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TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 / JUMADA AL AWWAL 21, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17579 16 PAGES 150 FILS Saudi to lift Qatar embargo, open airspace

Sisi hails Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4, (Agen- cies): Kuwait’s foreign ministry on Monday announced that Saudi Iran ups enrichment in return Arabia will lift a years-long em- bargo on Qatar, opening its air and land borders in the first steps toward ending the Gulf crisis. The state-run Kuwait News Agency reported the announce- ment, saying that Saudi Arabia would open its airspace, land and to brinkmanship, seizes tanker sea borders starting Monday eve- ning. Kuwait has been mediating between Qatar and four Arab states that launched an embargo in mid-2017 over Qatar’s support for Islamist groups in the region and its warm ties with Iran. The announcement comes on the eve of a summit of Gulf Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia on Tues- day that will be chaired by Saudi King Salman. Qatar’s ruler is now expected to attend the sum- mit for the first time since the embargo. The decision by the close US allies comes in the final days of the Trump administration’s time in office, and just ahead of the incoming President-elect Joe Biden. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah is scheduled to depart Kuwait tomorrow (Tuesday) to Saudi Arabia to head the State of Kuwait delegation partaking in the 41st GCC summit due in the governorate of Al-Ula. Egypt’s President Abdel-Fat- tah el-Sisi reiterated the Egyptian policy constants aiming to main- tain Arab solidarity, in response to the Kuwaiti efforts to resolve the Gulf Crisis between the Arab quartet and Qatar, egypttoday. com reports. Sisi’s remarks came as he received on Saturday Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti foreign minister, who carried a message from HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The message has displayed In this photo released on Jan 4, by Tasnim News Agency, a seized South Korean-flagged tanker is escorted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats on the Arabian Gulf. Iranian state television ac- the latest developments related knowledged that Tehran seized the oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The report on Monday alleged the MT Hankuk Chemi had been stopped by Iranian authorities over alleged ‘oil pollution’ in the to the Kuwaiti efforts in unifying Arabian Gulf and the strait. (AP) the Arab ranks through achieving reconciliation between the Arab quartet, consisting of Egypt, Seoul ... silent Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE Kuwait logs 269 new cases and Qatar. Newswatch This comes more than three DUBAI, Jan 4, (AP): san Rouhani had given the order years after the quartet decided to begin the production. It came Chronics on COVID priority list to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, Iran began enriching after its parliament passed a bill, KUWAIT CITY: The Directorate General to pressurize Doha to end its al- uranium Monday to later approved by a constitutional of Public Relations and Security Media De- leged finance to terrorist groups. KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4, (Agencies): Kuwait’s levels unseen since its watchdog, aimed at increasing partment of the Interior Ministry stated as of health ministry said on Sunday that people with “Concerning the reconciliation enrichment to pressure Europe Jan 1, 2021, the renewal of residence per- efforts, Mr President (El-Sisi) 2015 nuclear deal with chronic diseases and special needs should be pri- into providing sanctions relief. mits online (https://eres.moi.gov.kw/indi- Trump told oritized as a mass inoculation campaign against has expressed appreciation and world powers and also Iran’s decision to begin en- vidual/ar/auth/login) is limited to domestic support to the Kuwaiti sincere Covid-19 continues, with health workers and the riching to 20% purity a decade workers who come under Article 20 of the efforts stemming from good in- seized a South Korean- law governing the issue of Kuwait visas and elderly already at the front of the line. tentions over the past years to ago nearly triggered an Israeli The shots would be administered on a “prior- flagged tanker near the strike targeting its nuclear fa- which operates 24/7, reports Al-Anba daily. to back off achieve the desired reconcilia- crucial Strait of Hor- The daily quoting Interior Ministry sourc- ity basis” through online pre-registration, inevi- tion,” Presidential spokesman cilities, tensions that only abated es said a counter will be allocated for the WASHINGTON, Jan 4, (AP): In tably leading to a vaccine rollout to the wider Bassam Radi said, after Sisi’s muz, a double-barreled with the 2015 atomic deal, which elderly and people with special needs inside an extraordinary rebuke of Presi- population, which is in line with the ministry’s meeting with the Kuwaiti foreign challenge to the West saw Iran limit its enrichment in the service centers. dent Donald Trump, all 10 living efforts to safeguard public health, it said in a minister. exchange for the lifting of eco- This comes as part of the security estab- former secretaries of defense are statement. that further raised nomic sanctions. lishment’s keenness to facilitate the citizens cautioning against any move to The measure also aims to protect the most ex- Initiated Mideast tensions. A resumption of 20% enrich- and in implementation of the security strat- involve the military in pursuing posed groups and those higher at risk of devel- Sisi praised the Kuwaiti efforts Both decisions appeared ment could see that brinkman- egy developed by switching to electronic claims of election fraud, arguing oping COVID-19 complications, added the state- in this regard, initiated by late aimed at increasing Tehran’s ship return. Already, a Novem- services, in order to save time and effort and that it would take the country into ment. Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad ber attack that Tehran blames on speed the completion of transactions. “dangerous, unlawful and uncon- The Ministry of Health said Sunday that 269 leverage in the waning days Israel killed an Iranian scientist ❑ ❑ ❑ Al-Jaber Al Sabah and resumed in office for President Don- stitutional territory.” coronavirus cases were confirmed over the past 24 by the current Amir, Sheikh who founded the country’s mili- KUWAIT CITY: His Highness the Amir The 10 men, both Democrats hours, raising Kuwait’s caseload to 151,343. ald Trump, whose unilateral tary nuclear program two de- and Republicans, signed on to The death toll remained unchanged at 937, the Nawaf. withdrawal from the atomic Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sa- He also hailed the role played cades earlier. bah has addressed a cable of condolences to an opinion article published Sun- Ministry’s spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad by the Saudi Arabia during the accord in 2018 began a series From Israel, which has its Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King day in The Washington Post that told KUNA. crisis on behalf of the quartet. of escalating incidents. own undeclared nuclear weapons Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud on the de- implicitly questioned Trump’s The number of Covid-19 patients receiving “His excellency (the presi- Increasing enrichment at its program, Prime Minister Benja- mise of Prince Khaled bin Faisal bin Saad willingness to follow his Con- care at hospitals stands at 3,135, including 53 ICU dent) has affirmed the constants underground Fordo facility puts min Netanyahu criticized Iran’s Al-Awal bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud. stitutional duty to peacefully occupants, he said. of the Egyptian policy to achieve Tehran a technical step away from enrichment decision, saying it His Highness the Amir prayed for soul of relinquish power on Jan. 20. Fol- As many as 4,712 swab tests were conducted cooperation and development weapons-grade levels of 90%, “cannot be explained in any way the deceased and wished his family patience lowing the Nov. 3 election and over the last 24 hours, taking the overall tests and support Arab solidarity as a while also pressuring President- other than the continuation of re- and endurance. subsequent recounts in some 1266,950, Dr. Al-Sanad added. solid strategic approach,” Radi elect Joe Biden to quickly nego- alizing its goal to develop a mili- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh states, as well as unsuccessful Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Directorate General of said. tiate. Iran’s seizure of the MT tary nuclear program.” Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah court challenges, the outcome is Civil Aviation (DGCA) decided to suspend the Hankuk Chemi comes as a South “Israel will not allow Iran to also sent a cable of consolation to the Saudi clear, they wrote, while not spec- flights to and from the United Kingdom as from Sisi also affirmed the impor- monarch on the death of Prince Khaled bin tance of sticking to sincere inten- Korean diplomat was due to travel manufacture a nuclear weapon,” ifying Trump in the article. 4:00 am. Wednesday, January 6, until further no- to the Islamic Republic to discuss he added. Faisal. (KUNA) “The time for questioning the tions to achieve the mutual inter- ❑ ❑ ❑ tice. est and well as solidarity to ward the release of billions of dollars in Tehran has long maintained its results has passed; the time for The decision will be revised later on in view off dangers from the rest of the Iranian assets now frozen in Seoul. nuclear program is peaceful. The BEIRUT: Elias Rahbani, a Lebanese compos- the formal counting of the elec- of the recommendations of the Kuwaiti health au- Arab nation and preserve its na- Calls to South Korea’s For- U.S. State Department says that er and lyricist who wrote the music for some toral college votes, as prescribed thorities, Spokesman of the Directorate Saad Al- tional security, Rady added. eign Ministry and the ship’s as late as last year, it “continued of the Arab world’s top performers, including in the Constitution and statute, Otaibi told KUNA on Sunday night. During the meeting, Sisi and listed owner, DM Shipping Ltd to assess that Iran is not currently Lebanon’s diva Fairouz, has died after bat- has arrived,” they wrote. Earlier today, DGCA President Sheikh Salman the Kuwaiti foreign minister of Busan, South Korea were not engaged in key activities associ- tling COVID-19, his family said. He was 82. The former Pentagon chiefs Sabah Al Salem Al Hamoud Al Sabah inspected have agreed on the need to en- immediately answered after busi- ated with the design and develop- Rahbani was hospitalized last week suf- warned against use of the military the health precautions put in place at Kuwait In- hance consultation and coordina- ness hours Monday. Iran did not ment of a nuclear weapon.” fering low oxygen after he contracted the in any effort to change the outcome. ternational Airport. tion between the two countries acknowledge the vessel’s loca- coronavirus and succumbed to COVID-19, “Efforts to involve the U.S. The DGCA has introduced, in collaboration tion. the illness caused by the virus, on Monday. armed forces in resolving election with the health authorities, a range of measures to in this regard, with the aim of Elias was the younger brother of Man- facing any security threat facing Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- disputes would take us into dan- prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (Co- sour and Assi Rahbani, the Arab world’s gerous, unlawful and unconstitu- stability of the Arab nations. hammad Javad Zarif seemed to iconic musical duo known as the Rahbani vid-19), particularly the new variant of the virus, In the message, the Kuwaiti acknowledge Tehran’s interest in Brothers, who wrote music and plays for tional territory,” they wrote. “Ci- Al-Otaibi noted. Amir has affirmed his country’s leveraging the situation in a tweet Fairouz and other celebrities. Assi Rahbani, vilian and military officials who These include conducting PCR tests for all trav- appreciation to the brotherly rela- about its nuclear enrichment. who was married to Fairouz, died in 1985, direct or carry out such measures elers arriving in Kuwait to make sure they are free tions with Egypt. “Our measures are fully re- while Mansour passed away in 2009. (AP) would be accountable, including from the new strain, which was first identified in Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Nawaf versible upon FULL compliance ❑ ❑ ❑ potentially facing criminal penal- the UK. Al-Jaber hailed Egypt’s strategic by ALL,” he wrote. ties, for the grave consequences of In the meantime, the DGCA said the ban on and pivotal role in preserving the At Fordo, Iranian nuclear LONDON: A British judge on Monday re- their actions on our republic.” flights to and from Kuwait was lifted at dawn last Arab national security and defend- scientists under the watch of jected the United States’ request to extra- A number of senior military Saturday, after slapping it on Dec 21, 2020, in- ing the causes of the Arab nation. International Atomic Energy dite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to officers, including Gen. Mark formed sources in the DGCA put the number of He also praised Egypt’s con- Agency inspectors loaded cen- face espionage charges over the publication Milley, chairman of the Joint flights that landed and took off at 70. trifuges with over 130 kilograms of secret US documents a decade ago, say- Chiefs of Staff, have said pub- tinuous efforts in establishing ing he was likely to kill himself if held under However, the incoming flights from 35 coun- regional security, stability and (285 pounds) of low-enriched harsh US prison conditions. licly in recent weeks that the tries including India, Iran, China, Brazil, Colum- development. uranium to be spun up to 20%, In a mixed ruling for Assange and his sup- military has no role in determin- bia, Armenia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Syria, Sisi, during the meeting, said Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s porters, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ing the outcome of U.S. elections Spain, Singapore, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sri asked to convey his greetings to permanent representative to the rejected defense arguments that the 49-year- and that their loyalty is to the Lanka, Nepal, Iraq, Mexico, Indonesia, Chile, the Kuwaiti Amir, affirming the U.N. atomic agency. old Australian faces a politically motivated Constitution, not to an individual Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Hong Kong, Italy, special relations between Egypt The IAEA later described the American prosecution that rides roughshod leader or a political party. North Macedonia, Moldova, Panama, Peru, Ser- and Kuwait, represented in de- Fordo setup as three sets of two This Dec 11, 2020 satellite over free-speech protections. But she said The 10 former Pentagon leaders bia, Montenegro, Dominican Republic and Koso- cades of cooperation in various interconnected cascades, com- photo, by Maxar Technologies Assange’s precarious mental health would also warned in their Post article vo, remain in place since the Kuwaiti health au- shows construction at Iran’s likely deteriorate further under the condi- fields. prised of 1,044 IR-1 centrifuges Fordo nuclear facility. Iran has of the dangers of impeding a full thorities has not changed its decision due to the The president stressed - Iran’s first-generation centri- tions of “near total isolation” he would face and smooth transition at Defense situation and repercussions caused by the spread begun construction on a site at in a US prison. Egypt’s keenness to develop fuges. A cascade is a group of its underground nuclear facility Department prior to Inauguration of the coronavirus. cooperation and coordination centrifuges working together to “I fi nd that the mental condition of Mr. Day as part of a transfer to pow- The citizens of these countries cannot directly at Fordo amid tensions with the Assange is such that it would be oppres- between the two countries to more quickly enrich uranium. US over its atomic program, er to President-elect Joe Biden. enter Kuwait, but can enter after passing through serve the interests of peoples Iranian state television quoted satellite photos obtained on sive to extradite him to the United States of Biden has complained of efforts a third country from where flights are permitted of both countries as well as the government spokesman Ali Ra- Dec 18, 2020, by The Associ- America,” the judge said. (AP) by Trump-appointed Pentagon to land provided they stay in that country for 14 Arab nation. biei as saying that President Has- ated Press show. (AP) officials to obstruct the transition. days. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 2

Main picture: People protest in the rain near the White House in Washington on June 4, 2020, over the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police offi cer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes. Inset: US President Donald Trump speaks in the rain during a campaign rally at Capital Region International Airport in Lansing Mich., on Oct. 27, 2020. (AP) Trump’s legacy On a whim and a prayer … just a whisp in the wind?

he most improbable of presidents, Donald Trump reshaped the offi ce Tand shattered its centuries-old norms and traditions while dominat- ing the national discourse like no one before. By the numbers Trump, governing by whim and tweet, deepened the nation’s racial and cultural divides and undermined faith in its institutions. His legacy: WORDS matter. But numbers tell stories, too. Tax cuts Trump enacted in 2017 contributed fense budget under Trump. President Barack a tumultuous four years that were marked by his impeachment, failures Presidential historians and others will plumb to the imbalance, and it ballooned further after Obama’s fi nal defense budget for 2017 totaled during the worst pandemic in a century and his refusal to accept defeat. them as they assess President Donald Trump’s Congress passed $2.4 trillion in economic re- $605 billion; Trump’s fi nal defense budget for He smashed conceptions about how presidents behave and communi- legacy, lief earlier this year to help unemployed work- 2021, approved by Congress in December, to- cate, offering unvarnished thoughts and policy declarations alike, pulling Trump’s presidency is refl ected in a broad ers, business owners and others weather the fi - taled $740 billion. Trump said he planned to back the curtain for the American people while enthralling supporters range of numbers representing everything from nancial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. veto the bill for unrelated reasons, but Con- and unnerving foes — and sometimes allies — both at home and abroad. the US death toll during the coronavirus pandem- 3: In-person meetings with North Korean gress had enough votes to override a veto and While the nation would be hardpressed to elect another fi gure as dis- ic to the miles of his “big, beautiful wall” along leader Kim Jong Un (in Singapore, Vietnam enact the bill over his objections. ruptive as Trump, it remains to be seen how much of his imprint on the the border with Mexico to the tens of thousands and the Korean demilitarized zone). 4: International agreements Trump pulled offi ce itself, occupied by only 44 other men, will be indelible. Already of tweets he sent during four years in offi ce. $21 trillion: Federal debt in December, the US out of: Iran nuclear deal, Paris climate it shadows the work of his successor, President-elect Joe Biden, who Some of the numbers that are part of when it exceeded the size of the economy for agreement, Open Skies Treaty and Intermedi- framed his candidacy as a repudiation of Trump, offering himself as an Trump’s legacy: the fi rst time in history outside World War II. ate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. antidote to the chaos and dissent of the past four years while vowing to -322,000 and counting: Number of US 82: Number of Trump administration envi- 13: Federal executions scheduled since July, restore dignity to the Oval Offi ce. deaths attributed to COVID-19. ronmental and public health rollbacks tracked when the administration resumed putting in- “For all four years, this is someone who at every opportunity tried to -6: Coronavirus vaccines being developed on Harvard University’s rollback tracker. mates to death after a 17-year hiatus, making stretch presidential power beyond the limits of the law,” said presidential and-or distributed under Trump’s Operation 4: Men who served as acting secretary of de- Trump the most prolifi c execution president in historian Michael Beschloss. “He altered the presidency in many ways, Warp Speed program. fense, the most in any administration. more than 130 years. Federal executions will but many of them can be changed back almost overnight by a president -2: Coronavirus vaccines — by Pfi zer and 203: Days the Pentagon operated without a be carried out until just before the Jan. 20 inau- who wants to make the point that there is a change.” BioNTech, and a separate one by Moderna — Senate-confi rmed defense secretary, the long- guration of President-elect Joe Biden. Trump’s most enduring legacy may be his use of the trappings of the that US regulators approved in 2020 for emer- est stretch in the history of the offi ce. 315: Days Trump has visited a golf course as presidency to erode Americans’ views of the institutions of their own gency use. 450: Miles of Trump’s “big, beautiful” steel president, according to Factba.se, a data ana- government. 0: Comprehensive health care overhaul wall along the US-Mexico border expected to lytics company. From his fi rst moments in offi ce, Trump waged an assault on the fed- plans Trump introduced despite repeated completed by year’s end. 418: Days Trump has visited a property he eral bureaucracy, casting a suspicious eye on career offi cials he deemed promises to replace the Obama-era Affordable 39%: Trump’s average approval rating among owns, according to Factba.se. the “Deep State” and shaking Americans’ confi dence in civil servants Care Act with a plan that would cover every- American adults in AP-NORC polls over the 1: New branch of US military: the Space and the levers of government. Believing that the investigation into Rus- one at a lower cost. course of his presidency. Assessments of Trump’s Force. sian election interference was a crusade to undermine him, Trump went 3: Justices added to the Supreme Court, es- performance were remarkably stable, compared 15%: Drop in trade defi cit with China be- after the intelligence agencies and Justice Department — calling out tablishing a solid 6-3 conservative majority. with his recent predecessors, ranging from a low tween January-September 2020 and a year ear- leaders by name — and later unleashed broadsides against the man run- 221: Federal trial-level and appeals court of 32% to a high of 43% in AP-NORC polls. lier. This followed a 19% drop in 2019 to $308 ning the probe, respected special counsel Robert Mueller. judges added to the judiciary. 1 billion: Barrels of oil and gas pumped billion, the lowest since 2013. His other targets were legion: the Supreme Court for insuffi cient loy- $3.1 trillion: 2020 budget defi cit, the larg- from federally managed lands in 2019 as the 25,000 and counting: Tweets, including alty; the post offi ce for its handling of mail-in ballots; even the integrity est in dollar terms in US history. Trump had administration sped permits and opened wil- original messages and retweets, sent by Trump of the vote itself with his baseless claims of election fraud. pledged during the 2016 campaign to eliminate derness and other areas to the industry. since he took offi ce on Jan. 20, 2017, accord- “In the past, presidents who lost were always willing to turn the of- the gap between federal spending and revenue. $135 billion: Expected growth in the de- ing to Factba.se. (AP) fi ce over to the next person. They were willing to accept the vote of the American public,” said Richard Waterman, who studies the presidency at the University of Kentucky. “What we’re seeing right now is really an need a waiver. demic hit. His presence increased voter turnout — both for and against assault on the institutions of democracy.” Trump’s disruption extended to the global stage as well, where he him — to record levels. He received unwavering loyalty from his own Current polling suggests that many Americans, and a majority of Re- cast doubt on once-inviolable alliances like NATO and bilateral partner- party but was quick to cast aside any who displeased him. publicans, feel that Biden was illegitimately elected, damaging his cred- ships with a host of allies. His “America First” foreign policy emanated “President Trump has been the person who has returned power to the ibility as he takes offi ce during a crisis and also creating a template of more from preconceived notions of past slights than current facts on the American people, not the Washington elite, and preserved our history deep suspicion for future elections. ground. He unilaterally pulled troops from Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq and institutions, while others have tried to tear them down,” said White “That’s a cancer,” Waterman said. “I don’t know if the cancer can be and Syria, each time drawing bipartisan fi re for undermining the very House spokesman Judd Deere. “The American people elected a success- removed from the presidency without doing damage to the offi ce itself. I purpose of the American deployment. ful businessman who promised to go to Washington, not to tear it down, think he’s done tremendous damage in the last several weeks.” He pulled out of multinational environmental agreements, an action but to put them fi rst.” Jeopardizing the peaceful transfer of power was hardly Trump’s fi rst that scientists warn may have accelerated climate change. He stepped At times, Trump acted like a bystander to his own presidency, opting assault on the traditions of the presidency. away from accords that kept Iran’s nuclear ambitions, if not its regional to tweet along with a cable news segment rather than dive into an effort He didn’t release his tax returns or divest himself from his businesses. malevolence, in check. to change policy. And that was one of the many ways Trump changed the He doled out government resources on a partisan basis and undermined And his presidency may be remembered for altering, perhaps perma- way that presidents communicate. his own scientists. He rage tweeted at members of his own party and nently, the nature of the U.S.-China relationship, dimming hopes for a Carefully crafted policy statements took a back seat, replaced by used government property for political purposes, including the White peaceful emergence of China as a world power and laying the foundation tweets and off-the-cuff remarks to reporters over the whir of helicopter House as the backdrop for his renomination acceptance speech. for a new generation of economic and strategic rivalry. blades. The discourse hardened, with swear words, personal insults and Trump used National Guard troops to clear a largely peaceful protest While historians agree that Trump was a singular fi gure in the offi ce, violent imagery infi ltrating the presidential lexicon. And there were the across from the White House for a photo-op. He named a secretary of it will be decades before the consequences of his tenure are fully known. untruths — more than 23,000, according to a count by The Washington defense, Jim Mattis, who needed a congressional waiver to serve be- But some pieces of his legacy already are in place. Post — that Trump tossed out with little regard for their impact. cause the retired general had not been out of uniform for the seven years He named three Supreme Court justices and more than 220 federal It was that lack of honesty that played a role in his defeat in an elec- required by law. In that one example, Biden has followed Trump’s lead, judges, giving the judiciary an enduring conservative bent. He rolled tion that became a referendum on how he had managed the COVID-19 nominating for Pentagon chief retired Gen. Lloyd Austin, who also will back regulations and oversaw an economy that boomed until the pan- pandemic, which has now killed more than 300,000 Americans. (AP)

