JAMADA ALTHANI 6, 1442 AH TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021

16 Pages Max 22º Min 08º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18338 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Kremlin critic Navalny decries China GDP grows at slowest Michelin bestows restaurant Messi sees red as Bilbao 6 ‘mockery of justice’ at hearing 10 pace in more than 4 decades 13 stars despite COVID closures 16 stun Barca in Super Cup

Amir accepts govt resignation; Assembly sessions canceled

Cabinet to continue in caretaker role • MP urges ‘fundamental reforms’

By B Izzak is no time limit for the appointment of with the government. also to protect the “pockets” of the next premier and the formation of MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji expressed Kuwaiti people against the govern- KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf the new Cabinet. hope that the next Cabinet members ment’s austerity measures. He said sav- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday National Assembly Speaker will be selected from highly-qualified ings of over KD 60 billion made when accepted the resignation of the prime Marzouq Al-Ghanem said the two reg- people. MP Mubarak Al-Hajraf called oil prices were high have been used to minister and the Cabinet which was ular parliamentary sessions scheduled on opposition MPs to unite to achieve finance suspicious arms and other submitted last week, an Amiri decree for today and tomorrow have been can- what he called “fundamental reforms”, deals. The lawmaker accused the prime said. HH the Amir also asked HH the celed because there is no government topped by issuing a general pardon law minister of being weak in confronting Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and no minister is expected to attend, a for ex-MPs and activists who received forces of corruption and failing to pro- Al-Sabah and ministers to continue in a precondition for Assembly meetings to long jail terms for storming the tect public funds. caretaker role until a new government be legal. The Cabinet resigned after Assembly building in 2011. Around a MP Abdulkarim Al-Kandari mean- is formed. three opposition MPs filed to grill the dozen opposition former MPs and while asked the finance minister in a The Amir is expected to soon start prime minister over a number of rea- activists have been living in exile since question if the ministry has received customary consultations with former sons including the government’s alleged the summer of 2018 to avoid serving some $4 billion it had deposited at the speakers of the Assembly and former support for Ghanem to be re-elected as the jail terms. Egyptian central bank to support the prime ministers before reappointing speaker for a third consecutive term. Hajraf also said the opposition must Egyptian economy. The lawmaker said HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Sheikh Sabah to form the new Cabinet Opposition MPs have vowed to oust push to amend the electoral law which the deposit had matured more than two Jaber Al-Sabah or naming a new prime minister. There Ghanem, whom they accuse of siding has fragmented the Kuwaiti people and years ago.

Gulf summit on Jan 5 in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE after a flurry of diplomatic activity by outgoing US President Donald Trump’s Solution to issue of administration. The first commercial flight resume direct from Qatar to Egypt in three and a half 16 stranded Indian years, an EgyptAir service to Cairo, took Qatar flights off from windswept Doha airport. It was followed shortly after by the arrival of an sailors likely soon DOHA: The first direct flights since Air Arabia flight from Sharjah in the UAE. 2017 between Qatar and its former The resumption of flights from Doha to KUWAIT: A solution to the issue of 16 rivals Egypt and the UAE took to the Cairo will simplify travel for the large Indian sailors who have been stranded on a skies yesterday, following the end of a contingent of Egyptians living in Qatar. ship at Kuwait’s Shuaiba Port for the last nine regional crisis. Egypt and the United As many as 300,000 Egyptians call months is likely soon, according to sources Arab Emirates (UAE) joined Saudi Qatar home, according to official statis- close to the matter. The ship named ULA was Arabia and Bahrain in cutting ties with tics, but many were unable to travel detained following a legal dispute between Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of being home during the crisis. In May 2020, the ship’s owner and the owner of its cargo. too close to Iran and of backing Islamic DOHA: Mask-clad travellers walk with their carry-on luggage to board the frustrated Egyptians protested outside first Qatar Airways flight bound for Cairo after the resumption of flights According to reports, the sailors had gone on extremists, charges Doha denies. the compound housing Egypt’s between Qatar and Egypt at Hamad International Airport yesterday. — AFP a hunger strike. The quartet agreed to heal the rift at a Continued on Page 2 Undersecretary of the Ministry of Communications Kholoud Al-Shehab met last week with Indian Ambassador Sibi George to discuss the implications of the detention of Tunisia makes the ship. The ministry confirmed that high- level coordination between several parties has arrests, deploys taken place and the matter is going to be set- tled in the next few days, according to Al- Qabas Arabic daily. troops after riots “We are following with great concern the TUNIS: More than 600 people have been arrested complaint of the crew of the ULA, which has and troops have been deployed after a third con- been detained at Shuaiba Port for the last nine secutive night of riots in several Tunisian cities, offi- months, which led them to go on a hunger cials said yesterday. The unrest came after Tunisia strike,” the daily said, quoting the Kuwaiti imposed a nationwide lockdown to stem a rise in Association of the Basic Evaluators of Human coronavirus infections on Thursday - the same day Rights. “The society has contacted officials at as it marked the 10th anniversary of dictator Zine El government agencies and the National Diwan Abidine Ben Ali’s fall from power. for Human Rights and asked them to resolve Interior ministry spokesman Khaled Hayouni said the issue quickly, in view of the unfortunate a total of 632 people were arrested, notably “groups humanitarian situation and to preserve the of people between the ages of 15, 20 and 25 who TUNIS: Protesters block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen suburb on the north- image of the country of humanity,” it added. burned tires and bins in order to block movements western outskirts of the capital on Sunday. — AFP Continued on Page 2

social media - sometimes to disapproval In Iraq, bird Tourists flock back home. Emirates, which restored its network to about three quarters of pre- pandemic levels, is again operating flu decimates to Dubai amid A380 super-jumbos - the world’s largest commercial airliner - ferrying in chicken coops lockdowns visitors from Britain and Russia. But the downside to becoming one SAMARRA, Iraq: An outbreak of bird flu has killed DUBAI: As much of the world tightens of the world’s most open destinations tens of thousands of hens in a rural province north lockdowns to stem coronavirus, Dubai has been a sharp rise in coronavirus of Iraq’s capital, decimating livelihoods overnight as has flung its doors open, branding itself cases. Daily detected cases hover in the authorities scramble to contain its spread. Near the as a sunny, quarantine-free escape - mid-3,000s across the UAE, which has town of Samarra, about 100 km north of Baghdad, despite a sharp rise in cases. While a population of under 10 million, with Haytham Al-Hamash’s coops have become grave- mask-wearing and social distancing are 745 deaths from COVID-19 since the yards. strictly enforced, life in the tourism- pandemic began. With a negative PCR Masked workers step around a few live hens to reliant emirate looks much like normal, test in their home countries - and possi- pick out the dead birds lying on their sides, tossing with its restaurants, hotels and mega- bly another upon arrival, depending on them into the back of a truck with a loud thud. malls open for business. the place of departure - tourists can “Right now, chickens are dying and we can’t do Images of sports stars and television freely enter Dubai, where winter tem- anything for them,” Hamash told AFP. personalities enjoying life at beach peratures average a pleasant 25 DUBAI: A mask-clad Israeli tourist photographs a falconer holding a falcon Continued on Page 2 clubs and cocktail bars have flooded degrees Celsius. — AFP (See Page 13) during a visit to the historic Al-Fahidi neighborhood on Jan 11, 2021. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Local

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah separately received His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Hamad Al-Sabah at Seif Palace yesterday. — KUNA photos

Ministry seeks vaccination drive to resume in-class teaching in Kuwait

Education, health ministries coordinate on safe back to school plan KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education hopes to He explained that the meeting discussed a pro- launch a comprehensive vaccination campaign as it posal for a gradual return to schools and the remains optimistic of chances to return students process of taking appropriate measures in this back to school by the beginning of the second regard, including seeking to launch a comprehen- semester in March. The ministry is coordinating in sive vaccination campaign at the beginning of the this regard with the health ministry, who ultimately second semester. Decisions to regulate and lunch has the final say on when students can go back to this campaign will be discussed and agreed upon school, and ending the online teaching experience during a Cabinet meeting, the minister explained. one year after its imple- Meanwhile, Acting mentation following the Undersecretary of the novel coronavirus out- Ministry of Education, break. Observing Assistant Undersecretary In this regard, Minister for Educational of Education and Minister all health Development and of Higher Education Dr Ali standards in Activities Faisal Al- Al-Mudhaf yesterday Maqseed said that yes- chaired a meeting of the schools terday’s meeting is “the joint committee between first of its kind between the education and health the education and health ministries to discuss a ministries to coordinate proposal for a gradual on the topic of a gradual return plan to schools for the second semester of return to schools for the second semester.” the 2020-21 academic year in light of the COVID- Maqseed added that during the meeting, the 19 pandemic. education ministry’s plan for returning to schools During the meeting, Mudhaf stressed that was reviewed and many health requirements were should in-class teaching return, the education min- set in the event of a return to in-class teaching, or istry will cooperate with the health ministry and even in case the online education process contin- observe all health standards and requirements at ues until the end of the academic year. schools in a way that guarantees the safety of stu- “A recommendation was made to form teams dents, the educational and administrative staff, the at educational zones to coordinate with health with the best environment to allow for students’ will be discussed in more detail during a meeting Ministry of Education said in a press statement. officials and carry out field studies to come up return to classes,” he said, adding that this topic next week.

reported 25 executions in Saudi Arabia in 2020, saying fowl. “Chickens were isolated, shops were sterilized Saudi reports it was the lowest figure since it began monitoring exe- In Iraq, bird and we cordoned off the area. Of course we took cutions in 2013 but cautioned that the number could measures to limit the entry of any Samarra chicken increase this year. into other provinces,” ministry spokesman Hameed sharp drop in “The decline can partly be attributed to the flu decimates... Nayef said. Not much more could be done, he told COVID-19 lockdown from February to April, when the AFP. “There is no vaccine for avian flu in Iraq government carried out no executions due to restric- Continued from Page 1 because the disease does not spread every year. executions tions to control the virus,” Reprieve said in a state- Last year, we did not see an outbreak, while two ment. “However, there is reason to believe that the His coops have been surrounded by makeshift years ago, it was much bigger than this year,” Nayef RIYADH: Saudi Arabia yesterday reported a sharp number of executions will rise in 2021. “The govern- trenches to keep infected chickens from escaping, added. drop in executions in 2020. The Saudi government’s ment recommenced executions at an increased rate in as veterinarians in white suits examine the remain- Agriculture represents one in five jobs in Iraq Human Rights Commission (HRC) said it documented the final quarter of 2020: approximately one-third of ing flock. and five percent of GDP, otherwise dominated by 27 executions in 2020, a decrease of 85 percent over all executions last year were carried out in December The outbreak of avian influenza in the northern the previous year due in part to a moratorium on the the oil sector. Historically low crude prices last year alone.” province of Salahaddin began on Thursday. By and the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic death penalty for drug-related offences. Yesterday’s announcement by the HRC follows a Friday, at least 60,000 chickens had contracted it, “The Commission welcomes this news as a sign that caused an unprecedented fiscal crisis for the coun- string of judicial reforms in 2020. Last April, the HRC the governor announced. But Samarra’s chicken try, where poverty rates are set to double. There the kingdom and its justice system are focusing more said the kingdom was ending the death penalty for farmers say their losses have been much higher. on rehabilitation and prevention than solely on punish- had been one silver lining: With imports down, local those convicted of crimes committed while aged under “We lost nearly 190,000 chickens,” Hamash said. ment,” HRC president Awwad Alawwad said in a state- egg production skyrocketed from 11 million eggs at 18. Citing a royal decree, the HRC said individuals con- Another farmer, Fuad Barhan, claimed authorities ment. “The moratorium on drug-related offences victed as minors would receive a prison sentence of no the start of 2020 to 17 million by the summer, means the kingdom is giving more non-violent crimi- had not been able to support all the coops. “We according to the agriculture ministry. more than 10 years in a juvenile detention facility. went to the health ministry and they didn’t give us nals a second chance.” Last April, the HRC also announced Saudi Arabia Those numbers will likely be slashed. Fearing the Saudi Arabia put 184 people to death in 2019, anything. The vaccine, H5, is not available. So the spread of avian flu, authorities in the autonomous was abolishing court-ordered floggings, in a move chickens are just left to die,” he said. according to Amnesty International, which said it was welcomed by campaigners. The changes underscore a Kurdish region in the north of the country have Iraq’s agriculture ministry yesterday said the the highest number ever recorded in a single year in push by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to mod- banned chicken imports from the south and closed the kingdom. Britain-based campaign group Reprieve ernize the ultraconservative kingdom. — AFP chickens had been contaminated by wild foreign down their own chicken farms. — AFP

prices have spiraled and one third of young people Tunisia makes are unemployed. The key tourism sector, already on its knees after a string of deadly jihadist attacks in 2015, has been dealt a devastating blow by the arrests, deploys... pandemic. Tunisia has registered more than 177,000 coronavirus infections, including over Continued from Page 1 5,600 deaths since the pandemic erupted last year. The four-day lockdown ended on Sunday night, but by the security forces”. Defense ministry it was not immediately known if other restrictions spokesman Mohamed Zikri meanwhile said the would be imposed. army has deployed reinforcements in several areas The army has deployed troops in Bizerte in the of the country. north, Sousse in the east and Kasserine and Siliana Hayouni said that some of those arrested lobbed in central Tunisia, the defense ministry spokesman stones at police and clashed with security forces. said. Sousse, a coastal resort overlooking the “This has nothing to do with protest movements Mediterranean, is a magnet for foreign holidaymak- DOHA: An Air Arabia Airbus A320 aircraft is seen taxiing at Hamad International Airport yesterday. — AFP that are guaranteed by the law and the constitu- ing that has been hit hard by the pandemic. The tion,” said Hayouni. “Protests take place in broad health crisis and ensuing economic misery have daylight normally... without any criminal acts pushed growing numbers of Tunisians to seek to has also opened its land border to Qatar, resumed involved,” he added. leave the country. Egypt, UAE on Jan 11. The row complicated regional travel, Hayouni said two policemen were wounded in divided families and raised costs faced by Qatari the unrest. It was not immediately clear if there On Sunday evening in Ettadhamen, a restive businesses. Mustafa Ahmed, 38, an Egyptian techni- were injuries among the youths and Hayouni did working-class neighborhood on the edge of the resume direct... cal engineer, said he was “very happy”. “With direct not say what charges those arrested faced. The Tunisian capital, the mood was somber. “I don’t see flights, life will be easier, especially for families and clashes took place in several cities across Tunisia, any future here,” said Abdelmoneim, a waiter, as Continued from Page 1 children, avoiding the torment of changing airports mostly in working-class neighborhoods, with the the unrest unfolded around him. He blamed the vio- and planes and waiting for hours for transit flights,” exact reasons for the disturbances not immedi- lence on the country’s post-revolution political then-empty embassy. Following the demonstra- he told AFP. ately known. class and said the rioting youths were “bored ado- tion, 18 repatriation flights operated via neutral Egyptians in Qatar work in a number of sectors But it came as many Tunisians are increasingly lescents” who reflected the “failure” of politicians. Oman to comply with Cairo’s ban on direct air traf- including education, healthcare and engineering. angered by poor public services and a political Abdelmoneim said he was determined to take a fic. A Qatar Airways plane was due to also make Thousands of Qatar’s majority-expatriate workforce, class that has repeatedly proved unable to govern boat across the Mediterranean to Europe “as soon the trip to Cairo later yesterday. however, have lost their jobs as a result of a down- coherently a decade on from the 2011 revolution. as possible, and never come back to this miserable Flights between Doha and Saudi Arabia, which turn caused by the coronavirus epidemic. — AFP GDP shrank by nine percent last year, consumer place”. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Over 83,000 expats left Kuwait in three months Kuwait could cut quarantine to one week: Report

KUWAIT: A recent report about manpower in the Kuwaitis in all work sectors by 4,248 employees, third quarter of 2020 shows around 83,574 expats taking the total until the end of September to left the country for good during the period from 400,909 Kuwaiti workers. The domestic help sector September until December 2020, a local newspaper saw a drop in female domestic workers in the past reported yesterday. The number of expats in the three months by 7,385 persons, while 382 male workforce has now dropped to 1.5 million workers, domestic helpers entered this sector. Al-Qabas Arabic daily wrote, adding that these fig- ures serve as proof that Kuwait’s efforts to replace Quarantine period and reduce the number of expat workers have seen In other news, health authorities are contemplat- some success “with deep-rooted changes in the ing reducing the duration of home quarantine for population structure.” arrivals to Kuwait to one week if it is proven the The report said work is ongoing to achieve more passenger is not infected with COVID-19, Al-Qabas changes in the population structure and increase the Arabic daily reported yesterday quoting an numbers of workers terminated from government informed source. The reduction is subject to having entities. The report showed that in three months, airlines bear the cost of the PCR test, the anony- 2,144 contracts of expats in the government sector mous source added. were terminated, while health and education min- The source said a Cabinet decision stipulated the istries retain the highest number of expats, followed passenger should undergo two PCR tests - the first by Kuwait Airways, Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries before traveling to Kuwait, and the second during Company and Kuwait Public Transport Company. home quarantine, without deciding which day the Following these latest developments, expat work- test will be carried out. ers do not make up more than 29 percent of the The source said the preliminary view of the total workforce registered in the government sector health authorities is to reduce home quarantine to with 95,173 employees, 65 percent of whom are in one week because the passenger will undergo three the education and health ministries as teachers and PCR tests in case airlines bear the cost. The prelimi- medics, respectively. As for total expat workers in nary view is in case the PCR test is carried out on KUWAIT: This May 5, 2020 file photo shows long lines of Egyptian nationals traveling back to their home country after Kuwait opened the door for expatriates wishing to leave to their home countries for good the country, their number has dropped. Meanwhile, the seventh day after arrival with a negative result, during the aviation closure period. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat the report pointed to an increase in the number of the seven days of quarantine will be sufficient.

