PM Meets Speaker, Mps After Deal with Opposition Alliance

JAMADA ALTHANI 21, 1442 AH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

16 Pages Max 24º Min 08º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18351 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Ousted Myanmar party Elon Musk, a new Golden Globe noms set tone Perfect start for Djokovic, 7 demands Suu Kyi release 8 Wall Street oracle? 13 for pandemic awards season 14 Nadal out with sore back

PM meets speaker, MPs after deal with opposition alliance

Two lawmakers call for including pro-Iran cell in general amnesty

By B Izzak coordination committee. At the same time, the Assembly’s legal and leg- KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- islative committee reviewed a number of bills calling Khaled Al-Sabah yesterday held talks with National for a general amnesty for people jailed for political Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and a num- reasons. The panel asked its technical office to pre- ber of lawmakers over the formation of the next pare a unified bill and report within a week to vote Cabinet, a day after striking a deal with opposition on it and send it to the Assembly for debate. MPs. Sheikh Sabah said last week that he will meet Rapporteur of the committee MP Muhannad Al- various blocs in the Assembly and other MPs for Sayer said the panel also reviewed a draft law call- consultation talks over the shape of the new Cabinet. ing to change the Assembly’s charter to make vot- On Monday, he met members of the so-called ing for the Assembly speaker public by calling out group of 16, consisting of opposition members, and the names of MPs. A few weeks ago, the country struck a deal with them to accept their proposed was headed into political turmoil after the Cabinet draft laws, mainly approving a general amnesty law resigned a few days after three opposition MPs covering former opposition MPs and activists who filed to grill the prime minister. The resignation was have been living in exile for over 30 months to avoid accepted by HH the Amir, who later renamed jail terms. Sheikh Sabah to form the new Cabinet. The government also pledged to approve draft MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji, who met the prime min- laws to amend the election law, the cybercrimes law ister yesterday, said on Twitter that Sheikh Sabah and others. The government also agreed to form a showed “serious willingness” to reach an agree- coordination committee with opposition MPs to ment with the Assembly over proposed draft laws. cooperate and coordinate on various issues. He said he called for the need to complete the Opposition MPs welcomed the government move national reconciliation to allow those in exile to and immediately named four lawmakers: Bader Al- return, and “the premier showed understanding to KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem meets at his office HH the Prime Minister Mulla, Abdullah Al-Mudhaf, Hamad Al-Matar and settle this issue”. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah yesterday. — KUNA Mubarak Al-Mutairi as members of the agreed Continued on Page 2

in the past 24 hours, with the total number of News in brief Kuwait reports such examinations reaching 1,547,402. The proportion of infections compared to swab tests in Saudi bans entry from 20 countries the past 24 hours stood at 8.9 percent. He 811 new COVID appealed to the people of Kuwait to remain vigi- CAIRO: Saudi Arabia yesterday suspended lant against the virus, maintain social distancing entry to the kingdom from 20 countries, with the cases, one death and avoid crowds. exception of diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical The health ministry earlier said 510 patients recovered from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, practitioners and their families, to help curb the KUWAIT: The ministry of health yesterday taking total recoveries to 158,986. The ministry spread of the coronavirus, the state news agency announced 811 new COVID-19 cases, taking the said in a statement the proportion of recoveries reported. The temporary ban, effective from Feb total caseload of infections to 166,654 since the to total cases amounted to 95.1 percent. 3, includes people arriving from the UAE, outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The min- According to earlier reports, work is ongoing Germany, the US, Britain, South Africa, France, istry’s official spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al- to have PCR test areas at the airport ready by Egypt, Lebanon, India and Pakistan. — Reuters Sanad said in a statement to KUNA a single Feb 6, when the decision to reduce the number of death was registered in the same period, taking passengers arriving daily by 80 percent is set to total deaths to 960. He said 59 people are receiv- end. However, reports yesterday suggested civil ing treatment in intensive care units, with 6,708 aviation authorities are reviewing their plans, Customer service jobs for Saudis confirmed cases under medical care. with any final decision to come after the Cabinet Sanad added 9,140 swab tests were conducted meets tomorrow. — KUNA RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will reserve customer service center jobs for Saudi citizens, the Human Resources and Social Development Ministry announced in a statement. “This decision is Dubai shuts bars; Emirates intended to create job opportunities for Saudis, help them improve their income levels and support the Saudi economy.” The edict will apply to eyes daily vaccine deliveries all client-facing roles that use telephone con- DUBAI: Dubai on Monday ordered must operate at 70 percent of capaci- tact, email, social media and other “modern bars and pubs to close until the end of ty. Restaurants and cafes are required means”, the ministerial decree said. — AFP the month to suppress a spike in to close by 1.00 am. “Penalties will be coronavirus cases, after tourists strictly imposed on anyone found flocked to the emirate over the holiday posing a risk to public health by Iran allows crew to leave period. The closures, effective from deliberately disregarding preventive yesterday, are among a raft of steps measures or not observing them “taken in response to rising violations properly,” the Crisis and Disaster TEHRAN: Iran said yesterday it has allowed of preventive measures,” authorities Management committee said. about 20 crewmembers of a South Korean tanker said in a statement. Dubai has sought to manage the seized almost a month ago for alleged pollution to Indoor venues, including cinemas pandemic without closing its doors, leave the country in a “humanitarian move”. The and sports venues, will have their and in July reopened to tourism - an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the capacity cut by half. Dubai’s vast economic mainstay which has been DUBAI: This picture taken on Monday shows a view of the Museum of the Hankuk Chemi and arrested its multinational crew shopping malls, as well as hotels, badly battered during the pandemic. Future. — AFP near the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Jan 4, saying swimming pools and private beaches, Continued on Page 2 it had polluted the waters. The case of the tanker and its captain is still being reviewed. — AFP journal, suggests that the two-dose vaccination Sputnik vaccine offers more than 90 percent efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19. “The development of the AOC sexual assault survivor Sputnik V vaccine has been criticized for unseemly 91.6% effective haste, corner cutting, and an absence of transparen- WASHINGTON: Prominent US lawmaker PARIS: Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is 91.6 percent cy,” said a joint independent commentary by Ian Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has revealed that she is effective against symptomatic COVID-19, accord- Jones of the University of Reading and Polly Roy of ing to results published yesterday that independent the London School of Hygiene and Tropical a survivor of sexual assault, in an emotional video experts said allayed transparency concerns over the Medicine. message Monday in which she also described jab, which Moscow is already rolling out. Sputnik V “But the outcome reported here is clear and the fearing for her life during the deadly storming of - named after the Soviet-era satellite - was scientific principle of vaccination is demonstrated, the US Capitol on Jan 6. The New York congress- approved in Russia months before results from its which means another vaccine can now join the fight woman drew parallels between the lawmakers final-stage clinical trials were published, leading to to reduce the incidence of COVID-19.” The results suggest Sputnik V is among the top performing seeking to “move on” from the Capitol riot and skepticism from experts. BUENOS AIRES: A health worker displays a vial of the vaccines, along with the Pfizer/BioNTech and the denial tactics used by abusers. — AFP But the new analysis of data from 20,000 Phase Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 yesterday. — AFP 3 trial participants, published in The Lancet medical Continued on Page 2 2 Established 1961

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Local Chinese center wins Sabah Al-Ahmad elderly care prize Information minister oversees State award distribution KUWAIT: China’s He further pointed out that this award, under the The NCCAL said in a statement the award, the The other category of the award was launched in National Center of auspices of the WHO, which is dedicated to the best admiration category, was earned by Dr Abdulmalek 2000, granting each winner KD 20,000. Gerontology was unani- initiatives and research on health care for the elder- Al-Tamimi (sociology), Abdulredha Abdulbaqer mously awarded ‘His ly and health promotion, confirms the role of health (formative arts) and Yousef Al-Muhanna (music). ‘Entrepreneur Battle’ Highness Sheikh Sabah systems in addressing the challenges of health care The encouragement awards were given to Dr Walid In other news, the Undersecretary at the office of Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- for the elderly in recognition of their role in achiev- Srab (applied formative arts) for his painting “the Youth Minister Dr Meshaal Al-Rabeea announced Sabah Prize for ing development. He added that the Prize for father,” Fares Al-Mujaibel for television acting, Sami yesterday the launch of ‘Universities Entrepreneur Research in Health Care Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Belal for playwright direction and Dr Abdullah Issa Battle’ competition; considered among the political for the Elderly and in Health Promotion is proof of deep-seated relations for musical composition. projects. He stressed in a press statement on sup- Health Promotion’. The between the State of Kuwait and WHO, which dates In literature, the winners were the poet Abdullah porting and developing Kuwaiti youth skills in vari- announcement was Health Minister Sheikh Dr back to the period when Kuwait became a member Al-Failakawi, in novels Abdullah Al-Bsais and ous fields and work for investing their capabilities made yesterday by Basel Al-Sabah of the Organization in May 1960. Abdulwahab Al-Hamadi, while Alyaa Al-Enezi gar- and potentials in any challenges. Kuwait’s Health Minister nered the award for linguistic and literary works. In He explained that it is a local initiative in which Sheikh Dr Basel Al- State award sociology, winners were Mudhafar Rashed for historic all university students can participate, as it enables Sabah. The prize; under the umbrella of World Health Meanwhile, the National Council for Culture, studies, Dr Mohammad Al-Dghaim for psychology young people of both genders to present their new Organization (WHO), was granted to the Beijing- Arts and Letters (NCCAL) announced yesterday and Jassem Al-Bannai (geography). Kamel Abduljelil, ideas for projects capable of developing society based Center for its efforts in this field since its names of winners of the “State award of admiration the NCCAL Secretary General, congratulated the and making a positive impact and is an opportunity establishment in 2015. In a press release, Kuwait’s and encouragement” at a ceremony held at the winners affirming keenness on sponsoring creative to exchange and develop ideas. He called on Health Minister noted that the prize comes in mani- National Library, headed by Minister of and talented citizens. The encouragement award’s first Kuwaiti youth to join this challenge, indicating that festation of the late Amir’s keenness to promote and Information, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and edition was held in 1988. Winners are granted a fig- the winners will be honored at a ceremony spon- support medical fields and services on a global scale. the NCCAL Chairperson, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi. urine depicting the award and KD 10,000 for each. sored by the Office of Youth Minister. — KUNA

newly established startups (especially tech start- Business School, MIT, Stanford, and more. In addi- Zain Great Idea ups) and how to overcome them. Tarpenning also tion, one-to-one sessions with top experts in vari- shared the story of founding Tesla Motors along ous fields will be offered for every finalist. with his partner Martin Eberhard, and how it virtual bootcamp became one of the world’s biggest technology and Refreshed opportunity car companies. ZGI offers a refreshed opportunity for local tal- kicks off In 2003, Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard col- ents and Kuwait’s entrepreneurial community, as it laborated and founded Tesla Motors (now Tesla has been one of the most successful initiatives Zain KUWAIT: Zain, the leading digital service Inc.). The two co-founders funded the company presented to the Kuwaiti market as part of its com- provider in Kuwait, announced that the virtual until early 2004, when Elon Musk led the compa- prehensive innovation and entrepreneurship strate- bootcamp phase of its sixth Zain Great Idea (ZGI) ny’s $6.5 million Series A financing round in gy. Throughout 10 successful years, ZGI empow- tech startup accelerator program has kicked off. February 2004 and became the Chairman of the ered, trained, and invested in hundreds of creative The bootcamp’s first virtual session featured Board. Tarpenning continued to serve as the Chief and driven Kuwaiti youth, of which many now own Tesla Motors co-founder Marc Tarpenning, who Financial Officer (CFO) and the Vice President of thriving and active Small and Medium-sized shared key tips for success in the world of entre- Electrical Engineering in Tesla until 2008. After Enterprises (SMEs) to this day in local and regional preneurship. leaving Tesla, Tarpenning began to serve as an markets. Zain recently concluded ZGI’s first stage; the adviser or member of the advisory board of several Zain’s program comes in joint collaboration with registration and application phase, where the companies, including his alma mater (SkyDeck Brilliant Lab, a startup Accelerator Service from company received many submissions from local project, UC Berkeley) and Spero Ventures, a VC Kuwait, and Mind the Bridge, a global organization and regional talents. Many submissions were firm. Marc Tarpenning is a member of the advisory based in Silicon Valley that bridges the world through accepted, from both those who own startups that board at Clearpath Robotics, an unmanned vehicles entrepreneurship education for startups, enterprises, have just begun their journey and those in the Tarpenning, who was joined by Zain Kuwait’s manufacturer. and investors to succeed in global markets. process of establishing them. Accepted applica- Sustainability, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship After the registration period ended, ZGI’s judg- Zain is well aware of the crucial role played by tions particularly centered around startups work- Department Manager Haya Al-Mana, and Founder ing panel reviewed all applications thoroughly and private sector organizations in supporting social ing in areas related to tech, digital transformation, and CEO of Brilliant lab Neda Al-Daihani. selected the participants who progressed into the and economic sustainability projects. Springing and innovation. next phase; the virtual bootcamp. The bootcamp, from its growing commitment towards practicing The Zain Great Idea 6 bootcamp comes this Key insights which is completely virtual this year and continues its social responsibility, the company is committed year in an all-virtual format to abide by health During the virtual talk (entitled ‘Life as an entre- for four weeks, features workshops, training ses- to printing a positive impact through all its activi- guidelines imposed by COVID-19. The bootcamp’s preneur’), Marc Tarpenning shared key insights and sions, panel discussions, and more, facilitated by ties. This has led Zain to embrace the most influen- first session hosted American engineer, entrepre- crucial tips that are vital to any startup owner, world-class experts, academics, and trainers from tial issues in the community, including the support neur, and Tesla Motors co-founder Marc including the most common challenges faced by top international educational institutions such as IE of youth, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

the mistake of being lured into a trip to Iraq in growing radicalism proved their undoing as nel suggested by an individual claiming to be an How Iran lured October 2019, defying their warnings of danger and Telegram suspended the account for inciting follow- Iranian businessman. falling into a trap set to exploit his own character. ers to use Molotov cocktails against police. Zam’s His associates immediately sensed the danger, “He played a dangerous game by going to Iraq influence appeared to be waning. Even friends given the security influence Iran has in Iraq, a a dissident from and he lost,” said Mahtab Ghorbani, a Paris-based began to question if he was pushing too hard for the majority Shiite country, following the 2003 US inva- Iranian writer and a refugee who worked with Zam. overthrow of the Iranian regime. sion. “I shouted, I told him: ‘If you go, it’s the end, France to execution “He was dragged into a dirty psychological game “Ruhollah became really well known. He advo- you will never come back to France!’” said designed by this regime.” Resident in France for cated the overthrow of the regime and maybe he Fereshtyan. And even though Zam gave no indica- PARIS: In October 2019, Iranian dissident Ruhollah almost half a decade, Ruhollah Zam had attracted started to think of himself as a leader,” said Hassan tion of when he planned to go, he took the plane to Zam was running a widely followed news site based up to two million followers to his Telegram channel Fereshtyan, a Paris-based lawyer who assisted Zam. Amman and then onwards to Baghdad the next day. in France, accompanied by his family and benefitting Amadnews, encouraging people to turn out in “Bit by bit, he lost his friends,” he said. “He was “Everyone advised him against leaving, even his from refugee status as well as security in his coun- protests during the winter of 2017-2018 and also alone and isolated, and part of the Iranian opposi- bodyguard, but he simply replied that he was tired try of exile. But just over a year later, on Dec 12, publishing sometimes sensational allegations about tion in exile did not trust him,” added Ghorbani. of waiting,” added Maziyar. “And he went. Sadly.” 2020, Zam was hanged in Iran, an execution that the Iranian leadership. He was also receiving an increasing number of Zam telephoned his wife from Amman airport but he prompted international condemnation. How had As the privileged child of an influential father, threats, which prompted French police to give him appears to have been apprehended as soon as he Zam gone from the relative comfort of his life in Zam enjoyed good contacts in Tehran which he held protection. His friends said this was a dark time for arrived in Baghdad. He was later blindfolded, put France to meeting his death aged just 42 at the onto even after leaving the country following the Zam, a hugely ambitious man who feared that the into a car and driven to the Iranian border in hands of the hangman in his home country, whose 2009 protests over disputed elections. He first went media presence he had built up so fast was now footage later seen on Iranian state TV. leaders he had targeted in his work? to Malaysia and Turkey, and then France. “When rapidly losing clout. “He was in the position where His detention inside Iran saw him in July 2020 His father Mohammad Ali Zam is a cleric still there were turf wars between people in power, they he could make bad decisions and fall for the trap,” give an interview to state TV, a method used on based in Iran and was, at one time, a senior figure in turned to Zam,” said Maziyar, a friend and fellow said Maziyar. prisoners in Iran that activists regard as a forced Iranian cultural institutions. So fervent was his sup- Iranian refugee, who worked on Amadnews and In mid-October 2019, he appeared at confession extracted by torture. Sitting in a deep port of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ousted the asked that his full name not be published. “He deliv- Fereshtyan’s Paris office and told the astonished armchair, he was interviewed on the program Shah that he named his son after its founder, ered information without limits, he had no red line, lawyer that he was going to travel to Iraq to con- “Without Compliments” by Ali Rezvani, officially a Ruhollah Khomeini. Colleagues and friends of he respected neither the president, nor the supreme duct an interview with Ayatollah Ali Sistani, one of journalist for state broadcaster IRIB but who cam- Ruhollah Zam in France told AFP that he had made leader, nobody. He even laughed at his own father.” the most influential figures in Shia Islam. This inter- paigners say is actually an interrogator for the But the success of Amadnews and Zam’s own view was supposed to launch a new television chan- Revolutionary Guards. — AFP

would be needed to assess how it affects asympto- ties of arms, smuggling weapons and explosives from Sputnik vaccine matic disease. PM meets speaker, Iran and undergoing military training in Hezbollah The Lancet report said that during the trial “no camps in Lebanon. serious adverse events were deemed to be associat- The members told the court that the arms they had 91.6% effective... ed with vaccination”. Analysis of some 2,000 par- MPs after deal... were collected during the 1990-91 Iraqi invasion and ticipants older than 60 also suggested the vaccine Continued from Page 1 denied other charges. Abdulsamad said after meeting Continued from Page 1 was similarly effective and well tolerated in this the prime minister yesterday that any pardon must be group. The trial is ongoing and plans to recruit a But two Shiite MPs, Adnan Abdulsamad and Ahmad total and comprehensive and must include members of Moderna jabs that also reported more than 90 total of 40,000 people. Al-Hamad, said any general amnesty must include a the Abdaly Cell. He said the media had inflated the percent efficacy. Pre-empting the results of the Sputnik V uses different disarmed strains of the group of Shiite prisoners who were convicted of case, which was merely a possession of arms from the phase 3 trials, Russia has already launched a mass adenovirus, a virus that causes the common cold, as forming a spy cell accused of collaborating with Iran. time of the Iraqi invasion. Hamad said any national inoculation campaign for citizens 18 and older. vectors to deliver the vaccine dose. In this respect it The cell members, locally known as Abdaly Cell, were reconciliation must not be selective and should Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct is similar to the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, which handed hefty jail terms for possessing of large quanti- include everyone. Investment Fund, which was part of the Sputnik V reported efficacy of about 60 percent when two full development, said the vaccine is already registered jabs were given in its trials. But Sputnik V uses two social media over Christmas and New Year. However, in 16 countries. “There are no arguments left for different adenovirus strains - one for each jab. Dubai shuts bars; guidelines for the city-state have been gradually critics of this vaccine, the article in The Lancet is a Developers said this minimizes the risk of the tightened over recent weeks, with an earlier clamp- checkmate,” he said, adding that it was affordable immune system developing resistance to the initial down on the entertainment scene, and non-essential and easy to store. Sputnik V has the advantage of vector, which may help create a more powerful Emirates eyes... surgery in hospitals has been suspended. being able to be kept at normal refrigerator temper- response. Britain last week announced a travel ban on non- atures instead of the conditions far below freezing Alexander Edwards, an associate professor in Continued from Page 1 citizens arriving from the UAE, and severe quarantine required for some other vaccines. Biomedical Technology at the University of measures for citizens arriving from the country, hitting According to the Lancet report, 14,964 partici- Reading, said the trial might help provide evidence The United Arab Emirates is also racing to roll out Dubai holidaymakers and expatriates. Direct flights pants in the vaccine group and 4,902 in the placebo to this theory of immune response. In January, vaccines - administering some 3.4 million doses of from the UAE to Britain were also cancelled until fur- vaccine to its population of about 10 million, for the group were given two jabs 21 days apart in the Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany had ther notice, although Dubai-based carrier Emirates second-fastest delivery after Israel. offered Russia support in developing Sputnik V, said Monday it would resume some one-way services September-to-November trial. Those taking part But while masks and social distancing are manda- were tested for COVID-19 at enrolment, again when after Russian authorities said they had applied for between Britain and Dubai. tory, it has not prevented a sharp increase in cases in Meanwhile, Emirates airline said Monday it they had the second dose, and then after that if they registration in the European Union. the new year after Dubai branded itself as an open, would make daily deliveries of coronavirus vaccines The European Commission spokesman for health, reported symptoms. sunny and quarantine-free winter escape. to countries with low storage capacities as part of From the second dose, 16 cases of symptomatic Stefan De Keersmaecker, said yesterday that a key Neighboring Abu Dhabi, which has large oil reserves an initiative to accelerate global jab distribution. COVID-19 were confirmed in the vaccine group selection criterion for the EU was that the company and is less dependent on tourism, has taken a more The Dubai-based company, the Middle East’s and 62 cases were reported in the placebo group, has production capacity within the bloc. “The aim is conservative approach, generally requiring quarantine largest carrier, will use both its cargo and passen- giving an efficacy equivalent to 91.6 percent. The to make sure that we can deliver supplies very on arrival. ger fleets to deliver vaccines to countries without authors said however that efficacy was only calcu- quickly, ie the day on which the vaccine gets the Images of sports and media celebrities at Dubai’s the means to stockpile vaccines, said deputy head lated on symptomatic cases and said more research green light,” he told a press conference. — AFP multitude of beach clubs and cocktail bars flooded of Emirates’ cargo division Nabil Al-Morr. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Kuwait’s Amir receives credentials of newly appointed diplomats