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 LOCAL 3

Other Voices

‘Merchants count as pressure grows to impose tax on citizens’ “THE persistent and provocative statements issued by forced us to bow to their whims and desires.” Their presence was felt throughout the country under “The timeline of the events related to the corona the Chamber of Commerce about the seriousness of Also: the leadership of Interior Minister Sheikh Thamer Al- pandemic started when it was announced in Wuhan, the economic situation in the country aimed at pres- Ali, Undersecretary Lieutenant General Issam Al-Na- China in December 2019 -- that there were unknown suring the government to support merchants, by im- “The human development and human investment ham and the assistant undersecretaries, ensuring the pneumonia cases, up to the World Health Organiza- posing a tax on the citizen, and we know as everyone are the greatest investment, since the progress of any safety of citizens and expatriates,” columnist Moham- tion raising the threat status to a high degree of sever- that the merchants up to this moment continue to at- institution, whether government or civil is related to mad Al-Jalahma wrote for Al-Anba daily. ity in February 2020. tack the country’s capabilities and control the political the performance of its leaders. If the choice is based “God willing, the year 2021 will be a different year. “This, in turn, negatively affected the economic decision-making and Parliament over the position of on courtesies and personal relationships, there is no We are hoping for a miracle to happen by controlling sectors in global markets. It has had a negative im- Speaker of the National Assembly,” columnist Abdul- hope of progress or reform, but if it is by selecting the corona pandemic and life returns to how it used pact on oil and gas prices in global markets, global Redha Qambar wrote for Al-Shahed daily. competent people and then by providing the person to to be. stock exchanges, factories, retail, shipping, investor “The government obedience and the desperate fear develop himself, his skills and abilities, his potential “On this occasion, I congratulate His Highness the and consumer confi dence. On the other hand, the of merchants is surprising to the will develop continuously and he will be able to raise Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, His Highness the coronavirus had a positive impact on other sectors in- general public, but merchants his level and the level of the institution in which he Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad, HH the cluding e-commerce, education, remote work, remote through the newspapers and oth- works for,” columnist Hind Al Shoumer wrote for Al- Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid, the interior entertainment and lower levels of environmental pol- er channels undoubtedly rule the Anba daily. minister, citizens and expatriates. I ask God Almighty lution.” roost of the political, economic “The absence of justice and equality for all must be to make it a good year for everyone. ❑ ❑ ❑ and media game, in addition to decisive and the issue must be taken seriously by the “In March of last year, at the height of the corona pan- them controlling the banking executive and legislative authorities, as all the other demic and while most countries around the world closed “There is a group of retirees who are lucky and industry. authorities by developing and implementing laws that their airspace at an inappropriate time, a ministerial de- privileged for being subjected to appreciation regulating the nomination and selection for leadership “The government role in this cision was issued granting expatriates who violated the at their previous workplaces. It could be due to and supervisory positions, so that we see the charac- country does not exceed more Residency Law a chance to amend their status or leave their good relationship and practical and scien- teristics in those senior positions to replace those who than appointments and the for- the country without paying fi nes. The number of those tific competence or even due to the partisan, sec- lack effi ciency who were appointed through mediation mation of governments. The who took advantage of this decision did not exceed 15 tarian, tribal and family relationship that binds Qambar or personal relationships. percent despite the unprecedented privileges such as free them with the work entity and those in charge of merchants also have a word in “The successful selection of offi cials in supervisory the appointment of ministers, accommodation and airline tickets. it,” Dr. Mohammad Al-Duwaihees wrote for Al- positions will help any institution to come out of the “In November, a similar decision was issued and Shahed daily. specifi cally the Minister of Commerce and the Min- yoke of corruption of all kinds which must be the top ister of Finance. the deadline was extended for another month, but “Therefore, we fi nd that some retirees benefi t priority of the National Assembly and the government those who violated the law were required to pay fi nes from their retirement, and the process of their re- “The country undoubtedly is at the mercy and au- if we are to make Kuwait’s vision for the future suc- thority of the Chamber of Commerce, which will soon for their violations or about KD 600. tirement is arranged with their employer or with the cessful with ideas and skills of those who are compe- “Personally, I think the solution is to specify a new currents and parties to which they belong. The job be headed by Khaled Al-Ghanim, the spoiled brother tent to assume these leadership and supervisory posi- of the Speaker of Parliament and the son of the for- deadline once the countries, including Kuwait, open is determined for them directly after retirement in tions instead of climbing to the top with the help of a their airspace, not under these circumstances when the institutions, local and international organiza- mer President of the Chamber of Commerce, Ali Al- parachute. Ghanim. airfare is very expensive.” tions, regional institutions, public benefi t associa- “Assuming any leadership or supervisory position ❑ ❑ ❑ tions and private sector institutions that their affi li- “What happens behind the closed doors of this must reconsider the selection mechanism in accord- building determines the economic fate of the country, ated groups or parties control. ance with clear procedures through which justice, “The year 2020 was like no other as the CQVID-19 “We fi nd that some of the retirees are affected appointments in senior positions, and at times, group- equality and equal opportunities are achieved for all pandemic turned our lives upside down. United ‘Na- ing some to direct parliamentary elections to so-and- by the decision to refer them to retirement, as the and fortify the selection of leaders based on whims tions Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the me- process of communication between them and their so at the expense of so-and-so. and non-subjective justifi cations. dia: ‘In these early days, we are facing a global health “We will not forget the phrase ‘the knife is placed employers is cut off. They do not fi nd bodies or “The selection of competent people in senior posi- crisis unlike any crisis in the 75-year history of the organizations that facilitate their work after retire- at the neck of everybody’ that was repeated by the tions must be done through specifi c controls, the most United Nations,’” columnist Hamad Abdulghafour Minister of Finance and echoed by the Prime Min- ment, as they are not affi liated with any parties, po- important of which are integrity, passing the necessary Mahmoud Modawah wrote for Al-Anba daily. litical currents, tribal, sectarian, family and regional ister upon instructions from those closed rooms to training, and a special committee supervising the se- “People around the world have witnessed profound devote an idea to the citizens that we are suffer- blocs. lection so that the selection is neutral and none of the changes in their lives, such as economic recession, “Let it be known that I am not against appoint- ing from an economic crisis and the government’s committee members interferes with it. unemployment, climate change, technological devel- inability to pay salaries to impose control on this ing retirees in authorities, organizations and insti- “We should bear in mind that these senior posi- opment, debt, rise of cryptocurrencies, low returns on tutions affi liated with these political, sectarian and honorable people and to take tax from their salaries tions are the face of the nation, as those who assume savings and more. tribal parties and blocs as long as this appointment to cover this deficit. their duties must swear to work to advance the coun- “COVID-19 is really an unparalleled crisis. In the is based on justice, equality, and the principle of “We trusted a government that protects our money, try without any personal interest to achieve Kuwait’s context of countries’ efforts to face health emergen- equal opportunities and fair competition among re- protects us from the greed of merchants, increases our vision of the future and take our country to a higher cies, they had to impose total suspension of economic tirees. The appointed retiree should have the appro- welfare, and makes us among the generous countries, level.” life during the ‘great general lockdown’. priate competence and experience that is consistent but it seems that we erred in our assessment of the ❑ ❑ ❑ “The consequence was the worst recession since the with the requirements and conditions of employ- situation, and we forgot the history of merchants dur- Great Depression. Governments and global organi- ment and not just because of his belonging to those ing the past crises who controlled the governments for “The men of the Interior Ministry proved once zations moved swiftly to help the general public and parties and currents.” their personal interest. These governments have made again that they are up to the responsibility of maintain- countries, while the entire global economic outlook is the Chamber of Commerce a ‘state within a state’ and ing peace and order amid the New Year celebrations. full of dense clouds of uncertainty. — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli MPW minister refers roads damage report to ‘Anti-Corruption Authority’

Some areas unfit for human living: citizens, expats

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4, (Agencies): Minister of Public He said roads paved since April 2019 were not damaged. Roads that were damaged were old, said Al-Ajmi, and it was the contrac- Works Dr Rana Al-Fares referred a report to Public tor’s responsibility to fix them in accordance with the contract. Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) about damages Neglect of roads is no longer confined to investment housing areas only, in roads caused by rain fall and amongst recommen- but recently it appears this neglect has seeped into the private housing areas, dations was improving designing criteria of rain drain- where the streets look similar with potholes and erosion of asphalt every few meters and it has become extremely difficult to differentiate one street from age networks in future projects. another as the citizens and residents continue to share the same concern, Ministry spokesman Abdullah Al-Ajmi said Al-Fares, also Minister reported Al-Seyassah daily . of State for Municipal Affairs, approved the technical recommenda- The dilapidated streets and sidewalks are similar, as those at the Khaitan tions of the report. Police Station are the same as Hawalli, Sabahiya, Dhahr, Fahaheel, Saad Al-Abdullah, Taima, Sabah KUNA photo Al-Nasser, Rawdah, and other His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah re- areas, although the Khaitan ceives His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah. Police Station deserves to be singled out as the area with the largest number of potholes. The Al-Seyassah daily during New licenses for fi rms to dispose off old tires a tour of many of these areas, says the most prominent of these KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4, (KUNA): Rahaya area and take the necessary problems, which reveal a severe The Environment Public Authority measures to get rid of used tires in randomness in dealing with the (EPA) issued on Monday new li- that area as soon as possible. infrastructure, shows even the censes to companies to dispose off Sheikh Abdullah added that this sidewalks are neglected and is used tires in the northern area of Al- step also came to recycle tires, con- badly in need of comprehensive maintenance. Rahya, and to evacuate South Saad vert them to be used in factories, Al-Abdullah residential site from and use them in industries and ac- Unbearable any hazardous materials, in prepa- tivities to convert waste into energy One of the Kuwaitis, during a ration to be handed over to the Pub- inside and outside Kuwait. tour of Khaitan, said the streets lic Authority for Housing. The chairman added the step is of Khaitan have become EPA Chairman of the Board of also to enhance the environment in unbearable with potholes every Directors and Director General the country and contribute to waste inch with the worn out asphalt of the Authority Sheikh Abdullah recycling activities. adding insult to injury in many Al-Sabah told KUNA that the is- He mentioned that the number of parts of the suburb, surprisingly the street in front and around suance of these licenses came as a tires in that region ranges between the police station in the area is result cabinet decisions assigned to 30 and 50 million, according to the no better and the same can be EPA to supervise condition of Al- reports of the concerned authorities. KUNA photo said of the commercial com- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received His Excellency the Minister of plexes, banks and restaurants, Defense and the Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, His Excellency the Minister of and called on the competent Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and His Excellency the Minister of Interior authorities to repair the streets Sheikh Thamer Al-Ali Al-Sabah. Various issues were discussed. of Khaitan, as well as the streets of other regions, pointing out that he lives in the Sabah Al-Nasser area and the streets Stick to health requirements at workplaces: expert in that suburb are bad as well. KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: Direc- bikhat area included a modern Jahra and Kabd emergency team, Another Kuwaiti, who identi- fied himself as H.F., lamented tor of the Department of Health awareness exhibition specialized Al-Mutairi explained that the the role of the MPs in the Promotion Dr. Abeer Al-Bahwa in health requirements for work- inspection team, in the month National Assembly because they affi rmed the importance of full places, as well as an awareness of December 2020, managed to seem to have turned their backs compliance with health require- presentation conducted by the issue 50 citations for violations on the streets, and singled out the ments in workplaces, reports Al- doctors in the Health Promotion that included commercial fraud, Khaitan Police Station as an jarida daily. Department regarding the ways unauthorized price hikes and oth- example. In a press statement issued on to implement the requirements. er violations. It also closed down He called for the Ministry of the sidelines of the launch of the Meanwhile, head of Jahra and 23 shops for violating ministerial Public Works to deal with these awareness campaign organized Kabad emergency team of Min- decisions. roads and have mercy on the citi- by the Department of Health Pro- istry of Commerce and Indus- He said, “We affi rm that all zens and everyone who lives on motion, Dr. Al-Bahwa explained try Jama’an Al-Mutairi says the commercial stores abide by the the land of Kuwait. that the Ministry of Health has ministry intensifi ed fi eld inspec- laws and ministerial decisions, and Another Kuwaiti, A.R.K., says been spreading awareness since tions at the markets, coinciding we stress that legal measures will he believes the disastrous condi- the start of the COVID-19 pan- with the New Year’s holiday, in be taken against those who violate tion of most of Kuwait’s streets demic. The campaign was organ- order to control the commercial the law and they will be referred to confirm that we are still suffering ized with the cooperation of the markets and ensure they imple- the concerned authorities.” from corruption, and it appears Infection Prevention Department. ment the ministerial decisions Al-Mutairi advised consum- there is no real control by the It is related to the health condi- and circulars concerning the buy- ers that the ministry’s teams Ministry of Public Works over tions necessary to combat the ing and selling process, reports work during offi cial holidays to contracting companies which are responsible for paving the roads COVID-19 disease, and aimed Al-Anba daily. receive complaints and inquir- and pavements. at educating the departments and In a press statement issued dur- ies from consumers through the He said the streets of Khaitan, sectors of the Ministry of Health. ing an inspection tour carried out Hotline No. 135, WhatsApp No. Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Farwaniya, The ten-day campaign inside on a number of shops by a team 55135135, and the ministry’s ac- or even private housing areas, are the ministry’s building in Sulai- of the ministry’s inspectors from counts on Twitter and Instagram. the same and depict mini pools of water during rainfall. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 LOCAL 4 Parliamentary’s ‘legal panel’ discusses 60 bills, proposals MoI asked about plan on adding 8 areas to various constituencies

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Hadi Al-Hewaila on allowing citizens to set up diwaniyas in their front Arab Times Staff yard. Ayed also disclosed in a press statement that he forwarded queries to Minister KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: The parliamentary Legal and of Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah about the plan to distribute eight areas to Legislative Affairs Committee held its third meeting on various constituencies. He said the citizens residing in these areas were unable to Monday, during which it discussed almost 60 bills and vote in the recent parliamentary elections because the areas were not added to any of the fi ve constituencies, indicating these areas include Northwest Sulaibikhat and proposals. Nahda. Committee Chairman MP Khalid Ayed said the committee determined He presented questions to Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Mu- HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad. the bills and proposals, which should be referred to other committees like nicipality Affairs Dr Rana Al-Fares about the suspended coastal area development the proposal of MPs Hassan Jawhar and Marzouq Al-Khalifa to amend project in Sulaibikhat even if it has been included in the State’s development plan the Elections Law, and that of MPs Saadoun Hammad and Muhammad since 2015. He wants to know the amount paid to the contractor and if penalties were imposed on the latter due to the delayed implementation of the project. On the other hand, the Human Re- sources Committee on Monday agreed to send letters to the National Assem- bly in order to obtain approval for the committee to follow up the implemen- tation of the replacement policy and recruitment of citizens in the public and private sectors. Strategy In a press statement, committee member MP Muhammad Hadi Al- Hewaila unveiled the panel’s plan to meet with representatives of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and other concerned institutions to discuss the strategy for linking the educational outputs with the actual manpower needs of the labor market. KUNA photos Meanwhile, Chairman of the Hu- National Assembly Speaker Al-Ghanim. man Rights Committee MP Thamer Al-Suwait confi rmed that the commit- Audiences of HH the Amir tee discussed its work program and priorities on Monday. He said they His Highness the Amir Sheikh ness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sa- also talked about the recent murder Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah bah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. and suicide cases and circumstances received, at Bayan Palace Monday, His Highness the Amir received leading to these incidents. He revealed His Highness the Crown Prince as well Deputy Prime Minister and the committee will invite Minister of Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah Al-Sabah. Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, and Deputy to its next meeting to tackle the human His Highness the Amir also re- Prime Minister and Minister of State rights conditions in jails and detention ceived National Assembly Speaker for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh. centers. Marzouq Al-Ghanim and His High- (KUNA) He also announced that on Tuesday he intends to submit a proposal to re- fer those involved in the untoward in- ‘We want our voice to reach top offi cials’ Al-Jarida photo cidents during the inaugural session of the Assembly to the Public Prosecu- Asphalt laying in progress. tion, adding that 10 MPs have signed the proposal. The lawmaker said HH Hajji Dhahi – Bedoun pioneer of 4,500 tons asphalt laid on highways in one day the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Khalid will be questioned about the KOC denied Kuwaiti citizenship The Public Authority for Roads ing of asphalt, reports Al-Jarida the maintenance work also includ- incidents, since he witnessed the ses- sion. and Transportation announced daily. ed south of the Qurain Market, In another development, MP Osa- KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: From the Ku- the pioneers of Kuwait Oil Company, it has laid approximately 4,500 PART sources told the daily, the ‘scraping and laying asphalt’, on ma Al-Menawer has submitted a bill wait Oil Company Hospital, history talks and before his work in KOC, he was an tons of asphalt on highways on work was carried on King Fahd the right-hand safety lane. to specify the standard salary scale. about an elderly Bedoun man who spent employee in the Public Security.” His Sunday evening “within one day” Highway next to the Shuaiba In- This is in addition to the works He argued it is unacceptable that one his life serving Kuwait. He witnessed the grandfather’s brother holds Kuwaiti na- in accordance with the plan and dustrial Area. on the same road opposite Al-Sh- of two employees who graduated from establishment of the Kuwait Oil Com- tionality according to Article 1 of the schedules set for the daily lay- The sources pointed out that uaiba Industrial Area. the same college and in the same year pany (KOC) towards the end of 1950s, relevant law, and his fi rst-degree cousins receives a salary of KD 800 while the worked in public security during the ear- are Kuwaiti citizens. other receives KD 2,000. He said the ly stages of his career and then moved to We are one of the well-known fami- bill shall amend the privileges and al- work in KOC on February 1, 1958 until lies in Kuwait, from the days of Sheikh lowances granted to senior offi cials in the beginning of the brutal Iraqi inva- Salem Al-Mubarak (May God have order to balance the remunerations. sion of Kuwait. However, to this date mercy on him) until our Amir His High- He also presented a bill to stop giv- he could not obtain Kuwaiti citizenship, ness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah ing grants or loans to other countries reports Al-Rai daily. (May God preserve him). Dhahi is one without the approval of the Assembly. Dhahi Hussain Shaddad Al-Sahw Al- of the pioneers of the Ministry of Inte- He clarifi ed this bill is not applicable Shammari, who is nearly 90 years old, is rior and the National Guard in its early to Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic lying in one of the wards of the Kuwait beginnings in the State of Kuwait. Development because a special law Oil Company Hospital due to his old age Nationality and his inability to speak. After decades was ratifi ed for this fund. However, The documents confi rming my grand- he intends to propose amending the of work and dedication, Hajji Dhahi is still considered within the category of father’s entitlement to Kuwaiti national- law to prevent the fund from waiving ity are numerous. He has certifi cates from off loans without the Assembly’s ap- undetermined nationality, even though his brothers and cousins all hold Ku- statesmen that he possesses Kuwaiti na- proval. tionality according to Article 1. Also, my He will submit another proposal to waiti nationality according to Article 1, as his father died before the nationality grandfather has a work ID of KOC and cancel the decision of the Assembly the Public Security in which his national- Offi ce to conduct investigations into law was issued. His brothers and cousins the incidents in the opening session, obtained Kuwaiti nationality at that time, ity is described as Kuwaiti. We also have because this task should be assigned but he was late due to his immersion in a unique court ruling entitling Dhahi Hus- to the committee that the Assembly his work. He obtained multiple attesta- sain Al-Sahw to Kuwaiti nationality ac- formed for such purpose. tions from Kuwaiti men, certifying that cording to Article 1. It has been endorsed MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa submitted he is Kuwaiti and that he was present in by the Legal Affairs in the Council of a proposal to name the Nazaha build- Kuwait before 1920. Ministers, and all of these documents and ing after the late Sheikh Nasser Sa- Hajji Dhahi also obtained rulings of papers are in the corridors of the state and bah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in the Personal Status Court and the Court are not just allegations. recognition of his outstanding role in of Appeals that confi rmed his lineage to My grandfather had a head injury that combating corruption. one of his Kuwaiti brothers, and affi rmed resulted in a 20 percent defect in the his right to obtain Kuwaiti nationality. body, as a result of the explosion of an Proposed However, the bureaucracy in the corri- oil well in Kuwait. MP Ali Al-Qattan proposed the al- dors of institutions and complexity of the My father Saad was born in 1961 in location of spaces along the coastal Bedoun issue wasted his right to obtain the KOC Hospital. My uncle Falah was areas for the youths to start their own Kuwaiti nationality for years until he born in 1959 in the KOC Hospital. One businesses like play areas, cafés and witnessed his fourth generation. He lives of my uncles was a prisoner of war dur- canteens. He said this will be imple- the same tragedy that he lived, which is ing the brutal invasion, and so were a mented through the concerted efforts the denial of the right to citizenship. number of my uncles in the Kuwaiti resistance during the invasion. We also of concerned institutions like the Pub- Suffers lic Authority for Sports, Ministry of have the 1965 census and we have many State for Youth Affairs, and National According to the medical report, Hajj certifi cates that demonstrate our entitle- Fund for Small and Medium Enter- Dhahi currently suffers from left-sided ment to Kuwaiti nationality. prises. hemiplegia, as well as bed ulcers and He urged state offi cials regarding Furthermore, MP Osama Al- amnesia. In 1989, he suffered in an ac- “the need to pay attention to this elderly Shaheen forwarded queries to Minis- cident in the oil fi elds, a work injury that person and his children, honor him, and ter of Justice Nawaf Al-Yasseen about affected his physical activity. The medi- grant him his right to Kuwaiti nationali- the steps taken by Kuwait Anti-Cor- cal committee of the oil company esti- ty, and our case is not for acquisition. We ruption Authority (Nazaha) and Public mated that Dhahi’s deformity reached want to show the senior offi cials these Prosecution to combat corruption and 20 percent of the effi ciency of the whole papers and evidence of a man from the money laundering in order to protect body, and accordingly ordered that he be State of Kuwait who spent his life serv- the reputation of Kuwait and prevent compensated for this deformity. ing his country. We want our voice to the decline of its ratings in global To fi nd out the story of Hajj Dhahi, reach senior offi cials. Our hope is great credit indexes. the daily visited him at the KOC Hos- in God and in senior state offi cials.” He asked about the role of Nazaha pital and met his grandson, Muhammad In Kuwait since 1920 and the prosecution in investigating Saad Dhahi Al-Sahw, who said, “My Saad Al-Lafi , Abdullah Al-Lafi , the Panama documents, Paradise pa- grandfather Dhahi Hussain Al-Sahw Mazal Othman Al-Saeed, Khalifa Al- pers and fi les leaked by the Financial was one of the founders of KOC. His Lafi , Al-Hamlan, Al-Kazemi, Al-Sam- Crimes Enforcement Network (Fin- service for more than 30 years began in han and Al-Tahous testifi ed that Al-Hajj CEN) in America. He disclosed there 1958 and lasted until 1990. He is one of Dhahi Al-Sahw is a Kuwaiti citizen. are about 200,000 suspicious docu- ments in which the amount involved is estimated at KD610 million from Egyptian University Council ‘rejects’ 1999 to 2017. MP Farz Al-Daihani forwarded queries to Deputy Prime Minister and Kuwait request to hold online exams Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah about the news KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: Head of Ku- including Kuwaitis if they are unable to published by Al-Qabas daily which wait’s Cultural Attache Offi ce in Egypt attend”. quoted the US State Department as Dr Ahmed Al-Mutairi revealed that the He indicated that the students, after saying that it approved armament Egyptian University Council (EUC) re- the reopening of the airports, are re- deals with Kuwait including Apache jected the request of Kuwait’s Cultural quired to attend directly and address the helicopters and other equipment val- Attache Offi ce in Cairo to provide on- university’s cultural attache to hold the ued at $4 billion. line exams for Kuwaiti students of vari- exams for them, as decided by the spe- If this is true, the lawmaker re- ous Egyptian universities in the event cial committees formed in this regard. quested for details including the list of that airports continue to be closed due Dr Al-Mutairi said, “The cultural atta- equipment and helicopters and amount to the COVID-19 pandemic, reports Al- che does not want to postpone exams for of the deal. He asked if the ministry conducted a study to determine if it jarida daily. the students until next May in the event really needs this type of helicopters, if In a press statement, Dr Al-Mutairi that the airports continue to be closed other Arab countries purchased such said, “The Egyptian Cultural Attache due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” helicopters from the same company, communicated with the Egyptian Minis- “In the event that the airport reopens if the ministry dealt with the company ter of Higher Education and the Council before the exam dates, all students are directly or through brokers, and if the of Egyptian Universities, and reached an required to offi cially attend the universi- ministry obtained approval from the agreement with the council to organize ty to sit for the exams. In case those who monitoring institutions to proceed special committees in various universi- wish to postpone them, there must be an with the deal. ties to hold exams for foreign students, offi cial excuse for the non-attendance.” ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 LOCAL 5