KUWAIT: Truffles are available at the main market in Rai, although in very few numbers due to border closures that affected the supply of imported truffles this year. The shortage has caused the delicacy’s price to jump as high as KD 25 per kilogram. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

Cold wave hits Kuwait tomorrow

KUWAIT: A cold wave hits Kuwait tomor- row night, a Kuwaiti meteorologist said, not- ing that temperature is likely to drop to 4 C degrees in residential areas and as low as 0 C in desert and open areas. The cold wave is caused by the Siberian high pressure com- bined with northwesterly winds, meteorolo- gist Mohammad Karam said in a report pub- lished by Al-Qabas Arabic daily yesterday. Cold temperature is expected to last until Saturday, he said, adding that the average high within this period is expected to be around 14 C degrees.

KUWAIT: Deputy Chief of Kuwait National Guard Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at his office yesterday France’s Ambassador to Kuwait Anne-Claire Legendre. The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, Kuwait National Guard said in a statement. 4 Established 1961 Local Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Photo of the Day Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 COMMERCIAL : 24835618 P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. Email: [email protected] Website: www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait reports 467 new COVID cases, one death

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced yesterday recording 467 new infection cases with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) dur- ing the past 24 hours, raising the caseload to 158,244. The ministry’s official spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said that there was a single death registered during the same period, putting the death toll at 948. The ministry had earlier reported that 354 patients had recovered during the same KUWAIT: A boat docked near Qaruh Island’s shore. —Photo by Md Jahidul Islam (NOTE: you are invited to send your high resolution, unedited and period, raising total recoveries to 151,496. There horizontal photos to [email protected] to be featured in the ‘Photo of the Day’ section. Make sure to include your name and Instagram were 56 patients in ICUs as of yesterday, Dr Sanad account if available) said, adding that the total number of patients remaining under treatment stood at 5,800. Health workers conducted 8,807 swab tests during the same period, as the overall count of such examina- Ministry prepares for youth excellence, creativity award tions reached 1,406,352. —KUNA KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi affirmed on the importance of “the patronage by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Excellence and Creativity Youth Award, which is annually supervised by the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs. In a statement to the press Sunday, the minister said such patronage reflects on His Highness’s interest in supporting and caring for distinguished Kuwaiti youths. The minister made his remarks, after chairing a meeting of the supreme committee for the award, which was held at the Ministry of Youth headquarters, noting that the award includes 10 important areas for the development of the nation. The minister added this year’s version of the competition witnessed high-level of youth partici- pations. Mutairi said the meeting reviewed the plan of the committee and the mechanism followed in announcing the winners of the current version, which will be full of distinguished youth cadres who have KUWAIT: Information Minister and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi chairs the made distinguished contributions. —KUNA meeting. —KUNA Dasman Institute, WHO sign cooperation deal to raise healthcare standards

KUWAIT: Dasman Diabetes Institute, of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, announced yesterday singing a cooper- ation agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO), which aims to provide advanced training to raise diabetes healthcare standards in primary care centers in Kuwait. Director General of the center, Dr Qais Al- Duwairi, said in a statement to the press that WHO’s desire to cooperate with the institute comes from its efforts in researching, treating dia- betes and its complications and spreading aware- ness about ways to prevent it over the past years. The agreement aims to establish an effective elec- tronic platform about diabetes research and awareness, to enhance public awareness about The Dasman Diabetes Institute. diabetes and its complications, and to make efforts to reduce the prevalence and incidence of Diabetes Institute is making remarkable diabetes, he said. It also aims to conduct progress, especially in the field of research and researches, administrative and medical activities publishing a large number of studies in presti- on diabetes to achieve the Institute’s mission, in gious and refereed international journals, and it addition to provide advanced and specialized pays great attention to scientific research in the training methodologies, he added. Dasman first place. —KUNA

Patients Helping Mona Al-Ahmad, President of Kuwait society of allergy and clinical immunology and head of aller- gy department at Al-Rashed allergy center. Fund, GSK announce “We encourage such initiatives that aim to alle- viate the challenges that the patients face through patient support program anchoring our vision which revolves around actu- ating partnerships between associations, institu- KUWAIT: The Kuwait Patients Helping Fund tions, and various stakeholders to facilitate the Society (KPHFS) and global science-led health- patients access and play a key role is spreading care company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced the awareness about the diseases in Kuwait. yesterday the launch of a new program - Nesma - Nesma program is an embodiment to what I men- to support severe asthma patients by providing tioned and will contribute to supporting the eligi- them with GSK-subsidized medicines as covered ble patients,” said Mohammad Al-Sharhan, under the agreement. Chairman of the KPHFS. “Severe asthma repre- For patients whose asthma medication is not sents a serious public health burden, and we are covered by their public or private health insurance very happy to offer a solution that eases patients’ plan, accessing treatment can be a struggle. suffering from this condition.” Through Nesma, underprivileged patients in “Finding ways to transform the life of asthma Kuwait will now have access to these treatments. patients through ground-breaking treatments has Severe asthma is the most serious and life- always been a top research priority at GSK. For as threatening form of asthma. Most people with long as patients are suffering from the disorder, we asthma can manage their symptoms well with stan- are committed to helping them do more, feel bet- dard medicines, such as preventer inhalers and ter, live longer today, tomorrow and the day after. reliever inhalers. However, those with severe asth- We are very excited to launch this patient support ma often struggle to manage their symptoms even program, alongside the KPHFS, so that underprivi- with high doses of asthma medicines, requiring leged patients in Kuwait can live a full and normal increased medical attention and care. life,” said Belal Ghattas, GSK Country Manager - “Imagine your chest tightening up and you Kuwait. beginning to wheeze, not being able to breathe. Leading healthcare access company Axios Having severe asthma can be a very scary experi- International, has been retained to administer the ence. On top of that, imagine if you also need to program and determine participant eligibility. worry about having access to the right medication. Severe asthma patients interested in the program Support programs can truly change the life of are advised to discuss their eligibility with their patients, enabling them to take control of their physicians who have been briefed on details of the condition and ultimately their life,” explained Dr program. International TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021 Handwritten note seeds hope for trapped French Muslim council agrees accord on ‘principles’ sought by Macron Page 6 China gold miners Page 7

WASHINGTON, DC: Members of the US National Guard stand watch at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Sunday during a nationwide protest called by anti-government and far-right groups supporting US President Donald Trump and his claim of electoral fraud in the November 3 presidential election. —AFP Biden team braces for historic inauguration Washington under watch of thousands of troops; pro-Trump protests fizzle out WASHINGTON: President-elect Joe Biden’s top advi- economy, and he plans a blitz to accelerate America’s Republican Party-divided over Trump’s false assertions A muted celebration sors on Sunday outlined his plans to tackle the nation’s stumbling COVID vaccine rollout. that he won November’s election, his fanning of emo- Plans for the inauguration-in normal times a bracing, multiple crises while balancing the impeachment trial of His target of seeing 100 million doses of coron- tions ahead of the deadly Capitol invasion, and on the even joyous, tribute to peaceful transition-had already Donald Trump, as an historic inauguration week opens avirus vaccine injected within his first 100 days in future direction of the party. been scaled down out of pandemic concerns. Fears of in the United States. Washington was under the watch office is “absolutely” achievable, top US scientist new violence by unyielding Trump supporters after the of thousands of National Guard troops and ringed with Anthony Fauci told NBC on Sunday. “The feasibility of ‘Socialized policy’ January 6 riot have cast a further pall. Thousands of security barriers ahead of Biden’s swearing in tomor- his goal is absolutely clear, there’s no doubt about it,” One frequent Trump confidant, Senator Lindsey National Guard troops were filling downtown row, in a nation still rattled by the January 6 attack on said Fauci, who will be Biden’s chief advisor on the Graham, warned Sunday on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Washington, the normal crowd has been banned, and the Capitol. virus, as he was Trump’s. Futures that Republicans may not offer Biden much of a streets have been blocked with heavy trucks and concrete Pro-Trump protests planned at state capitols nation- grace period, if any-saying the president-elect might be barriers. A 22-year-old Virginia man was arrested near wide got off to a quiet start with only small groups of Shadow of uncertainty trying to move too far too fast. “I think we are going to the Capitol complex Sunday carrying a pistol, three high- armed demonstrators gathering in states including Ohio, But the coming Senate impeachment trial-an have in the first hundred days by the Biden administra- capacity magazines and dozens of rounds of unregistered Texas, Oregon and Michigan. “The events of the past unprecedented second for Trump-casts a shadow over tion the most aggressive socialized policy effort in the ammunition, the Washington Post reported. few weeks have proven just how damaged the soul of Biden’s path forward. Democratic congressional leaders history of the country,” he said. US media reported small numbers of armed protesters America has been and how important is to restore it. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have yet to say when He added, “No good comes from impeaching outside state capitol buildings including in Texas, That work starts on Wednesday,” Biden’s incoming chief the trial will begin. President Trump (when he is) out of office.” But Klain Michigan and Kentucky, overseen by large security of staff Ron Klain told CNN. “We’re inheriting a huge “I don’t think there’s any promised date when repeated Biden’s affirmation that the Senate-con- deployments. mess here, but we have a plan to fix it.” Speaker Pelosi is going to present the articles of trolled only narrowly by Democrats-could handle “This will be an inaugural like no other, in large part As the president-elect prepares to take power in a impeachment,” Dick Durbin, a Democratic leader in the both an impeachment trial and the new Biden agenda. because of Covid,” Vice President-elect Kamala Harris city where only two weeks earlier Trump supporters Senate, told CNN. “We understand, under the He added Biden would be able to take a flurry of said in an interview aired Sunday on CBS. “But we are launched a violent attempt to overturn the election, Constitution, we have a responsibility to act as quickly executive actions-requiring no congressional going to get sworn in. And we’re going to do the job we Biden faces overlapping crises: not only the pandemic as possible.” approval-as early as Wednesday afternoon. They will were hired to do.” Klain warned that the nation could but a struggling economy, climate change and racial ten- Biden has said he hopes the Congress can deal with include returning the country to the Paris climate reach a total of 500,000 Covid-19 deaths sometime next sions. Biden wants the Congress to act quickly on a that stark distraction even while advancing his aggres- accord and ending the travel ban on some mainly month. The toll on Sunday surpassed 397,000, according massive, $1.9-trillion stimulus package to revive the sive agenda. Adding to the uncertainty is a badly riven Muslim countries. to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. —AFP

back together.” Meet the Bidens: The couple wed in 1977, and she became “Mom” to his sons Hunter and Beau, who survived the car accident. They also have a daughter, America’s new Ashley, together. Biden plans swift While raising her family, Jill, 69, also earned two Master’s degrees, and would eventually earn a doctor- ‘first family’ ate in education. She supported her husband through action but Trump his three previous presidential bids and was one of his WASHINGTON: President-elect Joe Biden and his most vocal advocates and tireless campaigners during wife Jill will become the new White House residents trial threatens unity his most recent run. when he takes office tomorrow. Biden has made his WASHINGTON: Joe Biden has promised quick action family a major focus throughout his career, and his The First Children to address the coronavirus pandemic and boost the 2020 presidential campaign thrust them fully into the ailing US economy once he takes office tomorrow, but Biden has often spoken about how his relationship WILMINGTON, Delaware: US President-elect Joe Biden (cen- spotlight-with some members causing controversy his goal of uniting the divided country could be under- with his sons helped him cope with grieving as he ter) with his wife Jill Biden and members of their family but others breaking barriers. Here is a look at the mined by the Senate impeachment trial of Donald built his political career, as well as when he married salute the crowd on stage after delivering remarks in members of America’s new “first family.” Trump. The president-elect has promised to immedi- Jill. For years, while working as a senator, he commut- Wilmington, Delaware in this November 7, 2020 file photo. ed by train two hours each way between the family ately reverse some of Trump’s more controversial The First Lady home in Delaware and Washington in order to be moves, and he can do so by executive action. He has Jill Biden, an educator, is set to transform her new there for Hunter and Beau. in 2014 after a positive test for cocaine. vowed to return “on Day One” to the Paris climate role before she even moves into the White House. Beau was seen as inheriting his father’s public He became a regular focus of Donald Trump’s agreement. Trump in 2017 announced plans to with- While first ladies traditionally only fulfill ceremonial service ethos and political skills. He served in the mili- attacks ahead of the November 3 vote for his business draw from the international accord, prompting global duties, “Dr B,” as her students call her, intends to keep tary in Iraq and became Delaware’s attorney general. dealings in Ukraine and China. Hunter, 50, now an recriminations. her full-time job as an English professor. As first lady, But Beau died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46, less artist based in Los Angeles, has admitted to displaying And Biden has said he will also immediately end Jill is expected to work on education issues and than two years after he was diagnosed. Biden refers to “poor judgment” in some of his business dealings, but Trump’s controversial ban on travel from several relaunch Joining Forces, a mission to rally around mili- his late son often in political speeches, and he regular- denied any wrongdoing. Muslim-majority countries, an early action widely tary families that she and predecessor Michelle ly visits Beau’s grave, as well as those of his first wife Biden, however, has been unwavering in his support decried as Islamophobic. The start of the Biden era Obama started in 2011. and daughter. for his son. During the final presidential debate, when promises to be busy: An official statement Saturday The Bidens met in 1975, a few years after the Biden’s other son, Hunter, has stayed farther from Trump mocked Hunter’s cocaine use, the former vice promised a burst of action in his first 10 days, with Delaware senator had faced the unthinkable-his the spotlight. He struggled with alcohol and drug president simply said: “I’m proud of him. I’m proud of “dozens” of executive actions and directives to follow. young wife and daughter were killed in a car addiction, and was discharged from the Navy Reserve my son.” —AFP But while Biden can make the consequential crash. Biden often says his second wife “put us changes on the Paris accord and the travel ban with the stroke of a pen, the Senate impeachment trial America’s first female president. seems sure to slow his efforts to galvanize the Trailblazer Kamala “While I may be the first woman in this office, I response to COVID-19 and to revive the nation’s won’t be the last,” Harris said in a speech on November stumbling economy. The lower House of 7, her first after US networks projected Biden and Representatives impeached Trump on a charge of Harris: America’s Harris as the winners over Trump and Vice President inciting insurrection after he encouraged the January 6 Mike Pence. Trump bitterly contested the results, ped- protest that led to the violent storming of the US dling the lie that the Democrats only won due to mas- Capitol. Trump’s first impeachment trial, in January first woman VP sive election fraud. During the campaign he routinely 2020 over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to help him attacked Harris, branding her a “monster” after her WASHINGTON: Kamala Harris will shatter one of the discredit Biden, lasted 21 days. A trial of similar length October vice presidential debate with Pence. When highest glass ceilings tomorrow when she takes the now would crimp Biden’s ambitious plans for his first asked about it my reporters, Harris curtly dismissed the oath of office as America’s first woman vice president, 100 days, but he has expressed confidence, based on president: “I don’t comment on his childish remarks.” blazing a trail in the most diverse White House ever. As his 36 years in the Senate, that the chamber can do While Harris pushed back fiercely during the cam- running mate to incoming president Joe Biden, she two things at once. paign, in the past two months she rose above the fray, helped bring Donald Trump’s turbulent rule to an end, Two handout photo obtained on January 12, 2021 courtesy “I hope that the Senate leadership will find a way pivoting to plans she and Biden are unveiling to help rapping him during the campaign for his chaotic han- of Vogue, of US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in a to deal with their constitutional responsibilities on struggling families and fix a reeling economy. dling of the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s unrest Michael Kors Collection suit (left) and against colors impeachment while also working on the other urgent “The first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administra- over racial injustice and his crackdown on immigration. inspired by those of her Howard university sorority, Alpha business of this nation,” he said after the House vot- tion will focus on getting control of this pandemic- Harris, 56, enters the post already forging a Kappa Alpha, Kamala Harris (right) as she wears a Donald ed for impeachment. Biden suggested that the ensuring vaccines are distributed equitably and free unique path, as California’s first Black attorney gen- Deal jacket and Converse sneakers on the February 2021 Senate, under Democratic control beginning tomor- for all,” she tweeted Tuesday. eral and the first woman of South Asian heritage cover of Vogue magazine. —AFP row, might spend half-days on the trial and devote elected to the US Senate. the rest of its time to hearings to confirm Biden’s The decider As vice president, she will be a heartbeat away cabinet, a pressing priority. Those hearings begin While the vice president’s job is often seen as cere- from leading the United States. With Biden, 78, and 50 Republicans. Tuesday, in a Capitol that has taken on an almost monial, Harris will also be thrust into the powerful role expected to serve only a single term, Harris would be That means Harris may spend considerable time on wartime aspect after the chaos of January 6, as of ultimate decider in the US Senate. Thanks to two favored to win the Democratic nomination in 2024, Capitol Hill acting as the tie-breaking vote on legisla- thousands of police and National Guardsmen block shock Democratic run-off victories this month in giving her a shot at more history-making-as tion on anything from judicial nominees to Biden’s $1.9 streets and provide protection. —AFP Georgia, the Senate will be evenly split, 50 Democrats trillion stimulus plan. —AFP 6 Established 1961 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 International French Muslim council agrees on ‘principles’ sought by Macron ‘Charter of principles’ to eradicate sectarianism and extremism