Amir, Crown Prince meet Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets the newly appointed Ambassador His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets the newly appointed Ambassador of of the Central African Republic to Kuwait. — Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos Cuba to Kuwait.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday the credentials of newly appointed Ambassadors to the State of Kuwait. The Ambassadors were of the Central African Republic, Cuba, Vietnam and Brazil. Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- Sabah, and other officials from the Amiri Diwan and the office of His Highness the Amir attended the receptions. Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace yesterday. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also received His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad at Bayan Palace. In other news, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah expressed heartfelt condolences to Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on his sister’s demise, in a cable addressed to the leader of the African nation. His Highness the Amir also expressed his condolences to president Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwean people on the demise of Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo and Transport Minister Joel Matiza, due to the coronavirus. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables to presi- Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. meets His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. dent Mnangagwa. —KUNA

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets the newly appointed Ambassador of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets the newly appointed Ambassador of Vietnam to Kuwait. Brazil to Kuwait.

News in brief Kuwait, Tunisia defense ministers discuss cooperation

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al- Sabah received on Tuesday a telephone call from his Tunisian counterpart Dr Ibrahim Al-Bertaji, discussing cooperation between the two states. Kuwait Army said in a statement the two ministers exchanged views on a large number of issues of joint interest. They also discussed means of boosting mutual cooperation, joint action and expertise swap between the two countries. — KUNA

Successful book fair

KUWAIT: Kuwait has succeeded in organizing the annual book fair, though virtually, and demand on books was “encouraging,” according to an official. Dr Issa Al-Ansari, the acting assistant secretary general for the sector of culture and arts at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, affirmed the exhibition’s success in a press statement yesterday. So far, more than 14,000 books have been sold and number of visitors to the fair’s website (ebookfair.nccal.gov.kw) has exceeded 86,000, while sale value has stood above KD 260,000 (nearly $858,000). The fair which kicked off on November 29 was extended until the current month, coinciding with the national days. —KUNA

Kuwaiti counsel for AP President

CAIRO: The Arab Parliament Office approved the appointment of Kuwaiti consultant Khaled Al- Husaini as a legal advisor to the AP President, in recognition of his distinguished academic and pro- fessional experience. The AP Office added in a press release today that its approval came upon the various experiences Husaini possesses, as he worked as a lawyer before the Constitutional, and Cassation Courts in Kuwait, served as a certified arbitrator in the (National Authority for Sports Arbitration), and as assistant secretary-general for financial affairs at the Gulf Lawyers Union, in addition to his chairmanship and membership in a number of civil society organizations. — KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Established 1961 Airlines free to set lower PCR The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 test prices for arrivals to Kuwait Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief Manpower authority sets procedures for reporting absconding helpers ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN KUWAIT: The Directorate General on the daily case average without EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 of Civil Aviation (DGCA) instructed referring to the source of the infection. FAX : 24835620/1 airlines not to charge more than KD They added decisions should be CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 60 for the two PCR tests for passen- based on accurate official statistics ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 gers arriving to Kuwait, which is the with regards to airport traffic and COMMERCIAL : 24835618 maximum charge approved by the declaring the number of cases discov- P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. health ministry of KD 30 per test, Al- ered among arrivals from abroad and Email: [email protected] Rai Arabic daily reported yesterday, not the total number of infections in Website: www.kuwaittimes.net quoting informed sources. Airlines will the country without deciding the not have to charge the maximum source of infection. This is so that the allowed price of KD 30, allowing airport is not falsely accused, because companies to work according to their arriving passengers follow precaution- Kuwaiti oil price competitive strategies by offering ary health measures through tests they tests at a reduced price, provided it undergo before traveling all the way to up 79 cents does not exceed KD 60, the sources random tests upon arrival and home or KUWAIT: This November 18, 2020 file photo shows vehicles lined up for a said. They added that this will allow institutional quarantine for 14 days. PCR test at the COVID-19 Drive Thru Vaccination Center near Kuwait airlines to have better competitive- International Airport. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat to $55.68 pb ness in price reductions of PCR tests Absconding cases so that they satisfy passengers, bear- In other news, the Public Authority KUWAIT: ing in mind that prices have reached for Manpower revealed a mechanism ty said in case the helper does not dency permits have expired to the The price of Kuwaiti oil moved up by 79 unimaginable levels due to a lack of for sponsors on how to deal with cas- complete six months from the date of emergency committee at the Cabinet cents to $55.68 per barrel on Monday, after it was at supply, which is in the interest of both es of absconding domestic helpers, arriving, the office will be compelled for review. Educational sources said $54.89 pb last Friday, said Kuwait Petroleum airlines and passengers. according to a report published in Al- to reimburse the sponsor in full and the lists include nearly 350 names that Corporation (KPC) yesterday. Globally, the price of According to the sources, work is Anbaa Arabic daily yesterday. The pay for the airline ticket. In case the were approved by the ministry to Brent crude went up by $1.11 to $56.35 per barrel, the ongoing to have the test areas ready authority said steps of this mecha- sponsorship period is completed, the return to work, adding that the public same case with the West Texas Intermediate, which on Feb 6, when the decision to reduce nism start with an absconding report complaint will be sent to courts to education sector decided the required increased by $1.35 to $53.55 pb. The OPEC daily the number of passengers by 80 per- filed at an interior ministry service issue a ruling to not bear the price of specialties include mathematics, basket price gained 72 cents during Monday’s trading cent will end. This will allow the higher center, then going to the manpower the airline ticket and decide the English, chemistry, physical education, to stand at $55.13 per barrel (pb) compared with committee for combating the coron- authority to file a complaint for not means of compensation. biology and music. Sources said in $54.41 pb a day before, the organization said in a avirus to take less restrictive decisions shouldering the price of airline tickets In the meantime, the same newspa- case the committee approves the statement yesterday. OPEC said average annual price with regards to air traffic. The sources in case the helper is arrested and per reported that the education min- names, they will be sent to the interior in 2020 was $41.47 pb. Oil prices have been on the said it is not possible to base all deci- demanding compensation for not istry sent the names of stranded ministry for approval. Entry visas will rise with benchmark Brent going beyond $57 pb sions concerning air traffic in Kuwait serving out the contract. The authori- teachers as well as those whose resi- then be issued for them. today despite disturbances in distribution of COVID- 19 vaccines, new infections and spread of the variant of the virus. However, observers said commitment of OPEC+ in production cuts contributed to withdrawal of surplus from the market. OPEC+ agreed, during a virtual meeting on January 5, to release two million barrels per day by summer. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Force launched a three-day blood donation drive yesterday in cooperation with the Kuwait Central Blood Bank.

KUWAIT: A combination of photos showing a heavily damaged section of the Seventh Ring Road yesterday. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh International WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 After life under IS, Ukraine woman hopes for new start Ousted Myanmar party demands release of toppled leader Suu Kyi Page 7 Page 6

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican senators talk to reporters after meeting with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Monday in Washington, DC. — AFP Biden to roll back ‘failed’ Trump policies

President moves to streamline naturalization of 9 million migrants WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden is calling children were then placed into federal custody. Faced or established a wealth test for immigrants,” one sen- for his administration to streamline the naturalization with international outcry, and even criticism from ior Biden official said. of nine million migrants, senior officials said, as part of within his own party, the Trump administration was Most of the reforms will be led by the Secretary of Myanmar aerobics a raft of steps aimed at rolling back the “failed” poli- forced to scale down the policy, but hundreds of Homeland Security. Biden has nominated Alejandro cies of his hardline Republican predecessor. The migrant children have still not been returned to their Mayorkas to the position, and the Senate was to vote Democratic president will sign a series of executive parents. The working group will examine ways to on his appointment later. If confirmed, Mayorkas-who instructor dances orders overhauling the US immigration process reunite the families, officials said, without specifying arrived in the United States as an infant as the son of Tuesday, officials said, signaling a return to a more whether that could allow parents or children who had Cuban refugees-will be the first Hispanic person to through coup inclusive policy. been deported to return to US soil. lead the Department of Homeland Security, a sprawl- Biden is also set to order a review of all legal A second executive order echoes a similar policy ing agency that oversees immigration issues, border YANGON: Pumping her arms to an electron- obstacles to immigration and integration that were under the Barack Obama administration, putting in police and emergency responses. ic ditty, aerobics instructor Khing Hnin Wai put in place under Donald Trump. “The review will place legal mechanisms for prospective immigrants in appeared oblivious as a convoy of armored likely lead to dramatic changes in policies,” according their home countries to apply for residency, allowing Political obstacles vehicles drove by-accidentally capturing to a senior government official, saying the goal is “to them to avoid dangerous smuggling routes. The Biden administration’s efforts to overturn Myanmar’s military coup-in-progress in a sur- restore faith in our legal immigration system, and pro- Trump-era immigration policies will likely be wel- real video that has now gone viral. The PE mote integration of Americans.” “President Trump End to ‘wealth test’ comed by the left wing of his Democratic Party. Since teacher in Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital, was so focused on the wall that he did nothing to The third decree will promote the integration of coming into office he has canceled two of his prede- posted footage of her workout to Facebook address the root cause of why people are coming to migrants legally settled in the United States and make cessor’s landmark measures, suspending construction on Monday morning, gyrating and waving her our southern border,” the official said. naturalization “more accessible to the more than nine of a wall along the border with Mexico and lifting a arms to the tune of a dance track. “It was a limited, wasteful and naive strategy, and it million immigrants who are currently eligible to ban on US entry for residents of a number of coun- Unbeknownst to her, history was in the mak- failed.” In line with campaign promises, one of the apply” for citizenship. There will be a review of the tries with majority Muslim populations. Biden has also ing right behind her as armored vehicles and orders will put in place a working group tasked with so-called “public charge rule” introduced in August sent a bill to Congress that could lead to the natural- black SUVs swept by on the Royal Lotus reuniting migrant families separated by Trump’s “zero 2019 that allowed officials to refuse citizenship or ization of millions of undocumented immigrants in the Roundabout near the country’s parliament. tolerance” policy put in place in 2018. green card applications to migrants receiving social United States. The legislation’s adoption, however, The military seized control of the country That policy allowed officials to prosecute and assistance, such as subsidized care or housing will require convincing several Republican lawmakers in the early hours of Monday, detaining de deport adults who had entered the US illegally. Their allowances. The public charge rule “basically created to back it-no easy feat. — AFP facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top officials in her party. Army chief Min Aung Hlaing now has “legislative, judicial and executive powers”-a move that effectively returns Erdogan hints at Rights group urges Myanmar to military rule, halting the country’s 10-year dalliance with democracy. The post fair COVID vaccine soon went viral with more than 630,000 new Turkish views on Facebook thanks to the bizarre jux- taposition of a power grab taking place constitution rollout in Syria against a pulsating earworm. “How harmonic with the background music and background ANKARA, Turkey: President Recep Tayyip BEIRUT: Human Rights Watch yesterday urged support scenery!” Khing Hnin Wai said in her post Erdogan said on Monday that it may be time for for aid groups to ensure “equitable” distribution of coron- Monday. “Before I heard the news (of the Turkey to adopt a new constitution, feeding avirus vaccines across all of war-torn Syria, warning coup) in the morning, the video I made for the speculation that he could seek a way to extend against any discriminatory approach by Damascus. “Those aerobic dance competition has become an his rule. Erdogan, 66, has governed Turkey as supplying vaccines for Syria should do everything in their unforgettable memory.” — AFP prime minister or president since 2002, cement- power to ensure that... (they) reach those most vulnerable ing his control over the nation of 83 million peo- no matter where they are in the country,” HRW researcher ple and surviving a failed coup. He pushed Sara Kayyali said. through changes to the constitution in 2017 that “The Syrian government has never been shy about created an executive presidency and abolished Recep Tayyip Erdogan withholding healthcare as a weapon of war, but playing the premiership. this game with the vaccine undermines the global effort to He then won the 2018 presidential election, Eroding support control the pandemic.” the first of two potential five-year terms under Erdogan has never lost an election, but his “International aid groups should have support to secure the revised rules. Turkey is scheduled to hold popularity has been waning since he unleashed a the widest and most equitable distribution... including (in) parliamentary and presidential elections in June sweeping crackdown after the failed coup in all areas controlled by different groups,” the rights organi- 2023, meaning that Erdogan’s rule would have to 2016. His jailing of political opponents and zation said. The New York-based group made the call fol- end by 2028 if he were re-elected. But after assault on civil liberties have been accompanied lowing restrictions to aid deliveries to the country’s rebel- chairing a four-hour cabinet meeting, the presi- by economic problems that analysts blame on held northwest and Kurdish-held northeast Syria in recent dent raised the idea of writing a brand new con- financial mismanagement. years, under pressure from Damascus’ ally Moscow at the stitution to replace one that Turkey has been The Turkish lira has fallen sharply since 2018, UN Security Council. using since 1982. It was drafted following a mili- wiping out people’s savings and undermining his Aid can only enter northwest Syria from a single border tary coup. support among working class voters who form a crossing from Turkey, which backs rebels in that area, while “It is clear that the source of Turkey’s problems part of Erdogan’s political base. Turkey’s political aid to northeast Syria now needs to transit through is that constitutions have always been written by opposition has been pushing Erdogan to call a Damascus, where HRW says authorities often withhold or putschists,” Erdogan said in nationally televised snap election, arguing that he has lost the pub- delay permission. Since the start of the coronavirus out- remarks. “It may be time for Turkey to reopen the lic’s trust. Soner Cagaptay, Turkey program break last year, Syria’s government has recorded 14,096 debate about a new constitution,” he said. “If we director at the Washington Institute, said cases of Covid-19 in areas it controls, including 926 deaths. reach a common understanding with our (ruling Erdogan’s comments were his “first admission In rebel-held northwest Syria, opposition officials have coalition) partners, we may take action for a new that he may not win Turkey’s next elections held said 21,006 people caught the virus, of whom 400 died. In constitution in the future.” Erdogan’s AK Party is under the new executive-style presidential sys- the Kurdish-held northeast, the Kurdish administration has allied in parliament with ultranationalist MHP. tem”. “His likely next step: divide his opposition said 8,490 people fell ill with coronavirus, including 296 Erdogan added that the drafting of the new con- through culture wars along left-right lines,” who died. But doctors and rights organizations believe the stitution “would have to be done in a transparent Cagaptay said in a tweet. “Turkey is a right-wing numbers are probably much higher, especially in northeast manner and the agreed upon text would have to dominated country (where Erdogan will) try to Syria where HRW said the government has refused to be submitted to the will of the people”. build a new majority.” —AFP allow the UN to set up COVID-19 testing labs. —AFP 6 Established 1961 Wednesday, February 3, 2021 International Kremlin critic Navalny in court facing prison term Russia hopes Navalny ‘nonsense’ will not affect EU ties

