JAMADA ALAWWAL 5, 1442 AH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020

16 Pages Max 20º Min 10º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18313 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Scammers find innovative Leader of Turkmenistan Struggling Syria farmers Negrao double as Ulsan win 2 ways to con their victims 5 champions herbal defense 8 turn to fern for fodder 16 Asian Champions League

Europe battles virus surge as US authorizes second vaccine Italy braces for Christmas lockdown • Countries tighten holiday curbs

ROME: Millions of Italians braced for 33-year-old lawyer, told AFP as she Christmas and New Year under tough got off a train in Milan. “I took the test Former US envoy new coronavirus restrictions before leaving, I stayed locked in my announced yesterday as Europe bat- house, I didn’t see anyone. The meas- to Kuwait Howell tled a winter surge in infections and ure is right if everyone respects the Switzerland became the latest country rules and guarantees safety.” to approve a virus vaccine. Europe Europe - the epicenter of the pan- passes away has become the first region in the demic earlier this year - is once again world to pass 500,000 deaths from seeing growing cases with officials KUWAIT: Wilson COVID-19 since the pandemic broke fearing an explosion in infections after Nathaniel “Nat” Howell, out a year ago, killing more than 1.6 the Christmas holidays as families a great champion of US- million worldwide and pitching the gather. England’s chief medical officer Kuwait friendship, global economy into turmoil. Chris Whitty confirmed yesterday that passed away yesterday. Among those testing positive this a new coronavirus strain which sur- Howell served as ambas- week for coronavirus was French faced in the country could spread sador to Kuwait from President Emmanuel Macron, but his faster and called for greater public 1987 to 1991. US office said yesterday his condition vigilance to reduce transmission. WASHINGTON: US Vice President Mike Pence receives the COVID-19 vaccine in Ambassador to Kuwait was stable and his examinations were A year after the pandemic first the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Friday. — AFP Alina Romanowski giving reassuring results. Italy became emerged in the Chinese city of offered her deepest con- the latest country to announce a new Wuhan, the rapid rollout of vaccina- approved Pfizer-BioNTech shot, one tion set to start within days. “Those dolences to his family, W Nathaniel Howell regime of restrictions until Jan 6 that tions is now seen as the only effective of several leading candidates. who are particularly vulnerable will noting that during the included limits on people leaving their way to end the pandemic and the Russia and China have also started have priority,” Health Minister Alain 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces, Howell homes more than once a day, closing economically devastating lockdowns giving out jabs with their own domes- Berset said in a video tweet, namely protected many lives. He also wrote an excellent non-essential shops, bars and restau- used to halt its spread. Europe is tically produced vaccines. Swiss reg- the elderly and those with pre-exist- book - ‘Stranger When We Met, A Century of rants and curbs on regional travel. expected to start a massive vaccina- ulators yesterday give the green light ing conditions. The United States on American Community in Kuwait’ - about “It’s right that they prohibit depar- tion campaign after Christmas follow- to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine - the Friday authorized Moderna’s COVID- America’s century-long relationship with Kuwait. tures after 20 December if it means ing the United States and Britain 16th country to do so and the first in 19 vaccine for emergency use, travelling in safety,” Claudia Patrone, a which have begun giving jabs with an continental Europe - with immuniza- Continued on Page 2

Consumption of animals is an environmental Lab-grown meat threat as cattle produce the potent greenhouse gas methane, while logging to create pastures destroys natural barriers against climate change. The compa- India virus cases makes historic ny on Wednesday said it had made its first commer- cial sale of the product to 1880, a restaurant in pass 10m, but Singapore debut Singapore’s Robertson Quay, a posh riverside entertainment center. SINGAPORE: Lab-grown chicken meat made a his- The restaurant began serving the cultured meat infections slowing toric debut at a Singapore restaurant yesterday in a yesterday evening, saying its first diners were stu- culinary first that its creators said could help reduce dents aged 14-18 who had been invited to the launch NEW DELHI: India surged past 10 million the environmental damage involved in human food after showing “a commitment to building a better coronavirus cases yesterday, official data production. US start-up Eat Just said earlier this planet”. The launch, however, was closed to the showed, the second highest in the world, month that its product had been approved for sale in media because of measures against the coronavirus. SINGAPORE: This handout photo shows a nugget although new infection rates appear to have fall- the city-state as an ingredient in chicken nuggets after Entrepreneur Marc Nicholson, who founded 1880, made from lab-grown chicken meat at a restaurant en sharply in recent weeks. The number of cases Singapore became the first country to allow the sale of described serving cultured meat as a “revolutionary yesterday. — AFP increased by just over 25,000 in 24 hours, meat created without slaughtering any animals. Continued on Page 2 according to the health ministry, while the total number of deaths from the virus in India now stands at 145,136. learning for children because of the In September, the vast nation of 1.3 billion Back to school health crisis simply might not work. people had been recording daily new cases of Until now families in Pasadena could almost 100,000 and looked on track to surpass in US as online choose between sending their kids to the United States as the worst-hit country. But school or keeping them home for the outbreak has accelerated in the US and remote learning. Nearly half of the appears to have lost momentum in India, despite learning flunks nearly 50,000 students in the school the country being home to some of the most district, from kindergarten to high crowded cities on the planet. HOUSTON: The coronavirus pan- school, stayed home. But their test The United States, with a population a quar- demic may be raging in the Houston results after the autumn period of ter the size of India’s, has been reporting area, but tens of thousands of stu- school were disappointing - 40 per- upwards of 200,000 new cases daily in recent dents in one district are headed back cent failed at least one subject, com- weeks, 10 times as many as India. India’s fatality to the classroom in January because pared to 18 percent of those who rate is also considerably lower - less than half of poor results while learning from attended class in person. In the 2019- home. The plight of the town of that of the US. 2020 school year, that proportion was BELLAIRE, Texas: A student wearing a facemask walks outside Condit Pasadena is being repeated across Residents in the capital New Delhi told AFP 13 percent for all the district’s students. Elementary School near Houston on Dec 16, 2020. — AFP they were still worried but were more comfort- America, as educators fret that online Continued on Page 2 able than before about leaving their homes. “Obviously the fear levels have come down over time. Initially, it was more scary,” said housewife edly spiked to more than 100, their Huma Zaidi, 46. “But we are still taking precau- Virus curbs highest levels since July. tions like wearing masks when going out and Authorities also vowed to ramp up avoiding social gatherings.” policing of gatherings at private India has lifted restrictions on most activities threaten last properties and on boats, setting up a to boost the struggling economy, although some dedicated hotline for the public to states and territories have re-imposed curbs. “I true HK junk report any breaches. “In the near plucked up my courage and went out for lunch future, it is very difficult for us to stay for the first time in six or eight months,” said HONG KONG: The red sails of the alive,” Charlotte Li, Dukling Limited’s Simpy Dhar, 44, a language instructor. “However, “Dukling” junk boat have glided director of business development, told my fear is not eliminated completely. I know across Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor AFP. The boat requires at least four coronavirus is still out there.” for more than six decades. But the workers to operate on the water but The 10-million mark came as the world’s sec- wooden ship has been docked after two resigned during the pandemic ond-most populous nation gears up for the new measures to stem a fourth wave over slashed wages, leaving the colossal and challenging task of starting to vac- of the coronavirus were introduced Dukling short on numbers. “We have cinate the population next year. The government earlier this month, threatening the to follow and obey the law. But how can we maintain the staff and their aims to inoculate 300 million people initially, city’s last remaining antique junk. HONG KONG: In this picture taken on Nov 27, 2020, a traditional wooden families?” Li said. Continued on Page 2 Strict social distancing rules were tourist junk boat “Dukling” sails in the waters of Victoria Harbor. — AFP brought back after daily cases repeat- Continued on Page 2 2 Established 1961 Sunday, December 20, 2020 Local Scam callers find innovative ways to lure their victims Hackers upping their game as technology improves

By Nawara Fattahova reported KD 6,000 was missing from his bank account after getting a call from a scammer claim- KUWAIT: “Hello! This is Ihsan from XYZ Bank. I’m ing he was from the bank. The caller already had his calling you to update your account information, as full information including the password, and only your debit card may be frozen if you don’t update it asked for the OTP (one-time password). This shows now. I need your password.” With these words, hun- how advanced scammers have become lately. dreds or even thousands of victims have been scammed. Two-factor The information update ruse is the most recent authentication way of scamming people, after older tricks became Cyber security researcher Ali Al-Anezi insists known to everyone. The most popular way of “nobody is fully secure”. “We can avoid getting scamming in the past few years was when scam- hacked by having a password to access the mobile mers told people they and computer. It should had won a huge amount be a complex password and they only needed that includes letters, the bank account num- numbers and symbols. ber to transfer the sum. Also, users should install Other ploys for email Nobody is two-factor authentica- scams or hacks are tion on their phones and those of canceled ship- emails, which is a pro- ments or orders. fully secure gram that requires an Cases of cybertheft OTP, which the hacker promotions at the start of the fiscal year, mostly tar- the scammer hacks a WhatsApp account and starts and fraud are rising all cannot get unless they geting individuals,” he explained. sending messages to the contacts of this account over the world, includ- have the victim’s phone. “One of the latest cases was of a Nigerian requesting a money transfer, saying they are in trou- ing Kuwait, despite Furthermore, users hacker who was arrested in Dubai after hacking ble. Many victims believe the message and transfer financial institutions warning clients not to provide should always update the software on their mobiles various bank accounts and obtaining the pass- the money, as the message is from their friend. But any personal information to any caller or reply to and computers,” he told Kuwait Times. Scammers words by using special technology. This is similar people should be careful, as it’s strange to ask for messages received with such content. Also, scam- are constantly improving to appear more genuine. to the case of a Kuwaiti hacker who hacked vari- money via message and not a call. So if people mers always call through online calling apps like “Recently, I received an email that appeared to be ous bank accounts and obtained the account num- receive such a message, they should always call Viber, WhatsApp, etc, using the logo of popular from a well-known Saudi electronics company, ber, card number and password, but without the back, not on WhatsApp, but on the actual phone local banks. But people should know that banks are which tried to hack my email through a link. This is name. He then called the bank and entered this number of their friend,” Anezi told Kuwait Times. supposed to call via the bank’s landline and not just one of thousands of cases. As technology is information, and waited for the operator who “Never provide your password to anyone, not even a mobile number. improving, hackers are also upping their game,” mentioned the name. If it was the name of a man, only of your bank account, but even your email. You Details of at least one scam are published in added Anezi. he continued the call and demanded any transac- can also use Windows Hello on your computer for newspapers in Kuwait every week, but the real According to him, hackers are focusing more on tion,” stressed Anezi. better protection. Try to update your computer number is higher, as not every victim reports this individuals rather than institutions. “Email phishing Many scams operate through WhatsApp. “There every year, and don’t forget to password-protect crime. The latest victim was a 50-year-old man who scams are more intensive in April, offering special have been many cases in Kuwait and abroad, where your mobile phone,” concluded Anezi.

Army receives first batch of Caracal helicopters KUWAIT: Chief of the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army Lt Gen Staff Khaled Saleh Al-Sabah oversaw the commissioning of the first batch of H225M Caracal helicopters into Ali Al-Salem Air Base. This batch is part of a deal to acquire 30 aircraft of this type developed by Airbus, the public relations and moral guidance department of the Kuwaiti Army said in a statement on Thursday. The French-made multirole military utility helicopters will enhance the capacity of Kuwait Air Force particularly in the fields of rapid interventions, search and rescue KUWAIT: Chief of the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army Lt Gen Staff Khaled Saleh Al-Sabah and other military brass oversee the commissioning of the new operations, evacuations and delivery of aid to disas- helicopters.— Defense Ministry photos ter-hit areas, according to the statement. — KUNA

But the real problem is getting kids engaged in tearing down a single forest, displacing a single ani- Back to school their classes. “I’m gonna be real honest. Sleeping in Lab-grown meat mal’s habitat or using a single drop of antibiotics”. and doing school in your pajamas is easier than get- Demand for sustainable meat alternatives is rising ting dressed every day for a day’s work at school,” due to growing concerns from consumers about the said Powell. Other school districts in the Houston makes historic... in US as online... environment and animal welfare, but other products area have already halted online learning. Others Continued from Page 1 reserve the option, but only for kids with medical Continued from Page 1 on the market are plant-based. reasons to stay home or who get good grades. Meat consumption is projected to increase more “Both groups are worrying me as far as their In Houston itself, the fourth largest city in the step towards solving climate change and creat- than 70 percent by 2050, and lab-grown alterna- ability to get the curriculum basics successfully. But US, parents can still opt for online learning for their ing the opportunity to feed the world without over- tives have a role to play in ensuring a secure food those virtual kids, that’s something that we’re con- children. As agreed with his parents, one 15-year- whelming the planet”. supply, the company said. There were concerns that cerned about at this time,” said DeeAnn Powell, old named Lucas Donalson is preparing -unenthu- Eat Just chief executive Josh Tetrick said this lab-grown varieties would be too expensive, but a superintendent of the Pasadena Independent School siastically - to go back to in person class in week that the launch “moves us closer to a world spokesman for Eat Just said the company had made District. That district covers a small part of Houston January, even if the pandemic is pushing hospitals where the majority of meat we eat will not require “considerable progress” in lowering the cost. — AFP itself, plus the towns of South Houston and back to overstretched levels seen during in the Pasadena, which are overwhelmingly Latino. summer. “I don’t think that my safety would have Powell says the pandemic has made life worse for any harm going back to school because we are all erated - particularly in poor and densely populated this already economically challenged demographic. six feet apart and I’m already seeing my friends India virus cases urban areas and remote rural regions. “Our kids of course are majority low-income,” she right now,” said Lucas. said in an interview via Zoom. “When both parents “All the experience that India has in vaccinating Schools are taking precautions, with mandatory is on the much smaller game of annual vaccinations are working, they are less likely to stay home and wearing of masks, social distancing, readily avail- pass 10m, but... of children,” Satyajit Rath, an immunologist at the monitor that the kids are engaged,” said Powell. “So able hand sanitizer and regular cleaning of school I think it is a struggle.” facilities. Lucas admits he did not turn in all of his Continued from Page 1 National Institute of Immunology, told AFP. “I’m not “Sometimes, we find that because of safety rea- homework assignments on time while taking his sure that India’s public healthcare systems are suffi- sons the kids aren’t left at home. They might be tak- classes online. with health workers and other frontline staff ciently developed... Even mildly below-freezing en to work with their parents or taken to run But he says teachers are partly to blame - some expected first in line. India has yet to approve any requirements (for vaccine transportation and stor- errands or engaged in different activities during the are not good at working with computers and com- vaccines but several drugmakers have applied for age) are likely to prove extremely challenging in the day and that’s keeping them away from their assign- municating with students online. “In online school, authorization, including AstraZeneca, which has rural hinterland’s healthcare system services.” ments,” said Powell. And some adolescents have some of my friends did miss some assignments just partnered with India’s Serum Institute, the world’s Like elsewhere, Indian authorities also have to simply dropped out of school and taken jobs in because there wasn’t anyone to tell them ‘you got to largest vaccine maker. convince some Indians skeptical about the safety of supermarkets or fast-food restaurants. To help the do this,’ any bells to tell them it’s time to switch Health ministry officials were expected to meet the shots. A recent survey of 18,000 people across poorest families, the districts provides computers classes,” said Lucas. “They sort of fell asleep at the the Election Commission - which carries out vast India found that 69 percent said they were in no and pays for their Internet. end of the class.” — AFP state and national polls - as they map out how to rush to get vaccinated. LocalCirles, which conduct- distribute the shots, the Press Trust of India report- ed the poll, cited “limited information about side- wide. President-elect Joe Biden, who will take office ed Thursday. Experts have cautioned that the coun- effects, efficacy levels and a growing belief in parts Europe battles on Jan 20, announced he would take the vaccine, try could struggle because of its weak cold-chain of the population that COVID-19 cannot infect them also in public, tomorrow. In Europe, Slovakian Prime infrastructure - needed for keeping vaccines refrig- because of their high immunity levels”. — AFP Minister Igor Matovic became the latest high-pro- virus surge as... file figure to test positive for COVID-19 a week Continued from Page 1 after attending a European Union summit in the only authentic junk left - the other remaining Brussels. The summit is believed to be where Virus curbs vessels are modern replicas. It was owned for 20 paving the way for millions of doses of a second Macron also caught the virus. Macron’s diagnosis years by a Hong Kong fisherman who lived onboard jab to be shipped across the hardest-hit country in on Thursday led to a host of European leaders and with his family before it became a tourist attraction. threaten last... Before the latest restrictions were enforced, the the world. The United States is the first nation to French officials rushing into self-isolation. Dukling managed to stay afloat by switching to authorize the two-dose regimen from Moderna, Macron, who is working in self-isolation from an Continued from Page 1 official residence outside Paris, “is still presenting local tourists and schoolchildren. They readjusted now the second vaccine to be deployed in a routes and switched English commentary to Western country after the one developed by Pfizer the same symptoms of the COVID-19 illness Li said she felt authorities showed a “lack of (fatigue, coughing, stiffness)”, said a brief statement Cantonese. and BioNTech. caring” for small private companies after excluding “The locals are hearing more about us this year yesterday, signed by his doctor. But they were not Millions of doses will start shipping out as early attractions like the Dukling boat from public coro- because with no tourists, we have more time and as this weekend from cold-storage sites outside preventing him from carrying out his duties and he navirus subsidies handed out to travel agencies, money to spend on promotion in Hong Kong itself,” Memphis and Louisville. With the United States was in stable condition. “We have to be vigilant as tour guides and big parks. Ocean Park, an ageing Li said before the new restrictions came on. now registering more than 2,500 deaths a day from the virus is gaining in strength again,” the French theme park that was making losses even before the Now that source of income has dried up. Li is COVID-19, senior US officials including Vice leader said on Friday in a short video message. pandemic struck, has received billions from a gov- calling for authorities to preserve the Dukling President Mike Pence stepped up to receive early In Australia, a cluster of cases on Sydney’s north- ernment bailout. “I know the government can’t help whatever happens during the rest of the pandem- vaccinations on Friday. ern beaches grew to 38, with residents ordered to everyone, but in the tourism industry they need to ic. The boat’s mission is not merely to serve as a Pence’s public inoculation was the most high- stay home from late yesterday other than for essen- think more globally,” she said. tourist attraction, she said, but to preserve Hong Junks date back to the Han Dynasty (221-206 BC) profile attempt yet at persuading vaccine-skeptic tial reasons. New South Wales state Premier Gladys Kong’s fishing heritage and the city’s history. “It’s and were traditionally used for fishing and transport. Berejiklian pleaded with Sydney’s more than five an old boat full of history and stories,” Li said. Americans to join a national effort to halt a pan- Built in 1955 in neighboring Macau, the Dukling is demic that has infected more than 74 million world- million residents to remain in their homes. “— AFP “It’s a moving museum, a fishing museum.” — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Sunday, December 20, 2020 Kuwait’s Interior Minister oversees unsealing of drug, weapon seizures

