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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 / JUMADA AL AWWAL 22, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17580 16 PAGES 150 FILS SAUDI ARABIA, QATAR AGREE TO REOPEN BORDERS Together again

Opinion

Amir Tamim ... you suppressed foxes, restored Qatar’s splendor

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

THERE is an Arab adage - “Destiny reunites two even though they thought reunion was impossi- ble”. This applies to the 41st GCC summit that was held in the Saudi city of Al-Ula, and what the GCC arena witnessed in the last three and a half years of division, which has now ended as a result of Kuwait’s persistence in mending the relations within this organization. Undoubtedly, this meeting was a source of joy for all the people of the GCC countries. The Qataris were happy with their Amir’s decision to participate in the summit, and to open the borders with the big brother Saudi Arabia, whose people also rejoiced with this great positive development, as well as Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates — the commonalities of these nations are greater than all interests. The GCC nationals have been dreaming for long to have linked capitals, either through the railway, easy movement among the GCC states, or the electrical connection and exchange of goods, and of enhancing their own economic power through a unifi ed industrial and food pro- duction system. They also feel at home whenever they are in the Gulf countries... they do not feel alienated or uncomfortable. That is why the atmosphere cre- ated by the previous crisis became the cause for a massive heartbreak in every GCC national. After this historic reconciliation, we all have to bring out some of the hidden things in front of all the Gulf people — those in Doha as well as in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Manama and Muscat — and call things by their names. Those who caused the division had carefully planned it for the sake of money and power, with the main objective of controlling the country Qa- tar. They are allied with groups whose aim has Al Arabiya English photo always been to dominate the Arab world, as well Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embraces Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani after the latter arrived in Al-Ula for the Gulf Summit. as foreign administrations that sought to realize the scheme of organized destruction of the Arab world through the so-called “Arab Spring” aimed Gulf Arab leaders sign declaration with Qatar to ease rift at the so-called “creative chaos”. They were under the illusion that they, through their position within the Qatari authority, could AL-ULA, Saudi Arabia, Jan 5, (Agencies): Gulf Arab leaders signed desert city of Al-Ula. implement all their plans. However, their dream It was unclear what, if any, significant concessions Qatar had made before the summit. Still, evaporated with the great step that Sheikh Hamad a declaration Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to mark a new page in rela- an immediate shift in tone was palpable as one of Qatar’s Al Jazeera Arabic news Twitter ac- bin Khalifa took in terms of transfering power to tions following the kingdom’s decision to end a 3 1/2-year embargo counts shared photos of the Riyadh and Abu Dhabi skylines on Tuesday following years of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad. It is no doubt a step critical coverage. that every Gulf Arab is grateful for and appreci- of Qatar, easing a rift that deeply divided regional U.S. security allies ates, because it thwarted the plan of the maniac of and frayed social ties across the interconnected Arabian Peninsula. The diplomatic breakthrough followed a final push by the outgoing Trump administration money and power — Hamad bin Jassim — who and Kuwait to mediate the dispute. It also came as Saudi Arabia seeks to unify Arab ranks The Saudi decision to open its airspace and borders to Qatar was the first major ahead of the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, which is expected to take had installed his foxes in the joints of the state and step toward ending the diplomatic crisis that began in 2017, just as the Trump ad- its media institutions. a firmer stand toward the kingdom and re-engage with Iran. Everyone still remembers the leaks published ministration was raising pressure on Iran. The Saudi move was announced Monday Dania Thafer, executive director of Gulf International Forum, said Saudi Arabia is con- about this man’s order with Muammar Gaddafi to night, on the eve of the gathering of Gulf Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia’s ancient cerned about whether Biden will draw down the U.S. military presence in the Arabian Gulf bring down the Saudi regime and divide the king- that had expanded under President Donald Trump and enter dom, and his involvement in the riots in Bahrain, back into nuclear negotiations with Iran. Kuwait, Egypt, Syria and Tunisia. $7bn held “If that is the case, then the (Arab) states need to respond Al-Jazeera would be a platform from where he Georgia deciding Three new oil with a regional solution to security. And I think resolving the called “nations seeking freedom,” and that was Gulf crisis is one step forward towards that direction,” she said. part of the nation’s game. The man was involved finds in Kuwait Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who embraced in it under the assumption that he, through that, Seoul froze US Senate control Qatar’s amir upon his arrival at the summit, said the region could obtain an instrument of external support to KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5, (KUNA): needed to unite and face challenges posed by Iran’s proxies control the government in Qatar. ATLANTA, Jan 5, (AP): Georgians cast high- Minister of Oil and Minister of and its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Since the time Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad took virus funds stakes final votes Tuesday in elections to determine Electricity and Water Dr. Mo- He said the declaration signed by Gulf leaders and Egypt over the power, he worked on dealing with the the balance of power in the new Congress, decid- hammad Al-Faris announced “emphasizes Arab and Gulf solidarity and stability, and rein- chaos both internally and in the Gulf region, and SEOUL, Jan 5, (AP): Armed ing Senate runoff elections sure to shape President- Monday discovery of two new forces the continuity of friendship and brotherhood between was able to restore Qatar to its fi rst bright Gulf Iranian Revolutionary Guard elect Joe Biden’s ability to enact what could be the oil fields for the Kuwait Oil Com- our countries.” history, and return to the Gulf home. troops stormed a South Korean most progressive governing agenda in generations. pany (KOC) in different regions The four countries that jointly boycotted Qatar - Saudi Ara- On the other hand, it is necessary to disclose tanker and forced the ship to Republicans were unified against Biden’s plans of the country, in addition to the bia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain - were hop- a number of fi les that have been raised. Talking change course and travel to Iran, for health care, environmental protection and civil discovery of the extension for the ing their embargo and media blitz would pressure it to end about terrorism and supporting it by embracing the vessel’s owner said Tues- rights, but some feared that outgoing President northern part of the Great Burgan its close relations with Turkey and Iran. Egypt and the UAE the “Brotherhood” group was not realistic. day, the latest maritime seizure Donald Trump’s brazen attempts to undermine field within the framework of the view the support by Qatar and Turkey of Islamist groups like This group is present in all the Gulf states. It by Tehran amid heightened the integrity of the nation’s voting systems might development operations. the Muslim Brotherhood as a security threat. Saudi Arabia and has fi ngers in many of the state institutions includ- tensions with the West over its discourage voters in Georgia. In a statement to KUNA, min- Bahrain are primarily concerned about Qatar’s ties with Iran. ing in Saudi Arabia, which it tried to portray as an nuclear program. State election officials reported light turnout ister Al-Faris said that the first The boycott failed to change Doha’s stance, however, in- entity that supported terrorism. If they had contin- The military raid on Mon- Tuesday morning, including in the deeply conser- discovery was in a field northwest stead buoying its young ruler domestically as patriotic fervor ued, the kingdom would have become isolated on day on the MT Hankuk Chemi vative northwest region where Trump held a rally of the country, while the second in swept through Qatar in support of his resolve. It also pushed both the Arab and international levels. was at odds with Iranian ex- Monday night to encourage GOP voters to turn Al-Qash’aniya north Kuwait. Qatar closer to Turkey and Iran, which rushed to support the However, these attempts were thwarted after out in force. There were virtually no lines at poll- This discovery acquires great ultra-wealthy Gulf state as it faced medical and food supply planations that they stopped shortages in the first days of the embargo. His Highness King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His the vessel for polluting the ing sites statewide, with voters waiting only about economic importance as it sheds Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Sal- five minutes to cast ballots, said Deputy Secretary light on the large undiscovered While the Saudi decision to end its embargo marks a mile- waters of the Arabian Gulf stone toward resolving the dispute, the path toward reconcili- man made their historic decision to expel those and the Strait of Hormuz. In- of State Jordan Fuchs. areas in the western and north- elements from all institutions and cleanse the More than 3 million Georgians had voted early western part of Kuwait, which ation is far from guaranteed. The rift between Abu Dhabi and stead, it appeared the Islamic Doha has been deepest, with the UAE and Qatar at sharp ideo- kingdom from such evil mongers. Republic sought to increase its either by mail or during in-person voting in De- contribute directly to increasing Similar measures were taken in the UAE, Bah- logical odds. leverage over Seoul ahead of cember. The robust early turnout was expected oil reserves and production ca- rain, and Kuwait. These are also the measures to benefit Democrats, as it helped Biden in No- pacity according to KOC’’s 2040 The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar taken by the Amir of Qatar, and its condition has negotiations over billions of Gargash, tweeted late Monday that his country was keen to dollars in Iranian assets frozen vember become the first Democratic presidential strategic plan, he said. changed from what it was previously, since there candidate to win Georgia since 1992. Al-Fans also noted the two restore Gulf unity but cautioned: “We have more work to do.” in South Korean banks amid a The conflict in Libya remains a contentious issue, with is no longer any infl uence of the foxes who want- “This is history unfolding in Georgia right new discoveries add strategic im- ed to seize power. U.S. pressure campaign target- Egypt and the UAE supporting military commander Khalifa ing Iran. now,” Jon Ossoff, one of Georgia’s two Demo- portance to the northern part of We are all aware of the extent of the sabotage role cratic challengers, told reporters outside an At- Hifter, who launched a 2019 assault on a Tripoli-based bloc An Iranian government Kuwait, as the area has not been backed by Turkey and Qatar. the “Brotherhood” has been playing for decades. lanta polling site. explored before. The events of Rabaa Al-Adawiya Square in Cairo spokesman, when asked on Thafer said the issues that sparked the row haven’t been Republicans were counting on a big turnout A conventional oil field was eliminated. are still fresh in our minds, and how those terrorists Tuesday about the seizure, of- Tuesday to boost their chances. also discovered in the north of the sought to ignite sedition in Egypt after its people, led fered Tehran’s bluntest ac- “The core tensions are still lingering, and that leaves a major “You’ve got to swarm it tomorrow,” Trump Great Burgan field, as oil flowed question mark on how will they move forward,” she said. The by President Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, revolted against knowledgement yet of a link told thousands of cheering supporters Monday in commercial quantities from the rule of the offi ce of the scoundrels. If not, Egypt with the frozen assets. summit and the declaration signed in Al-Ula to support Gulf night, downplaying the threat of fraud even as he several wells drilled during 2020 unity “were confidence-building mechanisms more than they would have today been the primary sponsor of ter- “If anybody is to be called a repeatedly declared that the November elections to determine the extent of the field rorism in the Arab and Islamic worlds. hostage taker, it is the South Ko- were a full reconciliation.” were plagued by cheating that Republican offi- at a daily production rate of more The presence of Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Indeed, we must not hold Doha accountable for rean government that has taken cials, including his former attorney general and than 2,000 barrels, Al-Faris added. the media that were dedicated to those obsessed our more than $7 billion hostage at the summit marked the first time he’s attended the Gulf Co- Georgia’s elections chief, say did not occur. The results reached give KOC operation Council meeting in Saudi Arabia since the boycott with power, as per what documented reports re- under a futile pretext,” spokes- Democrats must win both of the state’s Senate access to easy and low-cost re- veal. They received four billion dollars in com- man Ali Rabiei said. began. He sent an envoy to the past two summits there. elections to gain the Senate majority. In that sce- serves, which supports the com- This year, Egypt’s foreign minister also attended the meet- pensation for their services, other than the billions Iran on Monday also began nario, the Senate would be equally divided 50-50 pany’s efforts to maintain its they obtained during their time in power. ing of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which com- enriching uranium up to 20%, a with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving competitive advantage between prises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Continued on Page 2 small technical step away from as the tie-breaker for Democrats. countries and oil companies, in- Qatar. The meeting was chaired by the Saudi crown prince weapons-grade levels of 90%, The Democrats secured a narrow House major- dicating that the company will rather than his father, King Salman. Email: [email protected] at its underground Fordo facil- ity and the White House during November’s gen- drill new wells in the discovered Meanwhile, Qatar’s finance minister arrived to Cairo Tues- ity. That move appeared aimed Follow me on: eral election. fields to boost production quan- day for the opening of a luxury hotel on the Nile, developed at pressuring the U.S. in the fi- Georgia’s January elections, necessary because tities, he said Al-Faris praised by Qatar’s Diar. It is the first visit to Egypt by a senior Qatari nal days of President Donald no Senate candidates received a majority of the the success of KOC in achieving official since the crisis began. Officials at Cairo’s airport said Trump’s administration, which general-election votes, have been unique for many these three discoveries in 2020, the Qatari minister flew directly from Doha through Saudi air- [email protected] unilaterally withdrew from Teh- reasons, not least because the contenders essen- despite all the conditions that space. ran’s nuclear deal with world tially ran as teams, even campaigning together the country faced in light of the powers. sometimes. emerging Covid-19. Continued on Page 2 ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 LOCAL 2

Bid to save time completing transactions, including 40 labor-related services Manpower launching ‘Ashal’ service system on Jan 12 KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: The Public services for Kuwaiti and expatriate download the salary fi le, enter different vides answers to queries about bank Authority for Manpower (PAM) is workers. types of permits, and obtain manpower transfers, license, fi le, work permit, preparing for the launching of ‘Ashal’ According to offi cial sources, the needs assessment electronically. labor complaints, employment disclo- service system, which aims to save new system provides services related Sources said the system allows add- sure, salary shortfalls, absenteeism re- time and effort in completing transac- to the amendment, renewal, registra- ing a contract and work site (location), ports, fulfi llment status and details of tions, reports Al-Qabas daily. tion and cancellation of work permits amending and canceling contracts, occupations. Once the system is implemented, it for Kuwaiti workers; in addition to submitting a labor statement request, Through the system, a list of na- is no longer necessary to visit the labor canceling, issuing and renewing work submitting absentee reports with per- tional and expatriate workers, along departments except for certain trans- permits for expatriates. mission or license, opening new fi les, with responses to inquiries on salary actions or if there are problems in the Sources confi rmed that the imple- submitting complaints from employ- fi le transactions, inspection fi le, labor automated system. mentation of the new system signals ees, and recording quarterly statistics complaints and administration where ‘Ashal’ will be activated on Jan the end of manual data entry; while for labor inspection. the worker belongs will be issued, 12 and it includes 40 labor-related other services will be provided to Sources revealed the system pro- sources added. Ministry mulls ‘distribution’ of

KUNA photo His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah being AstraZeneca vaccine in clinics received by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Poor sense of smell linked to COVID-19 HH the Amir home

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi mum of 10,000 people per technical staff to work in these units, take the dose. His Highness the Amir Sheikh fi cials. Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sa- His Highness was accompanied Al-Seyassah Staff including a preventive health doctor, a She pointed out on an average day when the special vacci- nurse and an emergency technician, 1.500 people get vaccinated and after bah arrived on Tuesday in Kuwait by Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ah- KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: Di- nation doses are completed. taking into account what is required to the opening of the Hall No. 6 at the after heading the Kuwaiti delega- mad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- In a statement to Al-Seyassah deal with any emergency situation. Fairgrounds, the daily average is tion that participated in the 41st Sabah, Amiri Diwan Chief Sheikh rector of Public Relations GCC summit in Saudi Arabia. Faisal Saud Al-Sabah, Undersecre- daily, Dr Ibrahim said, “Prepara- She also explained that the Public expected to jump to 3,500 injections. His Highness the Amir was re- tary of the Amiri Diwan and Director at the Ministry of Health, tions are underway to launch mo- Health Department is working to set She reminded, those in the front- ceived by His Highness the Crown Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad, the head Dr Ghada Ibrahim, an- bile units next February to vac- up a mechanism to distribute the line for vaccination are doctors, med- Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad of Amiri Protocol Sheikh Khaled nounced the Hall No. 6 at cinate people with disabilities and “AstraZeneca” vaccine in the preven- ical and technical personnel, minis- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, accompanied Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah Al-Nasser tive health centers as part of primary tries of Interior and Defense, the by Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Sabah, Head of Media and Cul- the Mishref Fairgrounds people with special needs, which National Guard and the Firefighting will coincide with the arrival of health care in future, due to the ease Ali Al-Ghanim, Prime Minister tural Affairs at Amiri Diwan Yousef will be inaugurated next of storing this vaccine which does Force personnel, as well as the elderly Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Hamad Al-Roumi and several state the fi rst batch of the ‘AstraZeneca- not necessitate of storing this vaccine – those who are 75 years old and Al-Sabah and several senior of- offi cials. (KUNA) week for COVID-19 vac- Oxford’ vaccine, based on a recent below 0 degree Celsius unlike the above. cination to raise the capac- statement made by the Minister of Pfizer vaccine, pointing at the same Meanwhile, Consultant ity for daily vaccination Health Sheikh Dr Basil Al-Sabah. time that this mechanism is still Otolaryngologist at Farwaniya Dr Ibrahim noted the fruitful coop- under study, and the public health Hospital, Dr Fahad Al-Asousi, con- Credit facilities for banks against ‘COVID-19’ gradu- eration between the public health and sector has not taken any decisions firmed that there is a link between ally to reach 3,500 people primary healthcare departments in regarding it. “COVID-19” and poor sense of smell per day, as the Ministry of taking stock and preparing a list of the Speaking of those registered in the among those infected with the virus soars to 1.6 billion dinars names of cases eligible for vaccina- electronic link for vaccination against of up to 50 percent. Health continues its prepa- tion through the mobile units, and to “COVID-19”, Dr Ibrahim indicated In a press statement, Al-Asousi By Ahmed Fathi million in October from 83.1 rations to vaccinate a maxi- prepare a specialized medical and about 175,000 have so far applied to said, the weak sense of smell and Al-Seyassah Staff million dinars in October to 71.3 taste among those infected with the million dinars, the facilities pro- virus is one of the complications the KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: In an in- vided to purchase “equity loans” person infected with ‘Covid-19’ suf- dication of the relative improve- securities retreated 0.2%, at a fers adding that a large percentage of ment of economic activity in the value of 6.9 million dinars, from patients regain to these two senses country, the credit facilities pro- 2.544 billion dinars in October within weeks of infection, and some vided by banks in the local mar- to 2.551 billion dinars in No- within months. ket increased by the end of last vember. He added, the clinics specialized in November to 1.6 billion dinars, In the same context, deposits in diseases of the nose and sinuses are in compared to 1.09 billion in Oc- the banking sector increased by 2 the initial stages of learning why the tober, while the total balance of billion dinars during 11 months infected person loses the sense of credit facilities for banks reached to reach 45.72 billion dinars, smell. 40 billion dinars. while private sector deposits in Dr Al-Asousi said all those who The financial statements of banks decreased by 0.8%, at a feel weak or lose the sense of smell to the Central Bank revealed that value of 327 million dinars, from immediately seek medical, especially the balance of personal facili- 38.164 billion dinars in October the moderate and severe weakness ties increased by 13.4 million to 37.837 billion dinars in No- that should not be tolerated. dinars in November, at a rate vember. He explained that a weak sense of of 3.4 percent, to record 407.6 smell is one of the main indicators of The government increased 262 infection, and it differs from a sinus million dinars at the end of the million dinars in November to 7.8 Dr Ghada Ibrahim Dr Fahad Al-Asousi infection, and its rate may reach 50%. same month, compared to 394.2 billion dinars.

