clocked up a series of victories, includ- Saint Helena in 1821 having briefly ruled fledgling attempts at democracy fol- concerned about the loss of lives.” ing at the Battle of Austerlitz, which this good occasion on Arab and Muslim nations with over most of Europe. The president later lowing the 1789 revolution. Macron Before the speech, an aide to the presi- resulted in a French empire that encom- further blessings and goodness. He thanked Allah for laid a wreath at the marble crypt where began his remarks by saying he would dent had said Macron’s approach would passed most of continental Europe. all gifts he gave for Kuwaitis and Kuwait, calling for Napoleon’s remains are buried at the “concede nothing to those who want be to “look at history in the face,” While building and reforming at home at abiding by tolerant teachings of Islam which urge Invalides monument, one of the most pop- to erase the past on the basis that it adding that the commemorations would a furious pace, he also reversed gains for “us” to unify the ranks, and spread compassion and ular tourist attractions in Paris. does not correspond with their idea of be “neither denial, nor repentance”. women and a ban on slavery introduced tolerance. — KUNA As well as being one of the best- the present.” When Napoleon seized power, he under the first republic. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Thursday, May 6, 2021 Lawmakers lash out at ministry over coronavirus MP enquires about illegal expats By B Izzak unvaccinated citizens to leave the country is uncon- stitutional and the prime minister should as a result KUWAIT: Lawmakers yesterday strongly criticized bear grave legal and political responsibilities. the government and the health ministry for allegedly MP Ahmad Al-Azemi, who had already filed to failing to handle the coronavirus pandemic amid a grill the health minister over the coronavirus, said shortage of vaccinations. The Ministry of Health has the minister has proven his failure in handling the already rescheduled the timing of the second vacci- pandemic because even after spending hundreds of nation after the first to four weeks instead of three millions of dinars, there is a shortage in vaccines. for Pfizer and to four months instead of three for He said that Health Minister Sheikh Basel Al- AstraZeneca due to shortage of supplies. It exempt- Sabah should apologize to the people and quit his ed people above 60 and those with chronic dis- post after the ministry was forced to reschedule the eases from the extension. timings of the second vaccination “which proves MP Abdulkarim Al-Kandari criticized the failure mismanagement and the minister’s failure to face of the health ministry to notify people about the the pandemic”. second doze of the vaccination even if the reason Five MPs meanwhile yesterday submitted a was shortage of supplies from manufacturers, motion calling to set up a temporary parliamentary adding that the ministry should have provided peo- committee to periodically assess government meas- ple with full information. The lawmaker said the ures against the coronavirus pandemic. The motion government continues to mismanage the coron- said the government handling of the pandemic has avirus pandemic with confusing decisions like ban- not been transparent and many statistics and infor- ning those who have not been vaccinated from trav- mation have been kept confidential, adding that sev- el and at the same time allowing expat teachers to eral panels established by the health ministry did KUWAIT: People queue up to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the makeshift Kuwait Vaccination Center in Mishref’s return although the school year is about to finish. not perform well. Kuwait International Fairground Tuesday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Decision “unconstitutional” Illegal expats The lawmaker asked the minister for a copy of the the ministry plans to take against illegal expats who MP Muhannad Al-Sayer described the handling In the meantime, MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji yester- latest decision on illegal expatriates that extended failed to benefit from the ministry amnesty and also of the coronavirus issue as “bad” especially with day asked Interior Minister Sheikh Thamer Al- the duration for them to legalize their stay or leave against their sponsors. MP Abdullah Al-Mudhaf also regards to vaccinations which are not available now. Sabah about the numbers and nationalities of expa- the country. asked the interior and commerce ministers about MP Osama Al-Shaheen said the decision to bar triates who have been living illegally in the country. Turaiji asked the minister about what measures the number of illegal expats and their sponsors.

Defense Minister visits army’s operations and plans authority KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Sabah on Tuesday paid an inspecting visit to the Armed Forces’ operations and plans authority. The min- ister was received by Chief of the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces Lieutenant General KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Khaled Saleh Al-Sabah, Deputy Chief of Staff Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Sabah is seen General for the operations and plans authority during his visit to the Army’s operations and plans Maj Gen Waleed Al-Sordi and some senior offi- authority. — KUNA KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Force Chief Lt Gen Khalid Al-Mikrad chairs the meeting. cials, the Kuwaiti Army’s directorate of moral guidance and public relations said in a state- in using the latest scientific methods to ensure ment. The minister was given a detailed presen- information security and deal with it accurately, • Having guiding signs to direct companies that tation on the missions and duties made by the it noted. He urged the authority’s staff to achieve Kuwait Fire Force dispose used tires to the new area prepared by the authority that target all operations and activities continued development, upgrading and excel- Environment Public Authority. in the army, it added. lence in their missions so as to reach desired officials discuss • Paving roads and dividing the tire dump into Sheikh Hamad Al-Jaber extolled the use of goals to be ready to carry out missions and smaller units. modern sciences and managing high-capability duties they assume. The minister finally wished repeated tire arsons Senior government officials were in attendance centers that facilitate managing varied crises them success to serve the dear homeland under including Director General of Environment Public that may face them, according to the statement. the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir and KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Force Chief Lt Gen Khalid Authority Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al- He also commended skills of the authority’s staff His Highness the Crown Prince. — KUNA Al-Mikrad headed a meeting on Tuesday that dis- Sabah, Director General of Public Authority for cussed the removal of violations that hinder safety Industry Abdulkareem Taqi, Interior Ministry and prevention of fires, as well as environmental Assistant Undersecretary for Operations and Traffic conditions due to repeated arsons at the tire dump Affairs and Chairman of the Security Committee in Salmy. Several recommendations were made to Maj Gen Jamal Al-Sayegh, Deputy Fire Force Chief stop such fires, most important of which are: for Firefighting Affairs Maj Gen Jamal Nasser, • Installing a security post at the site. Deputy Fire Force Chief for Prevention Affairs Maj • Fencing the area and installing surveillance Gen Khalid Fahad and Municipality Deputy cameras. Manager for Capital and Jahra Governorates Affairs • Building water reservoirs to fight fires. Faisal Sadeq.

they reach the shopping center. Rabiya Co-op Kuwait curfew: WhatsApp 2438-8316 Where to obtain a curfew What you pass? Wafra Farm Co-op Citizens and residents that need Tel: 9883-5245 / 5170-0085 need to know a pass during the curfew hours to leave their homes can apply for a Salmiya Co-op KUWAIT: Kuwait imposed a pass at https://www.paci.gov.kw/. Tel: 22253225 curfew from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am The pass is available for those in until the end of Ramadan to help need of emergency medical treat- Jabriya Co-op curb an increase in COVID-19 ment, doctor’s visits, blood dona- Tel: 1805-353 cases. During the curfew hours, tion, COVID-19 swabs and WhatsApp 6566-6084 pharmacies, medical stores, co- COVID-19 vaccinations. operative societies and super- Rawdha & Hawally markets are allowed to continue Co-op delivery during curfew WhatsApp 9662-2883 operation only through delivery hours services, while restaurants and During curfew hours, co-ops, Shaab Co-op cafes are allowed to deliver food grocery stores and other markets WhatsApp 9090-4455 from 7:00 pm to 3:00 am every will be allowed to offer delivery day. Also during the curfew, peo- services. Most co-ops will accept Wafra Co-op ple are allowed to go to prayers orders via delivery. Here is an WhatsApp 5055-0539 at mosques only by walking, and incomplete list of co-op WhatsApp the government allowed people numbers. Each co-op will be Keifan Co-op to practice walking and jogging responsible for deciding if and WhatsApp 5178-1719 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The when they provide delivery servic- government meanwhile allowed es and not all may be providing. salons and health clubs to reopen Rehab Co-op WhatsApp 9222-2358 during the day but kept restau- Omariya Co-op rants and cafes closed except for WhatsApp 6041-0067 drive-through and delivery serv- Mishref Co-op ices. Meanwhile, taxis are Farwaniya Co-op WhatsApp 5055-9900 allowed to carry only a maximum WhatsApp 6767-8211 of two passengers. Faiha Co-op The Ministry of Commerce Qairawan Co-op Tel: 1861-000 and Industry launched a booking WhatsApp 9000-3749 WhatsApp 9098-6000 service, allowing people to shop from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am during Jahra Co-op Rumaithiya Co-op the curfew hours. The service is WhatsApp 5160-2458 WhatsApp 6066-0045 valid for all co-ops and super- markets around Kuwait. To book Abdulla Al-Mubarak Co-op Bayan Co-op an appointment, a shopper WhatsApp 6066-6338 WhatsApp 9004-2500 should visit www.moci.shop, enter the required information Nuzha Co-op Fahaheel Co-op (civil ID number and serial num- WhatsApp 9784-5531 WhatsApp 5178-9951 ber, contact number and email address), the reason for appoint- Khaitan Co-op Adan & Qusour Co-op ment (food supply center) and WhatsApp 6777-9745 Tel: 5034-3111 / 6593-3975 the time and date of the appoint- ment. The shopper would then Ardhiya Co-op Salam Co-op receive a barcode to show once WhatsApp 6902-0779 WhatsApp 9788-7832 4 Established 1961 Local Thursday, May 6, 2021

Photo of the Day Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf

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

Ministry to inform vaccinated when second dose available

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health announced Tuesday that it will inform those who got the first jab of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine about the new date for their second shot when KUWAIT: A photo showing Kuwait City’s skyscrapers by photographer Mohammad Awadh (Instagram: @Sniper). To have your photo considered for Kuwait the country receives a new shipment of the vac- Times’ Photo of the Day, send to [email protected] or via direct message to Kuwait Times’ Instagram account @kuwaittimes. Photos should be high cine. Ministry Undersecretary for Public Health resolution, with no processing or editing. Bouthina Al-Mudhaf said that the decision was taken as the vaccine producers, particularly AstraZeneca, may delay the delivery of the new shipment due to the growing global demand for the vaccine. She assured that the ministry had not taken a decision to change the type of vac- cine in the second shot. Zain partners with UNICEF to The Ministry of Health had announced Tuesday recording 1,253 new coronavirus infections and 11 related deaths in the previous 24 hours. The new figures took the total cases in the country up to 279,085 and deaths to 1,601 respectively, noted launch child online safety booklet the ministry’s spokesman Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad. He pointed out that some 1,213 more people had been cured of the virus over the same period, MoU with Al-Bayan Bilingual School to develop esports club which raised the total of those who have over- come the disease to 262,582. He added that the KUWAIT: Zain Group, a leading mobile telecom This MoU coincides with the launch of a Child its social media channels and an internal announce- number of people hospitalized with the virus innovator in seven markets across the Middle East Online Safety Booklet that was developed by Zain ment to all its 7,000 staff promoting tools and stood at 14,902 as of Tuesday, with 207 of them and Africa announces its Zain esports gaming brand, Group Sustainability and Esports departments in resources that offer advice on how to keep children in intensive care units. Dr Sanad revealed that has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) collaboration with UNICEF. The booklet, available in safe online. some 8,899 swab tests were conducted over the with Al-Bayan Bilingual School Kuwait to assist the both Arabic and English, tackles topics such as Commenting on the launch of the Child Online same period, bringing the total to 2,360,837. He institution in developing its esports club. The MoU is cyberbullying, scams and phishing, identity theft and Safety Booklet Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Group’s Chief renewed calls for nationals and expatriates alike a first step for Zain towards working with schools data privacy, and much more, and is written in a man- Sustainability Officer, “Zain takes the issue of child to abide by health precautions to curb the spread and universities to educate students about the vast ner that can be understood by children of all ages. safety online extremely seriously and given the of the virus. — KUNA opportunities in the world of esports locally and Under the MoU, Zain esports will provide hard- prominent position the company plays in the digital regionally. ware for Al-Bayan Bilingual School to set up and space, we believe it is imperative we spread this mes- operate its esports club, along with expertise and sage loud and far. We are all well aware of the enor- support for the school’s staff to run tournaments and mous benefits of digitization, but as a society as a organize workshops to educate and enlighten stu- whole we must take strong action to ensure the risks dents about the many opportunities in esports and that arise for children through connectivity are gaming. known and avoided to the greatest extent possible.” Zain is one of the first telecom operators in the Tatjana Colin, Chief Early Childhood region to work with local schools Development, UNICEF Kuwait, specifically on esports activities, added, “Children are spending and the company is taking the more of their time online than ever opportunity to also raise awareness before and whilst the internet can on the importance of young people be a fantastic resource for support- remaining safe while undertaking ing education, access to informa- activities online. In this regard, the tion and recreation, it can also Child Online Safety Booklet will be expose children to broad range of shared with students at Bayan risks. It’s essential that youth are Bilingual School and other educa- equipped with the knowledge they tional institutions Zain esports need on how to stay safe whilst interacts with. gaming online and where to go for The aim of the booklet is to support if you experience inappro- educate children on the risks they priate behaviors online. violence. may face while connected online or This booklet is designed to support gaming. The booklet also provides sharing this knowledge with youth recommendations on what to do and to encourage them to speak up and not to do while connected. It and seek support if something was developed for Zain esports to makes them feel uncomfortable.” disseminate to any partner where children are key In October 2019, Zain published a collective players, with the aim to communicate and instill the report on child online safety that highlights the risks idea of playing online responsibly. The booklet also children face and provides actionable recommenda- points to the Child National Helpline in Kuwait in a tions to address abuse and exploitation that children bid to raise awareness of the service in the country. may face online. The report was developed in part- Commenting on the collaboration of Zain esports nership with Childhood USA and Zain Group leader- with Al-Bayan Bilingual School Kuwait, Malek ship. Under the working group, Zain launched the Hammoud, Group Chief Investment and Digital Child Online Safety Universal Declaration, which Officer at Zain Group said, “This first of many confirmed the working group’s commitment to pro- planned agreements with educational institutions tect and educate children on how to navigate digital across Kuwait and the region, fulfils the twin goals of technologies and protect their privacy, security and expanding awareness of esports among young peo- safety online. ple in Kuwait, while also teaching them how to enjoy Zain’s esports brand was first launched in late the activity responsibly online. We foresee gaming 2020 as part of Zain’s concerted effort to evolve from as the single largest use case for 5G, and such we being a mobile-centric operator to a digital services are dedicating a great deal of effort and resources to provider for consumers, businesses, and govern- seeing Zain operating companies connect to the ments. Six months later, the enormous momentum gaming community to drive this and similar high-val- being enjoyed by the Zain esports brand, has seen it ue services.” host multiple successful events and garnered over Zain remains one of the strongest advocates of 15,000 registered players, 30,000 followers on its raising awareness related to child safety online hav- Instagram page, and over 600,000 views and 25 mil- ing previously launched a region-wide media cam- lion impressions on various Zain esports channels paign targeting over 40 million followers across all including YouTube and Twitch.

ISSUE NO: 18428 RAMADAN 24, 1442 AH

Established 1961 Ramadan Quiz Established 1961 Ramadan Quiz 24- How may daughters did Prophet Muhammad Date : (PBUH) have? Name : ❏ 4 Civil ID : ❏ 2 Tel : ❏ 5 Email : International THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 Anxious families await end to Iran ‘hostage’ ordeal Iraqi sewage, pollutants threaten ancient Mesopotamian marshes Page 7 Page 6