PARIS: France’s Muslim federations agreed Sunday on a “charter of principles” requested by President Kremlin critic Navalny Emmanuel Macron in his bid to eradicate sectarianism and extremism. Macron urged the French Council of decries ‘mockery of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) to devise the charter in November, after the jihadist killing of a schoolteacher. The charter rejects “instrumentalizing” Islam for politi- justice’ at hearing cal ends and affirms equality between men and women, while denouncing practices such as female circumci- MOSCOW: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny sions, forced marriages or “virginity certificates” for said yesterday he was facing a “mockery of justice” as brides. It also explicitly rejects racism and anti- police in Moscow organized a makeshift court hearing Semitism, and warns that mosques “are not created for a day after his dramatic airport arrest. With calls the spreading of nationalist speech defending foreign growing in the West for Navalny’s release, he was regimes”. brought into a courtroom set up at the police station in “This charter reaffirms the compatibility of the Khimki on the outskirts of Moscow where he was tak- Muslim faith with the principles of the Republic, en following his detention on Sunday night. Aides said including secularism, and the commitment of French Navalny, who returned to Russia for the first time since Muslims to their complete citizenship,” CFCM being poisoned with a nerve agent in August, was President Mohammed Moussaoui said. In a statement denied access to his lawyers and notified at the last posted on Twitter, he added the charter would be minute of the hearing. His team released a video of an shared with imams and local leaders, “with a view to PARIS: Mohammed Moussaoui (second left), president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) makes a incredulous Navalny at the hearing. “I’ve seen a lot of the widest possible consultation and membership”. Its mockery of justice... but they have ripped up and formal adoption by the nine federations of the CFCM statement next to Chems-Eddine Hafiz, rector of Paris’ great Mosque (second right) and other CFCM representatives, including Assani Fassassi (left) after signing a “charter of principles” requested by President Macron. — AFP thrown away” Russia’s criminal code, Navalny said. opens the way to a vast restructuring of Islam in “This is impossible. It’s ultimate lawlessness.” France, particularly the creation of a National Council Police seized the 44-year-old, the most prominent of Imams (CNI) which will be responsible for “label- overcome our differences.” “I commend the work Turkey, Morocco and Algeria. Macron’s government is opponent of President Vladimir Putin, at a border con- ing” imams practicing in the country. undertaken by the French Muslim community which also pushing through legislation to combat “perni- trol post at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport less than Earlier, several member federations of the CFCM clearly condemns political Islam,” Darmanin said on cious” Islamist radicalism, which would tighten rules an hour after he returned to Russia, in defiance of had criticized the idea of a charter declaring Islam Twitter. on issues ranging from religious-based education to warnings he would be arrested. Russia’s FSIN prison compatible with French law and values-the first step The charter is part of Macron’s hopes to “liberate” polygamy. The move, along with the president’s service said it had detained Navalny for violating the toward creating the proposed CNI. But Moussaoui Islam from radicalized influences that encroach on defense of controversial cartoons has stoked anger terms of a suspended sentence he was given in 2014, and his two vice presidents hammered out an accord France’s strict secularism and which are blamed for a among many in the Muslim world who believe Macron on fraud charges he says were politically motivated. in a meeting with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. wave of jihadist killings in recent years. His govern- is unfairly targeting an entire religion. Navalny is also facing potential new criminal charges “There was an awareness that these disagreements ment has embarked on a crackdown against extremist Macron has rejected the claims, saying the law aims under a probe launched late last year by Russian were preventing the Muslim community from asserting mosques and associations, and plans to remove the to protect the country’s estimated four to five million investigators who say he misappropriated over $4 mil- itself,” Moussaoui said. “This awareness allowed us to roughly 300 imams in France sent to teach from Muslims, the largest number in Europe. — AFP lion worth of donations. Navalny emerged a decade ago as the leading critic of the Kremlin, with his Anti- the intensity of clashes cooled early yesterday. Pro-gov- Corruption Foundation publishing anti-graft investiga- 150 killed in Yemen ernment forces have suffered 27 fatalities and killed 44 tions that often reveal the lavish lifestyles of the rebels in countering “several assaults” by the rebels, two Russian elite. other pro-government sources said. Medics and rescue clashes near Hodeida workers said that military fatalities on the two sides had reached a total of 70 between Saturday and Sunday. Aid YEMEN: Some 150 Yemeni pro-government soldiers group Doctors Without Borders said on Twitter that its and Houthi rebels have been killed in a week of fighting team in the Mocha Trauma Hospital was engaging a south of the strategic port city of Hodeida, military “mass casualty plan” to respond to an influx of wound- sources said yesterday. Impoverished Yemen is mired in ed. “We are intensely worried for civilians living near the a devastating conflict between Iran-backed Houthi frontline areas,” it added, noting “intense fighting” along rebels and government forces backed by Saudi Arabia the southern Hodeida frontlines. In this file photo, a convoy of Sudanese security forces dur- that has left tens of thousands dead and sparked a dire It was not clear whether the latest bout of fighting had ing a rally in Al-Geneina, the capital of the West Darfur humanitarian crisis. The latest clashes in the Red Sea so far caused civilian casualties. In early January, five state. — AFP port city of Hodeida are the most violent since a truce women were killed by a shell when it hit a wedding hall negotiated in the area by the UN came into force in near Hodeida airport, located on the frontline. Yemen’s 2018. The rebels, who hold Hodeida, have attacked to the war has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions and, according to the UN, left 16 million on the brink of SANAA: Supporters of Yemen’s Houthi movement raise south of the city where pro-government forces maintain firearms as they chant slogans during a demonstra- Fears about Darfur positions, pro-government military sources said. famine. UN and EU officials and aid groups have warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis after outgoing US tion in front of the closed US Embassy, in the capital “The toll for losses on the two sides has reached Sanaa yesterday. — AFP after 130 killed in around 150 dead and 260 wounded,” an official of the President Donald Trump’s administration classified the pro-government forces told AFP. The toll was confirmed Houthi rebels “terrorists”. The designation is expected to halt many transactions with Houthi authorities, including He has repeatedly led large-scale street protests by a local official on the rebel side. The clashes had so against Putin, most recently in the summer of 2019, and days of fighting far not resulted in any territorial gains for the rebels, res- bank transfers and payments to medical personnel and for food and fuel, due to fears of US prosecution. — AFP was gearing up for another challenge to authorities idents said. After fierce fighting on Saturday and Sunday, during elections to the lower house State Duma in KHARTOUM: The latest inter-ethnic violence to rock September. He was evacuated to Germany after falling Sudan’s restive Darfur left 47 dead yesterday, after 83 violently ill on a flight over Siberia in August from what died in separate weekend clashes - and following short- Western experts eventually concluded was a poison- ly after a peacekeeping mission ended operations. With ing with Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok. at least 130 people killed in total, the recent violence is Navalny accused Putin of ordering the attack, a claim some of the worst reported since the signing of a peace the Kremlin vehemently denies. Russian police have agreement in October, which observers hoped would not opened an investigation citing a lack of evidence. end years of war. His arrest on Sunday drew widespread Western con- The bloodshed comes just over two weeks since the demnation, with the United States, European Union, hybrid United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur France and Canada all calling for his release. Others (UNAMID) ended operations in their long-running joined that call yesterday, with EU chief Ursula von der peacekeeping mission. While former rebel forces have Leyen saying Russian authorities should “immediately committed to lay down their weapons in the recent release him and ensure his safety”. —AFP political peace deal, decades of conflict have left the vast western region awash with weapons and divided by bitter rivalries. Key issues include land ownership and access to water. In South Darfur, fighting broke out early yester- Beijing likens Pompeo day between the powerful Arab Rizeigat tribe and the Fallata, a cattle and camel herding people who trace to a ‘mantis’ after their roots to the Fulani of western Africa. “The clashes between the Rizeigat tribe and the Fallata tribe have latest US sanctions stopped, and we have now counted 47 deaths,” local Fallata leader Mohamed Saleh told AFP. Saleh said that several homes were torched in the attack. SANAA: Supporters of Yemen’s Houthi movement raise firearms as they chant slogans during a demonstration in HONG KONG: China yesterday likened outgoing front of the closed US Embassy, in the capital Sanaa yesterday. — AFP Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to a “praying mantis” ‘Ugly face of war’ in a colorful condemnation of the latest US sanctions The fighting in South Darfur comes after at least 83 sparked by the mass arrest of Hong Kong pro-democ- people were killed in clashes between rival ethnic has meaning. “Above all, they feel that they have no way racy activists. Pompeo, one of the Trump administra- groups on Saturday and Sunday in El Geneina, the capi- Poland’s youngest of influencing what is happening right now,” she told tion’s most vociferous China hawks, has spent his final tal of West Darfur state. Sudanese authorities in AFP. The government has said it wants to bring more days in office unveiling a host of measures targeting Khartoum said they had sent a “high-profile” delegation return to school as children back but is starting with the youngest as it says Beijing ahead of Wednesday’s inauguration of to help contain the situation. The United Nations - a they are least likely to be infected and remote learning President-elect Joe Biden. Among them was fresh long-running presence in the nation - expressed deep for them is least effective. sanctions on six officials-including Hong Kong’s sole concerns on Sunday over the violence. depression rates grow “We are of course striving to get children back to representative to China’s top lawmaking body-in Sudan has been undergoing a fragile transition since school as soon as possible, as safely and securely as response to the recent arrest of 55 democracy the April 2019 ouster of president Omar Al-Bashir fol- possible for children, teachers and all school staff,” WARSAW: Poland’s youngest children returned to activists under a new security law. lowing mass protests against his rule. The Sudanese President Andrzej Duda said on Friday. school yesterday for the first time in over two months “Hong Kong’s development from chaos to stability Professionals Association, an umbrella group which Poland yesterday reported 3,271 new coronavirus but most pupils will remain in virtual classrooms as is unstoppable,” Beijing’s Hong Kong and Macau spearheaded protests against Bashir, said Sunday that cases and 52 additional deaths. experts warned of a growing psychological toll. Poland Affairs Office said in its first response to the sanctions the violence showed the “deficiencies” of the peace has seen some of the longest school closures in Europe yesterday. “People like Pompeo are nothing but laugh- agreement, which they said did not address the roots of ‘Stop-start-pause’ schooling able praying mantises who are trying in vain to stop the crisis in the region. due to Covid-19 but many parents are concerned that A ranking by the Insights for Education Foundation, children may be returning too soon. the rolling wheels of history.” The metaphor stems Darfur endured a bitter conflict that erupted in 2003, a Switzerland-based non-governmental group, shows from an old Chinese idiom that describes futility in leaving roughly 300,000 people dead and 2.5 million “I don’t like the idea of children going back to school. Polish schools have been closed for 128 days, putting it I’m worried about my son,” said Rafal Kazimierczak, 46, which a mantis tries to stop a chariot with its legs. displaced, according to the UN. The fighting erupted second in the EU after Romania with 140 days. The list Dismissing US sanctions as “a political trick when all when ethnic minority rebels rose up against the Arab- a sports journalist. is stopped by Panama, Bolivia and El Salvador with 295, “He’s only nine years old and too young to be other tricks are exhausted”, the office urged Pompeo dominated government in Khartoum, which responded 270 and 267 days of closed schools. to “wind up the show”-a reference to his impending by recruiting and arming a notorious Arab-dominated demanded to adhere to a strict sanitary regime. It’s Randa Grob-Zakhary, head of Insights for Education, impossible to maintain social distance.” Grades 1-3 are departure from office. militia known as the Janjaweed. The main conflict has said access to remote learning and the quality of that On Saturday the Hong Kong government slammed subsided over the years but ethnic and tribal clashes still returning to school for the first time since November 9. learning have been “very variable” around the world. Older primary schools, Grades 4-8, have been out of the sanctions as “insane, shameless and despicable”- flare periodically, largely pitting semi-nomadic Arab “The common assumption that school is dangerous has one of a host of recent statements from the business pastoralists against settled farmers. physical schools since October 26. Secondary schools not held up. There are ways that countries have shown and universities shut on October 19. Psychologist Beata hub’s authorities that channel the rhetoric used by the On Dec 31, the UNAMID force formally ended its 13 to safely and gradually return schools,” she said. “Poland authoritarian mainland. Hong Kong was convulsed by years of operations in the region. It plans a phased Trzesniewska said long periods away from the class- is showing this by re-introducing Grades 1-3.” Grob- room were having a negative effect. seven months of huge and often violent democracy withdrawal of its approximately 8,000 armed and civil- Zakhary said she believes there would be no “post- protests in 2019. China dismissed the protests and has ian personnel within six months. Fearing deadly vio- “Cases of depression among pupils and students are Covid period soon” and countries had to “help children going up,” she said. Children and students “are saying since overseen a widespread crackdown in the finan- lence, Darfur residents held protests in late December flourish alongside Covid and stop this stop-start-pause” cial hub, including imposing a draconian security law against UNAMID’s departure.—AFP they do not see the purpose of studying, have no inter- with school closures and re-openings. — AFP est in their current life, feel sad or bored or that nothing last year that criminalizes much dissent. —AFP Established 1961 7 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 International Handwritten note seeds hope for trapped China gold miners ‘Help us, we’re still alive’: A week after gold mine mishap

