RABIA ALTHANI 17, 1442 AH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020

16 Pages Max 24º Min 15º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18298 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Lavish election campaign Two thirds of school-age kids BTS’ ‘Life Goes On’ debuts F1 world champion Lewis 2 events are off the menu 6 without Internet access: UN 13 at No. 1 on US chart in first 16 Hamilton COVID-positive

80,000 domestic helpers to return directly to Kuwait

600 workers to return daily over 4 months • First flights from India, Philippines

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil “The success of the plan, in its initial stages, will Aviation (DGCA) said the return of foreign domes- move us to other stages for the return of the rest of tic workers to the country on direct flights will the categories of residents in an orderly manner in begin on Monday, Dec 7, with plans for a 14-day coordination with concerned government agencies COVID-19 mandatory state quarantine for 80,000 and in cooperation with the private sector,” added individuals put in place. The plan will save on costs Fawzan. for employers (sponsors), paving the way for direct State carrier Kuwait Airways and locally-owned flights back instead of being subject to costs per- Jazeera Airways will be in charge of airlifting the taining to a quarantine period abroad as was the workers and have been urged to provide competi- case before the decision, DGCA Director General tive prices for the flights, Acting Deputy Director Youssef Al-Fawzan said in a press statement. Saleh Al-Fadaghi said. Kuwait-based aviation serv- The huge endeavor, which will witness the entry ices provider NAS has been handed the roles of of 600 people a day, has been given a four-month transportation, housing, catering, cleaning and timeframe. It will begin with India and the security, with costs reduced to KD 270 per person Philippines, followed by other unspecified countries, from KD 550, he added. according to Fawzan, and will include logistical On Monday, the Cabinet decided to allow services, shelter, catering and security. The workers domestic helpers to start returning to the country will stay at one of 58 state quarantine buildings, from Dec 7, according to government spokesman where they will undergo three PCR tests and Tareq Al-Mazrem. He added the Cabinet set the receive three meals a day under health ministry cost of each returning maid at KD 270 to cover KUWAIT: Directorate General of Civil Aviation Director General Youssef Al-Fawzan (center) holds a press con- supervision. Men and women will be housed in sep- quarantine expenses. The amount does not include ference with other DGCA officials yesterday. -— KUNA arate facilities. airfare, Mazrem said. — KUNA

to rallies and dinner banquets. At least 10 candi- country. The government has also made prepara- News in brief Election rallies dates, most of them from the predominantly tribal tions to allow people infected with the coronavirus fourth constituency, held such rallies and published to cast their ballots by allocating special isolated MoH licenses two COVID drugs return as low pictures on their Twitter accounts showing large voting booths. Analysts meanwhile are predicting a crowds many of whom without face masks. low turnout because of the pandemic. Election spe- KUWAIT: The health ministry The new development comes amid a lackluster cialist Saleh Al-Saeedi, writing in Al-Qabas Arabic has authorized the drug bam- turnout seen election campaign that almost entirely depended on daily, said he expects the number of voters who cast lanivimab for emergency use to treat mild to moderate cases of By B Izzak social media and television interviews. Authorities their ballot to be low due to coronavirus concerns. COVID-19 in adult patients have slapped a total ban on public rallies and dinner Saeedi said this will benefit Islamists and tribal can- and children over 12 years old KUWAIT: A number of candidates, including ex- banquets to prevent contacts between people. didates because they have more committed and loy- who have risk factors that MPs, have broken a total ban on the traditional Authorities have advised voters to abide by strict al voters, who will likely brave pandemic concerns make them more vulnerable. election campaigns to contain the spread of the health measures on election day on Dec 5, especial- to vote for their candidates. Assistant Undersecretary for Drug and Food coronavirus pandemic, hosting hundreds of voters ly after a sharp drop in new coronavirus cases in the Continued on Page 2 Control Affairs Dr Abdullah Al-Bader said barici- tinib was licensed to be used as an added drug to remdesivir to treat COVID-19 cases in adult patients and children over two years old receiv- ing hospital treatment with ventilators. — KUNA Economy back to pre-COVID level China probe lands on Moon

BEIJING: An unmanned Chinese spacecraft in 2021: OECD landed on the Moon yesterday, state media reported, marking only the second time the PARIS: The global economy may get back to pre- country had successfully placed a probe on the pandemic levels by the end of next year as vaccines lunar surface. The Chang’e-5 spacecraft “landed help propel recovery, but growth is likely to be on the near side of the moon late Tuesday”, the uneven, the OECD said yesterday. Signs that vac- Xinhua report said. The mission’s goal is to cines could now be weeks away from distribution shovel up lunar rocks and soil to help scientists have injected cautious optimism as the year limps to learn about the Moon’s origins, formation and a close with COVID-19 having claimed some 1.4 volcanic activity on its surface. — AFP million lives. “For the first time since the pandemic began, there is now hope for a brighter future,” OECD Car tears through pedestrian zone Chief Economist Laurence Boone wrote in her introduction to the organization’s latest review of TRIER, Germany: At least two people were killed the global economic outlook. “Progress with vac- and several injured when a car tore through a cines and treatment have lifted expectations and pedestrian shopping street in the German city of uncertainty has receded,” she said, acknowledging Trier yesterday, police said, adding that the driver that virus containment measures would likely be had been arrested. Police spokesman Karl-Peter necessary for some months to come. TOKYO: Skyscrapers in Tokyo’s Shinjuku area are seen during sunset yesterday. — AFP Jochem told reporters that the driver was a 51-year- Continued on Page 2 old German from the local area and that “the danger is over”. Smartphone footage showed the driver lying face down on the street, being held down by tists to trace the origins of the virus. several officers next to the damaged SUV. — AFP Mystery still They will have to investigate both the suspect animals and how the first patients may have been infected. “We Bahrain delegation in Israel shrouds origin want to know the origin and we will do everything to know the origin,” WHO TEL AVIV: A 40-strong Bahraini delegation of COVID-19 chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Israel yesterday for two days of talks told reporters on Monday. on boosting economic cooperation and tourism PARIS: While many scientists are But success is by no means after the two countries normalized relations in racing to find vaccines to tame the assured. The first cases were reported September. Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi spread of the coronavirus pandemic, in the Chinese city of Wuhan a year Ashkenazi had been due to visit Bahrain this week other researchers are probing the ago, before countries across the world but the trip was cancelled, diplomatic sources past, trying to unravel one of the began to record growing infections. told AFP. The two states will sign today a memo- greatest mysteries of the virus: The WHO said the first cases in randum of understanding that includes the estab- WASHINGTON: This transmission electron microscopic image shows the virus Exactly where it came from. The Wuhan are believed to date from the lishment of a bilateral forum to promote mutual that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the US, emerging from the sur- World Health Organization has assem- beginning of December. tourism. — AFP face of cells cultured in a lab. — AFP bled an international team of 10 scien- Continued on Page 2 2 Established 1961 Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Local In Kuwait, lavish election campaign events off menu

Online platforms take place of traditional campaigning

KUWAIT: Lavish banquets served in opulent mar- paign, said the association’s director, Fahd Al- quees are nowhere to be seen this election season Arbach. “This period is usually the main driver of in oil-rich Kuwait, where the coronavirus pandemic their business in normal times,” he said. has forced a ban on traditional over-the-top cam- paign events. Lambs on spits, mountains of rice, Online shift and platters of sweets usually attract hordes of The weekend elections are the first since the new potential voters to campaign events in the small Amir His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Gulf state, which holds parliamentary elections on Jaber Al-Sabah took office on September 29 follow- Saturday. ing the passing of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Unlike its more authoritarian neighbors, Kuwait Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. A few electoral banners has a dynamic political dotted through the streets life with an active par- are the only reminder of liament that doesn’t hes- the nation’s political calen- itate to take the govern- dar. Instead, this year’s ment to task. Its election campaign is mainly being campaigns are equally Health crisis fought on social networks lively — in normal saved candidates and in the media. years. Tweets, Snapchat videos, In elections past, ‘a fortune’ Instagram “lives” and elec- Fahd Mohammed Al- toral meetings via Zoom Moutairi used to organ- have taken the place of tra- ize feasts for half a ditional campaigning, and dozen candidates, all candidates are pumping the aiming to impress voters with their generosity, in his money saved on catering into virtual campaigns. restaurant ‘Tayba’, located north of the capital The cost of advertising has shot up as a result, Kuwait City. “We usually prepare grilled lamb and said Faysal Al-Sawagh, head of the Kuwaiti rice for dinners during the campaign that can run Federation of Electronic Media. “Kuwaitis are using for up to two months. But the coronavirus blew it all social networks to make their voices heard and hear away,” he said. ideas from the candidates,” he said. The loss of business is another blow to restaura- The usual themes of election campaigns are a teurs who suffered during months of lockdown to constant though, from promises to fight corruption KUWAIT: A billboard featuring candidate Alia Al-Khaled, who is running for Kuwait’s parliamentary elections, is stem the spread of the virus in Kuwait, which has and plans for youth employment to freedom of seen in Kuwait City on November 22, 2020. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat registered more than 142,000 infections and nearly expression, housing, education and the thorny issue 900 deaths. Campaign events can cost between KD of the ‘bedoon’, Kuwait’s stateless minority. “Spending has increased on electronic and traditional orate dinners that politicians would normally throw a 3,000 and KD 7,000 (about $10,000-23,000), and media instead,” the young lawyer said. “These unusual couple of times a week in the lead-up to the vote. draw as many 2,000 guests in the country’s tribal Silver lining circumstances are giving young candidates a better The philosophy professor, who is campaigning regions, according to the Kuwaiti Federation of The frugality imposed by the health crisis has chance of winning, as they have already linked with vot- on a platform of defending women’s rights, said Restaurants. saved politicians a fortune, considering the average ers in the past few years through social networks,” he she is redoubling her efforts to promote herself Along with restaurants, companies that organize expense of fighting an election campaign can reach said. on Twitter and Instagram. “This time, social net- banquets under large tents, serving coffee and KD 100,000 (about $327,000), said one contender, Another candidate, Sheikha Al-Jassem, is also pleased works have become the battleground of the par- dates to voters, will be the big losers in this cam- Ali Al-Ali. to have reduced her costs by not having to host the elab- liamentary elections,” she said. — AFP

Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel, briefed minis- ment plan and the number and type of violations Cabinet examines ters on means to address the deficiencies mentioned recorded by authorities. Also, reassessing texts reg- News in brief in the various government agencies. The Cabinet ulating administrative and financial work, taking into financial observer assigned its ministers to monitor observations consideration the public interest and safeguarding Amir congratulates recorded by the Financial Supervisory Authority on state funds, along with a commitment to prevent the UAE on national day its affiliated bodies, and to take the necessary appointment of officials in financial affairs, who lack measures against those who prove their negligence the sufficient expertise. office report KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh or in violation. The Cabinet also discussed the committee’s rec- Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah KUWAIT: The Cabinet examined the recommen- It also assigned the Civil Service Commission, in ommendations regarding the Ministry of Finance’s coordination with the Ministry of Finance, the request to transfer COVID-19 state quarantine and addressed yesterday a cable to UAE President dations of the Economic Affairs Committee meeting Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on his regarding the financial observer office report for the Financial Observers Authority and the authorities it meal expenses to the budget of the Ministry of deems appropriate, to carry out several matters. Health, with the Cabinet deciding that the Ministry country’s 49th national day. In his cable, His fiscal year 2019-2020. This came during the Highness praised the brotherly and historical Cabinet’s weekly meeting Monday, chaired by His These include linking the renewal of the positions of of Finance would continue to bear these costs, in bonds that ties both countries. Moreover, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- senior officials to clear measurement performance coordination with the Ministry of Health. It also Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. indicators, which measure the extent of compliance allowed the Ministry of Health to use the Kuwait Highness also exalted all the great achieve- The Economic Affairs Committee’s chairwoman, with financial laws and instructions, the extent of International Fairgrounds, during the pandemic, free ments done by UAE in all various fields. His Minister of Social Affairs and the State Minister for compliance with the requirements of the develop- of charge for the matter. — KUNA Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled genetic analysis. This can help “better understand trans- could look out for an animal with a virus receptor, a pro- Mystery still mission dynamics, particularly how the virus may have tein called ACE2, similar to the one found in humans. It is Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables to the evolved over time and how clusters might be related in through this receptor that the virus latches onto cells. President of UAE Sheikh Khalifa. — KUNA time and place”, the WHO said. Some animals such as mink and ferrets have been found shrouds origin... Scientists agree that the disease has an animal origin. to have a very similar receptor to humans, while others “The big question is what led it to jump into humans,” are quite different. Cabinet congratulates UAE Continued from Page 1 Etienne Simon-Loriere told AFP. Suspicions have fallen Another origin theory that swirled in conspiracy on bats, which are “a major reservoir for coronaviruses”, rumors for months was that the Wuhan Institute of But “where an epidemic is first detected does not he adds. But there would likely have been an intermedi- Virology was involved in the outbreak. Against the back- KUWAIT: Kuwait’s government congratulated necessarily reflect where it started”, it added in a ary animal to shepherd SARS-CoV-2 into people. The drop of diplomatic tensions, US President Donald Trump the UAE on its national day during the Cabinet’s November report. pangolin - a mammal subject to rampant regional wildlife touted the idea, claiming the virus could have leaked weekly meeting on Monday. It offered its sincere In recent months, researchers in various countries smuggling - was identified as a likely carrier early on from the biosafety lab. China has rejected the accusa- congratulations to President Sheikh Khalifa bin have suggested that cases may have gone unnoticed based on genetic analysis. But the case is not settled. tions. While Simon-Loriere said it was not yet possible Zayed Al-Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister long before Dec 2019, based on analysis of wastewater WHO investigators will need to clarify this point by to completely rule out the idea that the virus escaped and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin or blood samples. But there is a lack of “clear evidence” probing the wet market in Wuhan, which sold live and accidentally, he stressed that there was “no indication it to back up these claims, said Etienne Simon-Loriere, of wild animals and has been linked to many of the early was manmade”. “All the elements of its genome have Rashed Al-Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu the virology department at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. cases. The team will be armed with clues we did not have already been observed in nature, mainly in bat coron- Dhabi Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, To establish a virus family tree, researchers rely on at the start of the pandemic. Simon-Loriere said they aviruses,” he said. — AFP along with the Emirati people. The ministers praised the great achievements made by the UAE She said that support “will pay off handsomely” in than their weight in the global economy. and the evident development and progress it has Economy back to the coming months. “The rebound will be stronger Despite the expected imminent distribution of made on various levels. — KUNA and faster as more and more activities re-open, lim- vaccines, the global economic outlook remains iting the aggregate income loss from the crisis,” “exceptionally uncertain” said the OECD given the pre-COVID level... Boone said. difficulties of rolling out massive vaccination cam- Kuwait condemns attacks But that rebound is likely to be uneven and may paigns, uncertainties about how long the vaccines Continued from Page 1 lead to lasting changes in the world economy, the will provide protection and the need to impose KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Cabinet expressed its OECD warned. China is likely to be the only major restrictions in the meantime. “The road ahead is brighter but challenging,” strong condemnation of the recent deadly ter- economy to escape a contraction this year, with its The OECD also sounded the alarm about the rorist bombings that occurred in Bamyan and Boone added. economy growing by 1.8 percent and then surging social impact of the pandemic crisis which has seen Ghazni Province in Afghanistan, the violent The Organization for Economic Co-operation by 8.0 percent in 2021. On the other hand, the US many people thrown out of work. “Despite the huge armed attack that took place last Saturday in and Development now sees world output dropping economy will contract by 3.7 percent this year but policy band-aid, and even in an upside scenario, the the village of Kushoy, in northwestern Nigeria by 4.2 percent this year thanks to the months-long is only likely to manage 3.2 percent growth in 2021. pandemic will have damaged the -economic fabric lockdowns that slowed the spread of the coron- The eurozone will make up even less lost ground. of countries worldwide,” said Boone. She urged and the terrorist bombing at the Somali capital, avirus but threw a wrench into the global economy. After a 7.5 percent contraction in 2020, it is expect- governments not to let up on support measures as Mogadishu. The ministers underlined Kuwait’s But it forecasts the world economy to snap back ed to grow just 3.6 percent in 2021. Japan is expect- COVID-19 vaccines become available even as pub- position in rejection of all acts of violence and with 4.2 percent growth in 2021. The forecasts for ed to fare similarly, with a 5.3 percent contraction in lic debt levels soar to unprecedented levels. terrorism, regardless of the motive or form, the contraction and the recovery are both more 2020 followed by a 2.3 percent rise in 2021. Even “Heightened policy activism need not be a con- which violate international conventions, norms, modest than those its September update, despite other major emerging nations are also expected to cern if deployed to deliver higher and fairer religious and Islamic values and principles, and many countries imposing new restrictions to slow only slowly recover. Brazil’s 6.0 percent drop this growth,” Boone said, noting that the cost of debt is target innocent lives and destabilize nations. the spread of the coronavirus. year is likely to be followed by only 2.6 percent at record lows. The OECD urged governments to The Cabinet also condemned the terrorist The OECD, which advises its 37 member nations growth in 2021. focus their efforts on essential goods and services attack carried out by ISIS, which targeted a on stimulating economic progress and world trade, India is seen as doing better, with its 9.9 percent such as education, health, physical and digital infra- Chinese-owned oil refinery in Iraq’s credited the quick recovery to “unprecedented” drop this year to be followed by a 7.9 percent structure that lay the foundations for growth. It also Salaheddine Governorate, reiterating its rejec- action by governments and central banks. “Without rebound. Overall, China is expected to account for called for decisive actions to reverse the rise in tion of such terrorist acts, and its call for the massive policy support, the economic and social sit- one-third of global growth next year, while Europe poverty and income inequality and a return to inter- international community to tackle terrorism in uation would have been calamitous,” Boone said. and North America are expected to contribute less national cooperation. — AFP all its forms. — KUNA

passing through a delicate juncture. Former MP former opposition MP Bader Al-Dahoum and oth- Kuwaiti oil price down Election rallies Hasan Jowhar, bidding for a comeback from the ers can take part in the election. Dahoum’s first constituency, strongly lashed out at the gov- lawyers had demanded that the court’s judges be KUWAIT: The price of Kuwaiti oil went down return as low... ernment agency for stateless people (bedoons). He replaced because they had participated in a simi- by 29 cents to $46.88 per barrel (pb) on said when the agency was established 10 years lar case in 2016, but the court rejected the request Monday, after it was at $47.17 pb last Friday, Continued from Page 1 ago, its director promised to resolve the crisis and set today to issue its ruling. An interior min- Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said yes- within five years. But the crisis has become even istry commission last month disqualified 34 candi- terday. Globally, the price of Brent crude went Leading opposition MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri, more complicated and the sufferings of thousands dates from contesting the polls, but the court rein- down by 59 cents to $47.59 pb, the same case contesting from the fourth constituency, yesterday of bedoons have increased. stated 15 and is likely to add some more to the with the West Texas Intermediate, which warned against attempts by the interior ministry Meanwhile, the court of cassation yesterday total. In total, 322 candidates are running in decreased by 19 cents to $45.34 pb. — KUNA to interfere in the election, adding that Kuwait is said it will issue its final ruling today on whether Saturday’s polls. Established 1961 3 Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Local Kuwait’s Foreign Minister meets GCC Secretary General Sheikh Dr Ahmad receives new Philippines, Malta ambassadors

KUWAIT: Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah Sabah meets Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Dr Nayef receives the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Philippines to receives the credentials of the new Ambassador of Malta to Kuwait Al-Hajraf. —KUNA photos Kuwait Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot. Raymond Sarsero.

