MUHARRAM 26, 1442 AH MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

16 Pages Max 46º Min 24º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18230 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Iraqis dig up COVID dead San Francisco exodus as tech ‘Nomadland’ wins top Osaka beats Azarenka to win 6 to rebury in family graves 9 giants lean in to remote work 12 prize at Venice film fest 16 US Open, third Grand Slam

Two MPs test COVID positive, Assembly session in doubt

Tribal primaries continue despite ban • Adasani: Accounts of 12 MPs inflated

By B Izzak least seven days should have passed after Assembly’s legal and legislative committee any contact with infected people. The to examine if they breach the constitution. Boursa Kuwait makes KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker names of the two infected lawmakers were MP Kandari said he heard that the pre- Marzouq Al-Ghanem yesterday said the not disclosed, but MP Al-Humaidi Al- mier is not willing to face the grilling and ministry of health informed him that two Subaei said he learnt that one of them is would rather use the same tools used by historic move with MPs have tested positive for the coron- MP Abdulwahab Al-Babtain. former premiers, which include referring avirus, and as a result tomorrow’s session The Assembly was expected to debate the grilling to the legal panel or even to the Premier Market listing will most likely be cancelled. Ghanem said two grillings against HH the Prime Minister constitutional court. the Assembly office will meet today to dis- Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah filed by He called on the prime minister to face cuss the issue, and expected it will decide MPs Abdulkarim Al-Kandari and Subaie the grilling in a public session so all the Leading the region in innovative investing to postpone the regular session this week for alleged mismanagement of state affairs. people can hear his defense. MP Subaei until next week. It has not been disclosed whether the also criticized the government’s request to He said the health ministry also prime minister will accept to face the postpone the Assembly session using the informed him that it will test all MPs and grilling in public or in a closed session, or “pretext of coronavirus”, and called for Assembly staff on Saturday because at could ask the grillings to be studied by the Continued on Page 2 Kuwait Times welcomes new deputy editor-in-chief

By Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Hamad Al-Humaidhi Bader Al-Kharafi Mohammed Al-Osaimi

KUWAIT: Underscoring its pivotal nies. Boursa Kuwait’s position as a KUWAIT: As Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait Times, I role in the growth and development of regional leader among stock am always thinking about the future of the news Kuwait’s capital markets, Boursa exchanges continues to be reinforced industry in Kuwait and the world. So much has Kuwait announced that it will list its with the listing of the bourse on the shares on the “Premier Market” fol- local stock exchange, continuing a changed since the launch of Kuwait Times in 1961 - lowing the Capital Markets’ Authority’s series of firsts for the company. the industry continues to grow and transform while approval on Wednesday, Sept 2, 2020. Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, in his playing a critical role in the national discourse. Trading of the company’s shares will capacity as both a representative of This week we are all delighted to welcome commence during the opening trading the consortium awarded a 44 percent onboard Abdullah Boftain, a well-known media pro- session today (Sept 14, 2020) under stake in the company and as Chairman the ticker symbol “BOURSA”. of the Executive Committee at Boursa fessional who will be adding to Kuwait Times’ vision The company will be classified Kuwait, said: “We are proud of the of the future by leveraging his vast experience and under the “Financial Services” sector, consecutive string of achievements for building a partnership with Kuwait News e-paper. bringing the total number of compa- Boursa Kuwait, which is undoubtedly a We are all cautious about the continued impact of nies on the exchange to 174, while the role model for companies that want to the coronavirus pandemic, but at the same time are number of listed companies in the undergo privatization and list on the KUWAIT: Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan (center) is flanked by “Premier” Market rises to 20 compa- exchange.” (See Page 8) excited about the future of Kuwait Times and the media industry in our beloved country. Deputy Editors-in-Chief Abdullah Boftain (right) and Dr Ziad Al-Alyan.

toms called kafala repeatedly Lebanon’s new slammed by rights groups as allowing a wide range of abuse. Under kafala, meaning “sponsorship” in Arabic, the Half a million work contract employer sponsors the worker’s legal immigration status in the country, and end of ‘kafala’? the latter cannot resign without their iqama holders consent or they become undocument- BEIRUT: Lebanon has approved a ed. The law also does not ban with- stuck abroad new work contract allowing foreign holding a worker’s passport. domestic workers to resign and keep All this leaves a worker at the KUWAIT: The interior hold of their own passport, but employer’s mercy. Lebanon’s econom- ministry’s assistant activists say the exploitative “kafala” ic and coronavirus crises have undersecretary for resi- system remains in place. The eco- increased the urgency for reform over dency affairs Maj Gen nomic crisis-hit Mediterranean coun- the past year, with many families now Anwar Al-Barjas said try is home to around 250,000 paying their workers in the devaluated residency law amend- migrants, mostly women from Africa local currency, and some not at all. In ments are being cur- and Asia, who toil away in people’s recent months, dozens of foreign rently prepared pend- homes as housekeepers, carers or helpers have been thrown out into the ing referral to relevant nannies. streets without due pay or even their authorities for approval. Anwar Al-Barjas They are not protected by the passport, many of them interviewed In an interview with Al- BEIRUT: A photo taken on March 26, 2020 shows foreign domestic workers country’s labor law, but instead work by AFP. Anbaa daily, Barjas said walking their employers’ dogs in the Lebanese capital. — AFP under a set of laws, policies and cus- Continued on Page 2 the total number of expats stranded abroad who still hold valid residency visas (as of Aug 23) is 426,871, adding residents with expired iqamas with fancy cakes, sparkly dresses and will not be allowed to enter Kuwait. Virus dents wild parties are a huge deal, laying Responding to a question about resumption the foundation for a new life for mil- of visit and entry visas, Barjas stressed that the Turkish lions. But the joyous day drew the issuance of all types of visas has been suspend- government’s wrath when videos of ed for all nationalities until further notice. “As raucous street parties with mask-free, soon as we get health ministry instructions to do arm-to-arm dancing went viral just as weddings so, we will immediately put them into practice,” Turkey’s infection rate began to edge he underlined. back up to levels last seen in May. ISTANBUL: Her bridal hair and Barjas explained that the state had earlier makeup done just right, Ayse Keles In the Black Sea city of Trabzon, dozens who celebrated henna night - allowed residents with expired contracts and looked ravishing and relieved: She expired residency or entry visas effective Jan 1, managed to sneak her wedding day in a wedding custom gathering the 2020 to depart Kuwait without any legal before Turkey’s latest wave of coron- bride’s female friends and family accountability or fines. During the amnesty peri- avirus restrictions hit. “I have a close before she leaves her mother’s home - friend who had to delay her wedding all had to be quarantined after one of od, the state had paid the expenses of their five times,” the 28-year-old said in her them tested positive. The govern- departure and allowed them to return to Kuwait. white bridal gown while preparing for ment’s hammer fell on Sept 4, when “Those who failed to leave during this grace a photo shoot on the Asian side of weddings, engagement parties and period will be held legally accountable, will not Istanbul. circumcision ceremonies were limited be granted residency visas, will be immediately to an hour in length and banned from deported and will not be allowed to return to Since premarital cohabitation is ISTANBUL: Ayse Keles and her husband Alp Colak pose for a wedding photo frowned upon in the mostly Muslim having dances or serving food. Kuwait,” Barjas concluded. — Al-Anbaa shoot on Sept 5, 2020. — AFP but secular country, lavish weddings Continued on Page 2 2 Established 1961 Monday, September 14, 2020 Local Deputy Amir keen for all to be equal before law: Public Prosecutor

Sheikh Nawaf hosts senior state officials

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with National Assembly Speaker Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness the Prime Minister Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem. — KUNA photos Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh.

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Public Prosecutor Dherar Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Deputy Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber coast. His Highness the Prime Minister sent a simi- Al-Asousi yesterday affirmed that His Highness Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah congratulated, in two separate cables, lar cable to President Trump. Furthermore, His the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace yester- UAE’s Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Highness Sheikh Nawaf sent a cable of condo- Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is keen on day National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al- Dubai Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al- lences to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi ensuring that everyone is equal before the law Ghanem. His Highness the Deputy Amir and the Maktoum, and Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Finance over victims of a gold mine collapse in the town of without any discrimination. Asousi, in a press Crown Prince also hosted His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashed Al-Maktoum Kamituga in South Kivu province following heavy statement after meeting with His Highness the Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- on latter’s return from a treatment. His Highness rains in the eastern region. In the cable, His Deputy Amir, expressed his sincere gratitude and Sabah. He also received Deputy Prime Minister, the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince support towards him, on behalf of all members of Interior Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. expressed wishes for speedy recovery and good the Public Prosecution. He added that the Affairs Anas Al-Saleh and Foreign Minister and In the meantime, His Highness the Deputy Amir health for the victims. He has also wished success Deputy Amir’s continuous support strengthened Acting Defense Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser and Crown Prince sent a cable of condolences to for the Congolese officials in coping with the cat- the role of the Public Prosecution in applying the Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah. US President Donald Trump over the victims of astrophic accident. His Highness the Prime law to all. Meanwhile, His Highness the Deputy Amir and the wildfires that hit several areas in the west Minister sent a similar cable. — KUNA Foreign Minister meets GCC chief, Iraqi official KUWAIT: Foreign Minister and Ministry Abdulkarim Hashem and the Acting Defense Minister Sheikh Dr accompanying delegation. The meet- Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- ing was held on the sidelines of the Sabah received yesterday Secretary first session of the following up com- General of the Gulf Cooperation mittee of the joint Kuwaiti-Iraqi Council (GCC) Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf. Higher ministerial committee. During The two senior officials discussed the meeting, both sides discussed the regional and international issues of close bilateral relations between the mutual interest, as well as GCC affairs, two brotherly countries and other the foreign ministry said in a state- issues of mutual concerns. Deputy ment. Assistant Foreign Minister for Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, GCC Affairs Nasser Al-Muzayyen and assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Assistant Foreign Minister for the Affairs Ambassador Fahad Al-Awadhi, Office of Foreign Minister Saleh Al- Assistant foreign Minister for the Loughani attended the meeting. Deputy Foreign Minister’s Office Meanwhile, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Ayham Al-Omar, Loughani and other KUWAIT: Foreign Minister and Acting Defense Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Foreign Minister and Acting Defense Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad received officials at the ministry attended the Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah meets with Secretary General of the Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah meets with Undersecretary at the Undersecretary at the Iraqi Foreign meeting. — KUNA Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf. — KUNA photos Iraqi Foreign Ministry Abdulkarim Hashem.

Kuwaiti-Iraqi Higher ministerial committee holds first session

KUWAIT: The follow-up committee Meanwhile, the Iraqi official praised of the joint Kuwaiti-Iraqi Higher minis- the bilateral relations between the two terial committee held a session yester- countries and the two countries’ keen- day. The Kuwaiti side was headed by ness to reach new heights. The commit- Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al- tee reviewed the agenda of the eighth Jarallah, and the visiting Iraqi delega- session of the joint Kuwaiti-Iraqi tion was headed by the senior Higher Ministerial Committee, which Undersecretary of the Iraqi Ministry of will be held during the last quarter of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador this year. The two sides expressed Abdulkarim Hashem. Jarallah pointed vitality to accomplish the work entrust- out in the meeting the importance of ed to the committee, reflecting the the depth of the existing fraternal rela- depth and strength of relations and the tions between the two countries and keenness of the wise leadership in both praised the recent achievements of countries to strengthen and develop KUWAIT: Members of the follow-up committee of the joint Kuwaiti-Iraqi Higher ministerial committee meet yesterday. these relations. them in all fields. — KUNA

“carelessness during religious festivals and Virus dents weddings” for the rise. Lebanon’s new Japanese Embassy But while not popular anywhere, uncer- tainties over weddings can be especially Turkish... traumatic in places such as Turkey, where work contract... announces 2021 most couples live with their parents before Continued from Page 1 becoming husband and wife. “Every cou- Continued from Page 1 Most importantly, the new scholarship program ple would like to have a wedding like a contract gives the workers the Keles married the love of her life, Alp fairy tale. But we, the 2020 corona brides, After the August 4 blast at right to resign and change Colak, on Aug 21, just in time for a real KUWAIT: The Embassy of Japan is pleased to announce that the gov- we are all anxious,” Keles said. wedding but still two months later and Beirut port that devastated employers, and says they can ernment of Japan offers scholarship to those who wish to study at Turkey has 600,000 weddings annu- slightly smaller than planned because of swathes of the capital and keep their passport. If their Japanese universities as undergraduate and research students. The ally. Contracts for their organization are uncertainties about what was being killed more than 190 people, employer withholds their Japanese Government Scholarship was established in 1954 in order to concluded months in advance and often allowed. “It was fun but we had bigger foreign workers have staged wages or passport, they can increase mutual understanding between the people of Japan and other involve sums equal to households’ yearly plans that didn’t come through because of rallies outside their consulates immediately quit without countries, as well as to make an international contribution to the intellec- incomes. In return, gold coins, jewelry the restrictions,” Colak recalled. “Still, if it and money gifted to the couple help appealing to be sent home. notice. It finally gives the tual field. were now, even that would be a dream.” reduce their families’ debts. “We are The labor ministry finally this worker the right to the nation- All Kuwaiti citizens who meet these qualifications are eligible to apply: Health Minister Fahrettin Koca says talking about a 60 billion lira sector ($8 month published a new and al minimum wage of 675,000 - Undergraduate students: Completed 12-year school curriculum, Turkey is living through “a second peak of billion) if we think an average of 100,000 revised work contract for pounds ($450 before the cri- good academic standing, born after April 2, 1996. Years of study: 5 years the first wave” of the pandemic, which has lira ($13,000) is spent on each wedding,” domestic workers, the main sis, less than $100 at the black (including one year for studying the Japanese language) from April 2021 officially claimed nearly 7,000 lives in the said Emek Kirbiyik, who heads to March 2026. Fields of study: National sciences, social sciences and nation of 83 million people spanning legal document governing market rate) - albeit allowing dugun.com, Turkey’s biggest wedding humanities. Europe and Asia. Koca specifically blamed their stay in Lebanon. the substraction of an unde- planning website. — AFP Outgoing labor minister termined amount to cover - Research students: Completed 16 years of school education, born on Lamia Yammine has said the food, board and clothes. or after April 2, 1986. Years of study: From September 2021 to March be held in November. Tribal primar- new contract - to replace a The new contract states 2023 (might extend depending on the major category). Fields of study: Two MPs test ies are banned by law but bedouin 2009 version - “abolishes the workers must be provided Field of study majored at university or related to it. tribes hold them to boost their kafala system”. Campaigners with a private, well-ventilated Application forms, detailed information and other conditions can be chances of winning more seats in the have welcomed the detailed room with a key, an improve- downloaded from Embassy’s website: (https://www.kw.emb- japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00094.html). The deadline for submitting COVID... Assembly by fielding a small number five-page document outlining ment after many women said applications is Tuesday, October 13, 2020 (for undergraduate students) Continued from Page 1 of candidates. workers’ rights, but say it is only they were forced to sleep in and Tuesday, November 3, 2020 (for research students). Only soft copies, Also yesterday, MP Riyadh Al- a beginning. “It is no doubt a the living room or on a bal- holding the session to conduct the Adasani said 12 lawmakers are PDF format, and sent by email to the Embassy, will be accepted. much better version than the cony. It limits labor to eight The application process consists of document screening, written exams, and grillings. implicated in the case of inflated older one,” said Amnesty hours a day in a six-day week, bank accounts. He urged the gov- personal interview. Applicants are advised to prepare for it by referring to the Meanwhile, major tribes contin- International researcher Diala and details the right to daily ued to hold tribal primaries to elect ernment to take legal actions against past exams. (https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarship/applica- Haidar. But “a contract alone rest, paid holidays and sick their candidates for the forthcoming them by referring the cases to the tion/examination/). For inquiries, please contact cultural section, Embassy of doesn’t end kafala.” leave. — AFP parliamentary elections expected to public prosecution. Japan at: Tel: 2530926. Email: [email protected]. Established 1961 3 Local Monday, September 14, 2020 Kuwait’s firefighting force to get new hospital, academy and allowances Preparing firefighters for natural disasters, major accidents and crises By Nawara Fattahova Public Authority for Applied Education and cumstances. The academy will accept high school should eliminate prevention violations, as the penal- Training, in addition to training at a fire station. graduates to study firefighting sciences and engi- ty was increased from up to KD 500 as maximum KUWAIT: A new law (13/2020) was recently Their certificate is equal to a diploma, but this neering. More fields may be added according to fine to up to KD 50,000 as the maximum fine for issued to reorganize the fire department, which pro- academy is at the university level. We prepared the the needs of the administration. The graduates will serious violations, and/or imprisonment up to one vides more benefits to firefighters. “Although they curriculum to conform to modern fire sciences and be from both diploma and university levels,” year. This is more deterrence for institutions, which do a very hard and dangerous job, they don’t get urban development,” he added. stressed Salman. will make them follow preventive conditions and the benefits given to other military officers. This law Women currently work at the fire prevention secure their sites, which in the end is in their own is a quantum leap for firefighters, which achieves department, and according to Salman, after the favor,” explained Salman. community security and protects lives and proper- founding of this academy, more courses will be “Before applying these increased sanctions, a ties. It will also improve the performance and skills available for them according to the needs of media campaign will be held at various organiza- of firefighters,” Lt Ridha Al-Salman, Head of Social KFSD renamed the force. tions. Through this campaign, we aim to make Media at Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD), ‘Kuwait General The new law will preserve the material and investors and business owners become aware about told Kuwait Times. moral rights of firefighters. “Firefighters deserve the new sanctions to achieve full compliance with Kuwait Fire Service Directorate will be renamed Fire Force’ receiving more benefits. This includes some fire prevention conditions and requirements for as Kuwait General Fire Force. “According to this allowances similar to officers in the ministry of more safety at institutions,” he concluded. law, a firefighting academy will be founded. The defense or the ministry of interior. Moral benefits The law number 13/2020 to establish the academy will be of international standard and will include building a hospital for firefighters and Kuwait General Fire Force became effective after allow more students to study this field. Presently, their families. It also includes establishing a club it was published in the national gazette ‘Kuwait Al- 450 to 500 graduates are trained as firefighters for fire officers and even noncommissioned offi- Youm’ on September 6, 2020. It explains the regu- annually, but at the new academy, this number will “We need to prepare the firefighters for natural cers. The government has already allocated land in lations that organize the work of the firefighting be much higher, and even students from the GCC disasters, major accidents and crises. With devel- Messila to build the club,” he revealed. force in Kuwait, as well as the rights and benefits can join the academy,” Salman said. oping technology and modern lifestyles, we need This law also amended sanctions on violators of firefighters enjoy, in addition to penalties in case of “Currently, firefighters only get courses from the specialized firefighters able to deal with these cir- fire prevention requirements. “This amendment violations committed.