BEIJING: At least 12 gold miners trapped hundreds of meters underground in China for more than a week have News in brief sent up a note warning some are injured, water sur- rounds them and they urgently need medicine. Twenty- two workers became trapped more than 600 meters Latvia plans Russian-language ads from the mine’s entrance after a blast eight days ago at the mine near Qixia city in eastern Shandong province. RIGA, Latvia: Latvia’s health minister yesterday After days without any signs of life, rescuers heard said the government would boost a Russian-lan- knocking sounds on Sunday afternoon as they drilled guage information campaign on the safety of vac- through the mine’s shaft. A note was sent up on a line cines in order to improve low vaccination rates. from the depths below saying that at least a dozen of After visiting a hospital in the capital Riga, Daniels the miners were still alive, but pleading for help as their Pavluts said the situation was “very problematic” health and conditions deteriorate. “We are in urgent in Daugavpils, Latvia’s second city which has a need of medicine, painkillers, medical tape, external majority Russian-speaking population. Pavluts anti-inflammatory drugs, and three people have high said there was “disinformation” about vaccines in blood pressure,” the note read. The condition of the Russian-language media, as well as more global other ten workers is unknown. Four people were injured, “anti-vaxx propaganda”. “To address the disinfor- according to the note which was crumpled, water- mation in Russian, we are doubling our efforts on stained and scrawled in pencil on pages ripped out of a the information campaign, everything will also be notebook. “We wish the rescuers won’t stop so that we translated and available in Russian,” Pavluts told can still have hope. Thank you,” the note read. AFP. —AFP The writer of the note asked rescuers to send down some medication from his car, and warned that there QIXIA, China: This photo shows rescuers working at the site of gold mine explosion where 22 miners were trapped under- was a large amount of underground water where the ground in Qixia.— AFP miners are trapped. Footage from state broadcaster Italy PM struggles to save govt CCTV showed rescue workers cheering as the knock- The hashtag “Qixia gold mine incident” was viewed CCTV said. The explosion badly damaged the commu- ing sound was detected and later hurrying to read the 130 million times on popular social media site Weibo. “I nications system and exit ladder from the mine, which is ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte note which was taped to a line sunk below via a pneu- saw the note while I was watching the morning news owned by the Shandong Wucailong Investment Co. Ltd. was due to address parliament’s lower house yes- matic drill. and burst into tears,” one Weibo user wrote. Two officials have already been sacked over the terday at the start of a make-or-break week in a “I hope they will rescue the trapped workers as soon accident. Mining accidents are common in China, where crisis that could bring down his government. Hopes and tears as possible.” Some rescue workers wore fur hats to the industry has a poor safety record and regulations Against the backdrop of a coronavirus pandemic Footage showed rescuers sending a wire taped with keep off the cold while others appeared covered in dust are often weakly enforced. In December, 23 miners died that sparked fresh restrictions at the weekend, food and drinks down a small opening to the miners. and grime from the rescue operation. after being trapped in a mine in the southwestern city of Conte will seek a show of support with lawmakers Hopes of a miracle rescue after a days-long ordeal trig- Rescuers intend to drill multiple tunnels into the Chongqing-just months after 16 others died from car- ahead of a crucial vote in the upper Senate the gered an outpouring of sympathy and encouragement mine, to vent air as well as deliver supplies while work bon monoxide poisoning after being trapped under- following day. His coalition government, in power on Chinese social media. continues on bringing the miners back up to safety, ground at another coal mine in the city. —AFP since September 2019, was plunged into turmoil by the withdrawal last week of former premier Matteo Renzi’s Italia Viva party. Conte was to ‘Still trapped’ speak at midday to the Chamber of Deputies, Indonesian medics It was unclear how many people-dead or alive- where his coalition partners including the could be buried under mountains of debris, as res- Democratic Party (PD) and Five Star Movement cuers rushed to find survivors more than three days (M5S) have a majority of support. — AFP overwhelmed by after the disaster. Most of the 84 dead were found in Mamuju, but some bodies were also recovered south quake casualties of the city of 110,000 people in West Sulawesi province. At least 18 people had been pulled out of Malawi imposes first lockdown the rubble alive, including a pair of young sisters, MAMUJU, Indonesia: Medics battled exhaustion and according to official data. Police began using sniffer BLANTYRE, Malawi: Malawi is set to roll out a the risk of COVID-19 as they raced yesterday to treat dogs to help in the search at a badly damaged hospi- first set of anti-coronavirus restrictions this week, scores of people injured by a devastating earthquake tal, as body bags were filled with recovered corpses. the president said, after overruling a court ban on on Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island. At least 84 were killed “There are probably some people still trapped under lockdown measures to tackle a surge in cases. and thousands left homeless by the 6.2-magnitude the rubble,” search and rescue agency spokesman Unlike the rest of the continent, daily life had been quake that struck early Friday, reducing buildings to a Yusuf Latif said yesterday. unfolding normally in the southern African country PARIS: This file photo shows French Prime Minister tangled mass of twisted metal and chunks of concrete Meanwhile, about 30,000 people have taken since its High Court barred the government from Edouard Balladur (right) talking with Defense Minister in the seaside city of Mamuju. Doctors in hazard suits refuge at dozens of makeshift shelters-many little confining citizens to limit the spread of COVID-19. Francois Leotard during a meeting on national consultation treated patients with broken limbs and other injuries at more than makeshift tarpaulin tents filled with whole Judges ruled in April that insufficient measures of youth. — AFP a makeshift medical center set up outside the only one families. They said they were running low on food, were in place to cushion loss of livelihood in one of the city’s hospitals that survived relatively intact- blankets and other aid, as emergency supplies were of the world’s poorest countries, where most peo- one was flattened by the violent tremor. ple work informally. But Malawi, like many African A handful of doctors and nurses worked “non-stop” rushed to the hard-hit region. Friday’s tremor trig- Balladur on trial gered panic among residents of the island, which was states, is now grappling with an infection rise after in the first couple of days after the quake until rein- months of relatively low infection figures. — AFP forcements arrived, but it was still barely enough amid hit by a 2018 quake-tsunami that killed thousands. over ‘Karachi shortages of medicine and other supplies. “We were Many survivors of the latest disaster were unable completely overwhelmed at one point,” said Indahwati to return to their destroyed homes, or were too affair’ kickbacks Nursyamsi, director of West Sulawesi General scared to go back, fearing a tsunami sparked by Slovakia begins virus testing Hospital. “My nurses were also quake victims and had aftershocks, common after strong earthquakes. Hundreds have already fled camps in hard-hit to help their families.” Medics scrambled to quarantine BRATISLAVA, Slovakia: Slovakia yesterday Majene as rumors of a quake-tsunami rippled PARIS: Former French Prime Minister Edouard COVID-19 positive patients in a bid to prevent an out- began a new round of nationwide COVID-19 through a shelter there. “We were confused and Balladur goes on trial today on charges that he used break at the crowded open-air triage center. screening-a process aimed at easing curfew couldn’t check if that was true because there wasn’t kickbacks from arms deals in the 1990s to fund a Some with coronavirus have been put in a prayer restrictions for people who test negative. Tests will any Internet at the shelter,” said Ernawati, 38, who presidential bid, a case known as the “Karachi affair”. room-common in the Muslim majority nation-at the also serve as a basis for new localized restrictions Balladur, 91, joins a long list of senior French politi- back of the hospital. The hospital was trying to open fled to a town more than 100 kilometers away with a in the country’s 73 districts. “We have decided to cians pursued for alleged financial wrongdoing, up more rooms for surgery and erect additional tents dozen relatives. combine lockdown with massive testing,” Prime including former president Nicolas Sarkozy and his outside to treat the injured. But fears that another Fear of another disaster was certain to heap more Minister Igor Matovic told a press conference predecessor, Jacques Chirac. The conservative ex- quake could bring down the building added to the stress on survivors, said Jan Gelfand, head of the yesterday. “Subsequently, we will intervene in dis- premier will be tried by the Court of Justice of the challenges as patients, and some staff, refused to stay International Federation of Red Cross and Red tricts where it is necessary to get the situation Republic in Paris, a tribunal dedicated to hearing cas- inside. “There are patients who were scared and Crescent Societies Indonesia. “The physical impact under control,” he said. The latest tests will end on es of ministerial misconduct. pleaded to be taken out of the building,” Nursyamsi of this earthquake is terrifying, but we must not January 26. Also in the dock will be his former defense minister said. Nurse Agriani, 29, who came from a nearby dis- underestimate the debilitating psychological effect Francois Leotard, 78, though his presence at the trial’s trict to help, said she had been working day and night. this disaster is having on tens of thousands of people opening is uncertain because of illness. Balladur will “It’s tiring... but it’s part of my job as a nurse,” said the who fled their homes,” he said. “They are living with appear in court today “to face his judges and answer woman, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. the constant threat of another big quake.” —AFP Australia not to open border their questions,” his lawyer Felix de Belloy said. The two men were charged in 2017 with “complicity in the SYDNEY: Australia’s international borders are misuse of corporate assets” over the sale of sub- unlikely to open to travellers this year despite the marines to Pakistan and frigates to Saudi Arabia rollout of coronavirus vaccines, a top health offi- between 1993 and 1995, when Balladur was prime cial said yesterday. Health department secretary minister in the final years of Francois Mitterrand’s Brendan Murphy, a key adviser in Australia’s presidency. virus response, said free-flowing travel to and The kickbacks are estimated at 13 million francs, from the country was not expected to resume in now worth some 2.8-million-euros ($3.3 million), after 2021. “I think that we’ll go most of this year with accounting for inflation. The sum is believed to have still substantial border restrictions,” he told pub- included a cash injection of about 10 million francs to lic broadcaster ABC. “Even if we have a lot of the Balladur’s 1995 unsuccessful presidential campaign population vaccinated, we don’t know whether against Chirac. Balladur, who also has to answer to a that will prevent transmission of the virus. “And charge that he concealed the crimes, has denied any it’s likely that quarantine will continue for some wrongdoing, saying the 10 million francs came from time.” Australia’s border has been largely closed the sale of T-shirts and other items at campaign rallies. to overseas visitors since March 2020 to stem The claims came to light during an investigation into a the spread of COVID-19, with a limited number 2002 bombing in Karachi, Pakistan, which targeted a of citizens and their families allowed to return bus transporting French engineers. MAMUJU, Indonesia: A nurse treats a patient injured in the 6.2 magnitude earthquake at a makeshift ward outside West each week. — AFP Fifteen people were killed, including 11 engineers Sulawesi General Hospital due to concerns of aftershocks in Mamuju yesterday. — AFP working on the submarine contract. The Al-Qaeda ter- ror network was initially suspected of the attack. But the focus later shifted to the arms deal as investigators “To protect the lives and health of the Japanese stressed the need to balance infection measures considered whether the bombing may have been Japan PM vows people... I will get the situation back to normal as against economic impact, but was slammed for con- revenge for Chirac’s decision to halt the commission soon as possible,” Suga said in a policy address to tinuing to back a domestic travel campaign even as payments for the arms deals shortly after he beat the Diet as it opened for a 150-day session. The infection rates spiked. He said yesterday his govern- Balladur in the presidential vote. to tackle virus greater Tokyo region and several other parts of ment would soon submit legislation intended to Leotard is accused of having created an “opaque Japan are under a virus state of emergency set to toughen the rules during a state of emergency- network” of intermediaries for the contracts signed with TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last until February 7, but the government has been including allowing fines for businesses that flout clo- Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The ex-premier also stands pledged yesterday to tackle surging coronavirus cases accused of waiting too long to impose the measure sure requests. charged with instructing the budget ministry-led at the and restore normal life “as soon as possible” as polls and sending mixed messaging on the situation. A Reports suggest the government may also seek time by Sarkozy-to approve state guarantees for “defi- showed plunging support for his government. Suga, weekend survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper legal changes that would allow fines or even prison cient or underfunded” contracts, because of the alleged who was speaking at the opening of a new parliament showed approval for Suga’s cabinet sank six per- sentences for those who refuse hospitalization or kickbacks. Investigators say that cash deposits in session, has only been in office since September, but centage points from December to 39 percent, contact tracing after testing positive with the virus. Balladur’s campaign fund coincided with trips to has seen approval ratings nosedive over his govern- against a disapproval rate of 49 percent. Despite the recent spike, Japan has so far seen a Switzerland by Ziad Takieddine, a Lebanese-French ment’s handling of a third wave of infections. The latest The latest readings compare with a 74 percent comparatively small COVID-19 outbreak, with intermediary who has long been active in French wave in Japan and abroad has also cast doubt on approval rating for his government in the same sur- around 4,500 deaths overall. The government has rightwing circles. Takieddine fled to Lebanon last June whether the pandemic-postponed Tokyo 2020 vey when he took office in September. A poll from secured sufficient vaccine doses for all its 126 million after a Paris court sentenced him and another middle- Olympics can go ahead this year, but Suga repeated private broadcaster ANN over the weekend showed residents, but so far just Pfizer has applied for man, Abdul Rahman El-Assir, to five years in prison over he was still committed to holding the Games as “proof similar results, with approval dropping to 34.8 per- approval, and the jabs are not expected to start until their role in the “Karachi” kickbacks.—AFP of mankind’s victory over the virus”. cent from December. Suga’s government has late February. — AFP Established 1961 Business TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021 Samsung chief jailed for 2.5 years over corruption scandal Conviction after Lee Jae-yong was found guilty of bribery and embezzlement

SEOUL: The de facto chief of South Korea’s Samsung South Korea’s economic health. Its rise has been driven him a suspended sentence, but the Supreme Court later business empire was convicted yesterday over a huge by a willingness to invest billions in strategic bets on key ordered the 52-year-old to face a retrial. In May, Lee corruption scandal and jailed for two-and-a-half years, technologies. But experts say the sentence will create a made a rare public apology, bowing before flashing in a ruling that deprives the tech giant of its top deci- leadership vacuum that could hamper its decision-mak- cameras for company misconduct including the firm’s sion-maker. Lee Jae-yong, vice-chairman of Samsung ing on future large-scale investments. “It’s really a huge controversial plan for him to ascend to the leadership. Electronics, the world’s biggest smartphone and memo- blow and a big crisis for Samsung,” said Kim Dae-jong, a His own children, he promised, would not succeed him ry chip maker, was found guilty of bribery and embez- business professor at Sejong University. Samsung in top management roles at the company. Both Lee’s zlement in connection with the scandal that brought Electronics, the group’s flagship subsidiary, declined to father Lee Kun-hee and grandfather-Samsung founder down president Park Geun-hye. Lee “actively provided comment yesterday ruling. Like many tech firms, its Lee Byung-chull-had brushes with the law themselves but bribes and implicitly asked the president to use her shares have risen significantly during the coronavirus never served time behind bars. In the past, leaders of power to help his smooth succession” at the head of pandemic, more than doubling from their lows in March, South Korean conglomerates convicted of crimes such as the sprawling conglomerate, the Seoul Central District but closed down 3.4 percent yesterday. tax evasion or bribery have been given presidential par- Court said in its verdict. SEOUL: Lee Jae-yong (center), vice chairman of Samsung dons in recognition of their economic role. The Federation “It is very unfortunate that Samsung, the country’s Electronics, arrives at a court for a trial in his bribery scan- Public apology of Korean Industries said in a statement: “Considering top company and proud global innovator, is repeatedly dal involving former South Korean president Park Geun-hye The case centers on millions of dollars the Samsung Samsung’s share of the Korean economy and its status as involved in crimes whenever there is a change in politi- in Seoul yesterday. — AFP group paid Park’s secret confidante Choi Soon-sil, a global company, the ruling is feared to have a negative cal power.” It jailed him for two and a half years, con- allegedly for government favors including ensuring a impact on the overall Korean economy.” Lee, it added, cluding a retrial that was the latest step in a long-run- “This is essentially a case where the freedom and smooth transition for Lee to succeed his then-ailing “has been helping to sustain the Korean economy by ning legal process that has hung over Samsung for property rights of a company were violated by the for- father. The scandal highlighted shady connections spearheading bold investment and job creation amid the years. The multi-billionaire Lee-who had earlier walked mer president’s abuse of power,” Lee’s lawyer, Lee In- between big business and politics in South Korea, with economic crisis over the coronavirus”. Earlier this month, into court grim-faced and wearing a facemask, without jae, told reporters. “Given the nature of the matter, I find the ousted president and her friend accused of taking Samsung Electronics flagged a jump of more than 25 per- responding to reporters’ shouted questions-was imme- the court’s ruling regrettable.” Samsung is by far the bribes from corporate bigwigs in exchange for preferen- cent in fourth quarter operating profits, citing benefits diately taken into custody. He has effectively been at biggest of the family-controlled conglomerates, or chae- tial treatment. Lee was first jailed for five years in 2017, from pandemic-induced working from home that boosted the head of the entire Samsung group for several years bols, that dominate business in the world’s 12th-largest after Park’s ouster. demand for devices powered by its chips. Analysts fore- after his father was left bedridden by a heart attack, economy. Its overall turnover is equivalent to a fifth of He walked free the following year when an appeals cast a stable outlook for the company in 2021, driven by finally dying in October. the national gross domestic product and it is crucial to court dismissed most of his bribery convictions and gave continued demand for memory chips.—AFP

tourists will be allowed to stay in 55 designated Sri Lanka to welcome hotels-off limits to locals except for staff-across the Parler could return country. Visitors will be required to produce a negative back tourists, but with result from a PCR test taken up to four days before to App Store with their arrival. They must undergo two more tests for a strict COVID rules visit of up to seven days, and three tests if they stay reforms: Cook for more than a week. Tourists are also required to fork out $12 for insur- COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will reopen its borders to for- ance that will cover up to $50,000 in Covid-19 related WASHINGTON: Parler, the social network popular eign tourists this week after a 10-month hiatus, offi- medical costs. For the first two weeks of their visit, among conservatives, could return to Apple’s App cials said yesterday, with travellers subject to tough they will have to be accompanied by officials when Store if it changes how it moderates posts on the plat- COVID-19 protocols. The announcement came despite travelling to designated tourism spots. Those who test form, the tech giant’s CEO Tim Cook said Sunday. a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths, as authorities positive during their stay will be isolated in their hotel Apple suspended all downloads of the Parler app fol- sought to revive a once-lucrative tourism sector dev- rooms if they are asymptomatic, and taken to a hospi- lowing the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, cit- AUSTIN, Texas: In this file photo Apple CEO Tim Cook speak to the press during a tour of the Flextronics computer manufac- astated by the deadly 2019 Easter bombings and the tal if they show symptoms. ing postings on the platform that could incite further pandemic. violence. Google and Amazon also cut ties with the turing facility, with US President Donald Trump, where Apple’s Passengers who have spent up to two weeks in Mac Pros are assembled in Austin, Texas.— AFP “Every precautionary measure has been set in Britain before arriving will not be allowed to enter the company. Speaking to Fox News Sunday, Cook justi- place to make the island getaway as safe, secure and country, and flights from the UK remain banned in an fied suspending Parler, favored by supporters of serene as possible for visitors,” the Sri Lanka Tourism effort to keep out a more contagious coronavirus vari- President Donald Trump. “We looked at the incitement “I felt like I was in some sort of alternate reality,” he Promotion Bureau said in a statement, with borders ant. Officials did not say if more airlines would resume to violence that was on there, and we don’t consider said. “This could not be happening.” The day Apple due to open on Thursday. The sun-soaked island services to Sri Lanka. that free speech and incitement to violence has an suspended downloads for Parler, it was the top-down- nation, famous for its picturesque beaches, last month Qatar Airways, Emirates and several other airlines intersection,” Cook said. loaded app from the App Store in the US. Google has welcomed some 1,700 Ukrainian tourists on charter currently operate repatriation and transit flights. Parler sued Amazon yesterday after Amazon Web also banned downloads of the app. Parler, which flights in a “pilot project to test our systems”, the gov- National carrier SriLankan Airlines has also been fly- Services cut off the platform’s access to internet launched in 2018, operates much like Twitter, with pro- ernment said. ing on a limited schedule. Sri Lanka has seen a surge in servers. Parler alleged Amazon was violating antitrust files to follow and “parleys” instead of tweets. Sri Lanka is also currently hosting the England virus cases since October, with the total number of laws and acting to help social rival Twitter, which also In its early days, the platform attracted a crowd of cricket team for a two-Test series, with the matches infections passing 53,000 and deaths rising to over has banned Trump for language that could incite vio- ultraconservative and even extreme-right users. But played behind closed doors. Under the protocols, 260 from just 13 in October. — AFP lence In Apple’s case, “we’ve only suspended them,” more recently, it has signed up many more traditional Cook said. “So, if they get their moderation together, Republican voices. “We have an app store that has they would be back on” the App Store. Parler’s popu- about two million apps in it,” said Cook. “We obviously larity skyrocketed after Twitter permanently banned don’t control what’s on the internet. But we’ve never Trump following the Capitol attack, which Cook called viewed that our platform should be a simple replica- “one of the saddest moments of my life” and “an attack tion of the internet. “We have rules and regulations on our democracy.” and we just ask that people abide by those.” — AFP

The coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic Algeria’s crude downturn hit oil prices hard, battering the economies of producer nations. Oil income to Algeria’s treasury were down 31 per- oil revenues cent year-on-year, the energy ministry said. The International Monetary Fund forecasts that Algeria, tumbled in 2020 Africa’s fourth-largest economy, will see a 5.2 percent recession in 2020, along with one of the highest budg- et deficits in the region. Algeria’s finance law for 2021 ALGIERS, Algeria: Algeria’s oil revenues collapsed allows for foreign exchange reserves to dip to less in 2020, according to energy ministry figures released than $47 billion, before a gradual recovery in the fol- Sunday, exacerbating an economic crisis in the North lowing two years. Algeria has long been opposed to African country which is heavily dependent on crude borrowing from foreign lenders, but some experts say income. “The overall volume of hydrocarbon exports it may be forced to do so. Widespread unemployment reached 82.2 million tons of oil equivalent in 2020, for and accusations of official corruption were key drivers a value of $20 billion, a decrease of 11 percent and 40 of the country’s long-running Hirak protest movement People watch an elephant standing behind an electric fence marking the boundary of a wildlife sanctuary in percent respectively compared to 2019,” the ministry Udawalawe. — AFP which swept autocrat Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power said in a statement cited by state news agency APS. in 2019. — AFP

national security reasons had been lifted. Kampala was under police guard Monday in what the dence is surrounded by police and soldiers. Uganda Uganda eases Internet “The Internet has been restored. Other platforms opposition leader called a “raid” by security forces. police spokesman Fred Enanga said yesterday that 55 are still under review,” spokesman Ofwono Opondo “Museveni, after committing the most vile election people had been arrested over the election period for told AFP. “We shall go full throttle depending on what fraud in history, has resorted to the most despicable “violent acts” including blocking highways and dam- shutdown imposed happens in the initial phase of opening connectivity... forms of intimidation,” Wine tweeted. aging property. “Though the polls were peaceful and a We advise Internet users, especially those from the His lawyer, Benjamin Katana, said he tried to visit success, there were criminal elements that wanted to over election opposition, not to use it to promote hate messages, his client yesterday but was denied permission. Wine cause violence,” he said, adding the accused would threats” and intimidation. last left his home to vote on Thursday, and his resi- face court.—AFP