KUWAIT: Foreign Minister and Acting Minister of his credentials as the new Ambassador of the Kuwait Raymond Sarsero. Sheikh Dr Ahmad wel- Information Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al- Philippines to Kuwait. Sheikh Dr Ahmad wished the comed the Maltese diplomat and wished him suc- Mohammad Al-Sabah received yesterday Secretary new ambassador success in his tenure and for rela- cess in his current tenure. Senior officials from the General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr tions between both sides to further progress and Foreign Ministry attended the meeting. Nayef Al-Hajraf. The two officials discussed during Kuwait, Kyrgyz prosper, a foreign ministry statement said. Deputy On Monday, Sheikh Dr Ahmad held virtual talks the meeting issues pertaining to the GCC in the Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, Assistant with Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Ruslan upcoming period and also touched on recent FMs discuss Foreign Minister for Protocols Dhari Al-Ajran, Kazakbaev on bilateral cooperation to fighting the regional and international developments. Senior collaboration Assistant Foreign Minister for the Minister’s Office coronavirus pandemic. The two senior diplomats officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended Saleh Al-Loughani and a number of senior foreign also discussed ways of further promoting bilateral the meeting. ministry officials attended the meeting. Sheikh Dr relations and cooperation, and regional and interna- Meanwhile, Sheikh Dr Ahmad received Mohamed Ahmad also received yesterday the credentials of tional issues of mutual interest, the foreign ministry Noureddine Le Mondotot who presented a copy of the newly appointed Maltese Ambassador to said in a statement. —KUNA

New blood donation branch opens in Farwaniya Hospital

KUWAIT: The Blood Transfusion Services Department at the Ministry of Health (MoH) inau- gurated yesterday a subsidiary blood donation bank in Farwaniya Hospital, as part of its strategic plan to provide new branches in every health area and increase the overall bloodstock. Assistant Undersecretary at MoH for Medical Services Dr Mohammad Al-Khashti said, on the sidelines of the Officials pose for a group photo in front of the new blood donation branch in Farwaniya Hospital. opening, that the increase in blood donation branches is part of MoH’s development plan and its platelet bags since the start of 2020, using the lat- interest in improving and developing the health est international technologies in terms of safety services provided. He commended the efforts of the and quality, she said. Blood Transfusion Services Department in improv- She indicated that the opening of the new ing and developing the services responsible for it. blood branch will contribute to increasing the dai- In a similar statement, Director of the ly collection of donating blood by 4 percent, Department of Blood Transfusion Services at MoH which will relieve pressure on the main bank. The Dr Reem Al-Radwan said that the Farwaniya department faced significant challenges to contin- Hospital branch contained four beds. The overall ue donating and providing its services, in accor- number of beds in all branches equals to 93, she dance with the highest safety standards and the noted, adding that the branch receives donors application of health requirements to ensure an during official working hours from Sunday to adequate, safe and sustainable supplies of blood KUWAIT: Assistant Undersecretary at MoH for Medical Thursday, from 07:30 am to 08:30 pm. The considering the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also Services Dr Mohammad Al-Khashti inaugurates the new blood transfusion branch in Farwaniya Hospital Kuwait Central Blood Bank and its branches have able to attract donors and maintain the strategic A man donates blood in Farwaniya Hospital. yesterday. —KUNA photos collected about 75,000 blood bags and 8,000 blood stock, she added. —KUNA Kuwait sees 357 new COVID-19 cases, one death

KUWAIT: Kuwait listed 357 new coronavirus infections yesterday, in addition to one death which increased the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 881. The new cases, which the ministry said yesterday were recorded over the previous 24 hours, raise total infections since the outbreak of the disease to 142,992. Meanwhile, the ministry confirmed 554 recoveries over the same period, increasing total recoveries to 137,625. The number of hospitalized patients stood yesterday at 4,486, with 82 of them in intensive care units, according to ministry spokesman Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad. He further revealed that 5,572 swab tests were conducted over the same period taking the total to 1,101,146. Dr Sanad further urged the public to follow health pre- cautions, mainly social distancing, in order to help limit the spread of the virus. —KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Wednesday, December 2, 2020

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

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

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

Manpower authority director meets Indian ambassador KUWAIT: A photo taken yesterday shows parts of Kuwait City and Shuwaikh Port. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: General-Director of the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) Ahmed Al- Mousa on Monday stressed the authority’s commitment to providing legal protection and ensuring an appropriate work environment for all workers in the private and domestic sectors. While receiving India’s Ambassador to Kuwait Grieving mother seeks help receiving Sibi George and his accompanying delegation, Mousa said Kuwait’s labor market is hiring workers who serve the market and meet its needs. Mousa lauded the historical and distin- guished relations between the two countries, deceased baby from Kuwaiti hospital stressing keenness on keeping these ties good. He affirmed that Kuwait is making continued efforts to develop the process of recruiting skilled workers in a method that serves Absconding case stands in way of infant’s burial back in Philippines Kuwait’s developmental and economic inter- By Ben Garcia her partner filed an absconding case against Melba Already pregnant, she had no choice but to go to the ests, and benefits at the same time the workers in early 2020. hospital when she went into labor. “This part of my and the countries. KUWAIT: A grieving mother has been refused the From then on, Melba’s life has only gotten more life is very painful and I could not imagine why I was Meanwhile, the Indian envoy expressed right to bury her baby back in the Philippines due tested with this type of trial in my life. I am crying his gratitude and appreciation to Kuwait for to an absconding case against her in Kuwait. Melba, every day; the sponsor wants me out of Kuwait for a its efforts made in this regard, emphasizing a 45-year-old Filipina, gave birth to a baby girl on fault that can be fixed by dialogue. I am in pain his desire to boost cooperation between the Oct 25, 2020 at Sabah Maternity Hospital. Sadly, because of the sudden loss of my baby,” said Melba, two countries in labor. During the meeting, the baby died 22 days later due to birth complica- Only sponsor who is ready to leave Kuwait but not without her the Kuwaiti and Indian sides discussed tions. Melba and her husband Toti would like to infant’s remains and her residency issue fixed. mechanisms of mutual cooperation in the bury the child in their home country, but due to the can drop Her husband, who is a legal resident of Kuwait, field of recruitment and employment of absconding case, the hospital is refusing to release absconding case has tried to help resolve the situation. Even the Indian workers in the State of Kuwait. the infant’s remains. Philippines Embassy tried to resolve the matter, but Deputy Director General of PAM Mubarak Melba’s troubles started in 2018 when she part- only the sponsor can cancel an absconding case. Al-Azmi, head of PAM International nered with another Filipina to open a restaurant in “The problem is I cannot take the body of my Relations Department Director Jaber Al-Ali Farwaniya. Melba had been running restaurants in daughter. I feel very frustrated. I keep praying that I and legal researcher Abdulaziz Khalifa Kuwait for several years and had good experience overcome this painful chapter of my life and for a attended the meeting. — KUNA in the industry. But a dispute arose between her and difficult. Unable to resolve the legal matter or renew change of heart by my business partner and spon- her partner, who is married to a Kuwaiti. As a result, her residency, Melba became an illegal resident. sor,” she said.

sometimes required; not only Are teeth removals to make space to align all the teeth, but also in individuals necessary for with certain facial features, such as people with prominent dental braces? cheekbones, where it could also improve their facial By Dr Saud Al-Anezi, Consultant Orthodontist appearance and smile. The risk of attempting braces’ treat- KUWAIT: Orthodontics (braces treatment) is a ment without taking teeth out branch of dentistry which deals with problems of in individuals with prominent Dr Saud Al-Anezi teeth alignment or jaws. It aims to improve the facial cheekbones could make the appearance and the smile of the individual. Removing facial appearance worse. teeth, or teeth extraction, to make space before the The decision to remove teeth or not is based on orthodontist starts the treatment is one of the most several factors that the doctor has to bear in mind. extensively debated topics among doctors all over the Examples include crooked teeth, if there is a dis- globe. The current standard suggests that each indi- crepancy of the facial jaws, i.e. the maxilla (top jaw) vidual case should be considered on its merits. That is and the mandible (bottom jaw), and how wide the to say, there is no such thing as saying that removing jaws are. If the jaws are narrow, then there are spe- teeth is always required, or vice versa. cial and contemporary devices that widen the jaws, Certainly, a decision not to remove teeth before which provide space, allowing the doctor to align treatment has its advantages, such as the fact that the the teeth without removals. In conclusion, I person- patient would not have to go through this process ally examine my patients thoroughly before making (which is not a pleasant experience to most people), the decision. Although removing teeth prior to and treatment time would theoretically be shorter. braces still exists, it is minimally required now with Nonetheless, it must be stated that removing teeth is the advancements in technology.

KUWAIT: Pictures showing the teeth of a 13-year-old girl that were treated by Dr Saud Al-Anezi, illustrating how a patient with severe crooked teeth can be treated successfully with dental braces.

Kuwaiti-funded clinic opens in Yemen ADEN: Authorities in Yemen’s Taiz governorate opened a Kuwaiti-funded medical clinic to benefit about 50,000 people. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Governor of Taiz Abdulhakim Aoun expressed gratitude to Kuwait, His Highness the Amir, the government and people for this generous humani- tarian backing to the Yemeni people, mainly Taiz’s citi- zens. He added that this generous humanitarian step support from the International Islamic Charitable represents a great value to the Yemeni citizens that Organization (IICO) that supervised the project fund- will help them benefit from several services close to ed by the Kuwaitis who, as their government and lead- their homes. He noted that Kuwait’s popular interac- ers, have been standing with the Yemenis in various tion in the humanitarian side to support the Yemeni circumstances and phases. Meanwhile, Mohammad people in these circumstances is an extension of the Al-Akhrash, head of Al-Hikma Al-Yamania Association official governmental role in encouraging humanitarian for Charity in Taiz, said that the clinic is part of ‘Kuwait action, as part of the approach adopted by Kuwait. He by your side’ campaign that has been carrying out stated that it is not a new approach in the Kuwaiti- projects for six years. The facility will enable at least Yemeni relationships as they date back more than six 50,000 citizens to take advantage of health and med- decades. He appreciated this generous humanitarian ical services, he added. — KUNA

International WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020 Prison pen pals: Hong Kongers keep in touch Mum in Sweden arrested for locking son up for decades with jailed protesters Page 7 Page 8

LOS ANGELES, California: A healthcare worker collects a self-administered coronavirus test at a testing site on Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday. — AFP Vaccine hopes given a new boost Trump’s controversial coronavirus adviser quits WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s contro- arms of millions of Americans by the middle of ing to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP. riot in a Sri Lankan prison where guards shot dead versial coronavirus adviser resigned Monday, while December. Health Secretary Alex Azar told CBS The World Health Organization (WHO) insisted eight inmates and wounded at least 71 others. hopes for a firstwave of vaccinations before the end of News: “We could be seeing both of these vaccines out Monday it was doing everything possible to find the However, Australia’s success against the pandemic 2020 received a further boost with an announcement and getting into people’s arms before Christmas.” animal origins of the virus, although it hasn’t yet sent saw international students arrive for the first time from US firm Moderna. Scott Atlas, a favored coron- Co-developed with the US National Institutes of a full team of expert investigators to China. since it shut its borders in March, with a charter flight avirus adviser of the US president, who tweeted in Health, the jabs were generally well tolerated, with the Observers have voiced concern the agency has touching down in Darwin on Monday. The situation in October “Masks work? NO,” has submitted his resig- most common side effects including injection site pain, bowed to Chinese pressure and dragged its feet over former global epicenter New York remains precari- nation, effective as of December 1, Fox News reported. fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain and headache. Moderna the investigation, but WHO chief Tedros Adhanom ous, with Governor Andrew Cuomo warning small Lacking relevant experience or qualifications in expects to have approximately 20 million doses of the Ghebreyesus hit back and urged critics to stop gatherings are now responsible for 65 percent of the public health or infectious disease, he also called in vaccine available in the US by the end of 2020, and “politicizing” the issue. spread. “We are now worried about overwhelming the November for people in Michigan to “rise up” against between 500 million to a billion doses globally in 2021. At a briefing, Tedros added he was alarmed over a hospital system,” Cuomo said, warning a new lock- COVID-19 measures. Atlas stepped down as hopes The news came after leading US scientist Anthony rapid worsening of the COVID-19 situations in Brazil down could be needed. California Governor Gavin rose for a first wave of vaccinations before the end of Fauci voiced his fears as millions of travelers returned and Mexico, urging them to be “very serious” about Newsom said his state’s hospital intensive care units the year after Moderna said it was filing for emergency home after the Thanksgiving holiday. halting the spread. Europe meanwhile is still battling could be overloaded in just a couple weeks. authorization of its vaccine in the United States and The United States is the worst-affected country, to lower the daily toll of death and infection with a COVID risk across most of the US is now consid- Europe. After top US scientists warned Americans to with more than 267,000 COVID-19 deaths, and the variety of curbs, lockdowns and tests after fatalities ered “critical” and more than 93,000 people are brace for a “surge superimposed on the surge,” Trump administration has issued conflicting messages topped 400,000 at the weekend. hospitalized, according to the COVID Tracking Moderna reported full results had confirmed a high on mask-wearing, travel and the danger posed by the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan Project. Scientists estimate around 70 percent of the efficacy estimated at 94.1 percent. virus. “What we expect, unfortunately, as we go for the announced a total weekend lockdown and a curfew population will need to be vaccinated to bring an It was set to join American pharmaceutical maker next couple of weeks into December is that we might for the rest of the week. In Asia, Hong Kong on end to the outbreak, and this may not be achievable Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech, which applied for see a surge superimposed on the surge we are already Monday announced social distancing measures at until the second half of next year. Amid signs of similar approvals last week, and have predicted their in,” Fauci said Sunday. some of the strictest levels in the city since the start growing global vaccine skepticism, International vaccine could be greenlit in the US shortly after of the pandemic, as authorities battle a fourth wave Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies December 10. If the US Food and Drug Administration Fourth wave of infections. “This new wave of COVID-19 has hit president Francesco Rocca warned Monday: “To agrees Moderna’s product is safe and effective, the More than 1.4 million people have died worldwide Hong Kong very quickly,” chief executive Carrie Lam beat this pandemic, we also have to defeat the paral- first of the drug’s two doses could be injected into the since the outbreak in China last December, accord- said. Anger over rising infection numbers sparked a lel pandemic of distrust.”— AFP