MOSCOW: The Kremlin’s most prominent critic building and AFP journalists saw people being Alexei Navalny was in a Moscow courtroom yesterday detained. OVD Info, a group that monitors arrests and facing several years in prison, after his arrest last opposition protests, said more than 230 people month triggered protests across Russia and Western including journalists had been seized by police. condemnation. The 44-year-old anti-corruption cam- Navalny’s wife Yulia, who was briefly detained at both paigner was detained on January 17 when he returned of the recent anti-Kremlin protests, arrived at the to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent months courtroom surrounded by reporters, but declined to recovering from a nerve agent poisoning in August comment on the hearing. that he blames on President Vladimir Putin. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets of Anti-graft investigations Moscow and other cities over the last two weekends The 2014 case saw Navalny spend one year under to call for Navalny’s release, prompting a massive house arrest as part of his three-and-a-half-year sus- police clampdown that saw several thousand people pended sentence and his brother Oleg serve the entire arrested. The case is presenting one of the most seri- time in jail. The European Court of Human Rights in ous challenges to the Kremlin in years and has led to 2017 ruled the Navalny brothers had been deprived of calls for new Western sanctions against Russian their right to a fair trial in the case, denouncing the rul- authorities. Navalny is charged with violating the ing as “arbitrary and manifestly unreasonable”. terms of a three-and-a-half-year suspended sentence Navalny, who in the last decade has emerged as Putin’s he was given in 2014, because he did not check in with best-known domestic critic, and his allies see the 2014 the prison service while in Germany. A prison service case as retribution by the authorities for his political representative in court accused Navalny of “systemat- activities. MOSCOW: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, charged with violating the terms of a 2014 suspended sen- ically violating” his parole conditions, leading to sharp They say the Kremlin is now repurposing it to muz- tence for embezzlement, listens to his lawyers during a court hearing in Moscow yesterday. — AFP exchanges with his lawyers, who asked why his legal zle Navalny, who later this week is due in court on team or family members were not contacted before he separate charges of defaming a World War II veteran. was put on a wanted list. While he has never held elected office, Navalny has views. Putin denied owning the property and last week from the West. European Union foreign policy chief Addressing the court, a visibly irritated Navalny made a name for himself with anti-graft investigations a billionaire businessman close to the Russian leader, Josep Borrell is expected to raise the issue of Navalny insisted he had sent documentation to the prison exposing the wealthy lifestyles of Russia’s elite. Two Arkady Rotenberg, said he was the owner and was during a visit this week to Moscow. Kremlin service on his new location in Germany. “What else days after he was placed in pre-trial custody last turning it into a hotel. Navalny’s arrest and the corrup- spokesman Dmitry Peskov said yesterday that could I do? Did you need me to send video of my month, his team released an investigation into an opu- tion claims spurred nationwide protests over the past Navalny’s detention should not affect Russia’s ties with physiotherapy?” asked Navalny, dressed in a dark lent seaside property Navalny claims was given to two weekends, including on Sunday when police shut European countries. “We hope that such nonsense as hoodie in a glass cell in the courtroom. There was a Putin through a billion-dollar scheme financed by down the centre of Moscow and detained more than linking the prospects of Russia-EU relations with the massive security presence outside the building, after close associates who head state companies. 5,400 people in a single-day record. resident of a detention center will not happen,” he told Navalny’s team had urged supporters to gather for The probe was published alongside a YouTube His arrest and the mass detentions during street reporters, in keeping with a Kremlin tradition of never the hearing. Police in full riot gear cordoned off the video report that has garnered more than 100 million protests have also triggered a wave of condemnation using Navalny’s name. — AFP

practice Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti has In Peru, people line denounced as “truly criminal.” The second wave of Republican COVID COVID-19 has seen oxygen supplies run low in several South American countries, and many Peruvian up day and night for families say their loved ones died because they relief plan excludes could not access any. At El Callao, people are willing life-saving oxygen to sleep rough for days on end, without bathroom Biden priorities access and some without food, to get their hands on the precious substance. LIMA, Peru: While loved ones are fighting for Many of their loved ones are being cared for at WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden met Monday breath at home, hundreds of Peruvians have taken home, with hospitals running short on beds. As dawn with a group of Republican senators who are pushing an to sleeping on the street, sometimes for days on breaks, hawkers come around offering a humble alternative to his massive COVID-19 relief plan, but no end, in queues of people desperate for oxygen breakfast of bread with avocado, or simply a coffee. agreement was reached. amid a deadly second wave of the coronavirus pan- Miguel Angel, 22, says he is number 124 in line. “We Biden, who campaigned on restoring bipartisanship in KOZYN, Ukraine: Alime Abbasova, 37, wife of IS ex-sympa- demic. In the night chill, they take cover in small have a member of the family, 89 years old, in a bad Washington, wants to spend $1.9 trillion to revitalize the thizer, speaks to AFP minutes before departing from a tents, under blankets or sheets of cardboard out- way, we do what we can for her,” he said. He came world’s largest economy after the pandemic caused sanatorium in the village of Kozyn outside Kiev. — AFP side Criogas, a small oxygen factory in the port with his cousin to take turns waiting in line. waves of layoffs, but Republicans in Congress have said city of El Callao near the capital Lima. Hundreds of they won’t support such a large package. On Sunday, a man-sized oxygen cylinders line the street outside ‘She will die’ group of 10 Republicans detailed a measure costing the factory, each bearing the name of the person Police were brought in to keep an eye on the $600 billion, and Biden responded with an invitation to After life under IS, who brought it. hopeful buyers, prevent queue jumpers and thwart the White House to discuss the idea. But no agreement “Yesterday I stood in a long queue. I’ve been any merchants seeking to take advantage of the spe- was at hand following the meeting, which Republican Ukraine woman here since 5:00 am yesterday. I arrived late because cial price reserved for individual customers. The Senator Susan Collins described as “frank and very use- when I came, there were people who had already mood among those waiting is somber with many ful,” if not conclusive. “I wouldn’t say that we came spent two or three days here,” said Yamil Antonio worried about their ill family members, yet there is together on a package tonight. No one expected that in hopes for new start Suca. The 25-year-old student told AFP he hoped little evidence of jostling as many a supportive hug is a two-hour meeting,” she told reporters. The senators not to have to spend a second night sleeping rough, shared. Smiles brighten faces when a name is finally released a statement Monday night saying the meeting but did not expect to reach the front of the line by KOZYN, Ukraine: Six years after she left Ukraine to called and a bottle filled, bringing hope — one was a “very productive exchange of views” and that they day’s end. Going home empty handed is not an follow her husband and promises of a dignified life patient at a time. The factory can fill 10 bottles about would continue to talk with the Biden administration and option. “My father has COVID-19, he is 50 years under the Islamic State group in Syria, Alime Abbasova every 45 minutes, until closing time at 5:00 pm. other senators “in the coming days” to reach an agree- old, he needs the oxygen,” Suca said. arrived home on New Year’s Day, hopeful for a fresh “My mom is fragile, she’s 69,” said Yulitza Torres, ment on a bipartisan relief package. For its part, the start. The journey that took her from the Crimean penin- 46. “If we don’t bring oxygen she will die.” Residents White House said its package “was carefully designed to sula, annexed by Russia, to the so-called Caliphate, and ‘We do what we can’ of Lima and seven departments of Peru are under a meet the stakes of this moment, and any changes in it Every morning, factory staff aided by police offi- then to camps for IS sympathizers run by overstretched new lockdown from Monday until at least February cannot leave the nation short of its pressing needs.” cers do the rounds, revise the waiting list, and Kurdish authorities, was a miscalculation, she told AFP. 14 as authorities try and brake the spread of the An outline of the Republican proposal shows it announce how many cylinders can be filled that day. “You know what they say: we all make mistakes. killer virus. The country of 33 million inhabitants has excludes aid to state and local governments that The factory has not increased its price, despite oth- What happened is now behind us, thank God,” the 37- registered more than 1.1 million cases and over Democrats say any package must have. It also gives out ers having hiked theirs by as much as 300 percent-a year-old mother-of-five said. At a Soviet-era spa in 40,000 deaths since March last year. — AFP stimulus checks of $1,000, less than the $1,400 Biden central Ukraine where she was in quarantine and mak- has proposed, and tightens eligibility. Democratic leading plans for the future, Abbasova said: “Now I only ers responded to the proposal by announcing they were hope for the best.” moving ahead with a maneuver in Congress to pass the Western countries have been reluctant to repatriate president’s plan without Republican votes, while Biden their IS-linked nationals held in northeast Syria, though took to Twitter to restate his case. some have brought home women and children on a “We’re facing an economic crisis brought on by a case-by-case basis. But President Volodymyr Zelensky public health crisis, and we need urgent action to com- was unambiguous in his country’s position when he bat both,” he said. “My American Rescue Plan will dig publicly welcomed Abbasova and another returnee us out of the depths of these crises and put our nation home last month. “Ukraine will always bring home all of on a path to build back better.” In a sign of the econo- its citizens, no matter who they are and wherever they my’s ill health, the government last week said that the get into trouble”. number of new applications for unemployment aid received each week was at 1.3 million, an enormous fig- A ‘trap’ ure 10 months after business shutdowns began in The ex-Soviet country is home to hundreds of thou- response to the pandemic. It also released data showing sands of Crimean Tatars, a Muslim minority, mostly liv- the country last year suffered its worst contraction since ing in Crimea, who opposed Russia’s 2014 takeover of 1946, with the economy shrinking 3.5 percent. Yet it the peninsula and fled, fearing political persecution. may be bouncing back faster than expected. On Abbasova said that she and her husband were lured to Monday, the Congressional Budget Office said it IS-controlled territory by one of his friends, who prom- expected GDP to reach its pre-pandemic level by the ised him he could continue his work repairing shoes in middle of this year, “in large part because the downturn was not as severe as expected and because the first the so-called Caliphate. “I didn’t want to be left without LIMA, Peru: Medical personnel tend patients at a makeshift ward constructed for COVID-19 patients at a school in a husband. I had two children at that time,” she said, of the central city of Huanuco, 370 kilometers northeast of Lima.— AFP stage of the recovery took place sooner and was her decision to follow. Echoing many returnees and IS- stronger than expected.” — AFP linked detainees, she said that she quickly became disil- lusioned with life in Syria and was “disappointed” by had been recorded in Central Park, according to the the terror group’s brutal interpretation of Islam. Huge snowstorm hits US east NWS. Snowfall was expected to continue into yester- But there was no way out, she said, describing the day morning, with forecasters predicting 20 inches in so-called Caliphate as a “trap” where “all roads closed”. total before the storm moves northeast through New “If you tried to escape, they could shoot you in the coast, disrupting virus vaccinations England. “This is expected to be one of the bigger back.” In the four years that she and her husband spent NEW YORK: A huge snowstorm has brought chaos to tinue today. Salt trucks and snowplows moved out snowfall events for New York City,” Matthew Wunsch, in Syria, Abbasova said that they were never called to the United States’ east coast, shuttering airports, closing across New York’s streets, already quieter than usual an NWS forecaster, told AFP. The most snowfall to have take up arms by the terror group’s leadership. But that schools and forcing the postponement of coronavirus due to COVID-19, as Mayor Bill de Blasio announced blanketed America’s commercial capital was 27.5 inches, claim did not resonate with the Kurdish forces that vaccinations into yesterday morning as New York City that the few children who had returned to classrooms over three days, in January 2016. In Washington, where accepted their surrender in 2019 and separated the hus- steeled itself for possibly one of its heaviest ever snow- would also stay at home yesterday. “There will be snow and ice had formed since Sunday, President Joe band and wife in captivity. “It was the last time I saw my falls. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued locusts, next, at the rate we’re going,” he quipped on Biden postponed a scheduled visit to the State husband,” Abbasova, who took charge of their children, storm warnings from Virginia to Maine-home to tens of MSNBC. More than 1,600 US flights were canceled- Department due to the conditions. said. She said she spent nearly two years in the millions of people-as heavy snow mixed with wind mostly at airports in New York, Boston, Philadelphia The capital has postponed a planned yesterday Kurdish-run camps, al-Hol and Roj, where tens of thou- gusts up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour spurred and Washington-disrupting travel that has already return to school for tens of thousands of children who sands of relatives of IS fighters and sympathizers have blizzards along the eastern seaboard. been heavily curtailed by the pandemic. Airlines can- have been learning at home for almost a year because been held since the 2019 defeat of IS. New York declared a state of emergency restricting celed all flights in and out of LaGuardia and JFK air- of the pandemic, local television networks reported. She described life in the sprawling tent cities that non-essential travel, moved all children back to remote ports, while 71 percent of flights were scrapped at Heavy snowfall also lashed New Jersey, Philadelphia have been battered by inhospitable weather and law- learning and rescheduled long-awaited vaccine shots Newark Liberty Airport. and Connecticut. New Jersey issued a state of emer- lessness as “very difficult”. Aid groups, too, have as some parts of the city were hit by more than 18 gency, allowing authorities to close roads, evacuate deplored conditions at the Al-Hol camp, where the UN inches (1.5 feet) of snow. CNN meteorologists said ‘Dangerous’ homes and commandeer equipment needed for public recently reported a spate of murders. Still, the camps, that figure could reach two feet before the storm COVID-19 vaccinations for New York City were also safety. “This storm is going to get worse before it gets run by Kurdish authorities, are home to at least 10 more comes to an end. “The storm is still developing. It’s still to be halted yesterday. “This is a dangerous, life-threat- better,” tweeted Governor Phil Murphy, adding that six Ukrainian women and some 30 children that Tatar com- intensifying. It’s a massive storm,” one said, with the ening situation,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo vaccination mega-sites in the state would remain munity leaders are working to return to Ukraine.—AFP broadcaster reporting the extreme weather could con- told reporters. By 7:00 pm Monday, 16.3 inches of snow closed yesterday.—AFP Established 1961 7 International Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Ousted Myanmar party demands release of toppled leader Suu Kyi Coup draws international condemnation and sanctions threats from Biden

YANGON: The party of Myanmar’s toppled leader Aung San Suu Kyi demanded her immediate release yes- News in brief terday, after a military coup that triggered international condemnation and sanctions threats from the new US president. Armed troops patrolled the capital, 2 killed in Afghan attack Naypyidaw, where Suu Kyi and other National League for Democracy party leaders were detained in pre-dawn KABUL: Two people were killed as the Afghan raids on Monday just ahead of the scheduled resumption capital was rocked yesterday by a series of of parliament. Soldiers were also stationed yesterday rush-hour car bombs, officials said, while a outside the dormitories for parliamentarians in police vehicle was targeted in an attack north of Naypyidaw, with one NLD MP describing it as “an Kabul. Attacks during the morning commute open-air detention center”. have become a favored tactic of insurgents, who “We are not allowed to go outside,” she told AFP by remotely detonate bombs attached to target telephone, requesting anonymity for fear of the military. vehicles. Police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz “We are very worried.” Despite the intimidation, a state- told reporters two people were killed and two ment was posted on the NLD’s verified Facebook page injured in a first blast, while a second targeting yesterday calling for Suu Kyi’s release, as well as an interior ministry vehicle wounded two securi- President Win Myint and all detained party members. ty personnel. — AFP “We see this as a stain on the history of the State and the Tatmadaw,” it added, referring to the military by its Burmese name. It also demanded the military “recognize New Caledonia govt collapses the confirmed result of the 2020 general election”. YANGON: This ﬁle photo taken on November 1, 2015 shows Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi gestur- By afternoon, a party officer said they still have not ing towards supporters as she travels in a motorcade ahead of a campaign rally for the National League for NOUMEA, France: New Caledonia’s coalition had direct contact with Suu Kyi, though a neighbor Democracy in Yangon. — AFP sighted the de-facto leader in her Naypyidaw residence. government collapsed yesterday after pro-inde- “According to her neighbor we contacted, she walks pendence politicians resigned over disagreements sometimes in her compound to let others know she’s in Military rule Pariah over the budget and the sale of a nickel factory on good health,” NLD press officer Kyi Toe told AFP. Most Myanmar’s November polls were only the second Military chief and coup leader Min Aung Hlaing is the French South Pacific territory. The resignation of the state ministers across Myanmar have been democratic elections the country had seen since it now in charge of the country, although former gener- of the FLNKS group-who count five of 11 mem- released from detention but are under house arrest, he emerged from the 49-year grip of military rule in 2011. al Myint Swe is acting president. Min Aung Hlaing is bers of the executive-means Congress will have to said. The military justified its seizure of power by alleg- The NLD won more than 80 percent of the vote in an international pariah who is under US sanctions for elect a new executive within 15 days. The group ing widespread fraud in elections held three months ago November-increasing its support from the 2015 elec- a military campaign against Myanmar’s Muslim has been tussling with the government over the that the NLD won in a landslide. It said it would hold tions. But the military claimed to have uncovered more Rohinyga community that forced 750,000 of them to sale of the Brazilian Vale nickel factory, with power under a state of emergency for 12 months, claim- than 10 million instances of voter fraud. flee into Bangladesh, a campaign UN investigators indigenous leaders claiming an offer by a local ing it would then hold fresh elections. Although the military had flagged last week it was said amounted to genocide. firm has been unfairly overlooked by the French considering a coup, Monday’s events seemed to stun the Suu Kyi, 75, is an immensely popular figure in government and the current owners.— AFP Condemnation country and power was seized extremely quickly. The mil- Myanmar for her opposition to the military-which US President Joe Biden led the chorus of global out- itary strangled the internet as the coup was unfolding, but earned her the Nobel Peace Prize-having spent the rage, calling for a quick restoration of democracy and eased restrictions later in the day. Yesterday, there were best part of two decades under house arrest during warning that Washington could reimpose sanctions. “The few signs of extra security in Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest the previous dictatorship. But her international image Chad bans protests international community should come together in one city and commercial capital, indicating the generals’ belief was shredded during her time in power as she voice to press the Burmese military to immediately relin- that, for now, they faced no mass protests. On Yangon’s defended the military-backed crackdown on the N’DJAMENA, Chad: Chad’s government has quish the power they have seized,” Biden said. streets, people voiced anger, fear and helplessness. Rohingya. barred the opposition from staging protests ahead “The United States is taking note of those who stand “We want to go out to show our dissatisfaction,” a Derek Mitchell, the first US ambassador to of an expected announcement by President Idriss with the people of Burma in this difficult hour.” UN taxi driver told AFP. “But Mother Suu is in their hands. Myanmar after military rule, said the international Deby Itno’s party that the veteran leader will be Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the European We cannot do much but stay quiet at this moment.” community still needed to respect Suu Kyi’s over- its champion in upcoming elections. In a decree Union and Australia were among others to condemn the Myanmar’s youth networks have announced a “civil dis- whelming victory in November. The West “may have published late Monday, Public Security Minister coup. Britain summoned Myanmar’s envoy in formal obedience” campaign, though it has yet to materialize on considered her this global icon of democracy and Mahamat Tahir Orozi said the authorities “cannot protest. But China’s response was less emphatic, with the the streets. The power takeover has its supporters-on that luster is off. But if you care about democracy in allow the holding of such protests, which have the official Xinhua news agency describing the coup as a Tuesday, hundreds of pro-military supporters gathered the world, then you must respect the democratic potential to provoke public disorder across the “cabinet reshuffle”. The United Nations Security Council around Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda in a celebration, choice and she is clearly that”. “It’s not about the per- country.” The organizers told AFP the demonstra- was due to meet for an emergency meeting. waving the country’s flag in approval of the coup. son; it’s about the process,” he said. — AFP tions were “peaceful marches” for political change and equality and vowed to carry on with them as scheduled. They are due to take place every day Japan extends virus North Nigeria city in from tomorrow to Sunday. — AFP emergency, months dark for week after Nigeria detects 6 new cases before Olympics jihadist sabotage LAGOS, Nigeria: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said six new cases of the British variant of coronavirus were found in the TOKYO: Japan’s government approved a month-long MAIDUGURI, Nigeria: Residents of the northeastern West African nation at the weekend. NCDC extension of its coronavirus state of emergency yes- Nigerian city Maiduguri have been struggling with a Director-General Chikwe Iheakwazu said the vari- terday, less than six months before the pandemic- power blackout for a week after jihadists blew up sup- ant was detected in samples collected by scien- postponed Olympic Games open in Tokyo. “We have ply lines, causing water shortages and disrupting busi- tists at the Africa Centre of Excellence for decided to extend the state of emergency until March nesses and daily life. The attack was the third time in a Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) at a 7th,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at a meeting month that the IS-linked Islamic State West Africa university in southwestern Osun state. The variant, of the taskforce guiding the government’s pandemic Province (ISWAP) group have plunged the city of three known as B.1.1.7, has swept Britain and been found policy. million into darkness for days by blowing up transmis- MAIDUGURI, Nigeria: Young boys work on generators at a workshop in the Bulabulin area of Maiduguri. — AFP in more than 60 nations. The British government The extension will apply to 10 of the 11 areas cur- sion lines. Maiduguri’s latest troubles came as President last month said early data suggested the strain rently under the measure, including greater Tokyo, Muhammadu Buhari replaced his top four military com- could be deadlier as well as more transmissible. which had been due to end on February 7. It will not manders, in a sudden overhaul after months of criticism will have to raise another capital and I don’t know how,” Iheakwazu said five cases had been detected in be extended in Tochigi, north of the capital, where cas- over the handling of the country’s decade-long insur- Umar said. Osun state and one in Kwara state. — AFP es are judged to have dropped sufficiently. “In prefec- gency. Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, has been with- tures where the virus situation improves, we will grad- out power since January 26 after the jihadists blew up a Water lines ually lift the state of emergency, without having to wait power grid just outside the city, according to residents Even water has become scarce in the city, which for March 7th,” Suga added. and sources at the power company. relies heavily on motorized boreholes that require elec- The extension had been widely expected, with gov- Bukar Musa, a welder, has seen his business crippled tric power to operate. Many households have shut down Indonesia detains ernment spokesman Katsunobu Kato telling reporters by the power outage, forcing him to look for menial jobs their boreholes which supply them and their neighbors yesterday morning that “it is our understanding that to feed his wife and three children. “It has been a whole due to the high cost of diesel to power them, several British woman on continued vigilance is warranted for a while”. Japan’s week without a light in the city which has grounded my residents said. Long queues have appeared at the few virus emergency is significantly looser than the lock- welding job,” the 27-year-old told AFP. “I have now boreholes supplying water, as residents line up with terror suspect list downs seen elsewhere in the world, and primarily calls turned to a labourer, assisting a bricklayer for a fraction pails and jerry cans. “The major problem is water for increased teleworking and the closure of bars and of what I make as a welder, which is inadequate to feed scarcity which has hit the city, making it expensive,” restaurants from 8pm. my family,” Musa said. He would usually earn the equiv- said Hajara Abdulkarim. JAKARTA: Indonesia has detained a British woman Legislation currently working its way through par- alent of around $6.60 (about 5.5 euros) per day at his The price of a 25-litre (6.6-gallon) jerry can of water named in a list of global terror suspects and plans to liament would add enforcement measures including workshop. has more than tripled, to 25 naira up from seven naira deport her for visa violations, authorities told AFP. fines for businesses that do not close early. But even Now, though, he makes around $4 working on build- previously, said Abdulkarim, a mother of five. Tazneen Miriam Sailar-a Manchester-born convert to the comparatively relaxed approach appears to have ing sites, spending a good part of the daily wage on Maiduguri is also home to several internally displaced Islam once married to a now-deceased Indonesian yielded results, with new infections dropping across medication for body pains from the labor, he said. persons (IDP) camps for people forced to flee their jihadist-is not charged with terror offences. But she the country. Still, after facing criticism for its initial Grema Umar’s ice-block vending business has also homes by military operations against the jihadists. For and her late husband are on a police list of suspected reluctance to impose the measure, the government has crumbled, forcing him to contemplate begging to feed now, the outage has not affected the camps, which are domestic and foreign extremists, including a been cautious about lifting it too quickly.—AFP himself. “I have nothing left, even if power is restored I lit by solar power installed by charities. —AFP Frenchman who appeared in Islamic State (IS) beheading videos and another close to the brothers down by Myanmar’s military drove them into the poor and we don’t know what happened, whether they got who massacred staff at satirical magazine Charlie Missing Rohingya South Asian country. there or were sold by traffickers,” he added. “We’ve Hebdo. “We heard that some traffickers went to camp, took heard some are with their husbands and others got Sailar, 47, and her 10-year-old Indonesia born son, money and then helped the women escape,” he added. caught,” said Fatimah Binti Azizulhaq, 20. were being held in Jakarta after they were picked up women trafficked Some of the women had since called friends in the At least 18 Rohingya from the Lhokseumawe camp last year on allegations she didn’t have documents to Lhokseumawe camp to say they had reunited with and over a dozen suspected smugglers were recently remain in the Southeast Asian nation, according to her from Indonesia their husbands, Namashah said, but others may have caught by police several hundred kilometers south, in lawyer Farid Ghozali. “She was put (in detention) while fallen into more dire circumstances. “Some are missing Medan city, a frequent staging point for illegal cross- awaiting her return which will be facilitated by the ings into Malaysia. A Myanmar military crackdown in British Embassy,” Indonesian immigration directorate LHOKSEUMAWE, Indonesia: Scores of Rohingya 2017, which UN investigators said amounted to geno- spokesman Ahmad Nursaleh told AFP, without elabo- women missing from a refugee camp in Indonesia have cide, forced 750,000 Rohingya to flee across the bor- rating. The British Embassy in Jakarta declined to been trafficked into Malaysia to reunite with their hus- der into the Bangladesh district of Cox’s Bazar, where comment and it was unclear when the deportation bands, several sources have told AFP. Just over 100 many ended up in sprawling refugee camps. would happen. The police document does not say why refugees remain at the camp in Lhokseumawe on Thousands have since paid smugglers to get them Sailar was listed along with some 400 other terror Indonesia’s northern coast, well down from the almost out of Bangladesh, enduring harrowing, months-long suspects, including her late husband who was killed in 400 who arrived in separate boat landings between sea journeys punctuated by illness, beatings by traf- Syria in 2015, sources said. June and September last year. Neither local authorities fickers and near-starvation rations to reach Indonesia The couple’s 2010 marriage was officiated by radi- nor the UN could account for the whereabouts of the and Malaysia. More than 100,000 Rohingya live on cal Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, the spiritual women, who are feared to have enlisted traffickers to the margins of society in Malaysia, registered as head of extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), help them cross the Malacca strait into Malaysia. refugees but not allowed to work, forcing the men into according to sources familiar with the case. JI mem- “They talked with their husbands on the phone and illegal construction and other low-paid jobs. Some bers were behind the Bali bombings which saw more made arrangements,” said Namashah, whose own Rohingya men in Malaysia pay smugglers to bring over than 200 people, including nearly 90 Australian holi- reunification with his wife and daughter was profiled in their families, or new brides from arranged marriages. daymakers, killed when massive blasts ripped through an AFP series on trafficking networks. Relatively afflu- LHOKSEUMAWE, Indonesia : This picture shows Another camp dweller, Asmot Ullah, said there were a pair of packed bars on the Indonesian holiday island ent Muslim-majority Malaysia is the main destination Namashah and his family resting in their room at the “parents crying in Bangladesh because they borrowed in October 2002. Sailar operated a charity named after for Rohingya fleeing sprawling refugee camps in makeshift camp in Lhokseumawe, Aceh province. — AFP money to send their kids to Malaysia, but they reached her late husband, which sent aid to women and chil- Bangladesh set up to house them after a bloody crack- Indonesia” instead. — AFP dren in conflict-wracked Syria, sources said.—AFP Established 1961 Business WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 Elon Musk, a new Wall Street oracle? Tech billionaire says he’s off Twitter ‘for a while’ NEW YORK: With social media prognostications is being propped up by an army of small traders in a mere mention of the Polish publisher of video game CD about Bitcoin or GameStop, Elon Musk has ventured crusade against giant Wall Street hedge funds betting Projekt, or the e-commerce platform Shopify or the further away from his own businesses and become on its demise. “Spill the beans, man,” Musk said. “What craft market Etsy-which apparently delighted Musk more like a Wall Street heavyweight who can move happened last week? Why can’t people buy the with a hand-knitted hat for his dog-caused their stocks markets with just a few words. GameStop shares? People demand an answer and want to soar. The business giant, who has expressed his con- In his latest foray, the Tesla and SpaceX founder to know the details and the truth.” tempt for investors betting on a decline in a company’s appeared on Clubhouse-a social network accessible shares, waded in on the GameStop affair by tweeting a only by invitation-to interview the head of online bro- Contempt link to the Reddit group WallStreetBets, which helped ker Robinhood, in the hot seat for his management of Musk, who last month became the richest man in the stock of the video game specialist take off. the GameStop affair, a chain of video game stores world on paper thanks to a Tesla stock market boom, Influential figures jostling the fate of companies is whose share price recently rocketed and is shaking has nearly 45 million followers on Twitter. Swept on by nothing new, said Aswath Damodaran, a professor of hedge funds. After discussing his ambitions for the col- the success of his companies Tesla and SpaceX, as well finance at New York University. Comments by banker onization of Mars, as well as cryptocurrencies and arti- as by interest in the electric cars and rockets they man- John Pierpont Morgan more than 100 years ago, or ficial intelligence, Musk spoke with Vlad Tenev for 14 ufacture, he is considered by many fans to be a vision- Chrysler boss Lee Iacocca in the 1980s, could move minutes, offering him the opportunity to respond to his ary, his slightest word enough to sway some investors. markets. And the pronouncements of investment guru detractors. Robinhood has been limiting transactions When he changed his Twitter profile to read simply Warren Buffett are still scrutinized by many traders, on GameStop shares for several days. “#bitcoin” on Friday, the cryptocurrency’s price tem- earning Buffett the nickname “the Oracle of Omaha,” An Exxon sign at a petrol station in Manassas, But the gaming company, in fragile financial health, porarily skyrocketed by around 20 percent. And the the city where he lives. Virginia. — AFP