Other Voices

Enemies, friends of Chamber By Ahmad alsarraf and discounts on basic commodities, but they know the danger of this on the HE board members of the Kuwait state economy. TChamber of Commerce and Indus- From this point of view and out of try are not satanic and the Chamber is a sense of responsibility, the Chamber, not controlled by a group of vampires, represented by all its members, issued as some sick minded people like to de- a statement denouncing the weakness scribe it. of the public administration and the The Chamber is not alien or a new complete offi cial and popular bias to- institution. Its members are brothers, wards exaggerating its services to the they have families, they are sons of a citizen, at the expense of future needs family, fathers and have sisters work- without carrying out a real and long- ing for the state, and retirees. They awaited economic reform. are affi liated to In its statement, the Chamber also the rest of soci- called for the reform of basic struc- ety, and what- tural imbalances, addressing the de- ever spectrum mographics, limiting the dominance they belong to, of the public sector, preventing mo- their prosper- nopoly, the need to impose income ity and happi- tax without prejudice to the pocket ness is part of of those of limited income, re-pricing the prosperity public services, raising the rental value of the rest and of state property, restructuring subsi- their presence dies, rationalizing them and directing inevitably does them to those who deserve it, so one KUNA photo not constitute may wonder: Where is the crime of the His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah during his recent visit to the Headquarters of the Kuwait National Guard. any threat to alsarraf Chamber here? What is so illogical and any party. Since unfair about these claims is that some Kuwait’s inception, they have been the people describe the Chamber members backbone of the state’s economy and as vampires? there is no modern and normal society, What is wrong in its criticism of the which cannot live without the business infl ation of public consumer spending ‘Family Home’ for prisoners to allow class. is the continuing and increasing pub- A merchant, like any other person, lic budget defi cit, the deterioration of seeks to achieve maximum profi t, and public services and infrastructure, the the employee seeks to obtain highest decline in the level of education, the salary, all within clear rules and laws. government’s failure to address cor- near & dear visits, conjugal relations If the state’s plots are given to the mer- ruption, and the warning against reduc- chant at a low rental value, for exam- ing the state’s sovereign credit rating? ple, then this is not his fault, and it is Is not all of this suffi cient to make absurd to expect or ask the government the ‘nation in real danger’ real? The Site located in Sulaibiya Prison Complex to rein in the merchant. focus of some on the decrease in the The same applies to employees rental value of state’s industrial and of the Ministry of Oil, for example, service plots, and the need to raise it KUWAIT CITY, Jan whose salaries were raised to fabulous is evidence that they do not under- levels, compared to others, and no one stand the mechanism of commercial 4: The requirement of expected them to take the initiative work because every rent increase will legal seclusion and con- and demand the government to reduce be paid for by the consumer, knowing their salaries to be equal with those be- there is no sane merchant who opposes jugal visits for prison- low them, thus, what is the difference the government raising the rents of ers with their spouses between an employee who accepts a state property if this is done within an salary from the government while he integrated economic plan. is close to implemen- knows well that it is very high and a Trade is profi t, loss, suffering, fa- tation. After years of merchant who accepts a rent while he tigue, effort, and risk. In the Corona knows that it is low? crisis, thousands of merchants and inmates from correc- Those who attacked the Chamber’s industrialists lost their jobs, their sav- tional institutions, or- statement did not realize, and they had ings, and all of their future. Did anyone their reasons, that it is in the interest have mercy on them? ganizations and human of the merchant or the industrialist to Finally: The well-being of the citi- rights societies in the raise the standard of living of commu- zen and the resident depends on the nity members, and not the other way strength of the state’s economy, and country demanding around, as some have portrayed be- not paying attention to this aspect un- this right, four govern- cause this has a direct positive impact der the pretext that the ultimate ben- on his trade. efactor will be the merchant is a dan- ment and charitable On the other hand, it is in the interest gerous shortsightedness for which we agencies have started of the Chamber’s merchants and indus- all will pay. trialists to encourage the state’s gen- ❑ ❑ ❑ procedures to estab- erosity with citizens, and employees lish a “family home” obtaining the highest salaries, bonuses e-mail: [email protected] for detainees inside the Central Prison. They will be allowed to re- ceive their families, and conjugal visits be- tween spouses will be permitted, reports Al- Qabas daily. Chairman of the Board of KUNA photo Directors of Kuwait Society State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Anas Khaled Al-Saleh receives a copy of the organizational guide from the for Abstinent Families Bader Kuwait Fire Services Department. Al-Mubarak explained that the “family home”, which the society will oversee under the ‘Motorists need to visit GTD for some fi nes’ umbrella of the Ministry of Social Affairs with the coop- Firemen pull out the corpse of the woman. eration of the Ministry of Steps to pay for traffi c offenses online Interior and with generous Woman’s corpse found funding from the Kuwait KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: The A number of penalties com- the driver and the fi ne amount Awqaf Public Foundation, COVID-19 pandemic has in- mensurate with each of the traf- Traffi c offenses that are reg- Personnel from the Criminal Evidenc- late yesterday evening, stating fi re- aims to promote general prin- creased the need for online fi c offenses, the value of which istered against motorists in Ku- es Department have found the corpse men retrieved the body of a woman ciples of human rights, as well completion of transactions varies depending on the sever- wait are divided into violations of a woman in an uninhabited area off who had ‘allegedly’ committed suicide as reform, refine and correct through a mechanism that en- ity of the violation. that can be paid electronically King Fahd Expressway and said the by hanging from a tree in an isolated sures social distancing and non- The penalties that appear and violations that cannot be woman’s identity and cause of death dirt area in Sabahiya area. the behavior of both male and gathering of the public, reports when inquiring about traffi c paid electronically. will be disclosed after the autopsy is The daily added, the site of the inci- female inmates by achieving a Al-Anba daily. offenses can be either fi nes or In terms of payments, the done, reports Al-Anba daily. dent impeded the work of the fi remen suitable family environment The security authorities have ruled because it was diffi cult to reach the In this context, the impor- imprisonment, based on what violations that can be paid out suicide but weigh heavily on crimi- ‘suicide’ site. for their guests and reunion of tance of the information ser- law enforcement offi cials deem electronically are paid through nal suspicion. The fi remen used special equip- their families. vice for traffi c violations in appropriate to the gravity of the one of the available methods The Directorate-General of Fire De- ment to reach the spot part of which Demand Kuwait lies in identifying the violation committed. of electronic payment, and for partment (DGFD) issued a statement was muddy and shallow. number and type of traffi c vio- In this regard, the Ministry the rest of the violations, the In order to fulfill this humani- lations that have been record- of Interior has allowed citi- motorist must visit the traffi c tarian demand, the government ed against a motorist in order zens and residents in Kuwait department in order to pay the agencies, headed by the Ministry to prepare for the payment to check traffi c violations elec- fi nes. News in Brief of Interior, are seeking to pro- of relevant fi nes. This elec- tronically through the offi cial It should be noted that traffi c vide reasons for reuniting fami- tronic service comes within website of the ministry. violations that are successfully lies of the inmates through the the framework of the Kuwaiti Traffi c violations can be in- paid are made clear through family home, and create an government’s endeavor to de- quired about using the Civil ID the website about 15 minutes opportunity for families to once Top 110 offi cers retired: Kuwait Car fi re probed velop all government services number of the motorist through after payment. Therefore, it is Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant again live for some time in a provided to the public, and the following steps: advised not to pay again in the General Sheikh Khaled Al-Saleh recent- family atmosphere whereby reduce the burden on govern- 1. Enter the offi cial website event that the payment has been ly issued a decision on the retirement Man dies in blaze grandparents, parents, spouses, of 110 offi cers children and grandchildren can ment employees by reducing of Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior made and the violation contin- with the rank of KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: A Kuwaiti enjoy an atmosphere of love and the convergence of clients at - www.moi.gov.kw/main ues to appear in the user’s ac- brigadier general died when his car caught fi re at various government depart- 2. Choose “e-services” from count. the entrance to the Khairan area, harmony with their family mem- and colonel in ac- ber who is an inmate. ments. the home page Nonetheless, everything cordance with Ar- reports Al-Rai daily. Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior 3. Click on “General Traf- related to the process of in- According to security sources He said, “The family home will ticles 82 and 83 of is keen to ensure the safety and fi c Department from the drop- quiring about traffi c viola- the Military Law, when the Operations Room of allow for conjugal visits, taking which allows the the Ministry of Interior received a into account the regulations speci- security of motorists on differ- down list tions, starting from opening Chief of Staff and report on the incident police and fied by Islamic law, and ensuring ent roads in all governorates 4. Click on “Pay Fines” from an account on the portal to his deputy to refer paramedics rushed to the spot but due to which it has set neces- the available services the detailed inquiry steps, can could do nothing. The Kuwaiti had this pioneering addition in the any offi cer for re- prison complex area is in line with sary rules and regulations that 5. Enter the user’s Civil ID be viewed on the Ministry of tirement, reports succumbed to the burn injuries. The cause of the fi re is not known. the recommendations of the proto- must be adhered to by all in or- number Interior’s website - https:// Al-Jarida daily der to ensure the safety of both 6. Click on the “Inquiry” icon www.moi.gov.kw/main, un- quoting sources Sheikh Khaled ❑ ❑ ❑ cols and conventions of interna- from the military tional human rights bodies and motorists and pedestrians on in order to identify the type of der articles section, where all Egyptian killed: A 41-year-old the roads. the violation registered against instructions are listed. sector. Egyptian died after he was run organizations.” Sources disclosed the decision is aimed over by a Kuwaiti on the Airport Al-Mubarak indicated that the at pumping young blood into the Armed Road opposite Farwaniya, reports proposed site for the family home eration among the Ministry of 1. The Kuwait Association for tributes to preserving the cohesion Forces and develop all military sectors Al-Seyassah daily. which are currently witnessing vast mod- is within the walls of the Prison Interior, state institutions and public Abstinent Families. of families. The daily added, the victim was Complex in Sulaibiya area, next to ernization process at the administrative, crossing the road when the accident benefit associations. It is based on 2. The Ministry of Social Al-Mubarak thanked the under- combat and technical levels. the Operations Department of the took place. The corpse has been re- Correctional Institutions Affairs the prisons organization Law No. Affairs. secretary of the Ministry of Sources affi rmed the military sectors ferred to Forensics and the Kuwaiti 26/1962, which includes the right of 3. The Ministry of Interior. Interior, who encouraged the start are currently implementing advance- detained at the area police station. and Judgment Enforcement ment procedures covering weapon Sector. an imprisoned husband to be alone 4. The General Secretariat of of the construction of the family technology, training operations and lo- with his wife as per specific condi- Awqaf Al-Mubarak said, “Fatwa home for inmates of the General daily. He revealed that the building gistical support. Sources explained this will have an entrance and a recep- tions and controls. No. 157/2000 issued by the Administration of Correctional requires the development and prepara- The decision contained in the circu- He said, “The philosophy of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Institutions, and for supporting the tion of manpower to deal with the pro- lar, a copy of which has been obtained tion hall for inmates, in addition to cess that requires skills to manage the by the daily, came into force as of Dec living units, whereby each unit family home is based on the estab- Affairs endorsed the conjugal visit nomination of the Kuwait Society work in accordance with the new vision 30, 2020, according to which the shift will contain a living room, a bed- lishment of a hotel for inmates project based on its compatibility for Abstinent Families. He praised of the Defense Ministry. hours will be from 6:00 am until 6:00 room, a kitchen and a bathroom. within the walls of the prison and with the principles of Islamic law the role of the Deputy Secretary ❑ ❑ ❑ pm and from 6:00 pm until 6:00 am. with all necessary facilities for and humanitarian rules.” He General of Endowment Banks in The circular included several instruc- Al-Mubarak revealed that the From 3 to 2 shifts: The Director- tions, such as wearing what it called family home project will be imple- open family day visits in order for stressed that the project aims to the Kuwait Awqaf Public General of the Rescue Police, Major- ‘clear-cut’ navy dress, and continuing mented soon, taking into account all inmates to meet their first-degree achieve the human aspects, work Foundation Mansour Al-Saqabi General Abdulaziz Al-Hajri, issued a and recording the names of the offi cials the legal and security controls relatives and with the aim of pre- on directing the behavior of for his support of the idea of estab- circular which calls for two shifts duty at the beginning of the fi rst and second required in this regard for its imple- serving familial and social inmates, and reduce the anoma- lishing a family home for inmates instead of the three, reports Al-Anba shifts. mentation under a societal partner- aspects.” Four entities handling lous practices of some inmates, of the General Administration of ship, fruitful and constructive coop- the project are: adding that it also effectively con- Correctional Institutions. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 LOCAL/MIDEAST 6

Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan resume talks over disputed dam Egypt opens probe on 4 virus patients’ ICU deaths amid controversy CAIRO, Jan 4, (AP): Egyptian pros- down to contain a second wave of the made by Sinopharm has been approved deaths. However, the actual number of putes. Ethiopia has rejected binding Sudanese Irrigation Minister Yasser ecutors opened an investigation into pandemic. for emergency use, and inoculations COVID-19 cases in Egypt are thought arbitration at the final stage of the Abbas said at the time that the AU the deaths Sunday of at least four The Sharqia prosecutor’s office said would begin within two weeks. In to be far higher, in part due to limited project. should do more to “facilitate the nego- coronavirus patients at a public they were investigating the deaths. televised comments Saturday, Health testing and uncounted patients who are The foreign and irrigation ministers tiation and bridge the gap between the Egyptian hospital, after a video of The hospital director and doctors were Minister Hala Zayed said negotiations being treated at home or in private of the three Nile Valley countries met three parties.” nurses struggling to keep the patients being questioned, according to an offi- were also underway to procure two hospitals. online Sunday, said Ahmed Hafez, Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam alive was shared widely on social cial at the public prosecutor’s office in other vaccines - one from Oxford the spokesman of Egypt’s Foreign media. Cairo who spoke on condition of ano- University and AstraZeneca, as well as Also: Ministry. Sudan also confirmed the has caused severe tensions between The governor of Sharqia province nymity because they were not autho- one from Pfizer and its German part- CAIRO: Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan meeting. the three nations. denied allegations by a relative of one rized to brief the media. ner BioNTech. resumed their years-long negotiations Ethiopia’s Water and Energy Egypt has called it an existential of the patients that the deaths were The four dead were two women in Finance Minister Mohamed Maait Sunday over the controversial dam Minister Seleshi Bekele said earlier threat and worries that it will reduce caused by a lack of oxygen at the their 60s and two men, 76 and 44 years said last month that the government Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile, the meeting was called by South the country’s share of Nile waters. government-run intensive care unit old, according to a local news outlet. has contracted to purchase 20 million officials said. Africa, the current head of the African The Arab’s world most populous treating COVID-19 patients. Gov. There are currently 36 virus patients doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine The resumption came six weeks Union, and that U.S. observers and AU country relies almost entirely on the Mamdouh Ghorab said the patients being treated at the hospital’s isolation and 30 million doses of the after Khartoum boycotted talks in experts would attend. Nile to supply water for agriculture died because they suffered chronic dis- ward, the governor said. AstraZeneca vaccine, according to the November, urging the African Union Sudan’s Irrigation Ministry said the and its more than 100 million people. eases in addition to the virus. The deaths follow similar allega- state-run Al-Ahram daily. to play a greater role in reaching a deal three counties would hold separate About 85% of the river’s flow origi- The relative, who also filmed the tions by a relative last week that two Egypt has seen a spike in daily over the disputed Grand Ethiopia talks with the AU experts and observ- nates from Ethiopia. video, offered no immediate evidence patients died because of a lack of oxy- reported COVID-19 cases in recent Renaissance Dam. ers before a three-party meeting on Ethiopia says the $4.6 billion dam to back up their claim that the hospital gen at a government-run hospital else- weeks. The Health Ministry announced The negotiations have centered on Jan. 10. ran out of oxygen. where in the Nile Delta. Prosecutors in over 1,400 new cases and 54 deaths on the filling and operation of the giant In November, Sudan did not attend will be an engine of development that Egypt, the Arab world’s most popu- Menoufiya province have launched an Saturday, one of the highest official dam. Key questions remain about a round of talks called by South Africa, will pull millions of people out of pov- lous country with more than 100 mil- investigation into the cause of the daily tallies since the start of the pan- how much water Ethiopia will arguing that the current approach to erty. Sudan, in the middle, worries lion people, is facing a surge in con- deaths Friday. demic last year. release downstream if a multi-year reaching a tripartite agreement on the about the effects on its own dams, firmed virus cases and renewed calls Egypt’s top health authority has Overall, Egypt has reported 140,878 drought occurs and how the three filling and operation of Ethiopia’s dam although it stands to benefit from for the government to impose a lock- announced that a Chinese vaccine confirmed cases, including 7,741 countries will resolve any future dis- had not yielded results. access to cheap electricity. Minister seeks oil industry ‘boost’ to keep pace with latest developments

‘Oil sector lifeblood of Kuwait’

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: The oil sector is considered the Speaking to the daily, Minister of Oil, Electricity and Water Dr lifeblood of Kuwait, as it is the main pillar for the devel- Muhammad Al-Faris revealed that his priorities include supporting the opment of economic performance and the backbone that five-year strategy of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) as follows: First: Restructuring oil companies to ensure smooth flow of work in these feeds the State budget; hence, the country is keen on companies for them to be more integrated and effective, with emphasis on protect- strengthening its oil industry to keep pace with the latest ing the rights and gains of workers in the oil sector. global and regional developments, reports Annahar daily. Second: Kuwaitization of the oil sector and building national engineering expertise with high potential to man- age oil sector projects effectively. Third: Rationalize and reduce capi- tal operating expenditures, and focus on raising completion rates and avoid- ing delays in ongoing projects. Fourth: Developing an integrated strategy to complete the digital trans- formation of the oil sector. Fifth: Developing a plan to ratio- ‘The Guest Show’ on Jan 7 nalize energy consumption in oil sec- tor operations and push towards the Meet Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud on cultural history in her many publica- use of renewable energy. the first edition of Radio Kuwait’s tions. Tune into our show and hear Strategic oil projects are among the ‘The Guest Show’ on Thursday Jan her speak of her adventures which most vital projects included in the 7. Claudia is Kuwait’s first female includes losing her abaya clad moth- country’s economic and social devel- #photojournalist. An author, photog- er in law in a sea of abayas during a opment plan; especially the environ- rapher and animal activist, Claudia camel race in Jahra. #Kuwait #media mental fuel projects, fourth refinery has captured Kuwait’s social and #radio #talkshow #bridgingcultures and petrochemical complex, which are primarily aimed at boosting economic performance and achieving the 2035 vision of Kuwait. News in Brief In other news, the Kuwait Stock Exchange indices eliminated two- thirds of its losses due to the COVID- 19 crisis in 2020, which exceeded the DAMASCUS: Militants ambushed caused the fire and explosions. 30-percent barrier in the second quar- buses traveling down a highway in Smuggling of fuel and diesel is ram- ter, to drop to only 13.1 percent by the central Syria late Sunday, killing nine pant between Lebanon and Syria - end of the year. The general index people, including a 13-year-old girl, many suspect the warehouse was losses decreased to 11.6 percent, and state media reported. used to store contraband, and market value losses decreased to KD The ambush is the second this Lebanon’s LBC TV said the ware- 3.3 billion, to stabilize at KD 33 bil- week to target buses traveling house was used by smugglers. Both lion, reports Al-Qabas daily. between government-controlled countries are going through crippling KUNA photo areas and to be blamed on suspected economic conditions and smuggling, While nine of the stock market sec- which is common along the shared Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water Dr Muhammad Al-Faris during the inspection tour. tors incurred various levels of losses, Islamic State militants. Another attack Wednesday killed border, has increased in recent three sectors achieved record profits in months. 2020 - insurance, consumer goods and nearly 30 people, most of them sol- Al-Faris praises employees’ efforts and commitment to work diers returning home for the holidays. In its statement, the Lebanese oil and gas sectors. The utilities sector Islamic State militants were believed army said the warehouse was owned remained unchanged. to be behind that attack. by a Lebanese family, but didn’t say The insurance sector, which Islamic State militants have been whether it was used for smuggling Minister inspects sectors affiliated to MEW includes eight companies, topped the active in the desert area south and fuel. winning sectors in 2020, with market central Syria despite losing territo- The explosion came at a time of By Muhammad Ghanem departments affiliated to the ministry praising their efforts and commitment gains of 26.9 percent . It was followed rial control in the country since last increased tension in the region on the Al-Seyassah Staff accompanied by the Undersecretary of to work, especially during public holi- by the consumer goods sector, which year. one-year anniversary of the U.S. kill- Ministry of Electricity Engineer days. achieved returns of 17.4 percent, and Local officials said IS militants ing of an Iranian general in Iraq, who KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: Minister of Jassem Al-Nouri, and the assistant The Minister’s inspection tour then the oil and gas sector with gains were believed to behind the Sunday was also a major ally of the Lebanese Oil and Minister of Electricity and undersecretaries Hamoud Al-Roudhan included emergency monitoring of 6.9 percent. attack, which also targeted oil trucks, Hezbollah group. Water Dr Muhammad Al-Faris has and Eng Mutlaq Al-Otaibi. around the area, emergency manage- but they offered no details on how it Sunday’s fire started while Israeli called on senior officials of the During the inspection visit Minister Performance was carried out. jets were flying low over Lebanon Ministry of Electricity and Water to Al-Faris listened to the remarks of ment of electrical distribution net- The militants ambushed three and as the head of Hezbollah was works in the electrical distribution net- On the other hand, the telecommu- support the diligent employees and some employees on how to improve nications sector was the least affected buses traveling down a highway in delivering a speech to commemorate works sector, Salmiya water emergen- the Iranian general. adopt their creative ideas and projects the performance of the sectors and the by the COVID-19 crisis, which was central Syria, immediately killing that would develop the work system. minister promised to look into them. cy center, and Mina Abdullah water nine and wounding four, according to The jets caused confusion over the reflected in the performance of the source of the explosion. Israeli jets The minister said this while he was Al-Faris congratulated the employ- pumping station affiliated to the water sector’s stocks with slight loss of 0.9 the governor of the central Hama on an inspection tour of a number of ees on the occasion of the New Year, operation and maintenance sector. province, Mohammed Tarek regularly violate Lebanese airspace percent, followed by the basic materi- Krishani. and have often struck inside Syria als sector with a loss of 1.2 percent. Krishani told local media the pas- from Lebanese territory. (AP) Despite the severe damage to global sengers were traveling to the central ❑ ❑ ❑ Officials vow to take stricter measures financial markets, including the Salamiyah town from the country’s Kuwait Stock Exchange, as a result of west in a three-bus convoy when they JERUSALEM: Israeli prosecutors the crisis, the financial services sector were attacked. The convoy also on Sunday released an amended As post-holiday infections surge, Lebanon gears for lockdown particularly the investment companies included oil trucks, he told pro-state indictment spelling out detailed managed to reduce its losses to 1.7 TV Al-Ikhbariyah, without elaborat- charges against Prime Minister BEIRUT, Jan 4, (AP): Lebanon is increased by over 300% from the criticism of lax penalty implementa- Benjamin Netanyahu in a corruption gearing up for a new nationwide lock- month before and have been climbing tion. percent by the end of 2020, as a result ing. Seven ambulances arrived on the case in which he is accused of trading down, as officials vowed Monday to since. Many feared the figures may sur- of improvement in the performance of favors with a powerful media mogul. their investments in global markets scene, the governor said, adding that take stricter measures against the coro- Despite a two-week lockdown in pass 5,000 infections a day and have the rest of the passengers were sent to Netanyahu has been charged with navirus following the holiday season, November, the numbers kept increas- expressed fear of “the Italian scenario” that compensated for a large part of fraud, breach of trust and accepting their losses, or by benefiting from the safety. which saw a large increase in infec- ing - only worsening with the holiday ≠ a reference to overloading the health Syrian State TV quoted the head bribes in three corruption cases. One tions and caused jitters in the country’s seasons and the return of nearly 80,000 sector with no ability to trace new MSCI stock exchange promotion. of them alleges that Netanyahu pro- Also, the healthcare sector incurred of the local hospital as saying that already-battered health sector. expats to celebrate at home. cases. one of those killed was a 13-year-old moted regulations worth hundreds of First responders say they have been The holidays have also seen Lebanon is already struggling with losses reaching 7.7 percent as a result girl. millions of dollars to the owner of the transporting nearly 100 patients a day increased testing but reports suggested an unprecedented economic crisis that of the government’s precautionary The Britain-based Syrian Bezeq telecom company in exchange while hospitals report near-full occu- many of those were carried out to has caused it to default on debt, and measures to confront the pandemic, Observatory for Human Rights, a war for positive coverage on its popular which resulted in complete and partial Walla news site. pancy in beds and ICUs. allow celebrations, only driving up has sent its local currency plunging monitor, said the attackers, suspected lockdown for long periods during IS militants, targeted the buses trav- In response to a request from Nurses say they are overwhelmed, infections. Lockdowns of towns and and losing 80% of its value to the dol- Netanyahu’s lawyers for more and private hospitals have been roped which clinics and some private health eling down the highway, killing two villages failed to contain new infec- lar. centers were closed. details, Israeli prosecutors released a into the national response despite com- civilians and seven soldiers. The tions and fines for violators did not That has severely curbed imports in On the other hand, the consumer attack left 16 wounded, according to letter Sunday alleging there had been plaints that the cash-strapped govern- stop large New Year Eve’s gatherings. the import-dependent countries, services sector topped the list of the the Observatory. The difference 315 incidents of Walla being request- ment owes them large sums of out- At one, a hotel hosted a famous including of medicine and medical most affected sectors in 2020, as a could not be immediately reconciled ed to make its coverage more favor- standing debt. Lebanese singer in an indoor party that supplies. It has also driven inflation result of closure of the activities of the but state media rarely accounts for able for Netanyahu and his family. “We are facing a very critical phase included hundreds of people, raising and unemployment up. companies under this sector, including military casualties. They said there were indications that and we need exceptional and firm State media said the attack earlier Netanyahu was personally involved cinemas, airlines, and entertainment in 150 of those incidents. measures as well as strict implementa- centers, ending the year with losses this week was against civilians. But tion,” caretaker Prime Minister Hassan the Observatory said it targeted sol- It said the requests included giving amounting to 24.1 percent. more time or prominence to positive Diab said at the start of a government As for the banking sector, it was the diers from the elite Fourth Division meeting to discuss how to deal with army unit returning home for the articles about Netanyahu and his second largest sector affected last year, family, changing headlines and low- the spreading virus. holidays. with market losses amounting to 14.4 Syrian state media rarely reports ering or even removing unfavorable A meeting of the highest security percent, as a result of the record stories. It also included alleged committee is to follow later in the day military casualties. (AP) decline in its profits after bearing the ❑ ❑ ❑ requests for negative coverage of before new measures are announced. cost of delay in payment of install- Netanyahu’s rivals. Armenian Orthodox Christmas is cel- ments for a period of six months, and BEIRUT: A massive fire broke out The document listed all 315 sus- ebrated in Lebanon this week. fears of non-distribution of profits, in Sunday in a warehouse where fuel pected incidents, which allegedly Lebanon, a country of nearly 6 mil- addition to concerns that investors and gas canisters were stored along included numerous requests to pub- lion, including 1 million refugees, has have about the continuing difficult the border between Lebanon and lish flattering articles and photos of registered around 3,000 infections economic repercussions on various Syria, injuring seven people and Netanyahu’s wife Sara, to conceal cases every day for the past week - sectors, which will inevitably end up causing loud explosions, the reports of embarrassing expenditures nearly doubling the number from pre- in allocations due to defaulting compa- Lebanese Red Cross and army said. and personal information about the vious weeks. Since February, nearly The fire raged in a warehouse in Netanyahu family and attempts to nies and individuals. the border area of al-Qasr, where the embarrass his rivals. 190,000 infections have been recorded Also, the balance of foreign owner- line between the two countries is It quoted Bezeq’s controlling and almost 1,500 deaths. ship in Kuwaiti banks by the end of highly permeable. shareholder at the time, Shaul The numbers began increasing this last year reached about KD 1.9 bil- The Lebanese army said the explo- Elovitch, as expressing concerns that summer, following a massive explo- lion, through their possession of 2.9 sions occurred away from one of its Netanyahu would not approve lucra- sion in Beirut’s port that shook the city Lebanese security forces wearing protective masks to prevent the spread billion shares with a share of KD 1.1 checkpoints and that none of its tive business deals for the company if and its heath sector, killing over 200 of coronavirus, as they stand guard at a street full of restaurants where billion in the National Bank of Kuwait members were injured. negative articles were published. people and injuring 6,000. The infec- revelers celebrating the New Year Eve, in Beirut, Lebanon, early on Jan 1. and KD 529 million in Kuwait It was not immediately clear what (AP) tions following the August explosion (AP) Finance House. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