KUWAIT: Minister of Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah oversees the operation. —Interior Ministry photos

KUWAIT: Minister of Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Al- came within the efforts of joint cooperation and coor- truck was monitored and seized while moving from required legal measures, it made clear. The state- Sabah, accompanied by the Ministry’s dination between the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior’s Al-Wafra to a camp in Sabah Al-Ahmad, it said, not- ment quoted the minister thanking personnel of Undersecretary Lt Gen Esam Al-Naham, oversaw the Drug Control General Department (DCGD) and the ing that a number of suspects were arrested. DCGD for their sincere efforts in combating deci- unsealing of two million pills of the narcotic Saudi Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate for Two million pills of Captagon, ammunition and sively the attempts of smuggling drugs. Sheikh Captagon, nine weapons and wine bottles, recently Narcotics Control, it added. In coordination with the weapons, and alcoholic drinks were found in the Thamer also expressed gratitude to the Saudi seized by the security personnel. two sides, investigations revealed that there was an truck, it stated. The accused confessed that they Interior Ministry, headed by Minister Prince The contraband was hidden in an innovative way attempt to smuggle a large quantity of Captagon brought these drugs into the country so as to smug- Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, the statement said. inside a truck and brought to the country, the min- inside a truck in Wafra, it noted. After intensifying gle them to neighboring states, it said. Sheikh Thamer phoned his Saudi counterpart, laud- istry’s security media and public relations department investigations, collecting information and obtaining a The seized drugs and weapons, along with the ing cooperation and coordination with the security said in a press statement on Thursday. The seizure legal permission from the Public Prosecution, the accused, were referred to authorities to take apparatuses in the two countries, it said. —KUNA

President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to form a new Kuwait applauds government representative of the broad political spectrum of the country. In a statement this evening, Dr Hajraf stated support to the efforts of the Yemeni Yemenis’ accord parties to implement the Riyadh Agreement between the Yemeni government and the Southern KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry yesterday Transitional Council with a view to putting an end applauded implementation of the Riyadh accord to the standoff in the country. by the legitimate Yemeni Government and the He voiced hope that all stakeholders would place Southern Transitional Council (STC). The ministry in a statement lauded the accord for military the interests of the Yemeni people above all consid- arrangements and forming a government of skilled erations and prepare the ground for the new gov- members, hoping the steps would pave way for ernment to exercise its powers in the transitional reaching the aspired political solution and end the capital city of Aden and resume the development crisis in the brotherly country. It highly valued the process in liberated areas. Dr Hajraf appreciated the major and continuing efforts by Saudi Arabia for efforts of the Saudi-led Coalition to Support hammering out the accord, depicting Riyadh’s Legitimacy in Yemen, which led to today’s procla- keenness on stability and security in the region mation of a new cabinet lineup. He reaffirmed the and Yemen. GCC members’ backing for the efforts to stabilize Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Gulf sisterly Yemen based on the GCC initiative and its Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf executive mechanisms and the UN Security Council lauded the decision made earlier Friday by Yemeni Resolution 2216. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah received senior Interior Ministry officials at the ministry’s building, where they congratulated him on his new post. The ministry’s Undersecretary Lt Gen Esam Al-Naham attended the meeting.

Kuwait reports 5 COVID deaths over weekend KUWAIT: Kuwait confirmed 244 new coronavirus infections yesterday to raise the total to 147,775, while two new deaths were recorded, which increased the death toll to 918, the health ministry said. On Friday, Kuwait announced 339 new cases in addition to three deaths. On the other hand, total recoveries increased to 143,641 after Kuwait registered 286 yesterday and 242 on Friday. The number of people hospitalized with the virus stood at 3,216 as of yesterday, with 57 of them in inten- sive care units (ICU), according to ministry spokesman Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad. Hospitalized cases stood at 3,260 on Friday, including 51 ICU patients. Dr Sanad added yesterday that 4,756 swab tests were conducted over the previous 24 hours, bringing the total up to 1,214,147. Health workers had taken 6,667 swab tests on Friday. Dr Sanad went on to urge the public to follow health precautions, mainly social distancing to help limit the spread of the virus. —KUNA

tive manner. The minis- Kuwait commerce ter revealed that a broad “nationalization plan” has taken effect minister stresses to bring development goals to fruition, saying achievement that any development plan should be careful- KUWAIT: National development plans should fol- ly assessed and low a meticulous process to ensure unimpeded reviewed to translate progress leading to tangible results, Kuwait’s new such strategies into commerce minister said yesterday, highlighting that success. Any endeavor “goal achievement” is his primary focus.” We only undertaken across Faisal Al-Medlej have one goal in mind and that’s to accomplish,” state bodies should Faisal Al-Medlej told the press, adding that devel- bear the nation’s “best interest” in mind, added the opment plans should proceed in a timely and effec- minister. —KUNA Kuwait oil price at $50.76 pb KUWAIT: Kuwait’s oil price dropped 32 cents to $50.76 per barrel Friday against $51.08 pb Thursday, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said yes- terday. In international markets, the Brent crude oil rate rose 32 cents to $50.29 pb while that of the intermediate Texas crude climbed 42 cents to settle at $46.99 pb. —KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Sunday, December 20, 2020

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

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

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

News in brief

Amir condoles with Turkish President KUWAIT: This photo taken yesterday shows an airplane flying over Kuwait. — Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolences yesterday to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In the cable, His Highness the Amir expressed his condolences to the Turkish president over the victims of the fire that Gulf Bank assists at broke out at an intensive care unit treating COVID-19 patients in southern Turkey, killing COVID-19 rapid several people. His Highness the Amir also offered condolences to the victims’ families, wishing the injured speedy recovery. His testing center in Sabhan

Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the KUWAIT: Gulf Bank’s sustainability team was Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- present last Wednesday at the Coronavirus Rapid Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. — KUNA Screening Center in Sabhan, to distribute preven- tive material to visitors who wished to be screened. The effort took place as part of the bank’s unwaver- End of crisis ing commitment to social responsibility, and as part of its community sustainability efforts in raising VIENNA: Romanian Foreign Ministry praised on awareness about the virus and its prevention. Thursday Kuwait’s efforts to end the Gulf crisis. This initiative comes as part of a wider set of ini- In a press statement, the ministry stated support tiatives pioneered by Gulf Bank. Since the outbreak to the efforts aiming to ensure the Gulf’s unity of the coronavirus pandemic in Kuwait, Gulf Bank A Gulf Bank team member distributes pre- and stability, and praised the fruitful diplomatic has worked tirelessly to improve working condi- KUWAIT: Gulf Bank’s team on site. ventative material. efforts of Kuwait to solve the issue. Romania is tions for both employees and customers alike. confident of the return of the political, economic During the first stages of returning to normal life, and commercial ties between the countries of the which included the reopening of the bank’s branch- living in, and which will hopefully soon be a thing restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. Gulf which will lead to stability and prosperity, es, the bank launched a mental health campaign for of the past, God willing.” The “Visit Gulf Bank” app is available to down- according to the statement. In early December, employees to help them cope with the spread of the It is worth noting that Gulf Bank’s social media load for all Gulf Bank clients on both iOS and the United Nations applauded the endeavors of pandemic and the various health challenges activity was greatly amplified earlier this year, as Android devices. Gulf Bank customers can book Kuwait in finding the perfect solution to achieve employees may have faced as a result. the bank launched several community sustainability their appointments through the app and specify that goal. — KUNA The Assistant General Manager of Corporate campaigns commensurate with the conditions the their preferred date, time and branch, granting them

Communications at Gulf Bank, Ahmad Al-Amir, country was undergoing, including the lockdown a smoother and faster branch visit. Sudan off list commented: “Our team was present at the and curfew periods. These initiatives included a Gulf Bank is keen on applying all the necessary Coronavirus Rapid Testing Center in Sabhan as physical health and at-home exercise campaign, a precautionary measures to ensure the regular ster- KUWAIT: Kuwait Ministry of Foreign affairs hailed part of our recognition of the larger societal role home decor and lifestyle campaign, and a financial ilization of its locations. These measures include on Thursday the US decision to lift Sudan from the that major enterprises contribute in supporting and economic awareness initiative. taking customers’ temperatures at the entrance, list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Ministry con- governmental and public efforts. Throughout this Gulf Bank also launched a mobile application maintaining physical distance, and ensuring both gratulated, in a press statement, the Republic of initiative, we made every effort to spread positivi- allowing customers to book appointments to visit customers and employees are wearing gloves and Sudan on the move, wishing the country more pros- ty and hope to everyone who visited the testing their nearest branch. The app aims to reduce wait masks at all times. Gulf Bank is committed to apply- perity and more achievements. —KUNA center, and to provide them with the necessary times and make the process of visiting a branch ing the best preventive health measure to ensure preventive material for the times we are currently more convenient, especially in light of the current the safety of both its clients and employees.

won the 2020 UN Environment Program’s Young Info Minister Champions of the Earth award, to be amongst seven winning scientists, engineers, businessmen and congratulates two activists all over the world. Mutairi said that Shehab’s participation in the KIDE is distinguished, Kuwaiti award winners noting that it is a key platform for inventors in the Continent of Asia to display their ideas, research KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of projects and new inventions. More than 500 inven- State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi tors from more than 26 countries, including the congratulated Kuwaiti engineers Jenan Al-Shehab State of Kuwait, are partaking in the KIDE. He and Fatma Al-Zalzalah on getting several interna- lauded as distinguished Zalzalah’s project that aims tional accolades. In a statement to the press, Mutairi at recycling harmful waste at houses, schools and expressed pride as Shehab won two gold medals companies, and replacing it with trees and plants. and an excellence award during her participation in Kuwait’s youths are creative and have made Taiwan’s Kaohsiung International Invention and progress in various fields, he said, adding that this Design EXPO (KIDE) 2020 held on December 10- is an additional achievement to the Kuwaiti youth, 12. The minister also congratulated Zalzalah who mainly the females. — KUNA

through’ for its members on Saturday, December 12, Int’l Women’s 2020. The ladies of IWG Board were present to greet members, as they drove through a specially Group celebrate decorated area with various stalls to collect their ‘festive fayre’ of chocolates, poinsettias, and annual New Year holiday gifts presented by Santa. The atmosphere was filled with music, laughter and greetings, all conducted in a KUWAIT: To celebrate the spirit of the season and safe and socially distanced manner, giving members the coming new year, the International Women’s an opportunity to share in person the spirit of love Group - Kuwait, held a first ever ‘Santa Drive- and friendship we have all missed in the pandemic. International SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020 Pompeo blames Russia for massive US cyberattack Five rockets fired at US air base in Afghanistan Page 7 Page 6

YEREVAN: Armenians attend a ceremony to commemorate those who died in wars over Karabakh at the Yerablur Military Memorial Cemetery on Friday. — AFP Armenia mourns Karabakh victims Opposition keeps up pressure on Pashinyan to resign YEREVAN: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol going through a nightmare,” Pashinyan said in a stay away from the memorial cemetery. “He must the prime minister should not be blamed for the Pashinyan yesterday led thousands in a march in video address ahead of the memorial march. not desecrate the graves of our children,” Misak mistakes of previous leaders. “He is not guilty of memory of those killed in a six-week war with “Sometimes it seems that all of our dreams have Avetisyan, who lost a son in the war, told anything,” said Karo Sargsyan. Pashinyan, a for- Azerbaijan as the Caucasus country began three been dashed and our optimism destroyed,” he said. reporters. The grief-stricken father said the prime mer newspaper editor, was propelled to power in days of mourning. Pashinyan has been under huge The opposition has called the 45-year-old leader a minister should get down on his knees and “beg 2018 after he channeled widespread desire for pressure from the opposition to step down after “traitor” for agreeing to end the war on for forgiveness”. Many critics chanted “Nikol the change into a broad protest movement against nearly 3,000 Armenians were killed in the clashes Azerbaijan’s terms. traitor” as authorities dramatically beefed up corrupt post-Soviet elites. with Azerbaijan over the breakaway region of Pashinyan, whose wife and son were at the front security at the cemetery. But after the war with Azerbaijan, many now Nagorno-Karabakh. during the conflict, has said he has no plans to quit Later yesterday several thousands of opposi- say Pashinyan has betrayed Armenia’s interests. As Armenia began its period of mourning for and the peace deal was Armenia’s only option, tion supporters gathered for a memorial rally in Numerous public figures including the influential the Karabakh war, the opposition kept up pressure ensuring Karabakh’s survival. The war ended in Yerevan’s Freedom Square. “This war did not have head of Armenia’s Apostolic Church, Catholicos on Pashinyan to resign over the handling of the November with a Moscow-brokered peace agree- to happen,” said former prime minister Vazgen Garegin, have called for Pashinyan’s resignation. conflict and what they say is a humiliating peace ment that saw the Armenians cede swathes of ter- Manukyan who the opposition says should As part of the peace deal Russia deployed nearly deal with Azerbaijan. Accompanied by top offi- ritory to Azerbaijan which has been backed by replace Pashinyan. He said Armenia under 2,000 peacekeeping troops to Karabakh. More cials, Pashinyan led a thousands-strong procession close ally Turkey. Pashinyan had lost “all allies”. Pashinyan’s critics than 5,000 people including civilians were killed to a memorial complex in the capital Yerevan have called on supporters to stage a national during the fighting between the ex-Soviet rivals, where victims of the conflict are buried. ‘Beg for forgiveness’ strike from Dec 22. who also fought a war in the 1990s over the “The entire nation has been through and is Many critics said yesterday the leader should A member of the Pashinyan-led procession said mountainous region. — AFP

sneeze, the body expels dust that has fallen into it,” Turkmen leader Almatov told local media. champions Locking down with zero cases The World Health Organization declined to com- Algerian govt ment on wild rue specifically, but said traditional herbal defense medicine in many countries “is often an important tightens screws health resource with many applications”. Berdymukhamedov joins the leader of Madagascar, ASHGABAT: Ayna Garayeva, a school teacher in who gained notoriety for promoting a scientifically on online media the capital of authoritarian and secretive unproven herbal virus remedy at home and abroad. Turkmenistan, began taking extra sanitary measures Herbal remedies have been widely used during TUNIS: Algeria has announced tighter state in her classroom when the government issued new the pandemic in countries with struggling public controls over online media, sparking alarm in guidelines in August. As well as standard coron- health systems, like Yemen and Sierra Leone. Yet the North African country whose pro-democ- avirus precautions like temperature checks for stu- Berdymukhamedov’s approach to the pandemic racy movement is under heightened pressure dents, she started fumigating her classroom with the changed after the WHO visited in July. The delega- ASHGABAT: Turkmen women wearing traditional from the government. President Abdelmadjid smoke of a herb beloved by the ex-Soviet country’s tion stopped short of dismissing his boast that that dress demonstrate how to fumigate a house with Tebboune’s government, already accused of leader. “We are following the instructions as they are country had zero cases, a claim now only shared by the smoke of burning wild rue (known locally as stifling free speech, this month published a laid out,” 42-year-old Garayeva told AFP. North Korea and a handful of island states. yuzerlik) on Dec 11, 2020. — AFP new decree regulating electronic media in the In tightly controlled Turkmenistan, which still But it recommended that Turkmenistan adopt insists it has no virus cases, the pandemic has led to measures as if the virus “were already circulating”. online Official Gazette. a boom in a herb whose Turkmen name translates as WHO Europe chief Hans Kluge tweeted weeks later Turkmenistan has indeed paused inbound flights, Among other things, it will force web- “medicine for a hundred illnesses”. Wild rue - known that the group had “expressed serious concern about but state media last month said several German based Algerian media outlets to be based locally as yuzerlik - has for millennia been popular in (a rise) in #COVID19 negative pneumonia” in doctors unaffiliated with the WHO visited Ashgabat within the country and demand that they North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia as a Turkmenistan during a teleconference with to meet with Berdymukhamedov and receive state inform authorities of any “illegal content”. The panacea for sickness and ill fortune. Berdymukhamedov. Kluge said Berdymukhamedov awards. Berdymukhamedov’s instructions for fumi- new rules aim to combat “the misuse of this But in Turkmenistan, strongman leader and ex- had agreed to allow the WHO to sample virus tests gation are typical of his championing of indigenous type of modern media” and the spread of dentist Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has gone a “in-country” and send them to WHO labs for analysis. fauna and flora. “rumors, fake news and fake videos”, said step further. In March, he ordered wild rue burn- Since the July visit, non-food shops and restau- The all-powerful leader has also feted a national Communications Minister Ammar Belhimer. ing on a “systematic level”, trumpeting the bacte- rants across the desert republic have been shut- horse breed and a local shepherd dog in statues and The decree, which the minister - a former ria and infection-killing qualities of its faintly tered. A ban on passenger trains and cross-country various books he reportedly penned. His wild rue journalist - argues will protect Algeria and its intoxicating smoke. At the same time, authorities bus travel has been extended into next year. A drive has caused a rare spurt in innovation in an armed forces against malicious attacks, has continued to hold ostentatious mass events and mask-wearing regime was put in place in the sum- economy dominated by the state and crushed by a been roundly decried by media professionals. deter citizens from wearing masks. Since the dik- mer to counter “dust” and unspecified “pathogens”. six-year depression in energy prices. An AFP corre- It amounts to “an absurd ban on an independ- tat, the cost of a wild rue bundle has grown five- Turkmenistan has yet to cooperate with the WHO’s spondent this month visited a trade exhibition where ent electronic press - this is another bad sig- fold to five manats ($1.43). request for confirmatory testing, however. a state-owned company demonstrated new, cigar- nal”, journalist Said Djaafer wrote in an edito- In neighboring Uzbekistan, top sanitary doctor shaped briquettes of dried rue that can smolder for rial on the website 24HDZ. Hamdi Baala, a Bakhrom Almatov cautioned the herb has “no direct Mutant-green sanitizer up to 45 minutes. At 10 manats for six blocks, “they journalist at the Twala news site, said that effect” on viruses, despite having healthy properties. The WHO told AFP that the request has proven should be affordable to the local population,” said a online media has so far been “a free space that “After use, many people start sneezing. When they impossible to facilitate due to “travel restrictions”. representative, who did not introduce himself. — AFP is technically and economically beyond the control of the authorities. “With this decree, they want to get control over it.” naked in her living room. described the raid as a “colossal failure”. The new rules, to be enforced over the next Naked handcuffing “What is going on?” a terrified Young is heard “That could have easily been me,” said Lightfoot, 12 months, come at a time the Algerian gov- telling police in the video aired by CBS 2 Chicago. who is African American. “We can do better and we ernment has put on trial or jailed a string of of black woman “What are you looking for? “You’ve got the wrong will do better as a city,” she said. City attorneys had activists and journalists associated with the house,” Young repeatedly tells officers. “Oh my god, sought to block the release of the video and pro-democracy Hirak movement. Hirak’s mass this cannot be right,” she says. “How is this legal?” Lightfoot said she had ordered a review of the demonstrations broke out early last year and sparks outrage Young told the television network that she had just release policy. Young’s attorney, Keenan Saulter, forced long-time president Abdelaziz returned from work and was undressing in her bed- who is filing a suit against the police department, Bouteflika from power in April 2019. They room when police broke in. “It happened so fast I said a young white woman would not have received continued after that, demanding a far more The authorities in the US city of WASHINGTON: didn’t have time to put on clothes,” she said. “I’m the same treatment. “They viewed Miss Young as sweeping overhaul of a sclerotic political sys- Chicago are coming under fire after a video was just standing there terrified, humiliated.” less than human,” Saulter told CBS 2. tem in place since independence from France released of police handcuffing a naked Black Police eventually left after determining they had Young’s case has been compared to that of in 1962, but ground to a halt as the novel woman after raiding her home in a case of mistak- the wrong address. One officer apologized to Young Breonna Taylor, a young Black woman who was coronavirus pandemic struck. Tebboune, in en identity. The police raid took place on Feb 21, while others tried to fix her broken door. According shot dead in Louisville, Kentucky, in March in a power since Dec 2019, has sought ostensibly 2019 but the disturbing video was only released to CBS 2, the suspect the police were searching for botched raid on her home. Taylor’s name became a to reach out to the Hirak movement, even as recently. Police body cameras show officers using lived in the same apartment complex and an inform- rallying cry during protests against racial injustice the regime has tightened the screws. Online a battering ram to break down the door of the ant had provided them with the wrong address. this summer following the death of George Floyd, a restrictions are nothing new for Algeria’s 22 home of Anjanette Young and putting the 50-year- Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters she Black man killed by a white police officer in million Internet users. — AFP old social worker in handcuffs while she stands was “appalled” after viewing the video and Minneapolis in May. — AFP 6 Established 1961 International Sunday, December 20, 2020 Pompeo blames Russia for massive US cyberattack Microsoft notifies more than 40 customers hit by the malware