Navy carries Ministry opens out live investigation in Kuwait COVID-19 ammunition drill health zone blaze cases climb by 553 to 94,764 KUWAIT: Kuwait Army announced that the navy KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) formed a force is scheduled to conduct live ammunition special committee to investigate the huge fire that drills tomorrow and Wednesday, from 7:00 am to broke out Friday in a building under construction in KUWAIT: The number of novel coronavirus 7:00 pm, at the location showed in the map in Sabah health zone and determine the cause of the infections in Kuwait rose by 553 yesterday red. Meanwhile, the coastguard department cau- fire pending taking legal action against whoever to push the total count to 94,764, while a tioned that Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC) is caused it. MoH stressed that the building is still in pair of fatalities upped the country’s death conducting a repair operation of a marine cable the custody of the construction contractor, Al-Rai Firemen battle the Sabah health zone blaze. toll to 560, the health ministry said. The fig- and pipeline at Al-Zour area throughout reported yesterday. ures include people who have had sustained September. Accordingly, the Interior Ministry Up to 300 firemen battled the huge fire that contact with infected individuals and others urged all citizens and residents to be very cau- erupted at the parking lot of a building under con- whose source of infection is being investi- tious while cruising through the southern waters, struction in the Sabah health zone, Kuwait Fire gated, according to ministry spokesman Dr namely Al-Zour area. The department also Service Directorate (KFSD) had said on Saturday. Abdullah Al-Sanad. In terms of health zones, advised sea goers to avoid sailing in the areas The department reported that 55 of the fire fighters Hawally governorate recorded the lion’s designated by the coordinates below and urged suffered from severe exhaustion after they were share of cases with 148 infections, followed them to mark those coordinates in their GPS exposed to the blaze. A thermal camera employed by Ahmadi (115), the Capital (109), devices or any other navigation systems they use by the department recorded that the heat at the Farwaniya (100) and Al-Jahra (81), accord- in order to keep off the operations’ area by at scene hit scorching 322 C degrees. It indicated in a ing to government figures. The number of least 500 meters, and sail in the designated area statement that some floors of the building had been people hospitalized with the virus stands at at speeds suitable to achieve safety for all. transformed into makeshift warehouses where 9,209, of whom 94 are in intensive care materials had been stacked randomly with no con- units, the data showed, revealing that 2,739 Border marks Coordinates: sideration to safety rules. Deputy Prime Minister tests were conducted in the past day out of A 28° 42’ 13.2” N048° 23’ 32.4”E and Minister of Interior Anas Al-Saleh had arrived a total of 675,742. Some 591 people recov- B 28° 42’ 4.9” N048° 24’ 37.2”E at the scene to follow up closely on the incident. A fireman extinguishes the Amghara fire. ered from the virus in the last 24 hours to C 28° 41’ 12.2” N048° 26’ 31.9”E Separately, firemen put out a blaze in a carpen- raise the total to 84,995, added the D 28° 40’ 23.3” N048° 26’ 2.9”E ter shop located in Amghara on Saturday, Kuwait fire started. No injuries were reported, and a case spokesman. Urging the public to be mindful E 28° 41’ 11.7” N048° 24’ 17.7”E Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) said. Jahra, was filed for investigations. Meanwhile, KFSD said of health precautions, he said following F 28° 41’ 18.6” N048° 23’ 23.4”E Shuhada, Fahaheel, Tahreer and backup fire sta- that a fire broke out in four buses in Mahboula, as social distancing rules was the only way to tions responded to the scene following an emer- Mangaf fire station men contained and put out the ward off the infectious disease. — KUNA gency call, and worked together to prevent the flames. No injuries were reported, and an investi- flames from spreading outside the shop where the gation was opened.

News in brief

PACI morning shift for Kuwaitis

KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) announced allocating the morning shift from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm for citi- zens and GCC nationals only, while expatriates can go to the PACI building during the evening shift from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Water maintenance

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Electricity and Water announced that some parts of Abu Fataira and Fnaitees witnessed low water pres- sure due to maintenance works carried out on the water network. The maintenance works lasted for eight hours last night starting from 8:00 pm.

Building fumigated

KUWAIT: Kuwait Port Authority (KPA) build- ing was fumigated yesterday after an employee tested positive with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The authority resumes operations as usual today. 4 Established 1961 Local Monday, September 14, 2020

Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf THE LEADING INDEPENDENT Kuwait sends second DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN relief plane to Sudan Editor-in-Chief ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 Eighty four tons of humanitarian aid sent in two days ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 FAX : 24835620/1 KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) expressed gratitude for the State of Kuwait for CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 sent yesterday a second plane-load of relief sup- standing alongside the Sudanese people in these ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 plies to Sudan, carrying 40 tons of humanitarian aid dire circumstances. In the meantime, Abdulrahman COMMERCIAL : 24835618 meant for the victims affected by the flash floods. Al-Aoun, the KRCS Director General, said the aid P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. The plane carried foodstuffs, medicine, tents and was sent according to directions by His Highness Email: [email protected] water pumps, KRCS’s emergency management the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Website: www.kuwaittimes.net director Yousef Al-Miraj said in a press statement. Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He expressed his wishes that this aid will alleviate Sudanese authorities have declared a three-month the suffering of the Sudanese people. KRCS team will coordinate with Kuwait’s embassy in Sudan and the Sudanese Red Crescent to rapidly distribute the Kuwait chairs Arab aid. Miraj added that the association will inspect the affected places and know the requirements of those Obligation affected by the natural disaster. “This is an obliga- Group at UN Human tion towards our brothers in Sudan,” he said. towards our On Saturday, a planeload of relief supplies dis- patched (KRCS arrived in Khartoum, carrying 44 brothers Rights meeting tons of humanitarian supplies. Kuwaiti charge d’af- faires in Khartoum Abdul Karim Al-Mejaim said the GENEVA: Kuwait will chair the Arab Group for planeload of relief materials was sent in according to the 45th session for the UN human rights council instructions by the Kuwaiti political leadership to due to be held today at the United Nation Palace help the Sudanese brothers cope with the floods’ state of emergency since September 5 when the catastrophe — an initiative that coincided with the nation was engulfed with torrential rain and large in Geneva, Kuwait Permanent Representative to sixth anniversary of the UN designation of His parts of the land were covered with raging waters UN in Geneva Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghunaim Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber caused by overflow of the Nile. More than 557 peo- said yesterday. In a statement to the press, Al-Sabah as Leader of Humanitarian Action and the ple have been adversely affected with the catastro- Ghunaum affirmed that the State of Kuwait firmly State of Kuwait as Center for Humanitarian Action. phe and 100 people have lost their lives. The raging defend goals, interests and causes of the Arab Meanwhile, the deputy chairman of the Sudanese waters have also inflicted wide-scale destruction in countries. In the statement, Ghunaim added that Red Crescent Society Mohammad Abdulhamid properties, particularly in rural areas. — KUNA the agenda will feature many files related to the current situations in the Arab World including Israeli violation against human rights in Palestine the ban on flights from those countries despite con- School meals and banning the UN special envoy for human Nearby markets still siderable losses to the state treasury and creating In other news, Al-Rai reported that the rights to enter the Palestinian territories to carry economic opportunities for neighboring countries Ministry of Education (MoE) contacted the out his duties. The meeting will discuss human to benefit from the ban. “Those countries are State Audit Bureau requesting the renewal of a rights in Syria and Yemen in addition to dialogues benefit from Kuwait attracting travelers with promotional touristic pack- contract to supply meals to kindergarten for human rights in Sudan, Libya, and Somalia. ages for over two weeks including medical test fees schools in some educational areas, despite the Racism and racial discrimination will be up for flights ban: Report and other expenses,” the sources said. The source current precautionary measures taken to fight discussion, beside following-up with to the imple- added that relevant Kuwaiti bodies had already the spread of COVID-19, which necessitated mentation of the Vienna Program of Action, prepared special studies in this regard in order to opting for online education and preventing stu- Ghunaim said. He stressed that the upcoming KUWAIT: The list of 32 countries from which pas- revive the economy in various commercial, medical, dents from going to schools. In this regard, human rights session’s agenda will be topped by sengers are banned from traveling directly to touristic and other sectors. “The study is so far not informed sources said the State Audit Bureau important resolutions that will make the Arab Kuwait still awaits the health ministry’s assessment approved,” the sources lamented. responded by setting three conditions to renew group to follow up and seriously undertake reso- to review it, Al-Rai reported quoting informed Upon resuming commercial flights on August 1, the contracts: lutions related to national institutions for human sources, noting that the entry requirement of pas- Kuwait announced that flights to and from the fol- 1- How often will meals be provided in vari- rights and the terrorism. In this regard, Ghunaim sengers from those countries to Kuwait via a third lowing countries are suspended until further notice: ous schools in view of MoE’s plans to use online stressed that “the State of Kuwait will spare no country after spending 14 days there is still Afghanistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bosnia education in various educational stages. effort in preserving Arab interests and defending unchanged. However, the sources described banning and Herzegovina, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican 2- Submitting a report from the health min- Arab issues raised during the next session of the passengers coming directly from those countries as Republic, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, istry about the possibility of serving those meals Human Rights Council.” The UN Human Right a ‘continuation of wasted chances and opportuni- Iraq, Italy, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, during the current circumstances. Council was established in 2006 and includes in ties’ and expressed amazement at the stalling in Montenegro, Nepal, Northern Macedonia, Panama, 3- A copy of the health ministry memo on its membership 47 countries that are elected reassessing and reviewing the list as previously Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, the health conditions and specifications of those periodically. — KUNA declared, wondering about the worth of continuing Sri Lanka and Syria. meals and school canteens.

Two arrested for In my view assaulting cops Health mandate for in Sabah Al-Salem Kuwaiti women KUWAIT: Two Kuwaitis with criminal records were arrested in Sabah Al-Salem after one of them waved By Eiman M Al-Harbi, lawyer a sword at a police detective and the other tried to strangle another officer while attempting to escape n the implementation of Article 29 of the from a police patrol, said security sources. Case Kuwaiti Constitution, which equates citizens papers indicate that based on a report about spot- with dignity and before the law, without any ting two individuals acting strangely, two detectives I discrimination based on “gender, origin, lan- from Mubarak Al-Kabeer rushed to the scene, guage or religion,” the Kuwaiti National where one of the suspects waved a sword threaten- Assembly recently approved an additional right ing to harm them. However, the detectives managed owed to Kuwaiti women, and a step described to control and cuff the suspects. They put them in by society as adding a new addition to Kuwaiti the patrol vehicle, but one of the suspects managed women’s rights. The issuance of Law No. 14 of to cut loose and tried to strangle one of the detec- 2020, which amends the second paragraph of tives, so a backup force was dispatched to help con- Article 30 of Law No. 16 of 1960 issues the trol the suspects. A case was filed and the suspects Penal Code, and includes the mother as a are facing charges of assaulting and insulting securi- guardian of self or in the event of an emergency ty agents and resisting arrest. that requires immediate surgical intervention and the circumstances that do not allow Stabbing suspect identified approval to be obtained, then doctors can inter- Detectives managed to identify and arrest a sus- vene without prior approval. pect who had appeared in video while stabbing What is meant by health mandate “is the someone during a fight in a parking lot, said securi- responsibility of a person to make a decision ty sources, noting that the victim had filed a case. on health procedures, diagnostic or therapeu- The suspect was referred to relevant authorities tic for another person before the medical staff pending further investigations. in centers and hospitals, and it gives him the right to sign, whether to agree to any proce- Physical assault dure or accept the serious complications that A young man sustained serious injuries when he may result from an inevitable procedure decid- was assaulted in Kabd. He was rushed to Farwaniya ed by the doctor.” Hospital in critical condition, said security sources. This law came into effect as a result of con- Case papers indicate that the victim’s brother filed a tinuous complaints about mothers not having complaint at Kabd police station accusing a Kuwaiti the right to give permissions for health exami- he knows of assaulting his brother. A case was filed nations for their children, and also not being and the suspect is being summoned for further allowed to make decisions about health proce- investigations. dures for their children, such as operations, etc without the father’s permission and presence. Robber sentenced This prohibition may expose the sick child to A British court sentenced a woman born in Kuwait dire consequences, and the same applies to all to eight months in prison for stealing the purse of a family members who fall within the mother’s female Kuwaiti tourist including personal belongings custody. worth £76,000 (around $100,000) two years ago. The Kuwaiti Penal Code used to limit this According to British media including the Sun and the important procedure of acting as legal guardian Daily Mail, the theft happened in Sept 2018 during a to only the father of the child, which led to the fil- train trip from London Paddington station to Cardiff ing of lawsuits before the Family Court. As a Central station, where the Kuwaiti citizen met the result, the Family Court recently upheld the right woman - a mother of two children who has been liv- of Kuwaiti women and added them as legal ing in Britain since she was six. Case papers showed guardians of their children. That gives them the that the suspect approached the citizen and started right to sign all necessary papers and transactions chatting with her, during which she was focused on before the bodies affiliated with the Ministry of the shelf above her and the purse on it. She managed Health without the consent of the father. to distract the victim when she left the train at Cardiff In my point of view, the law’s concept of Central and snatched the purse. The citizen only dis- Kuwait Women Health Mandate is contradictory covered the purse’s disappearance when she reached and misleading because it gives the right to the her destination 65 km away. Following months of mother, not the wife or sister. However, it is a step investigations after identifying and arresting the sus- in the right direction towards overcoming the pect, she confessed and was sentenced to a suspend- obstacles that Kuwaiti women face in terms of ed sentence of eight months in jail because of her implementing the principle of equality. children. — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Rai International MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 Iraqis dig up COVID dead to rebury in Bahrain’s deal spotlights Saudi’s stealth normalization with Israel family graves Page 7 Page 6

ANAGNI, Italy: Filling and packaging tests for the large-scale production and supply of the University of Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, AZD1222, are being conducted on a high-performance aseptic vial filling line at the Italian biologics’ manufacturing facility in Anagni, southeast of Rome. — AFP Vaccine clinical trial resumes COVID infection numbers continues grim march upward PARIS: Clinical trials of one of the most advanced Backlash measures after beating back the first wave of infec- experimental Covid-19 vaccines resumed yesterday That public trust will be crucial to convincing a tions months ago. France reported 10,000 new infec- after a brief safety pause, as infection numbers con- public that is impatient for a vaccine - and in some tions on Saturday, the country’s highest daily number tinued to march upward in countries across the corners sceptical. Among the impatient is US President since launching wide-scale testing. The milestone globe. The world’s hopes for a reprieve from the Donald Trump, who has been accused by rival Joe came a day after Prime Minister Jean Castex declined pandemic were dealt a blow earlier in the week when Biden of “undermining public confidence” by regularly to announce any new major restrictions despite a Fires, fear, guns pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Oxford raising the possibility that a vaccine will be ready “clear worsening” in the country’s outbreak. University announced they had “voluntarily paused” before November’s election. The Republican president “We have to succeed in living with this virus, on America’s wild their vaccine trial after a UK volunteer developed an is under pressure as the US toll continues to rise, near- without returning to the idea of a generalized lock- unexplained illness. ing 6.5 million cases on Saturday with more than down,” Castex said. Another country to hit a daily West Coast 193,000 deaths - by far the most in either measure in milestone on Saturday was the United Arab Emirates, the world. Biden also called Trump “reckless” for hold- which recorded more than 1,000 new coronavirus ESTACADA: “This is just stuff. We’re ing a rally in the Nevada city of Reno even after the cases for the first time. In Spain, which this week gonna move on from it,” says Margi Wyatt, venue had to be changed because the event breached became the first EU country to pass half a million holding back tears as she stares at her Virus global death local Covid-19 restrictions. infections, a case was detected among Princess burned-out mobile home destroyed by one toll hits 916,000 Television images of the rally Saturday showed a Leonor’s classmates. of the fires raging through the US state of packed outdoors crowd, with few wearing face masks. The 14-year-old heiress to the Spanish throne - Oregon. The 70-year-old fled 30 miles from Some of those potentially sceptical about a vaccine who only returned to school in Madrid on Wednesday her home to Estacada in Portland’s south- meanwhile turned out in numerous German cities and - will now have to observe a two-week quarantine. east as the huge and still-uncontained Poland’s capital Warsaw on Saturday, protesting The uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, busi- Riverside Fire raced through. against anti-coronavirus measures and often defying nessman Mohamad Makhlouf, died from Covid-19 on The blaze devastated the mobile home site, mask-wearing rules. The movement is made up of a Saturday, two close sources told AFP. And in Latin located on a wooded hill next to a road. All the But on Saturday the trial was given the all clear number of different groups, from self-declared “free America, which this week passed the milestone of properties in Wyatt’s row were destroyed - by British regulators to resume following a safety thinkers” to anti-vaccine campaigners, conspiracy the- eight million virus cases, worst-hit Brazil charted more but homes just ten yards away were left review. The company also announced it was resum- orists and far-right activists. than 131,000 deaths from Covid-19 as of Saturday, the unscathed. It is one of scores of infernos rav- ing clinical trials in Brazil next Monday after being second-highest in the world behind the US. Latvia aging that have burnt through a record 5 mil- given the green light there as well. The global death France, UAE milestones meanwhile reinstated a compulsory 14-day quarantine lion acres and left at least 27 people dead. toll from the coronavirus has risen to 916,000 with There are signs of a resurgence of the virus in for arrivals from neighboring Estonia due to an With smoke still rising from the hill, she and 28.5 million infections, while France and the United numerous countries that lifted many coronavirus upsurge in cases there. — AFP her husband Marcelino Maceda have come Arab Emirates posted grim new milestones for daily back to sift through the remains and pick up infections on Saturday. anything that may have escaped the flames. And with billions still suffering from the fallout of But there’s little left in the ashes. Among the the pandemic, a worldwide race for a vaccine is under- belongings they find is a partially melted way, with nine companies already in late-stage Phase 3 watch, a blackened bracelet and a ring. “The trials. Even during the pause, AstraZeneca said it police just told us to grab our things and go,” remained hopeful that the vaccine could still be avail- Wyatt said as the flames neared. “I gathered able “by the end of this year, early next year”. Oxford what I could in 20 minutes - cash, important University said that “in large trials such as this, it is papers, jewelry.” Everything else, she says, is expected that some participants will become unwell in the blackened remains of her home, which and every case must be carefully evaluated”. they moved into just two years ago. But Wyatt Charlotte Summers, lecturer in intensive care medi- - a retired caregiver - said she was glad that cine at Cambridge University, said the pause showed at least no-one was hurt, but adds: “I don’t the researchers’ commitment “to putting safety at the want to come back. These are plastic houses. heart of their development program.” “To tackle the Our next move is a stick house.” global Covid-19 pandemic, we need to develop vac- Guns and robberies cines and therapies that people feel comfortable using, Luckier residents moved back in as soon as therefore it is vital to maintaining public trust that we the evacuation order was lifted, and much of the stick to the evidence and do not draw conclusions JAKARTA: Workers wearing protective suits bury a coffin at a burial site for victims of the COVID-19 coronavirus site was occupied again on Saturday. Six miles before information is available,” she said. in Jakarta. — AFP to the north, a dense pall of smoke smothered the centre of Estacada. Some of the city’s 3,500 even by the despicable standards of this regime. The “To the leaders of Iran, I would greatly appreciate if inhabitants have returned despite the acrid air Iran executes wrestler, voices of the Iranian people will not be silenced,” you would spare this young man’s life, and not exe- and are patrolling in cars to prevent robberies. Pompeo tweeted. London-based rights group Amnesty cute him. Thank you!” he said on Twitter. Trump has Matt Watts, semi-automatic rifle in hand evoking shock and International said the “secret execution” was a “horri- maintained an aggressive approach of “maximum and pistol in his belt, is standing watch at his fying travesty of justice that needs immediate interna- pressure” toward longtime US foe Iran since becom- property to keep potential pillagers at bay. “I tional action”. ing president, enacting crippling economic sanctions hear nothing but looters and arsons on the condemnation Reports published abroad say Afkari was convicted after withdrawing from a landmark nuclear deal with radio (scanner), I did not feel in fear of my house catching fire so I decided to hang TEHRAN: Iran said it executed a wrestler Saturday on the basis of confessions aired on television after Tehran and world powers in 2018. A global union rep- being extracted under torture, prompting online cam- resenting 85,000 athletes had also called on Iran to around and protect it,” Watts says. “I hope to for murdering a man during a wave of anti-government be a deterrent for somebody that means protests in 2018, drawing widespread condemnation paigns for his release. Amnesty has repeatedly called spare the wrestler’s life. on Iran to stop broadcasting videos of “confessions” In a statement published Tuesday on its website, harm.” He says he has heard shots at night and and eliciting shock from the International Olympic seen cars with licence plates from other states, Committee. Navid Afkari, 27, was executed at a prison by suspects, saying they “violate the defendants’ World Players United had called on the International rights”. The judiciary’s Mizan Online news agency Olympic Committee to use its leverage to help Afkari. which make him suspicious. For days rumors in the southern city of Shiraz, provincial prosecutor have spread that radical leftists have been general Kazem Mousavi was quoted as saying on state denied the accusations. According to Amnesty, Afkari’s Sweden joined the condemnation. “Appalled by two brothers Vahid and Habib are still in the same reports of the execution of Iranian wrestler Navid lighting fires in Oregon - false information that television’s website. Afkari had been found guilty of was debunked by the local branch of the FBI. prison where he had been detained. Afkari,” its foreign minister, Ann Linde, tweeted. “voluntary homicide” for stabbing to death Hossein But James, 29, says the robberies are a The death sentence had been carried out at “the Campaign group Global Athlete said the execution Torkman, a water department employee, on August 2, reality - and that he has lost about $15,000 insistence of the victim’s family”, said Mousavi, the was “heinous” and called for sanctions to stop Iran 2018, the judiciary said. worth of property, stolen from his workshop prosecutor general for Fars province. Afkari’s lawyer, competing in international sport. Shiraz and several other urban centres across Iran between Tuesday and Saturday. “We had our had been the scene that day of anti-government Hassan Younessi, tweeted that a number of people in A small group of flag-waving protestors stood Dune racer stolen. I’ve had a whole bunch of protests and demonstrations over economic and social Shiraz were to meet on Sunday with the slain worker’s outside Iran’s embassy in London on Saturday to construction tools stolen. My motorcycle, the hardship. The International Olympic Committee said it family to ask for their forgiveness. He also said that condemn the execution, bearing placards showing most recent thing we found out today, my was “shocked” by the execution and that it was based on criminal law in Iran “the convict has a right to crossed-out faces of Iran’s supreme leader and pres- motorcycle’s gone out of the shop. Yeah, just a “deeply upsetting” that pleas by athletes around the meet his family before the execution.” “Were you in ident. Wrestling is a hugely popular in Iran, one of lot of different tools really.” He co-ordinates world and international bodies had failed to halt it. such a hurry to carry out the sentence that you the world’s superpowers in the sport. The Persian with his neighbors and they “come out at dif- “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Navid deprived Navid of his last visit?” hashtag #Navid_Afkari was also being widely used ferent times just to keep a watch on each oth- Afkari,” the IOC said in a statement. on Twitter to protest the execution. Iranian rights er’s houses but outside of that we just had to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced a Wrestling superpower activist Emaddein Baghi tweeted that Afkari’s execu- monitor our cameras,” James says, pointing to “vicious” execution. “We condemn it in the strongest US President Donald Trump had pleaded for tion was a “great sin” as the judiciary should have images of the robbers. — AFP terms. It is an outrageous assault on human dignity, Afkari’s life earlier this month, saying his “sole act was tried to persuade the murdered man’s family to for- an anti-government demonstration on the streets”. give the wrestler.—AFP 6 Established 1961 International Monday, September 14, 2020 Iraqis dig up COVID-19 dead to rebury in family graves Authorities established a ‘coronavirus cemetery’