caps, and facemasks, the new doctors lined up on Syrian graduate stage in a hall packed with friends and family. Extending their right hand in front of them, they recit- ed the Hippocratic Oath in unison in Arabic. doctors battle Mohammed, who hails from eastern Syria, was delight- ed to finally be graduating after the war forced him to COVID in rebel hub put on hold his studies in 2012. For two years, he volunteered as a rescue work- er to help those wounded in bombardment on AZAZ: Mohammed Mostafa Al-Mohammed started rebel-held areas, before resuming his studies from studying medicine in rebel-held northern Syria to help scratch in 2014. “We were constantly exposed to the victims of war, but instead he has graduated into a air strikes and artillery fire,” he said of his time world battling the novel coronavirus pandemic. The with the Syrian Civil Defense first responders 29-year-old graduate from an opposition-backed uni- known as the “White Helmets”. Syria’s war has versity had expected to be tending to the wounded killed more than 380,000 people and displaced under the threat of bombardment by the Russia- millions from their homes since starting in 2011 backed Damascus regime. But after endless regime with the brutal repression of anti-government offensives against Syria’s last major rebel bastion of protests. It has also ravaged a large part of the Idlib, a ceasefire took hold in March, just as COVID-19 health sector and pushed 70 percent of health started spreading worldwide. workers to flee the country. Doctors who stayed MEKLADIDA, Ethiopia: In this file photo, young children drink a high-protein mix provided by the World Food Program “Our dream is to build Syria and treat the sick,” behind have had to battle COVID-19. (WFP) during a school feeding program at the Mekladida refugee camp. — AFP Mohammed, 29, told AFP at his graduation ceremony in the town of Azaz in a part of Aleppo province con- ‘Our duty’ trolled by pro-Turkey rebels. But “we’re facing a diffi- The dean of the faculty of medicine, Jawad Abu countries to fall ever further behind their peers with cult challenge” with the coronavirus, said the rescue Hatab, said confronting a pandemic in a country little chance to catch up. 2 thirds of school-age worker turned doctor. Humanitarian workers fear any already battered by nearly a decade of war was no further rise in novel coronavirus cases would be disas- small feat. “Coronavirus is a challenge for all health ‘Formidable challenge’ trous in northwestern Syria, where around half of three sectors even in stable countries,” said the doctor and kids without Internet It found that fewer than one in 20 school-age chil- million people live in overcrowded camps or tempo- former head of the opposition “Syrian Interim dren from low-income countries had access to the rary shelters after being displaced by conflict. Government”. “So imagine a region like ours where the GENEVA: Two thirds of school-age children world- internet at home, compared to nine out of 10 in In Idlib and adjacent parts of Aleppo province, medical sector has been destroyed and healthcare wide have no internet at home, a UN report found yes- wealthier nations. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia opposition officials have recorded almost 15,766 novel centres set up instead are not enough.” terday, even as pandemic-induced school closures are the regions where children are least able to get coronavirus infections in total, including 166 deaths. The World Health Organization has recorded 337 have made online access vital to getting an education. online, with a full nine out of 10 children without inter- Around two-thirds of all confirmed Covid-19 cases in attacks on healthcare facilities in northwestern Syria In all, an estimated 1.3 billion children between the net access at home. northwestern Syria have been announced over the between 2016 and 2019. By March, it said only half of ages of three and 17 do not have internet connections There are also clear differences between internet past month. Mohammed was among the first 32 doc- 550 health facilities in the region remained open due in their homes, said the joint report from the United access in towns and cities and in the countryside, with tors who graduated from the “Aleppo University in to damage, insecurity or people having fled the sur- Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the 60 percent of children living in urban settings without Liberated Areas”, an institution founded in 2014 and rounding area. Over the past months, humanitarian International Telecommunication Union (ITU). an internet connection at home, compared to 75 per- backed by Syria’s political opposition. actors have scrambled to help increase testing capaci- The report also found that a similar lack of access cent in rural areas. “Connecting rural populations ties and the number of beds ready to receive patients among youths and young adults, with 63 percent of all remains a formidable challenge,” ITU chief Houlin Hippocratic Oath suffering from COVID-19. —AFP 15 to 24-year-olds unconnected at home. “That so Zhao said in the statement. The report warned that Dressed in dark blue and green graduation gowns, many children and young people have no internet at even in homes with an internet connection, children home is more than a digital gap, it is a digital canyon,” may not actually be able to get online. It pointed to UNICEF chief Henrietta Fore warned in a statement. pressure to do chores or to work, lack of sufficient Lacking connectivity prevents young people from devices in households and also cautioned that girls “competing in the modern economy. It isolates them may have less access to the internet than boys. from the world,” she said. The two UN agencies did not have specific numbers The report’s findings are particularly worrying, she showing the difference in internet access among girls said, at a time when school closures due to the and boys, but their data showed a clear difference in COVID-19 pandemic remain widespread, forcing hun- how easy it is for males and females overall to get online. dreds of millions of students to rely on virtual learning. Worldwide, 55 percent of males and 48 percent of “Put bluntly: Lack of internet access is costing the next females were using the internet in 2019, but the differ- generation their futures.” The report cautioned that ences are far starker in low-income countries and in even before the pandemic struck, the digital divide was poorer regions. In Africa, for instance, 37 percent of men deepening inequalities, allowing children from the and boys and only 20 percent of women and girls were MAREA, Syria: This picture taken on Nov 26, 2020 shows Syrian students from the “Aleppo University in Liberated Areas” poorest households and from rural or low-income using the internet last year, ITU data showed.— AFP sitting with microscopes at a laboratory facility in the rebel-controlled northern countryside of Aleppo. — AFP Established 1961 7 Wednesday, December 2, 2020 International Azerbaijan forces raise flag in last district handed back by Armenia Turkey, Russia seal deal for Karabakh ‘peacekeeping centre’ LACHIN: Azerbaijani soldiers yesterday hoisted their International Crisis Group told AFP that while the han- country’s flag in the final district given up by Armenia dover of the last district signalled that the peace deal News in brief under a peace deal that ended weeks of fighting over was “working”, the new status quo remains “unclear”. the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. A column of “The Moscow-brokered agreement is very precise Azerbaijani military trucks entered the Lachin district when it comes to the territories’ handover, but is Outrage in Haiti over kidnappings overnight, taking over the last of three regions around ambiguous on a number of aspects such as the mandate Karabakh handed over by Armenia under the Russian- of Russian peacekeepers and how the life of the local PORT-AU-PRINCE: Staff at multiple Haitian brokered agreement. AFP journalists saw soldiers rais- population, both Armenian and Azerbaijani, will be healthcare facilities went on strike Monday to ing the Azerbaijani flag over an administrative building organized,” she said. protest the kidnapping of an intern, part of in the town of Lachin in the early hours. widespread public outrage at a recent increase Armenia agreed to hand over the three districts - Russia’s role grows in abductions on the island. Hans David Aghdam, Lachin and Kalbajar - as part of the In addition to deploying peacekeepers, Russia is Telemaque was kidnapped early Saturday morn- November deal that stopped an Azerbaijani offensive helping some of the tens of thousands who fled the ing in a street near the State University of Haiti that had reclaimed swathes of territory lost to Armenian fighting to return to Karabakh itself. Moscow’s defense Hospital (HUEH), in Port-au-Prince. He was freed separatists in a 1990s war. Under the agreement, some ministry yesterday said it had so far assisted in the Sunday evening following a ransom payment of 2,000 Russian peacekeepers deployed between the two return of more than 26,000 people. It said its peace- an unknown amount, local media reported. sides and along the Lachin corridor, a 60-kilometre keepers had also cleared mines along the Lachin corri- “When you leave your home, you have doubts route through the district that connects Karabakh’s dor and helped restore a power line destroyed during about whether you’re going to return. Mothers, main city Stepanakert to Armenia. the fighting. fathers, spouses, parents... We all live in daily Russian military vehicles accompanied Azerbaijani Moscow’s peacemaker role has overshadowed and constant anxiety,” said Bead Charlemagne trucks driving along the corridor overnight and were France and the United States - the three countries that Charlorin, an HUEH intern who joined the deployed at the main crossroads in Lachin. Most of the LACHIN, Azerbaijan: An Azerbaijani soldier fixes a nation- form the Minsk Group, which led talks on the Karabakh protests Monday in the streets of Port-au- town’s residents fled in advance of the takeover, but 48- al flag on a lamppost in this town yesterday. — AFP conflict for decades but failed to achieve a lasting Prince. In solidarity with the demonstration by year-old Levon Gevorgyan, the owner of a local gro- agreement. France’s position in future negotiations may interns at the island nation’s main hospital, multi- cery store, said he had decided to stay. “I am afraid only be further under threat after Azerbaijani lawmakers last ple healthcare facilities suspended all non- of God. I have been here for 22 years, I started from strongly backs the separatists. week demanded the country be expelled from the urgent care activities Monday.— AFP nothing, I built everything,” he said. “I hope I will be The peace accord signed on November 9 was Minsk Group. The move came after the French Senate able to continue, I still have a loan to pay. If I have to reached after six weeks of fighting that saw Azerbaijan’s adopted a non-binding resolution calling on France to leave, I will burn everything.” army overwhelm separatists forces and threaten to recognize Karabakh as an independent state. advance on Stepanakert. Under the agreement, Armenia While Azerbaijan has also called for its staunch ally Petrol bombs hurled at police ‘New reality’ is losing control of seven districts that it seized around Turkey to play a role in the peacekeeping mission, In a televised address yesterday, Azerbaijan’s Karabakh in the 1990s. The separatists are retaining Moscow has repeatedly said that Ankara will have no HONG KONG: Petrol bombs were hurled at a President Ilham Aliyev celebrated the dawn of “a new control over most of Karabakh’s Soviet-era territory but troops on the ground. Yesterday Russia and Turkey Hong Kong police recreation club in the early reality”. “We’ve driven the enemy out of our lands. have lost the key town of Shusha. Aliyev said that nearly agreed to monitor the truce from a joint peacekeeping hours of yesterday, a rare attack on a police facil- We’ve restored our territorial integrity. We’ve ended the 50,000 Azerbaijanis had lived in the Lachin district centre, Ankara’s defense ministry said. The deployment ity since Beijing imposed a sweeping national occupation,” he said. Nagorno-Karabakh broke from before the 1990s war and that they would be returning is set to last a year and its size will be determined by security law. Police said they received a report of Azerbaijan’s control in a war after the 1991 collapse of in “the nearest future”. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Azerbaijan’s three men dressed in black hurling Molotov cock- the Soviet Union that left some 30,000 people dead. In Baku yesterday, crowds carrying Azerbaijani flags defense ministry on Monday said that Turkish military tails into the car park of the Police Sports and The region declared independence but it was never celebrated the takeover of Lachin, an area glorified in a specialists were providing assistance in clearing mines Recreation Club in Mongkok, a district that saw recognised by any country, including Armenia, which popular Azerbaijani folk song. Olesya Vartanyan of the from the districts Baku had retaken. — AFP many clashes during last year’s huge democracy protests. Local media images showed the front of a truck was burned out but no further damage. An COVID ‘longhaulers’ 18-year-old man was later arrested a short walk away from the club carrying pepper spray, police behind a global said, although it was not clear if he was a suspect. Hong Kong was convulsed by seven straight months of huge and often violent rallies last year patient movement calling for democracy and greater police accountability. — AFP PARIS: Snatching moments of clarity through the brain fog that was among the lingering symptoms of her coro- navirus infection, Hannah Davis joined a team of similarly ill researchers and launched a study of what is now Angry Guatemalans block roads called “long COVID”. The survey was initially “for our- selves, to understand what was happening with our own GUATEMALA CITY: Thousands of indigenous bodies”, Davis said. But with so little data available, it Mayans blocked a major highway in western was soon informing global policymakers. Davis is part of Guatemala on Monday, the latest in a series of an international patient-led movement of people who, protests calling for the resignation of President when they were struck down with unexplained, debilitat- Alejandro Giammattei. The ruling party-dominat- SINOP, Brazil: This file photo taken on Aug 7, 2020 shows an aerial view of a deforested area. — AFP ing symptoms, developed social media networks, ed Congress was forced to withdraw a controver- research and advocacy from their sick beds. sial business-friendly budget last week amid when trees die or burn, they release their carbon The 32-year-old likens her neurological symptoms to opposition claims it favored private business Amazon deforestation back into the environment. Bolsonaro, a far-right a “brain injury” that meant she could not drive for interests over badly needed health and education climate-change skeptic, has presided over rising months and was barely able to look at a screen. But she funding. The impoverished Central American surges to 12-year high deforestation and wildfires since taking office in said the online community and her work with Patient-led country’s Congress needed “to act in accordance January 2019. Research for COVID-19 - led by a team of five people with the needs of the country,” Santiago Cux, one His government is pushing to open protected lands who have never met in person - has been “awe-inspir- of the leaders of the protest, told a local radio SAO PAULO: Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon to mining and agribusiness, and has slashed funding ing”. “I really don’t think that I’ve ever done any work station. He said Monday’s demonstration was surged again over the past year, hitting a 12-year high, for environmental protection programs. that has been nearly as meaningful,” said Davis, who supported by 83 communities in Guatemala’s according to official figures released Monday that Environmentalists say those policies fuel the destruc- specializes in machine learning and AI, whose group is western Solola department - an area with a pop- drew a chorus of condemnation of President Jair tion of the Amazon, about 60 percent of which is in working on a new study supported by University ulation of around half a million - “to let the central Bolsonaro’s government. A total of 11,088 square kilo- Brazil. “The Bolsonaro government’s vision of develop- College London. government and the deputies know that the meters of forest was destroyed in Brazil’s share of the ment for the Amazon is a throwback to the rampant We now know that the novel coronavirus, which has actions they have taken lately with the 2021 world’s biggest rainforest in the 12 months to August, deforestation of the past. It’s a regressive vision that’s killed at least 1.4 million globally, can leave even other- budget leave much to be desired.”— AFP according to the Brazilian space agency’s PRODES far from the effort needed to deal with the climate cri- wise-healthy young people with lingering symptoms for monitoring program, which analyzes satellite images to sis,” Greenpeace spokeswoman Cristiane Mazzetti said weeks or months. “To a significant number of people, track deforestation. That is equivalent to an area larger in a statement. this virus poses a range of serious long-term effects,” than Jamaica, and was a 9.5-percent increase from the Vice President Hamilton Mourao, who presented World Health Organization director general Tedros Sri Lanka releases prisoners previous year, when deforestation also hit a more than the figures in a press conference, defended the gov- Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in October. He listed fatigue decade-long high. ernment’s commitment to fighting deforestation. “The and neurological symptoms as well as inflammation and COLOMBO: Sri Lanka freed hundreds of prison- “Because of such deforestation, Brazil is probably message I bring in the name of President Bolsonaro is injury of major organs - including the lungs and heart. ers and said it would release thousands more the only major greenhouse gas emitter that managed that we will continue working with science and tech- after a riot sparked by anger over coronavirus to increase its emissions in the year the coronavirus nology to support the work of environmental protec- Fatigue and brain fog cases at one of its many overcrowded jails left pandemic paralyzed the global economy,” said the tion agencies,” said Mourao, a retired army general But in the early days of the pandemic most people nine inmates dead and 113 wounded. Guards Brazilian Climate Observatory, a coalition of envi- who heads Bolsonaro’s Amazon task force. The latest believed that infection would either result in hospitaliza- opened fire at the high-security Mahara prison ronmental groups. Forests such as the Amazon play annual deforestation figure was the highest since tion, or a “mild” respiratory illness that would pass in outside Colombo on Sunday night after prisoners a vital role in controlling climate change because 2008, when 12,911 square kilometers of forest were around two weeks. Soon thousands of people were turn- went on the rampage demanding to be freed they suck carbon from the atmosphere. However, destroyed in the Brazilian Amazon.— AFP ing to social media, desperate to understand why they because of soaring coronavirus cases in jails. were not getting better. Many share the date of their first President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday granted Police tape was stretched across the apartment’s door symptoms - Day One - to mark the beginning of a jour- an amnesty to 637 convicts across the country Mum arrested for on Tuesday, and crime scene technicians were seen leav- ney with an indeterminate end. For Davis that was March and Justice Minister Ali Sabry said the govern- ing the scene around midday, an AFP photographer said. 25, when she struggled to decipher a text message from ment was working on expediting the release on The apartment is located in a non-descript grey and yel- friends and later found she had a fever. In “a hotspot bail of thousands of remand prisoners to ease locking son up for low low-rise building in the working class suburb of within a hotspot” in Brooklyn, New York, she quickly congestion. Rajapaksa meanwhile sacked Prison Handen in Haninge municipality. The unidentified rela- realized it was COVID-19 and expected the illness to Reforms Minister Sudharshini Fernandopulle and decades tive who found the man said the apartment looked like it pass quickly. It did not. shifted her to a new ministry dealing with the had not been cleaned in years. In April, as her neurological symptoms worsened, pandemic. — AFP STOCKHOLM: A mother in Sweden has been arrested “There was urine, dirt and dust. It smelled rotten,” she Davis found a Slack support group run by queer feminist on suspicion of locking her son inside their apartment for told Expressen, adding that she had to wade through wellness collective Body Politic that was attracting mem- 28 years, leaving him undernourished and with almost no piles of junk to get through the hallways. “No one could bers from around the world. Within days, Davis joined teeth, police and media reports said yesterday. “The have cleaned that home for many years.” “I’m in shock, several other members with research backgrounds to Mexico’s AMLO marks 2 years mother is suspected of illegal deprivation of liberty and brokenhearted, but at the same time relieved. I’ve been launch a patient survey, hoping data would help sketch causing bodily harm,” Stockholm police spokesman Ola waiting for this day for 20 years because I figured out out a clearer picture of coronavirus recoveries. The MEXICO CITY: Mexican President Andres Osterling said. He said the man had been “locked up for a that she was totally controlling his life, but I never imag- study involved 640 people - mainly women in the US Manuel Lopez Obrador marks two years in office very long time” in the apartment in a southern ined the extent of it,” she said.—AFP who most readily responded - and was completed at yesterday faced with a soaring coronavirus death Stockholm suburb, but would not comment on reports in lightning speed. It flagged symptoms like fatigue and toll and economic crisis that have had little obvi- dailies Expressen and Aftonbladet that he had been held brain fog that were not yet widely recognized. ous impact on his popularity. The leftist leader for 28 years. The reports said the mother had pulled her In London, Ondine Sherwood was suffering fatigue, known as AMLO came to power on December 1, son out of school when he was 12 and kept him locked post-exertional malaise and gastrointestinal problems 2018 promising to “transform” the country after inside the apartment since then. An unnamed relative when she discovered the Body Politic group and was sweeping aside the two political parties that had found the now 41-year-old man on Sunday after the “astonished” to see so many people with similar - or ruled for decades. The former Mexico City may- mother, in her 70s, had been taken to hospital, worse - symptoms. She was among a group of British or’s first year in office was dominated by his pro- Expressen reported. The man had infected sores on his members who decided to form their own organisation, austerity, anti-graft crusade, as well as concerns legs, could barely walk, had almost no teeth and limited Long COVID SOS, to send a message to the govern- over a stagnant economy and violent crime. Then speech ability, the reports said. Osterling would not ment. “We thought we might march on parliament, came the coronavirus pandemic, which the 67- comment on those details, saying only: “The man is in which of course would have been impossible because year-old this week described as the biggest chal- hospital. His injuries are not life-threatening.” The moth- most of us wouldn’t have had the strength or the ability lenge of his second year by far. The World Health er has denied the crimes, the Swedish Prosecution to march, so we thought maybe we would go in wheel- Organization warned Monday that Mexico was Authority said. chairs, but it was lockdown,” said Sherwood, a systems STOCKHOLM: Police tape is fixed on the door of an apart- “in bad shape” after a spike in the number of developer. In the end they made a film montage of “long- Covid-19 cases and deaths.— AFP ‘Urine, dirt and dust’ ment in Haninge yesterday, a day after a man in his 40s who hauler” stories called “Message in a Bottle” and shared it Doctors at the hospital had alerted police to the case. was kept locked by his mother was found there. — AFP online, hoping to raise the profile of long COVID. —AFP 8 Established 1961 International Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Lebanese students abroad fall prey to financial crisis at home In some cases, students have returned home to work

