RABIA ALAWWAL 15, 1441 AH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019

28 Pages Max 31º Min 13º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17982 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

British backer of Syrian White What slowdown? Shoppers set Louvre Abu Dhabi marks Seattle defeat Toronto 6 Helmets found dead in Turkey 11 ‘Singles’ Day’ spending record 24 2 years, without da Vinci 25 to capture MLS Cup

Airport workers strike for better working conditions, allowances Civil aviation authority says operations unaffected by stoppage

KUWAIT: Hundreds of workers at Kuwait’s interna- two-hour strike tomorrow and a 24-hour strike on tional airport held a one-hour strike yesterday to Sunday if their demands are not met. Of 4,500 civil demand better working conditions, threatening to stage aviation employees, 1,500 took part in yesterday’s longer walkouts in the coming days. Ahmed Mohammed strike, he said. Al-Kandari, a union representative, said workers were The DGCA had announced two days ago that shift calling for improved treatment and to be compensated payments were unified for personnel working at the air- for daily exposure to pollution and noise. The right to port and air traffic control. DGCA Director Yousif Al- strike is guaranteed for citizens in Kuwait, but such Fauzan has said the Civil Service Commission (CSC) actions remain rare in the country. Foreign workers do issued a resolution on Thursday explaining that shifts not have the right to strike. would be of eight hours and every air traffic control staff Yesterday’s strike by Kuwaiti staff did not affect member will work morning, afternoon and evening shifts flights, officials said, but the workers’ union said the on three consecutive days, followed by two days off. strike disrupted six flights. “Airport traffic is very nor- Fauzan added airport staff will work the same eight mal,” said Sheikh Salman Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, head of hours for three consecutive days followed by one day the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Another offi- off instead of the old system of working a full 24 hours cial, Saleh Al-Fadaghi, the airport’s director of opera- followed by 48 hours off. But the DGCA employees tions, also said flights were not affected. “During the syndicate chairman Jaber Al-Azmi said the CSC only one-hour strike, 19 flights were operated as scheduled. approved allowances for air traffic control staff and There were five departures and 14 arrivals,” he said. that the union insists on unified allowances for all staff Fadaghi praised all personnel and employees at the air- members working shifts. “We have the minutes of a port who maintained regular operations, affirming previous meeting between the union and civil aviation keenness on “enhancing employees’ skills and preserv- and it was agreed that the unified allowance is ing their rights”. deserved by all employees of the directorate,” he said Kandari said the purpose of the strike was not to yesterday, adding the union is defending the demands disrupt operations but “to make our voices heard”. He and rights of workers who were deprived of the KUWAIT: Civil aviation employees stage a walkout at the airport yesterday. — Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh added that Kuwaiti workers would hold a further allowance. — Agencies

tation, acute and chronic diseases, dental health ministry and streamline the system. We Dhaman opens services, digital x-ray, ultrasound, laboratory are partners with Mayo Clinic in the US, so we and pharmaceutical services. Dhaman was set are bringing high quality and efficiency,” said up by a public private partnership (PPP) Tina Baramakian, Dhaman Corporate Director. first primary established through a ministerial decree as Baramakian affirmed the cost of health part of Kuwait’s development plan. insurance premiums in the coming years will clinic for expats The hospital is part of a government push be a bit higher. “But expats should not be ter- to segregate healthcare, limiting access for rified, since we will be charging only a minimal expatriates to the public system. Already, amount - it won’t be too high compared to in Hawally some clinics offer Kuwaiti-only timings, and services in private clinics. I assure you prices By Ben Garcia priority for certain clinics and medicines are will be competitive. At government health unavailable to residents, who are also paying centers, you have to pay KD 2 or KD 5 - we KUWAIT: The Health Assurance Hospitals higher fees for visits. are only seeing an increase of 500 fils or Company (Dhaman) opened its first primary “Healthcare is one of the main pillars of the maybe a dinar, but the good thing is that labo- healthcare center in Hawally in Cairo Complex 2035 New Kuwait vision. The main objective ratory, radiology, pharmacy and other basic on Ibn Khaldoun Street yesterday. The center, is to target residents in Kuwait, as we have tests will be free,” she added. spread over an area of 3,079 sq m, has 20 more than 2 million expats. The aim is to pro- Dhaman Chairman Mutlaq Al-Sane, Acting clinics covering family medicine, pediatrics, vide them with high quality healthcare, while CEO Dr Mohammad Al-Qinae, board KUWAIT: Dhaman officials open the company’s first primary healthcare center preventive services, health education, consul- at the same time decrease the load on the Continued on Page 24 for expats in Hawally yesterday. — Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh

Jordan king tours 11 French citizens, two Irish and at least Turkey starts two additional Germans were also being processed. enclave after end repatriating Turkey has criticized Western coun- tries for refusing to repatriate their citi- of Israel lease deal zens who left to join the Islamic State IS detainees group (IS) in Syria and Iraq, and strip- AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah paid his first visit yester- ping some of them of their citizenship. day to an enclave fringing its northern border with Israel a ISTANBUL: Turkey deported three for- Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said day after the expiry of a 25-year special regime that allowed Israeli farmers access to the area, official sources eign jihadists yesterday, with more than last week that Turkey had nearly 1,200 said. The king on Sunday declared an end of the arrange- 20 Europeans including French and foreign members of IS in custody, and ment, which many Jordanians saw as a humiliation that per- Germans in the process of being had captured 287 during its recent oper- petuated what they regarded as an Israeli occupation of expelled to their countries of origin. ation in northern Syria. It was not clear Jordanian territory. Turkey’s interior ministry said it had whether those being deported were cap- Under the 1994 Jordan-Israel peace treaty, two territories deported an American and a Dane, while tured in Syria or Turkey. “There is no straddling the border were recognized as under Jordanian sov- Germany confirmed that one of its citi- need to try to escape from it, we will ereignty but with special provisions allowing Israeli farmers to zens had also been expelled. Seven more send them back to you. Deal with them work the land without visas. But in 2018, Jordan said it did not Germans were due for deportation on how you want,” Soylu said on Friday. want to renew the arrangement, in what was widely seen as a BAQOURA, Jordan: King Abdullah II of Jordan and his son Crown Prince Hussein pray Thursday, the Turkish ministry said, while Continued on Page 24 sign of increasingly strained bilateral relations. — Reuters with army officers during a ceremony at this Jordan Valley site yesterday. — AFP

Power vacuum in Bolivia Egypt discreetly after Morales steps down marks Suez Canal’s LA PAZ: Bolivia’s Evo city’s cable-car network 150th anniversary Morales called yesterday remained paralyzed and ISMAILIA, Egypt: Since the Suez Canal was inaugu- on the opposition that buses were scarce. rated amid pomp and ceremony 150 years ago, it has ousted him to “pacify the The police - largely con- become one of the world’s most important waterways. country” after his shock fined to barracks since riots But its anniversary will only be discreetly marked in resignation following broke out on Friday, with Egypt. The man-made canal was excavated between weeks of protests over his many units joining the 1859 and 1869, in an ambitious project to connect the disputed re-election left a protests - were returning to Mediterranean to the Red Sea, and cut shipping times power vacuum in the coun- the streets, police chief for growing international trade from Europe to Asia. try. Shops and offices in La Vladimir Yuri Calderon The Suez Canal is “not a prerogative of one nation”, Paz were shuttered early said. “The Bolivian police declared Ferdinand de Lesseps, the French diplomat yesterday after looting Evo Morales will be acting,” Calderon credited with masterminding the project, drawing from broke out late Sunday in told ATB television. Tweeting the dreams of the pharaohs who dredged a similar some parts of the capital and the from the central coca-growing region channel 4,000 years earlier. “It owes its birth to, and neighboring city of El Alto. Thousands of Chapare, where he fled on Sunday, belongs to, the aspirations of humanity,” he said in an of commuters were forced to walk to Morales called on the opposition to 1864 speech. A million Egyptians, using camels and ISMAILIA, Egypt: A cargo ship sails through the Suez Canal in this Egyptian port work in the morning drizzle as the Continued on Page 24 mules as beasts of burden, labored over the city on Oct 14, 2019. — AFP Continued on Page 24 2 Local Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Kuwait’s Crown Prince receives visiting Tajik Prime Minister

Kuwaiti Parliament Speaker, Prime Minister meet Tajik Premier

Kuwait’s Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al- KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem meets with Prime Minister of Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah welcomes Prime Minister meets with Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda. — KUNA photos Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda. of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Marzouq Al-Ghanem also met with the visiting Prime counterpart along with his accompanying delegation at Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Dean of Diplomatic Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday at Minister of Tajikistan and his accompanying delegation. Bayan Palace earlier yesterday. Rasulzoda was accorded Corps Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to the Bayan Palace Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Bilateral relations and means to further them on all lev- a formal reception attended by Deputy Prime Minister State of Kuwait Abdou Lahad Mbacke, and Ambassador Rasulzoda and his accompanying delegation on the els, as well as recent regional developments, were dis- and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- of Kuwait to Pakistan referred to Tajikistan Nassar Al- occasion of visiting the country. The reception was cussed during the meeting. Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Mutairi, in addition to senior state officials. Rasulzoda is attended by Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Kuwait’s Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Jaber of Interior Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Advisor at visiting Kuwait upon an official invitation from His Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. National Assembly Speaker Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah had received his Tajik His Highness the Prime Minister Diwan Sheikh Dr Salem Highness the Prime Minister.— KUNA Comoros, Eritrea leaders write to Kuwait’s Amir

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday a pair of letters from the respective presidents of the Comoros and Eritrea, all of which dealt with plans to improve bilateral relations. The letters from Azali Assoumani and Isaias Afwerki, respec- tively, were both delivered to His Highness the Amir by Kuwait’s Minister of State for Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah. Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah had received the letters from KUWAIT: Ooredoo’s Fatima Dashti receives an award on behalf of her company. Comoros’ Minister of Health, Solidarity, Social Protection, and Gender Promotion, and from Eritrean Foreign Minister, respectively. Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of State for Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah receives Ooredoo program won Best Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received a letter from President of Comoros Azali Assoumani to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- yesterday a cable of congratulations from Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — Amiri Diwan photos Chairman of Sudan Sovereignty Council Voluntary Initiative Award General Abdelfattah Al-Burhan. In the cable, the Chairman expressed sincere joy and warm KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait, the first in The idea of establishing the forum is sentiments over the return of His Highness the providing the best digital services in inspired by youth-led movements in Amir after completing medical examinations. Kuwait sponsored the youth Initiative different fields. The forum is concerned His Highness the Amir in return sent a letter of Forum for the fourth consecutive year, with evaluating non-profit youth initia- gratitude, expressing appreciation for the kind in which the company had won the tives in multiple fields. It works to give gesture. award for Best Voluntary Initiative young people the incentive for further Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Award for the Ooredoo Volunteer progress and creativity. The event was Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Program. The award recognizes volun- organized by the Arab Media Forum, Sabah had met on Sunday with his Eritrean coun- teer and humanitarian efforts by youth led by Madi Al-Khamis and had repre- terpart Osman Mohammed, who is on an official in the Arab region. The event took sentatives from the Arab League, the visit to Kuwait. During the meeting, the two sides place at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of discussed bilateral relations, the latest regional Cultural Center and was organized in Sciences, the Arab Planning Institute, and international developments and issues of partnership with the Arab Media ministry of Information, Ministry of mutual importance. In attendance was Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, Assistant Forum. More than 120 projects from State for Youth Affairs, the Public Foreign Minister for the Deputy Prime Minister Authority for Youth and Kuwait Media the Arab world participated in the and Foreign Minister’s Office Sheikh Dr Ahmad event, which is judged by a panel that and Communication Society. Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Assistant includes a number of leaders in philan- Commenting on the sponsorship, Foreign Minister for Ceremonials Dhari Al-Ajran, thropy in the region. A large number Mijbil Al-Ayoub, Senior Director of Assistant Foreign Minister for the Foreign of projects from abroad were invited Corporate Communications at Minister Office Ayham Al-Omar and the Assistant to Kuwait to showcase their projects. Ooredoo Kuwait said: “This sponsor- Foreign Minister for Africa Affairs and Minister Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- The sponsorship of this event comes ship comes to reiterate the company’s Plenipotentiary Hamad Al-Mashaan. — KUNA Sabah meets with his Eritrean counterpart Osman Mohammed. in tandem with Ooredoo’s core values commitment to supporting youth in a of caring, connecting and challenging. variety of fields to enrich their experi- During the Youth Initiative Forum ence, especially volunteerism which is award ceremony, Ooredoo received an a field the Ooredoo adopted ever award for its annual volunteer pro- since the inception of the volunteer EGOV7 kicks off today; gram OVP Ooredoo Volunteers program nearly six years ago.” Program for youth. A program that The award aims to support the continues to attract hundreds of par- youth with their projects and works on organized by NoufEXPO ticipants, preparing them with the creating a competitive atmosphere right set of skills and tools before among young people to push them to matching them with volunteering work harder. Supporting youth is KUWAIT: Magdy Sabry, ics, Sabry said, “In addition to opportunities. The program was among Ooredoo’s top priorities Executive Manager of the various smart government established in 2015 and grows every through its CSR strategy. Ooredoo is NoufEXPO, announced that the technical sessions, EGOV7 will year and has reached more than 350 continuously working with the differ- seventh eGovernment Forum and feature two specialized work- volunteers today who are taking inter- ent entities in both private and public its accompanying technology shops. The Artificial Intelligence: est and participating in every CSR sectors to enrich youth experience in a exhibition will launch today. Technology and Practical Use related activity at Ooredoo. variety of fields. Sabry said, “EGOV7 proceedings Cases workshop, presented by will commence at 6:30 pm at Al- Microsoft, will acquaint planners Baraka Ballroom of Crowne Plaza and developers of smart govern- His Highness the Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister and Hotel. We extend our sincere ment services with artificial intel- Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Minister of State gratitude for His Highness the ligence. AI is considered, by the Hamad Al-Sabah for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- industry, as the next technology Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for revolution that will take us to patronizing the event. Our grati- unprecedented capabilities. Self- mated system that allows organi- ment by extending his thanks to tude is also extended to Anas driving vehicles, automated zations to set their strategies, the sponsoring companies that Khaled Al-Saleh, Deputy Prime health, education, and legal serv- goals, objectives, performance are supporting EGOV7. He Minister, the Minister of State for ices, face recognition, Virtual indicators, and plans. It also specifically cited Microsoft, Cabinet Affairs, and the Chairman Reality, and Augmented Reality helps organizations to monitor Xerox -Alghanim Industries, Gulf of the Board of the Central are but a few of what is awaiting their execution and link it to Cable and Electrical Industries Agency for Information us. Cloud data centers are play- objectives and strategy. Company, Zain, Kuwait Finance Technology who will be inaugu- ing significant role in supporting Management will have accurate House (KFH), Kuwait Credit Bank rating the Forum. This distinctive AI potential.” online view of their performance (KCB), Public Authority for official support reflects Kuwait’s Sabry moved on saying, “the that helps them face any chal- Industry, and Techno- leadership focus on bringing Strategies Follow-Up and lenges as they come. The envi- Management. Sabry welcomed all Kuwait’s government services to Performance Management work- ronment helps organizations to visitors from abroad and wished new advanced frontiers. This shop, presented by Techno- combat wastage and corruption all participants and sponsoring support, as well, reflects EGOV Management, will benefit all while leveraging the efficiency of companies a successful event full role in supporting Kuwait’s organizations in the public and all available resources.” of fruitful networking and suc- A general view of the audience. eGovernment Initiatives.” private sectors. The workshop The Executive Manager of cessful business development Commenting on EGOV7 top- introduces an integrated auto- NoufEXPO concluded his state- opportunities. 3 Local Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Minister cancels earlier decision to dissolve Al-Salam Charity Society

Home economy teachers protest ‘unbalanced work’

By A Saleh he explained. Furthermore, the minister said such a proposal requires a comprehensive study of the finan- KUWAIT: Social Affairs Minister Saad Al-Kharraz can- cial cost, besides a review of all social assistance to celled a ministry decision made last year to dissolve Al- ensure equality between them all. The minister was Salam Charity Society. The ministerial order cancelled replying to a proposal by some MPs on that regard. the decision number 132 A/2018 that dissolved the society as per a court ruling. In February, the Ministry Teachers’ protest of Social Affairs’ assistant undersecretary for legal Home economy teachers staged a sit-in yesterday to affairs Musallam Al-Subaei had announced that the demand justice in what they described as distributing court of first instance annulled the ministry’s decision to classes among them. They also called the education dissolve Al-Salam Charity Society, but stressed that the ministry to appoint supervisors to take over some of sentence was initial and non-binding. Subaei said the the administrative duties they say they were assigned ministry would review the verdict and file an appeal to with. According to the teachers, some of their col- contest it. leagues have obtained permission through ‘wasta’ (con- In a statement released in December 2018 to explain nections) to be shifted to schools with less-demanding the reasons behind the dissolution, the Ministry of volume of work, leaving sections in other schools short- Social Affairs’ assistant undersecretary for social devel- handed, and teachers there overburdened. Meanwhile, opment affairs Hana Al-Hajeri said that the charity a ministry source who spoke on the condition of committed violations that include launching a fundrais- anonymity argued that a new curricula introduced this ing campaign without getting prior approvals, collect- year has caused an average increase of two classes per ing donations in non-designated locations, collecting teacher, noting that a teacher teaches an average of 14- cash donations, using a voluntary team without getting 16 classes a week this year. the ministry’s approval and collecting donations with- out a license. The violations included projects abroad Financial issues that had been suspended by the foreign ministry, the The National Union of Kuwaiti Students in the KUWAIT: Home economy teachers stage a sit-in yesterday. travel of its members without registering with the for- United States of America (NUKS USA) faces financial eign ministry’s electronic safe travel system and distrib- issues because of alleged violations committed by the uting zakat money outside Kuwait, she added. “Despite previous union regarding expenses that have not been said the budget is a trust owned by the students and duced at the nuclear medicine department to treat neu- repeated verbal and written warnings to the society, it settled until today, running over tens of thousands of not members, and because of the remaining invoices, a rohormonal tumors through the use of radioactive committed several violations and broke many regula- dollars. The union said treasurer Usama Al-Mutairi law firm filed a lawsuit against the union. material. Head of the nuclear medicine department at tions,” she noted. exerted all efforts to protect the union from any legal the center Dr Farida Al-Kandari said the first patient Meanwhile, Minister Kharraz also refused to action because of an invoice of the annual conference’s with nuerohormonal tumors was treated with LU-177 increase social allowance for married students from KD hotel that was held in Dallas. He said it was agreed with New treatment Dota-Tate used in cooperation with the tumor unit and 559 to KD 700, because this will prompt a review of all the former board to hand over all invoices that belong Director of Kuwait Cancer Fighting Center Dr Ali radioactive treatment department. She said this type of social allowances, which in turn will burden the budget, to persons who were not guests at the conference. He Al-Mousawi said a new treatment service was intro- treatment is approved by the FDA.

KUWAIT: Airport customs found a soda can with nine ampules and seven plastic pipes containing a liquid, suspected of being marijuana oil, two electronic ciga- rettes and two small chargers in a parcel that arrived from the US yesterday. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun

EU supports any Kuwaiti initiative to defuse tensions

BRUSSELS: The European Union’s (EU) “I had the honor to discuss this several top diplomat for foreign and security poli- times in Kuwait. Others around the Gulf cy yesterday praised Kuwait as a “credible have floated ideas in the region about country,” saying the 28-member bloc sup- either regional conferences or back chan- ports any Kuwaiti initiative to foster peace nels to be opened,” said the EU foreign and security in the region. Speaking at a policy chief. press conference after the meeting of EU “We believe it is not for the EU as such to foreign ministers, Federica Mogherini said launch an initiative , but it is for the EU to the talks centered on security in the Gulf offer support and accompany any initiative region, which she said “is extremely rele- that would be initiated in the region and that vant for the European security but also for would be inclusive and with an eye to the security of the world as such.” decrease tensions and finding ways to live “We discussed today the need for the together peacefully,” she added. She EU to support and accompany any initia- stressed that the EU will support any imita- tive that would come from the region tive that “is seeing the regional actors as the itself,” added the EU official. In reply to a key drivers.” “The EU member states have a question by KUNA, she said “you come significant experience on how to live togeth- from a country that has a credibility and er even when tensions arise in a peaceful reputation and role to play in this respect.” manner,” added Mogherini. — KUNA

Kuwait invests $18 billion in Jordan

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s investments in Jordan agreements bearing on tax exemption, are estimated at over $18 billion, said a investment promotion, direct investment senior commerce chamber official yester- and whatnots, Wazzan pointed out. day, voicing willingness to offer all facili- Meanwhile, Jordan Investment ties to Jordanian investors. Speaking while Commission Chairman Khaled Al-Wazni hosting a visiting Jordanian economic said Kuwait is a key investor in Jordan in team, First Deputy Chairman of the the domains of mining, real estate, banks Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and and energy. He elaborated that the goal of Industry Abdulwahab Al-Wazzan said the his visit is to offer available investment chamber spurs Kuwaiti and Jordanian opportunities in the Jordanian market, businessmen to run investments in each mainly regarding industrial and tourist other’s countries. He added that the cities. Wazni remarked that his country Jordanian delegation had assessed a set provides foreign investors with many of promising investment openings in vari- incentives, pointing out a special office for ous realms, giving added value to already Gulf investments in Jordan in an effort to existing Kuwaiti investments in Jordan. make it easy for Gulf investors to work in Kuwait and Jordan are bound with several this Arab country. — KUNA 4 Local Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: Aerial view of the Green Island. — Photo by Fahad Al-Otaibi (KUNA) Zain partners with 9th Kuwait Women Conference and Regional Symposium

KUWAIT: Zain Kuwait’s Chief Corporate Communications and Relations Officer Waleed Al-Khashti receives a commemorative plaque on behalf of his company during the event.

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading digital service provider in Development Program (UNDP). Zain’s partnership comes to Kuwait, announced its partnership of the 9th Annual reflect its commitment in supporting the various efforts that Kuwait Women Conference and Regional Symposium: highlight the importance of achieving women empowerment, Implementing SDG5 Challenges and Approaches. The gender equality, and inclusion in the workplace. conference, organized by Kuwait University’s Women’s The 9th Annual Kuwait Women Conference and Research and Studies Center (WRSC), is held during 11-13 Regional Symposium mainly aims at discussing lessons November under the patronage of Minister of State for learned and key elements of success that are crucial to Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel. overcome various policy and implementation bottlenecks Zain took part in the event’s opening ceremony, which to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development witnessed the presence of Minister Aqeel, Zain Kuwait’s Goal 5 (SDG5) in Kuwait and the region. Chief Executive Officer Eaman Al-Roudhan, Secretary- The conference will witness seminars, workshops, and General of the Supreme Council for Planning and panel discussions that will host many experts from UNDP, Development Dr Khaled Mahdi, Director of the Women’s UN Women and the World Bank, as well as front-line Research and Studies Center (WRSC) Dr Lubna Al-Kazi, practitioners from governments, civil society and the pri- Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Kuwait vate sector to identify solutions for achieving gender University Dr Homoud Al-Qashaan, Zain Kuwait’s Chief equality through the implementation of the SDGs, includ- Human Resources Officer Nawal Bourisli, Zain Kuwait’s ing the use of innovation and technology towards global Chief Corporate Communications and Relations Officer policy impact. The conference will also focus on the role Waleed Al-Khashti, as well as many prominent figures, ex- the private sector can play in leading gender equality in ministers, academics, and representatives from the public the region. Zain is keen on actively participating in the var- and private sectors. ious local and regional projects that aim at contributing to The 9th edition of the conference is co-organized by the achievement of the country’s various developmental Kuwait University’s Women’s Research and Studies Center, goals. The company will spare no efforts to support any the General Secretariat for the Supreme Council for Planning entity that serves the global sustainable goals and con- and Development (GSSCPD), and the United Nations tributes to the progress and prosperity of the region.

University, CERN and Sheikh Ibrahim bin Mohammad CERN Kuwait Al-Khalifa Center for Culture and Research. — KUNA exhibition underway

KUWAIT: Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) inaugurated the Kuwait CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) Exhibition yesterday. The exhibition aims to educate people on CERN’s efforts and achievements, KFAS Director General Dr Adnan Shehabeddine said in his opening speech. He noted that CERN promotes scientif- ic culture and encourages innovation and research. Meanwhile, Kuwait University Rector Dr Hussein Al- Ansari affirmed Kuwait’s continuous cooperation with international scientific organizations to boost the scien- tific research field in Kuwait. He said KU is eager to develop its technology and research field, adding that the event also encourages the teaching of modern physics in schools. The exhibition, which runs through KUWAIT: KFAS Director General Dr Adnan Shehabeddine November 18, is organized in coordination with Kuwait delivers his speech. — KUNA 5 Local Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Municipality oversees demolition of ‘violating’ Khaitan building Municipality minister opens ‘first-of-its-kind’ central food lab

KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality officials stand as a building in Khaitan is being demolished for violations of construction regulations. KUWAIT: A picture taken in Kuwait City yesterday shows the planet Mercury transiting in front of the sun. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat By Meshaal Al-Enezi the second legislative term to area. The new center will meet the resume discussing the topics left requirements of the Public Authority KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality won over from the previous meeting’s for Food and Nutrition to ensure the a case filed against the owners of an agenda. The members agreed to safety of both imported and local contribute to supervisory work in Arab countries, apartment building in Khaitan who refer a proposal made by member food items using the latest devices, Auditors’ meetings exchanging knowledge, experience and identifying the had been refusing to demolish it for Maha Al-Baghli on amending the municipality said. The center best practices in the field. violating construction regulations, municipality bylaws and regulations comprises of two main buildings On the agenda of the 58th meeting, which opened on said the municipality’s legal advisor to the minister pending referral to over a total area of 22387.50 sq m contributing to work Sunday lasting two days, Saraawi said that the meeting is and head of the violations commit- the Cabinet for further discussion. including various labs, in addition to vital as it is held after the General Assembly of the tee Amshaa Al-Mutairi, adding that The council also discussed a pro- a basement to receive specimens, International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions she herself supervised the demoli- posal to hire retirees to help in pro- offices, parking for 264 vehicles, development: Kuwait (INTOSAI), held in Moscow last September. He pointed tion process. Mutairi explained that tecting marine environment and power unit, water reservoirs and out that the meetings of INTOSAI had a direct impact on the case had been in court since parks, and cleaning concerns in var- four freezing and cooling rooms. DOHA: Acting Chairman of Kuwait’s State Audit Bureau the work of the Executive Council, which dealt with a 2012 until the final sentence was ious areas. Sholah stressed that the central lab (SAB) Adel Al-Saraawi underlined yesterday the impor- range of issues, including proposals from Kuwait in which passed. She also noted that several is one of the municipality’s major tance of the results of a meeting held by the concerned they submitted three reports related to the Standards and construction violation cases are Food lab projects and will be handed over to Arab authorities on auditing and accounting in Qatar, to Environment Committees, then transferred it to the being currently heard in courts. Meanwhile, Minister of Awqaf the food and nutrition authority to contribute to the development of work and enhancing Commission on Sustainable Development, in addition to and Islamic affairs and Minister of operate it. Also speaking on the capabilities of Arab auditing organizations while coordi- the strategic plan. These reports include special proposals nating their activities. Saraawi said, on the sidelines of the Council’s session State for Municipal Affairs Fahd Al- occasion, the municipality’s projects from Kuwait, most notably the adoption of a forum or con- 58th meeting of the Executive Board of the Arab Presided by Chairman Osama Al- Sholah yesterday inaugurated the manager Nadia Al-Shereeda said ference for young leaders working in INTOSAI, that was Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ARABOSAI) welcomed by countries and will be coordinated with Otaibi, the Municipal Council yes- central lab for examining and ana- the central lab is the first-of-its-kind of the 13th General Assembly session, that such meetings terday held its ordinary session in lyzing food in Shuwaikh industrial in the Middle East. INTOSAI to support it, he added.—KUNA InternationalEstablished 1961 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019 Catalan crisis inspires Spain’s far right

Malaysian ex-PM Najib’s first 1MDB trial to proceed Page 9 Page 8

BAGHDAD: An Iraqi protester helps his comrade who was struck by a tear gas canister fired by Iraqi security forces at Baghdad’s Khallani square during ongoing anti-government demonstrations. — AFP Top Iraq cleric urges ‘serious’ reforms