Politics

Congress to certify Biden’s win Washington braces for intense opening to ’21 REHOBOTH BEACH, Jan 4, by judges, including two tossed (AP): The tumult of 2020 isn’t by the Supreme Court, where over yet.The opening week of three Trump-nominated jus- the new year will be dominated tices preside. by a collision of events that will Yet following the president’s test America’s commitment to lead, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz an- democracy, shape President- nounced a coalition of 11 sena- elect Joe Biden’s incoming ad- tors and senators-elect who ministration and determine the will join an effort to attempt to future of the Republican Party. subvert American voters during It begins on Tuesday with Electoral College certifi cation, two runoff elections in Georgia joining House Republicans who that will decide control of the have already pledged similar. Senate. Biden’s ability to eas- Wednesday’s congressional ily set up count is the fi nal step in reaf- his Cabinet fi rming Biden’s win, after the and enact Electoral College offi cially a legisla- elected him 306-232 last tive agenda month. That’s the same margin hinges on Trump won by in 2016. Democrats The constitutionally required capturing meeting is normally a formality. both seats. Yet Cruz and the other Republi- The fo- cans, some of whom have their cus shifts own White House ambitions, to Wash- Trump say they’ll vote against certain ington on state electors unless Congress In this Dec 15, 2020 fi le photo, President-elect Joe Biden speaks at a drive-in rally for Georgia Democratic candidates for US Senate Raphael Warnock and Wednesday, where Congress is appoints a commission to imme- Jon Ossoff, in Atlanta. The fi rst full week of 2021 is shaping up to be one of the biggest of Biden’s presidency. And he hasn’t even taken offi ce yet. (AP) set to certify Biden’s victory in diately audit the election results. the Electoral College. The typi- Republicans won’t succeed in cally procedural afterthought is blocking the results. Challenges now a battle as some Republi- would have to be passed by America Politics cans, eager to satisfy President the full Senate and Democrat- Donald Trump’s most loyal controlled House. But simply supporters, say they won’t cer- pledging to do so shows there Pelosi re-elected: Nancy Pelosi was are few boundaries for promi- narrowly re-elected Sunday as speaker, tify the results of a free and fair giving her the reins of Democrats’ slender Two Senate runoffs today election. Others in the GOP are nent Republicans aiming to House majority as she and President-elect warning that such moves are demonstrate loyalty to Trump. Joe Biden set a challenging course of pro- destructive. The last-ditch effort could ducing legislation to tackle the pandemic, Trump, who spent part of the impress Trump’s base, a boost revive the economy and address other party Post-Trump politics await in Georgia weekend pleading with Geor- for Cruz and other Republicans priorities. gia’s election chief to overturn thought to be preparing 2024 “We accept a responsibility as daunting ATLANTA, Jan 4, (AP): For more Georgia Republican vice chairman. directly with Trump’s rise and fall. Biden’s win there, has suggest- presidential runs. It’s also pro- and demanding as any that previous genera- than four years, President Donald “Either candidates or those already The worst-case scenario for Repub- ed he may make some type of voking a heated battle within tions of leadership have faced,” the Califor- Trump has dominated the Republi- in offi ce are going to say, hey, we’re licans would be Ossoff and War- appearance at demonstrations the GOP. nia Democrat told the chamber as she ac- can Party and the whole of Ameri- going to move beyond the Trump nock capitalizing again in Atlanta cepted a fresh two-year term in her post, can politics. Now Georgia gets to presidency or we’re going to con- suburbs, while watching rural and expected in Washington on Nominee perhaps her last. Citing the 350,000 Ameri- Wednesday. Some of the pro- cans who’ve died from COVID-19 and the decide what comes next. tinue to take our lead from Presi- small-town turnout drop from No- testers who have indicated they Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the millions who’ve lost jobs and livelihoods, Two Senate runoffs on Tuesday, dent Trump, or former President vember, when Trump was on the will be in the city have ties to Republican presidential nomi- she won a standing ovation when she said, just 15 days before Trump leaves Trump.” ballot. white supremacy. nee in 2012 who has broken “Our most urgent priority will continue to offi ce, will not only determine Republicans need to win just Those growing, diversifying sub- Even in a capital that has be- with his party before, called the be defeating the coronavirus. And defeat it, which party controls the Senate but one of the two seats on the ballot to urbs, which not long ago ensured come somewhat accustomed to tactic an “egregious ploy” that we will.” offer the fi rst clues about how long maintain Senate control. Democrats statewide GOP victories, have the chaos of the Trump era, the “may enhance the political am- Yet even before House Minority Leader Trump can maintain his grip on the need to win both for a 50-50 split trended toward Democrats in the bition of some, but dangerously Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., ceremonially nation’s politics once he’s out of the that would make Vice President- Trump era not just in Georgia, but tension heading into this week handed her the speaker’s gavel - a nor- is particularly acute. The re- threatens our Democratic Re- White House. elect Kamala Harris, as the Senate’s in metro areas such as Philadelphia, mally genial moment - he provided a stark Democrats are looking to prove presiding offi cer, the tie-breaking Dallas, Houston and Phoenix. percussions could be long-last- public.” Pennsylvania Republi- reminder of the partisan divide coloring ing, infl uencing the course of can Sen. Pat Toomey, who is re- that President-elect Joe Biden’s win vote. The stakes are high enough that Trump has shown since Novem- Congress. in Georgia and nationally was not Biden and Trump are scheduled to ber that he has no intention of go- Biden’s administration and ul- tiring, called out Cruz by name McCarthy accused Pelosi of over the past timately the American resolve and said the Texan and other fel- two years leading “the least productive Con- just a Trump backlash, but a per- hold dueling rallies Monday in Geor- ing quietly. He’s repeatedly denied low Republican senators were gress in nearly 50 years” and said there was manent shift for a once-solidly Re- gia. Harris was in the state Sunday. defeat and in a telephone call over to peacefully transfer power publican state. Their candidates, Jon Loeffl er, an appointee in her fi rst the weekend to Georgia’s Re- from one party to another. undermining “a fundamental, a clear message in last November’s elec- defi ning feature” of American tions, when Republicans gained seats by Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, have campaign, and Perdue, who’s trying publican secretary of state, Brad History democracy. Sen. Tom Cotton, defeating a dozen Democratic incumbents. pushed to solidify Democratic gains to win a second term after his fi rst Raffensperger, demanded that he an Arkansas Republican, said “It was a wake-up call,” he said. “The ques- among young voters in urban areas expired Sunday, chose a strategy “fi nd” enough votes to overturn “We will be reading about tion I ask of this majority: were you listen- and younger suburbanites around that worked for several of their GOP Biden’s victory. this in history books for dec- he opposed the idea of Congress ing?” (AP) Atlanta, along with strong Black colleagues who won hotly contested That call, a recording of which ades,” said Democratic strat- overturning the results of the ❑ ❑ ❑ turnout. races in November. was obtained by The Associated egist Andrew Feldman who Electoral College and thus ex- For Republicans, who’ve Trump fueled Republican turn- Press, demonstrates what Perdue works with labor and progres- ceeding its power and establish- CIA’s recruitment website: Spies from all backgrounds and walks of life. Striv- watched David Perdue and Sen. out, especially in rural areas and and Loeffl er have faced - and cho- sive organizations. “Anyone ing “unwise precedents.” Kelly Loeffl er run as Trump loyal- small towns, that overwhelmed sen to embrace. Both are wealthy who thought that Trump would The moment is especially ing to further diversify its ranks, the CIA launched a new website Monday to fi nd ists, the question is how long em- Democrats in states less diverse business fi gures who came to poli- cede control of the Republican awkward for Vice President top-tier candidates who will bring a broader bracing the president’s disruptive than Georgia. If the trend holds for tics from the center-right faction of Party post-an election loss is Mike Pence. In his role as pres- range of life experiences to the nation’s pre- politics - even indulging his de- Perdue or Loeffl er, Republicans the U.S. establishment, rather than just dead wrong. This is still ident of the Senate, he presides mier intelligence agency mands that elections offi cials defy would owe their majority in large the more populist throng that pro- very much, and I think will over Wednesday’s proceed- The days of all American spies being the law to overturn his defeat - can measure to Trump’s success in pelled Trump. But Perdue and Loef- continue to be, Trump’s GOP.” ings and will ultimately declare white male graduates from Ivy League deliver victories in battlegrounds. drawing out voters who had previ- fl er have defi ned their Washington Biden spent the weekend Biden’s victory. schools are long gone. The CIA director is “The party has a real choice to ously tuned out. tenures by how closely they align at his vacation house on the Previous vice presidents, a woman and women head all fi ve of the make on where we go from here,” But Democratic victories would with a president who remade Re- Delaware coast and has largely including Richard Nixon and agency’s branches, including the directo- said Michael McNeely, a former leave Republicans to reckon more publicanism in his image. Al Gore, have played similar rates of science and technology, operations shrugged off concerns about and digital innovation. the coming week. He plans to roles after tough presidential But while the CIA has been diversifying announce additional Cabinet campaigns. But Pence, who for years, intelligence agencies still lag the picks soon in a sign that he’s may seek the White House in federal workforce in minority representa- preparing to assume the presi- 2024, is seeking to avoid an- tion. With thousands of job applicants an- dency on Jan. 20. gering Trump and his base. He nually, the CIA wants to do more to ensure But the holiday weekend signaled support for the GOP’s its workforce refl ects national demograph- demonstrated some of the chal- certifi cation challenge over the ics. lenges ahead. weekend. The revamped website has links for GOP strategist Joe Brettell browsing CIA jobs complete with starting In a sign of the hostil- salaries and requirements, sections on work- ity coursing through American said that while challenging ing at the agency, and a streamlined applica- politics, vandals targeted the Electoral College certifi cation tion process. (AP) homes of congressional leaders will ultimately fail, it could ❑ ❑ ❑ from both parties. Republican serve to energize the Republi- Senate Majority Leader Mitch can base in Georgia ahead of Vaccine ‘glimmer of hope’: The U.S. McConnell’s door in Kentucky Tuesday’s elections. ramped up COVID-19 vaccinations in the past few days after a slower-than-expected was spray painted with deroga- But “there has been, over and start, bringing the number of shots dis- tory phrases while someone over, calculation by far right and pensed to about 4 million, government left graffi ti, a pig’s head and tea party-elected folks that they health offi cials said Sunday. fake blood at the San Francisco can somehow control or bring Dr. Anthony home of Democratic House the base within their grasp” only Fauci, the nation’s Speaker Nancy Pelosi . to see such efforts take on lives top infectious- And Trump’s Saturday con- of their own, he said. disease expert, also versation with Georgia Secre- “It has very real implica- said on ABC’s tary of State Brad Raffensperg- tions for the perception and “This Week” that President-elect Joe er, a fellow Republican, was execution of our elections for Biden’s pledge to an unprecedented effort by a years to come and I think that administer 100 mil- sitting president to pressure is the real danger,” Brettell lion shots of the a state offi cial to reverse the said. “The stated objective of vaccine within his outcome of an election. Trump our foreign enemies - which is fi rst 100 days in of- fi ce is achievable. pressed Raffensberger to “fi nd” to undermine our elections and Fauci enough votes for him to win. our system of government - are And he rejected The Associated Press ob- being carried out here, whether President Donald Trump’s false claim on tained the full audio of Trump’s intentionally or not.” Twitter that coronavirus deaths and cases in the U.S. have been greatly exaggerated. conversation with Georgia offi - Still, the dynamics create a “All you need to do ... is go into the cials from a person on the call. tough balancing act for Biden trenches, go into the hospitals, go into the The AP has a policy of not who has sought to project clam intensive care units and see what is happen- amplifying disinformation and and leadership while calling ing. Those are real numbers, real people and unproven allegations. The AP for bipartisan reconciliation. real deaths,” Fauci said on NBC’s “Meet the will be posting the full audio He also doesn’t want to fuel Press.” (AP) as it annotates a transcript with Republican efforts to block ❑ ❑ ❑ fact check material. the election’s results by calling Pastor shot dead: A 21-year-old man Raffensberger rebuffed more attention to them. who hid from police in an East Texas church Trump’s request and Biden’s “The big question is whether was charged with fi rst-degree murder and victory in Georgia - and other this the last gasp of the Trump felony assault in a shooting that left the pas- states that propelled him to vic- era or whether this a microcosm tor dead and two other people injured Sun- tory - is not in doubt. of things to come for the next day, a local sheriff said. There was no widespread year and for the foreseeable fu- Authorities had been using dogs and fraud in the election, which ture, and I think it’s probably drones to search for the man late Satur- day in woods near Winona following a car a range of election offi cials the latter,” said Adam Jentleson chase, and the pastor of the nearby Starrville across the country, as well as a Democratic strategist whose Methodist Church discovered him hiding in Trump’s former attorney gen- book “Kill Switch: The Rise of a church bathroom Sunday morning, Smith eral, William Barr, have con- the Modern Senate” comes out County Sheriff Larry Smith said at a news fi rmed. Republican governors this month. conference. in Arizona and Georgia, key “The challenge for Biden is Smith said police were initially pursuing battleground states crucial to he wants to be a healer, but you the man because he was suspected of bran- Biden’s victory, have vouched can’t be healer if the patient dishing a shotgun through the sunroof of a for the integrity of the elections doesn’t want to be healed,” Volkswagen Jetta he was driving Saturday. Authorities believe the suspect, identifi ed in their states. Nearly all the le- Jentleson added. “There’s only as 21-year-old Mytrez Deunte Woolen of gal challenges from Trump and so much he can do before his Marshall, Texas, broke into the church af- his allies have been dismissed efforts start to look delusional.” ter police had left the area around 2 a.m. Sunday. (AP) Daimler fines for slow recalls could reach $30m

Failing to recall vehicles $5 million the automaker The consent order, which requires Daimler to develop quickly enough could cost must spend on safety en- lasts from two to three written procedures and train- In this file photo, Ola Käl- Daimler Trucks up to $30 hancements, and a deferred years, requires Daimler to ing for employees who work lenius, Chairman of the Board million in fines and other $15 million penalty, which improve its ability to detect on recalls and reporting re- of Management of Daimler costs. may or may not have to be and investigate potential quirements. AG and Mercedes-Benz AG In penalties announced paid. safety defects in its vehi- “We appreciate the oppor- at the Capital Market Day Thursday, the National High- The order stems from sev- cles. tunity to summarily resolve 2019 in London. (AP) way Traffic Safety Admin- eral recalls between 2017 The company must also this matter and continue istration said Daimler also and 2018. Daimler said there improve its collection of building safe, efficient and failed to comply with other have been no known acci- safety information from its reliable commercial vehi- reporting requirements. dents or injuries related to businesses and report the cles,” Daimler Trucks said in They include an upfront what it called “voluntary re- information accurately to a prepared statement Thurs- fine of $10 million, another calls.” regulators at NHTSA. It also day. (AP)

Market Movements 04-01-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +103.05 6,953.67 JAPAN - Nikkei -185.79 27,258.38 GERMANY - DAX +7.96 13,726.74 FRANCE - CAC 40 +37.55 5,588.96 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +11.75 3,564.39 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +156.81 6,381.18 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +57.79 7,197.50 INDIA - Sensex +307.82 48,170.90 Business Tie-up to create world’s 4th-largest auto company Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot shareholders approve merger MILAN, Jan 4, (AP): Shareholders of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot deci- sively voted Monday to merge the U.S.-Italian and French carmakers to Huge oil discoveries to be create world’s 4th-largest auto com- pany. Addressing separate meetings, both ‘announced’ by oil sector PSA Peugeot CEO Carlos Tavares and KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: The oil International Petroleum Company Fiat Chrysler Chairman John Elkann sector is preparing to soon an- in Europe. spoke of the “historic” importance of nounce huge oil discoveries, re- The board approved the recom- the vote, which combines legacy car ports Al-Rai daily quoting high- mendations of the KPC’s execu- companies that helped write the in- ranking sources. tive committee to reduce operating dustrial histories of the United States, They explained that the board budgets by about KD 470 million France and Italy. of directors of the Kuwait Petro- for the 2021/2022 fi scal year. Before the merger is fi nalized, leum Corporation (KPC) held its The oil companies will amend shares in the new company, to be fi rst meeting, which was presided their operational budgets before called Stellantis, must the launched. over by the Minister of Oil and the the Board of Directors takes its It will be traded in Milan, New York Minister of Electricity and Water decision to reduce . The most and Paris. Dr. Muhammad Al-Fares. During prominent items, contracts and “We are living through a profound the meeting, preparations were ap- operational terms will be affected, era of change in our industry,’’ Elkann proved for the decommissioning but while maintaining the highest told the virtual shareholders’ meeting. of several oil projects and for the levels of safety, security and envi- “We believe that the coming decade sale of some foreign assets of the ronment. will redefi ne mobility as we know it. We and our merger partners at Groupe PSA are intent on playing a leading sudden death in July 2018. bank said he expected “immediate ac- role in building this future. It is this Tavares comes into the new role tion to be taken right after closing, for intention that has brought us together.” with a reputation as a cost-cutter and example by bringing FCA’s European The new company, to be called Stel- skilled manager, qualities he put to use product on the PSA architectures.” lantis, will have the capacity to pro- as head of Nissan’s North American Still, analysts point out that gaining duce 8.7 million cars a year, behind operations from 2009 to 2011 and in cost-savings is only the fi rst of many Volkswagen, Toyota and Renault- integrating Opel and Vauxhall into that the new company will face. Both Nissan, and create 5 billion euros in In this file photo, CEO of PSA Groupe Carlos Ta- vote on a merger that will create the world’s fourth- the PSA Peugeot family after buying PSA and Fiat Chrysler enter the new annual synergies. vares arrives for the presentation of the company’s largest automaker. The new company called Stel- them in 2017. Experts say he is likely union with poor records and infrastruc- The marriage of carmakers PSA 2019 full year results in Rueil-Malmaison, west of lantis will be run by PSA CEO Carlos Tavares, who to follow a blueprint that showed little ture in China, and both are lagging in Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler Automo- Paris. Fiat Chrysler Shareholders of Fiat Chrysler is known for cutting vehicles or ventures that don’t tolerance for vehicles or ventures that electrifi ed powertrains, requiring in- biles is built on the promise of cost and France’s PSA Group are meeting on Jan 4, to make money. (AP) didn’t make money. vestments that will off-set some of the savings in the capital-hungry industry, That could put into the crosshairs savings. but what remains to be seen is if it will “We are fully aware of the fact meo - pooling companies that have holder, will be the Stellantis chairman. any of the 14 car brands that Stellan- PSA has set a goal of having all- be able to preserve jobs and heritage that together we will be stronger helped defi ne the industry in the Unit- Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley will tis will house, fi ve from PSA and nine electric or hybrid powertrains on its brands in a global market still suffer- than individually,’’ PSA CEO Car- ed States, France and Italy. head North American operations, from Fiat Chrysler. entire model range by 2025, while Fiat ing from the pandemic. los Tavares told a virtual gathering While the tie-up is billed as a merger which is key to Tavares’ long-time The two companies also have signif- Chrysler has committed to electrifying PSA Peugeot shareholders on Mon- of eligible shareholders. “The two of equals, the power advantage goes to goal of getting a U.S. foothold for icant overlaps in their manufacturing 30 of its models by 2022. day overwhelmingly approved the deal companies are in good health. These PSA, with Tavares running Stellantis the French carmaker he has run since and engineering operations in Europe. Meeting those challenges will take to create the world’s fourth-largest car- two companies have strong positions and holding the tie-breaking vote on 2014, and the clear money-maker for PSA said in a statement to the AP more than restructuring prowess, said maker, to be called Stellantis, with the in their markets.” the 11-seat board. Tavares is set to take Fiat Chrysler. last week that decisions on brands Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer of the Center capacity to produce 8.7 million cars a The new company will put together full control of the company early this Such a deal was long wanted by Fiat would be communicated after the deal for Automotive Research in Germany. year, behind Volkswagen, Toyota and under one roof French mass-market year, possibly by the end of January. Chrysler’s long-time CEO Sergio Mar- is closed. Fiat Chrysler said in a state- “Carlos Tavares is a restructuring Renault-Nissan, and create 5 billion carmakers Peugeot and Citroen, top- Fiat Chrysler chairman John Elkann, chionne, who had predicted the neces- ment that there are no plans to close guy. He knows how to restructure, but euros in annual synergies. Fiat Chrys- selling Jeep and Italian luxury and heir to the Fiat-founding Agnelli fam- sity of consolidation in the industry. any plants. he has no ideas for a new tack,” he ler shareholders vote later in the day. sports brands Maserati and Alfa Ro- ily and Fiat Chrysler’s biggest share- He was unable to fi nd a deal before his Analyst Patrick Hummel from UBS said. File your tax return ASAP Start this year off strong China’s ‘manufacturing’ with these money moves By Liz Weston tions, reviewing just a few months can show you some patterns and help NerdWallet you identify spending you want to fter the train wreck that was change. activity improves in Dec A2020, you may well question Preparing for irregular but predict- whether it’s worth trying to plan any- able expenses can help you feel less thing. But knocking off a few finan- panicked when those bills arrive. cial tasks early in the year can better These expenses can include insur- Economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic prepare you for whatever 2021 has in ance premiums, property taxes, car store. and home repairs, vacations, back-to- Filing your tax return early typical- school shopping and holidays. Check BEIJING, Jan 4, (AP): ly means getting your refund sooner. your spending in each of these areas China’s manufacturing Not only that, it could thwart refund- for the past few years to ballpark how activity improved in De- stealing identity thieves. Also, If you much to save this year. were owed a stimulus check in 2020 Once you have your savings goals cember but at its weakest but didn’t get one, or should have for each category, consider setting up rate in three months as the gotten more, you can claim the miss- separate savings accounts at an on- economy recovered from ing money on your return. line bank that doesn’t charge monthly the coronavirus pandemic If you owe the IRS, it’s better to fees. You can divide the amounts know sooner rather than later. You’ll by the number of paychecks you’ll while its trading partners have more time to find the money or get before the money is needed, and struggled with rising infec- arrange a payment plan. set up automatic transfers from your tions, according to two sur- Also, unemployment checks are checking account to the appropriate generally taxable. Many people who savings account after each payday. veys. received last year’s extended jobless Most charities prefer getting regu- A monthly purchasing man- benefits may face a larger-than-ex- lar contributions throughout the year, agers’ index issued Monday by pected tax bill this year, tax experts since the steady income helps them a business magazine, Caixin, say. plan. You may discover you can give Once your 2020 tax return is pre- more if you’re not trying to squeeze slipped to 53 from November’s pared, you can use that and your first your contributions in with other 54.9 on a 100-point scale on pay stub from 2021 to see if you’re year-end spending. You can use your which numbers above 50 show on track with tax withholding. A bank’s bill pay system to send month- activity expanding. A separate good tax withholding calculator can ly checks or arrange with the charity help you determine how to adjust the PMI by an official industry to charge a credit card. group, the China Federation amounts taken from each paycheck. Flexible spending accounts are Then, contact your employer if you employer-provided benefits that al- of Logistics & Purchasing, de- need to make changes. low you to put aside tax-free money clined to 51.9 from the previous If you’re self-employed, you may for medical or child care expenses. month’s 52.1. need to make estimated quarterly If you signed up for your employ- China is the only major econ- payments. You could consult a tax er’s medical FSA, try to spend that omy on track to record positive professional to find out how much money as early in the year as pos- The logo for Chinese telecommunications firm China Telecom is seen on a booth at the China International Fair for economic growth in 2020 while those should be. sible. You don’t have to wait until the Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing on Sept 5, 2020. (AP) the United States and Europe Consider increasing and diversi- money is taken from your paycheck fying your retirement contributions. struggle with rising case num- to use it for eligible health care ex- bers that have prompted govern- After you take full advantage of any penses. (That’s different from child available company match in a 401(k) care FSAs, which don’t allow you to China warns of ‘retaliation’ for ments to re-impose travel and or 403(b), look into funding a Roth spend money before you contribute business controls. IRA. Financial planners often recom- it.) Sub-indexes of exports and em- mend having at least some money Spending early has a few advan- ployment in both surveys rose but in a Roth so you can better control tages. You don’t risk leaving money NYSE’s delisting of companies at a slower rate than December. your tax bill in retirement. If your “We expect the economic re- in the account and potentially losing BEIJING, Jan 4, (AP): China said Saturday that it would countermeasures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights income is too high to make a direct it. (Many employers extend the dead- covery in the post-epidemic era Roth contribution - the ability to con- take necessary countermeasures in response to the New and interests of Chinese companies,” a spokesperson for the line for using the money past Dec. 31, York Stock Exchange’s announcement that it would delist Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement. to continue for several months,” tribute starts to phase out at modified but at some point unspent money is three major Chinese telecoms, in the latest fl are-up of ten- The actions will also “greatly weaken all parties’ confi - economist Wang Zhe of the adjusted gross income of $140,000 forfeited.) sions between Beijing and Washington. dence in the U.S. capital market,” the statement said. The Caixin Insight Group said in a for singles and $208,000 for married Incurring medical expenses early The stock exchange said Thursday that it would delist ministry did not offer details on what the measures might be. statement. filing jointly - you could consider in the year can help you meet insur- China Telecom Corp. Ltd., China Mobile Ltd. and China Under Trump, the U.S. has stepped up economic sanc- Caixin said a sub-indicator of converting a portion of an existing ance deductibles, too, so the rest of Unicom Hong Kong Ltd., with trading of the companies to tions and travel bans against Chinese companies, govern- business confidence in its survey traditional IRA. your health care can cost less. Also, be suspended sometime between Jan. 7 and Jan. 11. ment offi cials and Communist Party members, especially Budgeting apps and personal fi- if you leave your job during the year, dipped to a three-month low. The move stems from an executive order President Don- recently in Trump’s last few weeks in offi ce. “We need to pay attention to the nance websites can help you see you don’t have to finish making FSA ald Trump issued on Nov. 12 barring investment in publicly In December, the U.S. announced plans to limit visas for where your money went in 2020 and contributions. In other words, you traded companies that the U.S. government says are owned members of the Chinese Communist Party and their family mounting pressure on costs” due to help you make a plan for 2021. You can spend the full amount you had or controlled by the Chinese military. members to one month, instead of 10 years. higher raw material prices, Wang can also look back over bank or credit planned to contribute, up to $2,750, “China opposes the Americans from abusing national secu- Chinese tech giant Huawei has been shut out of the U.S. said. That is “particularly impor- card statements. But even if you can’t without actually having to contribute rity by listing Chinese companies into the so-called ‘Commu- market and the U.S. has lobbied other countries to follow tant” as regulators decide how to get the full year’s worth of transac- the full amount. (AP) nist China Military Companies’ list and will take the necessary suit, albeit with mixed results. withdraw economic stimulus. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 BUSINESS 9 US stocks retreat from their record highs Trading starts for year of great expectations