Declaration, we remember the faithful diation efforts on Tuesday for the suc- Amir Tamim ... and constructive role of His Highness cessful reconciliation among the Gulf the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Continued from Page 1 Jaber Al-Sabah ... who hugely contrib- “This is a very welcome news .This is uted to the success of this agreement,” a very good piece of positive news be- We must instead look at the tre- His Highness the Amir said in a speech cause for over three years this prolonged mendous efforts that Sheikh Tamim before the 41st Summit of the Gulf Co- crisis within the Gulf Cooperation Coun- bin Hamad made, with the support of operation Council (GCC) leaders. cil has been undermining the unity and the honorable Qataris, who navigated His Highness the Amir also thanked the corporation within the GCC. Doha to safety grounds. US President Donald Trump and his It had also had a negative spill over The Al-Ula Summit expressed the advisor Jared Kushner for contributing beyond the Gulf region,” EU lead truth about the sincere intentions of to the “noble objective” and conclude spokesperson for foreign affairs and the Gulf, and is truly a prelude to the the agreement. security policy, Peter Stano, told an good expected in the fifth decade of the He appreciated keenness of the lead- online press conference in Brussels. march of the Gulf Cooperation Coun- ers of the GCC and Egypt to exert fur- “We commend in this respect very cil for the Arab States. ther efforts to achieve aspirations of much the mediation role played by Ku- There is no doubt that not only the the people. wait all along, as well as by the US,” he Gulf nationals, but the entire world “Calling our Declaration the Soli- said in reply to a question by KUNA. will remember the celebration of the darity Agreement reflects our keenness “We continue supporting Kuwait’s Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin and conviction in its importance, and it ongoing mediation efforts to achieve Salman and the Amir of Qatar Sheikh reflects on the other hand our convic- the final solution in ending this cri- Tamim bin Hamad, which expresses tion that restoring it is a continuation sis. And the EU remains ready for the the joy of the entire region over Doha’s of our desire on unity of our Arab na- strengthening of our longstanding part- return into the Gulf’s frame, after des- tion,” he said. nership with a reinvigorated GCC and tiny reunited them. His Highness the Amir expressed its member states,” stressed the EU gratitude to Saudi King and his govern- spokesperson. ment for naming the Summit the summit He noted that the 27-member Euro- Together again of “Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah” in pean Union has been always support- appreciation of the two Gulf leaders’ ser- ing an intra-Gulf solution, negotiated Continued from Page 1 vice to Arab and Islamic causes. solution to this crisis by engaging with His Highness the Amir also thanked all the main stakeholders and by con- This year’s GCC summit is the first King Salman, his government and tinuously calling for dialogue. since Washington brokered normaliza- people for hosting the GCC summit, Kuwait’s Parliament Speaker Mar- tion deals between Israel and the UAE, welcomed Egyptian Foreign Minister zouq Ali Al-Ghanim expressed on Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco in rapid Sameh Shukri and commended Cairo’s Tuesday his congratulations to His succession, marking a major shift in support for the security and stability of Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- regional alliances. the region. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His High- Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who spearheaded those He also welcomed Arab League ness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal deals, was at the summit for the sign- Secretary General Ahmad Abul Gheit Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the ing of the Gulf declaration. and Secretary General of the Organi- people of Kuwait and the GCC after The dispute had pitted regional U.S. zation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) the beginning of the first steps of rec- allies against one another at a time when Yusuf Al-Othaimeen. onciliation among GCC countries. the Trump administration was working Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad on “The first steps of the GCC recon- to pressure Iran. It also separated fami- Tuesday lauded the late great leaders, ciliation was embodied in the arrival lies who had intermarried with Qataris Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- of the GCC leaders and delegations to and ended years of visa-free travel for Sabah of the State of Kuwait and Sul- Saudi Arabia to attend the 41st (GCC) Qataris in parts of the Gulf. tan Qaboos of Oman, for playing a ma- Summit in Al-Ula province,” said Al- Thafer said the dispute was seen as jor role in boosting joint GCC action. Ghanim in a press statement. “low-hanging fruit” that the Trump ad- In his keynote statement inaugu- Al-Ghanim praised His Highness the ministration felt it had the leverage to rating the 41st GCC summit, Prince Amir’s efforts in the past few weeks in try to resolve quickly. Mohammad, also the Deputy Prime mediation and convergence of views Saudi Arabia’s decision to end the Minister and Minister of Defense, said between GCC countries, “which every embargo not only underscored the upon orders by King Salman bin Ab- person in the region can appreciate.” kingdom’s assertion of its heavyweight dulaziz, the top-level conference was “His Highness the Amir’s effort in position among Arab states, but also named “Summit of Sheikh Sabah and mediation have successfully reached its regional leadership, which has been Sultan Qaboos,” in appreciation of its goals after the continuation of the challenged at times by the UAE’s uni- their good actions for backing up the role of His Highness late Amir of Ku- lateral and politically shrewd moves. “blessed GCC march.” wait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Qatar’s only land border with Saudi He also lauded efforts by the United Al-Sabah for the past few years, and Arabia, which it relied on for the im- States of America and “other parties” in it is a reason for every Kuwaiti to be port of dairy products, construction this respect, adding that the summit dec- proud of,” Al-Ghanim added. materials and other goods, has been laration that would crown the top-level The Speaker also praised the GCC mostly closed since June 2017. meeting affirms solidarity and stability leaders’ response to Kuwait’s efforts The boycotting countries made a list in the Gulf, Arab and Islamic regions, as which ended in a “fraternal hug” be- of demands on Qatar that year, includ- well as “calls for bolstering the bonds of tween the leaders in Saudi Arabia. ing that it shutter its flagship Al-Jazeera brotherhood among our states and peo- The Chair of the European Parlia- news network and terminate Turkish ples for serving their aspirations.” ment’s Delegation for relations with military presence in Qatar, which is also Crown Prince Mohammad under- the Arab Peninsula, Hannah Neumann, home to a major U.S. military base. Qa- scored high urgency for rising up to the Tuesday appreciated Kuwait’s con- tar rejected the demands and has denied regional challenges namely “threats structive role in easing tensions in the support of extremists. posed by the nuclear program of the region and hoped that the Gulf Coop- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Iranian regime, its ballistic missiles’ eration Council summit will open a Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah program and its schemes of sabotage new chapter in their relationship. congratulated the GCC leaders for and annihilation that have been adopt- “Saudi Arabia’s decision to reopen concluding Al-Ula Declaration, which ed by their agents.” its air space and land border to Qa- “reminds us” of “huge endeavors” the He urged the GCC states to “act tar is a welcome development. It will late His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al- seriously in the face of the Iranian certainly help easing tensions in the Ahmad Al-Sabah to make this declara- schemes that threaten regional and in- region, tensions which had detrimental tion possible. ternational peace and security.” impact on so many lives,” she said in a “As I congratulate you on this histor- The European Union (EU) praised statement to the Kuwait news agency, ic achievement, the signing of Al-Ula and expressed support to Kuwait’s me- KUNA, in Brussels today. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 LOCAL 3

Kuwait ‘committed’ to GCC Other Voices unifi ed customs law, rules ‘Boost tourism, stem money drain’ “ON ALL national and religious holidays that are ac- and McKinsey report, the Al-Shall reports, the World companied by an offi cial holiday we read in the local Bank, the report of the Economic Track Reform Com- Sponsors renew domestics ‘iqama’ online newspapers and hear in the news channels about the mittee and the Supreme Economic Advisory Commit- extent of the Kuwaiti people’s love and passion for tee, where the Blair report used the term ‘demographic travel and touring with criticism directed at this on the time bomb’. By Muneef Nayef ers. pretext that the people spend millions of dinars on for- “There remains an important matter that the deci- Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies The administration said the Kuwait Customs au- eign tourism while the country does not have a share sion-makers in the country must be aware of which is thorities are committed to implementing the unifi ed of that money,” columnist Oweid Al-Salili wrote for the acceptance of these reforms remains conditional on KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: As was published customs law and its executive regulations among the Al-Shahed daily. the elimination of corruption and its serious fi ght and “This is a superfi cial view of matters and an analyti- the issuance of appropriate rulings against the corrupt, by the Al-Seyassah daily, the General Ad- Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and that there has cal reading from one angle only because the bitter truth otherwise reform will remain under suspicion, sarcasm ministration of Customs (GAC) has clari- been no change to the procedures followed previously. due to which we fi nd the citizens’ keenness on foreign and rejection of the general public. The General Administration of Customs says what has tourism and travel is the deliberate great failure of gov- “So every loyal citizen should welcome these pro- fi ed that there is no new law or procedure been circulated regarding the collection of customs tax ernment agencies to provide internal tourism environ- posals and the two authorities should start implement- applied upon arriving or departing travel- on gifts and personal belongings is nothing but a cus- ment that attracts citizens and residents and can stop ing them scientifi cally and legitimately after the Cham- the money drain. ber threw the ball into their court.” tomary procedure, in order “The Touristic Enterprises Company was established ❑ ❑ ❑ to ensure that the personal in 1976 and succeeded in completing tourism projects effects and gifts are not of that were the undisputed talk of “Whenever we do not see the text message on our a commercial value, which the Gulf and Arab region, un- mobile phones on the day when we expect to receive is considered one of the til the 1990s came with several the message notifying us that our salary has been cred- means of illegal trade. events that led to the entry of the ited, we get worried. Despite knowing that we will The administration said ‘infl uential trader’ as a competi- soon receive our salary irrespective of the delay, we the customs authorities tor to all successful government still seek reassurances by inquiring about the reason for have the right to search and companies, so he was able to ex- the delay”, columnist Dr Naji Saud Al-Zayd wrote for inspect in the best interest ploit the climate of freedom and Al-Jarida daily. of the security and safety of democracy in the country to in- “This real time scenario happens to almost all of us, the country and protection fl uence and control political in- but its effect is worse on the low income earners, for in- of public money. stitutions from the government, stance, those earning not more than KD 75. Most of the The GAC affi rmed that it parliament and press, and sub- amount they receive goes to their family back in their is working to facilitate spe- ject them to the implementation hometown. And from that small salary, housing allow- of his own agendas and interests Oweid Al-Salili ance and perhaps transportation costs get deducted. cial procedures for depar- “Such an employee one day decided to go on a strike tures and arrivals, and that which contravened the supreme national interest and transformed government companies into empty vessels with his colleagues in the fuel stations in protest of de- any new procedures will be lay in payment of their salary for four months. The Ku- announced through the of- in preparation for selling them to that trader who was impatiently waiting for the government sector to be wait National Petroleum Company did not do anything fi cial websites, and added, to address the plight of the employees working in its whoever has any complaint sold to the private sector. “The state stopped supporting tourism projects in the petrol stations until the employees decided to strike. or inquiry must register it “The labor contractor that employed these workers on the offi cial website of country and emptying its coffers, which made Kuwait repulsive of every beautiful thing that makes one hap- repeatedly violated the labor laws by not paying sala- KUNA photo the administration, or visit ries on time, and even delaying it for more than three Deputy Chairman of Kuwait National Guard Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Jaber Al-Sa- the public relations offi ce py, so Kuwaitis and families have no outlet except to go to malls, turning Kuwaitis into consumer families, months without any rational reason. These employees bah met the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah recently. at the General Administra- Various local and foreign issues came under discussion. which is a frightening situation with serious repercus- work under harsh conditions in all climates, and their tion of Customs building in sions on community values for the foreseeable future. need of salary is not measured by any humane measure. Shuwaikh. “Why does the government not develop its tourism “Isn’t this Haram? Where is humanity? What about ❑ ❑ ❑ facilities, even if it is through the participation of the human rights? Where is the justice? Which religion allows this? Answer us, Kuwait National Petroleum Residency renewal: A private sector by developing waterfronts and making Other Voices them similar to what is in European countries by pro- Company ... Why are you silent despite the repeated total of 599 residency re- violations by the labor contractor? Why did you wait newal transactions for do- viding all services that tempt the Kuwaiti families to spend quality time, which will undoubtedly provide a until the strike happened?” mestic workers (Article ❑ ❑ ❑ 20 visa) were processed large fi nancial income for the state budget. through the offi cial website “The issue of tourism is an important and vital topic, “It is known that merchants have had important Truth, fear of corona vaccine of the Interior Ministry on and it is a daily topic of discussion among the Kuwait- fi ngerprints in the development of Kuwait since its in- Monday - the fi rst day of is, and the government and parliament realize its im- ception. They are still pushing towards development. By Ahmad alsarraf ness disappeared from my face but the portance, but everyone is preoccupied with politics and headache persisted. launching the site, reports They have political infl uence, such that they infl uence ver the past few months I was sus- achieving special interests while completely ignoring State decisions. This made it easier for some of them I started looking around the room Al-Rai daily. the interest of the homeland and the citizen.” Opicious because of the number of and found on a trolley a set of small This is in line with the to monopolize special interests which enabled them to warnings about the vaccines resistant bottles, with a red warning on it. I decision to renew the resi- Also: build huge fortunes,” columnist Dr Abdulhadi Al-Saleh to the COVID-19. When I received a pulled myself up and took one, and it dency permits of domestic “There is no doubt that the statement issued by the wrote for Al-Anba daily. message yesterday regarding the time turned out that it contained a corona workers online starting Chamber of Commerce about major development “Perhaps, the latest victims are former State Minis- to take the protective vaccine, since I vaccine, and that it was intended for from the beginning of the and progress which are greatly different from previ- ter for Housing Dr Jinan Bushehri and former Minister fall in the category of the ‘elderly’, I use outside the United States. I imme- year. ous positions. The statement called for introducing of Social and Labor Affairs Dr Ghadeer Asiri among felt a pang of diately remembered the warning that a the concept of tax so that it does not affect the pock- others. fear of think- In a statement to the consultant (X) gave in her tweet, and daily, Director of the Pub- ets of those with limited income, gradually raising “Recently, the Chamber of Commerce issued a ing about the how there are two types of vaccines, the rent value of state property and ‘liberating lands lengthy statement calling for political and economic side effects and lic Relations and Security reforms that include taxing citizens. It is a duplicate one for use inside America and an- Media General Department from monopoly’,” columnist Ahmad Baqer wrote for I remembered other outside, and that what we receive Al-Jarida daily. statement, which was compounded by dozens of state- the Bill Gates at the ministry Brigadier ments and reform studies presented to governments may not have the same effectiveness, Tawheed Al-Kandari con- “The statement also called for reforming the pub- conspiracy, the or may contain something we do not lic sector, in addition to some other demands that we that lost the will to issue serious and comprehensive warnings of my fi rmed the beginning of reform decision which starts from the pointed part of know about. the implementation of an may or may not agree with, but there is no doubt that friend Jassem I also remembered what was strong- the Chamber’s proposals with which we agree would the pyramid up to the base! Ramadan and a advanced security strategy “The next day, the government’s response came ly circulated about the vaccine con- by switching to electronic constitute a great leap and progress if compared to the female consult- taining a tiny chip and remains under previous positions of many merchants or those whom through the announcement of the purchase of US ant (X), and services. weapons worth $4.2 billion! alsarraf the skin, and through it, everything can people think are affi liated to the Chamber. all the rumors be known about the health of the per- He disclosed the residen- “These Chamber’s proposals reminded me of the “Some MPs came to us with a bill of anger to avenge that scientists, son who received the vaccination and cy permits of 599 domestic rejection by many merchants in the past approved the infl uence of merchants! The bill prohibits the doctors and semi-educated people all his movements. I started looking in workers were renewed on by the Council of Ministers on rental values on gov- Chamber of Commerce from engaging in politics and drowned in, and which created a real the trolley drawer and found a leafl et the fi rst day of launching ernment plots in 2001, as they formed a delegation puts it under the supervision of the Minister of Com- fear among us and a clear reluctance to that included pictorial instructions on the site, through which the to meet His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, may merce! It is a historical killing of the chamber! It is the take the vaccine. how to inject the vaccine in the small sponsors can renew the God have mercy on him, who was the then Prime opposite of the demands of these MPs to expand politi- My fear for the health of those glass with the liquid that contains the residency permits of their Minister as one of the newspapers affiliated with the cal freedoms and lift restrictions on those who tweet around me and the possibility of chip. domestic workers online. Chamber published on its front page, ‘What does the political opinions!” causing someone to feel miserable A cold sweat started pouring from He said this step is being Minister of Justice, Minister of Awqaf have to do ❑ ❑ ❑ finally pushed me to the vaccination my forehead and I remembered the taken to ease procedures with the rental value of the state property when news center. I liked the arrangement and “Since the ancient times, people in the Arabian Gulf hidden methods and means of the hid- for the citizens in complet- leaked out that my humble person was behind this have been bound by religious, cultural and family ties,” order but my heart was full of fear den world government to control peo- ing domestic labor related increase? as the warnings regarding the vac- columnist Nasser Al-Rasheedi wrote for Annahar dai- ple by these means, and I touched the transactions; in addition to “The same was the case with regard to the tax on ly. cine kept popping up in my mind, part of my body where I was given the preventing crowds in the large incomes, as some millionaires rejected the pro- but the welcoming voice of a doctor “The Gulf system (Gulf Cooperation Council) was injection looking for the chip and my residency affairs depart- posal despite the fact that it is applied in all countries established in 1981 AD based on the above and oth- who recognized me made me feel a fi ngernail was deep into my skin try- of the world. When we succeeded, praise be to God, little reassured and when he felt I ments as per the health er factors. The system seeks to achieve many similar ing to get it out, and blood fl owed and regulations, especially in passing the Zakat law on companies in the National goals in various fi elds. was afraid of the vaccine, he tried covered my clothes. I was terrifi ed of Assembly of 2006, the government reduced the deduc- to water down my doubts and fears since the country continues “Holding this summit under exceptional circum- what I had done and the sight of blood to take precautionary meas- tion from the companies’ profi ts allocated to the Ku- stances makes it very different from its predecessors. but what he said only increased my that covered my face and my clothes, wait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences to doubts. ures to curb the spread of It comes after works in the system were delayed due to so I decided to fl ee. corona. 1% only, taking into account the demands of compa- disparities between the member countries. This is in I rolled up my sleeve, got the injec- I collected the vaccine bottle and nies. tion, and immediately felt dryness in He went on to say that addition to repercussions of the corona pandemic and leafl ets, put them in a plastic bag, got the Residency Affairs Sec- “Based on these precedents, I see that the Chamber the health, economic and political damages it caused my throat and nausea followed by a out of the window, and immediately of Commerce has made progress in its latest statement slight headache. I didn’t care much, as tor has provided a special and are expected to cause in the near future, not to went to Al-Qabas to uncover the con- counter for the elderly and and threw the ball in the court of the National Assem- mention the intellectual, civilized and technological everyone around me was normal, but spiracy clues and apologize to all those bly and the government because the proposals it has my fears became real when I felt a kind people with special needs developments in our societies recently. whom I had previously ridiculed for mentioned will constitute additional income for the “Most of the Gulf citizens want the Gulf Coopera- of numbness on the left side of my their warnings. to complete their transac- country that has always been demanded by economic face. It didn’t take long before I lost tions quickly and easily. tion Council to announce decisions that make them It seems that my fast heart beats and reports, and I personally demanded it in one of my happy and encourage them to be prouder of their Gulf consciousness and fell to the ground. the fear for myself, my country and my He advised the sponsors articles last January, so the two authorities must now It appears that I was treated and of domestic workers to re- affi liation. family from the terrifying fate await- work on updating and increasing the coverage of the “They want the council to be free from restrictions taken to the recovery room, which is ing us woke me up from the dream that frain from visiting the resi- legitimate Zakat law as an alternative to tax and issuing different from the one where I received dency affairs departments as that limit its development and impede the growth of most disturbed me in my life. I imme- new laws or decisions for fair values on leased plots its member countries. They want to lift the restric- the vaccination. I was very worried diately called my friend Dr. Hilal Al- they can renew the residency according to the market situation. about the loneliness in which I found permits of these workers on- tions that were put in place when economic and politi- Sayer to help me have a near date for “It is surprising that some people are disturbed by cal conditions were different. They want fl exibility in myself, and I regretted that no one had taking the Corona vaccine. line within a few minutes. the expression used by the Chamber, ‘Kuwait is in accompanied me but some reassurance He affi rmed that many citi- economic dealing and more open way of investment ❑ ❑ ❑ danger’, despite the fact that all the sober economic re- among them.” reduced my fears as I began to regain zens have so far availed the ports issued by external and internal bodies have used my full consciousness, and the numb- e-mail: [email protected] electronic services provided this expression or similar expressions such as the Blair — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli by the ministry.

MoE gives nod Bonus for 291 workers KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: The Ministry of Education has approved the incentive for 291 employees who carried out various tasks during the 2020 National Assembly elections, reports Al-Rai daily. A budget of KD202,000 was allocated for this purpose and the amount specifi ed for each of the above-mentioned employees depends on their posi- tions - KD1,000 for administration directors, school principals, assistant directors and supervisors; KD750 for department heads; and KD500 for engineers and others. A source from the educational sector revealed that the Financial Supervision Authority released the lists of benefi ciaries recently and the incentive will be de- posited into their bank accounts within two days. Meanwhile, in the 2020 Achievements Report, the Ministry of Communications announced the im- plementation of the second phase of the optical fi ber network project covering 67,000 housing units in 34 areas; and that work is underway to complete the third and fi nal phase, reports Al-Jarida daily. The ministry presented its achievements in the past year and the future challenges in line with the develop- ment plan of the country - the most important of which was Kuwait obtaining a seat in the International Mari- time Organization (IMO) in 2019 for a period of two years. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 LOCAL MPs reject minutes of inaugural session tied to Speaker election Grilling motion submitted against prime minister

