Kvaratskhelia sets up a goal on PSG debut but Ligue 1 leader draws with Reims

PARIS (AP) — New signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia set up a goal on debut for Paris Saint-Germain and it was not enough as the Ligue 1 leader drew at home to Reims 1-1 on Saturday.

The Georgia winger collected the ball just outside the penalty area and dribbled past three players before passing to Ousmane Dembélé, whose slightly deflected shot flew past goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf in the 47th minute.

Kvaratskhelia joined from Napoli last week in a deal worth 70 million euros ($73.5 million) and was paraded before fans at Parc des Princes before Saturday's game, holding up the No. 7 jersey in the driving rain.

Reims usually causes PSG problems and did so again when Japan winger Keito Nakamura finished off a smart team move in the 56th.

Defending champion PSG remains unbeaten in Ligue 1 but has drawn five of 19 games and second-placed Marseille can move within seven points with a victory at fifth-placed Nice on Sunday.

Earlier, Maghnes Akliouche scored a spectacular goal and set up an easy one as Monaco beat Rennes 3-2 to move up to third place.

Akliouche put the home side ahead in the 16th minute with a brilliant overheard kick from Vanderson's cross. But right back Mahamadou Nagida equalized just before the break.

Shortly after Mika Biereth scored his first goal for Monaco in the 52nd, latching onto a pass from Lamine Camara and slotting through the legs of the goalkeeper, Akliouche's pass gave Aleksandr Golovin an open goal for 3-1.

Amine Gouiri pulled a goal back for struggling Rennes, starting and finishing the move.

Lille needed to win at Strasbourg to reclaim third spot from Monaco, but lost 2-1 despite taking an early lead through Moroccan striker Osame Sahraoui.

Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos equalized in the 70th with a powerful strike from outside the penalty box and Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha headed home four minutes later for Strasbourg, which climbed into eighth.

Coach Bruno Genesio's Lille was unbeaten in Ligue 1 since losing at Saint-Etienne on Sept. 13.

But Nice can take Lille's place in fourth by beating Marseille.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Reims' Keito Nakamura, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Reims at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Reims' Keito Nakamura, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Reims at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

PSG's Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Reims at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

PSG's Ousmane Dembele, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Reims at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, left, passes the ball during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Reims at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stands on the pitch during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Reims at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong officials on Wednesday proposed expanding oversight of building maintenance projects and stronger fire safety steps after a blaze in November killed at least 161 people and displaced thousands.

The blaze that spread across seven towers in an apartment complex raised questions about corruption, negligence and government oversight in the city's building maintenance projects, piling pressure on Hong Kong leader John Lee’s administration and Beijing’s “patriots-only” governance system for the city.

In the newly elected legislature's first meeting, Lee said the fire exposed the need for reform and pledged that the investigation by law enforcement agencies and a judge-led independent committee would be thorough.

“We will fairly pursue accountability and take disciplinary action based on facts against anyone who should bear responsibility, regardless of whether they are from within or outside the government, or whether they are junior or senior staff,” Lee said.

To combat bid-rigging, Lee's administration proposed that the Urban Renewal Authority play a greater role in helping homeowners choose contractors for building maintenance projects.

Officials planned to set up a preselected list of consultants and contractors based on official background checks and past reviews from homeowners. The authority would facilitate homeowners in tendering and bid evaluation more.

The government also suggested requiring big renovation projects to hire a third-party professional to supervise the work, necessitating fire department's approval before shutting down major fire safety installations, and banning smoking on any construction site.

Proposals for law changes linked to the smoking ban were expected to be submitted for the legislature's review within the next few weeks, while officials were still discussing some of the other suggestions with the Urban Renewal Authority.

Authorities have pointed to substandard netting and foam boards installed during renovations at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex as factors that contributed to the fire in November. They also said some fire alarms did not work in tests.

Political analysts and observers worried the tragedy could be the “tip of an iceberg" in Hong Kong, a city whose skyline is built on high-rise buildings. Suspicions of bid-rigging and use of hazardous construction materials in renovation projects across other housing estates have left many fearing the disaster could be repeated.

A man walks past the burnt buildings after a deadly fire that started Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Friday, Nov. 28 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

FILE - Smoke rises after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Nov. 26 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei, File)