NEW YORK, Jan 4, (AP): be too expensive, particularly if the US stocks are falling from big rebound in corporate profits that investors expect to occur later this their record highs Monday, year doesn’t materialize. as trading gets underway Politics is also still a wild card. in a year where the domi- Two runoff races in Georgia on Tuesday will determine which party nant expectation is for a controls the Senate. President powerful economic Donald Trump, meanwhile, hasn’t rebound to eventually given up his push to reverse the sweep the world. results of the free and fair election The S&P 500 was 1% lower in that saw him lose to Democratic morning trading, after earlier flip- president-elect Joe Biden. ping from small gains to losses. About three in four stocks in the S&P 500 were falling Monday. On The Dow Jones Industrial Average the losing end of the market were also fell from its record set last several Big Tech stocks. Apple week and was down 390 points, or slipped 1.3%, Microsoft fell 0.7% 1.3%, at 30,216. The Nasdaq com- and Amazon lost 0.8%. While the posite was 0.7% lower, as of 10:53 dips were modest, the massive size a.m. Eastern time, as coronavirus of Big Tech stocks gives their move- cases climb at frightening rates ments much more sway over the around the world. S&P 500 than other companies. Japanese stocks fell even more Those three were the biggest drags sharply as officials there mull a state on the index. of emergency due to surging virus Momentum has slowed for Big cases. But optimism was more prev- Tech stocks, which soared earlier in alent in other markets. Most the pandemic as shop- and work- European and Asian stock indexes from-home trends that benefit them were higher, while Treasury yields accelerated. Many analysts expect climbed in a signal of rising expecta- the stock market’s gains to broaden tions for economic growth and infla- this year as the economy recovers, tion. with Big Tech no longer pulling so Hope for a better future coming far away from the rest of the market. thanks to vaccines has recently been Tesla rose 5% for one of the big- helping to paper over concerns about gest gains in the S&P 500 after it the present, as the pandemic worsens said it delivered 499,500 vehicles around the world. last year. That’s a 36% jump on the The United Kingdom has been hit year, though it fell short of CEO particularly hard by a new variant of Elon Musk’s goal of 500,000, which the coronavirus that appears to be was set before the pandemic hit. People walk by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo on Jan 4. Asian stock markets rose on 2021’s first trading day, boosted by optimism much more contagious. On Monday, In European stock markets, about the rollout of coronavirus vaccines after Wall Street ended the year on a new high. Market benchmarks in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and Sydney the United Kingdom became the France’s CAC 40 gained 1%, and advanced. Tokyo declined. (AP) first nation to start using the COVID- Germany’s DAX returned 0.4%. 19 vaccine developed by Oxford The FTSE 100 in London jumped University and drugmaker 2.3%. Humansoft Holding skids 49 fils, Zain gains AstraZeneca. Asian stock markets rose Monday In the United States, regulators on 2021’s first trading day, boosted have already approved two other by optimism about coronavirus vac- vaccines. China last week gave the cines after Wall Street ended the Kuwait bourse kicks off year with small pullback greenlight for its first domestically year on a new high. developed vaccine. Others are also Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and By John Mathews Boubyan Bank gave up 3 fils to close next. YIACO skidded 14 percent, the Recycling Co crept 0.9 fil higher while being tested. Sydney advanced. Tokyo declined. Arab Times Staff at 565 fils. Mabanee Co was down 5 steepest decliner of the day while Educational Holding Co gained 10 The hope is that vaccines will Optimism about vaccines has out- fils at 652 fils with a volume of over 1 ALOLA continued to top the volume fils. NICBM stood pat at 156 fils and allow daily life around the world to weighed concern about rising infec- KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: Kuwait stocks million shares after shedding 248 fils with 51.4 million shares. ACICO Industries ticked 0.1 fil into slowly get back to normal. That’s tion numbers in the United States slipped into a shallow trough on during whole of 2020 and Humansoft Reflecting the day’s small drop, the green. helped spark a recent recovery for and some other countries and con- Monday as it kicked off the year on a Holding skidded 49 fils to KD 3.750. losers slightly outnumbered the win- Kuwait Foundry Co was unchanged stocks of travel-related businesses, flict over economic aid in cautious note. The All Shares Index Zain rose 3 fils to 609 fils on back of ners. 54 stocks advanced whereas 57 at 268 fils whereas Gulf Cable was up fell 9.97 points in volatile session to 1.5 million shares whereas Ooredoo closed lower. Of the 128 counters 5 fils at 760 fils. UPAC rose 12 fils to smaller companies and other indus- Washington, said Stephen Innes of 5,536.07 point weighed by some of the tries left behind for much of the stood pat at 627 fils off early highs. active on Monday, 17 closed flat. 302 fils and Hayat Communications Axi in a report. heavyweights even as the broader stc and Agility too were unchanged at 8,393 deals worth KD 30.6 million closed 5 fils in red. Kuwait and Gulf pandemic. Traders are “perhaps a bit over- sentiment remained mixed. 852 fils and 676 fils respectively and were transacted during the session. Links Transport Co ticked 0.6 fils Even though infection rates and eager” but believe vaccines will The Premier Market dropped 18.74 Boursa too did not budge from its ear- National Industries Group rose 2 higher to 53.4 fils. Mashaer Holding hospitalizations are now at frighten- “provide the ultimate economic points to 6,032.33 points after shed- lier close of KD 1.100. fils to,178 fils on back of over 3 mil- dialed down 1.6 fils while Combined ing levels, many investors are bet- kick-start, offering a massive boost- ding 43 points during whole of KIPCO was flat at 159 fils and lion shares while Mezzan Holding Group Contracting Co gave up 2 fils ting that ultralow interest rates pro- er shot to corporate profits,” said December while Main Market scaled KMEFIC gave up 3 fils. Kuwait slipped 9 fils to 599 fils. Boubyan before closing at 199 fils. vided by the Federal Reserve and Innes. 8.23 points. BK 50 Main index was up Investment Co eased 1 fils to 121 fils Petrochemical Co gave up 5 fils before In the banking sector, Gulf Bank financial support for the economy The Shanghai Composite Index 5.82 points at 4,642.17 pts. The vol- while National Investment Co was ending at 635 fils whereas Al Qurain clipped 2 fils after trading 2.7 million recently approved by Congress can gained 0.8% to 3,499.02 and the ume turnover meanwhile shrank fol- down 5 fils at 130 fils. Noor Financial Petrochemical Co dialed up 2 fils. shares and Kuwait International Bank help tide the economy over until Hang Seng in Hong Kong rose 0.5% lowing the 4-day rise. Over 234 mil- Investment Co paused at 170 fils Integrated Holding Co dropped 7 fils eased 1 fils to 207 fils. Burgan Bank vaccinations become more wide- to 27,366.10. lion shares changed hands – a 11 pct whereas Tamdeen Investment Co to 359 fils and Aznour tripped 1 fil. stalled at 213 fils whereas Kuwait spread. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo declined drop from the day before. jumped 20 fils to 330 fils. Jazeera Airways scaled 13 fils on Finance House took in 1 fils on back Governments might throw less 0.7% to 27,243.14 after Prime The sectors closed mostly in red turf. The market opened weak and fell back of over 1 million shares whereas of 4.5 million shares. Ahli United stimulus at their economies than last Minister Yoshihide Suga said the Insurance sector outshone the rest with sharply in early trade. The main index ALAFCO dialed down 1 fil. Automated Bank gave up 5 fils with brisk trading. year, but policy is “still at a very government is considering declaring 0.91 pct gain whereas Technology shed bounced back before heading south Systems Co and KCPC trimmed 1 fil Al Ahli Bank added 3 fils while loose setting,” which supports stock a state of emergency for the Japanese 1.45 percent, the biggest loser of the day. again amid selling in some of the each while KPPC eased 0.3 fils to 39.8 Commercial Bank closed flat. prices and lending, said Kerry Craig capital and three surrounding prefec- Volume wise, Financial Services topped counters. It plumbed the day’s lowest fil. PAPCO erased 2.7 fils whereas IFA The market was mixed during the with 95.2 million shares while Banking level of 5,515 points past the mid- Hotels and Resorts added 1.2 fils. Oula previous week. The main index closed of JP Morgan Asset Management in tures due to surging virus caseloads. sector dominated in value with KD 41.4 session and clawed back some of the Fuel clipped 1 fil and Soor took in 1 fil lower in three of the five sessions a report. Suga called on restaurants and million shares. losses in final hour. to close at 123 fils. shedding 24 points week-on-week. It “Investors should look through bars to close by 8 p.m. and said it In the individual shares, National Top gainer of the day, Al Mudon Kuwait Cement Co fell 2 fils to 229 gained 87 points during the whole of the bumpier start to the new eco- would be difficult to restart a travel Bank of Kuwait fell 2 fils to 838 fils rallied 9.4 pct to 19.7 fils while fils whereas Kuwait Portland Cement December but has tumbled 736 points nomic cycle and focus on the promotion program that was sus- after trading 7.6 million shares while Thuraya climbed 8.68 percent to stand and HEISC added 1 fil each. Metal and during whole of 2020. improved earnings outlook,” Craig pended last month. He said the gov- said. ernment would expedite approval of Of course, many risks remain for coronavirus vaccines and begin pro- than 0.1% at 47,923.24. Singapore trading day of 2020. It ended the 12,888.28. worst decline since the 1930s. the market, even beyond the threat viding injections in February. and Jakarta also advanced while year up 16.3%, or a total return of Vaccine development by US, In the bond market, the yield on of economic lockdowns coming in The Kospi in Seoul rose 2.4% to Bangkok declined. about 18.4% with dividends. European and Chinese producers has the 10-year Treasury rose to 0.92% the near term because of the raging 2,943.11 and Sydney’s S&P-ASX On Wall Street, the benchmark The Dow Jones Industrial Average helped to buoy investor optimism from 0.89% late Thursday. Markets pandemic. Prices have climbed 200 added 1.5% to 6,684.20. S&P 500 index rose 0.6% to a high rose 0.7% to a record 30,606.48. The that a return to normal might be were closed Friday for New Year’s enough that critics say stocks may India’s Sensex opened up less of 3,756.07 on Thursday, its final Nasdaq composite added 0.1% to closer after the global economy’s Day. Google workers form new union NEW YORK, Jan 4, (AP): A group of Google engineers announced Monday they have formed a union, creating a rare foothold for the labor movement in the tech industry. About 225 employees at Google and its parent company Alphabet are the first dues-paying members of the Alphabet Workers Union. They represent a fraction of Alphabet’s workforce, far short of the threshold needed to get formal recognition as a collective bargaining group in the U.S. But the new union, which will be affiliated with the larger Communication Workers of America, says it will serve as a “structure that ensures Google workers can actively push for real changes at the company.” Its mem- bers say they want more of a voice not just on wages, benefits and protections against discrimination and harass- ment but also broader ethical questions about how Google pursues its business ventures. Google didn’t immediately return an emailed request for comment Monday. Unionization campaigns haven’t historically been able to gain much traction among elite tech workers, who earn big salaries and other perks like free food and shuttle rides to work. But workplace activism at Google and other big tech firms has grown in recent years as employers call for better handling of workplace sexual harassment and dis- crimination, opposition to Trump administration policies and avoiding harmful uses of the products they’re helping to build and sell. “One of the reasons why it’s taken a while for workers to get to this point is because the leaders of these compa- nies did a good job of convincing workers they were these benevolent folks who were going to provide for them, kind of a paternalistic model,” said Beth Allen, communi- cations director at the CWA. “That got them a long way,” Allen said, but workers have increasingly realized they need “to come together and build power for themselves and have a voice in what’s going on.” The National Labor Relations Board typically recog- nizes petitions to form new unions when they get interest from at least 30% of employees in a given location or job classification. Allen said the Alphabet Workers Union is not currently planning to pursue official recognition as a collective bar- gaining group. Instead, she said it will work similarly to public sector unions in states that don’t allow public employees to bargain collectively. Tesla’s annual sales up 36% but comes short of delivery goal

Motorists Tesla’s annual sales rose 36%, but the In the fi rst nine months of the year, Tesla pany told workers at the Fremont, Califor- charge their electric car company came short of its an- reported that it delivered just over 318,000 nia, plant that the Model S and X produc- vehicles at a Tesla nual goal to deliver 500,000 vehicles. vehicles worldwide, including a record tion lines would be shut down from Dec. 24 supercharging The company said Saturday that it de- 139,300 in the third quarter. To reach a half until Jan. 11, meaning most of the demand location next to a livered 499,500 for the year, including million, Tesla would have had to shatter the was for the Model 3 small car and Model Y fast-food restau- 180,570 SUVs and sedans for the October record and deliver 181,650 vehicles from small SUV. rant off Interstate through December period. October through December. It appeared the company was getting 70 Wednesday, CEO Elon Musk set a goal of delivering Musk sent an email to employees in De- close to 500,000 but needed a boost to Dec. 30, 2020, in 500,000 vehicles in 2020 before the coro- cember urging them to increase production make the number. On Tuesday, Musk tried Limon, Colorado. navirus pandemic hit, and Tesla stuck to for the rest of the quarter as much as pos- to juice sales, tweeting that all Tesla cars (AP) that goal even though the virus forced its sible, writing that Tesla has a “high-class delivered during the last three days of the only U.S. assembly plant to close for sev- problem” of demand being above what its year would get three months of the com- eral weeks in the spring. factories can produce. But later the com- pany’s “full self-driving” option for free. (AP) Business PPluslus Businesses hard-hit by the outbreak will be eligible for a second loan Minority-owned companies waited months for loans, data shows

fi rms, according to the US Black Chambers. That discouraged many minority owners, Busby says. “This program was made available for payroll and so many fi rms did not have payroll and did not apply,” he says. Minority-owned and other very small companies were also left out at fi rst because some banks refused to process applications that weren’t from well-established customers with multiple accounts. Many of those banks ended that practice after being criticized publicly. The SBA, which initially had more than 3,000 lenders in the program, eventually brought in 2,000 more banks, non-bank lenders and online lenders, which helped more minority applications get approved as the PPP wore on. “Many of our Hispanic-owned businesses in the fi rst round never heard back from their banks or were turned down. They had to wait until the second round, and many had to leave their banks and go to a commu- nity lender or a nonprofi t minority-run agency,” Cavazos says. Lisa Marsh tried in vain to get banks to process her application. She fi rst applied in June but she couldn’t get answers on her status from her bank, a subsidiary of a big national bank. She also got nowhere with smaller community banks. Marsh, owner of MsPsGFree, a Chicago-based gluten-free baking business, fi nally applied through an online lender in late July and got her loan a few days before the PPP ended. “I was very frustrated and almost gave up,” she says. Lack of a banking relationship was one of the reasons the New York Fed- eral Reserve Bank cited for disparities in PPP loan approvals to Black- and white-owned companies. The study In this fi le photo, President Donald Trump poses for a photo after signing the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act during a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in based on the fi rst SBA data release Washington. Thousands of minority-owned small businesses were at the end of the line in the government’s coronavirus relief program as many struggled to fi nd banks to accept their applica- found that in parts of the country tions. Or, they were disadvantaged by the program’s terms. Data from the Paycheck Protection Program analyzed by The Associated Press show many minority owners desperate for a loan where there were concentrations of didn’t receive one until the PPP’s last weeks. (AP) businesses owned by Blacks, the percentage of loans was far below the national average. For example, only By Joyce M. Rosenberg and The fi rst round of the program saw Still, minority owners were kept community banks, minority-owned 7% of companies in the New York Justin Myers overwhelming demand and the Small waiting while their companies were in financial institutions and community City borough of the Bronx and 11.6% Business Administration approved jeopardy. development financial institutions, of fi rms in Wayne County, Michigan, housands of minority-owned small $349 billion in loans in just two “Many are hanging on by the non-bank lenders that aim to get where Detroit is located, received PPP Tbusinesses were at the end of the weeks. But many minority-owned skin of their teeth. Most are in the funding to underserved communi- loans, compared to nearly 18% of line in the government’s coronavirus fi rms applied to multiple banks early professional services, small retail ties. companies nationwide. relief program as many struggled to in the program and were rejected, shops, restaurants, barber shops,” The AP analysis shows restaurants Community outreach helped turn fi nd banks that would accept their while others couldn’t get banks to says Ramiro Cavazos, president of the slammed by the virus outbreak got the the tide. Community development applications or were disadvantaged by respond to their applications and United States Hispanic Chamber of most loans in the fi rst round, but they fi nancial institutions connected with the terms of the program. inquiries. Commerce. were followed by businesses in two local minority-owned businesses and Many are hanging Data from the Paycheck Protection “Many of our businesses were The recent data from the SBA high-income professions: law fi rms helped them apply during the second ‘ Program released Dec. 1 and analyzed being turned down in the fi rst and provided a more in-depth look at and doctors’ practices. When the fi rst round, says Claire Kramer Mills, co- on by the skin of by The Associated Press show that second round of funding. That caused businesses that received loans than round ended millions of small busi- author of the NY Fed study. many minority owners desperate for application fatigue and frustration,” data released on July 6. The earlier nesses were left waiting. “The disparities that were found their teeth. Most are a relief loan didn’t receive one until says Ron Busby, president of the US data provided only limited details on The program’s disparities were ap- earlier were really appalling,” Mills the PPP’s last few weeks while many Black Chambers, a nationwide cham- loans under $150,000; the govern- parent from the start. An AP analysis says. in the professional more white business owners were able ber of commerce. ment initially refused to release more of the initial data release found some The outreach brought in thousands to get loans earlier in the program . Loan data analyzed according information on those borrowers, citing of the nation’s largest banks had of last-minute applications, the SBA services, small retail The program, which began April to ZIP codes found that in that fi rst privacy concerns. The AP and other processed larger loans fi rst. That in- data show. 3 and ended Aug. 8 and handed out round of funding, six loans were news organizations successfully sued cluded loans to well-known and well- MBE Capital, a lender focusing on 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion, approved for every 1,000 people under the Freedom of Information Act fi nanced companies including Shake minority-owned companies, received shops, restaurants, helped many businesses stay on their living in the 20% of ZIP codes with to make data on all PPP loans public, Shack, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and a commitment in mid-May from NBA feet during a period when government the greatest proportions of white resi- leading to the latest release. the Los Angeles Lakers. Many have Hall of Fame member Magic Johnson barber shops measures to control the coronavirus dents, nearly twice the rate of loans The SBA did not address the timing returned the money. for funding for $100 million in PPP ’ forced many to shut down or operate approved for people living in the 20% of loans to minority-owned businesses What’s more, the program’s terms loans. at a diminished capacity. But it strug- of ZIP codes with the smallest propor- when asked for comment by the AP. helped exclude minority-owned MBE loans accounted for nearly gled to meet its promise of aiding tions of whites. But spokesperson Shannon Giles said fi rms. A primary goal for the loans a quarter of approvals on the PPP’s communities that historically haven’t That pattern reversed itself over the in an email that $133 billion, or 25%, was to allow owners to keep paying last day, according to the AP analysis. gotten the help they needed. fi nal four weeks of round two, partly of PPP funding had gone to compa- employees who otherwise would go More than half of the company’s loan Congress has approved a third, because banks responded to criticism nies in economically disadvantaged on unemployment. So, non-employer approvals came in the last three weeks $284 billion round of PPP loans. by making it easier to apply for a loan. areas known as Historically Un- fi rms, or businesses that have owners of the program. MBE did not respond While companies that did not get Over the entire course of the program, derutilized Business Zones, and 27% but no other staffers, weren’t allowed to requests for comment. loans previously have another chance the number of loans approved grew went to low and moderate-income to apply until a week after the pro- Busby noted that the PPP was at help, according to a draft of the and evened out at 14 loans per 1,000 neighborhoods. gram began. supposed to help underserved com- legislation, businesses hard-hit by the residents in the most ZIP codes with The bill President Donald Trump Of the 2.6 million Black-owned munities. virus outbreak will be eligible for a the most and fewest number of white- signed into law on Dec. 27 provides companies in business before the pan- “We know that did not happen,” he second loan. owned businesses. for $15 billion to be set aside for demic, 2.1 million were non-employer says. (AP) Nonprofi ts’ needs are skyrocketing amid the COVID-19 pandemic When to donate rewards to charity & when to give cash By Erin Hurd ished if you donate them. Other times, lets cardholders donate rewards to 1. When your points lose signifi cant credit card rewards as rebates and NerdWallet it’s a fair or even superior value. several charities and contributes an value not income, donations of points and Citi lets eligible cardholders donate extra $25,000 to one that receives the Many loyalty programs don’t miles aren’t eligible write-offs - but f you’re looking to give to char- ThankYou points to a handful of most donations annually. disclose how many dollars a charity monetary donations could be. If you Iity this holiday season but don’t charities at a value of 1 cent each. United Airlines’ Miles on a Mission will receive for your points or miles redeem rewards for cash back and want to dip into your bank account, That’s the baseline value you’d want platform runs periodic campaigns to donation. But often it won’t be the then donate that directly to a charity, donating unused credit card rewards, for travel redemption, and it’s a better support nonprofi ts and will match same value you could expect if you you’re giving money, not points. There’s been an hotel points and airline miles can be value than redeeming for cash back. your miles donation to eligible organi- used them for travel. 3. If you have alternative ‘found ‘ a helpful alternative. In some cases Those who hold eligible Chase zations up to a total of 500,000 per Marriott, for instance, offers a ro- funds’ avalanche of interest the charity can use the rewards for credit cards can redeem their points campaign. bust list of charities to which you can Another way to avoid tapping into travel needs, and in other cases, the for statement credits to cover dona- 3. When your supply outpaces your donate Bonvoy points - from as few your bank account or your rewards in people donating issuer can convert them to cash for the tions to about a dozen charities, again demand as 2,500 points for a $10 donation, up stash is to donate “cash equivalents.” charity. at a rate that’s higher than the penny- Points and miles don’t earn interest to 125,000 points for a $500 donation. One example: unused gift card bal- gift cards, and buy- And nonprofi ts’ needs are skyrock- per-point value for cash back. and can be devalued. If you’re sitting That’s a value of 0.4 cent per point, ances that may be fl oating around eting amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There are third-party options, too. on more points than you’ll use in the but you can more than double that if your desk. ing charitable gift A July 2020 analysis by Candid, a Miles4Migrants, a charity that uses next two years, donating them may you use them for travel. Charity Choice, a nonprofi t that group that provides information about donated miles to help people affected make sense. 2. If you can donate cash rewards lets users send gift cards to more than nonprofi ts, found that more than one- by disasters, works to get full value Derrick Dye, an attorney and blog- instead 1,000 different charities, also accepts cards for their third of them may be forced to shutter for gifted rewards. “We have a team ger at Travel-on-Points, earns millions Some cards may give you an op- unused balances on existing retail and as a result of the twin crises of the of expert award bookers search for of miles a year and strives to donate tion to earn rewards as points or cash restaurant gift cards. friends and clients pandemic and recession. fl ights and give that information to the 10% of them, even if it’s not for back. And while points can sometimes “There’s been an avalanche of ’ Here are times it can make sense to donator, who books the fl ight directly outsize value. offer a fair or excellent value when interest in people donating gift cards, donate from your credit card rewards for the person in need,” marketing “My wife and I feel strongly about donated, cash back remains the most and buying charitable gift cards for stash and times when it’s not the best manager Cat Cooke said. supporting our nation’s veterans, fl exible reward of all. their friends and clients,” Charity idea. 2. When the charity gets a kicker and donating our Southwest Airlines You can give that money to any Choice co-founder Daniel Goodman When donating points works well Through Dec. 1, 2020 (aka “Giving points to the Honor Flight Network number of charities, not just ones that said. 1. When you (and the charity) will Tuesday”), American Express is of- is an easy way for us to give back,” partner with the card issuer. Plus, you You’ll receive a tax receipt for the get good value for the points fering a 10x match when you donate Dye said. might reap tax benefi ts this way. full value of the gift card you donate. Sometimes point values are dimin- points to Feeding America. Discover When donating points isn’t ideal Because the IRS generally views (AP) ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