‘Outsider persona’ “The fact that Twitter and Clubhouse have replaced traditional media is more a reflection of media than it is of markets,” said Damodaran. But Musk has been “very Exxon Mobil reports intentional about creating kind of an outlaw, outsider persona,” said Christopher Smith, professor of commu- nications at the University of Southern California. big 2020 loss, unveils “And that resonates with the tech bro culture,” he said. In a highly fragmented media landscape, Musk has low carbon earnings mastered the art of using new technologies “to really stoke excitement,” he said. Other giants like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos rely on their business portfolio to do NEW YORK: Exxon Mobil closed the books the talking, “but Elon Musk is probably more of an on a terrible 2020 yesterday, reporting losses attention-seeking narcissist, he’s much more of a show- in the fourth-quarter and for the full year in man,” added Smith. Musk often uses his personal the wake of lower oil prices amid the Covid- Twitter account to impart news about his various com- 19 crisis. panies. But his presence on the website has caused him The big US oil company, which has been some headaches, too. Musk had a serious run-in with criticized over the last year for both its financial the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which performance and its response to climate accused him in 2018 of misleading investors by tweet- change, suffered a 2020 loss of $22.4 billion, ing about a possible withdrawal of Tesla from the stock after posting a profit of $14.3 billion in 2019. exchange. The tweet forced him to step down as chair- The energy giant unveiled new cost-cutting man of the automaker’s board. Perhaps aware of his efforts, a new low-carbon business unit and a Twitter account’s continued power to move markets- new board member that it said would position and the legal issues that might follow-the billionaire it for the future. In this ﬁle photo Tesla CEO Elon Musk gestures as he arrives to visit the construction site of the future US electric car giant yesterday announced he was taking a break from the “The past year presented the most challeng- Tesla in Gr¸nheide near Berlin. — AFP platform. “Off Twitter for a while,” Musk said-on ing market conditions Exxon Mobil has ever Twitter, naturally. — AFP experienced,” said Chief Executive Darren Woods, adding that the company responded “The new month continues to be good to equities, But BP shares nonetheless tanked by 3.4 percent “decisively” in ways that will position it for the Global stocks rally which have thrown off their late January despair and yesterday after the energy major revealed that it long term. staged an impressive bounce from the lows of last slumped into an annual net loss of $20.3 billion (16.8 bil- In the fourth quarter, Exxon Mobil suffered week,” said IG analyst Chris Beauchamp. lion euros) on coronavirus fallout. a loss of $20.1 billion following huge write-offs. on optimism; oil Revenues fell 30.7 percent to $46.5 billion. The Oil powers higher US stimulus hopes company unveiled plans for additional spending hits one-year peak New York oil prices surged on the back of upbeat On the US stimulus front, President Joe Biden on cuts of $3 billion in annual expenses expected market sentiment and a snowstorm in the northeastern Monday held a meeting with Republican lawmakers to by 2023, its latest belt-tightening move amid United States. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate discuss their stimulus counter-proposal as he looks to the industry-wide downturn. Amid criticism it LONDON: World stocks yesterday extended the pre- oil soared to $54.91 per barrel, a price last seen on push through a bipartisan deal. The $600 billion plan has not invested in renewable energy, Exxon vious day’s rally on brightening US stimulus hopes, January 24, 2020. Europe’s London Brent North Sea backed by Republicans is less than a third of one put for- Mobil said its low carbon solutions business while oil soared close to pre-pandemic levels on an out- crude hit $57.73, a level last reached nearly a year ago. ward by the White House, and includes smaller handouts would focus on carbon capture and storage look for stronger demand. Silver prices sank by 5.0 per- “Oil prices powered higher... lifted in part by the posi- and no provision for state and local governments-two technology as a means to counter the emissions cent to $27.50 per ounce, having soared the previous tive sentiment returning to equity markets, but mostly issues that Democrats are likely to reject. While investors’ that cause global warming. day to an eight-year peak on chatroom-driven demand. because of frigid weather sweeping the United States, mood was a lot lighter than last week, the ever-present The oil giant also nominated to its board The precious metal is still up by 3.8 percent over the pushing up the demand for heating,” said OANDA ana- shadow of the coronavirus, along with stuttering vaccine former chief executive of Malaysian national oil last three days. Asian and European stocks fired higher lyst Jeffrey Halley. The rebound marks a stunning turn- rollouts and spiking infections, continues to persist and company Petronas, Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan once again, after overnight Wall Street gains, as around for the oil market, which briefly turned negative keep gains in check. Elsewhere, fears about the social Ariffin. Shares rose 2.0 percent to $45.80 in investors got back in the saddle following last week’s early last year, as the deadly Covid-19 outbreak shut- media-led retail investor battle with Wall Street hedge pre-market trading. — AFP global rout to snap up bargain shares. tered economies and companies worldwide. funds appeared to be abating. — AFP

ties in vital sectors such as the foodstuff and medical NBK Economic Report Economic development sectors. In addition, they provided support to SMEs Banks are vital institutions in any society as they owners by stopping fees on POS terminals, ATMs significantly contribute to developing the economy and digital channels for 3 months, as well as raised Banks, the mastermind and center of by facilitating business. By providing credit that fuels the limit of contactless payments. economic activity, companies can invest beyond the Banks have also supported individuals by defer- cash available with them. Also, families can buy ring the payments of consumer and installment loan financial and economic equilibrium houses without paying the full cost in advance. Banks and credit card installments for 6 months for all also enable governments to facilitate their spending banks’ customers, without any resulting interest, KUWAIT: The three main functions of banks: saving and obtaining bank accounts is the main pillar of and support investment in infrastructure and planned profits, or other fees, as well as granting soft loans as and investing, managing funds, and financing opera- financial inclusion, as they allow their holders to keep projects. Banks also contribute to providing liquidity part of the commitment to their national duties. tions. Banks promote trade and contribute in devel- money, send and receive cash, thus acting as a gate- for companies and households by providing unex- The number of banks operating in Kuwait is 23, opment, which is reflected on the lives of individuals way to other financial services. In addition, banks pected cash needs, as banks are the main direct including 11 Kuwaiti banks (5 conventional banks, 5 and societies. In the context of its participation in the provide advisory services to individuals and business provider of liquidity by granting credit lines. Islamic banks, and 1 specialized bank). This is in banking awareness campaign “Diraya”, National institutions and act as intermediaries in commercial Banks are considered the basis for rapid econom- addition to 12 branches of foreign banks (11 conven- Bank of Kuwait (NBK) sheds light in this article on and industrial businesses, and having bank accounts ic development, by providing loans of different tional banks and 1 Islamic bank). The sector as a the instrumental role of banks as one of the main- is the key foundation of financial inclusion, as they tenures for vital sectors such as agriculture, industry whole is subject to the supervision of the Central stays of the economy by facilitating economic and allow account holders to keep their money, send and and trade, in addition to providing industrial, agricul- Bank of Kuwait to ensure its soundness through the financial transactions. receive cash, thus acting as a gateway to other finan- tural and commercial advice, thus facilitating the application of stringent regulatory rules and require- Let’s imagine a world without banks, how it would cial services. process of economic development. ment of precautionary ratios, such as lending limits, be like? Where would we borrow money and what Banks’ business is governed by the regulatory Given the crucial role of the private sector in concentration ratios, investment limits, liquidity and would we do with our savings? Would we be able to authority, namely the central bank, which monitors accelerating the pace of economic growth, banks capital adequacy ratios. Over the past decade, the borrow or save as much as we need, when we need, and regulates the business of banking and financial increase the private sector’s participation in econom- sector has shown strong resilience and high levels of and in a form that suits our needs? institutions by setting prudent monetary and super- ic development by making loans easily available at a financial soundness. Banks play a key role in the financial and econom- visory policies, as well as taking all measures to reasonable interest rate, as the expansion of the ic system, as they help to ensure smooth operation of ensure the protection of banks’ customers. financial sector encourages entrepreneurs to invest, “Diraya” the economies. They receive the savings of individu- which contributes to promoting entrepreneurship. It is worth mentioning that the banking awareness als and business institutions, then use them to finance Payments Furthermore, banks facilitate domestic and inter- campaign “Diraya” has recently been launched in an individuals and other business institutions, and these A bank’s most important role may be matching up national trade, since a large part of the trade is made initiative from the Central Bank of Kuwait and Kuwait financial services help boost the efficiency of the creditors and borrowers, but banks are also essential on credit. Banks provide references and guarantees, Banking Association, with a view to promote credit, economy, promote trade and contribute to economic to the domestic and international payments system. on behalf of their customers, based on which sellers financial and banking culture among banking sector development, which is ultimately reflected on the Not only do individuals, businesses, and governments can supply goods on credit, and this is particularly customers and the society at large. lives of individuals and societies. need somewhere to deposit and borrow money, they important in international trade where the two par- The campaign comprises many topics such as the Banks’ business includes three main functions: need to move funds around-for example, banks play ties are in different countries and often unknown to process of borrowing, bank cards, awareness of the saving and investment, managing funds, and financing a central role in processing payments, from the tini- each other. rights of special needs customers, as well as advice operations. Banks also contribute to facilitating indi- est of personal cheques to large-value electronic related to cybersecurity and the protection of bank viduals’ access to many benefits such as: educational payments between banks. A pivotal role accounts. It also provides guidance regarding com- opportunities, healthcare, housing, transportation, Banks also play a central role in the transmission During the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the plaint submission mechanisms, and protection of cus- job opportunities, and other aspects of the quality of of monetary policy, one of the government’s most crucial role of the Kuwaiti banking sector was mani- tomers’ rights, and introduction of the functions of life in addition to core banking services. important tools for achieving economic growth. The fested in mitigating the fallout of the crisis on the the banking sector and its role in promoting and Banks also provide advisory services to individu- central bank controls the money supply at the Kuwaiti economy, as the Central Bank of Kuwait and developing the economy, so that all segments of als and commercial institutions and play the role of national level, while banks facilitate the flow of mon- Kuwaiti banks played a pivotal role to mitigate its society become more familiar with banking and mediator in commercial and industrial businesses, ey in the markets within which they operate. impact by ensuring the financing of basic commodi- financial transactions. Established 1961 9 Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Business

Gulf Bank Insight Report Banking the SME sector: Beyond financing Private sector plays key role in generating growth, fostering innovation and creating jobs