NAJAF: Mohammad Al-Bahadli dug into Iraq’s hot hood of transmission when handling human remains is desert sand with bare hands to reach his father’s low.” Days later, after pressure from families, Iraqi corpse. “Now he can finally be with our people, our authorities announced they would permit bodies to be family, in the old cemetery,” 49-year-old Bahadli said, transferred only by “specialized health teams.” as relatives sobbed over the body, wrapped in a But the first re-burials proved chaotic. At the “coro- shroud. After restrictions were eased for the burying navirus cemetery” in the desert outside Najaf, hun- of those who died of the novel coronavirus, Iraqis are dreds of families began arriving late Thursday to dig exhuming the victims to rebury them in their rightful up their family member and carry the body home. They place in family cemeteries. brought their own shovels, baskets to scoop away the For months, families of those who died after con- sand, and new wooden coffins to carry the dead. The tracting COVID-19 were barred from taking the body sounds of fierce sobbing and mourning prayers mixed back to bury in family tombs, for fear the corpses with the clinks of pickaxes echoed across the sand. could still spread the virus. Instead, the authorities There were no medical professionals or cemetery established a “coronavirus cemetery” in a plot of guides on site to help families locate or properly exca- desert outside the shrine city of Najaf, where volun- vate the bodies, an AFP correspondent said. teers in protective gear carefully buried victims In some cases, families dug into a grave site marked spaced five meters apart. Only one relative was per- with a relative’s name, only to find an empty coffin, or mitted to attend the speedy burials, which often hap- to uncover the body of a young man when they were pened in the middle of the night. expecting to find the corpse of their elderly mother. Victims from all religious sects - both Shiite and Other bodies were not wrapped in burial shrouds, Sunni Muslims, as well as Christians - were buried required by Islam as a sign of respect. The findings there. But on September 7, Iraqi authorities announced sparked outraged criticism of the state-sponsored they would permit those who died after contracting armed group that had taken charge of the burials in Covid-19 to be relocated to the cemetery of their fam- recent months, with some angry relatives setting fire to NAJAF: An Iraqi family mourns around the coffin of a relative, who died of the novel coronavirus, during a reburial ily’s choice. Many of those buried under the emer- the faction’s base nearby. ceremony at the vast Wadi Al-Salam cemetery in the Shiite holy city of Najaf. — AFP gency rules came from other parts of the country. “The first time, he was buried so far away,” Bahadli said of ‘Haunting’ his 80-year-old father’s funeral rites. “I’m not sure it “The grave-diggers don’t have expertise or the must be buried as soon as possible, usually within 24 son, try to bury me in the family cemetery, don’t let me was done in the proper religious way.” right materials,” said Abdallah Kareem, whose brother hours. Cremation is strictly prohibited and reburials be too far from my relatives,’” Hussein, another mourn- Ahmed died of complications from Covid-19. “They are virtually unheard of - although not necessarily out- er who gave only his first name, told AFP. The 53-year Grave mix-up don’t even know how to locate the graves,” he told lawed if the body is kept intact, a Najaf cleric told AFP. old dug up his father’s body by hand to transfer him to Iraq has been one of the hardest-hit countries in AFP while tending to the grave. Kareem, who comes Despite the complications, families were neverthe- the vast Wadi al-Salam cemetery, where millions of the Middle East by Covid-19, with more than 280,000 from some 230 kilometers to the south in Iraq’s less relieved to have the closure that a traditional bur- Shiite Muslims are buried. “The dream that had been infections and nearly 8,000 deaths. On September 4, Muthanna province, opted not to rebury his brother in ial brought. “Since my father was buried here, I keep haunting me for these last few months has been real- the World Health Organization (WHO) said “the likeli- case it violated religious edicts. In Islam, the deceased replaying his words in my head before he died: ‘My ized,” Hussein said.— AFP Johnson accuses In bastion of democracy, worries EU of plotting food over US election integrity WASHINGTON: “The only way we’re struggle to process a record number of ‘blockade’ on UK going to lose this election is if the election mail-in ballots. Exceedingly long lines dur- is rigged.” President Donald Trump’s ing primary elections this year raised con- LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accused astonishing remark last month - and his cerns about the ability to adequately the European Union of threatening to tear the UK apart escalating efforts to sow doubts about the process voters. by imposing a food “blockade” between Britain and integrity of November’s vote - have high- Scores of legal challenges could make Northern Ireland, throwing new fuel on the fire of sim- lighted a growing concern: can the United it more difficult to count votes on time and mering Brexit talks. Writing in Saturday’s Daily States, one of the world’s oldest democra- train volunteers, and easier to reject ballots Telegraph newspaper, Johnson said the EU’s stance jus- cies, assure a free and fair election in as fraudulent. With election workers often tified his government’s introduction of new legislation to 2020? The American voting system may elderly volunteers, many are expected to rewrite its Brexit withdrawal treaty - a bill that is caus- be facing its most serious threat in stay home due to coronavirus concerns, ing deep alarm among former prime ministers and his decades - fueled by baseless presidential meaning states are scrambling to train own MPs. Talks between London and Brussels on a rhetoric, record mail-in voting due to the enough poll workers. Georgia launched an future trading relationship are deadlocked as both sides HONG KONG: A security guard stands outside the US consulate general building in coronavirus pandemic, worry about age- investigation Tuesday after some 1,000 struggle to prise apart nearly 50 years of economic Hong Kong. — AFP ing machines, and accusations of voter episodes of double voting were detected integration, after British voters opted for a divorce. “My assessment is that an unregulated situation (no suppression. in June’s primary and an August run-off. deal) would have very significant consequences for the Complicating matters, the foreign inter- The scenario appeared to mirror one British economy,” German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz US brands Chinese curbs on ference that marred 2016 is being repeat- that Trump himself promoted this month in warned after an EU meeting in Berlin. “Europe would be ed in 2020, made clear by Thursday’s US North Carolina, where he urged his sup- able to deal with it and these would not be particularly American diplomats ‘escalation’ Treasury sanctions against an “active porters to vote first by mail, then again at difficult consequences after the preparations we have Russian agent” for stoking conspiracy the- the polling station to “make sure it count- already made,” he added. But absent a deal by the end WASHINGTON: The US on Saturday for the People’s Republic of China. The ories advanced by the White House. But ed.” Despite such developments, “there of this year, when the full force of Brexit kicks in, called a decision by Beijing to impose dispute over foreign missions flared up in while the 50 US states are on guard are protections in place in many places to Johnson said the EU was bent on an “extreme interpre- restrictions on all American diplomats on July when Washington ordered the clo- against intrusions from Moscow and else- prevent voter fraud,” said John Hudak, a tation” of rules for Northern Ireland under the divorce Chinese soil an “escalation,” the latest sure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, where, the most prominent threats may be senior governance fellow at the Brookings treaty both sides signed in January. rebuke in an ongoing tit-for-tat dispute prompting Beijing to shutter the coming from within. “The conduct of these Institution. He stressed that while the pan- “We are being told that the EU will not only impose over foreign missions. Relations between American presence in Chengdu. elections will be the most challenging in demic is prompting surges in mail-in vot- tariffs on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern the world’s top two economies have The battle over diplomatic outposts is recent decades,” said the Organization for ing, the potential delays in certifying state Ireland, but that they might actually stop the transport deteriorated in recent months, with both only one front in an escalating confronta- Security and Co-operation in Europe, results are not a cause for alarm, as Trump of food products from GB to NI,” he wrote. “I have to sides locked in fierce recriminations over tion between the US and China. which has monitored elections for decades has warned. “It’s actually a signal that the say that we never seriously believed that the EU would trade disputes, human rights and the ori- Washington has imposed sanctions on in countries from Afghanistan to the election system is working,” he said. be willing to use a treaty, negotiated in good faith, to gins of the coronavirus pandemic. On officials accused of helping orchestrate United States. blockade one part of the UK, to cut it off, or that they Friday China announced “reciprocal China’s mass internment of Uighurs and Covid-19 measures could “have an Preventing meddling would actually threaten to destroy the economic and restrictions” against US diplomats, days other mostly Muslim minorities in the impact on the level of trust” and integrity Americans have been worried about territorial integrity of the UK.” Johnson said the EU’s after Washington announced new country’s Xinjiang region, a program that of election administration and “ultimately election integrity for years. A 2018 Pew stance would “seriously endanger peace and stability in restrictions on staff working for Beijing’s has prompted a global human rights out- cast doubt in the outcome,” the OSCE said Research study found that the public “is Northern Ireland”. foreign missions. cry. Last month it blacklisted officials it in a July report. The nonpartisan Carter not highly confident that election systems Beijing said that the unspecified accused of suppressing “freedom and Center, founded by former president in the US are secure from hacking and ‘Nonsense’ countermeasures will apply to all US democratic processes” in Hong Kong, Jimmy Carter, has monitored elections in other technological threats.” Just 45 per- “We disagree,” former prime ministers Tony Blair embassy and consulate staff, including after the imposition of a national security 39 countries since 1989 and is turning its cent of respondents said they were at least and John Major, who led Britain through historic peace the consulate-general in Hong Kong and law aimed at quelling civil unrest in the attention to the US for the first time. somewhat confident that election systems talks in the 1990s, retorted in the Sunday Times. “The its personnel, and called the move a financial hub. “Why? Americans are losing faith in the are secure, Pew said. government’s action does not protect the (1998) Good “legitimate and necessary response.” But The move prompted China to issue US electoral process,” the center’s Jason Voters are mindful of the Florida disas- Friday Agreement - it imperils it,” they wrote in a joint the US said Saturday that the Chinese its own sanctions against several promi- Carter wrote in late August. “The country ter in 2000, when a chaotic recount of the opinion piece, calling Johnson’s claims to have only measures went further than anything it nent Americans. President Donald Trump is deeply polarized, and people on both state’s razor-thin vote was halted by the belatedly unearthed problems in the EU treaty “non- had done. A State Department has also provoked a furious reaction the right and left are concerned about US Supreme Court, handing the presiden- sense”. “As the world looks on aghast at the UK - the spokesperson who spoke on condition of from Chinese officials by blaming Beijing threats to the security of the election and cy to George W Bush. Florida could word of which was once accepted as inviolable - this the credibility of the process.” emerge as a flashpoint again, as government’s action is shaming itself and embarrassing anonymity said Beijing’s move was an for the global spread of the coronavirus. “escalation,” citing the targeting of its And Washington has additionally Democrats accuse Republicans of voter our nation.” The EU has threatened Britain with legal Protections in place? suppression efforts. Still, Harvard profes- action unless it withdraws its unilateral changes by the representative in Hong Kong and restric- accused Chinese tech firms and plat- tions on Chinese citizens meeting with forms - from Huawei to TikTok - of Several signs of potential peril have sor of government Stephen Ansolabehere end of September, and leaders in the European emerged. Since 2016 more than 1,100 is not particularly worried about the law- Parliament on Friday threatened to veto any trade pact Americans in the form of a “new meeting working in the interests of the Chinese pre-notification requirement.” Communist Party. Beijing denied on polling stations have been shuttered in suits, polling station closures or other if London violated its promises. Paolo Gentiloni, the Texas, Arizona, Louisiana and elsewhere, irregularities that have marked 2020. “A EU’s economics affairs commissioner, said it was up to “These notification requirements now Friday it was attempting to meddle in the include American citizens with no affilia- upcoming US presidential election after according to the Leadership Conference lot of that is the nature of the American Britain to “re-establish trust” with the bloc. “And in any on Civil & Human Rights. Disputes over system,” which can be “adversarial,” said case... we are prepared to deal with extraordinary neg- tion to the US government. We have no tech giant Microsoft said it thwarted such requirement for PRC citizens,” the cyberattacks from overseas groups - funding the US Postal Service have Ansolabehere, who has studied US elec- ative outcome of this discussion,” the former Italian swelled, even as the agency warns it will tions closely since 2000.—AFP prime minister added in Berlin.—AFP spokesperson said, using the acronym including from China. — AFP

results of the polls will help the Kremlin determine those who did not support him in the past may now Russia holds regional whether the unpopular ruling party United Russia change their minds. President Vladimir Putin’s top foe needs to be reformed and if parliamentary elections had been in Siberia to promote “smart voting” when he should be pushed forward. fell ill. polls in the shadow of Navalny’s poisoning could also influence voters and With United Russia facing a deep popularity crisis, bring about “contradictory effects,” Stanovaya told elections in the country are for the first time being held Navalny’s poisoning AFP. After he was evacuated from Siberia to Berlin, over three days and some polling stations will be German doctors said Navalny had been poisoned with open-air. Early voting began on Friday and the main NOVOSIBIRSK: Russians yesterday voted in region- a Novichok nerve agent. His associates believe the use polling day was yesterday. The controversial three-day al polls overshadowed by the poisoning of main oppo- of the banned chemical weapon shows only the voting scheme was first tested this summer, when a sition leader Alexei Navalny, an economic crisis exac- Russian state could be responsible. With Navalny in a national vote on constitutional amendments that made erbated by the coronavirus and major protests in some German hospital and absent from Russia’s political it possible for Putin to stay in power until 2036 was regions. In 41 of the country’s regions, Russians are scene, the “smart voting” campaign he had launched also held over multiple days. voting for regional governors and assemblies as well as may be undermined, Stanovaya said. At the time the Kremlin pulled out all the stops to in four by-elections for national MPs and other polls. Led by Navalny, the opposition hopes to challenge bolster the turnout and makeshift polling stations - Coming a year ahead of parliamentary elections, Kremlin domination over Russia’s political life by pro- often ridiculed on social media - cropped up across NOVOSIBIRSK: Sergei Boiko, the head of Alexei the vote will be seen as a key test of the Kremlin’s moting tactical voting, urging Russians to back the the country, including in buses, tents and on street Navalny’s Novosibirsk headquarters and the City electoral machine amid simmering public anger over strongest candidate on the ballot to defeat the ruling benches. The measures were officially introduced to Council candidate casts his ballot at a polling station falling incomes and economic trouble. Tatyana party. “On the other hand, what happened to Navalny guard against coronavirus, but the opposition accused in Novosibirsk yesterday. — AFP Stanovaya, head of the R.Politik analysis firm, said the caused a shock,” Stanovaya added, noting that some of the vote organizers of mass vote-rigging. —AFP Established 1961 7 International Monday, September 14, 2020 Families fear for ‘speedboat fugitives’ in China custody Chinese authorities intercept 12 Hong Kongers