UK ramps up inoculations India bars virus vaccine maker from ‘exporting’ NEW DELHI, Jan 4, (AP): India will not allow the export of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for several months, the head of Serum Institute of India, which has been contracted to make 1 billion doses of the vaccine for developing nations, said Sunday. With rich nations reserving most of the vaccines that will be made this year, Serum Institute — the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer — is likely to make most of the inocu- lations for developing countries. The ban on exports, how- ever, means that poorer nations will probably have to wait a few months before receiving their fi rst shots. The vaccine was granted emergency authorization by the Indian regulator on Sunday, but on the condition that Serum Institute doesn’t export the shots to ensure that vulnerable populations in India are protected, Adar Poonawalla, the company’s CEO, said in a phone in- terview with The Associated Press. He said that the company also has been barred from selling the vaccine on the private market. “We can only give (the vaccines) to the government of India at the mo- ment,” Poonawalla said, adding the decision was also made to prevent hoarding. As a result, he said, the export of vaccines for COVAX — the ambi- Poonawalla tious initiative created to ensure eq- uitable access to COVID-19 vaccines set up by the World Health Organization, vaccines alliance GAVI and CEPI, a global coalition to fi ght epidemics — won’t begin until March or April. Poonawalla said that Serum Institute was in the process of signing a larger contract with COVAX for 300 million-400 million doses of the vaccine. That is apart from two existing orders of 100 million doses each for the vaccine developed An employee of a vaccination centre draws the vaccine from a glass ampoule in Kiel, Germany, Jan. 4. On Monday vaccinations against the coronavirus have by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, and another one started in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. (AP) from Novovax. He said the deal would be fi nalized in the coming weeks. He said the fi rst 100 million doses of the vaccine were be- ing sold to the Indian government at a “special price” of 200 COVID-19 rupees ($2.74) per dose, after which prices would be higher. The vaccine will be sold on the private market at 1,000 ru- pees ($13.68) per dose. He said vaccines could be delivered to Indian states where they were needed within seven to 10 days of the company fi nalizing a deal with India’s govern- A glimmer of hope as 1.5m get shot: Fauci ment. Planning Poonawalla said his company was planning to give 200 US ramping up vaccinations million to 300 million doses of the vaccine to COVAX by December 2021. He acknowledged that the company would NEW YORK, Jan 4, (AP): The US have to balance distribution of vaccines between India and ramped up COVID-19 vaccinations COVAX. in the past few days after a slower- “We can’t vaccinate everybody right now. We can prior- than-expected start, bringing to about California’s funeral homes run itize,” he said. 4 million the number of Americans Serum Institute is also negotiating bilateral agreements who have received shots, government with individual countries including Bangladesh, Saudi Ara- health offi cials said Sunday. out of space as COVID-19 rages bia and Morocco, Poonawalla said. “So that at least the most Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top LOS ANGELES, Jan 4, (AP): As ger. vulnerable in the states of our country or in other parts of infectious-disease expert, also said on communities across the country Achermann said that in the other countries are taken care off,” he said. ABC’s “This Week” that President- feel the pain of a surge in corona- southern part of the state, “every Poonawalla said that even if all the plans by different Professor Andrew Pollard, Director of elect Joe Biden’s pledge to administer virus cases, funeral homes in the funeral home I talk to says, ‘We’re global vaccine manufacturers were to succeed, he still an- the Oxford Vaccine Group, and a pro- 100 million shots of the vaccine within hot spot of Southern California say paddling as fast as we can.’” ticipates a global shortage for coronavirus vaccines over the fessor of paediatric infection and im- his fi rst 100 days in offi ce is achiev- they must turn away grieving fami- “The volume is just incredible next year. munity receives the Oxford University/ able. lies as they run out of space for the and they fear that they won’t be Indian government sources announced on Sunday that 217 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from And he rejected President Donald bodies piling up. able to keep up,” he said. “And the people succumbed to COVID-19 as 18,177 positive cases nurse Sam Foster, at the Churchill Trump’s false claim on Twitter that The head of the state funeral di- worst of the surge could still be Hospital in Oxford, England, Jan 4. coronavirus deaths and cases in the US rectors association says mortuaries ahead of us.” were reported from different parts of the country in a span England’s National Health Service of 24 hours. have been greatly exaggerated. are being inundated as the United Los Angeles County, the epi- says a retired maintenance manager “All you need to do ... is go into the States nears a grim tally of 350,000 center of the crisis in California, The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said has received the first injection of the COVID-19 deaths. More than 20 mil- has surpassed 10,000 COVID-19 that death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 149,435 as the total new vaccine developed by Oxford trenches, go into the hospitals, go into the intensive care units and see what lion people in the country have been deaths alone. number of cases mounted to 10,323,965. University and drug giant AstraZen- infected, according to data compiled Nationally, an average of just According to the health ministry 9,927,310 people recov- eca. Dialysis patient Brian Pinker be- is happening. Those are real numbers, real people and real deaths,” Fauci said by Johns Hopkins University. over 2,500 people have died of CO- ered from the pandemic as it spread to 35 Indian states. came the very first person to be vac- “I’ve been in the funeral industry VID-19 over the past seven days, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and cinated by the chief nurse at Oxford on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” for 40 years and never in my life did according to Johns Hopkins data. University Hospital. (AP) The US death toll has climbed past I think that this could happen, that I’d The number of daily newly reported Chhattisgarh contribute to most of the active cases in the 350,000, the most of any country, ac- country. have to tell a family, ‘No, we can’t cases in that period has averaged cording to data compiled by Johns take your family member,’” said Mag- close to 195,000, a decline from Meanwhile, Britain on Monday took another giant step in Hopkins University, while more than the fi ght against COVID-19, ramping up its immunization da Maldonado, owner of Continental two weeks earlier. Discovery 20 million people nationwide have Funeral Home in Los Angeles. It’s feared that holiday gatherings program by giving the fi rst shots in the world from the vac- been infected. Continental is averaging about could fuel yet another rise in cases. cine created by Oxford University and pharmaceutical giant 30 body removals a day — six Arkansas officials reported a AstraZeneca. Exhaustion times its normal rate. Mortuary record of more than 4,300 new Dialysis patient Brian Pinker, 82, was the fi rst to get the Whale delivery delayed: A Con- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti owners are calling one another to COVID-19 cases Friday. Gov. new vaccine shot, administered by the chief nurse at Oxford necticut aquarium has agreed to delay its said the pandemic is getting worse in see whether anyone can handle Asa Hutchinson tweeted that the University Hospital. Pinker said he was so pleased and that acquisition of fi ve beluga whales for re- his city as the virus spreads rapidly overflow, and the answer is always state is “certainly in the surge after he can “now really look forward to celebrating my 48th wed- search amid a lawsuit by an animal rights within households and people let their the same: They’re full, too. Christmas travel and gatherings” ding anniversary with my wife Shirley later this year.” group trying to stop the delivery. guard down. “This is a virus that preys In order to keep up with the flood and added, “As we enter this new Since Dec. 8, Britain’s National Health Service has been Mystic Aquarium will not import the off of our weakness, preys off of our of bodies, Maldonado has rented year, our first resolution should be using a vaccine made by Pfi zer and the German fi rm BioN- whales before March 31 to allow time for exhaustion,” he said. extra 50-foot (15-meter) refrigera- to follow guidelines.” a judge to decide the lawsuit and avoid an Experts believe that the real num- tors for two of the four facilities she In Louisiana, a funeral was be- Tech to inoculate health care workers and nursing home effort by Friends of Animals to obtain a runs in LA and surrounding coun- ing held Saturday for a congress- residents and staff. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine boosts preliminary injunction to stop the deliv- bers of US deaths and infections are ties. Continental has also been de- man-elect who died of COVID-19 that arsenal and is cheaper and easier to use since it does not ery, according to documents fi led in fed- much higher and that many cases were laying pickups at hospitals for a day complications. Republican Luke require the super-cold storage needed by the Pfi zer vaccine. eral court in Hartford on Dec 23. overlooked, in part because of insuffi - or two while they deal with residen- Letlow died Tuesday at age 41. His The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was being administered Friends of Animals, based in Darien, cient testing. tial clients. swearing-in had been scheduled at a small number of UK hospitals for the fi rst few days so Connecticut, fi led the lawsuit in Sep- Fauci said he has seen “some lit- Bob Achermann, executive di- Sunday. He leaves behind his wife, authorities can watch out for any adverse reactions. But hun- tember, saying the fi ve belugas would tle glimmer of hope” after 1.5 million rector of the California Funeral Di- Julia Letlow, and two children, ages dreds of new vaccination sites — at both hospitals as well be harmed by the trip from their current doses were administered in the previ- rectors Association, said that the 1 and 3. as local doctors’ offi ces — will launch this week, joining home in Canada and by being torn from ous 72 hours, or an average of about whole process of burying and cre- In Texas, state officials say they the more than 700 already in operation, NHS England said. long-term relationships with others of 500,000 per day, a marked increase in mating bodies has slowed down, have only 580 intensive care beds their species. vaccinations. He said that brings the including embalming bodies and available as staff treat more than Practices The suit was fi led against Commerce total to about 4 million. obtaining death certificates. 12,480 hospitalized coronavirus Secretary Wilbur Ross and the National He acknowledged the US is well During normal times, cremation patients, a number that has risen In a shift from practices in the US and elsewhere, Brit- might happen within a day or two; steadily since September and has ain now plans to give people second doses of both vaccines Marine Fisheries Service, which ap- short of its goal of having 20 million proved the research permit that allows people vaccinated by the end of 2020. now it takes at least a week or lon- set record highs this past week. within 12 weeks of the fi rst shot rather than within 21 days, Mystic Aquarium to import the belugas to accelerate immunizations across as many people as quick- But he expressed optimism that the from Marineland in Niagara Falls, On- momentum will pick up by mid-Janu- ly as possible. tario. ary and that ultimately the US will be we delivered, and we hope that those The worries extend overseas, where The government’s deputy chief medical offi cer, Jonathan “This is a great result for the belugas vaccinating 1 million people a day. will be translated into vaccinations. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Van-Tam, said Sunday that decision is “the right thing to do because it means that they won’t be re- “The goal of vaccinating 100 mil- That has not occurred to the way that said more onerous lockdown restrictions for the nation as a whole.” moved from their current situation and we would like,” Adams said on CNN’s in England are likely as a variant of the transported to Mystic until the court has lion people in the fi rst 100 days is a The UK is in the midst of an acute outbreak, recording realistic goal,” Fauci said. “State of the Union.” coronavirus has pushed infection rates to more than 50,000 new coronavirus infections a day over the the opportunity to determine whether On Sunday morning, Trump falsely their highest levels on record. More than the permit that the government issued Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the chief science past six days. On Sunday, it notched up another 54,990 cases adviser to Operation Warp Speed, the tweeted that the outbreak has been “far 50,000 new infections have been report- and 454 more virus-related deaths to take its confi rmed pan- complies with the law,” Stephen Her- nick, a lawyer for Friends of Animals, government’s vaccine development exaggerated” because of the Centers for ed daily over the past six days. demic death toll total to 75,024, one of the worst in Europe. wrote in an email to The Associated and distribution effort, told CBS that Disease Control and Prevention’s “ri- Scientists have said the variant is British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Sunday that Press. 17.5 million doses have been shipped. diculous” methodology. He complained, up to 70% more contagious. While more onerous lockdown restrictions in England are likely in Mystic Aquarium is already home to About 13 million of those have been too, that Fauci has been credited by the Fauci said the US needs to do its own the coming weeks as the country reels from a coronavirus three beluga whales, which are known distributed to clinics, hospitals and news media with doing “an incredible study, he sought to reassure viewers variant that has pushed infection rates to their highest re- for their white color and vocal sounds. other places where they will be admin- job” when Fauci “works for me and the that British researchers believe that the corded levels. In Mystic, they live in a 750,000-gallon istered, according to Fauci. Trump Administration, and I am in no mutated version is no deadlier or more Johnson, though, insisted he has “no doubt” that schools outdoor habitat that the aquarium calls the The 20 million-dose goal hasn’t way given any credit for my work.” likely to make people sicker and that are safe and urged parents to send their children back into largest in the US. (AP) been reached because local health de- Fauci and others are warning that an vaccines are effective against it. the classroom Monday in areas of England where schools ❑ ❑ ❑ partments and medical facilities had additional surge is likely because of But Scott Gottlieb, a former US plan to reopen. Unions representing teachers have called for Mexico City bans single-use plastics: to stay focused on testing to handle a holiday gatherings and the cold weath- Food and Drug Administration com- schools to turn to remote learning for at least a couple of A broad ban on single-use containers, forks, surge in cases, US Surgeon General er keeping people indoors. missioner who serves on the board of weeks more due to the variant, which offi cials have said is straws and other ubiquitous items takes effect Jerome Adams said. And the holiday “It could and likely will get worse vaccine maker Pfi zer, said on CBS’ up to 70% more contagious. in Mexico’s capital, one of the world’s larg- season meant health workers were tak- in the next couple of weeks, or at least “Face the Nation” that the variant “re- “We are entirely reconciled to do what it takes to get the est cities, after more than a year of prepara- ing time off, he said. maintain this very terribly high level ally creates more urgency around try- virus under control, that may involve tougher measures in tion. “I don’t want anyone to think I’m of infections and deaths that we’re see- ing to get this vaccine out more quick- the weeks ahead,” Johnson told the BBC. On Friday, Mexico City’s environ- being Pollyannish here. There’s what ing,” Fauci said. ly and get more people vaccinated.” Johnson conceded that school closures, curfews and the mental secretary said via Twitter that total banning of household mixing could be on the agenda “from today on Mexico City without for areas under the most stress. single-use plastics.” The message urged people to think of always carrying reus- London and southeast England are facing extremely high able containers like never leaving home have become more common at the city’s with them. Asked if she was aware of the levels of new infections and there’s speculation that restric- without their cell phones. President of street food stalls. Plastic straws are of- ban taking effect she said she was, “but tions there will have to be tightened. Some areas in the re- Mexico is Andrés Manuel López Ob- fered less often. Fresh tortillas are handed with the coronavirus, they (authorities) gion have more than 1,000 coronavirus cases per 100,000 rador. over wrapped in paper or cloths that buy- forgot about it.” Mexico City is currently people. Mexico City lawmakers passed the ban ers bring with them. under red alert as its hospitals’ COVID-19 Johnson’s Conservative government is using a tiered cor- on plastic bags, utensils and other dispos- But without the imposition of fi nes, the beds hover near capacity. onavirus restrictions system to try to stop the spread of the able plastic items in 2019. The city of 9 change will likely be slow in coming. The woman, who declined to give her virus. Most of England is already at the highest Tier 4 level, million people has spent the past year ad- On Friday morning, a woman selling name because she didn’t want to be sin- justing or in some cases ignoring the im- tamales under a large umbrella at the cor- gled out for enforcement, said it wasn’t which involves closing non-essential shops, gyms and rec- ner of a busy Mexico City avenue slid two just her. She said vendors and market reation centers and going to at-home instruction. pending law change. The ban on plastic bags took effect last year. into a plastic bag and offered two small stalls were still using plastic all over the Light, allegedly biodegradable bags colorful plastic spoons from a cup fi lled Ross Obrador city. (AP) Variety TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 FFeatureseatures This imagereleasedbyWarnerBros.PicturesshowsGalGadotasWonderWomaninascenefrom‘Wonder1984.’ that’s withoutpeerinmanyways.” She justhasanabilitytodothat or withtogetthebestfromthem. in whichtheyneedtobetalked order tokeyinpreciselytheways you’re askingtoperformforyouin be abletoobservethepeoplewhom very quiet,observant.Youhaveto said. “Andthenyoualsohavetobe a multitaskerparexcellence,”Pine have tobealeader.You you havetobedecisive,clear, to ononehandbeGeneralPatton, good director,whichisyouhave needs tobea I thinkone exactly what embodiment of director. in aweoftheir resoundingly cast, whoare prise toher too. woman todirecta“StarWars”fi portunities. Soon,she’llbethefi shattering budgets,paydaysandop- along thewaywithglass-ceiling also forgednewpathsforherpeers of big-budgetfi cemented herselfinthetopechelon Along theway,shehasnotonly more thanone“no”intoa“yes.” has inthepastfewyearsturned der Woman1984”writer-director the spot. hood. Hisnoturnedintoayeson Los Angeles’Silverlakeneighbor- for thefi kind ofspelllisteningtohervision of ascripthefoundhimselfunder and suddenlywithoutevenmuch Then PattyJenkinscameonboard storming theinevitable sequel,she though Jenkinswasalreadybrain- female-directed onesaswell. Al- female-fronted superherofi ing toskepticstheworthofnot just lion inworldwideticketsales,prov- female directorwithover$821 mil- grossing fi der Woman”becamethehighest- to proveherworth.In2017,“Won- and praise,Jenkinsstillhadtofi rated assheis,it’snotenough.” frankly, isunderrated.Ashighly it’s akindofvisceralhonestythat, ing onbeingironicortoocool... “She doesn’twasteanytimeinsist- unapologetically so,”Pascalsaid. richness tothestorytellingand and there’salwayswholeness budget, there’salwaysperformance if it’sindependentorbig ter ifit’sfi matter whatthegenreis,nomat- fi tinguishes her“WonderWoman” It’s somethingthatfuelsanddis- marveled atherunironicsincerity. worked withJenkinstwicenow, Y Wars, Jenkins’risecontinues From Wonder Woman toStar lms fromothersuperherofare. “She isthe It’s nosur- Jenkins, the49-year-old“Won- But evenwithbox-offi “Everything thatshedoes,no Pedro Pascal,whohasalso “Wonder Woman”down. ears ago,ChrisPineturned By LindseyBahr lm overahamburgerin lm everfromasolo lm orifit’stelevision, Sincerity ‘A path-breakingfi Film lmmaking buthas Jenkins ce receipts lms but lms ght lm rst waiting.” (AP) have beenoutthereandready and said. “Obviouslythosedirectors the heelsofitisamazing,”Jenkins and thentherearelikefi a movieofthatscalebeforeI did was notananomaly. demic aside,thisyearprovedshe happening intheindustryand,pan- there doesseemtobeaseachange Jenkins said. ing tocomeout...It’sbadtiming,” was theyearthattheywereallgo- 2021. and “Eternals”werepushedto hybrid. Andboth“BlackWidow” in thecaseof“WonderWoman,”a streaming orvideoondemand,or, pandemic shutdown.Otherswentto of Prey,”whichcameoutbeforethe traditional theatricalrelease,“Birds nals.” Onlyoneendedupwitha Widow” andChloéZhao’s“Eter- “Mulan,” CateShortland’s“Black Yan’s “BirdsofPrey,”NikiCaro’s 1984,” “TheOldGuard,”Cathy poles including“WonderWoman ner yearforfemale-directedtent- other.” Jenkinssaid. ers whoallreallykindofhelpeach movies. about makingtheforayintobigger men andwomenalikeforadvice had fi door openforagroupofuswhoall the game.Itabsolutelycracked good movie.Itabsolutelychanged and herkillingitmakingsucha beacon oflightforme.Hersuccess pressure thatshehadwasreallya mer. “Whatsheachievedunderthe Bythewood saidearlierthissum- big actionfi times intheleaduptoshootingher Bythewood metwithJenkinsafew her contemporaries.GinaPrince- has becomeadefactomentorto ties todirecttentpolemoviesand women togetmoreopportuni- also helpedclearapathforother of aduty.” both apersonalthing,butalsokind going todothis?Andsoitfeltlike myself saying,ifnotme,whois that it’sme,”Jenkinssaid.“Ifound even though,ofcourse,I’maware something muchbiggerthanme, And so,youknow,itbecameabout being paidonparwithmypeers. ful andIwasawarethatnot the moviewasextremelysuccess- like thattohappenme.However, or wouldhaveaskedforasituation somebody whotalksaboutmoney gotiation didn’tcomeeasily. the askandpublicnatureofne- was unheardofforawoman.And sum foramaninherposition,butit lion range.Itwasn’tanuncommon raise, reportedlyinthe$7to$9mil- direct untilshesecuredanequitable held outonoffi ”The ideathatnoonehaddone But she’salsojustexcitedthat “It’s beentoobadthat2020 And 2020wasgoingtobeaban- “There’s anetworkoffi Jenkins hasbeencalledonby “She wassohelpful,”Prince- She didn’tjusthelpherself: “I’d never,everinmylifebeen lmmaker’ lms comingoutthisyear.” Opportunities lm “TheOldGuard.” cially committingto ve nowon lmmak- social mediareactionsandwordofmouth. million thisweekend.Thestudioattributedthegainstostrong where itmorethandoubleditsopeningsumandadded$13.7 Jamie Foxxand same marketslastweekend.Thefi internationally —a114%increasefromitsopeninginthe available forfreeDisney+subscribers,added$16.5million also nowavailabletorentonpremiumvideodemand. It’s made$34.5millionsinceitopenedatThanksgivingandis saw a25%increaseinticketsalesitssixthweektheaters. second placeisUniversal’s“TheCroods:ANewAge,”which circumstances itwasenoughtotopthedomesticcharts.In $200 millionmovieinapre-pandemicworld,undertheunique added $10.1million,bringingitsglobaltotalto$118.5million. Philadelphia markets, including the US,whereabout39%oftheatersareopenandmostmajor screens andstreamingfreeforHBOMaxsubscribers. the superherosequel,whichissimultaneouslyplayingon2,151 sales accordingtostudioestimatesSunday.It’sa67%dropfor der Woman1984”earnedanestimated$5.5millioninticket LOS ANGELES: Pete Docter Disney andPixar’s“Soul,”whichskippedUStheatersis While $5.5millionwouldbeaterriblesecondweekendfor “Wonder Woman 1984” has made $28.5 million to date from “Wonder Woman1984”hasmade$28.5milliontodatefrom and ’s “Soul”featuresstairway-to-heavenvisionsof Tina Fey Initssecondweekendin San Francisco, New York, hasdoneparticularlywellin LosAngeles, are closed. Internationally, it areclosed.Internationally,it lm featuringthevoicesof US Chicago, Boston, Chicago, Boston, theaters,“Won- China , 1984’added$5.5millioninsecondUSweekend.(AP) 33-year-old partner, charged withfi reported. Itwasthecity’sfi scene nearlyfourhoursintothenewyear,BaltimoreSun and anargumentensued. spokesman. HesaidDoughtyandWilsonwereinarelationship prevail,” saidDetectiveDonnyMoses,aBaltimorepolice more, accordingtopolice. Year’s Day,policesaid. murder chargesforthestabbingdeathofherpartneronNew appeared inanHBOdramaaboutthecity’sridingscenefaces fi ed dirtbikesceneinBaltimore.ShelandedaroletheHBO Doughty becameapioneerforbreakingintothemale-dominat- felony, accordingtoonlinecourtrecords. lm “CharmCityKings,”whichpremieredinthefall.(AP) BALTIMORE: Doughty called911afterthestabbing,butWilsondiedat “It wasadomesticsituationwherecoolerheadsdidn’t Lakeyria Doughty Self-proclaimed “WheelieQueen”forherstuntsandskills, Doughty, 26,alsofacesvariousassaultcharges,includinga it’s about“justregularoldliving.”(AP) by somekindofpsychedelicpirate.Andyet,magically, ing turquoiseorbsandanin-betweenspiritualrealmtraffi the afterlife,apre-birth“before”realmwheresoulsareglow- rst- andsecond-degreemurderforkillingher A renownedBaltimoredirtbikeriderwho Tiffany Wilson , knownas“WheelieQueen,”was ❑ rst homicidein2021. , onFridayinWestBalti- cked ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