LONDON: Day two of the G7 foreign ministers meeting begins in London yesterday. —AFP G7 works on global vaccine plan Calls mount for a drastic increase in funding to help the poor LONDON: The Group of Seven wealthy democra- the most vulnerable countries around the world?” for the program-far more than any other country. of Oxford have been selling their jab at cost cies yesterday worked on plans to scale up global British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told The Biden administration last week also said it price, hailing it as a “potential vaccine for the COVID-19 vaccinations, as calls mounted for a reporters. More than 1.2 billion doses of COVID-19 would divert 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca world”. But the Biden administration has side- drastic increase in funding to help developing vaccines have been administered globally, but fewer jab, which has not been approved in the United stepped calls backed by Brown to relax intellec- nations virtually shut out of early efforts. than one percent in the least developed countries. States, and provide $100 million in immediate sup- tual property rules to allow cheaper shots. Underscoring the challenges faced, the foreign min- With support from most wealthy nations, the plies to India. Pharmaceutical companies adamantly oppose ister of India-where Covid cases have soared in UN-backed Covax program is meant to share vac- But Britain’s former prime minister Gordon Brown such a move, saying it would give less incentive recent weeks-said he decided to participate in the cines with the poorest nations. But rich countries has said far more is necessary and urged the G7 to for costly research, while nations pushing to ease London meeting virtually after potential exposure have also effectively elbowed out Covax in the ear- provide the bulk of $60 billion that he says is need- restrictions include India-itself a major vaccine to the virus. ly stages, striking their own deals with drug manu- ed over the next two years to vaccinate the whole manufacturer. India was one of several nations invited by facturers. world. Brown, who led a 2009 summit of the broader Pfizer, one of the major companies involved in Britain for the first in-person G7 meeting since the Group of 20 that was credited with helping address anti-COVID efforts, said Tuesday that it estimates pandemic began last year, in an effort to rally Questions on extra doses the global economic crisis, said wealthy nations $26 billion in revenue in 2021 from the vaccine. democracies in the face of a rising China and Raab stressed the importance of Covax but said should shoulder the cost using a formula based on The United States appears, however, to support assertive Russia. Foreign ministers of Britain, there was an additional question of “what we do their national income and the benefits they would some sharing of vaccines after some Biden aides Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the about surplus domestic supply”. The United States enjoy from the resumption of global commerce. initially argued for keeping a stockpile to respond United States are setting the agenda for a G7 lead- could soon be sitting on as many as 300 million The hefty $60 billion price tag is not charity but to potential needs later for booster shots or the ers’ summit next month in Cornwall, southern extra doses-nearly equivalent to its entire popula- “the best insurance policy for the world”, Brown approval of vaccines for children. England, which will mark US President Joe Biden’s tion-due to ongoing contracts with manufacturers said this week. The result will be “trillions of addi- Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is tak- international debut as president. and success at home in inoculation campaigns, tional economic output, made possible when trade ing part in the talks in London, last month prom- The G7 opened its final day with a session according to an estimate by the Kaiser Family resumes in a COVID -free world,” said Brown, who ised that the United States would soon be in a focused on open societies before taking up Foundation. serves a UN special envoy for global education. position to supply vaccines overseas. In an COVID-19 as well as the fight against climate Biden quickly joined Covax after taking office in implicit criticism of Chinese and Russian efforts, change. “A really valuable part of the G7 format is January, a reversal from the nationalism of his pred- IP debate Blinken said, “We won’t trade shots in arms for to think in the round-what do we need to do to help ecessor Donald Trump, and has promised $4 billion AstraZeneca and its partners at the University political favors. This is about saving lives.” —AFP

justification” to prevent a second ref- Two held, 10 hurt Britain gears for erendum after a failed bid in 2014, arguing that Brexit has now changed the calculus. However, even if electoral at protest over keenly watched maths gives the pro-independence camp control, polls indicate waning Jerusalem evictions local elections popular support in Scotland for the idea of breaking away, and Johnson JERUSALEM: Two Palestinians were LONDON: Campaigning wound up remains adamant the 2014 referendum arrested and ten people injured in clashes yesterday for local elections in Britain, was a “once in a generation” vote. in east Jerusalem, according to Israeli in the first vote since the coronavirus police and the Palestinian Red Crescent. outbreak and after Brexit took full Test for Johnson The confrontations on Monday evening effect. Most of the elections were The vote is the first electoral test came as Palestinian families face eviction, meant to be held a year ago but were for Johnson against Keir Starmer part of an ongoing effort by Jewish delayed by the pandemic. Polls open since the latter’s election as main Israelis to take control of homes in the in at 7 am (0600 GMT) today, with opposition Labour party leader last the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. results expected from Friday. year. Johnson has been dogged by Israeli police and border police scandal in recent weeks, including arrived “after a protest including dozens Scotland over the luxury redecoration of his of protesters who disturbed the order” The pro-independence camp has Downing Street flat, and faces ques- according to the police, who said demon- been gripped by infighting ahead of tions about his response to the pan- strators threw stones and bottles at the elections, and polls suggest the demic. With more than 127,000 security forces and blocked traffic. Scottish National Party (SNP) led by Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian man amid ongoing confrontations as Palestinian deaths, Britain has one of the world’s Police said they gave protesters “a rea- First Minister Nicola Sturgeon could worst death tolls from COVID-19. But families face eviction in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem Tuesday. — AFP sonable time” to leave the “unlawful fall just short of an overall majority of Johnson remains popular in polling, protest” before they dispersed the 65 seats in the Scottish Parliament in on the back of a successful mass vac- demonstration. Jewish families lived there before fleeing of the evictions have gathered regularly Edinburgh. But the SNP can count on cination program. An AFP reporter saw Palestinians in Israel’s 1948 war for independence. in the neighborhood, including a Jewish support from the Greens and possibly He is also counting on his boast singing songs and defying the order to No such protection exists for Israeli lawmaker who last month was from the breakaway Alba party, led by that he “got Brexit done” by finally disperse. Officers ended the demonstra- Palestinians who lost their land. Now filmed being beaten by police. Sheikh Sturgeon’s former mentor turned foe taking Britain out of the European tion with mounted police and foul- Jewish claimants seek to evict a total of 58 Jarrah is a short walk from the Old City’s Alex Salmond. If a majority in the new Union, after years of political paraly- smelling water. The Red Crescent said more Palestinians, according to the watch- Damascus Gate, a plaza popular with parliament backs independence, sis, although the costs of Brexit are three of the injured were hospitalized. dog group Peace Now. Israel’s Supreme Palestinians especially during the fasting Sturgeon says British Prime Minister showing up in disruption to cross- Sheikh Jarrah is in east Jerusalem, which Court is set to announce a decision for four month of Ramadan. The latest protests Boris Johnson would have no “moral Channel trade. —AFP Israel conquered in 1967 and annexed in of those families today. Jordan has inter- follow days of clashes after Israeli police a move not recognized by most of the vened, saying that when it administered the blocked the plaza. Police quelled those international community. Israeli Jews area from 1948 to 1967, it built the homes protests with stun grenades, water can- backed by courts have taken over houses for Palestinian refugees who fled their nons and skunk water before ultimately in Sheikh Jarrah on the grounds that homes in what became Israel. Opponents removing the barriers. — AFP

ister, who is head of government, as well as protests over contested results. Troubles pile up the president-a largely ceremonial role. A six-month-old war in Ethiopia’s northern Democratic ‘resurrection’ Tigray region is the most high-profile of In his Orthodox Easter message over the ahead of Ethiopia’s several security crises that will make voting weekend, Abiy insisted this year’s elections impossible in large swathes of the country. would be “one of the chapters of Ethiopia’s polls under Abiy Meanwhile voter registration is hampered resurrection.” After an era of “darkness by logistical issues and prominent opposi- and turmoil, thorns and thistles, pain and ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia is set to hold tion parties are planning to boycott, com- death... we have reached the top of the elections in a month, but with war in the plaining their candidates have been arrested mountain where the light is shining, carry- north, ethnic violence elsewhere and major and their offices vandalized. “There is a ing the hope of democracy for our coun- logistical hurdles, the path to credible polls is broad acknowledgement that these elections try,” he said. Some in the opposition, like littered with obstacles. When Prime Minister won’t be perfect, to say the least-that there the leader of the Ezema party Berhanu Abiy Ahmed came to power three years ago, will be shortcomings, there will be grounds Nega, believe Abiy understands “there is no he promised to break from Ethiopia’s for criticism and for a lot of improvement,” a peace to be had when a government is in authoritarian past and hold the most demo- Western diplomat said. The ruling coalition power without any popular legitimacy”. cratic elections the country has ever seen. that preceded Abiy claimed staggering However he told AFP that “in countries such But the Nobel Peace Prize laureate is majorities in the two previous elections, as ours, there is no guarantee that it will not fighting crises on multiple fronts as the which observers said fell far short of interna- be the same as the past.” Critics like oppo- nation of 110 million people prepares to tional standards for fairness. A more open sition leader Merera Gudina, whose Oromo choose national and regional parliamentari- contest in 2005 saw big gains for the oppo- Federalist Congress is boycotting the vote, ans on June 5. The MPs elect the prime min- sition but led to a lethal crackdown on have dismissed it as a farce. — AFP 6 Established 1961 International Thursday, May 6, 2021 Anxious families await end to Iran ‘hostage’ ordeal Tehran holding over a dozen Western nationals PARIS: Mixing hope with fears of more deals and swaps are a source of anxiety as well as being alone, her mother was disappointment, families of Western not only for the family but also her only exposed to daylight for half an nationals held in Iran are anxiously fol- father, who is able to follow news devel- hour a day and did not even have a pil- lowing intense diplomatic contacts and opments while in Tehran’s Evin prison. low to sleep on. “Our people are suffer- recent rumors for signs their loved ones “It is a mind game that is not pleas- ing under torture. I try not to think too could be allowed home. Iran is holding ant for us and especially for him,” she much about Vienna. I try to protect over a dozen Western nationals-almost said. Ashoori said her father has com- myself,” she said, expressing fear that all of whom also hold Iranian passports- plained of symptoms of COVID-19 dur- talks over prisoners could become a in prison or house arrest on charges ing a recent phone call with the family. “game” for both sides. their families say are absurd and in what “You wake up every day with this dread Germany, France and the UK are the activists say is a brazen act of hostage- of thinking what am I going to see (in European powers negotiating over the taking to extract concessions. the news) today.” 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, which former Frustration has mounted among fami- US president Donald Trump walked out lies over the failure of Western govern- ‘Difficult limbo’ of but his successor Joe Biden is keen to ments to bring home their loved ones, Those held in similar situations reenter if Tehran meets certain condi- many of whom have spent several years include at least three other Britons and tions. “There are active negotiations behind bars and have been exposed to four Americans, as well as two underway in Vienna, through the the COVID-19 pandemic in detention. Germans, two French, two Swedes and Europeans, about striking a deal on a Iran has always expressed willing- two Austrians, according to families prisoners’ exchange in both ways,” a ness to swap the prisoners for Iranians who have spoken to AFP. Among the person familiar with the status of the it believes are wrongfully held in the Britons is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, negotiations told AFP, asking not to be West. The resumption of talks between whose family has linked her plight to a named and emphasizing that “no deal” This file photo taken on August 23, 2018 shows Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (right) world powers in Vienna on Tehran’s British debt of £400 million ($550 mil- had been reached. The United States embracing her daughter Gabriella in Damavand, Iran following her release from prison nuclear program prompted activists to lion, 460 million euros) for army tanks has had no diplomatic relations with for three days. Mixing hope with fears of more disappointment, families of Western urge the linking of the two issues. “We paid for by the shah of Iran in the Tehran since the hostage-taking of US nationals held in Iran are anxiously following intense diplomatic contacts and recent have come to learn to take every day as 1970s. Germany’s Nahid Taghavi, 66, embassy staff in the wake of the 1979 rumours for signs their loved ones could be allowed home. — AFP it comes. We cannot look too far ahead. has now been held in prison for 200 Islamic Revolution. Things like rumors give us some hope days and is in a “very bad condition” The talks in Vienna are taking place Blinken said. The US denied a report on was also heightened by news from but we have learned not to be too after being moved back to solitary con- with the Europeans as intermediaries. Iranian television over the weekend that Belgium that a 20-year prison sentence hopeful,” said Elika Ashoori, whose 67- finement last month, according to her “I have no higher priority than bring- Washington had agreed to release $7 for diplomat Assadollah Assadi for plot- year-old-father, Anoosheh, a British cit- daughter Mariam Claren. ing arbitrarily detained Americans- billion in frozen Iranian funds and free ting to bomb an opposition rally outside izen, has been held in Iran since 2017. “The limbo is very difficult for her American hostages-home to the United four Iranians in exchange for the release Paris was confirmed after he dropped She said unconfirmed talk of possible and for us,” Claren told AFP, saying that States,” Secretary of State Antony of four Americans. Speculation of swaps plans to appeal. — AFP

News in brief California governor candidate Bulgaria set for new elections brings bear to rally SOFIA: Bulgaria’s president announced LOS ANGELES: One of the many Kodiak bear, considered the largest yesterday he would dissolve parliament and Republican candidates vying to ursine species, to his rally. The bear, call new elections, probably for July, after replace the governor of California in named “Tag,” weighs about 1,100 parties failed to form a government follow- an upcoming vote caused a stir pounds (500 kilograms) and was born ing polls last month. The April 4 general Tuesday by bringing a bear to his in captivity and trained to appear in election produced a fragmented parliament. political rally. films and television series. The outgoing centre-right GERB party of John Cox is campaigning on the Tag displayed a locally appropriate veteran premier Boyko Borisov came first theme of “beauty and the beast”-the laid-back attitude Tuesday, content to but had just under 27 percent and failed to “beauty” being current Democratic wait patiently for the end of Cox’s find partners to form a government. Both the Governor Gavin Newsom, known for speech, munching on snacks given by SACRAMENTO, California: A 1,000 pound Kodiak bear sits behind California anti-establishment party of showman- his primped appearance in the state his trainer or grooming himself with Republican Gubernatorial candidate John Cox as he speaks during a campaign ral- ly at Miller Regional Park Tuesday in Sacramento. — AFP turned-politician Slavi Trifonov, who came a that is home to Hollywood. Cox has his tongue. surprise second, and the Bulgarian Socialist cast himself as the “beast” who will But the use of a bear for political Party, who took third place, were also shake up politics in the most populous and publicity purposes caused an out- mals out of their publicity stunts.” succeeded in doing. It was through unable to put together a coalition. “Next US state, where a brown bear features cry among animal rights advocates, A Republican-backed effort to such a special election that movie star week I will dissolve parliament and appoint prominently on its flag. such as PETA, who said it was “unfor- recall Newsom, fueled by his handling Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected a caretaker cabinet,” President Rumen “The beautiful politicians have tunate and shameful that Tag the of the coronavirus pandemic, has in 2003 to lead the state for the Radev said. — AFP failed California,” Cox said during a Kodiak bear has been exploited in this forced a special election that is set to Republican Party. rally in Sacramento, the state capital. way.” “Bears need to be left alone, not be held later this year. California Polls and experts believe, however, “We need big, beastly changes to save confined to an open pen on asphalt allows voters to hold a referendum on that Newsom is unlikely to lose the Belarusian case against Lukashenko it. I’ll cut taxes, make California more and wheeled out for events,” the NGO replacing its governor if they can recall vote, in a state that has swung affordable and shake up Sacramento.” said on Twitter, urging “anyone with gather the signatures of 12 percent of even more heavily Democrat in the BERLIN: Ten Belarusians have filed a crim- For a publicity stunt, Cox brought a an ounce of decency to keep wild ani- previous voters, which the campaign past two decades. —AFP inal complaint in Germany against President Alexander Lukashenko and members of his restored,” it added. The case had been intensely fol- regime for crimes against humanity during a Facebook oversight lowed for its repercussions for social networks seek- brutal post-election crackdown, lawyers ing to curb misinformation and abusive content while representing them said yesterday. Acting on remaining open to political discourse. Trump was behalf of “torture victims”, the lawyers have board upholds suspended from Facebook and Instagram after he submitted a complaint to federal prosecu- posted a video during the deadly January 6 storming tors in the city of Karlsruhe against Trump ban of the Capitol in which he told his supporters: “We Lukashenko “and other Belarusian security love you, you’re very special.” officers”, they said in a statement. The fed- WASHINGTON: Facebook’s independent oversight The US leader was banned permanently by eral prosecutor’s office confirmed to AFP board yesterday upheld the platform’s ban on former Facebook the following day, and he was taken off that it had received the complaint. Lawyers US president Donald Trump while ordering further other platforms including Twitter and YouTube. Mark Lupschitz, Onur Ozata, Roland Krause review of the case, in a decision with a potentially Some analysts said Facebook and other social net- and Benedikt Lux said their clients had doc- far-reaching impact on the regulation of online works should have acted on Trump sooner, after umented more than 100 examples of “vio- speech. The board, whose decisions are binding on years of giving him an exemption from rules on hate- lence, systematic torture and other abuses” the leading social network, said Trump “created an ful content because of his “newsworthiness” as a In this photo illustration, a phone screen displays a during the government crackdown on environment where a serious risk of violence was political leader. Facebook logo with the official portrait of former US protests against alleged electoral fraud possible” with his comments regarding the January 6 President Donald Trump on the background, on Tuesday in Arlington, Virginia. — AFP since August 2020. — AFP rampage by his supporters at the US Capitol. Clarifying the rules “Given the seriousness of the violations and the In its ruling, the oversight board — envisioned by ongoing risk of violence, Facebook was justified in Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as the equiva- and said “considerations of newsworthiness should Japan, S Korea meet with Blinken suspending Mr. Trump’s accounts on January 6 and lent of a “supreme court” for thorny content deci- not take priority when urgent action is needed to extending that suspension on January 7,” the board sions — made additional recommendations on deal- prevent significant harm.” LONDON: US Secretary of State Antony said after its review. ing with potentially harmful content from world lead- Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows, Blinken yesterday met jointly with his South But the panel also ruled that “it was not appropri- ers. The board said “that it is not always useful to responding to the decision, said it would have a chilling Korean and Japanese counterparts to discuss ate for Facebook to impose the indeterminate and draw a firm distinction between political leaders and effect on free speech and that Facebook needed to be North Korea, bringing together the allies standardless penalty of indefinite suspension.” other influential users, recognizing that other users regulated or broken up. “It’s a sad day for America, it’s despite renewed rifts. Joined by aides, Blinken “Within six months of this decision, Facebook must with large audiences can also contribute to serious a sad day for Facebook,” he told Fox News. “We need sat in the centre of a U-shaped table with reexamine the arbitrary penalty it imposed on risks of harm,” according to its statement. to have some standards, they are not able to police Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi January 7 and decide the appropriate penalty,” the “When posts by influential users pose a high themselves.” Angelo Carusone, president of the left- and South Korean Foreign Minister Chung review board said in its written opinion. probability of imminent harm, Facebook should act leaning watchdog group Media Matters for America, Eui-yong on each side in a conference room “It is not permissible for Facebook to keep a user quickly to enforce its rules.” The board also “called said the ruling was “appropriate,” arguing that the of a London hotel on the sidelines of a Group off the platform for an undefined period, with no cri- on Facebook to address widespread confusion about rationale for banning Trump was overwhelming and of Seven meeting. The three made no com- teria for when or whether the account will be how decisions relating to influential users are made” “never should have been up for debate.” — AFP ments but Blinken ahead of the meeting said it was vital to work with both countries as President Joe Biden’s administration looks to resume diplomacy with North Korea. — AFP Iran diplomat’s 20-year sentence for France bomb plot confirmed Germany bans fund-raising group BRUSSELS: An Iranian diplomat’s the Belgian justice system. BERLIN: Germany yesterday banned a 20-year sentence in Belgium for plot- A spokesman for Belgium’s federal purported aid organization, Ansaar ting to bomb an opposition rally out- prosecutor’s office confirmed that International, accusing it of collecting side Paris was confirmed yesterday “Mr Assadi’s lawyer has failed to donations to help finance terrorism world- after he failed to appeal, his lawyer lodge an appeal” to the conviction. wide. The prohibition came along with a and prosecutors said. Three individuals sentenced to series of raids on properties in ten states, Assadollah Assadi, 49, was con- between 15 and 18 years in prison as with investigators also seizing items. victed in February by an Antwerp accomplices are maintaining their Interior Minister Horst Seehofer “has court of supplying explosives for the appeals against their convictions, the banned the association Ansaar International planned June 30, 2018 attack on the spokesman said. Those arguments are exiled opposition group the National to be heard around mid-November. and its related organizations. The network In this file photo taken on February 04, 2021 National Council of Resistance of Iran finances terrorism worldwide with dona- Council of Resistance in Iran (NCRI). Iran has strongly protested Assadi’s “I confirmed today that Mr Assadi conviction. Days after the February (NCRI) member Favzin Hashemi (left), Lawyer Rik Van Reusel (center) and Lawyer tions,” tweeted ministry spokesman Steve Georges-Henri Beauthier speak to the press following the trial of four people, does not wish to appeal,” his lawyer, verdict, Iran’s foreign ministry sum- Alter. “To fight terror, one must dry up its including a Belgian couple of Iranian heritage and an Iranian diplomat at the sources of money,” said Seehofer. — AFP Dimitri de Beco, told AFP, adding that moned Belgium’s ambassador in Antwerp criminal court yesterday. —AFP his client contests the legitimacy of Tehran to convey its fury. —AFP Established 1961 7