WASHINGTON: Russia was “pretty States and the world.” John Dickson of civilian systems. Analysts have said the clearly” behind a devastating cyberat- the security firm Denim Group said attacks pose threats to national securi- tack on several US government agen- many private sector companies which ty by infiltrating key government sys- cies that also hit targets worldwide, could be vulnerable were scrambling to tems, while also creating risks for con- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. shore up security, even to the point of trols of key infrastructure systems such Microsoft said late Thursday that it considering rebuilding servers and oth- as electric power grids and other utili- had notified more than 40 customers er equipment. ties. The US Cybersecurity and hit by the malware, which security “Everyone is in damage assessment Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) experts say could allow attackers now because it’s so big,” Dickson said. said government agencies, critical unfettered network access to key gov- “It’s a severe body blow to confidence infrastructure entities, and private sec- ernment systems and electric power both in government and critical infra- tor organizations had been targeted by grids and other utilities. structure.” The threat comes from a what it called an “advanced persistent “There was a significant effort to use long-running attack which is believed to threat actor.” a piece of third-party software to have injected malware into computer CISA did not identify who was essentially embed code inside of US networks using enterprise management behind the malware attack, but private government systems,” Pompeo told The network software made by the Texas- security companies pointed a finger at Mark Levin Show on Friday. “This was a based IT company SolarWinds, with the hackers linked to the Russian govern- very significant effort, and I think it’s hallmarks of a nation-state attack. ment. Pompeo had also suggested WASHINGTON: Russia was “pretty clearly” behind a devastating cyberat- the case that now we can say pretty James Lewis, vice president at the Moscow’s involvement on Monday, tack on several US government agencies that also hit targets worldwide, clearly that it was the Russians that Center for Strategic and International saying the Russian government had Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. engaged in this activity.” Studies, said the attack may end up made repeated attempts to breach US Roughly 80 percent of the affected being the worst to hit the United States, government networks. President-elect customers are located in the United eclipsing the 2014 hack of US govern- Joe Biden expressed “great concern” “This threat poses a grave risk,” network. “At this point, the investiga- States, Microsoft president Brad Smith ment personnel records in a suspected over the computer breach while CISA said Thursday, adding that it tion has found that the malware has said in a blog post, with victims also Chinese infiltration. Republican Senator Mitt Romney “expects that removing this threat been isolated to business networks found in Belgium, Britain, Canada, Israel, “The scale is daunting. We don’t blamed Russia and slammed what he actor from compromised environments only, and has not impacted the mission Mexico, Spain and the United Arab know what has been taken so that is one called “inexcusable silence” from the will be highly complex and challenging essential national security functions of Emirates. “It’s certain that the number of the tasks for forensics,” Lewis said. White House. Romney likened the for organizations.” the department, including the National and location of victims will keep grow- “We also don’t know what’s been left cyberattack to a situation in which Hackers reportedly installed malware Nuclear Security Administration,” said ing,” Smith said, echoing concerns behind. The normal practice is to leave “Russian bombers have been repeated- on software used by the US Treasury agency spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes. voiced this week by US officials on the something behind so they can get back ly flying undetected over our entire Department and the Commerce SolarWinds said up to 18,000 cus- serious threat from the attack. in, in the future.” country.” Department, allowing them to view tomers, including government agencies “This is not ‘espionage as usual,’ CISA said the computer intrusions internal email traffic. The Department and Fortune 500 companies, had even in the digital age,” Smith said. NSA warning began at least as early as March this of Energy, which manages the country’s downloaded compromised software “Instead, it represents an act of reck- The National Security Agency called year, and the actor behind them had nuclear arsenal, confirmed it had also updates, allowing hackers to spy on lessness that created a serious techno- for increased vigilance to prevent “demonstrated patience, operational been hit by the malware but had dis- email exchanges. Russia has denied logical vulnerability for the United unauthorized access to key military and security and complex tradecraft.” connected affected systems from its involvement. —AFP

including from her husband who refuses to Myanmar gang rape speak to her. “I am both happy and sad,” she said, still in disbe- lief that the military tribunal ruled in her favor. “I Mali lost in transition victim wins legal don’t entirely believe this verdict will stop the rape and abuse against women in conflict areas because as army expands battle with military they (the military) are unreliable people with two faces.” its role after coup SITTWE, Myanmar: After being gang-raped by soldiers, steely-eyed Thein Nu went up against Watershed moment? BAMAKO: Hopes that soldiers behind Mali’s coup Myanmar’s powerful military in a months-long fight In a rare acknowledgement of wrongdoing, the would swiftly restore civilian rule and tackle for justice-a fight that paid off with a rare legal vic- military on Saturday announced the verdict and sen- jihadism and ethnic violence are fading fast as the tory. Her three rapists were jailed for 20 years with tence against the three rapists, trumpeting its own army expands its role. Many in the large Sahel hard labor, a sentence she hopes will give other “transparent” investigation of the case. But observers country hailed the August 18 putsch as the precur- survivors the courage to speak up and challenge warn it is too soon to judge whether Thein Nu’s victo- sor of a “new Mali”-a nation that would emerge the military’s impunity. ry will be a watershed moment for the armed forces- This photo taken on December 11, 2020 shows mem- stronger and more stable, its institutions better Lodging a legal complaint pitted the 36-year-old which ruled Myanmar outright until 2011 and still bers of the Arakan Women Network speaking to sol- diers outside a military court in Sittwe. After a brutal placed to confront the country’s many ills. mother of four against Myanmar’s most powerful holds sway over many aspects of life in the country. Young army officers toppled president gang rape by soldiers, steely-eyed Thein Nu went up institution, whose soldiers have long been accused Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch said it was not Ibrahim Boubacar Keita after weeks of protests against the powerful Myanmar military in a months- yet clear whether the army was ready to tackle sparked largely by his failures to roll back a by rights groups of using rape as a weapon of war long battle for justice — a self-admitted “courageous” jihadist insurgency and root out perceived cor- in the country’s conflict zones. The crime was com- alleged atrocities committed by its rank and file. act that paid off in a rare legal victory last week. —AFP ruption. Threatened by international sanctions, mitted in June in northern Rakhine state-the site of In the past, its approach has been to deny rape the junta handed power to a caretaker institu- a nearly two-year battle between the military and claims outright, and in some cases soldiers file tion which is supposed to last for up to 18 the Arakan Army, which is fighting for more autono- defamation suits against the victim, he said. “It’s night four soldiers burst into the house and discov- months until elections are held. But disenchant- my for the ethnic Rakhine population. going to require a lot more than just one case to ered their hiding spot after the baby started crying. ment at the slow pace of reforms is growing, “Many women like me have already endured convince us that some kind of turn has been “I realized I had no way to escape from three men fuelled by anger that figures with army links the same thing,” Thein Nu-who has been given a reached,” he told AFP, adding that the military tri- who are more powerful than me,” she said. After the dominate the body. pseudonym to protect her identity-told AFP. “If bunal was held behind closed doors. Nearly six attack, Thein Nu and her children fled the village and Political parties, swiftly ousted from the deci- I didn’t reveal this, it could lead to many more in months on, Thein Nu still remembers the night of headed for Sittwe, where she made the agonizing sion-making process, have almost unanimously Rakhine (being abused).” Her victory comes her horrific ordeal clearly.As dusk fell, gunfire decision to pursue justice. With the three rapists put denounced the methods of the military. “It would after an initial denial from the military, which erupted in her village, and she hid with her daughter away, Thein Nu wants the fourth senior officer-who appear that this has been manipulation,” said said she made up the allegations, and she still and granddaughter in her mother-in-law’s house she believes could have stopped the attack-to face Boubacar Diawara, an expert on public law and faces the glare of widespread social stigma, alongside other women and children. Close to mid- justice as well. —AFP governance. Mali is “a fragile country built like a house of cards,” he said. “The junta had the possi- bility of consolidating the foundations, but they did Rasaq, 15. “I’m so excited... I have to cry, the cry of not do it.” Hundreds of Nigerian joy when I saw him,” she said. Governor Masari said Nepotism and inaction remain. Hospitals are the youngsters had been traumatised by what their overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases, while social schoolboys freed experience. discontent is mounting and many public service “You suffered physically, mentally and psychologi- employees are on indefinite strike. The number of cally, but let me assure you that we suffered more and jihadist attacks has declined but there is no evident after 6-day ordeal your parents suffered more.” The boys were given connection with any political changes in Bamako, new clothes before they were received also in the the southern capital far from territory frequented KATSINA, Nigeria: Exhausted and dishevelled, sev- governor’s office by President Muhammadu Buhari, by armed Islamists. The latest controversy arose eral hundred Nigerian schoolboys seized in a mass with the creation of the National Transition Council who spoke in Hausa, a language widely used in north- abduction claimed by Boko Haram experienced their ern Nigeria. (CNT), designed to take the place of parliament for first full day of freedom on Friday after a nearly week- the transition. long ordeal. But relief at their survival mingled with Jihadists’ claim concern that many others could still be captive, and The mass assault last Friday by armed men on a Programmed for failure? the circumstances of their release remained unclear. KATSINA: A man reacts as he reunites with his son who The criteria for appointing the 121 members of rural school in Kankara was initially blamed on crimi- Looking dirty, worn-out and distraught, and most was among those who were kidnapped upon their the CNT and even the true identity of some of nal gangs who have terrorized the region for years. release in Katsina, on Friday. —AFP those named remain obscure. Others have been giv- of them without shoes, the boys were brought to the But on Tuesday Boko Haram, the brutal jihadist group en seats without showing any prior interest. governor’s office in Katsina, the capital of Katsina behind the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in Filmmaker Boubacar Sidibe is a victim of this. He state in northwestern Nigeria, after being released 2014, claimed responsibility. UN chief Antonio Guterres called “for the immedi- was a CNT candidate who was accepted, his name late Thursday. One boy broke down in tears as he was Local officials announced late Thursday that the ate and unconditional release of those who remain placed on file with his date of birth and profession. being led into the hall for the reception by state gov- boys had been released and would spend the night in abducted” while commending the rescue of “some of But when he sat in his place at the inaugural session, ernor Bello Masari. An official took a handkerchief the protection of security agents. A security source, them”. He urged Nigeria to make “increased efforts to a man with the same name introduced himself and and wiped the tears. speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had safeguard schools and educational facilities in the stated that seat 101 was reserved for “the military “I am happy, very happy that I will see my father, been left in the forest after negotiations between the country”. quota.” Sidibe was shown out. “We’re bringing to mother and junior brothers,” said another, 14-year-old authorities and the abductors, but gave no further In an interview with state channel NTA late the table the same procedural irregularities that we Ibrahim Sani, smiling but looking tired. The boys were details. “This is a huge relief to the entire country & Thursday, Masari said: “I think we have recovered denounced in the past,” said Abdourhamane Ben then reunited with their parents. international community,” Buhari said on Twitter. most of the boys, it’s not all of them.” In a video Mamata Toure, former director of training at the Hajia Bilikis, a mother who has been waiting anx- It remained unclear, however, if all the abducted released by Boko Haram Thursday, a distressed National School of Administration, which has pro- iously with other parents, spoke of her exultation schoolboys had been released, amid ongoing uncer- teenager said he was among 520 students kid- duced top civil servants. —AFP when she caught sight of her boy, Abdullahi Abdu- tainty over the number taken in the first place. napped. —AFP

attacked a stadium in the Somali city the army nearly ten civilians also died military commander Colonel Ahmed Death toll rises of Galkayo, ahead of the planned in the blast”. The Islamist militant Dahir said the suicide bomber had arrival of the country’s prime minister. group Al-Shabaab has claimed targeted “senior military officials who to 16 in Somalia But a local security official told AFP responsibility for the attack, which stayed close to the entrance of the by telephone on Saturday: “The num- took place as a crowd waited for the stadium.” ber of people who have died in the arrival of Prime Minister Mohamed Al-Shabaab said in a statement suicide bombing blast increased this morning, 16 peo- Hussein Roble. The stadium is located that it had targeted the prime minister MOGADISHU: The death toll from a ple, most of them civilians, died, in the south of Galkayo, the capital of in the attack, which it claimed had suicide bombing in Somalia has risen according to the information we the north-central Mudug region, and killed the commanders of two local to 16, after a number of people hurt in have.” 600 kilometers (370 miles) north of units. The Al-Qaeda-linked group, the blast succumbed to their injuries Police official Ahmed Abdiasiz said Mogadishu. which is waging a deadly insurgency A photograph shows a general view of Kakolo overnight, security sources told AFP “the location where the blast occurred Galkayo is divided between two in Somalia and regularly targets mili- Mountan, the home village of Aboubacar Traore, in yesterday. Initially, six people includ- was overcrowded... so that many peo- self-proclaimed semi-autonomous tary and government officials, has South West of Mali. —AFP ing three senior military officials were ple who sustained serious injuries states-Puntland and Galmudug, which previously claimed responsibility for killed Friday when a suicide bomber died later. Apart from the members of includes Mudug. On Friday, Galkayo similar attacks in the region. —AFP Established 1961 7 International Sunday, December 20, 2020 Two die, hundreds flee floods as storm batters Philippines Fiji scrambles to provide aid as cyclone toll rises

MANILA: At least two people were killed and hun- Meanwhile, the devastation in Fiji following dreds forced to flee their inundated homes in the Cyclone Yasa was compared to a war zone yesterday Philippines as torrential rain triggered flooding and as reconnaissance flights showed entire villages landslides in the storm-battered archipelago, officials wiped out and authorities put the cost at hundreds of said yesterday. millions of dollars. The death toll rose to four with aid Huge waves smashed into a coastal village on workers fearing it will increase when contact is re- Lapu-Lapu island in the central province of Cebu established with outlying areas. A state of natural on Friday night, wiping out dozens of houses and disaster has been declared for 30 days as emergency leaving around 290 people homeless, Mayor Junard services scramble to provide food and clothing to the Chan said on Facebook. Photos posted online by worst affected areas. the mayor showed piles of wood and bamboo near The superstorm slammed into Fiji’s second-largest the few houses still standing after the region was island Vanua Levu late Thursday, leaving a trail of drenched by heavy rain. Rescuers retrieved the destruction and affecting 93,000 people, according bodies of two elderly women who were killed when to the National Disaster Management Office. a landslide hit an area of Mahaplag town before Of the 24,000 people who evacuated their homes dawn in the nearby province of Leyte, police officer at the height of the storm, 16,113 are still unable to Racquel Hernandez said. return. A New Zealand Air Force reconnaissance A boy was also pulled from the rubble of his home flight flew over the area on Saturday to assess the and treated for his injuries, Hernandez said. About scale of the damage, with reports of houses, crops 1,500 people were forced to leave their homes on the and entire livelihoods wiped out. major southern island of Mindanao as floodwaters The storm also damaged schools and caused People push a half-submerged tricycle through a flooded street due to heavy rains caused by tropical depression engulfed 13 villages, the National Disaster Risk widespread flooding and landslides. Vicky in San Francisco town, Agusan del sur province on the southern island of Mindanao on Friday. — AFP Reduction and Management Council said. “We’ve been receiving pictures of Kia island. The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 storms We have seen total devastation. It looks like a war and typhoons every year, which typically wipe out zone,” Save the Children Fiji chief executive damage there was unknown. with severely affected areas and maintaining public harvests, homes and infrastructure in already impov- Shairana Ali told AFP. “Houses have been smashed National Disaster Management Office director safety. The deaths of a 45-year-old man and a three- erished areas. The latest storm comes after a succes- to pieces and nothing remains. People are really Vasiti Soko said that while it would take days to month-old baby were confirmed after the storm sion of typhoons in recent months pummeled the desperate for shelter and desperate for food. assess the full scale of the damage, “we are likely swept through on Friday, and Soko said two more country, taking the lives 148 people, destroying hun- There’s obviously huge psychological damage.” looking at hundreds of millions of dollars.” bodies had since been found. One, a 70-year-old dreds of thousands of houses, wrecking cash crops Communications with the eastern Lau islands She said the immediate focus was on restoring man, was inside his home when the roof blew away and leaving swathes of the country without power. group were cut during the storm and the extent of critical infrastructure, re-establishing communication and timber fell on his head. — AFP

