SAFAR 13, 1442 AH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

24 Pages 150 Fils

ISSUE NO: 18244

Goodbye Amir of Humanity

international support, which eventually helped free Kuwait from During times of instability and regional unrest, Sheikh Sabah By Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan occupation. stood calmly and worked tirelessly to lobby toward solutions. In Editor-in-Chief His Highness was always the voice of reason and always Kuwait, he served to bring all the various segments of society tried to settle differences in the region through dialogue and together to build the country and take it towards a future encom- cooperation, and believed firmly in the value of our collective passing us all. would first like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Al- unity. He championed Arab unity and stability and pushed for He was recognized by the United Nations in September 2014 for Sabah family and the people of Kuwait on the sad demise of the normalization of relations with Iraq and to bring Iraq back his global humanitarian work and changed the lives of millions of Iour beloved Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. into the Arab fold despite the atrocities of the Saddam invasion people around the world for the better. Today we face a terrible loss, a father figure for us all, a of our homeland. Dearest to the heart of Kuwait Times and myself is the fact that leader who weathered many crises and led us towards a stable Sheikh Sabah was one of the few Arab leaders who contin- it was Sheikh Sabah, serving as president of the Printing and and safe future. There is no underestimating the impact and ued to support the Palestinian quest for a return of their Publications Department of the Ministry of Social Affairs, who important role that Sheikh Sabah played globally, regionally and ancestral lands. He always stood for the point that Kuwait was issued my father the license to operate Kuwait Times in 1961. He in our own country. not against the peace process as long as there was a peace- contributed an article for the front page of our first issue, laying Under the leadership of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber, and dur- ful two-state solution that took into account the needs and the foundation of Kuwait’s modern, vibrant and free press. ing his tenure as foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah worked to build desires of both sides. We have lost more than we can imagine. 2 Wednesday, September 30, 2020

KUWAIT: In this January 29, 2006 file photo, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah swears in as Kuwait’s Amir during a special parliament session. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, Kuwait’s 15th Amir, passes away

he Amiri Diwan announced yester- appointed member of the Kuwaiti constitu- ic proficiency, namely acting information day the passing of His Highness tion’s founding council. This was followed minister (1971-1975), deputy prime minis- Tthe Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah by his addition to the first official cabinet, ter (1978), acting information minister Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. “With where he assumed the role of minister of (1982), deputy prime minister (1985-1992) great sadness and sorrow, the Amiri Diwan guidance in 1962. Only one year later, he and first deputy prime minister and foreign mourns the passing of His Highness, the began a journey as minister of foreign minister (1992). In 2001, he was tasked late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al- affairs, where he remained the top man with forming the Kuwaiti cabinet in the Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,” read a state- responsible for delivering Kuwait’s diplo- place of the then Crown Prince and Prime ment by the Amiri Diwan. The statement macy to the world for 40 years. Minister the late Amir Sheikh Saad Al- expressed condolences and commisera- Abdallah Al-Sabah, who was suffering from tions to the people of Kuwait, Arab and UN member a medical condition. Islamic regions and the world, praying for On May 11, 1963, during the first year of Two years later, Sheikh Sabah became mercy on the soul of the deceased. Sheikh Sabah’s time in office as minister, prime minister upon Amiri decree. It is dur- The fourth child of Sheikh Ahmad Al- Kuwait became a member of the United ing his time as prime minister that his abili- Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Amir Nations. Diplomatically, he was involved in ty to guide domestic policy came to light. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Kuwait-hosted talks in 1966 between war- The prime minister adopted a comprehen- Sabahís wisdom and intelligence stemed ring parties in Yemen, Egypt and Saudi sive development-based vision focused from a decades-long commitment to serv- Arabia aimed at putting an end to the particularly on economic growth through ing in the social, political and diplomatic Yemeni civil war. When the relationship support of the private sector and entrepre- spheres following extensive travel and deteriorated between South and North neurism amongst the youth. tutelage at Al-Mubarakiya School; Kuwait’s Yemen, with both involved in border clash- On the economic spectrum, a tour in His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber first formal educational establishment es, Sheikh Sabah visited the two countries Asia, including China, Japan, South Korea Al-Sabah is seen with Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad named after the late ruler, Sheikh Mubarak (at the time) helping forge a peace agree- and Singapore, at the head of a business Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 1956. Al-Sabah. Sheikh Sabah’s initial foray into ment in 1972. He also successfully mediat- delegation in 2004 resulted in the joint sig- public office came in 1954, when he was ed an agreement of diplomatic principles nature of 10 mega deals and projects. He aimed at rebuilding cities and towns in Iraq appointed member in the supreme execu- between Oman and South Yemen, which remained premier until 2006 when a cabi- reclaimed from the so-called Islamic State tive committee tasked with the role of the was followed by a joint announcement of net session passed a motion appointing group. These efforts have been commend- regulation of government interests and the resumption of diplomatic relations from him Amir of Kuwait. ed worldwide and have transformed from a bodies. A year later, he was handed the Kuwait in 1984. Throughout his tenure, the unilateral effort to a global initiative, receiv- role of director of the department of social then minister assumed a balanced foreign Widespread development ing the full backing of the United States and labor affairs, where he was instrumen- policy that enabled Kuwait to overcome His Highness Sheikh Sabah took oath and the European Union. His Highness as Kuwait’s Amir during a special National Sheikh Sabah was born in Kuwait on June Assembly session on January 29, 2006. 6, 1929, and educated in the schools of Over the years under his reign, Kuwait has Kuwait and later completed his studies with witnessed widespread development con- private tutors. — KUNA centrated on a number of mega projects like Sabah Al-Ahmad Marine City - the first fully-developed by the private sector. His Highness the Amir made comments urging nationals to stand together in the face of challenges and threats, namely the June 2015 terrorist attack on Al-Sadeq Mosque, which martyred 26 people and resulted in the injury of 200 more. Shortly after the suicide attack, His Highness took it upon himself to visit the location in person unan- nounced, where he uttered the renowned paternal words: “Those are my children”. While leading thousands of Kuwaitis who came to attend the mass funerals for the victims, His Highness urged “the Kuwaiti family to stand together united through troubles and strife in tackling violence and fundamentalist rhetoric that aims to under- mine the other.” On the scale of his foreign policy, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah offers condolences to the fami- Kuwait over recent years had pioneering lies of the victims of the Imam Al-Sadeq mosque bombing in June 2015. role in the global humanitarian field thanks to his wise policies. Kuwait hosted three tal in several factors, namely regulating the some difficult periods such as the Iraq-Iran pledging conferences for international gov- relationship between employer and War of 1980 and its repercussions on the ernments and organizations, co-chaired a employee. internal and external security and stability similar event in London and attended Upon the expansion of his role to of his country. He also forged a strong rela- another European Union-organized event include director of the publications depart- tionship with countries around the world, in Brussels. The Kuwait-hosted donors ment in 1957, Sheikh Sabah demonstrated particularly the five permanent member conferences raised a total of $7.5 billion a commitment to reviving old books and nations of the United Nations Security from attending nations, while Kuwait hand- manuscripts and tasked a committee with Council. These strong ties culminated in ed out a total $1.6 billion across all five writing the first book detailing the history of the emergence of a 35-nation coalition that gatherings as support for the victims of the Kuwait. Kuwaiti journalism, regarded one helped liberate Kuwait from invasion by Syrian conflict. The endeavors overseen of the most transparent in the Middle East, Iraq in 1991 as a result of a Security by His Highness earned him the unprece- continues to thrive thanks to His Highness, Council resolution that paved the way for a dented title of ‘Humanitarian Leader’ and who was behind the publications’ law, military offensive against the occupying Kuwait, the title of ‘Humanitarian Centre’, which remains in use until this day, albeit forces. Alongside his role as foreign minis- both granted by the United Nations. In Sheikh Sabah, then foreign minister of Kuwait, watches as the some minor amendments. As Kuwait ter, Sheikh Sabah was handed numerous February 2018, Kuwait also hosted a flag of Kuwait is raised for the first time in front of the UN declared its independence in 1961, he was roles due to his wise policies and diplomat- pledging conference dedicated to efforts headquarters in New York in 1963. Wednesday, September 30, 2020 3 Sheikh Nawaf named Amir of Kuwait His Highness to take oath in parliament at 11am today

is Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has been named State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al- Hthe Amir of Kuwait after the passing of Saleh. The late Amir’s passing follows a “glori- the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad ous legacy of sacrifice, generosity, accom- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti government plishments and commitment to principles and said yesterday. National Assembly Speaker ideals in the service of his country and Arab Marzouq Al-Ghanem announced on his Twitter and Islamic nations.” The statement went on to account later that he met His Highness the mention that Sheikh Sabah was known to have Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- “stood in support of justice, peace and human Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister dignity, wherever that may have been.” Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. With his passing, Kuwait, the Arab and He added: “We have listened to the directives Islamic regions and humanity as a whole, of His Highness, and it was decided to invite have lost a distinguished icon.” The late ruler the National Assembly to hold a special ses- made “unforgettable contributions” in support sion [today] at 11am during which His of humanity, and is responsible for envisaging Highness will take the constitutional oath in a new school of thought in diplomacy, it accordance with the text of Article 60 of the added. Meanwhile, the government Constitution.” announced an official 40 days of mourning In a statement, Deputy Prime Minister, and an official three-day holiday starting yes- Minister of Interior and Minister of State for KUWAIT: In this file photo taken on October 24, 2017 Kuwait’s Amir His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad terday following passing away of His Highness Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh, on behalf of the Al-Sabah speaks while His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah looks on dur- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. — KUNA Cabinet, prayed for mercy on the soul of the ing the opening ceremony of the new legislative term at the National Assembly in Kuwait City. — AFP deceased. The Cabinet prays for the success of the new ruler in his efforts to ensure the late Amir His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al- by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh security and growth of the country, added the Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, describing him as Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the statement. The Cabinet expressed its sorrow a “virtuous father, patron and leader of human- Cabinet said the late Amir died in the United and commiserations over the passing of the itarianism.” After a meeting at Seif Palace led States at 16:00 Kuwait’s time, according to Sheikh Sabah, father of diplomacy

is Highness the Amir Sheikh Also in the 1960s, Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- organized many meetings for HSabah’s interest in foreign politics representatives of the began in 1963 and he had served Iranian and Bahraini gov- in the foreign affairs’ post for many years, ernments at the Kuwaiti thus earning him the name “father of diplo- diplomatic mission in macy.’ Uniquely, the Kuwaiti foreign poli- Geneva, succeeding in cy, as engineered by His Highness Sheikh drawing up a settlement Sabah Al-Ahmad, has been based on that was referred to the ‘golden bases’ of diplomatic, political, United Nations. In the economic, mediation and humanitarian 80s, Kuwait mediated factors. Popular as a calm, balanced and between Oman and flexible politician, quarreling states have Yemen, hosting meet- often sought His Highness Sheikh Sabah ings of the two countries’ Al-Ahmad’s mediation to iron out their dif- foreign ministers that ferences and he has indeed succeeded in ended with an agree- reaching just settlements to a large num- ment on halting “a media ber of Arab, regional and international war” between them, crises. respecting good neigh- borliness’ principles and each other’s sovereignty, in addition to the Kuwaiti role for settling Saudi- Libyan differences during era of the late leader Col Moammar Al-Gadhafi and tackling strains in the UAE- Oman ties in 2009. Moreover, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad masterminded conciliation among Arab leaders on side- lines of the Arab Economic, Development and Social His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Summit, held in Kuwait in Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Saudi King Salman Al January 2009. At the 2009 Arab Saud at the Arab Extraordinary Summit in summit in Qatar, Sheikh Sabah Al- Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on May 31, 2019. Ahmad urged summiteers to seriously tack- le drawbacks of the much-aspired joint Arab action. Favoring conciliation for lin- gering differences, Sheikh Sabah Al- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad had warned of tackle the re-appearing rifts. In July 2017, Ahmad attended an Arab summit, hosted potential dire consequences as a result of Kuwait witnessed intensive diplomatic by Baghdad in March 2012. His long histo- the inter-GCC rifts. “Our Gulf unity is our activities in light of His Highness’ media- US President Donald Trump welcomes His inescapable destiny,” Sheikh Sabah Al- tion. On December 5, 2017, Kuwait hosted Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- ry of good-will diplomacy was also seen in his efforts for ending the Lebanese civil war Ahmad has stressed. In October 1982, the 38th session of the GCC supreme Jaber Al-Sabah at the White House on Sept 7, Kuwait hosted the signing of a conciliation council - during which His Highness called 2017. that had dragged on from 1975 to 1989. Amid mounting unrest in Yemen since accord between southern Yemen and again for healing the cracks. In January 2011, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad scrambled Oman and played a crucial role for restor- 2018, Kuwait hosted the 11th session of Kuwait has a long experience in set- to try spare the Yemenis’ blood. His efforts ing ties between Libya and Saudi Arabia in the GCC legislative assemblies and “shu- tling inter-Arab disputes, such as media- at the time capped with the GCC concilia- 1982. Kuwait stood on Bahrain’s side when ra” councils, in a move that was widely tion among the Yemenis in the 1960s and tion initiative declared on April 21, 2016. it witnessed unrest in 2011 and upon seen as contributing to the efforts for thaw- between northern and southern Yemen in Kuwait had also hosted marathon reconcil- guidelines by Sheikh Sabah, a Kuwaiti del- ing the ice in the ties among the GCC 1972. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah iation talks among the Yemeni parties. egation visited the country to try bridge the countries. — KUNA visited the two parts of Yemen, succeed- Deeply advocating harmony among the gulf and find a political settlement. Kuwait ed in halting armed skirmishes and GCC states, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad had had responded positively to Manama’s call worked out a political settlement. Two stated, “Tackling the differences among for deploying units of “the peninsula shield years earlier, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad the GCC brothers is a duty that I cannot force” to secure strategic installations. On scrambled to resolve a violent Palestinian- neglect.” Lamenting the dangers sur- March 3, 2011, Sheikh Sabah visited the Jordanian dispute. rounding the GCC, founded in early 80s, UAE and Oman, successfully working out a brotherly conciliation between the two GCC member states. The year 2014 witnessed a major GCC crisis, prompting His Highness again to visit the countries involved in the dispute to try defuse inter-GCC tensions. Qatar had accepted formation of a joint panel to be tasked with implementing the Riyadh accord that had been hammered out on November 23, 2013, among the Saudi King, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah and the Qatari Amir, as well as representa- tives of other GCC countries. GCC leaders were expected to meet at the scheduled summit in Qatar in the end of 2014 howev- er, differences re-emerged and the stake- holders reached a new deal to organize a summit in Riyadh, which was held in the middle of November. It ended with a dec- laration that the GCC crisis ended. However, in 2017, the crisis recurred His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad and again Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives Turkish President His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Palestinian President responded to the situation by trying to Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Kuwait on July 23, Mahmoud Abbas in Kuwait on November 12, 2017. 2017. 4 Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Kuwaiti donations distributed to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. A Kuwait-sponsored iftar project in Jordan. Kuwaiti aid distributed in Lebanon. Humanitarian activism pillar of Kuwait’s foreign policy under Sheikh Sabah

umanitarian work and reaching out foundations of life - that is the human spirit,” to people in need around the world His Highness the Amir pointed out. He noted has been a topic of main focus dur- that Kuwait had been developing and mod- Hing the life of His Highness the Amir ernizing the methods of providing assis- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, tance. His Highness the Amir hailed the earning him international recognition that great role played by Kuwait charities in offer- culminated with the United Nations naming ing the helping hand to all people in need him a ‘Humanitarian Leader’ and of Kuwait worldwide. “Kuwaiti charitable associations as a ‘Center of Humanitarian Action.’ The and peoples’ fundraising committees have well-deserved UN honoring came in recog- set an example in their continued support of nition of the outstanding contributions of many humanitarian projects in Asia and Kuwait, under the wise leadership of His Africa, by individual initiatives that have Highness Sheikh Sabah, to humanitarian become a shining example of benevolence action worldwide. characterizing the Kuwaiti people,” said His On September 9, 2014, then-secretary Highness the Amir. He recalled that in 2008 general of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon Kuwait earmarked 10 percent of its total held a special function at the UN headquar- humanitarian assistance to countries affect- ters in New York to express the UN and the ed by natural or man-made disasters to be international community appreciation for His channeled to UN organizations and special- Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah and ized agencies active in the humanitarian Kuwait’s generosity and kindness. “It gives field. “This was followed by official decisions me great pleasure and honor to be here to double the fixed annual voluntary contribu- today to recognize the leadership of His tions to a number of international agencies Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber and organizations... this has provided the Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait. This is a great humanitarian work of Kuwait with wider hori- humanitarian day. We are sitting together zons and more comprehensive dimensions with a great humanitarian leader of our to promote direct cooperation in the various