Thursday, May 6, 2021 International Iraqi sewage, pollutants threaten ancient Mesopotamian marshes 70% of Iraq’s industrial waste is dumped directly into rivers or the sea

CHIBAYISH, Iraq: In southern Iraq, putrid water gush- es out of waste pipes into marshes reputed to be home News in brief to the biblical Garden of Eden, threatening an already fragile world heritage site. In a country where the state lacks the capacity to guarantee basic services, 70 per- Netanyahu loses mandate cent of Iraq’s industrial waste is dumped directly into rivers or the sea, according to data compiled by the JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin United Nations and academics. Netanyahu’s mandate to form a government follow- Jassim Al-Assadi, head of non-governmental organi- ing an inconclusive election expired yesterday, giv- zation Nature Iraq, told AFP the black wastewater ing his rivals a chance to take power and end the poured into the UNESCO-listed marshes carries “pollu- divisive premier’s record tenure. Netanyahu, on trial tion and heavy metals that directly threaten the flora and over corruption charges he denies, had a 28-day fauna” present there. Once an engineer at Iraq’s water window to secure a coalition following the March 23 resources ministry, Assadi left that job to dedicate him- vote, Israel’s fourth in less than two years. The 71- self to saving the extraordinary natural habitat, which year-old’s right-wing Likud party won the most had previously faced destruction at the hands of Saddam seats in the vote, but he and his allies came up short Hussein and is further jeopardized by climate change. of an absolute majority in the 120-seat Knesset, The pollutants also “indirectly impact humans via the Israel’s parliament. — AFP buffalo”, fixtures of the marshes and known for the “gue- mar” cheese produced from their milk, he said. Dozens of rotten fish float on the surface of polluted Iraqi marshes in the southern district of Chibayish. — AFP According to Nader Mohssen, a fisherman and farmer born in the marshland’s Chibayish district, “the buffalo IS ‘blows up’ Iraq oil wells are forced to go several kilometers (miles) into the the wastewater pipes keeps people away. Local authori- 2019 that “climate change in Iraq is expected to reduce marshes to be able to drink something other than pollut- ties say they are not entirely to blame for the lack of annual rainfall, which will lead to a surge in dust storms, a KIRKUK: Jihadists yesterday killed a policeman ed water”. And “around the sewerage pipes, most of the proper wastewater management. They say residents are reduction in agricultural productivity and increased before blowing up two oil wells in Kirkuk, a northern fish die”, he added, gesturing to dozens of rotting fish at fault for making illegal connections to the rainwater water scarcity”. With each scorching summer, the coun- province claimed by both Iraq’s federal government floating on the marsh water surface. drainage systems because they are not connected to the try draws closer to this reality. In 2015, every Iraqi had and the Kurds, officials said. A security official told sewerage system, while the federal government does not 2,100 cubic meters of water available per year, UNEP AFP that “Islamic State group assailants” killed a Foul play, foul water provide the necessary funds to the provincial council to says, adding that by 2025, this figure will have fallen to policeman and “wounded two others”. The attackers Pollution is only the latest threat to one of the world’s build wastewater treatment plants. 1,750, threatening the long-term stability of agriculture then “blew up wells 177 and 183 at the Bay Hassan largest inland delta systems. The rich ecosystem, nestled and industry in the country, as well as endangering the field,” the oil ministry said in a statement. The first between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, barely survived Looming climate change health of its 40 million people. — AFP fire was “brought under control in record time”, but the wrath of Saddam, who ordered the marsh be drained “Such wastewater management units would cost “firemen are still active at the second” well several in 1991 as punishment for communities protecting insur- around $69 million,” Haydar Razzaq, head of the Dhi Qar hours after the attack, the ministry added. — AFP gents. The drainage reduced the marshland by half of its province’s wastewater department, told AFP. He added Ousted Myanmar 1991 area of 15,000 square kilometers (5,800 square that work on some units had begun, but, as often hap- miles). pens in Iraq, construction halted abruptly and never lawmakers set up A former regime official was condemned to death in resumed. French journalist abducted in Mali 2010 for what the UN called “one of the worst environ- For Assadi, who recently worked with European and mental crimes in history”, although he reportedly died of American experts on the issue, the solution is simple and ‘people’s force’ BAMAKO: A missing French journalist said he was natural causes in prison last year. A few years ago, natural: use plants to clean up the marshes, in a tech- kidnapped in Mali by a jihadist group with links to nique called phytotechnology. Al-Qaeda, according to a video circulating on social Mohssen and other marshland residents-several thou- BANGKOK: A shadow government of ousted Myanmar But his requests to authorities have so far fallen on media yesterday, the latest foreigner to be taken sand families straddling three provinces in the rural, trib- lawmakers said yesterday it has set up a “people’s deaf ears. He underscored that when UNESCO hostage in the West African country. The video of al south and struggling to make ends meet-believed they defense force” to protect civilians, as the police and mili- inscribed the marshes on its World Heritage List in 2016, Olivier Dubois, who worked with several French would see their home flourish again. tary deploy deadly arms against anti-coup protesters. Iraq pledged to preserve the ecosystem and provide media, could not be immediately verified independ- Once the canals and earthen dykes built by Saddam’s The country has been in turmoil since the military functional services to the marshland communities. But ently, although Reporters Without Borders (RSF) regime were destroyed, the water returned, and with it deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering a today, as the UN classifies Iraq “as the fifth most vulner- and an official at the French foreign ministry con- more than 200 species of birds and dozens of types of mass uprising of daily protests and a nationwide boycott able country in the world” to climate change, the reha- firmed he was missing. In the undated video, which wildlife, some on the verge of extinction elsewhere. from civil servants. bilitation of the marshes is no longer a question of her- lasts about 20 seconds, Dubois, 46, said he was Tourists too-mainly Iraqis-began flocking to the region So far, nearly 770 people have been killed in deadly itage preservation, but one of survival. abducted on April 8 in Gao, central Mali, by the again to take boat tours and lunch on grilled fish. crackdowns, according to a local monitoring group- But today, the overwhelming stench emanating from The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warned in Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the though the junta has a far lower death toll which it biggest jihadist alliance in the Sahel. — AFP blames on “rioters”. A group of ousted lawmakers who call themselves the Indian FM to join G7 virtually “National Unity Government” (NUG) and are working underground to oppose the junta announced their own Malaysia tightens curbs in capital “people’s defense force” to “stop the use of violence after COVID exposure against people”. It is intended as a precursor to a KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will tighten coron- “Federal Union Army”, the NUG said in a statement- avirus curbs in the capital to combat a fresh spike in NEW DELHI: India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Monday evening on the sidelines of the foreign minis- referring to a long-touted idea of bringing anti-coup dis- cases, with only essential businesses allowed to Jaishankar, in Britain for G7 meetings, said yesterday he ters summit. Blinken has already received two coron- sidents together with Myanmar’s ethnic rebel fighters operate and restaurant dining-in banned, authorities would hold his talks virtually after being exposed to avirus vaccine doses. The US State Department said it into an army. said yesterday. The partial lockdown in Kuala possible coronavirus cases. The foreign ministers of had been advised, including by public health profes- Some in the anti-coup movement have called for unity Lumpur, initially set to last from May 7 to 20, comes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the sionals in Britain, that its health protocols “would per- among Myanmar’s myriad rebel armed groups to defeat a day after officials announced tougher restrictions United States are wrapping up three days of talks in mit us to continue with our G7 activities as planned”. the military’s well-trained soldiers. A few of the groups in several districts surrounding the city. — AFP London ahead of a G7 leaders’ summit next month in “We have no reason to believe any of our delegation is have condemned the military coup and the use of vio- Cornwall in southern England. at risk. We will continue to follow the guidance of pub- lence against unarmed civilians. Some are also providing India is not part of the Group of Seven wealthy lic health professionals going forward and abide by the shelter and even training to dissidents who flee into their democracies but was invited to the talks by Britain, same strict COVID-19 protocols,” spokesman Ned territories. But the more than 20 groups-made up of dis- Tribute to late Zulu regent queen which holds the rotating presidency of the group Price said. India, the world’s second-most populous parate ethnic minorities agitating for more autonomy- throughout 2021. “Was made aware yesterday evening nation, has been hit by a devastating wave of infections have long distrusted the ethnic Bamar majority, including JOHANNESBURG: Mourners donning traditional of exposure to possible COVID positive cases,” in recent weeks that has taken its total number of cases lawmakers affiliated with Suu Kyi’s government. leopardskin regalia yesterday gathered outside a Jaishankar tweeted. “As a measure of abundant caution to more than 20.6 million. The massive spike-which has An official of the Karenni National Progressive Party Johannesburg morgue to accompany the body of the and also out of consideration for others, I decided to badly hit major cities including the capital New Delhi (KNPP) — which has said it is sheltering anti-coup dis- late Zulu regent queen on the eve of her funeral, AFP conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will and financial hub Mumbai-has pushed the healthcare sidents-expressed skepticism at the NUG announce- reporters saw. The 65-year-old queen, Shiyiwe be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well.” system to breaking point, overwhelming hospitals and ment. “As far as I know, it is the people themselves who Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, died on April 30, weeks Sky News earlier reported there had been two posi- leading to severe shortages of beds, oxygen and other walk into the jungle and receive the training from the after she was named interim successor to her late tive cases among the Indian delegation. A senior British critical medical supplies. (ethnic armed organizations)... it is not decided by the husband, King Goodwill Zwelithini, the longest-serv- diplomat said in a statement that “we deeply regret” The country of 1.3 billion people yesterday reported NUG,” said KNPP vice-chair Khu Oo Reh. He added ing leader of South Africa’s largest ethnic group. A Jaishankar’s absence for the in-person meeting yester- more than 382,000 new infections and 3,780 deaths-its that while the NUG has spoken with many rebel groups day ahead of her funeral, hundreds of mourners day. “But this is exactly why we have put in place strict highest number of fatalities yet in the pandemic. The G7 about a militia made up of civilians, “I have no idea what paraded through the inner-city suburb of Hillbrow, COVID protocols and daily testing.” was due to discuss coronavirus vaccines yesterday their intentions are.” Another group along Myanmar’s singing and dancing as they made their way to the Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony amid growing pressure on the group to share stock- eastern border, which declined to be named, said the mortuary under a clear autumn sky. — AFP Blinken in-person, with both wearing masks, on piles and know-how with poor nations. — AFP statement was “confusing”. —AFP

Onboard the flight were 30 small oxygen concen- and a high fever, and is to receive medical treatment Thailand sends trators provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on arrival in Bangkok. A decision was made to trans- and the Royal Thai Embassy to India in New Delhi, port the officials back to Thailand due to the lack of which will be delivered to the Indian Red Cross beds and medical equipment at local hospitals. medical supplies Society to help support the country’s fight against According to the embassy, there are two other COVID-19. Thai nationals in New Delhi, and a Thai national in to virus-hit India Siam Cement Group has provided 32 sets of card- nearby Lucknow who currently have COVID-19. The board bed frames out of 200 to be delivered by this embassy says however, that the three had declined flight to the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, along repatriation, as they now have families in India. he Thai government has sent medical supplies with medications and herbal products to help take The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thailand as a by military aircraft to help fight the devastat- care of Thai nationals in India, including green partner sharing good relationships with India, must Ting surge of COVID-19 in India, before chiretta extract and Favipiravir pills. After the deliv- provide help in the time of crisis. Last year, the Prime returning to Bangkok with infected embassy officials ery mission, the plane will bring back three officials Ministers of both countries discussed bilateral cooper- in need of treatment. The Royal Thai Air Force Airbus from the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, plus one ation in their public health and COVID-19 pandemic A320 aircraft yesterday departed Bangkok at 7 am other person believed to have been exposed to the responses, with India permitting the export of essential bound for New Delhi, India, on a mission to deliver infection, all of whom require treatment in Thailand. medications for the treatment of COVID-19 patients to medical supplies to India and retrieve embassy offi- One of the patients has developed a lung infection Thailand. — The Embassy of Thailand, Kuwait cials infected with COVID-19. Established 1961

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 Business Volvo Cars to be fully electric by 2030

KUWAIT: Volvo Cars is committed to becoming a the future - electric and online,” said Hakan leader in the fast-growing premium electric car mar- Samuelsson, chief executive. “We are fully focused ket and plans to become a fully electric car company on becoming a leader in the fast-growing premium by 2030. By then, the company intends to sell fully electric segment.” electric cars and phase out any car in its global Volvo Cars launched its first fully electric car, the portfolio with an internal combustion engine. The XC40 Recharge, in markets around the globe last company’s transition towards becoming a fully elec- year, and its second, the C40, was launched in tric car maker is part of its ambitious climate plan, March 2021. In coming years Volvo Cars will roll out which seeks to consistently reduce the life cycle car- several additional electric models, with more to fol- bon footprint per car through concrete action. low. Already by 2025, it aims for 50 per cent of its Its decision also builds on the expectation that global sales to consist of fully electric cars, with the legislation as well as a rapid expansion of accessible rest hybrids. By 2030, every car it sells should be high quality charging infrastructure will accelerate fully electric. consumer acceptance of fully electric cars. Volvo “There is no long-term future for cars with an Cars’ move towards full electrification comes internal combustion engine,” said Henrik Green, together with an increased focus on online sales and chief technology officer. “We are firmly committed a more complete, attractive and transparent con- to becoming an electric-only car maker and the sumer offer under the name Care by Volvo. All fully transition should happen by 2030. It will allow us to electric models will be available online. meet the expectations of our customers and be a The 2030 ambition represents an acceleration of part of the solution when it comes to fighting cli- Volvo Cars’ electrification strategy, driven by strong mate change.” demand for its electrified cars in recent years and a In an effort towards achieving an electric future, firm conviction that the market for combustion we are proud to announce the re-launch of our T8 engine cars is a shrinking one. “To remain success- Plug-In Hybrid offer, which provides a free wall box ful, we need profitable growth. So instead of invest- charger with every T8 purchase to further incen- ing in a shrinking business, we choose to invest in tivize electric sales.