BEIRUT: Lebanese medical student Lara Mustafa the end-of-semester exam. “Now I live in austerity, faces eviction from Russia and the end of her dream now I calculate every penny.” of becoming a doctor if her parents, hit by Lebanon’s worst financial crisis in decades, cannot No access to money send her money to pay for rent and expenses. Some parents of the thousands of Lebanese stu- Another medical student, Wassim Hachem, 24, had to dents abroad have been protesting outside the drop out from his fourth year of university in Russia Banque du Liban (BDL), Lebanon’s central bank. to return to Lebanon and work as a delivery driver They insist the central bank forces commercial banks after his father, who lost his job, was no longer able to implement a government decree to allow families to support him. with students abroad to transfer up to $10,000 a Mustafa and Hachem are among thousands of year at the official exchange rate of 1,500 Lebanese university students caught up in Lebanon’s financial pounds to the dollar to cover tuition and expenses. crisis, which started in 2019 with popular protests against leaders whom demonstrators blamed for corruption and mismanaging the economy. An insol- vent banking system, which had lent more than two thirds of its assets to the central bank and state, shut Many struggle out all depositors from their dollar accounts, and Lebanon defaulted on its debts. to survive as The COVID-19 pandemic added to mass job losses and business collapses. Lebanon traditional- hardship bites ly prides itself on its education system. American and French missionaries set up schools and univer- BEIRUT: A woman withdraws money from an ATM machine at the entrance of a bank yesterday. — AFP sities in the 19th century that became platforms for young Lebanese to further their studies abroad. That is now becoming a dream for all but the rich- Until now parents and students say the law is now manage much smaller amounts. She has taken access to money, so even those with substantial est, who managed to keep enough of their wealth being ignored, with banks and exchange dealers her other children out of a private school and funds cannot withdraw them. Lebanon’s middle class outside Lebanon. Some students are struggling to refusing to make transfers at the set rate and instead enrolled them in a state school because her husband’s is being squeezed, and, like many other Lebanese, make ends meet even in relatively low-cost coun- demanding the market rate, currently around 8,300 salary, which was worth $2,000 a month last year, is Nidaa blames the government. Lebanese politicians tries like Russia. Lebanese pounds. Central Bank Governor Riad now equal to $370 after the collapse of the Lebanese are trying to secure foreign aid to help them reduce “You can say that my parents sank into debt in Salameh told Reuters that “the law needs applica- pound. “We are not only borrowing money from huge debts, but they have yet to carry out the order to be able to send me money,” Mustafa, 23, tions decrees from the government not from BDL.” here, but also from (family) abroad to be able to send reforms that potential donors are demanding. The who is on a scholarship, told Reuters from Russia via Officials at the Lebanese banking association could her money. I don’t know how much debt we have fact that they have been unable to form a government Zoom. “I live in the student dorms. The system at our not immediately be reached for comment. accumulated so far,” she said in Beirut. since the last one resigned in August over what it university is that if I can’t pay the dorm fees not only Mustafa’s mother Nidaa Hassan, 47, said they In a cruel twist, banks that can no longer honor called endemic corruption is exacerbating the prob- will I be evicted but I will be forbidden from taking used to send her between $300-$700 a month but their debts have for over a year denied depositors lem, according to Western diplomats. — Reuters Govt meets with farmers after days of Delhi protests UN: Emergency aid NEW DELHI: India attempted to controlled by the Congress party, the calm nearly a week of raucous main opposition to Modi’s administra- needs exploding protests by meeting with farmers yes- tion. Congress leaders have argued terday after rallies against agricultural the farming reforms will give private due to COVID reforms sparked violent clashes with corporations free rein to exploit farm- police on the outskirts of the capital. ers, an argument echoed by the pro- The plight of farmers is a major politi- testers. “As big players... enter the GENEVA: The UN said yesterday that $35 cal issue in India with thousands com- field, our existing government agricul- billion would be needed for aid in 2021, as mitting suicide in recent years due to ture markets will become redundant the pandemic leaves tens of millions more debt and increasingly erratic weather and private players will exploit the people in crisis, and with the risk of multiple patterns blamed on climate change. farmers,” said Harmandeep Singh, who famines looming. The world body’s annual Laws rushed through parliament joined the demonstration from Punjab. GHAZIPUR, India: Farmers offer bananas and jaggery to the Indian security personnel at a Global Humanitarian Overview estimated earlier this year by Prime Minister Singh said the farmers are calling for roadblock stopping farmers from marching to New Delhi at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state that 235 million people worldwide will need Narendra Modi’s government mean a written guarantee from the govern- border yesterday. — AFP some form of emergency assistance next growers are now free to legally sell ment that the existing minimum price year - a staggering 40-percent increase in their produce anywhere in India for crops would not be removed. set up roadblocks and arrested demon- which he said the demonstrations were the past year. instead of getting guaranteed prices Addressing a rally on Monday, Modi strators trying to march into the capital. “concerning” and defended the right to “The increase arises almost entirely from state-run markets. Farmers were accused the opposition of spreading peaceful protest. “We’ve reached out because of COVID-19,” United Nations met with tear gas and water cannon “misinformation” about the reform Trudeau ‘concerned’ through multiple means directly to the emergency relief coordinator Mark when they marched on New Delhi last package. But his government brought The protests have also provoked a Indian authorities to highlight our con- Lowcock told reporters. Next year, one in week and are now facing-off against forward talks with farmer group repre- diplomatic spat between India and cerns,” he added. India’s foreign min- 33 people worldwide will be in need of aid, heavily-armed security forces at two sentatives by two days in an effort to Canada, which is home to a large istry responded by hitting out at “ill- the report found, stressing that if all of them major entry points to the city. forestall more rallies after protesters Punjabi-origin diaspora. Canadian informed comments by Canadian lead- lived in one country, it would be the world’s Many of the demonstrators come announced plans to blockade other Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pub- ers relating to farmers in India”, with- fifth largest nation. The annual appeal by from northern Punjab state which is routes into the city. Elsewhere police lished a video message on Twitter in out directly naming Trudeau. — AFP UN agencies and other humanitarian organ- izations usually presents a depressing pic- ture of soaring needs brought on by con- flicts, displacement, natural disasters and Prison pen pals: Hong Rebel shelling kills climate change. But now, it warned, the coronavirus pan- Kongers keep in touch demic, which has killed more than 1.45 mil- 7 Yemen children lion people worldwide, has disproportion- ately hit those “already living on a knife’s with jailed protesters edge.” “The picture we are presenting is the DUBAI: Rebel shelling of government-held dis- bleakest and darkest perspective on humani- tricts of Yemen has killed seven children over the tarian need in the period ahead that we have past two days, medics and relief agencies said. In HONG KONG: When Hong Kong protester Hei ever set out,” Lowcock said. The money saw fellow activists put behind bars for taking part Yemen’s third largest city Taez, which is govern- requested in the appeal would be enough to in last year’s democracy protests, she was deter- ment-held but almost surrounded by rebel forces, help 160 million of the most vulnerable peo- mined to keep the flame burning by writing them two young girls, one just nine months old, were ple across 56 countries, the UN said. letters. Thousands have been arrested and held in pronounced dead on Monday evening after a custody for a range of offences during the huge and rebel bombardment that also wounded seven oth- ‘Alarm bells are ringing’ sometimes violent protests that convulsed the er people, medics said. For the first time since the 1990s, extreme financial hub last year. There was no immediate reaction from the HONG KONG: In this picture taken on Nov 23, 2020, 22- poverty is set to rise, life expectancy will fall The city’s prison system strictly controls inmate rebels, who have repeatedly played up the high and the annual death toll from HIV, tubercu- access to information about life outside, so Hei year-old pro-democracy activist Hei packs items at her civilian death toll from air strikes by a Saudi-led home which she will deliver to prisoners. — AFP losis and malaria could potentially double. decided to keep them up to date on the democracy coalition that has been supporting the belea- “Possibly the most alarming thing... is the movement by putting pen to paper. Her mailing list guered government. Relief organization Doctors threat of the return of famines, potentially in now has almost 60 people on it. “It’s a relationship used. “These letters were like candlelight showing without Borders appealed to “all armed groups multiple locations,” Lowcock said. With only between comrades-in-arms and we have trust in me the way to the other end.” Compared to permit- to abide by international humanitarian law and one true famine so far in the 21st century - in each other,” the 22-year-old told AFP, asking to use ted twice-monthly, half-hour visits, the letters were take all necessary precautions to avoid civilian Somalia nearly a decade ago - mass starva- just one name to protect her identity. “We share the “the kind of support one can hold on to”. casualties”. tion had appeared to have been “assigned to same pain. I hope letter-writing can strengthen Without a proper desk and chair, he would On Sunday, five children were among eight the dustbin of history,” he said. people’s confidence in the movement.” spend hours writing letters on his cell bed, burning civilians killed in rebel shelling of the govern- But now, he warned, “the red lights are As well as writing handwritten letters, Hei puts through three pens per month. Prison regulations ment-held district of Al-Durayhimi on the Red flashing and the alarm bells are ringing.” By together a DIY newspaper called “Pass the Day”, allow convicted inmates to send one free letter a Sea coast, medics and government source said. the end of 2020, the number of acutely food- which includes a summary of headlines, social week. Those wanting to send more must earn mon- The United Nations confirmed the death toll from insecure people worldwide could swell to as media posts and political memes from online forums ey for stamps through work. Incoming letters - as the bombardment, which it said was part of an much as 270 million - an 82-percent popular with protesters. She also pays visits to well as books - are also screened. Since his release, uptick in fighting in and around the nearby aid increase over the pre-COVID-19 number. activists, bringing books, snacks and daily necessi- Max continues to write to inmates and activists who port of Hodeida, where a fragile UN-brokered Conditions in Yemen, Burkina Faso, South ties. Her friends jokingly refer to her as being “half are still in jail. “I don’t have much expectation on truce has largely averted major fighting. A total of Sudan and northeastern Nigeria indicated jailed” by her commitment. Of the more than 10,000 how these letters could extend the movement, but I 74 civilians were killed or wounded in Hodeida they are already on the brink of famine, people arrested during protests since June 2019, do hope comrades can live a good life inside and province in October as hostilities escalated, the while a range of other countries and regions, more than 2,300 of those cases have proceeded to find some mental support,” he said. UN mission said. including Afghanistan and the Sahel, were prosecution, according to authorities. Hundreds are “Five children and three women were killed also “potentially very vulnerable”, he said. either held on remand ahead of their trials or are ‘Not alone’ and another three children and three women were “If we get through 2021 without major serving post-conviction sentences. The letter-writing campaign has been champi- injured when artillery shells hit a house in Al- famines, that will be a significant achieve- oned by former lawmaker Shiu Ka-Chun. Since Ghaza village in Al-Durayhimi,” said Altaf Musani, ment.” Yesterday’s appeal shows that war- Letters like ‘candlelight’ January, more than 5,000 letters from the public UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen. “This ravaged Syria and Yemen top the list of the One of those jailed was 43-year-old Max, con- have been sent and 500 pen pals have been paired attack on women and children is unacceptable countries most in need of humanitarian victed of arson for throwing a book on a barricade up. “This is the beauty of this movement. People find and unjustifiable.” A total of 74 civilians were assistance. The UN is seeking close to $6 bonfire lit by protesters. During the four months he their own positions and roles to show support,” Shiu killed or wounded in Hodeida province in October billion to help millions of Syrians inside and spent in prison, Max likened the letters to “nutri- told AFP. Aside from writing letters, Shiu was also as hostilities escalated, the UN mission said. The outside the country wracked by a decade ents” and recalled that he would like to reply to involved in campaigns to help inmates send flowers United Nations says all sides have been responsi- of conflict. And it is asking for nearly $3.5 them immediately, while they were still “fresh and to their loved ones outside and arrange learning ble for multiple war crimes in the conflict that has billion to help nearly 20 million Yemenis hot”. “When I was inside, it was like walking in a materials for younger inmates. “I hope more people gripped Yemen since 2014, creating what UN caught up in the world’s worst humanitari- tunnel and I couldn’t see any light,” he recalled, can continue to write to our friends in custody and agencies describe as the world’s worst humanitar- an crisis. — AFP speaking on condition that only his first name be let them know they are not alone,” he said. — AFP ian crisis. —AFP Established 1961

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020 Business A new regional gaming powerhouse: ‘Zain esports’ to boost online gaming ecosystem Middle Eastern Challenge powered by Zain esports between 1-16 December

KUWAIT/RIYADH/AMMAN/MANAMA: Zain diversification strategy and investment outside of Group, a leading telecom innovator in eight markets areas related strictly to telecom. This initiative across the Middle East and Africa, announces the meets a number of different goals for Zain, includ- highly transformational development of the launch ing youth development, enriching the brand, fos- of the ‘Zain esports’ brand, marking the beginning of tering innovation and digital opportunities on our a year-long calendar of large and exciting regional 4G, 5G and Fiber networks, and creating share- online esports tournaments comprised of multiple holder value.” Flagship events as well as smaller, regular communi- Hammoud continued, “Zain is a pioneer by ty tournaments with attractive cash and devices nature, and the introduction of this latest initiative prize pools. reiterates our outlook on being first-to-market with products and services that enhance the lives of the EA SPORTS FIFA 21 PS4 tournaments: people in the communities we serve and beyond. Middle East Challenge Dec 1-16 We have every expectation that Zain esports is The new Zain esports brand will be initially asso- going to develop into a regional and international ciated with a multi-nation and newly launched EA gaming powerhouse, and we are highly pleased and SPORTS FIFA 21 PS4 tournaments: Middle East motivated to be working with recognized gaming l Malek Hammoud: This initiative meets many goals for Zain, including Challenge powered by Zain esports, the first in the partners and developers.” region, being held under an official partnership with youth development, enriching the brand, fostering digital innovation EA SPORTS, a global leader in digital interactive Zain esports to create opportunities opportunities, and creating shareholder value” entertainment and PlayStation. FIFA 21 is a football for youth across region l simulation video game published by EA SPORTS as Zain esports plans to identify and foster local tal- Launch of ‘Zain esports’ reconfirms company’s evolution to a digital serv- part of the FIFA series, representing the 28th ent in numerous ways, including by creating a com- ices provider installment in the FIFA petition to select commen- l series, and was released tators for Arabic commen- Zain esports to host multiple flagship and community events over the October 9, 2020 for tary, as well as creating a next 12 months, with attractive cash and device prize pools PlayStation consoles. conducive environment for l The inaugural regional Inaugural esports content creators FIFA eWorld champion, MsDossary partnering Zain esports tournament will see quali- EA SPORTS aiming to create popular fying rounds taking place YouTubers. Moreover, and attractive prize money offered by Zain to the companies to connect with the gaming community between 1-5 December as FIFA 21 PS4 Zain esports will support wider regional community, will act as a catalyst to to offer 5G, fiber and similar high-value services. qualifying rounds, with tournaments and use local social media drive our progress in this domain further.” Spectators will be able watch the gaming and con- playoffs and finals occur- influencers to promote tent live over Zain esports social media channels, ring over two consecutive leagues among local Growth of gaming boosted by predominantly Twitch and YouTube, as well as reg- weekends, on 8-9 and 15- gamers. This manifestation Zain’s 4G, 5G and Fiber networks ular posts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and 16 December, 2020. of Zain’s digital lifestyle Zain has seen a 300 percent rise in gaming- LinkedIn. strategy is geared towards empowering society and related data usage since February 2020 across all Former FIFA e-World champion, MsDossary, MsDossary, former FIFA eWorld driving socio-economic development by creating its operations, with customers benefiting from the said “I’m super excited to be partnering with Zain champion supporting Zain esports multiple opportunities for young people right high-quality 4G, 5G and Fiber to the Home (FTTH) esports to help launch their entry into gaming with Zain esports has partnered with former FIFA across the Middle East. Regional amateur gamers services offered by Zain. The size and potential of this momentous EA SPORTS FIFA21 PS4 Middle eWorld champion and Saudi national, MsDossary in will also have the opportunity to win prize money the online gaming market internationally is huge, Eastern Challenge. There’s tons of great prizes the inaugural EA SPORTS FIFA21 PS4 Middle and devices in a fair and competitive environment. with market estimates forecasting the industry including PS5’s and cash. Winning the FIFA eWorld Eastern Challenge, who will be heavily involved in The best gamers will represent their countries on could generate $196 billion in revenues by 2022, cup was one of my greatest achievements, and it’s the promotional aspects of this momentous event. a regional platform supported by Zain esports, and making it one of the fastest growing industries on fantastic to see companies like Zain bringing more Moreover, Zain Group is cooperating with eGen, a on the global stage with partner leagues; while the planet. Games and e-sports analytics and mar- esports and gaming opportunities to the region to full-service e-sports agency and consultancy in the selected casters and commentators will have the ket research company Newzoo estimated that of the uncover some amazing talent.” launch of Zain esports and this competition. opportunity to showcase their talents to audiences $152 billion in revenues generated by online games Promoting the launch of Zain esports and the Since early 2019, Zain has been on a concerted from multiple nations. Zain plans to create an globally in 2019, $34.7 billion, or 23 percent, of the upcoming EA SPORTS FIFA21 PS4 tournament, drive to evolve from being a mobile-centric opera- esports Incubator creating opportunities for aspir- global total was generated from Europe, Middle Zain will be undertaking numerous marketing initia- tor to a digital services provider for consumers, ing coders and producers to contribute technically East, and Africa. tives across all media channels, targeting all those businesses, and governments, and the introduction to the Zain esport initiative on an ongoing basis. involved in the regional esports ecosystem and of Zain esports activities forms a key part of this Hammoud concluded, “Zain esports marks a phe- Zain esports to provide live streaming inviting them to participate in tournaments and oth- strategy. nomenal opportunity for us to drive the business in and content on social media channels er activities in this exciting new venture. Commenting on the momentous launch of the new areas, while delighting our customers, especial- Beyond the financial benefits accruing from par- For more details on the EA SPORTS FIFA 21 PS4 Zain esports brand, Malek Hammoud, Zain Group ly the youth. The global pandemic has changed life ticipating in online gaming for the players, Zain’s Middle East Challenge, please visit www.zaines- Chief Investment and Digital Officer said, “We are as we know it and has created further demand for participation in this area also makes one the ports.com or register through the tournament extremely excited with the launch of Zain esports, online connectivity and access to digital content. strongest single largest use cases for 5G and fiber- dashboard on PS4, or via the competition center at which marks a significant achievement in Zain’s We are confident that the variety of esports games to-the-home (FTTH), supporting Zain operating compete.playstation.com