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh parliamentary fact-fi nding committee to investigate the untoward inci- Arab Times Staff dents during the opening session and refer those involved to the Public Prosecution. KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: In an unprecedented turn of Al-Shuhoumi asked the lawmakers to justify the proposal in line with the events, the National Assembly on Tuesday witnessed the Constitution and the Assembly Decree. He cited Article 114 of the MPs’ rejection of the minutes of the inaugural session Constitution, stating that the Assembly forms committees and instructs them to carry out tasks included in its duties such as monitoring the performance which included the election of the speaker. of the government and making laws. He argued the formation of a committee A heated argument between majority of the MPs and Deputy Speaker to investigate the MPs and parliamentary employees is not part of the powers Ahmed Al-Shuhoumi, who chaired the session, ensued after each side granted to the Assembly. expressed their views on the proposal of several lawmakers to form a MP Hesham Al-Saleh pointed out it is unacceptable that the political tools given to the Assembly are used against the latter through the inves- tigation of MPs. He said the proper procedure is to submit a complaint signed by the MPs to the prosecu- tion; hence, the issue is referred to the judicial authority. MP Khalid Ayed Al-Anzi agreed with Al-Saleh, disclosing that he prepared a complaint which will be referred to the prosecution while calling on his colleagues to sign the document. Power On the other hand, some MPs argued the Assembly has the power to form a committee to investigate the abovementioned incidents and refer those involved to the prosecu- tion. MP Badr Al-Dahoum con- Photos by Rizk Taufi q demned the incidents during the Top and above: Lawmakers during Tuesday’s National Assembly session. opening session and inquired about the criteria in giving out invitation cards to the public. He asked Maintenance plan implemented Minister of Justice Nawaf Al Yasseen about his opinion on the issue, apparently referring to the Ministry’s sector working towards minister’s statement that those con- victed of storming the Assembly building deserve punishment. He completion of schools equipment pointed out those who attacked and KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: The Educa- in the schools. Photo by Bassam Abu Shanab insulted the MPs and then celebrat- ed and danced in the Office of the tional Facilities and Planning Sector He added that according to the plan, Shrimps at the Sharq Fish Market. Assembly speaker have been iden- at the Ministry of Education continues the maintenance of all schools will be tified. He added that the Assembly working towards the completion of completed by the end of February and Shrimp fi shing season extended to Feb 1 Office cannot conduct an investiga- equipment in schools and to fulfi ll the these works are done as per the con- tion as it is one of the parties requirements for their work, especially tracts which the ministry signed with since there have been talks on the grad- the competent companies. By Abdel Nasser Al-Aslami to extend the shrimp fi shing sea- demands of the fi shermen and sup- involved in the incidents. son to Feb 1, similar to the neigh- MP Abdulkareem Al-Kandari ual return of students to their schools in He stressed that the sector’s work Al-Seyassah Staff port for the local product, pointing the event that a certain percentage of the in terms of the maintenance of schools boring countries. out that good is coming, God will- said Article 114 of the Constitution The head of the Kuwaiti Fisher- Al-Soyyan said in a statement and Articles 39 and 76 of the population is vaccinated against corona, is in line with the plan which was laid men’s Union, Zaher Al-Soyyan, on Monday that this decision is ing, and that there are promises to reports Al-Jarida daily. down in coordination with other sectors further fulfi ll all demands. Assembly Decree state that the In this context, Assistant Undersecre- to ensure the smooth fl ow of work and has appreciated and praised the based on a demand by the un- Assembly Office is obligated to understanding of the Director-Gen- ion, and praised it because it is He went on to say all demands of tary for Educational Facilities and Plan- to provide the appropriate educational eral of the Public Authority for Agri- in public interest and will give the fi shermen are currently being stud- approve whatever the MPs have ning Eng Yassin Al-Yaseen affi rmed environment and necessary educational cultural Affairs and Fish Resources Kuwaiti consumer an opportunity agreed upon. He clarified that since that the concerned departments in the facilities in case the concerned authori- ied by the concerned authorities. the MPs and the Assembly Office (PAAAFR), Sheikh Muhammad Al- to enjoy the local shrimp through- He expressed his thanks and ap- sector continue to implement the main- ties issue a decision on the resumption Yousef, and the Deputy Director- out January, just like their ‘neigh- have opposing views on the issue, tenance plan for the schools, in addition of classes. He said this coordination General of the Fisheries Sector, bors’ do. preciation to the PAAAFR director- the democratic way of determining general and deputy director for the to equipping them. He said the sector is guarantees that the ministry and all oth- Marzouq Al-Hebi, for accepting the Al-Soyyan expects a break- the final decision is through voting. taking advantage of the suspension of er concerned entities are ready for any request of the Fishermen’s Union through soon for the deserving Fisheries Sector. Al-Shuhoumi tried to disregard classes to carry out maintenance works possibilities. this item by rejecting Al-Kandari’s proposal and move to the next item, Huge budget for operation of new airport discussed but MPs Muhammad Barrak Line links Zour sub-station in Kuwait Al-Mutair and Badr Al-Dahoum interrupted him. He then adjourned Violating nurseries to face legal action: MoSA the session until Wednesday. Iraq agrees to import 500MW power Shortly after Tuesday’s session, By Fares Al-Abdan of Social Affairs does not object to pleted in early 2025 in accordance with MPs Thamer Al-Suwait, Badr from GCC Interconnection Authority Al-Seyassah Staff this step, provided that the health au- the plan. However, they refused to re- Al-Dahoum and Khalid Al-Otaibi thorities approve the requirements and veal the size of the budget for the pro- submitted a grilling motion against KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: The Ministry precautionary measures they see fi t in ject, affi rming that the necessary pro- His Highness the Prime Minister KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: The Middle issued a statement saying that the GCC of Social Affairs has completed up- order to avoid children getting infected cedures were followed in allotting the Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled. The East Economic Digest (MEED) maga- countries, Iraq and the United States dating the data of 261 nurseries upon with the epidemic.” agreed amount though the coordinated motion consists of three points: zine reported that Iraq had agreed to “renewed their full support for the GCC requests of their owners but the minis- On the other hand, the sources stated efforts of the Finance Ministry and the first is ignoring the parliamentary import 500 MW of electricity from the Power Interconnection Authority pro- try stressed legal action will be taken that there are nurseries that violate the Major Projects Sector in the Ministry election results when the premier Gulf Cooperation Council’s Intercon- ject to link electricity networks in Iraq against the violators of the ministry’s decisions of the ministry, which will of Public Works. nection Authority, which allocated the and the GCC countries.” formed the government, second required funding for the 300-km power The sources said, “The United States decisions. be singled out after the completion of Sources said the discussion re- item is violating the Constitution This comes in the face of the min- the modernization and fi eld survey, in volved around the issue of the oper- transmission line linking the Zour sub- is committed to facilitating this project which obligates the government to station in Kuwait with the Iraqi borders, and providing support when needed. istry’s relentless pursuit of automating preparation for taking the necessary ating period that was set at 10 years present its program especially since private nurseries, a reliable source told measures against them. with the aim of qualifying national reports Al-Anba daily. The project will provide the electric- the daily. it was formed one month ago, and Quoting sources associated with the ity that Iraq desperately needs and en- Meanwhile, the Supreme manpower to manage and operate the third is domination of the govern- The sources said: “The total number Committee for the New Kuwait Inter- new airport once the contract with the project, the magazine revealed that the hance the economic development of of private nurseries has reached 554 national Airport, whose members are fi rst operator ends. ment over the formation of parlia- process of completing the electrical the country, especially in the southern in all governorates,” and added, “the representatives of the concerned enti- On the other hand, the Central Agen- mentary committees and electing interconnection among the GCC coun- provinces”. work is underway to update the data ties, discussed in its recent meeting the cy for Public Tenders has extended the the Assembly officials. A total of tries may take some time. In January In a statement, the Ministry of For- into the nurseries program after the allocation of a huge budget for the op- deadline for the submission of offers 33 MPs signed the motion. 2020, Iraq signed a memorandum of eign Affairs called for the “rapid and completion of the fi eld survey, accord- eration of the new airport for a period for the third stage of the project – con- Resigned understanding to import 500 megawatts complete” implementation of the pledg- ing to the current data.” of 10 years upon its completion, reports struction, completion, furnishing and of electricity from the GCC countries. es made by the international community With regard to opening nurseries Al-Rai daily quoting offi cial sources maintenance of aircraft stands, corri- Observer MP Osama Al-Shaheen However, reports stated at the time in 2018 as part of the Kuwait Interna- to receive children after their closure from the Ministry of Public Works. dors and service halls for the new pas- and MP Fayez Al-Jomhour that the authority would fi nance the tional Conference for the Reconstruc- due to the repercussions of the “coro- Sources disclosed that the three stag- senger building – until the end of this resigned from the committee that construction cost of two 400 kilovolts tion of Iraq. navirus, the sources said “the Ministry es of the airport project will be com- month. the Assembly Office formed to lines of 300 km long between Kuwait It should be noted that Iraq previ- investigate the incidents in the and Iraq. ously concluded a similar agreement for inaugural session. Al-Shaheen dis- Meanwhile, other informed sources electrical connection with Jordan. The closed that he took this decision as explained to MEED magazine that there initial phase of the project covers the in- a way of supporting his colleagues is no surety whether the GCC countries stallation of a high-pressure power line who think the legislature should will fi nance the linkage project among between the city of Al-Qaim, in western form this committee, not the the GCC countries. Iraq, and the Risha area, in eastern Jor- Assembly Office. Last July, the US State Department dan, at a cost of $ 140 million. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Remove all violations in Jahra Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mesha’al Nat’l Park: Municipal Council Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for the success of efforts towards rec- By Abdel Nasser Al-Aslami Major-General Salem Al-Ahaimer. onciliation that ended the Gulf dis- Al-Seyassah Staff Al-Baghli pointed out during the visit pute. He praised the efforts exerted the dignitaries detected many violations by His Highness the Amir to push KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: A number of and unlawful exploitation of the park Municipal Council members affi rmed site for cultivation and sale of prod- for reconciliation in the past few that the Public Authority for Agri- days, while recalling the efforts of ucts for the benefi t of unknown parties, cultural Affairs and Fish Resources while the Municipal Council has issued HH the late Amir Sheikh Sabah (PAAAFR) responded to the council’s Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in a decision to allocate the site, which request to remove the violations and is about two million square meters, to this regard. infringements on the site of Jahra Na- PAAAFR in 2009, to establish a na- He also confirmed receiving the tional Park and sent a letter to the Ku- tional park. grilling motion against HH the wait Municipality stressing on the need Municipal Council member Ahmed Prime Minister, affirming that the to speed up the removal process. Hadian said he is looking forward to latter has been informed about the The Council also called for hold- move to the completion of this project motion which will be included in the ing accountable those responsible for dedicated to serve the people of Jahra so agenda of the upcoming session. the infringements and those reluctant that they can benefi t from it and not use to implement the project, hoping the the area for special purposes far from its authority will receive the site as soon objectives for which it was established. as possible to prevent others from ex- He added, the area has been exploited ploiting the area for which it is not in- by vested interests as bachelors’ quar- tended. ters unlawfully, despite the decision In the context, a member of the Mu- taken by the responsible authorities to nicipal Council, Eng Maha Al-Baghli, be a public park. said in a press statement the Munici- For his part, Municipal Council mem- pality opened the fi le of the Jahra Na- ber Dr Hassan Kamal said that the Jahra tional Park, which is tainted by many National Park in the middle of the resi- violations, pointing out that she and the dential city of Jahra is the largest green members Eng Abdul Salam Al-Randi, spot in the governorate and has not been Ahmad Hadian Al-Anzi and Dr. Hassan exploited since the state’s acquisition of Kamal, last Thursday visited the park buildings and properties there, pointing site accompanied by the PAAAFR Pres- out that the park is adjacent to the Red ident Sheikh Muhammad Al-Youssef, Palace and has components of histori- the Governor of Jahra, Nasser Al-Ha- cal, heritage and entertainment impor- Marzouq Al-Ghanim jraf, and the Director of Jahra Security, tance. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 LOCAL 5

The seized foodstuff packed in different sacks to hood- wink inspectors. ‘Ration’ foodstuff seized

Customs officers manning a border point in Sulaibiya have foiled an attempt by unidentified persons to smug- gle two tons of food supplies, including rice and milk to an unidentified Arab country, reports Al-Rai daily. A customs source told the daily, the attempt was foiled Monday evening. The milk and rice believed to be subsidized foodstuff were packed in different pack- ets to mislead inspectors. However, after samples were taken and sent to the Ministry of Commerce, the food sector department con- firmed the seized goods are subsidized foodstuffs. The goods have been confiscated and the smugglers referred to the concerned authorities. Split family leads to ‘confused’ kids Law to mend rifts eyed

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: In reaction to the highlighted issue regarding “weak family control” that was recently pub- lished after the incident on the recruit- ment of teenagers by ISIS, social activist Abdul Rahman Al-Hudayeb said he had prepared a proposal titled “Family driv- ing license” for those intending to mar- ry, which will contribute to reducing family problems, either between spouses or in terms of raising children, reports Al-Qabas daily. In a press statement, Al-Hu- dayeb explained that one of the top causes that make children susceptible to recruitment into the world of vice is divorce and family problems, and the subsequent lack of care to- wards children especially with the lack of sense of responsi- Al-Hudayeb bility from the father’s side. This prompted him to submit a proposal for the “family driving license” law. License The family driving license, according to the pro- posal, is a license granted to those who intend to enter matrimonial life, provided that they pass psychologi- cal, social, educational and legal courses established by the competent government authority. It is in ac- cordance with the proposal of the Supreme Family Council. The proposed law consists of ten articles – the fi rst article stipulates the defi nition of terms, the second defi nes the family driving license, and the third is con- cerned with the objectives of the license, which is to provide and equip those who are to get married with the information and skills necessary for the success of their married life. The fourth article stipulates the general provisions, which is that it is not permissible for the competent government agency to write, document and approve marriage contracts for citizens, whether they are in- side or outside Kuwait, except after the spouses obtain a family driving license certifi cate from the Supreme Family Council. The proposal stipulated that the age of the partici- pant in the course should not be less than 16 years, and the validity period of the license is fi ve years. In his proposal, Al-Hudayeb excluded holders of an accredited bachelor’s degree in Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia) majors from obtaining the license. The proposal placed the responsibility of the cost of the sessions on the General Secretariat of Awqaf. The responsibilities of the Supreme Family Coun- cil are to organize psychological, social, educational, health and legal courses and select lecturers in accor- dance with special standards and controls set by the Supreme Family Council so that they would have the necessary experience, competence and presentation skills. Experience Al-Hudayeb cited the Malaysian experience in applying the family driving license, explaining that youths of both genders are not allowed to marry without passing specialized training cours- es and accordingly they are granted a marriage license. The courses include legal materials about social life before and after marriage, as well as lessons on healthy, psychological and spiritual life of those who are about to get married, how to solve marital prob- lems, and to raise children and provide them with good education. He stressed that this experiment has achieved great success, as Malaysia has become one of the countries in the world with lowest divorce rates, which is less than eight percent, and thus reducing the behavioral problems among children. Expected skills for license holders include – how to choose a life partner, the legal, social and psychologi- cal rights and duties of the husband and wife, ways to solve marital problems, how to raise children and pro- vide them with a good upbringing, and skills of plan- ning the family budget. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 LOCAL 6

Agreement commitments include 3D seismic campaign KUFPEC inks exploration, production agreement with EGAS KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: Kuwait For- tian Natural Gas Holding Company As part of KUFPEC’s exploration investments in the Arab Republic of eign Petroleum Exploration Com- (“EGAS”) for the North Ras Kanayis growth strategy, this Block builds Egypt.The entry into this Block is pany K.S.C.C. Offshore block located in the Hero- on KUFPEC’s recent success and also consistent with our strategy to (“KUFPEC”) in dotus basin, offshore Egypt in the announcement of achieving fi rst deliver value to our shareholder, Ku- partnership with Mediterranean Sea (the “Block”). oil from the discovery well GNN- wait Petroleum Corporation through Total 35% Oper- KUFPEC holds 25% participating 4 in the Gulf of Suez Geisum and exploration success and consistently ator, Shell 30%, interest in the consortium. West Tawila Concession on 18 June strong performance. and Tharwa This Block covers an area of 4,550 2020. 10% is pleased sq. km, extending from 5 to 150 km KUFPEC Acting CEO, Sheikh KUFPEC is an international up- to announce that from the shore, with water depths Nawaf Saud Nasir Al-Sabah stated stream company engaged in Explo- it has signed ranging from 50 to 3,200 m. The that KUFPEC’s commitment to ration, Development and Production an Exploration Herodotus Basin is a frontier basin, engage in a frontier exploration of crude oil and natural gas outside Sheikh Nawaf and Produc- and the agreement commitments in- with the entry into this Block dem- the State of Kuwait and is a wholly Saud Nasir Al- tion Agreement clude a 3D seismic campaign during onstrates our commitment to aug- owned subsidiary of Kuwait Petro- Sabah with the Egyp- the fi rst three years. menting our current position and leum Corporation. Minister calls for committee to ‘probe’ ‘The Guest Show’ on Jan 7

fi nancial and administrative violations Meet Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud publications. on the fi rst edition of Radio Ku- Tune into our show and hear her wait’s ‘The Guest Show’ on Thurs- speak of her adventures which in- day Jan 7. Claudia is Kuwait’s fi rst cludes losing her abaya clad moth- Decision details mechanism and controls female #photojournalist. An author, er in law in a sea of abayas during photographer and animal activist, a camel race in Jahra. #Kuwait By Fares Al-Abdan The second article defi nes the pro- Claudia has captured Kuwait’s so- #media #radio #talkshow #bridg- cial and cultural history in her many ingcultures Al-Seyassah Staff cedures of the investigation commit- tee so that it prepares the minutes of KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: the meeting to start the work of the committee, determines the tasks and The Minister of Social Af- specializations of each member, and AUK drive ‘digital solutions’ fairs, Minister of Awqaf searches and investigates the com- and Islamic Affairs Issa Al- plaint or the report on the violations Kandari has issued a minis- attributed to the association in coor- to help graduating students dination with the administration, the terial decision detailing the concerned authorities and the coopera- KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: American explained the value of this course on mechanism and controls that tive societies observers by examining University of Kuwait in partnership University students, “We require an must be adopted concerning and reviewing the general budget of with KFAS Academy, a fully owned approach to post-secondary educa- the association and all fi nancial and subsidiary of the Kuwait tion and lifelong learn- accounts of societies and the all administrative documents, books Foundation for the Ad- ing that is authentic cooperative societies union. and accounting records related to the vancement of Sciences to the values that we The fi rst article of the decision, activity of the association, as well as (KFAS), announced it espouse, practical in a copy of which has been obtained ensuring the integrity, suitability and will be incorporating terms of its application by the Al-Seyassah daily, states the recognized accounting systems. KFAS Academy’s Fresh and sustainable. Our KUNA photo Graduate Program as an partnership with KFAS that the violations attributed to co- Bangladesh Ambassador meeting with Chairman of Kuwait Red Crescent The same article also stipulates that Society Dr Helal Al-Sayer. the committee refers the initial report to offering for fi nal-year academy is an important operative societies are investigated students at a minimum example of what is pos- by a committee formed for this the assistant undersecretary of the coop- Bangladesh lauds Kuwait’s contributions eratives sector for his review and invite fee to complete as part of sible “together” in con- purpose based on a complaint sub- members of the board of directors of the their graduation. tinuing to ensure mitted to the Ministry or a report Aimed at pro- our students’ Bangladesh Ambassador to Kuwait refugees in Bangladesh. association for a meeting during which submitted by one of the depart- MD Ashikuzzaman commended KRCS, he said, was carrying out they are informed of the report and listen viding a digi- competitiveness ments of the Cooperation Affairs Tuesday State of Kuwait’s assis- important humanitarian roles re- to their comments and give them time to tal, self-paced, and employabil- Sector, and that the committee is tance of needy, and victims of natu- gionally and internationally. study the report provided the time frame journey-based ity, especially formed by a decision of the assis- ral and man-made disasters. He said he and Al-Sayer dis- does not exceed three months. online learning today than at tant undersecretary of the ministry Ashikuzzaman, speaking to cussed humanitarian issues of mu- The third article states, “Within a experience, the any other time for cooperative societies affairs KUNA after meeting with chairman tual interest, describing the meet- week of the end of its work, the head Fresh Graduate Program has been before in more recent history.” of Kuwait Red Crescent Society ing as constructive and fruitful. of the committee shall hand over to the developed to focus on tackling the Dr. Ziad Najem, CEO of KFAS after the approval of the undersec- Dr Helal Al-Sayer, said KRCS has Al-Sayer said KRCS would con- assistant undersecretary for coopera- challenges faced by the youth after Academy said: “The Fresh Graduate retary based on a memorandum great humanitarian contributions tinue its relief aid for the Rohingya tive affairs sector the original report to their graduation and moving into the program is one of our Professional de- submitted to him that includes the specially with the Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh. (KUNA) take appropriate action. workforce. velopment fl agship programs and we reasons and justifi cations for the The fi fth article specifi es the period Students will have the opportunity have seen huge success with it this year. formation of the committee. or behavior by the board of directors to investigate and checks the work and of work of the investigation commit- to access a fully immersive online ex- The decision for AUK to include this In the statement it must be men- of the association or any of those in accounts of the concerned institution, tee as 60 days, and it may be extended perience in developing their CVs, job as part of a student’s learning journey tioned whether the fi nancial or ad- charge of managing the association or provided members of the committee le- for a similar period. The Undersecre- searching techniques, keys skills re- is a real testament to their values for ministrative controller of the society its employees. gal experts, accountants and the commit- tary of the ministry may also extend quired by the private sector and much their students to succeed and essential or both took any measures regarding In the fi rst article, the decision also tee must have at least fi ve but not more the work of the committee for another more, all at their own time and pace. for us to drive our objective of creating suspicions related to mismanagement stipulates that the committee undertakes than n seven, including the president. similar period to complete its work. AUK president, Dr.Rawda Awwad impactful online learning experiences”. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