KUWAIT: Nurturing SMEs and supporting their development is central to the Kuwaiti government’s strategy of increasing the role of the private sector in generating economic growth, fostering innovation and creating large-scale employment opportunities. SME access to credit remains low in the GCC region and suffers from one of the highest rejection rates for SME loan applications (70 percent in 2018, according to the IMF), with SMEs in Kuwait receiving only 4.7 percent of total gross loans in 2019. Other hindrances impeding SME growth and development include inadequate access to finance and structural and operational obstacles. Kuwait banks face challenges in profitably serving the SME segment as potential loan rates are capped, and inadequate financial records make it difficult to price risk. Furthermore, unclear business objectives, unrealistic valuations by entrepreneurs, and a lack of sufficient assets (for use as collateral) create daunting challenges for banks. To overcome these hurdles - and aside from pro- Kuwait established the Kuwait National Fund (KNF), a the size of the loan demanded is often excessive investors. Structured finance products like these can viding credit - banks could offer non-financial sup- specialized institution to fund, promote and develop compared to the actual capital required to run the be explored for financing SMEs in Kuwait. port, including advisory and support services in col- SMEs, with a capital of KD 2 billion. From 2016 to the business. In addition, banks can also organize public forums laboration with other agencies, to foster the develop- end of 2019, the KNF funded around 1,035 SMEs at a Issues within the SME ecosystem in Kuwait can with SME proprietors to bring about awareness on the ment of SMEs. They can incentivise SMEs to improve cumulative cost of KD 177 million, according to the explain the challenges listed above. According to data rights of SME owners and the opportunities available their operational efficiency by offering cheaper credit Public Authority for Industry (PAI). from the Central Statistics Bureau, a significant per- to them. Public forums can be used to facilitate dia- when key performance indicators are met. Banks can As of 2019, bank loans to SMEs stood at 4.7 per- centage of SME businesses are in low margin indus- logue between SME owners and government agencies, also assist SMEs in obtaining credit ratings that can cent of total gross loans. In 2018, the share of SME tries like wholesale and retail trading (39 percent), real lawmakers, and other decision-makers who can take enhance an SME’s ability to apply for future loans. loans was even lower at 2.8 percent. The sudden spurt estate and hospitality (27 percent), and construction into consideration the needs and requirements of SME In addition, banks can organize workshops and could be attributed to CBK’s move to reduce risk (9.9 percent). SMEs in these sectors are vulnerable to owners and formulate policies accordingly. conferences to facilitate interactions between SME weights for SMEs from 100 percent to 75 percent. economic shocks like recessions. entrepreneurs and decision-makers, like regulators and industry leaders, which will help foster entrepre- Existing Challenges Exacerbated neurship. Through such services and initiatives, banks by the COVID-19 Pandemic can ensure a win-win proposition of developing the Government-mandated lockdowns and curfews SME ecosystem while profitably supporting them. have led to many SMEs closing for much of March, April, and May 2020 in Kuwait. This resulted in a significant revenue drop for many businesses, making it more difficult to pay stakeholders like employees, sup- pliers and banks. The government has tried to mitigate this impact by instituting measures like suspending collection of KNF loans, postponing social security contributions and expediting outstanding payments due to SMEs from the government. The CBK has also reduced the risk weights for SMEs loans from 75 per- SME Ecosystem in Kuwait cent to 25 percent to incentivise SME lending. Finally, banks can foster a spirit of entrepreneurship Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are vital to Challenges facing the banking sector in the country by organizing competitions in colleges the economic development of a country as they foster in relation to serving SMEs include: Bank support vital to supporting and universities, even funding winning ideas if they are innovation, entrepreneurship, and create large-scale 1. Interest rate ceiling: Interest rates of short-term SME development feasible. Conferences in which current and aspiring employment opportunities. As Kuwait transitions to a loans (less than 12 months duration) are capped at Postponing SME loan payments will help SMEs in entrepreneurs are exposed to industry leaders can non-oil based economy, the private sector is expected 2.5 percent above the discount rate, and long-term the short term, but will only kick the can further down also be organized or sponsored. Not only are initia- to play a key role in future economic growth and in loans are capped at 4 percent above the discount the road. Longer-lasting assistance needs to be pro- tives like these a great public relations exercise for generating employment. Globally, SMEs are a key part rate. As a result, banks tend to not extend credit at vided for SMEs and banks can play a role in this banks, but they can also bring about much-needed of the private sector and the wider economy with a rate that is not commensurate with the risk process. For one, banks can help SMEs on some of change in the interim. SMEs responsible for more than 45 percent of global undertaken by the bank. their long-standing issues that have slowed their GDP1. In Kuwait, the SME contribution to GDP is low- 2. Difficulty in pricing risk for SME loans: Many development. Challenges such as lack of financial Conclusion er (around 12 percent as of 20172), likely due to the SMEs are run as ‘sole proprietorships’ and lack the records and talent management can be alleviated by It is imperative that SMEs are given adequate sup- outsized role of the Kuwait public sector in a heavily detailed financial reports provided by larger firms. the extension of non-financial support, including advi- port to enable them to contribute to the local and hydrocarbon-based economy. As Kuwait embarks on Many SMEs might not follow traditional account- sory services. Banks could assist in developing busi- global economy and create jobs. While the government an ambitious plan to reduce the dependency on ing standards and are not rated by credit rating ness plans and increase the operational efficiency of has provided support through programs like the KNF, hydrocarbons over the next few decades, the govern- agencies, nor do they have credit scores, making it SMEs by setting key performance indicators (KPIs), banks can also play an important role in SME development has also been making efforts to build the non- very difficult for banks to determine risk rate accu- and can incentivize SMEs by offering cheaper credit ment. Banks can extend assistance in a number of hydrocarbon economy. Nurturing and supporting rately. for those that achieve the KPIs. Banks can bring about ways (apart from financial support) to alleviate the SMEs to enhance the role of the private sector in the 3. Lack of assets available as collateral: The lack of awareness of credit ratings by helping SMEs initiate a operational and structural challenges facing SMEs. economy and creating jobs for its burgeoning work- collateral and inadequate financial records often rating action by credit rating agencies, lowering the Banks can offer advisory and support services that can force are a key part of the strategy. mean that SMEs cannot access long-term financ- cost of credit. These advisory services can improve improve the operational efficiency of SMEs, and can ing instruments like term loans. Banks are forced to SMEs’ chances of achieving growth and profitability in also organize workshops and conferences with indus- SME funding in Kuwait and extend short-term unsecured loans to SMEs on an the long run. In addition, profitable SMEs that have try leaders to provide corporate exposure to SME challenges faced by banks ad hoc basis at higher rates. demonstrated growth can be advised on the process entrepreneurs. Banks can also come up with innovative Access to credit has remained a key challenge for 4. Lack of business objectives and unrealistic valua- and benefits of listing in stock exchanges. debt vehicles to finance SMEs. With the increasing SMEs looking to grow and expand. The SME loan tions by entrepreneurs: A great majority of SMEs Banks can also use innovative debt financing vehi- number of fintech companies funded by venture capi- application rejection rate by banks is as high as 70 can present business goals and objectives that are cles to fund SMEs. SME loan portfolios of different talists and private equity funds in the region, banks percent in the region, compared to less than 20 per- unclear, with the entrepreneurs’ valuations of their tenures and sizes can be bundled together to diversify need to combine bold measures and a fresh approach cent for OECD countries. Cognizant of this, in 2013 businesses also being generally unrealistic. Hence, default risk, and the portfolio can then be sold to to serve the SME segment profitably. North Ireland halts Economic growth post-Brexit checks has ‘devastating over staff safety cost to nature’

DUBLIN: Border inspections at two Northern Irish PARIS: Humanity’s unbridled growth in recent decades ports were suspended yesterday, after staff were has come at a “devastating cost to nature” according to a threatened over contentious new Brexit controls in the wide-ranging international review on the vital economic long-divided British province. The development comes role played by our living planet. The 600-page rundown just over a month into new trading arrangements after of scientific material commissioned by the British govern- Britain’s departure from the European single market, ment highlighted the precarious state of biodiversity and warned that only a sea change in how countries power and warnings they could stoke lingering sectarian senti- economic growth could prevent catastrophic impacts for ment in Northern Ireland. The European Commission nature, and humanity. The Dasgupta Review-a two-year said staff working at the two border posts in Northern global collaboration of hundreds of academics overseen Ireland were also told “not to attend to their duties” by Partha Dasgupta, professor emeritus of economics at yesterday after the “threat of violence” prompted the University of Cambridge-said that all livelihoods regional authorities to pull staff from ports. depended on the health of the planet. Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, It showed that while global capital produced per per- Environment and Rural Affairs, said late Monday that son had doubled in the three decades since 1992, the regulatory animal-based food checks were dropped at In this ﬁle photo taken on January 01, 2021 an ofﬁcial checks freight from Scotland as truckers disembark a ferry at the stock of natural capital-that is, the quantifiable benefit an Belfast and Larne ports “in the interests of the wellbeing Port of Larne in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. — AFP individual derives from services bestowed by nature-had of staff”. At Larne Port, the local Mid and East Antrim plunged 40 percent. “While humanity has prospered Borough Council withdrew 12 staff after “an upsurge in and EU member the Republic of Ireland-a frequent the province in an economic union with Ireland. immensely in recent decades, the ways in which we have sinister and menacing behavior in recent weeks”, with flashpoint in three decades of violence over British rule. Unionists-and more hardcore loyalists sometimes linked achieved such prosperity means that it has come at a hardcore unionists blamed. The council cited “the Up to 1998, some 3,500 people were killed as union- to paramilitaries-branded 2019 legislation to enact the devastating cost to nature,” the review said. appearance of graffiti within the local area referencing ists who favored ties to Britain engaged in a deadly tug- Northern Ireland protocol “The Betrayal Act”. It called for a fundamental redressing of humanity’s increasing tensions around the Northern Ireland of-war with republicans seeking to merge the province Last week, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark demands and nature’s supply, warning that biodiversity is Protocol and describing Port staff as ‘targets’”. with Ireland. Security checkpoints and patrols along the McEwan told UK lawmakers that officers were noticing intricately linked with human wellbeing and health. Some Regional media reported that attempts seemed to 500-kilometre (310-mile) border were targeted by “growing discontent” among the unionist community- species are going extinct up to 1,000 times faster than have been made to collect information on staff, includ- republican paramilitaries in some of the bloodiest chap- chiefly graffiti and on social media. the historical average, “undermining nature’s productivity, ing vehicle registration plates, in acts of intimidation ters of the sectarian violence. Northern Ireland’s first minister Arlene Foster-head resilience and adaptability”, the review said. recalling the darkest days of “The Troubles” in Northern Post-Brexit, London and Brussels feared splinter of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) — called It warned that catastrophes related to nature loss- Ireland. The Northern Ireland Executive-formed under republican groups still active after the 1998 Good threats against port staff “utterly reprehensible”. She including the COVID-19 pandemic which was driven by a power-sharing agreement between pro-British union- Friday Agreement peace deal could target checks and told broadcaster UTV that “there is community tension land-use changes and species exploitation-could prove ist and republican parties who want a united Ireland- use them as a recruiting tool to grow their base. in Northern Ireland”. to be “the tip of the iceberg” if development continued at jointly condemned the situation. Police patrols have The protocol became the renewed focus of unionist its current rate. “We are totally dependent upon the natural world,” renowned naturalist David Attenborough since been stepped up, while Northern Ireland’s leaders ‘Sea border’ ire last weekend after a coronavirus vaccine row pushed wrote in a foreword to the review. “It supplies us with are due to talk to UK and EU ministers today. The protocol avoids the need for a hard border by the European Commission to warn it would invoke every oxygen-laden breath we take and every mouthful transplanting EU single market and customs union “Article 16” of the treaty to restrict jab exports to the of food we eat. “But we are currently damaging it so pro- The protocol checks to Northern Irish ports and airports. However, province. The fallback provision allows London or The Northern Ireland Protocol came into effect on foundly that many of its natural systems are now on the some unionists believe they create a de facto “sea bor- Brussels to unilaterally suspend aspects of the deal in verge of breakdown.” The economic benefits of biodiver- January 1, when the Brexit transition period ended and der” between Northern Ireland and mainland Great special circumstances. Brussels quickly backtracked on the full effects of the UK’s 2016 decision to split from sity had historically been missed from growth models, Britain-England, Scotland and Wales. the threat-now widely considered a diplomatic bungle- distorting the value of capital accumulation and leaving the EU were finally felt. The protocol is designed to pre- They feel the border disrupts the key principle of after criticism from the UK, Ireland and all of Northern vent a hard border emerging between Northern Ireland crucial conservation programs chronically underfunded, free movement between the united territories and binds Ireland’s mainstream political parties. —AFP said the review. —AFP 10 Business Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Kaico Al-Shaya and Al-Sagar reveals latest Mazda models New Japanese Mazda with European luxury

KUWAIT: Youssef Al-Shaya, Kaico CEO, Ashish Tandon, General manager and Nader Salmeh, Senior Executive Manager- Vehicles group, during the unveiling of two Mazda models in the Avenues.

KUWAIT: As part of its celebration of year, Mazda is adding to its assortment Senior Executive manager- Vehicles which is customized to help you enjoy advantage of luxurious appearance and the launch of its latest and distinct mod- of cars of various sizes and designs. Its group said, “KAICO always strives to your trip. sculpted sporty design, in addition to a els, the Kuwait Automotive Imports new models enhance the diversity and present the latest models of the 100 The Mazda 3 is equipped with a full range of SKYACTIV Technology. Company, KAICO Al-Shaya and Al- introduce the latest modern models. percent Japanese Mazda cars, and to highly efficient SKYACTIV-G direct Sagar, the exclusive distributors of These new cars offered by Mazda are satisfy our customers, we have launched injection petrol engine, which achieves Mazda CX-30...the new definition Mazda cars in Kuwait, presented two considered the latest and best, as they two different Mazda models at once” fuel efficiency of up to 15 percent. The of luxury new models of Mazda cars 2021 in the reflect creativity in design, employment and added, “The best way to choose a car is also equipped with an advanced Mazda CX-30: The pure beauty of Avenues at the weekend in the presence of the latest technology applications, car for you and your family and the set of safety systems that include Driver “less is more”. Clean curves and undu- of Youssef Al-Shaya, Kaico CEO, Ashish use of the best safety features, and great conviction that it is the perfect car is to Monitoring, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane lating surfaces, embracing and reflect- Tandon, General manager and Nader attention to performance. try it yourself, and drive it your way, Departure assistant and Blind Spot ing the surroundings. Sleek, bold pro- Salmeh, Senior Executive Manager- During the event, KAICO pre-regis- that’s why we provided the opportunity Monitoring System to ensure the safety portions lifting and energizing the spirit. Vehicles group. The modern display tered test drive requests under the to pre-book your test drive for the two of your loved ones while driving. While Inside, the cabin is a study in premi- provided an opportunity for car fans supervision of the Mazda expert. new models. the interior is equipped with the MZD um materials and superior craftsman- and enthusiasts in automotive in general Ashish Tandon, General Manager at CONNECT system that gives you ship. The new Mazda CX-30 boasts and Mazda in particular to get acquaint- KAICO, expressed his pride in launch- Mazda 3 hatchback...2020 world car superior internet connectivity, advanced many specifications, including standard ed with Mazda’s concept of luxury. ing the latest cars from Mazda in 2021 design of the year navigation and 360-degree monitoring. cylinder deactivation technology that This celebration invited all Mazda to make them accessible to customers The Mazda 3 hatchback is the lead- While Mazda maintains its established can close the outer cylinders when followers and fans to be among the first in Mazda showrooms in Kuwait. These ing model in the design of Mazda mod- traditions of being among the few cars there is no need to increase fuel effi- customers to have the opportunity to models reflect an energetic and attrac- els, being the most elegant thanks to its that are still entirely manufactured in ciency. The new Mazda CX-30 is fitted get to know the Mazda 3 and Mazda tive picture for young men, young dynamic and streamlined design in the Japan, while the company has devel- with the SKYACTIV-G engine, a 4- CX-30 up closely. With the launch of women and families. rear, and it is a sports saloon equipped oped the “Mazda 3” to become one of cylinder 2.0-liter engine with 153 these two models at the beginning of the On this occasion, Nader Salmeh, with everything needed in the cockpit, the best sedans that combines the horsepower linked to a 6-speed auto- matic transmission. The stunning KODO design of the all-new Mazda CX-30 also infuses pure vitality and solidity that raises it to the status that it deserves and defines an SUV. The new CX-30 offers a well- thought-out cabin that makes life in the driver’s seat - and passenger seats - enjoyable and easy. From the perfect placement of the dashboard and reclin- ing on the back seats, to the many features such as HMI Control Switch, Noise Reduction and High Vibration (NVH), a human-centered cabin that’s ideal for long distances and every day.

one in true Four Seasons style with the Kamco Invest led budgetary requirements by the govern- Take your love places this year Romance Package at Four Seasons Hotel ments. Bonds and sukuks issued by corpo- Kuwait. Specially selected romantic rates in the region saw an uptick during the with Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait amenities will be set up in the room with 6 bond and sukuk year. The demand for these instruments a special cake and a bottle of Zahara. The were higher from yield seeking investors package also extends 15 percent savings offerings in 2020 globally. at Burj Alshaya at Sintoho restaurant and for treatments Abdullah M Al-Sharekh, Managing at The Spa. Director of Markets and Investment Banking, KUWAIT: Kamco Invest, a regional non- KUWAIT: Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Lucio Colombo adds the sweetest of fin- said, “This has been an interesting year for banking financial powerhouse with one of Burj Alshaya provides couples with the ishes to the evening, with a showstopping Suite dreams capital markets. Despite the unexpected cir- the largest AUMs in the region, successfully perfect Valentine’s Day setting this year, dessert to round off the evening, before Treat a loved one this Valentine’s Day cumstances, the regional debt market per- led six debt capital markets (DCM) transac- where beautifully crafted, bespoke pack- guests are presented with a gift as a and indulge in the comfort of a spacious formed exceptionally, affirming the interest of tions amounting to over $2.6 billion during ages celebrate love and romance. Multi- memento of their trip to Tokyo. suite and enjoy 25 percent off when you institutions in exploring financing solutions, 2020, reporting another record year. The sensorial dining experiences from the stay for two nights or more to mark the as well as the interest of local and regional transactions included four local and two Hotel’s celebrated restaurants will take Elements occasion in style. investors in such offerings. We were able to regional offerings in Kuwaiti patrons to Rome, Paris and Tokyo on the The Hotel’s popular 4th floor restaurant structure and close transac- dinars and US dollars with most authentic of culinary journeys. And will be transformed this Valentine’s Day Spa treatments tions for several prominent fixed and variable rates. for those wanting to stay longer in the into a Parisian eatery. Executive Sous The much-adorned destination day issuers in the Kuwaiti and Through its comprehensive moment, a carefully curated romantic stay Chef Fabio Quarta, himself a fluent French spa for the local Kuwaiti community, with regional markets while imple- debt advisory services, Kamco package in a suite awaits. With the option speaker, has meticulously planned a very its range of innovative, result-driven menting our highly responsive Invest has successfully man- to enhance the romantic occasion with the French experience at Elements this year. treatments, offers endless options for and client-oriented approach. aged issuances worth over gift of an indulgent spa treatment, guests A charming set menu in a relaxed setting those gifting for loved ones this Overall, we are proud of the $9.7 billion in conventional and can be sure that Four Seasons Hotel awaits, fuelled by romantic background Valentine’s Day. Treat yourself and visit track record we have built over Islamic debt for its clients since Kuwait is the venue for love this year. music and virtual entertainment. the French Provence without leaving the years and for maintaining our starting its debt capital markets Executive Chef Sebastiano Spriveri city, with the “Time for Lavender Love” position as one of the most practice, making it one of the has drawn inspiration from a celebrated Al-Bandar romantic aromatherapy experience active debt facilitators in the most active debt advisors in Abdullah M Al-Sharekh culinary career to design dining events A limited number of private dining inspired by the beautiful Valensole local and regional markets.” issuing bonds and sukuk across the Hotel that promise to excite Cabana experiences are available this Plateau lavender fields. The 120-minute Al-Sharekh added that the throughout the region. and create special memories for couples Valentine’s Day at Al Bandar’s poolside journey begins with an organic lavender- budget requirements set by Leveraging on its strong this year. “I can’t wait to deliver the venue. Offering personalized butler serv- infused salt body scrub followed by a governments and the expan- regional presence and wide whole experience to our guests,” smiles ice, a lavish gastronomic spread and world relaxing massage with lavender oil, leav- sion capital required by cor- network of institutional Chef. “It’s going to be like travelling, class virtual entertainment, this package ing you completely rejuvenated. The porates should continue to investors, Kamco Invest’s without travelling,” he explains, alluding option will create special memories for “Oriental Essence” treatment, inspired by drive issuances in the near Investment Banking platform to his team’s plan to take diners on a very couples under the city lights. Al-Bandar’s traditional therapies from the Far East term within the MENA region. optimizes capital structures for special journey of their own in the popular lounge will host an altogether provides a deeply relaxing 75-minute Currently low interest rates its clients and diversifies their process. “We’ve made sure that the more convivial atmosphere, with an infor- journey combining dry massage and Thai may entice and motivate sources of debt funding on a menus are elevated, authentic and differ- mal tone along with a live DJ. stretching techniques followed by a nour- issuers to raise funds sooner syndicated or stand-alone ent across every restaurant of the hotel,” ishing aromatherapy oil massage to reju- to lock in the low costs of basis. Building on its strong explains Chef Sebastiano, pointing to the Romance Staycation venate the senses. Make Valentine’s Day Omar Zaineddine borrowing. track record of consistently plethora of packages on offer at Four During the month of February, create an extra special occasion with Four Executive Director of Debt delivering a successful out- Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya this new memories and relax with your loved Seasons Hotel Kuwait. Capital Markets, Omar Zaineddine, come for key issuers, the team managed Valentine’s Day. said, “The year 2020 has proved to be a chal- more than 80 percent of the KWD denom- lenging year for all market participants, yet it Dai Forni inated bonds in the last 10 years. During was a testament for the resilience of local and the year 2020, Kamco Invest acted as a Stunning views from the 21st floor, fine regional issuers and their ability to secure joint lead manager on the $300 million Italian dining and the unique sophisticated attractive funding options even in the tough- Sukuk for the Bahrain-based GFH group, style of Dai Forni combine to create the est of times. The high credit quality of Kuwaiti $500 million Sukuk for the largest bank in perfect environment for to say “Ti amo” (I issuers has allowed them to access the market the UAE First Abu Dhabi Bank, $300 mil- love you). An elegant set menu combines and benefit from international and regional lion Tier 2 Sukuk for Kuwait International with quintessentially International virtual liquidity to secure USD4.4bn of funding at Bank, $500 million Tier 2 Bond for Burgan entertainment to provide an evening that very attractive pricing, out of which $1.8 bil- Bank, KD 150 million Tier Bond for the will excite, surprise and transport you to lion was arranged by Kamco Invest” National Bank of Kuwait and $150 million the heart of Rome in the process. It is worth mentioning that Kamco Invest Sukuk for Warba Bank. was awarded the “Best Debt Bank in the Sintoho The GCC fixed income market remained Middle East” by Global Finance in recogni- vibrant in 2020 with total issuances Experience the magic of love in Tokyo tion of the DCM group’s track record and exceeding those of last year, even though at the Hotel’s modern Asian restaurant annual performance during the year 2019. business closures and government restric- Recently celebrated for its reimagined Additionally, Kamco Invest has advised on tions triggered an economic slowdown due menu that has captivated diners there is deals exceeding $23.8 billion from its incep- to the pandemic. The increase in issuances no doubt that this specially prepared tion to 31 December 2020 in equity, debt were fueled mainly on the back of refinanc- Valentine’s Day menu will delight and capital markets, as well as mergers and ing needs by the corporates as well as astonish couples. Executive Pastry Chef acquisitions. Classifieds Wednesday, February 3, 2021