In this September 9, His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah inaugurates the Kuwait 2014 file photo, UN International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq on February 13, 2018. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon honors His Highness the Amir of world,” Ban said in his speech during the crises, with those international bodies,” he Kuwait Sheikh Sabah ceremony. He also lauded Kuwait’s exempla- said. His Highness the Amir underlined that Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber ry humanitarian leadership, which saved the acts of benevolence and philanthropy Al-Sabah as a thousands of lives. “Kuwait has shown exem- were “inherent values in the hearts of the ‘Humanitarian Leader.’ plary humanitarian leadership in supporting Kuwaiti people, as inherited generation after these operations under the compassionate generation from their forefathers.” and passionate leadership of His Highness the Amir. Kuwait may be a small country in Pillar of foreign policy 2018, Kuwait stated that it had fulfilled all the side Syria over the past years. In Iraq, Kuwait size but she has a big and broad and com- The humanitarian activism became a pillar aid pledges it made in the donors’ confer- rushed to help the people displaced by the passionate heart. We are here today to pay of Kuwait’s foreign policy since His Highness ence for Yemen in April after paying $250 war between the Iraqi army and the so-called our deepest tribute to the humanitarian lead- the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber million for financing humanitarian action in Islamic State (IS) group. In 2015, Kuwait ership of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al- Al-Sabah’s assumption to power in 2006 and the war-ravaged country. During its presi- donated $200 million to provide aid and shel- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. We thank His the volume of Kuwait’s humanitarian aid dency of the UN Security Council in February ters to refugees and displaced people and Highness the Amir of Kuwait and the people notably skyrocketed. The State of Kuwait and 2018, Kuwait, in collaboration with Sweden, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society doled out of Kuwait for their outstanding generosity its Leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh had drafted and managed to rally support for 40,000 food packages to affected families. In towards Syrians and Iraqis in need.” Sabah have been active in organizing, host- a UN resolution on a 30-day ceasefire across July 2016, Kuwait donated $176 million to He shed light on Kuwait’s numerous ing and partaking in regional and internation- Syria to allow the delivery of humanitarian Iraq during the donors’ conference held in humanitarian initiatives to offer aid to people al humanitarian events. His Highness the assistance and evacuation of those who Washington. Following defeat of the IS, in need across the globe, especially the war- Amir headed Kuwait’s delegation to the need urgent medical treatment. Kuwait hosted an international conference in torn Syria. “Every year, Kuwait hosts a World Humanitarian Summit, held in the In May 2018, the UN approved a draft res- February 2018 to finance the reconstruction regional conference on partnerships for Turkish city of Istanbul on May 23, 2016 olution presented by Kuwait and several oth- of the liberated areas to pave the way for the effective humanitarian action. Kuwait has which was held to reinvigorate commitment er member states to condemn the using of return of the refugees. For Yemen, Kuwait also increased its support for multilateral to humanity and to the universality of humani- starvation of civilians as a method of warfare. announced in 2015 allocating $100 million to humanitarian action exponentially since the tarian principles. During his speech at the Also in May, Kuwait, the United Kingdom and finance humanitarian work there. For sup- start of the crisis in Syria. In the past two summit, His Highness the Amir announced the Republic of Peru led a UN Security porting the Palestinian people, Kuwait donat- years, Kuwait has donated hundreds of mil- that Kuwait was ranked first among world Council team on a field visit to Bangladesh ed $34 million for the United Nations Relief lions of dollars for humanitarian operations, countries in terms of the percentage of its and Myanmar, to meet with officials from and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in not only in the Middle East, but in Chad, external humanitarian aid to its Gross both countries and to keep a close eye on the Near East (UNRWA) in 2009 and $15 mil- Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia and Domestic Product (GDP). In September the situation of refugees that reached lion in 2013. Sudan.” He also noted that Kuwait’s leader- 700,000. In October, 2017, Kuwait collabo- In present times, His Highness the Amir ship and funding had saved tens of thou- rated with the European Union to host an acknowledged the threat posed by the sands of lives, and has galvanized others to international donors conference in Geneva COVID-19 pandemic and issued a decree on participate in coordinated international for supporting Rohingya people. In 2014, March 26, 2020 allocating a sum of KD 10 action. Kuwait hosted the International Forum for million to implement the national anti-coron- In his speech at the ceremony, His Humanitarian action to give impetus to avirus emergency program. His Highness Highness the Amir emphasized that “Kuwait, humanitarian action worldwide. Kuwait host- also instructed state bodies to bring back since its independence and gaining the UN ed two donors’ conferences for the Syrian Kuwaitis from abroad and also aid down-on- membership, has followed a steady people in 2013 and 2014 where $3.6 billion their-luck expatriates to help pull through approach in its foreign policy, based essen- was pledged, of which Kuwait contributed an during the measures put to halt the spread of tially on humanitarian assistance to all needy amount of $800 million. Kuwait also donated the disease. — KUNA countries regardless of their geographic $500 million and $300 million in third and location, religious beliefs or ethnic origins.” fourth donors’ conference for Syria held in This assistance is in “pursuance of its belief London in 2015 and 2016 respectively. and conviction of the importance of interna- Kuwaiti charities and civil society organi- tional partnership, as well as the unification A postage stamp commemorating the UN honoring zations had also generously contributed to and activation of international efforts, aimed of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah the humanitarian and relief work to alleviate at the maintenance and preservation of the Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. the suffering of Syrian people inside and out-

8 Wednesday, September 30, 2020

World lost a great leader: US Ambassador

KUWAIT: US Ambassador to Kuwait Alina L Romanowski released a statement yester- day, expressing condolences on the pass- ing of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. “It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,” the ambassa- dor said. “I want to extend my sincere con- dolences to his family, and to the people of Kuwait on this solemn day. The Amir was an exceptional leader who worked tirelessly to promote peace and unity in the region. He was known for his wisdom and humanitari- an efforts, with an impact on the lives of countless people around the globe.” “He was also a special friend to the United States, and one that we will never forget. The world has lost a great leader,” the ambassador concluded.

RIYADH: This file photo taken on December 10, 2019 shows from (left) Omani Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmud Al-Said, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Kuwaiti Amir His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Qatar’s Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani attending the 40th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Riyadh. — AFP Humanitarian leader par excellence: Arab, Muslim leaders mourn Indian Ambassador KUWAIT: Ambassador of India to Kuwait Sibi George released a statement yester- day, expressing condolences on the pass- loss of ‘great, wise leader’ ing of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. “On behalf of the government and the people of Republic KUWAIT: Condolences poured in from across and expresses his sincere condolences and of India, including the Indian community in the Arab world yesterday following the commiserations to the brotherly people of Kuwait, I express my sincere and heartfelt announcement of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Kuwait and his (His Highness the late Amir’s) condolences to the government and people Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s passing. noble family over this grievous loss,” added the of the state of Kuwait on the sad demise of “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King statement. It went on to pray for mercy upon the His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince soul of the deceased. Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi Kuwait,” the statement reads. Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and said the Arab and Islamic nations lost a “great “His Highness was a great leader, a Minister of Defense have received with utmost and unique” leader with passing away of His statesman, and above all a humanitarian grief and sorrow the news of the death of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. Hadi, in a leader par excellence,” the ambassador Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- statement issued by the presidency, expressed said. “His Highness was a voice of wisdom, Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, may sorrow for the demise of His Highness the Amir balance and reason.” Allah bestow mercy upon him and rest him in and cited his contributions to narrow the gaps “His Highness greatly contributed to the His widely vast paradise,” read an official state- among Arab brothers. He said the late Amir had enhancement of the bilateral ment published by Saudi Press Agency (SPA). various humanitarian contributions to help the relations between India and Kuwait,” the “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Yemeni people as well as achieving peace in ambassador said. “The people of India will and the Crown Prince offered sincere condo- Yemen. fondly remember His Highness. The care lences and faithful consolation to the noble Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- and affection that His Highness showered Sabah family, in the State of Kuwait, the brethren Jaber Al-Sabah meets Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Al Big brother upon the Indian community in Kuwait would Kuwaiti people and the Arab as well as the Thani on May 19, 2019. Lebanese President Michel Aoun expressed be deeply cherished. I sincerely pray for Islamic nations, on the death of His Highness great sorrow over the passing of His Highness ing humanity.” the departed soul; may his soul rest in eter- Sheikh Sabah, who died following a procession Sheikh Sabah, describing him as an example of “The Kingdom of Bahrain, which was so nal peace.” full of achievements and endeavors exerted to “moderation and wisdom,” who spent his life in pained by this grievous affliction, expresses its best serve his country, the Arab as well as the service of his people. “Lebanon, with the pass- sincere condolences to the honorable Al-Sabah Islamic nations and the entire humanity,” the ing of Sheikh Sabah, has lost a big brother, who family and the government and the people of statement continued. “The King and Crown stood by the Lebanese people in difficult cir- Kuwait, praying to God Almighty to grant the Prince emphasized that the Kingdom of Saudi cumstances over the past years and spared no deceased the fullness of His mercy and to dwell Arabia and its people share with the brethren, in effort to ensure the stability, unity and sovereign- him in His spacious heaven, and to inspire the the State of Kuwait, their sorrows, praying to the ty of Lebanon,” Aoun said in a statement. “His Al-Sabah family and the brotherly Kuwaiti people Almighty Allah to provide the noble family and Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad has always with patience and solace. Upon King Hamad’s the fraternal Kuwaiti people patience and solace rushed to support the Lebanese people,” he KRCS mourns orders, Bahrain announced an official mourning against such a grave calamity and to perpetuate added, citing contributions to rebuild many and flags will be flown at half-mast in the king- security, stability, prosperity and flourishment on towns and villages across the country. “The dom for three days. the State of Kuwait and its fraternal people,” the deceased was the voice that defended Arab just statement concluded. causes in regional and international meetings, late Amir Wise leader foremost the Palestinian question,” said Aoun. Jordan’s King Abdullah yesterday mourned He extended deepest condolences to His KUWAIT: The Kuwait Red Crescent Society the passing of His Highness Sheikh Sabah, say- Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince (KRCS) yesterday expressed deep sorrow and ing his country has lost a “big brother and wise Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and sadness over the tragic death of His Highness leader.” “Today we lost a big brother and a wise Kuwaiti people. the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- leader who loved Jordan, His Highness Sheikh Sabah. In a press statement, the Chairman of the Sabah Al-Ahmad, May God bless his soul. He ‘Great sadness’ Board of Directors of KRCS Dr Hilal Al-Sayer said was an exceptional leader and an Amir of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- humanity and morals, who devoted his life to the expressed his sincere condolences to the Ahmad was an outstanding figure and a man of a service of his country and the nation,” King Kuwaiti people for the passing of His Highness legendary stage in the modern history of Kuwait Abdullah said on his Twitter page as quoted by Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. On his Twitter feed, the since he began his role for his country and its Jordan’s news agency, Petra. “He never ceased Turkish leader said that he received the news of people. Dr Sayer added that during the reign of to make every effort in uniting Arab ranks. We the Amir’s demise with ‘great sadness.’ “On His Highness the Amir, Kuwait gained a phenom- console ourselves and the brotherly Kuwaiti peo- behalf of the Turkish nation, I convey my sincere enal global reputation for being one of the most ple over this tragic loss,” the king added. condolences to the friendly and brotherly people active countries in the field of charitable and Meanwhile, the Royal Hashemite Court of Kuwait,” he said. humanitarian work to the needy and the affected expressed its own deepest sympathy and the worldwide, indicating the UN culminated these Jordanian peoples’, saying they stand side by Iconic leader efforts by calling Kuwait a center for humanitarian side with the people of Kuwait at this difficult work, while giving the title of humanitarian leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abul time. Under King Abdullah’s orders, the Court Gheit mourned Tuesday the passing of His to His Highness the Amir. Jaber Al-Sabah welcomes King Abdullah II of went on to announce 40 days of mourning over Dr Sayer mentioned that with his departure, Jordan in Kuwait on June 12, 2018. Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, describing the late Amir’s passing from yesterday. him as a “unique Arab leader.” Abul Gheit said everyone lost a great leader who was character- in a statement the Arab world has lost an iconic ized by wisdom, consideration and good opinion, Unique standing Far-sightedness leader who was known for his wisdom “and who devoted his life and effort to serve his nation Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdulfattah Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani commitment to dialogue as a means to solve and called for dialogue, solidarity and unity, Al-Sisi mourned the loss of His Highness Sheikh expressed his sorrow and commiserations over thorny problems.” He extended condolences for defending the just causes of his nation and Sabah, saying Arab and Islamic nations have the passing of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al- the Kuwaiti people for the passing away of His rejecting violence and extremism. His Highness lost a “leader, who was one of their dearest Ahmad Al-Sabah, describing the late Amir as a Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. Abul Gheit the Amir, may Allah Almighty have mercy on him, men.” In a tweet, President Sisi went on to “great leader.” In a Qatari Amiri Diwan state- said the UN’s Humanitarian Leader title of His adored Kuwait and its people, doing everything express his sincere condolences and commiser- ment, Sheikh Tamim said “he (the late Amir) was Highness the Amir was well-deserved. He in his power to serve everyone and work to ations to the people of Kuwait over the loss, a great leader, who was characterized by his ordered the flag to be flown at half-mast for three achieve their interests, so people gave him love praying for mercy upon the soul of the late Amir. wisdom, moderation and far-sightedness.” The days. back, he pointed out. He explained that His Egypt has declared a three-day state of public Qatari Amir went on to declare state mourning In the meantime, the Secretary General of the Highness the Amir was known to be a philanthro- mourning across the country until Thursday. across the country, saying that flags would be Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) pist and a caller to charitable work, which wit- Earlier in a statement, the Egyptian government flown at half-mast in honor of the late ruler. “He mourned the death of His Highness Sheikh nessed great development under his wise leader- described the late Amir as a “great leader of devoted his lifetime efforts to serving his nation, Sabah. OIC’s Secretary-General Dr Yousef Al- ship, noting that he obtained the leader of unique standing.” calling for dialogue and the solidarity and unity Othaimeen expressed his sincere condolences humanitarian work and Kuwait as a humanitarian “His Highness the Amir of Kuwait was a wise of Arab countries and defended the just causes to the government of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti people, center. leader, who dedicated his life to serving his peo- of Islamic nations,” added Sheikh Tamim. He the family of the deceased and the entire Islamic Dr Sayer referred to what His Highness the ple and humanity, as a whole,” read the state- went on to pray for mercy on the soul of the nation over this terrible loss. His Highness Amir was known to the whole world as a sincere ment by government spokesman Bassem deceased leader, and for him to be given the Sheikh Sabah, may Allah have mercy on him, man who played a major humanitarian and relief Radhi. ”His efforts and accomplishments remain best of rewards for his contributions to Kuwait was one of the leaders of Kuwait who worked on role for countries that were exposed to natural or lodged in our memories and he will remain an and the Islamic region, expressing his sympathy its prosperity and stability, Othaimeen said. He man-made disasters. His Highness the Amir’s icon in leadership, hard work and generosity. to the Kuwaiti ruling family and the Kuwaiti, Arab underlined that His Highness Sheikh Sabah was many ideas and initiatives have made Kuwait a Egypt, in these painful circumstances, should and Muslim people over the loss. a voice of wisdom, with political and humanitari- place in which goodness and peace the world remember with gratitude and appreciation the Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa an stances that everyone witnessed, praying to emanates from, referring to the relief work of the fraternal stances of His Highness Sheikh Sabah mourned the late His Highness Sheikh Sabah Allah Almighty to bless his soul. — KUNA afflicted countries and the conferences that Al-Ahmad and his prominent role in the develop- “who passed away following a lifetime full of giv- Kuwait organized to serve the deprived, he said. ment of Kuwait and Arab and Islamic nations. ing and achievements in serving his people and Dr Sayer underlined that the death of His On behalf of Egypt and Arab and Islamic his Arab and Islamic nation and supporting its Highness the Amir is a huge loss to Kuwait, the nations, President Abdulfattah Al-Sisi (of Egypt) causes. He was a wise leader who devoted his Arab and Islamic nations, and indeed to the whole mourns the loss of a dear brother and friend, life to serving his people and nation and to serv- world, praying to Allah Almighty to have mercy on the deceased and forgive him. — KUNA Wednesday, September 30, 2020 9

SHARM EL-SHEIKH: In this file photo taken on February 24, 2019 Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel talks with His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during the first joint European Union and Arab League summit at the International Congress Centre in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El- Sheikh. — AFP Sheikh Sabah, veteran defender of Arab unity

uwait’s Amir His Highness Sheikh Sabah Kuwait’s Amir, an unwavering champion of Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has died, the Amiri Arab detente amid wars and regional tumult, KDiwan announced yesterday, plunging helped lead his country out of the ruin of Iraq’s his country into mourning for a leader 1990 invasion to renewed riches and a Gulf medi- regarded by many Gulf Arabs as a savvy diplo- ator role, first as its top diplomat and later as ruler. matic operator and a humanitarian champion. Keenly aware of Kuwait’s small size and huge Sheikh Sabah had ruled the wealthy oil producer oil wealth, Sheikh Sabah saw astute diplomacy as and US ally since 2006 and steered its foreign crucial to its recovery from Iraq’s seven-month policy for more than 50 years. occupation, navigating frequent tensions between “With the utmost sadness and grief for the much larger neighbors Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwaiti people, the Islamic and Arab world and Iran. Dubbed the “dean of Arab diplomacy” after people of friendly nations, the Amiri Diwan four decades as Kuwait’s foreign minister, the mourns the death of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Amir tried up until his death to resolve the row Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait,” his office over Qatar which he said left him “bitter”. said. The Amir had been in hospital in the United Sheikh Sabah kept strong ties with the States since July for medical checkups. United States, which led a coalition that end- Sheikh Sabah sought to balance relations with ed Iraq’s 1990-91 occupation and used Kuwait’s bigger neighbors — forging the closest Kuwait as a launchpad for the 2003 Iraq inva- ties with Saudi Arabia, rebuilding links with for- sion. Despite some public unease about rap- mer occupier Iraq and keeping open dialogue prochement, in 2012 he visited Iraq to start with Iran. He tried to mediate in a Gulf dispute rebuilding ties with Baghdad. He also took a that saw Riyadh and its allies impose a boycott strong stand for Palestinian rights, and made on Qatar, and made fundraising for humanitarian fundraising for humanitarian aid in Syria one aid in Syria one of Kuwait’s priorities. of Kuwait’s priorities. — Reuters Condolences poured in from across the Arab world, and several countries in the Gulf and wider region announced mourning periods. International WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 Pompeo wraps up Greece visit with Cardinal Pell to return to Rome after sex abuse acquittal Page 12 naval base tour Page 13

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump speaks on COVID-19 testing in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC. —AFP Trump, Biden head into first debate with presidency on the line Trump’s ex-campaign manager had 10 guns, allegedly hit wife