KAMPALA: Internet was partially restored in ‘Planned in advance’ Uganda yesterday almost five days after a near-total Social media access remained patchy in the capital blackout was imposed across the East African coun- Kampala, where millions of Internet users have been try ahead of elections the opposition says were unable to send emails, search the web, or use rigged. The gradual easing of Internet curbs came as Facebook, WhatsApp and other communication plat- police announced dozens of arrests for alleged elec- forms for the better part of a week. NetBlocks, a non- tion-related violence, and surrounded the headquar- governmental organisation that tracks Internet shut- ters of the main opposition party whose leader is downs, said network data showed a rise in connectivity effectively under house arrest. in Uganda to 37 percent after all but core infrastruc- President Yoweri Museveni extended his 35 years in ture, regulatory and government networks were power in January 14’s election, securing a sixth term switched off. with 58.6 percent of the vote. His main rival, musician- “This suggests that Uganda’s election shutdown, or turned-lawmaker Bobi Wine, came a distant second at least the procedure under which it was implement- with 34.8 percent. Wine has rejected the results, and ed, was planned some time in advance. This has been decried the election as a sham. one of the more orderly nation-scale network black- A government spokesman said an unprecedented outs we’ve tracked,” NetBlocks told AFP. The head- KAMPALA: People using Internet on phones at a taxi waiting area minutes after the Uganda Communication Commission, a Internet shutdown imposed on January 13 for alleged quarters of Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) in body responsible for communications in Uganda, restored the Internet in Kampala, Uganda, yesterday. — AFP Established 1961 9 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Business ECB to hold course as virus clouds economic outlook Governing council may leave ultra-loose monetary policy unchanged FRANKFURT: A resurgence in the coronavirus pan- concern”, she said, if member states had to extend their marked the end of a six-month sales tax cut in Germany, demic and a bumpy start to vaccination drives are likely shutdowns beyond March. the EU’s largest economy, that had dragged on inflation. to weigh on the minds of European Central Bank gover- “The return of inflation could be one of the biggest nors when they meet on Thursday, but they are expected ‘Inflation surprise’ surprises in 2021,” said ING bank economist Carsten to stop short of taking fresh action. The ECB’s 25-mem- Under Lagarde, the central bank has unleashed Brzeski. ECB executive board member Isabel Schnabel ber governing council is likely to leave its ultra-loose unprecedented support to steer the eurozone through however has said any such boost would be temporary monetary policy unchanged after injecting more stimulus the health crisis, while also urging governments to do and that a sustained increase in inflation “is likely to only into the battered eurozone economy at last month’s their bit through fiscal stimulus. Alongside the emer- emerge very slowly”. meeting. The Frankfurt institution bulked up its pandemic gency bond purchases, the ECB has kept interest rates at “That is why it would not significantly influence our emergency bond-buying program (PEPP) by 500-bil- record-low levels, and it is still buying 20-billion-euros monetary policy decisions, which are oriented towards a lion-euros ($600 billion) to 1.85-trillion-euros ($2.23 bil- ($24 billion) a month in corporate and government debt medium-term horizon,” she said. At Thursday’s press lion) and prolonged the scheme until March 2022. It also PARIS: File photo shows President of the European Central under a pre-pandemic asset purchasing scheme. The conference, former French finance minister Lagarde is announced more ultra-cheap loans for banks. Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde holds her smartphone as she bond purchases are aimed at keeping borrowing costs likely to also be quizzed about the recent strength of the “Policymakers will be happy to sit out the meeting... attends the One Planet Summit, part of World Nature Day, at low to encourage spending and investment, in a bid to euro against the dollar. “The currency remains a concern and repeat the mantra that they will do whatever is the Reception Room of the Elysee Palace, in Paris. — AFP bolster growth and drive up inflation. for the ECB as it could add to deflationary pressures and required to support the eurozone through the pandem- But inflation has stayed stubbornly low for years and hurt the recovery,” said HSBC economist Fabio Balboni. ic,” said Andrew Kenningham at Capital Economics. Covid-19 vaccines, especially in the European Union, even turned negative in 2020. By the ECB’s own esti- A stronger euro makes imports cheaper, keeping the Their main concern, he said, would be the impact of the have further fuelled fears that the pandemic could wreak mates, eurozone inflation will gradually inch up to 1.4 lid on consumer prices, while exports become less com- pandemic on hopes for an economic rebound in the first havoc for longer. percent by 2023, still far off the bank’s target of just petitive, hurting growth prospects. “There is arguably quarter of 2021. Many European governments are reim- The ECB in December forecast economic growth in under two percent. In December, inflation held steady at little the ECB can do about it,” said Pictet Wealth posing tough restrictions to contain a second wave of the 19-nation euro area at 3.9 percent in 2021, after a fall minus 0.3 percent. Analysts say inflation could bound Management strategist Frederik Ducrozet. “Although Covid-19 cases, compounded by the emergence of new, estimated at 7.3 percent in 2020. ECB chief Christine higher later this year, fuelled by pent-up consumer there is more they could say, for instance putting grow- more contagious strains in Britain and South Africa. Lagarde recently said she had “no reasons to believe our demand once the lockdowns start easing, particularly in ing emphasis on their tolerance for inflation overshoot in Smaller-than-expected deliveries of the first batches of forecast is wrong at this point”. But it would become “a travel and restaurant sectors. The start of 2021 also the future.”— AFP Major firms urge Japan to bolster 2030 renewables goal

TOKYO: Major firms including Sony, Panasonic and Nissan yesterday urged the Japanese government to make its 2030 renewable energy target twice as ambi- tious. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last year set a 2050 deadline for Japan to become carbon-neutral, but the country’s shorter term renewables goal has long been criticized as lagging. Japan currently aims to source between 22 and 24 percent of its power from solar, wind and other renewables by 2030, a target set three years ago and soon to be reassessed as the government revis- es its energy strategy. A group of 92 corporations known as the Japan Climate Initiative yesterday urged ministers to double this goal to 40-50 percent. Many of Japan’s biggest firms, from Fujifilm to Toshiba, as well as household names in insurance, elec- tricity and food and drink, signed the petition. “In order for Japan to meet its responsibilities to be one of the leaders in global efforts (against climate change), the tar- get needs to be much more ambitious,” they said in a statement. “An ambitious target will stimulate renewable energy deployment, and Japanese companies will be able to play a greater role in the global business envi- ronment, where decarburization is accelerating.” Japan’s renewable energy use was around 17 per- DUSSELDORF, Germany: This file photo shows a general view of passengers lining up for check-in at Frankfurt International Airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, cent in 2017. And by some estimates it may have amid the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.— AFP already hit its 2030 target last year, due to a combina- tion of growth in the green energy sector and a pan- still between April and June during the first coron- At the same time, he said he expects 2021 traffic to demic-related fall in demand. The country ploughed Frankfurt airport avirus lockdown, “with weekly passenger figures reach only 35 to 45 percent of 2019’s passenger num- $16.5 billion into renewable energy in 2019, according plummeting by up to 98 percent year-on-year”, bers, in a “difficult year”. Cargo traffic was a rare to a UN report-making it the world’s fourth biggest Fraport said. bright spot in 2020, Schulte said. Freight dropped by investor in the sector, but still far behind China, the traffic drops to Traffic at the hub recovered in the third quarter of just 8.3 percent. Germany’s largest travel companies United States and Europe. However, Japan is still heavi- 2020, but then fell again as restrictions intensified on have been hardest hit by the health crisis. ly reliant on fossil fuels, especially after public anger lowest since 1984 a resurgence of the virus late in the year, the company Flag carrier Lufthansa and Europe’s largest tour over the 2011 Fukushima meltdown pushed all its said. In December alone, passenger traffic was down operator TUI have been forced to tap multi-billion nuclear reactors temporarily offline. It has struggled to 82 percent year-on-year to just over 890,000 people. euro aid programs from the German government to cut carbon emissions since the disaster, with a third of FRANKFURT: The operator of Frankfurt airport “The year 2020 brought extreme challenges to the sustain them through the collapse in demand. Shares total electricity generation provided by coal, and nearly said yesterday that passenger numbers in 2020 entire aviation industry,” Fraport chief executive in Lufthansa and TUI fell in morning trade yesterday 40 percent by LNG-fired plants. — AFP plunged to their lowest since the 1980s as the coron- Stefan Schulte said. In the summer, the company said on the back of tightening restrictions introduced on avirus pandemic devastated the travel sector. it would cut 3,000 to 4,000 jobs, or around 15 per- travel to Britain. All arrivals to the UK will have to Germany’s largest airport recorded 18.8 million pas- cent of its workforce. The Fraport boss stressed that quarantine and show negative tests for COVID-19 sengers in 2020, a decline of 73 percent compared recent vaccination rollouts will lift the company’s for- from yesterday, after the government scrapped “travel with the year before, Fraport said, hitting lows not tunes, and he believes “Frankfurt’s passenger traffic corridors” from countries with lower caseloads fol- seen since 1984. Air traffic came to a complete stand- will rebound noticeably in the second half of 2021”. lowing the emergence of new virus strains. — AFP Tunisian assets in Swiss banks to TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga drinks from a glass of water during his policy speech at the opening stay blocked session of the lower house of parliament in Tokyo. — AFP

GENEVA: The bulk of the assets of Tunisia’s former president and his family held in Swiss accounts will Spain court drops stay blocked even after a 10-year freeze ends next week, the government said Sunday. Swiss officials tycoon probe over froze the accounts of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his entourage on January 19, 2011, five days after he fled supermarket buy the country following a popular uprising. Most of those assets were frozen both by a Swiss government order, which can last up to 10 years, and in response to MADRID: A Spanish court yesterday said it had a request from Tunisia for under a system known as dropped an investigation into Russian tycoon Mikhail mutual legal assistance. “That means that, on January Fridman’s 2019 purchase of Spain’s Dia supermarket 19, 2021, the blocking based on the first (Swiss) level chain. The court did not say why it dismissed the will no longer exist,” the foreign ministry told AFP. investigation into the Kremlin-friendly oligarch, one of “But the great majority of the assets will still be Russia’s richest men who acquired a controlling stake blocked as part of the process of mutual assistance” in the struggling supermarket chain in May 2019. The hostile takeover by Fridman’s Luxembourg-based TOULOUSE, France: A Deliveroo food delivery scooter drives through a deserted Place Saint Pierre in the city of orders, the ministry added. Ben Ali fled Tunisia to Toulouse. — AFP Saudi Araba, where he later died in 2019, aged 83, investment company LetterOne followed a bitter dis- having been convicted in Tunisia in his absence of pute with Dia’s former management during which its homicide, torture and corruption. The Swiss campaign share price slumped. “valuing the business at over $7 billion”. “This invest- group Public Eye estimates that he and his family Five months later, Spain’s National Court opened an Deliveroo targets ment comes ahead of a potential initial public offering transferred $320 million (265 million euros) to Swiss investigation into claims LetterOne acted in a “coordi- and reflects strong demand... given the significant banks during the 2000s. The ministry’s statement nated and concerted way” to lower Dia’s share price growth potential in the online food delivery sector in comes a day after a Tunisian official told AFP the so he could buy it, raising suspicions of market manip- $7bn valuation which consumer adoption is accelerating,” it said. country could lose millions in the Swiss accounts ulation. When LetterOne first bought into Dia in 2017, No date was set for the IPO, but Bloomberg News belonging to the former president and his family. The the chain’s shares were worth 4.50 euros but when it for upcoming IPO said it was expected in or around April. London-based Swiss have reportedly demanded documents to prove launched its takeover bid, it offered 0.67 euros per Deliveroo works with 140,000 restaurants in 800 the funds are indeed illegal, before they could return it share. Known as a ruthless operator who is notoriously cities to deliver meals to customers’ homes, and has to Tunisia’s government. Swiss authorities also want to litigious, Fridman has always strenuously defended his LONDON: British meals delivery company Deliveroo, seen demand soar in line with other home-delivery know the legal status of members of the Ben Ali clan, own interests, insisting he was one of the main “vic- boosted by demand during the coronavirus pandemic, companies as much of the world has been subject to many of whom faced warrants and trials in Tunisia for tims” of Dia’s financial troubles. The same court also said Sunday it was targeting a stock market listing after lockdowns to tackle the pandemic. But its business has corruption, the source said. The authorities have failed dropped a similar investigation into Fridman’s affairs a fundraising round valued the company at more than come under scrutiny, including in France and Spain, as to compile the information due to political instability in last month, following allegations he acted to bring $7.0 billion. Deliveroo said in a statement that it had its freelance delivery riders complain of exploitative Tunisia, which has seen nine governments since 2011, down the value of Zed Worldwide, a Spanish digital raised more than $180 million from its existing investors, practices. — AFP the source added.—AFP entertainment firm.—AFP 10 Established 1961 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Business China GDP grows at slowest pace in more than four decades in 2020 First country to bounce back from virus-induced economic downturn

BEIJING: China’s GDP grew at the slowest pace in Recovery ‘not yet firm’ more than four decades in 2020, official data NBS commissioner Ning Jizhe told reporters showed yesterday, but it was still expected to be the foundation for China’s economic recovery “is the only major economy to grow at all after a still not yet firm”. “There are many uncertainties in strong rebound from the coronavirus crisis. the changing dynamics of the pandemic, as well as COVID-19, which has ravaged the world econo- the external environment,” he said. According to my, first emerged in central China in late 2019. But the latest data, industrial production grew 2.8 per- the world’s second-largest economy also became cent on-year for 2020, slowing further from previ- the first to bounce back after imposing strict lock- ous years. downs and virus control measures. The National Retail sales, whose recovery has lagged behind Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said last year was a that of industrial activity, shrank 3.9 percent for “grave and complex environment both at home and the full year with consumers wary of spending as abroad” with the pandemic having a “huge the pandemic lingered. impact”. This marks the first contraction in retail sales The 2.3 percent expansion in 2020 was a since 1968, underscoring difficulties amid China’s marked slowdown from 2019’s revised growth of push to rebalance its economy with domestic con- 6.0 percent-itself already the lowest in decades- sumption as the main driver. But the urban unem- with the country hit by weak domestic demand ployment rate remained at 5.2 percent, and Ning and trade tensions. But it is better than that fore- said the number of newly-employed in urban cast by an AFP poll of analysts from 13 financial areas was more than 11 million-exceeding the tar- institutions, who had predicted a 2.0 percent get of nine million. However, experts have cau- expansion. tioned unemployment could be higher than official In the last three months of 2020, China’s eco- figures suggest due to the large numbers of peo- nomic rebound continued with a better-than- ple in China’s informal workforce. expected 6.5 percent growth on-year, a sustained “The strengthening momentum of China’s eco- improvement since the second quarter. This brings nomic rebound during the fourth quarter of 2020 it back to a pre-pandemic trajectory, although full- reflected improving private consumption expen- A woman crosses a street in the central business district (CBD) of Beijing yesterday. —AFP year 2020 growth is still its worst performance diture as well as buoyant net exports,” Rajiv since a 1.6 contraction in 1976, the year Chairman Biswas, IHS Markit’s Asia-Pacific chief econo- China, said “when China can achieve a complete China and some economies remains if the US does Mao Zedong died. mist, said. He added exports were helped by recovery is still an open question”, given that not remove some measures.” New government That was two years before former leader Deng rebounding orders from the United States and without fiscal and monetary stimulus, the econo- restrictions due to local COVID-19 outbreaks Xiaoping set in motion a shift away from commu- Europe, including shipments of medical equip- my would not have recovered at such a pace. She could also hamper first quarter growth this year, nist-style central planning, turning China into an ment during the pandemic. added: “The risk of a technology war between said Louis Kuijs of Oxford Economics. —AFP industrial, trade and tech powerhouse. But Iris Pang, ING chief economist for Greater