Anti-government demonstrations have left hundreds dead

NAJAF: The United Nations’ top official in Iraq and cannot go home without sufficient reforms” to answer Yesterday, protesters struggled to come out in large appear to have closed this week following a consen- the country’s most senior cleric urged authorities yes- their demands. numbers there and security forces reopened roads in sus brokered by Major General Qasem Soleimani, terday to get “serious” about reforms after anti-gov- “The marjaiyah expressed its concerns that the Basra, stifling attempts to stage sit-ins near the provin- the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard ernment demonstrations that have left hundreds dead. political forces are not serious enough to carry out cial headquarters. In Baghdad, live rounds rang out in Corps’ foreign operations arm. Soleimani, who often Mass rallies calling for an overhaul of the ruling system such reforms,” said Hennis-Plasschaert. “If the three neighborhoods close to the main protest camp of Tahrir appears in Baghdad in times of political crisis, has have rocked the capital Baghdad and the Shiite-majori- authorities — executive, judiciary and legislative — are (Liberation) Square. But thousands of demonstrators led a series of meetings with Iraq’s top-tier politi- ty south since October 1 — the largest and deadliest not able or willing to conduct these reforms decisively, took to the streets again in Hillah, Diwaniyah and Kut. cians, sources told AFP. popular movement in Iraq in decades. there must be a way to think of a different approach,” Aside from the crackdown, activists and volunteer The agreement, they said, included a series of The bloody unrest has sparked serious concern from she warned without elaborating. There was no state- medics have described a widening campaign of arrests reforms in exchange for keeping the broader system in the UN, human rights groups and the White House, ment attributable directly to Sistani, who is 89 and nev- and intimidation intended to keep them away from place. Those proposals will likely fall short of the which on Sunday called on Baghdad “to halt the vio- er appears in public. In his recent sermons, delivered by protests. The UN has warned that “a climate of anger demands of protesters, who demand a complete over- lence against protesters” and pass electoral reform. a representative, Sistani has described the protesters’ and fear has set in,” and its human rights council was to haul of a regime they see as deeply corrupt. After weeks of paralysis, Iraq’s top leaders seem to demands as “legitimate” and called for the rallies to be meet later yesterday for a periodic review of Iraq’s Demonstrators say the current system means govern- have agreed to keep the system intact, but the UN in handled with “restraint”. rights record. ment jobs are doled out based on bribes or nepotism, Iraq (UNAMI) urged them to enact a host of changes. shutting out applicants who are politically independent. These include electoral reforms within two weeks, the Rallies flare up ‘We want total change’ Youth make up 60 percent of Iraq’s nearly 40 million prosecution of those responsible for the recent vio- In recent days, more than a dozen protesters have Iraq’s President Barham Saleh had last month pro- people and the unemployment rate among them stands lence as well as of corrupt officials, and the passing of been killed as security forces have cracked down on posed an early vote after reforms, but the suggestion at a staggering 25 percent, according to the World anti-graft laws. demonstrators. They have cleared streets and squares seems to have been widely rejected by the political Bank. One in five people lives below the poverty line, Yesterday, UNAMI chief Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert in Baghdad, in the port hub of Basra and the southern class. Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi cast them as despite the vast oil wealth of OPEC’s second biggest met the country’s highest Shiite authority, Grand city of Nasiriyah, where four protesters were shot dead unrealistic and even firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr, producer. “We don’t want amendments, we want Ayatollah Ali Sistani, in the holy city of Najaf. She said on Sunday. Security forces there even chased down who first demanded snap elections supervised by the change — total change,” one protester in Baghdad said the seat of Shiite religious power in Iraq, known as the demonstrators into a children’s hospital and fired tear UN, has gone silent. yesterday. “We don’t want this government, or parlia- marjaiyah, had stressed that “peaceful demonstrators gas inside. The initial fissures among the political elite ment, or any political party.” — AFP

founded the Suez Canal Company in October; two days later French and British Key backer of Suez Canal: 1855 and the work was financed through air raids destroyed part of Egypt’s air the sale of shares, half of which were force. Nasser retaliated in November by bought by the Egyptian ruler. Digging sinking all 40 ships in the canal, which ‘White Helmets’ The stormy began in 1859, at first by laborers using was closed until early 1957. As the ten- picks and shovels, and later with steam- sions soared, Britain and then France ced- found dead 150-yr history and coal-powered machinery. It involved ed, and fighting abruptly ended after 10 about 60,000 workers. days. The canal was reopened on March 29, 1957 under Egyptian control. ISTANBUL: The British founder of an organi- PARIS: In its 150 years of operations, the 1869: Grandiose opening zation that trained the Syrian “White Helmets” Suez Canal has been through wars and The canal was opened on November 1967: Closed by wars emergency response group has died in high-stakes power struggles as it imposed 17, 1869 in a grandiose ceremony at Port Egypt closed it again in June 1967 dur- Istanbul, three people with knowledge of his itself as a vital international waterway. On Said attended by European dignitaries ing the Six-Day War when Israeli troops death said yesterday. James Le Mesurier, the anniversary of its lavish opening cere- including Napoleon III’s wife, Empress invaded Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and founder of the Mayday Rescue group, was mony on November 17, 1869, here is a Eugenie de Montijo. In November 1875 reached the east bank of the canal. It found dead early yesterday near his home in look back at key dates in its history. an indebted Said Pasha sold his shares to remained closed during the 1973 Yom central Istanbul’s Beyoglu district, a neighbor the British government, with French Kippur War, when Egyptian forces said. A security source told Reuters it was 4,000 years ago shareholders retaining the rest. crossed the canal in a bid to retake the believed that Le Mesurier had fallen from the As far back as the 19th century BC, a Sinai. The Israeli army repelled the attack balcony of his home office and his death was canal existed between the Red Sea and a 1888: Going international with a counter-crossing. The war ended being treated as a suspected suicide. A third section of the Nile River which links to Amid tussles for control, major powers with a UN-backed ceasefire. person, a diplomat, said the circumstances ISTANBUL: A Turkish police officer leaves the the Mediterranean. Dug out during the signed in 1888 the Constantinople around his death were unclear. scene of the Mayday Rescue offices on reign of Pharaoh Sesostris III, it could Convention that gave the waterway inter- 1974: Returned to Egypt The White Helmets, known officially as Syria November 11, 2019, in the Karakoy district of only be navigated during the wet season national status and open to all ships in Talks resulted in a military disengage- Civil Defense, have been credited with saving Istanbul, following the discovery of the body of and required regular dredging. It was times of war and peace. Egypt was not a ment deal in January 1974 that saw Israeli the organization’s founder. — AFP thousands of people in rebel-held areas during eventually abandoned in the eighth cen- signatory. The provision was not always forces pull back from the canal, which years of bombing by Syrian government and tury AD. From the 16th century various respected, including during the two returned to Egyptian control. After 15 Russian forces in the country’s more than respond to an emailed query about Le plans were explored to build a navigable World Wars. months of demining work, it reopened to eight-year civil war. White Helmets members Mesurier. A former British army officer, Le waterway between the Mediterranean international shipping on June 5, 1975. say they are neutral. Syrian President Bashar Mesurier was awarded a knighthood by Queen and Red Sea, essentially providing a 1956: Suez Crisis Al-Assad and his backers describe them as Elizabeth in 2016 for services to Syria Civil shortcut between Europe and Asia. On July 26, 1956 Egyptian President 2015: Expansion tools of Western propaganda and Islamist-led Defense and the protection of civilians in Syria. Gamal Abdel Nasser took the world by On August 6, 2015 President Abdel insurgents. Mayday Rescue, a not-for-profit The security source said Le Mesurier’s wife 1859: Construction starts surprise by nationalising the canal to help Fattah al-Sisi officially opened a new route organization, began its operations in 2014 and told police that she and her husband had taken In a breakthrough in 1854, French finance construction of the Aswan Dam on along the canal after work in which part of established an office in Istanbul in 2015 to sup- sleeping pills around 4 am and went to bed. diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps per- the Nile. It sparked the Suez Crisis in the existing waterway was widened and port its Syria project. Its projects have been She said she was later woken by knocking on suaded the new Egyptian ruler, Said which Britain, France and Israel — who deepened. The expansion is intended to funded by the United Nations and various gov- the door and discovered that her husband was Pasha, to grant him a concession to con- feared the vital waterway could be cut off cut the waiting times and double the num- ernments, its website said. lying on the street surrounded by police, the struct a canal from the Red Sea’s Gulf of — colluded to attack Egypt. Israel invad- ber of ships using the canal to around 97 Mayday Rescue did not immediately source added. — Reuters Suez to the Mediterranean. De Lesseps ed the Gaza Strip and Sinai peninsula in per day by 2023. — AFP Established 1961 7 International Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Impeachment: The key allegations against US President Donald Trump The evidence covers a series of events from April 2019

WASHINGTON: The impeachment investigation of July 10 meeting President Donald Trump in the US House of In a July 10 meeting in the office of White House Representatives moves to public hearings on Wednesday. National Security Advisor John Bolton, Gordon Sondland, Trump is threatened with removal from office over allega- the US ambassador to the European Union, told tions that he abused his powers and broke the law by Ukrainian officials that a high profile meeting they sought pressuring Ukraine to supply damaging information on between Zelensky and Trump was contingent on “investi- rival Democrats and possible 2020 presidential election gations in the energy sector” and later referenced challenger Joe Biden. The evidence covers a series of “Burisma”. Sondland told the Ukrainians the alleged quid events from April 2019 when Zelensky was elected, and pro quo was authorized by Trump’s right-hand man, act- both sides sought to reboot Washington-Kiev relations. ing Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. “We have an agree- Zelensky sought aid and a meeting with the US leader; ment with the chief of staff for a meeting if these investi- Trump sought “investigations.” gations in the energy sector start,” Sondland told the Ukrainians, according to witnesses. Bolton, who objected Giuliani machinations to the linkage, immediately cut the meeting short, but Trump gave the Ukraine leader a congratulatory Sondland continued to make the point in a subsequent phone call on April 19. Days later, Trump’s personal meeting, witnesses said. lawyer Rudy Giuliani said online and in public that the US wanted Ukraine to investigate Burisma, the energy Aid suspension company on whose board Biden’s son Hunter served for On July 19 Mulvaney, who also heads the White House five years until April 2019. Giuliani also called for an budget office, froze a military aid package for Ukraine WASHINGTON: In this file photo taken on November 01, 2019 the sun shines over the US Capitol Building on an investigation into a debunked conspiracy theory that worth $391 million dollars. He told budget officials it was autumn afternoon. — AFP Ukraine helped the Democrats against Trump in the at the order of Trump, but did not explain the reason. But 2016 election. in October Mulvaney told reporters it was linked to “Explain to me why Biden shouldn’t be investigated if investigations, and said there was nothing wrong with the “I would like you to find out what happened with this need for investigations. Text messages between Sondland his son got millions from a Russian loving crooked quid pro quo. whole situation,” Trump said. “It’s very important that you and other US diplomats show he was focused on Trump’s Ukrainian oligarch while He was VP and point man for do it if that’s possible.” Trump added that “There’s a lot of insistence on “the deliverable” — the investigations as a Ukraine,” Giuliani tweeted on May 10. Giuliani’s immedi- July 25 phone call talk about Biden’s son... A lot of people want to find out quid pro quo for the military aid. “I think potus (Trump) ate impact was in getting Trump to remove US ambassa- On July 25 Trump spoke again by phone with Zelensky. about that,” he said, proposing Kiev cooperate with US really wants the deliverable,” he wrote on August 9. In dor Marie Yovanovitch, who had resisted Giuliani’s According to a rough summary of the call released by the Attorney General Bill Barr. “The United States has been August he helped arrange a prepared statement for involvement in Ukraine policy. White House, he made clear he wanted Ukraine to open very, very good to Ukraine. I wouldn’t say that it’s recip- Zelensky to deliver that would satisfy Trump. The state- Another result: Trump told Vice President Mike Pence the investigations, and hinted at the linkage with assis- rocal necessarily because things are happening that are ment, according to a August 13 text, was to read: “We not to attend Zelensky’s May 14 inauguration, sending tance and a face-to-face meeting. “I would like you to do not good but the United States has been very, very good intend to initiate and complete a transparent and unbi- Energy Secretary Rick Perry instead. According to a us a favor though because our country has been through to Ukraine.” ased investigation of all available facts and episodes, whistleblower complaint in August, that downgrade was a lot and Ukraine knows a lot about it,” Trump said. including those involving Burisma and the 2016 US elec- meant to signal to the new government that Trump want- Trump made direct reference to the story that Ukraine Text messages tions, which in turn will prevent the recurrence of this ed the investigations. interfered in the 2016 election helping rival Democrats. After the July 25 call, Sondland pressed on Kiev the problem in the future.” — AFP

from Ukraine President Volodymyr Adam Schiff, Zelensky reflects “a classic mafia-type shakedown of a foreign leader,” Schiff How Trump’s said. “This is how a mafia boss talks: the star of the ‘What have you done for us?’” Trump has blasted back that Schiff impeachment will unroll impeachment fabricated his words, and now does WASHINGTON: The start of open hearings in the not miss a chance to label him, without impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump on offering any evidence, a “corrupt probe Wednesday will give the American public their first chance politician.” “Shifty Schiff is a double- to witness live the explosive showdown between Democrats corrupt politician,” Trump said Friday, and Republicans over the US leader’s future. The hearing WASHINGTON: Adam Schiff, the attacking the impeachment proceed- before the House Intelligence Committee marks the second head of the Democrats’ investigation ings as a “scam” and “witch hunt.” phase of the impeachment investigation into allegations that of President Donald Trump, sought Trump abused his powers by seeking help for his 2020 Hollywood glory in his younger days ‘Measured but forceful’ reelection campaign from Ukraine. as a prosecutor by crafting a screen- As mild-mannered as he appears, Trump is under threat of becoming only the third presi- play for a thriller. That didn’t go any- Schiff has proven to be a focused, dent in US history to be impeached — formally charged with where, but Schiff is now about to hit determined investigator, and tough as violating his duties as president or committing crimes, and the small-screen bigtime starring in a bulldog. He’s a fit cyclist who at 50 placed on trial in the Senate. With Democrats in control of his own legal procedural: The completed a triathlon. House the House of Representatives, impeachment appears highly Impeachment of a President. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi chose WASHINGTON: US House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff speaks to the likely, as soon as the end of 2019. But the Republicans hold a As chairman of the House Judiciary him, rather than the expected choice press with other lawmakers following a closed hearing with Under Secretary of State for majority in the Senate, a bulwark against him being convict- Committee, on Wednesday Schiff will of Judiciary Committee Chairman Political Affairs David Hale as part of the impeachment inquiry at the US Capitol. — AFP ed and removed from office — unless they turn against him. gavel in the first open hearing of the Jerry Nadler, to lead the impeachment There is still much to do, but analysts believe the entire investigation into whether Trump vio- effort. Schiff is “logical, linear, meas- process could be completed before the end of January. Pressure of national television lated his oath of office and the law in ured but forceful,” she said. demanding a “favor” from Zelensky. On Wednesday, the House Intelligence Committee takes seeking help from Ukraine for his 2020 His approach is rooted in a late He takes the impeachment opera- In the coming hearings, he wrote in the impeachment investigation public after six weeks of reelection campaign. In appearance, 1980s case, when Schiff, not long out tion with utmost seriousness, showing USA Today this week, “Americans closed-door depositions from White House, State Department few would choose Schiff, 59, as the of Harvard Law School, prosecuted a limited patience for efforts by will hear directly from dedicated and other officials. Those depositions have already painted a Democrats’ attack dog to take down a the first FBI agent ever jailed for spy- Republican colleagues to turn the and patriotic public servants about fairly complete picture of how Trump and aides, including Republican leader who is fighting ing for Moscow. “I learned a lot about procedures into a political show. how they became aware that US personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, pressured Ukraine’s President tooth and nail to save his presidency. Russian tradecraft: how the Russians Transcripts of testimony the commit- foreign policy had been subverted Volodymyr Zelensky to open investigations that could con- A California congressman repre- operate, who they target, the vulnera- tee took behind closed doors during for the president’s personal political ceivably find political dirt against the Democrats and Trump’s senting the Hollywood-Burbank enter- bilities they look for,” he recounted October show him wielding a firm interests.” “While temperatures possible 2020 election rival Joe Biden. tainment industry hub, he appears earlier this year to Zach Dorfman of hand as Republicans try to discredit might run high and the temptation to Some of the witnesses who already testified privately will more like a vicar or a primary school the Aspen Institute Cyber and witnesses and change the subject. turn this solemn process into a be recalled to face the public panel, starting with principal. He never raises his voice, and Technology program. That back- That will only intensify under the political circus could be irresistible Ambassador William Taylor, Washington’s top diplomat in rarely strays into hyperbole. That made ground has taken him to the House gaze of an audience on national tel- to some, I hope that all members of Ukraine, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George his quietly delivered outrage at the Intelligence Committee, which has evision. But, after having resisted Congress and the public will focus Kent on Wednesday, and former Ambassador to Ukraine news of Trump’s Ukraine dealings in spent much of the last few years impeachment for months, he claims on the facts and the substance of Marie Yovanovitch on Friday. The aim is to further compile September even more impactful. investigating how Russians aided the evidence is strong — much more the testimony, not on politics or par- the evidence against the president, or, for Republicans, in his Trump’s July demand for a “favor” Trump’s 2016 election campaign. than just Trump’s July 25 phone call tisanship.” — AFP support. Democrats chose all the witnesses for the initial pri- vate depositions phase. In the open hearings, both parties can propose and subpoena witnesses — although Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff will be able to Clinton says abuse of female prevent Republicans from inviting witnesses who have no relation to the core allegations or who simply seek to stall politicians on social media is ‘viral’ the proceedings. The next step is hearings by the Judiciary Committee, LONDON: Female politicians are fac- at the 2016 election, has said misogyny under Chairmen Jerry Nadler, a longtime Trump nemesis, to ing a backlash over women’s rights “certainly” played a role in her defeat decide whether the evidence is strong enough to support which have been fuelled by social to Republican rival Donald Trump. formal charges, or articles of impeachment. Trump and his media that rewards abusive posts and lawyers will be able to appear, cross-examine witnesses, and conspiracy theories, former U.S. presi- Sexist comments submit evidence in their favor. At the end of those hearings, dential candidate Hillary Clinton said An international study last year by the Democratic-controlled committee will vote on specific on Sunday. Women in the public eye Atalanta, a social enterprise dedicated articles of impeachment, based on the US Constitution’s still face scrutiny over their looks and to advancing women’s leadership, standard of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and mis- pressure to behave politely and meek- found female lawmakers were three demeanors,” and whether Trump’s actions constituted abuse ly in a way that men do not, said times more likely than men to receive of presidential power. Currently, the charges are expected to Clinton as she discussed a book co- sexist comments than their male col- be abuse of power and obstruction of the investigation. authored with her daughter Chelsea leagues. Clinton said the skepticism The Judiciary Committee then sends the articles of Clinton about inspirational women towards Swedish teenage climate impeachment to the entire House for a vote. Only a basic leaders. activist Greta Thunberg from some majority of the 435 member House is required to approve Her comments came after a number critics revealed how much gendered impeachment. Democrats currently hold a solid majority, 233 of female members of parliament in norms still prevailed in many areas of seats to 197 for Republicans, with four seats currently vacant Britain announced they would not public life. and one held by an independent. That suggests that, if the stand for re-election at a Dec 12 gen- “She is a young women, so the idea evidence is strong enough, Democrats will easily pass the eral election, citing abuse on social that she is standing up and speaking impeachment resolution. The resolution would then go to the media including rape and death out as effectively as she has just rattles Senate, where Trump would stand trial, with the 100 senators LONDON: Hillary Rodham Clinton (L) discusses The Book of Gutsy Women with threats. “I do think there is a reaction all of the paradigms that people still his jury. Democrats from the House would act as the prose- British historian Mary Beard (R) at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. — AFP to a lot of the success of women and live with,” she said. “There’s almost an cuting team, while Trump’s lawyers would defend him, and the roles of women right now,” Clinton ancient DNA imprinting about ‘This is Trump could argue in his own favor. Both sides can call wit- told an audience at the Southbank what women are supposed to do and find female heroes. It comes amid a reaching into male-dominated nesses and present testimony. Presiding over the trial would Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in central this is what they are supposed to look growing debate over remaining glass spheres, but change was needed to likely be Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who London. like’ and you are not supposed to be ceilings for women, with U.S.-based ensure they had an equal chance of was appointed to the court by Republican President George “And I think social media has lit that so pushy and aggressive ... it is mad- Women’s March demanding rights, success. “It is the structures of power W. Bush in 2005. A trial could take a few weeks. The up, in a very destructive and toxic way. dening how much that still operates.” while the #MeToo movement on that should change. Why are they so impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999 lasted five People may have thought a lot of The Clintons said they hoped their social media against sexual abuse has set on making it so difficult for not weeks, and ultimately ended in his acquittal: while things in the past but now it is ampli- “The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite sparked wider debates on pay, repre- only women but people of color and Republicans had a majority in the Senate, Clinton had fied and it is viral.” Clinton, who lost Stories of Courage and Resilience” sentation and sexism. others to get into the room?” she enough support among Democrats to easily beat the out on her bid to become the first would inspire women to stand up for Clinton said she was optimistic for said. “We are really aware of that. I required two-thirds majority to convict. —AFP female president of the United States their beliefs - and help men and boys future political candidates and others lived that.” — Reuters 8 Established 1961 International Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Abascal ascendant as Catalan crisis inspires Spain’s far right The Vox party has made significant inroads into the country’s political landscape

MADRID: With his rallying cry of “Spaniards first” ‘Not a charismatic leader’ and un-tempered rage against those betraying the uni- Banning separatist parties, taking direct control of ty of Spain, Santiago Abascal has managed to turn the the semi-autonomous region of Catalonia to stop Catalan crisis into political capital that has fuelled the secession, repealing a law that fights gender violence, rise of his far-right Vox. Sporting an impeccably- Abascal’s ultra-conservative proposals have sparked trimmed beard and with a piercing stare, Abascal has outrage both online and off. Whether railing against become the poster boy for the resurgent far right which immigrants, Islam or the bias against men in Spain’s in the past year has made significant political inroads gender violence laws, the tough-talking career politi- following decades on the margins after the death of cian has continued to pull in the crowds with often dictator Francisco Franco. exaggerated or even false populist claims. And on Sunday, he scored his biggest triumph yet as But it has been his uncompromising attack on the Vox surged in the election to become Spain’s third- “criminal separatism” in Catalonia that led to a failed largest party with 52 of the parliament’s 350 seats. It independence bid two years ago that has been the cor- was a stunning victory for a party that made its parlia- nerstone of Abascal’s success. “He’s very popular mentary debut in April after winning 24 seats. “Eleven amongst his voters... but it’s not his charisma that is months ago, we had no representation and today we driving voters,” said Ignacio Jurado, a politics expert at are the third political force in Spain,” he boomed at a Madrid’s Carlos III University. “What has made the victorious celebration in the Spanish capital after Vox party successful is the crisis with Catalonia and the fact more than doubled its parliamentary presence. that the mainstream parties were unable to address it.” Launched in 2014 by Abascal and a handful of others from the hardline fringe of the rightwing Popular Party, ETA and the Smith & Wesson Vox struggled to gain traction at first, attracting only a Born on April 14, 1976 in the northern port city of MADRID: Spanish far-right party Vox candidate for Prime Minister, Santiago Abascal (C) celebrates the smattering of voters with its ultra-conservative stance Bilbao, Abascal was raised in Amurrio, a village where polls during the election night. — AFP on immigration, gender violence and traditional family his grandfather served as mayor during the Franco values. A media-savvy operator who comes across as years. Growing up in a region where politicians from courteous and affable while deftly parrying difficult both the left and the right were regularly targeted by Beatriz Acha, a political scientist at the Public Party rallies often feature footage of him scaling questions, it is Abascal’s tough line on the Catalan sep- the ETA separatist movement, Abascal said his father, a University of Navarra. mountains or striding manfully through forests and aratist crisis and his impassioned defense of Spain’s local PP councilor, was also in the firing line and Today, he openly acknowledges owning a Smith & fields. Last year, another controversial video emerged unity that has drawn growing support. escaped three attempts on his life. Wesson firearm, which is rare in a country where the of him riding a horse, cowboy-style, through Spain’s “I’m not a xenophobe,” said Abascal, smiling and But it didn’t put off the young Abascal, who joined law severely restricts gun ownership — a law he plans arid south, entitled “The Reconquista begins in joking as he appeared on a popular Spanish talk show the party as soon as he turned 18 although he was to relax. Married to a stylish Instagram influencer Andalusia” — a reference to a series of centuries- that was watched by 4.7 million viewers in which he forced to go everywhere with two bodyguards at his called Lidia Bedman, who in recent months has been long wars to recapture territory from the Muslims called for the expulsion of unaccompanied immigrant side. “His political experience in the Basque Country, much more in the public eye, Abascal has four children, who occupied most of the Iberian Peninsula in the minors. “I’m an open and tolerant person.” years of threats, must have influenced his ideas,” says two from a previous marriage. early 8th century. — AFP

economic crisis there. Latin America’s Under Morales’ leadership, Bolivia Russian historian made landmark gains against hunger and poverty. Sitting on the region’s second- longest-serving largest gas reserves, after Venezuela, and in court for the world’s largest reserves of lithium, leader collapses Bolivia’s economy has more than tripled grisly murder in size during his 13 years in office. However, long before the social unrest of LA PAZ: Evo Morales was Latin recent weeks that heralded his resigna- SAINT PETERSBURG: A Russian historian America’s longest-serving president until tion, opponents accused him of tolerating who confessed to murdering and dismember- he resigned in ignominy Sunday, after corruption and investing in flashy infra- ing his ex-student lover was due in court yes- weeks of opposition protests over an structure projects at the expense of terday as calls grew for an investigation into election ultimately said to have been rid- health and education. his alleged abuse of women students. The dled with irregularities. A member of the A case in point is his decision last year case of prominent Napoleon expert Oleg Aymara people, he grew up in poverty on to move the government headquarters Sokolov drew fresh attention to violence Bolivia’s high plains and was a llama into a luxurious skyscraper in La Paz. against women in Russia, including in aca- herder, coca farmer and leftist union While still among the poorest countries demic circles, which critics said authorities leader before rising to take office as his in Latin America, Bolivia’s poverty rate were not taking seriously. MALOYAROSLAVETS: In this file photo taken on October 23, 2005 members of a historical country’s first indigenous president in has decreased from 45 percent of the Sokolov, a 63-year-old who taught history club, dressed as French soldiers and Oleg Sokolov (C), one of Russia’s foremost specialists January 2006. population in 2010 to 35 percent in 2018, at Saint Petersburg University, confessed to on the 19th-century European history, take part in the re-enactment of the 1812 battle His victory in October 20 elections — according to the World Bank. murdering his 24-year-old lover and former between Napoleon’s army and Russian troops in the town of Maloyaroslavets, some 140 verified by the heavily-criticized But environmentalists blame him for student and dismembering her body. He was kms from Moscow. Supreme Electoral Tribunal — had been raging wildfires that destroyed more than detained after being hauled out of the icy set to extend his mandate until 2025 and four million hectares (10 million acres) of Moika River on Saturday as he tried to dis- give him 19 consecutive years in power. forest and grassland, saying legislation pose of the woman’s arms. A Saint Petersburg female student who said the historian had also taught at the Sorbonne and was close to But election monitors from the enacted under Morales encouraged court was to decide Monday whether to for- beaten her and threatened to burn her with a Russian authorities — was “shielded by our Organization of American States who wholesale deforestation in order to mally arrest Sokolov, who lived with hot iron and kill her in 2008. “For unknown rotten system”. “This murder could have been carried out an audit of the controversial expand agricultural production. It’s all a Anastasia Yeshchenko for the past few years reasons, the abuser managed to escape any avoided,” she wrote on Facebook. Women’s polls said they had found many irregular- long way from his childhood herding lla- and allegedly killed her last week. punishment,” the petition said, adding that rights activist Anna Rivina told AFP that vio- ities in their analysis of the election. mas and helping his parents in the fields News of the case — and allegations that police who had ignored the woman’s com- lence against women was frequently ignored Morales called new elections, but in a small, arid village in western Bolivia’s Sokolov had abused at least one other female plaint should also be probed. Russia has no until “something terrible, irreversible happens”. resigned within hours of that announce- Oruro department. student — prompted widespread outrage specific legislation on domestic violence or “Our society is absolutely not prepared for ment after army and police chiefs joined “Until I was 14, I had no idea there was and demands for action. “This case highlight- sexual harassment in the workplace and femi- work to prevent abuse,” said Rivina, who runs calls for him to quit. such a thing as underwear. I slept in my ed the impunity of abusers in society,” Alyona nist movements like #MeToo have had little a centre providing assistance for victims of clothes... (which) my mother only removed Sadikova, the head of the Moscow-based impact in the country. Many in Russia see no violence. Many also slammed the often toxic Landmark gains for two reasons: to look for lice or to patch Kitezh women’s crisis centre, told AFP. More problem in romantic relations between supe- culture in academia. Commenting on a social Recently turned 60, Morales was one an elbow or a knee,” he wrote in a candid than 5,000 people signed an online petition riors and subordinates, including professors media page dedicated to gender violence, one of the last of the wave of leftist leaders autobiography. Four of his six brothers urging authorities to probe the management and students, if they are consensual. woman said university lecturers often seek who swept to power in the region in the and sisters died of malnutrition and dis- of Saint Petersburg State University, sexual favors from “attractive female students”. early 2000s. Those leftist governments ease before the age of two. Morales never President Vladimir Putin’s alma mater. ‘Rotten system’ “I pity us if this harassment at universities does have since fallen away, torn down by a went to college and has considerable diffi- The petition said Sokolov had treated stu- Alyona Popova, a Moscow lawyer and not finally become a public issue,” wrote conservative backlash in Brazil, culty reading speeches in public, instead dents “in a monstrous way” and cited another women’s rights activist, said Sokolov — who another woman, Anastasia Khodyreva. —AFP Argentina, Chile and Ecuador — though preferring to improvise by repeating Argentina’s Peronist left bucked the trend phrases about the economic strides made to win last month’s elections amid an under his government. — AFP Chile to amend