Coronavirus

Pfi zer clinical trials COVID-19 vaccine trial reveals tribal ‘distrust’ FLAGSTAFF, Ariz, Jan 5, (AP): The news came dur- ing a hopeful time on the largest Native American reservation. Daily coronavirus cases were in the single digits, down from a springtime peak of 238 that made the Navajo Nation a US hot spot. The tribe, wanting to ensure a COVID-19 vaccine would be effective for its people, said it would welcome Pfi zer clinical tri- als on its reservation spanning Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Right away, tribal members accused their govern- ment of allowing them to be guinea pigs, pointing to painful times in the past when Native Americans didn’t consent to medical testing or weren’t fully in- formed about procedures. A Navajo Nation review board gave the study quicker approval than normal after researchers with Johns Hopkins University’s Center for American Indian Health made the case for diversity. Without Native volunteers, how would they know if tribal members responded to vac- cines the same as others? “Unfortunately, Native Americans have effectively been denied the opportunity Abigail to participate in these clini- cal trials because almost all of the study sites are in large, urban areas that have not done effective outreach to Native Americans,” said Dr Laura Hammitt of Johns Hopkins. About 460 Native Americans participated in the tri- als for the vaccine by Pfi zer and its German partner BioNTech, including Navajos. The enrollment refl ects a growing understanding of the role that people of col- or play in vaccine development and the push to rapidly deploy it to curb infections among populations that have been disproportionately affected by the virus. From left: Donald Trump Jr, the son of President Donald Trump, his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Ivanka Trump, the daughter of President Donald Trump, arrive at the Yet, few of the country’s 574 federally recognized White House in Washington, early Tuesday, Jan 5, after returning with the president from a rally in Dalton, Ga. (AP) tribes have signed on for the studies, a hesitation of- ten rooted in suspicion and distrust. Many tribes also require several layers of approval for clinical trials, a challenge researchers aren’t always willing to over- Politics come and don’t face in the states. While vaccines from Pfi zer and Moderna Inc. roll out across Indian Country, others are being studied. In the Pacifi c Northwest, the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Indian Tribe plan to participate in a vaccine Trump claims election fraud trial from another company, Novavax Inc. A Chey- enne River Sioux researcher plans to enroll Native Americans and others in South Dakota in the Novavax trial and another by Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline. ‘Will fight like hell to hold on to presidency’ On the Navajo Nation, Arvena Peshlakai, her hus- band, Melvin, and their daughter Quortnii volunteered DALTON, Ga, Jan 5, (AP): With mount- for the Pfi zer trials. ing desperation, Donald Trump declared ‘He’s going to call it straight’ Rumors he would “fight like hell” to hold on to the presidency and appealed to Republican Arvena Peshlakai said the rumors were rampant: Na- lawmakers to reverse his election loss to vajos would be injected with the virus, and researchers Joe Biden when they convene this week to would use plasma from people who got COVID-19. confirm the Electoral College vote. Pence torn between Trump, Constitution She was assured that wasn’t happening and let the Electoral voters won by President-elect words of her parents and grandparents guide her: WASHINGTON, Jan 5, (AP): He has majority of votes for both president and Pence has spent hours huddling Biden are “not gonna take this White been President Donald Trump’s most vice president. with the president, staff and the Senate Don’t let our struggles be your struggles, begin with House!” he shouted as supporters cheered our triumphs. loyal soldier, dutifully backing the un- But Pence, whose proscribed role parliamentarian. His office declined to at an outdoor rally Monday night in Geor- predictable leader through one cha- is largely pro forma, is under intense discuss his plans heading into Wednes- “What else am I supposed to do? Just sit back and gia. Trump’s announced purpose for the say, ‘No, I don’t trust them’ and not try something otic situation after another. pressure from the president and le- day’s count. But people close to the vice trip was to boost Republican Senate can- Now Vice President Mike Pence finds gions of supporters who want the vice president stressed his respect for institu- new to see if we can fi nd a breakthrough?” Peshlakai didates in Tuesday’s runoff election, but himself in the most precarious position president to use the moment to over- tions and said they expect him to act in said. “We have to do something, we can’t just sit by he spent much of his speech complaining of his tenure as he prepares to preside turn the will of the voters in a handful accordance with the law and hew to the and wait and hope and pray.” bitterly about his election loss – which he over Wednesday’s congressional tally of critical battleground states. Constitution. She overcame her fear of needles to get the doses insists he won “by a lot.” of Electoral College votes, the last front “I hope Mike Pence comes through “I think he will approach this as a and keeps track of her well-being daily on an app. As Earlier, in Washington, he pressed Re- in Trump’s futile attempts to overturn for us, I have to tell you,” Trump said at constitutionalist, basically, and say, trial participants, the family can get the vaccine if they publican lawmakers to formally object President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in a rally Monday night in Georgia for can- ’What’s my role in the Constitution as initially received a placebo. Wednesday at a joint session of Congress the November election. didates in two Senate runoff elections. president of the Senate?’” said David The Pfi zer trials among the Navajo and White that is to confirm Biden’s victory in the Seated on the House of Representa- “Of course, if he doesn’t come McIntosh, president of the conserva- Mountain Apache tribes enrolled 275 people, about Electoral College, itself a confirmation of tives’ rostrum, Pence will bear witness through, I won’t like him quite as much,” tive Club for Growth and a Pence 80% of them Native American. Hammitt said enough Biden’s nationwide victory Nov 3. to the formalization of Trump’s - and his Trump added, drawing laughs. He said friend. “What he’ll do is allow any- people participated to compare immune responses in Though he got nothing but cheers Mon- own - election defeat, as tellers from the Pence was “going to have a lot to say body who is going to move to object Native patients to others. day night, Trump’s attempt to overturn House and Senate record states’ elec- about it. And you know one thing with to be heard, but then abide by what Vaccine trials nationwide have been moving quick- the presidential election is splitting the toral votes. At the end of the count, it will him, you’re going to get straight shots. the majority of the Senate makes the ly, which doesn’t always align with tribal guidelines Republican Party. Some GOP lawmakers be his job to announce who has won the He’s going to call it straight.” outcome.” on considering research proposals. backing him are rushing ahead, despite an “It must be done with respect for tribal sovereignty outpouring of condemnation from current much.” He added, “No, Mike is a great guy.” could change the election outcome. to Georgia. and knowing that each individual has truly been given and former party officials warning the ef- informed consent,” said Abigail Echo-Hawk, direc- One of the Georgia Republicans in The congressional effort to keep Trump Senate Majority Leader Mitch McCo- fort is undermining Americans’ faith in Tuesday’s runoff – Sen Kelly Loeffler, in office is being led by Sens Josh Hawley nnell has tried to prevent his party from tor of the Urban Indian Health Institute in Seattle. democracy. All 10 living former defense It helped that Johns Hopkins has a decadeslong history who faces Democrat Raphael Warnock – of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas, along engaging in this battle, which could help secretaries wrote in an op-ed that “the time told the crowd she will join senators for- with rank-and-file House members, some define the GOP in the post-Trump era. with the Navajos and Apaches, including other clinical for questioning the results has passed.” trials. Hammitt said the Navajo Human Research Review It’s unclear the extent to which GOP mally objecting to Biden’s win. The other on the party’s fringe. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Board was receptive to a quick review of the vaccine trials leaders in Congress will be able to control Republican seeking reelection, David “Just got off the phone with @realDon- a Trump ally, has declined to say much because of the devastating impact of the pandemic. Wednesday’s joint session, which could Perdue, who is running against Democrat aldTrump,” tweeted newly elected Rep publicly on it. In South Dakota, the Cheyenne River Sioux tribal drag into the night, though the challenges Jon Ossoff, will not be eligible to vote. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who Both Hawley and Cruz are potential health committee initially pushed back on Dr Jeffrey to the election are all but certain to fail. Trump repeated numerous times his is aligned with a conspiracy group back- 2024 presidential contenders, vying for Henderson’s proposal for trials of the Novavax vac- Trump himself is whipping up crowds for claims of election fraud, which have been ing Trump. Trump’s base of supporters. cine. Henderson, a tribal member, was sent into the a Wednesday rally near the White House. rejected by election officials – Republican “He wants you to call your Rep & Sen- Biden, speaking at a drive-in rally in community to gauge support. Trump said in Georgia: “I hope that our as well as Democratic in state after state – ators TODAY, ALL DAY!” she tweeted Atlanta, said Trump “spends more time He expects to get approval from a newly seated great vice president comes through for us. and courts up to the US Supreme Court. His Monday. “Don’t let Republicans be the whining and complaining” than he does tribal council but for now, plans to set up a mobile He’s a great guy. Of course, if he doesn’t former attorney general, William Barr, also Surrender Caucus!” She later joined the working on solving the coronavirus pan- unit outside the reservation. come through, I won’t like him quite as has said there is no evidence of fraud that president on Air Force One as he traveled demic. Research “We refuse to do this type of research or any re- search within the boundaries of a tribe without having explicit approval from the tribe,” Henderson said. America In Washington state, the Nooksack tribe is set to begin enrolling volunteers in the Novavax trials Mon- asked his chief of staff to resign and accepted day, said Dr Frank James, the tribe’s health offi cer. Proud Boys chief arrested: Police in the nation’s capital on Monday arrested the the resignation of his Municipal Affairs min- “I expect a slow start to it, and we have to get a leader of the Proud Boys, who is accused of ister. Several other members of his United few brave people who are comfortable with it and then burning a Black Lives Matter banner that was Conservative party have also been demoted people to follow,” he said. The nearby Lummi Nation torn down from a his- for travelling outside Canada. is moving forward with a three-part review and ap- toric Black church in Kenney said last week he would not pun- proval process for the Novavax trials. downtown Washington ish members of his government after he said Initial hesitation among the tribe stemmed from a last month. he learned of travel abroad by a number of researcher who took photos of Lummi children years Henry “Enrique” people in his government. ago to develop a tool to diagnose fetal alcohol syn- Tarrio, 36, was ar- “Over the weekend I have listened to Al- drome but didn’t offer any ways to address it, said rested by Metropolitan bertans who are sending a clear message that Dr Dakotah Lane, executive medical director of the Police Department of- they want real consequences,” Kenney tweet- Lummi Tribal Health Clinic. ficers after he arrived ed Monday. “I had already known and was aware of certainly in Washington ahead Politicians travelling abroad for vacations some distrust with any kind of research within our of protests planned by during the pandemic became a big story in community,” Lane said. “But I also knew the only way supporters of President Canada last week after it became known that Donald Trump to coin- Ontario’s finance minister went to the luxury out of this pandemic was with access to vaccines.” Tarrio Other stories about the sterilization of Native cide with the congres- Caribbean island of St. Barts for weeks and American women, noted in a 1976 federal report, and sional vote expected Wednesday to affirm Joe seemingly tried to hide the fact by sending Biden’s election victory. social media posts showing him in a sweater military testing of radioactive iodine on Alaska Na- before a fireplace. Rod Phillips resigned last tives have bred distrust. Tarrio was taken into custody after a war- rant was issued for his arrest for destruction Thursday after being ordered home by On- The Havasupai Tribe also settled a lawsuit a decade of property, police said. He was also facing a tario’s Conservative Premier. (AP) ago that accused Arizona State University scientists of weapons charges after officers found him with ❑ ❑ ❑ misusing blood samples meant for diabetes research to two high-capacity firearm magazines when he study schizophrenia, inbreeding and ancient popula- was arrested, a police spokesman said. DC mayor calls in N. Guard: Bracing for tion migration without the tribe’s permission. A pro-Trump rally in December ended in possible violence, the nation’s capital has mo- That case came to mind when Annette Brown, a violence as hundreds of Trump supporters, bilized the National Guard ahead of planned Navajo woman, heard about her tribe’s willingness to some wearing the signature black and yellow protests by President Donald Trump’s sup- participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials. of the Proud Boys, sought out confrontations porters in connection with the congressio- “There’s this historical distrust when it comes to any with a collective of activists and counterpro- nal vote expected Wednesday to affirm Joe type of experimenting,” she said. “It’s just experience, I testers attempting to bar them from Black Biden’s election victory. don’t know that there are many families out there who Lives Matter Plaza, an area near the White Trump’s supporters are planning to haven’t been touched by some sort of experimentation House. By nightfall, vandals tore down a rally Tuesday and Wednesday, seeking to (or) biological attacks on tribal communities.” Black Lives Matter banner and sign from two bolster the president’s unproven claims of Brown has mixed feelings because she previously historic Black churches in downtown Wash- widespread voter fraud. “There are people participated in a vaccine trial with Johns Hopkins. ington and set the banner ablaze. (AP) intent on coming to our city armed,” D.C. ❑ ❑ ❑ Acting Police Chief Robert Contee said In separate research, the Johns Hopkins Univer- Monday. sity’s Center for American Indian Health determined Alberta leader reverses course: Alber- A pro-Trump rally in December ended in the fi rst generation of vaccines for bacterial meningitis ta’s premier has reversed course and is now violence as hundreds of Trump supporters, was less effective among Navajo and Apache children punishing members of his government for va- wearing the signature black and yellow of the 6 months and younger, Hammitt said. The rate of the cationing outside Canada despite government Proud Boys faction, sought out confrontations disease used to be fi ve to 10 times higher among those guidelines urging people to avoid nonessen- with a collective of local activists attempting children than the general population. tial travel during the pandemic. to bar them from Black Lives Matter Plaza, an Premier Jason Kenney said Monday he area near the White House. (AP) Slack kicks off 2021 with a global outage

Slack, the messaging service used by mil- we’re sorry for any troubles this may be caus- are only rarely the result of hacking or other This fi le lions of people for work and school, suffered ing,” Slack said in a prepared statement. intentional mischief. Google went down briefl y photo shows a global outage on Monday, the fi rst day The outage began around 10 am Eastern in December, with people in several countries the Slack app back for most people returning from the New time and disrupted service in the US, Germany, briefl y unable to access their Gmail accounts, icon being Year’s holiday. India, the UK, Japan and elsewhere. At 12:30 watch YouTube videos or get to their online displayed on It’s the latest tech glitch to show how disrup- pm, service was still sporadic and Slack said documents during an outage Monday. In Au- a computer tive technical diffi culties can be when millions the outage was ongoing, but that some users gust, Zoom went down briefl y just as many stu- screen in To- of people are depending on just a few services may begin to see improvement. Slack said that dents were beginning the school year at home. kyo. (AP) to work and go to school from home during the people should check https://status.slack.com And in September, Microsoft services had an pandemic. for updates. Most issues were resolved by 3 outage that lasted for fi ve hours. The company stopped releasing its daily pm on Monday afternoon. More complaints rolled in as the sun hit the user count after topping 12 million last year. Internet service outages are not uncom- West coast and there were still outages four “Our team is currently investigating and mon, are usually resolved relatively swiftly and hours after it began in New York City. (AP)

Market Movements 05-01-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +2.06 6,955.73 JAPAN - Nikkei -99.75 27,158.63 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +97.56 6,478.74 GERMANY - DAX -75.52 13,651.22 INDIA - Sensex +260.98 48,437.78 FRANCE - CAC 40 -24.36 5,564.60 CHINA - Shanghai SE +25.72 3,528.68 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 -16.54 3,547.85 PHILIPPINES - PSEi -63.32 7,134.18 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -36.03 44,650.43 Business

Exchange cites ‘further consultation’ with regulators NYSE withdraws plans to delist 3 Chinese phone carriers BEIJING, Jan 5, (AP): The New York 20, due to widespread frustration with Stock Exchange has withdrawn plans China’s trade and human rights records to delist shares of three Chinese state- and accusations of spying and technol- owned phone carriers. The shares were ogy theft. to be removed under an order from Trump’s November order bars President Donald Trump, a move Bei- Americans from investing in securi- OPEC, allies adjourn meeting jing had warned might lead to retalia- ties issued by companies deemed by tion. the Defense Department to be part of The exchange cited “further con- efforts to modernize the Communist sultation” with regulators but its an- Party’s military wing, the People’s nouncement late Monday gave no Liberation Army. other details. The 2 million-member PLA is one over crude production levels China’s foreign ministry on Tues- of the biggest and most heavily-armed day criticized Washington for “sup- militaries. It is spending heavily to pressing foreign companies” but develop nuclear submarines, stealth made no direct comment on the fi ghters, ballistic missiles and other ad- Kuwaiti Oil Minister participates in OPEC+ meetings NYSE announcement. vanced weapons. The NYSE said Thursday it would The Pentagon has added 35 compa- remove China Telecom Corp. Ltd., nies to its blacklist. In addition to the FRANKFURT, Germany, Jan 5, saying that demand remained “fragile” for trans- (JMMC) and the 13th Ministerial Meeting of the China Mobile Ltd. and China Uni- phone carriers, they include telecom port fuels including for aircraft, and that the cartel Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Coun- com Hong Kong Ltd. under Trump’s equipment giant Huawei, China’s big- (AP): Members of the OPEC oil car- needed to move carefully even as the rollout of tries (OPEC) and non-OPEC countries, also known November order barring Americans gest maker of processor chips, three tel and allied countries including Rus- vaccination programs raises hopes for a return to as OPEC+, which will be held on Monday, today, from investing in securities issued by state-owned oil producers and con- sia on Monday adjourned a meeting more normal travel habits. He said that “I want to through videoconference. companies deemed to be linked to the struction, aerospace, rocketry, ship- urge caution even in this generally optimistic en- OPEC+ demonstrated its pioneering role in Chinese military. building and nuclear power equipment weighing whether to increase produc- The order added to mounting U.S.- companies. tion further next month as the pan- vironment.” maintaining the stability of oil markets in order to Chinese tension over technology, secu- Hong Kong-traded shares in the Vienna-based OPEC faces confl icting pressures. ensure the common interest of consuming and oil- rity and spying accusations. three phone carriers surged Tuesday. demic continues to sap demand for Raising production would increase revenues for producing countries, encouraging the confi dence The Trump administration has im- China Telecom rose 3.4%, China Mo- energy and create uncertainty about producing countries that have seen their budgets among investors in the oil industry, he underlined. posed export controls and other sanc- bile jumped 5.7% and China Unicom when recovery might come. hard hit by lower prices, but pumping too much too While the effects of the second COVID-19 wave soon could undermine the modest price rebound. overall must be cautioned, with the start of vac- tions on some Chinese companies, visa surged 8.5%. Shares in all three have The oil producing countries were to meet curbs on members of the ruling Com- fallen recently. Oil prices fell by 52 cents Monday to $48.00 per cines distributed to several countries worldwide, it munist Party and other restrictions. The Chinese government has ac- again Tuesday. In December, the group decided barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. is expected that the demand for oil will gradually “The suppression will have very cused Washington of misusing national to add back a modest 500,000 barrels per day to Meanwhile, Minister of Oil and Minister of recover, especially during the second half of 2021, limited impact on Chinese companies, security as an excuse to hamper com- the oil market, and to review production monthly Electricity and Water Dr Mohammad Al-Fares which opens up a chance to overcome the damages but it will damage the national interest petition and has warned that Trump’s with a goal of restoring 2 million barrels a day. said, prior to his participation in the OPEC+ meet- to the global economy after the COVID-19 wave and image of the United States,” said order would hurt U.S. and other inves- OPEC and non-member countries that have ing, that Kuwait supports decisions that would recedes, consequently the demand for oil and pe- a foreign ministry spokeswoman, Han tors worldwide. agreed to cooperate with it last year imposed a pro- maintain the oil market stability, especially con- troleum products grows, he mentioned. Chunying. She expressed hope Wash- On Saturday, the foreign ministry duction cut of 7.7 million barrels a day to prevent sidering negative consequences due to COVID-19, The Kuwaiti delegation to the two meetings, ington will “do more to maintain the said Beijing would take unspecifi ed prices from collapsing during the economic slump according to a press statement issued by the Oil in addition to Al-Fares, includes both Kuwait’s order of the global fi nancial market” “necessary countermeasures” to pro- caused by the pandemic. Ministry. Governor at OPEC Haitham Al-Ghais and Mo- and protect investors. tect its companies. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Al-Fares will participate in the 25th meeting hammad Al-Shatti, Kuwait’s national OPEC Political analysts expect little The government made the same an- Salman opened the online meeting Monday by of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee representative. change in policy under President-elect nouncement following previous U.S. Joseph Biden, who takes offi ce Jan. sanctions without taking action. Bezos tops list of richest ‘charitable’ gifts in 2020 SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Jan 5, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla (AP): The world’s richest person made Chan, delivered the fourth-largest the single-largest charitable contribu- donation on the Chronicle’s list: A tion in 2020, according to The Chronicle $250 million gift to the Center for Tech of Philanthropy’s annual list of top and Civic Life, which worked on voting donations, a $10 billion gift that is security issues in the 2020 election. intended to help fight climate change. Zuckerberg, whose wealth nearly dou- Amazon’s founder and CEO, Jeff bled to $105 billion in the March-to- Bezos, whose “real-time” worth Forbes December period according to magazine estimates at roughly $188 Americans for Tax Fairness and the billion, used the contribution to launch Institute for Policy Studies, has been his Bezos Earth Fund. The fund, which widely criticized and been called to supports non-profits involved in the testify before Congress for his compa- climate crisis, has paid out $790 million ny’s handling of disinformation in the to 16 groups so far, according to the runup to the 2020 presidential election. Chronicle. In the fifth spot was Arthur Blank, Setting aside Bezos’ whopping co-founder of Home Depot, who gave gift, though, the sum total of the top $200 million through his foundation to 10 donations last year - $2.6 billion - Children’s healthcare of Atlanta to was the lowest since 2011, even as build a new hospital. many billionaires vastly increased Bezos and the Zuckerbergs made up their wealth in the stock market rally the next spots on last year’s top 10 list, that catapulted technology shares in with $100 million donations - Bezos for particular last year. According to the Feeding America to aid food banks left-leaning Americans for Tax across the country and the Zuckerbergs Fairness and the Institute for Policy to the same election security group. Studies, from March 18 through Dec. They were followed by Stephen 7, 2020, Bezos’ wealth surged by Ross, founder of real estate firm 63%, from $113 billion to $184 bil- Related Companies; David Roux, co- lion. founder of Silver Lake Partners, a pri- Phil Knight, who with his wife, vate-equity firm, and his wife, Barbara; Penny, made the second- and third- George and Renee Karfunkel, real- largest donations last year according to estate investors; Bernard Marcus, co- Staff members wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus use their smartphones at a display from Chinese telecommunications the Chronicle, increased his wealth by founder of Home Depot; and Charles fi rm China Mobile at the PT Expo in Beijing, Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020. The New York Stock Exchange has withdrawn plans to remove shares of three about 77% over the same March-to- Schwab, founder of Schwab Financial Chinese state-owned phone carriers under an order by President Donald Trump that Beijing warned might lead to retaliation. (AP) December period. Knight and his wife Services, and his wife, Helen. gave more than $900 million to the Two billionaires who donated heav- Knight Foundation and $300 million to ily to charity last year - MacKenzie the University of Oregon. Scott, Bezos’ former wife, and Jack Fred Kummer, founder of construc- Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter - did not US construction spending rises solid 0.9% in Nov tion company HBE Corporation, and make the Chronicle’s list because no WASHINGTON, Jan 5, (AP): Spending his wife, June, gave $300 million to single donation of theirs was large on US construction projects increased establish a foundation to support pro- enough to qualify. In February, the 0.9% in November as strength in home CBK names winners of ‘YOU Account’ draw grams at the Missouri University of Chronicle will publish its list of the 50 building offset weakness in other parts Science and Technology. biggest donors, which counts cumula- of the construction industry. KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: Commercial Bank conducted Facebook’s founder Mark tive donations, not individual gifts. The November gain followed a big- the “YOU Account” draw on Monday January 4, 2021 ger 1.6% rise in October and left con- in the presence of Ministry of Commerce and Industry struction spending up 4.4% through the as represented by Abdulaziz Ashkanani. Preventative fi rst 11 months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, according to the health conditions and social distancing were strictly Commerce Department. observed throughout the draw. For November, spending on residen- The Bank’s social media channels lively covered the tial construction rose 2.7% with single- draw where the prizes of the draw, namely KD 250 for family construction surging 5.1 percent each winner went to: while apartment construction was fl at, according to the new data released Mon- 1) Ali Saad Lilo Al-Sarraji day. Record low mortgage rates have 2) Ahmad Faisal Al-Shammari spurred strong demand for housing even YOU Account is designated for the youth who transfer as a global pandemic resulted in wide- their monthly social allowance to Commercial Bank of spread lock downs for other parts of the Kuwait. Youths who opt for YOU Account can avail a economy. This combination of fi le photos from left shows Warren Buffett, chairman and While housing activity, fueled by package of benefi ts upon opening the account by depos- CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, on Sept. 19, 2017, in New York, Jeff Bezos, low supplies of available homes, stands iting KD 10 only and get KD 50 gift upon transferring CEO of Amazon.com, on Sept 24, 2013, in Seattle and JP Morgan Chase 16.1% higher than it did a year ago, the social allowance to Al-Tijari. Further, YOU Account Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon on July 12, 2013, in New York. (AP) spending on private nonresidential pro- gives customers chances to enter monthly and yearly jects is 9.5% below the levels of a year draws to win valuable prizes. Apart from the above, cus- ago with hotel and motel construction tomers aged 18 and above will get a free of charge pre- Kuwait central bank issues down 26.5% from the level in Novem- ber 2019 and offi ce construction down paid card for one year when opening the account. CBK 6.6%. youth segment can avail the discounts and promotions KD 240mn bonds, tawarruq Many analysts believe the extended offered throughout the year. period of working from home for many Moreover, new customers who transfer their social KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5, (KUNA):The months with a return rate of 1.250 per- Americans brought on by the coronavi- allowance will get two chances to enter the monthly Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) said Mon- cent, the CBK said in a statement to rus will translate into lower demand for day it issued KD 240 million (USD 792 KUNA. Late December, the CBK issued offi ce space in coming years as busi- draw to win KD 250 cash prize. The winner in the million) worth of bonds and tawarruq. bonds and tawarruq worth KD 200 mil- nesses opt to allow employees to do yearly mega draw will receive a Chevrolet Blazer The issue’s maturity period is six lion (USD 660 million). more work away from the offi ce. A fl yer of Al-Tijari’s ‘YOU Account’ draw 2020 car.

ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 BUSINESS 10

Carlos Ghosn asks why Japanese don’t question him in Lebanon In this fi le photo, former Nissan Motor Former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn cape that drew headlines in late 2019, arriv- asked Ghosn insisting that he is innocent and Co chairman Carlos said in an interview aired Monday that French ing in Lebanon on Dec. 30 of that year. was the victim of Japan’s judicial system. Ghosn holds a press investigators are coming to question him In addition to his trial in Japan, the 66-year- “Now the French have charges,” Ghosn said. conference at the in Lebanon over some legal challenges in old businessman is facing a number of legal “They (French) are coming and they will ques- Maronite Christian France, asking why don’t the Japanese do challenges in France, including tax evasion tion me. The Japanese are not doing this.” Holy Spirit University the same thing. and alleged money laundering, fraud and “I consider all the charges to be false,” of Kaslik, north of Bei- Ghosn’s comments came two weeks after a misuse of company assets while at the helm Ghosn said. rut, Lebanon. Ghosn, Lebanese justice ministry offi cial said a team of the Renault-Nissan alliance. After leading the Japanese automaker Ni- in a TV interview of French investigators will come to Beirut in Ghosn said there is neutrality in Lebanon ssan for two decades, Ghosn was arrested aired on Monday, has January to participate in interrogating the for- where he has been living since fl eeing Japan in Japan in November 2018 on charges of asked why Japanese mer auto executives. adding that Lebanese authorities have asked breach of trust, misusing company assets for don’t question him in Ghosn, who is a Lebanese, Brazilian and Japanese offi cials to send the charges against personal gains and violating securities laws Lebanon. (AP) French national, fl ed Japan in a dramatic es- him but Tokyo did not. “What does that mean?” by not fully disclosing his compensation. (AP) Wall Street wobbles after sharp slide

NBK rallies 12 fi ls, KIPCO fl at Kuwaiti bourse ends higher in volatile trade, volume up By John Mathews jumped 12.16 percent to 48.9 Arab Times Staff fi ls while IFA Hotels and Resorts scaled 8.7 percent to stand next. KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: Kuwait UPAC skidded 18.8 pct, the steep- stocks pushed higher on Tuesday est decliner of the day and ALOLA stemming the three day fall. The continued to top the volume with All Shares Index climbed 27 pts in 65.4 million shares. volatile session to 5,563.53 points Mirroring the day’s gains, the led by some of heavyweights even market spread was skewed towards as the overall mood turned cau- tiously positive. the winners. 59 stocks advanced The Premier Market jumped whereas 44 closed lower. Of the 41.62 pts to 6,073.95 points while 123 counters active on Tuesday, 20 Main Market trimmed 3.13 points. closed fl at. 11,008 deals worth KD The BK 50 Main index rose 8.53 44.3 million were transacted during pts. The volume turnover mean- the session. while saw a modest rise following National Industries Group eased Monday’s pullback. Over 261 mil- 1 fi ls to 179 fi ls after pushing over lion shares changed hands – a 10 1 million shares while Mezzan pct increase from the day before. Holding gave up 9 fi ls. Boubyan The sectors closed mostly in Petrochemical Co gained 20 fi ls green territory. Basic Materials and Al Qurain Petrochemical Co outshone the rest with 1.42 pct gain inched 1 fi ls higher to 341 fi ls. whereas Consumer Goods shed Integrated Holding took in 1 fi ls 0.96 percent, the worst performer whereas Aznour held ground at A man walks past a bank’s electronic board showing the Hong Kong share index in Hong Kong on Jan 5. Asian shares were mostly lower Tuesday, echo- of the day. Financial Services con- 276 fi ls. ing pullbacks on Wall Street, as worries grew about surging coronavirus cases in the region, with Japan preparing to declare a state of emergency. (AP) tinued to top the volume with 114.2 Jazeera Airways slipped 3 fi ls to million shares while Banking sec- 740 fi ls after gaining 114 fi ls during tor dominated the value with over whole of December and ALAFCO Oil companies push S&P higher as crude prices strengthen KD 24 million. clipped 2 fi ls. Inovest paced 4.6 fi ls National Bank of Kuwait rallied and Al Manar added 2.4 fi ls before NEW YORK, Jan 5, (AP): ocratic sweep would open the door to es. That’s threatening Wall Street’s on Wall Street while other regional 12 fi ls to 850 fi ls while Kuwait Fi- closing at 52 fi ls. Soor Fuel tripped higher tax rates, tougher regulation on widespread belief that fi nancial sup- indexes recouped earlier losses amid nance House scaled 4 fi ls on back 1 fi ls whereas Oula Fuel paused at U.S. stocks are wobbling businesses and other potentially profi t- port offered by central banks and gov- continuing worries about surging coro- between small gains and of over 7 million shares to end at 122 fi ls. Mubarad Transport Co crimping changes from Washington. ernments can keep the economy afl oat navirus cases. 682 fi ls after slipping 9 fi ls during losses on Tuesday, a day af- That would put broad pressure on the until a big recovery sweeps the world Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 shed was up 3.4 fi ls at 74.4 fi ls. stock market, with Big Tech stocks later this year due to the rollout of 0.4% to 27,159.27 as the government last month. Mabanee Co sprinted Kuwait Cement Co rose 2 fi ls to ter dropping to their worst in particular perhaps attracting more COVID-19 vaccines. was preparing to declare a state of 23 fi ls to 675 fi ls after trading 2.3 231 fi ls and Kuwait Portland Ce- loss in months amid the regulatory scrutiny. Worries are also rising that markets emergency in Tokyo and several sur- million shares. ment scaled 4 fi ls. Metal and Re- worsening pandemic and But Democratic control of the Sen- have simply stormed too high since rounding areas. Zain rose 7 fi ls on back of over 7 cycling Co dialed up 2 fi ls and Au- potentially market-moving ate, White House and House of Rep- hitting bottom early last year and are Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 inched million shares while Ooredoo was tomated Systems Co inched 0.4 fi ls resentatives could also make another setting investors up for big disappoint- down less than 0.1% to 6,681.90. up 8 fi ls at 635 fi ls. stc dialed down up to 68.5 fi ls. Burgan Well Drill- Senate elections. dose of big fi nancial support for the ment. South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.0% to 2 fi ls before settling at 850 fi ls and The S&P 500 was 0.3% higher ing Co added 3 fi ls and Combined economy more likely. Democrats have “The long, long bull market since 2,975.05, while Hong Kong’s Hang logistics Agility paced 8 fi ls to end Group Contracting Co closed 2 fi ls in late morning trading, after fl ip- lobbied for $2,000 cash payments to 2009 has fi nally matured into a fully- Seng added 0.4% to 27,577.74. The at 684 fi ls. Humansoft Holding ping between a gain of 0.6% and go to most Americans, for example, fl edged epic bubble,” the famed value Shanghai Composite climbed 0.5% to in green. QIC gave up 3 fi ls before swung 48 fi ls higher and Boursa closing at 3.6 fi ls a loss of 0.2%. The Dow Jones In- and they could push for more spending investor Jeremy Grantham wrote in a 3,521.75. Kuwait was up 7 fi ls at KD 1.107. dustrial Average was up 39 points, on infrastructure projects. recent report titled “Waiting for the Japan’s prime minister has said the Kuwait Foundry Co slipped YIACO tumbled 102 fi ls. 5 fi ls to 263 fi ls and Gulf Cable or 0.1%, at 30,263, as of 10:54 Such stimulus could eventually lead last dance.” government is considering declaring KIPCO was unchanged at 159 to higher infl ation across the economy, “Featuring extreme overvaluation, a state of emergency to help curb the closed 3 fi ls down. Kuwait Gulf a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq fi ls after moving over 1 million composite was 0.6% higher. something that has been nearly nonex- explosive price increases, frenzied is- spread of infections. The move is ex- Links Transport Co eased 0.2 fi l istent for years. Increasing infl ation ex- suance, and hysterically speculative pected this week. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko shares while KAMCO ticked 0.2 The majority of big stocks in the fi l lower to 73.7 fi ls. Kuwait In- to 53.2 fi ls and Gulf Petroleum In- S&P 500 are rising, with oil produc- pectations have helped buoy Treasury investor behavior, I believe this event Koike and the governors of Saitama, vestment Co ticked 0.2 fi l in to red. yields recently, and the yield on the will be recorded as one of the great Chiba and Kanagawa asked the na- vestment Co and Osoul stood pat ers leading the way as crude prices at 121 fi ls and 80 fi ls respectively In the banking sector, Gulf Bank strengthened. Stocks of smaller com- 10-year Treasury rose to 0.94% from bubbles of fi nancial history, right tional government over the weekend to dialed up 2 fi ls on back of 15.5 mil- panies are doing even better, and the 0.90% late Monday. along with the South Sea bubble, 1929, declare the emergency after the capital whereas National Investment Co Investors likely shouldn’t worry and 2000.” saw a daily record of 1,337 cases on took in 2 fi ls. Kuwait Financial lion shares and Burgan Bank closed Russell 2000 index of small-caps rose 2 fi ls lower at 211 fi ls. Kuwait In- a market-leading 1.2%. much about either a Democratic or Re- Grantham has correctly predicted New Year’s Eve. Centre (Markaz) trimmed 0.6 fi l The market’s moves are tenuous, publican victory, strategists at Barclays big market turns in the past, including U.S. stocks pulled back from their and Noor Financial Investment Co ternational Bank took in 1 fi l and though, and the S&P 500 at one point said in a report. Even a Democratic the plunge caused by the 2008 fi nancial recent record highs, as big swings re- inched 1 fi l up to 171 fi ls. Boubyan Bank gained 4 fi ls. Warba lost all of an early-morning rise even sweep of the runoffs would leave the crisis and the sharp rebound higher in turn to Wall Street at the onset of a The market opened fi rm and Bank paused at 235 fi ls whereas after a report showed U.S. manufactur- party with only the slimmest of majori- early 2009. But he acknowledges that year where the dominant expectation pulled sharply lower in early trade. Ahli United Bank slipped 5 fi ls to ing grew last month at its strongest rate ties in the Senate, which would make his calls have sometimes been early: is for a powerful economic rebound to The main index plumbed the day’s 217 fi ls. Al Ahli Bank stood pat at since 2018. big, bold changes less likely. He got out of Japanese stocks in 1987, sweep the world. lowest level of 5,509 points almost 212 fi ls. Two runoff elections are getting un- Beyond Georgia and Washington, for example, only for the bubble to “With the seven-day average new The market has been mixed derway in Georgia that will determine though, worries about the worsening keep infl ating through the end of 1989. cases still hanging in the 600 K zone an hour into the session and headed which party controls the Senate, and global pandemic continue to weigh In Europe, France’s CAC 40 fell globally, few are likely expecting the north amid buying spurt in some of so far during the week adding 17 some analysts say the results could on markets. A new, seemingly more 0.8%, and Germany’s DAX lost 0.6%. market to be spared the resurgence the blue chips. It plateaued past the points in last two sessions. It had mark clear winners and losers in the contagious variant of the coronavirus The FTSE 100 in London rose 0.2%. of COVID-19 fears,” said Jingyi Pan, mid-session and revved in the fi nal gained 87 points during December stock market. is pushing countries to announce or Asian shares were mixed Tuesday, senior market strategist at IG in Sin- minutes to close with modest gains. but has tumbled 736 points during The general thinking is that a Dem- consider more restrictions on business- as Japanese shares echoed pullbacks gapore. Top gainer of the day, Tijara whole of 2020. Serbia opens pipeline for Russian gas, ‘ignores’ US

BELGRADE, Serbia, Jan 5, (AP): Defying U.S. calls to reduce its dependency on energy supplies from Russia, Serbia on Fri- day offi cially launched a new gas link that will bring additional Russian gas to the Balkan country via Bulgaria and Turkey. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended a ceremony Friday for the opening of the 400-kilometer (250-mile) section of the Turkish Stream pipeline, saying that Serbia has become “much richer” thanks to the new Russian energy supplies. “Serbia has managed, with the help of our Russian friends and partners, to secure supply on its territory with gas,” Vucic said. “From our territory, gas will go towards Hungary, Bos- nia-Herzegovina, we will look at what other territories and countries (will be included) in the future. It’s an important and great day for our country.” Serbia has so far received the Russian gas via Hungary and Ukraine. But with Moscow’s attempts to circumvent the Ukraine pipelines to the rest of Europe, it has been looking for alternative supply routes. Like the almost-completed Nord Stream 2 pipeline that is to double Russian gas supplies to Germany, the Turkish Stream was threatened by U.S. sanctions against companies involved in the project. Serbia, a European Union candidate country, depends al- most entirely on Russian energy supplies. Washington has been urging Serbia to diversify its energy supplies and use and American liquid gas shipments, but those tend to be more ex- pensive. Although when he was in Washington, Vucic signed a pledge to reduce Serbia’s Russian energy dependency, he has said he would not be blackmailed by anyone to buy more ex- pensive gas for political reasons. Although Serbia has been formally seeking EU member- ship, it has also been strengthening its political, economic and military ties with traditional Slavic ally Russia as well as with China. The gas supplies are one of Moscow’s major ways to exert political pressure and infl uence on some less-developed coun- tries, including Serbia. Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharch- enko said during the pipeline opening that “this is really the best present for the New Year.” “As soon as the New Year started, we have a great event in the development of our bilateral relations,” he said. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 SCIENCE 11