Kuwaiti to be selected as one of the influential role in supporting the KIB appoints Manal women leaders in the business and Islamic finance aspiring Kuwaiti youth as sector in 2020 by Cambridge Islamic Finance it strives to continuously Advisory, where Al-Rubaian ranked 45th among develop its human capital Al-Rubaian as Dy GM 300 leading women in the same field worldwide. by scouting local talents CBK bonds and In a statement, KIB pointed out that having tal- with outstanding experi- of internal audit dept ented and experienced executives like Al-Rubaian is ence in the banking sec- related Tawarruq essential for consolidating the Bank’s position tor, with the aim of fulfill- KUWAIT: As part of its efforts to tap into the among other local banks, stressing that the Bank is ing its new policy of KUWAIT: The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) national talent pool and leverage local expertise, on track to achieve its long-term and short-term Kuwaitizing senior man- announced the most recent issues of CBK bonds Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced the objectives of managing internal audit and running agement positions as per and related Tawarruq at a total value of KD 240 appointment of Manal Adnan Al-Rubaian as Deputy control and governance operations, as well as the Central Bank’s million for three months with rate of return at General Manager of the Internal Audit Department. improving the overall control environment . instructions. The Bank is Manal Al-Rubaian 1.125 percent. Al-Rubaian brings a wealth of experience to her new The Bank stated that Al-Rubaian’s competence is also keen to capitalize on role of managing the internal audit team, and will be the result of many years of experience in managing the strengths and talents tasked with identifying, measuring and monitoring internal audit work in line with the highest quality of existing employees by offering intensive programs internal audit programs. Besides providing recom- standards. It also serves to note that Al-Rubaian had and training courses that boost their performance. mendations and guidance aimed at upgrading KIB’s chosen KIB’s transformation into an Islamic bank as It is worth mentioning that Manal Al-Rubaian European stocks operations, Al-Rubaian will play a key role in estab- a topic for her Master’s thesis in 2013 at Gulf graduated from Kuwait University where she lishing and strengthening risk management, internal University in Bahrain, which was published in the majored in Mathematics and minored in Accounting. control and governance. International Journal of Management and She holds a postgraduate diploma in Islamic Finance steady amid Biden Al-Rubaian joins KIB with over 12 years of expe- Information Technology (IJMIT), entitled: Evaluating from the same university with a senior project enti- rience in Islamic finance. Most recently, she held the the Performance of Kuwait International Bank “An tled: “Internal Audit and Shari’a Control in Islamic stimulus doubts position of Head of Internal Audit at Al-Rajhi Bank in analytical study of the effects of the convert from the Banks (Integration and Coherence)”. Al-Rubaian’s Kuwait, after having served as Senior Auditor at conventional system to a full-fledged Islamic sys- professional profile boasts a number of prestigious LONDON: European stock markets steadied yes- Kuwait Finance House (KFH) and Internal Auditor at tem”. In her research paper, Al-Rubaian demon- training courses and professional certificates, terday amid doubts over the passage of US Boubyan Bank, Kuwait. Al Rubaian received strates a deep understanding of KIB’s business poli- including the Internal Audit Practitioner from the President-elect Joe Biden’s flagship stimulus policy. Commemorative Coins from Governor of Central cy - an asset that will help her contribute towards Institute of Internal Auditors, as well as Islamic Nearing the half-way mark, London’s benchmark Bank of Kuwait marking her outstanding efforts and reflecting the Bank’s ambitions to achieve success in Specialist in Sharia Audit (CISSA) from the FTSE 100 index was down 0.3 precent, Paris flat- achievements and academic research in the field of the near future. Authority General Council for Islamic Banks and lined and Frankfurt added 0.2 percent. internal auditing in Kuwait. She is also the first In its statement, KIB also highlighted its dynamic Financial Institutions (CIBAFI). Asia mostly closed lower following a recent rally, though Hong Kong and Shanghai rose on data showing China’s economy expanded a forecast- beating 2.3 percent last year. Eurostar urges state While the reading was the weakest in four decades, it showed growth was picking up again after a devastating start to 2020 as swathes of the support as virus country were shut down to contain the deadly coronavirus. wipes out train traffic The dollar traded mixed, Bitcoin held steady and oil prices declined, while most US markets were LONDON: Eurostar, whose train services through the shut for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Focus is turning Channel Tunnel have been decimated by the coronavirus to Biden’s inauguration tomorrow and hopes that his pandemic, has called on the UK government to provide it with the same financial support handed to grounded massive spending plan can get through Congress. airlines over concerns about a possible collapse. Christophe Fanichet, a senior executive from SNCF, Stimulus concerns the French state railway and part-owner of Eurostar, said “European markets have stumbled into a new on Friday that the London-based company was in “a week, with Biden’s stimulus promises doing little to very critical” state after a collapse in travel between help sentiment given doubts over just how much of Britain and the European continent. And following a call that package will be approved in Congress,” said by British businesses for a UK government rescue of Joshua Mahony, senior market analyst at online London-based Eurostar, the company on Monday reit- traders IG. “With the US markets closed for Martin erated the need for support. Luther King day, today provides a gentle entry into “We are encouraged by the (British) government a week that will be dominated by the US. backed loans that have been awarded to airlines and LONDON: Workers clean the platform area as a Eurostar train bound for Paris prepares to leave St “While US trading activity will minimized today, would once again ask that this kind of support be Pancras International train station in London yesterday. British business leaders yesterday urged the speculation over whether Biden will be able to extended to international high-speed rail which has been government to rescue Eurostar, after the firm said it was close to collapse following border closures to garner enough support to pass his full stimulus severely impacted by the pandemic,” Eurostar said in a contain new COVID-19 strains. —AFP package remain a key concern for markets,” statement. “Without additional funding from government Mahony added. there is a real risk to the survival of Eurostar, the green While broadly welcomed on trading floors, gateway to Europe, as the current situation is very seri- closely with Eurostar over “the safe recovery of interna- Sunak, London First lobby group said Eurostar needed Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus proposal was unable ous,” it added in reference to trains’ lower emissions tional travel”. “swift action to safeguard its future”, or further harm to fuel fresh gains with the spending spree compared with planes. Eurostar is 55 percent owned by the SNCF, 30 per- Britain’s economy and environmental targets. largely priced in. Concern about a frightening Separately, the Department for Transport said it rec- cent by Canadian fund manager CDPQ, 10 percent by Signed by 25 executives and academics, the letter ognized “the significant financial challenges facing spike in new virus cases was also keeping a lid Britain-based fund Hermes Infrastructure, and five per- urged Britain’s Treasury and Department for Transport Eurostar as a result of COVID-19 and the unprecedent- cent by the Belgian railway SNCB. not to allow Eurostar to collapse. “If this viable business on buying sentiment as governments are forced ed circumstances currently faced by the international British business leaders have joined the call for the is allowed to fall between the cracks of support — nei- to impose fresh lockdowns while battling to roll travel industry”. While it did not refer to the loans UK government to financially rescue Eurostar. In a let- ther an airline, nor a domestic railway — our (economic) out vaccines. —AFP request, the department said it would continue to work ter dated Friday and sent to British finance minister Rishi recovery could be damaged.” —AFP

The two companies have had a partnership accord Ardian and GIP (Global Infrastructure Partners), aiming to France’s Total takes since 2018, when Total acquired a stake in Adani Gas Suez receives allow a friendly and rapid solution to the situation created Limited. India relies heavily on coal but has been moving by the Veolia offer”. The fresh proposal aims to guarantee into renewables and natural gas in an effort to reduce dam- the sustainability of the two French giants of water and stake in Indian solar aging pollution levels and costs. Ardian-GIP proposal waste by offering a way out. Suez CEO Bertrand Camus Total described AGEL as the world’s biggest solar ener- said the Ardian offer would preserve jobs and maintain gy developer. It operates 3.0 gigawatts of renewable ener- PARIS: French water management company Suez received “essential competition” within France. energy group Adani gy assets, with another 3.0 GW under construction and 8.6 an acquisition offer Sunday from investment firms Ardian The proposal “has the advantage of ticking a lot of GW in development. AGEL is aiming for 25 GW of renew- PARIS: French oil giant Total said yesterday that it and GIP as it fights off a bid from arch-rival Veolia. Months boxes”, he said in a statement. Last year, commodities able energy capacity by 2015. “Taking a stake in AGEL is would pay $2.5 billion for a 20 percent stake in India’s of acrimonious wrangling between the two massive French giant Veolia secured a deal to buy almost 30 percent of a major step in the strategy put in place with Adani in Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL), a major solar companies have seen Veolia manoeuvre to become Suez’s Suez from Engie, an energy player in which the French renewable energy in India,” Total’s chief executive energy producer, as it diversifies away from fossil fuels main shareholder after purchasing a 29.9 percent stake. state owns a 22 percent stake-despite the government Patrick Pouyanne said in the statement. “Given the size into renewables. Along with the 20 percent direct stake But Ardian is now offering 18 euros per share ($21) — voting against the sale. Veolia’s takeover had the potential of its market, India is the right country to put in motion comes a 50 percent holding in a portfolio of solar matching another earlier Veolia offer that valued the whole to create a global giant supplying power generation, our strategy for energy transition based on the two pil- energy assets operated by AGEL, part of the Adani company at 11.3 billion euros ($13.65 billion). Suez’s board waste management and water services to municipalities lars of solar and natural gas,” he said. —AFP group, Total said in a statement. of directors said it had received a “letter of intent from worldwide. —AFP 11

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

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

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By Sajeev K Peter effects of a psychosis disorder that ruins Historical fiction his holiday. He is haunted by a man “Writing historical fiction gives me an ocked down and isolated for nearly called Finn Larsen, who he assumes to be opportunity to translate to a different era six months, expat youth Sushyanth his arch-nemesis. He fails to realize that and relive the past. I enjoy the thrill of LSridhar delves into the depths of his- Larsen is a figment of his imagination. retracing the routes of popular cultures. torical fantasy to write his maiden novel “As I have been an avid Model United It also gives me an opportunity to specu- ‘Jon Oliver’. The 19-year-old engineering Nations (MUN) delegate and director late alternative ending to game-chang- student at National Institute of Technology through my schooling in Kuwait, I devel- ing historical events and scrutinize its (NIT), Warangal, India, has created an oped an interest in authoring background possible aftermath,” Sushyanth says, intriguing world of mystery and myth in guides, papers and resolutions,” says explaining the rationale behind foraying this book that seeks to stress the impor- Sushyanth. This is what subsequently into the genre. tance of mental health. “I was isolated inspired him to write ‘Jon Oliver’ in the The book was released on online por- from my family and friends due to the psychological/history genre, he says. tals such as - iBook, Googleplay, COVID pandemic and had to spend the ‘Jon Oliver’ highlights the importance Amazon, Kobo, and Flipkart - on lockdown in the city of Chennai with my of tranquility and public order in the era of January 14, 2021. The paperback ver- grandmother,” says Sushyanth. 2018 and 1931 respectively. The imagi- sion is now also available in Kuwait. A The boredom of being locked between nary world created by Jon is set in the formal virtual book launch will be held in four walls motivated the Indian youth to he used to enjoy writing historical fantasy year 1931 and Larsen is characterized as Kuwait on January 22, 2021 in the pres- dive deeper into history, understand the ever since he was a child studying at a mobster in London. Jon builds his alter ence of well-known Kuwaiti personali- effects of psychosis disorder and finish FAIPS - DPS, Kuwait. ego, Gin Oliver, to chase Larsen down the ties. “I wish to build history as my strong- writing ‘Jon Oliver’. Immersing himself in Jon, the protagonist of the book, River Thames and bring down his criminal hold for my upcoming books as well,” the historical era of the 1930s helped him embarks on a holiday with his family to empire. Larsen joins hands with a bur- Sushyanth quips. Sushyanth Sridhar deal with the confinement of the lock- Malaysia during the summer of 2018. Jon geoning fascist syndicate based in down, he says. According to Sushyanth, happens to be an easy prey to the vile London to immortalize his power.

“Don’t spend your time trying to bring others down that will keep you youthful Jennifer Lopez: and beautiful too!!! Sending you love. #beautyfromtheinsideout #beautyhasno- expirationdate. (sic)” The ‘Waiting For Tonight’ hitmaker - who unveiled her I have never eponymous beauty brand earlier this month - recently insisted her glowing complexion is not the result of Botox and done Botox she will hold off turning to “the needles” for as long as she can by using the best products. ennifer Lopez shut down a troll who Jennifer was involved in the creation of accused her of getting Botox. The every piece in the range, including the JJLo Beauty founder has made it That JLo Glow Serum, which took 20 clear she has never injected her skin attempts to get right. And the ‘In The several times and hilariously told an Morning’ singer insisted she would never Instagram user to try being “more posi- put out skincare that she didn’t believe in tive and kind to others” if they want to under her own name. She said: “I’m not say “youthful”. The troll commented on that person. I don’t have anything against a video of the 51-year-old singer-and- people doing that; it’s just not my thing. “I’m more about a natural approach to skincare. Whatever topical I use has to be somewhat natural, but I want them to work. I want the hyaluronic acid in there. I want the things that are going to help, because I don’t want to have to go to the needles at some point. I’m not saying one This file photo shows the archaeological day I won’t, but I haven’t yet.” site of Machu Picchu, in Cusco, Peru amid The line is comprised of eight prod- the new coronavirus pandemic. — AFP ucts in total - which come in rose gold packaging inspired by Jennifer’s favorite brand Cartier - with prices ranging between $18 (facemask) and $79 for the That JLo Glow serum. The ‘Made in wo members of South America’s wise avoid. gets its name from light patches on its Manhattan’ star - who is constantly asked only bear species-a mother and her Biologist Ernesto Escalante, who is in face that form spectacle-like rings around what the secret to her ageless appear- Jennifer Lopez Tcub-have been spotted exploring charge of the Machu Picchu sanctuary its eyes. Humans are its main threat, ance is - also revealed that she has olive the ruins of the Inca citadel of Machu surrounding the archaeological site, said encroaching on their natural habitat and oil to thank for her radiant glow. She said: Picchu, where tourist numbers have been the mammals are naturally fearful of killing bears that damage crops or cap- actress showing the results of her JLo “This has been something I’ve been restricted due to the pandemic. The pair humans. The Spectacled bear is classi- ture livestock. Andean bear products are Glow Multitasking Serum mask. They thinking about for maybe the past 20 of Spectacled bears, also known as fied as “vulnerable” on the red list of used for medicinal or ritual purposes, wrote: “You definitely have Botox. And years. “I was just, like, I have to do skin- Andean bears, were captured on film threatened species of the International according to the IUCN, and in some tons of it.” Jennifer replied: “LOL that’s care because the number one question, clambering around the mountainous Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). areas the creatures’ meat is highly prized. just my face!! for the 500 millionth no matter where I went - if I was filming a site’s dry-stone walls before slinking off It is the only surviving bear species in Live bears are sometimes captured and time...I have never done Botox or any movie, music, or whatever - was, What into the jungle, Peru’s culture ministry South America and the last of the short- sold. Machu Picchu was declared a injectable or surgery!! Just saying. “Get are you doing for your skin? And as I got said. With the absence of tourists due to faced bear subgroup. It is a small omniv- World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. you some JLO Beauty and feel beautiful more mature, the question came even the coronavirus pandemic, the bears-said orous mammal, standing between 1.3 Visitor numbers are restricted due to the in your own skin!! And here is another more frequently.” — Bang Showbiz to be the inspiration for the children’s meters (4.2 feet) and 1.9 meters tall and Covid-19 pandemic. — AFP JLO Beauty secret: try spending your book character Paddington Bear, who weighing between 80 and 125 kilograms time being more positive, kind and uplift- came from the jungles of Peru-have been (176-275 pounds). ing of others. able to explore where they would other- The dark-colored bear, usually black,

Venice Louvre Museum Machu Picchu Phuket, Thailand

he coronavirus pandemic has Dim prospects in City of Lights Protourisme, noting that the Paris region to normal until at least 2022, depending rental accommodations. brought the world’s top tourist In Paris, 2020 was a disaster, with depends heavily not only on tourists but on the success of vaccination programs. Tdraws, from the ruins of Machu tourist numbers nose-diving by two- also on business travellers. Thai transformation Piccu to Thailand’s sandy beaches, to a thirds, translating into a loss of revenue Barcelona blues Authorities in Thailand have turned to standstill. Now tourism professionals and estimated at 12.1 billion euros ($14.5 bil- Downbeat in Machu Picchu The mood is also morose in domestic tourism to keep the industry local authorities are hoping against hope lion) compared with 2019. The Louvre Some 80 percent of businesses Barcelona, one of Spain’s top tourist des- afloat, adding bank holidays and creat- for an economic recovery that will bring Museum, the world’s largest, welcomed bunched around the mountainous Inca tinations, where hotel occupancy ing incentives for locals to travel. The the punters back. Here are some key 72 percent fewer visitors last year. “We citadel remain closed, with the local plunged from 8.5 million in 2019 to 1.8 policy has borne fruit in areas that are off examples. are starting the year with activity halted economy-heavily dependent on foreign million last year. The few hotels still oper- the beaten track for international tourists for at least three months, maybe a lot tourists-at a standstill. Local mayor ating have repurposed into venues for such as in the northeast. The Krungsri Not so serenissima Venice longer,” said Didier Arino, director of Darwin Baca expects 2021 to be another teleworkers or have slashed their long- bank forecasts that the country will take The Renaissance city of Venice on independent advisory group bust, fearing that business will not return stay rates to compete with traditional two to three years to return to its pre-pan- Italy’s northern Adriatic coast is almost demic tourism levels, with tourism-linked entirely dependent on tourism. The first employment and commercial activity nine months of 2020 saw a drop of 73.1 expected to remain depressed. percent in foreign tourist arrivals, accord- Sagrada Familia, Spain ing to a study published by an employ- Dubrovnik dreams ment consultancy in December. The Croatia’s medieval walled city of overall decrease was 59.5 percent. Dubrovnik, which saw an 85 percent “Without the tourists, Venice has become plunge in visitors last year, is dreaming a ghost town, a dead city like Pompeii,” of a return to pre-pandemic levels. “The said Anna Bigai, president of the lagoon outlook is good for now,” said Ana Hrnic, city’s tourist guide cooperative, who has head of the tourist office. “There’s a great led only around a dozen tours in the past desire to go back to ‘normal’ and we year. “There’s a feeling of sadness when think that’s going to happen.”— AFP you walk down the street.” Dubrovnik, Croatia Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Tuesday, January 19, 2021

s much of the world tightens lock- downs to stem coronavirus, Dubai Ahas flung its doors open, branding itself as a sunny, quarantine-free escape- despite a sharp rise in cases. While mask-wearing and social distancing are strictly enforced, life in the tourism-reliant emirate looks much like normal, with its restaurants, hotels and mega-malls open for business. Images of sports stars and television personalities enjoying life at beach clubs and cocktail bars have flooded social media-sometimes to dis- approval back home. Emirates, which restored its network to about three quarters of pre-pandemic levels, is again operating A380 super- jumbos - the world’s largest commercial airliner-ferrying in visitors from Britain and Russia. Russian tourist, Dmitriy Melnikov, said he came to Dubai because his choices were otherwise limited, with many destinations in partial or full lock- down. “I am not scared,” the 30-year-old told AFP. “If you look at people here, everyone has a mask, and I think it’s cool.” Tourists practice sand boarding in the Dubai desert in the United Arab Emirates. — AFP photos

But the downside to becoming one of much more conservative approach, gen- but we have small kids that need to be “Dubai seems to be positioning itself as the world’s most open destinations has erally requiring quarantine on arrival. In out and need to see the world, so we’re the destination of choice for those wanting been a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. the Al-Fahidi historical neighborhood in willing to take the risk.” Sophia Amouch, to escape lockdown conditions and have Daily detected cases hover in the mid- Dubai, mask-clad tourists walk through from France, said she was not too con- a winter break, especially given ski resorts 3,000s across the United Arab Emirates, alleyways, taking pictures of the recre- cerned about the rise in cases in the in Europe are largely closed,” said which has a population of under 10 mil- ation of life a century ago. Hand sanitiz- UAE. “Everything is run better here,” the Livermore. “This is a growth strategy in its lion, with 745 deaths from Covid-19 since ers and floor stickers warning people to 25-year-old told AFP, adding that she felt own right, but the more successful Dubai the pandemic began. “There are signifi- maintain their distance are everywhere, “safer in Dubai, where everyone abides can be in achieving this aim, the more cant risks in Dubai remaining so open,” while most restaurants have replaced by all the measures.” benefits will spill over for when Expo said Scott Livermore, chief economist at their menus with digital QR barcodes, opens.” Ahead of the Expo, authorities are Oxford Economics Middle East. “A that can be displayed on a smartphone. ‘Growth strategy’ mounting a huge vaccination campaign, renewed outbreak of Covid-19 would set “Before the coronavirus, tour groups Tourism has long been an economic which has seen 14 percent of the popula- the recovery back quite some way.” were up to 100 or 250 visitors with each mainstay of Dubai, which welcomed tion inoculated. “Travel and tourism is tour guide, but now things are different, more than 16 million visitors in 2019. very important to Dubai,” Livermore said. ‘Willing to take the risk’ only 20 visitors maximum for each tour Before the pandemic, the aim was to “The sector is crucial for generating a sus- With a negative PCR test in their home guide,” said the district’s director Nasser reach 20 million by 2020. The economy- tainable recovery from the Covid-19 pan- countries-and possibly another upon Juma bin Sulaiman. Andi Pitman, from the the most diversified in the Gulf-was deci- demic. “It is essential the city remains arrival, depending on the place of depar- US state of Alabama, said it was her first mated by the crisis. The government was open and connected, but critically keeps ture-tourists can freely enter Dubai, trip abroad since the start of the pandem- counting on the six-month Dubai Expo Covid-19 in check.”— AFP where winter temperatures average a ic. “We are very excited to be here and a 2020 global trade fair-delayed by a year pleasant 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees little nervous, but happy to be out again,” and now set to open in October-to attract Fahrenheit). The neighboring emirate of she told AFP, strolling through Al-Fahidi millions of visitors and boost the econo- A mask-clad tourist visits the historic Al- Abu Dhabi, which with large oil reserves with her husband and two children. my. Now it is seeking to find what bene- Fahidi neighborhood of Dubai. is less dependent on tourism, has taken a “None of us have had the vaccine yet, fits it can from the crisis.