Five rockets fired News in brief at US air base Suicide bomber kills 3 in Nigeria KANO: A teenage girl killed at least three peo- in Afghanistan ple when she blew herself up in a crowd in north- east Nigeria’s Borno state, militia and humanitari- KABUL: A major US air base north of Kabul was an sources said yesterday. “We evacuated three targeted in a rocket attack yesterday but there were dead bodies and two people who were seriously no casualties or damage to the airfield, NATO and injured from the scene,” said aid worker Afghan officials said. Five rockets were fired at Abubakar Mohammed. The attack happened in Bagram Airfield in Parwan province at 6 am, said the town of Konduga, about 38 kilometers (24 Waheeda Shahkar, spokeswoman for the provincial miles) from the regional capital Maiduguri. The governor. She said 12 rockets were mounted on a attacker set off her explosives among a group of vehicle and five of them were fired at the base, men at a hangout next the local chief’s home, said while police defused the other seven. Ibrahim Liman, an anti-jihadist militia leader who A NATO official also confirmed the rocket gave the same toll. — AFP attack. “Rockets were fired towards Bagram Airfield this morning. Initial reporting is there were no casu- alties and the airfield was not damaged,” the official GHAZNI: People carry the body of a victim following a blast, at a provincial hospital in Ghazni. At least 15 children Russia puts satellite into orbit said. No group has immediately claimed responsi- were killed when a motorbike laden with explosives blew up near a religious gathering in eastern Afghanistan Friday, officials said. — AFP bility for the attack, and the Taleban denied any MOSCOW: A Soyuz rocket blasted off from the involvement. The jihadist Islamic State group previ- Vostochny cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East on ously claimed responsibility for a similar rocket Taleban launching peace talks to end the country’s trol several areas. Friday, putting into orbit 36 UK telecommunica- attack on the base in April. In recent months, IS has grinding war. Thirty security personnel were killed last month tions and internet satellites, the Roscosmos claimed several assaults in Kabul, including two “Unfortunately, as a result of this incident 15 when a suicide car bomber struck an army base space agency said. The launch was the first and rocket attacks that struck several residential areas people, all children, were martyred,” said near Ghazni city. The government’s talks with the only one to take place from the cosmodrome in the capital, causing fatalities. Wahedullah Jumazada, spokesman for the Taleban-which opened in September in the Qatari this year, Roscosmos said. The rocket took off province’s governor. Ahmad Khan Seerat, capital of Doha-are currently on a break until early at 1226 GMT, the space agency said, carrying 15 children killed spokesman for the provincial police force, con- January. The country has witnessed an increase in satellites made by the British-based company At least 15 children were killed when a motorbike firmed the blast, which he said was a Taleban attack. fighting, with the Taliban accused of trying to get an OneWeb. Nearly five hours later space agency laden with explosives blew up near a religious gath- He added that 20 others were wounded, including upper hand in the talks through violence. chief Dmitry Rogozin said that all the satellites ering in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, officials said. children. Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian Afghan forces have also battled a number of had reached their intended orbit. —AFP The children had gathered at a home in Ghazni earlier said the group had gathered to recite the attacks blamed on the Islamic State group in recent province to recite Quran verses, a regular activity Koran in remote Gilan district, about 120 kilometers months. Between January and September this year, on the Islamic holy day of Friday, when the blast (75 miles) from Ghazni city, the provincial capital. more than 2,100 civilians were killed and more than happened. Violence has surged in Afghanistan in Taleban and government forces have regularly 3,800 wounded in the violence, according to the Canada to share excess vaccine doses recent months despite the government and the clashed in the province, where the insurgents con- UN mission in Afghanistan. —AFP MONTREAL: Canada, which has placed orders and options on more than 400 million doses of coronavirus vaccine, will share any excess doses with other countries once its pop- US Navy to be ulation is inoculated, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday. Canada, which launched ‘more assertive’ its vaccination campaign this week, has erred on the side of caution to ensure all of its 38 million people have access to jabs. “As Canada gets in China in Pacific vaccinated, if we have more vaccines than nec- essary, absolutely we will be sharing with the WASHINGTON: The US military warned its war- world,” Trudeau said in an interview with CTV, ships would be “more assertive” in responding to which will be broadcast in full today. — AFP violations of international law, citing in particular Beijing, which has expansionist ambitions in the South China Sea. In a document setting objectives for the US Navy, Marines and Coast Guard for the Slovenian health minister resigns coming years, the Pentagon stressed that several countries, notably Russia and China, “are contest- LJUBLJANA, Slovenia: Slovenian Health ing the balance of power in key regions and seek- Minister Tomaz Gantar resigned Friday over ing to undermine the existing world order.” tensions within the ruling coalition prompted by “Our globally deployed naval forces interact Prime Minister Janez Jansa’s handling of the with Chinese and Russian warships and aircraft health crisis and attacks on the media. Gantar’s daily,” the document said, noting their “growing resignation came a day after his party DESUS, aggressiveness” and calling China “the most press- which represents the country’s pensioners, quit ing, long-term strategic threat.” The latest incident the four-party coalition led by Jansa. The party between the US and China naval forces took place accuses Jansa of using the coronavirus pan- AMRITSAR: Members of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Welfare Club shout slogans as they take part in a sit-in hunger strike in late August, when Beijing said it had driven an demic to attack critical media and strengthen in support of farmers yesterday. — AFP American warship from the disputed Paracel archi- his control over state institutions in the mould of pelago. The Asian power claims almost all of the his ally, nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister islands of the South China Sea, territorial claims Viktor Orban. — AFP have mainly come from northern Indian states. disputed by other countries in the region including India PM defends But on Friday a union in the central state of Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei. Maharashtra said thousands of members would To counter China, the US has been sending ships Trudeau on Canadians held in China farm reforms join the protesters. to the region more frequently to carry out what it Modi said in a video speech to one farmers’ calls “freedom of navigation” operations. To main- OATTAWA: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra group that opposition parties had exploited the tain strategic advantage over the Chinese Navy Friday he hoped to get “good news” about two Modi said Friday his government was a victim of protests, despite having supported the rural whose “battle force has more than tripled in size in Canadian citizens who have been held in what he “lies and conspiracy” as it struggled to defuse reforms. The government’s rivals were “spreading only two decades,” the US Navy plans to modern- called “arbitrary detention” in China for two growing protests by tens of thousands of farmers lies for their own political gain. They are using the ize with smaller, more agile and even remotely years. Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat work- threatening to encircle New Delhi. With more pro- farmers’ shoulders to fire their guns”, he said. piloted ships. US ships will also “accept calculated ing as a senior advisor for the International testers gathering at entrances to the capital every Claims that minimum prices would be ended were tactical risks and adopt a more assertive posture in Crisis Group, and businessman Michael Spavor day, Modi stepped up efforts to placate the rural just part of the “lies and conspiracy”. our day-to-day operations,” the statement said. For were first detained on December 10, 2018 on agitation against his market reforms. “I just want to make the farmers’ lives easier,” Navy Rear Admiral Jay Bynum that means being spying charges. Their arrest came just days after Protesters have blocked major roads into Delhi Modi said. Agriculture employs about 70 percent of “more responsive, more assertive.” “In the past, our the detention in Vancouver of a top executive for for more than three weeks opposing laws which India’s 1.3 billion people and accounts for 15 per- behavior was de-escalation. We would turn away Chinese tech company Huawei, Meng Wanzhou, enable them to sell produce on the open market cent of its $2.7 trillion economy. Five rounds of talks and would minimize risk in those individual con- on a US warrant. Relations between Ottawa and instead of just through state-run bodies that between ministers and unions have failed to pro- tacts,” he said, noting that the Navy “might be ced- Beijing have since deteriorated.—AFP guarantee a minimum price. So far, the protesters duce a breakthrough. — AFP ing ground” with the approach. — AFP Established 1961

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020 Business Post-Brexit talks grind amid fish spat Negotiators grapple with an impasse over post-Brexit fishing rights

BRUSSELS: EU and UK negotiators held “technical sectors like fishing, like sustainable competition con- talks” in Brussels yesterday with no sign of them ditions for our businesses,” he said. breaking an impasse over post-Brexit fishing rights in time to save a trade deal. Sources on both sides said ‘Concerns’ Britain not ready fishing is now the main obstacle to any pact that The urgency of reaching a deal is being driven could be in place on January 1 to prevent a sudden home by scenes of long lines of trucks at the entrance return to tariffs that would deal an economic jolt on to the freight rail link that goes through the Channel both sides of the Channel. tunnel as British companies frantically stockpile. “It remains very blocked,” one EU diplomat said. A group of UK MPs warned in a reported released One EU diplomat said Barnier had proposed EU fish- Saturday that Britain has not yet installed all the com- ermen giving up nearly a quarter of the value of the plex IT systems and port infrastructure needed to fish they catch in UK waters. Britain is understood to ensure post-Brexit trade with the EU runs smoothly. be holding out for getting back much more than half. “With just seven working days until the end of the The UK has suggested this compromise last for three transition period, significant concerns remain,” said years before it is renegotiated, whereas Europe is Hilary Benn, a prominent Labor MP who chairs the holding out for seven. “It’s all down to numbers now,” cross-party Committee on the Future Relationship the European diplomat said. with the EU that put out the study. Disruption is The EU’s pointman in the talks, Michel Barnier, has inevitable whether a deal happens or not. Outside the consulted member states that share fishing waters single market, British and European traders will have with Britain on the haggling over the issue, the diplo- to fill out import-export, health and tax forms to send mat said. The European Parliament has highlighted a and receive goods. A deal would lighten that burden deadline of midnight (2300 GMT) on Sunday as the by removing tariffs, but there would still be traffic last moment to receive a deal for review if MEPs are snarls as checks on truck loads and drivers’ papers are to ratify it before the end of the year under stream- carried out. lined procedures. Even small things, such as the truck drivers’ lunch- BRUSSELS: A general view through the door of the hemicycle ahead of a debate on the future of Their UK parliamentary counterparts are in es, will come under border scrutiny: the British gov- the relation between the EU and UK at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels recess, but can be recalled within 48 hours to do ernment warned packed ham and cheese sandwiches on Friday. —AFP likewise. are banned from entry into Europe under meat and But EU capitals are not binding themselves to the dairy restrictions that apply to non-EU arrivals. European Parliament’s deadline. France’s European Britain accepting some EU boats will continue to ply which migrate across what will be the post-Brexit affairs minister, Clement Beaune, warned that time left Weighing up fish its waters and EU countries recognizing their catches maritime boundaries, others which spawn in one part to get a deal was “a matter of hours,” echoing words The European Union linked the fishing rights issue there will have to be cut. and swim in another. used by Barnier a day earlier. But, he told French to the overall trade deal from the start. It is an eco- The haggling is over how much, for what species, in Regardless of any trade deal, both sides are bound radio, talks will not be called to a halt even if they go nomically tiny activity for both sides, but politically what waters exactly, and for how long a fishing agree- by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to jointly past Sunday. potent, able to galvanize media and voters. Both sides ment should last before it is put up for review. The EU manage those stocks to prevent overfishing them to “We won’t do that because what is at risk is whole have come down from their initial positions, with and Britain share stocks of 125 species of fish, some of extinction. —AFP

to everyone leaving Britain for the EU. UK lorry drivers This is one of the new rules that will enter force when Britain leaves the customs union and the EU single market at 2300 GMT (midnight Brussels face Brexit ban on time) on December 31, after a transition period when old rules for imports and exports still ham-and-cheese applied. Failing to declare foods such as ham-and- cheese sandwiches and hand them over for dispos- al could lead to a fine or criminal prosecution, sandwiches according to the European Union’s advice leaflet. The ban on such snacks comes despite the EU LONDON: British lorry drivers crossing the allowing imports for personal use of up to 20 kilo- Channel next year will face a new regulation that grams (44 pounds) of fresh fish or lobster. may be hard to swallow: a ban on ham-and-cheese Meat extracts and meat concentrates are also sandwiches, the UK government has warned. allowed, meaning that another British favorite A lorry (front) leaves as other freight lorries queue to board US blacklists The government gave the example of the popu- Bovril, a meat extract paste used to make a drink, their ferries at the port of Dover on the south coast of lar sandwich filling in guidance for hauliers issued should be acceptable. British lorry drivers will also England on Friday. —AFP Chinese firms Friday, warning that bringing into the European face more significant hurdles: new border controls Union foods that contain meat or dairy, even for that are expected to cause severe congestion personal use, will be forbidden. The rule is intend- around ports and a mass of new red tape including Britain and the EU have still not managed to including SMIC ed to prevent the entry of foods that could spread permits to enter the county of Kent, where the fer- secure a post-Brexit trade deal with stumbling diseases. It will apply not just to lorry drivers, but ry port of Dover is located. blocks including fishing rights. —AFP WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday announced it has imposed export controls on 77 Chinese companies including the country’s AFP on his farm overlooking the town of Kfar biggest chipmaker, SMIC, restricting its access to Struggling Syria Takharim.“The animals want to eat it,” he said, US technology over its alleged ties to China’s mil- scooping up Azolla weeds from a shallow pool using itary. The announcement in the final weeks of a kitchen strainer. “There is a big difference President Donald Trump’s term comes after rela- farmers turn to between offering them a green plant and dry feed.” tions between Washington and Beijing soured under his administration, which saw the US start a fern for fodder ‘High demand’ trade war with China and expand its list of sanc- The 25-year-old father of two started raising tioned entities to a few hundred Chinese compa- KFAR TAKHARIM, Syria: To dodge skyrocket- livestock in the Idlib region after he failed to find nies and subsidiaries. In a statement, Commerce ing prices for animal fodder in Syria’s last major work as a tailor. But in the years since he started, Secretary Wilbur Ross said the designations, rebel bastion, farmer Ayman Ibrahim has turned the Syrian pound has plummeted in value, leading to which restrict US companies’ abilities to do busi- to an aquatic fern used as a fertilizer in Asian sharp increases in the cost of imported goods. ness with the firms, are over an array of charges rice paddies. Compounded by the coronavirus pandemic, the including human rights abuses, the activities of Azolla, which looks more like a pond weed than a economic crisis has led food prices to increase by the Chinese military, particularly in the South fern, is regarded as an invasive plant in much of the 249 percent, plunging millions into hunger. The cost Syrian farmer Ayman Ibrahim harvests Azolla aquatic ferns China Sea, as well as theft of US technology. world but is used to feed livestock in parts of south- of animal fodder also rose sharply so Ibrahim used as livestock feed in the town of Kafr Takharim in “China’s corrupt and bullying behavior both east Asia. Ibrahim, a former tailor who took up embarked on a search for a cheaper alternative. Syria’s northwestern Idlib province. —AFP inside and outside its borders harms US national farming in the rebel-held Idlib region after fleeing “After a year of researching on the internet, I security interests, undermines the sovereignty of fighting in Syria’s second city of Aleppo in 2016, found out about the water fern and was able to our allies and partners, and violates the human says the plant has given him huge savings over tra- import it from Egypt via Turkey,” he said. Imported of viable Azolla arrived last June. rights and dignity of ethnic and religious minority ditional animal feeds like hay or silage. as live plants not as spores, Azolla was at first diffi- “We immediately planted them in the pools,” groups,” Ross said. “Commerce will act to ensure Azolla is highly productive with the ability to cult to transport to Syria, especially since it can’t where they have replaced 70 percent of the animal that America’s technology-developed and pro- double its weight in seven days, according to the survive long without water, Ibrahim said. fodder he was previously using. The cost of feeding duced according to open and free-market princi- UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The plant is The first four shipments fell through, with the his livestock has fallen from $300 a month to $100 ples-is not used for malign or abusive purposes.” rich in proteins and has been used as a feed for cat- plants arriving dead. at most. Ibrahim is so satisfied with the results that SMIC has received billions of dollars in support tle, fish and poultry in Vietnam; and for pigs in Ibrahim then reduced the size of his order and he started selling his surplus Azolla production to from Beijing and is at the heart of its efforts to Singapore and Taiwan. improved transport so that the plant could arrive other farmers. “I was surprised by the high improve the country’s technological self-sufficiency. “We want Azolla to spread here,” Ibrahim told before drying out. His first 10 kilograms (22 pounds) demand,” he said. —AFP In a call with reporters, a senior Commerce Department official said Washington has evi- dence that SMIC has worked with the Chinese owner of an art gallery in Massachusetts who stress. “We’re all just spinning plates in the air military on developing short- and medium- Stimulus debacle aspired to finish her degree and get into filmmak- because we don’t know what happens next. We’re range ballistic missiles and exoskeletons for sol- ing. Months later, she’s jobless, living in Georgia, ok for now, but if we get one unexpected bill, diers, but had been in talks with SMIC for pushes unemployed sharing a house with her parents and younger we’re screwed,” she said. months on a way to avoid the designation. brother and trying to figure out how a family of “We’re adding SMIC to the entity list mostly four can survive with only $2,000 a month and Speaking up because we need to make sure US intellectual Americans to the edge one licensed driver-which happens to be herself. In a time of uncertainty, Grant McDonald is Her days once spent reporting community news sure of one thing: he will be out of work for a property and manufacturing capabilities are WASHINGTON: First, they lost their jobs to the not being used by SMIC’s clients to continue or pursuing entrepreneurship are now filled with long, long time. A video director and designer coronavirus pandemic, and now many of the more shuttling her mother to dialysis appointments and for live events, McDonald, 31, figures the theaters to support the military-civil fusions efforts than 20 million people unemployed in the United within China,” the official said. “We simply no picking up groceries. Then there’s the time spent and concert halls he works in will be among the States may lose something else: the government aid on the phone with Massachusetts unemployment last to reopen, meaning laid-off workers in his longer could stand by and watch our adversary keeping them afloat through the world’s worst using our technologies to support its military administrators to convince them to restart pay- industry will need government aid for months COVID-19 outbreak. ments they stopped when she left the state-which more. Believing Congress wasn’t hearing enough capabilities.” Congress could still act to extend the benefits That company holds some 70 percent of the Israel said should not have happened. from unemployed persons like himself, he joined provided under the CARES Act rescue package “I keep calling back everyday just to be forces earlier this year with a colleague in the global drone market, and the US Department of enacted in March, which will otherwise expire on the Interior last year grounded its fleet of the annoying, and remind them I’m a person that entertainment industry to create ExtendPUA.org. December 26. But for many of the jobless, lawmak- needs money,” she said. Life, she expects, will The group helps people lobby their representa- company’s drones amid rising security concerns ers’ months of dithering-along with the indifference likely stay this way for a while. Her mother’s ill- tives to renew the CARES Act’s provisions, over Chinese electronics. of the overstretched US unemployment systems- nesses and need for care mean Israel can’t get including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Beijing yesterday accused the United States have already taken a toll: another job right now. (PUA), the program keeping McDonald from of “bullying” after Washington announced export A felony conviction on her father’s record having to move out of his apartment in New York controls on dozens of Chinese firms over alleged On hold means under Georgia law he isn’t eligible for food and in with his father on the other side of the ties to China’s military. —AFP Before the pandemic, Tamora Israel, 37, was a assistance that could ease the family’s financial country. —AFP full-time goldsmith, part-time journalist and co- 9 Business Sunday, December 20, 2020 Dutch fishermen fear Brexit talks collapse could sink their trade Highly-charged issue of fishing rights threatens to torpedo hopes of a trade deal

IJMUIDEN, Netherlands: Fishermen in the Dutch catch of the new year, but under uncertain terms. port of IJmuiden are bringing home the last catch of The Dutch fishing industry, including the processing the year, but if Brexit talks fail it could be their last and trade of fish, prawns and shellfish has a yearly from British waters for years to come. turnover of around 4.5 billion euros ($5.5 billion). As dock workers offload pallets of frozen fish It provides jobs for as many as 7,000 people and from trawlers at the busy river mouth port just is represented by some 216 companies in the west of Amsterdam, a political storm is brewing Netherlands, according to figures by the Dutch that could sink their business. The highly-charged umbrella fishing federation the Visfederatie. issue of fishing rights threatens to torpedo hopes At the nearby Cornelis Vrolijk plant, teams of of a trade deal when the UK leaves the EU single workers were gutting and cleaning a constant market on January 1. Without a deal the Dutch will stream of herring, to be packed for eating by be unable to ply the British waters they have been Belgian, Dutch and German consumers. One major using for centuries. “Whether we will fish purely frustration for the Dutch-who love nothing more in European waters or British waters as well than dropping a raw herring fillet down their remains to be seen,” says Arnout Langerak, 47, throats-is that the British don’t eat many of the fish director at the fifth-generation Cornelis Vrolijk that are in their own waters. fishing company. “The Brits, they eat mainly fish and chips, no her- “Dutch people, Dutch fishermen have been ring, no mackerel, what we are used to eating. They fishing there for 400 years already or even longer. are eating cod,” said Langerak. “It’s typical that We would like to do that in the next 400 years,” they want more of the quota that they are not con- he said on Friday. suming themselves.”