HONG KONG: Relatives of Hong Kongers cap- open court. On the mainland, the judicial system is a tured by China’s coastguard as they tried to flee the notoriously opaque entity controlled by the city by speedboat said they feared their loved ones Communist Party and where conviction is all but had disappeared into the authoritarian mainland’s guaranteed. In June Beijing imposed a new security Communist-controlled judicial system. Chinese law on Hong Kong, announcing it would have juris- authorities said they intercepted 12 Hong Kongers diction for some crimes and that mainland security some 70 kilometers southeast of the city last month, agents could now openly operate in the city. with the group handed over to police in neighboring US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday Shenzhen on the Chinese mainland. he was “deeply concerned” by the treatment of the Local media said the group was en route to 12 Hong Kongers since their arrest. In recent days Taiwan, a self-ruled island that regularly offers lawyers appointed by the families of those sanctuary to people escaping the authoritarian mainland. Some of those on board were facing prosecution in Hong Kong for activities linked to last year’s huge and often violent pro-democracy protests. Relatives of six of those detained held an ‘I’m very worried. emotional press conference on Saturday describing how family appointed lawyers had been repeatedly I don’t know if denied access in recent days, as they called on on Hong Kong’s government to come to their aid. he’s still alive’ “I’m very worried. I don’t know if he’s safe and sound, if he’s still alive,” the mother of detainee Li Tsz-yin, who did not give her name, told the media. The mother of another detainee, Tang Kai-yin, HONG KONG: Relatives of 12 Hong Kong people currently detained in Guangdong province after being arrest- sobbed as she spoke. “I hope Hong Kong (govern- detained have detailed how they were prevented ed by mainland China’s coastguards for reportedly trying to flee to Taiwan, attend a press conference in ment) can bring them back. Then we wouldn’t need from accessing their clients. They said authorities Hong Kong. — AFP to be on tenterhooks, we could see him. But right told them the group already have “government now, we don’t even know whether he is dead or appointed lawyers”. Rights groups and legal ana- alive,” she said. lysts have previously documented how Chinese under the new security law. Two of those detained Those arrested were “in good health and they have authorities use “government appointed lawyers” to have British National Overseas passports. Another hired mainland Chinese lawyers as their representa- One country, two judicial systems stop families hiring their own legal representatives is a dual national with Hong Kong and Portuguese tives”, the statement said. The prospect of Hong The incident is the latest to compound fears in high profile cases. citizenship. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said Kongers getting entangled in China’s judicial system among many Hong Kongers of authoritarian China’s “If we have a lawyer, why would we use a gov- the 12 “should be dealt with according to the main- was the spark that lit the seven months of protests growing reach into their lives. Semi-autonomous ernment-appointed lawyer,” Li’s mother said. “I land laws”. last year. The movement began in response to a plan Hong Kong has its own internationally respected have no trust in government-appointed lawyer.” Her government on Saturday said its trade office to allow extraditions to the mainland and soon mor- common law legal system where arrestees are Among those arrested are a 16-year-old minor and across the border was keeping in touch with main- phed into wider calls for democracy and greater promptly produced after their arrest and tried in Andy Li, a Hong Konger who was recently arrested land authorities and the families of those arrested. police accountability. — AFP Women negotiators face hardline Taleban in peace talks Weary migrants wary KABUL: Four Afghan women who the street if they wore anything other of new migrant camp endured the Taleban’s oppressive rule than an all-concealing burqa, and those and have fought for fragile gains since accused of adultery were sometimes in Greece’s Lesbos the militants were ousted are facing the executed at sports stadiums after hardline group in peace talks. Their Friday prayers. Today, the traditional presence at the negotiating table is patriarchal system remains the norm LESBOS: Aided by a Farsi-speaking translator, significant in patriarchal Afghanistan, and life for most women in rural areas Greek asylum staffer Michalis patiently explained though they are outnumbered by the has improved little since the 2001 US- to a group of Afghans that a new tent camp rest of the Afghan government’s team led invasion toppled the Taleban, who awaits them on the island of Lesbos. Over 11,000 of 17 men and the Taleban’s male-only banned girls from going to school and people - including some 4,000 children - have side. “The Taleban have to understand women from working. been sleeping rough since the notoriously over- that they are facing a new Afghanistan However, in Kabul and other Afghan crowded and unsanitary camp of Moria burned with which they have to learn to live,” cities, progress has been made. Some DOHA: Taleban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar (right, bottom) speaks during down this week. “You cannot stay on the street. negotiator Fawzia Koofi told AFP women study at secondary and tertiary the opening session of the peace talks between the Afghan government and the It’s dangerous, and I remind you that coronavirus Taleban in the Qatari capital Doha. — AFP ahead of the talks, which got underway level and hold elected positions or run is everywhere,” said Michalis, who declined to on Saturday. businesses, albeit in disproportionately give his last name. The politician and high-profile low numbers. Koofi is one of a few controversial prisoner swap, direct the men on her team, who “believe in On Saturday afternoon, hesitant queues women’s rights campaigner has sur- women who held unofficial talks with talks finally opened in the Qatari capital exactly what I believe in”. First, formed at the main entrance of the new camp of vived two assassination attempts dur- the Taleban in 2019 and knows the bat- Doha on Saturday. Islamic law expert though, the talks should focus on Kara Tepe, with some migrants agreeing to enter ing her career-the latest just last month tle female negotiators are facing. “It’s and negotiator Fatima Gailani, 66, told “common values”, such as Islam, and to secure shelter and food. “We are four days on in Kabul. “Being in such an important not just about what you are talking,” AFP that women were apprehensive on achieving a ceasefire in the road, without food and water. Since we are in role is not something which is very she said. “People look at what you about negotiations with the Taleban. Afghanistan’s conflict, which has Greece, we must obey the local authorities. We common in Afghanistan, so you really wear, whether your scarf is of the right “Every woman in Afghanistan has a killed tens of thousands and left mil- feel more safe in an organized place”, Jacob Yong have to find your way among those size or not.” fear... we always have a fear that when- lions displaced since 2001. “I’d like Deng, a 25-year-old from Northern Sudan said. people who do not believe in a ever there are changes in Afghanistan very much to see an Afghanistan Police said around 200 migrants had checked in woman’s presence,” Koofi said before ‘We always have fear’ and whenever there is a political where you don’t see yourself in dan- while dozens, mostly families, were waiting out- the shooting. When the Taleban ruled Washington signed a deal with the change, always women are hurt,” said ger... If we don’t achieve it now it will side for hygiene and safety checks. Some Afghans Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, her Taleban in February committing to Gailani, a spokeswoman for the never happen,” Gailani said. The were trying to dissuade them. Anybody entering husband was jailed and she was threat- withdraw foreign forces in return for a mujahideen against the Soviets in the Taleban have made only vague com- is also frisked for flammable materials and cook- ened with stoning for wearing nail pol- pledge from the insurgents to hold talks 1980s and former president of the ments about women’s rights, saying ing gas cannisters, the police said. ish, she said. with the Afghan government, aimed at Afghan Red Cross. these will be protected through Religious police whipped women in ending the war. After long delays over a But she said she has the support of Islamic values. — AFP Migrants blamed for fires Officials have blamed migrants for the fires that gutted Moria, the first blaze breaking out riot squad swept through market’s fruit and veg- shortly after 35 people faced isolation measures etable aisles. Dozens arrested at Bahrain-Israel deal after testing positive for coronavirus. Only eight Police arrested 74 people and fined 176, saying in of the 35 positive cases have been located. On a statement that “many protestors were aggressive anti-lockdown spotlights Saudi’s Saturday, a 20-day-old Afghan baby was found and threatened violence towards officers”. One man positive for coronavirus, state agency ANA said. believed to be a “primary agitator” is facing charges The baby and its mother, who also tested positive, protest in Melbourne of incitement while another was charged with stealth normalization were expected to be transported in Athens. Most assaulting police, according to the statement. Last of the homeless are from Afghanistan, with small- weekend, “Freedom Day” events were held across er populations from Syria, DR Congo and Iran. MELBOURNE: Authorities in Melbourne arrested Australia to protest what some labeled the govern- RIYADH: Bahrain’s move to formally establish Lacking tents and even basic bedding, they more than 70 people for flouting stay-at-home ment’s “overblown” response to the pandemic, which relations with Israel could not have happened have sought shelter wherever there is room — on orders to protest against lockdown restrictions yes- has killed more than 900,000 people worldwide. without Saudi Arabia’s green light, another step in the side of the road, in parking lots and even in a terday, with some demonstrators clashing with riot The latest rallies come ahead of the gradual eas- what observers call Riyadh’s “alternative normal- cemetery. “This camp will be different than Moria. police at a market in the city. About 250 people ing of virus restrictions in Melbourne, with daily out- ization” of ties with the Jewish state. Bahrain on We promise you the asylum procedure will be attended the illegal protest-the second in as many door exercise increased to two hours and small Friday became Saudi Arabia’s second Gulf ally to faster. You will be able to leave the island quickly,” days in the city-promoted by coronavirus conspira- “social bubbles” allowed for people living alone from announce plans to formalize relations with Israel Michalis said. “A temporary accommodation area cy groups on social media. The demonstrators today. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews, who has over the past month, after the United Arab with tents, running water, and supplies has been ignored official warnings and public health orders to previously branded the protestors “selfish”, said yes- Emirates’ landmark agreement. created for you and your children at the Kara gather at the central Queen Victoria market, calling terday the state could not afford to reopen too The move put a spotlight on the potential role of Tepe area”, the Greek Asylum Service tweeted for an end to a weeks-long lockdown of Australia’s quickly. “No-one is enjoying the reality we face, but Riyadh, which has so far fended off pressure from on Saturday. second-biggest city. They were met by a heavy none of us have the option of ignoring the reality US President Donald Trump to follow suit. The Aided by army bulldozers, work crews have police presence, with scuffles breaking out as the that we face,” he said. — AFP development, billed by Trump as “truly historic”, was unlikely to have happened without the silent worked round-the-clock to erect a makeshift endorsement of Riyadh, which holds enormous camp for 3,000 people a few kilometers from the leverage over Bahrain. ruins of Moria. Alexandros Ragavas, a spokesman Saudi Arabia, the Arab world’s biggest economy, for the migration ministry, said vulnerable asylum was among the Gulf powers that pledged $10 bil- seekers will be the first to be housed. “We will lion in financial aid in 2018 to cash-strapped give priority to families. It will be tents of six and Bahrain, and it sent troops in 2011 to shore up the the camp will be separated by ethnicities. The ruling family following an Arab Spring uprising. “I process of moving people will start today,” he trust that the kingdom of Bahrain consulted with told AFP. Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said the Saudis on this decision out of respect for the asylum seekers would be tested on entry, them,” Marc Schneier, an American rabbi who is an adding that a “special quarantine” area had been advisor to Bahrain’s king, told AFP. “The Bahrain created near the camp. government has been very respectful of the Saudi Many of the asylum-seekers are wary of being position throughout this process.” confined after months of coronavirus lockdown and fear a repeat of the ethnic gang crime and Saudi officials have publicly remained tight- dismal sanitation that plagued Moria. “In Moria lipped over the development, but a source close to we could come and go but here, (the camp) will the establishment hinted it was a concession to be like a prison”, Zola, a Congolese mother of a Trump after he exerted enormous pressure on five-month-old told AFP. Others said the location Riyadh to form diplomatic ties with Israel. “You’re of the new camp on a hilltop overlooking the sea MELBOURNE: Anti-lockdown protesters chant slogans at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market during a rally yes- going to have quite a few countries come in, the bodes ill for winter. — AFP terday, amid the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. — AFP big ones are going to be coming in. — AFP Established 1961

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 Business Boursa Kuwait makes historic move with Premier Market listing Leading the region in innovative investing

KUWAIT: Underscoring its pivotal role Boursa Kuwait on the “Premier in the growth and development of Market” marks another milestone in Kuwait’s capital markets, Boursa Kuwait the company’s journey of excel- announced that it will list its shares on the lence. Apart from the major “Premier Market” following the Capital enhancements that the company Markets’ Authority’s approval on drove as the engine of growth and Wednesday, September 2, 2020. Trading development, the company also wit- of the company’s shares will commence nessed substantial growth in its own during the opening trading session today operations and continues to work (14 September 2020) under the ticker towards strengthening the infra- symbol “BOURSA”. The company will be structure and operational model. classified under the “Financial Services” Boursa Kuwait has cemented its sector, bringing the total number of com- position as a leading stock panies on the exchange to 174, while the exchange that pioneers innovative number of listed companies in the Hamad Mishari Al-Humaidhi Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi Mohammed Saud Al-Osaimi Hamad Al-Ameeri approaches to market develop- “Premier” Market rises to 20 companies. ment.” Boursa Kuwait’s position as a region- He added, “We remain commit- al leader among stock exchanges con- ted towards strengthening our tinues to be reinforced with the listing of • Al-Humaidhi: The listing will pave the way for increased participation in the Kuwaiti capital market infrastructure and operational the bourse on the local stock exchange, and drive more capital inflows to the country. model to withstand any chal- continuing a series of firsts for the com- lenges that come our way as well pany. It is the first stock exchange to be as implementing new initiatives to at least 90 percent owned by the pri- • Al-Kharafi: Boursa Kuwait is a role model for companies that want to undergo privatization and list further improve the efficiency, vate sector in the Middle East and the on the exchange appeal and performance of the first government entity in Kuwait to suc- market to attract investments from cessfully undergo privatization. The list- • Al-Osaimi: Boursa Kuwait leads a progressive operation thanks to a strategy in line with world-class local and international investors.” ing is considered the fruit of the compa- standards and best practices Boursa Kuwait previously ny’s labors and continuous efforts to appointed the National institute long-term reforms on both the Investments Company as its listing company level and in the Kuwaiti capital operating expenses were KD 3.12 million Boursa Kuwait’s Board of Directors and that thrives on international best prac- consultant. Chairman Hamad Ahmad Al- market since its establishment, as well as while total operating revenue came in at Executive Management, with their solid tices and looks to increase the contribu- Ameeri commented on the listing, saying: introducing products and services com- KD 6.77 million. structure consistent with the nature and tion of the private sector towards the “We regard the listing of Boursa Kuwait patible with the best-in-class internation- The results no doubt reflect the activities of the company, and their growth and development of the national as a momentous accomplishment that will al standards, all in line with the compa- strength of the operational model and the efforts to develop a liquid, reliable and economy.” lead to the prosperity of the Kuwaiti sound capital market that services all ny’s vision to develop a liquid and trans- solid strategy in place as well as the com- “We were guided by our belief in the economy. We are excited by the invest- pany’s financial solvency, which have relevant asset classes, focusing on the parent financial market, which allows private sector and its ability to develop a ment opportunities that this promises to allowed it to overcome the various chal- interests of both issuers and investors issuers effective access to capital and reliable and sound capital market with bring about for individual and institution- provides investors with diversified rev- lenges brought about by the COVID-19 through excellence in everything it ever increasing liquidity levels, which pandemic and deliver an exceptional per- does.” al investors in the country. The National enue opportunities. constituted an incentive to develop Investments Company is proud of the The company’s paid-up capital formance. These key components are Boursa Kuwait into a pioneering regional Achievements effective role it played as the listing con- amounts to approximately KD 20.1 mil- effective catalysts of stability and growth, company that adheres to the best-in- Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, in his sultant for this one of a kind listing, and lion, which are divided into approximate- allowing the company to drive the suc- class international standards and prac- cessful journey of transformation further capacity as both a representative of the the company is constantly striving to pri- ly 201 million shares. Furthermore, tices. Today we celebrate the success of and take the exchange to new heights. consortium awarded the 44 percent oritize its investors’ interests in all its around 50 percent of the company’s the company and its leading role in the Commenting on the listing, Boursa stake in the company and as Chairman of endeavors. Lastly, NIC would like to con- shares, or what amounts to around 100 Kuwaiti financial scene over the past few Kuwait Chairman Hamad Mishari Al- the Executive Committee at Boursa gratulate Boursa Kuwait and all its stake- million shares, were offered to Kuwaiti years, moving forward to introduce inno- Humaidhi said, “Boursa Kuwait’s listing Kuwait, also commented, stating “We are citizens in an initial public offering vative products and services aimed at holders and partners on this success.” today marks a historic milestone for the proud of the consecutive string of process that concluded in December encouraging even more companies - Since its inception, Boursa Kuwait company as it enters the next phase in its achievements for Boursa Kuwait, which 2019, seeing an oversubscription rate of specifically substantial ones like family has worked effortlessly to create a growth and development. We are proud is undoubtedly a role model for compa- credible exchange built on efficiency 850 percent. of our journey, which has cemented us as companies, companies in the oil sector nies that want to undergo privatization and transparency, creating a liquid cap- the crown jewel of the Kuwaiti capital as well as foreign companies - to list on Solid strategy and list on the exchange. The listing of the exchange,” Al-Kharafi added. ital market, a progressive exchange market and is indeed the model of a Boursa Kuwait represents a break- Boursa Kuwait saw a net profit of KD The listing was also hailed by Boursa platform and developing a comprehen- Kuwaiti success story, which in turn will through in the transformation of the 5.63 million for first half of 2020 while contribute to the elevation of the country Kuwait CEO Mohammed Saud Al- sive set of reforms and enhancements Kuwaiti capital market into a dynamic the company’s total assets came in at regionally and internationally. I would Osaimi, who highlighted the company’s that has allowed it to compete on an and diversified investment ecosystem approximately KD 41.7 million. Total like to take this opportunity to commend operational excellence. “The listing of international level.

Apple strives to reignite growth with line updates SAN FRANCISCO: Apple is expected to spot- light its smartwatch, iPad, and subscription services tomorrow as it strives to reignite growth with a must-have holiday line-up. A keenly anticipated iPhone 5G considered vital to the company’s fortunes will likely star in a sepa- rate event later in the year due to disruption in production caused by the pandemic, according to analysts interviewed by AFP. Apple shares that had been soaring have slipped by more than seven per- cent this week. The Silicon Valley-based iPhone maker on Friday had a market value of $1.92 trillion based on share price, down from a record high of $2.3 tril- lion at the start of this month. But Apple remains the most expensive company on Wall Street. Amazon comes in second with a market value of $1.56 trillion and Microsoft is third with a value of $1.54 trillion. The Apple event was teased with a cryptic invi- tation reading “Time Flies.” The company has remained mum about what it has in store. It is expected to showcase products or services other SINGAPORE: People queue to enter Apple’s third retail store during its opening at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. — AFP than iPhones being launched for the year-end shopping season. “Apple has admitted they are at least working including one for 5G telecom networks. to the metal in the US.” That opens the potential for updates of Apple on monitoring blood sugar with the watch; it would 5G networks are touted as promising an expo- US telecom firms are looking at a 5G iPhone as Watch, iPad, MacBook computers, services, and be enormous if they could pull that off.” Apple nential leap in the amount and speed of wireless a catalyst for consumer interest that will justify big even Apple TV set-top boxes, according to analysts. Watch also serves as an anchor to the tech giant’s data, enabling advances in self-driving vehicles, investments needed for those networks, according A new iPad model could include enhanced aug- mobile software, since it synchs with the iPhone. virtual reality, connected health and more as sen- to analysts. New generation 5G networks have also mented reality capabilities, and Apple services “The key part for Apple is to keep the base of sors and servers communicate instantly. “Apple taken shape in South Korea and in parts of Europe. such as music, news, and television might be iPhone users and sell them a ton of accessories like absolutely needs 5G right now,” Greengart said. Apple also needs an iPhone tuned for 5G to main- offered in an attractively priced subscription bun- AirPods and get services,” said analyst Patrick “Not for the US, but for China where 5G is tain its premium brand image, analysts added. dle, analysts said. The latest software powering Moorhead of Moor Insights and Strategy. driving purchase decisions.” Apple rivals have “Because of all the supply chain rumors saying Apple Watch already indicates sleep tracking is already introduced 5G models, and China is far the iPhone is running a little late, they will want to coming, and the company may enhance features Cherished China market ahead of the US when it comes to the new gen- announce it closer to the launch date,” said for fitness or health uses. The time is ripe for Apple to hit the market with eration networks. “5G is happening in China Technalysis Research chief analyst Bob O’Donnell. “There is competition in the smartwatch space, an iPhone tailored for super-fast 5G telecom net- with or without Apple; in fact more 5G phones Baird senior research analyst William Power said in but Apple is the sales leader by a large margin and works taking root around the world. Greengart is than non-5G phones are selling in China,” said a report to investors that Apple’s “ecosystem” there is room for Apple to build on its lead,” said among those expecting Apple to host a separate analyst Moorhead. “US carriers are waiting for looks strong due to its wearables, services, and the Techsponential lead analyst Avi Greengart. event, perhaps in October, for new iPhone models Apple to announce a 5G iPhone to put the pedal potential 5G iPhone. — AFP 9 Business Monday, September 14, 2020 San Francisco exodus as tech giants lean in to remote work in COVID era ‘There used to be cranes in the landscape, now it’s U-Haul trucks’