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Ahammed Syed s/o Syed Ussain Basha holder of Indian pass- Sabah Hospital 24812000 port no. K9653790 issued at Kuwait on 07/03/2013 & Civil ID no. 278081011639 has changed my name from Ahammed Syed to Amiri Hospital 22450005 Shaik Syed Basha. In all my dealings and documents, I will be known by name of Syed Basha (given name) and Shaik (surname). Maternity Hospital 24843100 (C 5831) 3-2-2021 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Old name: Haussain Sabun, New name: Hussain Sabun, Passport: Chest Hospital 24849400 J5546259. (C 5764) 1-2-2021 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Adan Hospital 23940620 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Airlines Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Kuwait Airways 171 Jazeera Airways 177 Kaizen center 25716707 Turkish Airlines 1884918 FlyDubai 22414400 Rawda 22517733 Qatar Airways 22423888 Adaliya 22517144 KLM 22425747 Khaldiya 24848075 Royal Jordanian 22418064/5/6 British Airways 22425635 Kaifan 24849807 Air France 22430224 Shamiya 24848913 Emirates 22921555 Shuwaikh 24814507 Air India 22456700 Air India EXPRESS 22438185/4 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Sri Lanka Airlines 22424444 Nuzha 22526804 Egypt Air 22421578 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Swiss Air 22421516 Saudia 22426306 Qadsiya 22515088 Middle East Airlines 22423073 Dasmah 22532265 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Shaab 22518752 112 Qibla 22459381 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Automated enquiry Mirqab 22456536 about the Civil ID card is Sharq 22465401 1889988 Salmiya 25746401

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STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) A quick survey of the financial news might Your physical and mental energy are excep- Paperwork regarding money might take up a Social events or group activities could prove reveal that your investments, particularly those involving tionally strong right now, Cancer. If you're creative, you will lot of your time today, Libra. This can be tedious, but it's more stimulating than usual, Capricorn. Discussions of property, might be worth far more than you thought, Aries. want to put that energy into a project that means a lot to something that can make a very positive difference to every subject imaginable could take place around you, This might make you wonder if you should sit back and let it you. If you're athletic, you will probably want to get out- you, and therefore needs to be handled as soon as possi- and you might have trouble deciding which ones you all mount up or actively put it to work for you. Consult a pro- side and play a game or go for a jog or cardio class. Bear in ble. Try to stay focused, and don't forget to ask for clarifi- want to join. Your mind may be going the speed of light fessional before taking any immediate action. You will want mind that much of this energy is nervous energy that cation when you need it. In the evening, celebrate by by the time the gathering ends. Walk home if time and to be sure you're doing the right thing. burns out quickly. Pace yourself. going out on the town with a group of friends. weather permit.

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

A message could come today from a business A delivery could come to your house that you A subject that fascinates you could occupy Your writing, speaking, and communicat- or romantic partner that brings some welcome news, Taurus. find very emotionally moving, Leo. Perhaps you've received much of your time today, Scorpio. Questions may arise ing skills are enhanced today, Aquarius. Therefore, you Action on an enterprise of some kind, perhaps involving writ- a gift that represents a big sacrifice to the giver, and was all about this subject that you want answered now. can expect to impress a lot of people around you who ing or speaking, could put one or both of you in the lime- the more sincere for that. This could be on your mind for Therefore, you could get into some in-depth research. will change their opinion about you. People will express their sympathy openly, and you will feel inte- light. Make the most of the opportunity. It could lead to most of the day even though you have a lot to do. When This might have you trapped in the library or glued to the future advancement and exposure, perhaps even more Internet until you either find what you want or pick up a grated and accepted throughout the day. Tonight, find thanking the giver, be warm and sincere but not too effu- a bookstore that's sponsoring a lecture and go. promising than this. You've worked hard and now you're sive. You don't want to embarrass your friend. few leads to places where you might find it. reaping the rewards.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Pisces (February 19-March 20) Emotions, impressions, and memories could Today you can expect to have a highly interest- A friend might drop by and want you to keep Correspondence with someone who lives far come up from your subconscious today, ing conversation with someone, Gemini. The person you will them company while they runs errands, Virgo. This might be a away could appear to lead to something more than Sagittarius. This may preoccupy you and keep you from other be talking to is going to provide you with a ton of information good idea, not only for the diversion from routine but also friendship, Pisces. This person seems to be in total accord matters. This is a positive development. Pleasant memories that will open a whole new world of knowledge. Excitement because something might happen in the course of these with you about nearly everything, and warm feelings and happiness will be with you all day. This conversation will short journeys that points you in a new and very positive bring joy. Disturbing ones offer a release from past trauma. could flow between you. However, if you haven't met in have an impact on your future. direction. Your mind could suddenly be flooded with ideas. Write down your thoughts and then distract yourself by doing person, you should, at least before you get your hopes Make the most of it. something you love. up for a relationship. 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, February 3, 2021

estworld” star Evan Rachel fear of “retaliation, slander, or black- also was cutting ties with Manson going Wood on Monday accused mail.” “I am here to expose this danger- forward. “Wgoth industrial rocker ous man and call out the many indus- Shortly thereafter, the artist categori- Marilyn Manson of being a “dangerous tries that have enabled him, before he cally denied all accusations against him. man” who subjected her to years of ruins any more lives. I stand with the “Obviously, my art and my life have long abuse starting when she was a teenag- many victims who will no longer be been magnets for controversy, but these er. The American actor, who began silent,” she added. recent claims about me are horrible dis- working in entertainment as a child, has Wood reposted allegations by four tortions of reality,” he wrote in an in the past alleged abuse by an ex-part- other women of rape and sexual and Instagram post. “My intimate relation- ner whom she kept anonymous, but on psychological abuse by 52-year-old ships have always been entirely consen- Monday identified her abuser as “Brian Manson, as well as druggings, intimida- sual with like-minded partners. Regardless of how-and why-others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, In this ﬁle photo Marilyn Manson performs In this ﬁle photo US actress Evan Rachel that is the truth.” during the Astroworld Festival at NRG Wood arrives for the Los Angeles season Stadium in Houston, Texas. three premiere of the HBO series ‘Gaslighting and brainwashing’ “Westworld”.— AFP photos Manson gained a cult following in the tionship had first been reported in 1990s with his eponymous band, named 2007, when Wood was 19. He spoke in been a factor in Manson’s divorce from after the Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe a 2009 interview of fantasizing about burlesque superstar Dita von Teese. The and the serial killer Charles Manson. smashing Wood’s skull with a sledge- musician also dated and was engaged Almost always appearing in ghostly pale hammer, although his representatives to actor Rose McGowan, who is among pancake make-up, heavy eyeliner, paint- maintained he was just being deliber- the most high-profile women to have ed lips and slicked black hair, Manson ately provocative. accused Weinstein. McGowan cited a cultivated a controversial image after co- In 2017, Manson notably dismissed “lifestyle difference” in explaining the founding the group in 1989. his bandmate, Jeordie White, from the end of their relationship. In 2018, Wood His albums, laden with occult refer- group after the bassist’s former girl- gave a harrowing account of her experiences, include “Portrait of an American friend accused White of rape. Wood ences of abuse in the US Congress, (From left to right) Actor Jim Sturgess, musician Marilyn Manson, actress Evan Rachel Wood Family,” “Antichrist Superstar” and broke into the mainstream with her without naming anyone. and actress T.V. Carpio attend the after party for a special screening of “Across The Universe”. “Mechanical Animals.” In 2018, shortly leading role in the 2003 film “Thirteen,” “My experience with domestic vio- after the Harvey Weinstein scandal a depiction based on a true story of two lence was this: Toxic mental, physical Warner, also known to the world as tion, violence and death threats. Within unleashed a slew of abuse accusations teenagers whose lifestyles grow and sexual abuse which started slow but Marilyn Manson.” In an Instagram post, hours, Manson’s record label, Loma against powerful men, a police report increasingly destructive as they experi- escalated over time, including threats Manson denied the allegations, calling Vista Recordings, announced it was was filed against Manson, citing unspec- ment with sex and hard drugs, develop- against my life, severe gaslighting and them “horrible distortions of reality.” parting ways with the artist. “In light of ified sex crimes dating back to 2011. ing petty crime habits. brainwashing, waking up to the man that Wood, 33, had earlier said the vocal- today’s disturbing allegations by Evan The Los Angeles district attorney dis- The part earned her a Golden Globe claimed to love me raping what he ist “started grooming me when I was a Rachel Wood and other women naming missed the case, saying the statute of nomination, and she cemented her star believed to be my unconscious body,” teenager and horrifically abused me for Marilyn Manson as their abuser, Loma limitations had expired and noting an status with a number of film roles in the she said. — AFP years.” She described herself as “brain- Vista will cease to further promote his “absence of corroboration.” The goth years that followed, including 2009’s washed and manipulated” by Manson current album, effective immediately,” rocker was engaged to Wood before “The Wrestler,” directed by Darren but said she’d had enough of living in the label said in a statement, saying it the pair broke it off in 2010. Their rela- Aronofsky. Wood was rumored to have

SpaceX’s Dragon cargo capsule undocked with 12 Space tourism: bottles of Bordeaux wine and hundreds of snip- pets of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines.

New test ﬂight he managers of K-pop girl band GFriend issued an apology after Tleader Sowon was pictured hugging planned for a mannequin dressed in a Nazi-era German army uniform. Images taken during a video shoot at a European-themed Virgin Galactic cafe in Paju, north of Seoul, showed the 25-year-old embracing the dummy, her eyes closed and with a dreamy smile. The pace tourism company Virgin photos triggered outrage online after she Galactic said Monday it planned a posted them over the weekend. “It’s not Snew test flight for its SpaceShipTwo difficult to avoid situations like this,” said craft this month after an aborted test in one Twitter poster. “Some issues are too early December. “The flight window will broad to be ignorant (of).” open on February 13 with opportunities Sowon deleted the photos “right after to fly throughout February, pending good she learnt of the implications” of her A mannequin dressed in a Nazi-era German weather conditions and technical readi- action and felt “heavy responsibility”, her army uniform is displayed at a European- ness,” Richard Branson’s company said. agency Source Music said. The man- themed cafe in Paju, north of Seoul. “Pre-flight preparations are already agers added they had “failed to recog- underway at Spaceport America, New nize the issue with the mannequin’s uni- in World War II on show, including the Mexico.” It added the flight would test form”. “We apologize that we didn’t pay US and UK,” he said. remedial work completed since the enough attention to historical facts and Awareness of Europe’s World War II December test when the onboard com- social issues,” they said in a statement on atrocities can be limited in Asia, where puter halted ignition of the rocket motor. Monday. “We bow our heads in apology Nazi iconography is sometimes displayed SpaceShipTwo had been expected to for anyone offended by our contents.” in ignorance of what it symbolizes. This is take its first passengers into space later Six-member GFriend made their debut in not the first time a K-pop group has gar- this year. 2015 and have enjoyed several years’ nered criticism over the use of Nazi-era So far, 600 people who have paid up success in the cut-throat K-pop industry, items. Source Music is a subsidiary of Big to $250,000 — Virgin Galactic calls them welve bottles of Bordeaux wine and plants-half Cabernet Sauvignon and half releasing three studio albums. Hit Entertainment, the management “future astronauts”-have been waiting for dozens of vine shoots are back at Merlot-were stored 312 days. A private The owner of the cafe where the pho- agency of global megastars BTS, who years to take their seat. SpaceShipTwo’s Thome in southwest France after expert tasting of the wine is planned for tos were taken, a military history buff who were embroiled in controversy in 2018 as development was delayed by a devastat- spending months on the International later this month. declined to be identified by name, told images circulated of a concert where the ing crash of the first one in 2014 due to a Space Station (ISS) for an unusual astro- “The only thing that changes com- AFP the uniform was that of “a second septet wore uniforms and waved flags pilot error. When fully functional, the chemistry experiment. The red wine and pared with Earth is the near-total lieutenant in a German army tank unit that critics said recalled Nazi symbols. spacecraft will be taken up by a special 320 mature shoots known as canes absence of gravity, which produces during World War II”. The display was Band leader RM was also pictured in a plane and released at high altitude. arrived Monday after their return to Earth immense stress for life on the ISS,” not “intended to glorify National cap bearing an SS Death’s Head logo in a Seconds later, the spaceship-part plane, via a Dragon capsule operated by Gaume told AFP. Plants that can be Socialism”, he added, but was part of his 2014 photoshoot.—AFP part rocket-will ignite its engine and blast SpaceX, the private launching company made resilient to such stress might also research for a book on the history of mili- upward. — AFP created by Elon Musk. They will be ana- be able to better cope with environmen- tary uniforms. “I also have mannequins lyzed at the Institute of Vine and Wine tal changes produced by climate dressed in uniforms for the Allied Forces Science in Bordeaux to see how the change. “The things we learn about wine stresses produced by zero gravity affect we also plan to develop for other agricul- both grape growth and the finished prod- tural uses,” he said. The cost of the proj- uct, which could spur new agricultural ect, carried out with the University of research. Erlangen in Germany and France’s “The WISE Mission is the first private CNES space agency, was not disclosed. applied research program aimed at It was not the first time wine has been using spatial conditions to tackle agricul- sent into orbit: In 1985, Jean-Michel tural challenges of tomorrow, on a Caze, owner of the storied Chateau warmer planet and with less water,” said Lynch-Bages, gave French astronaut Nicolas Gaume. Gaume and his partner Patrick Baudry a small bottle of its 1975 Emmanuel Etcheparre founded their vintage for a Space Shuttle launch in Space Cargo Unlimited group for carry- Houston. But no one got to sample the ing out a range of research projects in wine in weightlessness-it stills sits zero gravity. The bottles were on the sta- unopened on a dining-room shelf in tion for 438 days, and will be compared Caze’s home. — AFP with 12 similar Bordeaux bottles stored in Figures of soldiers from World War II are displayed at a European-themed cafe in Paju, north of similar conditions on Earth, while the vine Seoul.— AFP photos

Prime Minister Boris Johnson arguing Katharine Hamnett as well as bosses of divorce. The free trade agreement struck toms union, it was unable to prevent there was a “gaping hole” in his deal fashion retailers, urged Johnson to take by Johnson and Brussels after months of reams of new red tape for British busi- where free movement of goods and serv- specific steps to address their concerns. strained negotiations saw no tariffs or nesses trading with Europe. — AFP ices for creatives should have been. They They include adding more reciprocal quotas imposed. However, after the UK said the agreement, finalized on elements to the agreement in areas such chose to leave the single market and cus- Christmas Eve just a week before the UK as VAT, making it easier for garment left the bloc’s single market and customs workers to come to Britain and for the union, had failed to deliver on promises of government to offer more industry-specif- frictionless future trade. ic support. “Ours is a thriving industry, Their concerns echo those of other based on global leadership, complex sectors, from music to fisheries, who supply chains and above all a deeply argue the new bureaucratic regime is interconnected relationship with our over- endangering the future of their industries. seas colleagues,” it stated. The letter “We have been disregarded in this deal added the sector contributes £35 billion and our concerns overlooked in current ($48 billion, 40 billion euros) to UK GDP ritain’s fashion industry is “at real policy decisions,” their letter said. “We and employs almost one million people, risk of decimation” by the post- call on the government to stand by their but was “at real risk of decimation by the BBrexit trade deal with the European commitment to frictionless work travel for Brexit trade deal and current government Union and current government policy, a British creatives, including the fashion and policy”. leading forum warned on Monday. More textile industry and their equipment.” The Britain formally left the EU a year ago than 400 industry figures signed an open open letter, signed by models such as but remained bound by its rules and regu- letter from the Fashion Roundtable to Twiggy and designers including lations until 2021 under the terms of its Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, February 3, 2021