repay loans to help underpin the economy, Das said. News in brief India announces “The immediate objective is to preserve human life and restore livelihoods through all means possible,” WTO names women to top posts he added. $6.7bn to help India’s underfunded health care system has GENEVA: World Trade Organization head struggled to cope with the latest COVID-19 Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday named two vaccine, health firms onslaught, with patients dying in hospital parking women to the WTO’s four deputy leader jobs lots due to a lack of beds and oxygen. Experts have for the first time in its history. The new director- MUMBAI: India released $6.7 billion in cheap warned that case numbers will keep rising until the general - herself the first woman and the first financing for vaccine makers, hospitals and other end of May and could reach 500,000 new infec- African to lead the WTO - appointed Angela health firms yesterday, to counter the devastating tions a day. While New Delhi and other major cities Ellard of the United States and Costa Rica’s coronavirus surge gripping the country. Reserve have imposed curfews and other restrictions, the Anabel Gonzalez, along with Jean-Marie Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das also government has resisted opposition calls for a Paugam of France and China’s Zhang Xiangchen. vowed to deploy “unconventional” measures if the nationwide lockdown. The WTO has counted one woman deputy crisis worsens. He spoke as India announced a Even the Supreme Court has called on the gov- director general previously, but Okonjo-Iweala record 3,780 deaths in 24 hours as well as ernment to consider tougher measures. The Indian stressed that this was “the first time in the histo- 382,000 new cases. Premier League - the world’s richest cricket tour- NEW DELHI: A health worker inoculates a man with a dose ry of our organisation that half of the DDGs are This week it became the second country after nament - shut down this week because of the of the Covaxin COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine in a school- turned-vaccination center yesterday. —AFP women.” —AFP the United States to pass 20 million cases and hos- spread of the virus among players. Many foreign pitals across the country of 1.3 billion people have stars are now struggling to get flights out. Two complained of chronic shortages of beds, oxygen, more players, Delhi Capitals spinner Amit Mishra virus and one of the world’s strictest lockdowns vaccines and key drugs. “The devastating speed and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Wriddhiman Saha, were combined to deal the country a severe blow. Twitter bolsters subscription plans with which the virus affects different regions of the recently infected. Fearing a repeat of last year’s economic devasta- country has to be matched by swift and wide-rang- The country has tried to claw back lost ground tion, authorities have so far imposed limited restric- SAN FRANCISCO: Twitter on Tuesday said it is ing actions,” Das said. after a stringent, months-long lockdown caused the tions, trying to strike a balance between keeping the buying Scroll and its ad-free news app to bol- The new measures - making it easier for banks to labour market to collapse and the economy to con- economy going and targeting outbreaks in the ster a coming subscription service, and channel give cheap loans to hospitals, oxygen manufacturers tract by nearly a quarter between April and June hardest-hit regions. New Delhi is hoping the econo- money to journalism in the process. The global and even patients - aim to improve access to emer- last year. Asia’s third-largest economy was in the my will get a further boost from a massive vaccina- one-to-many messaging platform did not dis- gency health care, he said. The central bank will also throes of a prolonged slowdown even before the tion drive that kicked off in January, with 160 million close how much it is paying for Scroll, which give some general business borrowers more time to pandemic, and the hit to global activity from the shots administered so far. —AFP owns the Nuzzel app. “Scroll will become a meaningful addition to our subscriptions work as we build and shape a future subscription service on Twitter,” Twitter product manager Mike Park Cruises eye smoother Pfizer sees COVID as said in a blog post. —AFP waters with vaccines, ‘durable’ revenue Facebook’s Workplace tool grows ‘health bubbles’ stream as profits rise SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook’s Workplace busi- PARIS: With tests, vaccinations and isolation areas, cruise NEW YORK: Pfizer sharply increased its 2021 profit pro- ness software has grown by about 40 percent in ship companies are hoping for smoother sailing this travel jections on Tuesday, citing much higher COVID-19 vac- a year to reach seven million paying subscribers season after fears over COVID-stricken ships rocked the cine sales which are on track to provide a “durable” rev- as the pandemic accelerated a remote work industry last year. Cruise companies have lost tens of bil- enue stream in the wake of the pandemic. The drugmaker trend, the company said Tuesday. The service, lions of dollars while hundreds of thousands of people reported a jump in first-quarter profits based on surging which companies can use as an internal social have lost jobs as countries banned ships from their ports. revenues, with nearly one-fourth of sales coming from SAVONA, Italy: Captain of Costa Smeralda Pietro Sinisi network to communicate with employees, still The industry’s woes started in February last year when COVID-19 vaccines. the Diamond Princess and its 4,000 passengers spent poses on board the Costa Smeralda cruise ship near With German partner BioNTech, the pharma giant is trails behind top rivals like Teams which Genoa on May 1, 2021. —AFP Microsoft says now has some 145 million daily weeks in quarantine in port in Japan as coronavirus infec- ramping up vaccine production and now estimates 2021 active users. Facebook said it has notched up tions on board climbed, reaching 700. revenues of $26 billion from the vaccine, up from the $15 billion projected in February. But the surging profits have some big users like Starbucks coffee chain and While cruises may have to wait until July to use ports the ministry of transport has given the green light for drawn criticism as governments face pressure to step in to in Florida, ships have been gingerly returning to sea in cruises-albeit restricted to domestic waters - to resume the World Health Organization. —AFP ensure vaccines are provided to underserved countries. other markets, with strict health protocols to avoid a from May 17. Pfizer, which says it is on the cusp of winning US repeat of last year’s misfortunes. Italian cruise line Costa But capacity has been restricted to 50 percent, or a approval for individuals 12 to 15 years old to receive its Cruises set sail on Saturday for the first time in more than maximum of 1,000 passengers, all of whom must be UK- vaccine, is holding talks with “basically all governments of four months, with its flagship vessel setting sail from based. On-board gatherings will also be restricted to the world” about providing booster shots through 2024, Savona. The Italian government had banned cruises in groups of a maximum six people. “Whilst there is still EU beefs up Chief Executive Albert Bourla told analysts on a confer- December. uncertainty about holidays abroad this summer, we are ence call Tuesday. The company is studying the efficacy of The Costa Smeralda was only a quarter full, with 1,500 delighted to be able to offer our guests the ultimate giving the jabs six or more months after the second vac- passengers. All passengers and crew were first tested for escape here in the UK with the reassurance that we will powers to control cine dose, and developing doses that could be stored at coronavirus and mask-wearing was mandatory for the take care of everything,” said P&O Cruises president Paul standard refrigerated temperature for up to 10 weeks. trip. The 1,300 crew were quarantined for 14 days before Ludlow in a statement. reporting for duty. Other ships were setting sail from Bourla expects “durable demand” for COVID-19 vac- China investment P&O will also only accepted fully vaccinated passen- Barcelona and the southern French city of Marseille. cines, similar to that of the flu vaccine. “It is our hope that gers. In the United States, cruise ships may be able to BRUSSELS: The EU commission yesterday unveiled new Costa’s rival MSC returned to sea much earlier, in August. the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will continue to have a glob- resume sailing from ports in Florida in mid-July after a powers to block state-backed companies making unfair Since then, Patrick Pourbaix, director general of MSC al impact by helping to get the devastating pandemic year-long shutdown, according to new guidelines from inroads into Europe, as the bloc seeks new ways to respond France, says the company has carried “more than 60,000 under control and helping economies around the world the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to China’s rise. The new rules, once approved by member passengers on around 30 cruises, worry-free”. not only open, but stay open,” Bourla said in prepared (CDC). At least 98 percent of the crew and 95 percent of states and European Parliament, will give EU competition remarks. That would create “a scenario in which Pfizer can passengers will need to be fully vaccinated against authorities new abilities to probe foreign companies seeking New normal continue to be both a leader and a beneficiary,” he said. to snap up EU companies or public contracts. The cruise industry has been smashed by the COVID Covid-19 for ships to set sail. Pfizer has won wide praise for its technological The rules don’t specifically mention China, but they land as crisis, suffering a shortfall of $77 billion and shedding prowess in developing a game-changing vaccine in record ties between the EU and its second biggest trading partner are at 518,000 jobs between just mid-March and September ‘Health bubbles’ time. However, critics called the profits troubling given the a low point after an angry exchange of tit-for-tat sanctions over last year, according to the Cruise Lines International While Costa and MSC do not insist on passengers divide in vaccine availability between rich and poor coun- human rights concerns. The bitterness has forced the EU commis- Association (CLIA). Before the pandemic, cruises compa- being vaccinated, they have to take a Covid test before tries. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom sion to suspend its efforts to seek ratification of a German- nies had enjoyed a decade of strong growth, peaking in embarking while strict social distancing will be required Ghebreyesus last month decried a “shocking imbalance in backed EU-China investment deal, which had been billed as a key 2019 with 29.7 million passengers, more than half from aboard. The two firms additionally will only offer excur- the global distribution of vaccines” and called for efforts tool to pave the way towards smoother relations. North America, according to the CLIA. sions within a “health bubble” keeping contact with local to fortify the WHO’s Covax programs, which aims to “Unfair advantages accorded through subsidies have long “It’s a sector which will not return to normal activity people to a bare minimum. If suspected cases appear, ensure that poorer nations can access the shots. been a scourge of international competition. This is why we until 2025,” said Didier Arino, director general of French MSC has an isolation area and medical teams aboard India and South Africa are leading an effort in the have made it a priority to clamp down on such unfair practices,” consultancy Protourisme. For now, the new normal is vac- ships, Pourbaix said, adding that sick passengers would World Trade Organization to waive intellectual property EU vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said. “China is certainly a cines, tests and masks. US operator Norwegian Cruise be taken to the first port. and patent rules, at least temporarily, which would open challenge in this context but this ... can cover pretty much any Line will run three of its 17 vessels from Greece and in the Although to date few vessels and few itineraries have the door to broader production of vaccines at a time when country, and any situation, if it’s found that there is a distorted Caribbean this summer, with passengers who are “fully emerged as available for the European summer season, the virus is causing mass misery in India and some other position in the market,” he said. In the new rules, the bloc’s pow- vaccinated” at least two weeks before departure. “It’s not there is no shortage of demand. Sommer notably indicates countries. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he had not erful antitrust authority would investigate state-backed foreign one or the other. It’s vaccines plus the safety protocols,” that Norwegian Cruise Line’s 35 first cruises put on sale made a decision on whether to support a vaccine waiver, companies seeking to acquire EU businesses with an annual said CEO Harry Sommer. are already fully booked. According to a CLIA survey, two but that the United States was moving “as quickly as we turnover of more than 500 million euros. State aid investigations Guests will be tested before they get on the ship and out of three cruise passengers polled say they are ready to can” to export doses. Biden also said he was ready to would also be launched into subsidized companies bidding for before they disembark, while sanitation protocols on recover their sea legs this year. “Cruises enjoy an “immediately” begin vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds as large public contracts in Europe, such as in rail or telecommuni- board will include “medical-grade air filtration and unmatched level of (customer) satisfaction at around 98 soon as Pfizer’s COVID shot is approved by regulators for cations, worth more than 250 million euros. —AFP enhanced medical resources”, Sommer said. In Britain, percent,” Arino said. “Client loyalty is very strong.” —AFP the age group. —AFP Established 1961 9

Thursday, May 6, 2021 Business Shuaiba Industrial approves distribution of cash dividends at 10 fils per share

KUWAIT: Shuaiba Industrial Company Vice entering world markets. Chairman and CEO Bader Al-Qattan said the annual Al-Qattan: “This move compels us financial results of the company for 2020 showed l Shuaiba Industrial is committed to achieving its goals, maximizing its shareholders’ to improve production strength and durability of its financial status, quality equity and growing its profits quality and maintain of its investments and operational efficiency. competitiveness in order Al-Qattan, speaking during a general assembly l Company production during 2020 reached 24,4000 tons, while exports make up 63% of to get satisfactory held yesterday, said the company is committed to our sales shares in those mar- achieving its goals through well-studied steps l We seek to expand by entering international markets with focus on the food sector kets,” he said. that aim to maximize shareholder equity and l Maintaining the company’s leadership necessitates the elevation of production quality grow profits. Cash dividends and being competitive The general assembly The correct approach approved the board of Al-Qattan said 2020 showed the right approach directors’ recommenda- standing performance through achieving the best Company assets Bader Al-Qattan the company is following due to the efforts of board total operational profit, as company sales reached Al-Qattan said total assets reached KD tion to distribute cash members and the executive administration, as well KD 12,290,351 compared to KD 14,821,664 in 2019. 22,404,351 compared to KD 22,988,919 last year, dividends at 10 fils per as all company employees. He said despite weak He said the company’s operational profit reached adding shareholder equity reached KD 18,228,218 share to shareholders who are registered in the economic activity regionally and internationally, KD 2,379,139 compared to KD 1,730,322 for the compared to the same period last year at KD company by the end of the due date - 15 working Shuaiba industrial exerted maximum efforts to previous year, a growth rate of 37.5 percent over 17,703,002, a growth rate of 3 percent. days from the date of the general assembly - to be maintain its achievements. He said the ramifications 2019, despite fierce competition inside and outside Al-Qattan said the company produced and distributed to shareholders after five working days of the crisis and precautionary measures taken by Kuwait and the gradual rise in paper prices. manufactured 24,425 tons last year, while exports from the due date after deducting the treasury’s governments around the world including social dis- Al-Qattan said net profits of the company for the represent 63 percent of total sales in 2020, which shares. tancing along with total and partial curfews led to a fiscal year ending Dec 31, 2020 reached KD is something the company is keen to increase This recommendation is subject to the approval large drop in the regional and global economy. 1,024,917, which is equal to 10.3 fils per share com- through maintaining its share in various world of the concerned authorities and the company’s pared to the previous year (KD 319,331 at 3.2 fils per markets despite fierce competition. general assembly. Al-Qattan thanked the board of Financial performance share), a growth rate of 221 percent over 2019 bear- He said the administration worked on market- directors and the executive administration and all About the financial performance of the company, ing in mind that the share book value is 183.6 fils for ing its production of small bags (food sector those who contributed to the improvement of the Al-Qattan said last year the company had an out- 2020 compared to 178 fils in the previous year. mainly) in 2020 in Kuwait and GCC, in addition to company’s performance.

implementing several adjustments to its COVID Wall Street eyes health and safety protocols for the trading floors at 11 Wall Street beginning on May 10, 2021,” said a memo to staff. return to normalcy The announcements come a day after New York Jersey hits back in Governor Andrew Cuomo lifted major coronavirus as virus fears recede restrictions. From May 19, percentage limits on French post-Brexit occupancy will be scrapped for many business and NEW YORK: Wall Street edged further towards cultural venues in the city - including shops, normalcy on Tuesday as the New York Stock restaurants, cinemas and museums, Cuomo said. fishing spat Exchange (NYSE) withdrew some of its toughest Businesses will be allowed to welcome as many COVID-19 restrictions and Goldman Sachs set a people as they want, provided six feet of social dis- LONDON: The Channel Island of Jersey yes- date for in-office work to resume. The NYSE, tancing is maintained, as recommended by the fed- terday slammed as “disproportionate” French which completely shut in March 2020 before wel- eral Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. threats of reprisals, including cutting off elec- tricity supplies, over contentious new post- coming back a small number of traders two months Under the new rules, NYSE traders and others “We know from experience that our culture of Brexit fishing rules. France warned Tuesday it later, plans to permit additional personnel on the on the floor will no longer be subject to random collaboration, innovation and apprenticeship was weighing its response after the UK trading floor, including from media organizations testing if they are fully vaccinated. Media repre- thrives when our people come together, and we imposed the rules governing access for French that respect protocols, officials said Tuesday. sentatives will also be permitted to go on the floor, look forward to having more of our colleagues fishing boats near the Channel Islands, and And Goldman Sachs became the latest large but will be required to wear a mask, except for on- back in the office so that they can experience that said it could involve electricity supplied via bank to announce concrete plans to return staff to camera media located in designated, enclosed sets. once again on a regular basis,” said the memo, underwater cables. downtown New York, telling workers they should Goldman, meanwhile, said it was “encouraged” by which was signed by Chief Executive David French maritime minister Annick Girardin be back at their desks by June 14. “Based on the rollout of vaccines, while adding that staff Solomon and two other senior executives. accused Jersey, the largest Channel Island, of improvement to public health conditions in the should expect additional guidance from regional Goldman’s announcement came a week after dragging its feet over the issuing of licenses to New York City area and the continuing progress of and divisional leaders “as conditions and capacity JPMorgan Chase told US employees they should French vessels under the terms of Britain’s post- the nationwide vaccination rollout, the NYSE is conditions shift,” said a memo. expect to return to work in person in July. — AFP Brexit trade deal with Brussels. Jersey, a self- governing British Crown dependency off the coast of France, has said it will require boats to submit further details before the licenses could Indonesia economy be granted, and pleaded for patience. The deepening row over fishing is one of shrinks for fourth several disputes that have emerged between the UK and the European Union since London left the bloc’s single market and customs union straight quarter at the start of the year. Jersey’s External Affairs Minister Ian Gorst told BBC Radio yesterday: JAKARTA: Indonesia’s economy shrank for the “It would seem disproportionate to cut off fourth consecutive quarter in January-March, data electricity for the sake of needing to provide showed yesterday, as the country’s leaders struggle extra details so that we can refine the licenses. to overcome a recession wrought by the coron- “I do think a solution can be found. I am opti- avirus pandemic. The 0.74 percent on-year con- mistic that we can provide extra time to allow traction was a big improvement on the 2.19 percent this evidence to be provided.” in the previous three months but slightly worse than Paris and London have increasingly clashed expected, with the tourism sector among the worst- over fishing in recent weeks, as French fisher- affected industries. men say they are being prevented from operat- However, statistics bureau Suhariyanto told reporters: “It is still negative, but it is much better ing in British waters because of difficulties in compared to the previous quarters which shows obtaining licenses. In the latest move, Britain that the trend of the economic recovery is on track.” on Friday authorized 41 ships equipped with On a quarterly basis, Southeast Asia’s biggest econ- Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) technology - omy contracted 0.96 percent. Last year the econo- which allows ships to be located - to fish in my shrunk 2.07 percent as it entered its first reces- waters off Jersey. sion since 1999 during the Asian financial crisis. But this list was accompanied by new Millions of Indonesians have been laid off or fur- demands which France’s fisheries ministry has loughed as the country struggled under the weight JAKARTA: People shop for clothes at street stalls in the Indonesian capital on Tuesday. —AFP said were not arranged or discussed with Paris, of the pandemic and in April the central bank effectively create new zoning rules for the revised down its growth outlook for this year to 4.1- waters near Jersey. Nadhim Zahawi, a UK gov- 5.1 percent, from a previous estimate of 4.8-5.3 per- which forced the government to impose wide-rang- slow vaccine rollout will hamper economic recovery ernment minister, said: The two sides needed cent. COVID-19 infections have topped 1.6 million ing, economically-painful containment restrictions. efforts. “Indonesia’s economy struggled to gain any to work “constructively” on “operational chal- with more than 46,000 deaths, putting Indonesia And while it has kicked off its vaccination drive, just momentum in the first quarter of the year and a fail- lenges that we need to fix together”. “This is among the worst-hit Asian countries. over 20 million of the country’s 270 million people ure to contain the virus will hold back the recovery an issue for the (European) Commission to The government has unveiled more than $48 bil- have so far received their first jab. in the quarters ahead,” Gareth Leather, Senior Asia work with our team,” he told Sky News. —AFP lion in stimulus to help offset the impact of the virus, Analysts warned government restrictions and the Economist from Capital Economics said. —AFP