SAN FRANCISCO: Real estate agent Kilby Move bytes not atoms Stenkamp sees moving vans on San Francisco Twitter and online work collaboration tech firm streets where she used to see building cranes and Slack have announced employees can work from tech company hipsters. A work-from-home trend home indefinitely. Online bulletin board Pinterest kicked into overdrive by the pandemic is disrupting announced recently that it spent $90 million to can- a city long a haven for tech talent. cel a lease for more Silicon Valley office space, say- “People are leaving San Francisco, and they’re ing it will stick with its current San Francisco taking their jobs with them,” Stenkamp said. offices. “As we analyze how our workplace will “There used to be cranes in the landscape, now change in a post-Covid world, we are specifically it’s U-Haul trucks.” Tech workers who flocked to rethinking where future employees could be based,” San Francisco to be near Google, Facebook, said Pinterest head of business operations Todd Pinterest, Twitter and other internet firms are mov- Morgenfeld. ing to parts of the US where life is slower and the cost of living cheaper. Tech titans are encouraging the trend. Facebook is changing its hiring practices to recruit talent far and wide instead of needing workers to live near Downtown campuses. The social networking giant said it even skyscrapers might save money, since it adjusts the pay for posi- tions based on local cost of living. deserted Back in March, San Francisco became one of the first US cities to implement restrictions of moving Levi Benjamin-Brown, 5, helps his mother Kyla Brown unpack boxes of toys at their new home in El around for work, school and other activities. Nearly Cerrito, California, where the family moved from San Francisco. — AFP six months later, life shows little sign of returning to the way it was before the pandemic, causing some residents to question whether to stay. “A more distributed workforce will give us the “So I’d much rather have us teleport by using vir- Tech world shuffle “Once upon a time, a reason why we wouldn’t opportunity to hire people from a wider range of tual reality or video chat than sit in traffic.” Many The couple set their sights on Denver, some have wanted to move was because we had friends backgrounds and experiences.” workers are delighted to reclaim hours wasted in 2,000 kilometers away but in a close time zone to who had kids the same age as ours and we saw Google and Facebook are not expecting workers Silicon Valley commute traffic, even if in the comfort Silicon Valley. They get the beauty of mountains and them all the time,” said consultant Kyla Brown, who to return to their campuses until the middle of next of chartered buses complete with wireless internet. the joy of paying about 30 percent less in rent. left the city for a town about 25 kilometers (16 year at the earliest. Facebook chief executive Mark French financial analyst Romain Daubec and his While Facebook and other tech firms ultimately miles) away. “Practicality right now was the number Zuckerberg said he expects half of the firm’s American wife, a Facebook employee, are leaving adjust pay to local costs of living, states such as one priority; social life has all gone down the drain employees will be able to permanently do their jobs the Mission District despite a cut in rent due to the Colorado and Texas tax pay at much lower rates thanks to COVID.” The family moved closer to from home within five to 10 years. “It is a lot easier pandemic. Reasons included that the cost of living is than San Francisco. The exodus has left some down- Brown’s parents for babysitting needs, and work is to move bytes around than to move atoms around,” still high, the social scene has withered, and many of town skyscrapers deserted, shops doubting re- done by telecommute. Zuckerberg quipped at one point. their friends have already left. opening, and streets haunts of the homeless. — AFP

illegally conceal payments of around 9.2 Greg Kelly, former billion yen ($87 million at today’s rates) ABK expands its digital banking promised to Ghosn on retirement? Nissan, aide to Nissan’s which will be on trial alongside Kelly, says portfolio with two initiatives yes, and plans to plead guilty, multiple Ghosn, goes on trial sources told AFP. KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait checked remotely and around the (ABK) announced two additions to clock through the online and mobile ‘I didn’t do anything wrong’ their digital offerings to bolster application, maximizing customer TOKYO: The lengthy saga of ex-Nissan But Kelly has insisted on his innocence their ‘Simpler Banking’ strategy, convenience. chief Carlos Ghosn takes a new turn next since day one. “I didn’t do anything providing customers with smart and Additionally, the Bank enhanced week when the auto titan-turned-fugitive’s wrong,” he told AFP in an interview in ear- convenient ways to track remote its customer’s experience by mak- former assistant Greg Kelly goes on trial in ly September. “Carlos Ghosn never got paid anything and he wasn’t promised debit/ credit transactions. ing the Push Notification feature Tokyo. Ghosn’s arrest in the Japanese cap- The recently launched mobile available on the Bank’s mobile anything,” he insisted. ital in November 2018 on allegations of This combination of file pictures shows an and online banking feature enables application, as the uptake of digital Nissan and Japanese prosecutors dis- financial misconduct made headlines image of former Nissan executive Greg ABK customers to track interna- banking channels continue to rise. agree, arguing they have evidence that worldwide and kicked off an astonishing Kelly (left) and a file image of former tional transfers, and offers real-time The function alerts customers with these future payments were pledged to fall from grace for the businessman, once Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn. —AFP visibility of the status of every immediate updates on their bank Ghosn, and therefore should have been hailed as a corporate savior for rescuing transfer request from initiation to accounts and card transactions. disclosed in the firm’s financial filings as Nissan from the brink of bankruptcy. completion. As customers increas- ABK’s commitment to enhancing required by Japanese law. Prosecutors “There is no trust in the Japanese judiciary But Kelly was also detained that day, ingly adopt mobile finance apps, its digital banking solutions is part have amassed a vast amount of docu- system among foreign witnesses,” Kelly’s having been effectively lured back to they can exercise overall coordina- of its dedication to continual pro- ments, only a small portion of which the US lawyer James Wareham said. Japan from the United States on the prem- tion of all international transfers via gression in the digital space. The defense have been given so far, according “They are afraid, they are not going to ise of an urgent meeting. And with Ghosn the bank’s three-step revision Bank continues to monitor and to Kelly’s lawyers. come to Japan.” process; ABK account, correspon- adapt its business practices, offer- in Lebanon as an international fugitive Despite that, his team decided to agree dent bank and eventually the bene- ings and services to prevailing after he made an audacious escape while to move to trial, arguing they had “no Defense remains confident ficiary. Transaction status can be COVID-19 conditions. out on bail in Tokyo last year, Kelly is now choice”, with Kelly prevented from leaving Despite the obstacles, Kelly’s Japanese the only person expected to face trial any the country and separated from his family lawyer Yoichi Kitamura said he is “confi- time soon in connection with the case. while he waits for his case to go to court. dent we can win the case”. Nissan has The American lawyer appears in court Kelly’s legal team say they are confident been tight-lipped about the trial, with a from Tuesday facing a single charge: of he can be acquitted, despite the track spokeswoman saying only “we do not conspiring to under-report tens of million record of Japan’s prosecutors, who win comment on pending litigation”. The com- of dollars in pay that Ghosn was allegedly over 99 percent of the criminal cases they pany appears uncomfortable to finally promised after his retirement. bring to court. have arrived at the court date, with a Kelly, who will turn 64 on the day the But they argue they have been put at a source close to the firm’s leadership say- trial opens, denies any wrongdoing. He strong disadvantage by the court’s refusal ing there was concern about negative faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted. to allow overseas witnesses to testify by media attention. One of the trial’s key wit- The trial, expected to last around 10 videoconference. nesses will be Hari Nada, Kelly’s former months, centers around one question, The defense say some witnesses who colleague, who obtained whistleblower fraught with complex technicalities: did could help acquit Kelly fear being status from prosecutors in exchange for Kelly and Nissan between 2010 and 2018 detained if they testify in person in Japan. his cooperation. — Reuters

on the other hand, people have got to in Mahanoy City, they’re also a minority in Family wrestles work. And for people in this area, this has this region: voters who didn’t support been their whole life.” Donald Trump in 2016 and who won’t vote Brexit impasse with climate The two generations of the Gaval fami- for the Republican president in November, ly, Mike and Cindy and their sons, Justin in a town where Trump signs sprout every- sends pound and Michael, are woven into the fabric of where and no Joe Biden signs are to be change legacy Mahanoy City. Both Mike and Michael seen, even though the Democratic nominee back to lows played on the high school football team, for president grew up in another blue-col- MAHANOY CITY, Pennsylvania: Mike the Golden Bears. Today Michael volun- lar town, Scranton, an hour away. This year, Gaval looks out from the Gilberton coal- teers as a coach, but he dreams of leaving, the country almost seems at war with itself, LONDON: Fears that Britain will end fired power plant down the valley to if he can whittle down a mountain of stu- over politics and the coronavirus pandem- its post-Brexit transition period with- Mahanoy City, the town he grew up in, and dent debt. Cindy is from Shenandoah, 10 ic, race and the economy, climate change out agreeing any trading arrange- up the hill to the wind turbines spinning on minutes away, and has recently returned to and energy. Far from the streets of protest ments sent the pound to 5-1/2-month the horizon. Gaval would be the last per- work sorting goods at an Amazon ware- and the halls of power, the Gavals lows on Friday, overshadowing data son to call himself a coal critic. For 30 house near here after taking months off to nonetheless find their lives intersecting showing the economy recovering and years, he’s worked at the plant, which sup- protect the family during the coronavirus with this moment of American crisis from news of a new trade deal with Japan. up planning for a ‘no-deal’ Brexit after plies power to the local prison and the pandemic. Justin took a job at a plastics Mahanoy City, a small town that gets The pound is set for its worst week Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s gov- grid; before that, his grandfather was a plant after driving gun trucks down smaller every year. This is the story of an against the euro and the dollar since ernment refused to revoke an ultima- miner who blasted massive seams of ancient alleys in Afghanistan while serving American family and an American town, mid-March, when the COVID-19 pan- tum on breaking the divorce treaty anthracite and brought it to the surface. in the Army Reserve. both struggling with what they once were demic sell-off was at its height, having kept the pressure on sterling. “We are His hometown is a place made, and But even though they’re deeply rooted - and what they will be. — Reuters lost around 4 percent against both going to wait for the reaction of the unmade, by anthracite, the coal that fueled currencies. United Kingdom by that deadline the Industrial Revolution, provided heat “GBP has really underperformed (end-September) and we will consider for millions in sprawling cities, spawned this week as we expected due to ten- next steps once we have reached that rail networks and still heats homes in sions in talks”, wrote Jordan particular bridge”, European Mahanoy City. Trucks carrying anthracite Rochester, a foreign exchange analyst Commission spokesman Eric Mamer and its byproducts constantly run back at Nomura. At 1500 GMT on Friday, told a news briefing. and forth through town, coating the old the pound was down 0.3 percent Meanwhile, analysts remain broadly row houses that line the main street with a against the euro at 0.9255 pence and pessimistic for the coming days. layer of gray dust. 0.2 percent to the dollar to $1.2782. “Despite its profound fall in the past But the glory days of coal are long “For now the UK and EU are at a few days, we expect the pressure on gone, and Gaval wrestles with its legacy in stalemate with time working against GBP to continue building next week as heating not just homes and boilers, but the them, no deal is a real possibility and until-recently complacent investors planet. “With climate change and how the 1.20 in GBP/USD or 0.98 in adjust to the new reality of a height- industry I work in is contributing to that, it EUR/GBP are still very possible if a ened no-deal Brexit risk and start/con- could be somewhat of a struggle, especial- no deal Brexit were to happen”, ly if you have kids. It makes you wonder: tinue building GBP shorts(bets against Mike, Cindy, Justin and Michael Gaval stand for a portrait in their newly renovated backyard in Rochester predicted. Are you doing the right thing?” said Gaval, the currency),” ING analysts told their Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, US. — Reuters Reports that Brussels has stepped clients in a note. — Reuters 56, a husband and father of two sons. “But 10 Established 1961 Business Monday, September 14, 2020 Grand Hyper opens their 64th store in Hawally, Block 10 Store witnesses a soft launch due to pandemic

KUWAIT: Grand Hyper, counted among the lead- precautionary measures ensuring safety of cus- This is the 20th store of Grand in Kuwait which Rahil Bassim, General Manager Thahseer Ali along ing hypermarket chains in GCC, has opened its tomers visiting the store which involves regular also happens to be their 3rd outlet in Hawally. with other dignitaries and customers at 6 am on 64th outlet in Hawally Block 10, Al-Adasani cleaning and sanitization of all customer touch Grand already has two other Hypermarkets in this 10th Sept. 2020 at Al-Adasani complex, Hawally Complex in Othman Street on single basement points, mandatory rule of temperature check for area, one in Ibn Khaldun street and other in Tunis Block 10. floor in an area spanning 20,000 sq ft on 10th entry, wearing mask and gloves at all times. street. This outlet was planned to open before the Grand Hyper is part of Dubai based Regency September 2020. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Grand Hypermarket has a strong reputation pandemic in March 2020 but was put on hold due group which has varied business in GCC region. new store had a soft launch without regular inau- and trust in Kuwait market as a brand for provid- to coronavirus outbreak. Now despite the ongo- Grand is the retail arm of the group which has gural celebrations. The objective to open new ing the customers with a wide range of products ing pandemic, Grand management has decided to been on an aggressive growth and expansion store during corona scare was to make available including food stuffs, electronic appliances, home open the new store primarily to be present closer since inception. The success of Grand food and other necessary products for customers appliances, footwear, health and beauty items and to the customer for their convenience during these Hypermarket is testified by the continuous expan- at their vicinity, as many customers prefer to travel fashion wears and accessories from across the difficult times. Grand Hyper Hawally store inaugu- sion of the retail chain in various parts of the GCC within their locality for shopping during this time. globe at the most affordable price. With 20 stores ration was jointly done by Grand Hyper Kuwait countries on a daily basis. The benefit of price The new Grand Hyper has opened abiding to covering all major locations in Kuwait, Grand Chief patron Jassim Mohammad Al-Sharrah, Capt efficiency that the retailer gains through large- the guidelines and safety measures laid down by hyper is now a household name in Kuwait, serving Saad Mohamed Hamadah, Regional Director scale procurement of products is transferred onto Ministry of Health, Kuwait. Grand has taken all 60,000 plus customers daily. Ayoob Kechery, CEO Mohamad Suneer, COO the end-consumer.

devolve powers to the territory, Paris promised to Fate of nickel factory hold votes on the future of New Caledonia, which gives France a large, exclusive economic zone in the Pacific and rich fishing resources. Fed to meet as clouds New It also provides a military foothold in a region where China is looking to bolster its influence, a Caledonia vote worrisome development for Australia and New Congressional Zealand, as well as other Asia Pacific nations. The NOUMEA, France: France’s South Pacific territory first referendum two years ago saw independence deadlock lingers of New Caledonia risks seeing the closure of a nick- rejected by 56.4 percent of voters, but the contest el factory that has long been the lifeblood of its was much closer than polls had predicted, raising WASHINGTON: The Federal Reserve’s policy- economy, a threat that could weigh heavily on a the stakes for the next vote on October 4. setting committee will meet on Tuesday amid a looming independence vote. Advocates of remain- prolonged deadlock in Congress over how to sup- ing part of France worry that separatist parties ‘Economic tsunami’ New Caledonia is home to a quarter of the world’s port the US economy battered by the coronavirus could capitalize on a shutdown to press their case Hanging over the vote is the future of a huge known supplies of nickel. —AFP downturn. The central bank deployed its most for taking back control of a strategic archipelago nickel extraction site owned by the Brazilian mining potent tools including trillions of dollars in liquidi- and its key industries. giant Vale, which says it can no longer afford to ty lines and an emergency rate cut to near-zero in “With the referendum just three weeks away, we invest in the loss-making factory. ies. On Tuesday, Vale said talks to sell the site to the pandemic’s opening days, but the new fiscal are following this matter very closely and are The territory is home to a quarter of the the Australian mining group New Century support Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other offi- indeed worried about the 3,000 jobs under threat,” world’s known supplies of nickel, used in stainless Resources had failed, and warned that unless a cials have said the economy demands has yet to an official in the office of France’s overseas minister steel but increasingly sought as a vital electronics credible buyer emerged by end-October the site be approved by Congress. Sebastien Lecornu said. Under a 1998 deal to component, in particular for rechargeable batter- would be closed.—AFP The Fed is however loathe to wade directly into political debates and economists don’t expect that ment of the new unit also to change at the regular two-day meeting of the Gulf Bank appoints provides the Bank with Fed meeting in Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). the capabilities and the Rather, officials will perhaps offer details on Momtaz Saif as necessary tools to fore- their new inflation targeting strategy while cast any internal and focus as US underscoring that, despite some positive eco- head of new CSU external challenges that nomic signs, unpredictability reigns. “I would may arise as a result of stocks wobble also expect them to say something along the any developments in the lines of ‘uncertainties abound because of the global economy. NEW YORK: Investors are shifting their focus to the pandemic,’ something we all know,” said Jay KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced the appoint- Momtaz Saif has Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting next week as Bryson, chief economist at Wells Fargo’s corpo- ment of Momtaz Saif as the head of its new extensive practical expe- they seek cues following a recent technology-led US mar- rate and investment bank. Corporate Strategy Unit, which was established in rience in the field of Momtaz Saif ket sell-off. So far, few believe the past week’s volatility in The meeting will be the first after the Fed September 2020. His responsibilities will include the strategic planning, and stocks - which knocked the Nasdaq down as much as 10 unveiled a new strategy that will keep interest development and implementation of the Bank’s has worked across percent from its highs and rocked other indexes - is the rates lower for longer in a bid to achieve maximum long-term strategy, collaborating with various units Europe, the GCC region and Asia. Prior to joining start of a larger sell-off that will throw the market off its employment for the benefit of the poor. Steve on the development of their annual plans, and head- Gulf Bank in 2018, Momtaz Saif was the Chief course after a six-month rally. Some worry, however, that Englander, managing director at Standard ing various strategic projects related to the Bank. Strategy, PMO and Communications Officer for one the moves may herald the start of a volatile period, as a Chartered Bank, told AFP he expects the meeting The Corporate Strategy Unit was established in of Kuwaiti Banks. much-awaited fiscal aid package stalls in the Senate and the to focus on that new strategy, while making clear line with the recommendations that the Central Momtaz Saif holds a bachelor’s degree in US presidential election looms. That’s left investors looking the Fed’s easy money policies aren’t going away Bank of Kuwait issued earlier this year to ensure Business Information Technology from Nottingham to the Fed for its view of the nascent US economic recovery anytime soon. that the Kuwaiti banking sector is well equipped Trent University, and a General Management and what the central bank may do if markets continue to The FOMC “will continue to encourage fiscal and prepared for any challenges that future global Program certificate from Harvard University. slide. “The market, especially in absence of that fiscal policy stimulus without taking sides,” he said. And with economic conditions may impose. The establish- package, is looking for the Fed to do even more,” said this meeting the last before the November presi- Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street dential election in which President Donald Trump formula and with a stealthier campaign to undermine its Global Advisors. “And it’s not clear that they can do more or vies for a second term against former vice presi- credibility through proxies, including veterans’ groups Big Pharma wages how much they’re willing to do, at least at this point.” The dent Joe Biden, the Fed is “fortunate in that there and organizations that claim to advocate for patients Fed slashed rates to near zero in March as stocks plunged is no pressing need for any abrupt policy move.” but have ties to the pharmaceutical industry, Reuters stealth war on found in a review of industry connections and funding on fears of the economic impact from the coronavirus, and has rolled out lending programs to support businesses and Deadlock continues among groups targeting ICER. households. It is also buying tens of billions of bonds Congress passed the $2.2 trillion CARES Act in Two such groups - the Partnership to Improve Patient drug price watchdog monthly to keep markets functioning smoothly. March to bolster the economy but key provisions Care (PIPC) and Value our Health - are led by employ- Despite stocks’ recent slide, some market participants have expired and an agreement on another measure NEW YORK: As evidence grew this spring that the ees of Thorn Run Partners, a Washington-based lobby- believe equities would have to tumble much further for the has proven elusive, with a $500 billion spending drug remdesivir was helping COVID-19 patients, some ing and public relations firm that counts nearly a dozen Fed to act. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said earlier this proposal failing to pass the Senate in recent days. Wall Street investors bet on analysts’ estimates that its drugmakers as clients. PIPC denied it is part of a larger month that while the central bank will keep its foot on the The pandemic caused unemployment to skyrocket maker, Gilead Sciences Inc, could charge up to $10,000 industry-financed proxy campaign to undermine ICER’s monetary policy gas, lawmakers also need to help with to 14.7 percent in April, though data has lately shown for the treatment. Then a small but increasingly influen- impact. Thorn Run declined to comment, and Value Our recovery relief, making the government’s failure to pass the key sectors like retail and home sales rebounding to tial drug-pricing research organization, the Institute for Health did not respond to inquiries. next round of stimulus an increasingly worrying develop- near their levels prior to the downturn. Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), said the treat- As remdesivir gained momentum, PIPC complained ment to some investors. “We have an economy that has not The latest August data put unemployment at ment only justified a price between $2,800 and $5,000. to ICER in a June letter that its methodology, which yet cleared the woods of the pandemic,” said Nela 8.4 percent, which Powell told National Public Shortly after, Gilead announced it would charge about examines how a drug improves patient quality of life, Richardson, investment strategist at Edward Jones. “These Radio indicated “significant improvement,” though $3,100 for a five-day treatment and $5,700 for ten was unfair for COVID-19 drugs. It also held a webinar risks that were ... maybe hidden a bit by all this stimulus he said he also feared for people who were days - in line with the ICER recommendation. The for patients criticizing ICER’s methods. are now starting to be highlighted and more transparent.” already earning low wages, and for whom the episode illustrates the growing power of the Boston- The group’s chairman, former US Democratic The number of Americans filing new claims for unem- coronavirus has made life even more tenuous. based nonprofit to hold down US drug prices. Over the Representative Tony Coelho, argued in the letter that ployment benefits hovered at high levels last week, sug- David Wessel, a senior fellow at the Brookings past five years, ICER has pressured drugmakers to ICER’s methods yield a flawed value assessment for gesting the labor market recovery from the COVID-19 Institution, said he’d be watching the chair’s com- lower the cost of nearly 100 drugs. It aims to play a COVID-19 drugs that could lead insurers or govern- pandemic was stalling as government financial aid to busi- ments after the meeting for signs of his latest opinion similar role with emerging COVID-19 treatments and ment programs to limit coverage to the elderly and nesses and the unemployed dries up. Analysts at BofA on the tricky situation. “With the economy showing a vaccines. Health insurers increasingly use ICER’s fair- people with disabilities because ICER’s formula attrib- Global Research noted that September tends to be the slightly better than expected rebound and Congress value analyses to limit access to expensive drugs or to utes a lower value to their medicines than those for weakest month of the year, with stocks notching gains less paralyzed by partisan tensions, he may be even more negotiate steeper discounts with drugmakers. The healthier patients. In a statement to Reuters, Coelho than half the time and the S&P 500’s average return at circumspect,” Wessel said. —AFP industry has moved aggressively to combat the threat attacked ICER’s formula as a flawed “one-size-fits-all minus 1 percent . —Reuters to its profits in two ways: With open criticism of ICER’s assessment.” —Reuters Classifieds Monday, September 14, 2020