police believe was intended to divert constitution, Swedish police their attention. Following the attack, the police’s Department of National Operations said a key demand set up task they had set up a special task force with a nationwide mandate to fight gang of protesters force to combat activities, to be called Operation Hoarfrost. Sweden has been hit by a surge in gang violence in recent years SANTIAGO: Chile has announced it will gang violence with police saying last week that there move to draft a new constitution and replace had been 187 bomb attacks so far this one dating back to the Augusto Pinochet year, up from 152 in the whole of 2018. dictatorship — a key demand of protesters STOCKHOLM: Swedish police said In June, about 20 people were wounded who have rocked the country for three yesterday they would set up a special when a bomb exploded on a residential weeks. The new constitution will be drafted task force to deal with a wave of shoot- street in Linkoping in southern Sweden. by a body called a constituent assembly and ings and bombings linked to criminal By the end of August, about 26 peo- then put to a referendum for ratification, gangs following the fatal shooting of a ple had been shot dead in Sweden Interior Minister Gonzalo Blumel said 15-year old in the city of Malmo at the against 45 last year as a whole and pres- Sunday. Blumel made the announcement weekend. Sweden has long held a repu- sure on the government to act has been after meeting a coalition of center-right and RENACA: Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest against the government of tation as being one of the safest coun- mounting. The ruling coalition of the right-wing parties, which until now had been Chilean President Sebastian Pinera in Renaca, Vina del Mar, some 120 km west of tries in the world and while overall crime Social Democrats and Greens has sharp- the most reluctant to change the constitution Santiago. — AFP and murder rates remain low, gang wars ened sentences for gun crimes and inherited from the era of the US-backed in major cities have claimed an increas- promised extra resources for the police. general Pinochet, from 1973 to 1990. ing number of victims in recent years. But opposition parties claim the effort is The government was in the process of changes in more than 40 articles, Pinera protests against a rise in rush-hour metro On Saturday, two 15-year-olds were too little, too late. preparing “a draft amendment of the consti- said. But it does not establish the state’s fares has mushroomed into a broader outcry shot outside a pizza restaurant in Malmo Yesterday, the far-right Sweden tution”, President Sebastian Pinera said in an responsibility to provide education and against the status quo, with burning, looting in what police said appeared to be a Democrats, who have been gaining sup- interview published Saturday by the daily El healthcare — two demands made by mil- and daily clashes between demonstrators and gang conflict over control of the drug port among voters worried about violent Mercurio. Among the proposed changes are lions of Chileans who have taken to the police. Protesters cite low wages, high costs trade in the area. One died immediately crime, called a motion of no confidence “a better definition of human rights” and streets. A general public sector strike has for education and healthcare and a yawning and the other is in critical condition. in Justice Minister Morgan Johansson. their means of enforcement, plus clarifica- been called on Monday, in the midst of the gap between rich and poor in a country “The weekend was a black weekend for “He has done too little,” Sweden tion on “the obligations of the state” and biggest crisis since Chile’s return to democ- dominated politically and economically by a Malmo and for the Malmo police,” Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson told “better mechanisms of participation” for cit- racy in 1990, which has left 20 dead — five few old, elite families. After weeks of some- Malmo police chief Stefan Sinteus told Swedish radio. “There is a lot of talk izens, added the president. at the hands of state forces — and more times violent and deadly demonstrations, reporters. The attack was preceded by a where they send signals, but in practice The current constitution, in force since than 1,000 injured. most polls show the protest movement is large car bomb about a mile away which nothing happens.” — AFP 1980, has already undergone more than 200 The unrest that began on October 18 with supported by 75 percent of Chileans. — AFP 9 International Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Sydney residents warned that region faces ‘catastrophic’ bushfire threat More than 350 schools will be closed and a broad fire ban has been put in place SYDNEY: Sydney residents were warned of “catastroph- communities faced the threat of fresh blazes even as they ic” danger and a state of emergency was declared yester- picked up the pieces from the last one. day as Australia girded for a fresh wave of devastating In Old Bar, firefighters were back-burning to starve the bushfires. For the first time, Australia’s largest city and the fire of fuel, while helicopters dropped water from over- surrounding area faced the top level of fire warning — head. “There (are) unburned pockets of land, so we have with authorities warning “lives and homes will be at risk”. actually... burnt it out so it doesn’t pose a threat in the next “There is nothing built or designed to withstand... cata- couple of days,” said firefighter Brett Slavin. Shirley strophic” conditions, said Shane Fitzsimmons, commission- Murphy, 82, returned from evacuation and said she was er of the rural fire service for New South Wales state, “very lucky” to have her home still standing. “You can which encompasses Sydney. High temperatures and strong rebuild a home but you can’t rebuild lives.” winds were expected to create tinderbox conditions today, Months of drought have sapped moisture from the prompting state premier Gladys Berejiklian to declare the earth and vegetation across much of eastern Australia, seven-day state of emergency. More than 350 schools will creating dangerous conditions for the outbreak and be closed, a broad fire ban has been put in place and the spread of wildfires. Many fires have been burning since military is providing logistic support for firefighters. October, which according to Paul Read, an expert at Three people have died, thousands have been displaced Monash University, was “much earlier than usual and will and more than 150 homes destroyed by dozens of out-of- get worse as summer gets closer”. As well as the direct control blazes in the state’s north. In the last few months, risk from fire, Read said there will be a broader risk asso- roughly 11,000 square kilometers — an area larger than ciated with smoke haze. “An air quality index (AQI) above Jamaica or Kosovo — has been scorched, according to the 300 is considered hazardous to everybody, not just the New South Wales fire service. Conditions eased yesterday vulnerable,” he said, adding that level had already been and some residents were able to return home, although a breached in multiple locations, including Sydney. Haze was heavy haze lingered over many fire-hit regions. The Blue reported as far away as New Caledonia, almost 1,500 kilo- Mountains to Sydney’s west, the wine-producing Hunter meters across the Coral Sea. The severity of the fires so Valley to the north as well as the Illawarra region to the early in the season has sparked arguments about the threat city’s south are expected to be the hardest hit. from climate change and fresh criticism of the conservative government’s refusal to curb the use of fossil fuels. Deputy ‘Can’t rebuild lives’ Prime Minister Michael McCormack, leader of the rural In the town of Rainbow Flat, emergency services were National Party in the governing coalition, drew ire for sug- cutting down trees and trying to open roads to get live- gesting now was not the time to talk about the climate. stock away from the potential path of the fires. “Tomorrow “We don’t need the ravings of some pure, enlightened and is about protecting life, protecting property and ensuring woke capital-cities greenies at this time, when (people) are SYDNEY: Trees are burned black after a bushfire in Old Bar, 350km north of Sydney on November 10, 2019. — AFP everybody is safe as possible,” said Berejiklian. Some trying to save their homes,” he said. — AFP

he was still a US national. “Is Mr Rajapakse legally able to Facebook spokesperson said they routinely took down any Sri Lanka minister contest at a Presidential election in Sri Lanka?” Fernando posts containing personal or confidential information. “We asked in the now-deleted post. “If elected, will he be able remove this content whenever we become aware of it,” the to take oaths and discharge the duties of the office?” company said. slams Facebook Gotabhaya became a US citizen in 2003, giving up his Sri Last month, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said it Malaysian ex-PM Lanka passport after migrating to Los Angeles following a would not censor political speech. “I don’t think most peo- over ‘censorship’ 20-year military career. ple want to live in a world where you can only post things Najib’s first 1MDB He returned to Colombo in 2005, when he says he that tech companies judge to be 100 percent true,” he reclaimed Sri Lankan citizenship and was appointed said. Rajapakse’s nationality is also the subject of a police trial to proceed COLOMBO: A senior Sri Lankan minister accused social defense secretary in his brother’s administration. Gotabhaya investigation, but the next court hearing will only be held media giant Facebook yesterday of censoring comments he insists he renounced US citizenship in May this year. after the election. If he wins the vote he would be immune made questioning the citizenship of presidential election Fernando said Facebook took down the post from his offi- from prosecution during his term. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian ex-leader Najib Razak’s frontrunner Gotabhaya Rajapakse. The nationality of cial ministry page on Sunday, and he repeated the allega- Social media has been abuzz with speculation about first trial linked to the 1MDB scandal will proceed after a Rajapakse, brother of former strongman president Mahinda, tions on Twitter while complaining he had been censored. Rajapakse’s citizenship, while a copy of a purportedly can- judge ruled prosecutors had made a sufficient case yes- is a key issue ahead of voting Saturday as Sri Lankan law The same post was still visible on his private Facebook celled US passport shown by his lawyers has been chal- terday, boosting efforts to bring him to justice over the prohibits dual citizens from holding elected office. page, however, including a screenshot of what he claimed lenged as fake. The US embassy in Colombo has declined mammoth fraud. The former prime minister will take the Communications Minister Harin Fernando asked in a was Rajapakse’s US passport. “American companies to comment on the issue. Rajapakse and current housing stand next month when his defense begins, in the case Facebook post on his official ministry page Sunday shouldn’t interfere on behalf of an American contesting a minister Sajith Premadasa, are the leading candidates in a related to the theft of billions of dollars from sovereign whether Rajapakse should be allowed to stand, suggesting SL election. I stand by my every word,” he tweeted. A field of 35 contesting Saturday’s election. — AFP wealth fund 1MDB. His coalition was ousted at the polls last year after six decades in power, largely due to the scandal, and he has Vietnam overland via Cambodia. He was in since been arrested and hit with dozens of charges linked Australian the country to conduct human rights to the looting of the investment vehicle. The 66-year-old research and meet with activist and civil went on trial for the first time in April over the controver- society contacts, Viet Tan said. Prosecutors sy, in a case centering on the transfer of 42 million ringgit citizen jailed accused him of giving money to Vien and ($10.1 million) from a former 1MDB unit into his bank spreading information about Viet Tan in account. Najib denies any wrongdoing. in Vietnam for Vietnam, according to state media. Prosecutors finished presenting their evidence in August, and on Monday High Court judge Mohamad ‘terrorism’ Banned group Nazlan Mohamad Ghazali ruled the case was strong Kham has been a member of the banned enough to go forward and Najib should enter his defense. anti-government Viet Tan group since “The accused had enormous and overarching influence” over the 1MDB unit, SRC International, the judge told the HANOI: Vietnam jailed a dissident with 2010. It is run by members who are mostly overseas since Hanoi designated it a terror- court, adding the prosecution had established Najib has Australian citizenship for 12 years yester- a case to answer for all seven charges he is facing. “It was day on terrorism charges, his lawyer told ist organization in 2016, accusing it of “instigating violence”. Viet Tan denies the under the control of the accused from day one. The AFP, in the one-party state where anti- accused wielded considerable power.” government criticism is routinely quashed. claim and says it “advocates for social jus- tice and democratic change through Chau Van Kham, who fought against the ‘Calm and cool’ peaceful means”. The group called for the communists during the Vietnam War, The alternative would have been to strike out the men to be released immediately. belongs to the outlawed Viet Tan group charges in the case — although Najib is still facing sev- “We challenge the Vietnamese govern- and was in Vietnam for a fact-finding mis- eral other cases linked to 1MDB, with his biggest trial ment to provide any evidence linking them sion when he was arrested in January. over the scandal having opened in August. Yetserday’s to ‘terrorism’,” Viet Tan said in a statement The 70-year-old was jailed for “terror- decision will be a relief for Malaysia’s government and yesterday, accusing Vietnam of “criminaliz- ism against the People’s Administration” 94-year-old Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who ing human rights advocacy”. Kham is a for- and will be deported after he serves his came to power partly on a pledge to get to the bottom of sentence, his lawyer Trinh Vinh Phuc told mer Navy serviceman who fought on the the 1MDB scandal and bring those involved to justice. AFP. Kham was jailed alongside Nguyen side of the south during the Vietnam War, Lawyers for Najib, who is free on bail, said he would Van Vien, who got 11 years, and Tran Van fleeing on a boat in 1983 after the fall of take the stand when the defense stage of proceedings Quyen who was sentenced to 10 years, Saigon — now called Ho Chi Minh City — gets underway on December 3. “I am calm and cool,” the both on the same charges. “In court Kham and eventually settling in Australia, where blue-blooded former leader, whose father and uncle were said he did not conduct any terrorist acts, his wife and another son now live. both prime ministers, told AFP after the ruling, giving a his activities were peaceful,” Phuc told AFP His co-defendant Vien belongs to the smile. But his lead lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, after the one-day trial in Ho Chi Minh City. Brotherhood for Democracy group and said that Najib was “shocked” by the court’s decision, “Twelve years is too high,” Phuc said, was a Facebook friend of Kham. Quyen adding the ex-PM had been confident of being cleared. adding that Kham had hoped for a sen- was accused of making fake IDs for Viet And he indicated the legal saga may have some time to tence of less than 10 years. Tan members, but the group says it has no run, saying that appeals could push the case beyond His son told AFP he was “shocked” by association with him. Communist Vietnam Malaysia’s next election — due by 2023 at the latest. the verdict, which could see his father frequently jails its critics, and a conserva- remain in jail until he is over 80 if his tive regime in power since 2016 has Worldwide spending spree appeal is not successful. “It’s the worst cracked down on activists in the one-party Najib is facing four charges of corruption and three state. Scores are currently behind bars, an KOYRA: A woman walks through a water logged house after cyclone Bulbul hit the area in possible outcome,” Dennis Chau told AFP Koyra, some 100 km from Khulna. — AFP money-laundering counts in the trial. Each charge of cor- from Britain, where he lives. Kham and Vien increasing number for posting on Facebook ruption carries a maximum jail term of 20 years, and each were arrested on January 13 in Ho Chi since a controversial cybersecurity law was money-laundering count is punishable by a term of up to Minh City, two days after Kham entered passed last year. — AFP 15 years. The amounts involved in Najib’s first trial are Cyclone death toll rises small, however, compared to those in his second and most significant one, which centers on allegations he illic- to move 600 elephants - as well as giraffe, itly obtained over $500 million from 1MDB. Zimbabwe lions, buffalo, antelope and spotted wild in Bangladesh, India US authorities, who are investigating the fund as mon- dogs - from Save Valley Conservancy in ey was allegedly laundered through the American finan- readies mass southern Zimbabwe to three other national KHULNA: The death toll from a cyclone boo homes and 200,000 hectares cial system, believe $4.5 billion was looted from 1MDB. It parks. “This is the biggest translocation of that barreled into the coasts of Bangladesh (494,000 acres) of crops. was allegedly used to fuel a worldwide spending spree animals in the history of wildlife movement and India has risen to 24, authorities said The cyclone weakened as it tracked by Najib and his inner circle — including suspected mas- wildlife migration here because we are talking of distances of yesterday, as the two nations assess the inland. The Sundarbans — the world’s termind, fugitive financier Jho Low — with looted cash more than 1,000 kilometers,” said Farawo. scale of devastation wreaked by the pow- largest mangrove forest which straddles spent on items ranging from a super-yacht to high-end It will start once the summer rains come. erful storm. Bangladesh carried out one of the two nations and is home to several real estate. — AFP HARARE: Zimbabwe is planning an Those are expected to start this week, its biggest ever evacuation drives, moving endangered species — shielded the coast enforced mass migration of wildlife away which would offer major relief for the some 2.1 million people to cyclone shel- from the storm’s full impact, officials added. from a park in the country’s south, where stricken animals and for farmers who are ters specially built to minimize casualties In India, nearly 120,000 evacuated people thousands of animals are at risk of death preparing for the 2019/20 planting season. from such storms, which can claim thou- were returning home as the cyclone weak- due to drought-induced starvation. At least The migration will also help to save the sands of victims. ened, authorities said. Coastal crops in 200 elephants have already died at two conservancy’s ecosystem by depopulating Cyclone Bulbul, packing winds of up to Odisha were also extensively damaged, other parks due to lack of food and water, it because the animals “are now becoming 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph) when it officials told the Press Trust of India. along with scores of buffalo and antelope, a threat to their own survival,” Farawo said hit late Saturday, killed 12 people in Bangladesh’s low-lying coast, home to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Zimbabwe is home to some 80,000 ele- Bangladesh — 11 from falling trees — and 30 million people, and India’s east are Authority (Zimparks) said yesterday. phants, around a fifth of Africa’s total, con- 12 in India’s West Bengal and Odisha regularly battered by cyclones that have “They will continue (to die) until the servationists estimate. Overall numbers states. Five others remain missing after a claimed the lives of hundreds of thou- rains come. The biggest threat to our ani- have declined sharply in recent years, fishing trawler sank in squally weather sands of people in recent decades. While mals right now is loss of habitat,” Zimparks mostly due to a combination of poaching, near Bangladesh’s southern island of the storms’ frequency and intensity have spokesman Tinashe Farawo told Reuters. illegal hunting and drought. Farawo said Bhola, district administrator Masud Alam increased — partly due to climate The El Nino-induced drought has also tak- Zimparks, which does not receive govern- Siddiqui said. Bangladesh’s junior minister change — the death tolls have come en its toll on crops, leaving more than half of ment funding, requires $40 million annually for disaster management Enamur Rahman down because of faster evacuations and KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib the population in need of food aid. Farawo for conservation efforts but only generates told AFP Bulbul left a trail of destruction, the building of thousands of coastal Razak arrives for his trial at the High Court. — AFP said Zimparks and private partners planned half the amount. — Reuters damaging some 10,000 mud, tin and bam- shelters. — AFP 10 Analysis Tuesday, November 12, 2019

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Trump faces perilous test as impeachment hearings open An Uzbek cotton grower looks on as she works in a cotton plantations outside Tashkent on Oct 24, 2019. — AFP

onald Trump faces the prospect of becoming Uzbekistan looks to soften image of cotton sector only the third US president to be impeached Dwhen open hearings begin this week into his or years, nurse Shokhidakhon Khasanova was signed decade-long boycott of cotton from the country over the up 15 percent against last year - and a tax exemption had alleged effort to bolster his re-election hopes by push- out of hospital every autumn to spend weeks labor- forced and child labor, following a campaign by non-prof- on their lives. “If before we picked to eat, now we can save ing Ukraine to find dirt on a Democratic rival. Having ing in Uzbekistan’s cotton fields along with over two its and activists. Many of those organizations remain skep- for something,” said 30-year-old Lobar Toshpulatova, as survived special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation F million others. “One year I was pregnant, but it didn’t mat- tical about the authorities’ commitment to reform. she wrenched the last soft white bolls of the season from a into Russian interference in the 2016 election, Trump ter. They still told me I had to go,” said Khasanova, a 46- But the UN’s International Labour Organization sees cotton shrub and headed to weigh in. Toshpulatova said now faces potential removal from office for pressuring year-old from Almalyk, a town 65 km from the capital signs for optimism. It recorded both a 50 percent fall in she had earned the equivalent of $220 in the first four Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Tashkent. Women in particular were targeted in the annual forced labor during last year’s harvest, and increased weeks of the harvest, recording a personal best of 130 kg Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the 2020 recruitment drive, which Khasanova participated in for 15 wages for pickers. The ILO also points to increased pun- picked in a 10-hour shift in September. She planned to use Democratic presidential nomination. years as either a student or qualified nurse. ishments for labor rights violations and the promised erad- the money to purchase her family’s first washing machine. Democrats have amassed evidence - from a An ex-Soviet nation of 33 million in Central Asia, ication of state quotas and purchases by 2023. “We have whistleblower complaint to the rough transcript of Uzbekistan is the world’s sixth-largest producer of cotton. seen a significant change in the conversations we are hav- ‘Why not now?’ Trump’s July 25 call with Zelensky and testimony from Since the Soviet era, production targets have led to forced ing and the approach of the government,” the ILO’s chief In March this year, the US government removed Uzbek a dozen witnesses - that the president abused his labour and taken a heavy environmental toll. Independent technical officer in Uzbekistan, Jonas Astrup, told AFP in cotton from a list of goods prohibited over child labor office by withholding aid and a requested White House Uzbekistan’s first leader Islam Karimov, a former Tashkent. “Nobody is trying to hide anything, nobody is concerns, noting that the phenomenon had been “signifi- meeting to force Zelensky into helping his personal Communist party boss who died in 2016, never acknowl- trying to make it difficult for us to do our monitoring.” cantly reduced to isolated incidents”. Last year, political agenda. “This is a very simple, straightforward edged either problem. While child labor was notably About 170,000 people were forced to take part in the Washington imposed a ban on cotton from Uzbekistan’s act. The president broke the law,” Democratic wound down near the end of his 27-year reign under pres- harvest in 2018, according to the ILO - just under seven fellow ex-Soviet neighbor Turkmenistan, which has also Representative Jackie Speier said Sunday on ABC’s sure from an international boycott, state employees were percent of the total harvest labor of 2.5 million. faced criticism over forced and child labor in its harvest. “This Week” program. “This is a very strong case of still called up every year to satisfy cotton quotas. Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister of Labour Erkin But the fall in forced labor reported by the ILO in bribery, because you have an elected official, the presi- But after reform-touting Shavkat Mirziyoyev took Mukhitdinov said increased fines and legislation that will Uzbekistan has so far failed to budge more than 300 sig- dent, demanding action of a foreign country, in this Karimov’s place, “they stopped calling us to the fields”, criminalize forced labor go hand-in-hand with plans to natories of the “Uzbek Cotton Pledge”, which includes case... and he is withholding aid,” said Speier. Khasanova told AFP. Mirziyoyev, who oversaw successive make cotton a private-sector affair. “Investors are looking retail giants such as Walmart and Adidas. The hearings begin on Wednesday in the House cotton harvests as a prime minister and regional governor for quality and productivity. When someone is made to The government’s insistence that the problem is now Intelligence Committee, with the first witnesses two under Karimov, cuts an unlikely labor rights champion. He work against their will they are not productive,” said limited to reactionary officials and farms struggling to officials who have already provided evidence against has, however, denounced the use of forced labor and the Mukhitdinov. meet state targets has not convinced rights groups. Umida Trump in private testimony: Bill Taylor, the top recruitment of children to gather the harvest. AFP journalists interviewed several pickers during a Niyazova, director of the Berlin-based Uzbek-German American diplomat in Ukraine, and Deputy Assistant recent spontaneous visit to a cotton field in the village of Forum for Human Rights, which conducts its own monitor- Secretary of State George Kent. Old industry, new vision Boyovul about 70 km from the capital. None of them criti- ing of the Uzbek harvest, said the abolition of state quotas Mirziyoyev has also set out plans to shift the sector cized harvests under the hardline Karimov, who is still fet- and purchases removed “a key stimulant” for the practice. Risks for both sides away from state management by 2023, echoing other ed as a fatherly statesman, including by Mirziyoyev. Nor But she questions why the government is waiting until On Sunday, Trump repeated his charge that the ambitious top-down economic reforms underway. did they say they were forced to work in the past. But they 2023 to do away with a rotten system. “Why not now, investigation is a “witch hunt” and that he did nothing Hundreds of Western apparel and textile firms are part of a were quick to acknowledge the impact increased wages - when people’s rights are at stake?” — AFP wrong. “The call to the Ukrainian President was PER- FECT. Read the Transcript!” he tweeted. “Republicans, don’t be led into the fools trap of saying it was not per- fect, but is not impeachable. No, it is much stronger quite possible that they will accomplish all three by next pressure? We don’t know. We can’t trust anyone now. No than that. NOTHING WAS DONE WRONG!” With court ruling, year,” said Milan Vaishnav, a senior fellow at the door is open for us,” said local Muslim community leader But Democrats say the evidence against him is Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Azam Quadri during evening prayers in Ayodhya. strong. Once the coming Intelligence Committee hear- Washington DC. “It’s striking that the government has ings are complete, the Judiciary Committee can draw Modi Hindu agenda moved with a clarity of purpose on its social agenda ‘Best to be numb’ up articles of impeachment, or formal charges, against that’s completely absent when it comes to economic mat- While Modi himself has said the court verdict should Trump. Those would then be voted on by the full House barrels forward ters,” added Vaishnav in reference to the slowing of the not be seen as a “win or loss” for anyone, many Muslims of Representatives, reportedly before the end of the country’s once red-hot economic growth. Reuters spoke to expressed resignation after the ruling. year. Impeachment would likely pass the Democratic- Many Muslims have watched with a mix of fear and Some were bitter that a probe into the demolition has controlled House. The case would then be sent for trial ust six months after sweeping to re-election, Indian resignation as the BJP has morphed into the officially sec- inconclusively dragged on for three decades and that in the Senate, where Republicans dominate and sup- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered on two ular country’s near-undisputed political force. The contro- many of the politicians accused of conspiring to take port for Trump remains firm. Coming just one year Jmajor promises of his Hindu-first agenda, electrifying versial site in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh has been down the mosque are prominent BJP members. Those before national elections, and broadcast live, the his base but sowing unease among liberals and the nation’s one of the most explosive issues in the nation of 1.3 billion, people have said the demolition was spontaneous and not impeachment hearings carry great risks for both par- Muslim minority. The latest boost for Modi came on where Muslims constitute about 14 percent of the popula- planned. “I feel humiliated by the Supreme Court verdict,” ties and no certain reward, with the US electorate Saturday, when the Supreme Court handed Hindu groups tion. In 1992, a rally led by the BJP and affiliate organiza- said one affluent Mumbai-based Muslim businessman, deeply divided and weary of Washington infighting. control of a contested site where a 16th-century mosque tions spiralled out of control and a Hindu mob destroyed who declined to give his name. “Others don’t care. They Polls show a slim majority of Americans favor impeach- was razed over two decades ago, paving the way for the the Babri Masjid or mosque in the city of Ayodhya. That have become numb. It’s best to be numb in Modi’s India.” ing the president. But they also show that Trump’s siz- construction of a temple there that has long been an elec- triggered riots in which about 2,000 people, most of them Some people believe that Hindu nationalists, galva- able voter base, which delivered his shock victory in tion promise of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Muslims, were killed across the country. nized by the Ayodhya triumph, could turn their attention 2016, is so far impervious to the allegations. That followed New Delhi’s move in August to strip In its verdict on Saturday, the Supreme Court called to two other Uttar Pradesh mosques they believe Mughal Republicans who disapprove of Trump’s behavior Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir of its special status the mosque’s demolition illegal but handed the plot of conquerors built over the remains of Hindu temples cen- suggest they will continue to support him. “I believe it’s as a state in what Modi’s government said was a bid to land to Hindus, who believe the site is the birthplace of turies ago. “This (verdict) seems to generate incentives inappropriate for a president to ask a foreign leader to integrate the restive region with the rest of predominant- Ram, a much venerated god-king. The court directed that for Hindus to take down mosques and resettle,” said investigate a political rival,” Republican Representative ly-Hindu India. Now, the BJP may move towards deliver- another plot in Ayodhya be provided to a Muslim group Neelanjan Sircar, an assistant professor at Ashoka Mac Thornberry said Sunday on ABC’s “This week”. “I ing on its third traditional plank: Creating a uniform civil that contested the case. In over a dozen interviews, University near New Delhi. Another likely move is the don’t believe it was impeachable,” he said. “Most code that does away with the independence of religious Muslim community leaders, businessmen, and students uniform civil code. New Delhi has already taken steps Republicans have said that would be a violation of the communities. said they respected the verdict but it exacerbated their toward creating such a code, with the BJP-led parliament law,” another Republican lawmaker, Will Hurd, told “Fox “After just a few months of Modi 2.0, they’ve accom- sense of alienation. “Why did the court then give a ruling in July outlawing the centuries-old right of a Muslim man News Sunday”. However, he said, they “have to truly plished two out of three (main cultural objectives). It’s which is completely one-sided? Was the court under to instantly divorce his wife. — Reuters consider whether impeachment is the right tool or not.”

Fiery hearings expected The science of laughter The hearings are likely to be fiery, with Republicans Stand-up scientists In an interview with AFP, Odell explained that laughter determined to paint witnesses as biased against Trump. has a powerful evolutionary purpose and helped early They are prepared to disrupt testimony and shift the humans develop camaraderie and more complex social subject to the allegations Trump raised with Zelensky: use comedy to reach networks. “I think it’s important for communicating science that Biden protected his son Hunter’s allegedly corrupt to someone, because if you’re laughing with them, then it’s relationship with a Ukrainian energy company, beyond ivory tower almost like you’re on an even playing field, and people are Burisma, and that Ukraine helped Democrats in the more receptive to messages,” she said. The 30-year-old 2016 race. No evidence has surfaced to support either uses this dynamic in a series of YouTube videos that claim, but transcripts from earlier testimony show y day, Kasha Patel works at NASA writing content explore the science of the human brain under various stim- Republicans pressing witnesses on both counts. for its website, but she spends her nights commu- uli - from breakups to kittens to alcohol. In closed-door testimony, the Intelligence Bnicating scientific discovery through an altogether In the latter, which has racked up half a million views, Committee chairman, Adam Schiff, a veteran prosecu- different medium: stand-up comedy. “Part of my job is to Odell trades on a bubbly delivery and helpful infographics tor, proved able to fend off disruptions and maintain a help distinguish the difference between fact versus myth as she downs shots and slurs her way through the impact focus on the allegations against Trump. But that could for the general public,” the 28-year-old explained as she of heavy drinking on the brain’s cerebellum, responsible change in front of a national television audience. warmed up an audience at a recent bar gig near Penn for coordination. Patel, on the other hand, follows a more Republicans are moving one of their wiliest and most State University. “So for instance, fact: you can get traditional comic mold with setups and punchlines, and Kasha Patel, a chemist and science writer for NASA, performs agile counter-attackers, Jim Jordan, to the committee chlamydia if a koala urinates on you. Myth: your wife told AFP it took hard work to shed her careful science stand-up comedy act at State College, Pennsylvania on Oct to joust with Schiff over control of the narrative. On will believe you.” instincts and embrace the absurdism necessary to make 26, 2019. — AFP Saturday, Republicans said they want to call a number Patel’s act sits between two seemingly opposing people consistently laugh on stage. of witnesses relevant not to the charges against Trump, fields: that of scientific endeavor, famously described by An Indian-American chemistry graduate who was set to but to Burisma and 2016, including Hunter Biden. Schiff astronomer Carl Sagan as “stodgy and grumpy,” and the go to medical school per her parents’ wishes before find- ous side: It found the scientific community is the second made clear he will use his power as committee chair- raucous world of comedy, currently experiencing a boom ing her own unique path, her material often references her most trusted institution in the US after the military, with 44 man to reject them. “This inquiry is not, and will not that has facilitated the rise of niche genres such as intel- background and personal life. One example: “A few years percent expressing a great deal of confidence in it - as serve... as a vehicle to undertake the same sham inves- lectual humor. The founder of DC Science Comedy, now a ago, SpaceX launched the rocket, but it blew up when it opposed to just 13 percent for the press. This makes it all tigations into the Bidens or 2016 that the president recurring live show in the capital, Patel is joined this night left Earth’s atmosphere...But NASA did not call it a failure. the more important to find new ways to reach out to the pressed Ukraine to conduct for his personal political by several scientist-comedians from across the US, united They called it a non-nominal launch. “Which is weird, public, particularly in areas that have become controver- benefit,” he said in a statement Saturday. — AFP in their belief that laughter can be a powerful tool for com- because last week, I had a non-nominal date. It was not a sial such as climate science, argues Odell. municating complex concepts. failure, because he never showed up.” She has not, howev- “It’s great for scientists to get out there and talk about Shannon Odell, a neuroscience PhD candidate at the er, lost her nerdy touch. Patel recently used data to hone the research because they are the expert on the research,” Weill Cornell Medical College who has a live show called her act, analyzing recordings to see how long the audience she said, even if not everyone can do so through jokes or “Drunk Science” in New York, tells the audience that, con- laughed after 500 of her jokes to devise a humor impact comedy routines. Though scientists are often funded by All articles appearing on this page are the trary to what they may think, “science and comedy actual- score. “So I found that my science jokes do 40 percent the taxpayer, their research often ends up being presented personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait ly have a lot in common.” “Both are really just making better than my other jokes,” she said, adding she was only in specialist conferences or in paywalled, jargon- observations about the world and then sharing it with an working on an algorithm to automate the analysis. laden journals, creating space for misinformation to rise. Times takes no responsibility for views audience,” she says. “Jerry Seinfeld, he’d be like, what’s the “We think of science as this kind of academic ivory tow- expressed therein. deal with airplane food? ... Whereas scientists are just like, Connecting with the public er...(but) there’s a value in making it entertaining, as long what’s the deal with rising CO2 levels?” A recent Pew research poll underscores there is a seri- as you’re not losing scientific accuracy,” she said. — AFP Established 1961