CLEVELAND: There’ll be no handshake, but venom samples, “he can.” Trump, arguably, has little to lose. Trump points out that Biden only lived in Scranton to spare when President Donald Trump and chal- His hardcore support is already baked in and as a young boy and spent most of his life in Congress. lenger Joe Biden meet in Cleveland today for the first Americans are by now almost incapable of feeling But the Times report on the president’s ability to of three televised debates that could shake up an shocked by his convention-wrecking style. avoid almost all federal income taxes will give Biden a already volatile race for the White House. He also goes to Cleveland with what he hopes will trove of new ammunition. Heavy losses as Covid-19 restrictions will give the debate moderat- be his own silver bullet — the nomination of conserva- Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s former campaign ed by Fox News star Chris Wallace a streamlined look tive judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace the late liber- manager Brad Parscale had 10 guns in his Florida Armenia-Azerbaijan with a smaller audience. Naturally, there won’t be the al icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. If home and his wife accused him of beating her, police once standard — even if occasionally forced — show Barrett is quickly confirmed, as the Republican-led said Monday, after he was dramatically detained out- fighting rages of goodwill in shaking hands as the rivals go on stage. Senate expects, Trump will have managed to tilt the side his house. What the 90-minute clash will have is a chance for highest court firmly to the right for years to come. Parscale allegedly hit his wife, loaded a pistol and YEREVAN: Azerbaijani and Armenian forces Americans finally to see Trump, 74, and Biden, 77, go Democrats are crying foul over the rushed timing on threatened to commit suicide during an argument on claimed to have inflicted heavy losses as fighting head to head. With Trump claiming Biden is virtually the eve of an election, but Trump expects the power Sunday, a police report about the incident in Fort raged for a third day yesterday over the breakaway brain dead — “Biden doesn’t know he’s alive” — and play to energize many conservatives. Lauderdale, 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Miami. region of Nagorny Karabakh. Urgent calls from Biden branding the president “a toxic presence,” it Parscale was fired as campaign manager when world leaders for a halt to the fierce clashes that won’t be for the faint hearted. Blue collar boast Trump was sinking in the polls in July, just four erupted on Sunday have gone unheeded by the ex- Significantly behind in the polls, Trump is in fight- The president is sure to go heavy on previous months before the November election. In a police Soviet rivals, who have been locked for decades in a ing mode, embarking on an endurance-testing sched- claims that Biden’s son was involved in corruption in bodycam video, Parscale’s wife, Candice, is seen out- territorial dispute over Karabakh. ule of rallies in key battlegrounds several times a Ukraine. Last year Trump was impeached for using side the house in a bikini and towel telling police he The UN Security Council was scheduled to meet week. Biden, though, comes hoping to press his the power of his office to try and pressure the was “acting crazy” and had loaded a handgun. yesterday for emergency talks on the military escala- advantage. Ukrainian government into publicly backing that the- “I saw him open the blinds in the front yard and he tion over the ethnic Armenian exclave, where intense And he arrives aided by The New York Times’ ory. closed them and I heard what I thought was a gun- fighting in recent days has caused nearly 100 con- publication of a report purporting to reveal the con- Biden, as frontrunner, wants to stay steady, but he shot,” she said. The footage showed Parscale, 44, later firmed deaths. Both sides said fighting was continuing tents of Trump’s deeply secret tax returns — finding has a reputation for losing his cool when challenged in emerging from the house, shirtless and holding a beer on Tuesday, despite international pleas for a ceasefire. that the self-proclaimed billionaire and champion of public. “I hope I don’t get baited into a brawl with this can. Armenian defense officials said separatists in the working class avoids paying almost all federal guy, because that’s the only place he’s comfortable,” He was tackled by armed police, knocked to the Karabakh had repelled Azerbaijani attacks along the income taxes. he said. ground and restrained in handcuffs as he repeatedly frontline and that “the enemy suffered serious losses in Biden will instead aim to keep his sights trained on said “I didn’t do anything.” The police report said he manpower”. The defence ministry in Yerevan said Hard and low the coronavirus pandemic, which polls show about appeared to be drunk and quoted Candice Parscale, Azerbaijan’s military had suffered major losses since Trump, who fancies his skills as a verbal pugilist, is two thirds of Americans say Trump handled badly. 41, as saying her husband had turned violent in recent the clashes erupted, with nearly 50 drones and four expected to hit hard and low. For months he has He will also shoot back at the filling of the Supreme weeks. “I noticed several large sized contusions on helicopters downed, and 80 tanks destroyed. painted Biden as senile. As the debate approached he Court seat, saying that Trump’s plan is for the court to both of her arms, her cheek and forehead,” wrote Defence officials in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku in turn dismissed claims by separatist fighters that the increasingly focused on his claim that Biden takes restrict abortion and reverse the Obamacare health detective Steven Smith in the report. “When I asked Armenian-backed troops had regained control of terri- performance enhancing drugs. program — two areas that could worry swing voters. how she received the bruising, (she) stated Brad tory in Karabakh lost in fighting Sunday. They said Biden has laughed off the suggestion, but Trump, a But the most fiery moments may come when Biden Parscale hits her.” “fierce fighting” had persisted in the early hours of past master at getting slurs to stick to his opponents, himself gets personal, painting Trump as a spoiled The fired campaign chief was reported to have two Tuesday and that their military had repelled an is doubling down. “Joe Biden just announced that he playboy who only poses as a friend of the white shotguns, two rifles and six handguns on the property. Armenian counterattack, destroying “an Armenian will not agree to a Drug Test. Gee, I wonder why?” working class that helped him get elected in 2016. He was committed to a mental health facility for eval- motorised column and an artillery unit” and, later, an Trump tweeted Monday. Biden, who spent his early childhood in the rough- uation. He was demoted shortly after a Trump cam- entire motorised infantry regiment. Biden’s deputy campaign manager Kate edged town of Scranton, Pennsylvania, is increasingly paign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma that was widely panned Azerbaijani forces “continued an offensive on the Bedingfield responded in kind, saying that if Trump mocking Trump’s glitzy New York roots, calling it a for its poor attendance. He remained a senior member city of Fizuli, destroying four enemy tanks, an armoured wants the debate to be conducted through “urine” “Scranton vs Park Avenue” election. of the campaign team. —AFP vehicle and killing 10 troops,” officials in Baku said. “The enemy... asked for help to evacuate corpses and wounded troops” from the battlefield, it said. The magazine was the scene of a massacre by Islamist The five include three former flatmates of the attacker, Paris meat cleaver gunmen in January 2015. The attacker seriously injured his younger brother, and an acquaintance. Five more peo- Stalled peace efforts two employees of a TV production agency, whose offices ple have been released from custody, including a man The fighting between majority-Muslim Azerbaijan are on the same block that used to house Charlie Hebdo. identified as Youssef, who claimed he was arrested while and Christian Armenia is threatening to draw in Turkey attacker’s identity They are now in stable condition, officials said. trying to stop the attack. “I wanted to be a hero, I ended and Russia - the main powerbrokers in the Caucasus He told investigators he thought he was targeting up behind bars,” he told TF1 television Sunday. The attack region - who back opposing sides of the conflict. in doubt employees of Charlie Hebdo, but did not realise they had came three weeks into a trial of suspected accomplices of Yerevan is part of a military alliance of former Soviet since moved to a new location that is kept secret because the authors of the January 2015 attacks on Charlie Hebdo states led by Moscow and Russian leader Vladimir PARIS: There was confusion Monday over the identity of security risks. A man claiming to be the suspect’s father, and a Jewish supermarket, which also saw a policewoman Putin has called for a halt to the fighting. of the man who injured two people in a meat cleaver Arshad Mehmood, told AFP by telephone from Mandi gunned down in the street. Seventeen people were killed Ankara backs Azerbaijan and has been accused of attack in Paris last week, which was condemned by the Bahauddin that he was “very happy with what my son has in the three-day spree that heralded a wave of Islamist sending mercenaries from northern Syria to bolster French government as an act of “Islamist terrorism”. done.” “My son Zaheer Hassan went to France two years violence in France that has so far claimed 258 lives. “Of Baku’s army, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Investigators said the assailant had identified himself as ago,” he said. “He protected the honour of the prophet, course we, Charlie Hebdo, are on the front line again,” Erdogan said Monday it was time for the longstanding Hassan A., an 18-year-old born in the Pakistani town of peace be upon him, by attacking those who have printed Richard Malka, a lawyer for the satirical weekly, said on dispute over Karabakh “to be put to an end”. Mandi Bahauddin. It appears he entered France three things about our prophet,” he said. “The entire village has the margins of the trial. Azerbaijan has not reported military casualties, but the years ago, and was not known to police and not known to come to congratulate me.” “I hope the government can French President Emmanuel Macron meanwhile told separatist government has released footage from the have ever displayed signs of supporting radical Islam. help in getting my son home. He should not be harmed in Monday’s cabinet meeting that “the terrorist threat still battlefield showing what it said was the remains of But when looking through his mobile phone, investiga- any way,” he added. persists in our country,” said government spokesman Azerbaijani soldiers. tors found a photo of an identity document that appears Gabriel Attal. Later, on a trip to Lithuania, he told Armenia’s rights ombudsman Arman Tatoyan con- to suggest Hassan A. is actually called Zaheer Hassan ‘Threat still persists’ reporters that “more than 32 attacks” had been foiled over firmed yesterday the deaths of two more civilians, while Mehmood, aged 25, a source close to the investigation In his two-minute video, the attacker did not claim to three years by France’s intelligence services and security Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said civilian casual- ties on the Azerbaijani side reached 10 yesterday. That told AFP. It’s under that identity that he appeared in a act on behalf of any organisation. He remained in custody forces. The head of the presidency’s anti-terror task force, Monday, along with five others who investigators said Laurent Nunez, told AFP on Sunday that detection tech- brings the total confirmed deaths in the fighting to 98 - video filmed before the Friday attack, in which he said he including 84 separatist fighters and 14 civilians. —AFP was avenging the publication of caricatures of the were being held to learn more about the suspect’s “envi- niques had improved, but acknowledged that “we still Prophet Mohammed by satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. ronment,” though police believe he acted alone. need to tighten the net”. —AFP

12 International Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Zuma asks South African graft commission head to recuse himself Former president has repeatedly refused to testify to the commission JOHANNESBURG: South African former presi- Chairperson of the Commission on the ground that “busy” preparing for a separate corruption trial in dent Jacob Zuma on Monday requested that the our client reasonably apprehends that you have January. head of a commission investigating rampant state already adopted a biased disposition towards him.” Mabuza on Monday said that due to the personal corruption during his nine-year reign recuse himself During Zondo’s televised address to his panel last and professional history between Zuma and Zondo, over “bias”, his lawyers said. the chairman had joined the narrative that seeks to For more than two years, deputy chief justice present the ex-president as “the cause of all the Raymond Zondo has chaired a commission that has corruption he is tasked to investigate”. heard testimony from ministers, ex-ministers, gov- The lawyer said that Zondo’s decision to hold a ernment officials, lawmakers and business execu- People are televised conference just for Zuma “attests to the tives, with many giving damning evidence against fact that he seeks to portray him as uncooperative Zuma, portraying his 2009-2018 presidency as a supposed and belligerent in the eyes of the public.” Zuma time of systematic looting of state assets. plans on filing a formal application to have Zondo The former president has repeatedly refused to to appear recuse himself from the commission. testify to the commission, most recently last week Zuma was forced to resign in February 2018 over when he claimed he was too ill. Zondo then held tel- graft scandals centred around an Indian business evised media briefing, setting “non-negotiable” family, the Guptas, who won lucrative contracts with dates for Zuma to testify on November 16-20 to the state companies and were allegedly even able to judicial commission, which was established to probe week, he warned that “this commission does not choose cabinet ministers. the “state capture” scandal. negotiate dates with witnesses”. His successor President Cyril Ramaphosa has Zuma’s lawyer Eric Mabuza said in a letter sent “People are supposed to appear,” he said. Zuma’s vowed to tackle corruption in South Africa, which to the commission that Zondo was no longer capa- legal team reportedly stated that the former presi- has been led by the African National Congress par- ble of “exercising an independent and impartial dent was unable to attend because of health risks ty since Nelson Mandela came to power in 1994 South African former president Jacob Zuma. mind”. “We are instructed to seek your recusal as associated with travel and that their client was after the end of apartheid. — AFP

and the government had sought to punish it, it said. the Enforcement Directorate is a result of our Rights group Amnesty There was no immediate response from govern- unequivocal calls for transparency in the gov- ment spokesmen to requests for comment. Prime ernment, more recently for accountability of the halts India operations, Minister Narendra Modi’s government has faced Delhi police and the Government of India Life returning to accusations that it is clamping down on dissent, regarding the grave human rights violations in including in Muslim-majority Kashmir, where Delhi riots and Jammu & Kashmir,” said Avinash says facing crackdown insurgents have battled government forces for Kumar, executive director of Amnesty normal in Africa, but International India. more than 30 years. Critics also say the government is pushing a “For a movement that has done nothing but NEW DELHI: Human rights group Amnesty virus fears linger Hindu-first agenda, undermining the secular foun- raise its voices against injustice, this latest attack International stopped its work in India yesterday dations of India’s democracy and raising fears is akin to freezing dissent,” he said. Amnesty and saying the government had frozen its bank accounts among its 170 million Muslim minority. other groups have accused police of complicity in in the latest action against it for speaking out about SOWETO: “Things are getting back to normal, The government denies any bias against any the riots in Delhi in which at least 50 people were even though it will never be like it was before,” rights violations. community. Opposition politician Shashi Tharoor killed, most of them Muslims. says a relieved Petunia Maseko, relaxing in a bar The group said it had laid off staff after facing a said Amnesty’s exit was a blow. “India’s stature as a Police denied the allegation. The government in South Africa’s Soweto township. crackdown over the past two years over allegations liberal democracy with free institutions, including has been tightening oversight of foreign non-gov- Africa has weathered the coronavirus pan- of financial wrongdoing that it said were baseless. media & civil society organisations, accounted for ernmental groups (NGOs), they say. demic relatively well in terms of infections and “This is latest in the incessant witch-hunt of human much of its soft power in the world. Actions like this Last week, the government enacted changes in deaths, though its economies have been badly rights organizations by the government of India both undermine our reputation as a democracy & the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) ravaged. While many nations ease their Covid- over unfounded and motivated allegations,” vitiate our soft power,” he said on Twitter. Amendment Bill setting new conditions for organ- 19 measures and citizens dare to breathe a little Amnesty said in a statement. isations. Some NGOs said the measures seeking easier, experts are warning against letting the Its bank accounts were frozen on Sept. 10, it ‘Freezing dissent’ tighter control of funds were aimed at creating an continent’s success lapse into complacency. said. Amnesty had highlighted rights violations in Amnesty said the federal financial crimes air of distrust. Kumar said more than four million There was plenty of celebrating at The Black recent months in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir investigation agency, the Enforcement Indians have supported Amnesty’s work in the and White Lifestyle Pub in Soweto on Friday as region as well as what it said was a lack of police Directorate, had targeted it. “The constant last eight years and about 100,000 Indians had the first weekend of spring coincided with South accountability during riots in Delhi in February, harassment by government agencies including donated money. — Reuters Africa’s transition to its lowest level of lockdown. The continent’s hardest-hit nation, South Africa has reeled under one of the world’s strictest lockdowns. “It was tough staying in for Cardinal Pell to return six months without socialising,” said Maseko, a 21-year-old engineering student wearing a brightly coloured Ndebele traditional outfit. to Rome after sex But virus measures were followed, with masked revellers getting their temperatures abuse acquittal checked at the bar’s entrance. Sanitising gel in hand, 26-year-old DJ Tiisetso Tenyane was delighted to finally play in front of a live audi- SYDNEY: Australian Cardinal George Pell will ence after months of live-streaming shows. return to Rome yesterday for the first time since “I’ve been craving to play for the people being acquitted of child sexual abuse charges, and again,” he said. He said that face masks are “the just days after a Vatican rival was ousted. Pell, 79, a only sign left that there ever was a pandemic”. former high-powered treasurer tasked by Pope On the rest of the African continent, daily life Francis to clean up the Vatican’s finances, spent varies vastly between strict observance of health more than a year in prison before he was acquitted measures and total relaxation. and freed by Australia’s High Court in April. He has not been back to Rome since leaving in ‘Back to our habits’ mid-2017 to face charges of assaulting two choir- “We don’t care about corona,” Ivory Coast’s boys in the late 1990s. The purpose of the trip was President Alassane Ouattara said, oblivious to not immediately clear. Pell’s friend Katrina Lee, an listening microphones, when he kissed a party executive advisor to the Catholic Archdiocese of official last month in front of thousands of peo- Sydney, told AFP he was travelling to the Italian ple in clear defiance of virus restrictions. capital yesterday in a “private” capacity. Although masks are still compulsory, that rule “He always said he would be going back to Rome is “not respected anywhere or almost anywhere” BAGHDAD: In this file photo taken on January 30, 2020, Iraqi protesters use a slingshot to hurl rocks during at some stage,” she told AFP. Asked if she knew the in Ivory Coast, a health worker said on condition clashes with security forces following a demonstration at Al Wathba square in the capital Baghdad. In reason for his trip, Lee said “not completely, but if I of anonymity. “The hysteria is gone and the state October 2019, unprecedented demonstrations across Iraq demanded the downfall of the ruling class. — AFP did I wouldn’t be at liberty to say”. His slated return no longer communicates much about the sub- comes less than a week after the downfall of influ- ject”. In DR Congo’s capital Kinshasa, taking ential Italian cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was temperatures and washing hands are still the are scouting candidates for the 2021 elections, hop- pushed out by Pope Francis Thursday following norm in the residential district of Gombe, which A year after Iraq ing he could secure a new term in office. “He’s stuck accusations of embezzlement and nepotism. is also the city’s diplomatic and economic centre. because he has to make a decision about where he Becciu, 72, and six others risk trial in the Vatican But in working-class communities, masks are protests, what wants to be,” said Renad Mansour, a researcher at on corruption charges, according to the Repubblica being pushed down to the chin and people are the UK-based Chatham House. “Does he want to be daily. Pell, who has been living in a Sydney seminary shaking hands again. For many the latest buzz PM for another four years and play politics, or does since his release from prison, was quick to issue a has changed? statement thanking and congratulating the pope fol- phrase is “corona eza te”, which translates to he want to change something right now?” “there is no corona” in the local Lingala. When he came to power, Kadhemi pledged to lowing Becciu’s forced resignation. Anti-virus measures in Australia restrict citizens In West African’s Burkina Faso, 43-year-old BAGHDAD: Back in October 2019, unprecedented guide Iraq through a dire fiscal crisis, saying state fish seller Ousmane Ouedraogo said he can’t coffers were “nearly empty” after years of waste from leaving the country, and Pell would have need- protests demanded the fall of Iraq’s ruling class. ed to obtain a government exemption. wear a mask forever. “We tried to wear it every One year on, with a new government in place and and an oil price slump. The World Bank said Iraq’s poverty rate could Pope Francis appointed Pell in 2014 as an anti- day but it was the authorities who set the exam- nearly 600 protesters killed, almost nothing has double to 40 percent this year and that youth corruption tsar at the Vatican’s Secretariat for the ple by acting as if the disease was over. So we’re changed. unemployment, already at 36 percent, could rise Economy. He quickly ruffled a lot of feathers. “In the going back to our habits,” he said. The nationwide demonstrations which broke out further. Kadhemi’s cabinet first vowed to reduce months before his departure (for Australia)... Pell Nobody uses the hand-washing station at the on October 1, 2019 spiralled into a decentralised the public payroll and audit stipends handed out to clashed in a big way with Becciu. The heart of the entrance to Guillaume Traore’s restaurant in movement slamming unemployment, poor public millions of Iraqis, but walked back the policy follow- matter was two different visions of how Peter’s Burkina’s capital Ouagadougou. “When you services, endemic corruption and a political class ing public criticism. Pence should be managed,” the Messaggero daily’s remind a customer, he tells you that the coron- more loyal to Iran or the US than to Iraqi citizens. It changed course again in August, hiring hun- expert Franca Giansoldati said. avirus does not exist,” he said. It led to the shock December 1 resignation of then- dreds at the defence ministry — but not enough to Peter’s Pence is a yearly collection taken up In Chad and Gabon, many wear masks low premier Adel Abdel Mahdi, succeeded after months of stop sit-ins outside other government offices around the world and destined for the poor. On down, covering only the mouth or just the political deadlock by Prime Minister Mustafa al- chin, only to hastily lift them up when they demanding jobs. And Finance Minister Ali Allawi Sunday, investigative weekly L’Espresso reported Kadhemi, who pledged to integrate protesters’ missed a late August deadline to submit a “white that Becciu gave financier Enrico Crasso, a former come across the police. In churches, mosques demands into his transitional government’s plans. and markets, people jostle into each other. In paper” of economic reforms that is still being Credit Suisse manager, control over millions of euros But on the ground, little has been achieved. finalised, Iraqi officials told AFP. of Vatican investment funds, including from Peter’s the evening, however, a strict curfew remains Kadhemi has set an early parliamentary vote for in place. Kadhemi also said he would prioritise Iraq’s fight Pence. Becciu has been linked in particular to a con- June 6, 2021, nearly a year ahead of schedule. against the novel coronavirus, which had in May troversial luxury property investment deal in London, In the megacity Lagos of Africa’s most popu- “Protesters wanted early elections and a new elec- lous country Nigeria, civil servant Isiaka killed 100 people. Now, the death toll stands at with at least some of the money used coming from toral law. We’re doing that,” Abdelhussein Hindawi, close to 9,000, with the health ministry warning Peter’s Pence. Crasso also manages an investment Okesanya said he now regularly forgets to wear Kadhemi’s adviser on elections, told AFP. his mask. “It’s like God has helped us to get rid hospitals could “lose control” if the spread is not fund — Centurion Global Fund — with links to Swiss But while parliament approved a new voting law banks that are being investigated for money launder- of the disease. We no longer read about those contained. in December, essential points including the size of ing scandals, according to the weekly. big figures of deaths,” the 41-year-old told AFP. The PM has few allies in parliament, where pro- electoral districts and whether candidates would The Vatican invested millions of euros into that But Emmanuel Akinyemi, director of Lagos- Iran MPs have bristled at his references to protester run independently or on lists have yet to be agreed fund, which lost money, while Crasso and others based Estate Clinic, said that “coronavirus is real demands. “He’s had one foot in the elite camp and by lawmakers. made millions in fees, Catholic News Agency said. and is still very much around us”. Health one foot in the anti-establishment camp. At the end And despite repeated claims he has no political Francis’ surprise decision to not only force Becciu Minister Osagie Ehanire said last week that of the day, he ends up not satisfying either,” said ambitions and would only serve as a transitional to resign but also strip him of the rights associated while Nigeria’s daily infection figures have been Mansour. The premier has also struggled to make premier, Kadhemi himself appears to be preparing with being a cardinal — a rare punishment — came trending downwards, “we unfortunately cannot good on his promise to bring those responsible for for an electoral fight. Several MPs and members of just before a fresh review by Moneyval, according afford to rejoice or speak of success”. — AFP the deaths of nearly 600 protesters and activists rival parties told AFP the prime minister’s advisors since last October to justice. — AFP to the Stampa daily. — AFP 13 International Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Pompeo wraps up Greece visit with naval base tour Pompeo to meet Australia, India, Japan FMs in Tokyo SOUDA: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yes- broader use of Greek military facilities. Greece terday concluded a two-day visit to Greece on with intends to further upgrade the naval facilities at a tour of a strategically vital NATO base. Pompeo Souda for its own navy operations, Defence will visit the Souda facility in Crete with Greek Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos told parliament on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on a trip aimed Monday. at easing tensions between Greece and Turkey in “Our country wants to make its presence felt in the eastern Mediterranean. the eastern Mediterranean, and this will be done Washington has urged the NATO allies and through the upgrade of Souda,” Panagiotopoulos neighbours, who have agreed to continue said, according to ANA. Today, Pompeo will fly to exploratory talks interrupted in 2016, to find “good Rome for meetings with Italian government and solutions” to disputes exacerbated by energy Vatican officials. He will subsequently visit Croatia. exploration disagreements. Meanwhile, top diplomats from the United “We hope the exploratory talks not only get States, India, Australia and Japan will gather in kicked off right, but it’s important that they’re Tokyo next week for rare face-to-face talks on resolved in a way that delivers outcomes that each tackling the coronavirus and strengthening co- of the two nations find more than acceptable,” operation, Japan said yesterday. Pompeo told Greek state agency ANA on Monday. The four nations have in recent years formed a “It’s not just talking, we need to get to good solu- strategic grouping — known as the “Quad” — tions,” he added. Greece and Turkey have spent meant to serve as a counterweight to China and weeks at loggerheads after Ankara sent exploration promote their vision of a “free and open Indo- vessels into disputed, potentially resource-rich Pacific”. waters in a crisis that roped in other European pow- The meeting on October 6 will be attended by ers and raised concern about a wider escalation. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Australian In a joint statement on Monday after talks in Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Indian Minister Thessaloniki in northern Greece, Pompeo and his of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias said rival claims Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to territory in the Mediterranean should be resolved announced he would host the four-way talks — the “peacefully in accordance with international law.” second such meeting after the first was held in New SOUDA: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (3RD L) and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hold a The 110-acre (44-hectare) Naval Support York last year. meeting during their visit to the Naval Support Activity base at Souda, the foremost US naval facility in the Activity base at Souda is the foremost US naval “It is the right time for these like-minded foreign eastern Mediterranean on the Greek island of Crete. — AFP facility in the eastern Mediterranean. Mitsotakis — ministers to gather in Tokyo for face-to-face talks, who is hosting Pompeo at his family home in Crete to exchange views about how to deal with issues It will be the first ministerial-level international Japan is moving gradually to open its borders to — wants closer military ties with the United States. that have emerged from the spread of the coron- meeting hosted by Japan since the pandemic began, more foreigners, particularly business travellers, as Pompeo last October signed a defence agree- avirus, along with regional affairs,” he told reporters and also since Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga took it prepares to hold the postponed Olympics next ment with Greek authorities allowing US forces a at a regular briefing. power this month. summer. — AFP