Sabah Hospital 24812000

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Maternity Hospital 24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700

Chest Hospital 24849400

Farwaniya Hospital 24892010

Adan Hospital 23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300

Al-Razi Hospital 24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9

Kaizen center 25716707

Rawda 22517733

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Khaldiya 24848075

Kaifan 24849807

Shamiya 24848913 Shuwaikh 24814507 Airlines Abdullah Salem 22549134 Kuwait Airways 171 Nuzha 22526804 Jazeera Airways 177 Turkish Airlines 1884918 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 FlyDubai 22414400 Qadsiya 22515088 Qatar Airways 22423888 KLM 22425747 Dasmah 22532265 Royal Jordanian 22418064/5/6 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 British Airways 22425635 Air France 22430224 Shaab 22518752 Emirates 22921555 Qibla 22459381 Air India 22456700 Air India EXPRESS 22438185/4 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Sri Lanka Airlines 22424444 Mirqab 22456536 Egypt Air 22421578 Swiss Air 22421516 Sharq 22465401 Saudia 22426306 Salmiya 25746401 Middle East Airlines 22423073

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Ask for help if you need it, Aries. Your nature is Bask in the sunshine of today, Cancer. Focus Your fantasy life is especially active today, Libra, Your fantasy world is piqued today, Capricorn. to serve others, but in order to maintain that energy, make on the positive aspects of your life and work to expand so enjoy this little break into your dream world. Coming Your imagination is running wild. Maintain a cer- sure that you're taken care of as well. Offer extra support to these energies. There's a great deal of opportunity open at back to reality may be difficult. Keep tabs on your emo- tain amount of control over your emotions or they may get the people you love. In work-related issues, make sure that this time. The key to taking advantage of this is to stay tions so they don't get the better of you. The impressions the better of you. You could find yourself in a cloud of confu- you receive from the outside world may not be accurate sion by afternoon. Avoid this by trying to ground yourself you aren't biting off more than you can chew. Delegate tasks close to the things that truly bring you the most happiness. today. Keep your wits about you and try not to get caught throughout the day. Make sure your actions result from an to others. Pamper yourself tonight with a hot bath and a The details will work themselves out with almost no effort. up in drugs and alcohol. equal balance between thought and emotion. good meal. Have faith that you'll succeed, and you will.

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

Keeping your emotions in balance is going to be Make sure you're getting enough sleep, Leo. You're in a fun-loving and jovial mood today, You may get the feeling that you're operat- ing in an emotional crossfire today, Aquarius. On the the key to a successful day, Taurus. Don't get swept away by a You may seem groggy and your head could be a bit cloudy Scorpio, and you should make time to enjoy it with friends, one hand, you may have a "me first," selfish feeling that fanciful situation that could send your mind spinning. today, but try not to let this stop you from getting your if possible. The one caveat to the day is that your emotions work done. Much of what you perceive may not exactly may be a bit clouded. You may not have the most accurate demands attention from others. You may also sense Maintain control at all times. This might be easier said than the need to work to serve others and bring like-mind- correlate with reality. Your emotions could be especially impression of a situation. You might feel that people have done. Give yourself a break and avoid excess alcohol or any ed people together. Realize that both of these energies sort of drug use. It will be hard enough to keep your mind distorted. You may have a strong desire to escape into a the wrong impression of who you are. Try not to feel inse- cure. Have confidence in yourself and take the lead. are valid and deserve your attention. Balance is the clear without them. fantasy world. Try to keep both feet on the ground. key. Work to soothe your fluctuating emotions.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Pisces (February 19-March 20)

You may feel like you're running into a brick There may be an area of your life that seems You may have a strange paranoia that people are out to get you today, Sagittarius, but don't You'll enjoy a day of high spirits and friendly wall at every turn, Gemini, especially when it completely fanciful now, Virgo. The issues regarding it have interactions. The energy of the day is in your favor, comes to emotions. The intensity of the day may have become a bit hazy. You may no longer be sure of the reality of let this feeling paralyze you. Your emotions are more than likely getting the better of you. The reality of the situation is although it may not seem like it. Your emotions may you feeling like you're in a pressure cooker. Try not to the situation. Today's energies will bring these issues into become cloudy and it might seem like people are working blow things out of proportion. Realize that much of the much different than your sensitive emotions perceive. Avoid focus. Your emotions are especially heightened, and they, too, against you. Although this may be true to some extent, drama is more a figment of your imagination than reality. the tendency to escape even further into this fantasy world. will seem a bit clouded. Try to stay balanced and gain a new realize that much of this paranoia comes more from your Clear away the clouds and get to the heart of the matter. Stay away from drugs or alcohol. perspective on the situation. emotional insecurity than another's plot against you. 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Awards Monday, September 14, 2020

Disney’s Marketing Director for Italy, Davide Romani Mexican director Michel Franco poses with the Silver acknowledges receiving the Golden Lion for Best Film on Lion - Grand Jury Prize he received for “Nuevo Orden” behalf of US director Chloe Zhao for “Nomadland” during (New Order). the closing ceremony on the last day of the 77th Venice Jury President of the 77th Venice Film festival, Australian-US actress Cate Blanchett arrives to attend the closing cere- Film Festival. mony of the 77th Venice Film Festival.— AFP photos

omadland” by director Chloe Hollywood Reporter called the film “a Zhao scooped the top prize at unique portrait of outsider existence” “Nthe Venice film festival on while Variety said it was “a marvel of Saturday, the first woman to win the empathy and introspection”. Zhao, who Golden Lion in a decade. The film, an cast real van dwellers opposite ode to American wanderlust and the McDormand, insisted the film was not highs and lows of the open road, won the political, but many saw it as a subtle alle- top honour in a competition billed as a gory on US decline, with its humble relaunch of global cinema bruised by the heroes clinging onto the last threads of coronavirus crisis. Starring Frances the American Dream. McDormand, it is set among a motley tribe of ageing van dwellers, down on High-profile ‘test’ their luck and roaming the West. The Normally attended by more than double-Oscar winner plays a widow who 10,000 film industry executives, critics, takes to the road after losing her home. journalists and moviegoers, the Venice Its Chinese-born director Chloe Zhao festival was the first major international picked up the coveted award 10 years movie competition to go ahead after oth- after Sofia Coppola’s 2010 win for her ers around the world, including its main film “Somewhere”, in a year in which rival, the Cannes Film Festival, were can- nearly half of the films in the main com- celled. Festival director Alberto Barbera petition were directed by women. called the event “a sort of test” for the British actress Vanessa Kirby poses with the Via Zoom, Zhao and McDormand film industry, which is slowly regaining its appeared from the Rose Bowl in footing, with some production resuming (From left) Taylor Friedman, Frances McDormand, Chloa Zhao, Matthew Greenfield, David Coppa Volpi for Best Actress she received for Greenbaum, and Fox Searchlight Co-Chairman Stephen Gilula attend the Drive-In Premiere of “Pieces Of A Woman”. Pasadena, California-where the film had and cinemas reopening, even as Covid- a US premiere on Friday-sitting inside the 19 cases continue to rise in many parts “Nomadland” hosted by Fox Searchlight and The Telluride Film Festival at Rose Bowl on van used in the film. “Thank you so much of the world. In Italy, the festival was also September 11, 2020 in Pasadena, California. for letting us come to your festival in this viewed as a sign of hope and normalcy weird, weird world and way,” said for the first country in Europe to be bat- Kiyoshi Kurosawa won a Silver Lion for McDormand. “We will see you down the tered by the global crisis. his wartime espionage thriler “Spy No road,” they said in unison, quoting a Nevertheless, big-budget block- Tsuma” (Wife of a Spy). Britain’s greeting used by the van dwellers in the busters that have premiered in Venice in Vanessa Kirby, best known for the Netflix film. The 77th edition of the “Mostra” fes- years past were missing, as was the series “The Crown” won best actress for tival-presided over by Australian actress bevy of Hollywood A-listers, who have her performance in “Pieces of a Woman” Cate Blanchett as jury president-took fans screaming for autographs on the by Kornel Mundruczo about a home place in a year when theatres have been sidelines of the red carpet. Instead, the birth that goes wrong. The best actor closed, film sets shut down and movie- 2020 version was decidedly low-key, award went to Italian star Pierfrancesco goers forced to embrace streaming with about half the usual number of atten- Favino in “Padrenostro” (Our Father). A video at home instead, during months of dees, fewer films and seating in theatres special award for young talent was coronavirus-imposed lockdown. that was staggered to respect social dis- awarded to Rouhollah Zamani from tancing. Masks were mandatory, hand Majid Majidi’s “Khorshid”, (Sun Hot new talent sanitiser bountiful, temperatures were Children), about child workers in Iran. Zhao, 38, is one of Hollywood’s taken on entering the festival grounds Zamani, a street child cast as the 12- hottest new talents, with Variety maga- and ubiquitous red signs warned atten- year-old lead, was unable to attend the zine having hailed her last film, “The dees to respect the anti-coronavirus festival after testing positive for coron- Rider”, about a rodeo grunt, as a “mini- measures. avirus. Last year, “Joker” by US director masterpiece.” She is currently making Todd Phillips took home the Golden Lion the next Marvel movie, “The Eternals”. Street child winner and-in a controversial choice-Roman Polanski won the runner-up Grand Jury Polish cinematographer Michal Sobocinski “Nomadland” was loudly applauded The festival’s Grand Jury prize was prize for “An Officer and a Spy.”— AFP acknowledges receiving the Award for Best when it premiered at Venice Friday and awarded to “Nuevo Orden” (New Order) Director Ana Rocha de Sousa acknowledges Screenplay, on behalf of Indian director had horns honking at a Pasadena drive- by director Michel Franco, an unflinching receiving the Special Orizzonti Jury Prize for Chaitanya Tamhane for “The Disciple”. in cinema for its US premiere. The look at a dystopian Mexico. Japan’s “Listen”.

Japanese Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa winner of Best director for “Wife of Iranian director Majid Majidi receives on behalf of Iranian actor Italian screenwriter Pietro Castellitto poses with the Orizzonti Award for Best a Spy” speaking via internet. Rouhollah Zamani the Special Jury Prize “Marcello Mastroianni” Award Screenplay he received for “I Predatori”. for Best New Young Actor for “Khorshid” (Sun Children).

Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino poses with the Coppa Volpi for Best Actor he received Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky poses with the Special Jury Prize Moroccan French director Ismael El Iraki poses with the Orizzonti Award for “Padresnostro”. he received for “Dear Comrades !”. for Best Actress he received on behalf of Moroccan singer and actress Khansa Batma, for “Zanka Contact”. Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Monday, September 14, 2020

Golden Lion: “Nomadland” by Chloe Zhao, China-US he Golden Lion top prize at the 2020 “Nomadland” by Chloe Zhao Jury prize: Michel Franco for “New Order”, Mexico Venice film festival was awarded 2019 “Joker” by Todd Phillips Best director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa for “Wife of a Spy”, Japan Ton Saturday in what has become 2018 “Roma” by Alfonso Cuaron a key barometer for Oscar glory. 2017 “The Shape of Water” by Special jury prize: Andrei Konchalovsky for “Dear Comrades”, Russia Winners have often gone on to triumph Guillermo del Toro Best actress: Britain’s Vanessa Kirby for “Pieces of a Woman” at the Academy Awards. Here are the 2016 “The Woman Who Left” by Lav Best actor: Italy’s Pierfrancesco Favino for “Padrenostro”. — AFP last five: Diaz. — AFP

scar-nominated actress Naomi Watts has worked with OHollywood icons such as David Lynch and Sean Penn, but admitted Saturday that a magpie stole her scenes in “Penguin Bloom,” premier- ing at the Toronto film festival. Watts plays Sam Bloom in the real-life dra- ma about a mother who becomes par- alyzed in an accidental fall, but is pulled out of despair by caring for an injured baby bird named Penguin. “That made me nervous. How do we anessa Kirby’s best actress win at Kirby though is not someone to be intimi- get a performance out of a bird and, the Venice film festival on Saturday dated by fame. She grew up around you know, magpies are famously not Vconfirms her ascension to stage and screen legends Vanessa and super friendly,” Watts told a virtual Hollywood royalty after breaking through Corin Redgrave, who were friends of her news conference. The movie used playing a real royal in Netflix’s “The family in London. some animatronics and CGI, but Crown”. The 32-year-old British star was And although she has not exactly mostly “a multitude” of live birds, con- the rebellious Princess Margaret, the been an overnight success, there was no firmed director Glendyn Ivin. British queen’s younger sister, in the mistaking she was a major talent, with “They absolutely stole the scenes streamer’s flagship series. Kirby had two the theatre critic of The Independent every single day,” said Watts, films vying for the Golden Lion in Venice, newspaper saying she was “a star if ever describing how one used the bath- the lesbian love story “The World to I saw one” after seeing her in “The Acid room on her head on the first day of Come” and the tough drama “Pieces of Test” at London’s Royal Court in 2011. A filming. Speaking from her home in a Woman”, for which she won the prize. series of stage and television roles fol- Australia Sam Bloom said the real Both made big demands on a woman lowed before she was cast in “The Penguin had “brought a bit of excite- that Variety called the “outstanding stage Crown”, for which she won an Emmy for ment and happiness into our house” actress of her generation”. “Pieces of a best supporting actor. Kirby then made after the accident “made everyone Woman” opens with Kirby in a jaw-drop- her rather unlikely transition to Hollywood sad.” With a pandemic and a closed ping 25-minute childbirth scene, which action films “Mission Impossible-Fallout” Canadian border forcing Hollywood was filmed in one shot. The film was and “Hobbs & Shaw” two years ago. stars and media to remain home, inspired by the grief the film’s Hungarian While “Pieces of a Woman” won her the North America’s biggest film festival director Kornel Mundruczo and his Venice prize, critics also adored her in has scrambled to find socially-dis- screenwriter partner Kata Weber suffered “The World to Come”. tanced ways to present this year’s when they lost their own child. Kirby In it she plays a glamorous woman line-up, with movies premiering online threw herself “really deep” into her first yolked to a backwoods farmer in 19th- and at drive-in screenings. lead role in a movie, she told reporters. century upstate New York who tries to But she admitted trying to be true to the escape the drudgery of her life when she suffering of the women she talked to begins an intense relationship with before the shoot was “really scary”, and another farmer’s wife. Critics were she named and thanked them and their wowed by the slow-burn passion of this lost children in her acceptance speech. “ravishingly beautiful love story”, with The As tears welled up in her eyes, she Guardian’s Xan Brooks saying he could said she wanted to share the prize with stare at its “dense forest landscapes all all those parents “who have lost chil- day”. “The World to Come” is one of a dren... sometimes before even life trio of acclaimed new historical lesbian began”. “We can connect through our romances, following “Portrait of a Lady pain and heal through it,” she said. If that on Fire” and “Ammonite” starring Kate was not scary enough, Kirby was having Winslet and Soairse Ronan.— AFP to act opposite Shia LaBeouf, one of Hollywood’s most intense and demand- British actress Vanessa Kirby poses with the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress she ing leading men, who she thanked for received for “Pieces Of A Woman”. — AFP “championing this very female story”.