This image released by Roadside Attractions shows Federico Ielapi, (center), and Teco Celio, (right), in a scene from ‘Pinocchio.’ ‘Pinocchio’ debuted in US theaters and on the streaming service on Dec 25, 2020. (AP) Obit Music ‘A legend, good friend’ A low-key Memphis guitar legend ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone:’ singer Marsden dies at 78 Cropper builds on a musical legacy LONDON, Jan 4, (AP): Gerry Marsden, lead singer MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan 4, (AP): It’s cials and movies: “It’s like thunder per said. “My hair stood up on my of the 1960s British group Gerry and the Pacemakers 1966 and a thunderstorm illuminates and lightning, the way you love me is arms. I said, ‘Stop right there.’ He said, that had such hits as “Ferry Cross the Mersey” and the night sky in Memphis, Tennessee. frightening. I better knock, on wood, ‘What you don’t like it?’ I said, ‘No, I the song that became the anthem of Liverpool Foot- Two Stax Records musicians, guitarist baby.” love it.” ball Club, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” has died. He Steve Cropper and singer Eddie Floyd, Cropper draws a lean, precise, un- The song became Redding’s fi rst hit was 78. sit in a room inside the Lorraine Motel, derstated-yet-signature sound from his for Stax, and the beginning a string of His family said that Marsden died Sunday “after a struggling to fashion a song about love guitar. “In the Midnight Hour,” “Soul hits. In 1967, Cropper and Redding sat short illness in no way connected with COVID-19” and superstition. Man,” and “Time is Tight” feature ir- down to write “(Sittin’ On) The Dock and that his wife, daughters and grandchildren are The pair try many references to resistible intros. Cropper mastered the “devastated.” of the Bay.” good and bad luck - rubbing rabbit’s art of fi lling gaps with an essential lick As they worked, Cropper decided His friend Pete Price said on Instagram after speak- feet, breaking mirrors - but nothing or two, then stepping aside as organ- ing to Marsden’s family that the singer died after a the song needed something. He went to Guitarist, songwriter and record pro- fi ts. Then, as the lightning fl ashes and ist Booker T. Jones, bassist Donald a Memphis studio known for produc- short illness related to a heart infection. the thunder roars, Cropper asks Floyd: “Duck” Dunn and others led the way. “I’m sending all the love in the world to (his wife) ducer Steve Cropper poses Dec 2, ing jingles and recorded sound effects 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Cropper has “What do people usually do for good “I listen to the other musicians and of sea gulls and ocean waves. Pauline and his family,” he said. “You’ll Never Walk been in the music business for more luck?’” the singer,” Cropper said. “I’m not lis- Alone.” The song became Redding’s biggest than six decades. (AP) “And Eddie goes, knock, knock, tening to just me.” hit. Marsden was the lead singer knock,” Cropper told The Associ- On a YouTube instructional video, of the band that found fame Cropper left Stax in September ated Press. “I said, ’There’s our song, guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa says 1970. He has has lived in Nashville for in the Merseybeat scene in ‘Knock on Wood.’” Cropper’s moves are often copied. the 1960s. Though another more than 30 years. He still cuts guitar At a time when it was common for “If you haven’t heard the name dubs at RCA Studio 3, and has a new Liverpool band - The Beatles white musicians to co-opt the work of Steve Cropper, you’ve heard him in - reached superstardom, Gerry album set for release in April. Black artists and make more money song,” Bonamassa said. The last time he saw Redding was and the Pacemakers will al- from their songs, Cropper was that rare As a teenager new to Memphis, ways have a place in the city’s on a Friday at the studio as he was put- white artist willing to keep a lower Cropper fell in love with music ema- ting the fi nishing touches on “Dock of consciousness because of profi le and collaborate. That may ex- nating from churches, clubs and car “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” the Bay.” plain why now, more than half a cen- radios. He bought his fi rst guitar from “He popped his head into the con- “I thought what a beauti- tury later and still making music at 79 a Sears catalog at age 14. Marsden ful song. I’m going to tell my years old, he can walk through an air- trol room. At the time, I was setting band we’re going to play that port or a grocery store without being Soulful up to do the guitar licks,” said Crop- song,” Marsden told The Associated Press in 2018 per. “Otis said, ’I’ll see you Monday. I Prince Lima recognized, while the original songs Formed by Jim Stewart and Estelle when recalling the fi rst time he heard the song at the Axton, Stax Records became a soul- said, ‘Ok, I’ll see you Monday.’ That’s cinema. “So I went back and told my buddies we’re he co-wrote - played on sound systems in those same public spaces - remain ful, gritty counterpoint to Detroit’s the last word I heard from him.’” doing a ballad called ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’” Motown. Booker T. and the MGs, with Redding, 26, and four members of Marsden is best known for his band’s rendition of instantly familiar. Variety From “In the Midnight Hour” to Cropper, Dunn, Al Jackson and Jones, his band died in a plane crash on Sun- the song from “Carousel,” which was a 1945 Rodgers day, Dec. 10, 1967. They were headed and Hammerstein musical that became a feature fi lm “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” to became the lead house band. When “Soul Man,” Cropper worked along- trumpeter Wayne Jackson and saxo- to a show in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1956. The Pacemakers’ cover version was released MINNEAPOLIS: The ongoing controversy when their plane plummeted into a in October 1963 and became the band’s third No. 1 hit side the likes of Otis Redding, Wilson phonist Andrew Love joined them, over the money left behind by Prince when Pickett, Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave, they called themselves the Mar-Keys. frigid lake. on the British singles chart. he died without a will is heating up again Cropper and his bandmates were It was adopted by fans of the soccer club Liverpool Eddie Floyd and many others to leave Cropper, Dunn and Wayne Jackson after Internal Revenue Service calculations an indelible imprint on the American were white. Jones, Al Jackson and in an Indianapolis airport when they and is sung with spine-tingling passion before each showed that executors of the rock star’s heard Redding died. Songwriter David home game of the 19-time English champion - before estate undervalued it by 50%, or about $80 songbook. Love were Black. Missouri-born and Memphis-raised, “When you walked in the door at Porter had called his wife, who broke coronavirus restrictions meant many matches being million. the news to her husband. played in empty stadiums. The IRS determined that Prince’s estate Cropper joined the Stax Records team Stax, there was absolutely no color,” is worth $163.2 million, overshadowing as a 20-year-old. Working as a song- Cropper said. “David Porter looked like he had “I was saddened by Gerry Marsden’s passing. His the blood drained out of him. We said, voice will always lead the way at Anfi eld, in times the $82.3 million valuation submitted writer, producer, and guitarist in the In 1962, when Johnny Jenkins and by Comerica Bank & Trust, the estate’s bi-racial house band Booker T. and the Pinetoppers arrived at Stax to re- ‘David are you alright, what’s the mat- of celebration or lament,” singer Elvis Costello said, ter?’ So, he said, his wife just told him referring to Liverpool’s stadium. administrator. The discrepancy primarily the MGs, Cropper laid the foundation cord, a valet named Otis Redding was involves Prince’s music publishing and for songs that have outlasted the studio with them. that Otis’ plane had gone down, and Faithful recording interests, according to court that created them. As Cropper tells it, Redding pes- he had died,” said Cropper, his voice The song’s lyrics, showcasing unity and persever- documents. “Knock on Wood” featured Crop- tered Al Jackson to ask Cropper to hear cracking. “Pretty heavy duty.” Documents show the IRS believes that per’s catchy, hip-moving guitar and him sing. Redding never got to hear Cropper’s ance through adversity - including “When you walk Prince’s estate owes another $32.4 million through a storm, Hold your head up high, And don’t rousing horns, setting the stage for “He starts singing, ‘These Arms of fi nal version of “(Sittin’ On) the Dock in federal taxes, roughly doubling the tax lines still heard heard in TV commer- Mine.’ And I went ‘Holy ----,’” Crop- of Bay.” be afraid of the dark” - have been a rallying cry for bill based on Comerica’s valuation, the Star the Liverpool faithful and the song’s title are on the Tribune reported. Liverpool club crest. The IRS also has ordered a $6.4 million The song has also been adopted by supporters of was posthumously honored with a Doctor Prince’s backing band The Revolution dinner. “accuracy-related penalty” on Prince’s of Humane Letters by the University of also has a star on the mural, to the immedi- Somerset Offi cer Matt Lima responded Scotland’s Celtic and Germany’s Borussia Dortmund. estate, citing a “substantial” undervaluation to a report of shoplifting recently at Stop & Liverpool tweeted alongside a video of the fans in Minnesota.Prince has been honored with a ate right of Prince’s. (Agencies) of assets, documents show. star on the outside mural of the Minneapo- ❑ ❑ ❑ Shop, where two women with two young full voice that Marsden’s voice “accompanied our big- Prince’s death of a fentanyl overdose on lis nightclub First Avenue, recognizing children were accused of putting groceries gest nights” and that his ”anthem bonded players, staff April 21, 2016, created one of the largest performers that have played sold-out shows SOMERSET, Mass: A Massachusetts into bags at a self-checkout kiosk without and fans around the world, helping create something and most complicated probate court pro- or have otherwise demonstrated a major police offi cer declined to charge two scanning them. truly special.” ceedings in Minnesota history. Estimates contribution to the culture at the iconic women accused of trying to steal groceries The women said they had fallen on The song was embraced during the outset of the of his net worth have varied widely, from venue. for the children — and instead bought them hard times and were trying to provide a coronavirus pandemic last spring when a cover of $100 million to $300 million. dinner for the children. Lima says he was the song, which featured World War II veteran Tom With Prince’s probate case dragging on, reminded of his own children and used his Moore, reached number one. Moore had captivated his six sibling heirs have grown increas- own money to buy $250 in grocery gift the British public by walking 100 laps of his garden ingly unhappy, particularly as the estate cards. in England in the run-up to his 100th birthday in April has doled out tens of millions of dollars to “His actions exemplify what it means to to raise some 33 million pounds ($40 million) for the lawyers and consultants. protect and serve the members of our com- Comerica and its lawyers at Fredrikson munity,” Chief George McNeil said on the National Health Service. & Byron in Minneapolis maintain their The Cavern Club in Liverpool, the music venue department’s website. (AP) estate valuations are solid. Comerica sued ❑ ❑ ❑ which was the venue for many of The Beatles’ early the IRS this summer in US Tax Court in gigs, described Marsden as a “legend” and a “very Washington, DC, saying the agency’s BAY SHORE, NY: A Long Island man has good friend.” calculations are riddled with errors. been arrested after a crime spree that gave In 1962, Beatles manager Brian Epstein signed up “What we have here is a classic battle new meaning to the term doorbuster. the band and their fi rst three releases reached No. 1 in of the experts - the estate’s experts and It happened shortly before 2 am, Suffolk 1963 - “How Do You Do It?” and “I Like It” as well as the IRS’ experts,” said Dennis Patrick, an County police said, when Justin Shuffl e “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Later hits included “Fer- estate planning attorney at DeWitt LLP stole a 2010 Bobcat skid loader, which is ry Cross the Mersey,” and “Don’t Let the Sun Catch in Minneapolis who is not involved in the used to push snow, from a Bay Shore shop- You Crying.” The group split in 1967 and Marsden case. Valuing a large estate, Patrick added, ping center. He then crashed the mini-snow pursued a solo career before reforming the bank a few “is way more of an art than a science.” plow through the front doors of a nearby years later. Comerica, a Dallas-based fi nancial ser- Target. Paul McCartney from The Beatles said Marsden vices giant, has asked the tax court to hold Once inside, authorities said, Shuffl e was “a mate from our early days in Liverpool” and a trial in St Paul. A trial could dramatically swiped a coat and several gift cards before that his group were “our biggest rivals” on the local lengthen the settlement of Prince’s estate police caught him in the electronics section scene. and generate more legal fees at the expense of the big-box retailer. “His unforgettable performances of ‘You’ll Never of Prince’s heirs, Patrick said. No one was injured, but the front doors Walk Alone’ and ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ remain in Prince sold over 150 million records of the store “suffered extensive damages,” many people’s hearts as reminders of a joyful time in worldwide, ranking him among the police said in a news release. best-selling music artists of all time. He This April 20, 2009 fi le photo, shows Gerry Marsden on board the Mersey ferry. Shuffl e, 33, of Deer Park, pleaded not British music,” he said. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Gerry Marsden, the British singer and lead singer of Gerry and the Pacemakers, guilty Friday to third-degree burglary and Marsden is survived by his wife Pauline, whom he of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of who was instrumental in turning a song from the Rodgers and Hammerstein fourth-degree larceny. It was not im- married in 1965. The couple had two daughters. Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues musical ‘Carousel’ into one of the great anthems in the world of football, has mediately clear whether he had a defense Music Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2016, he died. He was 78. (AP) attorney. (AP) ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 SPORTS 14 SA close in on ‘victory’

Sri Lanka still fighting

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 4, gency, made 31 and fought alongside his captain in a partnership of 82. (AP): South Africa began But Thirimanne’s dismissal to an to break down Sri Lanka’s edge down the legside off fast bowler resistance late on the sec- Lungi Ngidi heralded a burst of Sri ond day of the second and Lankan wickets. Kusal Mendis went for his sec- fi nal Test on Monday to ond duck of the Test in Ngidi’s next leave the tourists an uphill over, also to a catch down the legside battle to save the match to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, and the series. although this one saw de Kock dive Sri Lanka were 150-4 in their full stretch and clutch the chance with second innings at stumps for a lead both gloves. of only fi ve runs with only one Debutant Minod Bhanuka came and went for 1 and Sri Lanka’s re- more recognized batsman to come. newed positivity following Vishwa Their hopes of setting South Africa Fernando’s stellar bowling perfor- a competitive target and having a mance earlier in the day was cut short. chance of a series-leveling win at South Africa already lead the series the Wanderers probably lay with 1-0 and are desperate for their own captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who revival having not won a Test series was 91 not out in a gritty last stand in two years. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, (center), in action during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Huesca and FC Barcelona at El Alcoraz Stadium in for his team. Sri Lanka do have the advantage Only one other batsman managed of the Johannesburg pitch, which Huesca, Spain, on Jan 3. Barcelona won 1-0. (AP) to hold off South Africa’s pace bowl- will likely be especially diffi cult for ers on a Wanderers pitch that has been South Africa to bat on last. Sri Lanka Suga pledges again to hold Games playing typically tough for batsmen. do need plenty more runs, though, to In just two days, 24 wickets have make it a game. fallen. The Sri Lankans also have good Lahiru Thirimanne, called into the memories to call on, having won their team amid Sri Lanka’s injury emer- last series in South Africa in 2019 Tokyo Olympics hit 200-days-to-go mark against all expectations, and against all odds when facing a seemingly des- TOKYO, Jan 4, (AP): Tick-Tock-Tick. perate situation in the last game. The countdown clock for the post- On that occasion, Kusal Perera hit poned Tokyo Olympics hit 200 days to Al-Attiyah wins Dakar Rally stage 2, takes overall lead a 153 not out to snatch victory. This go on Monday. Tick-Tock-Tick. JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Jan 4, (AP): Nasser Al- “Yesterday, we lost a lot of time because we time, Perera was the fi rst wicket to fall Also on Monday, Japanese Prime Attiyah won the second stage of the Dakar Rally opened the way and it was not really good for for Sri Lanka in their second innings. Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would as the leaders took on a familiar look on Monday. us and we didn’t take risks,” Al-Attiyah said. “But Ngidi bowled him for 1 to spark joy- consider calling a state of emergency Al-Attiyah, who started 10th on the 457-kilom- today we went fl at out and everything is working ous celebrations from the South Afri- as new coronavirus cases surge to re- eter (284-mile) sandy special in southern Saudi very, very well.” can fi elders at the exit of the Sri Lan- cord numbers in Tokyo and neighbor- Arabia from Bisha to Wadi ad-Dawasir, took over Sebastien Loeb, the nine-time world rally kan player that has frustrated them the ing prefectures. Japan has never had a the stage lead after about 300 kilometers and champion who skipped the Dakar last year after most this series. lockdown for COVID-19, attempting beat home Stephane Peterhansel by 2-1/2 min- fi nishing third in 2019, improved from 17th to sixth to juggle the economy and health risks. utes. overall. CRICKET Tick-Tock-Tick. Carlos Sainz, the defending champion who In the motorbike category, Joan Barreda domi- It’s nearing deadline time for Tokyo opened the stage, slipped to sixth but rallied and nated from the fi rst time checkpoint and won. South Africa also began the day in Olympic organizers, the International fi nished third, more than nine minutes off the Ricky Brabec, the defending champion, was sec- a strong position, 148-1 in their fi rst Olympic Committee, and various Jap- pace. ond, and that’s also how they lined up overall. innings and already closing in on Sri anese government entities as they try Peterhansel took the race lead overall, his Mini Ross Branch, fourth on the stage, was third over- Lanka’s tame 157 all out batting fi rst. to pull off the Games in the middle of teammate Sainz was 6-1/2 minutes back in sec- all, six minutes back. Dean Elgar made 127 for his 13th a pandemic. ond, and Al-Attiyah’s Toyota was third, nine min- Toby Price of Australia, the stage one winner, test century and put on a stand of 184 Offi cials have promised to announce utes down. fell to 15th overall, and Matthias Walkner of Aus- South Africa’s bowler Lungi Ngidi concrete plans early in the new year Between the three of them, they have won 10 tria, the 2018 champion, lost more than two hours bowls as umpire Marais Erasmus with Rassie van der Dussen (67) to of the last 11 Dakars, and are favored to win the repairing a mechanical problem and fell from third take South Africa into the lead, and about how to get 15,000 Olympic and of South Africa watches on dur- Paralympic athletes into Japan; about second race in Saudi. to 46th. ing play on the second day of the seemingly in position to make the ad- the safety of the Athletes Village, and second cricket Test match between vantage a big one at 218-1. South Africa and Sri Lanka at Wan- hundreds of thousands of fans, media, Sri Lanka found their fi ght in the judges, offi cials, broadcasters and VIPs. view several days ago with the Nikkan May,” he replied. “The fi nal deadline budgeted $800 million for ticket sales, derers stadium in Johannesburg, hour before lunch and Dushmantha Sports newspaper. He was asked when for a decision would be May, but it and any shortfall will have to be made South Africa on Jan 4. (AP) The new year is here. Chameera’s success in getting El- Suga pledged again to hold the a decision would come about having may come sooner.” up by government entities, which are gar to edge to fi rst slip straight after Olympics, saying it would be “proof local fans or fans from abroad. Any reduction in fans will hit the or- footing most of the Olympic bills. a mid-session drinks break sparked that people have overcome the corona- “Sometime from March through ganizing committee budget. Tokyo has The offi cial budget for the Tokyo another of those clutches of wickets. virus.” And he said vaccine approval Olympics was increased last month to Van der Dussen followed the very would be speeded up by a month so $15.4 billion, an increase of $2.8 bil- next over and from 218-1, South Af- that vaccinations could begin in Febru- lion because of the delay. However, rica lost nine wickets for 84 runs to be ary instead of March. several government audits the last few all out for 302. Japan has attributed more than years suggest the real number is about Fernando was instrumental in rein- 3,400 deaths to COVID-19, modest by $25 billion. ing in South Africa, using the pitch to global standards for a country of 125 All but $6.7 billion is public money. good effect to run through the middle million, but worrying as new cases rise Mori indicated the opening cer- and lower order and give Sri Lanka emony, scheduled for July 23, could be troublesome with thousands of ath- hope with his 5-101. OLYMPICS letes and offi cials gathering to parade Fernando’s career-best fi gures were around the stadium. He also suggested magnifi ed by Sri Lanka’s personnel quickly. A poll last month by national the ceremony couldn’t be shortened, problems. It was already missing two broadcaster NHK show 63% want the since television broadcasters had paid experienced bowlers through injury Olympics postponed or canceled. for the lucrative time. He said some of- before the series, and lost two quick Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and fi cials might be cut out of the parade. bowlers to injury in the fi rst Test. Fer- the governors of Saitama, Chiba and Television determines much of nando, playing in just his 10th Test, is Kanagawa prefectures asked the na- the Olympic scheduling, and selling the most experienced in Sri Lanka’s tional government Saturday to declare broadcast rights accounts for 73% of attack at the Wanderers and rose to the state of emergency after the capital the IOC’s income. Another 18% is Sri Lanka’s batsman Kusal Perera the occasion. saw a daily record of 1,337 new cases plays a shot during play on the from large sponsors such as Coca-Cola So did skipper Karunaratne, who on New Year’s Eve. That marked a and Toyota. second day of the second cricket A man looks at a countdown calendar showing 200 day to start Tokyo battled to the close unbeaten and in jump of almost 400 in just a few days. 2020 Olympics on Jan 4, in Tokyo. The countdown clock for the postponed The torch relay, which begins on Test match between South Africa sight of a century. Karunaratne’s 91 Yoshiro Mori, the president of the Tokyo Olympics hit 200 days to go on Monday. Also on Monday, Japanese March 25, will also face crowding with and Sri Lanka at Wanderers stadi- had come off 116 with 17 fours. He organizing committee and a former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would consider calling a state of 10,000 runners expected across almost um in Johannesburg, South Africa had Niroshan Dickwella with him on prime minister, again ruled out any emergency as new coronavirus cases surge to record numbers in Tokyo four months. Coca-Cola and Toyota on Jan 4. (AP) 18 not out. cancellation of the games in an inter- and neighboring prefectures. (AP) are the prime sponsors. ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 SPORTS 15

Milan maintain ‘unbeaten’ run Curry scores career-high 62 pts MILAN, Jan 4, (AP): AC Milan warmed up for a midweek show- down with Juventus by beating Benevento 2-0 despite playing most of the match with 10 men, to remain unbeaten atop Serie A. Rafael Leão all but secured the as Warriors ‘down’ Trail Blazers victory for Milan with a stunning strike shortly after halftime. A Franck Kessié penalty had given Milan an early lead before Ros- soneri midfi elder Sandro Tonali was sent off in the 34th minute for a dangerous tackle. Benevento, which are led by former Milan star player and coach Filippo Inzaghi, missed a penalty. Milan remained the only un- beaten team across Europe’s top fi ve leagues. Stefano Pioli’s side is one point above Inter Mi- lan, which won 6-2 at Crotone thanks to a Lautaro Martínez hat trick. The Rossoneri face argu- ably their biggest test so far of the sea- son when Leao they host nine-time defending champions Juventus on Wednesday. They were gifted the opener in the 15th after Benevento de- fender Alessandro Tuia fouled Ante Rebić and Kessié convert- ed the resulting penalty.