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019

World shares fall; Hong Kong Qantas Airways joins IAG in Century and half on, Suez 12violence unnerves investors 13 pledge to slash emissions 14 Canal is ‘lifeline’ for Egypt

BEIJING: Workers at their delivery company warehouse drive tricycles to deliver packages to customers during ‘Singles’ Day’-the world’s biggest 24-hour shopping event-in Beijing yesterday. — AFP What slowdown? Chinese shoppers set new Singles’ Day spending record World’s biggest 24-hour shopping event kicks off

SHANGHAI: Chinese consumers spent a record ing power to back up the economy, despite the 17- $25.6 billion as of yesterday afternoon, beating the $22.4 sumption more convenient and efficient than ever amount on Alibaba platforms yesterday during the month-long trade war & HK unrest,” it said on Twitter, billion spent over the full 11-day stretch last year. before,” Raymond Ma, portfolio manager with Fidelity annual “Singles’ Day” buying spree, the world’s biggest referring to months of pro-democracy demonstrations Investments, said in a research note. 24-hour shopping event, which kicked off this year with in Hong Kong. ‘More diverse and younger’ Alibaba accounts for more than half of China’s e- a glitzy show by US singer Taylor Swift. The country’s The promotion, now in its 11th year, began at mid- Despite sobering economic data over the past year, commerce market. It hits new Singles’ Day records leading e-commerce firm said that by late afternoon the night with Chinese bargain-hunters going online to China retail sales have remained a relatively bright spot, each year, but the pace of growth has slowed. The US- amount of goods bought surpassed the previous record snap up everything from electronics to clothing and facilitated by e-commerce and one-click smartphone listed company earlier this month said revenue in the of $30.7 billion spent during the entire 24-hour period household goods via Alibaba and rival websites. payments. “Over the years, we’ve seen consumers most recent quarter slowed to 40 percent, from 54 per- last year, and was still rising with several hours to go. Alibaba kicked it off with an annual gala show in become more diverse and younger,” Alibaba chairman cent in the same quarter last year. This is Alibaba’s first China’s economy is in an extended slowdown exacer- Shanghai, headlined this year by Grammy-winning pop Daniel Zhang said in comments released by the company, Singles’ Day without Jack Ma, who stepped aside as bated by the US trade war, and the Singles’ Day fire sale star Swift. Singles’ Day, also called “11.11” for the describing the continued robust Singles’ Day perform- chairman in September. is viewed as a snapshot of consumer sentiment in the November 11 date, was originally set as an unofficial ance. China is also transitioning to an economic model Ma co-founded Alibaba in his Hangzhou apartment world’s second-biggest economy. But there was little day for unmarried Chinese. increasingly driven by domestic consumption and away 20 years ago. It is now among the world’s most valuable hint of Chinese belt-tightening, with $1 billion spent via But Alibaba, based in the eastern city of Hangzhou, from a past over-reliance on manufacturing. companies. Alibaba is hoping to raise up to $15 billion in Alibaba in just the first 68 seconds. turned it into a shopping promotion akin to the late- E-commerce sales have expanded thanks to the a Hong Kong IPO, a report said last week, which would US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said his November US “Black Friday”, which “Singles’ Day” now growing diversity of products available to Chinese shop- be the city’s biggest listing for nine years. tariffs on Chinese goods have put the country’s econo- handily surpasses. Other Chinese online platforms and pers and as consumers increasingly seek better-quality, Environmentalists accuse Alibaba and other online retail- my on the ropes, but the state-run tabloid Global myriad retailers have since tapped in. Alibaba competitor higher-priced goods, analysts say. “Consumption has ers of fuelling a culture of excessive consumption and Times said the shopping figures proved otherwise. “It JD.com, which holds an 11-day promotion ending at mid- already become an important portion of the economy. adding to a growing national garbage crisis by produc- clearly speaks to the Chinese people’s stronger spend- night on November 11, said total sales so far had reached Digitalisation has facilitated this trend as it makes con- ing mountains of discarded packaging. — AFP

place with $586.92 billion, a report from moned over 20 platforms and urged them China’s love of researcher eMarketer shows. China on its to stop practices that could be seen as own represents 54.7% of the global e- monopolistic. commerce market, nearly twice the share of e-commerce the next five countries combined, the report Sector’s backbone showed. However, the country is ranked E-commerce in China is heavily reliant powers Alibaba fourth when it comes to forecast e-com- on logistics companies, couriers and pay- merce sales growth for 2019, behind ment systems such as Alibaba-backed Mexico, India and the Philippines, accord- Alipay and WeChat Pay from Tencent Singles’ Day ing to eMarketer. Holdings Ltd. Couriers STO Express Co Ltd, ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc, YTO Top players Express Group Co Ltd, S.F. Holding Co Ltd SHANGHAI: China’s dominant e-com- Alibaba’s e-commerce marketplaces, and Yunda Holding Co Ltd send parcels for merce firm Alibaba Group Holding raked in business-to-consumer Tmall and Taobao, as little as 8 yuan ($1.14), making purchases $23 billion worth of sales in the first nine where both individuals and businesses set online more convenient at times than offline. hours of its annual Singles’ Day shopping up shop, are China’s dominant shopping Many couriers are also part of the Cainiao extravaganza yesterday, setting records as platforms, hosting thousands of merchants Smart Logistics Network, majority owned the event celebrates its 11th year. The 24- selling products as varied as T-shirts, by Alibaba which co-founded it in 2013. hour shopping event is akin to Black household sundries and four-poster beds. Cainiao provides software to and shares Friday and Cyber yesterday in the United The firm’s competitors include longtime data with warehouses, couriers and logis- States and has become a highlight of rival JD.com, which sources goods and sells tics firms. JD.com manages its own logistics BEIJING: A worker sorts out packages at a delivery company warehouse to be China’s e-commerce industry, with other them directly to consumers, and four-year- network, a FedEx-style parcel delivery delivered to customers during ‘Singles’ Day’-the world’s biggest 24-hour retailers running concurrent promotions. old Pinduoduo Inc that managed to break service which it started last year. shopping event-in Beijing yesterday. — AFP This year, Alibaba netted $1 billion in sales into the top ranks by courting China’s rural in the event’s first 68 seconds. Here are residents with deep discounts and a group- How are they faring? some quick facts about China’s e-com- buying model. The rapid growth of Alibaba and JD.com growth since early 2003. Alibaba said rev- artificial intelligence (AI), while JD.com has merce’s industry: There are also a range of other e-com- has tracked that of China’s economy and enue for the quarter to September-end for invested in AI to improve its logistics and merce sites that focus on different market the expansion of its middle class over the its core commerce business rose 40% advertising capabilities. They are also dou- World’s biggest segments, such as cosmetics, groceries and past two decades. This, however, has also year-on-year, versus 56% in the same peri- bling down on reaching consumers in China is on track to book $1.94 trillion in home appliances. Competition between made them vulnerable, as the economy od in 2018. Their next step, as a result, has China’s third- and fourth-tier cities, where e-commerce sales in 2019, more than three platforms is rife and has boiled over into the slows to its weakest pace in almost three been to diversify, with Alibaba moving into Pinduoduo currently has a foothold, citing times the United States which is in second public sphere. This month, regulators sum- decades and retail sales post their slowest financial services, cloud computing and more promising, higher growth. — Reuters 12 Established 1961 Business Tuesday, November 12, 2019 World shares fall; Hong Kong violence unnerves investors European shares down 0.2%; Gold, Japanese yen gain

LONDON: Shares across the globe fell anteed to the former British colony. “At global political or economic turmoil, yesterday, buffeted by escalating violence some stage I think it will be likely that there strengthened 0.3% against the dollar. in Hong Kong that pushed Asian stocks to will be a more fully-fledged crackdown,” China’s yuan, in contrast, weakened 0.3% their worst day since August and stoked said StÈphane Barbier de la Serre, a strate- to 7 per dollar in offshore trade. demand for the safe-haven yen and gold. In gist at Makor Capital Markets. “And if you the 24th straight week of pro-democracy see a crackdown, you could see markets Trade war unrest, Hong Kong police shot and wound- collapsing. For these reasons markets are Investors were also focused on the US- ed a protester as the Chinese-ruled territo- complacent.” China trade talks. After a bout of optimism ry saw rare working-hours violence. last week over prospects for Washington The MSCI world equity index, which and Beijing to reach an initial deal that tracks shares in 47 countries, slipped would quell the worst of the 18-month old 0.2%, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index MSCI world dispute, doubts over prospects for a res- falling 2.7% and leading losses across olution gnawed again. On Saturday, US Asia. There, MSCI’s widest index of Asia- index falls 0.2%; President Donald Trump said talks with Pacific shares outside Japan fell 1.2% from China had moved more slowly than he six-month highs to set a course for its trade war would have liked. worst day since late August. Chinese blue Trump said reports that the United chips dropped 1.8%. The nerves spread to worries weigh States was willing to lift tariffs were Europe, too. The broad Euro STOXX 600 incorrect, adding that Beijing wanted a fell 0.2%, with London shares slipping deal more than he did. Still, some market 0.6% ahead of British GDP data. Wall players said Trump’s comments fitted an SHANGHAI: A worker walks on a road next to the new Tesla factory built in Shanghai. —AFP Street futures gauges were also set to suf- The violence in Hong Kong sent established pattern of optimistic rhetoric fer, suggesting losses of around 0.4%. investors running for assets perceived as from the US president being followed by a Some investors said markets risked being safe havens and away from riskier curren- more skeptical tone. A deal was still likely, “We are probably still moving in the commodities. Oil lost nearly 1% yesterday, hit by any further escalation of the violence cies. Gold rose 0.4%, rebounding from a they said. “It’s the usual two steps forward direction (of a deal), and that’s the way the with concerns over trade looming and wor- in Hong Kong, where protesters are angry three-month low touched on Friday to and one step backwards,” said Adam Cole, market is priced on balance ... the direction ries on oversupply weighed on the market. about what they see as police brutality and reach $1,463.49 per ounce. The Japanese head of FX strategy at RBC Capital is still a positive one.” The uncertainty over Brent crude was down 54 cents, or 0.9%, at meddling by Beijing in the freedoms guar- yen, which often strengthens in times of Markets. trade weighed on commodities markets $61.97 by 0745 GMT. — Reuters

Food shortage fears Sell off grips spark panic buying southern Europe in protest-hit bond markets Lebanon LONDON: A selloff in southern European bond markets gathered pace yesterday, pushing yields higher, with an inconclusive election in Spain BEIRUT: Fearing food shortages in protest-hit Lebanon, adding to uncertainty in its bond market. Sanaa crammed bags of fava beans into a packed trolley, Government bond markets across the single-cur- one of dozens of shoppers who rushed to buy basic sup- rency bloc have been hurt in recent weeks by plies in a Beirut department store. “I don’t remember ever optimism over a US-China trade deal and signs of stocking up on so much food,” said the 40-year-old stabilization in economic data. But Italy’s bond woman. “We are preparing for the coming days and the market, in particular, and to a lesser extent murky phase awaiting us.” BEIRUT: People shop at a supermarket in the Lebanese capital Beirut. For two decades, the Lebanese pound Spanish and Portuguese ones have borne the Around Sanaa, a civil servant who asked to use a pseu- brunt of selling in recent sessions. donym, shoppers swarmed the meat refrigerators and has been pegged to the US dollar, with both currencies used interchangeably in daily life. But banks have been reducing access to dollars since the end of the summer, following fears of a shortage in central bank dollar Analysts put this down to a number of factors vegetable stalls, mostly ignoring the alcohol and sweets such as a growing sense that further European aisles to focus on essential food products. Lebanon has reserves. In recent days, banks halted all ATM withdrawals in dollars and severely restricted conversions from Lebanese pounds. —AFP Central Bank stimulus is unlikely and profit-taking been gripped by an unprecedented wave of grassroots on stellar gains in peripheral bond markets before protests since mid-October, with citizens demanding an year-end-Italian and Spanish 10-year bond yields overhaul of a political class deemed incompetent and cor- the 63-year-old recalled Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war in central bank reserves. are down 140 and 100 basis points respectively rupt. Across the country, supermarkets have been hit by and said: “I hope such days won’t come back. “I remem- Access was further limited days ago after banks this year. They said a Financial Times article, panic-buying amid rumors of an upcoming shortage in ber how we used to stand in line and beg for bread.” reopened for the first time since the unprecedented popu- reporting that new ECB chief Christine Lagarde is food staples and additional price hikes. lar uprising began on October 17. They have halted all to face calls for an overhaul of how the ECB Fears were deepened by warnings from petrol station Bank restrictions ATM withdrawals in dollars and severely restricted con- decides monetary policy highlights that the bar to owners and hospitals of a shortage of fuel and medicine Demonstrators have targeted banks and state institu- versions from Lebanese pounds. This has forced people to further policy action is high. That is seen as nega- after banks limited access to the dollars they needed to tions, demanding better living conditions in a country they change money on the black market where they are tive for peripheral bond markets - which have pay for supplies. Standing beside a row of canned food, say has become unaffordable for ordinary people. For two charged higher exchange rates, in what amounts to a de- been strong beneficiaries of ECB asset purchases. Antoine Dirani said the restrictive bank measures were decades, the Lebanese pound has been pegged to the facto devaluation of the pound. The official exchange rate “The FT article adds to this notion that the causing panic, driving people to withdraw money from greenback, with the currencies used interchangeably in remains fixed at 1,507 Lebanese pounds to the dollar, but ECB is reaching the limits of what it can do, rate their accounts and stock up on supplies. “We are now liv- daily life. But banks have been reducing access to dollars the rate on the parallel market has passed 1,800, leading cut expectations have faded and that helps ing in the heart of the crisis,” he said. Looking around him, since the end of the summer, following fears of a shortage to price hikes. — Reuters explain the weakness in peripheral bonds,” said Rainer Guntermann, a rates strategist at Commerzbank. While yields on higher-rated held above a key support level at 1.9%, buoying the rencies was neutral at 98.317, flirting with a four-week bonds such as German and Dutch ones were Euro hobbles around currency. Moves were slight as traders kept a wary eye low. The Chinese yuan weakened 0.3% to 7 per dollar steady , 10-year yields across southern Europe on further news on the US-China trade war, and against in offshore trade on fresh violence in Hong Kong, where rose. Italy’s 10-year bond yield was 7 bps higher 4-week low vs dollar the safe-haven Japanese yen the dollar fell as market police fired live rounds at protestors, with Cable TV on the day at 1.34%, while its gap over Bund participants reacted to the escalating political con- and other media reporting at least one person being yields was at its widest in over two months at frontations in Hong Kong. wounded. around 161 bps. “Market participants have become more cautious Disappointing economic data also hurt sentiment It has jumped 30 bps this month alone, while LONDON: The euro held steady against the US dollar over the potential positive impact for global growth toward the yuan, as China’s producer prices fell the yesterday after matching a four-week low earlier as the French and German peers are up around 12 bps from a partial US-China trade deal following comments most in more than three years in October, National each. In Spain, 10-year bond yields rose 2 bps to greenback maintained its gains on optimism that the from President Trump,” said Lee Hardman, currency Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showed on Saturday, United States and China would roll back tariffs that have 0.41%, pushing the gap with its German peer to analyst at MUFG. “Nevertheless, market participants while the country’s consumer prices rose at their fastest its highest level since mid-October at around 67 hurt global growth. Officials from both countries said are likely to remain optimistic that the US and China pace in almost eight years. Elsewhere, the British pound bps. Spain’s acting prime minister, Socialist leader late last week that a rollback of some tit-for-tat tariffs are moving closer to finalizing a partial trade deal by was up 0.1% at $1.2797 despite the fact that Moody’s Pedro Sanchez, faced the prospect of hard bar- had been agreed as part of a preliminary deal, that has the end of this year,” Hardman said. warned on Friday it might cut its rating on Britain’s sov- gaining to form a government yesterday after his still to be finalized, aimed at ending their trade war. The euro traded at $1.1023, flat but not far from the ereign debt again, saying that neither of the main politi- gamble on holding the country’s second election Even though that was subsequently denied by US Oct. 15 low of $1.10165 it fell to on Friday. The Japanese cal parties in next month’s election was likely to tackle this year resulted in no clear winner but a surge President Donald Trump on Friday, he did not com- currency was last up 0.3% at 108.98 against the dollar. high borrowing levels which Brexit had made even for the far right. — Reuters pletely rule out a deal and US benchmark Treasuries The index which tracks the dollar against six major cur- harder to fix. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Egyptian Pound - Transfer 18.894 Thai Bhat 11.015 Chinese Yuan 0.042171 0.045671 AL-MUZAINI EXCHANGE CO. Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.224 Turkish Lira 53.170 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036816 0.039566 Tunisian Dinar 111.190 Singapore dollars 223.449 Indian Rupee 0.003671 0.004443 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Jordanian Dinar 430.020 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 Japanese Yen 0.002707 0.002887 US Dollar Transfer 304.650 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 0.203 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Euro 337.700 Syrian Lira 0.000 Korean Won 0.000252 0.000267 Sterling Pound 391.930 Morocco Dirham 32.204 Malaysian Ringgit 0.069640 0.075640 Canadian dollar 231.580 CURRENCY BUY SELL Nepalese Rupee 0.002627 0.002967 Turkish lira 54.400 DOLLARCO EXCHANGE CO. LTD Europe Pakistan Rupee 0.001296 0.002066 Swiss Franc 307.730 British Pound 0.382495 0.396395 Philippine Peso 0.005757 0.006057 US Dollar Buying 297.200 Czech Korune 0.005146 0.014446 Singapore Dollar 0.218345 0.228345 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Danish Krone 0.040844 0.045844 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001320 0.001900 ASIAN COUNTRIES US Dollar 304.290 Euro 0.328105 0.341805 Taiwan 0.009886 0.010066 Japanese Yen 2.795 Canadian Dollar 230.670 Georgian Lari 0.102340 0.102340 Thai Baht 0.009699 0.010249 Indian Rupees 4.276 Sterling Pound 390.830 Hungarian 0.000914 0.001104 Vietnamese Dong 0.000013 0.000013 Pakistani Rupees 1.977 Euro 337.040 Norwegian Krone 0.029249 0.034449 Srilankan Rupees 1.681 Swiss Frank 305.905 Romanian Leu 0.053523 0.070373 Arab Nepali Rupees 2.666 Bahrain Dinar 809.220 Russian ruble 0.004757 0.004757 Bahraini Dinar 0.801938 0.809998 Singapore Dollar 226.250 UAE Dirhams 83.250 Slovakia 0.009111 0.019111 Egyptian Pound 0.018653 0.021393 Hongkong Dollar 38.913 Qatari Riyals 84.490 Swedish Krona 0.027307 0.032307 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000086 Bangladesh Taka 3.548 Saudi Riyals 82.040 Swiss Franc 0.298956 0.309956 Iraqi Dinar 0.000214 0.000274 Philippine Peso 6.032 Jordanian Dinar 430.470 Jordanian Dinar 0.424785 0.433785 Thai Baht 10.100 Egyptian Pound 18.895 Australasia Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Malaysian ringgit 77.916 Sri Lankan Rupees 1.682 Australian Dollar 0.200449 0.212449 Lebanese Pound 0.000151 0.000251 Indian Rupees 4.268 New Zealand Dollar 0.186978 0.196478 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021219 0.045219 Pakistani Rupees 1.954 GCC COUNTRIES Omani Riyal 0.786168 0.794069 Bangladesh Taka 3.532 Saudi Riyal 81.294 America Qatar Riyal 0.083024 0.083858 Philippines Pesso 6.014 Qatari Riyal 83.730 Canadian Dollar 0.224760 0.233760 Saudi Riyal 0.080153 0.081453 Cyprus pound 18.105 Omani Riyal 791.813 US Dollars 0.300550 0.305850 Syrian Pound 0.001292 0.001512 Japanese Yen 3.790 Bahraini Dinar 809.490 US Dollars Mint 0.301050 0.305850 Tunisian Dinar 0.103071 0.111071 UAE Dirham 83.000 Syrian Pound 1.590 Nepalese Rupees 2.689 Turkish Lira 0.046045 0.055890 Asia Malaysian Ringgit 74.585 UAE Dirhams 0.082311 0.083139 ARAB COUNTRIES Bangladesh Taka 0.003003 0.003804 Yemeni Riyal 0.000990 0.001070 Egyptian Pound - Cash 21.500 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 43.915 13 Business Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Africa oil states offer new deals to lure more selective investors Changes include revisions to taxes and royalties

CAPE TOWN: Lower prices and increasing compe- output. Ministers from Angola, Cameroon and obviously everybody is going to have to be competi- production sharing contracts. tition for investment are driving many African Gabon also stressed changes to legal and fiscal tive for that,” Andrew Latham, vice president of glob- Gabon revised its fiscal terms to reduce the gov- states to make it easier and cheaper for overseas terms to boost their own al exploration at Wood ernment take for shallow and deepwater concessions companies to keep their oil and gas output flowing. production. Mackenzie, said. and increased the cost-recover limits for companies. From Ghana to Gabon, governments are adjusting “We are aware that oil Cheaper But not all African producers are sweetening the terms to lure picky investors who are also increas- companies have to spend a Fresh approach deal. Nigeria, the continent’s largest producer, last ingly concerned about long-term demand for fossil lot of money. That is why we renewables, and Ghana plans to allow week increased the amount oil companies pay the fuels as renewable energy gains ground. The shift are careful in the way we companies more leeway in government for offshore production, while an over- follows declining oil production in Angola and design our (terms) to have it demand ‘peak’ where and when they can haul of its oil and gas terms has languished for more Cameroon and disappointing bid rounds in Ghana. as a win-win,” Gabon’s drill, while Angola is revis- than a decade. It also marks an recognition that the era of $100 petroleum minister Noel driving change ing local content laws and Senate president Ahmad Lawan said the revisions per barrel oil is over. Mboumba said at the event. privatizing oil assets. would raise revenue while allowing companies to make “Because of increased competition for investment As renewables and efforts Cameroon’s senate in April money - and the government has promised to pass the in Africa, we are changing our strategy,” Mohammed to cut fossil fuel consump- approved a reform to broader bill next year. Companies and analysts said Amin Adam, Ghana’s deputy minister for petroleum, tion gain ground, there are replace its 1999 petroleum reforms are needed. “The continent has to compete for said at last week’s Africa Oil Week in Cape Town. also growing concerns that code, sweetening tax terms capital with other areas,” said Mike Sangster, head of Ghana’s Adam was not alone in announcing plans to the world will not need all of Africa’s oil. “We don’t for oil and condensate development and allowing Nigeria for French oil major Total. “It’s important that revise oil and gas licensing laws in an effort to spur know how much new supply we’re going to need. So companies to recoup “exploration expenses” from the regulators understand that.” — Reuters

entries into the draw. Gulf Bank will be announcing 15 instant discounts of up to Gulf Bank launches lucky winners at the end of the campaign, each of whom 20% at over 300 renowned will receive a 100% Cashback with a cap of max restaurants and coffee Cashback amount of KD 1,000 of the spends made on shops, up to 25% at over 100% Cashback the Gulf Bank Card. 150 retail outlets in Kuwait, Gulf Bank announces The draw will take place on February 16, 2020 in the In addition, Gulf Bank cred- Campaign presence of a representative of the Ministry of it card customers also earn Commerce. Commenting on the campaign, Ahmad Al Gulf Points, which can be the Al Danah winners Amir, Assistant General Manager for External redeemed for free flights, KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has launched a new Cashback Communications at Gulf Bank, said: “As promised last hotel bookings or travel KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its weekly draw on 10th campaign, which gives customers the chance to win week to our clients, Gulf Bank is launching yet another packages. November 2019 announcing the names of the winners for the week of 3 - 7 November 2019. The weekly draw con- 100% Cashback of their spends by using their Gulf exciting campaign for debit and credit cardholders, as Gulf Bank credit card- sists of five winners who receive KD 1,000 each, every Bank Credit Cards locally or internationally and by part of the Bank’s commitment to maximizing customer holders can also receive week. The winners this week are: (1) Khadeejah Abdullah using their Debit Cards Internationally. The campaign satisfaction. free travel insurance for Ahmad Alali (2) Deema Eyad Ezzat Sayma (3) Hassan gives cardholders who spend using their cards the At Gulf Bank, we are constantly working to offer our themselves and their fami- Ahmed Al Arabi Al Qoudsi (4) Kholod Hussain Aden chance to be one of 15 lucky winners to win 100% customers the very best of all our service offerings, lies, which can be used for Alanzy (5) Khuloud Bader Mutlaq Dhaher. Cashback of their spends. financial products, solutions, and more. We hope that the Schengen Visa applica- Ahmad Al-Amir Gulf Bank’s final Al Danah draw for KD1,000,000 During the course of the campaign, which is sched- our customers enjoy the benefits of our newest cash- tion. To learn more about will be held on 16 January 2020, where the Al Danah uled to run until January 31, 2020, customers will auto- back campaign, and encourage our debit and credit Gulf Bank’s activities, cus- millionaire will be announced at a live event. Gulf Bank matically be entered into the final draw based on their cardholders to use their cards both in Kuwait and tomers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 58 branches or log encourages customers to increase their chances of win- spends. For every KD 10 spent locally on a Gulf Bank abroad.” Gulf Bank credit cards are packed with power- on to www.e-gulfbank.com. Customers can also contact ning with Al Danah by depositing more into their Gulf Credit Card, customers will receive one entry into the ful benefits and features to enhance customer experi- the Customer Contact Center by calling 1805805 or Bank accounts using the new ePay (Self-Pay) service, draw. For every KD 10 spent internationally using a ence & satisfaction. These benefits include fraud pro- direct their queries through the WhatsApp service on which is available on Gulf Bank’s online and mobile Credit or Debit card, customers will receive three tection with Gulf Bank 3D secure, online shopping, and 65805805 for assistance and guidance. banking services. Al Danah offers a number of unique services to cus- tomers, including the Al Danah Deposit Only ATM card, which allows account holders to deposit money into their accounts at their convenience. Account holders can also Qantas joins IAG calculate their chances of winning the draws through the ‘Al Danah Chances’ calculator available on the Gulf Bank website and app. Furthermore, loyal Al Danah customers in pledge to slash are rewarded with loyalty chances. Loyalty chances are the total chances accumulated from the previous year emissions which are added to the customer’s chances the following year. Therefore, the total chances earned by Al Danah customers in 2018, have been added to their 2019 MELBOURNE: Qantas Airways Ltd yesterday pledged chances, and the same process will take place in 2020, to slash its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, join- and so on. Terms and conditions apply. Gulf Bank’s Al ing British Airways owner IAG as the industry’s Danah account is open to Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti resi- response to climate change activists gathers momen- dents of Kuwait. Customers require a minimum of tum. “We’re doing this because it’s the responsible KD200 to open an account and the same amount should thing to do,” Qantas’ Chief Executive Alan Joyce said in be maintained for customers to be eligible for the upcoming Al Danah draws. a statement, calling climate change concerns “real”. IAG If the customer’s account balance falls below KD200 last month became the first major airline group to make at any given time, a KD2 fee will be charged to their the net zero by 2050 commitment, leading the way account monthly until the minimum balance is met. amid intense pressure from climate change activists Customers who open an account and/or deposit more such as Extinction Rebellion and teenager Greta will enter the weekly draw within two days. To take part Thunberg. in the Al Danah 2019 upcoming quarterly and yearly The high-profile debate has spurred increasing draws, customers must meet the required hold period for numbers of environmentally conscious travelers and each draw. investors, putting pressure on the aviation industry. The Customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 58 branches, broader industry has committed to halving emissions transfer online, place queries through the official Gulf by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. Qantas said it was Bank WhatsApp service on 65805805 or call the cus- looking to cap net emissions at 2020 levels and will tomer contact center on 1805805 for assistance and invest A$50 million ($34.3 million) over 10 years to guidance. Customers can visit the website to find out develop sustainable fuel to help lower carbon emissions more about Al Danah and its winners. by 80% compared with traditional jet fuel. try, with around 10% of customers choosing to offset investing in companies, and have started limiting expo- Australia’s national carrier has already experimented their flights through conservation and environmental sure to oil, gas and coal stocks. by flying a plane from Los Angeles to Melbourne using projects. The airline said it would now match every dol- In coordination with the International Air Transport mustard seed biofuel. “So we know the technology’s lar spent on offsets, effectively doubling the number of Association, which represents nearly 300 airlines, the Adidas shifts US possible,” Joyce told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “It’s flights offset. Air France and British Airways last month aviation industry is launching a campaign it hopes will to actually do it commercially and to do it on scale and said they would offset all emissions on their domestic counter a ‘flight shaming’ movement that has gained not impact the other environmental concerns like taking flights from 2020. momentum as travelers become more concerned about German, smart away from food crops or increasing the cost of food their environmental impact. The aviation industry has crops. That’s why it’ll take some time to get there.” ‘Flight shaming’ already cut carbon emissions from each plane traveler factories to Asia Qantas’ pledge coincided with an outbreak of deadly Airline companies are finding it harder to ignore in half since 1990, largely thanks to more fuel-efficient bushfires along Australia’s east coast, which experts growing scrutiny of their climate change policies by aircraft. Plane and engine makers are also working on have linked to climate change. Qantas said it operates investors. Fund managers, pension funds, sovereign plans for hybrid or all-electric engines to help lower FRANKFURT AM MAIN: Sportswear maker Adidas the largest carbon offset program in the aviation indus- wealth funds and others are showing greater care when emissions in the future. — Reuters announced yesterday it was closing two niche but flagship factories in Germany and the United States that use robots and 4D printing to make sneakers, shifting the manufactur- ing to cheaper Asian factories instead. The production of high-tech running shoes at its so-called speedfactories in China’s Jingye Group in Germany’s Ansbach and in the US city of Atlanta “will be discontinued by April 2020 at the latest”, Adidas said in a talks to buy British Steel statement. Just three years ago, the Bavaria-based group had hailed its speedfactory concept-which uses highly auto- BEIJING: China’s Jingye Group is in not get finalized,” he said. mated processes to make shoes more quickly, more cus- talks to buy British Steel, it said yester- “But it’s not a done deal.” No-one tomized and closer to sales outlets-as proof that manufac- day, in a deal estimated to be worth 70 from British Steel was immediately turing jobs could return to high-wage countries. But from million pounds ($90 million) that could available for comment. The company the end of this year, the speedfactory shoes will join protect thousands of British jobs. Any was put into compulsory liquidation on Adidas’ other models and be produced by existing suppli- agreement would be of major political May 22 after Greybull Capital, which ers in Asia, the group said. significance in Britain as it prepares to bought the firm for one pound from Tata Citing “advancements” made at the suppliers, the move elect a new government on Dec 12. The Steel three years ago, failed to secure would make production of the shoes “more flexible and lack of opportunities in northern funding to continue its operations. Its economic while simultaneously expanding the range of England, where British Steel is based, is closure would impact 5,000 jobs in SCUNTHORPE: A logo is pictured on a sign outside British Steel’s Scunthorpe products available”, Adidas executive board member an election issue, as the social gap Scunthorpe and a further 20,000 jobs in plant in north Lincolnshire, north east England. — AFP Martin Shankland said. The two speedfactories churn out between north and south widens. the supply chain. just a million of the roughly 400 million athletic shoes A deal is not yet finalized, Jingye said time to embrace cooperation with China, cheap Chinese imports. Britain has said it made by the group each year. The future of the Ansbach following a BBC report of an imminent Embrace China which is extending its international will leave the economic and political bloc, plant’s 160 workers is unclear at the moment. The factory is operated by the German technology firm 70 million pound ($90 million) agree- Turkey’s military pension fund OYAK reach through its Belt and Road global but has yet to agree a departure deal. An Oechsler, which has collaborated with Adidas on the proj- said in August it had reached a provi- development strategy. Chinese compa- advantage of Jingye, a multi-industry ment. A spokeswoman for Hebei-based ect. Oechsler CEO Claudius Kozlik said in the same state- nies have also bought a steel plant in business specialized in iron and steel, is Jingye Group, a private company, said sional agreement to take over British ment that he regretted Adidas’ pullout. But he stressed that she was unclear about the value and Steel but that deal has not been final- Serbia and its sole copper mine. that it knows the industry and has the the two companies would continue to work together on whether further details would be ized. Henri Murison, director of the Chinese ownership is contentious, ability to invest, industry sources say. soles for football shoes and 4D-printed soles. Like 3D announced this week. Gareth Stace, Northern Powerhouse Partnership, set especially in the steel industry. The With 23,500 employees and registered printing, 4D printing produces three-dimensional objects director general of industry lobby group up to boost the economy in the north of European Union, which does not include capital of 39 billion yuan ($5.58 billion), at the touch of a button but then goes further by creating UK Steel, also said nothing had been England, said a rescue deal would be Serbia, has sought to protect its own Jingye Group ranks 217th among the top materials that change properties when they come into finalized. “I would be surprised if it did “very welcome news”. He said it was steel industry from competition from 500 enterprises in China.— Reuters contact with triggers such as water or heat. — AFP 14 Established 1961 Business Tuesday, November 12, 2019 In Kimberley, the world’s diamond capital, illicit mining fight flounders First mining formalization project hits obstacles