United States, some eight sites have suspended some increasingly sounding the warning that government spending will Stellantis says assembly lines or introduced short-time work in the face of US rates may have cause an inflationary spiral. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and others shortages, chief financial officer, Richard Palmer, told a news have tried to tamp down those concerns, saying price increases in conference. Nevertheless, the company posted “strong” the short term are due to the rebound from the unprecedented output hit by revenues in the January-March period, Palmer insisted. to rise if economy impact of Covid-19, as well as temporary supply issues as econom- ic activity resumes. Forecasts unchanged chip shortages “With the diverse brand portfolio driving increased heats up: Yellen ‘Back on track’ volumes, positive pricing and improved product mix,” Yellen, who was Powell’s predecessor as Fed chair, agreed price PARIS: A global semiconductor shortage hit production group revenues rose by 14 percent to €37 billion ($44 WASHINGTON: US interest rates may have to increase “some- spikes will be temporary. “I don’t think there’s going to be an infla- at US-European auto giant Stellantis in the first quarter billion) and overall shipments were up 11 percent at 1.6 what” to keep a lid on inflation if President Joe Biden’s latest spend- tionary problem but if there is, the Fed can be counted on to but the owner of 14 brands including Peugeot, Fiat and million units, the carmaker said. Stellantis said it was ing proposals are enacted and the economy heats up, Treasury address them,” she said during a conference hosted by The Wall Chrysler still booked strong sales, the company said sticking to its forecasts for the whole of 2021, with its Secretary Janet Yellen said Tuesday. But after her comments set off Street Journal. She stressed that she “respects the independence of yesterday. The coronavirus pandemic sparked huge main markets of Europe, North America and South a mini-firestorm and sent stock prices tumbling, Yellen later clarified the Fed” and would not suggest a policy course. She was upbeat demand for computers and electronic devices as people America expected to grow by 10 percent, eight percent that she was not predicting nor suggesting the Federal Reserve about the outlook, predicting the US would return to full employ- were stuck at home, leading to a shortage in chips that and 20 percent, respectively. should raise rates. After winning approval for a $1.9 trillion pan- ment next year. “I think the economy’s going to get back on track.” are also essential in cars. In a bid to boost sales, Stellantis is expecting to demic rescue plan in March, Biden has made two more propos- In the effort to boost employment and growth in coming The shortages have affected automakers across the launch its Opel Mokka model in the coming months and als totaling nearly $4 trillion over a decade and partially paid for years, Biden has proposed the $2 trillion American Jobs Plan that globe, including Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, and begin production of its Jeep Wagoneer and Grand with tax increases on corporations and the wealthy. The goal is would pay for renovating roads and bridges while also funding Stellantis, which was created by the merger of Peugeot- Cherokee models. The carmaker is also to unveil its to revamp the US economy after the COVID-19 pandemic green technology, expanding broadband internet access and fix- Citroen and Fiat-Chrysler. Stellantis said in a statement strategy for the electrification of its brands at the begin- caused a severe downturn in 2020. “It may be that interest rates ing household water supplies. And his latest proposal is the $1.8 the “headwinds from the global semiconductor crisis” ning of July. The group has already started its transition will have to rise somewhat to make sure that our economy trillion American Families Plan, which would pour money into led to a shortfall in output of around 190,000 units in to more environmentally friendly cars with hydrid and doesn’t overheat,” Yellen said in a pre-recorded conversation childcare, early education and colleges and universities. In the first quarter. electric versions of some of its Peugeot models. with The Atlantic. However, she said “the additional spending is response to questions about the massive spending, Yellen said it The figure represents 11 percent of planned produc- But Stellantis said it might be able to bring its carbon relatively small relative to the size of the economy” and is over a is important that government “deficits stay small and manage- tion for the period from January to March at a car man- emissions down within European limits as early as this larger time frame than the pandemic rescue spending, which able,” which is why the White House has proposed some tax ufacturer whose diverse brands include Jeep, Maserati year. In an interview in the daily Le Point on Tuesday, focused on immediate needs of workers and families. hikes to pay for the investments, as well as tightening up on tax and Alfa Romeo. And while there was “limited visibility” chief executive Carlos Tavares said the group could thus Though Yellen acknowledged the higher growth “could cause collection by closing loopholes. “It’s really shocking and distress- with regard to the full-year impact of the microchip do without this year of the CO2 emissions credits that it some very modest increases in interest rates,” the United States ing to see estimates suggesting that the gap between what we’re shortage, Stellantis expected the second quarter to be bought from Tesla. Investors welcomed Stellantis’ first- needs the investments “to be competitive and to be productive”. collecting in taxes under our tax law, and what we should be col- lecting if everybody were paying the taxes that are due, amounts worse than the first. But Stellantis projects “some quarter results, with the group’s shares rising by nearly The Federal Reserve has pledged to keep interest rates near zero to over $7 trillion over a decade,” she said. “We’re trying to make improvement” in the second half. three percent on the stock exchange in Milan and by until employment recovers and inflation holds above its two-per- cent target level for some time, but economists and investors are meaningful steps to close that gap.” —AFP Out of Stellantis’ 44 factories in Brazil, France and the more than 2.5 percent in Paris. —AFP 10 Established 1961

Thursday, May 6, 2021 Business Tony Daher: Gulf Bank on the right path to becoming Bank of the Future

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held a virtual analyst conference call driven primarily by a significant decline in the cost of year. Gulf Bank continues to invest in its business as it to review and discuss the Bank’s financial performance funds that exceeded the decline in interest income. focuses on its digital transformation strategy going forward. during the first quarter of the year 2021 on Tuesday, May 3. Asset quality remained resilient, as Gulf Bank’s non- Challinor also pointed out that credit costs have mar- 4, 2021. The conference call was attended by Tony Daher, performing loan ratio in the first quarter of 2021 stood at ginally increased from KD 7.3 million during the first Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Bank, and David Challinor, 1.5 percent, with no change from last year’s ratio. In addi- quarter of 2020 to KD 8.3 million during the first quarter Chief Financial Officer of Gulf Bank. The discussion was tion, the Bank has ample provisions with a coverage ratio of 2021. Gulf Bank also managed to reduce its credit costs moderated by Dalal Al-Dousari, Head of Investor of 419 percent. significantly each successive quarter, with credit costs Relations at Gulf Bank. 4. Relaxed capital regulatory minimums that were declining from a peak of KD 21 million in Q2 2020, to KD Tony Daher commenced the virtual analyst call with introduced in 2020 remain in place, allowing the Bank 16.6 million in Q3 2020, to KD 14 million in Q4-2020, and key updates regarding Gulf Bank’s operating environment additional buffers over the minimums. Gulf Bank’s Tier 1 finally to the current level of KD 8.3 million in Q1 2021. during the first quarter of the year 2021. Daher comment- ratio has a buffer of 485 basis points (14.3 percent vs. 9.5 ed, “We started the year with a new surge in COVID-19 percent) and its capital adequacy ratio (CAR) has a buffer A Strong Financial Position cases and, unfortunately, daily fatalities. This has led of 621 basis points (17.7 percent vs. 11.5 percent). With Challinor also presented Gulf Bank’s balance sheet, Tony Daher Dalal Al-Dousari healthcare officials and the government to increase pre- these comfortable buffers in place, Gulf Bank has indicating how individual line items have moved from the cautionary measures to control the situation from further obtained the Central Bank of Kuwait’s approval to exer- 31st of March 2020 to the 31st of March 2021. Challinor deterioration. cise the call option for the redemption of the KD 100 mil- also presented the Bank’s mix of assets and highlighted its “A partial curfew and further restrictions on businesses lion subordinated tier 2 bonds that mature by the end of changes over the last 12 months. 31 March 2021, moving from 17 percent a year ago. Stage were imposed, in addition to the closure of Kuwait Airport May, as well as the issuance of new tier 2 compliant bonds He said: “Over the course of the last 12 months, Gulf 2 is in a declining trend, moving from 51 percent a year to foreign travelers since February. Despite the continu- at a maximum of KD 50 million. The Bank has also recent- Bank’s total assets shrank by KD 161 million or 3 percent ago to 40 percent in the most recent quarter, and Stage 3 ous challenges that we are still facing as a result of the ly obtained the Capital Markets Authority’s approval for to KD 6.3 billion compared to KD 6.4 billion the year reached 40 percent, moving from 33 percent a year ago. pandemic, Gulf Bank started the year 2021 positively, with the issuance of these bonds with an objective to support before. This was largely driven by a KD 77 million or 5 Challinor also highlighted that, as of 31 March 2021, an increase of 39 percent in our first quarter’s net profit the Bank’s capital adequacy ratios as per CBK Basel III percent decline in Liquid Assets, and a KD 57 million or 1 the IFRS 9 ECL coverage for gross loans and contingent compared to the same period last year. We managed to regulations. percent decline in Net Loans. However, on a year-to-date liabilities and commitments was: 0.6 percent for Stage 1, grow our business in both the corporate and consumer 5. Gulf Bank maintained its ‘A’ ratings from the four basis, Net Loans grew by KD 103 million or 2 percent and 19.5 percent for Stage 2, and 85 percent for Stage 3. segments, and the quality of our portfolio continues to be major credit rating agencies, noting its ratings as of today: total assets grew by KD 159 million or 3 percent, reflect- Overall coverage, however, is much higher since the Bank resilient as our credit cost remains low.” a. Moody’s Investors Service maintained the Long- ing a pick-up in overall economic activity. In terms of the has provisions of KD 96 million over the IFRS 9 ECL Term Deposits Rating of “A3” with a “Stable” outlook. major components of total assets, the mix is essentially requirement of KD 197 million. A New Strategy b. Fitch Ratings affirmed the Bank Long-term Issuer unchanged from a year ago.” Challinor said, “Gulf Bank’s regulatory capital ratios Daher also announced Gulf Bank’s new five-year strat- Default Rating of “A+” with a “Negative” outlook. As for Gulf Bank’s funding, Challinor indicated that remain well above both our current minimums and our egy, which will focus on: c. S&P Global Ratings maintained the Bank Issuer nearly all of Gulf Bank’s funding comes from Due to pre-Covid-19 minimums. Our Tier 1 ratio reached 14.3 l Promoting growth in the corporate banking segment Credit Rating at “A-” with a “Negative” outlook. Banks, Deposits from Financial Institutions, and Customer percent, 485 basis points above our current regulatory by increasing product offerings and focusing on small and d. Capital Intelligence maintained Gulf Bank’s Long- Deposits. As a result of growing its customer deposits and minimum of 9.5 percent, and 235 basis points above our medium-sized enterprises; term Foreign Currency Rating of “A+” with a “Stable” attracting more short-term bank funding, Gulf Bank was pre-Covid-19 regulatory minimum of 12 percent. Our l Increasing the Bank’s market share in the retail bank- outlook. able to reduce the deposit mix coming from financial Capital Adequacy Ratio of 17.7 percent was 621 basis ing sector, and targeting youth and affluent client seg- Daher also noted that although the Bank continues to institutions. The Bank’s non-performing loan ratio also points above our current regulatory minimum of 11.5 per- ments; and operate in challenging times, it has also built a solid foun- increased from 1.1 percent at the end of December 2020 cent and 371 basis points above our pre-Covid-19 regula- l Developing the Bank’s digital banking platforms to dation to continue tackling new challenges while support- to 1.5 percent at the end of March 2021, and its coverage tory minimums of 14 percent.” increase competitiveness in the banking industry. ing the growth requirements of its customers. ratio exceeded 400 percent to reach 419 percent at the He continued: “Our risk weighted assets fell by nearly end of March 2021. 4 percent mainly due to the reduction in gross customer Digital Transformation Increasing Profitability loans driven by the corporate book and the sale of Daher also indicated that Gulf Bank is digitally trans- Gulf Bank’s CFO, David Challinor, discussed Gulf Prudent Financial Management approximately KD 106.8 million of our treasury shares forming most of its major activities in a way that increases Bank’s Q1 results of 2021 in more detail, noting that inter- Challinor also indicated that as of 31 March 2021, Gulf since March 2020 which has contributed favorably to efficiency, enhances the Bank’s performance, and est income is down KD 12.8 million, or 22 percent, mainly Bank’s total provisions reached KD 293 million with IFRS both capital ratios. On the bottom right, our leverage ratio strengthens its corporate governance. The Bank antici- due to a re-pricing of assets and booking new loans at 9 ECL requirements at KD 197 million, allowing the Bank as of 31 March 2021 reached 9.4 percent, which was high- pates that its diligent technological enhancements will lower rates after the Central Bank of Kuwait lowered its KD 96 million in excess provisions, representing 33 per- er than the 8.6 percent ratio for the same period last year, facilitate daily operations for both its customers and the discount rate by 125 basis points in March 2020. cent of total provisions. and well above the 3 percent regulatory minimum.” Bank and is continuously enhancing security levels to ele- Challinor highlighted that liquidity conditions As of 31 March 2021, Gulf Bank’s total provisions of Regarding the Bank’s key liquidity ratios, average daily vate Gulf Bank’s customer protection and increase com- remained favorable, with fixed deposits continuing to re- KD 293 million are divided into two sections: ‘provisions Liquidity Coverage Ratio reached 278 percent as of petitiveness among leading banks. price at lower rates. As a result, interest expenses contin- on cash facilities’ which reached KD 276 million, and ‘pro- March 31, 2021, and Net Stable Funding Ratio also ued to decline on a quarterly basis starting during the first visions on non-cash facilities’ which reached KD 17 mil- reached 110 percent for the same period. It is also worth Solid Financial Performance quarter of 2020. The interest expense declined by KD lion and are included in ‘other liabilities’ on Gulf Bank’s noting that both ratios are still well above their respective Daher summarized Gulf Bank’s first-quarter results for 16.5 million (or 57 percent) from an initial KD 29.1 million balance sheet. new minimums of 80 percent and pre-Covid-19 mini- 2021 with five key messages: during the first quarter of 2020 to KD 12.6 million during In addition, Gulf Bank’s loan stages are fairly stable mums of 100 percent. 1. Net profit grew by 39 percent during the first quar- the first quarter of 2021. with Stage 1 loans moving from 90.6 percent as of 31 Commenting on the Bank’s credit ratings, Challinor ter of 2021 and reached KD 12 million, in comparison to Operating income grew by 8 percent to KD 41.5 million March 2020 to 92.5 percent for 31 March 2021, while said: “Gulf Bank maintained its ‘A’ ratings from the four KD 8.6 million reported during the first quarter of 2020. compared to KD 38.3 million during the first quarter of Stage 2 loans moved from 7.9 percent to 5.9 percent and major credit rating agencies. However, three of the out- 2. Reported operating income reached KD 41.5 million 2020 as a result of the decline in interest expense, which Stage 3 remained the same at 1.6 percent for both periods. looks have changed in comparison to the last 12 months, during the first quarter of 2021, growing by 8 percent outpaced the decline in interest income. Operating expens- As for Gulf Bank’s IFRS 9 ECL Stages composition, primarily due to sovereign ratings and outlook down- compared to the first quarter of 2020. This growth was es have increased by KD 1.7 million or 9 percent year on Challinor indicated that Stage 1 reached 21 percent as of grades rather than bank-specific creditworthiness.”

