RABIA ALAWWAL 11, 1442 AH WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2020

16 Pages Max 35º Min 16º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18269 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait supports Palestinian cause, slams Israeli policies

UN envoy demands probe into young Palestinian’s death

NEW YORK: The State of Kuwait, imate rights and establish an independent the West Bank including East Jerusalem are addressing the United Nations Security state on their territory with East Jerusalem increasing after the Israeli government gave Council (UNSC), affirmed that the as its capital, Otaibi stressed in his state- the green light to build thousands of new Palestinian cause is a “central issue” for the ment during the UNSC session. illegal settlement units. Arab world. Kuwait also asserted the Arab However, Israel, the occupation power, These activities coincided with violent identity of East Jerusalem in line with a res- pursues its aggressive policy against the acts by Israeli settlers against unarmed olution by the latest Arab ministerial council Palestinian people and keeps reminding “us Palestinian people and demolishing meeting held in September. Arab states are frequently” that it has not backed down Palestinian buildings and properties to erect committed to peace as a strategic option, from its schemes to annex more lands in the settlements in their places, said Otaibi, not- stated Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi, West Bank, said Otaibi, noting that Israel ing that these breaches by settlers have Kuwait’s Permanent Representative at the has maintained this intransigent approach in deepened concerns about the safety of the United Nations, during a UNSC session on the shadows of the coronavirus that consti- Palestinians. Amid these acts, chances for the Middle East, namely the Palestinian tutes an existential threat to humankind. the Palestinians to establish their state are cause, on Monday evening. Such policies affirm anew that Israel is fading, he said. They are also committed to resolving the seeking to maintain the occupation through The UN secretary general and the high- Arab-Israeli conflict according to interna- illegal activities, expanding and building er commissioner for human rights have tional law, relevant resolutions of interna- thousands of settlement units and merging repeatedly affirmed that there is “an atmos- tional legitimacy and the 2002 Arab Peace territories in explicit breach of UN phere that encourages impunity for Israeli Initiative. On these grounds, the Palestinian Resolution 2334. Recent UN reports have settlers who have seized Palestinian lands, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative at the UN Mansour Al-Otaibi people must be allowed to reclaim full legit- affirmed that Jewish settlement activities in Continued on Page 2

News in brief 45 candidates Patients’ brains age 10 years file nominations LONDON: People recovering from COVID-19 may suffer significant brain function impacts, on second day with the worst cases of the infection linked to mental decline equivalent to the brain ageing by By B Izzak 10 years, researchers warned yesterday. A non- peer-reviewed study of more than 84,000 peo- KUWAIT: Forty-five candidates including eight ple found that in some severe cases, coronavirus women filed their nomination papers yesterday to infection is linked to substantial cognitive contest the National Assembly election on Dec 5, deficits for months. — Reuters raising the number of hopefuls in two days to 138 including 14 females. The new candidates include five MPs in the Assembly that just ended its term Asymptomatics lose antibodies and as many as eight former MPs who were mem- bers in previous assemblies. LONDON: Asymptomatic coronavirus sufferers Prominent among the candidates who registered appear to lose detectable antibodies sooner than yesterday were Deputy Speaker Issa Al-Kandari, people who have exhibited COVID-19 symptoms, MPs Saleh Ashour and Khaled Al-Shatti, all from according to one of the biggest studies of its kind the first constituency, MP Safa Al-Hashem from the in Britain published yesterday. The findings by third constituency and MP Nayef Al-Merdas from KUWAIT: MP Safa Al-Hashem arrives at the elections department yesterday to register as a candidate in the Imperial College London and market research the fifth constituency. upcoming National Assembly elections. — KUNA firm Ipsos Mori also suggest the loss of antibod- Continued on Page 2 ies was slower in 18-24 year-olds compared to those aged 75 and over. — AFP makes her the sixth conservative, and Trump buoyed third Trump appointee, on the nine- member court. Iran virus deaths exceed 33,000 “This is a momentous day for by Barrett’s America, for the United States Constitution and for the fair and impar- TEHRAN: Iran’s official novel coronavirus fatali- confirmation tial rule of law,” the president, standing ties crossed the 33,000 mark yesterday, the alongside Barrett, said before beaming health ministry said, as the country set new WASHINGTON: US President lawmakers and others who had gath- records in both daily deaths and infection cases. Donald Trump’s struggling reelection ered on the South Lawn of the White Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari campaign received a boost Monday House. Barrett, 48, assures a strong said Iran had registered 346 new fatalities in the with the confirmation of his latest conservative judicial legacy for Trump, past 24 hours, raising the total to 33,299. Lari said Supreme Court nominee, tilting the top who has also been able to appoint 6,968 people tested positive for the virus yester- body to the right and clinching his judi- dozens of young, rightwing judges to day. The new infections bring officially reported cial legacy in a landmark victory for federal courts in his four years in office. COVID-19 cases in the Middle East’s worst-hit American conservatives. The Democrats have fumed over the country to 581,824. — AFP Republican-controlled Senate elevated process that confirmed a justice so WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump watches as Supreme Court Associate Amy Coney Barrett to the lifelong posi- close to a presidential election, and Justice Clarence Thomas swears in Judge Amy Coney Barrett as a US Supreme tion in a 52-48 vote, capping a rapid warn that Barrett might vote to Court associate justice, flanked by her husband Jesse Barrett, during a ceremony Fighting cock kills police chief and deeply contentious process that Continued on Page 2 on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday. — AFP