COVID-19

US, UK enter new phase Vaccinations pick up speed around world

NEW YORK, Jan 5, (AP): The campaign to vanquish the coro- navirus is picking up speed in places. The fi rst Americans in- oculated against COVID-19 began rolling up their sleeves for their second and fi nal dose Monday, while Britain introduced another vaccine on the same day it imposed a new nationwide lockdown against the rapidly surging virus. But authorities in France and elsewhere in Europe are coming under fi re for slow rollouts and delays. New York State, meanwhile, announced its fi rst known case of the new and seemingly more contagious variant, detected in a man in his 60s in Saratoga Springs. Colorado, California and Florida previously reported infections involving the mutant version that has been circulating in England. The emergence of the variant has added even more urgency to the world- wide race to vaccinate people against the scourge. In Southern California, intensive care nurse Helen Cordova got her sec- ond dose of the Pfi zer vaccine at Kai- ser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center along with other doctors and nurses, who bared their arms the pre- scribed three weeks after they received their fi rst shot. The second round of shots began in various locations around Fauci the country as the US death toll sur- passed 352,000. “I’m really excited because that means I’m just that much closer to having the immunity and being a little safer when I come to work and, you know, just being around my family,” Cordova said. Over the weekend, US government offi cials reported that vaccinations had accelerated signifi cantly. As of Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said nearly 4.6 million shots had been dispensed in the US, after a slow and uneven start to the campaign, marked by confusion, logisti- 81-year-old Gisela Rojek receives a Pfizer-BioNTech Corona vaccination from doctor Michael Sasse at the Cottbus vaccination centre in Cottbus, Germany, Jan 5. cal hurdles and a patchwork of approaches by state and local On this day, the two vaccination centres in Potsdam and Cottbus had started their operations. (AP) authorities. Britain, meanwhile, became the fi rst nation to start using the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, ramping up its nationwide inoculation campaign COVID-19 amid soaring infection rates blamed on the new variant. Brit- ain’s vaccination program began Dec. 8 with the shot devel- oped by Pfi zer and its German partner BioNTech. Accelerated US regulator weighs in on vaccine dosing debate Brian Pinker, an 82-year-old dialysis patient, received the fi rst Oxford-AstraZeneca shot at Oxford University Hospital, saying in a statement: “I can now really look forward to cel- ebrating my 48th wedding anniversary.” Dosing debates add to public confusion In the US, government offi cials reported that vaccinations have accelerated markedly after a sluggish start. Dr Anthony NEW YORK, Jan 5, (AP): The fi rst a huge surprise since none of the missed that dose-stretching idea. The Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert, said over Americans vaccinated against COV- coronavirus vaccine studies were agency said that just like the post- the weekend that 1.5 million shots were administered in 72 ID-19 are getting their second dose, designed to test such a gap between poned boosters theory, trying such hours, bringing the total over the past three weeks to about while Britain has decided to post- doses. strategies without data to back them 4 million. pone boosters and focus instead on British offi cials said postponing could backfi re, “undermining the Britain’s vaccination program began Dec. 8 with the shot giving more people a fi rst shot - in- booster doses meant they could give historic vaccination efforts to protect developed by Pfi zer and its German partner BioNTech. ternational differences that are add- more people at least some protection the population from COVID-19.” The country has recorded more than 50,000 new corona- ing to public confusion. with a fi rst shot. They said unpub- virus infections a day over the past six days, and deaths have Would These Ideas Speed Vac- There’s growing debate about lished data from the AstraZeneca cinations? climbed past 75,000, one of the worst tolls in Europe. study suggested waiting a little long- Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a wave of near- George Whitmore is seen during a whether to change vaccine dosing It’s far from clear that stretching lockdowns the weekend before Christmas and warned on hike at Mariposa Grove in Yosemite methods - the time between shots er between doses might be better in doses will get them into people’s Monday that “tough, tough” weeks lie ahead and that tighter National Park on July 18, 2018. Whit- or even the amount in each shot - to the long run but provided no details. arms any faster at this point. In the more, a member of the first team of stretch scarce supplies and possibly But the big question is how long restrictions are coming soon: “If you look at the numbers, climbers to scale El Capitan in Yo- U.S., initial supplies haven’t been there’s no question we will have to take tougher measures.” get more people inoculated faster. partial protection from just one dose used nearly as fast as experts had semite National Park in 1958 and a can last. Elsewhere, France’s cautious approach appears to have conservationist who devoted his life But the US made clear late Monday hoped. Offi cials expect that to pick backfi red, leaving just a few hundred people vaccinated after to protecting the Sierra Nevada, has that none of those strategies are on “There is no data to demonstrate that protection after the fi rst dose is up with the holidays over and health the fi rst week and rekindling anger over the government’s han- died. He was 89. Whitmore died on the table - because there’s no science workers getting more experience dling of the pandemic. New Year’s Day from complications backing them. sustained after 21 days,” Pfi zer said. Monday, the FDA agreed, saying handling the shots. The slow rollout has been blamed on mismanagement, staff- caused by COVID-19, said his wife, “Making such changes that are not As of Monday, more than 4.5 mil- ing shortages over the holidays and a complex consent poli- Nancy. She said Whitmore, a cancer far too few people in both the Pfi zer supported by adequate scientifi c evi- lion people have been vaccinated cy designed to accommodate vaccine skepticism among the survivor, was extremely careful about dence may ultimately be counterpro- and Moderna vaccine studies missed French. wearing a mask and family don’t know an on-time booster shot to have out of more than 15 million doses where he contracted the virus. (AP) ductive to public health,” concluded the U.S. government has shipped “It’s a state scandal,” Jean Rottner, president of the Grand- a strongly worded statement from enough data to show the strategy Est region of eastern France, said on France-2 television. “Get- might work. to the states. That’s not a real-time ting vaccinated is becoming more complicated than buying a the Food and Drug Administration. count but an estimate based on re- car.” And despite all the attention to Could Supply Be Stretched By porting of inoculations that can take Health Minister Olivier Veran promised that by the end of stretching supplies, the US and other Using Smaller Doses? days to trickle in. States are deciding Monday, “several thousand” people will have been vaccinated, countries are facing logjams in us- That speculation arose when Dr. who gets the shots, and that varies, with the tempo picking up through the week. But that would ing the doses that already have been Moncef Slaoui, who advises the US although many are giving priority still leave France well behind its neighbors. raced out. Here are some questions vaccine program Operation Warp to health care workers and nursing French media broadcast charts comparing vaccine fi gures and answers about vaccine dosing: Speed, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” home residents. in various countries: In France, a nation of 67 million people, What Vaccines Are Available? Sunday that there’s some data show- If offi cials did stretch doses “but just 516 people were vaccinated in the fi rst six days, according That differs by country. The US ing two half-doses of the Moderna there’s still not uptake, then it’s not to the French Health Ministry. Germany’s fi rst-week total sur- is allowing emergency use of two vaccine might work. going to make a difference,” U.S. passed 200,000, and Italy’s was over 100,000. Millions have Slaoui said it shows a lower dose been vaccinated in the US and China. very similar vaccines, one made by Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Pfi zer and Germany’s BioNTech and sparked a good immune reaction in Monday on “CBS This Morning.” The European Union likewise faced growing criticism about Trump Bernhardt people ages 18 to 55, and that of- the other made by Moderna. Britain the slow rollout of COVID-19 shots across the 27-nation bloc fi cials are discussing the approach Can My Second Dose Be A Dif- of 450 million inhabitants. is using the Pfi zer shot and a differ- with Moderna and the FDA. ferent Vaccine Than My First? EU Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said the main Discovery ent type of vaccine made by Astra- Presumably Slaoui was refer- Don’t mix and match, says the problem “is an issue of production capacity, an issue that eve- Zeneca that also has been cleared in ring to early-stage studies in very FDA. There’s no data showing if rybody is facing.” India. The European Union is rolling small numbers of people that ex- vaccines can be interchanged. The EU has sealed six vaccine contracts with a variety of out the Pfi zer shot. In fact, that’s why the US gov- manufacturers. But only the Pfi zer-BioNTech vaccine has Lava spatters inside crater: Lava plored which dose to put to a real spattered and fl owed over the weekend Each requires two doses for full test. But the FDA allowed emer- ernment is holding millions of been approved for use so far across the EU. The EU’s drug inside the crater of a Hawaii volcano that protection, either three weeks or four regulators are expected to decide on Wednesday whether to gency use of Moderna’s vaccine vaccine doses in reserve, until it’s began erupting in December. weeks apart depending on the vac- based on a 30,000-person study clear that getting more supplies in recommend authorizing the Moderna vaccine. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory cine. Aspects of Britain’s vaccination plans have also spurred that found two full doses 28 days time for everyone’s booster isn’t a said the lava is confi ned to the summit Could I Wait Longer Between problem. controversy. crater of Kilauea, the Honolulu Star-Ad- apart are about 95% protective British health authorities want to give the fi rst dose to as vertiser reported Sunday. Doses? against COVID-19 - data that’s Recipients get a card with infor- many people as possible right away, rather than holding vac- The eruption began Dec 20 within Ha- Last week, British health offi cials far more solid than just checking mation about which vaccine they cine in reserve to ensure recipients get their second shot on waii Volcanoes National Park on the Big decided it was OK to delay the sec- immune reactions. received and when to return for the time a few weeks later. The plan requires stretching out the Island. The observatory said there was no ond dose as long as 12 weeks. It was Again, the FDA late Monday dis- second dose. time between doses to as much as 12 weeks. data to indicate magma is moving into ei- ther of Kilauea’s rift zones - areas where Protection the volcano is splitting apart. gas program for the refuge’s coastal plain servation groups, which are represented Monday that the tiny, chipper Biewer - While two doses are required to fully protect against COV- Vents on the northwest side of the cra- ter spattered Saturday while erupting lava and hold at least two sales there. by attorneys with Earthjustice. pronounced like “beaver” - became its ID-19, one dose offers a high level of protection. The agency has offered 10-year leases fl owed through crusted-over channels into Federal attorneys will defend Interior 197th recognized breed. That makes the Stephen Evans, a professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the on 22 tracts covering about 1,563 square a lava lake that has formed in the crater. Secretary David Bernhardt, the Bureau toy dogs eligible to compete for best in London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said poli- miles (4,048 square kilometers) in the of Land Management, the US Fish and show at many US events, including the cymakers are being forced to balance the potential risks and The lake was about a tenth of a square coastal plain, which accounts for about mile and about 620 feet (189 meters) Wildlife Service and others that inter- prestigious Westminster Kennel Club benefi ts in the middle of the disaster. 5% of the refuge’s area. vened in the case, including the Alaska show, which will be held in June this year “We have a crisis situation in the UK with a new variant deep, with a narrow black ledge surround- Conservation groups described the sale ing the area, the observatory said. Oil and Gas Association. (AP) instead of its usual February date. spreading rapidly, and as has become clear to everyone dur- as a last-minute push by the Trump ad- ❑ ❑ ❑ With its long, fl owing coat, pert expres- A small island of cooler, solidifi ed lava ministration to help secure drilling rights ing 2020, delays cost lives,” Evans said. “When resources of fl oated in the lava lake, rising about 20 sion and 4-to-8-pound (1.8-3.6-kilogram) doses and people to vaccinate are limited, then vaccinating for oil companies before President Don- Biewer to join many shows: It’s size, the Biewer might bring to mind a feet (6 meters) above the surface, scien- ald Trump leaves offi ce this month. called the Biewer terrier, and it’s been more people with potentially less effi cacy is demonstrably bet- tists said. Yorkshire terrier, and that’s no surprise. ter than a fuller effi cacy in only half.” The lawsuit was brought by the Nation- busy. The Biewer was originally developed by, A report by the observatory in the Ha- al Audubon Society and three other con- The American Kennel Club announced In the US, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar waii Herald-Tribune on Sunday said the and gets its name from, a Yorkie-breeding dismissed such a strategy, saying on ABC’s “Good Morning primary hazard from the eruption is vol- German couple after one of their dogs had America” that the scientifi c data “just isn’t there” to support canic air pollution produced by the gases a puppy with rare white markings in 1984. that approach. emitted at the summit. Americans began importing them in the The rollout in the US has been marked by a multitude of lo- The lava lake would need to rise about early 2000s, said breeder Adrianne Der- gistical hurdles, a patchwork of approaches by state and local 262 feet (80 meters) before reaching a ing, who became intrigued after seeing governments, and confusion. Some people are uncertain where level that could be visible to the public one at a rare-breed show. from Kilauea Overlook in Hawaii Volca- “They’re just very loving and easygo- or when to get a shot. ing. For a small dog, they’re not a high- Fauci acknowledged over the weekend that “we are not noes National Park, the observatory said. The volcano had not erupted since strung dog,” said Dering, of Morgantown, where we want to be,” but he expressed optimism that the mo- West Virginia. mentum will pick up by mid-January. He said President-elect 2018, when lava spewed from vents in the middle of a neighborhood and destroyed Active, playful and eminently port- Joe Biden’s goal of vaccinating 100 million people in his fi rst able, the toy dogs cherish companionship, 100 days in offi ce is “realistic.” roughly 700 houses. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ so they may not be ideal for people who On Sunday, India, the world’s second-most populous coun- need to leave their pets alone for long try, authorized its fi rst two COVID-19 vaccines - the Oxford- Bid to stop issuing leases: Conser- workdays, Dering said. AstraZeneca one and another developed by an Indian compa- vationists will try to persuade a US judge Biewer breeders have been building ny. The move paves the way for a huge inoculation program in to stop the Trump administration from up for several years to recognition by the the desperately poor nation of 1.4 billion people. issuing leases to oil and gas companies in AKC, the oldest US purebred dog regis- India has confi rmed more than 10.3 million cases of the vi- the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. try. The designation requires having at rus, second in the world behind the US. It also has reported The video conference in US District least 300 dogs of the breed spread around about 150,000 deaths. Court in Anchorage is expected to deter- at least 20 states, among other criteria. Neither of the approved vaccines requires the ultra-cold mine whether the Bureau of Land Man- Dog breeding in general draws criti- storage that some others do. Instead, they can be kept in refrig- agement can open bids in an online lease cism from animal rights and welfare ad- erators, making them easier to handle in less developed parts sale scheduled for Wednesday, the An- vocates who say demand for purebred of the world. chorage Daily News reported. pups fuels puppy mills and draws pet The land agency said in a statement that Motorists line up to take a coronavirus test in a parking lot at Dodger Stadium, lovers away from adoptable shelter dogs. it’s required by law to create an oil and Jan 4, in Los Angeles. (AP) (AP) Film WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 FFeatureseatures host ofalltime.(Agencies) and thetoptelevisiontalkshow est radiotalkshowhostofalltime named Kingboththefourth-great- try publicationTalkersMagazine Hall ofFame.In2002,theindus- and in1996totheBroadcasters’ the NationalRadioHallofFame, Best TalkShowSeries. awards forBestInterviewerand He hasalsowon10CableACE (1982) andtelevision(1992)shows. in broadcastingforbothhisradio Peabody AwardforExcellence broadcasting awards.Hewonthe on CNNfrom1985to2010. terview showthatraninprimetime as hostofthe“LarryKingLive”in- an overnightradioDJ,isbestknown with histhreesons,Theallsaid. legend sharedavideophonecall duction companyformedbyKing. spokesman forOraMedia,apro- on hisown,said ing oxygenbutisnowbreathing New Year’sEveandwasreceiv- said onMonday. breathing onhisown,aspokesman a LosAngeleshospitalandis out oftheintensivecareunitat from COVID-19,hasbeenmoved show host put themoffuntil this week. week widerexposure, “Jeopardy!” way.” Buttogive Trebek’s fi 21” and“ChristmasonBroad- clues onMondaywere“December Christmas week;twocategoriesof originally scheduledtoairon programs thatheleftbehind. show beganthefi have continuedtoair.Monday’s taped severalweeksofshowsthat of pancreaticcancerbuthadpre- get there,”hesaid. in justalittlebit,we’regoingto kinder societyandifweallpitch aired onMonday. opening momentsoftheshowthat coronavirus epidemic. giving byhelpingvictimsofthe viewers tohonortheseasonof Trebek week as“Jeopardy!”host, for whatturnedouttobehisfi It’s reallykindofmind-blowing,”Hellersaid. Ever ForgiveMe?” and directed“ABeautifulDayintheNeighborhood”“CanYou ler, whoplaysTaylorJoy’sfostermotherin“TheQueen’sGambit” live inNarnia.Like,thisisamazing.’” Breakthrough Entertainersof2020.“Andnowasanadult,I’mlike,‘I Joy recentlytoldTheAssociatedPress,whichnamedheroneofits know, fl psychological thriller,“LastNightinSoho.” Oh, andshe’llhaveanothermoviecomingoutinApril:EdgarWright’s Furiosa inthehighlyanticipatedprequelto“MadMax:FuryRoad.” Hawke. InOctober,WarnerBros.announcedthatTaylor-Joywillplay side NicoleKidman,AlexanderSkarsgard,WillemDafoeandEthan time she’s8in“TheQueen’sGambit.” turns outtobeachessphenomwhocancheckmategrownmenbythe tion powersinthelatest“X-Men”fi I Breakthrough AnyaTaylor-Joy entertainer livinginNarnia NEW YORK: LOS ANGELES: In 1989,Kingwasinductedinto King hasreceivedmany King, whospentmanyyearsas The 87-year-oldbroadcasting King wasmovedtotheICUon His lastweekofshowswere Trebek diedNov8atage80 “We’re tryingtobuildagentler, Trebek’s pleaairedinthe meddling Britishbratin“Emma,”aRussianmutantwithteleporta- n aspanofsevenmonthsthisyearalone,AnyaTaylor-Joyplayed “I don’tknowhowshe’sdoingsomanyprojectsatthesametime. Taylor-Joy is“thebusiestpersonI’veevermet,”saidMarielleHel- “When Iwasakid,allwantedtodogoNarniaand,you The 24-year-oldjustwrappedshooting“TheNorthman”along- She’s justgettingstarted. This imagereleasedbyNBCshowsTedDansonasMayorNeilBremer,(left),andBobbyMoynihanJaydenKwapisinascenefromt urgedthegameshow’s y toNeverlandandgoalloftheseincredibleplaces,”Taylor- ❑ Larry King In amessagetaped David Theall nal weekof Veteran talk , suffering By AmandaLeeMyers Alex nal nal , a lm, andanAmericanorphanwho of theseepisodes.” And youwillnotsense thatinany 10 daysawayfrompassingaway. Richards said.“Hewas,youknow, last tapingsessions. was “anabsolutewarrior”inhis day” showonMondaythatTrebek Mike Richards A successorhasn’t beennamed. “He wasinenormouspain,” The show’sexecutiveproducer, and staroftheTNTdramaseries“SavingGrace.”The worked withHunter,theOscar-winnerfor“ThePiano” “Cheers,” “Becker”and“TheGoodPlace”—hadn’t on apoliticalconversation.” ministration,” saidHunter.“Thisisnotsomenewangle fact thatwe’renotgoingtobedissectingtheTrumpad- that mightpitredstatesagainstblueones. coyotes as“mini-wolves.”Thereissatire,butnothing character offerstohelp—butonlyifhewillrename from hisdaughteranditblowsupinface.Hunter’s issue, stealstheideaofaplasticdrinkingstrawban months,” shewarnsthemayor. bought inadrugstore,you’renotgoingtolasttwo plays anultra-liberalcouncilmember.“Likeunderwear Cabellon —andachiefrivalinHollyHunter,who comedians BobbyMoynihan,VellaLovellandMike very opentoarobotpoliceforce.” prone tomanglingSpanishandsayingthingslike“I’m by KylaKenedyfrom“TheWalkingDead.” press hisdaughter,asophomoreinhighschoolplayed billboards andthenretired.Heranformayorjusttoim- ily comedy. day. Dansonconsiderstheshowmoreanoffi slot inNBC’sThursdaycomedyblockstartingThurs- “Unbreakable KimmySchmidt.” lock andTinaFey,thebrainsbehind“30Rock” don’t stopandpreach.Weneverarepreaching.” fully lovable,pathetic,lamesideofhumanitybutwe Danson, whostarsasLosAngeles’mayorNeilBremer. and thebreakingnewsonCNN,thatain’tus,”said political. but thenewNBCcomedy“Mr.Mayor”isanything right thereintheverytitleofTedDanson’snewseries, NEW YORK,Jan5,(AP):There’sagovernmentoffi Danson, Huntercombinefor‘Mr. Mayor’ Danson —aveteranTVstarofsuchshowsas “Immediately, Ithinktheaudienceisalertedto In thefi He’s gotadubiousstaffbehindhim—thetrioof The newmayorisnotaverypolishedpoliticalfi Danson playsabusinessmanwhomadefortuneon The 30-minutecomedytakesoverthe8p.m.anchor The showisfromEmmyAward-winnersRobertCar- “We pointoutthefoiblesandsilliness,wonder- “If youconsiderpoliticstheheadlinesinpapers Variety rstepisode,themayor,hopingforawinning , toldNBC’s“To- ‘She’s somagneticandrealjoytoworkwith’ Television narcissism, shesaid. and secretpassageways.” said. “She’snotanemptyvessel.She’sanever-endingboxofdrawers we’re soexcitedtoseehowourideaswillfl rected Taylor-Joyin“Emma.” and talkingabouthowshe’sdoing,saidAutumndeWilde,whodi- they’ve formedwhat’salmostaclubofadoration,callingeachother New NBCshowissatire onlamesideofhumanity Part ofwhatmakesTaylor-Joysomagneticishercompletelack “We shareacommonbondinthatwejust100%believeherand Taylor-Joy issowell-likedamongthosewho’vedirectedher, rbkKing Trebek back ifyouaren’tsomebodywho’sgoodtoworkwith.” “She’s arealjoytoworkwith.Youdon’tgetthatmanyrolesback-to- really young—youcanturnintoajerk.Butshehasn’t,”Hellersaid. Heller saidshehasmanagedtostayhumble. and BBCOne’s“PeakyBlinders.” Night Shyamalan’s“Split,”thedarkcomedy/thriller“Thoroughbreds” breakthrough actor.She’salsodrawnpraiseforherperformancesinM. Witch,” whichwonTaylor-JoyaGothamIndependentFilmAwardfor her bigscreendebutasaleadinRobertEggers’2015horrorhit“The series everand“Emma”receivedcriticalboxoffi “The dangerofyoungpeoplehavingacareertakeoffwhenthey’re All thatsuccesscouldeasilyhavegonetoTaylor-Joy’shead,but Netfl ixsays“TheQueen’sGambit”wasitsbiggestscriptedlimited ce orfam- gure, ce servations andsometimesabsurdistfl are stockedwithCarlockandFey’sastuteculturalob- giving thecasttimetodigestrat-a-tatscripts,which put theirlivesontheline.” ties reallywere,whothepeoplewerethatreally,truly whole worldsawwhotheheroeswere,celebri- came backafterninemonthsofthepandemicwhere tricky asactorstotalkaboutsacrifi you’ve takenthemasksalloff,itcomesback.” “After yearsofdoingthis,whentheysay‘Action!’and sudden yougetusedtothenewnormal,”headded. happy tobeworking,”Dansonsaid. playground andembraceeachotherbecausewe’reso bit lonelybecausethekidsdon’tgettorushinto COVID-19 testsandvanridesthatheldonlyoneactor. ries —facemasksandshields,socialdistancing,daily paced, whackycomedynowhadreal-worldbounda- Robert’s music.” have toplaythemusicandyouTina come trippinglyoffyourtongue,”saidDanson.“You practice beforeyoushowupsothatthosewordscan The timeoffmightactuallyhavehelpedtheshow, But Dansonisquicktoputitinperspective.“It’s “The fi “It’s allverydifferent.They’realittlebitsad, When theyallreunited,aTVsetdesignedforfast- “It’s practice, of bond.” hear itbetweenus.Youknow,formedadifferentkind Hunter said.“Wewouldjustreadanewscriptto in awaythatcreatedcertainfeelingoftightness,” during thehiatus,evengoingoverscriptsvirtually. to shutdownforninemonths.Thecastkeptincontact demic. Theyshotthreeepisodesuntilproductionhad me,’” Dansonsaid. tion of,‘Oh,I’mingoodhands.Thisotherperson’sgot a while,whichisthererelaxationandrecogni- two instantlyclicked,apairofshowbizpros. Adoration “We hadjamsessionsZoomingtogetherandIthink The castandcrewhaveenduredalotduringthepan- “There aresomebenefi rst dayortwo,it’sweird.Andthenallofa one isgoingtoreplace him,andhe he wantedtostay out ofthat...No mentioned acouple ofnamesbut cessor, RichardstoldNBCthat“he given anysuggestionsaboutasuc- week. episodes thatbeginappearingnext a plannedseriesofguesthostson Ken Jennings Longtime “Jeopardy!’champion Asked whetherTrebekhad ower withher,”deWilde Reunited ts tohavingbeenaroundfor willbethefi ce acclaim,asdid ces,” hesaid.“We ights offancy. rst of he newcomedy‘Mr.Mayor,’premieringonThursday.(AP) to life,it’sweirdlylife-affi people andsomanydifferenttomakethatcometrue made itthereisababymiracle,andworkingwithsomanytalented fi ate,” shesaid. career requires,theymakemetiredenoughtobesane,whichIappreci- journey hasbeen“abeautifulprocess.” I applaudthosepeople.wasnotoneofthem.” friends withthemselves.Somepeoplearebornandtheyjusthaveit she said.“It’ssuchadiffi friends thewaythatyouspeakaboutyourself,’whichwashuge,” she’s stilllearninghowtobekindherself. England, whereTaylor-Joystruggledtofi only spokeSpanishwhenherparentsmovedandfi Wilde said. she’s actingwith,feelingmethroughthelensasadirector,”de she’s notlookingatherselfinthemirror,person makes youwishweretherewatchingherwork.That’sbecause lm wasabletobewitnessedbyotherpeople.Thefactthatiteven Although shehasescapedthebullyingstruggledwithattime, “A greatphotographmakesyouwishwerethere.Ithinkshe “Making fi “I haveatonofenergy,andIthinkthiscareerthehours Though shesaysherskyrocketingfame“canbeabitintense,”the “A friendofmineoncetoldme,‘Youwouldneverspeaktoyour Taylor-Joy wasborninMiamiandlargelygrewupArgentina.She children aroundthe world.Trebek the group’sefforts onbehalfof Vision projects,taping reportson developing countrieswithWorld Vision, Trebektravelledtomany Service Organizations.ForWorld World VisionCanadaandUnited with multiplecharities,including thropist andactivist.Hewasactive knew that.” Trebek wasalongtimephilan- co-founder ofthepodcasthostingcompanyMegaphone. casts chartsformorethanayear,said fourth season. taste for“TheOath.”TheMuellerinterviewleadsits or perhapsbecauseofit,therehasclearlybeenapublic in custody. ment offi President of theDrugEnforcementAdministrationin2017,after cast hostforNBCNewssincequittingasactinghead en theoathninetimes.He’sbeenananalystandpod- clear ofcurrenteventsandpoliticalcontroversies. interviewed abouttheirlivesandcareers,whilesteering cials whohavetakenanoathtoprotecttheConstitutionare “The Oath,”inwhichpresentandformergovernmentoffi the counsel’steamwasn’taggressiveenough. one ofhisformerprosecutorssuggestedinabookthat ler madeanexceptioninSeptember,pushingbackafter about hisworkascounselaftertestimony.Muel- I hadreallynointentionofaskingaboutit.” as anFBIcounsel.“Iknewhewouldn’ttalkaboutitand have toask,”saidRosenberg,whoworkedforMueller counsel. Heisn’tevenasked. hour, Muellerdoesn’ttalkabouthisworkasspecial 2019. experience sincetestifyingbeforeCongressinJuly and hasbeenvirtuallysilentabouthisspecialcounsel interview thatdebutedlastmonth. interference inthe2016electionhasgivenanextensive that theformerspecialcounselwholookedintoRussian berg’s podcast“TheOath,”nowthatNBCannounced admiration for NEW YORK: The showhasbeenintheTop200ofApplePod- Even inaneraofsuspicionaboutthe“deepstate,” Rosenberg, alsoaformerfederalprosecutor,hastak- Rosenberg’s stanceisconsistentwiththeformatof He tookMuellerathiswordthathewouldn’ttalk “Therearesomequestionsthatyousimplydon’t In twoseparatepodcastepisodes,eachnearlyan Mueller, theex-FBIdirector,rarelyspeakspublicly Keep thatinmind,alongwiththeformatofRosen- lms ishard.Anyfi cers thatthey“don’tbetoonice”tosuspects Donald Trump Chuck Rosenberg Robert Mueller cult journeyforeveryindividualtobecome rming. Itjustmakesmereallyhappy.”(AP) Also: lm thatismade,it’samiracle suggested tolawenforce- . makesnosecretofhis ancy in1998.(Agencies) Santa MonicaMountains Conserv- land intheHollywood Hillstothe 74 acres(30hectares)ofopen booster forthetroops.Hedonated to fi out theworld,bothinanattempt on severalmilitarybasesthrough- Organizations in1995,appearing involved withtheUnitedService and theJeopardy!crewbecame t inandlearnEnglish. nd contestantsandasamorale Andy Bowers, ve siblingsto -

ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

This image released by Amazon Studios shows Clare Dunne, (left), and Ruby Rose O’Hara in a scene from ‘Herself,’ available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video on Friday. (AP)