received, the UK operations will close,” it added. Collapse of two Debenhams, which has already been shedding thousands of jobs ahead of and during the pan- demic, currently employs around 12,000 staff- UK retailers puts mostly being paid by the government under its OPEC delays talks Covid furlough scheme. “All reasonable steps 25,000 jobs at risk were taken to complete a transaction that would with allies secure the future of Debenhams,” said Geoff LONDON: Debenhams and Topshop-owner Rowley, one of the administrators acting on Arcadia, two of Britain’s biggest clothing retailers, behalf of the group. “However, the economic until Thursday stood on the brink of collapse yesterday following landscape is extremely challenging and, coupled coronavirus fallout and fierce online competition, with the uncertainty facing the UK retail industry, LONDON: The members of the OPEC oil producers risking the loss of 25,000 jobs. British department a viable deal could not be reached.” cartel decided yesterday to delay by two days talks store chain Debenhams said it was set to close for with their allies over a possible extension to output business save for an unlikely rescue, meaning Tragic A Debenhams store is pictured following the outbreak cuts to support the pandemic-stricken market. around 12,000 jobs were set to go. Debenham’s collapse comes as the future of of the coronavirus disease in Harrogate. —Reuters An OPEC source told AFP that while the 13 The business, which had been struggling long Arcadia hangs by a thread. Arcadia, which owns a members of OPEC proper may continue informal discussions yesterday, no formal ministerial confer- before the pandemic, made its announcement after number of brands including Topman, Evans and Minister Boris Johnson told Sky News. “We know ence along the lines of that on Monday was British clothing retailer Arcadia fell into adminis- Wallis which sell also in Debenhams’ stores, more broadly, to be fair, that the high street is fac- planned. The organization confirmed that the meet- tration late Monday, putting at risk a further blamed its tumbling into administration largely on ing unprecedented pressure, significant part of ing of the broader OPEC+ grouping-which 13,000 roles. The news comes on the eve of coronavirus fallout. However like Debenhams, that of course is COVID.” includes Russia-had been delayed to tomorrow at England exiting a second lockdown which has Arcadia has struggled to adapt from a bricks-and- “A nightmare before Christmas is unfolding for 1300 GMT. Cartel members had failed to reach battered in particular the nation’s retail and hospi- mortar business into an leading online company. 25,000 employees who will lose their jobs if buy- agreement on Monday after around four hours of tality sectors. Debenhams, whose history dates Senior government minister Michael Gove yes- ers are not found for parts of both businesses,” videoconference talks. Despite expectations before back to the late eighteenth century, said in a state- terday queried the nature of Arcadia’s collapse. said Susannah Streeter, senior investment and the meeting that an extension of output cuts was on ment that it would continue to trade through its 124 “The Arcadia story is a tragic one, I’m not going markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. the cards, analysts have taken the delay as a sign of UK stores and online to clear stock after retailer JD to criticize any individual but there’s been a lot of “Arcadia group’s collapse has set off a domino splits within the grouping. Sports pulled out of rescue talks. “On conclusion of reporting that points out some of the missteps by effect, with JD Sports pulling out of talks to buy Some members are still of the opinion that as the this process, if no alternative offers have been the management there,” the key ally of Prime Debenhams. —AFP second wave of the coronavirus pandemic contin- ues to rage in many countries it would be prema- ture to introduce almost two million additional bar- of cocoa in addition to the market price and is rels per day onto the market, as envisioned in the Mars and Hershey’s intended to better remunerate cocoa farmers, many deal struck in April by OPEC and its partners. of whom live in poverty. However, the recent rise in crude oil prices-which accused of avoiding fair But a reported large purchase of cocoa by have picked up by 25 percent over the past month- Hershey’s on the US futures market recently “clearly as well as positive news on vaccine development pay for cocoa farmers indicates your intention to avoid paying the living means others see light at the end of the tunnel and differential income”, the CCC and Cocobod said in are arguing for keeping to the current calendar. The ABDIJAN: Two of the world’s largest cocoa produc- a joint letter. As a result, the producers said they production cuts and resulting fall in revenues have ers have accused Hershey’s and Mars of avoiding had “been left with no choice but to cancel all sus- been painful for some states, even if the cuts have paying a bonus that helps boost poor farmers’ tainability programs with which your company is helped support prices. incomes, and have cancelled sustainability schemes involved”. “While some see the market as still too fragile to run by the confectionary giants. West African nations The schemes certify that the chocolate is ethical- accept more barrels, others are keen to ramp up pro- Ghana and Ivory Coast account for two-thirds of ly produced-allowing firms to sell it at higher prices. duction and make the most of rising prices,” said global cocoa production, but there have been long- Production must avoid deforestation and be free of statement to AFP, Hershey’s said it was “unfortu- analyst Avtar Sandu of Phillip Futures. running tensions with US multinationals over pricing. child labor. In a separate statement, the CCC and nate” that the countries had decided to “distribute a After falling a little on Monday evening after talks The Coffee Cocoa Council (CCC) and the Ghana Cocobod accused Mars of modifying its cocoa but- misleading statement this morning and jeopardize broke up without agreement, the prices for both the Cocoa Board (Cocobod) on Monday accused Mars ter procurement processes to avoid paying the LID. such critical programs that directly benefit cocoa US crude oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate and Hershey’s-two of the world’s top chocolate sell- The CCC and Cocobord denounced Hershey’s and farmers”. Mars Wrigley denied that it had avoided (WTI), and Europe’s Brent North Sea contracts were ers-of not paying the so-called living income differ- Mars’ “breach of confidence” in the scheme paying the LID, and said it had long supported the stable yesterday.—AFP ential (LID). The LID gives a bonus of $400 per ton designed to help millions of African farmers. In a initiative. —AFP 10 Business Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Biden taps Janet Yellen to lead barrier-breaking economic team If approved, Yellen to be the first female US Treasury secretary WASHINGTON: President-elect Joe Unless lawmakers are able to over- present the nominees at an event later Biden announced Monday he will nomi- come their differences in the closing Tuesday. nate former Federal Reserve chair Janet weeks of the year, she will likely be tasked Chuck Grassley, the Republican sena- Yellen to lead the Treasury, topping a with convincing Democrats and tor currently leading the Finance slate of economic officials who would Republicans in Congress to pass another Committee that would hold Yellen’s con- break racial and gender barriers in the US spending bill to power the recovery amid firmation hearing should the party main- government. The rollout of Biden’s eco- a months-long deadlock on new aid. “As tain its current control of the chamber fol- nomic team comes after running mate we get to work to control the virus, this is lowing two January elections in Georgia, Kamala Harris made history as the first the team that will deliver immediate eco- told reporters she would likely get a woman, first Black person and first person nomic relief for the American people dur- “favorable view.” Many of the others of South Asian descent to win the vice ing this economic crisis and help us build tapped for Biden’s economic team are presidency. our economy back better than ever,” veterans of former president Barack If they win Senate approval, Yellen Biden said in a statement announcing his Obama’s administration. would be the first female Treasury secre- appointments. Nigerian-born Wally Adeyemo, a for- tary, and would be joined in the executive He has stressed that he would strive for mer deputy national security advisor and branch by the first African Americans to diversity while choosing staff for when he current president of the Obama serve as her deputy and as head of the takes office in January. Biden has pushed Foundation non-profit, was picked as White House economic council, as well as ahead with naming his team despite deputy Treasury secretary. He would be the first South Asian in a key budget role. Donald Trump’s continuing refusal to con- the first African American in that role. “We face great challenges as a country cede defeat and his unfounded claims of Neera Tanden, president of liberal think right now. To recover, we must restore the voter fraud that have been repeatedly tank Center for American Progress, was American dream-a society where each rejected by courts. picked to head the Office of Management person can rise to their potential and Reality is, however, closing in step-by- and Budget. If confirmed, she would be its dream even bigger for their children,” step on Trump, and on Monday two more first South Asian leader. However, Yellen tweeted following the announce- key states-Wisconsin and Arizona-certi- Tanden-a former adviser to Hillary ment. “As Treasury Secretary, I will work fied their election results showing Biden Clinton, who lost to Trump in the 2016 President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced key members of his economic team, including every day towards rebuilding that dream won there. presidential election-faces criticism from Janet Yellen (bottom right), Secretary of the Treasury; Neera Tanden (top left), Director of the Office for all.” Job number one for the 74-year- The Electoral College is all but certain conservatives and progressives alike that of Management and Budget, Jared Bernstein (top right) and Heather Boushey, members of the old, who previously made history as the to formalize Biden’s nationwide victory could jeopardize her chances of confir- Council of Economic Advisers. — AFP first female Federal Reserve chief from when it meets on December 14. mation by the Senate. 2014 to 2018, will be helping the US Also named was Cecilia Rouse, the economy recover from the sharp down- Confirmation in question? dean of the Princeton School of Public and would be the first African American in that under Obama, will join the CEA, as will turn in growth and mass layoffs caused by Yellen’s nomination was first reported International Affairs, tapped to chair the post. Jared Bernstein, who previously Washington Center for Equitable Growth the COVID-19 pandemic. last week, and Biden and Harris was to Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), who advised Biden when he was vice president President Heather Boushey. — AFP

“The rise in new job will not be complete until we get every News in brief Fed’s Powell stresses COVID-19 cases, both American back to work.” here and abroad, is con- The Treasury secretary noted that “Additional economic uncertainty, cerning and could prove economic shutdowns, however, continue to impair Exxon Mobil assets writedown challenging for the next this remarkable progress and cause great harm to Mnuchin hails recovery few months,” Powell American businesses and workers,” and called on NEW YORK: Exxon Mobil said Monday it will said in his testimony Congress to approve “a targeted fiscal package.” write down as much as $20 billion in assets as prepared for delivery to The statements for the first of two days of joint tes- the oil giant slashes capital spending due to low WASHNGTON: Treasury Secretary Steven the Senate Banking timony gave few signs that the officials could be at oil prices amid the coronavirus pandemic. Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Committee yesterday. odds over the fate of several of the Fed’s lending ExxonMobil, which has reported losses the last Powell, who is gen- programs, which Mnuchin refused to continue offered mirror images of the state of the US econo- Steven Mnuchin three quarters, said it will account for a $17-20 my as it navigates the COVID-19 downturn in testi- erally upbeat about the beyond the end of the year. billion write-down in the fourth quarter based mony released Monday ahead of appearances gains so far, also The Fed earlier Monday announced it was on shifting assets from the United States, before Congress. repeated his warning extending four pandemic emergency lending pro- Canada and Argentina out of its development Mnuchin, serving his final weeks on the job that “A full economic recovery is unlikely until grams for three months through March 31, with plan. To raise money, the company also plans to before President-elect Joe Biden’s administration people are confident that it is safe to reengage in a approval from the Treasury. The extended programs divest less strategic assets, depending on mar- takes office in January, hailed the country’s recov- broad range of activities.” dealt mostly with corporate debt. However, Mnuchin ket conditions. — AFP ery thus far, but Powell warned of continued Mnuchin touted the achievements of the $2.2 tril- would not allow extension of the Municipal Lending uncertainty. lion CARES Act in helping to boost hiring and lower Facility or Main Street Lending Program that helps the unemployment rate to 6.9 percent. But with just small- and medium-sized businesses that have been Both noted progress on job gains, and Powell BofA no to financing Arctic drilling pointed to hopeful news about new vaccines that half of the more than 20 million job losses caused by hard hit by the pandemic due to shutdowns, restric- the pandemic recovered, he acknowledged that “our tions and changes in consumer behavior. — AFP could be coming soon, but added a note of caution. NEW YORK: Bank of America said Monday that it would not finance oil and gas drilling projects in the Arctic, the latest large US bank to take the step long sought by environmental Lebanon plunged advocates. A Bank of America spokesman confirmed the decision to AFP after it was ini- into ‘deliberate tially reported by Bloomberg. Environmental protection organization the Sierra Club wel- depression’: WB comed the news. “Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Chase, Wells Fargo and Citi have all BEIRUT: Lebanon’s economy is sinking into a announced similar policies this year,” the “deliberate depression”, the World Bank said yes- NGO said in a statement. — AFP terday in a damning report stressing the authorities’ failure to tackle the crisis. The fall 2020 edition of the Lebanon Economic Monitor predicted the Facebook buys online startup Kustomer economy will have contracted by 19.2 percent this year and projected a debt-to-GDP ratio of 194 per- SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook on Monday cent next year. announced it is buying a startup specializing in “A year into Lebanon’s severe economic crisis, helping businesses interact with customers deliberate lack of effective policy action by online. The acquisition of five-year-old authorities has subjected the economy to an ardu- Kustomer comes as the leading social network BEIRUT: A picture shows a man standing at the booth of a money exchange company in the city of Jounieh north of ous and prolonged depression,” a World Bank continues to weave e-commerce into offerings, Beirut yesterday. Lebanon’s economy is sinking into a “deliberate depression”, the World Bank said yesterday in a statement said. particularly its WhatsApp and Messenger mes- damning report stressing the authorities’ failure to tackle the crisis. — AFP Lebanon’s economy started collapsing last year saging services. More than 175 million people as a result of years of corrupt practices and mis- contact businesses via WhatsApp daily, and the management. The crisis was made worse by a non-nuclear explosions in history, brought the ate option,” the World Bank warned. In 2020, number is growing, according to WhatsApp nationwide wave of anti-government protests that country to its knees and further fuelled public dis- Lebanon defaulted on its debt, banks imposed capi- chief operating officer Matt Idema and paralysed the country late last year and the Covid- trust. “Lebanon is suffering from a dangerous tal controls and inflation has reached triple-digit Facebook vice president of business products 19 pandemic this year. depletion of resources, including human capital, rates, dragging the country into its worst ever eco- Dan Levy. —AFP The August 4 Beirut port blast, one of the largest with brain drain becoming an increasingly desper- nomic crisis.— AFP

pledged to bolster the economy with fresh stimulus US telecom regulator Eurozone inflation at the central bank’s December meeting. The first wave of virus cases in March prompted the ECB to stepping out as remains stuck in roll out its unprecedented bond-buying scheme to keep borrowing costs low and boost the economy. Expectations are that the same scheme, known Biden steps in negative territory as PEPP, will be beefed up at the next monetary policy meeting on December 10, though Lagarde SAN FRANCISCO: The chief US telecom regulator said other measures were available. said Monday he will leave his post the same day BRUSSELS: Eurozone inflation remained in neg- Even before the virus, inflation in the 19-nation President-elect Joe Biden takes office, clearing the ative territory for the fourth consecutive month, eurozone has stayed stubbornly low, leaving the way for a shift in oversight of the internet. official data said yesterday, with the European two-percent target well out of reach and fuelling Ajit Pai’s tenure as chair of the Federal economy impaired by the second wave of the calls for a rethink at the ECB. Pursuing a less strict Communications Commission has been defined by a SAN FRANCISCO: The chief US telecom regulator Ajit coronavirus. inflation target would follow in the footsteps of the pro-industry stance, particularly in regard to “net Pai said Monday he will leave his post the same day The EU’s Eurostat data agency said inflation US Federal Reserve, which has pledged more lee- neutrality,” leaving telecommunications firms free to President-elect Joe Biden takes office. remained at -0.3 percent in November, way off the way, allowing inflation to rise above 2.0 percent. block or throttle traffic. Pai’s decision to step down official target set by the European Central Bank of on January 20, Biden’s inauguration day, clears the legislation. US President Donald Trump appointed just under two percent. The descent into deflation- Italy’s growth jumps way for the creation of an FCC board dominated by Pai as FCC chairman in 2017. ary territory has put pressure on the ECB to draw Meanwhile, Italy’s economy, which plunged Democrats who may elevate the interests of users “I am proud of how productive this commission up further stimulus measures, already at 1.35 trillion into recession by the coronavirus outbreak, and entrepreneurs above those of telecom titans. has been,” Pai said in a statement announcing his res- euros ($1.58 trillion), and should encourage govern- returned to growth in the third quarter as GDP His departure also comes amid intense debate in ignation. “This FCC has not shied away from making ments to spend more. jumped 15.9 percent on the previous quarter, the Washington over internet regulations including social tough choices.” Under his leadership, the FCC Europe’s economy is heading back into recession national statistics agency estimated yesterday. media liability and online privacy. One key area of scrapped a 2015 order aimed at forcing broadband in the fourth quarter, after a short recovery over the This is a slight downgrade on the initial estimate contention is “Section 230” of a 1996 law which pro- firms to treat all online traffic equally after a political- summer failed to take hold as coronavirus cases of 16.1 percent made by Istat in late October. tects online services from liability related to content ly-charged debate over net neutrality debate. shot back higher. Policymakers worry about falling While the economy rebounding strongly from the posted by others. The provision has been a target of Backers of net neutrality argue the rules, which were prices as they can encourage consumers to hold off spring, when many businesses were closed, eco- both the left and right, even as digital rights activists challenged in court, prevented powerful internet making purchases in hopes they fall further, which nomic output was still five percent smaller than warn it is the cornerstone of online free speech. providers like Comcast and AT&T from shutting out can lead to a spiral of dropping economic activity, during the third quarter of 2019. In the first nine Biden has said Section 230 should be “revoked” rival services and creating “fast” and “slow” lanes for employment and prices. months of the year, GDP in the eurozone’s third but has offered no details of any plan to reform the online services. — AFP ECB chief Christine Lagarde has already largest economy fell by 8.3 percent. —AFP Established 1961 11 Business Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Markaz: Industries Qatar leads top GCC M&A transactions in Q3 2020 Financials, Industrials and IT sectors witness highest number of transactions

KUWAIT: Qatar’s industrials sector leads the top GCC M&A transactions during Q3 2020 as per a report recently issued by the Investment Banking Department at Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz”. Industries Qatar announced they intend to acquire an additional 25 per- cent stake in Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO) for a total consideration of $1.0 billion. QAFCO was estab- lished in 1969 as a joint venture between the Qatari government and a number of foreign investors with an aim to diversify the economy and utilize the nation’s immense gas reserve. Moreover, the company’s current shareholding structure is as follows: Industries Qatar (75 percent), Qatar Petroleum (25 percent). Upon the successful completion of this transaction, Industries Qatar would increase its total ownership to 100 per- cent, becoming the sole owner of QAFCO. The second largest transaction involves National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) and National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC), who are in the midst of evaluating the opportunity to com- bine their operations upon receiving an offer from General Holding Corporation and other minority shareholders of NPCC. The key terms of the offer states that NPCC shareholders will transfer NPCC to GCC M&A Growth Furthermore, GCC acquirers actively acquired ed throughout the past few quarters. It is worth noting NMDC in exchange of the issuance of an instrument According to Markaz’s report, the number of both regional and international companies, whereas that all closed transactions throughout the quarter that is convertible into 575.0 million ordinary shares, closed M&A transactions in the GCC during Q3 2020 in the previous quarter, they primarily invested in the purely targeted UAE companies. or 70 percent of NMDC’s issued share capital. At a decreased by 23 percent relative to Q3 2019 however regional market. With that being said, GCC acquirers convertible share price of $1.2, the transaction would it remained stable relative to Q2 2020. Kuwait, Qatar closed a slightly lower number of transactions rela- Sectorial view result in an estimated value of $688.8 million. and the United Arab Emirates each recorded a growth tive to Q2 2020. Throughout Q3 2020, GCC acquir- In addition, the closed transactions throughout Moreover, Raha AlSafi Consortium has been award- in the number of closed transactions relative to the ers closed a total of nine transactions that involved the quarter spanned across multiple sectors which ed a bid for the First Milling Company, one of four previous quarter whereas Bahrain and Saudi Arabia international companies, which is 31 percent lower in was also observed in the previous quarter. More milling companies to be privatized by the Saudi gov- each witnessed a decline in the number of transactions comparison to Q2 2020, which oversaw a total of 13 importantly, the sectors that witnessed the greatest ernment, for a total consideration of $540.0 million. that closed throughout this time period. Oman on the closed transactions that involved foreign targets. level of activity throughout Q3 2020 were the The consortium is comprised the following parties: other hand did not report any closed transaction Moreover, Saudi and UAE buyers each accounted for Financials, Industrials and IT sectors. Collectively, Almutlaq Group, Al-Safi Abunayyan Holding and Essa throughout the quarter. 30 percent of these transactions, followed by these three sectors accounted for 48 percent of the Al-Ghurair Investment Company. The next transaction Bahraini, Kuwaiti and Qatari acquirers, who account- total transactions that closed throughout the quarter. oversaw Delivery Hero acquire 100 percent of Acquirers and targets ed for the remaining transactions. Lastly, Omani The Financials and Industrials sectors were also Instashop, a leading online grocery platform, for a total A majority of the transactions completed during Q3 acquirers did not close any cross-border transaction among the sectors that witnessed the greatest level consideration of $360.0 million. It is worth noting that 2020 and Q2 2020 were carried out by GCC acquir- throughout the quarter. of activity in Q2 2020. this value is comprised of two components including a ers, accounting for 65 percent of the total number of cash payment of $270.0 million and a deferred pay- transactions that closed during Q3 2020, while foreign Foreign buyers Deals pipeline ment of $90.0 million, which is dependent on meeting acquirers accounted for 13 percent. The remaining 22 The GCC market received a slightly weaker level of By the end of Q3 2020, there was a total of 23 certain milestones. Lastly, the UAE’s Edge Group percent represents transactions for which the buyer interest from foreign buyers in Q3 2020 when com- announced transactions in the pipeline, which is sig- announced its intention to acquire a 40 percent stake information was not available. GCC acquirers also pared to the previous quarter. Throughout Q3 2020, nificantly higher relative to Q2 2020. As witnessed last in Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and dominated the market during the previous quarter as foreign buyers closed three transactions whereas in quarter, the majority of these transactions involved Overhaul Center (AMMROC) for a total consideration they accounted for 65 percent of the total number of Q2 2020, they completed five transactions, which Saudi and UAE targets, each of whom accounted for of $307.0 million. AMMROC offers maintenance, closed transactions while foreign acquirers accounted translates into a 40 percent decline quarter-over- 35 percent of the total number of deals announced. repair & overhaul and support services for fixed and for 22 percent. Once again, the remaining 13 percent quarter and a 67 percent decline year over year. The The remaining transactions primarily included Kuwaiti rotary wing military aircraft in the MENA and South represents transactions for which the buyer informa- UAE continued to be the most attractive target out of and Qatari targets whereas Bahrain and Oman each Asian regions. tion was not available. the regional markets, which is a trend that has persist- announced one transaction throughout the quarter.