A tourist practices sand boarding. A mask-clad Israeli tourist photographs a falconer hold- A mask-clad falconer holds a falcon near tourists at the Mask-clad Israeli tourists walk towards their bus after a ing a falcon during a visit to the historic Al-Fahidi neigh- historic Al-Fahidi neighborhood of Dubai. visit to the historic Al-Fahidi neighborhood of Dubai. borhood of Dubai.

with or without face masks. The rival Best 50 list, based in Britain, cancelled its Michelin unveils 2020 ranking last year, while France’s La Liste said this month that instead of rank- ings it would honor innovative chefs who COVID-era have persevered amid the pandemic. Michelin called off the lavish gala cere- mony that was to be held in Cognac, hil Spector, who revolutionized gressed, Spector became increasingly France picks southwest France-the first time outside 1960s pop music with his “Wall of reclusive and rumors of his eccentric Paris-and instead will announce the 2021 PSound” production technique but behavior became legend. winners in a YouTube broadcast from the who was imprisoned in 2009 for murder, The graphic testimony at his murder tri- despite criticism Eiffel Tower. has died at age 81, authorities said al of repeated gun-toting rages only Sunday. In his heyday, Spector was the served to confirm what had been common ‘Consistent quality’ undisputed king of rock ‘n’ roll producers, knowledge within the music world for he Michelin Guide revealed yester- But Poullennec said all three-star the “Tycoon of Teen” whose music helped years. Ronnie, who divorced him in 1974, day its annual pick of France’s top restaurants will keep their stars-France define the soaring optimism of a genera- chronicled years of abusive behavior in Trestaurants despite criticism over including Monaco counts 29 — while the tion. But the sharp suits and dark sun- her autobiography, which included the its decision to hold the awards while handful of demotions will affect only glasses favored by the diminutive genius producer threatening to kill her and put establishments remain closed in the restaurants that have closed or changed gave way to prison clothes after he was her body on display in a golden glass- Covid-19 pandemic. Three-star chefs their dining concept. He insisted that convicted of the 2003 shooting death of topped coffin he kept in her basement. “I can rest easy, however, after Michelin inspectors worked double duty and even actress Lana Clarkson. Phil Spector can only say that when I left in the early said none will be demoted as the health cancelled their sacrosanct summer holi- Spector was pronounced dead ‘70s, I knew that if I didn’t leave at that crisis rages. The industry bible’s boss days to eat and drink as much as possi- Saturday and his “official cause of death changed the recording industry with the time, I was going to die there,” Ronnie Gwendal Poullennec defended inspec- ble when restaurants were allowed to will be determined by the medical examin- “Wall of Sound.” Using large numbers of wrote later. tions that led to 57 new stars overall, open under strict virus restrictions er,” according to a statement from the musicians playing individual parts layered Spector’s threatening behavior also even though restaurants remain shut- between France’s lockdowns. California Department of Corrections and upon each other, the technique gave extended to the artists he worked with. He tered after lockdowns imposed last Michelin also brought in inspectors Rehabilitation. Born in New York to Spector’s productions a distinctive, was alleged to have fired a gun into a stu- spring and again since October. “It’s an from elsewhere in Europe and even Asia Russian-Jewish parents in 1939, Spector orchestral quality that he famously dio while working with Lennon during the important decision to support the indus- to back up the French team. “This selec- was only eight years old when his father described as “a Wagnerian approach to recording of “Rock ‘n’ Roll” and once held try, despite the current situation and per- tion has been made with the same seri- committed suicide, a family tragedy that rock & roll: little symphonies for the kids.” a gun to Leonard Cohen’s head during haps even because of the situation,” ous attention, and inspectors were able was to leave lasting scars on the young “I knew Beethoven was more important sessions for “Death of a Ladies’ Man.” Poullennec told AFP. to judge as many meals as the previous Spector’s psyche. In the aftermath of his than whoever was playing his music,” he In another incident, he held punk band year,” he said. “Despite the difficulties, father’s death, Spector, his mother and his once said. “That’s what I wanted to be.” The Ramones hostage at gunpoint during chefs have risen to the occasion and sister moved to Los Angeles for a fresh recording of their album “End of the maintained consistent quality, at times start. It was not long before Spector’s ‘I’m probably relatively insane’ Century.” Spector was jailed for the sec- even succeeding in making further musical talents emerged, with the slight Working with The Crystals, The ond-degree murder after Lana Clarkson progress,” he added. Poullennec, who teenager showing a flair for song-writing Ronettes and The Righteous Brothers, was shot dead at his home though he took over the guide in 2018, has over- and playing guitar. Spector became a hit machine, with tracks claimed it was an accidental suicide. His seen several choices that have raised Forming his first group, The Teddy including “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He first trial, in 2007, was declared a mistrial eyebrows among chefs and foodies Bears, with three high-school friends, Kissed Me,” “Be My Baby,” “You’ve Lost due to a hung jury before he was convict- alike. Last year Michelin shocked indus- Spector soon struck gold with the 1958 That Lovin’ Feelin’” and “Unchained ed two years later. Clues to Spector’s trou- try insiders by downgrading the Auberge single “To Know Him Is to Love Him”-the Melody.” The final act signed to the Philles bled state of mind were evident in a rare du Pont de Collonges-the oldest three- inscription on his father’s gravestone. The label was Ike and Tina Turner in 1966, but and wide-ranging interview he gave to starred restaurant in the world-after the record went to number one on the Spector was dismayed when the extraor- British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, death of its legendary chef Paul Bocuse. Billboard Hot 100 and sold five million dinary “River Deep-Mountain High” just weeks before Clarkson died. “I would And in January 2019, Marc Veyrat copies. The Teddy Bears were unable to reached only 88th in the US singles say I’m probably relatively insane, to an became the first chef to sue the famous repeat the success and they split up the charts. extent,” he said. “I’m my own worst ene- red guidebook after it withdrew the third following year. Badly affected by stage Marrying Ronettes lead singer “Ronnie” my. I have devils inside that fight me. “All the establishments that have kept star for his French Alps restaurant La fright, Spector began channeling his ener- Bennett in 1968, Spector retreated from “People idolize me, want to be like me, but their star this year or won one are restau- Maison des Bois just a year after it was gies into producing and song-writing, the public eye a multi-millionaire. He I tell them, ‘Trust me, you don’t want my rants that fully deserve it,” he said. awarded. Veyrat, who lost his case, has helping to write Ben E. King’s 1961 hit returned in the early 1970s for a tri- life.’ Because it hasn’t been a very pleas- Michelin has drawn fire for bestowing its said he never wants to see a Michelin “Spanish Harlem.” umphant collaboration with The Beatles on ant life. “I’ve been a very tortured soul. I verdicts as chefs rack up losses while inspector in any of his restaurants ever The creation of his own “Philles” record their hit album “Let It Be,” and produced have not been at peace with myself. I have adapting their menus for takeaway or again. — AFP label signaled the beginning of Spector’s solo albums for John Lennon (“Imagine”) not been happy.”— AFP deliveries-and food fans have little prime, when he almost single-handedly and George Harrison. As the 1970s pro- chance of booking tables anytime soon, 14 Established 1961 Sports Tuesday, January 19, 2021 ‘Perfect’ Inter shock Juventus to move level with leaders Milan Napoli advance with 6-0 route of Fiorentina

MILAN: Inter Milan shocked champions Juventus Scudetto,” warned Vidal, who won four league 2-0 to move level on points with Serie A leaders titles in as many years with Juventus. Romelu AC Milan on Sunday, boosting their hopes of a Lukaku then forced a save from Juventus goal- first league title since 2010. Arturo Vidal got his keeper Wojciech Szczesny on 24 minutes, with head to a Nicolo Barella cross in the 12th minute Lautaro Martinez spurning the chance to score on for his first league goal for Inter Milan against his the rebound. former club. Omnipresent midfielder Barella created another Barella added the second seven minutes after chance for Lukaku which Szczesny cleared, and the break as Inter claimed a first victory over the Polish keeper also denied Barella before Juventus since September 2016, ending a series of punching the ball off Lukaku’s head at full stretch. seven matches without a win. “It was a bad defeat, A superb Alessandro Bastoni through ball to we didn’t expect it, we couldn’t have put in a worse Barella paid off in the 52nd minute, with the pacy performance than this,” said Juventus coach Italy midfielder shaking off Gianluca Frabotta and Andrea Pirlo after his second league defeat this Giorgio Chiellini to blast home the second. season. “Our attitude was wrong, right from the Pirlo made a triple change just before the hour start. We were too passive, fearful, we only with Weston McKennie, Federico Bernardeschi and thought about the defensive phase.” Dejan Kulusevski coming off the bench. But Inter Inter are equal on 40 points with local rivals ‘keeper Samir Handanovic was rarely threatened, Milan, with Juventus seven points behind the top clearing a McKennie header on 61 minutes, and a two in fifth. “To win against a team like Juve you Chiesa effort three minutes from time. “It’s a slip- have to touch perfection,” said Inter coach up, but our ambition remains the same, there is still Antonio Conte after his first win in four meetings a long way to go,” warned Pirlo, whose side next against the club he led to the first three of their meet Napoli in Wednesday’s Italian SuperCup. current run of nine consecutive league titles. “I’m happy for the lads because these are games that Six-goal Napoli go third give you self-esteem and make you understand In Naples, Lorenzo Insigne scored twice and MILAN: Inter Milan’s Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal opens the scoring past Juventus’ Polish goal- that we’re on the right path. I’ve seen a credible set up another as Napoli thumped Fiorentina 6-0 keeper Wojciech Szczesny during the Italian Serie A football match Inter vs Juventus on Sunday Inter, and it is the greatest satisfaction after a to move third ahead of Roma who lost 3-0 to local at the San Siro stadium in Milan. —AFP year and a half of work”. rivals Lazio on Friday. Insigne got the first goal in the fifth minute at the Diego Armando Maradona Vidal sets the tone Stadium as Gennaro Gattuso’s side went four goals Castrovilli fouled Tiemoue Bakayoko. Insigne Milan with a goalless draw against lowly Genoa. Cristiano Ronaldo looked to have broken up in the first half. converted from the spot for his ninth goal this Gian Piero Gasperini’s side had won their first through for the away side after 11 minutes but Fiorentina missed chances to equalise with season. Substitute Matteo Politano completed three matches of the year with a total of 12 goals Federico Chiesa was ruled offside in the build-up. Napoli keeper David Ospina denying Franck the rout with a minute to go. “It looked easy but scored. Hans Hateboer rattled the post for And Chilean Vidal made no mistake for last sea- Ribery before Diego Demme, Hirving Lozano and it wasn’t,” said Gattuso as Napoli moved level on Atalanta after 65 minutes in the best chance for son’s Serie A runners-up two minutes later off Piotr Zielinski notched three goals for the hosts in points with Roma. the hosts who are sixth, eight points behind Barella’s perfect cross. the last nine minutes before the break. Atalanta missed the chance to move third, Milan. Genoa are 16th position, two points above “We’ve shown that we’re up to fighting for the Napoli were awarded a penalty after Gaetano dropping points before next week’s trip to AC the relegation zone. —AFP

“It’s always tough when you are not Stones enjoying playing and you don’t perform as you can because you put too much pres- rebirth at sure on yourself,” added Stones. “I Bairstow, Lawrence went back to the basics, looked at Man City myself first and looked at what I can seal seven-wicket improve on in every aspect.” Guardiola hailed the impact Dias win for England MANCHESTER: John Stones admitted has had on his center-back partner he had to go back to basics to regain and is relieved that the defensive defi- Pep Guardiola’s faith after scoring ciencies that ruined his side’s title GALLE: After a seven-wicket win, a double-cen- twice as Manchester City thrashed tury innings, and two five-wicket hauls for the defense last season appear to have Crystal Palace 4-0 on Sunday. City’s been ironed out. “We don’t make mis- bowlers, England captain Joe Root still feels his charge up the table has taken them side “got away” with too many mistakes against Sri takes,” he said. “In the past, especially into second in the Premier League, last season we made a lot of mistakes. Lanka. England won the first Test in Galle yester- just two points behind leaders day with Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence nego- This season if the opponent scores a Manchester United with a game in goal, ok, but we make them do it. They tiating what Bairstow called a “tricky” finish after hand to come. give us this confidence that we can MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s English defender John Stones (center) losing three quick wickets before the overnight Stones’s partnership with Ruben close Sunday. score a goal and we don’t concede. jumps to head the ball to score the opening goal during the English Premier Dias has been pivotal to 12 clean League football match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Bairstow, who cracked a four to pass the win- Today we didn’t concede one shot on sheets in a 15-game unbeaten run and target and that is fundamental to our Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on Sunday. —AFP ning target, and Lawrence steadied the innings and the England defender also delivered scored the required 36 runs in less than 10 overs. game. Ruben helped us a lot and John, his first two Premier League goals for alongside Ruben, grew up.” The crumbling pitch gave Sri Lanka’s spinners the club after five seasons in points from their last two trips to the second of the night on the rebound hopes of claiming more wickets, but Bairstow (35) Etihad, but without the injured after Vicente Guaita saved from Dias’s Manchester. 100 assists for De Bruyne and Lawrence (21) took England to 76-3 after “Keeping these clean sheets is mas- Wilfried Zaha offered barely any initial powerful header. resuming at 38-3. Sri Lanka called a review on one City took full advantage of dropped attacking threat as the Eagles remain Guardiola could then afford the sive. It’s a platform for the lads to go points for both their biggest title chal- Dilruwan Perera ball to Lawrence — who missed a and express themselves up front,” said 13th in the table. luxury of handing De Bruyne and reverse sweep — but the TV replay found the lengers after United and Liverpool With Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Gundogan a rare rest for the final 20 Stones. “We are taking great pride in played out a disappointing 0-0 draw faintest edge before it hit his pads. keeping clean sheets and hopefully we Sterling short on goals and Sergio minutes ahead of Aston Villa’s visit in The win should have been a stroll after Sri earlier on Sunday. Despite not hitting Aguero absent after coming into close midweek. Sterling blazed a penalty can keep the run going.” the heights of back-to-back league Lanka collapsed to 135 in the first innings and The signings of Dias and Nathan contact with a positive coronavirus over the bar late on in Wednesday’s 1- England made 421 with a Joe Root double century. titles under Guardiola between 2017 case, Ilkay Gundogan’s goalscoring 0 win over Brighton when handed the Ake during the summer transfer win- and 2019, City have now won their last But the home side hit back with a determined 359 dow could have signaled the end of form of late has been a major factor in responsibility by De Bruyne. in their second innings before having England in eight games in all competitions. City’s revival. With the Belgian off the field, Stones’s time at the Etihad after he Kevin De Bruyne registered his trouble at 14-3 at one stage late Sunday. “These struggled for game time even when The German midfielder curled Sterling got another chance from a set- run chases are always a little bit nervy,” said the 100th City assist with the outside of home his fourth goal in seven games piece outside the box and this time Guardiola was short on center-back his right foot for Stones to nod home captain, who hit 228 in the first innings when he options last season following the into the top corner 11 minutes into the curled a brilliant free-kick into the top also saw six England batsman fall in a single ses- from close range to open the scoring second-half to end any doubt over the corner two minutes from time to round departure of Vincent Kompany and a on 26 minutes. Palace had taken four sion, tarnishing the big total. long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte. outcome. Stones then swept home his off a perfect day for City. —AFP