‘Brits eat fish and chips’ ‘Devastating’ While commercial fishing makes up a relatively The fishermen are in no doubt about the impact Fishermen unload their catch from Dutch fishing boat Klasina in Den Helder, in the Netherlands’ North Holland. — AFP small chunk of the economies of coastal nations like of a no-deal. “Dutch freezer trawlers fish 70 percent Britain, France and the Netherlands, it has an out- of their catch in British waters,” says Gerard van size political importance. Balsfoort, 68, President of the Dutch-based Britain is adamant that it will decide who gets to Dutch say they want a fair deal. The fate of under-threat fishing communities like European Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association. “A fish it in its waters after January 1, but Brussels “Dutch fishermen used to fish in British waters IJmuiden goes to the heart of ideas of national sov- no deal means no access. That means we lose 70 wants to secure a long-term agreement guarantee- for generations, for centuries, so they don’t want to ereignty and identity-and of trade. In IJmuiden, percent of our turnover for these (Dutch) compa- ing access for EU boats. EU negotiator Michel stop doing that,” said Van Balsfoort. “What they truck after truck is being stacked with pallets of nies. That is devastating.” Barnier said on Friday there were “just a few hours” want is continued access to British fishing waters.” frozen fish from the trawlers, which are landing their Pelagic freezer trawlers catch fish living near the to overcome divisions with Britain, and confirmed “So access to UK markets is crucial for EU fish- final catch of 2020. surface of the sea such as herring, mackerel, and fishing remains the slipperiest issue. In ports like ermen and access to the EU market is vital for Many of the ships will leave the port after sardines, then freeze them to keep them fresh until IJmuiden where generation after generation has British fishermen.” “This is the Brexit deal on fish- Christmas to trawl for what will become the first they get back to port. relied on the trade, feelings are running high, but the eries to be made,” he said. — AFP

US Congress agrees News in brief stopgap to avert shutdown Openreach to create 2,500 jobs LONDON: Openreach, a division of British tele- WASHINGTON: US lawmakers Donald Trump signed the bill hours coms giant BT, announced Friday plans for 2,500 struggling to reach a critical pandemic before the midnight deadline. Talks on new engineering jobs across the UK next year as relief and federal spending deal struck the relief package appear stuck, in it upgrades broadband services. Work on con- a last-minute agreement Friday to part, over a Republican proposal to necting households and offices to faster and more avert a midnight shutdown of the gov- limit the Federal Reserve’s ability to reliable broadband will see supply chains create a ernment and extend negotiations provide credit for businesses and oth- further 2,800 jobs, it added. “Openreach today through the weekend. er institutions. bucked the prevailing economic trend by creating 5,300 new UK-based engineering jobs... during Congressional leaders are frantical- “We are hopeful that they will 2021,” a statement said. Finance minister Rishi ly trying to resolve sticking points in a reach agreement in the near future,” Sunak hailed the announcement, coming one day roughly $900 billion measure aimed at number two House Democrat Steny after he again extended the government’s fur- providing emergency relief for millions Hoyer said. “They have not reached WASHINGTON, DC: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi leaves a meeting on Capitol Hill on December 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. —AFP lough scheme paying the bulk of wages for mil- of Americans on the verge of losing one yet. There are still some significant lions of private-sector workers during the coron- key benefits. issues outstanding.” avirus pandemic. —AFP Because the pandemic relief plan is A package to aid struggling busi- in US states, particularly if Congress “The package should not include tied to passage of a separate $1.4 tril- nesses and jobless workers is seen fails to pass assistance to state and unnecessary provisions that would lion federal spending package, the as critical to getting the world’s local governments. hamper the Treasury Department and IMF approves $1.67bn in aid to Egypt impasse threatened to temporarily largest economy back on its feet the Federal Reserve’s ability to fight shut down the government-a scenario amid a resurgence of Covid-19 ‘Stability at risk’ economic crises,” Deese added. WASHINGTON: The board of the International not unheard of in politically divided infections, even as new vaccines President-elect Joe Biden has Lawmakers have yet to even see Monetary Fund on Friday approved the release of Washington, but disastrous given the offer hope that an end to the pan- pushed back fiercely against the Fed the final language on the stimulus deal a second tranche of aid valued at $1.67 billion for worsening economy and record daily demic may be in sight. proposal, which reportedly would pre- or the government funding package, Egypt, saying public debt and COVID-19 threat- death tolls from COVID-19. On the Without an agreement, millions of vent the central bank from restarting and some warn that both need more ened its economic recovery. In June, the board brink of a shutdown, the House of unemployed workers will lose their emergency lending programs that time. The pandemic package is approved a one-year, $5.2 billion financing pack- Representatives voted 320 to 60 late special pandemic benefits before the expire this year and could limit its expected to include aid for vaccine age for Egypt. With the latest disbursement, more Friday to extend funding for federal end of the year, and a moratorium on response in future crises. The measure distribution and logistics, extra jobless than $3.6 billion will have been released. “The Egyptian authorities have managed well the agencies through today to allow nego- evictions is set to lapse within days. “could put our future financial stability benefits of $300 per week, and a new tiators to finish their stimulus package. Democrats warn that if the Fed’s Covid-19 pandemic and the related disruption to at risk,” Brian Deese, whom Biden has round of $600 stimulus checks-half economic activity,” Antoinette Sayeh, the IMF The Senate quickly passed the ability to extend lifelines is restricted, selected to chair the National the amount provided in checks distrib- deputy managing director, said. —AFP measure by voice vote, and President the fiscal crisis could be compounded Economic Council, said in a statement. uted last March. —AFP

China sales boost Nike results The deal would be a major boost EU, China for both sides and strengthen eco- NEW YORK: Nike scored a big jump in China nomic ties before the arrival of US sales in the second quarter and reported better- push to seal president-elect Joe Biden in the than-expected results on Friday, following a White House in January, as Beijing coronavirus hit earlier in the year. After suffering squares off with Washington over declines in revenues in the last two quarters, Nike investment deal trade. Europe hopes to conclude a reported an increase in sales in the quarter end- “political agreement” by the end of ing November 30 as it has bolstered direct selling by end of year the year, but hurdles remain over efforts to consumers in the wake of upheaval in 2016 India imposed a tax on online China’s commitment to labor rights, the retail industry. The sports giant said more BRUSSELS: The European Union advertising, and Australia slapped a the EU sources said. than 90 percent of company-owned stores are How EU and US and China said Friday they were clos- 10 percent VAT rate on digital servic- “We are not quite there yet but it’s now open, with some at reduced hours. However, ing in on an investment agreement the company continues to experience declines in are trying to rein es such as streaming, downloading definitely feasible that, if things move after seven years of painstaking nego- forward as they are moving now, that customer traffic in many regions due to COVID- games and applications for mobile 19, Nike said. — AFP in tech giants streaming, e-books and data storage. tiations. The two economic power- we can conclude still this year,” EU These moves have not impressed the houses are keen to tie up the land- executive vice president Valdis mark pact-which would allow greater PARIS: Tech giants have changed United States, the home of the so- Dombrovskis told Bloomberg TV. access to their lucrative markets- Brussels insists it wants to secure the Uzbekistan to sell shares in Coke bottler our daily lives but governments called GAFAM. The outgoing Trump before the end of the year. same treatment for its firms in China around the world are worried they are administration has threatened cus- TASHKENT: Uzbekistan announced Friday it “Negotiations have entered the last as it grants Beijing and will not swal- out of control. toms duties in response. Negotiations plans to sell government shares in a local compa- stretch,” Chinese foreign ministry low unfavorable terms just to get the Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon on a worldwide tax on multinationals ny that bottles Coca-Cola and was once viewed spokesman Wang Wenbin told jour- years-long negotiations over the line. and Microsoft-dubbed the GAFAM- led by the Organization for Economic as a cash cow for the former ruling family. The Co-operation and Development broke nalists in Beijing. In Brussels, EU offi- “The EU remains committed to the government agency responsible for managing the are accused of not paying enough cials briefed ambassadors from the end of year deadline for conclusion of taxes, unfair competition, stealing down in October. ex-Soviet state’s assets said in a statement that bloc’s 27 member states that “95 per- the negotiations, provided we have a potential investors should express an interest in media content and threatening cent” of the deal had been wrapped deal worth having,” an EU purchasing the shares before 1800 local time democracy by spreading false infor- Nobbling competition The digital giants are regularly up, sources said. Commission spokesman said. — AFP (1300 GMT) on December 31. Coca-Cola mation. As the European Union criticized for dominating the market Ichimligi Uzbekiston’s revenues grew 46 percent unveils tough draft rules to rein them by elbowing out rivals. in 2019, according to the statement, which noted in and dozens of US states hit Google The EU slapped 8.25 billion euros that Rothschild & Co would be retained as finan- with antitrust suits, here is a global ($10 billion) in fines on Google cial consultants for the future sale. —AFP overview of the attempts to regulate between 2017 and 2019 for dominat- the companies. ing the market via its Android system. German business morale ticks up Microsoft was fined 561 million euros Taxation by the EU in 2013 for imposing its FRANKFURT: German business confidence The 27-nation EU has not yet search engine Internet Explorer on agreed to tax the digital giants, but unexpectedly rose in December, a key survey users of Windows 7. Amazon and showed Friday, even as the country ends the year some of its member states have Apple are also being probed. But the back under a new lockdown to curb a second forged ahead. While France and Italy biggest potential change came on coronavirus wave. The Ifo institute’s monthly con- have imposed a three percent tax on Tuesday when the bloc unveiled plans fidence barometer rose to 92.1 points from 90.9 their turnover, Austria is imposing a for mammoth fines of up to 10 percent in November. Analysts surveyed by Factset had five percent tax on their advertising of turnover on tech firms that break expected the index to suffer a third consecutive revenues and Spain a three percent competition rules. Those guilty of dip. “While the lockdown is hitting certain sectors charge on some activities. “repeated breaches of law which hard, overall the German economy is showing Outside the EU, Britain has endanger the security of European BRUSSELS: The European Union and China said Friday they were closing in on an resilience,” Ifo president Clemens Fuest said in a imposed a two percent tax on some citizens” risk being broken up or tem- investment agreement after seven years of painstaking negotiations. statement. —AFP digital services. Beyond Europe, in porarily banned from the EU. —AFP 10 Established 1961 Business Sunday, December 20, 2020 Ooredoo Kuwait wins Gold at MENA Digital Awards 2019 MyOoredoo App wins 2019 ‘Best Application’ (Mobile/Tablet)

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Telecom, the first to intro- digital world, in which MyOoredoo App is just one customer a tailor-made duce innovative digital services in Kuwait, has of our efficient competencies, and having received offer that is designed to won the prestigious recognition as the ‘Best the MENA Digital Awards 2019’s ‘Best Application’ suit his needs where we Application’ (Mobile/Tablet) at the MENA (Mobile/Tablet) affirms our digital excellence.” offer for every 5 Digital Awards 2019 for its innovative MyOoredoo App is a friendly-user mobile Ooredoo surprise pur- MyOoredoo Application. application allows consumers to conduct differ- chases one free pur- The ‘Best Application’ recognition underlines ent activities including; paying bills or recharge chase, more than 70 dig- Ooredoo’s proven track-record in innovation, and multiple lines at once, paying freely with K-Net ital services were added its strong competencies in enriching people’s digi- or Credit Card, activating Nojoom account and offering customers vari- tal lives. The award also honors “MyOoredoo” as keep track of the collected points, activating sev- ety of music, movies, the best mobile app on any platform (iOS, Android, eral digital services and buy e-vouchers, check- series, and digital vouch- Windows Phone, Blackberry) that demonstrate ing the latest Ooredoo offers, and more. The ers where they can buy originality, newness, and creativity. Tapan Tripathi company regularly updates its application, using Ooredoo Pay, - Chief Marketing Officer at Ooredoo Kuwait MyOoredoo, to enhance the customers’ digital Nojoom Hot deals offer- Tapan Tripathi said: “Since 1999, our founding vision was to experience through introducing new features ing customers lifestyle “Enrich people’s digital lives” and we continue to that allow them to manage their lines digitally deals, App Exclusive offers for prepaid, and uphold this commitment by building and sustaining without the need to visit any branch or contact postpaid customers, in addition to the WhatsApp a successful competitive strategy that contributes the call center agents. support service via MyOoredoo App to allow to the growth of technological advancement for Some of the app unique features are; the customers a variety of methods to better contact better services demanded by customers.” launch of Kuwait’s first Digital Mobile Plan Ooredoo at any time. The MENA Digital Awards Tripathi added: “Today, I am proud to say that (ANA), Gamification of MyOoredoo App by (MDA) is a bespoke award show whose purpose our MyOoredoo App monthly transacting active adding Spin & Win on every recharge for our is promote digital innovation and media in the users have exceeded 1 million unique users. prepaid customers, Gamification of Ooredoo MENA region. It is the first awards show to hon- Indeed, we are strengthening our footprint in the Surprise which is a unique feature offering every or digital efforts in the region.