expectations-which were for a result around the China factory activity same as October’s 53.6 — and is the strongest since November 2010. Anything above 50 is con- sees fastest growth sidered growth. The data suggested that manufacturing firms US hits China firm logged a “sharp and accelerated rise in production” in decade: Survey in November, with companies attributing this to over Venezuela greater order volumes and recovery from COVID- BEIJING: Activity in China’s factories expanded at 19 disruptions earlier in the year. its fastest pace in a decade last month, data showed “Underlying data suggested that the upturn internet curbs yesterday, the latest sign that the world’s number continued to be led by firmer domestic demand,” WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday two economy is well on track to recovery from the said Caixin. But it added that despite a substantial imposed sanctions on a major Chinese electronics and coronavirus. The purchasing managers index rise in purchasing activity, the time taken to receive engineering company for assisting Venezuela in curbing released by Chinese media group Caixin came just goods continued to lengthen, with reports of stock Workers in a motorcycle parts factory in Huaibei, in dissent on the internet. The US said it was restricting a day after official PMI figures showed growth at shortages at suppliers. China’s eastern Anhui Province. —AFP transactions with the China National Electronics Import its fastest in more than three years. The official November PMI came in at 52.1, data and Export Corporation (CEIEC), and blocking assets PMIs are a key gauge of activity in the country’s showed Monday, beating the 51.4 seen the month of any firm in which the state-owned company holds a factories, and the Caixin survey covers small and before and back at levels last seen in September Exports are also a factor. “Taken together, both 50 percent stake or higher. The Treasury Department medium-sized enterprises. It is seen by some as a 2017. Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China econo- surveys suggest that foreign demand for Covid-19 said CEIEC provides expertise to Venezuela’s state- more accurate reflection of China’s economic situa- mist at consultancy Capital Economics, said the related products remains strong, amid fresh lock- owned telecom company-which has blocked independ- tion than the official government figures, which employment component was “particularly encour- downs abroad and hints at a further acceleration in ent media as well as livestreams by opposition leader more closely track the condition of large state aging”, adding that improvements in the labor mar- export growth in the near-term,” Capital Juan Guaido, who is recognized as interim president by groups. The 54.9 reading for November smashed ket will drive further recovery in consumption. Economics added in a report. —AFP at least 50 countries, including the US. “The United States will not hesitate to target any- during the pandemic, the food delivery startup said one helping to suppress the democratic will of the DoorDash aims to in a prior filing. The startup reported losses total- Venezuelan people and others around the world,” ing $149 million in the first nine months of 2020 on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a state- revenues of $1.9 billion as sales more than tripled ment. The Treasury Department described CEIEC as raise more than from the prior year. offering a “commercialized version of Beijing’s ‘Great “We have a history of net losses, we anticipate Firewall,’” that scrubs out politically sensitive material $2bn with IPO increasing expenses in the future,” the company said from the internet accessible to ordinary people. in a filing. “We have expended and expect to contin- CEIEC on its website describes itself as selling SAN FRANCISCO: Food delivery service DoorDash ue to expend substantial financial and other “solutions that protect the most basic rights of every aimed to raise upwards of $2 billion in a stock market resources on developing our platform... expanding citizen,” and also mentions business interests in Bolivia debut valuing the startup at more than $25 billion, into new markets and geographies, and increasing and Ecuador. China is a major supporter and commer- according to a regulatory filing on Monday. Delivery our sales and marketing efforts.” The startup boasts cial partner of oil-producing Venezuela, helping leftist of meals and groceries has boomed during the pan- having more than a million delivery people, referred leader Nicolas Maduro survive a nearly two-year US- demic, with restaurants offering no or limited dine-in to as “Dashers,” and more than 18 million customers. led campaign to topple him as he leads an economy in options and people fearful of exposure to COVID-19. It will begin the traditional “road show” of presenta- shambles. Beijing slammed the US sanctions yesterday The startup was valued at $16 billion during a private tions to investors on Monday. as a “pure pretext to suppress the relevant Venezuelan funding round in June. DoorDash has said surveys showed it with a 50 and Chinese companies”. “We are also firmly opposed to the abuse of unilateral sanctions and other means to San Francisco-based DoorDash, which com- percent share of the US meal delivery market in debut on Wall Street on the New York Stock coerce the Venezuelan people to change their devel- petes with GrubHub and Uber Eats, operates a October, twice as big as the number two service, Exchange under the stock symbol DASH before opment path,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman leading online platform connecting people order- Uber Eats. DoorDash co-founder and chief execu- Christmas. DoorDash has followed in the footsteps Hua Chunying said at a routine briefing. ing food with those willing to deliver it. DoorDash tive Tony Xu said in a filing that the startup fulfills of other tech startups regarding company gover- “China will take the necessary measures to safe- plans to sell 33 million shares priced somewhere the American dream for his family, which came to the nance, offering an assortment of share types that will guard the legitimate rights and interests of its own between $75 and $85, making the potential maxi- US from China when he was five years old. result in co-founder Xu maintaining control. A slew enterprises,” she added, without specifying further. mum tally of the offering slightly more than $2.8 “DoorDash exists today to empower those like of tech startups including Airbnb, Roblox and Wish Venezuela on Sunday will hold legislative elections in billion. DoorDash is on track to take in some $2 my mom who came here with a dream to make it on are on track to make Wall Street debuts by the end which Maduro hopes to take back the National billion in revenue this year on growing demand their own,” he wrote. The company will make its of this year. —AFP Assembly, the only institution controlled by the oppo- sition, with Guaido boycotting what he and several times higher than the shortfall in the percent of GDP, over three years, ceutical firms, and Can$322 billion international observers see as a rigged process. US Canada measures last budget released in March 2019, our government will make carefully went to Canadians directly, so far. As Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that CEIEC “has before the pandemic. judged, targeted and meaningful a result, the government’s debt is set been supporting the Maduro regime’s malicious efforts push deficit to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland investments to create jobs and boost to rise to more than Can$1.2 trillion. to repress political dissent and undermine democratic also said the government was prepar- growth,” she said. The pandemic The debt as a percentage of GDP processes since 2017.” record Can$382bn ing to spend another Can$70 billion shut down large swathes of the will increase from 31.2 percent last “Maduro’s desperate attempts to manipulate the to Can$100 billion over three years to Canadian economy in March, and year to 50.7 percent this year, and democratic processes should leave no doubt that any OATTAWA: Canada’s budget deficit jolt the economy once the pandemic several regions are now under lock- 52.6 percent next year, according to elections organized by the illegitimate regime, includ- is projected to balloon to a record is over. The aim, she said, is to build down again as a second wave of the finance department. Freeland’s ing the December 6 parliamentary elections, will be Can$382 billion ($284 billion) as back the economy to be greener, COVID-19 — worse than the first- fall economic statement-essentially a neither free nor fair,” Pompeo said in a statement. government spending skyrockets to more inclusive, more innovative and sweeps across the country. The gov- mini-budget-also signaled the gov- The Venezuelan government, for its part, combat the spread of the novel more competitive. “When the virus is ernment has spent hundreds of bil- ernment’s intent to move ahead on denounced the “illegal actions of the United States coronavirus, the finance minister under control and our economy is lions to support out-of-work charging a sales tax on video government” that it said seek to “destabilize” the coun- announced Monday. The amount for ready for new growth, we will deploy Canadians and businesses that were streaming subscriptions like Netflix, try on the eve of parliamentary elections. President the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which an ambitious stimulus package to forced to close temporarily. and to restrict stock option deduc- Donald Trump’s administration has been ramping up began on April 1, is higher than an jump-start our recovery,” Freeland Notably, Can$1 billion was spent tions, as well as support home ener- sanctions against adversaries Iran and Venezuela as it estimate of Can$343 billion told the House of Commons. on vaccine agreements to secure 429 gy retrofits and more electric car prepares to hand over on January 20 to President- announced in July and almost 20 “Spending roughly three to four million doses from seven pharma- charging stations. —AFP elect Joe Biden. —AFP 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, December 2, 2020

futuristic thriller about the double ident. “That’s one possible way of read- set up in 1903, include Marcel Proust, Alives of passengers aboard a flight ing it,” he said by video link. Jury chair- Simone de Beauvoir, Marguerite Duras from Paris to New York won man Didier Decoin said that the novel and Michel Houellebecq. While Tellier France’s top literary award, the Prix had a “real cinematic dimension” and gets a paltry 10 euros ($12) in prize mon- Goncourt, which was awarded by video that he hoped it would be adapted for ey, the award invariably catapults the win- link on Monday. The winner was the big screen. Because of the Covid-19 ner to the top of the best-seller lists. announced two days after the French restrictions, the 10-person Goncourt jury The ceremony comes as the closed government eased a monthlong coron- was forced to forgo its traditional slap-up world of French literature comes under avirus lockdown, allowing bookshops, awards lunch at the Drouant restaurant in rare scrutiny following allegations of which had complained bitterly about the central Paris. Instead, they huddled over abuse against paedophile writer Gabriel restrictions, to reopen. Herve Le Tellier, a video link from their homes. They had Matzneff. Matzneff won the Renaudot 63-year-old former journalist and mathe- been due to name the winner on prize-widely seen as the runner-up to the matician, won the country’s oldest literary November 10, but to show solidarity with Goncourt-in 2013, despite never making he winner of France’s top liter- prize for “L’Anomalie,” his eighth novel. booksellers they held off until bookshops a secret of his preference for sex with Tary prize Monday is a mind- Tellier had been tipped for glory with a were allowed reopen at the weekend, adolescent girls and boys. He faces a tri- bending bestseller called “The page-turner of a novel in which a hit man, along with vendors of other “non-essen- al next year on a charge of promoting Anomaly”, whose brilliant time-shift- a Nigerian pop star and a writer land in tial” goods. Restaurants and cafes paedophilia. The New York Times on ing tricks have sparked comparisons New York only to find that their flight-and remain closed. Tellier won eight of the 10 Saturday criticized “the insular world that with “The Matrix”. Even before the other versions of their selves-had already votes cast by the jurors. dominates French literary life”, saying the work by mathematician and journal- arrived three months earlier. fact that it had changed little since ist Herve Le Tellier picked up the The former Reuters journalist said Whiff of scandal Matzneff was charged showed “just how Prix Goncourt, critics were saying its Monday that it could be read as a para- Two members of the academy chose entrenched and intractable it really is”. story of a flight to New York that is French writer Herve Le Tellier poses after ble for life after Donald Trump. “The idea the fictional memoirs of a senior This year’s Renaudot winner was Marie- lost in time demanded to be made being awarded the Prix Goncourt, France’s is that since Trump is there and is the Moroccan civil servant by Mael Renouard, Helene Lafon for “L’Histoire du Fils” (The into a television series. Le Tellier heads a secretive group of literary most prestigious literary prize, for his novel cause of the world’s destruction, the a former speech writer for French ex- Son’s Story). — AFP tricksters called Oulipo... “L’Anomalie” in Paris. — AFP vision of the book is to propose another prime minister Francois Fillon. Previous version of the world, where Biden is pres- winners of the Prix Goncourt, which was Ouli what? Oulipo, or more accurately OuLiPo, which stands for “OUvroir de LItterature POtentielle”-meaning workshop for potential literature. Don’t worry, even in French it sounds pretentious. Originally a secret soci- ety, and still shrouded in mystery, it was founded in 1960 by a group of mostly French writers and mathe- maticians. They believe mathemati- cal techniques and rules and con- straints are the mother and father of all real invention. Like what? Words games and palindromes (words that read the same both backwards and forwards) are their bread and butter. Take “The Void”: the French novelist and Oulipo mem- ber Georges Perec famously wrote the 300-page novel in 1969 without using the letter “e”-the most com- mon letter in French. While his repu- tation has since fallen into a void in Olena Shcherban, Ukrainian ethnologist and historian, who studies borscht and has 365 This picture shows traditional clay pots in the house yard of Olena Shcherban. English, the Italian Italo Calvino also of its unique recipes from all over Ukraine in her private collection, wearing Ukraine’s — AFP photos experimented with Oulipo as did the traditional clothes and headdress cooks borscht in clay, pots in the wood stove in the vil- grandaddy of conceptual art Marcel lage of Opishnya in Poltava region. Duchamp-he of the urinal fame. Sounds a bit complicated? Not always. Sometimes it can be simple and ingenious, like Oulipo co- founder Raymond Queneau’s classic “Exercises in Style”, which is one story re-told 99 different ways. But it has to be said that “snowball” poems, where each line is a single krainian chef Ievgen Klopotenko word that gets one letter longer never expected to find himself at every line, or lipograms with verses U that omit letters that go below the the center of the conflict between line such as “p”, “j” or “y”, might not Russia and Ukraine. But that’s just what be everyone’s cup of tea. happened when the 33-year-old pushed to have borscht-the traditional beetroot Why would you want to do that? and cabbage dish-recognized as part For the hell of it, of course. of Ukraine’s historical heritage. “I don’t Queneau’s “A Hundred Thousand really like to call it a war for borscht, but Billion Poems” (1961) includes 10 in fact that’s what it is,” Klopotenko, a sonnets that if divided into strips can graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu culinary be recombined 100,000,000,000,000 school, told AFP in his renowned different ways and still rhyme. — AFP Ukrainian restaurant in central Kiev. The chef said he was fed up with how restaurants around the world-including those serving “so-called Ukrainian cui- This picture shows clay pots with borscht in the wood stove. This picture shows three different borscht, cooked according to tradi- sine”-were referring to borscht as tional recipes in the wood stove by Olena Shcherban. Russian soup. So last month he brought a pot of and beloved dishes and a symbol of tra- that Ukrainian cuisine does not exist in gist and historian, said it is “absurd” to borscht to Ukraine’s culture ministry to ditional cuisine”. Ukrainians claim that Ukraine. It’s all Soviet,” Klopotenko said. associate borscht with Russia. “Borscht convince officials to submit an applica- borscht was first mentioned in 1548 in The Soviet Union “swallowed” Ukraine, is the second dish that I ate after my tion to United Nations cultural body the diary of a European traveller who “chewed it and spat it out... We don’t mother’s milk. We wean the baby and UNESCO to list borscht as an intangible tasted the soup in a market near Kiev. know who we are or what we are,” he then feed him with borscht,” Shcherban part of the country’s cultural heritage. They say it arrived in Russia much later added. said as she stood over her stove cook- The list already includes French gas- with Ukrainian settlers. Tensions But there is one thing for Klopotenko ing the soup. The 40-year-old says that tronomy, Neapolitan pizza and between Kiev and Moscow have flared that is quintessentially Ukrainian: the Ukrainians do not know their history well In this file photo US actor George Clooney Georgian wine. The ministry agreed and in the decades following the break-up of beetroot and cabbage soup. “I realized and have a “lack of pride” in their gas- takes part in a press conference in central said it was preparing the application to the Soviet Union in 1991. After a pro- that borscht is what unites us,” he said. tronomy, unlike the French or Italians. London to present a report on atrocities in UNESCO before the March deadline, so Western popular uprising in Kiev in “We may be different, we eat different She has tried to promote the dish South Sudan. — AFP it can be examined in December next 2014 followed by Russia’s annexation of types of borscht cooked to different through a festival in the village of year. And suddenly Moscow bristled. Crimea and support of separatists in the recipes, but it’s borscht.” The applica- Opishnya in central Ukraine that she “Borscht is a national food of many east, the confrontation has intensified. tion will not contain a recipe for borscht has organized for seven years. And this countries, including Russia, Belarus, For Klopotenko, the battle over as “nobody knows the authentic one”, month, she opened a museum dedicat- Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Moldova and borscht is really about Ukraine’s identi- Klopotenko said. ed to borscht. “Borscht is art, borscht is Lithuania,” Russia’s embassy in the ty. The country has been closely tied to language, borscht is culture, borscht is United States said on Twitter. Russia for most of its history. Much of ‘More than just food’ the history of my Ukraine,” Shcherban what is now Ukraine was part of the “We will register something bigger. said.— AFP ‘Borscht unites us’ tsarist Russian empire and later the We will register the culture of borscht in The Russian government soon fol- country became part of the Soviet Ukraine,” he said, adding that the soup lowed on its own Twitter account, calling Union. “When I started studying “is much more important than just food”. andemic hair getting out of control? borscht “one of Russia’s most famous Ukrainian food and cuisine, I realized Olena Shcherban, a Ukrainian ethnolo- PTake a tip from George Clooney: the Hollywood style icon has revealed he trims his signature silver locks with a Flowbee-a quirky home-styling device that attaches to a vacuum cleaner. The Flowbee has long been the butt of jokes since it appeared on late-night television infomercials in the late 1980s. But in pro- moting his new movie, “The Midnight Sky,” Clooney, 59, disclosed he was a long-time fan of the much-mocked gadg- et, when asked during a CBS interview if he had been cutting his own hair during the coronavirus lockdown. “I’ve been cut- ting my own hair for 25 years,” said the Oscar-winner, whose name is synony- mous with red-carpet glamor. “My hair’s really like straw, and so it’s easy to cut. You can’t really make too many mistakes.” “So, years ago, I bought a thing called a Flowbee, which when we were-” he said, at which point his stunned interview- er broke in with: “You did not!” The Flowbee cuts hair and sucks up the clip- pings at the same time, which has led to Olena Shcherban wearing Ukraine’s traditional clothes and headdress cooks borscht in clay Ievgen Klopotenko cooks borscht in his restaurant. its use by astronauts on long-haul space pots in the wood stove in the village of Opishnya in Poltava region. missions in the past. —AFP Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, December 2, 2020