KIMBERLEY: The first South African project to bring Reuters: “I’m not. We will have to assign somebody to stolen fences, petrol-bombed three Ekapa trucks, blocked “Our legislative framework is just missing in action illegal miners into the formal fold has been plagued by work on it.” He did not elaborate on what would have to access roads with rocks and burning tyres, and sabotaged when it comes to artisanal and small-scale mining,” said violence in diamond capital Kimberley, dealing a major be done, adding only: “I am not happy because it (informal a waste pipeline, shutting down its plant, according to David Perkins, an economist at Mining Dialogues 360, an blow to national efforts to stem a booming illicit trade. The mining) must be in the mainstream of mining, it must not Ekapa. Ekapa security teams have been attacked with NGO. Efforts to bring illegal mining into the mainstream project was launched 18 months ago in Kimberley, the site be in the periphery.” The project’s troubles also demon- knives, slingshots, rocks, petrol bombs and, in one instance, are also hindered by a lack of accurate data about how of a 19th-century diamond rush that lured fortune-seekers strate the perils of piecemeal formalization in a country a hunting rifle, the company said. Ramping up its defenses many are involved, what income they generate, and under from the world over. whose regulation of small-scale mining lags far behind its against illegal miners drove Ekapa’s security costs up to what conditions they work. Mine owners granted more than 800 unlicensed, or African counterparts. around 3 million rand ($200,160) before the project began, “We have so many people that we don’t even know informal, small-scale miners the right to legally mine and the company is again beefing up security. where they come from. That is the challenge we are hav- around 1,500 acres of diamond-rich waste fields. The aim ‘They come with weapons’ It has resorted to using alternative, longer routes for its ing,” said Northern Cape police commissioner of the government-backed scheme was to curb illegal Ekapa and Petra Diamonds, then a part-owner of the trucks, adding up to a heavy financial burden on the com- Lieutenant General Risimati Shivuri. Pontsho Ledwaba, mining and black-market trade of diamonds, and serve as mine, launched the initiative last year at Kimberley, in pany, said Ekapa Minerals CEO Jahn Hohne, in an inter- researcher at Wits University in Johannesburg, said there a blueprint for future attempts elsewhere in the country, view at their Kimberley headquarters. A police spokesman could be as many as 100,000 informal miners across not only in the diamond sector, but also potentially man- said its records show 22 criminal incidents linked to illegal South Africa. To plug this data gap the World Bank is ganese, gold and chrome. mining across Ekapa’s property and the area mined by pushing government to conduct a comprehensive study However the project has been hit by violence, with Illegal mining Batho Pele between March and October this year, includ- of artisanal mining, and may even fund it, two sources informal miners not included in the scheme attacking costs millions ing an attempted murder and three serious assaults. familiar with the matter told Reuters. infrastructure and even members of the newly licensed Members of the cooperative, who cannot afford formal “Accurate, reliable data is an essential first step to cooperative, according to mine owner Ekapa Minerals of dollars security, say they are also a target. “The problem that we understanding the sector, recognizing miners and for- which is running the initiative. The failure thus far of this are encountering now is from the other zama-zamas. They malizing their work,” said a World Bank spokeswoman. pilot scheme is a blow to wider corporate and govern- a year want to enter this thing with force,” said Batho Pele mem- “While the World Bank is in continuing dialogue with the mental efforts to bring South Africa’s estimated tens of ber Victor Taku. “They come here with weapons, others South African government, no study of the sector is thousands of informal miners, or “zama-zamas”, into the come here with firearms, others come here with a spade.” planned at this time.” Even should formalization projects mainstream, to boost productivity and curb crime. The 44-year-old dressed in orange overalls paid for his like that at Kimberley ultimately prove successful, anoth- Illicit mining and mineral trading cost around $1.5 bil- son’s university fees with the money he made mining. With er question looms in the longer term: What happens to lion a year in lost sales, taxes and royalties, according to Northern Cape Province, hoping to address the problem joblessness at an 11-year high and the economy in distress, the small-scale miners when the resources run out, and a 2017 estimate by industry group the Minerals Council, of an influx of zama-zamas - a Zulu-derived word which that income is out of reach for many South Africans. where do they go? and sees criminal networks exploit vulnerable workers loosely translates as “keep trying”. As much as 6 million The diamonds in the area of Kimberley mined by the struggling to make ends meet. While the government rands’ ($400,300) worth of diamonds were being taken Dearth of data cooperative, for example, are expected to run out in has always acted in an advisory capacity, it indicated it by illegal miners each month, Ekapa estimates. In a bid to The Ekapa project’s woes show the urgent need for the about five years. “Our dream is that, when we give the may now be forced to take a more active role in the stem that, the company formed 836 miners into the Batho government to provide clear policy on small-scale or land back to Ekapa, 90% of us will have something in project, the first to attempt so-called formalization in the Pele mining cooperative and gave them a license to mine “artisanal” mining using rudimentary techniques, cam- our pockets,” said 44-year-old miner Kagiso Nofomela, mining industry. the fields. But a year and a half later, the track record on paigners say. In contrast with other African countries such who hails from the town of Kuruman, about 145 miles Asked whether he was pleased with the results of the the ground is not promising. as Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania, away. “We must have money, cars, homes and our kids Ekapa project, minerals minister Gwede Mantashe told Illegal miners who are not part of the cooperative have South African law has no provisions for this. must be educated.” — Reuters

comfort. Accompanied by one-year Global Markets Report Special free comprehensive insurance in addi- tion to a five-year manufacture warran- November offers ty, free traffic registration and 3rd par- NBK Capital: ty insurance, the Nissan Maxima starts from only KD 8,750. from Nissan The 4-Door Sports car, Nissan Boursa Kuwait Maxima thrills fans with a 300 HP Al Babtain engine, 3.5L V6 cylinder, and 19” alu- achieves 2nd minum-alloy wheels. The front presents the signature boomerang-shaped head- KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al- lamps that feature a captivating LED best performance Babtain Co (AABC), the sole authorized signature line that stays illuminated at dealer of Nissan in the State of Kuwait, all times. November offers include the KUWAIT: The performance of the GCC mar- is pleased to announce its latest cam- perfect desert companion Nissan Patrol kets was largely negative in October in a con- paign that is applicable on the Nissan - Safari, which gives its drivers high tinuation of a general weakness which has been Maxima, Nissan X-Trail and Nissan on-road performance, providing maxi- prevailing since the end of April. The S&P GCC Patrol Safari models. Starting from only mum speed and power. Index declined by 2.67% during the month KD 6,450, the family vehicle Nissan X- Special desert package offers avid the third quarter. to a low of 1.42% during the first week of almost exhausting all of the positive year-to- Trail comes with four years of free campers with relevant equipment to In the US, preliminary third quarter GDP October before recovering steadily and closing date performance that was accumulated during service, a five-year manufacture war- challenge any obstacles he/she might estimates show an advance of 1.9% on an annu- the month at 1.52%. the first few months of the year. ranty, free traffic registration and 3rd face in the desert, ensuring overall con- alized basis compared to a consensus estimate In Europe, the ECB left rates unchanged dur- The Index’ performance since the beginning party insurance. venience in addition to a five-year of 1.6% and a second quarter advance of 2.0%. ing its October meeting but gave a very nega- of the year now stands at 0.49%. Leading the The popular model gives young fam- manufacture warranty, free traffic reg- Inflation showed an uptick as core PCE for the tive assessment of the outlook of the European decline was the Saudi Tadawul All Share Index ilies and adventure-seekers more pre- istration and 3rd party insurance. third quarter came in at a preliminary 2.2% up economy. During his last ECB policy meeting which lost 4.30% in October turning negative mium style options such as the choice Nissan Al Babtain invites everyone to from 1.9% for the second quarter. The ISM before stepping down, president Mario Draghi for the year at -1.06%. It was followed by Qatar between the five or seven-seat version visit its showrooms in Al Rai and manufacturing PMI, on the hand, bounced back warned that slowing global growth and uncer- Exchange Index and Dubai DFM General Index as well as five new vibrant exterior Ahmadi to discover new experiences slightly from 47.8 recorded in September to tainty over Brexit are threatening the euro-zone with declines of -1.72% and -1.23% respectively. vehicle shades, unrivalled space and through the new deals. On the positive side, Abu Dhabi’s ADX 48.3 in October but was still below expectations economic growth, especially with a weak General Index was the best performer with a of 48.9. Employment figures also showed signs German economy, saying that the risks are “all gain of 1.0%, followed by Kuwait All Share of stabilization in the US economy which added to the downside”. Index which added 0.68% and Bahrain Bourse 128,000 jobs during October against expecta- Preliminary European GDP figures for the US aviation authority downgrades All Share Index with a marginal gain of 0.44%. tions of 89,000, while average hourly earnings third quarter showed a year-on-year growth The wider S&P Pan Arab index slightly outper- continued to recover recording a 3.0% increase rate of 1.1% down from 1.2% for the second formed its GCC counterpart with a loss of year-on-year. The unemployment rate ticked quarter. Inflation ticked slightly upwards as pre- Malaysia air safety rating 2.30% supported by a positive performance in marginally higher to 3.6% from 3.5% during the liminary figures showed the Consumer Price Egypt as the EGX 30 added 2.11%. Emerging previous month. The US Federal Reserve cut Index increasing by 1.1% in October from 1.0% markets strongly outperformed in October led interest rates for the third time this year by a in September. Manufacturing activity remains by the performance of Asian markets. quarter of a percentage point to a range of weak with the Markit Manufacturing PMI The MSCI EM Index advanced by 4.09%, 1.50% to 1.75%. unchanged from the previous month at 45.7. while the MSCI Asia ex-Japan Index added The Fed Chair indicated that the rate cut was The German economy is still weighing down 4.49%. The two indices are up by 7.89% and done to help sustain US growth but clearly sig- significantly. Germany’s Markit Manufacturing 8.20% for the year respectively. The Russian naled that there would be no further cuts “as PMI increased marginally to 41.9 in October up Stock Exchange recovered strongly with an long as incoming information about the econo- from 41.7 while the unemployment rate stabi- advance of 5.34% during the month while the my remains broadly consistent with our out- lized at 5.0%. Despite this generally negative Taiwan Stock Exchange Index added 4.89%. look”. US Indices advanced steadily during picture, European markets managed to record a other notable movers include the India’s Nifty October and reached new all-time highs shortly good performance during the month. The Stoxx 50 which advanced by 3.51% and Turkey’s after the close of the month boosted by strong Europe 600 advanced by 0.92% bringing its Boursa Istanbul 100 Index which declined by - US economic data. The S&P 500 added 2.04% year-to-date performance to 17.5%. The 6.25% slashing its year-to-date return by half while the Down Jones Industrial Average under- German DAX and French CAC 40 added 3.53% from 15.1% last month to 7.9% in October. performed with an advance of 0.48%. The two and 0.92% respectively. Global financial markets found support dur- indices are now up 21.2% and 15.9% since the Markets in the UK bucked the global trend ing October in easing trade tensions between beginning of the year. as the FTSE 100 saw a -2.16% decline during the US and China, a diminishing risk of no-deal The Nasdaq strongly outperformed advanc- October. The Gfk Consumer Confidence Index Brexit, and expectations of a Fed rate cut which ing by 3.7% during October and 25.0% for the declined to -14 against expectations of -13 and was realized at the end of the month. The MSCI year. In the treasury market, the 10-year yield a September level of -12. Inflation numbers for KUALA LUMPUR: Workers set up iron scaffoldings at a building construction site in AC World Index added 2.64% during October, closed the month virtually unchanged at 1.69% September came in unchanged at 1.70%, while Kuala Lumpur. — AFP bringing its year to date performance to compared to 1.67% at the end of September the Markit Manufacturing PMI continued its 17.28%. Emerging markets also rallied and the after declining from a month high of 1.85% after improvement and climbed to 49.6 in October KUALA LUMPUR: The US Federal the Southeast Asian country achieve MSCI Emerging Markets Index advanced by the Fed decision to cut rates. On the shorter end against consensus estimates of it dropping back Aviation Administration (FAA) has down- international standards that would give it 4.09% after having declined by 5.11% during of the curve, the two-year rate initially declined to 48.1 from 48.3 in September. graded Malaysia’s air safety rating, the top Category 1 rating. The new rating restricting the country’s airlines from means the air carriers from the country a rare interview. expand the canal, “purchasing 64 billion adding flights to the United States, four cannot start new services and are Century and half “We give credit to Ferdinand de Lesseps Egyptian pounds (3.5 million euros, $3.8 million) sources familiar with the matter and a US restricted to current levels of any exist- for putting forward the idea,” he said, referring of investment certificates within eight days”. government official said yesterday. The ing service to the United States. The car- on, Suez Canal is to the French diplomat who masterminded the Thanks to that project, transit time has now FAA’s safety rating is based on a coun- riers would also be subject to additional waterway dug over a decade between 1859 to been cut from 22 to 11 hours, and the number of try’s aviation oversight regime and is an inspections at US airports. 1869. But he insisted it was thanks to the vessels crossing daily has increased from an assessment of the country’s civil aviation FAA will also not allow reciprocal ‘lifeline’ for Egypt “genius” of the Egyptian people that the proj- average of 40-45 to 60-65 giant tankers, he authority. The Civil Aviation Authority of code-sharing arrangements between US ect really came to life. “It was a miracle by all said. Nowadays, container ships account for Malaysia and the FAA did not immediate- carriers and Malaysian carriers when a ISMAILIA: One hundred and fifty years after accounts to excavate a 164-kilometre-long more than half of the canal’s total traffic, with ly respond to a request for comment. country is rated Category 2. The down- the Suez Canal opened, the international canal in 10 years with rudimentary tools,” he some of them being among the largest in the Malaysia’s transport ministry did not have grade places Malaysia in the same FAA waterway is hugely significant to the economy said. “A quarter of Egyptians took part in the world reaching a capacity of up to 23,000 TEU an immediate comment. Malaysia has category as neighbour Thailand, which of modern-day Egypt, which nationalized it in excavations, that was about a million citizens (twenty-foot equivalent unit). been downgraded to Category 2, said the was downgraded to Category 2 in 1956. The canal, which links the Mediterranean out of the population of 4.5 million people at Giant oil tankers carrying more than sources, who did not want to be identi- December 2015 and has since tried to the Red Sea, was opened to navigation in that time.” 200,000 tons can now transit through the fied as they were not authorized to speak unsuccessfully to restore the Category 1 1869 and was expanded in 2015 to accommo- “Between 100,000 to 120,000 died,” Rabie canal as well. Authorities have also sought to to the media. A US government official rating. Other countries in Category 2 date larger ships. Dug in the 19th century added, highlighting that many succumbed to develop the Sinai Peninsula, which lies on the said the FAA would make an official include Bangladesh, Ghana and Costa using “rudimentary tools,” the canal has today disease. Experts however dispute those figures eastern edge of the canal. “We have also dug announcement on Tuesday. Rica. At present, the only Malaysian air- become “a lifeline for Egypt and countries saying the fatalities were poorly documented. In six tunnels under the Suez Canal to facilitate The official said the US government line route to the United States is AirAsia around the world,” Admiral Osama Rabie, 2015, Egyptians threw their support behind movement crossing to and from the Sinai,” was working with the Civil Aviation X Bhd services from Kuala Lumpur to head of the Suez Canal Authority, told AFP in President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s project to Rabie said. — AFP Authority of Malaysia and would help Honolulu via Osaka. — Reuters 15 Established 1961

Travel Tuesday, November 12, 2019

celand’s landscape is one of the most evocative on the planet - mist shrouded cliff-sides, inky black beaches, ghostly blue glaciers. All of it creates an Iunrivaled sense of atmosphere, so it’s only appropri- ate that your Iceland road trip has a soundtrack just as majestic.

The classic Ring Road For such a wild, wonderful land, much of Iceland is surprisingly compact; the classic Ring Road trip loops you near the most popular sights. With extra time, you can add on myriad adventures along the way.

The Golden Circle and the Southwest The beautiful Golden Circle and southwest has many of Iceland’s most legendary natural wonders, and the further you go the better it gets. Tourist faves such as Pingvellir, the former Icelandic parliament at the meet- ing of tectonic plates, are just beyond the capital. Churning seas lead to the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Then, at the region’s far reaches, you’ll discover the powerful Hekla and Eyjafjallajokull volcanoes, the adventure bases of Skogar and Vik, and the hidden val- leys of Porsmork and Landmannalaugar.

Southeast Iceland The 200km stretch of Ring Road from Kirkjubaejarklaustur to Hofn is mind-blowing, trans- porting you across stark deltas of grey glacial sand, lagoons. The only thing you won’t pass is a town - but Akureyri, with its surprising moments of big-city living; past lost-looking farms, around the toes of craggy there are properties offering brilliant activities, accom- windy pastures full of stout Viking horses; white-water mountains, and alongside glacier tongues and ice-filled modation and meals (book well ahead, as beds here are rapids ready to deliver an adrenaline kick; unhyped and in hot demand). underpopulated ski fields; moon-like lava fields and belching mudpots; and lonely peninsulas stretching out East Iceland toward the Arctic Circle. Most travelers hit the accelerator and follow the Ring Road as it ploughs through the east, but they’re West Iceland missing some gems. This is a region that rewards slow Geographically close to ReykjavÌk yet far, far away travel: prepare yourself for superb vistas as the road in sentiment, West Iceland (known as Vesturland) is a skirts mountain peaks, steep-sided fjords, black-sand splendid blend of Iceland’s offerings. Two of the best beaches and broad valleys. Stop to admire tiny fishing known sagas, Egil’s Saga and Laxdaela Saga, took villages bathed in creativity and to investigate ancient place along the region’s brooding waters, marked today geology. by haunting cairns and an exceptional museum in lively Borgarnes. The long arm of Snaefellsnes Peninsula, North Iceland inland lava tubes and remote highland glaciers are The region’s top sights are variations on two themes: added enticements. a grumbling, volcanically active Earth, and ice and water wending their way toward the ocean. Nature’s masterpieces are everywhere you look. Take in little 16 Health & Science Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Bangladesh plants defense ‘trees’ as deadly lightning strikes surge GHIOR: Along the rutted village roads of this sub-dis- 500 palms, he said. “This is a preemptive measure by and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum said by its tally trict in central Bangladesh, one plant stands out: young the government to cut loss of lives to lightning,” Baten 246 people had died between February and August this palm trees. Hundreds have been planted since 2017 in said, standing along a road lined with young palms. So year, based on media reports. South Korea bans liquid an effort to combat one of Bangladesh’s fastest-grow- far, Bangladesh’s disaster management department has In 2017, the death toll was 307, almost double the ing disaster threats - a surge in deadly lightning strikes. supported sowing of 4.8 million palms nationwide, number in 2015, government data showed. Mohammad In Bangladesh, moist and hot air flowing from the Bay exceeding an initial target of 1 million, an agency offi- Mohsin, a disaster ministry additional secretary, said as e-cigs on army bases of Bengal and colder, heavier air descending from the cial said. people learned more about the threat they were taking Himalayas have long collided in lightning-sparking steps to lower their risk. “The number one factor is SEOUL: The South Korean Army has banned the use and pos- thunderstorms, said Murad Ahmed Farukh, an environ- Rising fears awareness,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, session of liquid e-cigarettes on its bases for health reasons, mental scientist at Bangladesh Agricultural University. Still, lightning continues to cause deaths in Ghior in an interview at his office in downtown Dhaka. the military said yesterday, following a government warning for But as the atmosphere warms as a result of climate sub-district, most recently claiming 55-year-old That is playing out in the country’s economy, he people to stop using the devices. South Korea has a large mili- change, and holds more moisture, deadly lightning Mongol Chandra Sarker in August as he walked to a said. Last year, farmers in Sunamganj, a wetland-dot- tary of nearly 600,000 soldiers, primarily conscripted men, and strikes are happening more frequently than before, pond to bathe. Abdul Baten, a 57-year-old farmer, said ted northeastern district considered the country’s turning lightning into one of the South Asian nation’s he now leaves his fields if it begins to rain. lightning capital, had difficulty finding enough workers the Army makes up the largest portion with 464,000. While the deadliest disasters. Last year, around 360 people in Unlike in the past, “now we go back home as soon at harvest season, he said. Farukh, the environmental rate is declining, South Korean men are among the heaviest Bangladesh were killed by lightning strikes - more as we see dark clouds in the sky,” he said. So does scientist, however, said the introduction of a fast-grow- smokers in the world. than by floods or cyclones, according to the nation’s brick kiln worker Abdul Latif, 55, who said he had not ing rice in wetland districts - one that can be harvested The Health Ministry issued an advisory last month urging disaster ministry. In 2016, 80 people died in a single heard about climate change but could see the weather in April, before the May and June peak lightning sea- people to stop using liquid e-cigarettes citing cases of lung stormy day. getting warmer. Azad Mia, of nearby Kalia village, son - was likely to save lives. Besides causing deaths, injuries in the United States including fatalities. The ministry Ghior is now one of the communities trying to find blamed the growing lightning menace on the felling of lightning strikes leave many of their victims perma- said it would conduct studies to determine whether there was a ways to cut the risks, in part by planting fast-growing large trees in the area as people created space for new nently impaired with burn scars, hearing loss and neu- scientific basis to ban the sales of liquid e-cigarettes, which palm trees that can divert strikes away from people. homes or rice fields. “Now taller trees such as date rological difficulties, medical experts say. vaporize liquid containing nicotine. Local authorities began sowing palm seeds in 2017 in palm, betel nut, coconut and fan palm have almost van- Mojibur Rahman, a next-door neighbor of Sarker, A pneumonia case of a 30-year old South Korean e-ciga- response to a call from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ished,” he said, noting that such trees once attracted the man who died in a lightning strike in August, still rette user was reported last month, according to the ministry. who also urged that buildings be constructed with lightning away from people. suffers hearing loss in his right ear and a burn on his A day after the government warning, a major convenience earthing systems, to discharge electricity from light- left side after lighting hit him five years ago as he was store chain GS25 suspended the sale of flavored liquid e-cig- ning strikes to the ground. Lightning protection meas- Preventing deaths fishing. “I became senseless at the lightning flash,” said arettes made by US company Juul Labs and South Korean ures are now part of the country’s national disaster But rising awareness of the risks may have begun to the 35-year old, who now peddles fruit for a living. “It company KT&G. E-cigarettes have been gaining popularity in management plan and its National Building Code. cut the numbers of deaths. As of mid-September, about was so powerful that the railings of a nearby bridge the country’s $16 billion tobacco market since 2017, account- Abdul Baten, an elected official in Ghior, has used 180 people had died in lightning strikes this year, down collapsed,” the bare-chest man recalled, standing in ing for 13% of the tobacco market by sales as of June, govern- $500 from the Ministry of Disaster Management and from about 360 last year, according to disaster min- front of the iron shed where he lives with his wife and ment data show. — Reuters Relief’s food-for-work program to grow more than istry figures. Dhaka campaign group Save the Society three children. — Reuters 17

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

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Stars Tuesday, November 12, 2019

CROSSWORD 2357 STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22)