shares in proportion to its weight in the index, Tesla to join elite which is currently around one percent. This could force some significant reshuffling since Tesla is replacing Apartment Investment, with a value of just BoJ extends S&P index, shaking 0.02 percent of the S&P index. S&P Dow Jones Indices, which manages the up Wall Street index of the 500 firms, said it expects a record shift virus-linked of some $80 billion with the entry of California- NEW YORK: Tesla is set to join an elite group of based Tesla. The change could also encourage lending program companies in a key Wall Street index, a move “active” portfolio managers who measure their per- which gives greater prominence to the high-flying formance against the benchmark index to buy Tesla TOKYO: The Bank of Japan extended an emer- electric carmaker and forces money managers to to keep pace. gency virus-related lending program but kept its reshuffle their portfolios. The company founded by But some analysts say these changes may have monetary easing policy unchanged Friday, as the Elon Musk becomes part of the Standard & Poor’s already been priced into Tesla and that buying In this file photo Tesla CEO Elon Musk talking to media country faces a record spike in new COVID-19 500 index on Monday, which means that invest- pressure for Tesla could diminish. And skeptics say as he arrives to visit the construction site of the future cases. ment funds based on that index will be holders of Tesla could see a long-overdue correction from its US electric car giant Tesla in Gruenheide near Berlin. In May, the central bank launched a new lend- the stock. dizzying gains. Tesla is set to join an elite group of companies in a key ing scheme aiming to channel funds to small and Tesla stock has already seen a spectacular rise “We recommend investors not weight Tesla Wall Street index, a move which gives greater promi- medium-sized businesses suffering from the eco- this year of 680 percent, and with a market capital- shares in their portfolio in equal proportion to the nence to the high-flying electric carmaker and forces nomic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. At a ization of some $600 billion it will be the richest S&P because Tesla shares are in our view and by money managers to reshuffle their portfolios. —AFP two-day policy meeting, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) company to enter the prestigious S&P index. virtually every conventional metric not only over- extended the end-date for those measures by six It is the ninth most valuable firm in the world, just valued, but dramatically so,” said Ryan Brinkman of months to September 2021. behind Facebook. Even though its car production is JP Morgan in a research note. Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois said Tesla It made no change to its ultra-loose monetary modest compared with rivals, Tesla’s growth Pierre Ferragu of New Street Research offered a poses some unique challenges for investors because policy, however-keeping the key interest rate at prospects have spurred investors to push up its val- cautious view, noting that “the market is probably of how it is shaking up the auto sector with its elec- minus 0.1 percent and the 10-year government ue so that it’s now worth more than General Motors, getting ready for S&P 500 inclusion, and this prob- tric vehicles (EVs) and a different way of doing bond yield target at 0.0 percent. “Japan’s econo- Ford, Toyota, Honda, Fiat Chrysler and Volkswagen ably supported the stock greatly in recent weeks business than rivals. “We don’t believe Tesla can my has picked up, but the pace of improvement combined. and months.” This could lead to a pullback for Tesla, dominate autos given industry structure and poli- is expected to be only moderate while vigilance according to Ferragu. tics, but multiple challenges to the auto business against the novel coronavirus continues,” the Portfolio shuffling But the analyst said Tesla may still be a good model (EVs, batteries, software, autonomy, design- central bank said. As a result of the change in the S&P, stock index long-term bet, setting a price target for Tesla in to-manufacture and direct selling) ensure a durable “Financing, mainly of firms, is likely to remain mutual funds and exchange traded funds-favored 2025 at $1,200, compared with $655 at the close on competitive edge, with a ‘messianic’ brand reaching under stress for the time being,” it added, refer- by many small investors — will need to hold Tesla Thursday. far beyond autos,” the analyst said. —AFP ring to the extension of the lending program. Speaking later, bank boss Haruhiko Kuroda emphasized its commitment to its longstanding to try to put some of these ideas into action, policies, including the still-distant goal of two Energy nominee although energy experts caution against percent inflation. expecting overnight change in the system. “We’re not going to revise the two percent Granholm brings Her appointment has been applauded inflation goal,” he told reporters. “In regard to by environmentalists, who have pressed for the interest rate level, it is expected to hover at a muscular approach to green energy after the level of the current long and short-term rates Detroit savvy climate skeptic Donald Trump withdrew the or lower. US from the Paris climate agreement and “We don’t plan on revising the negative inter- to green push gutted key environmental measures of his est rate either,” he said, apparently quashing predecessor Barack Obama. speculation that the long-standing position could NEW YORK: Since stepping down as Noting Granholm’s opposition to major soon be up for discussion. The pandemic has Michigan’s Governor, Jennifer Granholm, petroleum projects such as the Keystone wrought global economic carnage, with Japan President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee as pipeline, Greenpeace senior climate cam- only just exiting recession, and many countries Energy Secretary, has spoken often about paigner Lisa Ramsden praised Granholm’s have announced massive cash injections. the need to boldly rethink energy policy in selection over fossil fuel-friendly Japan has seen a relatively small coronavirus light of climate change. Granholm, who was appointees, while adding that Granholm has outbreak overall, but the nation has reported officially nominated Thursday night by Biden, “her work cut out for her to prove she can record numbers of new infections in recent has sketched out a national “race to the top” lead the transition to a more just, democrat- weeks. The BoJ’s move comes after the govern- whereby states could compete for clean ic, clean energy system.” Frank Maisano, an Since stepping down as Michigan’s Governor, Jennifer Granholm, President- ment approved more than $700 billion in fresh energy funds, with the Sunbelt offering up energy communications expert at lawfirm elect Joe Biden’s nominee as Energy Secretary, has spoken often about the stimulus this month to fund projects from anti- solar energy, Texas leading on upgrading the Bracewell in Washington, predicted need to boldly rethink energy policy in light of climate change. virus measures to green tech-the country’s third electric grid and Michigan on revamping Granholm would win Senate confirmation such package this financial year. autos, a sector she knows intimately. without significant trouble, but warned that through 2011 after a four-year term environmental justice, another bench- On Thursday, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike An outspoken champion of Biden’s dur- she and other Biden environmental picks as the state’s attorney general. mark issue among progressives in the and her staff warned that the capital’s hospitals ing the presidential campaign as a CNN will struggle if they expect overnight Granholm’s tenure overlapped with vetting of Biden’s Cabinet picks. Since were struggling to provide routine care because commentator, Granholm recently argued change. “A lot of these issues are going to the 2008 financial crisis and the the bailout, Detroit’s “Big Three” have of the sharp rise in new coronavirus cases. that the “private sector needs greater sup- run into reality, not just political reality, but ensuing US auto industry bailout on announced significant investments in The city, which is preparing to host the virus- port and political will from our policymak- technical reality,” he said in an interview. which she worked closely with Biden zero-emission autos, with General postponed Olympics next summer, raised its alert ers to help us fully realize the potential of a and Obama. Motors touting an “all-electric” future level for pressure on medical services to the top zero-carbon future,” according to a Electric car revolution? As governor Granholm also signed and Fiat Chrysler and Ford also of a four-tier system for the first time. —AFP November newspaper column. If confirmed Born in Canada, Granholm served laws requiring greater use of renew- unveiling numerous electric vehicles by the Senate, Granholm will have a chance as governor of Michigan from 2003 able energy, as well as a directive on and manufacturing changes. —AFP

clude a $900 billion deal aimed at providing emergency Global stocks dip relief for millions of struggling families and businesses amid Fed tweaks banking curbs signs of a worsening economy and as the country sees record high death tolls from the coronavirus pandemic. as talks on stimulus, Still, many analysts remain hopeful. to allow some buybacks “While the stimulus saga is still not over, the two sides UK-EU deal drag on will likely strike a deal before the end of the year,” said WASHINGTON: The Federal Reserve on JPMorgan Chase said it would repur- Gorilla Trades strategist Ken Berman. Meanwhile, British Friday eased rules on major US banks chase $30 billion in shares starting in the NEW YORK: Global stock markets retreated Friday along and EU negotiators took their grueling quest for a post- meant to protect the financial system dur- first quarter. The Fed also released results with the pound, as investors focused on long-running US Brexit trade deal into the weekend after failing again on ing the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing of its second banking stress test of the stimulus talks on Capitol Hill and whether Britain and the Friday to resolve the highly-charged issue of fishing rights. share buybacks and dividends to resume year, which found that financial institu- European Union can finally agree to a post-Brexit trade deal. The pound was under pressure, while bourses in Paris, in certain circumstances. The central bank tions “generally had strong levels of capi- Major US indices pulled back from Thursday’s records as Frankfurt and London all fell. this year ordered 34 major US banks to tal” even as they faced an uncertain out- markets awaited resolution of congressional talks on another “This week ends just like last week with the market suspend share buybacks in the last two look. “The banking system has been a relief package for the coronavirus-ravaged US economy. focused on an apparent Sunday deadline to approve a Brexit quarters of 2020 and to limit dividend source of strength during the past year Lawmakers have said negotiations are in the home stretch, deal,” remarked AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould. payments. and today’s stress test results confirm but there was still no deal Friday evening ahead of a midnight Sterling has fallen “as government ministers and (British However on Friday the Fed modified its that large banks could continue to lend to deadline to avert a government shutdown. Prime Minister) Boris Johnson himself have appeared to pour regulations, saying for the January-March households and businesses even during a “While there’s a lot of optimism about stimulus, it’s impor- cold water on the prospects of a deal,” said Mould. “Overall period of next year, “both dividends and sharply adverse future turn in the econo- tant not to count on it,” said TD Ameritrade’s JJ Kinahan in a though investors are seeing this as bluster intended to enable share repurchases will be limited to an my,” Fed Vice Chair for Supervision note Friday morning. “It’s easy to see things going south and the UK side to claim victory in the negotiations assuming an amount based on income over the past Randal K Quarles said. The Fed normally the market taking it pretty hard, with so much stimulus pre- agreement is eventually brokered,” he added. The UK will year.” Firms not earning income won’t be conducts one stress test a year, but mium already built in. Hope for the best, but prepare for the leave the EU single market in less than two weeks and time able to pay dividends or make share added a second in 2020 given the pan- worst, as the saying goes.” Republicans and Democrats has all but run out for an agreement to be approved that repurchases, the central bank said. demic and the United States’ entry into a braced for possibly working through the weekend to con- heads off a severe economic shock. —AFP Shortly after the announcement, recession. —AFP Classifieds Sunday, December 20, 2020

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Ameena, D/o Esa Amir Perwaz, holder of Indian Sabah Hospital 24812000 Passport No. Z3827496 issued in Kuwait on 3/7/2017, R/o 16-3-528/B, Chanchalguda, Hyderabad, Telengana Amiri Hospital 22450005 500024, have changed my name to Ameena Esa Amir Perwaz for all purposes vide Affidavit dated Maternity Hospital 24843100 17/11/2020. Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Chest Hospital 24849400 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Adan Hospital 23940620 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Airlines Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Kuwait Airways 171 Jazeera Airways 177 Turkish Airlines 1884918 Kaizen center 25716707 FlyDubai 22414400 Rawda 22517733 Qatar Airways 22423888 Adaliya 22517144 KLM 22425747 Khaldiya 24848075 Royal Jordanian 22418064/5/6 Kaifan 24849807 British Airways 22425635 Shamiya 24848913 Shuwaikh 24814507 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Automated enquiry Nuzha 22526804 about theCivil ID card is Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Qadsiya 22515088 1889988 Dasmah 22532265 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 112 Shaab 22518752 Qibla 22459381 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 For labor-related inquiries Mirqab 22456536 and complaints: Sharq 22465401 Call MSALHOTLINE 128 Salmiya 25746401

Word Search Join the Dots

STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Aries, you shouldn't even try to find a reason- You like to give people advice and help Certain very narrow-minded people may The atmosphere may seem a bit oppressive able explanation for what goes on around you today. There them find direction in their lives - sometimes when they get on your nerves. You're lucky enough to be an today, Capricorn. You like to be free to do what you isn't one. Be carried by the tides of emotions from the past haven't even asked. But now it's your turn to feel a little open, tolerant person, Libra. You take people and situ- want to do, and it may bother you that the people that run through your body and soul. There's no use trying lost. You may need to get away from it all to get some ations just as they come. Today you may find yourself around you don't make themselves available to you. They seem preoccupied by their own business. This to control them - they need to come out. Instead, take the perspective on your life. What about taking a trip to in the middle of negotiations between two people could bring out some old wounds that haven't com- time to revitalize yourself in the intimacy of your home or some faraway land? Today is a good day to make your with opposite views. Help them open their eyes to pletely healed. at a friend's, if possible. future vacation plans. each other's point of view.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Leo (July 23-August 22) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Today you may ask yourself if you're satisfied. Leo, you may put your integrity under the Today you will be able to explore the power You may be inclined to stay in bed today with the latest best seller, Aquarius. Who wouldn't How is your personal life? Do people live up to your stan- microscope today. We all have deep convictions that we of your emotions. Don't try and fight what you call would never let go of. But society pressures us, and it isn't your "oversensitivity." A force from childhood will per- want to spend the day this way? Alas, that isn't going dards or are you always left feeling dissatisfied? It may be always easy to live in perfect harmony with our ideals. The meate you and help you to find out what your real to happen. The planets are practically pulling the cov- ers off you and pushing you out of bed. There's work to time to make some important decisions in your life. What question to ask yourself today is just how willing are you to needs are. Shouldn't you think about staying away be done! And more importantly, there are people you do you really want out of life? You might find some of the change your most heartfelt beliefs in order to live in society? from people who influence you a little too much? Think answers today. about it and go with your emotions. need to talk to right now. Put a bookmark in the book. Do you have the courage of your convictions? It can wait.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Pisces (February 19-March 20) Sagittarius, you feel secure in the warmth Nothing is simple where your family is con- Your freedom is more important to you than and depth of your emotions. Today you You have a lot to offer, Pisces. Everyone appreci- cerned. If you've forgotten that, don't worry. Today will anything else in your life. It's often very difficult for you to will have the opportunity to reenergize and regener- ates what you have to contribute. Yet you've been unable to remind you. You may have to deal with some of your lin- get involved, whether personally or professionally. ate yourself from the inside out. Take advantage of give yourself credit for all that you've accomplished. It would gering problems with certain family members. You will Nevertheless, today you may have to think about it. Could it the energies at play to deepen your relationships with be worthwhile to take some time to contemplate why this is find you have all the energy you need in order to find the be that your thirst for freedom is just an escape? You may the people you love. Get to know them even better. so. You have a strong need to be loved, but you must first solutions to the conflicts that have been eating at you for need to ponder this question. Who knows? You could Your powers of seduction will mesmerize them. love yourself. Your family and friends will support you, but a while. decide to take the leap! first you must support yourself. 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Sunday, December 20, 2020

unisia is struggling to protect TNorth Africa’s Jewish heritage, threatened by vandalism, loot- ing and the smuggling of valuable artefacts bearing witness to the long history of the region’s Jews. While many of Tunisia’s own syna- gogues and Jewish graveyards lie neglected, the country has also become a conduit for antiques pil- laged in lawless neighboring Libya. “A huge number of antiques have been looted in Libya, and people are trying to smuggle them to Europe,” said Habib Kazdaghli, a historian at Tunisia’s Manouba University. Kazdaghli is campaign- ing for the creation of a museum of the country’s Jewish heritage-a sensitive subject given public opposition to Israel. Jews have lived in North Africa for over 2,000 years, a community strengthened by multiple waves of immigration, notably an influx of Photos show homes are decorated for Christmas in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dyker Heights in New York City. — AFP photos refugees expelled from Spain at the end of the 15th century and the arrival of Italian Jews in the 17th. But their numbers have dwindled in recent decades, with many emi- grating to Israel, leaving homes, synagogues and graveyards aban- doned and vulnerable to looters. And in the decade since uprisings brought political unrest to Tunisia and plunged Libya into war, smug- gling gangs have taken advantage of the chaos to plunder valuable Jewish antiques and sell them to n a New York where traditional holiday time. “It’s such a festive spirit at a time European collectors. Tunisian performances are cancelled, when things are, you know, uncertain I authorities regularly announce Rockefeller Center tree viewings are and scary for a lot of people,” the 47- seizures of such goods, some dat- timed and travel is ill-advised, it’s begin- year-old told AFP in front of a home ing back as far as the 15th century. ning to feel a lot like the Covid Grinch draped with thousands of glittering stole Christmas. But in Brooklyn’s illumi- lights. ‘Unique in the world’ nated Dyker Heights neighborhood, not According to local lore the tradition In October, the Interior Ministry even a pandemic can keep the festive began in the mid-1980s, started by a said it had confiscated two 10- spirit down. The quasi-suburban resi- woman named Lucy Spata in honor of metre (33-foot) scrolls in the coastal dential district features large single-fam- her mother’s memory. Her home is bare- city of Nabeul, along with five small ily homes that in late November start ly visible behind the lavish display fea- books in Hebrew. In 2017, police seized a 15th-century handwritten copy of all five books of the Torah, on 37 meters of bull skin. The min- istry described the item as “unique in the world”, and said unnamed foreign buyers had attempted to obtain it. In another raid in January, the police said they had seized six Halloween, and it takes about a month parking impossible but the lights are a Hebrew documents that smugglers to put all the elements in place, includ- boon to local businesses. admitted they were hoping to sell ing bedazzled evergreen arches. The Robert Cicero of John’s Deli serves for 1.5 million dinars ($556,000). 33-year-old-who sometimes appears in cup after cup of hot chocolate, along Tunisian authorities said a spe- costume as Rudolph-said he and his with the occasional hero sandwich drip- cialist network of antiques smug- family debated whether it was appropri- ping mozzarella and red sauce. “I glers had stolen the items from ate to decorate in 2020. “I said ‘you thought it would be a big thing that peo- Libyan museums. “Can you believe know what, I’m gonna do it this year’- ple weren’t going to come-but I guess someone would steal the word of with Covid and all, for the children. We the people are coming because they God and sell it?” asked Perez need something positive,” he said, with want to be outdoors” and still get in the Traboulsi, a prominent elder of a string of vintage-style bulbs around holiday spirit, Cicero said. “Listen, Tunisia’s Jewish community. Souad his neck. Tour guide Perez said this everybody loves Rockefeller Center,” he Toumi, an expert on Jewish heritage year is different in that most people continued, referring to the city’s annual at Tunisia’s national Bardo museum, coming for the lights are local-”you had tree made famous by decades of pop said she had recorded “dozens of shimmering with elaborate holiday dis- turing angels, Santas, nutcrackers and people coming in from Italy, Europe” in culture references. But Cicero said the stolen Hebrew artefacts that turned plays. This year tourism is reined in as a gold throne with crimson upholstery the past, he said. timed, five-minute viewings at that out to be important and rare”. are bus tours to the southwestern where gawkers can snap photos. “A lot For Christine Kong, who ventured attraction this year make places like Many of them are old manu- Brooklyn neighborhood that proudly dis- of people are getting depressed,” said over from neighboring New Jersey, the Dyker Heights more enticing. scripts, often meticulously written, plays its Italian-American heritage. But holiday lights tour guide Robert Perez. holiday season has provided a moment “Christmas in Dyker Heights... that’s sometimes in gold ink and stitched its in-your-face Christmas glow is still “I think this brings a little laughter and to “reflect on everything that happened really what it comes down to,” said together with thread made from drawing large crowds, albeit with most happiness.” this year.” It’s “a different type of excite- Privitelli, who has lived there 30 years. sheep or ox intestines. The subjects in masks. include religious songs and ‘For the children’ ment-and I guess hopeful, to what’s to “Who needs Rockefeller Center?”— AFP “I’m in awe,” said Eric Steiner, who come in 2021.” “Because it can’t get prayers, rulings, geometric decora- journeyed from Manhattan with his hus- Vincent Privitelli generally begins worse than this,” the 31-year-old said. tion, plant and animal decoration, band to see the displays for the first decorating his home just after The festivities gridlock traffic and make diagrams of human bodies and constellations, Toumi said. The artefacts bear witness to a well-inte- grated Jewish community in Tunisia, with some members serv- ing in parliament and even as min- isters. Jewish exodus By the time Tunisia gained inde- pendence in 1956, it had over 100,000 Jewish residents. Economic woes and tensions sparked by the Arab-Israeli conflict have pushed most to leave. Tunisia has no diplomatic relations with Israel and many Tunisians are against normalization. But some 1,500 Jews remain, mostly on the island of Djerba, site of the oldest synagogue in Africa. It is claimed the building includes stones from the original temple of Solomon and one of the oldest Torah scrolls in the world. Jews have been visiting the island on pilgrimage for more than 200 years, according to Traboulsi, who organizes the annual event usually attended by thousands from across the world. Numbers have dwindled since Tunisia’s 2011 revolution and a string of deadly jihadist attacks. Under the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, antiques smuggling was a taboo subject-but some close to the top- pled dictator were later found guilty of such crimes. —AFP Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Sunday, December 20, 2020

n anime epic in which a teenager numbers of new cases have been hunts down and beheads demons recorded in recent weeks. The country Ahas become the surprise sensa- has not implemented the strict lockdown tion of Japanese cinema during the pan- measures seen elsewhere and movie demic, and could soon be the country’s theatres have largely stayed open, top-grossing film of all time. “Demon though with restrictions including mask- Slayer”, a full-length flick based on the hit wearing. manga series is threatening to dethrone Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away”, the fan- ‘Invisible, frightening threats’ tastical 2001 tale that won an Oscar for A sophisticated marketing campaign, best animated feature. The story of including tie-ups with shops and restau- Tanjiro, whose life transforms when his rants, and well-known actors voicing the family are killed in a demon attack, has characters have also helped boost the taken 30.3 billion yen ($290 million) at film-whose full title is “Demon Slayer: cinemas since its October release. At Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen one recent screening in Tokyo, a group Train”. And some say the relative dearth of female friends told AFP they had come of other recent high-profile releases to see the film because “it’s a hot topic” means it may have faced less competi- in Japan. Drawing long lines around the tion than in a normal year. But Yuka Ijima, Pedestrians walk past a poster promoting the anime movie Demon Slayer — Kimetsu no Yaiba country, “Demon Slayer” has dispatched an assistant professor at Tokyo’s Daito the Movie: Mugen Train — at a cinema in Tokyo. — AFP photos “Titanic” from the number two spot and Bunka university who focuses on manga looked on track to beat Hayao Miyazaki’s and psychology, said “Demon Slayer” me series, and sales of the manga nomic impact of 270 billion yen ($2.6 bil- classic by Christmas. also taps into some particularly relevant boomed this spring when the Japanese lion) in Japan alone. And “Demon Slayer” But this week, there was a plot twist: themes, with its focus on family ties and government urged residents to stay fever shows no sign of abating. the Ghibli film’s total sales were revised the battle between good and evil. This picture shows the final volume of the home to stem the spread of Covid-19. Long queues formed outside manga upwards to take into account a re- “In the past, the concept of a ‘demon’ popular manga Demon Slayer or “Kimetsu no The movie’s spring release was shops earlier this month for the release of release over the summer-raising its tak- was used to embody invisible, frighten- Yaiba” on display at a book store in Tokyo. pushed back to October, “at a time when its 23rd tome, the final instalment of a ings to 31.7 billion yen and staving off ing threats, like diseases and epidemics there was a certain sense of security” as series that has sold more than 120 mil- “Demon Slayer” a little longer. The new time was just one reason for its success, including smallpox,” which could res- infections in Japan declined and people lion copies overall and been translated film’s stunning success comes despite- with its high production values a bigger onate with people’s fears during the virus felt more comfortable going to the cine- into 14 languages. The film has already and perhaps because of-the pandemic, draw. “This movie is a big hit because crisis, she told reporters recently. The ma, Ijima said. Its success has been a been distributed elsewhere in Asia with with people in Japan urged to avoid the animation is very unique and beauti- film, set in Japan’s 1912-26 Taisho era, rare bright spot in the economic malaise releases in Europe and the United States crowds, putting most other forms of ful. It’s very creative,” he said. began life in 2016 as a manga series that has accompanied the pandemic in planned for next year. — AFP mass entertainment off-limits. Kei, a 25- Japan has seen a relatively limited published in the popular comic maga- Japan. One research institute estimated year-old who saw the film with his sister, outbreak of the virus, with fewer than zine “Shonen Jump”. Its popularity grew the entire series has generated an eco- said he thought people with more free 2,600 deaths so far, although record when it was adapted into a televised ani-