Matter movement, pleaded not guilty Monday. once at them, giving them cause to fire back, killing had received. Policeman pleads Detective Brett Hankison rejected grand jury Taylor but not hitting Walker. “I would ask the court to consider allowing him charges unveiled last week that accused him of The grand jury indictment last week of Hankison to retain possession of any weapons that he may not guilty in “wanton endangerment,” for wildly and blindly — but neither of the others identified as the officers own for self-defense purposes,” said his lawyer, shooting into adjacent apartments during the who shot Taylor — sparked anger and protests in Stewart Matthews. Breonna Taylor case raid that saw Taylor shot dead by two other the Kentucky city, and accusations by Taylor’s fami- But the judge rejected the request. “People that officers. ly of a cover-up to protect the police. are in this court charged with offenses involving None of the three officers in the raid was “It’s like they charged the police for missing” firearms, I do not allow them to possess any firearm, WASHINGTON: The lone officer charged in the charged with the death of Taylor, a 26-year-old but not for “shooting bullets into black bodies,” as a condition of their bonds,” she said. case of Breonna Taylor, the African-American emergency room aide who was shot six times after Taylor family attorney Ben Crump said. Hankison Hankison, who was fired from the police force in woman whose death during a Louisville, Kentucky police forced their way into her apartment as she was freed on $15,000 bond, and in Monday’s tele- June, faces up to 15 years in prison on the three police raid became a rallying cry of the Black Lives slept with her boyfriend on March 13. phone hearing, his attorney requested that he be counts of wanton endangerment. The next hearing Police said the boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired allowed to keep a weapon because of threats he will be on October 28. — AFP Established 1961

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 Business France to auction off 5G frequencies Nokia wins first UK deal since Huawei 5G ban PARIS: France yesterday began to auc- He said “France is going to pursue the sion of their investment plans. tion off radio frequencies for the deploy- shift to 5G because it’s the shift towards Finland’s Nokia will replace Huawei as ment of ultrafast 5G mobile technology, a innovation.” BT’s largest equipment provider after process that will add billions of euros to The government expects to make at winning a deal to supply 5G networks the government’s depleted coffers. least 2.2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) from across the UK, the companies announced Operators Orange, SFR, Bouygues the sale, a welcome windfall at a time yesterday. The move is the first UK con- Telecom and Free are bidding for 11 fre- when it is throwing all its financial fire- tract for the Finnish telecoms maker since quency blocks that are currently unused, power into the fight to limit the coron- Prime Minister Boris Johnson banned with the aim of offering 5G services in avirus pandemic’s economic fallout. The mobile providers in July from using some French cities by the end of the year. deployment is also seen as a crucial boost equipment made by the Chinese giant in The fifth-generation successor to 4G for French industry, under pressure from their new 5G networks. technology promises radically quicker new restrictions curbing economic activi- The restriction, on national security transfers of data, heralding major changes ty. “Everybody knows that this is extreme- grounds, forces mobile providers to begin to an array of products and services from ly important for the economic recovery switching out “high-risk vendors” from self-driving cars to remote surgery. and for the future of the industry,” digital 2021, and marks a golden opportunity for France was to launch the sale of the minister Cedric O told Europe 1 radio yes- Huawei’s two main rivals in the 5G market, frequencies in April, but postponed the terday. The main auction for frequencies is Finland’s Nokia and Swedish Ericsson. auction because of the Covid-19 crisis. scheduled to last for 10 days, after which a Companies in the UK have until 2027 to France is lagging behind other countries second auction will determine the exact remove Huawei equipment from their 5G that have already launched 5G services, positioning of operators on each band, networks, a change which BT has said will with South Korea and China the most with the center of bands less prone to cost it £500 million ($643m). advanced. More than a dozen EU coun- interference than the edges. Under the BT deal, Nokia will supply PARIS: This file illustration picture shows the 5G wireless technology logo displayed on a tries have also started operating 5G One complicating factor is the heavy base stations and other network equip- tablet in Paris. France launches auction for remaining controversial 5G frequencies. — AFP services, but none as developed as the restrictions placed on the use of equip- ment to allow its customers to access Asian frontrunners. Activists and left- ment by Huawei, which some govern- super-fast 5G internet. Nokia equipment wing lawmakers in France have tried to ments, especially the US, suspect of will also be installed in the company’s for customers,” BT CEO Philip Jansen networks market, while previous chief halt the 5G rollout because of health and potentially helping China eavesdrop on existing 2G and 4G networks. However, said in a statement. Although the ban on executive Rajeev Suri played down delays environmental concerns, but President western networks. The absence of the the company told AFP it will also use oth- Huawei offers a significant boost to Nokia in delivering some equipment orders. Emmanuel Macron’s government has Chinese behemoth, considered by many er suppliers to replace the totality of its and Ericsson, industry watchers have However the firm’s most recent pressed on regardless. Macron, eager to experts to produce the most advanced Huawei 5G equipment. warned that fulfilling the increasing results saw an increase in profit and cast France as a start-up nation embrac- 5G equipment for the best price, will “With this next stage of our successful demand left by the market leader may not new CEO Pekka Lundmark is expected ing cutting-edge technologies, this force SFR and Bouygues Telecom espe- relationship with Nokia we will continue be straightforward. Nokia last year to shake up the company to try to month even derided 5G opponents as cially to switch to rival suppliers Ericsson to lead the rollout of fixed and mobile downgraded its 2020 earnings forecast in recover some of the ground lost to wanting to impose “the Amish model.” and Nokia, a move requiring a big revi- networks to deliver stand out experiences the face of fierce competition over the 5G Nokia’s 5G competitors. —AFP

intact, securing the cargo with safety belts. Ethiopian Airlines To date it has operated 360 cargo charters of personal protective equipment to more than 80 countries. “We were very quick, very fast, flexible rides out pandemic and agile to move our forces, resources and every- Amazon sets Oct thing to cargo,” Tewolde said. on cargo boom “I would say that those actions have saved the air- 13-14 for Prime Day line.” The slow rebound in passenger traffic-total flights are at half of 2019 levels-means Ethiopian global mega-sale ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Airlines has lost more remains in “survival mode”, Tewolde said. than $1 billion in revenue during the coronavirus Yet it is simultaneously looking to deepen ties pandemic but has so far managed to avoid seeking a with other airlines on the continent. “It is... an oppor- WASHINGTON: Amazon on Monday bailout or laying off any full-time employees, CEO tune time now to support other airlines because we announced the new date for its annual Tewolde Gebremariam said in an interview. are in a better position,” he said. global mega-sale, which it said aims to By pivoting in March to meet spiking cargo Ethiopian already partners with Malawian Airlines promote small and medium-sized busi- and ASKY Airlines based in Togo. demand, Africa’s largest carrier partially offset the Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam speaks nesses despite accusations by numer- blow of a 90-percent drop in international traffic, It also holds a 45-percent stake in Zambia during an interview in Addis Ababa. — AFP ous lawmakers and trade associations Tewolde said. It even recorded a profit of $44 million Airways which Tewolde said he expected would that the retail giant is trying to crush launch “either in October or November”. It is cur- for the first half of the year, he said, though the com- competition. rently in talks over the restructuring of South African ty” or in helping SAA manage its debt. “We told pany declined to give details because the figures are “Prime Day,” named for the Amazon unaudited. Airways (SAA), which has survived for years only on them that we can give them management expertise, subscription service that offers users free Ethiopian, a state-owned firm that is the jewel of state bailouts. In July SAA’s creditors approved a technical expertise, fleet and we can work on a the national economy, resorted to unorthodox tactics rescue plan that would replace it with a new and commercial collaboration to restart South African delivery and other perks, will be held on to get in on the pandemic-related cargo boom. In competitive carrier. Airways together,” he said. “We are interested only October 13-14, the company said. addition to stripping out seats from 25 passenger Tewolde said Ethiopian had made clear to South in the restart of the new airline at the beginning of Launched in 2015, the wildly popular sale planes, it enlisted 20 more whose seats remained African officials that it was “not interested in equi- next year.” —AFP is normally held in July but had to be pushed back this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. several struggling banks into Bankia. Because of lockdowns, Amazon has Former IMF chief The image of a smiling Rato ringing the bell Virus to keep Asia’s faced a huge surge in demand for online and sipping champagne on July 20, 2011 to shopping and delivery of household mark the start of Bankia’s listing has since goods, forcing its warehouses and supply Rato acquitted in become a symbol of the scandal. More than growth at lowest teams into overdrive. 300,000 small shareholders bought share In its statement, the group said it Spain bank trial packages for a minimum of 1,000 euros, since 1967: WB would spend more than $100 million in attracted by a major advertising campaign and new promotions to benefit small and the profits boasted by the bank. But in 2012, medium-sized businesses and help them after a disastrous year that saw its share value MADRID: Former IMF chief Rodrigo Rato and TOKYO: The coronavirus pandemic is expected to lead to the win new clients. all other defendants put on trial on accusations collapse, the bank admitted that in the year it slowest growth in more than 50 years in East Asia and the The company has played a crucial role of fraud and falsifying the books in the 2011 listed it had actually made a loss of close to Pacific as well as China, while up to 38 million people are set to stock listing of Spain’s Bankia bank were acquit- three billion euros. be pushed back into poverty, the World Bank said in an eco- during lockdowns around the world, ted yesterday. In addition to bailing out Bankia the nomic update on Monday. enabling people to stay at home by pro- The court said bank’s stock listing had Spanish state also had to seek an EU rescue The bank said the region this year is projected to grow by viding them with food deliveries, cloud received approvals “from all necessary institu- plan for the nation’s entire banking sector as only 0.9 percent, the lowest rate since 1967. Growth in China services and entertainment on their tions”. The listing was very popular among investor confidence had been shaken. During was expected to come in at 2 percent this year, boosted by screens. small investors, who lost their shirts when the his trial Rato said Spain’s central bank was ful- government spending, strong exports and a low rate of new In the second quarter, Amazon pulled Spanish state had to nationalize the bank the ly aware of everything that went on in Bankia. coronavirus infections since March, but held back by slow in $5.2 billion in net profit, double the following year and inject 22 billion euros Rato was economy minister and deputy prime domestic consumption. previous year, and in spite of the $4 bil- ($25.7 billion) to keep it from collapsing. Rato, minister in the conservative government of The rest of the East Asia and Pacific region was projected to lion it invested in managing the crisis. who headed the International Monetary Fund Jose Maria Aznar from 1996 to 2004, before see a 3.5 percent contraction, the World Bank said. The pan- “During the Covid-19 crisis, we hired an from 2004 to 2007, led the merger in 2010 of going on to head the IMF. — AFP demic and efforts to contain its spread led to a “significant cur- additional 175,000 employees, including tailment” of economic activity, the report said. many laid off from other jobs during the “These domestic difficulties were compounded by the pan- economic shutdown,” Amazon chief Jeff demic-induced global recession, which hit EAP (East Asia and Bezos said in July. Pacific) economies that rely on trade and tourism hard,” it said. “Third-party sales now account for Countries in the region may need to pursue fiscal reform to approximately 60 percent of physical mobilize revenue in response to the economic and financial product sales on Amazon, and those sales impact from the pandemic, while social protection programs are growing faster than Amazon’s own can help support workers’ integration back into the economy, retail sales,” he said. the Washington, DC-based bank said. “Countries with well- “Selling in Amazon’s stores has enabled functioning social protection programs, and good implementa- hundreds of thousands of smaller compa- tion infrastructure, pre-COVID, have been able to scale up more quickly during the pandemic,” it said. nies to sustain and even grow their sales The economic shock of the pandemic was also expected to despite the Covid-19 crisis,” Amazon said lead to a jump in poverty, defined as income of $5.50 a day, the in a statement. bank said, adding that based on past experience and the latest Amazon’s dominance has been ques- gross domestic product forecasts, poverty could expand by 33 tioned by some lawmakers. During a million to 38 million people to see its first rise in 20 years. The hearing in July on big tech companies bank said that 33 million people who would have in the absence including Amazon, Democratic congress- of the pandemic escaped poverty would remain in it this year. man David Cicilline argued that Amazon’s “The region is confronted with an unprecedented set of chal- dual role as both platform operator and a lenges,” said Victoria Kwakwa, vice-president for East Asia and seller on the very same platform was the Pacific at the World Bank. “But there are smart policy options essentially anti-competitive. “These com- available that can soften these tradeoffs - such as investing in panies as they exist today have monopoly MADRID: In this file photo a member of the police (left) assist former IMF head and ex economy minister with testing and tracing capacity and durably expanding social pro- power,” Cicilline said. —AFP Spain’s ruling conservative party Rodrigo Rato (center) into a vehicle outside his home in Madrid. — AFP tection to cover the poor and the informal sector.” — Reuters

16 Business Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Japan’s NTT to take over country’s biggest mobile carrier for $40bn Telecoms competition hots up with 5G on the horizon