In taking care of business, it is important to stay focused. There is a sense Your career could assume a much more determined and solid form. This is a of emotional coolness or detachment at the personal level. It is ideas that count for you real time to buckle down and firm up your career goals. Your own ambition and drive now, more than narrowly personal concerns-and you may have little tolerance for peo- are strong. You are able to use good reasonable thinking and make good choices. You ple who do not function at this level. You do not waste words today as communications can get a faster push forward by taking the right kind of action; you are positive and tend to be short and to the point. Take time to be specific and ask for feedback so that attentive. By working at a steady pace you will make a lot of progress. This afternoon you can be sure you were clear in your instructions to others. Take care of every last you may find yourself advising or guiding another. Your spontaneity and unpredictabili- detail by proofing, or if possible, exchanging your work with someone else and proof- ty make you interesting to a group gathering this evening. You are independent and the ing the other’s work. Develop and use your critical faculties. way you come across to others creates an opportunity to teach and guide. You find some time to enjoy some simple exercise before retiring tonight.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Inventions, in particular in communications, perhaps by updating comput- ers and electronics, may be a path of temptation to move into some type of new profes- You may find that a particular project is just not your cup of tea this sion. There are clear perspectives into your present reality, making situations easier to morning. You take your turn and may have the opportunity to suggest a rotation routine understand. You are tolerant and accepting of differences and have good insights into so that you are not always called on to do things you do not want to do every day. A problems. Independent, you like to promote and compromise and otherwise show your good sport attitude may be all-important just now. Outwardly you are intense and pas- desire and abilities to understand others. You may be unconventional in matters of philos- sionate and this quality is so essential to your character that all else revolves around it. ophy and religion-always finding new ways to get past the fluff. You must understand, This is what makes you popular when your work or personal partners want to move however, that your insights into truth and the eternal make you a loner at times. forward and get things accomplished. This afternoon you and your neighbors may decide that this next weekend would be perfect for a cookout.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) This is a time of good fortune when things open up in a very natural way for you. Opportunities are plenty and you may find yourself wanting and able to do You are in tune with the practical issues in the workplace today. A firm almost anything. This is one of those days that everything blends together and results are sense of direction will help get you to your destination. This is a great time ACROSS DOWN the best they can be. Now . . . Here are some real opportunities to complete and work out to be working in groups. You may be sought after as a guide or leader. You could be most persuasive with others and charismatic in speech and communication. You could 1. System of measurement based on cen- 1. Large dark-striped tropical food and game difficulties and projects that require both long-term effort and a high degree of disci- pline. This is also a day that is good for most job-related events. You could represent or come up with new solutions or inventions, and it is good that you are willing to listen to timeters and grams and seconds. fish related to remoras. speak for your company at this time. Any personal matters you want to accomplish or the ideas of others. It is ideas that count for you now, more than narrowly personal con- 4. (Hinduism) Term of respect for a Brahmin 2. A Russian prison camp for political prison- business matters that need tending will also certainly end in positive ways. Tonight would cerns. Family needs are important and there is no question about attending a family event this evening. Praise and support encourages a loved one to achieve the best. sage. ers. be a good time to pal around with some of your friends-maybe sports. 11. Being or occurring in fact or actuality. 3. An advantageous purchase. 15. Not in. 4. Some point in the air. 16. A ship with a reinforced bow to break up 5. A radioactive element of the actinide Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) ice and keep channels open for naviga- series. You are in control of your day, especially when interacting with superiors. Be satisfied with the ordinary and usual for now. Novel ideas or insights tion. 6. Goddess of the dead and queen of the could be more damaging than useful. There is hectic emotional energy 17. At or constituting a border or edge. You may find that you enjoy your job or the responsibility it requires. It is ideas that underworld. count for you now, more than narrowly personal concerns. You are at your most prac- prevailing, but it is only temporary. After the workday is over, you could be tempted to 18. Lose blood from one's body. 7. Dwell (archaic). tical when it comes to dealing and working with others. You know just what to do and relieve stress by purchasing some items. There is a greater appreciation for things of value and the idea of value itself is in order. This could be a period of great material 19. A linear unit (1/40 inch) used to measure 8. Provide with clothes or put clothes on. can act without haste. Your ideal dream is a private one and heaven is as close as work and family. The romantic in you struggles against the frontier spirit that often moves gain; it is certainly a time when material things have a great deal of importance for you. diameter of buttons. 9. Genus of economically important tropical If you are on a budget, give yourself twenty-four hours before making your final pur- 20. Weak-stemmed plant that derives sup- you to action. You will continue to develop a knack for organizing things and people as plants. a sense of ambition and practicality deepens. chase decision. port from climbing, twining, or creeping 10. Spider monkeys. along a surface. 11. A new appraisal or evaluation. 21. A plant hormone promoting elongation of 12. Make editorial changes (in a text). stems and roots. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 13. God of fire. 22. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 14. The sediment from fermentation of an Your dreams and ideals are very important to you. You may be more Anyone who tries to get you to play with words is in for a big surprise. 24. Inflammation of the ileum. alcoholic beverage. focused on your goals now than ever before. You busy yourself putting those plans of Your mind cuts right through all the window dressing and gets right down 26. (Greek mythology) One of the three yours to work. You will notice that you have become more focused in your work lately. to the quick. Before anyone knows it, you have the heart of the matter out front for 23. The basic unit of money in Gambia. Graces. This afternoon, when you show up early for a family get-together, they may be sur- everyone to see. You would make a great investigator, either in scientific research or 25. Take or catch as if in a snare or trap. 28. A flammable colorless gaseous alkene. prised as well as pleased that you broke free from your projects in order to be with undercover work. It makes no difference. Your ability to get to the point is all but phe- them. You are intuitively learning your limits as well as implementing a balance in your nomenal. You can talk and put into words areas of the psychological that others would 29. Agency of the United States government 27. An associate degree in nursing. 30. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or BB life. There is time this evening for making a few special plans that will help you com- not touch. You have an urge to put out to sea and to somehow get past what separates charged with mediating disputes plete one or two of your goals. You may find yourself putting your whole heart into and into that which unites or ties things together. between management and labor. gun. making your dreams and ideals a reality. Much can be accomplished without stress. 31. German chemist (1853-1932). 32. A grant made by a law court. 35. A label made of cardboard or plastic or 33. Spring-loaded doorlock that can only be Virgo (August 23-September 22) metal. opened from the outside with a key. Pisces (February 19-March 20) 38. The superior of an abbey of monks. 34. Causing fear or dread or terror. 41. The waging of armed conflict against an 36. A woman hired to suckle a child of some- Saying or writing with style comes natural to you these days. New words Your successful optimism is obvious and therefore, catching. You see posi- one else. to increase your vocabulary expertise can be a fun activity between you and a friend or tive results from your hard work today. Family, home, relatives and real estate play a big enemy. co-worker. Your ability to discriminate real breakthroughs and spot new trends makes 37. Of or relating to or produced by or being part in your life now. Perhaps you have been planning a move and someone calls with 42. A sum of money paid in compensation for you able to work in areas that are at the very fringe of technology as well as psycholo- information on just the right home for you. You work to show off your skills and you loss or injury. a gene. gy. You love all that is new and different and electronics, computers, communication-in enjoy the praise you receive. This time marks a change of direction for you, away from 45. The blood group whose red cells carry 39. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake fact, everything electrical is where your attention stays focused most of this day. There the material and glitter, toward inner needs and security. Your intuition is strong and can both the A and B antigens. Chad. is a desire for variety this evening, particularly where it applies to romantic experience guide you accurately in making forecasts or decisions; allow this to work for you. You and artistic tastes. A sociable, congenial, slightly frivolous orientation sets in now. You 40. A Russian river. will find yourself more concerned with maintaining and strengthening your position, 46. The wrist bone in line with the 4th and will enjoy the interaction of friends tonight. rather than pushing outward. These next few months are for friends. 5th fingers. 43. Period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6. 48. Someone paddling a canoe. 44. Mar or spoil the appearance of. 50. Type genus of the Percidae. 47. A field where grass or alfalfa are grown Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 51. A criminal who takes property belonging to be made into hay. to someone else with the intention of 49. (Italian cookery) Squid prepared as food. keeping it or selling it. 53. A small piece of cloth. 52. Any of various strong liquors distilled 54. A blow that renders the opponent uncon- from the fermented sap of toddy palms scious. or from fermented molasses. 57. The female or generative principle. 55. A condition (mostly in boys) character- 58. A large bonnet that shades the face. ized by behavioral and learning disor- 60. United States author (born 1932). ders. 62. (of complexion) Blemished by imperfec- 56. People having the same social or eco- tions of the skin. nomic status. 65. Minute aquatic herbs floating on or 59. Using the voice. below the water surface of still water 61. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. consisting of a leaflike frond or plant 63. Argentinian cariama. body and single root. 64. Music performed for dancing the polka. 66. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on 68. A member of one of the four divisions of a skewer usually with vegetables. the prehistoric Greeks. 67. Jordan's port. 71. Occurring during the middle of the week. 69. The (prehensile) extremity of the superi- 73. Bite or chew on with the teeth. or limb. 74. European annual grown for forage. 77. A master's degree in business. 70. Distant in either space or time. 78. A Russian river. 72. Plants with sword-shaped leaves and 79. Of or relating to Tantrism. erect stalks bearing bright-colored flow- 80. Tag the base runner to get him out. ers composed of three petals and three 81. Founder of Christian Science in 1866 drooping sepals. (1821-1910). 75. The compass point midway between 82. Specify individually. northeast and east. 83. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 76. What you can repeat immediately after from aba cloth. perceiving it.

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Established 1961 Lifestyle

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019

US singer/songwriter Pink reacts as her son Jameson Moon Hart runs towards her as she gets ready to pose with the People’s Champion Award during the 45th annual E! People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. — AFP

British rocker Pete Doherty alid Abu Rashed walks past bombed-out build- have wrought chaos for children, destroying schools and Hold back tears Wings in war-torn northwest Syria, carrying a large scattering destitute families across the countryside. A few months later, Abu Rashed organized his first solo arrested in Paris wooden board and a plastic bag filled with pup- Hundreds of people have been displaced since April alone, puppet show in a camp for the displaced in the country- pets while dozens of children trail behind him. The 26 when the government and its Russian backer upped their side of neighboring Latakia province. “I couldn’t hold year-old’s mobile puppet theatre has become a small deadly bombardment of the jihadist-dominated enclave. back my tears when I heard the long applause after the rench police arrested British rocker Pete respite from war for the children of Saraqib, a town in the According to Save The Children, the bombing since late show ended,” he said. “At that moment, I decided to con- Doherty after a drunken brawl in Paris jihadist-run province of Idlib. After school, they gather April has damaged or otherwise impacted around 90 edu- tinue performing in every spot in Syria I could reach.” He FSunday, a day after they released him fol- amidst the rubble, clapping their hands, as the theatre cational facilities, while dozens more are being used as has since become a mainstay in Saraqib, where frequent lowing cocaine bust, prosecutors and his lawyer actor puts on a show from behind his makeshift puppet shelters for those displaced by the violence. A ceasefire power cuts have left children with few sources of enter- said. Doherty, 40, the front man of the stand, a flashy yellow wig covering his black hair. announced by Moscow on August 31 has reduced air tainment. Libertines, was arrested for assaulting a man The war-weary children sing along to a tune blasting strikes, but sporadic shelling and flare-ups persist. Before He recalled a recent exchange with a young member of while drunk, said the Paris prosecutors’ office from a speaker as hand puppets of a lion and a mouse pop the Syrian conflict started in 2011, Abu Rashed wanted to his audience, who asked him why his toys at home didn’t His lawyer Arash Derambarsh said Doherty was up from a square hole carved at the centre of the wooden attend the Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts in Damascus- speak the same way Abu Rashed’s puppets do. “He insist- arrested after a fight with another man who was board. “How sweet it is to live well and in peace,” they the country’s most prominent theatre school. ed that his toys participate in the next show so they can also drunk, who had filed a complaint for chant in unison. Packing up his kit after the show, Abu “I won the award for best theatre actor in Idlib in 2011 learn how to speak and dance,” Abu Rashed said. While he assault against him. Rashed says theatre is a form of resistance. and the horizons of my future in the arts started to take holds most of his shows outside, the puppet master has After being released Saturday from custody “Theatre is an integral part of the culture and civiliza- shape,” he said, lighting a cigarette. “But I chose to stand recently turned the basement of his home into an alterna- following an arrest for possession of cocaine, tion of Idlib,” he told AFP, as the children around him with the revolution and join the protesters, because the- tive performance space for when the bombing spikes. Doherty “went home then went out again to clamored for pictures. “I will fight tyrants through art.” atre can deliver a message under oppressive rule.” Instead Gathering outdoors during heavy air strikes, he said, is have a drink”, the lawyer added. But because of Nearby, 10-year-old Mina Malak said the show had of attending university, he joined a troupe of theatre akin to suicide. But that does not deter him. “I promise the detox treatment he has been following for a offered her much-needed relief. “His shows make us actors by the name of the Magic Caravan. They performed you these shows will not stop,” he said. — AFP month he cannot hold his drink, said laugh,” she said. “It helps us forget the bombardment.” plays for out-of-school children living in displacement Derambarsh. Doherty was first arrested in the camps near the border with Turkey, before disbanding in early hours of Friday morning when Paris police Magic Caravan 2014 after their founder was killed by a regime barrel caught him just after he had bought cocaine. Years of fighting and displacement in Idlib province bomb that fell near Abu Rashed’s home. The singer opted for a simplified procedure for people caught using drugs, agreeing to pay daily 50-euro fines for 100 days, failing which he will be jailed, the Paris prosecutors’ office said. A judge still has to sign off on that deal, however. Derambarsh said on Saturday that his client, who is at the start of a major tour, had agreed to undergo full-time a medical treat- ment for his addiction to avoid a relapse. The bad boy of British rock-as famous for having dated supermodel Kate Moss as for his music-has repeatedly made headlines for drugs offences. In 2012, he was thrown out of a luxury rehab clinic in Thailand after claims he was a bad influence on other patients and did not try hard enough to kick his heroin habit.—AFP

Syrian puppeteer Walid Abu Rashed performs a puppet act for children amid the rubble of damaged buildings in Syria’s northwestern city of Saraqib in the Idlib province. — AFP photos 20 Established 1961 Lifestyle Awards Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Cole Sprouse US singer/songwriter Pink Noah Centineo Zendaya

he 40-year-old star - born Alecia Moore - was pre- sented with the People’s Champion Award on the Tnight at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, and she used her acceptance speech to urge others to “stop fight- ing each other and to help each other”. Pink - who was accompanied at the ceremony by her husband Carey Hart, and their eight-year-old daughter Willow and two-year- old son Jameson - told the crowd: “It is an absolute honor to be getting this award. I grew up in a family of activists and I know that one person can make a difference. “There is so much to be done. I don’t care about your politics, I care about your kids. I care about decency and humanity and kindness. “Kindness today is an act of rebellion. There are peo- ple who don’t have what you have, help them get it. There is a planet that needs help, it feels good to help. Stop fighting each other and help each other. “Get together with your friends and change the world.” In the movie category, ‘Avengers: Endgame’ picked up a hat-trick of prizes, including the coveted Movie of 2019 gong. The motion picture also won Action Movie of 2019 and one of the film’s big stars Robert Downey Jr. won Male Movie Star of 2019. He dedicated his award to the “late, great Stan Lee”, the US comic book writing legend who passed away in November 2018 aged 95. He said: “Well look, I just got to come up here and open the show so I’ll just say thank you Disney, thank you Marvel, thank you Russo brothers. “And most of all, to the late, great Stan Lee, this is for you, bud- dy.” Spider-Man: Far From Home’s Tom Holland and BLACKPINK were the big winners on the night, taking Zendaya took the Action Movie Star of 2019 and Female (Left to right) Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, home Group of 2019, Music Video of 2019 for ‘Kill This Movie Star of 2019 accolades respectively, and she also Khloe Kardashian and Kim Kardashian Love’ and Concert Tour of 2019 for their ‘BLACKPINK won the Drama TV Star of 2019 award. 2019 World Tour’. Harry Styles won the aptly-named Style Elsewhere in the TV category, ‘Stranger Things’ was Star of 2019 trophy, and Olympian Simone Biles was the big winner, taking home the coveted Show of 2019 named Game Changer of 2019. — Bang Showbiz prize, and Drama Show of 2019. And Millie Bobby Brown, US actress Lucy Hale who plays Eleven in the Netflix sci-fi series, won the Female TV Star of 2019 gong. In the music category,

US actress Anne Winters Sarah Hyland Jimmy Fallon Kelsea Ballerini Established 1961 21 Lifestyle Awards Tuesday, November 12, 2019

People’s Champion Award: Pink People’s Icon of 2019: Jennifer Aniston Fashion Icon of 2019: Gwen Stefani

Movie Categories Movie of 2019: Avengers: Endgame Comedy Movie of 2019: Murder Mystery Action Movie of 2019: Avengers: Endgame Drama Movie of 2019: After Family Movie of 2019: Aladdin Male Movie Star of 2019: Robert Downey Jr., Avengers: Endgame Female Movie Star of 2019: Zendaya, Spider-Man: Far From Home Drama Movie Star of 2019: Cole Sprouse, Five Feet Apart Comedy Movie Star of 2019: Noah Centineo, The Perfect Date Action Movie Star of 2019: Tom Holland, Spider-Man: Far From Home Animated Movie Star of 2019: Beyonce, The Lion King

TV Categories Show of 2019: Stranger Things Drama Show of 2019: Stranger Things Comedy Show of 2019: The Big Bang Theory KJ Apa Reality Show of 2019: Keeping Up with the Kardashians Competition Show of 2019: America’s Got Talent Male TV Star of 2019: Cole Sprouse, Riverdale Female TV Star of 2019: Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things, Drama TV Star of 2019: Zendaya, Euphoria US singers/songwriters Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton Comedy TV Star of 2019: Kristen Bell, The Good Place Daytime Talk Show of 2019: The Ellen DeGeneres Show Nighttime Talk Show of 2019: Jimmy Fallon Competition Contestant of 2019: Hannah Brown, The Bachelorette Reality TV Star of 2019: Khloe Kardashian, Keeping Up With the Kardashians Bingeworthy Show of 2019: Outlander Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show of 2019: Shadowhunters

Music Categories Male Artist of 2019: Shawn Mendes Female Artist of 2019: Billie Eilish he ‘What You Waiting For’ hitmaker was honored at an outfit by new designer LaQuan Smith, a gold bralette Group of 2019: BLACKPINK the music ceremony at the Barker Hangar in Santa which she teamed with a sheer top. She accessorized Album of 2019: Taylor Swift, Lover TMonica, California on Sunday night. The singer wore with a Judith Leiber dollar note clutch bag, which cost a Song of 2019: Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, ‘SeÒorita’ a beautiful white Vera Wang dress, which was completed whopping $5,695. Kourtney Kardashian chose an outfit Country Artist of 2019: Blake Shelton with a statement ruffled train that had the words ‘Fashion by designer Naeem Khan, a stunning two part embel- Latin Artist of 2019: Becky G Icon’ written on it. The dress was partnered with velvet lished suit. Music Video of 2019: ‘Kill This Love’, BLACKPINK thigh-high black boots and matching long black gloves. Meanwhile, another big winner at the event, Pink Concert Tour of 2019: BLACKPINK: BLACKPINK 2019 World Tour Elsewhere, Zendaya impressed with a beautiful one-shoul- arrived on the red carpet with her entire family. For herself, dered gown by Christopher Esber. The stunning outfit she opted for a pastel pink and black suit but her children Pop Culture Categories showed off her midriff, with sparkling detailed straps - Willow, eight, and Jameson, two - stole the show with Social Star of 2019: David Dobrik around the tummy to accentuate her slim figure. their accessories. Willow wore a bright pink and red dress, Beauty Influence of 2019: Bretman Rock The Kardashians ensured they would appear on the accessorizing it with a My Little Pony toy, which she wore Social Celebrity of 2019: Ellen DeGeneres best dressed list for the People’s Choice Awards, with around her neck like a scarf. — Bang Showbiz Animal Star of 2019: Doug the Pug momager Kris Jenner dressed in a black Alexander Comedy Act of 2019: Kevin Hart McQueen suit, complete with silver detailing. Kim Style Star of 2019: Harry Styles Kardashian West wore a stunning Versace gown of a US actress Game Changer of 2019: Simone Biles tight blue snakeskin variety. Khloe Kardashian opted for Jenna Dewan Pop Podcast of 2019: ‘Scrubbing In with Becca Tilley and Tanya Rad’ — Bang Showbiz

he 50-year-old actress was honored with the cov- amazing show, without those amazing five other actors, eted Icon accolade at the ceremony and felt the and with an audience who stuck with us for a decade and Tonly thing that would make her deserving of the through streaming services now, and syndication and I’m title was her work on the classic series - which ran for sure coming to a watch soon near you or something! 10 years until 2004 - as Rachel Green, a role she hailed “But anyway, you believed in us, you really did, and you as the “gift of a lifetime” as she praised her co-stars believed in those very impossible large apartments, but Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, you had to believe it because we were telling our story.” Matthew Perry and Matt Le Blanc. Speaking on stage at The ‘Morning Show’ actress also thanked her fans for all the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, she said: their support through the years. She added: “You paved “When I had first heard that I had won this Icon Award the way for everything that I’ve had a chance to do since the first thing I thought was, ‘Holy shnicks, have I been and it feels so good, also, that I get to be back on televi- around that long? It turns out I have. sion, where it all started. “Thank you for being on this “If I have any claim to this word ‘icon,’ it’s only because journey with me, and just, I love you guys. Thank you for I was able to be on an iconic show, with an iconic cast, and sticking by me!” — Bang Showbiz an iconic haircut. “‘Friends’ was truly-it was the gift of a lifetime, and I would not be standing up here without that

Tanya Rad, left, and Becca Tilley

US actresses Joey King, right, and sister Hunter King

US singer Kelly Rowland US actress US actress Scottish actress Karen Gillan Storm Reid D’Arcy Carden 22 Established 1961

Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Lifestyle Features

atar Museums will present KAWS: He Celant, curator of the exhibition said: “The fig- culture.By doing so, the artist is simultaneously formed into labyrinthine of gallery spaces work Companion (passing through) (2010), a eats alone, the first museum show in the ures by KAWS are inflected in the world representing the vacuity of media and, as a designed by New York-based studio 2x4. A 5-meter-tall matte black figure, seated with his QMiddle East dedicated to Brian through a system of global communication and consumable product, the failure of art-a failure composition of fragmented art walls and hands covering his eyes, will be installed. The Donnelly (b. 1974, USA), known professionally distribution. They are delicate, original forms to change the world. Blindly, with Xs for eyes, sculpture platforms serve to both anchor and Companion figure, which was created by as KAWS, at the Fire Station: Artist in that graft into every earthly context. They bear these characters approach their audience with frame the works throughout the exhibition, KAWS in 1999 and represented one of the Residence in Doha from October 25, 2019 witness to the cosmopolitan spirit of an art recognizable yet manipulated shapes, mutating including the titular piece He Eats Alone artist’s first characters in 3D, is likewise the through January 25, 2020. Curated by “without place” that is able to convey an in attempt to more easily interact with society. (2014), an early painting M2 (2000), signature subject of the large-scale inflatable, titled acclaimed art historian Germano Celant, this imaginary universe, always aware of having to solo survey will explore the artist’s career and negotiate its presence with the already exist- vast oeuvre, featuring paintings, graphic ing market of signs.” design, small-scale objects, and large-scale “It is an acknowledgment of the iconic sculptures made over the past twenty years. materials in circulation that have led us to a The exhibition will feature forty artworks nomadic, and now virtual, culture. KAWS representing the artist’s studio practice on crystallizes a few of these, uprooting them view at the Garage Gallery in the Fire Station from their mass profitability and making them and a monumental inflatable sculpture titled alternative through their individuality, in keep- HOLIDAY (2019) installed in the Dhow Harbor. ing with a human perspective connected to the Some ninety examples of products and com- feelings of suffering and pain, boredom and mercial collaborations designed by KAWS- sadness, which enable us to resist mass flat- among them sneakers, skateboards, and toys - tening and annihilation,” he said will be presented in the Archive located on the KAWS’ imagery has long possessed a second floor of the Fire Station’s Cafe building. sophisticated, dark humor, revealing the inter- “We are pleased to present this important play between art and consumerism, referenc- exhibition of the work of internationally ing both art history and pop culture. Donnelly renowned artist KAWS, along with the giant began his career in street art in the 1990s, public installation in Dhow Harbour,” said becoming synonymous with the name KAWS, The formidable power of these hybrid figures, character sculpture Chum (2008, black) and Holiday (2019), in Doha’s Dhow Harbour. The Sheikha Reem Al-Thani, Director of a tag that became a staple in his advertise- when cast as larger-than-life sculptures, Accomplice (2010). 40-meter-long figure, in this iteration in a Exhibitions at Qatar Museums. “If the public ments and ‘sub-vertisments’ (modifications of speaks to a contemporary era in which image Across the courtyard, the Archive features reclined position, was installed earlier this year reception of the recent installation of KAWS’s commercial works). is often exchanged for persona-while their a wide array of smaller KAWS objects in a on a campground at the base of Mount Fuji in Small Lie (2018) at Doha’s Hamad International Later, the artist explored industrial produc- emotional stances are imbued with humanity. series of intimately scaled, display vitrines. The Japan. Airport, is any indication, the artist’s larger tion with KAWS companion, chum, and The Doha exhibition will take over the Fire KAWS editions from 1999 to 2019 on view than life sculptures, which evoke questions of accomplice. These large- and small-scale Station through large scale, artist-produced range from fashion and design objects to plush humanity and hope, will unquestionably res- objects translate the noisy exuberance of graf- graphic installations that envelop the complex, toys and skateboards produced in collabora- onate with the people of Qatar.” fiti into 3-D cartoon characters that recall inviting the visitor into the singular world of tion with diverse companies and brands. Talking about the artist’s work, Germano familiar images and characters in pop KAWS. The museum’s Garage Gallery is trans- In the Fire Station’s courtyard space, the

he National Museum of Qatar will present an exhi- bition dedicated to the vibrant and sculptural work Tof Jean Schlumberger (1907-1987), who trans- formed 20th century fashion with jewellery and acces- sories inspired by natural forms. On view at the National Museum of Qatar from October 15, 2019 through January 15, 2020, Magnificent Jewels of Jean Schlumberger: From the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Collection includes more than 125 pieces from the Rachel Lambert Mellon Collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the largest and most comprehensive public collection of jew- ellery and art objects by Schlumberger. The exhibition will feature the designer’s imaginative, witty and awe-inspiring interpretations of animal and botanical subjects, particularly marine life and flowers, which combine precious metals and gemstones, as well as organic materials. “We are proud to present Magnificent Jewels of Jean Schlumberger as one of the first tempo- rary exhibitions at the recently opened National Museum of Qatar,” said Sheikha Reem Al Thani, Director of Exhibitions at Qatar Museums. “Schlumberger’s dazzling jewellery and art objects, which were inspired by nature, will certainly captivate visitors, just as the museum has through its organic design, resembling a desert rose, a flower-like mineral formation that occurs naturally in the Gulf region.” Magnificent Jewels of Jean Schlumberger: From the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Collection is organised by Dr. Michael R. Taylor, Chief Curator and Deputy Director for Art and Education, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and Kristie Couser, Curatorial Assistant for Works on Paper, The Clark Art Institute. The exhibition debuted in 2017 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and has traveled to The elers and traders for centuries; so prized were these Museum of Fine Art in St. Petersburg, Florida and The stones that wars were waged to win the right to exploit National Museum of China in Beijing. mines and control trade routes. Set In stone: Gems “This unparalleled collection of Jean Schlumberger’s The wealth of any Indian court was directly tied to the iconic jewellery, accessories, and other decorative size and value of its royal treasury, and nowhere was this objects was given to VMFA by Rachel Lambert Mellon, clearer than in the Mughal Empire (1526-1858). Whether and jewels from one of the most generous donors in our history,” said Dr. left in their natural state, carved, or set within gold, pre- Michael R. Taylor, VMFA. “These extraordinary works - cious stones adorned a variety of objects that came to be with their vibrant colors, exquisite craftsmanship, and associated with the wealthy elite, Emperors and royal Indian courts natural inspirations - showcase Schlumberger’s dazzling Maharajas. Spectacularly opulent, these objects defined imagination and clarity of vision.” Indian luxury. n celebration of the 2019 Year of Culture Qatar-India, Schlumberger began his career crafting costume jew- The exhibition is organized into four sections: the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is delighted to present ellery for the French fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli in “Precious Stones” reveals the cultural and economic Ian exhibition on magnificent gems and jewelry from 1930s Paris, before heading his own private salon at New importance of stones in India, tracing their history, sourc- stones would include diverse cuts, carat size, and colour - India. Set in Stone: Gems and Jewels from Royal Indian York’s Tiffany & Co. beginning in the 1950s. ing, and trade in the early modern period. “Court & adding a multi-faceted dynamism to each piece. A natural Courts will showcase more than 100 pieces from across Schlumberger’s designs for objects ranging from ciga- Ceremony” explores the role that gems, jewelry and jew- lapidary (gem artisan), he shaped minerals and gems Qatar Museums’ collections, including many masterpieces rette cases and pill boxes to brooches and necklaces eled objects played within a courtly context in the out- using the techniques of cabochon cutting to maximise a that have never been displayed before. Drawing from were popular with some of the most celebrated women ward projection of wealth and status. “Beyond the Court” gem’s brilliance. MIA’s permanent collection, the National Museum of of the period, among them Rachel “Bunny” Lambert demonstrates the personal, private and devotional uses of Qatar, and Qatar Museum’s Orientalist Collection, this Mellon (1910-2014), a noted American horticulturalist crafted jewels. “Qatar Connection, Pearls for Gold” exhibition will bring together a splendid array of jewelry, and philanthropist, whose collection is the focus of this recounts the long cultural and commercial exchanges jeweled objects, works on paper, and photography. exhibition. Schlumberger’s designs featuring precious For over 5,000 years, minerals and metals were between India and Qatar, as seen through the traditions of extracted from India’s rich earth and crafted into beautiful pearls and gold, and explores how this lineage has influ- pieces to adorn the body or give as offerings. India’s repu- enced local Qatari jewelry fashion. tation for abundantly rich natural deposits attracted trav- Dr Julia Gonnella, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the opening of this extraordinary exhibition, developed as part of the Qatar-India Year of Culture. SetIn Stone: Gems And Jewels From Royal Indian Courts allows us to present examples of the most spectacular pieces in the Museum of Islamic Art, along with important artworks and objects from other Qatar Museums’ collections.” Exhibition highlights include ‘Indian-Cut’ diamonds from the famed mines of Golconda, in the Deccan (south- ern India), which - until the discovery of new diamond deposits in the 18th century - were the main source of dia- monds throughout the world. MIA’s jeweled falcon, which most likely adorned the top of a throne, is a masterpiece of 17th century Mughal craftsmanship and demonstrates the richness of the Mughal court. Another highlight is the magnificent necklace from Varanasi: composed of seventeen diamonds suspended with gold-collared emeralds surmounted by baroque pearls, this necklace showcases the continued opulence of 19th century Maharajas. The most impressive object on display is known as the ‘Clive flask’, a 17th century jewel- encrusted jade flask that once belonged to Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive of Plassey (1725-1774). This object - remarkable for both its beauty and provenance - will be displayed in Doha for the first time. Classifieds Tuesday, November 12, 2019

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Arrival Flights on Tuesday 12/11/2019 KAC 614 Bahrain 13:50 Departure Flights on Tuesday 12/11/2019 JZR 213 Jeddah 12:00 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 221 Riyadh 12:00 IGO 1757 Kochi 00:10 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 KAC 515 Tehran 12:10 AIC 989 Mumbai 00:10 KAC 672 Dubai 14:40 SVA 503 Jeddah 00:05 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 JZR 716 Sohag 00:35 KAC 774 Riyadh 14:40 MSC 406 Sohag 00:15 JZR 115 Doha 13:00 JZR 254 Amman 00:45 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:45 QTR 1093 Doha 00:25 QTR 1075 Doha 13:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:50 KAC 742 Dammam 14:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:35 MSR 611 Cairo 13:00 JZR 734 Cairo 00:50 KAC 118 New York 14:50 JZR 409 Delhi 00:50 GFA 210 Bahrain 13:05 PGT 858 Istanbul 00:55 KAC 286 Dhaka 14:55 AIC 990 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 781 Jeddah 13:30 KAC 102 London 01:25 KAC 692 Muscat 15:00 IGO 1758 Kochi 01:10 SAW 702 Damascus 13:30 DLH 625 Dammam 01:30 KAC 618 Doha 15:00 JZR 111 Doha 01:55 JZR 123 Dubai 13:40 RJA 642 Amman 01:40 KNE 529 Jeddah 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KAC 362 Colombo 06:30 KAC 782 Jeddah 19:50 FDB 064 Dubai 19:20 THY 6376 Dubai/ISL 08:35 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 THY 6376 ISL 06:30 JZR 104 Bahrain 19:55 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 KAC 544 Cairo 07:00 FDB 057 Dubai 20:00 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:00 FEG 342 Sohag 19:55 JZR 120 Dubai 07:00 OMS 225 Muscat 20:05 KAC 501 Beirut 09:00 BAW 157 London 07:05 JZR 653 OSS 20:05 KAC 776 Riyadh 20:05 KAC 163 MXP 09:00 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 KAC 678 Dubai 07:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 JZR 731 Cairo 09:10 IGO 1766 Mumbai 07:10 RBG 556 Alexandria 20:05 QTR 1088 Doha 20:30 KAC 157 Istanbul 09:10 RJA 641 Amman 20:10 KAC 204 Lahore 07:15 AZQ 4565 Baku 20:30 BAW 156 London 09:10 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:30 KAC 691 Muscat 09:20 NIA 162 Cairo 20:30 QTR 1084 Doha 08:00 ICV 6752 Luxembourg 20:35 JZR 601 Baku 09:30 KAC 353 Bengaluru 20:35 KAC 354 Bengaluru 08:10 KAC 166 Rome 20:40 KAC 545 Cairo 09:30 JZR 501 Lahore 20:40 KAC 622 Doha 08:30 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:55 KAC 671 Dubai 09:35 OMS 226 Muscat 20:40 UAE 855 Dubai 08:35 KAC 674 Dubai 20:55 QTR 1085 Doha 09:40 FDB 058 Dubai 20:45 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:55 KAC 542 Cairo 21:10 KAC 561 Amman 09:45 JZR 401 Mumbai 20:55 JZR 102 Bahrain 08:55 ALK 229 Colombo 21:20 KAC 101 London 09:45 QTR 1091 Doha 21:00 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 GOW 061 CNN 09:30 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 DLH 624 Dammam 21:45 KAC 304 Mumbai 09:30 JZR 151 Mashhad 09:55 UAE 859 Dubai 21:30 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 09:55 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 KAC 384 Delhi 09:30 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:30 QTR 1089 Doha 21:55 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KAC 117 New York 10:00 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 UAE 856 Dubai 10:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:15 IGO 1753 Ahmedabad 09:40 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:50 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 IRA 675 Lar 09:40 JZR 301 Istanbul 10:05 KAC 164 MXP 21:55 KAC 613 Bahrain 10:05 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:25 QTR 1070 Doha 09:45 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 JZR 410 Delhi 10:00 AZG 565 Baku 22:00 KAC 773 Riyadh 10:15 KAC 168 Paris 22:00 KAC 155 Istanbul 10:20 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 AZQ 4565 Baku 22:30 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 564 Amman 22:00 GOW 062 CNN 10:30 KAC 620 Doha 22:00 KAC 617 Doha 10:35 ICV 6752 Hong Kong 22:35 AXB 789 CNN/Bahrain 10:40 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:50 JZR 714 Sohag 10:50 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 JZR 122 Dubai 11:15 JZR 211 Jeddah 10:40 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 QTR 1074 Doha 11:35 AIC 987 Chennai/Hyderabad 22:25 IRA 674 Lar 10:40 RBG 213 Sohag 22:30 RBG 214 Sohag 23:10 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 IGO 1754 Ahmedabad 10:40 KAC 783 Jeddah 23:15 MSR 610 Cairo 12:00 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:50 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 383 Delhi 23:20 GFA 209 Bahrain 12:05 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:00 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 KAC 411 Bangkok 23:25 SAW 701 Damascus 12:30 QTR 1092 Doha 23:10 KAC 741 Dammam 11:05 QTR 1083 Doha 23:25 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 JZR 128 Dubai 23:15 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 795 Madinah 23:30 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:15 MSC 405 Sohag 23:15 ZAV 4132 Baghdad 11:30 KAC 543 Cairo 23:30 QTR 1078 Doha 13:35 FDB 071 Dubai 23:40 AXB 790 CNN 11:40 KAC 303 Mumbai 23:40 24 Established 1961 News Tuesday, November 12, 2019