In this file photo British actress Naomi Watts attends the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech. — AFP

Through a child’s eyes ith almost no live audiences and many teetering on the brink. the pragmatist, the 59-year-old, gener- Earlier in Toronto, “Selma” star few major names, New York Historically, American high-end ally clad in a black suit, doesn’t antici- David Oyelowo unveiled “The Water WFashion week, which opened ready-to-wear designs have relied heavi- pate a “normal” season before fall Man,” marking his directorial debut. “I yesterday in city that was ravaged by ly on department stores, which were in 2021. In order to help American design- made it for my 12-year-old self, I the pandemic, is not giving up-and is bad shape themselves and have fallen ers hang on, the CFDA invested in a made it for those kids who don’t get to trying to help American designers sur- like dominoes during the pandemic, new platform-named Runway360 — see themselves represented in this vive an unprecedented crisis. Don’t from Barneys and Lord & Taylor to that is accessible to designers for free kind of story,” he said. Written by bother looking for Michael Kors, Tommy Neiman Marcus. In-person fashion and lets fashion houses show their col- Emma Needell and backed by Oprah Hilfiger or Ralph Lauren, regular heavy- shows have practically vanished from lections and create virtual events Winfrey, the film follows the adven- hitters on the lineup. They won’t be the calendar this season, with a few around their designs. tures of a boy, played by Lonnie Chavis, who seeks out a fabled In this file photo British designer Terence attending this Fashion Week, which will (very rare) exceptions, including Jason More than 50 of the 70 or so design- bogeyman hoping he can cure the Conran poses for photographers during the last only three days, from Sunday Wu’s opening show on Sunday, or ers on the agenda for New York terminal cancer plaguing his mother, opening of his exhibition ‘Terence Conran: evening to Wednesday. Rebecca Minkoff, whose presentation is Fashion Week are using Runway360. played by Rosario Dawson. “It’s very The Way We Live Now’ at the Design Museum Some of them have filmed their shows rare to see a black family at the center in London.—AFP in New York in advance and will stream the videos at their appointed time. But of this kind of story,” Oyelowo said. even without in-person shows, “fashion “And I’m not just making it for black is a business, and Fashion Week is a and brown people. I’m hoping that Visionary UK platform for designers to do business,” white people watch it and see them- CFDA CEO Steven Kolb told AFP. selves represented in it (too) because Crucially, “Fashion Week is about I do believe that seeing ourselves in designer jobs... it’s about people’s livelihoods. different kinds of people is what It’s about moving forward, but cautious- engenders empathy and erodes igno- ly, with safety in mind,” he said. Many rance,” he said. Terence Conran young designers view this uncharted period as “an opportunity to get ‘Falling’ into directing exposed,” said Geoffrey Owens, an “Lord of the Rings” star Viggo dies at 88 African-American designer showing his Mortensen also realized his dream of very first collection for his label Zoonek directing a movie, premiering ritish designer Terence Conran, “Falling,” about a crotchety and whose Habitat chain brought at the Flying Solo show. Just one year ago, Owens, also a demented father who relentlessly Bhigh-end furniture and homeware assails his son’s homosexuality. The to the high street in the Swinging Sixties, minister, was cutting hair in his salon in Virginia Beach, dreaming of fashion. three-times Oscar-nominated actor died on Saturday at the age of 88. last appeared in “Green Book,” Conran “passed away peacefully today” Already skilled in drawing, he learned how to sew in just 30 days and was which screened at the Toronto film at his imposing country house outside festival before winning a Best Picture London, his family said in a statement, able to “activate that gift.” “Doors have been opening ever since,” he said. Oscar in 2019. “It’s one thing to acclaiming him as a “visionary who A model gets fitted during a NYFW behind the scenes fitting day for a Flying Solo runway know me as an actor, but I mean, I enjoyed an extraordinary life and show featuring a collective of local designers in New York City. — AFP Fellow newbie Fashion Week presenter Mohamed ElMadawy echoed the hope: haven’t directed anything,” said the career”. Born in London’s suburbs in 61-year-old, who also stars in the 1931, Conran began his career making “Those big brands are not showing as Eager to sell off some of the consider- on Tuesday. Even if New York has aggressively anymore, so I think I have main role. and selling furniture before opening The film shifts between the main restaurants across the capital and able stock accumulated since the start become one of the stronger case stud- a better chance” of breaking through, of the pandemic and sometimes held ies in recovery, the US has struggled to he said. ElMadawy is Egyptian and character John as a boy, forced into launching Habitat in 1964. tests of masculinity by his father, and The chain made chic designs acces- back by a much-slowed production get the coronavirus pandemic under has been living in New York since chain, the big designers are showing control, which explains the discrepan- 2012. He is showing his first collection John as an adult living happily as a sible to the middle classes, and Conran gay man until his dad (played by was credited with pioneering flat-pack their new collections later, separate from cies with Paris, Milan or London fashion at Fashion Week for his brand the usual fashion calendar. Marc Jacobs weeks, where live fashion shows were Elmadawy on Sunday, also at the show Lance Henriksen) comes back into furniture years before Swedish giant his life, spewing his usual vitriol and Ikea conquered the world. In 1989, he has given up his spring-summer 2021 much more frequent. by Flying Solo, a cutting-edge bou- collection altogether. The only fashion tique in SoHo that scouts and pro- rancid homophobia. Producer Daniel founded the Design Museum in London. Bekerman shared an on-set anec- “Terence Conran was instrumental in giant attending this week will be Tom ‘Moving forward’ motes emerging designers. For Ford, who will show his new collection Apart from health risks, “when trying Owens, a designer’s role is to “set the dote to describe Mortensen’s direct- the re-designing of post-war Britain and ing resolve: In the film Henriksen his legacy is huge,” the museum’s virtually for the closing event to simply pay as many employees as I bar” for society and “bring us out of... Wednesday night. His presence is a can and not have to make further cuts that dark place” of the past six months. wades into the ocean with a lit ciga- director Tim Marlow said. “He is revered rette, but splashing waves keep by generations of designers, from Mary symbol of the willpower of the Council of or furloughs, to spend several million “Let’s live again,” he said.— AFP Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), dollars on a show makes no sense,” extinguishing it. Behind the camera, Quant and David Mellor to Thomas Mortensen “had multiple lit cigarettes Heatherwick and (Apple’s) Jony Ive,” he of which Ford is the chairman, to support Ford said in an interview with industry American design houses of all sizes- publication Women’s Wear Daily. Ever in (his) mouth” to give to Henriksen added.—AFP each time one went out. — AFP 14 Sports Monday, September 14, 2020 Sporting Kansas City Photo of the Day player tests positive for COVID-19

NEW YORK: A player for Sporting Kansas City has tested positive for COVID-19, the Major League Soccer squad an- nounced Saturday, and started self-isolation under league safety protocols. All other players and members of the club have returned multiple negative test results and have no symptoms, the team said in a statement. Team medical officials will monitor the unidentified player, who will remain in isolation until medically cleared by Sporting Kansas City staff. The team has also started contact tracing ahead of the its home match Sunday against Minnesota United. MLS testing protocols require players to be tested every other day, including the day before each match. Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota are battling for the lead in the Western Conference, each on 17 points, one behind defending MLS champion Seattle, the West leaders. Minnesota and Kansas City are both 5-3 with two drawn with a plus-five goal differential, the Loons ahead of sport- ing 21-20 in total goals to own second place. Eastern Con- ference leaders Columbus Crew battled back from two goals down Saturday to salvage a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire at Soldier Field, with Gyasi Zardes capping the scoring with an 88th-minute strike. Djordje Mihailovic opened the scoring in the 11th minute, notching his first goal of the sea- son for the struggling Fire. Less than five minutes later, Robert Beric doubled the score, racing onto a cross from Fabian Herbers and firing it home. Although Mihailovic came off injured after 22 min- utes, the Crew started the second half with energy, forcing Bobby Shuttleworth into a series of saves. Columbus pulled one goal back in the 68th minute through Fatai Alashe. And USA striker Zardes rescued a point with his 88th-minute strike, taking a deflected pass from Youness Mokhtar near Participants are seen at the Red Bull Half Court Finals 2020 in Vilnius, Lithuania. — Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com the top of the penalty area and turning to score his third goal in two games.—AFP Astros rally past Dodgers in 9th White Sox overpower Tigers; Twins down Indians

LOS ANGELES: Six consecutive Houston Astros bat- Miller, Matt Carpenter and Paul Goldschmidt also hit ters reached base to open the ninth inning, starting a home runs for the Cardinals, who are 17-0 when they five-run uprising that led to a 7-5 victory over the host score at least five runs. The second-place Cardinals Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday in the opener of a remained three games back of the NL Central-leading brief two-game series. Yuli Gurriel drove in three runs Chicago Cubs. St Louis starting pitcher Dakota Hud- for the Astros, who arrived at Dodger Stadium on Sat- son (3-2) held the Reds to one run on one hit and four urday afternoon greeted by angry Dodgers fans hold- walks in six innings. He also struck out four. Losing ing signs and banging trash cans as a reaction to pitcher Tejay Antone (0-2) retired just nine batters. He Houston’s 2017 cheating scandal. The Astros won the allowed two runs on four hits and three walks. 2017 World Series in seven games over the Dodgers. Trailing 5-2 and heading into the ninth inning Rangers 5, Athletics 2 (Game 1) against Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, the Astros got Rougned Odor belted Daulton Jefferies’ 20th singles from Carlos Correa and Aledmys Diaz before major-league pitch for a three-run homer and Ronald Josh Reddick hit a two-run double to bring Houston Guzman added a two-run shot in the first inning as within a run. Martin Maldonado singled to put run- Texas made it hold up for a victory over visiting Oak- ners on the corners before Houston made it 5-5 when land in the first game of a doubleheader. The win was Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy was unable to just Texas’ second in eight head-to-heads with Oak- field George Springer’s hot smash. The Astros took a land this season. The 25-year-old Jefferies walked two 6-5 lead on a single by Alex Bregman and Jansen (3- of the first four men he faced before Odor took him 1) was replaced by Adam Kolarek. Houston added deep to right field for his fifth homer of the season and one more run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Gur- a 3-0 lead. After Elvis Andrus followed with an infield riel. Josh James (1-0) did not allow a run over 1 1/3 single, Guzman then crushed his third homer of the innings to pick up the victory, while Ryan Pressley season to right, making it 5-0. earned his ninth save. Athletics 10, Rangers 1 (Game 2) LOS ANGELES: Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers jumps over Michael Brantley #23 of the Houston Astros, White Sox 14, Tigers 0 Oakland vented the frustration of an earlier loss in on his throw to first, on a double play attempt, during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 12, 2020. —AFP Jose Abreu went 4-for-4 with a pair of three-run a seven-run second inning, routing host Texas for a home runs and a career high-tying seven RBIs, and split of their doubleheader at Arlington, Texas. After Tim Anderson had four hits and an RBI to power host Texas starter Colby Allard (0-6) had worked around a to lift Los Angeles Angels over Colorado to even their Chicago past Detroit for the eighth time in nine games one-out single by Tommy La Stella in a scoreless first, three-game series in Denver. Walsh homered for the between the teams this season. One night after his ca- the A’s jumped all over the Rangers left-hander in the fourth consecutive game and fifth in his last seven, lifting Stuard, Hahn and reer-best 22-game hitting streak was snapped, Abreu second as Ramon Laureano and Marcus Semien had a 1-1 slider from Tyler Kinley (0-2) over the fence in erupted to help the American League Central-leading RBI singles, and Sean Murphy a two-run hit as the A’s right. Albert Pujols and Justin Upton also had two hits White Sox to their seventh win in eight games. Every put their first six batters on base. Oakland right-han- apiece for the Angels, who have won seven of 10. Ty Percy share PGA Chicago starter had a hit. Eloy Jimenez had three, and der Chris Bassitt (4-2) benefitted from the abundance Buttrey (2-3) pitched a scoreless 10th before Matt An- Nick Madrigal added two. White Sox right-hander of support, coasting through six innings, allowing a driese pitched the 11th for his first save. Rockies starter Reynaldo Lopez benefited from the deluge of support, home run to Joey Gallo, his ninth of the season, with Kyle Freeland went six innings, allowing two runs and Tour lead in Napa pitching five shutout innings to earn his first victory one out in the sixth to end a shutout bid. Semien had four hits. He struck out four and walked two. Tyler Kin- since defeating Detroit on the penultimate day of the two hits and 4 RBIs, including his sixth homer. ley (0-2) gave up Walsh’s homer and took the loss. SAN FRANCISCO: Brian Stuard rolled in a six- 2019 regular season. Lopez (1-2) scattered three hits, foot birdie putt at the 18th to join a three-way tie one walk and two strikeouts while throwing 75 pitches. Blue Jays 3, Mets 2 Royals 7, Pirates 4 for the US PGA Tour Safeway Open lead on Satur- Robbie Ray struck out five in five innings, Jonathan Adalberto Mondesi hit a two-run homer and Whit day alongside James Hahn and Australian Cameron Yankees 2, Orioles 1 (10 innings) Villar had two hits, two stolen bases and an RBI and Merrifield added a solo shot as Kansas City beat vis- Percy. The trio topped a crowded leaderboard on Luke Voit hit a game-winning sacrifice fly leading host Toronto defeated New York at Buffalo as the iting Pittsburgh, to give the Royals a season-best fifth a day when more than half a dozen players held or off the 10th inning as host New York won beat Balti- teams have split the first two games of a three-game straight win. Salvador Perez added an RBI single for shared the lead at Silverado Resort in Napa, Cali- more for the ninth straight time at Yankee Stadium. The series. Travis Shaw and Randal Grichuk also had RBIs the Royals. Josh Bell, Bryan Reynolds and Adam Frazier fornia. Stuard, chasing a second career PGA title to Yankees won their fourth straight following a 5-15 for the Blue Jays. Amed Rosario had three hits for the hit solo homers for Pittsburgh, which has lost three go with his 2016 Zurich Classic crown, started the slide while the Orioles lost their fourth straight after Mets but was picked off first for the final out of the straight. Kansas City’s Carlos Hernandez, in his first day five adrift. But he got rolling with birdies at the winning six of eight, falling 4 1/2 games behind the game after reaching base on a wild pitch after he career start, pitched three innings, allowing three runs third fourth and fifth. He made a four-foot birdie Yankees for the second wild-card spot in the American struck out. Ray (1-0) allowed one run, four hits and two and three hits, with two strikeouts and no walks. Kyle putt at 12 and a two-footer at 14 before picking up League. The Orioles have been outscored 18-2 in the walks. Rafael Dolis pitched around a walk and a wild Zimmer (1-0) pitched a scoreless 2 1/3 innings. Greg a stroke at the par-five 18th, despite finding the series. DJ LeMahieu was the automatic runner on sec- pitch in the ninth to earn his fourth save. Mets right- Holland pitched the ninth for his fifth save. rough off the tee. ond base and on the first pitch from Hunter Harvey (0- hander Seth Lugo (2-3) allowed three runs, seven hits “You’ve got to make a bunch of birdies, that’s 2) he took third on a wild pitch. Baltimore brought the and one walk with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Cubs 4, Brewers 2 the name of the game this week,” said Stuard, infield in and Voit lifted a fly ball to center fielder Jason Heyward hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in whose six-under 66 put him on 16-under 200. Cedric Mullins to cap an eight-pitch plate appearance Twins 8, Indians 4 the top of the ninth inning, and Chicago rallied for a Hahn also played without a bogey, firing five and easily score LeMahieu. Byron Buxton, Willians Astudillo, Marwin Gonzalez, win over host Milwaukee. Heyward’s blast to right- birdies in a five-under 67 for his share of the lead. Eddie Rosario and Miguel Sano each homered as the center field punctuated a wild comeback for the Cubs, “I just had a goal in mind today just to kind of have Rays 5, Red Sox 4 Minnesota Twins hit a season-high five home runs to who were two outs away from suffering their third a clean scorecard,” said Hahn, who returned in Jan- Brandon Lowe’s team-leading 12th home run broke beat visiting Cleveland in Minneapolis. It was the ninth shutout loss in the past four games. Ildemaro Vargas uary after being sidelined almost eight months with a seventh-inning tie as host Tampa Bay beat Boston in win in the last 11 games for the Twins, who remained a added a solo shot in the next at-bat to give Chicago a an elbow injury. “Would have been nice to birdie a St. Petersburg, Fla. Lowe broke a 4-4 deadlock by sky- game behind the first-place Chicago White Sox in the two-run advantage. Milwaukee squandered a shot at couple of the par fives, but anytime you birdie ing a long shot with two outs in the seventh off Marcus American League Central. Rich Hill (2-1) picked up the its third straight victory, which would have matched its three out of the four par threes I think you’re doing Walden (0-2) - a deep drive to right-center on a high victory, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks longest winning streak of the season. Ryan Braun hit a something good.” fastball-to give the Rays their seventh victory in nine while striking out seven over five innings. Jose Ramirez two-run homer to lead the Brewers at the plate. Percy carded a four-under par 68, moving to 16- games against Boston. Tampa Bay starter Tyler Glas- homered and had two hits, Carlos Santana doubled under with his fourth birdie of the day, with a 32- now (3-1) worked seven innings and became the and scored twice and Jordan Luplow had a triple and Mariners 7, Diamondbacks 3 foot putt at the 10th. Bogeys at 11 and 14 followed, pitcher of record after Lowe’s blast. Austin Meadows RBI for Cleveland, which lost its fifth straight game. Ty France homered for the second night in a row to but he birdied 16 and 17 to get back atop the board produced a solo homer, and Manuel Margot was 2- Zach Plesac (3-2), who had won three consecutive highlight a four-run first inning as Seattle knocked off in the quest for a first US PGA Tour title at the age for-3 with a double and two RBIs. starts, took the loss. host Arizona in Phoenix. Jose Marmolejos also home- of 46. “It would mean the world to me,” said Percy- red and drove in three runs while starter Justus who struggled throughout the round with a flare up Braves 2, Nationals 1 Phillies 12, Marlins 6 Sheffield (3-3) held the Diamondbacks to two runs and of pain in his ribs. “This week it freed up, and then Rookie Ian Anderson allowed only a bunt single in Didi Gregorius slugged a grand slam to lead visit- five hits over seven innings as the Mariners snapped a today the last few shots on the range really hurt,” he seven scoreless innings to send visiting Atlanta to vic- ing Philadelphia to a resounding win over Miami, de- three-game losing streak. Arizona got a two-run single said, adding that it prevented him from turning com- tory over last-place Washington. Anderson (3-0), spite two players leaving the game early. Bryce from Wyatt Mathisen and saw a two-game winning pletely after impact with the ball. ranked as the top pitching prospect in the Braves’ or- Harper went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, double, three streak end. Zac Gallen (1-2) took the loss after giving “But I managed to keep it in play and hit a few nice ganization, struck out a career-best nine. He became runs scored and two walks for the Phillies, who tied up seven hits, seven runs and five walks, against six wedges at the end there and got around in a good the team’s first rookie to win his first three decisions this rare seven-game series 2-2. Brian Anderson hit a strikeouts, over five innings. score.” Overnight leader Sam Burns struggled to a since Williams Perez started 4-0 in 2015. Patrick three-run homer and Jesus Aguilar went 3-for-4 with one-over par 72 that left him a stroke off the lead on Corbin was the hard-luck loser and suffered his fifth a solo homer for the Marlins. Phillies rookie starter Giants at Padres (postponed) 201. He was tied with Mexican-born Norwegian straight loss. Corbin (2-5) pitched a season-high Spencer Howard left the game in the fourth due to Saturday’s game between San Francisco and San Kristoffer Ventura, who carded a 66, and Harry Higgs, seven innings and allowed two runs on nine hits with shoulder stiffness, and catcher JT Realmuto also was Diego at Petco Park was postponed for a second con- who followed his second-round 62 with a 70. Stewart eight strikeouts. pulled in the eighth after experiencing reported hip secutive day because of a reported positive coron- Cink, the 2009 British Open champion, carded a 65 discomfort while running the bases. avirus test by a Giants player. The stadium underwent to head a group on 202 that also included Argentina’s Cardinals 7, Reds 1 intensive cleaning on Saturday, and both teams are Emiliano Grillo (65), Scotland’s Russell Knox (70), Harrison Bader hit a three-run homer to power St. Angels 5, Rockies 2 (11 innings) awaiting word on whether or not MLB will play Sun- Doug Ghim (69) and DJ Trahan (70).— AFP Louis to an easy victory over visiting Cincinnati. Brad Jared Walsh hit a three-run homer in the 11th inning day’s scheduled matchup.— Reuters 15 Sports Monday, September 14, 2020 Hamilton beats Bottas to first ever Tuscan GP pole Verstappen will line up third; Leclerc fifth for Ferrari