TOKYO: Japan’s biggest mobile carrier NTT get stronger with the move, which would strengthen Docomo will be taken over by its government- its financial foundation and room to cut prices.” backed parent company in a $40-billion tender Docomo’s CEO Kazuhiro Yoshizawa said the offer, the firms said yesterday, as telecoms competi- decision was about responding to a changing tion hots up with 5G on the horizon. business environment, including the coronavirus The move comes with Docomo and other pandemic. Japanese telecoms firms under government pres- “The background of the move is that our market sure to cut the price of mobile phone services, and environment is facing a big change... and competi- is expected to help the company boost investment tion is intensifying.” Competition in the telecoms in next-gen technology. “Today we decided to make market is also hotting up with the advent of next- Docomo a wholly owned company,” Chief Executive Jun Sawada of Nippon Telegraph & Telephone (NTT) told reporters, promising the move would enhance the carrier’s “competitiveness and growth”. Mobile firms NTT, which currently holds 66 percent of NTT Docomo’s shares, is proposing a price of 3,900 yen under pressure ($37) per remaining share to buy out the whole subsidiary, it said. That represents a 40 percent to cut prices premium on Monday’s closing price and values the purchase at around 4.25 trillion yen-a record amount for a takeover bid in Japan, local media said. Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has repeatedly said the country’s mobile rates should be TOKYO: NTT, which currently holds 66 percent of NTT Docomo’s shares, is proposing a price of 3,900 yen reduced, as they are relatively high compared to generation 5G networks, which promise radically ($37) per remaining share to buy out the whole subsidiary. prices abroad. By taking full control of the carrier, quicker data transfer. NTT may be able to push down prices quickly, and The tender offer, which will be launched on force competitors to follow suit. Wednesday and remain open until November 16, session by an excess of buy orders following both lost more than four percent on speculation But the heads of both companies denied that with the proposal almost sure to pass, was reports about the takeover. Shares in NTT, a third that NTT’s move could accelerate price competi- pressure over pricing was behind the deal. announced shortly after market closed yesterday. of which is owned by the Japanese government, fell tion. The full buyout of NTT Docomo is expected “We are not doing this because of cutting serv- NTT Docomo shares ended up 15.78 percent at 2.85 percent to 2,230.5. to be finalized by the end of the fiscal year in ice fees,” Sawada said. But, he added, “Docomo will 3,213 yen, with trading overwhelmed throughout the And rival carriers KDDI and SoftBank Corp March 2021. — AFP

powers butt heads over a number of issues including Weibo parent Sina technology, Hong Kong and the virus. The US is con- sidering plans to impose stricter rules on firms listed to delist US stocks in the country to open up their audit papers to US accountants, which could lead to Chinese companies Bring back trust: Ghosn forced out. That could push them towards Hong in $2.6bn deal Kong or Shanghai. E-commerce giants Alibaba and offers executive JD.com, which are traded in New York, have already launched huge offerings in Hong Kong in the past training in Lebanon BEIJING: Chinese internet giant Sina Corp, the par- year, while Alibaba’s financial arm is planning a mega ent company of the country’s vast Twitter-like Weibo dual IPO in the two cities. BEIRUT: Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan and platform, plans to delist its US shares and go private, China’s leading chipmaker SMIC, meanwhile, Renault head who fled Japan where he was facing making it the latest mainland firm to withdraw from delisted in June. This week the US slapped new trial, is launching a university business program in Wall Street as relations between Beijing and export restrictions on the beleaguered manufacturer, Lebanon, a nation mired in a deep economic cri- Washington sour. Sina will cease trading on the tech- battering its Hong Kong stocks. US President Donald sis blamed on years of misrule, mismanagement rich Nasdaq exchange-where it has traded since Trump has already limited the amount of business US and corruption. 2000 — after its board agreed to a merger with a firms can do with telecoms titan Huawei, while he has company controlled by Sina CEO Charles Chao, Nine months after his dramatic escape to group run by its chief executive that values the firm at insisted that the Chinese parent company of popular according to a statement posted Monday. The deal Beirut from Tokyo, the Lebanese-French execu- $2.59 billion. video app TikTok sell its US operations to an sees New Wave pay $43.30 per share, an improve- tive has unveiled a plan to shake up the business The move comes as a growing number of Chinese American company, citing security concerns. ment on the $41 offered in June. school at the UniversitÈ Saint-Esprit de Kaslik companies have delisted from the US or opted for The Sina agreement will see it merge with New The merger is expected to close during the first (USEK), a private university north of the secondary, domestic listings as the world’s two super- Wave MMXV Ltd., a Cayman Islands-registered quarter of 2021, the company said. — AFP Lebanese capital. Ghosn, credited with turning round the Japanese and French carmakers before he faced charges in Japan of financial wrongdo- with alternative ideas to raise revenue, including ing that he denies, plans programmes to coach Singapore Airlines offering customers tours of aircraft and offering United Airlines, executives, offer technology training and help them the chance to dine inside an Airbus A380, the start-ups to create jobs. world’s biggest commercial airliner. drops ‘flights to pilots union agree Ghosn has found refuge in Lebanon where the Environmental activists had voiced opposition economy is collapsing under debts amassed since to Singapore Airlines launching “flights to nowhere’ after outcry the 1975-1990 civil war. A devastating blast in nowhere”, with group SG Climate Rally saying to avert layoffs Beirut on Aug. 4 compounded Lebanon’s woes. they would encourage “carbon-intensive travel for “Obviously I am not interested in politics but I no good reason”. SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines said yesterday it will dedicate time and effort into supporting “We believe air travel has always caused envi- had scrapped plans for “flights to nowhere” aimed Lebanon during this difficult period,” he told ronmental harm, and it is now an opportune moment at boosting its coronavirus-hit finances after an out- Reuters at the weekend, before the formal launch for us to think seriously about transitions instead of cry over the environmental impact. of his new university program. yearning to return to a destructive status quo.” With the aviation industry in deep crisis, several At yesterday’s news conference to announce The airline said earlier this month it was cutting carriers-including in Australia, Japan and Taiwan- the program, he said: “This is about creating jobs, about 4,300 jobs, or 20 percent of its workforce, have been offering short flights that start and end at employment and entrepreneurs to allow society the latest carrier to make massive layoffs. The the same airport to raise cash. to take its role in the reconstruction of the coun- International Air Transport Association estimates They are designed for travel-starved people keen try.” He said Lebanon’s challenge was “the that airlines operating in the Asia-Pacific region to fly at a time of virus-related restrictions, and restoration of confidence” not a lack of assets, stand to lose a combined $27.8 billion this year. have proved surprisingly popular. But Singapore’s saying the state owned infrastructure, land and The group also forecasts that global air traffic flag carrier-which has grounded nearly all its planes hydrocarbon resources. Now it needed to exe- is unlikely to return to pre-coronavirus levels until and cut thousands of jobs-said it had ditched the cute a recovery plan, he added. at least 2024. — AFP idea following a review. The carrier has come up “If you bring back trust, money will come,” he said. “You can have an excellent plan for Lebanon but if you don’t execute it you are not even at UK seeks to boost starting point.” Ghosn, who was approached by Donald Trump likely USEK in the weeks after arriving in Lebanon at the end of December, said the business program exceeded law with job training to aimed to offer practical help. He will help super- vise. Drawing on his experience, the focus for the TikTok ban: Judge help workforce executive program would be turning around companies in trouble, corporations struggling with a troubled environment and how to “make SAN FRANCISCO: The US judge who stopped a LONDON: Britain will launch training options for yourself invaluable” in a company. adults to learn new skills in an effort to boost produc- WASHINGTON, DC: United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby ban on TikTok downloads from kicking in on joins fellow airline executives, union heads and politi- Monday said that President Donald Trump likely tivity and help the country recover from the coron- ‘Role model’ avirus crisis, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will cians for a news conference to call on Congress to Ghosn said several international executives overstepped the law with the attempted move. pass an extension of the Payroll Support Program to TikTok had showed that the actions against it announce yesterday. The unemployment rate, already at had agreed to give pro bono courses, such as save thousands of travel jobs, outside the US Capitol “likely exceed the lawful bounds” of the over 4 percent, is expected to rise further as a job sub- Jaguar and Land Rover Chief Executive Thierry International Emergency Economic Powers Act sidy scheme put in place early in the pandemic expires in Washington, DC. — AFP BollorÈ, former Goldman Sachs vice-chairman next month to be replaced by a scaled-back job sup- (IEEPA) that was cited to support the ban, the judge Ken Curtis and venture capitalist Raymond port program. “We cannot, alas, save every job. What said in his ruling. District Judge Carl Nichols issued Debbane. The short courses, expected to start in we can do is give people the skills to find and create NEW YORK: United Airlines reached an agree- a temporary injunction at the request of TikTok, March, would be open to 15 to 20 senior execu- new and better jobs,” Johnson will say in a speech, ment with its pilots union to avert furloughs of which the White House has called a national securi- tives in Lebanon and the Middle East. according to excerpts sent by his office. “We’re trans- 2,850 pilots amid a congressional stalemate on a ty threat stemming from its Chinese parent firm’s “The role model is my experience, what I think forming the foundations of the skills system so that new federal relief package, the two sides said links to the Beijing government. are the basic needs of a top executive in a very everyone has the chance to train and retrain.” yesterday. The government order sought to ban new down- competitive environment,” he said, adding that, The measures will include funding to allow adults The agreement between the US carrier and the when he was in charge, Nissan’s executive train- loads of the hugely popular video-sharing app at without qualifications to take certain college courses Air Line Pilots Association avoids pilot layoffs ing program in Japan had been open to other midnight on Sunday. “Plaintiffs have demonstrated without paying fees, as well as flexible loans allowing through at least June 21 in exchange for allotting companies. The second USEK program, subsi- that they are likely to succeed on their IEEPA people to space out their study and transfer credits fewer hours to pilots. However, United is still on dized by the executive program, would train peo- claims,” Nichols said in the written ruling. between colleges. The government will also seek to track to furlough some 13,000 other workers as ple on new technologies, such as computer- The act restricts a president from prohibiting boost the number of apprenticeships, with more fund- soon as October 1. These include flight attendants assisted design and artificial intelligence. personal communications involving nothing of value, ing for small and medium firms taking on apprentices, and staff in other airport operations. Under the Ghosn said Lebanon’s jewelry exporters were according to the judge. Nichols reasoned that and will extend a pilot program known as digital skill $2.2 trillion CARES Act, enacted amid broad lock- among those who would benefit from software TikTok posts are informational. “Over 100 million boot camps to new locations. The number of people downs in the US due to the coronavirus, major to help with designs. The third program would Americans currently use TikTok to share their films, doing vocational training has been falling over the airlines received $25 billion in payroll support act as an incubator for start-ups, and he aimed photographs, art, and news,” Nichols noted in the past two decades, the government said, adding that 10 under the condition that they not undertake invol- to invest in two projects. “I am mainly interested ruling. The ban would also have done TikTok harm percent of adults in Britain held a higher technical untary job cuts through the end of September. in projects that have environmental impact,” he from which it could not recover, according to the qualification as their highest qualification, compared “Our members understood that in order to pro- said, citing the example of a project to turn judge. “Barring TikTok from US app stores would, with 20 percent in Germany and 34 percent in tect pilot jobs, we needed to approve this agree- sewage into fertilizer. He said was persuaded to of course, have the immediate and direct effect of Canada. British businesses have complained for a long ment,” said Captain Todd Insler, ALPA’s executive work with USEK by the president of the halting the influx of new users, likely driving those time of a shortage of skills in the workforce, and the council chairman. “We’re spreading the existing Maronite Christian institution, Father Talal users to alternative platforms and eroding TikTok’s country’s productivity has persistently been lower flying among our pilot group while locking in per- Hachem, and his young team. — Reuters competitive position,” Nichols wrote. —AFP than in some comparable economies. — Reuters manent contractual gains.” — AFP 17 Business Wednesday, September 30, 2020 China real estate takes a back seat amid consumption recovery hopes Beijing taps brakes on property prices, cuts mortgage loans

BEIJING: China is tapping the brakes on property Income growth prices and cutting the availability of mortgage loans to At the height of the Sino-US trade war in 2019, new spur households to spend instead of repaying debt, as home prices were allowed to rack up double-digit policymakers try to ignite private consumption and gains for months, piercing the upper limit of what ana- stimulate the pandemic-stricken economy. China’s lysts say is an informal regulatory band determined by household leverage ratio had soared to a record by the the growth rates of household income and gross end of June, prodded by a jump in mortgages as the domestic product. government allowed real estate to support the econo- Then came COVID-19. China’s first economic con- my. traction on record prompted the government to quickly Indeed, the mortgage burden for Chinese house- loosen curbs on the property market, which traditional- holds has grown so huge that it hobbles private con- ly contributes a fifth of China’s GDP. sumption, analysts say, and residential incomes plunged Mortgage debt ballooned, with medium- to long- into negative territory this year. term household loans hitting a record in July, central bank data showed. But instead of letting the property market soar further, policies soon guided prices back into a lower range not seen since early 2018. Prices Home prices have been growing just under 5 percent year-on-year could grow in recent months. Economists polled by Reuters expected China’s 4.8% this year home prices to grow 4.8 percent this year and slow to 3 percent for the first half of 2021. “The important thing is to guide money into the real economy, and let real industries fuel economic growth and get income Since August, policymakers have tried to stimulate growth to outpace home price growth,” said Song spending under a so-called “dual circulation” strategy Hongwei, senior analyst of Shanghai-based property President Xi Jinping espoused this year, analysts say. WUHAN: An employee working on the upper floors at the construction site of the Wuhan Greenland Centre in Wuhan in consultancy Tospur. But balancing consumption with the property market China’s central Hubei province as the city continues its return to some form of normal after being ground zero for the That would deflate the property bubble without could be tricky to pull off. A precipitous fall in property COVID-19 coronavirus earlier this year. — AFP bursting it, and let consumption become a more impor- prices would crush consumer sentiment, the opposite tant economic driver, Song added. Economists say the of what policymakers want to achieve. household debt ratio will keep growing as new homes “China’s property market is more and more crowd- so expensive that they left little spending cash for with a 5.8 percent increase in 2019. Data will not are built amid urbanization and urban renewal, but at a ing out spending ability,” said Wang Jingwen, senior households. immediately show whether slowing mortgage growth is pace more in line with the growth rate of the rest of the analyst with China Minsheng Bank. “Those who have to China’s central bank said last year that every 1 per- giving households more financial freedom to spend, economy. “The key is to give people money to spend,” tighten their belts to pay down payments or mortgages centage point increase in ratio of household debt to the unless incomes suddenly jump. Yao Jingyuan, an adviser to the cabinet, told Reuters. are the ones with the most marginal propensity to con- country’s gross domestic product (GDP) would cut Still, in August, for the first time this year, retail sales “In the past, because of our economic model, capital sume, a demographic critical to China’s shift to a con- retail sales growth by 0.3 percentage point. The ratio grew, up 0.5 percent year-on-year. “The government has contributed more to economic growth, and enjoyed sumption-led economy.” The Chinese Academy of rose to 59.7 percent as of end-June, from 55.8 percent aims to rely less on the property market, but will keep it a bigger share in distribution,” Yao added. “Rich people Social Sciences (CASS) said in a report last year that at the end of 2019, CASS data showed. moving within a band, to prevent any drastic price rise got richer and banks made big fortunes. In the future, China’s property market has not made a net contribu- At the same time, household income has plummeted, or drop,” said Lu Wenxi, senior analyst for property we should adjust the contribution of key factors and let tion to the economy since 2018, when homes became down 1.3 percent in the first half of this year, compared agency Centaline. workers’ incomes to get a bigger share.” — Reuters

decisively dovish tone in the meeting, openly discussing Lagarde’s peace at prospects for more stimulus, something Lagarde has deliberately steered clear of. Some of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, especially objected to risk as ECB splits ECB board member Fabio Panetta’s comments last week that the ECB should err on the side of doing too much Weak demand now over virus response rather than too little. Panetta, who joined the board at the start of the year, argued that inflation was uncomfortably the bane of Aussie below the ECB’s target and in such situations a policy FRANKFURT: European Central Bank policymakers response may be necessary. housing market are increasingly divided over how to steer the economy “It’s like Mario is back,” one of the sources said, refer- through a second wave of COVID-19, threatening ring to Draghi’s tendency to deviate from the Governing BENGALURU: Australian housing market activity President Christine Lagarde’s hard-won peace, conver- Council’s message and front-run policy before others had won’t recover from the recent slowdown for at sations with eight ECB insiders show. Lagarde has man- a chance to weigh in. But the sources added that Lagarde least a year as dwindling household incomes and aged to end the public infighting that left the ECB in dis- is for now keeping her end of the bargain and she is even soaring unemployment hammer demand, causing array in the final months of Mario Draghi’s tenure last engaging with policymakers Draghi did not talk to. “She’s In this file photo a Google logo is seen on the brand’s home prices to fall this year and next, a Reuters year and she has seamlessly pushed through several working the phones non-stop and managed to get a con- stand ahead of the annual meeting of the World Economic poll of analysts showed. Now in its first recession record stimulus packages to keep the economy afloat sensus in June so I have no reason to think she’s about to Forum (WEF) in Davos. — AFP in three decades, Australia’s economy is expected amid the pandemic. change her style,” another source said. to recover slowly even though the spread of the Her pledge to seek consensus and bring skeptics Some senior ECB staff have advocated increasing the coronavirus is largely under control and most onboard is in stark contrast to her predecessor Draghi, quota for emergency bond buying to 2 trillion euros from Google clamps down businesses have reopened. Still, policymakers who rarely engaged key opponents of his policies and the current 1.35 trillion euros but Lagarde pushed back expect unemployment to rise to about 10 percent signalled moves even before any discussion within the on that suggestion, bolstering her credibility among poli- from 6.8 percent in August. Governing Council. But tensions are rising again as a cymakers who were often at odds with Draghi, one of the on apps dodging That forecast comes despite aggressive mone- fresh surge in infections forces the ECB to contemplate sources said. The sources said that while policy action tary policy easing from the Reserve Bank of even more stimulus, with old rifts resurfacing and chief may be necessary in December, bringing disagreements Play Store 30% cut Australia, which has so far chopped its key interest economist Philip Lane coming under fire from all sides. into the public domain and fuelling market expectations rate to an all-time low of 0.25 percent and Conservative policymakers, known in central bank jar- with dovish comments could make it more difficult to launched a bond-buying campaign to hold market gon as “hawks”, argue that the ECB is downplaying some keep it consensual. “If you front-run policy in public SAN FRANCISCO: Google said Monday it plans yields down. The Sept. 16-28 poll of 12 property of the good news, such as a stream of better-than- debate, then you harden positions and make it difficult to to start enforcing a rule requiring Android apps in analysts showed average home prices would fall expected economic indicators over the summer. In the compromise,” one of the sources said. “That’s when you its Play store to use its payment system, which takes 4.5 percent this year and another 2.8 percent next. opposite corner, “dovish” central bankers are pushing get public dissent and market confusion.” The sources a 30 percent cut of transactions. “We have clarified The market is forecast to recover 3.4 percent in Lagarde to adapt stronger language both on the risks to also agreed that while the possibility of a rate cut was still the language in our Payments Policy to be more 2022. All of these were slightly milder predictions growth and the threat from the euro’s appreciation there, as often stated by the bank, there was no appetite explicit that all developers selling digital goods in than in the Reuters poll in June. against the dollar. for such a move and it was not being discussed. their apps are required to use Google Play’s billing “The deterioration in household income will be Disagreements were already clear during the last poli- system,” product management vice president the biggest driver of weakness, but elevated cy meeting in September, the eight sources, all with direct Lane on the spot Sameer Samat said in a blog post. uncertainty, much lower population growth and knowledge of the process, told Reuters. The hawks want- While the majority of policymakers were happy with People with smartphones or tablets powered by weak investor appetite given the slump in the ed the ECB to quietly reduce its bond purchases given Lagarde’s management style, Lane, who is seen as the Google-backed Android software are free to get rental market will all weigh on house prices,” said the relatively benign market conditions, saving its fire- most influential voice on policy matters, was criticized by apps from online venues other than the Play Store Felicity Emmett, senior economist at ANZ. power so it can raise the pace of buying again if needed both factions. run by the internet giant. Google has always “Government support and the deferral of home at a later date without increasing the overall size of the On the one hand, he was criticized for a choice of required apps offered on the Play Store’s virtual loan repayments have undoubtedly helped sup- Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP). words deemed too timid on the euro’s appreciation at shelves to use its payment system, which takes an port the market. But with unemployment likely to Some also argued that economic projections were too the Sept. 10 policy meeting, underwhelming traders. industry-standard 30 percent commission-the same continue to rise and fiscal stimulus to shrink in Q4, pessimistic because they failed to account for fiscal stim- Some policymakers had insisted during the policy meet- as Apple does in its App Store for iOS-powered prices are likely to continue to decline.” Six of the ulus measures already announced which would inevitably ing on tougher language, like that used by Draghi in mobile devices. 10 property analysts who answered an additional lead to higher growth and inflation. Both of these points 2018, but Lane pushed back, two sources said. On the Unlike Apple, however, Google has been lax question said activity in the Australian housing were rejected by chief economist Lane, but so was a call other hand, hawks objected to Lane’s blog post the about enforcing the rule. Google said the policy market would take at least a year to recover from to give a clearer warning about the risks to growth from a day after the meeting, in which he took a dimmer view applies to fewer than 3 percent of developers with the recent slowdown. In a worst-case scenario, the stronger euro, the sources said. on inflation and warned against complacency, sug- apps in the Play Store. “We only collect a service median forecast of a slightly smaller sample The ECB, which speaks on behalf of board members, gesting he wanted to amend the agreed policy mes- fee if the developer charges users to download their showed a 5.0 percent decline in house prices this declined to comment. sage, several sources said. Other signs of the tension, app or they sell in-app digital items, and we think year and next, with forecasts ranging from -6.0 the sources said, were the growing number of leaks that is fair,” Samat said. Changes coming to the next percent to as low as -15.0 percent. Dovish rebellion? from the Governing Council, some of which lack cred- version of Android, due out next year, will make it Asked which was a greater risk for the While most policymakers have echoed Lagarde’s ibility and are designed to steer the debate, rather easier for people to use other app stores while Australian housing market over the coming year, “wait and see” stance in public statements, some took a than reveal it.—Reuters watching out for user safety, according to Samat. all but one of six analysts said a sharp economic “Even if a developer and Google do not agree on slowdown. “We believe house prices will face business terms the developer can still distribute on downward pressure nationwide, as supportive fac- the Android platform,” Samat said. “This is why tors will be outweighed by the impact of the Fortnite, for example, is available directly from change in net immigration,” wrote Ben McCarthy Epic’s store or from other app stores including at Fitch Ratings in a note. “Immigration had Samsung’s Galaxy App store.” already been slowing prior to the outbreak of the Apple and Google in August pulled video game pandemic, but has plunged since the health crisis sensation Fortnite from their mobile app shops after led to strict controls on international travel.” A its maker, Epic Games, released an update that regional breakdown of the poll data showed dodges revenue-sharing with the tech titans. The Sydney and Melbourne, which contribute about 43 latest version of Fortnite contains a payment system percent to the country’s gross domestic product, that lets player transactions bypass Apple’s App were forecast to decline 2.0 percent and 7.0 per- Store and Google’s Play, preventing the firms from cent in 2020, respectively, sliding again by nearly collecting their typical cut. Epic quickly filed a fed- 4.0 percent in 2021. “The impact of closed borders eral lawsuit against Apple, accusing the iPhone on immigration, which has helped fuel the housing maker of wielding monopoly power. market, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne in The suit said Epic is not seeking favorable treat- recent decades, will be significant,” said Shane ment, but is asking the court to order Apple to Oliver, chief economist at AMP Capital. “Home change its commission structure for all developers. prices are expected to fall by around 10 percent- Apple said Fortnite was pulled after “Epic Games 15 percent from their April high. Melbourne is par- took the unfortunate step of violating the App ticularly at risk on this front, as its ‘Stage 4’ lock- Store guidelines that are applied equally to every down has pushed more businesses and households developer and designed to keep the store safe for to the brink.” — Reuters BERLIN: European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde is seen on a screen as she speaks during a meeting our users.” —AFP of the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin. — AFP 18 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, September 30, 2020