S actor Dustin Diamond, best School in California for “Bell,” which was not intentionally malevolent. (...) His known for playing the nerdy aired for four seasons starting in 1989. actions, though rebukable, stemmed UScreech on the hit TV series The light-hearted show tackling the from loss and the lack of knowledge on “Saved by the Bell,” died Monday, his highs and lows of adolescence was how to process that pain properly.” Last agent said, just weeks after being diag- popular both in the United States and year, when the rest of the “Saved by the nosed with an aggressive cancer. He abroad. Diamond’s offbeat Samuel Bell” cast reunited for yet another was 44. “He was diagnosed with this “Screech” Powers was the perfect foil for reboot, Diamond did not appear. His for- brutal, relentless form of malignant can- Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s Zack Morris. mer co-stars paid tribute to him on cer only three weeks ago. In that time, it Even though he was a major reason for Monday. “Deeply saddened to hear of managed to spread rapidly throughout the show’s success, Diamond’s career the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true his system, the agent, Roger Paul, told did not take off afterwards. comedic genius,” Gosselaar wrote on AFP. “Dustin did not suffer. He did not Twitter. have to lie submerged in pain. For that, ‘You will be missed’ “Looking back at our time working we are grateful.” Other than some “Saved by the Bell” In this ﬁle photo actor Dustin Diamond poses for a portrait during the 2007 Sundance Film together, I will miss those raw, brilliant Diamond, a California native, spinoffs and made-for-television movies, Festival in Park City, Utah. — AFP sparks that only he was able to produce. launched his career with “Good he worked infrequently in small roles. In A pie in your face, my comrade.” Mario Morning, Miss Bliss,” a series about jun- 2009, his tell-all book “Behind the Bell” weapon and disorderly conduct in con- reality TV shows. Lopez, who played AC Slater on “Bell,” ior high students that only lasted one contained some juicy behind-the-scenes nection with a stabbing at a bar. He was “We are aware that Dustin is not con- added: “Dustin, you will be missed my season, but which spawned “Saved by tales of the set-but Diamond later admit- released from jail a month early in 2016 sidered reputable by most. He’s had a man. The fragility of this life is something the Bell.” Diamond’s Screech character, ted it was full of fabricated anecdotes. In for good behavior. In recent years, history of mishaps, of unfortunate never to be taken for granted.”— AFP along with several others, were trans- 2015, he was sentenced to four months Diamond has worked as a stand-up events,” his agent said Monday. “We ported to the fictional Bayside High in prison for carrying a concealed comedian and appeared on several want the public to understand that he Black Panther’ TV series in development for Disney+

isney is developing a “Black Panther” television series set in Dthe fictional African kingdom of Wakanda as part of a massive new five- year content deal with director Ryan This file photo shows actress Tina Fey (left) and Amy Poehler (right) arriving for the 71st In this file photo English actor Gary Oldman In this file photo Frances McDormand attends Coogler, the company said Monday. Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills. — AFP photos arrives for the premiere of “The Laundromat” the Drive-In Premiere of “Nomadland” hosted Global smash hit film “Black Panther” during the 2019 Toronto International Film by Fox Searchlight and The Telluride Film starring the late Chadwick Boseman Festival Day 5, in Toronto, Ontario. Festival at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. was adored by critics and audiences, becoming the first comic book movie to be nominated for best picture at the Oscars, and grossing over $1 billion worldwide. It was also credited as a major step forward in African American representa- tion for Hollywood, with a predominantly Black cast and writer-director in Coogler, who is also overseeing a film sequel set for next year. “Ryan Coogler is a singular storyteller whose vision and he unveiling of the Golden Globes even competing for this year’s races.” category,” said Beachum. Boseman’s range have made him one of the stand- nominations today will jumpstart a “Ma Rainey” co-star Viola Davis is expect- out filmmakers of his generation,” said THollywood awards season like no Acting heavyweights ed to feature on the best actress side, Disney executive chairman Bob Iger in other, with pandemic-related theater clo- Voted on by the 90-odd members of along with Carey Mulligan for #MeToo a statement. “With ‘Black Panther,’ Ryan sures and blockbuster delays expected to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, revenge thriller “Promising Young brought a groundbreaking story and boost smaller, stay-at-home movies like the Globes split movies into “drama” and Woman,” and McDormand. Sacha Baron iconic characters to life in a real, mean- Netflix’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “comedy or musical” categories. In the Cohen (“Borat” and “Chicago 7”) and ingful and memorable way, creating a “Mank.” The influential Globes are often a latter, Amazon sequel “Borat Subsequent Leslie Odom Jr (“One Night in Miami” and watershed cultural moment.” bellwether for any given film’s success at Moviefilm” looks set to contend with Meryl “Hamilton”) are also eyeing multiple nods. the Oscars, but all bets are off in a year Streep’s Netflix musical “The Prom” and that has seen glitzy award campaign the Disney+ filmed version of Broadway Oscars await events scrapped and ceremonies post- hit “Hamilton.” “Hamilton,” created from Last year, the HFPA was slammed for poned by COVID-19 restrictions. multiple performances featuring the origi- its failure to nominate any female direc- Tinseltown’s traditional studios held nal cast including creator Lin-Manuel tors, but Chloe Zhao (“Nomadland”) and back the release of several big hitters last Miranda, is not allowed to compete at the Regina King (“One Night in Miami”) year in the hope of theaters reopening, so Oscars, meaning the Globes represent appear well-placed this year. The 78th streamers including Netflix, Amazon the best chance for the Tony-winning Golden Globes ceremony will take place Prime and Apple should fare better than musical about the US founding fathers to on February 28 — almost two months lat- ever at upcoming prize ceremonies. scoop up film accolades. er than usual, yet still a week before nomi- Among the lead contenders are Aaron In this file photo Golden Globe trophies are set Foreign-language films are likewise nations voting for the Oscars even begins. Sorkin’s “Chicago 7”-a timely look at the by the stage ahead of the 77th Annual Golden separated out into their own Globes pool, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host the protests, police violence and madcap trial Globe Awards nominations announcement at where Korean-American family drama ceremony, broadcast from its usual surrounding the 1968 Chicago anti-war the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills. “Minari” is tipped to emulate last year’s Beverly Hills hotel venue, but presumably riots-and David Fincher’s “Mank,” which all-conquering “Parasite.” In the acting without the event’s trademark raucous A- dives into Golden Age Hollywood with the experts for overall best picture. categories, late “Black Panther” star lister crowd and party atmosphere. making of “Citizen Kane.” The movie from Disney-owned Chadwick Boseman could receive dual The Globes also include a plethora of Amazon Prime has “One Night in Searchlight stars Frances McDormand nominations for his work in 1920s blues television awards, tending to mimic the Miami,” a play adaptation about adrift among a community of elderly, drama “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and small screen’s showpiece Emmys, which Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods,” both on took place in September. Jane Fonda will In this file photo actor Chadwick Boseman at nomadic idealists who roam across the Los Angeles World Premiere of Marvel and Jim Brown’s friendship at the height America in worn-out vans. “Most of the Netflix. Other heavyweight lead actor receive a career achievement award, as of the US civil rights movement, and favorites include Anthony Hopkins for will Norman Lear for his work on the televi- Studios’ BLACK PANTHER at Dolby Theatre in contenders seem to be more intimate Hollywood, California. — AFP sleeper hit “Sound of Metal” about a rock movies, or ones that do play well at “The Father,” adapted from a French play sion side. The Oscars follow some two drummer who loses his hearing. Holding home,” said Chris Beachum of awards about dementia, and Gary Oldman for months later, on April 25.— AFP the line for Hollywood’s old-school studios tracker Gold Derby. “A lot of the ‘big- “Mank.” almost singlehandedly is “Nomadland,” screen’ type movies-thinking about a “And you’ve got a favorite of the “We’re thrilled to strengthen our rela- which swept the prizes at the Venice and James Bond movie or the Marvel movies- Globes people, Tom Hanks (for “News of tionship and look forward to telling more Toronto festivals and is the pick of many have been held back anyway. They’re not the World”) — I mean, it’s a really strong great stories with Ryan and his team.” Coogler’s company Proximity will devel- attend screenings of its selected films for op a “wide variety” of projects for the general public at venues across the streaming service Disney+ and other city. A gala awards ceremony will also branches of the sprawling Mouse take place then. Cinemas throughout House studio. “We’re already in the mix Germany have been closed since on some projects that we can’t wait to November as part of a nationwide shut- share,” said Coogler. down to curb the coronavirus. Festival The untitled Wakanda series is the organizers said the 71st edition of the latest in a huge raft of Disney+ televi- Berlinale would be “entering into new ter- sion shows set in the world of the ritory” because of the challenges posed record-grossing Marvel superhero films. by the pandemic. At an investor presentation in “In this moment in time, it is meaning- December, Disney announced “roughly ful and a great sign of hope that the 10 Marvel series” would hit the stream- Golden Bear winners will be in Berlin ing service in the “next few years.” watching films in a theatre and finding a Others included the Samuel L Jackson- way to support their colleagues,” said led “Secret Invasion,” “If Beale Street artistic director Carlo Chatrian about the Could Talk” actress Dominique Thorne erlin’s international film festival, the six-member jury. They include last year’s in “Ironheart,” and Don Cheadle for first major European cinema show- laureate, dissident Iranian director “Armor Wars.” case of the year, on Monday Mohammad Rasoulof, who claimed the “WandaVision,” the first new release B in the Marvel franchise “universe” for unveiled plans for a hybrid online and top prize with his drama “There Is No live competition in March in response to Evil”, a searingly critical work about the almost two years due to delays caused the pandemic. The Berlinale, as the death penalty in his country. by the pandemic, is currently airing on event is known, said its jury will be made He was unable to accept the prize in European Film Market, where movie It was cancelled entirely last year for Disney+. The pioneering Boseman’s up of six previous winners of its presti- person as he was barred from leaving rights are bought and sold and which the first time since World War II, with just lead role in “Black Panther” will not be gious Golden Bear who will watch this Iran. Israel’s Nadav Lapid, Romanian usually runs in parallel, will move entirely a small online presentation from its offi- recast in the sequel film following his year’s contenders in a large cinema filmmaker Adina Pintilie, Ildiko Enyedi of online. The Berlinale announced late last cial selection in October. The Sundance death in August from colon cancer, the together in the German capital. Critics Hungary, Italian documentary maker year a postponement from its usual Film Festival, a normally Utah-based company has said. “His portrayal of and reporters will have access to the Gianfranco Rosi and Bosnian director February slot as the virus takes a harsh showcase of independent cinema, is cur- T’Challa the Black Panther is iconic and movies online during the March 1-5 com- Jasmila Zbanic will round out the panel. toll on the global entertainment industry. rently taking place online. — AFP transcends any iteration of the charac- petition. The films’ stars, however, will be The world’s premier festival, Cannes, last ter in any other medium from Marvel’s absent, dimming the event’s usual glam- Red carpet glitz week pushed back its 2021 edition to past-and it’s for that reason that we will our quotient. The festival, which normally attracts July from May due to the pandemic, with not recast the character,” Marvel A second stage of the festival will roll tens of thousands of visitors, will scale questions still open when the glitz of the Studios president Kevin Feige told out in June, with the filmmakers invited to back considerably this year. The red carpet will return to its full pomp. Disney’s investor day. — AFP 14 Sports Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Olympics will happen ‘however COVID evolves’: Tokyo 2020 chief

Organizers to outline details of extensive virus countermeasures

TOKYO: The pandemic-postponed Olympics will details of the extensive coronavirus countermea- go ahead this summer “however the coronavirus sures they have devised for the 2020 Games, which evolves,” Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori said were pushed back to 2021 last March as COVID-19 yesterday, brushing aside doubts about the event. spread around the globe. But Japanese public opin- Organizers, Japan’s government and Olympic offi- ion appears opposed to holding the Games this year, cials are trying to shore up support for the Games with 80 percent of people backing either further despite a surge in infections around the world, less postponement or a cancellation in surveys. than six months before the opening ceremony. Doubts about the Games have grown as coun- ‘Hopes and dreams’ tries have been forced to re-enter lockdowns, Organizers have said neither of those options are with large parts of Japan currently under a virus on the table, and have received strong support from state of emergency, but Mori sounded a confident both the International Olympic Committee and ath- note. “We’ll certainly go ahead however the coro- letes around the world. Olympic Minister Seiko navirus (pandemic) evolves,” he told a meeting of Hashimoto told the meeting she too was confident Olympic organizers and members of Japan’s ruling the Games could go ahead. party in Tokyo. “Making the Tokyo Games a success will “We must go beyond discussion about whether demonstrate the world is united,” said Hashimoto, we will hold it or not. It’s about how we will do it. herself a former Olympian. She said it would deliver Let’s think about a new kind of Olympics on this “hopes and dreams” to the world, and “send a mes- occasion,” he added. The comments came hours sage that Japan can contribute to solving issues before Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga that the world faces”. announced a month-long extension of the state of While organizers have clung to the line that the emergency — meaning the measure will run until Games will open as scheduled on July 23, key deci- March 7 in Tokyo and several other parts of the sions about the shape of the event remain — includ- TOKYO: A couple checks pictures after posing in front of the Olympic rings on display at the Odaiba waterfront in country. ing whether foreign fans will be able to come and Tokyo yesterday. — AFP Tighter border restrictions imposed after infec- how many spectators will be in the venues. Local tions surged have already forced the postponement medical associations have urged organizers to limit said, when asked if fans would be able to attend. cials keen to encourage athletes to be vaccinated of some sporting fixtures including this year’s first fans, warning the country’s healthcare system has “Our priority is to ensure safe Olympic Games and where possible but to avoid being seen as promot- Olympic test event, an artistic swimming qualifier been overburdened in the current wave of infections. we will do whatever is needed to organize safe ing queue-jumping. Japan has yet to approve any that was scheduled for March. The nationwide IOC chief Thomas Bach acknowledged for the Olympic Games.” coronavirus vaccines, and is not expected to start Olympic torch relay is still due to begin on March 25. first time last month that the Games could take place The thorny question of vaccination also hangs inoculating its population before late February at Organizers are expected today to outline further behind closed doors. “This I cannot tell you,” he over the event, with Olympic and Paralympic offi- the earliest. — AFP

Qadisiya upset Fatat Club in Women’s football Impressive Osaka, Barty make winning KUWAIT: With only 20 seconds remaining in the match, Qadisiya’s player Abrar Al-Hamadi scored a goal against Fatat Club securing the first win for her team in start in Melbourne Kuwait’s Women Indoor Football Championship with a final score of 3-2. Meanwhile, Kuwait defeated Arabi 5-1 MELBOURNE: Ashleigh Barty and Naomi in the second match of the day in the tournament’s best- Osaka made successful returns after long lay- of-three playoffs’ stage. Qadisiya’s win was described as offs yesterday, fine-tuning their preparations an upset as it came against a Fatat team that ended the ahead of the Australian Open. In the night regular season matches on top of the standings, while match, world number one Barty showed little Qadisiya was fourth. Mai Al-Ahmad scored Qadisiya’s rust to comfortably beat Ana Bogdan 6-3, 6-3 first goal in the 4th minute, but Fatat did not wait long to in the Yarra Valley Classic. equalize with a goal in the 6th minute scored by “I’ve missed coming out here competing but Naseema Ghulami. The best player in Asia Farashta I felt great tonight,” she said. The Australian Kareemi scored for Qadisiya 8 minutes before the end of played her first tournament in 11 months after first half. Dina Al-Khawari was able to score the equaliz- opting to remain home in relatively COVID-19 er for Fatat in the 25th minute before Hammadi secured free Queensland during the pandemic and even the win for Qadisiya. KUWAIT: Qadisiya players celebrate after their win in Kuwait’s Women Indoor Football Championship. decided against defending her French Open crown. Barty, hoping to break her country’s 43-year singles title drought at the Australian Open, was made to work early before pounc- No. 301 GR Toyota Hilux, comment- Fired-up ing on Bogdan’s tentative serve and she proved Toyota celebrates another ed: “This is a fantastic result for us. far too consistent for the Romanian. The 24- I’m really proud of the team and year-old plays world number 52 Marie outstanding performance would like to thank the entire GR Djokovic makes Bouzkova next. team for the hard work they’ve put in Osaka made similarly light work of France’s to make this a reality.” perfect start Alize Cornet in the Japanese star’s first com- at Dakar 2021 Akira Miura, Driver of the No. petitive match since winning the US Open for a 340 Toyota Land Cruiser, said: “In second time. The three-time Grand Slam MELBOURNE: Australian Open champi- RIYADH: Toyota has proved once lenging circumstances. Taking advan- this year’s Dakar Rally, I maintained champion hit 22 winners to move into the third on Novak Djokovic got his season off to a again the capabilities of its vehicles tage of this experience, we at Toyota a positive outlook every day, and I round of the Gippsland Trophy with a 6-2, 6-2 perfect start with a battling win over on all terrains, and harsh climatic will continue our efforts to make really enjoyed the driving in a very victory in Melbourne. “I haven’t played a Denis Shapovalov in the ATP Cup yester- conditions, with a spectacular per- ever-better cars. We’re grateful to all good way. I believe this is why we match since the final in New York, I was defi- day, but Rafael Nadal pulled out injured formance at the world’s most the fans and appreciate your contin- were able to win. I could strongly nitely really nervous going into it,” said Osaka, and world number three Dominic Thiem extreme motorsports event, the ued support. Thank you very much to feel how much everyone contributed who won the Australian Open in 2019. “But I’m crashed to defeat. Dakar Rally. Toyota’s iconic Land all our fans everywhere.” to creating an environment that really happy with how positive I was through- The Serbian world number one, who will Cruiser continued to dominate the The 2021 edition of the Dakar enabled a focus on the driver. I am out the match.” be chasing a ninth Australian Open crown Production Car category, with the Rally was held in Saudi Arabia and overwhelmed with gratitude.” It was an impressive performance from when the year’s first Grand Slam begins on Toyota Auto Body team claiming a kicked off with a Prologue on Over the years, Toyota has been Osaka, who had few problems against Cornet Monday, was pushed hard before coming spectacular one-two victory. Akira January 2 to determine starting posi- participating in many different forms in her first encounter with the French veteran. through 7-5, 7-5 against the hot shot Miura and Laurent Lichtleuchter tions on the outskirts of Jeddah. Al- of motorsports, including Formula Osaka plays Katie Boulter in the next round Canadian on Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic took first place in the No. 340 Attiyah and Baumel, who have previ- One, the World Endurance after the British woman knocked out teenage showed no signs of being hindered by a nasty Toyota Land Cruiser, while team- ously won the 2019 Dakar Rally and Championship (WEC), and the sensation Coco Gauff 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in one hour blister on his racquet hand that troubled him mates Ronald Basso and Jean- took second place last year, got off N¸rburgring 24 Hours endurance and 43 minutes. After a tough opening victory at an Adelaide exhibition last week and to the best possible start in the No. race. Toyota’s participation in these over Jil Teichmann, the 16-year-old American Michel Polato finished as runners-up returned 30 minutes later alongside Filip 301 GR Toyota Hilux after finishing events was overseen by separate started strongly before fading in her second in the No. 345 Toyota Land Cruiser. Frajinovic to play the decisive doubles rubber. fastest on the 11-kilometre route. entities within the company until match in consecutive days. This incredible milestone means that The pair beat Shapovalov and Milos the Land Cruiser has now achieved The GR duo went on to secure April 2015, when Toyota established Earlier, defending Australian Open champi- wins in Stage 2 (Bisha - Wadi Ad- Raonic 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) as defending champion Sofia Kenin’s long-awaited return to eight consecutive championship wins GR, to consolidate all its motorsport ons Serbia took the Group A tie against at the Dakar Rally. Dawasir), Stage 3 (Wadi Ad-Dawasir activities under one in-house brand. Melbourne Park was brief after her Italian Canada 2-1. “It was a great opening of the opponent Camila Giorgi retired injured after Meanwhile, GAZOO Racing -Wadi Ad-Dawasir), Stage 4 (Wadi Representing Toyota’s belief that ‘the season. Playing Shapo is always a great chal- one set at the Yarra Valley Classic. The 22- (GR)’s Nasser Al-Attiyah and navi- Ad-Dawasir - Riyadh), Stage 8 roads build the people, and the peo- lenge on hardcourts, he is such a dynamic, year-old was back at the scene of her stun- gator Mathieu Baumel achieved sec- (Sakaka - Neom), and Stage 11 (Al ple build the cars,’ GR highlights the explosive player,” said Djokovic, who was ning breakthrough Grand Slam title last year, ond place in the Four-Wheel Drive Ula - Yanbu). Al-Attiyah and Baumel role of motorsports as a fundamental fired up by playing in front of a smattering of where she beat Garbine Muguruza in three category after securing five stage headed into the final stage in second pillar of Toyota’s commitment to noisy Serbian fans. sets. But it was a short stay on Margaret victories in the No. 301 GR Toyota place, just over fifteen minutes making ‘ever-better’ cars. Harnessing “I thought we both played on a pretty high Court Arena with the 76th-ranked Giorgi Hilux. The Hilux proved a runaway behind the leading car. Despite clos- years of experience gained under level, so I’m really pleased with the way I retiring because of a thigh injury after Kenin success at this year’s rally, with vari- ing the gap during the 200-kilome- the extreme conditions of various ter-long stage from Yanbu to Jeddah, started the season. This is a great competi- clinched a tight first set 7-5. “I’m happy with ous drivers winning eight out of the motorsports events, GR aims to tion,” added Djokovic, who won all eight the No. 301 GR Toyota Hilux finished forge new technologies and solutions the win, the way I played,” she said. “I started 12 stages behind the wheel of the matches he contested en route to the trophy off pretty good... just made a little bit too model at the legendary race. Dakar 2021 in second place overall. that bring the freedom, adventure, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Driver of the last year. “We need more competitions where many unforced errors.” — AFP Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota and joy of driving to everyone. we represent a team, represent our country.” Motor Corporation, commented: On a cool day, big-serving Raonic got “Congratulations to all Team Land Canada off to a blistering start, crushing Cruiser Toyota Auto Body team Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4 in 79 minutes to give members for their eighth straight his team a 1-0 lead, with the former world victory, and to Miura san and number three, now ranked 15, dropping just Lichtleuchter for winning the cham- eight points on serve while sending down 11 pionship! I would also like to con- aces. It was left to Djokovic to level the tie gratulate Al-Attiyah and Baumel for before clinching the doubles rubber. Serbia taking on the challenge in the Hilux, beat Nadal’s Spain in the final of the inaugural finishing second overall. I think it’s a and hugely popular tournament last year in wonderful result because they never Sydney — launched as a rival to the Davis gave up and continued to trust their Cup. It has been slimmed down from 24 teams partners, the team, and people who to 12 this year due to the coronavirus with all supported them.” matches at Melbourne Park over five days Toyoda continued: “I think this with $7.5 million at stake, rather than the mul- MELBOURNE: Japan’s Naomi Osaka serves year’s Dakar was very unique. It was ti-city format employed in 2020. Nadal was against France’s Alize Cornet during their a very significant day for the auto- due to face Australia’s Alex de Minaur in an Gippsland Trophy women’s singles tennis match mobile industry to be able to com- evening Group B clash, but withdrew shortly in Melbourne yesterday. — AFP pete at a rally held under such chal- beforehand with a back niggle. — AFP Established 1961 15 Sports Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Slimmed-down Super Bowl week kicks off as virus threat remains