His “unforgettable performance as notori- ous bounty hunter Boba Fett has capti- vated audiences since he first appeared,” the official Star Wars Twitter account said. “He will be remembered not only for his iconic portrayal of the leg- endary character, but also for his warmth and generous spirit which have become an enduring part of his rich legacy.”

‘Quintessential English gentleman’ Fellow “Star Wars” actors paid tribute to him on social media. “Jeremy Bulloch was the quintessential English gentle- ritish actor Jeremy Bulloch who man,” Mark Hamill, who played Luke played infamous bounty hunter Skywalker, said on Twitter. “A fine actor, Boba Fett in the original “Star delightful company & so kind to every- B Karl Shale poses with a copy of the newly released album McCartney III Karl Shale poses with a copy of the newly released album McCartney III Wars” films has died at the age of 75. He one lucky enough to meet or work with by British musician Paul McCartney in the Sounds of Universe record by British musician Paul McCartney. died on Thursday in hospital in Tooting, him. I will deeply miss him & am so store in London. — AFP photos south London, “following health compli- grateful to have known him.” Billy Dee cations, including several years living Williams, who played Lando Calrissian, with Parkinson’s disease”, his website tweeted: “Today we lost the best bounty said. “Jeremy had a long and happy life hunter in the galaxy... RIP Jeremy as an actor and was best known for his Bulloch.” roles in the films Summer Holiday, Star Although Boba Fett was a relatively Wars and James Bond,” it added. Born minor character in the films, he was a in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, firm favourite with fans and is currently Bulloch appeared in several classic tele- played by New Zealand actor Temuera vision shows in the 1970s and 80s Morrison in the popular television series ritish pop legend Paul McCartney home studio in Sussex, in southern came a decade later. The latest collec- including “Doctor Who” and “Robin of “The Mandalorian”. Daniel Logan, who on Friday urged people to get vac- England, on previously started and new tion of tracks was mostly built from live Sherwood”, and had supporting roles in played a young Boba Fett in “Star Wars Bcinated against the coronavirus, as songs. It has all been written, produced takes of McCartney on vocals and guitar three James Bond movies. Episode II: Attack of the Clones”, said it he celebrated the release of a new solo and performed by McCartney, who has or piano, before overdubbing with his But he is best known for playing fan brought him to tears to announce the album crafted during this year’s lock- said he had not intended to release an bass playing and drumming. Pictures for favourite Boba Fett in “The Empire Strikes death of Bulloch. “RIP legend I’ll never down. The former Beatle, who revealed album in 2020 until the pandemic forced the album were shot by McCartney’s Back” and “The Return of the Jedi”. He forget all you’ve taught me!!” he posted in October he had resurrected unfinished him to stay at home for months. The for- daughter, the photographer Mary landed the role after a call from his half- on Instagram with a photograph of the music to complete the record, said the mer Beatles frontman had been set to McCartney, with additional images by his brother Robert Watts, who was an associ- two of them. While Boba Fett was never internet had allowed so-called anti- headline this year’s Glastonbury festival, nephew Sonny McCartney and some ate producer on “The Empire Strikes seen without his helmet, Bulloch showed vaxxers’ misleading messages to “take on its 50th anniversary, before it was that he took himself on his phone. Back”. “I’d never managed to give his face in a couple of minor parts in hold”. “I will (have the vaccine), and I’d cancelled due to the pandemic. Britain Keeping the photography in the family Jeremy a job on film,” Watts said in 2008, “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Revenge like to encourage people to get it too,” he imposed a months-long lockdown from mirrors how the pop icon illustrated earli- according to the StarWars.com website. of the Sith”.—AFP told BBC radio. “There used to be anti- late March as Covid-19 first swept the er solo albums, with his late wife Linda “So I rang him up and said, ‘If the suit fits, vaccine people, that was OK, that was country, which has now seen more than McCartney shooting the artwork for the part’s yours.’ He came in and it fit.” their choice. “But with the internet now 65,000 deaths due to the virus, among “McCartney II”. Linda also took many of these things really take hold and so you the worst tolls in Europe. the photos displayed on the gatefold do get these people who won’t take it.” McCartney’s new release coincides cover of the original 1970 “McCartney” The new album “McCartney III”, with the 50th anniversary of his first solo album. — AFP released a week later than originally endeavour, “McCartney” , released as planned, is his third eponymous solo the “Fab Four” went their separate ways album. It follows months of work at his in 1970. A follow-up, “McCartney II”, Oscars museum delayed again Jeremy Bulloch as pandemic grips Los Angeles

ueen Elizabeth’s annual Christmas world-first innovation, just as we did in he long-awaited opening of Los speech will be available on 2012 with the release of the Queen’s Angeles’ Oscars museum was QAmazon’s Alexa devices this year. Christmas speech on Kindle, we hope Tpostponed again Friday due to The 94-year-old royal’s special message that even more people will be able to the pandemic, with officials saying its will be heard for the first time on the enjoy the uplifting words of Her Majesty. scheduled April debut would be “irre- cloud-based voice service on December “This really is one for the history books sponsible” as the city grapples with 25. In 2012, Amazon Kindle users were and showcases just how far technology record coronavirus cases. The able to read the speech on the firm’s e- has advanced since the very first speech Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, readers after it was broadcast. Alexa was delivered back in 1932.” dedicated to the magic of movies and In this file photo a general view of the Academy Museum during the Academy Museum of Motion Europe director Eric King said: “After a The longest-serving British monarch set to host iconic Hollywood treasures Pictures in Los Angeles, California on February 7, 2020. — AFP challenging year, millions of people from will record her speech from Windsor from Judy Garland’s “Wizard of Oz” across the Commonwealth will be eagerly Castle, where she and husband Prince ruby slippers to Dracula’s cape, has California has emerged as the latest The futuristic Academy museum awaiting Her Majesty the Queen’s mes- Philip, 99, will be spending the holidays been beset by delays. epicenter in the US Covid-19 outbreak, contains a 1,000-seat theater inside a sage on Christmas Day. “By creating this this year, instead of Sandringham in It had been set to finally open April reporting more than 52,000 new cases seemingly-suspended glass, steel and Norfolk, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A 30, the week after the Academy’s flag- Wednesday. Even as vaccinations concrete orb designed by Renzo Palace spokesperson confirmed: “Having ship event-the Oscars-but will now wel- began this week, intensive care units Piano, connected by sky bridges to a considered all the appropriate advice, come visitors from September 30. have run out of beds at multiple hospi- converted department store housing the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh President Bill Kramer said in a state- tals across southern California. Los the main galleries-and the recently have decided that this year they will ment that the museum was “ready and Angeles health officials estimate about installed 25-foot (7.5-meter) shark mod- spend Christmas quietly in Windsor.” In eager to welcome visitors in the one in 80 county residents are currently el used in “Jaws.” “Now it’s just a mat- order to play the Queen’s Christmas spring,” but “with the current surge of infected. All indoor Los Angeles muse- ter of patience, for all of us, as we look speech, simply ask: “Alexa, play the Covid-19, it would be irresponsible to ums are closed due to Covid restric- ahead to opening our doors on Queen’s Christmas message” or “Alexa, maintain an April opening.” “We know a tions, with a regional “stay-at-home” September 30,” said museum chair play Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas Day new day is coming for us all, and when order in effect until at least December and Netflix content chief Ted message.”—BangShowbiz it does, the Academy Museum will be 28. The Oscars themselves were post- Sarandos.— AFP ready to offer our visitors the remark- poned by eight weeks to April 25, after able experience we have all been the coronavirus pandemic shuttered wanting.” movie theaters and wreaked havoc on Hollywood’s release calendar. Queen Elizabeth 14 Sports Sunday, December 20, 2020

Photo of the Day News in brief Premier League, beIN seal deal

LONDON: The Premier League and Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports have announced a TV rights deal worth a reported $500 million for the Middle East and North Africa region that will run until 2025. The agreement, for the 2022- 2025 rights cycle, means beIN, which has been the league’s broadcast partner since 2013, can show all 380 matches live each season across all 24 countries in the region. British newspaper reports said 19 of the 20 Premier League clubs supported the deal, with Newcastle the only club to vote against. Mike Ashley’s club are in a legal dispute with the Premier League over a failed takeover of the club by a Saudi-backed consortium. The bid attracted scrutiny due to the piracy of sports broadcast rights, including Premier League matches, and the state’s human rights record. The new TV deal will cover Saudi Arabia even though subscribing to beIN, the Arab world’s leading sports channel, has been difficult for Saudi fans since the kingdom’s 2017 boycott of Qatar. — AFP

Newcastle players struggling

LONDON: Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce says some of the club’s coronavirus victims are battling extreme exhaustion as they attempt to fight their way back to fitness. The Magpies will once again be without a number of unnamed Canoeist, Vavrinec Hradilek seen in Wanaka, New Zealand. - Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com players for Saturday’s home match against Fulham as a result of the lingering effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, which prompted the club to close their training ground at the end of last month. Defender Federico Fernandez and mid- fielder Isaac Hayden have returned to the fold in the past week but some of their team-mates have not been so fortunate. “We’ve had the full India slump to lowest ever score range,” said Bruce. “We’ve had vomiting, sores, mouth ulcers, no smell, no taste - but the big thing, of course, and which is the worrying thing, is the welfare of one or two or three of them. “It’s not great at all. We’re still going to be as Australia clinch opening Test weeks and that long-term COVID is something which you wouldn’t think possible in young, fit, Previous Test low was 42 against England in 1974 athletes. Unfortunately, it is so.” — AFP

ADELAIDE: A devastated India crashed to their Heinze named Atlanta coach lowest ever score of 36 yesterday as Australia ran riot to win the opening Test in Adelaide by eight LOS ANGELES: Atlanta United named former wickets after Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins Argentina international Gabriel Heinze as the produced a bowling masterclass. India started the team’s new head coach on Friday. The former third day of the pink-ball Test on nine for one and Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and with a 62-run lead, looking to build a competitive Real Madrid defender joins the Major League second innings total for the hosts to chase. Soccer side after a successful stint with But their hopes were left in tatters by a wicket Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield. “This is a milestone with bounce and deviation as Hazlewood took 5-8, moment in Atlanta United history, and we including his 200th Test wicket, and Cummins 4-21. couldn’t be more excited to welcome Gabriel as Wicketkeeper Tim Paine claimed five catches as the our next head coach,” Atlanta president Darren bowlers found the edge. “I didn’t expect it to come Eales said in a statement. “We cast the net that quick, I was expecting a real dogfight,” said widely for this important hire, and Gabriel skipper Paine. “To hang in, give our bowlers a quickly emerged as the No. 1 candidate. Gabriel chance, and then turn up and start the day the way is one of the top coaches in South American we did, full credit to our bowling attack again. soccer and we are delighted that he chose “It’s nice to get off to a good start. Chuffed with Atlanta United. “Whilst his resume speaks for the way we bowled in this Test.” itself, Gabriel’s playing philosophy and commit- It was an incredible Indian collapse, with no ment to youth development closely align with batsman reaching double figures during a capitu- our ideas at Atlanta United, and we are happy lation that lasted less than 22 overs, in contrast to to welcome him as we move into our club’s next their battling first innings’ 244. That included skip- chapter.”— AFP per Virat Kohli, who fell for four and now heads ADELAIDE: Australia’s Matthew Wade (center) plays a shot on the third day of the first cricket Test match home for the birth of his first child, leaving his stunned team to face three more Tests, starting in between Australia and India in Adelaide yesterday. — AFP Melbourne on Boxing Day, without him. Ajinkya Women’s nordic combined event Rahane will assume the captaincy. “It’s very hard In trouble which Cummins picked up the massive wicket of to put those feelings into words,” said a disconso- Cummins wasted no time removing nightwatchman Kohli. The superstar batsman had smacked Cummins RAMSAU AM DACHSTEIN: Tara Geraghty- late Kohli. Jasprit Bumrah for two in the second over of the day, for four but was gone the next ball after a review, Moats made history on Friday when she won “We had a lead of 60-odd when we arrived, and temping him to push at a slower ball that popped back caught by debutant Cameron Green as he attempted the first ever World Cup women’s nordic com- then just collapsed. We played two days of good up to him. That brought the stubborn Cheteshwar a cover drive. bined skiing event, held in Ramsau am cricket to get in a position and then just lose it in an Pujara to the crease. He saw off an over from Cummins, At 19 for six, India were in real danger of making Dachstein, Austria. American Geraghty-Moats, hour. It really hurts.” India’s previous Test low was but that was as good as it got for the veteran who fell their lowest ever score and when Wriddhiman Saha (4) who was in sixth place following the morning’s 42 against England at Lord’s in 1974. Their 36 was without scoring. chipped a Hazlewood delivery to Marnus Labuschagne ski jump, finished in first place ahead of the joint fourth lowest of all time, with New Cummins, the world’s number one Test bowler, and Ravi Ashwin was out next ball it became a reality. Norway’s Gyda Westvold Hansen and Japanese Zealand’s 26 facing England in 1955 at Auckland the sent down a delivery that had to be played and Pujara A four from Hanuma Vihari spared them some shame, skier Anju Nakamura after the five-kilometer worst ever. The carnage left Australia, who scored caught an edge that carried to wicketkeeper Paine. It taking India past New Zealand’s all-time low. But cross-country race. “Today here in Ramsau was 191 in the first innings, needing 90 to win, with out- left India on 15 for three, and it only got worse with Vihari (8) didn’t last much longer, caught by Paine with a dream come true, it was something that I was of-form Joe Burns hitting a confidence-building 51 opener Mayank Agarwal back in the pavillon five Hazlewood again doing the damage to complete an thinking about since I was 10 years old,” said not out, including a six to win the match. Matthew balls later for nine, again caught by Paine on excellent five-wicket haul, before Mohammed Shami the 27-year-old. “I just kept telling myself I Wade made 33 and Marnus Labuschagne six with Hazlewood’s opening delivery. Hazlewood and Paine was forced to retire hurt after a Cummins thunderbolt could do it... huge thanks to my team and the Steve Smith not out one. again combined to get rid of Rahane for nought, after hit his right arm.— AFP FIS (International Ski Federation) for finally inviting the women to the big leagues.” Nordic combined skiing had been an exclusively male sport at the top level before this season, but is now open to female athletes. Women will also compete in the discipline at this year’s Nordic World Ski Championships, which are being held in Oberstdorf, Germany, between February 23 and March 7.— AFP

Suter kicks off defense with win

VAL-D’ISERE: Switzerland’s Corinne Suter started the defense of her World Cup downhill title with an impressive victory in Val d’Isere on Friday, edging out Sofia Goggia. The 26-year- old Suter, who claimed both the downhill and super-G globes last season, beat Goggia in the first downhill of the campaign by just 0.11 sec- onds. American Breezy Johnson was only nine hundredths of a second further back in third place, claiming her first ever podium finish on the circuit. Two-time downhill world champion Ilka Stuhec had to settle for fourth. It was Suter’s third career World Cup win after one in each of after defeating Fatat Club player Shahad Al-Enezi 3-0. There were 42 participants in the refresher tourna- the speed events earlier this year. “I skied really Women Open Table Meanwhile Hawraa Asad from Fatat Club won third place ment from Arabi Salwa Al-Sabah, Fatat and Fatayat Al- well at the top of the course and in the middle after defeating Kifaya Al-Uwairdhi 3-2. The Final match- Oyoun clubs. Khalid Al-Khudhari lauded the level of part, much better than in training,” said Suter, es were held at Salwa Al-Sabah Club hall and was many players, as the competition was very strong in who came close to having a leg amputated fol- Tennis tournament attended by Deputy Chairman of Table Tennis Federation the final rounds. He thanked Salwa Al-Sabah Board of lowing a blood infection in June 2018. “I took more direct lines. I felt a lot of pressure for this By Abdellatif Sharaa Khalid Al-Khudhari, technical director Sabri Jamaan, Directors and Chairwoman Naeema Al-Ahmad for administrative director Ahmad Al-Qallaf and chairwoman hosting the tournament. Chairwoman of KTTS women first downhill of the season, but I’m really happy to have finished the race like that.”— AFP KUWAIT: The women Open Table Tennis tournament of the women committee Khalida Al-Ali. The officials committee Khalida Al-Ali said she is happy with the was won by Arabi Club’s player Minwah Al-Shimmari awarded the winners with their cups and prizes. tournament (the first in 2020-2021 season). Established 1961 15 Sports Sunday, December 20, 2020 Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga title aspirations suffer fresh dent