This handout photo shows newly arrived Asian elephant Kaavan (left) touching trunks with another ele- Newly arrived Asian elephant Kaavan drinks water in his new enclosure at the Kulen Prom Tep Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia’s Oddar phant in his new enclosure at the Kulen Prom Tep Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey Meanchey province. province. — AFP photos

t was his first contact with another ele- tions there, boosted by spirited social images provided by rights group Four has adjusted to a “controlled setting”, he seven-hour flight aboard a jumbo Russian Iphant in eight years. Reaching out with media support from US actress and Paws. “First contact with an elephant in will be released into the wider sanctuary, cargo plane. A tube system was installed his trunk, Kaavan tentatively greeted a musician Cher. He arrived in Cambodia eight years-this is a huge moment for where there are three female elephants, in his transport crate to handle up to 200 fellow inhabitant of the Cambodian sanc- on Monday to much fanfare-including a Kaavan,” said Martin Bauer, a an environment ministry official said on liters (58 gallons) of urine. Activists have tuary where he is beginning his new life welcome from Cher herself, who not only spokesman with the Austria-based group Monday. The plan is to breed Kaavan accused the zoo in Islamabad of chain- after being rescued from grim conditions travelled to see him off from Pakistan, but that worked for months to get him ready with local elephants to “conserve the ing Kaavan up, and of not properly shel- in a Pakistani zoo. The 36-year-old bull also arrived ahead of him at Siem Reap for the flight. “Kaavan will finally have the genetic fold”. tering him during the searing summers elephant-dubbed the “world’s loneliest”- airport. chance to live a species-appropriate and Transporting an adult elephant by there. Conditions were so bad that in was the sole Asian elephant at Yesterday saw Kaavan settling into his peaceful life,” Bauer said, adding that the plane is no small task, and has only been May, a judge ruled that all the zoo’s ani- Islamabad’s dilapidated zoo. Animal enclosure at Kulen Prom Tep Wildlife entire team was extremely moved to wit- undertaken a handful of times. Helpers mals should be relocated. — AFP rights groups launched a campaign to Sanctuary, where he was seen touching ness the interaction. “He has a very packed his trunk with 200 kilograms (450 save him from the substandard condi- trunks with another elephant, captured in bright future ahead of him.” Once Kaavan pounds) of food to snack on during the Pop star Rita Ora Dr. Joseph Varon comforts a patient in the COVID-19 ‘embarrassed’ after intensive care unit (ICU) during Thanksgiving at the United Memorial Medical breaking London Center in Houston, Texas. lockdown

ritish singer Rita Ora apologized Bon Monday for breaking coron- avirus lockdown rules after hold- ing a 30th birthday party with friends in a London restaurant. Writing on the social media platform Instagram, Ora called the party, which took place on Saturday in Notting Hill, west London, a “serious and inexcusable error of judgment”. “It was a spur of the moment decision made with the mis- guided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK,” Ora wrote on Instagram. “I feel particu- larly embarrassed knowing first hand how hard people have worked to com- bat this terrible illness. “Even though this won’t make it right, I want to sin- cerely apologize,” she added. London In this handout image courtesy of ABC South police confirmed that officers had Korean band BTS performs during the 2020 been called to Notting Hill over a American Music Awards aired from the breach of Covid-19 regulations. Microsoft theatre in Los Angeles. — AFP “Officers continue to assess the alle- gations and are liaising with the local authority regarding a potential breach of regulations at the premises. Enquiries continue,” a Metropolitan police statement said. The singer of hits that include “Let You Love Me” and “How to Be Lonely” has volun- teered to pay a fine. Police in England can issue fines of up to £10,000 ($13,352, €11,168) for breaches of the lockdown curbs. England was placed under four weeks of restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus in railblazing South Korean boyband November. Restaurants and pubs BTS have become the first group were among businesses affected. T to have a foreign-language song Individuals were also banned from enter the US Billboard chart at number meeting indoors with people from other Dr. Joseph Varon eats a meal in the nursing station in the COVID-19 intensive care one, in the latest musical record to be Dr. Joseph Varon comforts a patient in the COVID-19 households. The lockdown is set to re-written by the K-pop sensation. “Life intensive care unit (ICU) during Thanksgiving at the unit (ICU) during Thanksgiving at the United Memorial Medical Center. end on December 2 and be replaced — AFP photos Goes On”, sung predominantly in United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas. by a tiered system allowing hospitality Korean, topped the US Hot 100 in its venues to reopen in certain areas debut week, Billboard said Monday, the under social distancing rules. The Sun first foreign-language song to do so in newspaper published photos of Ora the chart’s 62-year history. BTS-or and other celebrities arriving at a Bangtan Sonyeondan, which translates restaurant. “It’s important that every- as Bulletproof Boy Scouts-have become body in society sets an example by fol- one of the biggest acts in the world lowing the rules - that is for every mem- since they launched seven years ago, ber of the public, including celebrities,” and made a billionaire of their managing oseph Varon, a doctor treating coro- sorry for him. I was feeling very sad, just picture is “doing much better.” “We are the Prime Minister’s official spokesman agency’s founder. Jnavirus patients at a Texas hospital, like him.” hoping that before the end of the week said. “But it’s up to police to decide Their latest single is also the first was working his 252nd day in a row “Eventually he felt better and he he’ll be able to get out of the hospital,” he what action to take.”— AFP mainly-Korean song ever to top the when he spotted a distraught elderly man stopped crying,” Varon told CNN on said. Varon also had a message for peo- chart. The band’s success marks the in the Covid-19 intensive care unit (ICU). Monday, which he said was his 256th ple who are not taking precautions amid growing appeal of the South’s popular Varon’s comforting embrace of the white- consecutive day of work. “I don’t know the pandemic. culture in the US, after the subtitled haired man on Thanksgiving Day was why I haven’t broken down,” the doctor “People are out there in bars, restaurants, Korean movie “Parasite” won four Oscar captured by a photographer for Getty said. “My nurses cry in the middle of the malls,” the doctor said. “It is crazy. People awards in February, including Best Images and has gone viral around the day.” Varon said the isolation of the Covid don’t listen and then they end up in my ICU. Picture. BTS’ earlier track “Dynamite” world. Varon, chief of staff at United unit was difficult for many patients, partic- “What people need to know is I don’t want to debuted atop the chart in September Memorial Medical Center in Houston, told ularly the elderly. “You can imagine,” he have to be hugging them. “They need to do but it was sung entirely in English, mak- CNN he was entering the Covid ICU said. “You are inside a room where peo- the basic things-keep your social distance, ing it radio-friendly in Anglophone coun- when he saw the elderly patient “out of ple are coming in spacesuits. “When you wear your masks, wash their hands, and tries. “Dynamite” is still in the chart at his bed and trying to get out of the room.” are an elderly individual, it’s more difficult avoid going to places where there are a lot number 3 and they have another five “And he’s crying,” Varon said. “So I get because you are alone,” he said. “Some of people,” he said. “If people would do that, tracks in the Top 100. “Life Goes On” is close to him and I (ask) him, ‘Why are you of them cry. Some of them try to escape,” healthcare workers like me could hopefully the band’s third number one in three crying?’” “And the man says, ‘I want to be he said. “We actually had somebody who rest.” — AFP months, after “Dynamite” and a BTS with my wife.’ So I just grab him and I tried to escape through a window the oth- remix of “Savage Love” by Jawsh 685 hold him,” Varon said. “I was feeling very er day.” Varon said the elderly man in the Rita Ora and Jason Derulo. —AFP

erlin’s legendary KitKat fetish night- get a rapid test in Berlin at the moment, and “trained personnel”, the club said, Wednesday to Sunday. A test costs crowdfunding campaigns, many are Bclub will reopen to the public on we will be offering this possibility at the and results ready within 25 minutes. 24.90 euros ($30) and if the result is posi- fighting for survival. The famous Berghain Friday, but visitors might be disap- club from Friday,” the management “Be wild and come naked! (Please tive, the infected person should immedi- club has been keeping the spirit of Berlin pointed to discover that the only latex on announced on its Facebook page on don’t. Would be funny, but would proba- ately quarantine and contact their doctor, nightlife alive by offering an exhibition of show will be medical gloves. Closed for Monday. Located in the heart of Berlin, bly lead to reports of suspected parties),” the club said. Clubs and bars across work by local contemporary artists. the past eight months because of coron- KitKat is famous for its sexually uninhibit- said the club, a pillar of Berlin nightlife Germany, especially in Berlin, are reeling Berlin’s reputation as the capital of avirus restrictions, the nightclub is to be ed club nights, with punters often dressed since it was opened by an Austrian in from months of closure due to coron- German nightlife and techno music transformed into a Covid-19 testing cen- in latex, leather or indeed nothing at all. 1994. Punters can register online for the avirus restrictions. Despite financial sup- attracts tens of thousands of tourists tre. “Since it is practically impossible to The tests will be carried out by a doctor swab tests, which will be conducted from port from the city, short-time working and every year.— AFP 14 Sports Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Photo of the Day Bollywood star’s IPL team buys into US Major League Cricket NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League’s Kolkata Knight Riders, co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, have become a key partner in the bid to launch Major League Cricket in the United States, the team said yesterday. The two-time IPL champions have signed on for a “long-term strategic partnership (that) will include financial investment and significant expertise”, a statement said. Major League Cricket, featuring six city-based franchises, is aiming to launch in 2022, bringing “world-class T20 cricket to America for the very first time”, it added. “For several years now, we have been expanding the Knight Riders brand globally and closely watch- ing the potential for T20 cricket in the USA,” Khan said in the statement. “We are convinced that Major League Cricket has all the pieces in place to execute on its plans and we look forward to making our part- nership an enormous success.” The announcement did not say whether the Knight Riders will hold a controlling stake in the new Twenty20 league whose parent company, American Cricket Enterprises, aims to bring in top players from around the world. ACE last month said an unused baseball stadium in Texas will be converted into a permanent cricket venue as part of plans to bring the T20 World Cup to America by 2031. Efforts to popularize cricket in the United States have been sporadic. In 2015, Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar and Australian spin legend Shane Warne played an All-Stars series in New York, Houston and Los Angeles. In September, American fast bowler Ali Khan joined up with the Knight Riders at the IPL in United Arab Emirates, but was unable to play because of injury. Tommy Tibajia performs in Odessa, Ukraine. — Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com Khan, 29, played a key role in the US gaining ODI status at the World Cricket League Division Two event in Namibia last year. — AFP Bach unopposed in bid for 2nd term as IOC president Giant Olympic rings return as Tokyo bids to build excitement LAUSANNE: Thomas Bach will stand unopposed to been a key player in the ongoing Russian doping unprecedented decision to delay. The 69-ton inter- serve a second term as International Olympic saga, although the IOC came in for criticism from locking rings were installed in Tokyo’s Odaiba bay Committee president, the body said yesterday. Bach, some quarters for not issuing Moscow with a blanket area at the start of the year as the city began the a 66-year-old German lawyer, is set to be confirmed ban over its state-sponsored doping system. final countdown to the Games, but were towed for a second and final four-year term at an IOC ses- Bach also came under fire for reinstating the away in August for maintenance and inspections. sion in March in Athens. Bach was initially elected for Russian National Olympic Committee after the 2018 They returned yesterday with a fresh coat of paint an eight-year term as Olympic chief in September Pyeongchang Winter Olympics despite failed drugs and plans to light them up at night. 2013, taking over from Belgian Jacques Rogge. If re- tests there. He is credited, however, with having put “We are working very hard so that we can hold elected, Bach’s term will end in 2025, a year after the in place the Olympic Agenda 2020, featuring reforms an Olympic Games in which people will feel safe,” Paris Olympics. aimed at cutting costs and streamlining bidding Tokyo city government official Atsushi Yanashimizu The next term for the IOC presidency will start processes to better attract potential host cities. The told reporters. “With the installation of the Olympic after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which will now take IOC, however, is arguably facing its biggest challenge symbol, we would like more people to feel that the place from July 23-Aug 8, 2021, having been post- in Bach’s tenure in the form of the Covid-19 pandem- event is approaching soon and to feel excited about poned because of the coronavirus pandemic. Bach, ic, with the rescheduling of the Tokyo Games mean- it.” A poll in July showed that just one in four people who won gold for West Germany in the foil fencing ing Beijing will host the 2022 Winter Olympics just in Japan wanted to see the Games held in 2021, with team event at the 1976 Olympics, was elected an IOC six months later. most backing either a further delay or a cancella- member at the age of 37 and went on to play a series tion. There are also reportedly concerns among of influential roles within the organization, notably as Giant Olympic rings sponsors, with organizers tightlipped on how many International Olympic Committee (IOC) President a founding member of the IOC’s Athletes’ Meanwhile, a giant set of Olympic rings returned will extend their contracts. Thomas Bach Commission, before being elected its ninth president. to Tokyo’s waterfront yesterday after maintenance, Olympic and Japanese officials have said they Under his reign as IOC chief, Bach has had to with officials hoping the symbol will help build remain committed to holding the Games next year, Olympics, and will then be replaced by the grapple with several political challenges, and has enthusiasm for the coronavirus-postponed Games. and International Olympic Committee head Thomas Paralympics symbol in mid-August. “We would like notably overseen the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Promising vaccine trials have boosted Tokyo’s Bach said in Tokyo last month he was “very, very many people to come here and see it and feel the and the 2016 Rio Summer Games, both perceived as hopes of holding the Olympics, now scheduled to confident” that spectators will be able to attend. momentum, while being cautious about virus pre- the most troublesome in recent years. He has also open July 23, 2021 after the pandemic forced the The rings will stay in place until the end of the vention” said Yanashimizu. — Agencies

ment began in 2019. His stance was echoed Golf talking points: by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who both turned down reported $3 million Desert storms and appearance fees. “I just don’t want to go,” said McIlroy at the time, calling it “a Dustin’s millions morality issue”. Saudi Arabia has hosted a number of HONG KONG: Sportswashing, a player high-profile events recently and will hold awash with cash and a country’s unlikely its first Formula One grand prix next year, hero feature in AFP Sport’s golf talking bringing accusations of “sportswashing” - points this week: using sport to divert attention away from human rights issues. Casey, a UNICEF Casey’s Saudi flip ambassador, told the UK’s Independent GEORGIA: Dustin Johnson of the United States Paul Casey’s decision to play in Saudi newspaper in January 2019 that he “would reacts during the Green Jacket Ceremony Arabia next year has laid him open to be a hypocrite” if he accepted Saudi charges of hypocrisy after he previously appearance money. But this week the after winning the Masters at Augusta National shunned the country over its poor human world number 23 defended his U-turn. Golf Club in Augusta. — AFP rights record. World number one and “This is not a decision I’ve taken lightly,” Kuwait Open Masters champion Dustin Johnson will tee Casey said in a statement. “I wasn’t com- has come to an end. The world number one up in February’s European Tour event in fortable going in the past, but I have endured some bizarre ups and downs after Table Tennis Saudi Arabia alongside US Open champi- always been open-minded and willing to the sport returned from shutdown in June. on Bryson DeChambeau, Open champion learn. I believe sport has the power to He was forced to sit out two big-purse Shane Lowry and other global stars such effect change.” events after contracting Covid-19, and tournament as Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Tommy posted back-to-back rounds of 80 for the Fleetwood and Phil Mickelson. Johnson’s golden 2020 first time in his career, but also became By Abdellatif Sharaa But the big surprise among the 2021 Dustin Johnson has pulled out of this FedEx Cup champion and won a small Saudi International entries was England’s week’s Mayakoba Classic, the final US matter of four times - including the Tour KUWAIT: Head of women’s com- former world number three Casey, who PGA Tour event of 2020, meaning a Championship and his first Masters at mittee at Kuwait Table Tennis pointedly refused to play when the tourna- strange but highly successful playing year Augusta, his second major title. — AFP Federation Khalida Al-Ali said preparations for the Open Table Tennis refresher tournament are Khalida Al-Ali Guido Petti and replacement hooker Australia before going down 38-0 to the All proceeding as planned, and will be ‘Ashamed’ Matera Santiago Socino. Blacks on Saturday. The rugby union said held from December 9th until 11th four clubs. The door is still open for “The Argentina Rugby Union forcefully that although the posts were several years at Salwa Club Hall with the partici- registration until December 4th. loses rugby rejects the discriminatory and xenophobic old and did “not represent the personal pation of 4 clubs - Arabi, Salwa Al- She said that KTTF board of comments published by members of the integrity that the three have shown during Sabah, Fatayat Al-Oyoun and Al- directors headed by Ali Al- captaincy over Pumas squad on social media,” a state- their current period with the Pumas”, action Fatat Clubs. Dahbous approved the contract ment read, after offensive post dating from had to be taken. “The Argentina Rugby She said the women’s committee with the Belarussian coach M racist posts 2011-2013 came to light. In the tweets, Union condemns any instance of hate (Shahad Abdelraheem, Ishtiaq Anderea to coach Kuwait women’s since deleted, Matera spoke of “running speech and considers it unacceptable that over blacks” with his car and disparaged anyone expressing those views would rep- Sanad and Fatima Al-Maie) is con- National team. Khalida Al-Ali SYDNEY: Argentina rugby skipper Pablo thanked chairwoman of Salwa Al- Bolivian and Paraguayan domestic workers resent our country,” the statement said. tinuously working to ensure the Matera said he was “deeply ashamed” yes- tournament’s success. Khalida Al- Sabah Club Sheikha Naeema Al- with racial stereotypes. Petti referred to Matera, who captained Argentina at last terday as he was stripped of the captaincy Ali said any table tennis player can Ahmad for her cooperation and his domestic worker as a “primate” and year’s World Cup and plays club rugby for and suspended along with two other play- register her name online or register keenness to ensure the success of spoke of “blacks” stealing mobile phones top Paris side Stade Francais, apologised at the federation’s office. She said the refresher championship. She ers over racist tweets. Just weeks after and wallets. for his “barbarisms”. “I’m sorry to everyone that 11 players have registered for also thanked Kuwait Olympic leading the Pumas to their first win over the Argentina have endured a turbulent year who was offended by the barbarisms I their direct individual participation Committee and its women’s com- mighty All Blacks, the Argentina Rugby including lockdowns and a coronavirus-hit wrote,” the 27-year-old wrote on in addition to 20 players from the mittee headed by Fatima Hayat. Union “revoked” Matera’s captaincy and build-up to the Tri Nations, where they Instagram. “At that moment, I could never suspended him, along with second row stunned New Zealand and drew with imagine who I would become. — AFP Established 1961 15 Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Sports Yoon double puts Ulsan in last 16, Beijing stay perfect Shanghai Shenhua draw 3-3 with Perth Glory