This photo shows longboarder and cancer survivor Nongluck Chairuettichai, Longboarder and cancer survivor Nongluck Chairuettichai, also known as Longboarder and cancer survivor Nongluck Chairuettichai, also known as also known as Jeab, braking during a practice session in Bangkok. Jeab, making a run during a practice session in Bangkok. Jeab, during a practice session on an unfinished highway ramp in Bangkok.

ruising on an empty Bangkok highway, 63-year-old Nongluck CChairuettichai-the oldest member of Thailand’s longboard national team- says taking up the sport set her on the road to recovery from breast cancer. Diagnosed a decade ago, Nongluck- who goes by the nickname Jeab-had surgery and chemotherapy, her body withering to skin and bones. “But when you skate every day, you can feel your body becoming stronger and healthier... it helped with recovery tremendously,” Jeab tells AFP, as she straps on her knee and elbow pads. “Most importantly, it’s fun,” she grins. Jeab first picked up a board out of curiosity, after watching her son Soteera Longboarder and cancer survivor Nongluck Chairuettichai, also known as Jeab, putting on whirl around the park. While most kneepads as her son Soteera makes a run during a practice session in Bangkok. novices initially tremble on the wooden Longboarder and cancer survivor Nongluck Chairuettichai, also known as Jeab, walking up plank, Jeab’s good balance helped her for board sports. On a closed section behind, all the troubles and the conflicts an unfinished highway ramp during a practice session in Bangkok. push off with confidence. “She’s always between two freeways, she and her son in life.” At first, many other skateboard- been the adventurous type, so I was not stretch before strapping on safety gear. ers, and even her friends, tried to dis- surprised at all that she wanted to long- She tucks into a half-crouch on her courage her from pursuing the sport but board,” her 37-year-old son says. board, rendering her body more stream- she continued until she won accept- The mother of two says she became lined to whizz faster downhill. “When I’m ance. Only her family was supportive. “addicted” to the sport, which is typical- cruising, I feel free,” she says, as she Soteera says watching his mother ly dominated by teenage boys. She shows off a tattoo on her forearm that battle cancer made him realize how quickly became known in the capital’s roughly translates as “Longboard lover”. strong she is. “I’m worried about her small longboarding community and was “It feels like I am leaving everything because she’s old, but being too wor- competing in tournaments within ried until she cannot do anything is not a months. Last year, Jaeb qualified for good way to care for someone,” he Thailand’s national longboard team-the said. “She has to live her life.” Today, oldest member ever to join the squad. Jeab appears to follow the philosophy “She is an inspiration to a lot of people, tattooed on her calf: “Don’t wait to be especially girls,” team director Apichat cool.” Rocking trendy owlish frames, Rutnin tells AFP. “Now you can see she hikes up the highway for another more girls, from youth to adults, have spin downhill. At tournaments, she does started to be involved in board sports.” not focus on breaking speed records- the goal is peace of mind. “I skate for ‘Don’t wait to be cool’ This photo shows the tattoos of longboarder my happiness,” Jeab says. That’s all Every day Jaeb searches for new and cancer survivor Nongluck Chairuettichai, and that’s enough.”— AFP A tattoo with the message “Don’t wait to be cool” of longboarder and cancer survivor skate spots around Bangkok-a traffic- also known as Jeab, during a practice ses- Nongluck Chairuettichai, also known as Jeab, during a practice session in Bangkok. clogged metropolis with limited terrain sion in Bangkok. — AFP photos

Crawford and Marie’s former wife, super- sarily result in trial. Brinkworth has said Elite Models model Linda Evangelista. Former BBC she was traumatized by the alleged journalist Lisa Brinkworth claimed that in assault, but was prevented from coming Paris fashion week goes October 1998, when she was posing as a forward by an agreement between the ex-boss probed model while doing an investigation, Marie BBC and Elite in 2001 following a sexually assaulted her in a nightclub. She defamation suit. Her legal team hopes ‘physigital’ to beat the virus was working undercover on a documen- this restriction on her speaking out can for alleged child tary into allegations of inappropriate sex- be a basis for bypassing the statute of ual behaviour towards models-many of limitations. aris women’s fashion week looks, “contains strong images that them underage-in certain agencies. Brinkworth’s lawyer Anne-Claire opened Monday just as the city some viewers may be sensitive to.” rape in France Brinkworth’s complaint is accompa- Lejeune welcomed the announcement by Plimited public gatherings in a bid “This collection is a mirror of the last five nied by claims from three former models Paris prosecutors on Monday. “This to slow rocketing virus infections in months,” Serre told AFP. With the of alleged rape by Marie in Paris when investigation will, I hope, give others the France. Like Milan-which finished Belgian master Dries Van Noten, she former top boss of one of the they were teenagers or young women. courage to speak up. This is an encour- Sunday-the vast majority of Paris shows has called for a major rethink of how the world’s biggest model agencies is US model Carre Sutton accuses Marie of aging first step and a relief for the vic- over the next nine days will be virtual, industry works. Their manifesto for Ato be investigated for rape and “countless” rapes in 1986, when she was tims,” she said. Marie left Elite Models, with frustrated fashionistas watching on responsible fashion has since been abusing an under-age girl as well as oth- 17, fellow American Jill Dodd of a rape in the world’s biggest modelling agency, in their phones and computers through signed by hundreds of other designers. er women, French prosecutors 1980, when she was 19, while Swede 2012 and is today head of the Paris- TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and the “The world around us has changed radi- announced on Monday. Gerald Marie, Ebba Karlsson claims she was raped in based agency Oui Management. labels’ own sites. Hollywood star Sharon cally,” Serre added. Fashion’s enfant former European head of Elite Models, is 1990, when she was 20 or 21. Pascal Stone declared the week open in a terrible of the moment, Demna Gvasalia ‘No forgotten victims’ video message, urging designers to rise of Balenciaga, said he also found him- Brinkworth’s documentary caused a to the challenge of better serving self asking if “fashion makes sense in stir when it was screened in Britain in “emancipated, free and bold women. the apocalyptic world in which we have 1999. It led to the suspension of Marie “Fashion has to be more fair, diverse been living since March”, when lock- and fellow executive Xavier Moreau. But and equal,” she said. Only a handful the downs began in Europe. they were later reinstated and the agency biggest brands, led by Dior, Hermes, However, the Georgian designer told pursued the BBC and other broadcasters Louis Vuitton and Chanel, are staging the industry bible Women’s Wear Daily of the program for defamation. The docu- real live shows. that he has since “discovered that even mentary, which filmed Elite’s activities With the vast bulk of international in times of pandemic, people want with a hidden camera, alleged that buyers and style journalists who usually something new. They even want it more under-age models were pressured into flood the French capital staying away to distract themselves from the horrors,” having sex and using drugs. The BBC because of travel restrictions, Saint he added. Even so, Salliard questioned told AFP it would not deny Brinkworth Laurent, Hedi Slimane’s Celine and whether it was worth persisting with access to its archives. “We have had Virgil Abloh’s luxury street brand Off- shows while the pandemic continued. “If extensive discussions with her lawyers to White have bowed out altogether. The there are no American and Asian buy- establish how we can make material lack of pomp of spectacle has led to no ers, and no journalists, what’s it for?” he available. We’ve always been clear the end of streaked mascara online from asked. BBC will co-operate fully with any criminal influencers mourning the loss of yet The Korean label Kimhekim kicked investigation,” it said. another proper fashion week to Covid- off Monday’s six digital shows, with the The step to investigate Marie came 19. “The last Paris fashion week which young Georgian Irakli Rusadze making months after a sex harassment probe was entirely digital left us all orphans,” his Paris debut with his Situationist was opened against French modeling fashion historian Olivier Saillard told brand. His slightly surreal film was shot agent Jean-Luc Brunel, a former associ- AFP. People crave the “theatre of the on the streets of his native Tbilisi, with In this file photo taken on September 3, 2001 the French President of Elite Model agency ate of accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey live spectacle”, he added, saying the his models buying potatoes in its street Gerald Marie (center) poses with candidates of the Elite Model Look contest on the Epstein. Brunel, founder of Karin Models digital men’s and haute couture shows markets. Danish designer Cecilie Promenade des Anglais in Nice, south eastern France. — AFP and MC2 Model Management, is in June were something of an anti-cli- Bahnsen, who “adores the idea that you accused in American court documents of max. can wear a ballgown with a pair of train- the target of a complaint by a former BBC Narboni, Marie’s lawyer, told AFP that his rape and of procuring young girls for Despite big social media campaigns, ers”, also made her first bow with a film journalist and claims of rape by three ex- client “absolutely formally contests these Epstein, who was found hanged in his the new “physigital” reality-mixing digital showcasing her long white, black and models, the Paris prosecutor’s office told facts” and said he planned to counter the New York jail cell last year while awaiting and physical shows-lack fizz, with pastel dresses on a blasted Nordic AFP. A specialist child protection unit will charges with a lawsuit over the “slander- trial on charges of sex trafficking. In brands struggling to create the same heath and beach. American artist lead the probe into allegations of “rape ous allegations”. February, the prosecutor of Paris Remy buzz online. Before the week had even Sterling Ruby with his S.R. Studio. LA. and sexual assault, as well as rape and Heitz said French authorities will not rule officially started, John Galliano released CA. brand and London newcomer sexual assault of a minor,” it added. The Too late? out opening investigations into crimes images of his new Margiela collection, Wales Bonner, who won the prestigious investigation is based on complaints Under the statute of limitations, which that happened outside of the statute of even though he is not supposed to LVMH prize for young designers in lodged by women for alleged assaults limits the number of years that can lapse limitations, to ensure there are “no forgot- show until next Tuesday. 2016, rounded off the opening day’s between 1980 and 1998. between an alleged crime and the initia- ten victims”. — AFP shows. — AFP At the time of the alleged offences, tion of legal proceedings, a prosecution ‘The world has changed’ Elite Models had launched the careers of may no longer be possible. This is one of And rising French designer Marine household names such as Naomi the issues to be determined by the inves- Serre warned that “Amor Fati”, the film Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Cindy tigation, which in France does not neces- that will showcase her spring summer 19 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, September 30, 2020

A man, mask-clad due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, holds his German Shepherd on a leash at the “Barking Lot” A German Shepherd walks past mask-clad patrons sitting with their dogs at the “Barking Lot” cafe. cafe in Saudi Arabia’s eastern Gulf city of Khobar, 450 kilometres east of the capital. — AFP photos

og owners in Saudi Arabia can now enjoy a Dcup of coffee alongside their beloved pets at a new cafe-a first for the ultra-conservative kingdom. In Islam, dogs are considered unclean animals-unlike cats-and are generally banned from A woman adjusts her headdress as she sits with her dog at public places in Saudi Arabia. But The Barking Lot, the “Barking Lot” cafe. which opened its doors in June in the coastal city of Khobar, has delighted animal lovers in a country where there are few places to take pets outside the home. The country’s once-notorious religious police used to ban the walking of pets, saying men were using it as a means to make passes at women. But the ban was widely flouted and pets are becoming Mask-clad patrons (COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic pre- an increasingly common sight. Animal shelters A dog statue is seen placed along the counter at the caution) sit with their dogs at the “Barking Lot” cafe in have sprung up in several cities. “Barking Lot” cafe. Saudi Arabia’s eastern Gulf city of Khobar. The adoption of strays has become more popu- In one section, dogs are treated to washes and lar in the rapidly modernizing kingdom, which has blow dries as part of the grooming services offered. undergone sweeping changes as part of Crown “The idea of this cafe is very new,” said Johara, a Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s “Vision 2030” plan. Saudi citizen. “It’s a distinct place where dogs can The Barking Lot’s Kuwaiti owner, Dalal Ahmed, said come and meet other dogs.” For Nawaf, also from she got the idea during a previous visit to the king- Saudi Arabia, it was the first time visiting the cafe, dom. “I came to Saudi Arabia for a visit with my which he described as “beautiful”. “I came here to dog, but wasn’t allowed to walk on the beach with play with the dogs, which now have a cafe for him,” she told AFP. “I was very sad and decided to themselves for the first time in Saudi Arabia,” he A Husky stands while another German Shepherd lies down help by opening a coffee shop for people who have said. — AFP dogs-and even for those who do not.” Young men by their owners at the “Barking Lot” cafe. and women gather at the cafe with dogs of all sizes. Some pets playfully romp around, while oth- A worker blow dries the fur of a dog after a bath at the ers sit on their owners’ laps, or wait patiently at the “Barking Lot” cafe. counter as their guardians order drinks.

A girl holds her dog at the “Barking Lot” cafe. A girl holds her dog at the “Barking Lot” cafe. A woman sits with her German Shepherd at the “Barking A German Shepherd leaps to look at snacks along a counter Lot” cafe. at the “Barking Lot” cafe.

ritain will hand back a 4,000-year- museum said, without specifying when Bold sculpture to Iraq after an investi- the plaque was taken. gation found that it had been loot- “This important piece was illegally ed, the British Museum said on Monday. removed from Iraq and discovered by pic Games on Monday failed to a commission, but people are free to Fortnite’s eviction by Apple was a “self- Museum experts were called by a spe- authorities in the UK,” the British Museum Econvince a US judge to make get apps from other online venues. The inflicted wound.” But Epic did not back cialist London police unit after an online said in a statement. “Temple plaques Apple put its hit title Fortnite back case comes amid rising criticism of the down from its fight against Apple, sales platform offered the artefact for sale such as this are rare and there are only in the tech giant’s App Store, while fees and terms imposed by the app accusing the tech giant of being “a in May last year with only limited details of around 50 examples known in existence.” their legal battle heads for a possible stores, and legal challenges by both monopolist.” Due to the legal row, its provenance. Despite the online listing The London-based institution said the trial next year. The two firms are fight- Epic and Spotify to Apple’s commis- Fortnite fans using iPhones or other describing it as “a Western Asiatic Iraqi government had “generously permit- ing over whether Apple’s tight control sion for online subscriptions. Apple devices no longer have access Akkadian tablet”, the experts determined ted it to go on display” at the museum of the App Store, and its 30 percent cut Apple pulled Fortnite from its online to the latest game updates, including the limestone wall plaque came from an before it is repatriated. “The British of revenue, counts as monopolistic mobile apps marketplace on August 13 the new season released at the end of ancient Sumerian temple dating to Museum is absolutely committed to the behavior. US District Court Judge after Epic released an update that August. — AFP around 2,400 BC. The temple had been fight against illicit trade and damage to Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had previ- dodges revenue sharing with the excavated and looted in the late 19th and cultural heritage,” its director Hartwig ously rejected a similar request by iPhone maker. The judge in the case early 20th centuries, looted again in the Fischer said. Jim Wingrave, of the Epic, and appeared to remain previously rejected an emergency 1990s during the Gulf War and most Metropolitan Police, urged antiquities’ unmoved at Monday’s hearing. The injunction request by Epic, saying recently in 2003 during the Iraq War, the buyers to “conduct a thorough due dili- judge said she didn’t expect a trial over gence process before every purchase”, the dispute to start until July of next especially when dealing with items from year, at the earliest, given her calen- recent war zones like Iraq. dar. She advised Apple and Epic to The British Museum said in July 2019 request a jury to hear the case and is that it was working to appraise and return to issue a written explaining Monday’s various looted ancient artefacts from Iraq ruling. and Afghanistan that had been seized in Apple does not allow users of its Britain. Among the articles it had sched- popular devices to download apps uled for return to Iraq were 154 from anywhere but its App Store, and Mesopotamian texts written on clay in developers have to use Apple’s pay- cuneiform script-one of the earliest sys- ment system which takes its cut. The tems of writing-and seized on entry in legal battle comes as Apple puts priori- 2011. However, the museum has faced ty on selling digital content and sub- criticism for failing to return some disput- scription services to the one billion-plus ed items to origin countries, most notably people around the world using devices the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the powered by its iOS mobile operating Elgin Marbles, which Greece has long software. Major app developers includ- A handout picture released by the British claimed. It is also under pressure to ing Epic and streaming music giant Museum in London on Monday shows a return other precious artefacts looted dur- Spotify recently formed a coalition to Sumerian plaque, dating to around 2400BC, ing the era of the British empire, including press for new terms with the major and belonging to the Early Dynastic III period the ornate Benin Bronzes statues to online marketplaces operated by Apple of southern Iraq, that was smuggled out of Iraq Nigeria. — AFP and Google. Google runs a Play Store This illustration picture shows a person logging into Epic Games’ Fortnite on their smartphone in and then seized from an online auction site by for apps tailored for devices powered Los Angeles. — AFP the UK authorities. — AFP by its Android software and also takes Classifieds Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Sabah Hospital 24812000 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Chest Hospital 24849400 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Adan Hospital 23940620 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9

Kaizen center 25716707 Rawda 22517733 Adaliya 22517144 Khaldiya 24848075 Kaifan 24849807 Shamiya 24848913 Shuwaikh 24814507 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Nuzha 22526804 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Qadsiya 22515088 Dasmah 22532265 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Shaab 22518752 Qibla 22459381 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Mirqab 22456536 Sharq 22465401 Salmiya 25746401 Dior restarts Paris fashion with a hug of comfort clothes

ior swaddled its models in cocooning kaftans Tuesday to Dprotect them from an uncertain world, in the first big fash- ion show staged in virus-hit Paris in nearly seven months. Three hundred masked movers and shakers braved the drizzle to worship at the “cathedral of Dior”, as wags dubbed the pavilion with stained glass windows the mythic French brand built in the Tuileries Garden for the occasion. If the first major live catwalk show in the world’s style capital since the lockdown was meant to be a celebration of fashion, no one told the choir. A dozen sopranos screeched out an ear-split- ting mourning dirge as the models winced by, dodging an Extinction Rebellion protester who briefly unfurled a banner pro- claiming, “We are all fashion victims”. The mounting atonal music was strangely at odds with the looks, which were mostly comfort clothes to soothe nerves and souls addled by months of anxiety. Dior’s Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri created a luxury wardrobe to huddle down at home and to reassure - clothes that almost cuddled the wearer. Many had a bohemian 1970s vibe, with floral hair bands worn with large golden earrings. “We are living a different kind of life, much more private when it comes to our relationship with our clothes, much more personal and intimate,” Chiuri told AFP. “People want to protect themselves,” she said.