Television People

Repurpose foods ‘Slow down? Never’ Netfl ix alters leftovers with ‘food game’ show Seacrest says he’s busier than ever By Alicia Rancilio NEW YORK, Jan 5, (AP): Just in time for anyone fac- Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami urges ing a heaving, post-holiday refrigerator comes a TV ost folks have slowed down in show about what to do with all those dubious dishes Mthe past nine months but Ryan — leftovers. Seacrest says he’s been juggling more politicians to speak sincerely about virus Each episode of the food game show “Best Lefto- than usual during the pandemic. His regular TV and radio gigs as a TOKYO, Jan 5, (AP): Japanese nov- University. vers Ever!” on Netfl ix sees three skilled cooks make elist Haruki Murakami says politicians “It would be difficult for the people new dishes out of already made dishes, hoping to walk co-host on “Live with Kelly and Ryan” and his syndicated “On Air with Ryan” need to help reduce public uncertainty to squarely cooperate with the (anti- away with $10,000. and fear over the coronavirus and gain virus) measures when politicians are “People think leftovers is Seacrest radio show continue, despite people’s support by speaking sincerely not communicating with messages” just reheating your food. It’s In this May 14, 2019 file photo, Ryan lockdown. On weekends there were Seacrest attends the Walt Disney about the pandemic. in words that can reach people’s not just reheating your food. tapings for what he calls “the singing Murakami, in a two-hour live New hearts, Murakami said, without iden- Television 2019 upfront in New York. show” (otherwise known as ABC’s Get creative with it. You could Most folks have slowed down in the Year’s Eve radio show, urged po- tifying any politician by name. always create new and better “American Idol.”) litical leaders to “talk honestly from Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga past nine months but Seacrest says “There were also a lot of requests things with it later,” says co- he’s been juggling more than normal the gut” to the people to encourage and his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, median David So, one of the during the pandemic. (AP) to do extra specials and things for our their participation in slowing an up- have been criticized for reading judges. partners (such as hosting the successful surge in infections, which are on carefully scripted statements pre- In the first episode, con- “Disney Family Sing Along” programs) the verge of getting out of control. pared by bureaucrats at news con- testants are given healthy because everyone was going through His comments came hours after ferences, often repeating the same leftovers — veggie salad, a tough time. We leaned into doing as Japan’s capital announced its new phrases in response to questions much as we could,” said Seacrest, 46, daily cases soared to a record 1,337 asked by reporters. cauliflower rice, beef tender- on last Thursday, up sharply from the Japan so far has avoided an explo- loin with beets, and avocado in an interview from the radio studio he built in the basement of the “Live” set. previous high of 949 on Dec. 26. sive growth in infections, but its recent Tohn with cottage cheese — and “I think an essential problem upsurge has many people worried. are asked to turn them into His commute from the morning talk with the coronavirus is our uncer- Suga took few pandemic mea- comfort food in 30 minutes. They have access to a show to radio gig is one minute but tain future, which is triggering a sures until mid-December, when he pantry and kitchen staples. Seacrest is still largely bi-coastal and sense of fear, anger and escap- suspended a state-funded discount One contestant turned to Indian fl avors, making a splits his time between New York and ism among people, which I think travel promotion campaign. He has chicken curry with fritters. Another went for Greek, Los Angeles. is the biggest danger,” Murakami also been criticized for joining a making a beet- and meat-stuffed pastry called a tiro- Last week he returned to New said in a conversation with one of steak dinner for eight people when pita. The third made a tostada with glazed pepper jelly Roberts Rahbani York’s Times Square to once again two guests, Nobel physiology prize the government advised against chicken. front “Dick Clark New Year’s Rockin’ winner Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto parties of more than five. In the second round, called the Takeout Takedown, Eve.” Seacrest counted down to 2021 contestants must make new dishes from restaurant with the help of actors Lucy Hale and leftovers in only an hour. One took chicken fi ngers Variety Billy Porter. Ciara cohost from Los that can pop up. He and Ripa purposely distraction. The studios give young and fries and made a potato gnocchi. Another turned Angeles. Jennifer Lopez also per- walk onto the “Live” set seconds before patients a taste of producing a radio old burgers and fries into pierogies. formed from New York. The broadcast show time because, he says, “there’s or television show, with the occa- Later episodes see contestants turn football-watch- BEIRUT: Elias Rahbani, a Lebanese was closed to the public due to the pan- something fun about that.” sional celebrity guest. ing party food — bean dip, sliders and raw veggies composer and lyricist who wrote the demic but a select group of front line Seacrest doesn’t get nervous before “I’ve heard from parents that have — into beef stroganoff or tacos, and turn leftover bar- music for some of the Arab world’s workers were invited to watch. going on air or when he’s about to seen their children in a hospital bed beque into lasagna or dumplings. top performers, including Lebanon’s speak to the masses, but says big Zoom without motivation to get up. They “If the audience can walk away and go back to diva Fairouz, has died after battling Comfortable meetings leave him tongue-tied. were sad and didn’t want to go do their fridge and say, ‘Hey, I’m not going to throw this COVID-19, his family said. He was 82. “It may feel a little different on the Of all his work, Seacrest says anything. And then, you know, when away, I’m actually going to make something amazing Rahbani was hospitalized last week ground, but I think on the air it’s still the most important is his non-profit we could bring Selena Gomez through out of it,’ then we did our job,” says So. suffering low oxygen after he con- going to have that celebratory compo- Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which is a studio, that patient all of a sudden The show arrives during a time when viewers have tracted the coronavirus and succumbed nent to it,” Seacrest had said. “Most of run by his parents and sister. They’ve wants to get up and go downstairs had to adjust to ordering takeout during the pandemic to COVID-19, the illness caused by the us can’t go anywhere, so we’re going opened 11 broadcast studios and and spend time with Selena Gomez virus, on Monday. and at the end of holiday feasts. Elias was the younger brother of to really try to put on a good show.” counting, named Seacrest Studios, in and forget about the maybe the pain He’s so comfortable with hosting that children’s hospitals throughout the they’re mentally feeling and physically Perfect Mansour and Assi Rahbani, the Arab world’s iconic musical duo known as the Seacrest gets a thrill out of the curveballs country to give the kids a positive feeling.” “The timing couldn’t be more perfect,” says the Rahbani Brothers, who wrote music and show’s host, actress-musician Jackie Tohn, who plays for Fairouz and other celebrities. starred in the TV series “GLOW” and is a self-de- Assi Rahbani, who was married to Fair- LOS ANGELES: Tanya Roberts, who been hospitalized after falling at her Roberts’ publicist Mike Pingel scribed “leftover queen.” ouz, died in 1985, while Mansour passed captivated James Bond in “A View to a home. The actor had mistakenly been later told The Associated Press Monday “We can’t go to restaurants and all we can do is away in 2009. Kill” and later played Midge Pinciotti reported dead by her publicist earlier afternoon that Roberts, 65, was still order in. And then if you get that Chinese food and The three brothers were pioneers of a in the sitcom “That ’70s Show,” has Monday. alive as of 10 am PST but was in a poor you don’t want it to be Chinese food on night two, Lebanese golden age of music and cul- condition. He had said earlier Monday we’re giving you a bunch of tips and tricks to make ture, before the country was plunged into that Roberts collapsed in her home on that possible.” a lengthy civil war in the mid- 1970s. Dec 24 and was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Tohn and So are joined by the second judge, British Many Lebanese still start their day listen- Medical Center, where she was believed chef and TV personality Rosemary Shrager. The three ing to their songs and see them as uniting to have died on Sunday. have a slightly absurdist vibe, tossing cheeseballs into fi gures, beloved across the country’s Pingel said Robert’s partner, Lance each others’ mouths while contestants cook, or imitat- divided political spectrum. O’Brien, told him that he held his wife Born into a musical family in the and she “seemed for him to slip away.” ing Julia Child’s high-pitched modulations. O’Brien, who’d been unable to see “Being on set wasn’t like work. It was just like talk- town of Antelias, north of Beirut, Elias quickly forged a path for himself in the Roberts in the hospital because of ing to your friends and eating really good food around COVID-19 restrictions, was allowed to talented people,” So says. “I mean, everybody would music industry. He often worked with his brothers but went on to compose his own visit Sunday for a last goodbye, Pingel love a job like that, right?” said. The actor does not have the virus, The show appealed to both So and Tohn since they songs for veteran Lebanese artists includ- Sabah Melhem Barakat he said. grew up in households where there was little food ing Fairouz, , , The publicist said he is awaiting fur- wasted. Tohn’s grandmother used to keep bones for Majida al-Roumi and others. ther updates on Roberts’ condition. marrow: “Nothing ever got thrown away. I mean, we Elias Rahbani distinguished him- Multiple media outlets, including the ate leftovers until the very end.” And So had leftovers self from his brothers, who were the AP, reported Roberts’ death. The AP re- industry’s best known duo, with his more moved its obituary and sent an advisory all week. modern styles and mix of Middle Eastern “Everybody thinks that you have to eat new noting that the actor was still alive. and Western music that won him interna- One of Roberts highest profi le roles food every day. And that’s just not what I grew tional awards. He wrote some of Fairouz’ up with,” he says. “My mom would always make was playing geologist Stacey Sutton op- best hits, as well as the music and lyrics posite Roger Moore in 1985s “A View a big meal on the weekend and then I would have for many patriotic songs. to be creative and then make good food on the to a Kill.” Rahbani composed hundreds of songs Roberts also appeared in such fantasy weekdays with it.” and music for the theater and the sound- He laughs that chefs always stress fresh ingredients adventure fi lms as “The Beastmaster” tracks to dozens of fi lms and TV series, and “Hearts and Armour.” She replaced but a lot of what restaurants send out is leftovers, like including “Habibati,” or my Love, “The Shelley Hack in “Charlie’s Angels,” arancini, which are usually just yesterday’s risotto, Night Player.” joining Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd now rolled into balls and deep fried. “I don’t think we Elias leaves behind a wife, Nina, two In this Nov 3, 2018 file photo, Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami signs his as third Angel Julie. She also played understand a lot of our favorite foods are honestly re- sons, Ghassan and Jad and a sister, autograph on his novel ‘Killing Commendatore’ during a press conference in To- comic book heroine Sheena — a female purposed foods.” Elham. (AP) kyo. Murakami said politicians need to reduce public uncertainty and fear over version of the Tarzan story — in a 1984 ❑ ❑ ❑ the coronavirus by speaking sincerely about the pandemic. (AP) fi lm. (AP) ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 SPORTS 14 South Carolina sinks Alabama 77-60 Wirth scores 26 as Gonzaga women down Pacifi c 79-59

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama, Jan 5, (AP): After help- ing set up her team-mates in South Carolina’s last game, it was Destanni Hen- derson’s turn to step into the spotlight. Henderson had 20 points, eight rebounds and fi ve assists to lead the fi fth-ranked Gamecocks to a 77-60 victory over Alabama on Monday night. “She pushed tempo, and when she is playing fast and downhill she is a hard guard,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “I mean, there were times (tonight) when she is playing spec- tacular. … It was great to see her get it going.” Henderson, who had just two points with nine assists against Florida last Thursday, fi nished only three points and one rebound shy of matching her career highs against Alabama. The Crimson Tide cut the defi cit to eight points late in the third quarter, but Zia Cooke scored nine of her 18 points during the fi nal 11 minutes to keep the Gamecocks (7-1, 2-0 South- eastern Conference) in near-total con- trol down the stretch. Staley said Cooke seemed to strug- gle adjusting to the Nike ball during the fi rst three quarters on Monday night. The Gamecocks normally work with a Wilson ball, which Staley said requires a slightly different grip. Cooke and the Gamecocks also struggled to contain Alabama senior Jordan Lewis, who scored a career- high 28 points for the Crimson Tide (8-1, 1-1), topping her previous best of 27 against Missouri on Thursday.

BASKETBALL

Lewis did most of her damage in the third quarter when she scored 13 Indiana guard Ali Patberg (14) competes for a rebound with Maryland guard Diamond Miller (1) and guard Ashley Owusu (15) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Mon- points. It felt like all of Alabama’s of- day, Jan. 4, 2021, in College Park, Maryland. (AP) fensive possessions during that stretch started and ended with the senior driv- ing inside to the basket. “We just need to move on,” Ala- Defending champs’ defeat extends blip in EPL bama coach Kristy Curry said after the team’s fi rst loss of the season. “It wasn’t any adjustment. It was just our kids starting to see that I need to be me.” South Carolina’s starting lineup Liverpool humbled 1-0 at Southampton averaged 1.6 inches taller than their counterparts on the Crimson Tide, and SOUTHAMPTON, England, Jan 5, points separate Liverpool from sev- is nearly gone. The guys are tired - that difference seemed decisive, espe- (AP): Southampton manager Ralph enth-place Everton, with 10th-place you have to be to win against such a cially in the fi rst half. W. Virginia rallies Hasenhuttl slumped to the ground, West Ham only seven points off the team. The guys believed in what they South Carolina actually hauled in past Oklahoma St pulled down the bill of his cap, and lead in what was always going to be a were doing.” Few could have foreseen more rebounds on offense (26) than wept after another big win for his disjointed season amid the pandemic. this sudden drop-off by Liverpool, the Crimson Tide could pull down on STILLWATER, Oklahoma, team in the English Premier League. Southampton is in the mix, too, its which has failed to score in succes- defense (24), giving the Gamecocks a Jan 5, (AP): Derek Culver had On the receiving end this time was latest win lifting Hasenhuttl’s team sive games for only the second time decisive 55-31 overall edge. 22 points and 19 rebounds Liverpool, which also appears to be to sixth place in a season when it in Jurgen Klopp’s fi ve-year tenure. That allowed the Gamecocks to to help No. 14 West Virginia on its knees in what is shaping up to has been top - albeit briefl y - for the Indeed, such has been Liver- score twice as many second-chance come all the way back from pool’s lack of cutting edge of late points (22) as Alabama (11). be the most open title races in years. fi rst time since 1988. It all proved too 19 down in the second half to Danny Ings, a former Liverpool that Klopp’s team has managed just Maryland 84, Indiana 80 Alabama guard Jordan Lewis (3) beat Oklahoma State 87-84 shoots the ball past the defense player, scored in the second minute to seven shots on target in the past three on Monday night. games. In the game before that, Liv- Ashley Owusu scored 20 points, in- from South Carolina forward Aliyah Miles McBride scored 19 lead Southampton to a 1-0 win over SOCCER cluding the clinching free throw with Boston (4) during the second half of of his 21 points after halftime the defending champions at an empty erpool beat Crystal Palace 7-0 away. 4.3 seconds left, to help Maryland held an NCAA college basketball game, for West Virginia (9-3, 2-2 Big St. Mary’s Stadium on Monday. “Our decision-making was just not on after letting a 16-point fourth-quar- Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Tuscaloo- 12), including 14 in the fi nal Liverpool has gone three games much at the fi nal whistle for the emo- good,” Klopp said. “That is how it is ter lead dwindle to three. sa, Alabama. (AP) four minutes. Taz Sherman without a win - after back-to-back tional Hasenhuttl, whose team was when you don’t have momentum. We Diamond Miller also had 20 points added 20 points for the Moun- draws against West Bromwich Albion heavily depleted for the game. should have had much more chances.” for the Terrapins (7-1, 3-0 Big Ten), Darrione Rogers had 21, Lexi Held taineers, who lost 75-71 at Southampton was missing the spine added 18, and the trio combined for 12 and Newcastle - and leads on only “When you see our guys fi ghting who led 23-9 after one quarter and by Oklahoma on Saturday. goal difference from great rival Man- with everything they have, it makes of its team, with fi rst-choice goal- 3-pointers to lead DePaul. Culver had already earned double fi gures midway through the chester United, which has played one me really proud,” the Austrian coach keeper Alex McCarthy (coronavi- fourth quarter. Chloe Bibby added Rogers made 5 of 8 3-pointers, in- his Big 12-leading sixth dou- rus), central midfi elder Oriol Romeu 15 points and Katie Benzan, a senior cluding four in the fi nal 4:04 of the fi rst ble-double of the season in game fewer. said. “You need to have the perfect United isn’t the only team in strik- game against Liverpool and I think (hamstring) and striker Che Adams transfer from Harvard where she was a half to help DePaul build a 54-43 lead. the fi rst half, with 11 points (concussion) joining giant center back fi rst-team All-Ivy League player three Held added four makes and Morris and 10 rebounds heading into ing distance of the lead approaching we did have that. the break. the halfway point of the league. Four “It was an intense game, my voice Jannik Vestergaard on the injury list. times, added 12. three as the Blue Demons connected But the Saints still had Ings, who Grace Berger had a career-high 26 on 13 of 30 from distance. latched onto a free kick by set-piece points for the Hoosiers (5-3, 3-1), who Held, Morris and Deja Church BASKETBALL specialist James Ward-Prowse and are now 0-11 against Maryland. Mac- each made a 3-pointer in the fi rst two- lifted a bouncing ball over goalkeeper kenzie Holmes added 18 points and 11 plus minutes of the second half for a Alisson Becker and into the far corner. rebounds and Jaelynn Penn scored 10. 16-point lead, and DePaul (6-3, 3-1 Freshman star Cade Cun- “We all know how good Prowsey Ohio State 82, Penn State 69 Big East) led by at least six points the ningham had 25 points and is on set-pieces, and all the parts came Madison Greene had 24 points, 10 rest of the way. Maddy Siegrist had 31 nine rebounds before fouling together and luckily I got the goal,” rebounds and fi ve assists, and Jacy points on 12-of-24 shooting for Vil- out in the fi nal minute for Okla- said Ings, who had an injury-plagued Sheldon scored 21 points to lead Ohio lanova (7-2, 2-2). She also had nine homa State (7-3, 1-3). Isaac spell at Liverpool from 2015-18. “We rebounds and fi ve assists. Likekele added a season-high State. Ohio State, playing for the fi rst 22 points and seven rebounds had a chat before the game to see if time since Dec. 10, led by 8 points in Gonzaga 79, Pacific 59 for the Cowboys, who were there was a moment where we could the second half before Penn State start- Jenn Wirth scored a career-high coming off a gutsy 82-77 over- get in quickly and luckily it paid off.” ed the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run to 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting and time win at then-No. 13 Texas It was attack vs. defense from then cut it to 68-61 with 7:21 left. Greene grabbed seven rebounds to lead Gon- Tech on Saturday. on but Southampton held fi rm, with scored eight points during Ohio State’s zaga to its seventh straight win. Oklahoma State led by 10 at center backs Jack Stephens and Jan 12-5 spurt for a 14-point lead at the Melody Kempton and Cierra Walk- halftime and increased its ad- Bednarek, in particular, outstanding. 2:36 mark. er each scored 11 for the Bulldogs (9- vantage to 68-49 when Ron- “You know exactly what you are Ohio State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) went 2, 4-0 West Coast Conference), who del Walker knocked down two going to get from them,” Klopp said 24 days between games after pausing went 8 of 19 from 3-point range and free throws with 11:15 remain- of Southampton. “You cannot be sur- due to COVID-19 protocols, last beat- ing. But the Mountaineers re- shot 55% (28 of 51), despite a cold prised but we looked surprised. ing Miami (Ohio). Makenna Marisa sponded with a stunning 18-3 “At the beginning how we played, had 21 points and nine rebounds for third quarter. run over the next four minutes Valarie Higgins scored 11 points Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand, (right), where we lost the balls, it’s not rocket Penn State (3-4, 0-3). that pulled them within four compete to head the ball during the English Premier League soccer match and Kaylin Randhawa 10 for the Ti- and silenced the socially dis- science. We should have done much Depaul 94, Villanova 82 gers (3-2, 1-1), who shot 37% (22 of between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, better. We played into their hands tanced crowd of 3,350. England, on Jan 4. (AP) Sonya Morris scored 22 points, 60). with the start.” ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 SPORTS 15

Ali tests positive for virus as England arrive in Sri Lanka Rahul out for India; Australia’s Warner set for comeback SYDNEY Jan 5, (AP): KL Rahul has ing XIs on a wicket that traditionally been ruled out with injury, denting In- takes spin. dia’s stock of backup batsmen. Australia coach Justin Langer indi- David Warner is set for a comeback cated Warner would return following and Will Pucovski has been given almost six weeks on the sidelines with the all clear, meanwhile, in potential a groin injury, saying the veteran open- South Africa take series as boosts to Australia’s struggling top er was “very, very, very likely to play” order. on his home ground. With a series lead on the line at An independent neurologist gave the Sydney Cricket Ground, there’ll 22-year-old Pucovski clearance from be changes in the personnel when the a concussion sustained in a tour game, third Test starts Thursday. an assessment that put the young open- The Board of Control for Cricket er into the frame for a test debut. Sri Lanka resistance fades in India on Tuesday said Rahul had Both openers went through batting sprained his left wrist during batting practice on Tuesday, along with for- practice on the weekend and would re- mer skipper Steve Smith who is strug- turn to the National Cricket Academy gling for runs in this series. Joe Burns in Bengaluru for rehabilitation on the was cut from the Australia squad after injury. the second test, leaving a vacancy in Rahul hasn’t played a Test match the opening pair, and makeshift opener since 2019, but was factoring in calcu- Matt Wade could easily return to the lations for a return with the series tied middle-order to create another spot. 1-1 and two matches remaining. Rohit Sharma seems set to make his return from injury, with the only doubt over CRICKET where. With Mayank Agarwal tallying just “All the concussion protocols ... 31 runs in four innings this season, it have been passed. He’s been cleared could be a straight swap at the top. and that would be very heartening India’s batting depth is being tested. for him,” Langer said of Pucovski. Skipper Virat Kohli played in the fi rst “There’s no reason why Will can’t be Test, which Australia won by eight selected now. It’s just working out the wickets, before returning home to be balance of our team, where we’re at with his wife, who is expecting the in the series ... we weigh up whether couple’s fi rst child this month. this test match is right, or the next test Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane match is right.” posted a century that was instrumen- Also: tal in guiding India to an eight-wicket win in the second Test at Melbourne HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka: England last week. allrounder Moeen Ali was isolating Both teams are in Sydney, weigh- in Sri Lanka after testing positive for ing up the best formulations for start- the coronavirus upon his arrival in the South Asian country for the team’s two-Test cricket tour. Pace bowler Chris Woakes has been deemed as a possible close contact of Ali and was also observing a period of self- isolation in developments which have cast an early shadow on the tour that takes place weeks after a white-ball trip to South Africa was derailed by a spate of positive COVID-19 results. The whole squad was given a clean bill of health prior to departure and again after quick turnaround testing on arrival in Hambantota on Sunday, only for the more-sophisticated PCR process to show Ali was carrying the virus, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board. Ali is due out of isolation on Jan 13, the day before the fi rst Test starts in Galle. Woakes is being advised to isolate for a minimum of seven days. England’s players were hosed down with disinfectant spray after disem- India’s Mayank Agarwal bowls barking their charter fl ight, before be- in the nets at the Sydney Cricket ing kept in 48-hour solitary quarantine Ground during training in Sydney in a hotel. They will undergo testing on Jan 5, ahead of their cricket Test for a second time on Tuesday, with against Australia starting Thursday. plans to begin training having been de- South Africa’s Dean Elgar plays a shot during play on the third day of the second cricket Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Wanderers (AP) layed until Wednesday at the earliest. Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Jan 5. (AP) Howes leads motorbikes Proteas win by 10 wickets