DOHA: Yoon Bit-garam struck once in each half to before conceding a late equalizer. send Ulsan Hyundai through to the round of 16 in Uruguayan Bruno Fornaroli scored in first-half the Asian Champions League with a 2-1 win over stoppage time to put Perth ahead and Carlo FC Tokyo on Monday. The 30-year-old’s efforts Armiento increased their advantage nine minutes ensured top position in Group F for Ulsan with 13 after the break. But Shanghai had other ideas as they points from five matches, while Tokyo are level on fought back with three goals in 12 minutes with seven points with Shanghai Shenhua, who drew 3-3 Giovanni Moreno scoring a brace and Yu Hanchao with Perth Glory. also on target as Perth fell a goal behind for the first Ulsan though were in for a massive shock immedi- time. However, Neil Kilkenny scored from the penalty ately after kick-off when Tokyo’s Kensuke Nagai spot with seven minutes remaining to give the scored in the first minute from a seemingly routine already eliminated Australians their first point. move on the right flank. Shuto Abe poked the ball into the path of the advancing Nagai, who capitalized Beijing march on on uncertain Ulsan defending with a measured low Meanwhile form team Beijing Guoan main- drive that beat goalkeeper Jo Su-huk via the upright. tained their unbeaten run at this year’s competi- Although Tokyo held the lead, it was Ulsan who tion with their fifth consecutive win in Group E, largely dominated the match, keeping the Tokyo easing past FC Seoul 3-1. Beijing had already defense on edge constantly. But after several qualified with two matches to spare, but didn’t attempts at goal, the equalizer came only in the 44th take their foot off the pedal on Monday as goals minute as Yoon curled in a free-kick from 25 yards from Jonathan Viera and Renato Augusto gave following a foul on him by Joan Oumari. Ulsan never them a 2-0 advantage at half-time. lost their grip on the match after the resumption and Yun Ju-tae pulled one back for Seoul in the 89th sealed the win in the 85th minute, Yoon profiting minute but Zhang Yuning put the issue beyond doubt from an assist by Won Du-jae and slamming the ball for Bruno Genesio’s men with a stoppage-time effort. past Tokyo goalkeeper Go Hatano for his fourth goal “Today’s match, before the game, I asked the players of the tournament this year. to play with a serious attitude and respect the oppo- AL-RAYYAN, Qatar: Shanghai;s forward Giovanni Moreno (center) clears the ball during the AFC “I’d like to congratulate our players for quali- nents,” said Genesio. “We played well and we knew Champions League group F football match between China’s Shanghai Shenhua and Australia’s fying for the next round. I am so happy,” said we had to fight hard and score goals. Even after we Perth Glory on November 30, 2020.—AFP Ulsan Hyundai coach Kim Do-hoon. “We conced- conceded (late in the second half), we responded by ed an early goal and tried to recover it as quickly scoring again.” as possible, which was a good point for us. We Seoul coach Lee Won-jun was despondent after pressure, which they did today,” said Lee. “But they wasted a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw with Thailand’s fought as one team.” Perth Glory blew their his team fell nine points behind Beijing, although they also committed some mistakes and we were punished Chiangrai United. Melbourne have four points and chance for a first win in five Group F matches as are still in second place. “After the defeat to Beijing in by three goals.” The second qualifying spot from the will need to beat Seoul in their last match to make the Shanghai Shenhua overcame a two-goal deficit the first match I told the players to play without group is still up for grabs after Melbourne Victory round of 16. —AFP Messi imitated Maradona’s skills - but not his lifestyle Embattled Loew to BARCELONA: Lionel Messi is the prompting an Argentine commentator only Argentine to truly live up to to yell: “That’s Maradona dressed up being described as the next Diego as Messi. He has been reincarnated.” stay on as Germany Maradona so it was little surprise the The two players also shared a low Barcelona captain should dedicate his centre of gravity, incredible passing coach for Euros goal in Sunday’s 4-0 Liga win over range and vision plus a magical left Osasuna to his late compatriot. foot, although their characters often BERLIN: Joachim Loew will remain in charge of Argentina’s two iconic players may be seemed worlds apart. Germany for next year’s delayed European contrasting characters but they Championship despite a series of poor recent shared many traits including a bond Eventful career results, the German football federation (DFB) with Newell’s Old Boys and the Barca Maradona craved the spotlight announced Monday. “In a conference call, the DFB captain removed his shirt to reveal the throughout his eventful career and presidential board unanimously agreed to unequiv- red and black of the Rosario club was often in the news for his off-field ocally back the direction of Germany coach before pointing to the sky. activities. Yet that often helped his Joachim Loew in his efforts to rebuild the national BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Argentinean forward Lionel Messi pays tribute team, which have been ongoing since March 2019,” Messi was born a year after image, particularly in Argentina where for late Argentinean football legend Diego Maradona during the Spanish Maradona captained Argentina to thousands of people have defied the DFB said in a statement, following a meeting League football match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna on with Loew and the federation’s top officials. World Cup glory in 1986 in Mexico COVID-19 restrictions to mourn their November 29, 2020. —AFP but he was at Newell’s stadium as a hero, who died aged 60 on Loew, 60, has been in charge of the Germany fan in 1993 when Maradona made his Wednesday. While Messi sampled the team since taking over from Jurgen Klinsmann fol- debut for the club. Messi’s goal on Barcelona night life as a youth, he is a 33. He is Barca’s record scorer and Messi fans shouldn’t get angry about lowing the 2006 World Cup. He led the nation to a Sunday was striking in its similarity to private family man, having had three most decorated player, hoisting 10 that because he lives in a different fourth world title, and first since reunification, in one Maradona scored that day against boys with childhood sweetheart La Liga titles and four Champions era,” Argentina’s president Alberto Brazil in 2014 when the Germans defeated Lionel Emelec, both players dribbling across Antonela Roccuzzo who he married in League trophies. Fernandez said earlier this year. Messi’s Argentina in the final. However, Germany the edge of the area before finding the 2017. The biggest scandal was when “But you could put Maradona are in crisis following a 6-0 defeat to Spain on top corner. It was not the only time he was found guilty of tax fraud, a Dominant player alongside 10 broomsticks and he November 17 and recent draws with Switzerland, Messi imitated Maradona. His solo charge also faced by Maradona Maradona never won Europe’s top would still make the team win.” twice, and Turkey. The recent hammering by effort against Getafe in 2007 was a whose stellar career was truncated by club prize but he did drag an ordinary Former players find it harder to Spain, Germany’s heaviest loss in 89 years, carbon copy of Maradona’s second years of drug use, overeating and Napoli side to two Serie A titles and a choose who was the best. “Diego was capped a poor three-year spell, which included an against England in the ‘86 World Cup alcoholism. UEFA Cup triumph, while he was more artistic and more passionate, but embarrassing group-stage exit at the 2018 World quarter-final also remembered for the But who ranks as the better play- equally talismanic for Argentina and Messi has achieved more,” said Cup in Russia after which the DFB gave Loew Argentine’s “Hand of God” goal. er? Maradona scored 346 goals in the dominant player at the 1986 World Maradona’s ex-Argentina team mate their backing. Sparked by a dance past two play- 679 matches for his clubs and coun- Cup. Messi is Argentina’s all-time top Jorge Valdano. Current Atletico Loew has made some controversial decisions ers near the halfway line, it was fin- try in all competitions but two drug scorer but luck has deserted him when Madrid manager Diego Simeone, who since the debacle in Russia, none more so than the ished off with a dribble round the bans plus health and injury problems it matters most. He was on the losing played with Maradona for Sevilla and one to end the international careers of World Cup keeper and a slide to the ground as meant he only spent eight years at side in the 2014 World Cup final which Argentina added: “It doesn’t make winners Thomas Mueller, Jerome Boateng and Mats the ball trickled into the net. That the very top of his game. Messi, who was lost to Germany in extra time and sense to choose between them, they Hummels. The DFB’s 14-member presidential com- same season, Messi produced his own began his career in 2004, has played tasted defeat in two Copa America played in different eras. “Diego was mittee had initially been due to meet Friday to deter- “Hand of God” moment by punching 855 matches and scored 712 goals, finals on penalties. “Maradona is defi- much more emotional but Leo scored mine Loew’s fate. However, the group brought its the ball into the net against Espanyol, with still a few years left in him at nitely the best player I ever saw, but many more goals. —Reuters decision forward, following the “recommendation of the presidential committee and of national teams and academy director Oliver Bierhoff”, the DFB added. the Europa League in 2017-2018. “The DFB presidential board was in agreement Lazio ace Immobile But despite his record performances with Lazio, that key sporting goals have already been achieved the player known as ‘King Ciro’ to fans, has been in the run-up to the European Championship in criticized for his failure to perform well outside of 2021,” the statement read. “These include qualifying tackles past demons Italy. An 18 million euro ($22 million) move to for the tournament, remaining in League A of the Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund in 2014 reaped just three Nations League, and being placed in the first pot on Dortmund return goals in 24 appearances, before a transfer after for World Cup qualification. just one season to Sevilla, who loaned him to “As a result of this, Joachim Loew will continue MILAN: Ciro Immobile returns to the scene of one Torino. “I arrived at Dortmund at the wrong time, to receive the backing of the DFB presidential of his unhappiest spells as a player when Lazio take during a generational change,” said Immobile. board.” Loew held crisis talks with DFB president on the goal ace’s former club Borussia Dortmund in “There were some difficulties, but I don’t want to Fritz Keller in Munich earlier this month following the Champions League today. Dortmund were Italy say anything about this. I know when I deserve Germany’s worst loss since a 6-0 friendly defeat by forward Immobile’s first club outside of his home praise or criticism.” Austria in 1931. —AFP country and that disappointing time in the He returned to Lazio in 2016 for less than 10 Bundesliga was followed by an similarly unsuccess- million euros, the same year former ‘Biancocelesti’ ful six months at Sevilla, before returning to Serie forward Inzaghi took over as coach. And the 30- A. Lazio are just one point behind their German year-old has flourished in a system tailor-made to hosts who lead Group F with two games to play, his strengths, alongside Luis Alberto and Joaquin Matches on TV and four ahead of third-placed Club Brugge. Correa, and midfielders Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Local Timings) The Italians are well-positioned to advance to and Marco Parolo. the last 16 in their return to the Champions League Immobile extended his contract with Lazio by UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE after a 13-year absence. Last season’s European two years through 2025, after last season matching ‘Golden Shoe’ winner thanks to his 36 league goals FK Krasnodar v Stade Rennais20:55 Gonzalo Higuain’s single-season Italian league beIN Sports HD 2 in Italy, Immobile’s strikes powered Lazio to a record of 36 goals. Immobile also led the Serie A Istanbul Basaksehir v RB Leipzig 20:55 fourth-place finish in Serie A. This campaign he scorers in 2013-14 with 22 goals for Torino and beIN Sports HD 1 has scored three Champions League goals in two with Lazio in 2017-18 with 29. This season he has ROME: Lazio’s Italian forward Ciro Immobile cele- Sevilla FC v Chelsea 23:00 games — one in a 3-1 win over Dortmund in Rome scored eight goals in nine games in all competi- brates after scoring a goal during the UEFA beIN Sports HD 2 and twice against Zenit with the same scoreline tions. Lazio are ninth in Serie A. If he continues his Champions League Group F football match. —AFP Juventus FC v Dynamo Kiev 23:00 last time out in the Stadio Olimpico. current pace, the player from Naples is on track to In between, Immobile missed two games, become Lazio’s all-time leading scorer. With 133 beIN Sports HD 4 both 1-1 draws, against Club Brugge and away goals across all competitions, he currently sits sec- in Italy was an extra stimulus for me,” said Ferencvarosi TC v FC Barcelona 23:00 at Zenit, because of positive coronavirus tests. ond on the Roman club’s scoring chart behind Immobile who scored five more goals that the beIN Sports HD 3 “He is important for our football,” said coach Silvio Piola’s 159 goals. Portuguese star last season. “When these great Borussia Dortmund v SS Lazio 23:00 Simone Inzaghi. “He’ll make the fortunes of He has 108 league goals for Lazio to Piola’s 143 champions arrive, they push you to give more, to beIN Sports HD 5 Lazio, and also those of Italy.” In total, between 1934 and 1943. The arrival of five-time understand if you too you can be at that level. “It Club Brugge v Zenit St Petersburg 23:00 Immobile has seven Champions League goals Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo’s at Juventus happened with Ibra too, I studied him because he beIN Sports HD 6 from 12 appearances between Lazio, Dortmund, in 2018, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic joining AC Milan is a great champion. I hope to still be like this when Man United v Paris Saint-Germain 23:00 Sevilla and Juventus. He was also top scorer in this year has provided a boost. “Ronaldo’s arrival I’m Ibra’s age.” —AFP beIN Sports HD 1 Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020

Bach unopposed in bid for Messi imitated Maradona’s Yoon double puts Ulsan in 142nd term as IOC president 15 skills - but not his lifestyle 15 last 16, Beijing stay perfect

Seahawks down Eagles 23-17

Seahawks keep their NFL division lead

PHILADELPHIA: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 30, 2020. — AFP

NEW YORK: Seattle’s Russell Wilson threw for big plays. “We kept battling. We did it together. a great night,” Wilson said. down 14-6 at half-time. 230 yards and a touchdown to spark the Seahawks That’s what championship teams do.” Chris Carson broke tackles and battled into the Philadelphia’s Jake Elliott kicked a 42-yard field over the Philadelphia Eagles 23-17 on Monday and Seattle’s attack, the top-scoring unit in the NFL, end zone on a 16-yard run to give the Seahawks a goal midway into the third quarter, but Seattle’s keep them alone atop their NFL division. The was denied twice on fourth-down plays by the 14-0 lead with 5:27 remaining in the second quarter. Jason Myers answered from 44 yards to give the Seahawks improved to 8-3, one game ahead of the Eagles in the first quarter, but struck early in the The Eagles needed 25 minutes to manage a first Seahawks a 17-9 edge entering the fourth quarter. Los Angeles Rams atop the NFC West, while the second. Wilson, who completed 22-of-31 attempts, down and 26 to reach Seattle territory, but Carson Seattle added field goals by Myers from 33 and 39 Eagles fell to 3-7 with one drawn, a half-game threw a 52-yard pass to DK Metcalf to the Eagles’ Wentz made the march pay off. Wentz drove yards for a 23-9 lead before Wentz threw a behind Washington and the New York Giants in the 1-yard line and then flipped a touchdown pass to Philadelphia 75 yards in 15 plays over 5:15, ending deflected 32-yard touchdown pass to Richard NFC East. “Our team was prepared,” Wilson said. David Moore to open the scoring. Metcalf made 10 with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert Rodgers with 12 seconds remaining, and Miles “We’re playing championship football. Our defense catches for 177 yards in all to seize the NFL season just 17 seconds before the end of the quarter, but a Sanders ran for a 2-point conversion to create the has picked it up the past few games. We had a lot of receiving yardage lead with 1,039. “DK Metcalf had missed conversion kick attempt left the Eagles final margin.— AFP COVID: World champion Fulham climb Hamilton tests positive out of relegation SAKHIR: World champion Lewis “I am really lucky that I feel OK zone; West Hamilton said he was devastated with only mild symptoms and will to miss this weekend’s Sakhir do my best to stay fit and healthy.” Grand Prix in Bahrain having test- Hamilton, 35, sealed his seventh Ham go 5th ed positive for coronavirus. title in Turkey two races ago to Hamilton, who on Sunday won the equal the all-time record of LONDON: Fulham climbed out of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first of Michael Schumacher. He then Premier League relegation zone on back-to-back races in the Gulf cruised to his 11th win this year and Monday after finally solving their penalty state, has already secured a record-increasing 95th victory on woes in a shock 2-1 win at Leicester, while record-equalling seventh world Sunday in a race overshadowed by West Ham rode their luck to move into fifth championship this season. Romain Grosjean’s horrific crash, place with a dramatic 2-1 victory against “I am devastated that I won’t which left the Frenchman receiving Aston Villa. Scott Parker’s side won for just be racing this weekend,” he said in hospital treatment for burns after the second time in the league this season a statement. “Since we started the his car exploded in flames after thanks to Ademola Lookman’s 30th minute season in June my team and I have ploughing into a barrier. opener and Ivan Cavaleiro’s penalty eight been taking all the precautions we “It was such a shocking image to minutes later. LEICESTER: Fulham’s French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola grabs the ball under the bar during possibly can and following the see,” said Hamilton, who like all of Fulham had missed three of their four the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Fulham on November regulations everywhere we have the drivers had a near 90-minute previous penalties this term, but Cavaleiro 30, 2020. — AFP been in order to stay safe. wait for the restart after the open- held his nerve to convert from the spot for “Unfortunately, even though I ing-lap crash. Hamilton and team- the crucial second goal. Harvey Barnes returned three negative results mate Valtteri Bottas were having to and the players were happy to do it. For Lukasz Fabianski. West Ham regained the scored for Leicester in the 86th minute, but someone to lose their life at a young age is lead in the 46th minute after an inspired this past week, I woke up yester- “live like hermits” earlier this sea- Fulham held on and move one point above day morning with mild symptoms son to avoid COVID-19, revealed tragic,” Parker said. Leicester would have substitution from David Moyes. Moyes sent the bottom three. “Cav slipped last week and requested another test which Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after the gone second with a win, but instead they on Said Benrahma at half-time and with his and I’m not on Twitter or Instagram but I came back positive. “I have imme- team recorded two positive cases remain fourth-three points behind leaders first touch the winger chipped in a cross to can only imagine what was being said, the diately gone into self-isolation for at the Eifel Grand Prix in Germany Tottenham-after a second successive Jarrod Bowen, who glanced a deft header jokes at his expense and Cav would have 10 days.” in October. league defeat. over Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez for his Hamilton faces a tight race to be Wolff said both drivers were seen that,” Parker said of Cavaleiro’s recent Watkins woe fourth goal of the season. able to compete in the season-end- confined to their rooms. “They are penalty miss against Everton. At the London Stadium, West Ham Villa winger Trezeguet won a penalty in ing finale in Abu Dhabi the follow- the most restricted of the whole “I said to him: ‘Are you ready to take earned a third successive victory after Villa the 74th minute when Declan Rice tugged ing weekend. Due to strict COVID- group, of the whole team,” he said. one if we get it?’ He looked at me dead in striker Ollie Watkins missed a late penalty at his shirt to prevent him having a shot. 19 rules in Abu Dhabi, all personnel “It’s certainly not a great situation the eye and said: ‘I’m ready’. “The courage and then saw a stoppage-time equalizer Watkins has been in fine form this season, involved in the F1 event must travel for them because you need almost to step up there are the things we need. disallowed by VAR. West Ham got off to but he let West Ham off the hook as his from Bahrain on December 7. Yas to live like a hermit-and that is what There’s no denying there’s relief. I’ve spo- the perfect start in the second minute when penalty hit the bar. There was more misfor- Island, where the race is being they are doing. “They are at home, ken to them about not letting defeats crip- Angelo Ogbonna made an astute run to the tune to come for Watkins in the final staged on December 13, will then they are not going out for dinners ple us.” It was an emotional success for the far post and rose above Matt Targett to moments when he swept home from close- effectively be locked down. “I am and they are not meeting other Cottagers, with Lookman celebrating his head a corner past Emiliano Martinez. range, only to see the goal chalked off for gutted not to be able to race this people. When we do de-briefs, by goal by displaying one of Papa Bouba Villa drew level in the 25th minute when the narrowest of offside decisions. “We got weekend but my priority is to fol- Zoom or Microsoft Teams, they are Diop’s Senegal shirts after Fulham’s former Jack Grealish ran at the West Ham defense fortunate that in some way it was offside. I low the protocols and advice to not sitting with their engineers in midfielder died aged 42 at the weekend. before letting rip with a 20-yard drive that think we can play much better, but I’m tak- protect others,” said Hamilton. the room.” — AFP “That was a decision we as a club made took a slight deflection on its way past ing tonight’s result,” Moyes said. — AFP