MANILA: A Philippine police officer was killed during a raid on an illegal cockfight after a that astronauts on future space missions could find water could be extracted, it could give astronauts rooster’s blade sliced his femoral artery, an offi- Moon richer refreshment - and maybe even fuel - on the lunar travelling to the Moon and beyond access to drink- cial said yesterday. Monday’s freak accident in surface. The Moon was believed to be bone dry ing water. They might even be able to split the mol- the central province of Northern Samar hap- in water than until around a decade ago, when a series of findings ecules to make rocket fuel. pened when Lieutenant Christian Bolok picked suggested that our nearest celestial neighbor had That is of particular interest to NASA, which is up a fighting cock as he gathered evidence of traces of water ice in permanently-shadowed planning a human mission to the Moon in 2024 and craters at its polar regions. wants to build a sustainable presence there by the the unlawful event. Its blade struck his left thigh once thought Two new studies published in Nature Astronomy end of the decade to prepare for onward travel to and he bled to death. Three people were arrest- PARIS: There may be far more water on the Moon on Monday suggest water could be even more Mars. The new study was able to “unambiguously” ed and two fighting cocks seized along with two than previously thought, according to two studies widespread, including the first confirmation that it is distinguish the spectral fingerprint of molecular sets of spurs. —AFP published Monday, raising the tantalizing prospect present even in easier-to-access sunlit areas. If this Continued on Page 2 2 Established 1961 Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Local Amir receives State Audit Bureau’s annual report

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Sabah receives the State Audit Bureau’s 2019-2020 annual report from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Al-Sabah receives the State Audit Bureau’s 2019-2020 annual the bureau’s President Faisal Al-Shaya. — Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos meets President of the State Audit Bureau Faisal Al-Shaya. report from the bureau’s President Faisal Al-Shaya.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- 2020 annual report. Amiri Diwan Minister Sheikh Ali Undersecretary and Director of His Highness the Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received, at Bayan Palace Jarrah Al-Sabah, Amiri Diwan Chief Sheikh Mubarak Amir’s office Ahmad Al-Fahad and head of the Amiri received at Bayan Palace yesterday President of the yesterday, President of the State Audit Bureau Faisal Faisal Al-Sabah, Deputy Amiri Diwan Minister Sheikh Protocols Sheikh Khaled Abdullah Al-Sabah attend- State Audit Bureau Faisal Al-Shaya, who presented to Al-Shaya who presented to him the bureau’s 2019- Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah, Amiri Diwan ed the meeting. His Highness the Crown Prince him the bureau’s annual report. — KUNA