‘Infinite layers of color’ Chiuri, the first woman ever to lead the label and an evangelist for feminism, said her ample coats, full-length dresses and loose trousers were about wrapping the wearer in “infinite layers of colour” as the novelist Virginia Woolf liked to do. She also riffed heavily on the classic men’s shirt and traditional Slavic smocks Models present creations by Dior during the Paris Fashion Week’s Women Spring Summer 2021 ready-to-wear fashion show in Paris and tunics, after being sparked by a “simple white shirt” worn by yesterday. — AFP photos the American feminist writer Susan Sontag. While much of the collection with its Far Eastern and Ottoman influences seemed very un-Dior, Chiuri said one of her starting points was a drawing she found by the brand’s founder showing silhouettes he created for Japan in 1957. So she took Christian Dior’s classic bar jacket and give it an oriental twist, making it longer and wider and wrapping it with a tied belt at the waist. “The idea was to make a jacket that you feel at home in” and that would be beautiful with comforting colors like burnt ochre, light blue and heathered fabric. She paired them with subdued dresses and long skirts with paisley and floral tapestry patterns. “We have made something to make you feel good, to give you positive energy in the morning,” Chiuri insisted. “The colors are varied but very nuanced,” she added. “We worked on lot on soft and rustic fabrics like linens and knitted cloth,” commissioning ikat prints from Indonesian women who specialise in the traditional technique. Extinction Rebellion said it staged the symbolic action to remind people that the fash- ion industry is one of the most polluting in the world, claiming that it is responsible for “10 percent of CO2 emissions”. “We abhor that vital resources like water and arable land have been given over to this industry which wastes and pollutes,” it added in a statement, branding the fashion industry racist, colo- nialist, sexist and classist. The young French brand Coperni also staged an in-person catwalk show Tuesday on top of the Tour Montparnasse skyscraper. The design duo Arnaud Vaillant and Sebastien Meyer, who previously led Courreges, included stretchy jersey clothes with antibacterial properties as well as offering UV protection. — AFP An activist holds a sign as a model presents a creation by Dior. 21 Sports Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Photo of the day Badminton chief defends calendar changes after outcry

KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton’s ruling body yester- day defended postponing the season’s finale until January-a decision that has sparked an outcry from players-saying it was the “best possible solution” given the coronavirus pandemic. The virus has thrown the badminton calendar into chaos, with officials forced to repeatedly postpone competitions. In the latest change, officials announced last week the three tour- naments that make up the Asian leg of the world tour will take place in the Thai capital Bangkok in January. The final tournaments of the 2020 season were origi- nally scheduled for November. Badminton World Federation (BWF) president Poul- Erik Hoyer insisted Tuesday it was the best outcome in a difficult year. “Given the challenges we faced, this was the best possible solution under the circumstances,” he told a press conference. “I am confident that with our safety protocols in place, the three events will kickstart badminton’s successful return in 2021.” Several Danish players-including leading men’s doubles players Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Kim Astrup-were reported to have reacted angrily to the news of the postponement. Officials have acknowledged that changing the dates could affect world rankings and the 2021 season’s calen- dar. Still, Badminton Association of Thailand president Patama Leeswadtrakul said strict measures would be in place to ensure the safety of players and officials at the Bangkok tournaments. They included putting a “bubble” in place-like those implemented for the restart of other sports-and requiring players to take virus tests before Kevin Hansen performs during Team Hansen pre event test in Strangnas, Sweden. —Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com flying to Bangkok and on arrival. Earlier this month the BWF postponed the showpiece Thomas and Uber Cup after a string of countries withdrew. —AFP Lakers, Heat prepare for battle as NBA odyssey reaches climax Marathon campaign plunged into crisis by COVID-19

ORLANDO: LeBron James and the Los Angeles altogether on August 26 following the shooting of onship and book a place in the finals. of James’ bid for a fourth NBA championship is a Lakers begin the final challenge in their bid to return to Jacob Blake in Kenosha. That walkout threat was only “I heard all the conversations and everything that Miami team who are happy to be cast in the role of the summit of basketball today when they take on the headed off by the intervention of former President was said about why did I decide to come to LA (that) underdogs. Miami Heat team in game one of the NBA Finals. A full Barack Obama, who reportedly counseled James and the reason I came to LA, it was not about basketball. The Heat have excelled through the playoffs with 11 months after the 2019-2020 NBA season first tipped other players against a season-ending boycott. “All those conversations, just naysayers and things of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic out- off, a marathon campaign plunged into crisis by that nature. I understood that, with the season I had standing, routing the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 COVID-19 and tumultuous social unrest finally reaches LeBron determined last year and my injury, it just gave them more sticks in the Eastern Conference semi-finals before account- its climax in Orlando. The fact that the NBA season has A little over one month later, and the 35-year-old and more wood to throw in the fire to continue to say ing for the Boston Celtics 4-2. Butler, who joined managed to reach the home stretch is itself a triumph James is now girding himself for a 10th appearance in an the things that they would say about me. “But it never Miami in 2019 from the Philadelphia 76ers, says the of sorts, a testament to assiduous planning by league NBA Finals, a tally bettered by only two players in the stopped my journey and never stopped my mindset team must neutralise James to have any chance against officials to create a secure “bubble” at Disney World in history of the league. It also marks the vindication of and never stopped my goal.” the Lakers. “The main key, and it’s been like this for a Florida. James’ decision in 2018 to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers very long time, if you want to win, you’re going to have Since July, teams have been housed at the sprawling for the Lakers, a faded superpower of the NBA who Honoring Kobe to go through a LeBron James-led team,” Butler said. entertainment park in Orlando, largely sequestered from were floundering before his arrival two years ago. The Lakers’ odyssey back to the finals has also “At the end of the day, that’s what it normally comes the outside world and the raging coronavirus crisis Although James first season in Los Angeles end- been marked by tragedy. In January, the team was down to. “That’s what we got to focus in on. Obviously which has claimed more than 204,000 American lives. ed in disappointment, with injury restricting his plunged into mourning following the death in a heli- you can’t focus in on him because he has so many real- Even then, the season has not been immune from exter- appearances and the team once again failing to copter accident of franchise legend Kobe Bryant. A ly good players around him, but you’re going to get the nal forces. A month ago, the season threatened to unrav- make the playoffs, the bolstering of the squad with determination to honour Bryant’s legacy has driven the same test over and over again until you pass, and that el as a tide of anger against racial injustice prompted Anthony Davis last year, who has formed a superb Lakers into this year’s finals. “Every time you put on test is LeBron James. “We’re just going to have to play teams led by the Milwaukee Bucks to boycott games. partnership with James, returned the team to domi- purple and gold, you think about his legacy,” James hard. We’re going to have to play damn near perfect The Lakers, who will be chasing a 17th NBA cham- nance. “This is what I came here for,” James said on said. “You think about him and about what he meant to because they are such a good team. They do so many pionship against Miami in the finals, were one of two Saturday after the Lakers defeated the Denver this franchise for 20-plus years, and what he stood for things well. Obviously you know the star power that teams who reportedly voted to abandon the season Nuggets to clinch the Western Conference champi- both on the floor and off the floor.” Standing in the way they have.” —AFP French Open is now my next goal: Thiem Dodgers aim to end KUWAIT: Fresh from his maiden Grand Slam title at the World Series drought US Open, Dominic Thiem has set his sights on further tennis glory. A two-time French Open runner-up, the as playoffs begin Austrian is aiming to upstage the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros. On the eve of the LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Dodgers head into event, he looked back on his historic win in the Big another Major League Baseball postseason today looking Apple, breaking the run of tennis’ Big Three, and why to end a 32-year wait for a World Series crown after a he’s primed to make an impact in Paris. litany of recent failures. For the third time in four years, Question - What was going through your head after the Dodgers head into the playoffs boasting the best reg- winning your first Grand Slam? ular season record in the National League, armed with Answer - I have had a few days to let it all sink in high hopes of winning a first Fall Classic since 1988. and reflect. It feels no less wonderful than right after the But for all the vaunted regular season dominance, a triumph. It actually feels even better now that I have had postseason championship has remained elusive, with a a chance to shake off the fatigue. I now even dare to series of agonizing losses fuelling the perception of a look back on the match against Sascha Zverev. It was psychological brittleness in pressure situations. In 2017, impossible to do so in the first few days after that thriller the Dodgers were beaten in seven games in the World of a final because it was simply too exciting and dramat- Series by the Houston Astros, losing the decider in front ic. I had the weird feeling that, if I reflected on it, I might of their shellshocked home fans at Dodger Stadium in still lose the match after all! Luckily, that has now passed game seven. The following season, Dodger fans again had and the victory still feels absolutely brilliant. to witness a rival team celebrating the championship at Question- You have ended three years of domi- Chavez Ravine, with the Boston Red Sox wrapping up an nance by the Big Three. Since Stan Wawrinka won the emphatic 4-1 series victory in game five. US Open in 2016, nobody except Novak Djokovic, In 2019, it was the turn of the Washington Nationals to Rafa Nadal, and Roger Federer has won a Grand Slam. inflict the pain, with the Dodgers losing 7-3 at home in Now you have claimed your place in that group, how Answer - The faith that I could win a Grand Slam the next Grand Slam takes place so soon after the US game five against the eventual World Series winners after does it feel? tournament was something I had long before the US Open. Now that I have won a Grand Slam final, I can blowing a 3-1 lead heading into the eighth inning. That Answer - Being the first ‘new’ Grand Slam winner in Open. That is why I put myself under so much pressure. finally tick off one of the biggest aspirations of my game was notable for another in a series of disappointing what seems like an eternity feels really good. However, I Moreover, I harboured the belief that my first Grand career. Starting immediately, I am fully focused on my outings for ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw, regarded as one would not claim to have ended the dominance. Novak, Slam victory could happen at this particular US Open clay game and the French Open. My goal is to start into of the greatest pitchers of his generation yet struggling to Rafa, and Roger remain favourites in every tournament throughout the tournament. Naturally, the circumstances the first round of the tournament 100% fresh. shed the crude tag of postseason choker. “Everything they compete in. Even next week, when the French Open changed when Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the Question - Should Rafa be worried ahead of the people say is true right now about the postseason,” a dis- starts in Paris, Nadal and Djokovic are the ones to beat. tournament. From that moment on it was crystal clear... French Open? Does he need to change anything given traught Kershaw said after last season’s letdown. “When Question - How was the tournament in general at there will be a new winner. I knew the player who could the temperatures will be lower than in summer! you don’t win the last game of the season and you’re to Flushing Meadows? cope best with the pressure would win this Grand Slam Answer - The temperatures could be the only real blame for it, it’s not fun.” It is a tale of postseason woe that Answer - The whole tournament, including all its title. I did not handle the pressure particularly well in the reason why he may need to change. Naturally, everyone will give even the most optimistic Dodger fans cause for trappings, was, of course, extraordinary and required final, but I managed to turn the game around in the end! was a little curious to see how Rafa would play at the nervousness, despite the team boosting their firepower some getting used to. The US Open of 2020 was a very It was just incredible. Masters tournament in Rome. If he comes into the this year with the acquisition of former Red Sox MVP special Grand Slam tournament. The Flushing Meadows Question - Following the disqualification of Novak French Open in good shape, he is always the favorite to Mookie Betts. Arena was completely devoid of spectators and remain- Djokovic, the general public considered you the new win in Roland Garros not least because he has already The format of the abbreviated 60-game season, and ing inside the “bubble” required a coronavirus test every favourite. How did you manage to deflect the pressure won the tournament 12 times. Obviously, I would be very the expanded 16-team playoffs, mean that the advantages three days. The daily schedule played out between the and remain focused? excited about playing against him. normally accrued for dominating the regular season will hotel and the tennis courts. I did not even see New York, I knew I had a great chance of winning the US Open Question - What else would you like to say to your be absent this year. Instead the Dodgers must navigate a not even a single short trip into the city. Everything was provided I played really well and managed to perform at fans? They cheered you on in Austria, more often than potentially awkward three-game wild card series at home focused on tennis, maybe even too focused without a my top level. I was able to block out the fact that this not tuning in the middle of the night... to the Milwaukee Brewers starting today, before then real chance to clear your mind. That was very challeng- was the best chance to win a Grand Slam tournament in Answer - First of all, I would like to send a huge heading into a division series which will be played on ing because you were never allowed out. From a mental the quarter-final and semi-final stages. The final, howev- thank you to all tennis enthusiasts who cheered me on, neutral turf in Texas. perspective, those four weeks were extremely demand- er, was really tough for me mentally. I honestly think I especially the fans who stayed awake deep into the night “When the season’s closed down and we start the ing for me and my team. The fact that the conditions have never been more nervous and tense before a match. and probably sacrificed one or two work days. The fans playoffs, none of that means anything,” said the Dodgers were so unique almost makes this year’s victory a touch Fortunately, I was able to turn the tide just in time and at home are always very important to me. They may have in-form outfielder AJ Pollock. “We start over and every- more special. beat Sascha Zverev in a tough fight over five sets. been even more valuable than usual at this year’s US thing goes back to zero. Hopefully, me personally, and the Question - When looking back, at which point did Question - What is your next goal? Open because, knowing that there are so many people team, can just keep this thing rolling.” —AFP you start sensing that winning this US Open tournament The answer is quite simple... the French Open start- watching on TV at home, definitely helped me secure the was more than just a possibility? ing this weekend. It may even be to my advantage that title at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. 22 Sports Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Lightning dominate Stars; claim 2nd Stanley Cup title Lightning burst out of bubble with Stanley Cup win