Moukoko becomes youngest Bundesliga scorer Matches on TV BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga title aspira- who hosted Bayern Munich in yesterday’s top-of-the- (Local Timings) tions suffered a fresh dent on Friday as they crashed to a table clash. Union, who held European champions Bayern 2-1 defeat at Union Berlin on the night their striker to a 1-1 draw in their previous home game, climb to fifth, Youssoufa Moukoko became the league’s youngest ever just a point behind Dortmund. They deservedly took the ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE goalscorer. After Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi headed lead behind closed doors when Awoniyi slipped his Brighton & Hove Albion v Sheffield 15:00 Union into the lead early in the second half, Moukoko marker Giovanni Reyna and headed past Dortmund goal- beIN Sports leapt into the air to celebrate making history when he keeper Roman Buerki on 57 minutes. “The fact that an equalised for Dortmund aged just 16 years and 28 days. opposing striker was so free is unforgivable,” Hummels Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester 17:15 Moukoko broke the previous record of Leverkusen’s complained after the final whistle. beIN Sports HD 1 Florian Wirtz, who was 17 years, 34 days when he scored Having previously hit the Union woodwork, Moukoko against Bayern Munich in June. However, Moukoko’s made history three minutes later when he stabbed home Manchester United v Leeds 19:30 delight was short-lived as Dortmund again conceded the equalizer, but Friedrich was left alone in the area to beIN Sports HD 1 from a set-piece with Union centre-back Marvin head the winning goal in off the post. “It’s great that we Friedrich heading the winner from a corner with 12 min- win the game through two set-pieces,” Union captain West Bromwich v Aston Villa 22:15 utes left. “We have now lost two league games through Christopher Trimmel told ZDF. “There was a lot of pas- beIN Sports set-pieces - that’s a disaster,” Dortmund defender Mats sion, no opponent has it easy against us.” The Bundesliga Hummels fumed to DAZN, also referring to November’s starts a two-week winter break after this weekend and SPANISH LEAGUE 2-1 shock home defeat to Cologne. Dortmund have a tough month ahead in January when Celta de Vigo v Deportivo Alaves 16:00 “We’re simply beating ourselves up, that can’t be they face RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia beIN Sports allowed to happen.” Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing at home to Moenchengladbach. However, Moukoko clearly has a Granada CF v Real Betis 18:15 Stuttgart cost head coach Lucien Favre his job, but bright future after now claiming three records in the last beIN Sports Dortmund’s defensive woes were exposed again by month. “You have to congratulate the young 16-year-old Union, who also beat them 3-1 in eastern Berlin last sea- on his Bundesliga goal, that’s something very special,” Cadiz CF v Getafe CF 20:30 son. Despite bouncing back in mid-week with a 2-1 win Trimmel added graciously. Moukoko also became the beIN Sports HD 3 at Werder Bremen under caretaker coach Edin Terzic, Champions League’s youngest player ten days ago, com- SD Eibar v Real Madrid 23:00 Dortmund were again punished for yielding possession ing off the bench in the win at Zenit St Petersburg with beIN Sports HD 1 easily and sloppy defending. Dortmund through to the last 16 where they face Sevilla. ITALIAN CALCIO LEAGUE Dortmund’s German forward Youssoufa Moukoko This is Dortmund’s fifth defeat this season, leaving He also became the youngest player in Bundesliga history them fourth in the table, six points behind Leverkusen on November 21 - the day after his 16th birthday.— AFP Torino FC v Bologna 14:30 beIN Sports their point total to 28 while Shabab remained at 18. Friday against Jahra 1-0. Nasr’s goal was scored by Kuwait Football The match saw exchanges between the two teams Jordanian player Ahmad Al-Riyahi in the 10th minute Benevento v Genoa 17:00 with real threats to either side during most of the first and this took their point total to 29. Al-Jahra are now beIN Sports HD 7 half until the 43rd minute when Lucas scored. struggling with 11 points. Nasr established their domi- League roundup In another match, Kazma defeated Sulaibkhat 2-0. nance from the first half. The match ended with the Cagliari Calcio v Udinese Calcio 17:00 beIN Sports By Abdellatif Sharaa Kazma’s Abdallah Al-Fahad scored early in the 7th score 1-0. Salmiya defeated Burgan 2-1 as Nayef minute - followed by another a goal by Yaqoub Al- Zuwayed scored in the 34th minute while Alex Lima Tararwah which was taken from the penalty spot. scored in the 75th. Burgan’s goal was scored by Rami Inter Milano v Spezia Calcio 17:00 KUWAIT: Kuwait Football League (the ranking beIN Sports HD 4 phase) kicked off Thursday with three matches, Kazma now has 25 points while Sulaibkhat remained Bushnaiba in the 58th minute. Salmiya now has 25 between Qadisiya vs Shabab, Yarmouk vs Khaitan at 5. The match started in an exciting fashion, though points while Burgan has 11 only. In another develop- Kazma had real control while Sulaibkhat focused on ment, Khaitan increased their chances to remain in US Sassuolo v AC Milan 17:00 and Kazma vs Sulaibkhat. Qadisiya succeeded to beIN Sports HD 5 continue in their winning ways and defeated Shabab defense. Kazma’s first goal came from a kick from a the premier league by defeating Yarmouk 4-2, there- 2-0 as Lucas Gaucho scored in the 43rd minute while distance by Abdallah Al-Fahad. by raising their point total to 14, while Yarmouk and Meanwhile, leaders Nasr Club had another win on Sulaibkhat are in the lower league. Atalanta v AS Roma 20:00 Fahad Al-Ansari scored in the 85th. Qadisiya raised beIN Sports HD 4

SS Lazio v SSC Napoli 22:45 beIN Sports HD 4

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA SC Freiburg v Hertha Berlin 17:30 beIN Sports

VfL Wolfsburg v VfB Stuttgart 20:00 beIN Sports

FRENCH LEAGUE Stade brestois 29 v Montpellier 15:00 beIN Sports HD 6

FC Nantes v Angers 17:00 beIN Sports HD 10

Saint Etienne v Nimes Olympique 17:00 They finished 11th in the table that season, dropped investment fund, to which he had repaid less than half beIN Sports HD 9 Ligue 1 leaders sold to 17th the following year but have since finished sec- of this sum. ond and fourth. This season they lead the league after “Given the recent difficulties in Ligue 1 and in par- RC Strasbourg v Bordeaux 17:00 15 matches and have progressed from the group ticular the uncertainty surrounding the TV rights con- beIN Sports HD 8 to investment fund stages of the Champions League for only the second tract for the French championship, it is important that time, the previous occasion was in 2006. the LOSC is owned by a reputable owner with recog- FCO Dijon v AS Monaco FC 17:00 “I have achieved my goal and I believe that it is nized financial strength such as Merlyn,” Lopez said. beIN Sports HD 6 LILLE: Gerard Lopez has sold Ligue 1 leaders Lille now time for a new owner to take over and for me to Luxembourg-based Merlyn said in the statement that to Callisto, a subsidiary of the Merlyn Partners concentrate on other sporting endeavours,” said it focused on “long-term” investments in European Lorient v Stade Rennais 19:00 investment fund, a source close to the club told AFP Lopez in a statement issued by the club. Lopez also assets. It said Lille’s “outstanding debt will be signifi- beIN Sports HD 6 on Friday. The new owners have installed Olivier leaves the club deeply in debt. He borrowed more cantly reduced and new equity will be injected into the Letang, a 48-year-old former sporting director at than 225 million euros (275 million dollars) from club.” Merlyn said it had hired Letang as CEO because LOSC Lille v Paris Saint-Germain 23:00 Paris Saint-Germain and president of Rennes, as Elliott Management during his first months in office. it wanted “to build a new, experienced and strong beIN Sports HD 6 CEO. Lopez, a Spanish-Luxembourgish businessman, He was pushed towards the exit by the American leadership within the club.”—AFP bought Lille from Michel Seydoux in January 2017.

The event coincided with Qatar National Day which, in ‘So many people’: two years, will be the date of the World Cup final. Despite strict rules inside the stadium mandating masks, assigning seats, and a ban on eating, social distancing was absent in Latest Qatar the fan zone before kick-off. World Cup venue

AL-RAYYAN, Qatar: Qatar inaugurated its latest stadi- um on Friday for the 2022 World Cup with a half-capaci- ty 20,000-strong crowd who had all tested for the coro- navirus or antibodies beforehand but with minimal social distancing. The launch of the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium, 24 kilometers west of the capital Doha, marks one of the largest sports gatherings anywhere in the world since the start of the pandemic. Relations and Information Director Salman Al- In New Zealand, more than 20,000 fans attended the Second, final round Khulaifan said the second round witnessed a highly Super Rugby Aotearoa six days after the country heated competition among participants. Al-Khulaifan declared itself COVID-free. Similar numbers are attend- AL-RAYYAN, Qatar: Photo shows a view of the start of the said the round that lasted one day was composed of ing some National Football League games in the US Amir Cup final football match between Al-Sadd and Al- of the Jet Ski race two runs of 35 minutes each with 26 participants. despite surging infections and deaths. Fans were able to Arabi at the newly-inaugurated Al-Rayyan Stadium in Al- Rashid Al-Dawas won first place, followed by Humoud KUWAIT: The second and final round of the Jet Ski apply for tickets to Friday’s event if they either tested Rayyan, Qatar, which will host matches during the Qatar Al-Mudhayan and Ahmad Al-Dawas respectively. In race (Endurance 2020) that was organized by the Jet positive for virus antibodies, or tested negative for 2022 FIFA World Cup finals. — AFP Ski committee of Kuwait Sea Sports Club concluded the other rounds, Humoud Al-Mudhayan won the first Covid-19 at accredited clinics in the days before the as the organizers honored the winners. Club’s place, followed by Ahmad and Rashid Al-Dawas. opening. Organizers said 10,000 seats would be reserved for Thousands of spectators, some un-masked, flocked each category at the ground which until Friday was around a stage to watch breakdancing and Bollywood known as the Rayyan Venue. Qatari IT consultant Ahmed renditions while a compere unsuccessfully encouraged al-Beharri, 25, said “it was proof we are capable of social distancing. Live music and dancing remains forbid- organizing the big events”. “It’s been a long time since den under strict virus prevention measures still in force in I’ve been with so many people,” he said. “I never thought several settings including bars. “In theory, no one should it would be possible to have 20,000 people at an event have it (COVID-19),” said one organizer as he headed like this.” The 40,000-seat ground, which will host seven into the stadium ahead of the game. Security officers matches during Qatar 2022 up to and including the round confiscated food and drink as well as hand sanitizers of 16 stage, hosted the domestic Emir Cup final as its under existing rules banning fans from bringing liquids inaugural match. into matches. Favourites Al-Sadd, coached by former Barcelona and Inside, white crosses closed off seating while green Spain player Xavi Hernandez, beat minnows Al-Arabi 2-1 ticks indicated places open for fans who mostly respect- in front of an audience that included the country’s ruler, ed the rules although some clustered behind the goals. “I Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and FIFA boss felt very safe. They had us sit with one seat empty Gianni Infantino. “Even with a physically distanced between us to have social distancing and minimize risk of crowd, I could feel the passion of the fans,” said Infantino. contagion,” said Valentina, a Venezuelan student. —AFP Established 1961 Sport

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020

India slump to lowest ever score ‘So many people’: Latest Dortmund’s Moukoko becomes 14as Australia clinch opening Test 15 Qatar World Cup venue 15 Bundesliga youngest goalscorer

Ruthless Liverpool crush Palace 7-0 Man City edge past Southampton

LONDON: Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (right) scores his team’s sixth goal past Crystal Palace’s Spanish goalkeeper Vicente Guaita during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool yesterday. — AFP

LONDON: Liverpool sent a chilling Klopp’s outfit built on the momentum of Christmas for a third successive season before calmly flicking the ball beyond within a point of Southampton thanks to warning to the rest of the Premier League their last-gasp win in the top-of-the-table and, on this evidence, it is difficult to see Vicente Guaita. Raheem Sterling’s first-half strike at St yesterday, smashing seven goals past clash with Tottenham in midweek. how they are going to be stopped from Klopp then took the chance to give Mary’s. Sterling turned a well-struck low Crystal Palace as Manchester City Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah winning a record-equalling 20th league Mane a rest, but the Senegalese voiced Kevin De Bruyne cross into the back of climbed to fifth in the table. Jurgen scored twice at Selhurst Park while title. “We will have a good Christmas,” his frustration at being removed to be the net in the 16th minute. Southampton Klopp’s holders-despite being dogged by Takumi Minamino, Sadio Mane and said Klopp. replaced by Salah. The Egyptian played responded well with several first-half injuries this season-are already six points Jordan Henderson also found the net. The “The season is not finished unfortu- his part for the fifth with the pass into chances. clear at the top of the table after humiliat- German boss has repeatedly bemoaned nately, there are a few more games to Firmino, who has now scored as many Theo Walcott and Jannik Vestergaard ing Palace 7-0. It was the first time the the fixture scheduling that requires teams come.”Salah had been given a rare rest goals in his past two games than his pre- had the best of them but could not beat Reds had won an away match in the to play at lunchtime kick-offs after from the start, but his Japanese replace- vious 27 Premier League appearances. goalkeeper Ederson. The home side were English top-flight by a margin of seven Wednesday evening games, but his side ment Minamino took just three minutes to Salah then moved to the top of the hit by the first-half departure of leading goals in their illustrious history. suffered no hangover from their midweek open the scoring when he was teed up by Premier League goalscoring charts with scorer Danny Ings with an injury and Manchester City, dethroned as cham- exertions against Spurs. “The boys are Mane for his first Premier League goal. 13 goals in as many games this season despite second-half pressure could not pions last season, edged past in-form capable of that. It will not happen every Mane ended his longest goal drought as a with a late double by heading home from find an equalizer. City, now unbeaten in Southampton 1-0 to keep Liverpool in week but it can happen,” he said. Liverpool player-nine games-with an a corner before bending an incredible five league games, are fifth in the table sight, but the Merseysiders are going to “It just clicked today. After a really excellent turn and low finish from effort into the top corner. with 23 points, one point behind take some catching. Pep Guardiola’s men intense period for the boys they should be Firmino’s pass. Southampton, who have played a game did what was needed but they have mus- really proud of how they came through A clinical counter-attack made it three City win more. Everton hosted struggling Arsenal tered just 19 goals this season-compared that results-wise.” Victory ensured before the break as this time Firmino Manchester City have had a inconsis- and Fulham traveled to Newcastle in the with 36 for free-scoring Liverpool. Klopp’s side will be top of the league at latched onto Andy Robertson’s cross tent start to the season but moved to later kick-offs yesterday. — AFP

Messi equals Pele’s record MADRID: Lionel Messi scored his 643rd goal for Barcelona yesterday to equal Pele’s record of goals for a single club as the Spanish giants were held 2- 2 by Valencia. Messi headed in from Jordi Alba’s cross after his first-half penalty was saved to equal the mark set by the Brazilian great for Santos. But Messi was left frustrated as a dogged Valencia forced a draw that leaves Barcelona eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who beat Elche 3-1 earlier in the day. Barcelona started slowly and went a goal behind to Mouctar Diakhaby’s unchallenged header from a corner after half an hour. AL WAKRAH, Qatar: Ulsan’s players celebrate winning the AFC Champions League finals against Iran’s Persepolis yesterday at the Al-Janoub Stadium. — AFP Antoine Griezmann earned the penalty that led to Messi’s record-equalling second time in three years, having lost to Japan’s also drawing first blood at Qatar’s Al Janoub Stadium, goal when the Frenchman was nudged Ulsan win Asian Kashima Antlers in the final in 2018. This was the fifth built for the 2022 World Cup. over by Jose Gaya. time in history that a team from Iran had fallen at the At the stroke of half-time, Ulsan defender Park Soo- Messi’s spot-kick was saved by final hurdle of Asia’s premier competition, thus extend- ho lost his balance in the midfield and Mehdi Abdi dis- Jaume Domenech but the ball rebound- Champions League ing the country’s title drought on the continental club played great awareness to steal the ball and produce a ed and from Alba’s dinked cross, the scene since 1993. Persepolis had topped from Asia’s brilliant solo run before beating goalkeeper Jo Soo-huk Argentine headed the ball into the net DOHA: Ulsan Hyundai Motors won the Asian west zone in Qatar’s bio-secure bubble after the to the bottom left corner. Ulsan, however hit back in the to draw level with Pele. Barcelona went Champions League for the second time in history after COVID-19 pandemic forced the Asian Football fourth minute of first-half stoppage time after they ahead thanks to a superb scissor kick a Junior Negrao double gave them a 2-1 victory over Confederation to halt the tournament in March. were awarded a VAR-assisted penalty when Ahmad from Uruguayan Ronald Araujo. But Iran’s Persepolis yesterday. The South Korean giants Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, the 2019 champions, were Noorollahi fouled Yoon Bit-Garam inside the box. Valencia’s pressure was rewarded when also achieved the feat in record fashion, winning their kicked out during the group phase after a spate of Negrao couldn’t believe his luck as goalkeeper Maxi Gomez got in front of Barca cen- ninth consecutive match in the tournament to equal coronavirus infections in the squad left them without Hamed Lak blocked his spot-kick with a full-stretch tral defender Oscar Mingueza to turn in their winning streak of 2012 when they won the title for enough fit players, easing Persepolis’ path to the final. dive, but the ball rebounded in the Brazilian’s direc- a cross and equalize. Philippe Coutinho the first time. But this time they were even more While Ulsan had played eight games in 23 days in tion and he was left with the easiest of tap-ins to emphatic, scoring at least two goals in each match on drove a shot just wide with 12 minutes Doha before yesterday’s final, Persepolis had three score his sixth goal of the tournament. Ulsan had remaining and Messi curled a free-kick their way to the title, an unprecedented achievement in weeks off and only arrived in Qatar a few days ago. their tail up after that but they required another the tournament. wide but Barcelona were forced to The Iranians though battled gallantly yesterday, not VAR-assisted penalty to score their second goal in share the points.— AFP Persepolis missed out on the Asian crown for the only keeping the marauding Ulsan forwards at bay but the 55th minute. — AFP