SOCCER

Roberto Insigne hit the post for Benevento and Milan’s chances of moving back top ap- peared to diminish when Tonali was shown a red card for a chal- lenge on Artur Ioni. Benevento poured forward with wave after wave of at- tack, keeping Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma busy. But it was 10-man Milan which Chicago Bulls’ Daniel Gafford (12) dunks against Dallas Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, on Jan 3, in Chicago. (AP) scored next, four minutes after the break, when Leão curled into the far side of the net from outside the Clippers hold off Suns Michigan beats Northwestern to remain unbeaten area on the left fl ank. Benevento had a chance to get back into the match on the SAN FRANCISCO, Jan hour but Gianluca Caprari fi red 4, (AP): Stephen Curry let Houston rebounds from first loss wide after a Rade Krunić lunge it fly from way out under on Pasquale Schiattarella. But pressure with a minute- DALLAS, Jan 4, (AP): Quentin the AAC only to Davis’ 19.2 com- Milan could also have extended Irving had 30 points and 10 as- plus left for another per- Grimes hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to ig- ing in, fi nished with 11 points. He their lead as Hakan Çalhanoğlu sists, and Durant had 28 points, 11 nite a 10-0 run to start the second half was scoreless with only one shot and Kessié hit the woodwork. fect swish on the way to a rebounds and seven assists. for No. 5 Houston and the Cougars before halftime, when he played Inter had ended last year on a career-high 62 points, and streak of seven successive league Nuggets 124, Timberwolves 109 rebounded from their fi rst loss with a only eight minutes after two early victories but were surprised when the Golden State Warriors In Minneapolis, Jamal Murray 74-60 victory over previously unde- fouls. Niccolò Zanellato headed Crotone beat Portland 137-122 on scored a season-high 36 points, feated SMU on Sunday night. Michigan 85, Northwestern 66 into the lead in the 12th minute. Sunday night to split the Nikola Jokic had 19 points, 12 re- That 3-pointer by Grimes from In Ann Arbor, Mich., Hunter Martínez equalized in the bounds and 12 assists for his fourth the top of the key to put Houston Dickinson scored 15 of his 19 20th and thought he had another two-game set with the Trail triple-double of the season and (8-1, 3-1 American) ahead to stay points in the second half and Mich- 11 minutes later but Luca Mar- Blazers. Denver beat Minnesota. on the fi rst shot after halftime and igan beat Northwestern to remain rone got the last touch on Nicolò Curry had the highest-scoring Murray scored 26 points in the Justin Gorham then made a 3. unbeaten. Barella’s ball across the box. first half, including 16 in the sec- Vladimir Golemić leveled game in the NBA this season, Grimes also had a layup and two Chaundee Brown, Franz Wagner shortly after from the spot follow- finishing 18 for 31 and 8 of 16 ond quarter. free throws in that game-turning and Eli Brooks scored 14 points ing Arturo Vidal’s foul on Arkadi- on 3-pointers after beginning Malik Beasley, the former run in just over 2 1/2 minutes. apiece for the Wolverines (9-0, 4-0 Denver draft pick traded to usz Reca. Vidal had also been at with a 21-point first quarter. Marcus Sasser led Houston with Big Ten). The Big Ten’s last re- fault for Crotone’s opener and he the Timberwolves last season, 17 points, and Gorham had 11 maining team without a loss, Mich- He had his 10th career 30-point Golden State Warriors guard Ste- was taken off at halftime. phen Curry (30) drives to the bas- scored a season-high 25 for Min- points and 19 rebounds. DeJon Jar- igan took control by scoring the last Inter often performs better in half to help the Warriors take a ket past Portland Trail Blazers cen- nesota. reau scored 15 points. nine points of the fi rst half and then the second half and so they proved 66-54 at the break. ter Enes Kanter (11) during the first The teams will complete home- Kendric Davis led SMU (6-1, quickly extended its lead early in again as Martínez restored his One small blemish in his bril- half of an NBA basketball game in and home set Tuesday night in 2-1) with 23 points. Feron Hunt had the second. team’s lead in the 57th with a pow- liant night: Curry had his streak San Francisco, Jan 3. (AP) Denver. Robbie Beran scored 14 points erful shot into the top left corner. a double-double with 12 points and of free throws snapped at a fran- Jazz 130, Spurs 109 12 rebounds, and Ethan Chargois for Northwestern (6-3, 3-2). They Romelu Lukaku had played a chise-record 80 in the first. The to beat Phoenix after nearly blow- have dropped two in a row. part in the buildup and the for- ing a 31-point lead in a matchup of In San Antonio, Bojan Bogda- scored 10 points. mer Manchester United forward run dated to March 29, 2019, vs. novic scored 28 points and Utah Grimes, Houston’s leading scorer Minnesota 77, Ohio State 60 Memphis. Against Portland, he two of the Western Conference’s marked his 50th Serie A ap- top early season teams. made a season-high 21 3-pointers at 18.5 points a game and second in In Minneapolis, Liam Robbins pearance with a goal of his own made a career-high 18 on 19 at- to beat San Antonio. had 27 points, 14 rebounds and fi ve seven minutes later, turning and tempts. At 5-2, the Clippers are tied with the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers Donovan Mitchell added 22 blocks, keeping up his impactful in- holding off Sebastiano Luperto Damian Lillard scored 32 points troduction to the Big Ten for Min- to fi re in Alessandro Bastoni’s for the West lead. points and nine assists in 29 for Portland, and CJ McCollum minutes. Utah was 21 for 41 on nesota in a victory over Ohio State. long ball over the top. added 28. McCollum shot 2 for 8 George was 7 of 10 from Martínez completed his hat 3-point range and Los Ange- 3-pointers compared to 6 for 19 by from deep after his 25 3-pointers San Antonio. trick in the 78th, heading in the re- over the initial five games left him les was 17 of 29 overall. Kawhi BASKETBALL bound from close range after Cro- Leonard added 15 points, but Keldon Johnson had 22 points tone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz had and Curry as the only players to for the Spurs. San Antonio suf- ever do so. shot 4 of 21 from the field, and Robbins, the 7-footer who trans- saved Ivan Perišić’s strike. Achraf Luke Kennard came off the fered its fourth straight loss as well Hakimi capped a fi ne day for Inter as its largest margin of defeat. ferred from Drake and had his eli- three minutes from time. BASKETBALL bench to add 14 points. gibility immediate granted by the Devin Booker led Phoenix with Bulls 118, Mavericks 108 NCAA, pitched in four assists and 25 points, and Deandre Ayton In Chicago, Zach LaVine had 39 two steals in another display of all- After Portland’s 25-point win added 24. Chris Paul, who played points and Coby White scored 21 around excellence., NBA Results/Standings Friday night, the Warriors were six seasons for the Clippers, had 15 of his 23 points in the second half Marcus Carr added 15 points, embarrassed and determined to be points, nine rebounds and six as- to lead Chicago past Dallas. and Gabe Kalscheur had 13 for the more aggressive and defend better sists. They had won four in a row Jalen Brunson, starting in place Gophers (10-2, 2-2). They emerged after the Blazers came out firing and 13 of 14 dating to their perfect of the injured Luka Doncic, had 31 with three wins from a 10-day, WASHINGTON, Jan 4, (AP): NBA results and points for the Mavericks. Doncic standings on Sunday. to finish 20 of 43 from deep - and run in the NBA bubble. Michigan guard Eli Brooks (55) four-game stretch - all against Top Boston 122 Detroit 120 they looked more energetic on the Celtics 122, Pistons 12O sat out because of a left quadriceps handles the ball while defended by 25 foes. LA Lakers 108 Memphis 94 defensive end. Portland shot 14 of In Detroit, Jayson Tatum hit a contusion. He was injured Friday Northwestern forward Miller Kopp, Duane Washington Jr. had 21 Washington 123 Brooklyn 122 night in the second quarter of a (right), in the first half of an NCAA Utah 130 San Antonio 109 43 on 3s Sunday. fallaway as Blake Griffin stumbled college basketball game at Crisler points on 5-for-7 shooting from Denver 124 Minnesota 109 with 2.9 seconds left, then tied up home victory over Miami. Center in Ann Arbor, Mich, on Jan 3-point range for the Buckeyes (8- LA Clippers 112 Phoenix 107 Lakers 108, Grizzlies 94 Otto Porter Jr. added 15 for the Chicago 118 Dallas 108 In Memphis, Tenn, LeBron the Detroit veteran on the other end 3. (AP) 3, 2-3). Golden State 137 Portland 122 Bulls. Eastern Conference James had 22 points, 13 rebounds to help Boston beat the Pistons for Atlantic Division and eight assists, Anthony Davis a weekend split. W L Pct GB Jaylen Brown led Boston with Philadelphia 5 1 .833 - added 17 points and nine rebounds Boston 4 3 .571 1-1/2 and Los Angeles opened a two- 31 points. He hit a late 3-pointer New York 3 3 .500 2 and was 13 of 16 from the field, Brooklyn 3 4 .429 2-1/2 game set in Memphis with a vic- Toronto 1 4 .200 3-1/2 tory. two nights after his late miss sealed Southeast Division James played within the of- a loss in the opener in Detroit. Ta- W L Pct GB Orlando 4 2 .667 - fense for the first three quarters, tum had 24 points and 12 assists. Atlanta 4 2 .667 - then became more aggressive to Jerami Grant scored 22 points Miami 2 3 .400 1-1/2 Charlotte 2 4 .333 2 start the fourth, scoring the Lak- for the Pistons, his career-best fifth Washington 2 5 .286 2-1/2 ers first 10 points of the period. straight game with at least 20. Central Division On Friday night, Detroit beat W L Pct GB His 3-pointer with 2:34 left made Indiana 4 2 .667 - it 101-90. Boston 96-93 for its only victory Cleveland 4 2 .667 - Montrez Harrell added 16 points of the season. Milwaukee 3 3 .500 1 Chicago 3 4 .429 1-1/2 and nine rebounds to help the Lak- Wizards 123, Nets 122 Detroit 1 5 .167 3 ers win their third straight. Western Conference In New York, Bradley Beal Southwest Division Kyle Anderson led Memphis had 27 points, 10 rebounds and W L Pct GB with 18 points, and Jonas Valan- the assist on Thomas Bryant’s New Orleans 4 2 .667 - Houston 2 2 .500 1 ciunas had 14 points and 10 re- go-ahead dunk with 14.9 sec- San Antonio 2 4 .333 2 bounds. Tyus Jones also had 14 onds left, leading Washington Dallas 2 4 .333 2 points, and rookie Desmond Bane Memphis 2 4 .333 2 past Brooklyn. Northwest Division had 13. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant W L Pct GB The Lakers led 56-54 at the Utah 4 2 .667 - missed jumpers on the last posses- Portland 3 3 .500 1 break after both teams held advan- sion, dropping the Nets to 3-4. Oklahoma City 2 3 .400 1-1/2 tages of at least nine points in the Denver 2 4 .333 2 Russell Westbrook had 24 Minnesota 2 4 .333 2 first half. Los Angeles took a 77-75 points and 10 assists but only five Pacific Division lead into the fourth. rebounds after recording triple- W L Pct GB The teams will meet again Tues- LA Clippers 5 2 .714 - doubles in his first four games with Phoenix 5 2 .714 - day night. the Wizards. Bryant finished with LA Lakers 5 2 .714 - Sacramento 3 3 .500 1-1/2 Clippers 112, Suns 107 21 points and 14 rebounds to help Golden State 3 3 .500 1-1/2 In Phoenix, Paul George scored Washington win its second straight Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris (88) attempts to steal the ball from Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon 39 points and Los Angeles held on after an 0-5 start. Clarke (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Jan 3, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP) ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 16

Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves cen- ter Ed Davis (17) in the fourth quarter during an NBA bas- ketball game on Jan 3, in Minneapolis. (AP) – See Page 15 Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com SAINTS EARN NO. 2 SEED IN NFC PLAYOFFS, RAVENS CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT Browns end postseason drought Colts qualify

CLEVELAND, Jan 4, (AP): After nearly two decades of dysfunction, bad draft picks and coach- ing and front-office chang- es, the NFL’s longest play- off drought is over. The Cleveland Browns are back in the postseason, qualifying for the first time since 2002 by sur- viving a late Pittsburgh rally for a 24-22 win over the Steelers, who rested quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and several other starters. The Browns (11-5) nearly blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, but stopped Pittsburgh’s 2-point conver- sion attempt and then recovered an onside kick with 1:22 left to hold on. A week of COVID-19 disruptions concluded in celebration as the Browns ended what had been the NFL’s lon- gest postseason drought. Their reward: Another game against the AFC North champion Steelers, in Pittsburgh next weekend.

FOOTBALL

Nick Chubb had a touchdown run, Baker Mayfield threw a TD pass – and had several critical runs in the second half - and the Browns hung on as Mason Rudolph brought back the Steelers (12-4), who had the luxury of sitting their best players after clinching the division last week. San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) during the second half of an NFL football game, Jan 3, Instead of Roethlisberger, who is in Glendale, Ariz. (AP) 23-2-1 in his career against the the playoffs,” Cousins said after Browns, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin throwing three touchdowns in the first started Rudolph in the regular-season NFL Results/Standings half and finishing with a season-high finale. Big Ben will be back for the 405 yards passing. playoffs. The Vikings (7-9) failed for the Rudolph’s 2-yard TD pass to JuJu fourth time in a decade to make two Smith-Schuster with 1:23 left pulled WASHINGTON, Jan 4, (AP): NFL Green Bay 35 Chicago 16 results and standings on Sunday. Indianapolis 28 Jacksonville 14 straight trips to the playoffs. They won the Steelers within 24-22. But Rudolph five of six midway through the season badly overthrew rookie Chase Baltimore 38 Cincinnati 3 LA Chargers 38 Kansas City 21 Buffalo 56 Miami 26 LA Rams 18 Arizona 7 to be in the postseason race, but dashed Claypool on the 2-point attempt, and Cleveland 24 Pittsburgh 22 Las Vegas 32 Denver 31 those hopes by losing three straight Browns tight end Stephen Carlson Minnesota 37 Detroit 35 New Orleans 33 Carolina 7 before closing with a win at Detroit. then fell on the ensuing kick under a NY Giants 23 Dallas 19 Seattle 26 San Francisco 23 pile of bodies. New England 28 NY Jets 14 Tennessee 41 Houston 38 Bucs 44 , Falcons 27 Tampa Bay 44 Atlanta 27 Washington 20 Philadelphia 14 Saints 33, Panthers 7 American Football Conference National Football Conference In Tampa, Fla, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heating up In Charlotte, N.C., While the Saints AFC East NFC East at the right time. Hardly surprising didn’t get the first-round bye in the W L T Pct PF PA W L T Pct PF PA NFC playoffs they coveted, they yx-Buffalo 13 3 0 .813 501 375 yx-Washington 7 9 0 .438 335 329 where Brady is concerned. Miami 10 6 0 .625 404 338 Dallas 6 10 0 .375 395 473 The six-time Super Bowl champion proved again they can win big games New England 7 9 0 .438 326 353 without star players. NY Giants 6 10 0 .375 280 357 threw for 399 yards and four touch- NY Jets 2 14 0 .125 243 457 Philadelphia 4 11 1 .281 334 418 downs , helping the playoff-bound And that could come in handy in the AFC South NFC South W L T Pct PF PA Bucs clinch the fifth seed in the NFC postseason. W L T Pct PF PA yx-New Orleans 12 4 0 .750 482 337 with a 44-27 regular season-ending Drew Brees threw for 201 yards and Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (23) fumbles the ball, which x-Indianapolis 11 5 0 .688 451 362 was recovered by the Arizona Cardinals, during the first half of an NFL yx-Tennessee 11 5 0 .688 491 439 x-Tampa Bay 11 5 0 .688 492 355 win over the Atlanta Falcons. three touchdowns, the Saints had five Carolina 5 11 0 .313 350 402 interceptions and New Orleans routed football game in Inglewood, California, Jan 3. (AP) Houston 4 12 0 .250 384 464 But the team’s fourth straight vic- Jacksonville 1 15 0 .063 306 492 Atlanta 4 12 0 .250 396 414 tory, which means the Bucs (11-5) will the Carolina Panthers 33-7 on Sunday NFC North without their top two running backs ing into the postseason. (11-5) next Sunday at 1:05 pm EST. AFC North face the NFC East champion, W L T Pct PF PA W L T Pct PF PA Washington or the New York Giants, and fullback to wrap up the No. 2 seed Rams 18 , Cardinals 7 Washington 20, Eagles 14 zyx-Green Bay 13 3 0 .813 509 369 in the NFC playoffs. yx-Pittsburgh 12 4 0 .750 416 312 on the road in the club’s first postsea- In Inglewood, Calif,J ohn Wolford’s In Philadelphia, Just call the x-Baltimore 11 5 0 .688 468 303 x-Chicago 8 8 0 .500 372 370 son game in 13 years, may have come Colts 28, Jaguars 14 x-Cleveland 11 5 0 .688 408 419 Minnesota 7 9 0 .438 430 475 NFL debut started with an interception Washington Football Team division Cincinnati 4 11 1 .281 311 424 Detroit 5 11 0 .313 377 519 with a steep cost. In Indianapolas, Jonathan Taylor on his first throw. It ended with the champs. NFC West Giants 23 , Cowboys 19 inexperienced quarterback fearlessly Alex Smith threw two touchdown AFC West got the Indianapolis Colts revved up W L T Pct PF PA early. leading the Los Angeles Rams back to passes and Washington beat the W L T Pct PF PA In East Ruthrord, N.J., Rookie *zyx-Kansas City 14 2 0 .875 473 362 yx-Seattle 12 4 0 .750 459 371 Xavier McKinney intercepted Dallas’ Then he hit the accelerator. the playoffs. Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 Sunday Las Vegas 8 8 0 .500 434 478 x-LA Rams 10 6 0 .625 372 296 The rookie ran for a franchise- And though Wolford capably did night to capture the lowly NFC East. LA Chargers 7 9 0 .438 384 426 Arizona 8 8 0 .500 410 367 Andy Dalton in the end zone with 1:15 record 253 yards, scored twice and his part, everybody in the Rams’ jubi- The Washington franchise, which Denver 5 11 0 .313 323 446 San Francisco 6 10 0 .375 376 390 remaining, giving the Giants a 23-19 sprinted 45 yards to the end zone with lant locker room realized they owed changed its nickname in July after Note: x denotes clinched playoff spot * denotes clinched home-field advan- victory over the Cowboys . y denotes clinched division tage Dallas (6-10) nearly ripped that 3:35 to play, powering the Colts to a this achievement to a dominant years of protests about it, became the z denotes clinched first round bye playoff-clinching 28-14 victory over defense that scored as many points as first team in the Super Bowl era to away. Dalton rallied Dallas with a the Jacksonville Jaguars . the Rams’ offense – and a couple more reach the playoffs following a 2-7 bloody left hand after being stepped on by defensive tackle Leonard Williams Tomlinson’s best was a 243-yard than the Arizona – in Los Angeles’ start. touchdowns against a team of mostly They also handed coach Jon Gruden his performance against the Raiders in 18-7 victory Sunday. in the third quarter, and he had the Bills 56, Dolphins 26 Kansas City backups, and Los Angeles first win in Denver in eight tries. Cowboys on the doorstep when 2003 - one year before Rivers arrived Troy Hill returned an interception In Orchard, Park, NY a little more rolled to a 38-21 victory at Arrowhead Vikings 37, Lions 35 in San Diego and three years before Williams got close again. 84 yards for a touchdown to lead yet than a year ago, Buffalo Bills general Stadium that should at least give its Dalton scrambled around on a bro- Rivers made his first start. another overwhelming defensive per- owners something to ponder ahead of In Detroit, Kirk Cousins danced in manager Brandon Beane was lament- the end zone after running for a go- ken play, avoided being sacked by Titans 41, Texans 38 formance by the Rams (10-6), who ing how his team needed to score more their end-of-season meeting with Williams for a fourth time, but ended earned their third postseason berth in coach Anthony Lynn. ahead touchdown early in the fourth In Houston, Derrick Henry ran into points. quarter and the Minnesota Vikings up floating one into the middle of the the NFL record books with the best four years under coach Sean McVay. Josh Allen and company certainly Reports surfaced earlier in the day end zone. McKinney caught it easily, that Lynn could be fired as soon as went on to celebrate the end of a disap- game of his career . Ravens 38 Bengals 3 haven’t let him down. pointing season with a 37-35 win over his first career interception. But it was a lucky bounce that gave In a game the Bills scored touch- Monday. And while the Chargers (7-9) In Cincinnati, as one of the NFL’s finished with four straight wins, and the lowly Detroit Lions. Patriots 28 , Jets 14 the Tennessee Titans a win over worst COVID-19 outbreaks sidelined downs in all three phases, and Allen got “We were really close to being in Houston Texans and their first AFC to rest after throwing three touchdowns Herbert has emerged as their franchise In Foxborough, Mass, Cam Newton star players, and injuries hit others, the quarterback, the fate of Lynn may saved his best performance this season South title since 2008. Baltimore Ravens didn’t look like a in the first half, Buffalo put an emphatic Henry ran for a career-high 250 stamp by closing the most prolific sea- have been sealed weeks ago when they for what was likely his final game with playoff team in late November. were eliminated from playoff conten- the New England Patriots. yards to surpass 2,000 yards rushing But as quarterback Lamar Jackson son in team history with a 56-26 rout of and rookie Sam Sloman’s 37-yard the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. tion for the second consecutive year. Newton threw three touchdown came roaring back, so did Baltimore. passes and caught another, and the field goal bounced off the upright and After a Dec 2 loss to Pittsburgh with Packers 35, Bears 16 Raiders 32, Broncos 31 through for the 41-38 victory. Patriots rallied to beat the Jets 28-14 Jackson on the COVID-19 list, the In Chiccago, following a strange In Denver, this time, Shelby Harris in Adam Gase’s final game as New Seahawks 26 , 49ers 23 Ravens rebounded and won the next roller coaster of a season, the Chicago wasn’t there to knock down Derek York’s coach. In Glendale, Ariz., Seattle coach four. That set them up to earn a wild Bears are back in the playoffs. Carr’s 2-point conversion pass in the The win snapped a three-game los- Pete Carroll said Tyler Lockett com- card with a victory in the finale against Who shows up next weekend in closing seconds. ing streak for New England (7-9), pleted a “beautiful season.” Because of the Cincinnati Bengals, who finally New Orleans remains to be seen. Darren Waller hauled in Carr’s which earned its 10th straight win over the veteran wide receiver’s late-game had some momentum after winning Moments after Arizona handed 2-point conversion pass with 24 sec- the Jets (2-14) but won’t be playing in heroics against San Francisco, the two straight. Chicago a postseason spot with an onds left and Las Vegas rallied past the postseason for the first time since Seahawks are heading into the play- The Ravens left no doubt they 18-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the the Broncos 32-31. the 2008 season. offs with momentum. belonged in the postseason with a 38-3 biggest question for the Bears became Carr’s revenge came three days Coach Bill Belichick said after a Russell Wilson hit Lockett for two rout of the Bengals on Sunday, with the status of linebacker Roquan Smith after the Broncos put Harris, who leads disappointing stretch he was proud of fourth-quarter touchdowns, and a stel- Jackson throwing three touchdown and wide receiver Darnell Mooney the league’s D-linemen with 16 pass the way his team bounced back. lar defensive effort helped the passes and becoming the first quarter- after they left Sunday’s 35-16 loss to breakups since 2019, on injured While it won’t erase the disappoint- Seahawks rally past the 49ers 26-23 back in NFL history with two seasons Green Bay with injuries. reserve with a knee injury. ment of New England missing the and end the regular season on a four- of more than 1,000 rushing yards. Chargers 38, Chiefs 21 The Broncos (5-11) reached the Las playoffs, it was a nice finish for game winning streak. The Ravens (11-5) ran for a club In Kansas City, Mo, the Chargers Vegas 45-yard line with 9 seconds left Newton, who entered the season with The win didn’t do anything to record 404 yards - the fourth team spent Sunday reveling in the future of and Brandon McManus’ 63-yard field- the weighty task of succeeding Tom change the Seahawks playoff position. since 1950 to rush for more than 400 their young quarterback and pondering goal try was blocked by Maxx Crosby, Brady following his departure to Seattle (12-4) had a chance to earn the in a single game - and amassed 525 the fate of their head coach. who also blocked McManus’ record Tampa Bay. No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs but overall in advancing to the playoffs for The Chiefs spent it looking forward 70-yard attempt on the last play of the Cleveland Browns defensive tackle New England trailed 14-7 early in stayed at No. 3 after the New Orleans the third straight season. The Ravens to the playoffs. first half. Larry Ogunjobi celebrates after the the third quarter, but outscored the Jets Saints and top-seeded Green Bay took the fifth seed in the AFC with In a game that was in many ways With that, the Raiders (8-8) avoided a team defeated the Pittsburgh 21-0 the rest of the way. New York Packers both won. Even so, the Miami’s loss at Buffalo and will play meaningless, Justin Herbert threw for fourth straight losing season and a 10th Steelers in an NFL football game, announced a few hours after the game Seahawks look plenty dangerous head- at AFC South champion Tennessee 302 yards and accounted for four consecutive loss in their season finale. Jan 3, in Cleveland. (AP) it had fired Gase.

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