LOS ANGELES: Brayden Point scored a power- um in Edmonton, Alberta. The Lightning’s title run play goal and Andrei Vasilevskiy blocked 22 shots culminated an unprecedented 11-month 2019-20 for a shutout as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the season that was suspended on March 12 due to the Dallas Stars 2-0 on Monday to capture their sec- Covid-19 pandemic before resuming on August 1 ond Stanley Cup championship. The win erases in a quarantine bubble in Edmonton and Toronto, years of close calls and underachieving perform- Canada. Despite being one of the league’s most ances in the postseason for the Lightning, who consistent winning franchises over the past few won the series four games to two and claimed their years, the Lightning have a reputation of coming first NHL title since 2004. up short in the postseason. “We had a lot of confidence in our group,” said Tampa Bay were in the finals for the first time Canadian forward Point. “We worked so hard and since 2012, when they lost to the Chicago played our system so well. We weren’t thinking Blackhawks in six games. They were heavy about anything, but the game ahead of us.” There favorites to win the Stanley Cup in 2019 but were was no panic from Tampa Bay in a dominating unceremoniously swept in the first round in four game six performance, even though they were straight by the Columbus Blue Jackets. “Sometimes coming off a gruelling double overtime loss to in failure you find success,” Tampa coach Jon Dallas in game five on Saturday night. Captain Cooper said. “It doesn’t come easy. I truly Steven Stamkos accepted the Stanley Cup trophy believe the heartbreak we suffered brought us from league commissioner Gary Bettman on the ice. here today.” This time history was on their side, Stamkos was injured and unable to play in the as the Lightning have never lost a series in which final game, but he did get in five shifts earlier in the they have held a 3-1 lead, including all three pre- series and even scored a goal. “I am so proud of vious rounds this year. Point opened the scoring this team and everything we have accomplished. I on the powerplay at 12:23 of the first period for am speechless. It’s magical to be part of this,” Tampa Bay. Canadian Stamkos said. Swedish defenceman Point took a shot, got his own rebound and fired Victor Hedman was named the most valuable play- the puck high over the glove of Stars goalie Anton EDMONTON: Tyler Johnson #9 of the Tampa Bay Lightning hands off the Stanley Cup to Brayden er of the playoffs. Hedman finished with 10 goals Khudobin. It was Point’s 14th goal of the playoffs. Point #21 following the series-winning victory over the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the 2020 NHL and 11 assists in the postseason. “It is a dream “The beauty of our team is everyone stepped up. Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 28, 2020. —AFP come true. The best thing I have ever experienced We had a tremendous determination. That is what in my hockey career,” said Hedman. makes this so special,” Point said. Coleman scored on a blistering one-timer just over seven minutes Patrick Maroon carried the puck over the Stars’ due to an injury. “There’s no feelings right now,” ‘Everyone stepped up’ into the second period to make it 2-0 for Tampa blue line and passed to Cedric Paquette, who Khudobin said. “Just ended, you know? “We bat- Blake Coleman scored the other goal for the Bay. The play started with a faceoff in the Tampa found a wide open Coleman with a perfect cross- tled hard, especially with the situation. It’s not easy Lightning, who stormed out the gates and outshot end and a lucky bounce off the foot of the referee ice pass. Khudobin made 27 saves in game six. He to stay without families for two months, stuff like the Stars heavily in the first two periods of game for the Lightning that gave them a quick posses- took over in the first round of the playoffs from that. “We stick together, we stick to each other. six in front of an almost empty Rogers Place stadi- sion of the puck. Dallas’ No 1 goalie Ben Bishop, who went down But right now, there’s nothing.” —AFP

lowest total in more than two dozen News in brief Mahomes outplays games as a starter in the NFL. Jackson also had 83 rushing yards on nine carries Jackson as Chiefs for the Ravens, who looked nothing like Sloppy? Klopp tackles Keane the team that averaged 35.5 points in crush Ravens winning its first two games. Mahomes, LONDON: Manchester United great Roy Keane rarely on the other hand, used all his receiving came off second best in a tackle but the outspoken TV LOS ANGELES: Patrick Mahomes weapons Monday, making sure five play- pundit was forced to backtrack after Jurgen Klopp took won the battle of the elite quarterbacks, ers earned more than 60 catching yards him to task for labeling Liverpool “sloppy” following passing for four touchdowns as the for the Chiefs, who are 3-0 to begin the Monday’s 3-1 win over Arsenal. Klopp jumped on Kansas City Chiefs defeated the season for the fourth straight year. Keane’s observation after his team’s victory, which main- Baltimore Ravens 34-20 in a marquee He picked apart the Baltimore tained the champions’ 100 percent record after three matchup between two of the league’s defense that had allowed just two touch- games. “Did I hear right? Mr Keane said we had a slop- top franchises. Mahomes completed 31 downs in its first two games. “You got to py performance tonight? Did he say that?” said Klopp. of 42 passes for 385 yards and also give credit to Pat for leading the charge. Former United and Republic of Ireland captain Keane rushed for a touchdown as the Chiefs He stepped up big,” Kansas City coach did not address the question directly. “I think they gave improved to 3-0 on the season and Andy Reid said. Travis Kelce led Kansas up one or two opportunities, which he will be disap- showed why they are the favourites to City with 87 receiving yards on a half pointed with,” said the 49-year-old. Klopp, who won the repeat as Super Bowl champions. dozen catches. Even left tackle Eric Champions League with Liverpool in 2019 and their first Fisher and fullback Anthony Sherman Premier League title last season, pressed on. “Did he say “They don’t give that guy a half-bil- BALTIMORE: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 hands the ball off to run- caught touchdown passes, as did that it was sloppy? I want to hear it,” said the 53-year- lion dollars for no reason,” Ravens ning back Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs against the receivers Tyreek Hill and Mecole old German. —AFP defensive end Calais Campbell said. “He Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 28, 2020. —AFP just made play after play. You’ve got to Hardman. Chris Jones had four sacks and give him respect.” Quarterback Lamar also two forced fumbles. Bologna see off Parma Jackson completed 15 of 28 passes for Also topping 60 yards were Hardman good thing about playing a team firing see them again.” The Ravens finished just 97 yards and one touchdown in the (81), Hill (77), Clyde Edwards-Helaire on all cylinders is they can show you with just 228 yards of total offence. loss for Baltimore, who had their 14- (70) and Sammy Watkins (62). The MILAN: Roberto Soriano scored twice and set up a where you are weak at,” said Ravens Mahomes passed for three touchdowns third as Bologna got their first win of the Serie A season game regular season win streak Chiefs had 517 yards and converted 10 Campbell. “I am confident we are going and ran for another as the Chiefs held a snapped. Jackson’s 97 yards was his of 13 third-down opportunities. “The on Monday, 4-1 against local rivals Parma. Soriano head- to rebound. We want to earn the right to 27-10 halftime lead. —AFP ed in the first after quarter of an hour in Emilia- Romagna, with his second 14 minutes later taking a slight given Madrid could yet decide to let their 60 million- deflection. Soriano then set up Andreas Skov Olsen for La Liga talking euro (today $70 million) signing leave before the end the third 10 minutes after the break. Scottish teenager of the transfer window. When Eden Hazard regains fit- Aaron Hickey made his debut for Bologna four days points: Fati soars, ness, that spot next to Benzema will belong to the after signing from Hearts, and the 18-year-old left-back Belgian so Jovic’s window of opportunity may be small. made an impressive start in the Bologna defense. Hernani Time would appear to be running out. hit back with Parma’s first goal this season in the 67th Luka Jovic disappoints minute after Bologna goalkeeper Skorupski cleared straight to Gaston Brugman, who send it through for the MADRID: Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Optimism for free-scoring Atletico Brazilian to finish off. Parma played the final 14 minutes a Madrid will all be hoping to build on their first wins of Atletico scored 19 fewer goals than champions Real man down after defender Simone Iacoponi was sent off the season as La Liga heads into its fourth round of Madrid last season and 35 fewer than Barcelona. So for fouling Rodrigo Palacio. —AFP games this week. Here, AFP looks at five talking points hitting six against Granada on Sunday offered some ahead of the midweek fixtures. early encouragement that this season’s Atletico, boost- ed by the arrival of Luis Suarez in attack, can put those scoring problems behind them. Suarez stole the show Former Dodgers star dies Fati could be essential for Koeman BARCELONA: Villarreal’s Spanish midfielder Daniel For the first time in a long time, Barcelona can enjoy after scoring twice on his debut but Joao Felix was Parejo (left) challenges Barcelona’s Spanish forward LOS ANGELES: Two-time World Series champion Jay some calm after a 4-0 win over Villarreal in their first arguably the biggest plus for Diego Simeone, who will Ansu Fati during the Spanish league football match FC Johnstone has died at age 74 from complications of the match of the season on Sunday. Lionel Messi scored hope the 20-year-old’s excellent display is the start of Barcelona against Villarreal CF at the Camp Nou stadi- coronavirus, the US media reported on Monday. The on his first competitive appearance since attempting to a more consistent campaign. Atletico go up against um on September 27, 2020. —AFP former Major League Baseball outfielder belted over leave in the summer but most exciting was the per- newly-promoted Huesca today, the kind of game they 100 home runs in his career. He was known as an elite formance of the 17-year-old Ansu Fati, who scored slipped up in too often last season. pinch hitter during his time with eight different teams twice and won a penalty. Ronald Koeman must decide over two decades. “The Dodgers are saddened by the how to make the most of the teenager, whose maturity Pellegrini’s Betis lead the way New coaches under early pressure passing of former Dodger Jay Johnstone and offer their on the pitch belies his age and whose body might not Even defeat by Real Madrid could not knock Real Villarreal face Alaves today, with pressure already deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the be ready to start every week. But Fati’s pace, move- Betis off the top of the table, as Manuel Pellegrini’s on both coaches. Villarreal have four points from their Dodgers wrote on Twitter. Johnstone’s battle with the ment and decision-making are all so impressive it will team enjoy the benefits of a strong start and more opening three games but a 4-0 hammering at the hands Covid-19 was confirmed by his daughter Mary Jayne be difficult to leave him out, as Barca look to build on games played than the traditional powerhouses three of Barcelona on Sunday, as well as a draw at home to Sarah Johnstone. No details were released. Johnstone that win at Celta Vigo tomorrow. weeks into the season. But there is cause for optimism newly-promoted Huesca means Unai Emery could do longer-term as Betis began with wins against Alaves with a victory. Alaves, meanwhile, are second bottom grew up in West Covina, California and made his major- league debut with the California Angels in 1966 at age Time running out for Jovic? and Real Valladolid, before matching Madrid for pro- after managing just a point from their first three games, 20. He hit a home run in game four of the 1981 World Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane switched to a longed spells until their opponents pulled away in the with Pablo Machin seeking a first win at la Ceramica. Series for the Dodgers who beat the New York Yankees 4-4-2 formation during his team’s 3-2 win at Real Betis second half. With the likes of Nabil Fekir, Sergio Valencia have also made a stuttering start, a draw at in six games. —AFP on Saturday as Luka Jovic was deployed up front Canales and Joaquin, this Betis squad has not lacked home to Huesca on Saturday coming on the back of a alongside Karim Benzema. But the Serbian striker for attacking talent but solidity at the back has too surprise loss away at Celta Vigo. New coach Javi often been an afterthought. Yesterday they traveled to failed to take his chance, instead enduring another Gracia has already expressed disappointment with the Genoa team test positive underwhelming night before going off with 18 minutes Getafe, looking to prove they can be harder to break club’s summer transfer dealings, meaning credit with to go. It remains to be seen whether Zidane persists down against one of the division’s best defensive sides the board may be lacking if results do not improve. ROME: Fourteen team members and staff of Serie A with Jovic at home to Real Valladolid today, or at all, and a potential rival for Europe. They played away at Real Sociedad yesterday. —AFP side Genoa have now tested positive for COVID-19, the club said in a statement. Genoa had reported at the rounds up football news from across the continent: ing group. The country ranked 28th in Africa and 112th in the weekend that their Denmark midfielder Lasse Schone Africa roundup: Tunisia world started their Group K campaign with a 1-0 loss in the and goalkeeper Mattia Perin had contracted the virus. Tunisia Ivory Coast, then suffered a 6-2 drubbing at home from “Genoa CFC announce that after today’s tests, the club Monastir succeed Four-time African champions Esperance fell at the final Madagascar. Niger have home and away games against number of COVID-19 positive employees has risen to hurdle in pursuit of a Tunisian treble having won the league Ethiopia in November and a minimum of four points will be 14 team members and staff,” the club said on their after 97 years with an unbeaten 26-match record, then the Super Cup. The needed to get them into contention for a top-two finish and website. “The club has activated all the procedures Blood and Gold were the architects of their downfall with qualification for the finals. according to the protocol and informed the authorities. The club will provide updates as the situation JOHANNESBURG: US Monastir ended a 97-year pursuit Algerian Abdelkader Bedrane conceding an own goal as half- evolves.” Genoa did not name the players affected. of a Tunisian trophy by shocking treble-seeking Esperance 2- time approached. Yassine Amri scored on 82 minutes to seal Zambia Genoa lost 6-0 at Napoli on Sunday and are due to 0 to win the FA Cup final. The unanticipated triumph com- success for Monastir, whose joy was diluted by the fact that Mumamba Numba has set the bar high after being named play Torino at home next Saturday. Separately, city pleted a memorable season for the club from the the historic triumph came behind closed doors owing to the coach of Zambian giants Zesco United in succession to rivals Sampdoria announced that AS Monaco’s Mediterranean tourist resort, who finished third in the league coronavirus. sacked George Lwandamina. “My dream is to assemble a for- Spanish-born Senegal winger Keita Balde, who was behind Esperance and CS Sfaxien. Third place secured midable squad that can conquer Africa,” said Numba, refer- undergoing medical tests on Monday prior to a loan Monastir a first appearance in a Confederation of African Niger ring to a feat only one Zambian club, Power Dynamos, has deal, had returned a ‘weak positive’ test. —Reuters Football (CAF) competition and they will participate in the Jean-Michel Cavalli has replaced fellow Frenchman Jean- achieved in 48 years. Lwandamina paid the price for finishing second-tier Confederation Cup next season. Here, AFP Sport Guy Wallemme as Niger coach with the task of lifting the fifth in the championship, which excluded the club from the team off the bottom of a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualify- two 2020/2021 CAF competitions. —AFP 23 Sports Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Djokovic in cruise control Row sparks video replay call • Pliskova struggles past Egyptian trailblazer

PARIS: Egypt’s Mayar Sherif returns the ball to Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova during their women’s singles first round tennis match on Day 3 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament yesterday. — AFP

PARIS: Novak Djokovic’s bid to become the first “It would be great to have that,” said Mladenovic man in half a century to win all four Grand Slam when asked if video replays should be introduced. titles twice got off to a straightforward start yester- “It’d be a pity to replace a human with a camera but day at Roland Garros as a ‘double bounce’ row to err is human. I don’t see how the umpire could prompted calls for video replays to be introduced in not see it. Unfortunately, she continues at Roland tennis. World number one Djokovic, returning to Garros but I do not.” Siegemund defended her Grand Slam action for the first time since his US actions. “If in that call, I’m coming running full Open disqualification, eased past Sweden’s Mikael speed, if in that call I say, ‘Oh, it was a double Ymer, ranked 80, in straight sets 6-0, 6-2, 6-3. bounce,’ and later I see on the video it was not, I It was his 32nd win in 33 matches in 2020 and would be angry at myself. So I think in that situa- kept him on course for a second French Open title tion, that was a close call,” she said. “That’s what the following his 2016 triumph, and 18th career major. umpire is there for. I think she has better chances “It’s always a pleasure to return to Paris on Philippe than me to see what has happened exactly.” Chatrier, this important court. The atmosphere is a Second seed Karolina Pliskova ended Mayar little different this year with few fans but I remain Sherif’s fairytale Grand Slam breakthrough to set up motivated to win the title,” said Djokovic, only one a second round clash against former champion of two men to have defeated 12-time champion Jelena Ostapenko. Pliskova, a semi-finalist in 2017, Rafael Nadal in 15 years in Paris. squandered eight set points in the opener as world Djokovic, who suffered no immediate hangover number 172 Sherif, the first Egyptian woman to play from his US Open controversy by quickly wrapping in the main draw at a Slam, took a shock lead. up a record 36th Masters title in Rome on the eve of However, the Czech’s greater experience eventu- Roland Garros, next faces Lithuania’s Ricardas ally told as she recovered to progress 6-7 (9/11), 6- Berankis. The 33-year-old is in the second round for 2, 6-4. “I think she was playing very smart today. Of a record-equalling 16th time, matching Guillermo course she had a lot of confidence just winning three Vilas and Nadal. matches from quallies,” said Pliskova of her 24-year- old opponent. “She had nothing to lose.” Latvia’s PARIS: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Sweden’s Mikael Ymer during their men’s singles first round ‘Replace human with camera’ Ostapenko, the world 43, won her first match at the match yesterday. — AFP Kristina Mladenovic called for a football-style French Open since sweeping to her shock 2017 title VAR system to be introduced in tennis after her when she fired 46 winners past Madison Brengle of also saved two match points on her way to a maiden pion Andrey Rublev, seeded 13, was to tackle giant opponent profited from a double bounce to help the United States to win 6-2, 6-1. career main draw win. American Sam Querrey. Rublev has yet to win a knock the Frenchwoman out of her home Grand Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin recovered match at Roland Garros in two visits following a Slam. Mladenovic was 5-1 up and with a set point ‘Pressure all gone’ from a break down in the final set to defeat 125th- loss in qualifying in 2016 and a first round exit in against Laura Siegemund when the German “After I won here it was a tough time. I had to ranked Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. 2017. Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, seeded nine, scooped a winner despite the ball appearing to get used to the pressure but now it’s all gone,” said Fourth seed Kenin, who dumped out Serena faces French veteran Gilles Simon. The left-hander bounce twice. The incident was missed by chair the 23-year-old Ostapenko. Denmark’s Clara Williams in Paris a year ago, fought back from 2-0 leapt into the top 10 for the first time earlier this umpire Eva Asderaki. World number 44 Mladenovic Tauson, just 17 and a qualifier, unleashed 48 winners down in the decider to advance to a second-round month and made the quarter-finals of the US Open pleaded in vain before Siegemund took full advan- to knock out American 21st seed and US Open tie against Romania’s Ana Bogdan. and last eight in Rome. However, Shapovalov, 21, has tage, racing into the next round with a 7-5, 6-3 win. semi-finalist Jennifer Brady 6-4, 3-6, 9-7. Tauson Later yesterday, newly-crowned Hamburg cham- just one career win at Roland Garros. — AFP

However, unlike when they met at the back end of last season’s Liverpool maintain Premier League when Jurgen Klopp’s men had already won the league or the Community Shield in August, Liverpool were far sharper in pulling the Gunners out of position. The only time 100% start with win Arsenal did manage to pierce the Liverpool press before half- time, they opened the scoring completely against the run of play. over Arsenal Robertson was at fault as he spooned Ainsley Maitland-Niles’s cross into the path of Lacazette, who also failed to make a proper LIVERPOOL: Premier League champions Liverpool maintained connection, but the ball bounced into the ground and looped over their 100% start to the season with a 3-1 win against Arsenal at the helpless Alisson Becker. Anfield on Monday leaving them level on nine points with pace- setters Everton and Leicester City. The visitors took the lead Wasteful Arsenal punished through an Alexandre Lacazette strike but Liverpool were in front Liverpool responded immediately to level within three minutes by the break thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Andy as Mohamed Salah outmuscled Tierney and when his shot was Robertson while substitute Diogo Jota made sure of the win with parried across goal by Leno, Mane turned into an empty net. a late strike on his debut. Robertson them made amends for his previous error as Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp said Monday that he has been blown Liverpool’s flying full-backs combined as Alexander-Arnold’s away by the standards Liverpool have set at the start of their cross was this time converted by the Scotland captain. Premier League title defense after coming from behind to beat However, where Arsenal sides of recent years might have col- Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield. Goals from Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson lapsed, as they did in losing 4-0 and 5-1 at Anfield in 2018 and and Diogo Jota saw off the Gunners, who had won their opening 2019, Mikel Arteta has instilled a new-found belief in the FA Cup two league games of the season. winners. The visitors were more expansive after the break and While Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, created a huge chance to level when Dani Ceballos put Lacazette Tottenham and now Arsenal have all lost in the opening three through on goal, but Alisson stood up well to block the French weeks of the new campaign, Liverpool have taken maximum striker’s shot. “When you come to Anfield you are not going to points to lay down an early marker that they remain the team to get 10 chances. When you are one-on-one with the goalkeeper, beat in the Premier League this season. “It’s really early in the you have to score,” said Arteta as Liverpool extended their season and with this performance it is absolutely ‘wow’,” said unbeaten run at home in the Premier League to 61 games. coach Klopp. “From the first second, (it was) dominant against a “It is a really tough place to come for anyone in the world, they team in form. We had to be careful like hell of the counter-attacks. set incredible standards. “They have different weapons. They have “The football we played was absolutely exceptional. About this been together five years, we have been together a few months. game tonight, there is nothing bad to say.” The outcome of the match The standards are this and this is what we have to reach.” Klopp could have been very different, though, had Mane not escaped with introduced Jota for his league debut 10 minutes from time and the just a yellow card for an elbow on Kieran Tierney after just three Portuguese international quickly showed why Liverpool spent £41 LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s Japanese midfielder Takumi Minamino (left) vies with minutes. Arsenal followed the game plan that had brought them two million ($52 million) to sign him from Wolves. Jota pounced on Arsenal’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny during the English Premier victories over Liverpool in recent months as they dropped deep then David Luiz’s headed clearance to control and fire a sweetly-struck League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in on looked to play around the Reds’ press when in possession. volley found the bottom corner. — Agencies September 28, 2020. —AFP