MUGELLO, Italy: Formula One championship terday and even this morning, and in Q1 (the first leader Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the first phase). “I’ve been working so hard in the background Tuscan Grand Prix at Italy’s Mugello circuit on Sat- to really try and improve on my lines, improve on the urday and dealt another blow to Mercedes team mate set up and with the engineers and mechanics we did Valtteri Bottas. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified such a great job and finally got the lap that I needed.” third behind the Mercedes pair with Thai team mate Hamilton is 47 points clear of Bottas in the stand- Alexander Albon lining up fourth. Charles Leclerc ings after eight races and the Finn needs to pull out kept Ferrari’s head up for their 1,000th world cham- something special to prevent the Briton running away pionship grand prix, qualifying fifth at a track owned with a seventh title. He will have to make a much bet- by the Italian team who are struggling after two dis- ter start than last weekend, when he was also along- mal performances at Spa and Monza. side Hamilton on the front row at the Italian Grand Sebastian Vettel was more than half a second Prix at Monza but had dropped to sixth by the end slower and will line up 14th in the other Ferrari. The of the first lap. The jury is also still out on how easy it pole was the 95th of Hamilton’s career and seventh in will be to overtake at Mugello, a fast and flowing cir- nine races this season, continuing Mercedes’ 100% cuit making its championship debut after the COVID- record on Saturdays. Bottas had every right to be dis- 19 pandemic forced other venues to cancel. appointed, after lapping fastest in every practice ses- “I still had more time in there,” said Bottas. “I was sion and also in the first phase of qualifying. The Finn looking forward to the last lap but I didn’t get the op- was then denied a chance to go faster just when it portunity.” Verstappen said he had been surprised by mattered most when Renault’s Esteban Ocon spun off the Red Bull’s pace: “I didn’t expect to fight in quali- and brought out yellow flags just after Hamilton had fying but this weekend it has looked very promising,” completed his final effort. said the Dutchman. AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly, who TUSCANY: Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the third practice session at the Mugello Hamilton’s provisional pole lap of one minute won the astonishing race at Monza, will need to pull circuit ahead of the Tuscany Formula One Grand Prix in Scarperia e San Piero on September 12, 2020. — AFP 15.144 seconds was ultimately good enough for the off an even bigger shock on Sunday after qualifying top slot, while the best Bottas could manage was 16th. “He had too much understeer on the car... he 0.059 slower. “It’s been a really tough weekend,” said simply was too slow,” said team boss Franz Tost. curred in Friday practice for a collision with Alfa 10. “I am sorry for the guys that couldn’t complete Hamilton, who had struggled on Friday. “This track is Mexican Sergio Perez qualified sixth for Racing Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen. Australian Daniel Ricciardo their laps,” said Ocon of his spin. “Everyone pushes phenomenal... It’s a really, really challenging circuit Point but will drop behind his Canadian team mate starts eighth for Renault with Carlos Sainz ninth for hard on this track and it bites you when you go over and you saw Valtteri was quicker than me all day yes- Lance Stroll on the grid due to a one-place drop in- McLaren and Frenchman Ocon completing the top (the limit).” — Reuters

total saves. Dallas Stars take Game five is today night in the quarantine bubble in Edmonton. There was no scoring in the first pe- Nadal renews Djokovic riod. Martinez scored to make it 1-0 Vegas at 7:44 3-1 stranglehold of the second by hammering a 92 mile per hour slap- rivalry in quest for 10th shot past Khudobin on the powerplay. Pavelski tied lead over Knights it up about four minutes later with his ninth goal of Italian Open title the postseason. Andrew Cogliano forced a turnover for the Stars in the Vegas’ end and the puck went to ROME: Rafael Nadal returns to competition LOS ANGELES: Jamie Benn scored the tiebreak- Pavelski whose backhand hit the stick of a Knight after a six-month break chasing a tenth Italian ing goal and Anton Khudobin stopped 32 shots as defender and deflected up over the shoulder of Open title in Rome against his greatest rival the Dallas Stars beat the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 Lehner into the net. Novak Djokovic before his bid for a 13th to take a commanding lead in their Western Confer- “I was happy to see that one go in,” Pavelski said. Roland Garros crown later this month. The ence final series. Despite being heavily outshot for Benn scored the winner on the powerplay at 19:01 Spaniard has won on the red clay of the Foro the second straight game, the Stars got the victory of the second by wristing home a shot after Lehner Italico, normally played in May but which thanks to superior goaltending and an ability to failed to control the rebound. It was another frus- starts behind closed doors in Rome on Mon- make the most of their scoring chances and now trating offensive performance by the Knights whose EDMONTON: The Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas day, a record nine times, including the last two have a 3-1 playoff series lead. only goal Saturday came from a defenceman. They Star scuffle during the third period in Game Four editions. World number one Djokovic, a four- Benn and Joe Pavelski both scored in the second are being led in scoring this postseason by defence- of the Western Conference Final at Rogers Place time Rome winner and five-time runner-up, period after defenceman Alec Martinez had opened man Shea Theodore, who has seven goals, 11 assists on September 12, 2020. — AFP lost to Nadal last year in the final. the scoring for Vegas earlier in the period. Benn’s and 18 points. The 33-year-old is the top seed ahead of goal came with under a minute to go in the second “All we need is to finish,” Vegas coach Peter De- world number two Nadal, in the tuneup for the and from then on it was a matter of Russian goalie Boer said. “I think the effort’s there. I think we’re off his right foot. He returned in the third but ap- final Grand Slam of the season at the French Khudobin closing the door in the third. “Unbeliev- creating a lot of really good looks.” Vegas have out- peared to still be in some pain. The winner of the se- Open which begins on September 27. Djokovic able team effort, I would say. I really appreciate that. shot the Stars by a wide margin in the series 130- ries will play either the New York Islanders or the won the French Open in 2016, with Nadal hav- It’s huge, huge, huge,” said Khudobin. Vegas goal- 92. Vegas forward Mark Stone went to the dressing Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup finals. ing won the last three titles since. Nadal, 34, tender Robin Lehner was less busy making just 18 room with an injury after taking a shot from Pavelski Game four of their series is Sunday.—AFP has not played since winning in Acapulco at the end of February, skipping the US Open over coronavirus concerns. Djokovic tested positive for coronavirus in June after an exhi- FIFA on trial as Valcke, LeBron leads Lakers bition tournament he organised, but the Serb won his 80th career title at the Cincinnati Masters last month. Al-Khelaifi trial begins to NBA West finals He also captured his 35th ATP Masters crown, matching Nadal’s all-time record, with in Swiss court with rout of Rockets the pair battling to pull ahead in Rome this week. Djokovic arrives in Rome after his bid for an 18th Grand Slam ended amid contro- LAUSANNE: FIFA’s disgraced former secretary gen- MIAMI: LeBron James had 29 points, 11 rebounds versy at the US Open a week ago when he was eral Jerome Valcke and Paris Saint-Germain chief Nasser and seven assists as the Los Angeles Lakers ad- disqualified after accidentally striking a female Al-Khelaifi go on trial in Switzerland today in the latest vanced to their first NBA Western Conference final line judge with a ball during his last-16 match. chapter of football’s seemingly endless corruption saga. in a decade with a 119-96 blowout win over the Hous- Nadal opens his Rome challenge on Wednes- The two men have been indicted for alleged corruption ton Rockets on Saturday. Anthony Davis tallied 13 day against 27th-ranked fellow Spaniard Pablo in the attribution of football broadcasting rights-Al- points and 11 rebounds, Kyle Kuzma had 17 and Carreno Busta, the recipient of a first round Khelaifi is also the boss of beIN Media. Markieff Morris finished with 16 for the Lakers, who bye, after his run to the US Open semi-finals. The hearing, which has already been delayed because eliminated the Rockets in five games in the quarantine Nadal could play either Greek third seed of the coronavirus, is scheduled to last until September bubble in Orlando, Florida. Stefanos Tsitsipas or seventh seeded Italian 25 at the Federal Criminal Court of Bellinzona. But it will Los Angeles advanced to their first NBA final four Fabio Fognini for a place in the final. Nadal has open under another cloud as suspicions of collusion be- a 61-6 tournament record, having not lost be- tween the Swiss prosecution and FIFA have undermined since the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers beat Phoenix for the conference title and then defeated Boston for the FLORIDA: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston fore the quarter-finals since 2008. Djokovic its credibility. Centre stage is Valcke, former right-hand Rockets handles the ball against Alex Caruso #4 will start against either Italian Salvatore man of ousted FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who appears 2010 NBA championship, the last time they won. “It’s the reason I wanted to be a part of this franchise is to of the Los Angeles Lakers and Rajon Rondo #9 of Caruso or a qualifier, with a potential semi- in two separate cases of television rights corruption-he the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter faces up to five years in prison if found guilty. take them back to a place they were accustomed to final clash against France’s fifth seed Gael being. And that’s competing for a championship,” said in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Monfils or tenth seeded Swiss Stan Wawrinka. The 59-year-old Frenchman stands accused of Round on September 12, 2020. — AFP wanting to transfer the Middle East and North Africa James. “It’s an honor for me to wear the purple and US Open finalists Dominic Thiem and Alexan- rights for screening the 2026 and 2030 World Cups to gold and for us to just try to continue the legacy and der Zverev, the 2017 winner, both pulled out the Qatari giant beIN Media, in exchange for “unwar- just play great basketball for our fans.” disappointing series, delivering another series of after their runs in Flushing Meadows, with in- ranted benefits” from Al-Khelaifi. According to the This will be James’s 11th career conference finals fourth-quarter playoff disappearing acts that have jured Roger Federer also sidelined. prosecution, the case relates to a meeting on October but when asked by reporters how it feels, he changed pockmarked his career. “Tough season for us. Obvi- 24, 2013 at the French headquarters of beIN, when Al- the subject to talk about the group as a whole. “Every ously it didn’t end the way we wanted it to. So, we just Halep top women’s seed Khelaifi allegedly promised to buy a villa in Sardinia game is a learning experience for us. Every game is got to figure it out,” he said. Former French Open champion Simona for five million euros, granting its exclusive use to Val- another opportunity for us to get better. We want to In the past five years, Harden has shot less than 25 Halep headlines the women’s event which also cke. Al-Khelaifi, who has denied the charges, was then continue to build,” said James. They will face either percent from beyond the arc in post-season fourth includes defending champion Karolina to hand the property over to the Frenchman two years the Los Angeles Clippers or the Denver Nuggets in quarters and overtime. He finished two-of-eight from Pliskova and two-time Rome winner Elina Svi- later under certain conditions. the next playoff round. The Clippers lead that series three-point range on Saturday. Harden said Saturday tolina. Serena Williams withdrew due to a left In return, the prosecution claims, Valcke committed 3-2. The Lakers got off to their best start of the series, all they need to become great is to add one more Achilles tendon injury sustained in her US to “do what was in his power” to ensure beIN would be- dominating the opening plays to take a 35-20 lead at Open semi-final defeat. The former world come the regional broadcaster for the two World Cups, piece to the puzzle. “It’s very, very frustrating. Espe- the end of the first quarter. cially the amount of work individually I put in,” he number one, a four-time Rome champion, something which happened on April 29, 2014, in an joined 2019 US Open winner Bianca An- agreement that FIFA has never since contested. Legally, Their only lull of the game came in the start of the said. “But I’ve got to keep chipping away. I’ve got to second quarter when Houston briefly woke from their keep going and keep going until I can’t go anymore. dreescu and two-time Wimbledon winner however, it is no longer a question of “private corrup- Petra Kvitova in skipping the Italian event tion”. The prosecution had to drop that qualification be- slumber and cut the lead to seven, 38-31. But the Lak- “I feel like we’re a piece away and we’ve just got keep which will also be without world number one cause of an “amicable agreement” reached at the end of ers outscored the Rockets 33-18 in the third to take trying to figure it out. Keep trying to put the pieces January between FIFA and Al-Khelaifi, the contents of full command. They drained 19 three-pointers and around me and Russ to get us where we want to go,” Ashleigh Barty and newly-crowned US Open which have not been made public. So Valcke must now shot 52 percent from the floor. With the game in hand, said Harden. champion Naomi Osaka. justify having “kept for himself” advantages “which the Lakers sat three-time NBA champion James and Tempers flared in the fourth quarter both on and World number two Halep won the Prague should have gone to FIFA”. Davis for much of the fourth quarter. “Everything is off the floor. The brother of Lakers Rajon Rondo now title a month ago, and will face either Anas- An employee at the time, the obligation to return falling into place. When I got here the goal was to win has the dubious honor of being the first fan thrown tasija Sevastova or Jasmine Paolini in the sec- money received in the course of his duties “also applies a championship and now we are eight wins away,” out of a bubble game after he exchanged words with ond round. Former French Open champion to bribes”, according to a decision in March. Al-Khelaifi, said Davis. Houston’s Westbrook. The public is not allowed in the Garbine Muguruza opens against American one of the most influential men in world football, faces arena because of the coronavirus pandemic but play- Sloane Stephens. Venus Williams, the 1999 the charge of “inciting Valcke to commit aggravated ‘A piece away’ ers are allowed to invite a limited number of family Rome champion, has a tough start against US criminal mismanagement”, for which he could also face Once again the James Harden-led Rockets put up and friends to watch the games in person. Rockets Open finalist Victoria Azarenka, with the win- five years in prison. “The major part of this file does not little resistance as Houston, after surprising the Lak- coach Mike D’Antoni, whose contract expires at the ner taking on third seeded Sofia Kenin. Dutch concern our client,” his lawyers told AFP while dismiss- ers in game one of the series, lost their fourth straight end of the season, couldn’t say whether he will be player Kiki Bertens and Swiss Belinda Bencic ing the charges against him as “clearly artificial”. Al- and their third in a row by more than 10 points. back. “We’ll see what happens. I had four years. are among the six top ten players in the Khelaifi denies buying the property in question or Harden led the Rockets with 30 points and Russell Hopefully it keeps going, but you just never know,” field.—AFP promising it to Valcke.—AFP Westbrook scored just 10 in the loss. Harden had a he said.— AFP Established 1961 Sport

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

Astros rally past Dodgers in 9th; Dallas Stars take 3-1 stranglehold LeBron leads Lakers to West 14White Sox overpower Tigers 15 lead over Vegas Golden Knights 15 finals with rout of Rockets

Leicester bounce back, thrash West Brom Everton break Tottenham jinx as Calvert-Lewin heads winner

WEST BROMWICH: Leicester City’s Belgian defender Timothy Castagne (center right) jumps to head the ball to score the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City yesterday. — AFP

LONDON: Leicester bounced back from a disap- spot-kicks in the final 16 minutes after he and James pointing end to last season to get their new cam- Justin had been felled inside the area. paign off to a winning start as Jamie Vardy scored two penalties in a 3-0 win at West Brom. Belgian Everton 1 Spurs 0 international Timothy Castagne opened the scoring Everton ended a miserable run of form against on his debut as West Brom were given a harsh les- Tottenham Hotspur as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s son on the step up in quality they face on their second-half header earned them a 1-0 away victory return to the Premier League. Leicester won just in their Premier League opener yesterday. Carlo two of their last 10 games to miss out on a place in Ancelotti gave debuts to three new signings includ- the Champions League on the last day of last sea- ing Colombian James Rodriguez but it was son and Brendan Rodgers had voiced his frustration Sheffield-born Calvert-Lewin who gave Everton a at a lack of funds to help their chances of success in dream start to the season as he headed powerfully four competitions this season. home in the 55th minute. But the one new signing the Foxes have added Tottenham also gave debuts to right back Matt made a big impact as Castagne’s towering header Doherty and midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but from Dennis Praet’s cross opened the floodgates 11 were disappointing as they suffered a first defeat by minutes into the second half. Despite Leicester’s Everton since 2012. Their best chances came before drop-off in the second half of the campaign, Vardy the break as Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford still won the Premier League’s golden boot last sea- denied both Dele Alli and Doherty. Tottenham LONDON: Everton’s English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin (left) climbs to plant this header in the net for son and the 33-year-old launched his challenge to lacked imagination after Everton went ahead and Everton’s first goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton be top scorer once more with two expertly taken the visitors held out with relative ease. — Agencies at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium yesterday. — AFP

everyone has had to take during the COVID-19 era, with Osaka wins US the two finalists having to pick up their respective prizes Could Messi departure unlock the themselves from a table placed on court, while everyone stood socially distant for the obligatory photocall. As she Open to confirm has done in every match over the past fortnight, Osaka Barcelona rebuilding project? appeared on court with her left thigh strapped and a facemask with the name of a Black American victim of MADRID: Barcelona would be shattered if Lionel journalist Xavier Bosch in a column in Mundo status as new star police brutality or racial injustice. Messi left the club he has graced since he was a boy, Deportivo on Tuesday, asking everyone to “act intelli- For the final it was Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy shot but could the departure of arguably the world’s top gently”. That may be harder done than said in the NEW YORK: Naomi Osaka ended Victoria Azarenka’s dream run to claim her second US Open title in three by police in 2014 while playing with a toy gun in a play- player create the financial conditions to rebuild? The world of football, where passion often overrules eco- gound. Osaka had already replaced Serena Williams as Argentinean maestro, who has been with the club nomic pragmatism. Not surprisingly the supporters do years with a 1-6 6-3 6-3 comeback win on Saturday which cemented her status as the sport’s leading light both top earner and now has assumed the leadership mantle since he was 13, handed in a transfer request after not want to see the player nicknamed La Pulga (The that goes with it. With the United States rocked by unrest Barca’s humiliating 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in Flea) leave, even though his performances in the last on and off the court. Unlike the 22-year-old Japanese’s first U.S. Open win in 2018 over Serena Williams, which following the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, just the quarter-finals of the Champions League. year suggest a slight waning of his considerable pow- three weeks ago by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Osaka After all the highs of his 21 years with the club, this ers. But his transfer could be the real starting point on was played in a frothing Arthur Ashe Stadium, Saturday’s drama unfolded in a strangely quiet arena as COVID-19 had withdrawn from her semi-final at the Western and was one step too far for Messi. The focus, naturally and off the field for the reconstruction of a club that Southern Open in protest. enough, has been on the football ramifications for not so long ago was the yardstick and envy of the health and safety protocols prevented fans from entering the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The men’s and women’s tour responded by postpon- Barcelona: how would a Messi exit affect them on the world. “I like Messi a lot, but I like Barca even more,” ing all the matches that were due to take place on the pitch as they try to rebuild under new coach Ronald former club president Joan Gaspart told the Marca But the lack of buzz around the stands did not stop the two former world number ones from producing a dazzling day of the protest by 24 hours and persuaded Osaka to Koeman? But equally important for the Barca board is sports daily last week. contest the rescheduled match. By taking the stand, the the financial implication of allowing the 33-year-old, “It is the club that is in control, not the player. If display of shot making. As Osaka walked off with a third Grand Slam title, Azarenka was denied a US Open crown 22-year-old activist had made her point. Azarenka, who who earns over 100 million euros ($118 million) in Messi leaves for an amount lower than that of his ended Serena Williams bid for a record equalling 24th salary and bonuses per year, to take his brand to clause, it will be more humiliating than the 8-2” for a third time having also finished runner-up in 2012 and 2013. Still it was a remarkable and unexpected run for the Grand Slam title in the semi-finals, carried that momen- another club. The Catalans, however, are in deep against Bayern, he said. According to Football Leaks, tum into the final with a near flawless first set. One of financial difficulty. Messi’s annual gross salary in 2018, including bonuses, 31-year-old Belarusian, who reached her first major final in seven years. top returners in the women’s game, an energized Quite apart from the 200 million euros it claims to was more than 100 million euros, almost double that of Azarenka broke the fourth seed to start the final and have “lost” since the start of the coronavirus pandem- his former teammate Neymar. The Brazilian, who left It was the second time in two weeks Azarenka, twice a winner at the Australian Open, and Osaka had set up a twice more in a lopsided opening set that took just 27 ic, Barca have been carrying a net debt of nearly 200 Barcelona for Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain in minutes. million euros since 2019. The club has taken out a loan 2017 for a world record fee of 222 million euros, is final showdown. The pair had been set to meet in the Western and Southern Open final on Aug. 29 until Osaka If any spectators had been allowed in Arthur Ashe of 140 million over five years with an American invest- paid around 52 million euros in salary per year. Stadium, they no doubt would have been left stunned by ment fund to help pay off the debt. And it has a mas- “There has been a lot of talk about the fact that withdrew due to a hamstring injury. “I actually don’t want to play you in more finals,” Osaka told Azarenka with a events as a rampaging Azarenka again broke Osaka at sive player payroll, reported to be 542 million euros in Barca have a very high payroll but a large part of that the first opportunity in the second to go 2-0 up. But the 2018-2019 season. So, in simple commercial terms sum was intended for Leo and Luis Suarez,” econo- smile during the victory ceremony. “I didn’t really enjoy that. “That was a really tough match for me. “And yes, Osaka would not lose her composure. After no aces in a transfer fee, even if well below the 700 million euros mist and FC Barcelona specialist Juan Maria Gay de the opening set, Osaka, one of the game’s top servers, quoted in his disputed release clause, would be a wel- Liebana told AFP. So in simple terms, even if they really inspiring for me because I used to watch you play here when I was younger so just to have the opportunity slowly began to find her mark in the second. She ham- come windfall. recruit another high-profile replacement, Barcelona mered down five aces while helping herself to three “Negotiate, agree, and smile,” wrote FC Barcelona could slash a chunk of cash from the payroll. — AFP to play you is really great and I learned a lot.” The presentation ceremony showed the precautions breaks on way to levelling the match. — Reuters