recovery difficult, if not impossible.” Ransomware recovery l More than half (54 percent) of respondents believe cyberattacks are now too advanced for their IT team to han- dle on their own. cost reaches nearly $2m, l Extortion without encryption is on the rise. A small, but NBK assigns Surra important 7 percent said that their data was not encrypted, more than doubling but they were held to ransom anyway, possibly because the branch to provide attackers had managed to steal their information. In 2020, this KUWAIT: Sophos, a global leader in next-generation cyber- figure was 3 percent. security, yesterday announced the findings of its global sur- “Recovering from a ransomware attack can take years and int’l banking services vey, “The State of Ransomware 2021”, which reveals that the is about so much more than just decrypting and restoring data,” said Wisniewski. “Whole systems need to be rebuilt KUWAIT: As part of its efforts to offer cus- average total cost of recovery from a ransomware attack has more than doubled in a year, increasing from $761,106 in from the ground up and then there is the operational down- tomers utmost convenience and allow them time and customer impact to consider, and much more. make their international banking transactions 2020 to $1.85 million in 2021. The average ransom paid is Mezzan introduces $170,404. The global findings also show that only 8 percent Further, the definition of what constitutes a ‘ransomware’ from Kuwait quickly and easily, National Bank of organizations managed to get back all of their data after attack is evolving. For a small, but significant minority of of Kuwait (NBK) announced assigning its paying a ransom, with 29 percent getting back no more than respondents, the attacks involved payment demands without ready-to-eat chicken Surra Branch as a new location to provide half of their data. data encryption. international banking services, in addition to The survey polled 5,400 IT decision makers in mid-sized “This could be because they had anti-ransomware tech- breast by Khazan Ras Al-Salmiya Branch. The new location will organizations in 30 countries across Europe, the Americas, nologies in place to block the encryption stage or because the allow NBK Customers to avail a comprehen- Asia-Pacific and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. attackers simply chose not to encrypt the data. It is likely that KUWAIT: Mezzan Holding KSC, one of the largest manufactur- sive range of innovative cross-border banking While the number of organizations that experienced a ran- the attackers were demanding payment in return for not leak- ers and distributors of food, beverage, FMCG, and healthcare products and services provided by the bank’s somware attack fell from 51 percent of respondents surveyed ing stolen information online. A recent example of this products in the Gulf, announced the launch of its latest gourmet international banking branches. in 2020 to 37 percent in 2021, fewer organizations suffered approach involved the Clop ransomware gang and a known product line by Khazan across three key Gulf markets - Kuwait, Through international branches locations, data encryption as the result of a significant attack (54 per- financially-motivated threat actor hitting around a dozen Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The new product line features a NBK Customers will have access to the real cent in 2021 compared to 73 percent in 2020), the new survey alleged victims with extortion-only attacks. gourmet, ready-to-eat, marinated and sliced chicken breast that estate services provided by the bank in results reveal worrying upward trends, particularly in terms of “In short, it is more important than ever to protect against is free of allergens, phosphates, MSG, and nitrites. London and France, including real estate and the impact of a ransomware attack. adversaries at the door, before they get a chance to take hold The ready-to-eat halal product is available in five savory fla- loans up to 65 percent of the property value. “The apparent decline in the number of organizations and unfold their increasingly multi-faceted attacks. vors: Barbecue, Green Mabooch, Tawook, Tikka, and Flame They will also have access to the various real being hit by ransomware is good news, but it is tempered by Fortunately, if organizations are attacked, they don’t have to Grilled. The product range is now available at supermarkets, and other food retailers in Kuwait. The product will be available soon estate services provided by NBK in UAE at the fact that this is likely to reflect, at least in part, changes in face this challenge alone. Support is available 24/7 in the form of external security operations centers, human-led threat in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. competitive prices and flexible terms, including attacker behaviors,” said Chester Wisniewski, principal hunting and incident response services.” Khazan’s fully-cooked chicken product represents a new loans up to 60 percent of the value of the research scientist, Sophos. “We’ve seen attackers move from larger scale, generic, automated attacks to more targeted Sophos recommends the following six best practices to chilled food segment in the Gulf market. Mezzan conceptualized property. help defend against ransomware and related cyberattacks: the product after tracking consumer trends, interests, and All NBK Customers can enjoy top-notch attacks that include human hands-on-keyboard hacking. While the overall number of attacks is lower as a result, our 1. Assume you will be hit. Ransomware remains highly behaviours in the last year which showed an increase in con- banking services in Egypt, including opening experience shows that the potential for damage from these prevalent. No sector, country or organization size is immune sumer demand for marinated poultry products and consumers an account with NBK - Egypt from Kuwait, in more advanced and complex targeted attacks is much high- from the risk. It’s better to be prepared, but not hit, rather than wanting to make healthier choices. This resulted in the develop- addition to access to many products, including er. Such attacks are also harder to recover from, and we see the other way round. ment of the new product category that provides consumers with certificates of deposit and money transfers. this reflected in the survey in the doubling of overall remedi- 2. Make backups and keep a copy offline. Backups are the a clean protein source free of allergens, phosphates, MSG, and The NBK international branches offices that ation costs.” main method organizations surveyed used to recover their nitrites that don’t require thawing and can easily be consumed are located at key regional and global capitals data after an attack. Opt for the industry standard approach and refrigerated for up to three months. provide customers with a wide range of serv- The main findings of the State of of 3:2:1 (three sets of backups, using two different media, one Mezzan Commercial Director for Food & Beverages, ices. Moreover, the bank has dedicated Ransomware 2021 global survey include: of which is kept offline). Lindsay Wakefield said: “At Mezzan, we constantly pay atten- employees to cater to customers’ needs in the l The average cost of remediating a ransomware attack 3. Deploy layered protection. As more ransomware attacks tion to consumer interests and trends that align with our prod- best way, including real estate financing serv- more than doubled in the last 12 months. Remediation costs, also involve extortion, it is more important than ever to keep uct portfolio. After reviewing numerous studies about the suc- ices from Kuwait. including business downtime, lost orders, operational costs, adversaries out in the first place. Use layered protection to cess of the chilled food segment during the pandemic, particu- NBK employs its international branch net- and more, grew from an average of $761,106 in 2020 to $1.85 block attackers at as many points as possible across an estate. larly poultry products, and the increasing trend among con- work, covering key business capitals to pro- million in 2021. This means that the average cost of recovering 4. Combine human experts and anti-ransomware technol- sumers seeking premium products that are accessible and vide high-quality products and services that from a ransomware attack is now 10 times the size of the ran- ogy. The key to stopping ransomware is defense in depth that good for your health, we wanted to introduce a product line help its customers manage their lives and busi- som payment, on average. combines dedicated anti-ransomware technology and that would suit the current and changing needs of the market. We are happy to announce the launch of Khazan’s first gour- nesses with utmost convenience and efficacy. l The average ransom paid was $170,404. While $3.2 mil- human-led threat hunting. Technology provides the scale and automation an organization needs, while human experts are met, ready-to-eat, marinated, chilled chicken product line. With In addition, NBK keeps its commitment to be lion was the highest payment out of those surveyed, the most common payment was $10,000. Ten organizations paid ran- best able to detect the tell-tale tactics, techniques and proce- no thawing required, the product is the perfect solution for always closer to its customers wherever they dures that indicate an attacker is attempting to get into the busy households who want a healthy alternative that is time- are. It also offers them a wide range of banking soms of $1 million or more. l environment. If you don’t have the skills in house, look at saving, practical, and safe.” services, investment and financing solutions Globally, the number of organizations that paid the ran- som increased from 26 percent in 2020 to 32 percent in 2021, enlisting the support of a specialist cybersecurity company - Mezzan Holding is a vertically integrated business with com- that give them access to key regional and although fewer than one in 10 (8 percent) managed to get Security Operation Centers (SOCs) are now realistic options mercial operations in manufacturing, distribution, retail, whole- global markets from Kuwait. back all of their data. In the Middle East, 28 percent of the for organizations of all sizes. sale, and contract services. The company’s manufacturing divi- It is worth mentioning that NBK stands out organizations hit by ransomware paid a ransom. 5. Don’t pay the ransom. Easy to say, but far less easy to sion produces chips and snacks, meats, bottled water, and in terms of its local and international network “The findings confirm the brutal truth that when it comes do when an organization has ground to a halt due to a ran- canned foods through production facilities in Kuwait, Qatar, and with over 150 branches spanning 4 continents to ransomware, it doesn’t pay to pay. Despite more organiza- somware attack. Independent of any ethical considerations, the UAE. Its subsidiaries currently manufacture and distribute and 15 countries worldwide. This includes tions opting to pay a ransom, only a tiny minority of those paying the ransom is an ineffective way to get data back. If over 34,000 SKUs for leading global brands in the Gulf region. branches, associates and subsidiaries in China, who paid got back all their data,” said Wisniewski. “This could you do decide to pay, bear in mind that the adversaries will Founded in 1961, Khazan is produced by Conserved Geneva, London, Paris, New York, and be in part because using decryption keys to recover informa- restore, on average, only two-thirds of your files. Foodstuff Distributing Company, which is recognized as one of Singapore alongside its regional presence in tion can be complicated. What’s more, there’s no guarantee of 6. Have a malware recovery plan. The best way to stop a the largest producers and distributors of premium, halal meat, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, success. For instance, as we saw recently with DearCry and cyberattack from turning into a full breach is to prepare in and poultry products in the Middle East. The brand maintains a Iraq, Turkey, and the UAE. Black Kingdom ransomware, attacks launched with low quali- advance. Organizations that fall victim to an attack often real- state-of-the-art processing facility that sets high standards for ty or hastily compiled code and techniques can make data ize they could have avoided significant financial loss and dis- Islamic dietary requirements, hygiene, and quality assurance ruption, if they had an incident response plan in place. processes with operational facilities in Kuwait and the UAE. 11

Thursday, May 6, 2021

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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.

To advertise on this Page Call: 24833199 ext:101,102 or Direct line: 24835616 / 24835617 or email: [email protected] 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Thursday, May 6, 2021

eghan Markle is to release a chil- dren’s book titled “The Bench” Minspired by her husband Prince Harry’s bond with their son Archie, the couple’s foundation announced Tuesday. The book, illustrated by Christian Robinson, is out on June 8 as Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, awaits the birth of her second child. “The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father’s Day, the month after Archie was born. That poem became this story,” Meghan said in In this file photo Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of a statement. Sussex (right) and Meghan, Duchess of She said the book aimed to capture “the Sussex(left) leave the Youth Employment warmth, joy, and comfort of the relationship Services Hub in Tembisa township, between fathers and sons from all walks of Johannesburg. — AFP life.” “My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the makeup, chy into a major crisis. as much as it does with mine,” she added. Meghan, a former actress, also told Archie will turn two today. Harry and Winfrey she was “naively” unprepared for Meghan, whose father is white and mother life as a royal and had contemplated sui- is Black, quit the British royal family and cide while pregnant with Archie. Harry moved to California last year. An explosive recently returned briefly to Britain for the television interview they gave to Oprah funeral of his grandfather, Queen Elizabeth Winfrey in March-in which they claimed an II’s husband Prince Philip. — AFP unnamed royal had asked how dark their baby’s skin would be-plunged the monar-

no knowledge of such a multiple birth having taken place in one of the country’s Mali woman hospitals. But Mali’s health ministry said in a statement that Cisse had given birth to five girls and four boys by Caesarean section. “The mother and babies are gives birth to doing well so far,” Mali’s Health Minister Fanta Siby told AFP, adding that she had been kept informed by the Malian doctor who accompanied Cisse to Morocco. nine babies They are due to return home in sev- eral weeks’ time, she added. Doctors had been concerned about Cisse’s Malian woman gave birth to nonu- health, according to local press reports, plets in Morocco on Tuesday and as well as her babies’ chances of sur- all nine babies are “doing well”, her A vival. Mali’s health ministry said in a government said, although Moroccan statement that ultrasound examinations authorities had yet to confirm what would conducted in both Mali and Morocco be an extremely rare case. Mali’s govern- had suggested that Cisse was carrying ment flew 25-year-old Halima Cisse, a seven babies. Siby offered her congrat- woman from the north of the poor West ulations to “the medical teams of Mali African state, to Morocco for better care and Morocco, whose professionalism is on March 30. She was initially believed to at the origin of the happy outcome of have been carrying septuplets. this pregnancy”. — AFP Cases of women successfully carrying septuplets to term are rare-and nonuplets even rarer. Moroccan health ministry spokesman Rachid Koudhari said he had

Strict limits oyota Dream Car Art Contest has Children from three age categories the country who worked so hard to suc- Under current legislation, Indigenous become an exciting platform for the (Under 8 years, 8 till 11 years and 12 till 15 cessfully run this contest in this current Indigenous tribes hunters are only allowed to use homemade Tchildren to dream high of their imagi- years) competed against one another, and pandemic situation.” guns-which they argue are dangerous and nations and express creative artistic skills total 18 winners are selected as Kuwait This year to encourage more regional have caused injuries-and hunt on festival to draw innovative and extra ordinary national winners to represent Toyota talents Toyota announced Dream Car Art hope Taiwan days with prior approval. Talum’s prosecu- automobiles which amaze many, at the DCAC Global Contest in Japan. Two emi- Contest Regional Award for Middle East tion wound its way to the Supreme Court, same time disrupt the concepts of normal nent juries selected winners based on and Central Africa. As a proud moment, which upheld his conviction and jail term. vehicles! It is astounding to visualize excit- Toyota guidelines - practicality of message from Kuwait three winners are selected court will protect But judges also made the unusual move of ing ideas by the children to get challenged to dream or design future mobility, unique- out of 30 artworks from the selected draw- asking the Constitutional Court to step in to inspire Toyota e-Palette and Lunar ness in artwork, and artistic quality. Online ings of Middle East and Central Africa by and assess whether current regulations Cruiser and many more future mobilities. award ceremony was hosted by Shibu more than 100 MECAD members at hunting traditions breach the rights of Indigenous communi- 14th Dream Car Art Contest was a dif- Mohamed, Manager CSR in presence of Tokyo, Dubai, and Bangalore and by top ties. A ruling by the same court in 2017 ferent experience for more than 800 chil- winners, parents, and invited members. management of Toyota Regional paved the way for Taiwan to become the dren from Kuwait to participate in this glob- Engineer Nehad Al-Haj Ali Group Distributors across MECAD. efore heading into Taiwan’s moun- first place in Asia to legalize gay marriage. al contest organized by Mohamed Naser Manager Corporate Excellence, congratu- Al-Sayer promote Toyota DCAC plat- tains with his homemade rifle, Activists hope a ruling in their favor Al-Sayer and Sons Est Co W.L.L and Al- lated winners, and appreciated every par- form to build the confidence of the prom- BIndigenous hunter Tama Talum often could begin to redress some of the legal Sayer Holding Corporate Excellence ticipant who showed extra ordinary skills ising talents and future leaders in the chants prayers and makes offerings of rice and social restrictions placed on Indigenous Department. Amidst critical COVID-19 by sharing their joy and creative artistic creative world, to encourage them to wine and betel nut to the spirits. Talum, 62, communities. The campaign has alarmed pandemic lock down and the closure of skills to imagine the future of mobility. learn new skills, be innovative and was one of the hundreds from his Bunun some animal rights activists and conserva- Kuwait educational institutes, Al-Sayer Their idea of new means of transportation express creativity, which cover relevant tribe taking part last week in Mala tionists. But Indigenous groups say a bal- engaged its showrooms, educational and is inspirational to enable and enjoy a life sustainability development goals as part Hodaigian, an annual festival that honors ance can be struck. “We hunt game to eat, teacher’s community, NGOs to involve as one sustainable community. We thank of our corporate sustainability and both hunters and wild game. But a shadow not to sell them to make money,” said maximum young talents to this competi- all participants, parents, teachers, responsibility objectives. hung over this year’s festivities because of Talum, who started hunting with his father tion to flare their mind and actions. schools, and likeminded partners across a landmark court ruling set for tomorrow. At aged 11.”It’s not like we go hunting every stake is both Talum’s freedom-and whether day or try to wipe out the animals.” the current hunting limitations placed on National Winners Rank Age Title of Artwork Taiwan’s Indigenous communities are dis- Austronesian cultures criminatory and unconstitutional. “For Taiwan’s 16 recognized Indigenous Aadithya Ravishankar Gold 7 Rescue car Indigenous people, hunting is about sur- tribes led a comparatively uninterrupted life Sayuni Weerasekara Gold 5 Princess of love car vival and it’s our culture,” he told AFP from for thousands of years before immigrants Leen Ramzi Alashram Silver 4 Garden carrier his bucolic home in Taiwan’s southern first began arriving from the Chinese main- Aneesh Siravanan Silver 7 Covid protection car Taitung county, where the retired tow truck land in the 17th century. They are an Habiba Ahmed Mohamed Bronze 6 Adventurous teddy bear car driver now grows vegetables and looks Austronesian people-their languages, cul- Saadat Hussain Bohra Bronze 7 Flying protection car after his 99-year-old mother. tures and traditions far more closely linked Ilham Irfan Surve Gold 9 Organic amusement on wheels Talum’s legal turmoil started eight to populations in Southeast Asia and the Sneha Avanigadda Gold 8 Corona free Toyota car years ago when he went to hunt food for Pacific than China. Much like the native Swajit Biswas Silver 8 Swoyota Xray Vector his mother, who he said was used to eat- populations in Australia and America, Maryam Shakeel Ahmed Silver 10 Pocket laser car ing wild game. He was arrested for killing Taiwan’s first people were decimated by Vithum Sandilu P.K Bronze 10 Environmentally friendly car a Reeves’s muntjac and a Formosan waves of immigration and have faced a Priyanka Pradeep Bronze 11 Agri car serow with a modified rifle, and charged long history of discrimination both under Natasha Maria Rogy Gold 13 My joyful space dream car with possessing an illegal weapon and Japanese colonial rule and later the Mridula Pallissery Ravindran Gold 13 My hands free radar controlled car hunting protected species. He was sen- Kuomintang dictatorship. Muhammed Khalid Dakhway Silver 13 Toyota falcon rescuer tenced to three and a half years in prison. They now make up only 2.5 percent of Huda M H. Ewaida Silver 15 Humanity car The prosecution sparked anger among Taiwan’s 23 million population and remain Ayaan Irfan Surve Bronze 12 ECO-FR Taiwan’s Indigenous communities, who marginalized, facing lower wages, higher Kareem Ahmed Said Bronze 14 Virus killer car have begun to push back at the modern rates of unemployment and poorer health legal restrictions that have chipped away indicators. Taiwan has morphed into one of at their traditions. As Dahu, a 42-year-old Asia’s most progressive democracies in Raffle draw winner of PlayStation5 hunter and friend of Talum’s, put it: “The recent decades and there is growing recogni- court should recognize hunting is our cul- tion that past wrongs must be righted.—AFP Saadat Hussain Bohra Flying protection car ture and it’s not a crime.” Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Thursday, May 6, 2021

Ghana Afropop musician, Stonebwoy, sings during a recording session at his stu- A man dances in an open-air night pub, famous for playing Afropop music mainly Ghana Afropop musician, Stonebwoy, poses for a portrait during a recording ses- dio in his house in Accra, Ghana. — AFP photos from Ghanaian and Nigerian artists. sion at his studio in his house in Accra, Ghana.