JOHANNESBURG, Jan Al-Attiyah wins Dakar Rally stage 5, (AP): South Africa beat Browns’ Stefanski Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in- ‘positive’ for virus JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Jan 5, (AP): side three days in the second Nasser Al-Attiyah won his third stage Casali agrees to 1-yr deal with Giants CLEVELAND, Jan 5, (AP): of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia and and final Test on Tuesday to The Cleveland Browns will play cut his defi cit to overall leader Ste- SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 5, (AP): for making the opening day active clinch the series 2-0 and gain their first playoff game since phane Peteransel to fi ve minutes on Catcher Curt Casali agreed to a roster or $125,000 apiece for 30, 60, some revenge for a surprise 2002 without first-year coach Tuesday. $1.5 million, one-year contract 90 and 120 days on the active roster. loss to the Sri Lankans the Kevin Stefanski, who tested Al-Attiyah won the prologue and with the San Francisco Giants on ❑ ❑ ❑ positive for COVID-19 just two the second stage, and had to open the Monday, a month after he was cut last time they toured. days after leading the team back 403-kilometer (250-mile) loop around by the Cincinnati Reds. Phil Hughes has retired from South Africa’s quicks bowled Sri to the postseason. Wadi Ad-Dawasir, a blend of rocky The 32-year-old Casali hit .224 baseball, more than two years after Lanka out for 211 in their second The team announced Stefan- canyons and dunes. with six homers and eight RBIs in 31 throwing his last pitch. ski’s positive result on Tuesday The Qatari dominated, beating Henk The 34-year-old right-hander said innings at the start of the day at a – 18 years to the day since the games and 93 plate appearances last typically pace-friendly Wanderers, Lategan of South Africa by 2-1/2 min- year, when he earned $541,667 in on Twitter on Sunday he was an- Browns’ last postseason game. utes. Peterhansel overcame an early punc- prorated pay from a $1,462,500 sal- nouncing what’s been “fairly appar- leaving the Proteas batsmen with a Also, Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bi- ture and was third, four minutes back. ary. Reds pitchers were 14-11 with a ent ... these last couple years.” simple target of 67 to win. tonio and wide receiver KhaDarel Some contenders didn’t fare so well. South Africa got there without los- South Africa’s bowler Wiaan Mul- Hodge also tested positive along 3.68 ERA in his starts. “Through many ups and downs der bowls during play on the third Defending champion Carlos Sainz, Casali has a .230 average, 37 over 12 years, I look back and am ing a wicket and in just 13.2 overs as with two staff members - tight racing second early on, lost his way the home team cruised to victory. Aid- day of the second cricket Test homers and 105 RBIs in seven ma- incredibly proud of what I was able match between South Africa and ends coach Drew Petzing and de- along with Saudi fl agbearer Yazeed jor league seasons with Tampa Bay to accomplish,” he said. “While in- en Markram was 36 not out and Dean Sri Lanka at Wanderers stadium in fensive backs coach Jeff Howard. Al Rajhi. Sainz was back on track 31 (2014-17) and Cincinnati (2018-20). juries have forced this chapter of my Elgar 31 not out. Johannesburg, South Africa, Jan 5. Special teams coordinator minutes later and Al Rajhi after 45 San Francisco opened a roster life to come to a close, I’m very ex- Sri Lanka tested South Africa in (AP) Mike Priefer will be the acting minutes. spot by unconditionally releasing cited to pursue other passions. As my stages but their hopes ultimately faded head coach Sunday. left-hander Andrew Suarez, whose job title shifts from baseball player to when captain Dimuth Karunaratne was Bitonio and Hodge played in RALLYING rights were sold to South Korea’s dad I’ll always feel very connected out at the start of the day and soon after Sunday’s win over the Steelers, LG Twins. Casali can earn $500,000 to this game and the relationships I making a century. Karunaratne led the who rested quarterback Ben Ro- in roster bonuses, either $500,000 have made.” resistance with his 103 but he went less ethlisberger and several other top Bernhard Ten Brinke of the Neth- than fi ve overs into the day’s play, and players to be fresh for the playoffs. erlands, in the top fi ve with about 40 with his exit Sri Lanka lost their last NFL rules state that anyone kilometers to go, rolled his car and and defending champion Ricky Brabec and I felt right at home. I told myself if six wickets for 35 runs. testing positive must sit out at was receiving a competitor’s help to went off course 40 kilometers in. I was feeling good, then I’d let it ride.” Pace bowler Lungi Ngidi fi nished least 10 days. resume. Howes came into the picture after the Two-time winner Toby Price of with 4-44 for South Africa and was Peterhansel held on to the overall stage’s midpoint and fi nished fourth. Last Australia outdueled Kevin Benavides denied the chance of a fi ve-wicket lead, fi ve minutes over Al-Attiyah. year, in his second Dakar, he was ninth of Argentina to win the stage. Matthias haul when pace partner Lutho Sipamla FOOTBALL Mathieu Serradori of France rose to overall, taking a laidback approach just Walkner, who lost two hours on Mon- knocked out Asitha Fernando’s off third, 26 minutes back. Sainz was three months after breaking his neck. He day because of a mechanical problem, stump to end the innings and collect League spokesman Brian Mc- fourth, 33 minutes back, and Sebastien said he has the same mindset this year. was third. Brabec was 22 minutes off three wickets. Carthy said there is no change to Loeb was sixth, 46 minutes down. “Today the dunes fl owed really well the pace, and Barreda 25 minutes. South Africa gave opportunities to the status of Sunday night’s game Skyler Howes of the United States and I felt comfortable there,” Howes Overall, Howes led Benavides by young seamers Sipamla and Wiaan at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. He became the motorbike overall leader said. ”Then we got out into the open 2-1/2 minutes, and Xavier de Soultrait Mulder in the Tests alongside Ngidi added the league is continuing to after stage two winner Joan Barreda desert on the really fast sandy tracks was third. and Anrich Nortje in a bid to build conduct standard contact tracing depth ahead of upcoming series in to identify any possible high-risk Pakistan and at home to Australia. close contacts. “The four seamers bowled really “If any players or personnel are well,” said South Africa captain Quin- South Africa’s captain Quinton de identified as such, they would re- ton de Kock, who was successful in his Kock speaks during the post match main apart from the team and fa- interview as he holds the trophy fi rst series as Test skipper. “Our young for winning the series at the end of cilities for five days from the last lineup, they will get more experience, but play on the third day of the second exposure to a positive individual,” good to see them come out hungry.” cricket Test match between South McCarthy said in an email to The Sri Lanka started the day 150-4, Africa and Sri Lanka at Wanderers Associated Press. “They would be with Karunaratne on 91, and had hopes stadium in Johannesburg, South eligible to return to the team and of setting South Africa a reasonably Africa, Tuesday, Jan 5, 2021. play in the game.” challenging target on a diffi cult Johan- South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 10 It’s a major blow to the nesburg pitch for batsmen. wickets. (AP) Browns (11-5), who qualified for the playoffs for the first time of those players were ruled out of the sec- in 17 seasons on Sunday with a CRICKET ond test. That left the bowling attack es- 24-22 win over Pittsburgh - end- pecially depleted and Vishwa Fernando, ing the league’s longest playoff The tourists weren’t able to do that who took fi ve in the fi rst innings, was the drought. They’ll play the Steel- as Karunaratne fell early trying a pull attack’s most experienced member with ers again this week in the first shot off fast bowler Nortje. He suc- just nine test appearances coming into round of the AFC playoffs. ceeded only in looping a catch to Mul- the game. Cleveland has been hit hard by der. His overnight partner Niroshan South Africa’s run chase at the end the virus. The Browns were with- Dickwella was out four balls later and was relatively untroubled. Markram out six players, including top cor- Sri Lanka’s resistance ended. was given out in the over before lunch nerback Denzel Ward, and three “We fought hard but lost wickets,” to a catch in the slips by Kusal Mendis assistant coaches last weekend for Karunaratne said. “Individually, a cou- but that decision was overturned when their biggest game in years after a ple of things we need to highlight, but video replays showed the ball touched rash of positive tests. as a group we have some positives to the ground as Mendis took it low down. On Monday, Stefanski said he take out of the series.” Markram and Elgar saw it through didn’t want to get into any “hypo- The Sri Lankans showed grit in a los- soon after lunch and South Africa theticals” regarding Ward or any ing effort after an horrendous run of in- completed a fi rst Test series win in two of the other infected players. Now, juries hampered them on the tour. They years and since beating Pakistan in he’ll only be able to work virtually were missing two of their most experi- early 2019. A month later, they were this week to prepare Cleveland for enced players before the series and had shocked to lose 2-0 at home to Sri Lan- its first playoff game since Jan 5, Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), (foreground), runs a play as defenseman Justin Schultz (2) de- fi ve players injured during the fi rst test, ka, which became the fi rst Asian team 2003 – a 36-33 loss at Pittsburgh. fends during NHL hockey practice at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va, Jan 5. (AP) contributing to their innings defeat. Four to win a Test series in South Africa. ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 16

Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnal- dum, (left), takes a shot at goal as Southampton’s Jack Stephens attempts to block during the English Premier League soccer match at St Mary’s Stadium, Southamp- ton, England, on Jan 4. (AP) — See Page 14 Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Magic rout Cavs, snap 2-game skid Curry scores 30 after career night, Warriors beat Kings

ORLANDO, Fla, Jan 5, (AP): Free of the minutes’ restriction that had been placed on him early this season as he recovered from a hamstring injury, Orlando forward Aaron Gordon made the most of his extra time on the fl oor. Gordon broke out of a shoot- ing slump Monday night, hitting six of nine 3-pointers on the way to a season-high 24 points as the Magic beat the Cleveland Cava- liers 103-83. Orlando snapped a two-game losing streak that had followed four straight Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) victories to open the season. The has his shot blocked by New York Magic made a season-high 15 3-point- Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) dur- ers, easily surpassing their previous ing the second half of an NBA basket- season high of 11. Orlando entered the ball game on Jan 4, in Atlanta. (AP) game 30th in the NBA in 3-point makes per game with nine. Gordon entered having made just three of 20 3-point attempts. He tied a career best with the six made 3s mid- way through the third quarter. Gordon scored 13 points in the third as the Magic broke open a close game. He also grabbed a season-best 11 rebounds in 28 minutes. BASKETBALL

Up two points at the break, Orlando outscored Cleveland 38-18 in the third period, pushing its lead to 89-67. The Magic made six of 10 shots from beyond the arc in the third period and posted their second-highest scoring Right: Philadelphia 76ers’ Dwight Howard (right), goes up for a shot against Charlotte Hornets’ Miles Bridges during the fi rst half of an NBA basketball game, Jan 4, in Philadelphia. Left: Okla- quarter of the season. homa City Thunder forward Darius Bazley (7) defends Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Jan 4, in Miami. (AP) Nikola Vucevic scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Terrence Ross chipped in 15 points off NBA Results/Standings Manchester derby looms in League Cup semifi nals the bench. Khem Birch added 12 points and 12 rebounds, while rookie guard Cole Anthony added nine WASHINGTON, Jan 5, (AP): NBA results and standings on Monday. points, five rebounds and four assists. Orlando 103 Cleveland 83 Boston 126 Toronto 114 Cleveland lost its fifth straight to Philadelphia 118 Charlotte 101 Milwaukee 125 Detroit 115 United gaining respect from Orlando, a streak that dates to 2019. Miami 118 Oklahoma City 90 Dallas 113 Houston 100 The Cavaliers are 1-3 since starting the New York 113 Atlanta 108 Indiana 118 N. Orleans 116 OT season 3-0. Eastern Conference Western Conference Cleveland guard Collin Sexton Atlantic Division Southwest Division scored 24 points and tied LeBron W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Philadelphia 6 1 .857 - New Orleans 4 3 .571 - rivals ahead of crucial week James’ franchise record for consecu- Boston 5 3 .625 1-1/2 Dallas 3 4 .429 1 tive games with at least 20 points to New York 4 3 .571 2 Houston 2 3 .400 1 Brooklyn 3 4 .429 3 San Antonio 2 4 .333 1-1/2 LONDON, Jan 5, (AP): Over the next seven days, Man- Then there’s Guardiola, who has changed his approach open a season. Sexton, who came into chester United can reach a cup fi nal and climb to the top to games this season by making his team more defensive- Monday 10th in the NBA in scoring at Toronto 1 5 .167 4-1/2 Memphis 2 4 .333 1-1/2 Southeast Division Northwest Division of the Premier League – all at the expense of their two minded and less vulnerable to the counterattack. Nowhere 26 points per game, has scored at least W L Pct GB W L Pct GB 20 points in all seven games. James Orlando 5 2 .714 - Utah 4 2 .667 - biggest rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool. has this vulnerability been more apparent than in match- scored at least 20 in seven straight to Atlanta 4 3 .571 1 Portland 3 3 .500 1 It makes for a potentially transformative week for Unit- es against United, which have won three of the last fi ve Miami 3 3 .500 1-1/2 Denver 2 4 .333 2 ed manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who just a month ago Manchester derbies - mostly through their ruthlessness on open the 2004-05 season. Charlotte 2 5 .286 3 Minnesota 2 4 .333 2 Cedi Osman scored 13 of his 18 Washington 2 5 .286 3 Oklahoma City 2 4 .333 2 was under real pressure – not for the fi rst time in his tur- the counterattack. points in the first half and added seven Central Division Pacifi c Division bulent, two-year tenure - after a group-stage elimination The last derby was on Dec 12, a cagey league game W L Pct GB W L Pct GB in the Champions League. that ended 0-0 with Guardiola again showing his caution. rebounds and seven assists. Andre Indiana 5 2 .714 - LA Clippers 5 2 .714 - Drummond had 10 points and 14 Milwaukee 4 3 .571 1 Phoenix 5 2 .714 - Now, Solskjaer is on the cusp of what would be seen as “That was a progression,” Solskjaer said Tuesday, rebounds for his seventh straight dou- Cleveland 4 3 .571 1 LA Lakers 5 2 .714 - something of a breakthrough for United, English soccer’s “staying more in the game. You never know what kind of ble-double. Chicago 3 4 .429 2 Golden State 4 3 .571 1 grandest club which have not won a trophy since 2017 system he (Guardiola) is going to come up with, but you Warriors 137, Kings 106 Detroit 1 6 .143 4 Sacramento 3 4 .429 2 and were beaten in the semifi nals of three competitions know you have to defend really well against Man City. In San Francisco, Stephen Curry last season. “There have been some fascinating games. I feel we followed up his career-high 62 points quick turnaround. Milwaukee made at least 20 3-pointers First up is a meeting with Man City in the League have got closer and closer to them.” a night earlier with another 30 points, Pacers 118, Pelicans 116 OT in three of its first six games, including Cup semifi nals, a repeat of last season but this time be- Solskjaer has said since joining United in November nine rebounds and eight assists to lead In New Orleans, Malcolm Brogdon 22 in a 126-96 blowout of Chicago on ing played over only one leg because of the condensed, 2018 that Liverpool and City are the yardsticks to which the suddenly clicking Golden State capped a 21-point, 11-assist perfor- Friday. coronavirus-impacted season. United need to judge itself. It has been an arduous jour- Warriors past the Sacramento Kings mance by bouncing in a driving, one- Mavericks 113, Rockets 100 Twelve months ago, City won the fi rst leg at Old Traf- ney but his team are fi nally at the stage where they can 137-106 . handed floater with 1.7 seconds left in In Houston, Luka Doncic had 33 Curry had 23 points at halftime on ford 3-1 and ended up holding on for a 1-0 loss in the challenge England’s top two teams. overtime, and the Indiana Pacers beat points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists, and second leg at home to advance to a fi nal Pep Guardiola’s The Norwegian coach said there have been no lingering 7-for-11 shooting, including 4 of 7 on the New Orleans Pelicans 118-116 . Tim Hardaway Jr. added 30 off the 3-pointers - nine fewer than his total at team would win against Aston Villa. effects of the losses in the semifi nals last season – in the Victor Oladipo scored 25 points for bench as the Dallas Mavericks used a Then, next Tuesday, United will travel to Burnley League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League. the break the night before but impres- Indiana, hitting a 29-foot 3-pointer and big fourth quarter run to pull away in a sive nonetheless on a back-to-back. He needing only to avoid defeat to move above Liverpool In fact, Solskjaer said, it has made United stronger. following that up with a steal from 113-100 win over the Houston Rockets. and into fi rst place in the league after 17 games. Quite the “When you get to a semi, you have done a lot of good finished with five 3s. Lonzo Ball to spark a six-point come- Dallas was on top by 3 with about At 92 points over the past two motivation, considering United’s next match is at Anfi eld work to get there,” he said. “Naturally you play against nights, Curry posted his third-highest back in the final 20 seconds of regula- seven minutes remaining before using a tion. 14-3 spurt, with seven points from on Jan 17. better and better opposition. We have improved im- point total over a two-game span, mensely in a year … it’s easy to say have we learnt but according to the Elias Sports Bureau. After Oladipo’s steal, Brogdon got Hardaway, to extend the lead to 106-92 the ball to Myles Turner, who made an with about 2½ minutes remaining. SOCCER it’s not about learning, it’s about fi ne margins.” He scored 97 combined on Feb. 25 and Meanwhile, the English Premier League says there 27, 2016, and 93 on Feb. 24-25, ’16. open, game-tying 3 from straight away Both Doncic and Harden were back with 8.2 seconds left in regulation. after sitting out in their team’s last game were 40 positive cases of the coronavirus among players After another stellar outing, Curry’s United, it seems, are back in the conversation when it and club staff following two rounds of tests last week. sister, Sydel, chimed in - apparently at Turner had 17 points and three with injuries. Doncic returned after blocks before he fouled out with a missing Sunday’s loss to Chicago with comes to winning silverware. And that has got their rivals It is more than double the highest weekly fi gure of the critics of No. 30, who peeled a on edge. wrap off his right quad muscle before minute left in overtime. Domantas a bruised quadriceps. Harden played positive cases since testing began ahead of the return of the second half began and used a wrap Sabonis had 19 points and 11 rebounds after sitting out on Saturday against the Perhaps that was the reason Liverpool manager Jurgen league play last June. More people were tested than in on his lower back during breaks. before fouling out with about four Kings because of a sprained ankle. Klopp, out of nowhere, referred to United’s penchant for previous weeks, however. Kelly Oubre Jr. took some pressure minutes left in regulation. Celtics 126, Raptors 114 winning penalties in his post-match news conference af- Three league games were postponed last week follow- off Curry on the perimeter by knock- Brandon Ingram scored 31 points In Tampa, Fla, Jayson Tatum scored ter a 1-0 loss at Southampton on Monday. ing an increased number of positive tests at Manchester ing down four 3-pointers on the way to and Zion Williamson added 24 points 40 points and the Boston Celtics rolled “I hear now,” Klopp said, “that Manchester United had City and Fulham. The postponed games were Everton vs. 18 points. Draymond Green and and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, to a 126-114 win over the Toronto more penalties in two years than I had in fi ve-and-a-half Manchester City, Tottenham vs. Fulham, and Burnley vs. Andrew Wiggins dished out five which led 104-94 with 3:46 left in Raptors on Monday night. years (at Liverpool). Fulham. assists apiece as the Warriors totaled regulation after Ingram’s three-point Playing without three of their top “I’ve no idea if that’s my fault, or how that can happen.” The league says it “continues to have confi dence in its an NBA season-high 41. play on a short pull-up as he was guards, the Celtics shook off a slow Whether or not it was a ploy to plant a seed in the mind COVID-19 protocols, fully backed by the government, to Golden State jumped to a 19-7 lead fouled by Sabonis. start to lead by as many as 26 in the of referees, Klopp clearly has United in his thoughts. enable fi xtures to be played as scheduled.” and the Kings called a timeout after Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe had 12 second half. They shot 48.8% overall. Curry’s first 3 of the night at the 5:24 points and 11 rebounds for his second Tatum turned the game around with mark in the initial quarter. double-double in as many games. 21 points in the second quarter. He hit three 3-pointers, and the Heat stretched Golden State again showed more The Pelicans were still up by six five 3-pointers on the night and con- the lead to 35 - their biggest such cush- effort and energy on the defensive end with less than a half-minute to go verted all 13 free throws, finishing one ion of the young season. as it did Sunday to split a two-game when JJ Redick missed a 3-point point short of his career high set 76ers 118, Hornets 101 home set against Portland. attempt from the near the right side- against New Orleans last January. In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid wore a Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes had line, setting up the dramatic sequence Heat 118, Thunder 90 sweatshirt with “The Process” embla- 18 points and nine rebounds against in which the Pacers tied it. In Miami, Kelly Olynyk became the zoned on the front, his nickname that’s his former team, and De’Aaron Fox Bucks 125, Pistons 115 latest option in Miami’s starting line- a nod to the path the 76ers took from a added 18 points and seven assists. In Milwaukee, Giannis up. He made a case to stick around. forlorn franchise to one that has the The Kings, coached by former Antetokounmpo scored 43 points and Olynyk made five 3-pointers on his best record in the NBA. Warriors top assistant and Steve Kerr the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the way to 19 points, Bam Adebayo led all And just maybe, the best player, too. close friend Luke Walton, dropped Detroit Pistons 125-115 to move scorers with 20 on 9-for-10 shooting Embiid had 14 points and 11 their third straight. They were coming above the .500 mark for the first time and the Heat beat the Oklahoma City rebounds, Tobias Harris scored 22 off back-to-back losses at Houston. this season. Thunder 118-90. points and Philadelphia beat the Walton texted Kerr late Sunday The reigning two-time MVP scored Miami has played six games, alter- Charlotte Hornets 118-101 on Monday about Curry’s career performance - 30 points by halftime, shot 17 of 24 nating losses then wins in all six, and night for their fourth straight win. and then got to work trying to figure from the floor overall and finished has used a different starting five every The Sixers swept the two-game set out a way to slow down the two-time with nine rebounds. time. Jimmy Butler scored 18 points necessitated on the schedule this sea- MVP who shoots from anywhere his Antetokounmpo said he might have for Miami, which used a 20-0 third son because of the pandemic and beat Manchester United’s manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer waves towards the di- heart desires. Kerr wasn’t sure what to gotten a little more room to operate quarter run to turn what was a four- the Hornets for the 13th straight time. rectors box as he walks to the technical area ahead of the English Premier expect from his young group after the inside because the Bucks (4-3) have point game into a runaway. Olynyk Philadelphia has not lost to Charlotte League soccer match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old high of Curry’s special night and a shot so well from 3-point range lately. had 11 points in that spurt, including since Nov. 2, 2016. Trafford in Manchester, England, on Jan 1. (AP)

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