ABU DHABI: Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan stands alongside Claude Chirac, late Jacques Chirac’s daughter, as a street sign in the name of her father is unveiled at the Louvre yesterday. — AFP Louvre Abu Dhabi marks 2 years, without da Vinci

ABU DHABI: The Louvre Abu Dhabi yesterday cele- AFP it was “a question for the city”, referring to Emirati Mohammed bin Salman. Riyadh never confirmed or billion euros ($1.16 billion). The first works on loan from brated two years since it opened its doors, but the fate authorities. The emirate’s Department of Culture and denied the report. Artprice, the leading art market infor- the Louvre in Paris included another Da Vinci painting, of what was to be a prize exhibit remains unknown. The Tourism declined to comment. mation service, said clerics from Cairo’s prestigious Al “La Belle Ferronniere”, one of his portraits of women. world’s most expensive painting, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Salvator Mundi - in which Christ is depicted Azhar university had told Prince Mohammed the paint- Yesterday, the museum hosted a ceremony to Salvator Mundi was meant to go on display at the emerging from darkness, blessing the world with one hand ing could not be displayed on religious grounds. Jesus name a street after Jacques Chirac, honoring the late museum in Sept 2018. But in a surprise move, the while holding a transparent globe in the other - is the last (PBUH) is seen as a prophet within Islam, which pro- French president for his role in French-Emirati rela- United Arab Emirates postponed the hanging. known Da Vinci in the hands of a private collector. The hibits any physical depiction of God. But the picture tions. Chirac’s daughter, Claude, attended the nam- The famous work has not been seen in public since it museum had said in Dec 2017 that the culture department portrays him as a savior and thus a deity. ing ceremony for the road leading to the museum. was sold for $450 million at a Christie’s auction in 2017, had acquired the work, which dates to around 1500. The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened with about 600 Rabate said the venue has welcomed around two sparking speculation over its authenticity and its buyer. The Wall Street Journal first reported that the paint- pieces including items from early Mesopotamia. Under million visitors since it opened. “This shows that we Asked whether or not the piece would go on display in ing was bought by Saudi prince Badr bin Abdullah, act- a 30-year agreement, France provides expertise, lends have found our place in Abu Dhabi and in Emirati the coming year, museum head Manuel Rabate told ing in the name of the kingdom’s Crown Prince works of art and organizes exhibitions in return for one society,” he said. — AFP

saying the new lane has facilitated the crossing of larg- first indigenous president in 2006. He defended his Egypt discreetly er shipping convoys and decreased transit times. In Power vacuum in legacy Sunday, which includes landmark gains against August “a record breaking number” of 81 ships carry- hunger and poverty and tripling the country’s economy ing a total of 6.1 million tons transited the canal in one during his nearly 14 years in office. He gained a contro- marks Suez... day, the authority said. Bolivia after... versial fourth term when he was declared the winner of “The tonnage has leapt,” according to Jean-Marie the presidential election by a narrow margin. Continued from Page 1 Miossec, shipping specialist and professor at the Continued from Page 1 But the opposition said there was fraud in the University Paul Valery-Montpellier. He believes the vote count and three weeks of street protests decade-long construction, according to official fig- growth is linked to an “increase in container traffic “assume its responsibility” after Sunday’s riots. He ensued, during which three people died and hun- ures. And tens of thousands died in the process, between Asia and Europe as well as Europe and the said the opposition leadership had a “responsibility to dreds were injured. The Organization of American experts say. Indian subcontinent”. “By expanding the canal, pacify the country and guarantee the political stability States carried out an audit of the election and on The first ships sailed down the 164-km canal on Nov Egyptian authorities offer augmented potential, espe- and peaceful coexistence of our people.” Sunday reported irregularities in just about every 17, 1869, with hopes that fair winds would permit a cially with regard to vessel sizes and transit time,” he Morales, who was Bolivia’s first indigenous presi- aspect that it examined: The technology used, the said. Revenues for the fiscal year 2018-2019 reached $ faster route to and from Asia, avoiding a lengthy and dent, said his opposition rivals, Carlos Mesa and Luis chain of custody of ballots, the integrity of the 5.9 billion, up 5.4 percent from the previous year, the perilous circumvention via the tip of southern Africa. Fernando Camacho, “discriminators and conspirators, count, and statistical projections. But the waterway’s history has followed the turbulent authority said in August. And Egypt is planning for rev- will go down in history as racists and coup plotters”. enues to rocket to $13.2 billion in 2023. As chanting Bolivians kept up demonstrations in the ebbs and flows of the volatile Middle East region. Camacho is a key opposition leader in Santa Cruz, street, the 60-year-old Morales called new elections, Its watershed moment came in July 1956. Egypt’s Sumptuous feasts and banquets even attended by Bolivia’s biggest city and economic capital. Mesa, a for- but this was not enough to calm the uproar. The com- iconic late president Gamal Abdel Nasser, a staunch French Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, were held mer president, came a close second to Morales in the manders of the armed forces and the police joined the defender of Arab unity, defied British and French inter- during the initial inauguration in 1869. But in stark con- disputed October 20 election. ests and nationalized the Suez Canal Company which trast, no celebrations are planned for the canal’s 150th calls for the president’s resignation. A raft of ministerial Morales, whose Movement for Socialism party resignations followed Morales’ announcement and ran the waterway. The decision, which saw Nasser’s anniversary. Arnaud Ramiere de Fortanier, from the asso- retains a majority in the Congress that will elect his ciation in the memory of Ferdinand de Lesseps and the raised the question of who was in charge, given that popularity rise at home, triggered an international cri- temporary successor, said “the world and patriotic Suez Canal, believes the anniversary is “bit tricky”. “The vice president Alvaro Garcia Linera also resigned. sis. France and Britain - countries which both controlled Bolivians repudiate the coup”. Morales announced his issue of 1956 went wrong,” he said, maintaining that for Under the constitution, power then passes to the the company at that point - as well as Israel attacked resignation in a televised address Sunday, capping a Egypt around three months later. The canal also served the company’s former shareholders the entire Suez crisis president of the Senate and the speaker of the lower day of fast-moving events in which many ministers and as a frontline during Arab-Israel wars in 1967 and 1973. was mishandled by all sides and was a “disaster”. house of Congress, in that order. But they have senior officials quit, some seeking refuge in the Today the vital sea route is managed by the Suez Rather than highlighting the canal’s pre-1956 history, resigned, too. An opposition senator, Jeanine Anez, said Mexican ambassador’s residence. The streets of La Paz Canal Authority and was expanded in 2015 to accom- Egyptian authorities are preferring to underscore the on Sunday she would assume the interim presidency of modate modern, larger vessels. It has grown into a canal’s current performance and its contributions to the immediately exploded in celebration, with jubilant Bolivia. But Congress will first have to be convened for major economic asset, providing passage for 10 per- country’s battered economy. “Everyone writes history Bolivians waving the country’s flag, but violence and a vote to take place. With the situation in Bolivia cent of all international maritime trade. But the region’s their own way,” said French ambassador Stephane vandalism later erupted overnight there and in El Alto. unclear following the fast-moving events, regional volatility is never far away. Running along the southern Romatet, noting Egyptians only started benefiting from In the confusion, a group of 20 lawmakers and gov- heavyweight Colombia called for an urgent meeting of rim of the Sinai, the canal is today heavily secured by the canal after the 1956 nationalization. ernment officials took refuge at the Mexican ambas- the OAS permanent council to look for solutions. the Egyptian army which is battling a long-running In Egypt and France, stamps bearing images resem- sador’s residence, and Mexico announced it was offering Latin American leftist allies rallied to denounce insurgency against Islamist militants in northern Sinai. bling de Lesseps have been printed to mark the asylum to Morales as well. Morales also wrote that “vio- what they called a coup against one of their own. Dug in the 19th century using “rudimentary tools”, anniversary. And a conference entitled “The Suez lent groups” had attacked his home. Police announced on Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said Morales today the waterway has become “a lifeline to Egypt,” Canal: A place of memories” is to be held in Egypt’s Sunday night that they had arrested Maria Eugenia and Bolivia’s indigenous communities were “victims Osama Rabie, head of the authority told AFP. In 2015, famed Bibliotheca Alexandrina on Nov 13. Egypt has Choque, the head of the country’s electoral court, an of racism”. Hooded demonstrators overran Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi staged a grand also dedicated a museum, currently under construction, institution slammed by the opposition as biased. Venezuela’s embassy in La Paz on Sunday, the coun- ceremony for the opening of a new 72-km lane parallel to the canal in the city of Ismailia at the historic premis- Morales, a member of the Aymara indigenous com- try’s ambassador, Crisbeylee Gonzalez, told state to the canal after 12 months of excavations. The author- es of the Suez Canal Company. But no opening date has munity, is a former coca farmer who became Bolivia’s news agency ABI. — AFP ity has since boasted new cargo and transit records yet been set. — AFP

their return along with their 56 children. ly automated system. “The newly opened clinic is a pri- Turkey starts A German foreign ministry official confirmed the legal Dhaman opens mary center. Primary centers will be opened in several proceedings involving the 10 German nationals in Turkey, areas. The center can take care of primary and second- repatriating... saying they included three men, five women (at least two ary patients of all age groups. Secondary patients are who lived in Syria) and two children. Germany’s interior first primary... those who will be treated in hospitals for complex cases. ministry said “it did not wish to oppose the return of We will be setting up hospitals too for expats, but any Continued from Page 1 German citizens” and that authorities were still verifying Continued from Page 1 case that we cannot treat will be sent to ministry hospi- the identities and the reasons for their repatriation. tals for proper treatment. Gradually it’s a withdrawal A French official told AFP that the French nationals Turkey has lately increased pressure on Europe to take members and a group of dignitaries and officials from government-run clinics to Dhaman healthcare being expelled were mostly women. Some had been in responsibility for the problem. “Turkey is not a hotel for toured the center and had a look at the clinics and services to Dhaman hospitals,” she explained. Turkey for a long time, while others arrived recently, the Daesh members,” Soylu said last week, using another equipment. The tour was followed by a press conference Dhaman will be a one-stop healthcare provider official added, without giving further details. These 11 will acronym for IS. The return of jihadists follows Turkey’s during which Qinae gave a detailed presentation about with all services under one roof. “In setting up hospi- be tried, the official said, adding that discussions were offensive last month in northern Syria against Kurdish mil- the services at the center, adding this opening is the first tals or primary clinics, we consider the location - under way to determine whether their arrival will be han- itants who were holding thousands of IS fighters and their stage of the company’s operational plan that includes crowded areas and neighborhoods and with public dled by civil or military airport authorities. families. Turkey said it would take control of captured the opening of five centers in Kuwait’s governorates. transportation access. Everything will be there - labo- A French foreign ministry source told AFP at the week- jihadists in areas that it seized from Kurdish groups, but The other four centers are expected to open during the ratories, pharmacies and more. We don’t want patients end that a number of suspects had been quietly repatriat- demanded greater assistance from Europe. last quarter of 2019. to wait or come back the next day for laboratory ed under a 2014 agreement with Turkey, and that the cur- It remains unclear, however, whether Turkey will be Sane said the company has completed medical, results - they will be available in 30 minutes,” rent deportations were nothing new. able to repatriate those who have lost their citizenship. administrative and logistic preparations to receive Baramakian said. “We will soon open primary centers “Jihadists and their families are regularly sent back to Although the 1961 New York Convention made it illegal to patients and start commercial operations in a practical in Farwaniya, Jahra and Ahmadi. More clinics will open France and arrested as they leave the airplane. Most of the leave people stateless, several countries, including Britain preparatory stage to implement the main goal behind in 2020, and the hospitals by 2021.” time it is done secretly. The news is not published, or and France, have not ratified it, and recent cases have trig- establishing the company, which is to provide services Asked if the primary healthcare center in Hawally will released much later,” the source said. gered prolonged legal battles. Britain alone has stripped to expats very soon in cooperation with the health min- now accept insured expats, Baramakian replied in the Meanwhile, a Dutch court ruled yesterday that the more than 100 people of their citizenship for allegedly istry. He said Dhaman’s strategy is to upgrade health- negative. “The healthcare card is not ready yet. When Netherlands should repatriate the children of women who joining jihadist groups abroad. Yesterday, state broadcast- care services and develop infrastructure in a way that the card is ready, we will start accepting expats patients. joined IS, though the mothers themselves need not be er TRT Haber said Turkey aimed to repatriate around benefits the healthcare sector as a whole. For now, we will be charging the same as other private brought back. The ruling was a response to 23 Dutch 2,500 militants, most to EU countries. It said there were Baramakian said the pilot healthcare center has a ful- clinics. Nonetheless, pilot tests will continue.” women being held in detention camps in Syria, calling for 813 militants at 12 deportation centers. — Agencies 25 Sports Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Seattle defeat Toronto 3-1 to capture MLS Cup final Sounders collect second title in four campaigns LOS ANGELES: Seattle defenders Kelvin Leerdam and Ruidiaz added Seattle’s final goal in the 90th minute, Victor Rodriguez and Peruvian striker Raul Ruidiaz scored netting his seventh goal in six career playoff matches. second-half goals to spark the Sounders over Toronto FC American Jozy Altidore, who came off Toronto’s bench in 3-1 in Sunday’s MLS Cup championship match. the second half after missing most of the playoffs with a A noisy crowd of 69,274, the largest in the history of quadriceps injury, scored in the third minute of stoppage Seattle’s NFL and MLS stadium, roared in delight at the time to avert a shutout for the Reds. final whistle as the Sounders collected a second title in Leerdam, a 29-year-old Suriname-born right back, hit a four campaigns. “The atmosphere was amazing,” said shot that was going wide before striking Morrow. It wasn’t Spanish reserve Rodriguez, who was named the MLS Cup the first costly mistake by Morrow in an MLS Cup final. In Most Valuable Player. “I will remember this moment as 2016, he missed Toronto’s last penalty kick off the crossbar long as I live. I’m really happy.” just before Seattle’s Roman Torres netted the title-taking It was the third championship match meeting over four kick. It was the second MLS title for 57-year-old home- seasons for Toronto and Seattle, but their first on US soil. town coach Brian Schmetzer, who began his playing career The Sounders won the 2016 crown on penalties after a with the original Sounders in 1980. “It’s a good moment for goalless draw but the Canadian club avenged the loss by Seattle and the fans and the players, who have overcome capturing the 2017 title 2-0. adversity all year,” he said. “We are so competitive,” Rodriguez said. “We have “The first goal, Kelvin got the deflection and that got us really good mentality always. And at home with our fans started. My team is a dangerous team and that really got it’s a little bit easier for us. I’m proud for all my teammates. us going.” Toronto sustained early pressure, with Canadian We really deserved that.” Jonathan Osorio and Frenchman Nicolas Benezet forcing Dutchman Leerdam’s blast deflected in off Toronto saves by Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei in the first 11 min- defender Justin Morrow but officials chose not to call it an utes and Sounders winger Jordan Morris denied on a own goal in the 57th minute, the score against the run of counter-attack by Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg. play giving the Sounders the lead for good. Rodriguez Frei deflected a Benezet shot with his left arm in the took a centering pass from Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas 36th minute and Westberg saved a Ruidiaz right-footed SEATTLE: The Seattle Sounders celebrate after defeating Toronto FC 3-1 to win the 2019 MLS Cup at Lodeiro at the top of the box and smashed a right-footed blast from the heart of the box in the 45th minute to keep CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington. —- AFP shot into the far corner in the 76th minute. the game scoreless at half-time. — AFP

Kane, Blackhawks outscore Leafs CHICAGO: Patrick Kane had two goals Myers tallied in regulation, as the Flyers and an assist, and the Chicago recovered from blowing a two-goal lead Blackhawks poured in four goals in the in the third period. Carter Hart had 26 first period before holding on for a 5-4 saves and turned away all three shots he win over the visiting Toronto Maple faced in the shootout to lead Leafs on Sunday evening. Kirby Dach, Philadelphia to its fourth straight win. Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad also Danton Heinen and Brad Marchand scored for Chicago, which has bounced scored for the Bruins, who have lost back from a difficult start to collect at three in a row for the first time this sea- least one point in five of six games this son. Jaroslav Halak stopped 27 shots. month. Alex DeBrincat had three assists. William Nylander scored twice, and JETS 3, STARS 2 (OT) John Tavares and Andreas Johnsson each Mark Scheifele scored 21 seconds scored once for Toronto. Auston into overtime as host Winnipeg Matthews recorded four assists. snapped Dallas’ four-game winning Blackhawks goaltender Robin Lehner streak with a victory. Scheifele scored made 53 saves — the second-highest his seventh goal of the season off a total in a game in his career — to earn two-on-one that he kept and drove past the win. Chicago blitzed Toronto with Stars netminder Anton Khudobin (26 four goals in the first 17-plus minutes saves) to help the Jets improve to 4-0-1 and carried a 4-1 advantage into the first in their last five contests. Down 2-1, them book another berth at the 2020 Tokyo this tournament, which is witnessing a strong intermission. Winnipeg tied the game just 1:52 into Kuwaiti shooter Olympics. He said that Kuwait’s athletes Habib, competition of shooting champions in the Asian the third period when Andrew Copp Talal Al-Rashidi and Abdullah Al-Faihan quali- continent. Al-Osaimi said that the KSF is work- OILERS 6, DUCKS 2 drilled a Khudobin save of Tucker fied for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in this cham- ing on an integrated program for the Kuwaiti Connor McDavid delivered his fifth Poolman’s shot into a gaping net. books berth at 2020 pionship, while their compatriot Mansour Al- athletes in the coming period, which will witness career hat trick, and Ryan Nugent- Rashidi had previously qualified for Tokyo. The international participations, including the 2020 Hopkins scored two goals as visiting RED WINGS 3, Tokyo Olympics Kuwaiti shooters have made a brilliant perform- Tokyo Olympics in August. The Kuwaiti shooters Edmonton cruised to a victory against GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2 ance at regional and international champi- will take part in an experimental tournament in Anaheim. Leon Draisaitl had four assists Anthony Mantha scored the game- onships, winning several medals at the Asian Tokyo next April, he said, pointing to organizing as the Oilers won their third consecutive winning goal with 31 seconds remaining DOHA: Kuwait’s shooter Saud Habib has tournaments, he noted. He stressed keenness of training camps in South Korea and Italy as well road game following a four-game road to lift Detroit past visiting Vegas for its booked a fourth berth at 2020 Tokyo Olympics the KSF to do its best to create a propitiate as Kuwait in preparation for His Highness the losing streak. Zack Kassian added a goal first win streak since the first two games after winning the third place on Sunday in the environment to help the shooters make many Amir Shooting Cup, which will feature world’s for Edmonton. Rickard Rakell and Max of the season. Mantha skated in on a Skeet game at the 14th Asian Shooting accomplishments. Al-Otaibi congratulated His shooting champions. He thanked the wise politi- Jones scored goals for the Ducks, who partial breakaway and fired a wrist shot Championship held in Qatar. In the same con- Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- cal leadership, the government and all bodies lost their third consecutive home game from the right face-off circle inside the test, India won the first and second positions. In Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince supporting the shooting for their efforts led to after opening the season 6-1-0 in their far post and just under the crossbar for the teams’ contest of the same championship, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the achievements by the Kuwaiti shooters on the own building. The Ducks are 2-2-1 on a his 11th goal of the season. That proved Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Rashidi, Habib and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber continental and international levels. In addition, season-long seven-game homestand. enough for the Red Wings, who trailed Mohammad Al-Daihani ranked the second Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as well as the shooter Habib also expressed his delight for 2-1 entering the third. The Golden place, winning the silver medal in the Skeet, Kuwaiti people on the achievements made by qualifying for 2020 Tokyo Olympics, stressing PANTHERS 6, RANGERS 5 (SO) Knights have now lost five of their last while Qatar came first and India third. Speaking the country’s shooters. For his part, Secretary his keenness on making several accomplish- Vincent Trocheck scored the game- six games. They finished 1-2-1 on a four- to KUNA, head of Kuwait Shooting Federation General of Kuwait and Arab Shooting ments in the next tourney. He thanked the politi- winning goal in the third round of the game road trip against Eastern (KSF) Duaij Al-Otaibi lauded the achievements Federations Obaid Al-Osaimi expressed his cal leadership for its efforts which lead to the shootout as Florida overcame three Conference opponents. made by the Kuwaiti athletes, which helped happiness for Kuwait’s fourth qualifying card in success of the country’s athletes. — KUNA one-goal deficits and recorded a wild 6-5 victory over host New York. The DEVILS 2, CANUCKS 1 Panthers won it when Trocheck made a New Jersey goaltender Mackenzie wide move and then reached the middle Blackwood made 30 saves to beat of the ice. He waited for New York Vancouver for the second time in less goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to go than a month in the visiting Devils’ nar- down and then flipped a wrist shot over row win. Sunday’s road win was the 11th him and into the back of the net for his straight victory for the Devils over the 13th career shootout goal. Frank Canucks, including Blackwood’s 25-save Vatrano also scored in the shootout for shutout on Oct. 19 in New Jersey. Wayne the Panthers, and rookie Kaapo Kakko Simmonds and Jesper Bratt tallied for scored in the third round for the the Devils, who ended their five-game Rangers. Panthers goalie Sam road trip with a 3-2-0 record. A 22- Montembeault made 29 saves, and year-old native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Lundqvist stopped 30 shots. Blackwood improved to 4-0 against the Canucks, allowing a total of three goals FLYERS 3, BRUINS 2 (SO) in those games. New Jersey played with- Joel Farabee scored the lone goal of out standout defenseman Sami Vatanen, the shootout as Philadelphia won at who took an elbow to the face in Friday’s Boston. Travis Konecny and Philippe 4-0 loss in Edmonton. — Reuters

PARIS: In this file photo taken on September 22, 2019 chessboxers play a round of chess during a chessboxing training in Paris. Chessboxing combines rounds of boxing with chess. It was born 18 years ago when its founder Iepe Rubingh brought to life a seemingly far-fetched idea from a French graphic novel, “Cold Equator” by French author Bilal. — PARIS: Athletes compete in a chessboxing match organised at the AFP Cabaret Sauvage, in Paris. — AFP

Shifting to not pulling punches, the rivals launch into battle, eschewing Chessboxing bout protective headgear. After three minutes of sweaty, adrenaline-fuelled action they return to the chessboard for some more brainy manoeuvring. “Passing from the violence of boxing to re-concentrating on chess is using thrills French creator the two most beautiful human capacities — intelligence and physical force,” Bilal told AFP, amused to see his concept leap from the pages of his PARIS: French comic book writer Enki Bilal laps it up as he watches two comic books to become physical reality. proponents of his creation combine the cerebral nature of chess with the Bilal came up with the idea while writing his Froid Equateur (Cold physicality of boxing in a “sporting” first. Bilal watched spellbound as Equator) trilogy in 1992. Ten years on, Dutchman Iepe Rubingh actu- Paris’s Cabaret Sauvage hosted France’s first “bout” of competitive chess- ally organised a maiden fight and an international federation was cre- boxing Saturday, nearly three decades after he first depicted the concept ated. Today, there are a dozen national federations with around 3,500 in his work. proponents. A sellout crowd turned up to watch as the competitors alternated “When Iepe read the comic book he saw the sport straight away. brawn and brain, three-minute rounds of boxing giving way to mini-chess Boxing is a noble art, with its rules and codes, its elegance — (it is) a bouts across a maximum 11 rounds, the whole thing ending either with a form of beauty and, inexorably, strength, resistance and intelligence. knockout — or a checkmate. “Chess is strategic, about mental (strength),” said Bilal, adding that A DJ whips up the audience before the bare-chested protagonists, he was thrilled to witness “the birth of chessboxing champions”. “Training for chess is also about mugging up on books. It’s worse than sweatshirts slung over their shoulders, enter the ring, escorted by their ANAHEIM: Mikko Koskinen #19 and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins #93 of the Edmonton respective entourages. To drown out the noise of the partisan crowd, music theory. They’ve come up with something modern, a sport which blends all the human qualities, and there are precious few sports which Oilers defend against Sam Steel #34 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of the “fighters” put headphones on as they survey the chessboard. “Move a game at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. — AFP your pawn,” reads one supportive banner in a crowd of mainly 30- do that.” As for Saturday’s card, the outcome was two technical knock- something fans. outs and one checkmate. — AFP 26