n Saturday night at the Purple Pub soared in popularity to secure a place as Ashanti people to Western instruments in Ghana’s capital Accra even the the most played song of all time on brought by the colonists. It was thanks to Opandemic and an official shutdown Spotify, surpassing one billion streams. Highlife that Ghana enjoyed its first suc- of bars and clubs can’t stop the music. In cess on the international music scene. “By the bustling Osu district, early revelers Nigeria’s shadow the 1970s, big Highlife groups like Osibisa laze on plastic chairs emptying local drinks Now, alongside Nigerian stars with mil- were already filling entire stadiums,” as speakers cranked to full volume drown lions of social media followers-Wizkid, recalls Ghanaian-Romanian musician out their voices. After midnight, the chairs Burna Boy, Davido-Ghanian musicians are Wanlov the Kubolor, avant-garde cultural empty, whether it is Sarkodie or emerging to take their turn. Gyakie and icon and author of an offbeat album called Stonebwoy, the kings of Ghanaian Joey B boast hundreds of thousands of ‘Afrobeats LOL’. Afrobeats soon have the whole street Instagram followers while KiDi has 1.6 mil- “But the recent popularity of Afrobeats swinging. lion, Sarkodie 4.4 million and Shatta Wale is of a different nature.” Thanks to the In a music scene long ruled by giant 3.2 million. Shatta Wale’s “Already” featur- internet, young Ghanaian artists can neighbor Nigeria, Afrobeats from Ghana ing Beyonce and Major Lazer was one of achieve viral success very quickly, he said. are now finding favour not only in Accra’s the hits of the summer of 2020, securing But Ghana’s scene now faces another clubs but in a thriving international market Ghana a place among the countries which challenge: the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond West Africa. “Not only is Afrobeats now count on Africa’s pop scene. the strict health restrictions put in place by hyper-popular here in Ghana, it’s now Jefferson Seneadza, co-founder of the the government since March 2020 that gaining real recognition on the internation- Ghanaian music streaming platform have been a blow to the music sector al stage,” says Stonebwoy in his Accra Aftown, which aims to promote African across the world. The cancellations of fes- recording studio, which is lined with inter- music, has noted “a massive interest in tivals and concerts, which represent the national accolades. “We are seeing Ghanaian music”. “Our music industry is A member of a Ghanaian production company checks the camera before starting filming a music bulk of income for African artists, have fur- Afrobeats festivals appear in Europe, I am finally being taken seriously,” he says, say- video in Accra, Ghana. ther weakened a sector where funding happy to see West African music go so far. ing the country can now take its talents to was already fragile. “All eyes are on Africa I even have hardened fans in India and the international stage. Stonebwoy’s latest Donnett, public relations manager of Sony right now, and we, the young Ghanaian Bangladesh,” says the singer who counts album, for example, has been listened to Music West Africa. “But it’s healthy compe- The Highlife creators, feel that it is the right time to 3.6 million Instagram followers. over a million times in a week on the plat- tition.” Musicians attribute this success to The result: contagious rhythms which, emerge,” says young talent Sofie on the Afrobeats takes its name from the form. “And a lot of those tapping came the mixture of genres. “My music is Afro- served by a powerful voice, form irre- sidelines of a shoot for a new video in a Afrobeat musical genre of the 1970s pop- from abroad,” Seneadza said. Young dancehall influenced by Caribbean music,” sistibly catchy pieces. But the Ghanaian private villa in Accra. “What we lack now is ularised by the music icon Fela Kuti and singer Gyakie signed a contract with US says Stonebwoy, a bright red cap resting Afrobeats stand out from their Nigerian big a real industry, structured and funded with which exploded in Nigeria. Western audi- giant Sony Music earlier this year, shortly on his braided hair. “I borrow from sister in one particular way: the legacy of the help of the state.”— AFP ences were discovering the Afrobeats after a delegation from the label travelled Jamaican dancehall, reggae, and cook it “Highlife”. The genre appeared in colo- scene in 2016 thanks to the hit “One to Ghana to scout the local market. all in the big pot of African music, adding nized Ghana, then called Cote-de-l’Or, at Dance”, featuring Canadian superstar “In Afrobeats, Ghana is now in a posi- the rhythms and melodies unique to the the beginning of the 19th century, by Drake and Nigerian Wizkid. The tune tion to compete with Nigeria,” said Jim continent.” adapting the traditional rhythms of the

im Kardashian found herself caught up in an unlikely international art Ksmuggling row Tuesday involving an ancient Roman sculpture that was imported to California under her name. US prosecutors last week called for the statue fragment-which was seized at a Los Angeles port in 2016 — to be forfeit- ed and returned to Italy, citing an Italian archaeologist who found it saying the piece had been “looted, smuggled and illegally exported.” Court documents said Handout picture released by the Venezuelan Presidency press office showing Venezuelan President the consignee and importer name was Nicolas Maduro (right) shaking hands with US actor Steven Seagal during a meeting at the listed as “‘Kim Kardashian dba Noel Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas.—AFP photos Roberts Trust’ in Woodland Hills, In this file photo festivalgoers attend the 2019 Governors Ball Festival at Randall’s Island on June California” and referred to an invoice “for ingly but appeared to warn Maduro when 1, 2019 in New York City. — AFP photos the sale of the defendant statue by the leader put his fingers close to the Action star Steven blade. for which many attendees had to take a Vervoordt to Noel Robert Trust, dated In the decades since the height of his ferry. According to a video rendering of March 11, 2016.” Hollywood fame, Seagal has been a the site’s layout, the stages will be set up Seagal gifts sword Billie Eilish to vocal supporter of Putin and once in parking lots carpeted with astroturf, not dropped in on Philippine leader Rodrigo inside the baseball stadium. Organizers Duterte as the southeast Asian nation did not offer any details on whether they to Venezuela’s battled Islamic State group extremists. headline 2021 will require proof of vaccination or a neg- Russia granted Seagal citizenship in ative coronavirus test, but said they 2016, which included Putin personally would “follow all state and federal guide- Maduro handing over a passport to the actor in a lines mandated at the time of the event.” Governors Ball televised meeting. Maduro, whose 2018 “As more New Yorkers become vaccinat- ollywood action star Steven reelection has been deemed fraudulent ed by the day, we’re proud to support arts Seagal, known for dropping in on by the White House, is subject to and culture and welcome back Governors illie Eilish, Post Malone and A$AP Htough guy leaders like Russia’s Western sanctions and labeled a dictator Ball and their fantastic lineup, including Rocky will headline New York’s Vladimir Putin, paid a visit to Venezuela’s over alleged voter fraud and other abus- New York City’s own Princess Nokia, In this file photo US media personality Kim B2021 Governors Ball festival, with leftist president Nicolas Maduro to give es. Opposition leader Juan Guaido A$AP Rocky, and King Princess,” Mayor Kardashian West arrives to attend the amfAR Megan Thee Stallion and J Balvin also him the gift of a samurai sword. The hero declared himself Venezuela’s leader in Bill de Blasio said in a statement. Gala in New York. — AFP slated to perform, organizers announced of 80s and 90s hits including “Hard to Kill” 2019, rooting his legitimacy in his role as The lineup announcement comes one Tuesday. The music festival normally held and “Under Siege” appeared in state-run speaker of the opposition-led National in late spring is set for September 24-26, day after Governor Andrew Cuomo The Noel Roberts Trust is an entity TV footage on Tuesday passing the Assembly. His claim has been recognized with organizers hopeful widespread vac- announced the easing of pandemic linked to real estate purchases and sales katana to Maduro, who then sliced the by more than 50 countries, including the cinations will allow for festival-scale live restrictions beginning May 19, with the made by Kardashian and her estranged blade through the air several times in an United States.— AFP performances. Organizers moved the return of 24-hour subway operations husband Kanye West in the United ornate office. Seagal, dressed all in black beginning May 17. Last year’s edition of and without a face mask, nodded approv- Governors Ball, which was to feature States. Axel Vervoordt is a Belgian art Missy Elliot, Tame Impala, Stevie Nicks, dealer who was responsible for the deco- Vampire Weekend and Solange was ration of Kardashian’s mansion near Los forced to cancel over the pandemic. The Angeles, according to the Artnet News spread of coronavirus dealt a devastating website. But a spokeswoman for blow to the live music industry, including Kardashian on Tuesday dismissed US to the festival circuit that is both a prime- media reports tying the reality star to the time platform for top artists as well as up statue, telling AFP they did not contain and coming performers, and an economic “accurate information.” The statue itself- boost to host regions. referred to as “Fragment of Myron California’s premier desert festival Samian Athena”-is thought to date to the early- to mid-Roman Empire, and depicts In this file photo US singer-songwriter Billie Coachella was scrapped after originally a person’s lower half. Eilish poses on the red carpet on arrival for the being postponed in 2020, as were Ultra The Italian archaeologist who studied BRIT Awards 2020 in London. and Lollapalooza. In recent months a number of festivals have announced their the statue declared it “of classical Peplophoros style... which represents a location of the three-day event-normally return, including the renowned folk and copy of an original Greek sculpture.” It was held on New York’s Randall’s Island-to jazz festivals held in Newport, Rhode seized at the Los Angeles port in May the Citi Field complex in Queens, which Island-both scheduled for late July-as 2016 as part of a larger 5.5-ton (5,000 kg) is the home stadium of the Mets baseball well as Tennessee’s Bonnaroo, slated for shipment worth $745,000, on suspicion it team and in recent months has served as September 2-5.—AFP could be “protected cultural property from a mass vaccination site. Italy” in violation of a law requiring proper The new location is more accessible documentation for importing rare archaeo- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (right) talking with US actor Steven Seagal during a meeting on public transport than Randall’s Island, logical items.—AFP at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas. 14 Established 1961 Sports Thursday, May 6, 2021 Villarreal stand in way of Arsenal vs Man Utd Europa League showdown

LONDON: Arsenal’s season appeared to be end- Arteta said that match was the perfect preparation ing with a whimper when they were reduced to 10 for the Villarreal game tonight. “Yes, because we men after falling 2-0 behind against Villarreal in had a strong and a very convincing performance,” last week’s first leg of their Europa League semi- he said. “We scored two goals, we kept a clean final. Instead, a precious away goal gave them sheet, won the points, and had some really strong hope they can finish an inconsistent campaign on individual performances too. “The only downside a high by setting up a showdown in the Polish city is the one with David (Luiz, who was injured dur- of Gdansk against Manchester United. ing the game) because we know how important he Arsenal are ninth in the Premier League table is to us. I think we lost him today.” and are unlikely to qualify for Europe next year Standing in Arsenal’s way is their former boss via that route but winning the Europa League and Europa League specialist Unai Emery, who would give them a ticket back to the Champions won the trophy three years in a row from 2014 League. Mikel Arteta’s side won the FA Cup last when he was in charge of Sevilla and also took season but have failed to build on that triumph Arsenal to the 2019 final. Villarreal, who have nev- and are on course for a fifth consecutive finish er reached the final of the Champions League or outside the top four in the English top flight. Europa League, have put together a promotional The Spanish manager spoke last month of his video ahead of the clash against Arsenal starring belief that Arsenal — Champions League regulars Pau Torres, with the message: “Let’s flip the under former boss Arsene Wenger — have a script... It’s our time.” “responsibility” to deliver European football for next season. Their hopes hung by a thread when United romp Dani Ceballos was sent off with just over half an While Arsenal and Villarreal fans face a nervy hour to go in Spain last week after goals from night, Manchester United are virtually assured of Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol had put the home a place in the final of a competition they won in side 2-0 up. 2017 after hammering Roma 6-2 in the first leg. VILA-REAL: Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz, But Nicolas Pepe stepped up to score from the United were in trouble when they were trailing 2-1 Villarreal’s Spanish forward Gerard Moreno and Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka hug after penalty spot to make the score 2-1 and give at Old Trafford last week but blitzed the Italians in the Europa League semi-final first leg football match between Villarreal and Arsenal at the Arsenal genuine hope they can reach a second the second half, with standout performances from Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on April 29, 2021. —AFP Europa League final in three years. Captain Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after the game that scoresheet for the first time since early March in the job was not yet done but he is on the brink tions after Sunday’s match against Liverpool was years would not magically ease the festering Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Newcastle on Sunday. of ending his semi-final hoodoo and reaching a postponed following a pitch invasion at Old tensions at the club but it would add gloss to a The 31-year-old has recovered after contracting final for the first time as United boss. The Trafford as part of a protest against United’s season in which they are likely to finish second malaria while on international duty with Gabon. Norwegian will hope there will be no distrac- owners, the Glazer family. A first trophy in four in the Premier League. —AFP

Mourinho’s imminent arrival with the same kind of City’s Pep Guardiola have News in brief No longer the special hyperbole that greeted his decision to join reaped the rewards of Tottenham in 2019. “When Jose became available, connecting with their Flick favorite as Germany’s coach one, Mourinho heads to we immediately jumped at the chance to speak with players on a personal lev- one of the greatest managers of all time,” Pinto said. el, the acerbic Mourinho BERLIN: Outgoing Bayern Munich trainer Hansi Flick Roma in search of revival Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was no less suffered 10 league is the hot favorite to become Germany’s next head gushing two years ago, but his praise ended up defeats in a single cam- coach after receiving the backing of Oliver Bierhoff, LONDON: For over a decade, hiring Jose Mourinho being laced with irony. “In Jose we have one of the paign for the first time who will ultimately decide Joachim Loew’s replace- was a guarantee of instant success, but the new most successful managers in football. We believe he this season. ment, in a podcast yesterday. Flick, Loew’s assistant Roma manager’s decline has been so steep that he will bring energy and belief to the dressing room,” Mourinho hopes a coach when Germany won the 2014 World Cup, has heads to Italy facing a last chance to salvage his Levy said just 17 months before sacking the return to Italy can revive told Bayern he wants to leave at the end of the season tarnished reputation. Portuguese coach. his career in the same despite winning seven titles in the last 18 months. Mourinho agreed a three-year contract with way he rejuvenated Inter Jose Mourinho Loew will step down after 15 years in charge of Roma on Tuesday and will replace their current Out of touch Milan from 2008 to 2010. Germany after the Euro 2020 finals and last week the boss Paulo Fonseca at the end of this season. The Mourinho’s ability to get into the minds of his He won the Italian title twice and was named FIFA’s German FA (DFB) said they want to speak to Flick 58-year-old was ranked among the world’s top players, cajoling them to reach new heights, was world coach of the year in 2010 after landing a about taking over. Flick was Loew’s assistant coach managers after winning the Champions League at unparalleled during his golden spells at Porto, Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia treble. with Germany from 2006 until 2014, when he then Porto and Inter Milan, while enjoying domestic glo- Chelsea and Inter Milan. But he has looked increas- However, Mourinho will inherit an ageing Roma became sports director of the German FA until ry with Chelsea and Real Madrid. ingly out of touch with a younger generation of team, whose flaws were laid bare in last week’s 6-2 January 2017. —AFP But Mourinho’s midas touch has faded in recent players less responsive to his tough love approach defeat at Manchester United in the Europa League years and his last three jobs all ended in the sack at and bored by his rigid tactics. semi-final first leg. Edin Dzeko, Pedro, Henrikh Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. He left Evidence of Mourinho’s steep decline was given Mkhitaryan and Chris Smalling are over 30 and Tottenham in April without winning a trophy during a high-definition gloss when Amazon’s All or Mourinho might struggle to lead Roma to Infantino urges restraint his reign for the first time since departing Uniao de Nothing documentary series went behind the Champions League qualification, let alone challenge Leiria in 2002. Once hailed as a serial winner, scenes in his first season at Tottenham. Dele Alli and champions Inter. LAUSANNE: FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he Mourinho finds himself reduced to working for seri- Danny Rose felt the lash of Mourinho’s tongue on Tottenham, with a new stadium and Harry Kane is not in favor of sanctions against the 12 clubs that al underachievers. Like Tottenham — last crowned camera, with Gareth Bale and Toby Alderweireld and Son Heung-min on the roster, were a far more tried to launch a European Super League. He said that English champions in 1961 — Roma, currently lan- publicly criticized by the manager this season. attractive proposition but Mourinho couldn’t end while sanctions should come “first and foremost” from guishing in seventh place in Serie A, fit that descrip- Boasting that his coaching methods were “sec- their trophy drought. Mourinho poked fun at himself national football bodies, followed by UEFA and finally tion perfectly. The Giallorossi won the last of their ond to nobody in the world” and saying “same in a recent TV advert when he admitted it “isn’t FIFA, he said “I always prefer dialogue to conflict, three Serie A titles in 2001 and their only European coach, different players” after one defeat, Mourinho easy being special”. But the self-appointed ‘special even in the most delicate situations”. He urged “listen- Cup final appearance ended in defeat against blamed everyone but himself as Tottenham slid one’ hasn’t lived up to that brash boast for some ing to everyone” to understand “how we have come to Liverpool 37 years ago. down the Premier League table. while and few expect his fortunes to change in this point”. Infantino said FIFA were working to There was a whiff of desperation about Roma While Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Manchester Rome. —AFP reform of the transfer market and planned to reintro- general manager Tiago Pinto as he hailed duce licenses for agents and wants to cap their com- missions. He also suggested “the introduction of salary ceilings, ceilings on transfer fees”, “a limit on the num- firmed that the final two Matchweeks of ber of players per club, as well as the obligation to Premier League the 2020/21 season will be limited to have a certain number of locally-trained players” and home fans, subject to the Government “minimum rest periods” between games. —AFP fans to return for easing lockdown restrictions in the United Kingdom,” the Premier League final two matchdays said in a statement yesterday. “Matchweek 37 will now be played on Hertha dismiss Lehmann LONDON: Fans will return to Premier League stadiums for the season’s final 18-19 May, with the final matches of the two rounds of fixtures later this month, season kicking off at 16:00 BST BERLIN: Former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper (1500GMT) on Sunday 23 May as Jens Lehmann has been dismissed from the super- subject to the UK government’s expect- ed easing of lockdown restrictions. planned.” visory board of Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin after No away fans will be allowed to ease inadvertently sending a WhatsApp message to for- Under the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, crowds of up 10,000 or 25 operational challenges, but the English mer Germany defender Dennis Aogo, whose father top-flight clubs are hopeful of a return is Nigerian. Aogo appeared as a pundit during the percent of capacity will be permitted from May 17. As a result, the Premier to full stadiums for the start of next sea- Champions League semi-finals for Sky on Tuesday son. “Fans have been greatly missed at and in the WhatsApp message sent to Aogo, League has altered its fixture schedule to ensure that each of the 20 teams gets Premier League matches and this marks Lehmann asked “Is Dennis actually your token a key step towards full stadiums, includ- black guy?” Aogo took a screen shot of the mes- the opportunity to host at least one home match with a crowd. ing away fans, from the start of the sage and posted to his 81,000 followers on 2021/22 season,” added the statement. WEST BROMWICH: A general view of the stadium before the English Instagram with the caption “WOW, are you seri- The UK has given more than 34 mil- Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and lion people a first vaccine dose with A series of test events have already ous? @jenslehmannofficial The message was prob- been held as supporters slowly return to Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich, central ably not meant for me!!!” Lehmann attempted to case numbers and hospitalizations from England on May 3, 2021. —AFP coronavirus falling. Bar a short-lived watching live sport in Britain. Leicester’s explain his comment. “In a private message from FA Cup semi-final win over my mobile phone to Dennis Aogo, an impression experiment with maximum crowds of Southampton hosted 4,000 fans at Leicester and Chelsea on May 15. final could rise to 50 percent capacity was created for which I apologized in conversation 4,000 in areas with low COVID-19 Wembley last month, while double that Wembley is also set to host eight at the 90,000 seater home of English with Dennis,” Lehmann wrote on his Twitter rates in December, the entire 2020/21 number saw Manchester City lift the matches at Euro 2020 with at least 25 football with a further easing of account. Lehmann did not say who his original English season has been played behind League Cup on April 24. A crowd of percent capacity. There is hope the restrictions expected across England message was intended for. —AFP closed doors. “The Premier League has today con- 21,000 will see the FA Cup final between crowd for the Euro semi-finals and on June 21. —AFP