‘Little mistakes’ rankle He said the team’s lack of preparation before Arabi, Fatat win big in Women’s Indoor Football the match — stuck in a bio-secure coronavirus bubble — had been a handicap, but the five-wick- et hauls by spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach By Abdellatif Sharaa match held at Kuwait Club hall against Qadisiya were a “brilliant achievement”. Bairstow’s role with the score of 7-1. With this win, the Fatat Club overcoming the general batting jitters in his first KUWAIT: The semifinals of the URC Women’s tops the standings with 19 points, while Kuwait Test since 2019 was also a plus. Indoor Football Championship is all set as Arabi remains in third place with 10 points and Qadisiya Root already has his thoughts on the second Club beat Salwa Al-Sabah team 10-3. The lop-sided in the fourth place with 7 points. The top four teams Test starting in Galle on Friday, and four tough win has placed Arabi in second place with 13 points. will face each other in the semifinals following a Tests in India after that. “There are things and Meanwhile, the Fatat Club emerged victorious in its draw to be held at a later date. mistakes in this game that we have probably got KUWAIT: The national cycling team returned from away with,” said Root. “But I am really proud of UAE after participating in the ‘Nakhlat Deerat these guys.” Dubai’ race. Kuwait’s Khalid Al-Khalifa won first England have now won four away Tests in a place in the 80km race. row, their best performance since 1955-56. Root has 24 Test wins as a captain, two behind Michael Vaughan’s all-time record of 26 for England. “We are not the finished article, we have a long way to go,” he added. “If we can Matches on TV keep improving all the time, keep learning from (Local Timings) the things and the little mistakes we made then we can keep getting better.” ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Root said that Sri Lanka are a “very proud” West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion 21:00 beIN Sports HD 1 side and England must expect a backlash in the Leicester City v Chelsea 23:15 second Test. Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal beIN Sports HD 1 is also looking for more of the attitude from the second innings, when Lahiru Thirimanne scored a SPANISH LEAGUE Cadiz CF v Levante 21:00 stubborn 111. beIN Sports HD 3 Chandimal admitted his side gave away the Real Valladolid v Elche CF 21:00 game on the opening day. “We were outplayed in beIN Sports HD 4 Deportivo Alaves v Sevilla FC 23:30 the first innings with the bat and ball,” he said. “As beIN Sports HD 3 a batting unit, we have to get a big total in the first innings. It cost us the game.” GERMAN BUNDESLIGA Borussia Monchengladbach v SV Werder Bremen 20:30 If they could have added 70-80 more runs on beIN Sports Sunday, then Sri Lanka could have caused an Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Borussia Dortmund 22:30 upset. “It could have been a different story,” he beIN Sports Hertha Berlin v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 22:30 declared, adding the first-innings total would be beIN Sports crucial in the second Test. —AFP FSV Mainz 05 v VfL Wolfsburg 22:30 KUWAIT: The Fatat Club vs Qadisiya match in action. beIN Sports Established 1961 15 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Sports Brady-led Bucs advance while Mahomes hurt in Chiefs win Tampa Bay set for showdown with Rodgers-led Packers

WASHINGTON: Tom Brady threw for two touch- Andy Reid said. “He got hit in the back of the head downs and ran for another Sunday to lead the and kind of knocked the wind out of him and every- Tampa Bay Buccaneers over New Orleans in the thing else with it. He’s doing great right now... we’ll NFL playoffs while defending Super Bowl champion see where it goes from here.” Kansas City withstood Patrick Mahomes suffering a At New Orleans, Brady drove the Bucs 61 yards concussion to oust Cleveland. in 11 plays over 5:52 to set up Ryan Succop’s 36- Six-time Super Bowl champion Brady and a yard field goal and put Tampa Bay ahead 23-20 ear- defensive unit that forced four turnovers sparked ly in the fourth quarter. Devin White, who already the visiting Bucs over the Drew Brees-led Saints had a fumble recovery, intercepted Brees on the while Mahomes threw for one touchdown and ran Saints’ next series to set up Brady’s 1-yard touch- for another before exiting in the third quarter of the down run with 4:57 remaining to produce the final Chiefs’ 22-17 triumph. “The defense was the key to margin. the game. It was huge,” Brady said. “Our defense Mike Edwards intercepted Brees for a fourth really balled out, got the turnovers we needed.” Bucs takeaway with 4:17 left and Tampa Bay ran out Both winners advanced to within one game of the clock. Brady completed 18-of-33 passes for 199 next month’s Super Bowl in Tampa, the Buccaneers yards while Brees, who led New Orleans to a 2010 booking a date next Sunday at chilly Green Bay in Super Bowl victory, completed 19-of-34 for 134 the NFC Championship game while the Chiefs will yards in what could be his NFL farewell. “He’s an host the Buffalo Bills in next Sunday’s AFC incredible player,” Brady said. Championship game. Wil Lutz kicked field goals of 23 and 42 yards to put the Saints ahead, but the Bucs took a 10-6 lead Quarterbacks’ showdown on Succop’s 26-yard field goal and a 3-yard touch- In his first Bucs season after 20 years in New down pass by Brady to Mike Evans. New Orleans England, 43-year-old Brady beat 42-year-old Brees answered with a trick play 56-yard touchdown pass in a duel of the all-time NFL passing yardage lead- from Jameis Winston to Tre’Quan Smith but KANSAS CITY: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is assisted by offen- ers. That earned a showdown with star quarterback Succop’s 37-yard field goal ending the second sive tackle Mike Remmers #75 after an injury from a sack that would remove Mahomes in the Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who lost 38-10 to quarter pulled Tampa Bay level at 13-13. third quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Cleveland Browns at Arrowhead Tampa Bay in October. “It’s great for our team. We Smith caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Stadium on Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri. —AFP worked hard to get to this point,” Brady said. Brees 5:17 into the third quarter for a 20-13 Saints “We’re going to be playing a great football team. lead. White recovered a fumble by Jared Cook to Aaron Rodgers is playing incredible.” set up Brady’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Leonard game. “Go be great like you have been.” In reply, “HenneThingIsPossible,” Mahomes tweeted after Mahomes, last year’s Super Bowl Most Valuable Fournette — his 77th career playoff TD toss — to Mahommes tweeted: “All good brother!” the victory. Player, completed 21-of-30 passes for 255 yards equalize at 20-20, setting up the final drama. The Chiefs added a 33-yard Harrison Butker “I’m proud of Chad and the way he handled but suffered a concussion when slammed to the turf field goal but Cleveland marched 75 yards on 18 everything,” Reid said. Mahomes opened the scor- by Browns linebacker Mack Wilson. “When any of ‘HenneThingIsPossible’ plays in 8:17 and pulled within the final margin on ing on a 1-yard touchdown run and threw a 20-yard our teammates go down, we all step up for one At Kansas City, Baker Mayfield flipped a 4-yard Kareem Hunt’s 3-yard touchdown run. After a Karl touchdown pass to Travis Kelce for a 13-3 Chiefs’ another,” Chiefs receiver Tyrann Mathieu said. touchdown pass to Jarvis Landry to lift Cleveland Joseph interception ended a Chiefs drive, Kansas lead. Butker field goals of 28 and 50 yards brought Mahomes must complete NFL concussion proto- within 19-10 early in the third quarter. On Kansas City forced a Cleveland punt and the Chiefs ran a 19-3 halftime lead. “We hurt ourselves in the first cols before he can return to face the Bills, who lost City’s next possession, Mahomes was slammed out the clock, thanks to a 13-yard run by reserve half and they capitalized,” Mayfield said. “We gave to the Chiefs 26-17 in October. “He’s actually doing down by Wilson and knocked out of the game. “I quarterback Chad Henne and his 5-yard pass to it our all. It’s just unfortunate to come up short. It very well. He’s feeling pretty good,” Chiefs coach pray you back next week,” Wilson tweeted after the Tyreek Hill for a fourth-down conversion. sucks.” —AFP

the fourth player in NBA history to Bulls overcome record at least 35 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a game and the Doncic’s historic youngest to do so. Oscar Robertson did it five times. Gamma Game Hall The Bulls had six players in dou- triple-double ble-figure scoring as their bench outscored the Mavericks reserves 61- hosts first FIFA 21 LOS ANGELES: Lauri Markkanen 22. Chicago’s ball movement was out- scored a team-high 29 points and standing and their defense compiled a Championship grabbed 10 rebounds as the Chicago season-high 14 steals. This was Bulls overcame a historic triple-dou- Markkanen’s second game back after KUWAIT: Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Esport ble from Luka Doncic to beat the missing seven because of COVID-19 Club Abdullah Al-Ali and Secretary Faisal Abul Dallas Mavericks 117-101 on Sunday. protocols. opened the first FIFA 21 Championship on Sunday Garrett Temple scored 17 of his 21 “I was a little short on my shot and at the Gamma Game Hall in Salmiya with the partic- points in the first half as the Bulls trying to get my legs back,” he said. ipation of 64 players and 12 volunteer organizers. snapped a four-game losing streak. “Conditioning-wise, I feel pretty The games are broadcast live on Kuwait Esport The Bulls shot 50 percent in the good.” Kristaps Porzingis added 20 channels on YouTube: https://youtube.com/chan- first half and led by 19 points at one points and eight rebounds for Dallas nel/UCuPtdOEGADdiD7Wv7HRBIHFQ and stage, en route to a 67-52 lead head- in his third game back since recover- Twitch: https://twitch.tv/kuwaitesports. ing into the third quarter. Slovenian ing from offseason surgery on his DALLAS: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball during The tournament is being broadcast live for sensation Doncic finished with 36 right knee. the game against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday at the American Airlines free, while some fans are allowed to attend in Center in Dallas, Texas. —AFP points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists to Elsewhere, the New York Knicks person in accordance with health precautionary record his 29th career triple-double snapped their five-game NBA los- measures. The club offers this unique service, to pass Michael Jordan and move into ing streak in emphatic style, holding good it feels to be out there.” was seeing in practice. “I love the providing commentary in Arabic and English so 15th spot on the all-time list. the host Celtics to a season-low Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with approach and I love the attitude of the that fans can be familiar with the tournaments A frustrated Doncic said the blame total in a 105-75 blowout win. Julius 25 points as Eastern Conference guys we had today,” Thibodeau said. and teams competing. The Gamma Game Hall is for the loss rested squarely on his Randle scored 20 points and pulled leader Boston remained without “A lot of guys stepped up and played one other largest in Kuwait, and is ready to host shoulders because he played selfishly. down 12 rebounds and RJ Barrett Jayson Tatum, who remained in really well today.” the local FIFA 21 Championship matches. The hall “The second half, I played terrible,” added 19 points and 11 boards for COVID-19 quarantine. The Knicks Celtics coach Brad Stevens, mean- was well-prepared to receive the players in Doncic said. “That’s on me, that game. the Knicks, who spoiled the season never trailed, pushing their lead to as while, said the game was not repre- upcoming matches. I was being selfish a little bit because debut of Celtics All-Star guard many as 11 in the first quarter and 15 sentative of Boston. “We had a clunk- I had 30 points in the first half. That Kemba Walker, absent from the first in the second. They opened the sec- er,” Stevens said. “You try to have as wasn’t me in the second half. I’ve got 11 games with a left-knee injury. ond half with a 10-0 scoring burst and few of those as you can.” Also, Zion to do way better in the second half. Walker departed in the third quar- led by as many as 37 before it was Williamson had 31 points and six That’s just on me.” ter with an apparent rib injury, but over. rebounds as the New Orleans Pelicans Doncic shot 11-of-18 from the floor said he was happy to be back. “It Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said overcame a 43-point performance by in the first half. He finished with six felt really good to be out there,” that, even as his team remained mired Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox to beat three-pointers. Doncic became only Walker said. “I kind of forgot how in a losing streak, he liked what he the Kings 128-123. —AFP

Fast food fuel Mattress, McDonald’s, Several players took to social media to complain about the hotel food on offer. Europeans Fabio Fognini, Pablo Correno Busta, Corentin Moutet and Marco moaning: Tennis tactics Cecchinato all posted their disapproval of the Aussie fare served to their rooms. “Really?” asked Busta, alongside photographic evi- for Aussie isolation dence of his culinary horror. Others chose to avoid the quarantine menu altogether, throw their diet out of the MELBOURNE: From bitter social media posts to workouts window, and order fast food to their room. World number using mattresses as hitting partners, dozens of the world’s 28 Benoit Paire and world number 118 Damis Dzumhur — best tennis players confined to Australian hotels for two who have racked up more than $10 million in career prize KUWAIT: Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Esport weeks are dealing with their confinement in contrasting money between them — posted pictures of their chosen Club Abdullah Al-Ali and Secretary Faisal Abul with ways. The Australian Open in Melbourne has been delayed quarantine fuel: McDonald’s. club members. three weeks until February 8 because of the coronavirus ADELAIDE: Men’s world number one tennis player pandemic, and has run into new problems this week. Vermin on video Novak Djokovic of Serbia gestures from his hotel bal- Positive COVID-19 cases on three of 17 charter flights into Unlike other players, Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva cony in Adelaide yesterday, one of the locations where the country mean 72 players have been confined to their discovered that she was not alone in quarantine. The players have quarantined for two weeks upon their rooms for the entire 14-day quarantine period. world number 187 posted a video of a mouse running arrival ahead of the Australian Open tennis tourna- Others are allowed out, but only for five hours a day, around her hotel room and tweeted that she tried to move ment in Melbourne. —AFP to train in bio-secure ‘bubbles’. It means players are hav- to another room without success because of the strict ing to cope with some unusual problems and find some quarantine rules. She said the unwanted roommate was creative solutions as they try to stay occupied and in the fault of the authorities who selected her quarantine Wise counsel shape over two weeks of isolation. location. “They put me not in the nicest hotel like other Many social media users have derided the players, players!” she wrote. accusing them of being entitled for moaning about New surfaces their free stay while thousands of Australians remain World number 12 Belinda Bencic revealed her new ‘Crazy’ complaints stranded abroad. Former tennis player and coach training method for quarantine, posting a video of her While some of the quarantined players posted about Roger Rasheed offered them some words of wisdom practicing two-handed backhands against her hotel win- their revamped diets and training regimes, others showed instead. dow. Her hotel neighbors may have had something to say no love for their new surroundings. Austrian Philipp “You can create a program in your hotel room, about the racket, but she seemed to have no problem with Oswald called the two-week quarantine “crazy” and said which will be quite physical and demanding,” he wrote her new glass training partner, which returned every shot. the new rules were “never communicated to us” before in a commentary Sunday for Melbourne’s daily news- “Wrong surface, but that doesn’t matter for us,” she the charters flights. paper ‘The Age’. Rasheed said the players’ condition- tweeted. Uruguayan star Pablo Cuevas, ranked 68th in the World number 71 Sorana Cirstea of Romania said she ing should have been sorted beforehand, and called on world, used another clever hack for his backhand prac- would not have travelled to Australia if there was a those complaining online to be more positive about Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Esport Club tice: a mattress turned vertically against the wall. “Yes, I’m chance of hard quarantine. “I have no issues to stay 14 their confinement. “The players are lucky to come to a Abdullah Al-Ali and Secretary Faisal Abul with going crazy,” he wrote on Instagram. Instead of working days in the room watching Netflix. What we can’t do is country with strict health measures... and should be Gamma Game representative Hussein Al-Shehri. on shot technique, one player was pictured in his hotel COMPETE after we have stayed 14 days on a couch,” she grateful they can play a grand slam during the pan- window lifting dumbbells over his head. tweeted. demic,” he concluded. —AFP Established 1961 Sport

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021 Bilbao stun Barca to win Spanish Super Cup

Messi sees red • Koeman misses chance of first trophy with Catalans

MADRID: Lionel Messi was sent off for Toral, who only took over as coach less the first time playing for Barcelona as than two weeks ago. Athletic Bilbao stunned the Catalans to But there was praise too for his pred- win the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday, a ecessor Gaizka Garitano, who oversaw dramatic final finishing 3-2 after extra- this team reaching the Copa del Rey time. Moments before Bilbao’s momen- final last season, which earned qualifica- tous triumph was confirmed, Messi tion in the first place. “This is for Gaizka threw an arm at Asier Villalibre, who had Garitano and his coaching staff as well earlier scored a 90th-minute equalizer who brought us here,” said Williams. in normal time to deny Barca victory. Organizers at the Spanish Football Antoine Griezmann’s double looked to Federation might have hoped for the have sealed the trophy but Villalibre global attraction of a Clasico, especially intervened before Inaki Williams’ fabu- as the coronavirus pandemic had lous strike three minutes into extra time already kept the tournament in Spain proved decisive. rather than the lucrative Saudi Arabia, Messi shook off a thigh problem to where it was played last year. start in Seville and was required to play Yet this was a frantic final, with a all 120 minutes as Barcelona attempted hugely surprising result. Barca arrived to take the game to penalties. Instead, on the back of a nine-game unbeaten the 33-year-old lost his temper at the run and a trophy, even a minor one, end of a combative contest, reacting to would have turned encouraging signs in a late challenge from Villalibre by swip- recent weeks into more tangible evi- ing his hands across the back of his dence of a revival under Koeman. opponent. “It is not a step back,” he said. It meant a first ever red card for “Always winning titles is helpful to show Messi in 753 appearances for Barcelona, that we are on the right track, but it is to go with his two reds for Argentina in only one game, it is a Super Cup, and we 2005 and 2019. “After so many years in will show in the next few games that we SEVILLE: In this handout picture released by RFEF (Spanish Royal Football Federation) Athletic Bilbao players celebrate after winning the football, Leo knows perfectly well when are on the right track.” Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on Sunday. — AFP he is fit to play,” said Barca coach Bilbao were the better side in the first Ronald Koeman. “We talked and he said half, more decisive in possession and Marcelino hurled his water bottle to the struck again, Alba’s cross evading the the striker cutting inside from the left he was in a good place to start. He has more aggressive out of it. But both ground in disgust but his team were Bilbao defense and finding the and whipping a tremendous shot into survived the game, given the maximum, teams created little for 40 minutes and soon level. Frenchman, who steered in at the the top right-hand corner. nothing more.” then in two minutes both had scored. A Williams played the pass, his clipped front post for what looked like the Unai Nunez might have sealed it but Messi’s anger will take some of the brilliant pass created each of them, ball over the top catching Alba off- winner. Instead, Bilbao scored in the failed to connect. Griezmann almost res- limelight away from Bilbao, who had Messi the instigator for Barca. guard, with Oscar De Marcos sneaking 90th minute to send the game to cued it but fired high on the volley with already denied the competition a He collected from the right and in and half-volleying home. Raul Garcia extra-time and then the 93rd to lead his right foot. Then Villalibre left a Clasico final by beating Real Madrid in threaded through for Jordi Alba on the thought he had his third goal in four for the first time. shoulder in on Messi, who reacted, scut- the semi on Thursday and now have left, whose cut-back was intended for days when he headed in just before the Villalibre was allowed to volley in tling after his opponent and swinging an completed the set. It means a title and the Argentinian but spilled out to hour but Barca survived. from close range but there was little arm around the back of his head. Messi the perfect start for Marcelino Garcia Griezmann, who could not miss. With 10 minutes left, Griezmann Barca could do about Williams’ effort, and Barca were beaten. — AFP