Sports Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Tannehill fires late 23-yard touchdown pass to Humphries as Titans stun Chiefs Falcons defeat Saints on topsy-turvy NFL day NASHVILLE: Ryan Tannehill fired a decisive 23-yard RAVENS 49, BENGALS 13 touchdown pass to Adam Humphries with 23 seconds Lamar Jackson threw three touchdown passes and remaining Sunday, and the Tennessee Titans stunned the scored on a long run as visiting Baltimore ripped Kansas City Chiefs, 35-32, in Nashville, Tenn. Harrison Cincinnati. Jackson completed his first 11 passes, two of Butker, who made a field goal as time expired to enable those touchdowns to Mark Andrews. He also scored on a the Chiefs to beat Minnesota last week, had a 52-yard 47-yard run, fooling a pair of defenders with a spin move attempt blocked at the buzzer. Tannehill passed for 181 before accelerating into the end zone. The Bengals (0-9), yards and two touchdowns, and Derrick Henry rushed for the NFL’s lone winless team, didn’t appear to have solved 188 yards and two more scores. On their previous posses- anything even as they came off an open week on the sion, the Chiefs (6-4) lined up for a field goal after going schedule. Rookie Ryan Finley ended up 16 for 30 for 167 three-and-out inside the final two minutes, but holder yards with a touchdown and an interception. He replaced Dustin Colquitt could not handle the snap and was flagged Andy Dalton, who was benched after eight games, as the for intentional grounding on a desperation pass. Tannehill starter. and the Titans (5-5) took over and covered 61 yards in four plays to spoil the return of Chiefs quarterback Patrick BEARS 20, LIONS 13 Mahomes, who missed the two previous games with a dis- Mitch Trubisky threw for 173 yards and three touch- located knee. Mahomes, playing with a brace on his right downs to help host Chicago snap a four-game losing knee, passed for 446 yards, going 36 of 50, with three streak with a victory against Detroit. The Bears (4-5) won touchdowns. for the first time since Week 4 to take sole possession of third place in the NFC North. The Lions (3-5-1), playing PACKERS 24, PANTHERS 16 without injured starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, Preston Smith stopped Christian McCaffrey inside the lost for the fifth time in six games. Backup quarterback Jeff 1-yard line on the game’s final play, and Green Bay sur- Driskel’s fourth-down pass toward the end zone from the vived Carolina’s lengthy, last-minute drive to win at snowy Bears’ 25-yard line fell incomplete as time expired. Lambeau Field. McCaffrey was stopped on second-and- Stafford missed the game with what ESPN reported were goal from the 2 — with the ruling upheld upon review — multiple fractures in his back, snapping a streak of 136 ending an 18-play, 88-yard drive by the Panthers (5-4) that consecutive starts, the sixth-longest by a quarterback in included a fourth-and-10 conversion from quarterback NFL history. Kyle Allen to D.J. Moore. The Packers (8-2) rode three touchdowns from Aaron Jones and 156 combined rushing BROWNS 19, BILLS 16 yards from Jones and Jamaal Williams. Aaron Rodgers fin- Baker Mayfield found Rashard Higgins for a 7-yard NASHVILLE: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled in the second half by Frank Clark #55 of the ished 17 of 29 for 233 yards. touchdown pass with 1:44 remaining to help Cleveland Kansas City Chiefs at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chiefs 35-32. — AFP snap a four-game losing streak by defeating visiting FALCONS 26, SAINTS 9 Buffalo. Buffalo’s Stephen Hauschka missed a 53-yard Matt Ryan threw two touchdown passes, and visiting field-goal attempt with 17 seconds to go. It was his second ries, including 1 yard on 13 carries by Saquon Barkley. lead, and another 48-yarder just over two minutes later Atlanta ended a six-game losing streak by stopping New missed field-goal try of the game. Mayfield finished 26 of upped the lead to four. That occurred five plays after Nik Orleans’ six-game winning streak. Ryan, who completed 38 for 238 yards and two touchdowns for the Browns (3- BUCCANEERS 30, CARDINALS 27 Needham intercepted Hoyer at the Indianapolis 35. The 20 of 35 for 182 yards, threw scoring passes of 8 yards to 6), who had been 0-3 at home. Nick Chubb ran for 116 Jameis Winston passed for 358 yards and a touch- Colts’ final drive ended at the Dolphins’ 8 when Hoyer’s Austin Hooper and 10 yards to Brian Hill for the game’s yards on 20 carries. Cleveland’s winning drive went 82 down, and Peyton Barber scored the go-ahead touch- fourth-down pass to tight end Eric Ebron came up 2 yards only touchdowns. The Falcons (2-7) limited Drew Brees yards in 10 plays, taking 3:42. down on a 1-yard run with 1:43 remaining as host Tampa shy of a first down, as Needham made the tackle with 45 and the Saints’ offense to three Wil Lutz field goals. Brees, Bay broke a four-game losing streak at the expense of seconds remaining. Hoyer, making his first start in two playing in his second game after a five-game absence due JETS 34, GIANTS 27 Arizona. Ronald Jones had 106 yards from scrimmage years as Jacoby Brissett (knee) sat out, finished 18 of 39 to thumb surgery, completed 32 of 45 passes for 287 yards Le’Veon Bell’s 1-yard touchdown run eight seconds into and rushed for a touchdown, and O.J. Howard caught a for 204 yards. and was sacked six times by a defense that had seven the fourth quarter gave the “host” Jets the lead for good, scoring pass from Winston, who engineered the 10th sacks total entering the game. as they defeated the Giants in a battle of skidding New fourth-quarter comeback of his career as the Bucs (3-6) VIKINGS 28, COWBOYS 24 York teams who share MetLife Stadium in East played their first game in Raymond James Stadium in 49 Kirk Cousins completed 23 of 32 passes for 220 yards STEELERS 17, RAMS 12 Rutherford, N.J. The Jets (2-7) snapped a three-game los- days. Kyler Murray completed 27 of 44 passes for 324 and two touchdowns, both to tight end Kyle Rudolph, and Mason Rudolph passed for 242 yards and a touch- ing streak, while the Giants (2-8) have lost six straight. yards and tied a career high with three touchdowns. Minnesota held on for a win over host Dallas in Arlington, down to James Washington to complement a strong Quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 230 yards and Christian Kirk caught all three scores while setting career Texas. Dalvin Cook finished with 26 carries for 97 yards Pittsburgh defense in a win over visiting Los Angeles. accounted for two touchdowns — one passing and one highs in receiving yards (138) and touchdowns as the and a touchdown for Minnesota (7-3), which won for the The Steelers (5-4), who won their fourth straight game, rushing — for the Jets. Safety Jamal Adams had two sacks Cardinals (3-6-1) lost their third straight. fifth time in six games. Cook also had seven catches for 86 held the Rams (5-4) without an offensive touchdown and two forced fumbles and scored the other touchdown yards out of the backfield. Cowboys quarterback Dak and had four takeaways. Washington had six receptions by stripping the ball from Giants quarterback Daniel Jones DOLPHINS 16, COLTS 12 Prescott completed 28 of 46 passes for 397 yards, three for 90 yards, including the touchdown, which tied the and racing untouched into the end zone for a 25-yard Miami’s defense intercepted Brian Hoyer three times, touchdowns and one interception, which came on a “Hail game at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. Minkah score early in the third quarter. Jones connected on 26 of and kicker Jason Sanders boomed three long field goals, Mary” from the Dallas 46 as time expired. Amari Cooper Fitzpatrick had a fumble recovery and return for a 40 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns — two including the go-ahead and insurance kicks in the fourth had 11 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown, while touchdown and sealed the win with an interception apiece to Golden Tate and Darius Slayton — but was quarter of an upset in Indianapolis. Sanders’ 48-yarder Randall Cobb had six catches for 106 yards and a touch- with 20 seconds left. sacked six times. The Giants had just 23 yards on 17 car- with 5:45 left in the game gave the Dolphins (2-7) a 13-12 down for the Cowboys (5-4). — Reuters Burgan Bank and International Wheelchair Fencing titleholder, Racists out of tune Tareq holds ‘Sabre Challenge Championship’ in Kuwait with changing world: England star Archer

LONDON: England’s fast-bowling sensation Jofra Archer says cricket fans who resort to racist abuse should realise times have moved on and the world is a much more multicultural place. The 24-year-old Barbados-born bowler has quickly become a favourite with the England fans since he became eligible to play for his adopted country earlier this year. The Sussex star benefited from the England and Wales Cricket Board reducing the eligibility period from seven years to three so he did not have to wait till 2022. He quickly showed his worth by bowling the deci- sive Super Over in the thrilling World Cup final win over New Zealand. He then marked his test debut by flooring Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s which saw him miss the following match at Headingley with concussion and in his absence England won to level the series. It was in the fourth Test at Old Trafford — which Australia won to ensure they retained the Ashes — that Archer was barracked by a couple of fans. “I was aware what the guys were KUWAIT: Burgan Bank recently concluded its sponsor- journey across many championships in the field of fenc- individual has the right to showcase their skills and ful- saying — something about my passport — but I ship of the “Sabre Challenge”, organized by the ing for five years. fill their ambitions. Burgan Bank promotes diverse blanked them,” he told The Daily Mail in an interview International Wheelchair Fencing Titleholder “Tareq Al- Serving as an inspiration and role model to all those opportunities to pursue independent goals and an inclu- conducted in New Zealand where England are touring. Qallaf”, which was held in Kuwait for the first time. This who aspire to follow their dreams in the sports and sive environment that people with disabilities can bene- “It was only later that Rooty (Joe Root the England final challenge follows as part of the bank’s one-year special needs, the homegrown world champion organ- fit from as equal members of the community. captain) said the guys got ejected. “It was the first time sponsorship of Al Qalaf’s activities, after representing ized the one-of-a-kind contest that tests the abilities Supporting sports falls under Burgan Bank’s CSR I’d seen someone get ejected from a ground, because Kuwait in four global championships in 2019. As one of of both titleholders on local grounds. Bringing the strategy, through its program: ‘ENGAGE’ - Together to there were some abusive fans when we played Pakistan Kuwait’s most celebrated athletes “Tareq Al Qallaf” com- popular sport to Kuwait for the first time, Al Qallaf be the change. Burgan Bank sheds light on important at Trent Bridge (heckling Ben Stokes). peted for the first time locally with US wheelchair fencing won with Rick Swauger coming in second place. aspects affecting every segment of the society by pro- champion, “Rick Swauger”. During the event that took place in the midst of media moting social welfare through educational, cultural, MORE MULTICULTURAL Enhancing its role in community development and as partners, and official sponsors, an appreciation token social and health initiatives. Burgan Bank’s approach to Archer, who says an elderly spectator at a county an active member of the society that seeks to inspire was presented to Burgan Bank for its ongoing commit- ‘ENGAGE’ begins with a vital principle that as a game with Kent had once queried how was he playing positive changes, Burgan Bank has been continuously ment and regular funding. Kuwaiti financial institution, its conduct and policies for Sussex, said racist incidents occurred far less in advancing opportunities for ambitious Kuwaiti youth. Falling in line with Burgan Bank’s CSR strategy, the should be aligned with the needs and interests of the cricket than football. “The world’s changing,” he said. The bank remains the main sponsor of Tareq Al-Qallaf’s continued contribution demonstrates its belief that each Kuwaiti society. “It’s becoming more multicultural. A lot of people have accepted it for what it is. “Look at the England cricket team — there’s huge diversity. “It’s the same with any football club in the world. “I think people have to accept it. Times have that it was taken up today,” Sports Minister Harin bling side of the family business. The new law comes changed, it’s not 2007 any more.” Archer says he sees Sri Lanka tightens Fernando said after the law was passed unanimously by months after Sports Minister Harin Fernando said the himself as a role model to young British West Indians parliament. sport’s local governance was riddled with graft “from top who have aspirations to play cricket for England. “Yeah, sports betting rules Betting on sports matches hosted in Sri Lanka was to bottom”, and that the International Cricket Council to let them know it’s possible,” said Archer. “It doesn’t already illegal, but the new rules will also ban Sri considered Sri Lanka one of the world’s most corrupt really matter where you’re born. Lankans from gambling on overseas contests. cricketing nations. “If you know that cricket’s what you want to do, you to fight cricket graft Offenders could face up to 10 years’ jail and fines of Former Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilhara Lokuhettige never know where you’ll end up. “I didn’t know my up to 100 million rupees ($555,000) for match-fixing was last year suspended for corruption linked to a limit- dreams would come true and I’d end up playing cricket under the new law, which also bans people with family ed-over league in 2017. He was the third Sri Lankan COLOMBO: Sri Lanka introduced tough penalties for links to gambling businesses from sitting on the sport’s player charged for violating the ICC’s anti-corruption for England. “If it happens for me, it can happen for match-fixing and tightened sports betting restrictions anyone.” Archer says being the man who bowled the local governing body. code, following charges levelled against former captain yesterday in a bid to stamp out graft scandals that have The provision appears in part to target the former and ex-chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya, and former decisive Super Over in the World Cup did not alter his dogged the country’s cricket team. profile. “Not many England fans knew who I was any- president of Sri Lanka Cricket, Thilanga Sumathipala, paceman Nuwan Zoysa. Allegations of corruption have plagued Sri Lankan who was until recently a member of the organisation’s Jayasuriya was found guilty of failing to cooperate way, so if they saw me in the street they probably cricket for years, including claims of match-fixing ahead thought I was a footballer, or something,” he said. “I executive committee and whose family owns a gambling with a match-fixing probe and was banned for two years, of an international Test against England last year. “Many business. Sumathipala, a controversial businessman and while Zoysa was suspended over the match-fixing accu- guess that was the beauty of it, being able to go under tried to prevent this piece of legislation, but I am happy the radar.” — AFP politician, has repeatedly denied involvement in the gam- sations. — AFP 27 Sports Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Herrmann double keeps Gladbach four points clear in Bundesliga Freiburg go fourth, level on points with Leipzig and Bayern

BERLIN: Borussia Moenchengladbach maintained their ond yellow card for fouling Bittencourt, having also four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga on Sunday been booked while giving away the penalty Klaassen as Patrick Herrmann scored twice in an emphatic 3-1 failed to convert. home win over Werder Bremen. Gladbach will have been top for a month by the time RB Leipzig, who won at Hertha Berlin, and defending they play their next game at newly-promoted Union champions Bayern Munich, who routed Dortmund 4-0 Berlin in two weeks’ time. at the Allianz Arena, had both trimmed Gladbach’s lead to just a point with their victories on Saturday. FREIBURG GO FOURTH Gladbach finished with 10 men after goalscorer Later on Sunday, Freiburg went fourth — level on Ramy Bensebaini was sent off late on for a second yel- points with Leipzig and Bayern - after a 1-0 home win low card before Bremen midfielder Leonardo over nine-man Eintracht Frankfurt, with three red cards Bittencourt netted a late goal deep into added time. dished out at the Schwarzwald Stadion. It was a weekend to remember for Herrmann, whose Freiburg striker Nils Petersen scored the hosts’ win- wife gave birth to their first child on Friday. “Before the ner 13 minutes from time, but Frankfurt played the sec- match, I hadn’t noticed that the birth had given me a big ond half with 10 men after defender Gelson Fernandes boost,” said Herrmann. “I’m going to pick them up from was shown a second yellow card just before half-time. the hospital afterwards.” There were ugly scenes at the end of a tense match Hosts Gladbach took the lead with two goals inside as Frankfurt captain David Abraham was shown a 107 seconds. straight red for barging into and knocking over Midfielder Laszlo Benes whipped in a free-kick and Freiburg coach Christian Streich on the sidelines. left-back Bensebaini out-jumped the Bremen defence Freiburg winger Vincenzo Grifo, who had been sub- to power home his header on 20 minutes. stituted on 57 minutes, also saw a red card on the The second followed almost immediately from a bench for grabbing Abraham by the throat in the ensu- counter-attack, when French striker Marcus Thuram ing melee. drew Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka to present Earlier, mid-table Bayer Leverkusen backed up their Herrmann with a simple tap-in. mid-week Champions League win over Atletico Madrid Yuya Osako looked to have halved the lead with 28 with a 2-0 victory at Wolfsburg with goals by Karim minutes gone when Bremen’s Japan forward hit the net, Bellarabi and substitute Paulinho. the goal was disallowed by VAR for a foul in the build- Having been second in the table in mid-October, up. At the start of the second half, home captain Yann Wolfsburg are now 10th after four straight defeats in all Sommer saved a penalty attempt by Bremen skipper competitions. Bellarabi put Leverkusen ahead on 25 Davy Klaassen on 54 minutes. minutes by powering into the area and firing home, MOENCHENGLADBACH: Moenchengladbach’s German forward Lars Stindl and Bremen’s Czech goalkeeper Jiri Herrmann made it 3-0 by firing home on the hour before Brazilian midfielder Paulinho came on to add a Pavlenka (R) vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia mark. With time almost up, Bensebaini picked up a sec- second goal six minutes into added time. — AFP Moenchengladbach v Werder Bremen in Moenchengladbach, western Germany.— AFP

could reach 100 against Lithuania and Luxemburg — if playing on rather than taking some time out to regain Ronaldo’s fitness he can play. Ronaldo gave Sarri a dirty look and walked full fitness. straight down the tunnel after being substituted in the Ronaldo’s career has been remarkably injury-free 55th minute on Sunday, prompting widespread criti- and his longest layoff was in 2008 when a fractured and attitude both cism led by former Real Madrid, Juventus and England knee cap sidelined him for 94 days, during which he Dybala keeps Juve coach Fabio Capello. missed 11 games. An ankle injury cost him nine games in under the spotlight “Ronaldo hasn’t dribbled past a player in three years 2009 and he suffered another knee injury during the at Serie A summit, and I remember when he could leave them on the floor,” Euro 2016 final for Portugal against France. Capello told Sky Sport Italia. “Sarri was right to take He was also troubled by tendinosis around his left MILAN: Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness and attitude has him off. The fact that he did not go and sit on the bench knee in the run-up to the 2014 World Cup. He played in Lazio, Cagliari come under the spotlight after he reacted angrily to was not a good image.” all of Portugal’s games but later admitted that he had being substituted during Juventus’ win over AC Milan Sarri said the player had taken a knock on the knee taken a risk by playing through it. into top four and coach Maurizio Sarri said the 34-year-old had in training a month ago was still feeling the effects. According to the specialist website Transfermarkt, been nursing a knee injury for some time. “When he trains with high intensity and plays matches, he has only missed 53 games in his entire career due to Ronaldo now faces two matches with Portugal where he feels some pain. He can’t train too hard and has diffi- injury. Sarri described Ronaldo’s angry reaction to MILAN: Paulo Dybala struck the decisive goal in he will want to help the European champions guarantee culty when he kicks the ball.” being substituted as normal for a top player, but he will Juventus’ 1-0 win over AC Milan on Sunday after their place at Euro 2020 and close in on the 100-goal Sarri added that Ronaldo was also suffering prob- probably be more than happy to let Portugal coach replacing Cristiano Ronaldo as Juventus stayed top milestone for his country. He currently has 95 goals and, lems with his thigh and calf, raising questions as to Fernando Santos deal with the problem for the next of Serie A, while Lazio and Cagliari moved into the given his prolific record, it is not inconceivable that he whether the striker was taking unnecessary risks by week. — Reuters Champions League places. Argentine forward Dybala hit the winner in the 77th minute in the Allianz Stadium having taken the place of Ronaldo 20 minutes earlier. Defending champions Juventus maintain their one-point lead Xhaka says he is over Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan who had taken pole position after their 2-1 win over Verona on Saturday. AC Milan’s seventh defeat in 12 games saw ready to battle Stefano Pioli’s side drop to 14th position, just four points above the relegation zone. However Milan had threatened as the former European giants chased for Arsenal place their first win against Juventus in Turin in eight years. Wojciech Szczesny was kept busy in the Juventus LONDON: Granit Xhaka may have been stripped of goal, denying fellow Pole Krzysztof Piatek, Lucas Paqueta and Hakan Calhanoglu. Blaise Matuidi the Arsenal captaincy due to his public run-in with the missed Juventus’s best chance before Dybala’s win- club’s fans but he says he will be staying and fighting ner when his powerful curling effort flew wide just for his place in the team. The volatile 27-year-old after the break. Swiss international midfielder has not played since he Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, who had mouthed an obscenity at a section of Gunners fans also been taken off during the midweek Champions jeering him when he was substituted in the Premier League win over Lokomotiv Moscow, reportedly left League match with Crystal Palace a fortnight ago. the stadium before the end of the game after being However, despite manager Unai Emery deciding he substituted on 55 minutes. could not carry on as skipper — a role he was given Douglas Costa also came on for Federico after a secret ballot of the players — he told Swiss Bernardeschi after an hour, with the two substitutions newspaper Blick he would not be leaving. Xhaka has changing the game for the champions. Gonzalo had a fractious relationship with Arsenal supporters Higuain fed Dybala, who easily shook off Alessio since his arrival from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Romagnoli to beat Donnarumma and claim his third Moenchengladbach in 2016, costing the Premier league goal this season. League side a fee reported to be £38 million ($49 mil- “Cristiano should be thanked because he made lion). “You can be sure that I’ll keep fighting and put- himself available despite not being in optimal condi- ting myself out there in every training session,” Xhaka tions,” said Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri. “In the last said. “I feel last week has been dealt with and I’m month he has had this discomfort in his knee and this ready. “My time at Arsenal has been very positive for a a little problem for him. long time. “It’s only natural a player is going to be irritated to leave the pitch, especially when he worked so hard to “After a difficult start, I played a lot and overall I’ve be there.” Behind the leaders, Lazio and Cagliari had a great time at Arsenal. “My family and I also feel moved into the top four after goal-packed wins. very well in the city of London.” Xhaka, who has been Lazio saw off newly-promoted Lecce 4-2, while sur- linked with a move to struggling Newcastle in the prise package Cagliari continued their superb form January transfer window, said the boos and jeers has MARSEILLE: Lyon’s French forward Mathis Rayan Cherki (C) fights for the ball with Marseille’s Tunisian mid- with a 5-2 rout of Fiorentina. not altered his views of the city or the club. The two teams are level on 24 points, eight behind fielder Saif-Eddine Khaoui (L) during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and “I’ll continue to stay positive,” he said. “(To) give my Juventus with Lazio ahead of the Sardinians on goal all to an even greater extent and prove that I am an Olympique Lyonnais (OL) at the Orange Velodrome stadium in Marseille, southeastern France. — AFP difference. Lazio’s Argentine forward Joaquin Correa important part of this great team.” The 2-0 defeat by hit a brace either side of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s Leicester on Saturday left Arsenal with just one win in told reporters. “If it continues like this, we will not strike, with Serie A top-scorer Ciro Immobile slotting six Premier League games and eight points adrift of Lyon sunk by Payet play.” French media said that Lyon insisted on using in a penalty at the Stadio Olimpico. fourth-placed Manchester City. their highly customised and distinctive team bus Cagliari, who battled relegation last season, have Xhaka and many of his teammates are now on a despite being advised to use a more discreet vehicle. been in superb form since Radja Nainggolan fortnight international break. Their next league game brace after team The match went ahead and there was more chaos after returned to the Sardinian outfit after five years away, will be against second-from-bottom Southampton on Marseille were awarded a penalty. including a difficult season at Inter Milan last term. The Belgian contributed three assists and capped a November 23. First, Marseille forward Dario Benedetto appeared bus attacked stellar performance with the fifth goal of the game on Xhaka does concede the abuse hurt — he claimed to push another player, leading to a VAR review over a his emotions were running high because his daughter 65 minutes. possible red card, and then a laser beam was shone Fiorentina are struggling without Franck Ribery had received online abuse — but said it was counter- MARSEILLE: Two first-half goals from Dimitri Payet towards Lopes. Payet finally converted in the 18th productive for the whole team’s morale. who is serving a three-match ban for pushing an offi- gave Olympique de Marseille a stormy 2-1 win over bit- minute, five minutes after the spot kick was awarded, as cial. Nainggolan set up Mark Rog for the opener on “Insulting and swearing at your own captain will ter rivals Olympique Lyonnais, who complained that Marseille became the first team to score 4,000 goals in 17 minutes, with Fabio Pisacane nodding in the sec- cause upset and a bad atmosphere for the team you their team bus was pelted with missiles on the way to Ligue 1. The Reunion Island-born player struck again in ond less than ten minutes later. are actually supposed to be supporting. “That makes the Stade Velodrome on Sunday. the 39th minute after he won a tackle in midfield, found The 31-year-old was involved again in Giovanni no sense to me and weakens the team’s spirit.” The match, which saw Marseille go second in Ligue Lopez, collected the return and drilled his shot past Simeone’s third goal against the Argentinian for- He does not spare the online abusers either. 1, was also interrupted for five minutes when a laser Lopes. The game was stopped for smoke early in the ward’s parent club, as well as Joao Pedro’s effort 10 “What has changed through social media are phe- was shone at Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes and second half and it was still clearing when Moussa minutes after the break, before blasting in his second nomena such as ‘sxxx storms’ that can over-run you again in the second half because of smoke caused by Dembele headed in Bertrand Traore’s pass to reduce goal of the campaign from distance. from one minute to the next,” he said. “Also new is pyrotechnics. the arrears. He was given a standing ovation when substituted the cloak of anonymity you can use to attack players Photographs showed windows on one side of the Marseille had Alvaro Gonzalez sent off five minutes in the 78th minute. “We are doing something extraor- without fear of consequences. “What happened here Lyon bus had been smashed and club president Jean- later for a denying Dembele a clear scoring chance but dinary,” said Nainggolan whose side are unbeaten in is abnormal and excessive and there can be no justi- Michel Aulas at one point threatened to pull his team the hosts held on to leave them with 22 points, eight 10 games, which include seven victories and three fication for it.”— AFP out of the match. “We were victims of an ambush,” he behind leaders Paris St Germain. — Reuters draws.—AFP Established 1961 Sport

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019

Seattle defeat Toronto 3-1 Tannehill fires late 23-yard touchdown Herrmann double keeps Gladbach 25to capture MLS Cup final 26 pass to Humphries as Titans stun Chiefs 27 four points clear in Bundesliga

Jokic, Nuggets recover to top Wolves Raptors knock off Lakers for 10th straight time

MINNEAPOLIS: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets grabs the rebound against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. — AFP

MINNESOTA: Nikola Jokic hit a 15-foot jumper with 3.3 cult task of guarding Atlanta guard Trae Young, who Cleveland won for the 11th straight time at Madison this season to record back-to-back wins. Kevin Love seconds left in overtime, and the Denver Nuggets beat the scored a team-high 35 points but shot just 9 of 30 from Square Garden, a wire-to-wire victory over New York. added 17 points and eight rebounds, while reserve Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-98, in Minneapolis on the field. Damian Lillard led Portland with 30 points, sup- The Cavaliers led by double digits for the last 30-plus Jordan Clarkson also contributed 17 for the Cavaliers. Sunday. Jokic finished with 20 points and hit a last-sec- plemented by 23 from CJ McCollum, 21 points and 12 minutes and won consecutive games for the first time Julius Randle led the Knicks with 20 points and 16 ond game winner for the second consecutive game. Paul rebounds from Hassan Whiteside and 20 points off the this season, while the Knicks failed for the second time rebounds. — Reuters Millsap had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Will Barton bench from Anfernee Simons. Atlanta got 27 points and 11 scored six of his 13 points in overtime and added 12 rebounds from Jabari Parker and 15 from Kevin Huerter. added the 38-year-old, who may now have to beat rebounds. Denver has won four straight, despite allowing a 16-0 Timberwolves run in the final 6:43 of regulation to PACERS 109, MAGIC 102 Federer faces early Djokovic to progress. “Not allowed to lose anymore force overtime. Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points, 16 Domantas Sabonis led a balanced attack with 21 points for me. That’s how it is every week of the year for the rebounds and six assists, Andrew Wiggins also scored 25 as Indiana rallied from a halftime deficit to turn back host last 20 years, so from that standpoint there is nothing and Josh Okogie had 17 points for Minnesota. The Orlando. T.J. Warren and Malcolm Brogdon chipped in ATP Finals exit after new there.” Timberwolves played without their two top point guards. with 19 points apiece, and Doug McDermott added 18 off Thiem came into the match with a 4-2 winning Jeff Teague was out due to illness, and Shabazz Napier sat the bench as the Pacers, down 60-51 at the half, dominat- Thiem defeat, record against his illustrious opponent but the result with a right hamstring strain. ed the final 24 minutes en route to their third straight win. is still a surprise. The only time Federer has failed to Evan Fournier paced Orlando with 22 points. Nikola progress to the knockout stages was in 2008. RAPTORS 113, LAKERS 104 Vucevic grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds to go with 18 Djokovic cruises “We had a good and close match, and it’s always Pascal Siakam scored 24 points and grabbed 11 points for the Magic. special to beat Roger, who is a legend,” said Thiem, rebounds, and short-handed Toronto used a second-half who impressed with his clean hitting. “It’s amazing to surge to beat Los Angeles for the 10th straight time. Fred SUNS 138, NETS 112 LONDON: Roger Federer faces an uphill task to play against probably the best player of all time, but VanVleet had 23 points and 10 assists for the Raptors, Devin Booker had 27 points and nine assists, Ricky qualify for the last four of the ATP Finals after defeat luckily I have a pretty good record against him.” who snapped the Lakers’ seven-game winning streak. Rubio had his third straight double-double with 22 points by Dominic Thiem on Sunday following a masterclass Earlier, Djokovic began his quest for a record- Toronto, which played without guard Kyle Lowry and for- and 12 assists, and host Phoenix made a season-high 19 3- by Novak Djokovic. Six-time champion Federer was equalling sixth ATP Finals title and sixth year-end ward Serge Ibaka, has won six of its last seven contests. pointers in a victory over Brooklyn. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 18 beaten 7-5, 7-5 in the evening match on the opening number one spot a 6-2, 6-1 romp against Berrettini. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 27 points to go along points, rookie Cam Johnson had a season-high 15 points, day after Djokovic had swatted aside debutant The Serbian was last week nudged off the top posi- with eight rebounds and four blocks. LeBron James and Aron Baynes and Tyler Johnson had 14 apiece for the Matteo Berrettini in the earlier Group Bjorn Borg tion in the rankings by Rafael Nadal, who is also in recorded his fourth triple-double in five games, finishing Suns, who at 6-3 are off to their best start since the contest in London. the eight-man field in London. with 13 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds. 2009-10 team won eight of its first nine. Spencer Djokovic must reach the final at the O2 Arena to Dinwiddie had 18 points off the bench, reserve center Federer and Djokovic will meet later in the week in BUCKS 121, THUNDER 119 DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Kyrie a repeat of this year’s epic Wimbledon final, with two stand any chance of dislodging Nadal but there are Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 35 points and 16 Irving had a season-low 15 points for the Nets, playing players advancing from the four-man group. The major questions over the Spaniard’s fitness. If the rebounds, and Brook Lopez sank a go-ahead 3-pointer the second game of a five-game road trip. Swiss 20-time Grand Slam winner recovered quickly Serbian does claim the year-end number one spot, he with 25.4 seconds left as Milwaukee won at Oklahoma from being broken in the first game of the match but would match the record of Pete Sampras and victory City. Eric Bledsoe finished with a season-best 25 points, 76ERS 114, HORNETS 106 the Austrian fifth seed repeated the dose in the 11th at the end-of-season event would equal Federer’s marking the fourth consecutive game that he has scored Six players scored in double figures for Philadelphia, game and took the opening set 7-5. mark. The second seed saw off the challenge of at least 20 after being held to 18 or fewer in each of his which rallied from a halftime deficit to beat Charlotte after Federer, uncharacteristically wayward, squandered Berrettini in just 64 minutes, converting five of seven first six contests. Lopez joined Bledsoe in making a trio of losing three straight to end its four-game Western an early chance to break in the second set and the break points and at one stage going on an eight- 3-pointers for the Bucks, but none bigger than the one he Conference road swing. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 18 games went with serve until the 11th game again, game streak. “It feels great to be back,” said the sank after Oklahoma City went on a 13-2 run to forge a tie points and nine rebounds, followed by Furkan Korkmaz when Thiem broke to love after the third seed Wimbledon champion. “Earlier this year I had a great at 114. Dennis Schroder shot 9-of-12 for 25 points, and with 17 points, Al Horford with 15, Tobias Harris with 14, dumped a forehand into the net. stay in London, and over the years I’ve played well in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 22 for the Thunder, who Trey Burke with 12 and Josh Richardson with 11, as star The Austrian stuttered while serving for the match, this arena.” Nadal, who has never won the event, is saw their four-game home winning streak come to a halt. Ben Simmons sat out with a shoulder injury. Cody Zeller forced to save two break points, but he held his nerve bidding to clinch the year-end number one spot in the scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the second quarter to take the set 7-5 and seal a deserved victory on his ATP rankings for a fifth time. TRAIL BLAZERS 124, HAWKS 113 (OT) for the Hornets, who outscored Philadelphia in the period second match point. “I thought Dominic saved himself The tournament, featuring the year’s best eight Outscoring Atlanta 17-6 in the overtime period, 34-20. Reserve guard and season-long Hornets leading real well when he had to,” said Federer. “So I thought players, is contested in a round-robin format with the Portland broke a four-game losing streak with a home scorer Devonte’ Graham provided his usual spark off the he played a tough first-round performance today, and best four players and doubles teams reaching the victory. Kent Bazemore, the former Hawk traded to bench, finishing with 19 points and a game-high 10 assists. my game was probably just not good enough, and the knockout semi-finals stage. Nadal, in Group Andre Portland in the offseason, catalyzed the Blazers’ offense in start didn’t help.” Agassi, begins his campaign today against defending the extra period, scoring the first six points on a pair of 3- CAVALIERS 108, KNICKS 87 champion Alexander Zverev. —AFP pointers. He finished with 13 points and took on the diffi- Collin Sexton scored a career-high 31 points, and “It’s a normal tournament from here on forward,”