Championship final against India. least 10 days, but he’s in pretty good spirits,” said Todd Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Moeen Ali and IPL’s foreign cricket The Indian Premier League, the world’s richest Greenberg, the Australian Cricketers’ Association chief Sam and Tom Curran are beginning a 10-day hotel Twenty20 cricket tournament, was suspended on executive. quarantine after arriving back in Britain, the England stars scramble to Tuesday after several cases popped up in the six-city Warner posted a drawing of his family made by one and Wales Cricket Board said. World Cup-winning tournament’s bio-secure “bubble”. It left Australian crick- of his daughters on Instagram, with a caption reading: captain Eoin Morgan, Dawid Malan and Chris Jordan eters in limbo, as they are banned from returning home “Please Daddy come home straight away. We miss you have yet to leave India but are expected back by the escape COVID-hit India until at least May 15 after Canberra shut its borders and a lot and love you.” It gathered almost 850,000 likes in end of the week. threatened anyone entering from India with jail time. The a few hours. India, which has reported more than 20 million infec- SYDNEY: Cricket authorities in Australia, New Zealand group is likely to be flown by charter flight back to tions so far, with more than 220,000 deaths, is due to and England rushed to evacuate top players from Australia once the ban has been lifted, with the help of the ‘People are dying’ host the Twenty20 World Cup from October. The cash- COVID-hit India yesterday, after the lucrative Indian Board of Control for Cricket in India. Two more cricketers were confirmed as testing posi- rich IPL attracts many of the world’s top cricketers, Premier League was abandoned following a number of “The BCCI is working through arrangements to repa- tive for coronavirus — Delhi Capitals leg-spinner Amit including players from Australia, England and South positive tests. triate all the players, the support staff, and umpires com- Mishra and Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper-batsman Africa. Cricket South Africa also said it was in contact Cricket Australia said plans were under way to fly mentators as quickly and safely as possible,” said Nick Wriddhiman Saha. New Zealand Cricket said it was try- with their players and support staff, working to bring 38 players and staff — including superstars Steve Hockley, Cricket Australia’s interim CEO. They are “work- ing to organise a charter to Britain for Test players Kane them home. Smith, David Warner and Pat Cummins — to the rela- ing to move the entire cohort out of India... the BCCI has Williamson, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell The IPL started in early April, with the decision to go tive safety of the Maldives or Sri Lanka in the next been working on a range of options. That’s now narrowed Santner, as well as three players signed to English coun- ahead in the face of a deepening health crisis prompting “two to three days”. down to the Maldives and Sri Lanka”. ty sides. criticism from some, while others defended it as a wel- Eight of England’s 11 players arrived back in The group departing India will not include 79-Test Britain is currently only allowing its own citizens to come distraction. “It has been unedifying at times watch- London, and New Zealand Cricket said it was arrang- veteran Michael Hussey, the Chennai Super Kings batting travel home from India but a New Zealand Cricket ing this tournament when people are dying just up the ing for its Test players to fly to Britain ahead of their coach, who has tested positive and will remain in isola- spokesman said “we’re confident of getting border road,” former England captain Nasser Hussain wrote in series there and next month’s World Test tion. “He’s in for a stint of isolation in his hotel room for at exemptions”. England’s Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, the Daily Mail. —AFP Established 1961 15 Sports Thursday, May 6, 2021 Mahrez double takes Man City into first Champions League final

MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola said Manchester remarkable.” Mahrez’s goal also decided the first leg inate a team like Manchester City.” However, the City’s first ever Champions League final had been five and the Algerian, who grew up in the Parisian suburbs, Argentine, who had to come onto the pitch to calm his years in the making after Riyad Mahrez’s double saw haunted his home town team again with two clinical players after Di Maria saw red, admitted his side’s off Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 on Tuesday to seal a 4-1 finishes early in each half. The final in Istanbul on May indiscipline had cost them. Idrissa Gueye was also sent semi-final aggregate win. 29 is the culmination of City’s rise since an Abu Dhabi off late in the first leg for a shocking challenge on Ilkay Gundogan. “Over the 180 minutes, for 40 or 45 minutes we played with 10 men,” added Pochettino. “That’s a massive advantage.” The French champions thought they had an early penalty to get back in the tie when Oleksandr Zinchenko was penalised for handball. However, Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers rightly reversed his initial deci- sion on seeing a replay of the ball bouncing off the Ukrainian’s shoulder. Zinchenko was heavily involved again when the opening goal arrived at the other end. He raced onto City goalkeeper Ederson’s thunderous long pass into the PSG area. Zinchenko’s cut-back found Kevin De Bruyne and after the Belgian’s shot was blocked, MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Mahrez pounced to slot home on his weaker right foot. Guardiola watches his players from the touchline during the The tie was still far from over as PSG penned City back UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football and should have been at least level on the night before match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain half-time. (PSG) at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west Marquinhos has made a habit of scoring big England, on Tuesday. — AFP Champions League goals and the Brazilian was inches away from another when his looping header came back off the crossbar. Ederson then nearly undid his good City’s Guardiola work as Di Maria intercepted his hurried throw to Bernardo Silva and flashed a shot inches wide with the Brazilian ‘keeper stranded outside his goal. exorcises Champions

MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (center) scores the opening goal during the UEFA Neymar nullified League demons Champions League second leg semi-final football match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Pochettino will wonder what could have been had the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on Tuesday. — AFP Mbappe been fit with his replacement Icardi ineffec- tive. Neymar only ever showed flashes of his brilliance MANCHESTER: After a decade of disappointment, with City’s impressive defense led by Ruben Dias able Pep Guardiola is back in a Champions League final and City will look to set the seal on a third Premier takeover in 2008 transformed the club’s fortunes. to focus on stopping the Brazilian without Mbappe to just one game away from delivering on his task to League title in the past four seasons in the coming days Meanwhile, four years on from making Neymar and worry about. Guardiola’s men have always shown make Manchester City champions of Europe for the as they remain on course for a treble, having already Kylian Mbappe the world’s two most expensive players, enough quality going forward and a clinical counter- first time. In the coming days, they will seal a fifth lifted the League Cup. But their previous four PSG’s wait for a first Champions League title goes on. attack killed off the tie on 63 minutes. De Bruyne Premier League title in the past 10 years. Champions League campaigns under Guardiola ended Mbappe could only watch on from the stands due to a freed Phil Foden down the left and his inch-perfect Once dubbed the “noisy neighbors” by legendary in anguish before the semi-final stage. calf injury as, just like in last week’s first leg, his side cross was blasted high past Keylor Navas by Mahrez. former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, Guardiola has won the competition twice before as imploded after an excellent first-half performance. In a repeat of the first leg, PSG’s discipline went with City are now not just the dominant force in a coach during his time at Barcelona. However, the The visitors were left to rue huge missed chances by their hopes of reaching the final. Manchester but also in English football. By the end of Catalan has also endured a decade of disappointment Marquinhos and Angel Di Maria in between Mahrez’s Di Maria needlessly stamped on Fernandinho to be the month, the mix of Emirati wealth and Guardiola’s in Europe’s premier club competition since. “It is for all strikes before Di Maria lashed out at Fernandinho to shown a straight red card before Marco Verratti was coaching may have also conquered Europe. of us and the club. I’m incredibly proud,” said leave PSG down to 10 men for the final 20 minutes. lucky to escape seeing a second yellow. “They lost “Of course we invest a lot of money since Sheikh Guardiola. “Getting to the final now makes sense of “We started really well, creating chances and dominat- their nerve and started to kick us,” said Mahrez, rub- Mansour took over, but it is not just this,” said what we have done in the past four or five years. Every ing Manchester City,” said PSG coach Mauricio bing salt in PSG wounds. “After the red card it was Guardiola. “It is a lot of incredible things behind the day these guys have been consistent and this is Pochettino. “That’s not easy. Not many teams can dom- good for us.” — AFP scenes. “Reaching the final of the Champions League, helps us realize in the bigger picture what we have done in the last four years. What we have done these ‘Lost their nerve’ New deals? four years is incredible.” PSG regret Mbappe They ended up losing their nerve at the Etihad The question now, as always, is what happens Stadium, with Di Maria seeing red for stamping on next. Leonardo still needs to add quality to support ‘Remarkable’ consistency absence, loss of Fernandinho’s foot before Marco Verratti, Presnel Mbappe and Neymar, particularly at full-back. He Since a difficult first year in England, Guardiola has Kimpembe and Danilo Pereira were all booked. also needs to sort out the futures of his superstar led City to four League Cups, an FA Cup and the brink Afterwards PSG players queued up to accuse Dutch forwards, with negotiations over new contracts of a third Premier League title in four seasons. discipline in latest exit referee Bjorn Kuipers of insulting them, but they did not ongoing. However, until now, that domestic success always came help themselves. “They lost their nerve and started to “We need to continue, keep the foundations we with the caveat of Champions League collapses. kick us and after the red card it was more comfortable,” have,” Leonardo added. “Today is not the time to Guardiola has won the competition twice before as PARIS: For Paris Saint-Germain another Champions said Mahrez, born and brought up in the Paris suburbs decide or announce anything. We can be proud of a coach during his time at Barcelona, but not since League campaign ends in disappointment, wondering but who drove a dagger to PSG’s heart by scoring three what we did. We are not satisfied at losing in the 2011. City did not even progress beyond the last eight what might have been had one of their superstar in his first four seasons in charge. It was a similar story attackers not been sidelined at the crucial moment. In for the Catalan in his three years at Bayern Munich 2018 and 2019 it was Neymar who was injured as PSG between 2013 and 2016 as three Bundesliga titles were lost in the last 16 to Real Madrid and then Manchester overshadowed by three semi-final exits to Spanish United. opposition. “People believe because it happened in the This time it was Kylian Mbappe, handicapped by a past I have to arrive every year in the final of the calf knock that meant he was left on the bench in Champions League,” added Guardiola. “This is a little Tuesday’s 2-0 semi-final second leg defeat against bit unfair because the consistency these guys have Manchester City, huddled up to keep warm on a bitter shown in every competition these last four or five night in the north of England. years is remarkable.” Coach Mauricio Pochettino must have hoped his City exorcised many of their Champions League team, having lost 2-1 in the first leg, could stay in the demons against PSG. Missed chances, controversial tie long enough to make it worth risking Mbappe for refereeing decisions and sloppy defending frequently the closing stages. After Riyad Mahrez scored his and combined to cost them in recent seasons. City’s second of the night, Angel Di Maria’s sending- This time an early penalty awarded against off midway through the second half meant there was Oleksandr Zinchenko was overturned after a VAR no point in sending on Mbappe. The tie was over. MANCHESTER: Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino (center) remonstrates with Referee review, Mahrez was deadly with his two chances and There will be no second consecutive Champions Bjorn Kuipers on the pitch after Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian midfielder Angel Di Maria (unseen) was given a red City’s much-improved defense withstood a first-half League final for last season’s runners-up, as the most card during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match between Manchester City and Paris barrage. “The first-half they were so good but we coveted trophy of all continues to elude their Qatari Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on Tuesday. — AFP defended so well. We defend all together, helped each owners a decade after they bought the club. This other,” said Guardiola after a 31st clean sheet of the defeat might hurt that bit more coming against Abu season. “To reach the final in this competition is so dif- Dhabi-backed City, and it once again brings into focus of City’s four goals in the tie, a year after ex-Paris semi-finals but that can happen against a team like ficult. It is the toughest one for the quality of the the Qatar strategy at the Parc des Princes. winger Kingsley Coman netted Bayern’s winner in the Manchester City. I am optimistic for the future.” opponents, the composure you have to have and to PSG threw the two biggest transfer fees in history final. It was an inglorious exit for Pochettino’s team, but That future will be with Pochettino, who arrived in suffer the toughest moments. We did it.” at Neymar and Mbappe in 2017 but the 400 million- the defeat should take nothing away from their achieve- January and has regularly spoken of the need for a full Win one more game on May 29 and Guardiola will euro ($480m) duo have not managed to deliver ments in knocking out Barcelona and Bayern. pre-season. More immediately he also has a league be among a select band of just three other managers European glory, and they now have just a year remain- “We eliminated teams who could have gone on to and cup double to win — French champions seven — Bob Paisley, Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane — ing on their contracts. win it, like us,” PSG’s sporting director Leonardo told times in eight years, PSG are second in Ligue 1, a point to win the European Cup three times. With already 25 Mbappe starred with a hat-trick in Barcelona and a broadcaster RMC Sport. “Our objective now is always behind Lille with three matches left. “Let’s concentrate major trophies to his name in just 12 seasons in charge brace at Bayern Munich in the last two rounds. to win, not just to reach the semi-finals, but I think our on the future and prepare the team to win the games of Barca, Bayern and City, the 50-year-old can silence Standing in for him in Manchester, Mauro Icardi made performances in the last two years have shown that we we have left,” Pochettino said. “The way we played in any lasting doubters and cement his status as one of little impact, and the Parisians failed to muster a shot are among the real contenders to win the trophy we these two games gives us hope for the future, to come the greatest coaches of all-time with victory in on target in the tie after the 28th minute of the first leg. want the most.” back and try again.” — AFP Istanbul. — AFP Established 1961 Sport

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 Bucks into playoffs as Giannis outguns Nets duo Suns reclaim top spot; Dubs lose despite Curry’s 37

LOS ANGELES: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points as the Milwaukee Bucks punched their playoff ticket with a 124-118 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. The heavyweight showdown between the Eastern Conference rivals did not disappoint, with the two sides matching each other shot-for-shot before the Bucks pulled away in the final quarter. Antetokounmpo led from the front for Milwaukee, with 12 rebounds, four assists and five turnovers to seal the Bucks win. Milwaukee improved to 41-24 with the win to remain in third place in the East just behind second-placed Brooklyn, who dropped a third straight game to fall to 43-23. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton backed Antetokounmpo with 23 points apiece, while Bryn Forbes added 14 points off the bench. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant combined for 70 points for Brooklyn, who were once again missing the injured James Harden. Irving finished with 38 points and Durant added 32, while Joe Harris (12), Jeff Green (10) and Mike James (10) also made double figures. Antetokounmpo meanwhile downplayed the signifi- cance of the Bucks’ victory, which followed a win over the Nets on Sunday. “Great win, and I’m happy that we were able to put on a show for our fans and build good habits from those games, but that’s all,” Antetokounmpo said. “They don’t mean nothing. Nobody’s going to remember these games when we’re in the playoffs.”

Rising Suns MILWAUKEE: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday at the Fiserv Forum Center in Elsewhere Tuesday, Devin Booker scored 31 Milwaukee, Wisconsin. — AFP points as the Phoenix Suns reclaimed top spot in the Western Conference playoff race with a 134-118 playoff contention 24 hours earlier. The Suns led by had 15 points, while Frank Kaminsky added 11 off the Monday, but bounced back from that loss to claim a overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Booker 12 points midway through the third quarter, but the bench. Isaac Okoro led the Cleveland scorers with victory that keeps their slender hopes of reaching went 14-of-27 from the field and added six rebounds Cavs pulled level at 114-114 with 24 seconds remain- 32 points, while Collin Sexton added 29 with seven the play-in tournament alive. with five assists as the Suns, who had already ing to force overtime. assists and seven rebounds. Lonzo Ball led the Pels scorers with 33 points, clinched their playoff place, extended their winning Phoenix settled the contest with a 15-0 run at the In New Orleans, Golden State talisman Steph while Zion Williamson finished with 23. The Pelicans streak to five games. start of overtime to take a 129-114 lead before com- Curry rattled off another 30-point display, but it was are in 11th place in the West, one spot outside the The Western Conference leaders were pushed all fortably closing out the win. Chris Paul added 23 not enough to stop the Dubs from sliding to a 108- play-in places with a 29-36 record. Curry, mean- the way, however, by a Cleveland team playing only points for Phoenix with 16 assists and six rebounds, 103 defeat to the Pelicans. The Pelicans had been while, bagged a remarkable 34th 30-point game of for pride after being mathematically eliminated from while Mikal Bridges added 22 points. Deandre Ayton comprehensively outplayed by the Warriors on the season to finish with 37 points. — AFP