Capacity cut to 22,000 seats, corporates skip advertising bonanza

LOS ANGELES: The final countdown to the Super participating teams arrive in the host Super Bowl city Bowl got off to a low-key start on Monday with a several days ahead of the game, the Chiefs are virtual opening night media event, as the specter of remaining in Kansas City until the weekend, when COVID-19 hovered over the US sporting showpiece. they will decamp for Florida. With just six days until the Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Buccaneers and the 43-year-old Brady — attempt to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs in the who will become the oldest player to play in a Super NFL’s championship game, players from both sides Bowl on Sunday when he chases his record seventh were adjusting to a new normal as a week of media championship — have the advantage of playing at activities got under way. home. The Bucs won the right to become the first The Super Bowl’s “opening night” is usually ever team to play a home Super Bowl after upsetting played out in a crowded arena made up of fans and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship thousands of media against a backdrop of rock music game at Lambeau Field last month. and pyrotechnics as the teams are introduced. Safety “It’s all very unique,” Brady said Monday. “I’m issues surrounding COVID-19 however made the tra- happy in my own bed, happy I’m eating good stuff at ditional circus-like kick-off a non-starter this year, home, don’t have to travel, pack my clothes and all leaving the likes of Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes the other crap. There’s some real positives to take to instead conduct press interviews via Zoom. from it,” he said. The slimmed-down feel to this year’s Buccaneers quarterback Brady, who is preparing Super Bowl will be in evidence across the week, with for his 10th Super Bowl, would normally expect to fewer parties and smaller, ticketed fan events which find himself in the center of a scrum of dozens of will be staged outdoors and tightly controlled. cameras and journalists. Instead he addressed media Some US corporate titans meanwhile have opted KANSAS CITY: Michael Wheeler, also known as KC Superman, poses in front of a Kansas City Chiefs display at in front of a lone camera at the Tampa Bay to skip the television advertising bonanza that Union Station in downtown Kansas City ahead of Super Bowl LV against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Buccaneers team facility. accompanies the Super Bowl, with the likes of Monday in Kansas City, Missouri. —AFP “Crazy media day. I’m sitting here in an empty Budweiser and Coca-Cola deciding to remain on the room,” Brady remarked. “It’s very different from the sidelines. “This commitment is an investment in a other nine experiences.” Chiefs counterpart future where we can all get back together safely over lottery. A further 2,000 seats will be filled in VIP placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. Robinson and Mahomes was similarly bemused by the contrast in a beer,” Budweiser said in a statement. suites. The United States continues to battle against backup Kilgore were placed in isolation after coming surroundings, a year after being the center of atten- COVID-19, which has infected 26.3 million Americans into contact with someone who had tested positive tion in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory over the San Capacity slashed and left 443,000 dead. and must now record five consecutive days of nega- Francisco 49ers. Capacity for Sunday’s game meanwhile has been While the NFL managed to complete its season tive tests to avoid missing the Super Bowl. “The prob- slashed by around two thirds, with only 22,000 seats with relatively few hitches, the threat of coronavirus lem is you’re fighting the invisible man,” Chiefs coach ‘Very different’ being filled. Some 7,500 of those tickets have been lurked over Monday’s media activities as the Chiefs Andy Reid said. “It’s germs, and they’re hard to see. It “From last year to this year, very different,” said given to vaccinated US healthcare workers, while confirmed that two players — receiver Demarcus just gets you when least expected, and we’re seeing Mahomes. In another departure from tradition, when only 14,500 tickets went on sale to the public via a Robinson and center Daniel Kilgore — have been that in everything. It’s an unfortunate thing.” —AFP

Diversity driving Bucs, News in brief Brady into Super Bowl USA Basketball face France, Iran PARIS: Olympic basketball champions the LOS ANGELES: If the Tampa Bay old offensive consultant Tom Moore. United States will face France and Iran in the Buccaneers upset the odds and defeat Bruce Arians, the Tampa Bay men’s group stages of the Tokyo Olympics the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Buccaneers head coach and architect following yesterday’s draw. They will be Bowl, it will be a victory for diversity of the diverse back room staff, insists joined in Group A by the winner of Greece, as well as Tom Brady. Brady may that his hiring policy is simple: picking China, Canada, Uruguay, Czech Republic and understandably hog the limelight head- the best candidate for the job. Turkey from a qualifying event in Victoria, ing into Sunday’s NFL showpiece, but Canada in late June. The draw also pitted the quarterback’s journey to a 10th ‘Best coaches I know’ Spain, Japan and Argentina with Group C Super Bowl has been powered by a “They’re the best coaches I know,” completed by the winner of a qualifying event backroom staff that is the most diverse Arians told reporters on a Zoom call on in Kaunas consisting of Lithuania, South in the league. Monday. “It starts with that.” Arians, Korea, Venezuela, Poland, Slovenia and At a time when NFL teams have who at 68 years and 127 days would Angola. Australia are in Group B with Nigeria faced accusations of systemic racism become the oldest head coach to win a TAMPA: In this file photo taken on December 20, 2019 OJ Howard #80 of the and two other teams decided by qualifying for their failure to promote minority Super Bowl if the Buccaneers triumph Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust events in Split (Germany, Russia, Mexico, coaches to senior coaching roles, the on Sunday, compares coaching to before the game against the Houston Texans at Raymond James Stadium in Tunisia, Croatia and brazil) and in Belgrade Buccaneers have been a rare beacon of school teaching. Tampa, Florida. — AFP (Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Serbia, diversity. The Buccaneers are the only “A player is going to ask a coach, Puerto Rico, Italy, Senegal). — AFP team in the NFL to have black coaches ‘How are you going to make me bet- in all four coordinator roles — offen- ter?’ He doesn’t really care if the Arians believes that the range of ing jobs in high school and semi-pro- sive coordinator Byron Leftwich, answer comes from a male or a female, backgrounds, ages and genders in his fessional grid-iron, praises Arians’ Perez tests positive defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, black, white, brown or yellow or who- coaching staff leads to better outcomes. commitment to hire staff from all “To hear voices in a staff meeting that backgrounds. “This is not something special teams coordinator Keith ever,” Arians said. “We’re glorified MADRID: Real Madrid president Florentino aren’t the same, that don’t look alike, that’s done because of checking box- Armstrong and assistant head coach school teachers. The best school Perez, 73, has tested positive for Covid-19, the you get better output and for the play- es,” Locust said. “It’s not done Harold Goodwin. teachers I ever had were all different club announced yesterday. The reigning ers it’s the same thing,” he said. “Not because of an initiative. It’s who BA is Tampa Bay are also the only team in races and ethnic groups, male and Spanish champions said in a statement Perez hearing the same thing over and over. and who he has always been.” Arians the NFL to employ two women in full- female. So if you can teach, you can “is not presenting any symptoms.” Perez’s To hear it from different ages whether meanwhile is frustrated that more time coaching positions in the shape of coach,” he added. The hiring of women positive test comes after Real Madrid coach it’s 27 or 82, and every kind of ethnic members of his coaching unit did not assistant defensive line coach Lori coaches Locust and Javadifar was long Zinedine Zidane also tested positive last group, male or female. I think our play- come into contention for the handful Locust and assistant strength and con- overdue, Arians maintains. “It was time month. Zidane was asymptomatic and returned ers learn from that. I know I do.” of head-coaching jobs that fell open ditioning coordinator Maral Javadifar. for that door to be knocked down,” to Madrid’s training ground yesterday morning following the regular season. Arians The Bucs coaching staff is also no Arians said Monday. “A lot of (women following his period of isolation. Perez is in his Not ‘checking boxes’ said Monday he was peeved that bastion of ageism. Among the employ- coaches) have put in the time and are second term as Real Madrid president, which Locust, who arrived in Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich ees who will be providing input on the very qualified, and ones we have are began in 2009. He was also in charge of the after working her way up from coach- didn’t get an interview. — AFP sidelines this weekend is the 82-year- overly qualified.” club between 2000 and 2006. — AFP

Davis, James Pakistan eye first Test ‘Messi is worth it’ lead Lakers series win over South BARCELONA: Two of the candidates in Barcelona’s presidential election, Joan over Hawks, Africa in 17 years Laporta and Victor Font, insisted on Monday that Lionel Messi “generates more” than he RAWALPINDI: earns, after his “colossal” club contract was fans ejected New-look Pakistan will look to end published in a Spanish newspaper. “Leo gen- a 17-year wait for a series win against South Africa erates much more income than the money he LOS ANGELES: Anthony Davis and leapfrog the Proteas in the rankings in the sec- costs,” Joan Laporta, who is seeking to regain scored 25 points and LeBron James ond Test starting tomorrow. Victory would be the presidency, told Rac1 radio. One of his added 21 as the Los Angeles Lakers poignant for Pakistan, who are hosting their biggest rivals, Font, spoke on Onda Cero radio. “To overpowered the Atlanta Hawks on Test series since the deadly 2009 militant attack on imply that Barca is ruined because of Messi is Monday to end their road trip with Sri Lanka’s team halted international tours. an absolutely erroneous conclusion,” he said. a hard-fought 107-99 victory. Pakistan, whose lone series win over South Africa On Sunday, under the headline “the colossal James pulled down seven rebounds was at home in 2003, start as favorites in Rawalpindi contract that ruins Barcelona”, El Mundo and weighed in with nine assists as after last week’s thumping seven-wicket win in published details of the current deal, signed in ATLANTA: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a fan well as a clutch three-pointer that Karachi. They stand to rise two places to fifth in the 2017. It said Messi could have earned 555 courtside during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State gave the Lakers a 101-97 lead with rankings with a series victory, while defeat would million euros ($674 million) by the time the Farm Arena on Monday in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP just over a minute remaining at — push South Africa down from fifth to sixth. deal expires. — AFP State Farm Arena. Debutant Nauman Ali and fellow spinner Yasir It was the decisive blow in a out and end this trip the right way, should have been kicked out. They Shah were the heroes in Karachi with seven wickets game that had been halted midway with a victory.” might have had a couple of drinks each, along with Fawad Alam whose first-innings Al-Arabi, Al-Shabab win through the fourth quarter after two James, meanwhile, laughed off maybe. It’s fine. It kind of got blown century set up the win. Babar Azam, who captained Pakistan for the first time, said the win was much female spectators heckled James the incident that led to play being out of proportion... fans in the KUWAIT: Al-Arabi beat Kazma 2-1 in a from courtside. The women were halted in the fourth quarter, reveal- stands, just feels better,” James said. needed after they went down heavily in both Tests away to New Zealand in December and January. match held on Monday as part of the second ejected from the Arena. Davis, ing that the altercation began when Trae Young led the Atlanta scorers round of Kuwait premier league. Udai Al- meanwhile, was satisfied after a he had exchanged words with a with 25 points and 16 assists, while “This win was very necessary for our group,” said Azam. “The last series in New Zealand didn’t go Dabbagh of Al-Arabi, in the match held at victory that left the Lakers firmly on male spectator seated next to the John Collins chipped in with 22 Sabah Al-Salem stadium, scored the two goals the tail of the Los Angeles Clippers women. points. Clint Capela added 16 points very well. Yes, these are home conditions but South Africa is a top Test side and beating them was raising his team’s score to four. Kazma’s and Utah Jazz, who occupy the top and pulled down 13 rebounds. Hamad Al-Harbi scored the single goal, with two spots in the Western ‘Happy fans are back’ Elsewhere on Monday, the morale-boosting.” He added: “We have been telling the players to be the score remaining vacant. Meanwhile, Al- Conference. “At the end of the day I’m happy Milwaukee Bucks romped to a 134- Shabab defeated Al-Salmiya 2-1 at Thamer “The last game of a road trip’s fans are back in the building,” 106 win over the Portland Trail confident. I don’t want them to take pressure, learn from mistakes and do your best.” However, Stadium. Al-Shabab started scoring in the first always tough and we didn’t want to James said. “I miss that interaction. I Blazers. Portland’s Nassir Little led half through Asieno Caesar in the 8th minute, buy into that ‘being tired, ready-to- need that interaction. I don’t feel the game scoring with 30 points, Rawalpindi will provide a different challenge for both teams as fast bowlers tend to dominate. When while Asieno Nadiya scored in the 67th minute go home’ mentality,” Davis said. like they deserved to be kicked out. but six Bucks players made double- and added the second goal for Al-Shabab. “And (Atlanta) is a good team. They “There was a back and forth digit tallies as Milwaukee cruised to Pakistan beat Bangladesh there by an innings and 44 runs, 12 months ago, 20 of the 30 wickets went to Patrick Fabiano scored the only goal for Al- were 10-9 and they came out and between two grown men, he said the win. Giannis Antetokounmpo Salmiya. Al-Shabab registered their first three played like it. We dropped two his piece, I said my piece. And then had 18 points, while Jrue Holiday fast bowlers. With that in mind, Pakistan are expected to drop Nauman, despite his wickets in Karachi, points in the league, and Al-Salmiya remained already on this road trip which we someone else jumped in and said had 22. Bobby Portis added 21 with the only three points. — KUNA hate doing, so we wanted to come their piece. But I don’t think they points off the bench. —AFP and give a Test debut to paceman Haris Rauf. —AFP Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 Liverpool bolster defense as window shuts Minamino off to Saints in quiet last day of Premier League transfer

LONDON: Liverpool finally bolstered their defen- The 20-year-old arrives after two years in the sive options by signing Schalke’s Ozan Kabak and Bundesliga, where he played for Stuttgart before Preston’s Ben Davies before the Premier League joining Schalke in July 2019. He previously gained transfer window slammed shut on Monday. Champions League experience at Galatasaray and Meanwhile Premier League champions’ Japanese has won seven caps for Turkey. attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino left for Davies, 25, signed for an initial fee believed to be Southampton on loan until the end of the season in £500,000, plus future add-ons. Klopp conceded one of the few moves between Premier League signing a relatively unknown player from the second clubs on a quiet deadline day. tier was a move forced by financial restraints of the The January window is regarded as a sellers’ mar- pandemic and Liverpool’s injury woes. ket and often a time for stop-gap measures but “It’s probably clear that in a normal transfer win- Liverpool were forced to act. The champions are miss- dow, without any issues, we would not look at ing all of their senior central defenders, with Virgil van Preston if there’s a player for us,” he said. “But since Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip out of action. we saw him and since our situation got clearer and Fabinho, who had impressed at center-back after clearer — the problems we had — when we saw moving from his usual midfield position, recently him we got really excited about it and thought, joined the injured list while captain Jordan ‘Wow.’ We see the quality and we see the potential.” Henderson, who usually plays in midfield, has been Davies made 145 appearances for Preston, scoring forced to deputize at the back. two goals, since his debut in 2013. Japanese international Minamino departed Anfield for Southampton in a surprise move allowed Low-spending window to be completed after the window shut because the “Obviously it came as a bit of a surprise when it Saints had submitted the necessary paperwork in first came out but once you start to get your head time. “I am very pleased to welcome Takumi to our around it, the opportunity that is in front of me is squad for the rest of this season,” Southampton incredible,” Davies said. “I’ve never actually been to manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said in club statement Anfield and I haven’t had a look around yet.” issued two hours after the 2300 GMT deadline. “He Major moves involving “Big Six” Premier League will help provide another good attacking option, clubs were few and far between in the January win- and is importantly the right profile of player for us. dow. Top-flight clubs, who splashed the cash in the This will give us some additional depth in our squad summer transfer window, are reeling from the finan- at an important time.” cial fallout as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and GELSENKIRCHEN: Schalke’s Turkish defender Ozan Kabak (left) and Bayern Munich’s German midfielder Leroy Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had been sug- are coming to terms with new Brexit rules that make Sane vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Schalke 04 v FC Bayern gesting for several weeks that a replacement cen- it tougher to recruit young players from Europe. Munich in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, on January 24, 2021. — AFP ter-back would be a major lift for his team. Klopp The last time less than £100 million was spent in got his wish at last as the Reds brought in two the January transfer window was 2012. Arsenal signed Turkey midfielder Okay Yokuslu on loan Newcastle signed Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock defenders in the final hours of the transfer window. allowed Shkodran Mustafi to leave, with the German from Celta Vigo until the end of the season. West on loan for the rest of the season, while Magpies’ Kabak joined on loan until the end of the season, defender signing a short-term contract at Schalke. Brom also agreed a deal with Arsenal to take the right-back DeAndre Yedlin joined Galatasaray in a subject to international clearance. The Premier Gedson Fernandes ended his disappointing spell at versatile Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan until the permanent deal. Fulham landed former Sunderland League champions have paid an initial £1 million Tottenham, with the midfielder’s loan from Benfica end of this term. Ecuador international Moises forward Josh Maja on loan from French side ($1.37 million) loan fee with the option to buy for cancelled so he could join Galatasaray. Caicedo joined Brighton from Independiente del Bordeaux. Everton were hoping to sign Bournemouth £18 million at the end of the season. Relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion Valle for a fee of around £4 million. striker Josh King in a late deal. — AFP