behalf of the Croatian government and people to ing the late Amir’s contributions to strengthening excellent relations between Kuwait and their Amir receives His Highness the Amir, government, and people. stability in the Middle East. In turn, His Highness the respective countries, wishing them good health and President Milanovic also congratulated His Highness Amir sent a cable thanking Zambia leader and for their countries progress and prosperity. on assumption of office, looking forward to boost- expressing appreciation to the kind words and His Highness the Amir also received a congratu- cables from ing ties in all domains and wishing success for His thoughtful message, wishing him good health and lation cable from the President of the Co-operative Highness the Amir. In turn, His Highness the Amir prosperity for his people. Republic of Guyana Dr Mohammad Irfaan Ali, world leaders sent a cable in which he thanked the Croatian In the meantime, His Highness the Amir received expressing his best regards to His Highness Sheikh leader, expressing appreciation to the kind words cables from President of Burkina Faso Rock Marc Nawaf on assuming power. Guyana’s leader KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- and thoughtful message, wishing him good health. Christian Kabore and President of Niger expressed hopes that both countries continue to Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday a His Highness the Amir received a similar cable Mahamadou Issoufou, who congratulated him on bolster ties between them. In turn, His Highness the cable of condolences from the President of Croatia from President of Zambia Edgar Lungu, who assuming office. They also said they were looking Amir sent a cable thanking the Guyana leader, Zoran Milanovic, over the demise of late Amir expressed his condolences, on behalf of the coun- forward to boosting ties in all domains and wished expressing his appreciations to the kind words and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In the try’s government and people to His Highness the success for His Highness the Amir. His Highness the thoughtful sentiments, wishing him good health and cable, President Milanovic sent his condolences, on Amir, government and people of Kuwait, commend- Amir thanked both presidents and commended the prosperity for his people. — KUNA

in all humanitarian issues in order to help those in to support the staff in the Embassy of Chad in Zakaria’s visit to KRCS’ headquarters, explaining the Chad envoy need, whether impacted by natural or man-made Kuwait by providing food and health baskets. importance of supporting the impacted people in disasters. After Zakaria’s meeting yesterday with the Zakaria discussed with Dr Sayer about ways to sup- Chad, along with African countries that were recent- Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kuwait Red port the Chadian people, after their country was hit ly flood-hit. KRCS will follow-up on developments in extols Kuwait’s Crescent Society (KRCS) Dr Hilal Al-Sayer, she said by floods and landslides that caused extensive Chad to evaluate the humanitarian situation and that Kuwaitis are racing to reach out to everyone in destruction to lands and properties. She also dis- help, taking into consideration what is being moni- humanitarian role need, pointing out that in every forum of human cussed many topics regarding humanitarian and vol- tored by the Chadian authorities there, he under- concern, Kuwait steps in to help, thanks to the direc- unteer work and ways to strengthen them between scored. During the meeting, Dr Sayer reviewed the KUWAIT: The Ambassador of Chad to Kuwait tives and initiatives of its wise leadership and peo- both sides, commending KRCS’ efforts at Arab and humanitarian and relief work provided by KRCS Batoul Zakaria commended Kuwait’s role and efforts ple. She deeply thanked KRCS, which has been keen international levels. Accordingly, Dr Sayer welcomed inside and outside Kuwait. — KUNA

NASA in 2009 found water crystals in a deep to retain his seat. Moon richer crater near the Moon’s southern pole. But the new 45 candidates Former minister Bader Al-Humaidi filed to run in study found evidence of billions of micro-craters the second constituency, while four former opposi- in water than... that could each cradle a miniscule amount of ice. tion MPs registered their candidacy from the fifth “If you were standing on the Moon near one of file nominations... constituency - Ahmad Al-Azemi, Humoud Al- the poles, you would see a whole ‘galaxy’ of little Continued from Page 1 Hamdan, Jaber Al-Azemi and Marzouk Al-Hubaini. Continued from Page 1 shadows speckled across the surface,” said lead As many as 93 candidates registered on the author Paul Hayne of the Department of Other prominent candidates include former opening day on Monday. Registration of candi- water in a sunlit area, said lead author Casey Astrophysics at the University of Colorado. “Each Honniball, of the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics minister and MP Roudhan Al-Roudhan, who said dates closes on Nov 4. Withdrawal of candidacy of these tiny shadows - most of them smaller than the last National Assembly was given full opportu- has started and will continue until seven days and Planetology. a coin - would be extremely cold, and most of “If we find the water is abundant enough in cer- nity to deliver but failed. before election day. Nadia Al-Othman, who filed to them cold enough to harbor ice.” This “suggests He said he plans to contest the election for the run in the third constituency, called for respecting tain locations we may be able to use it as a that water could be much more widespread on the resource for human exploration,” Honniball, who is speaker of the Assembly if he wins a seat from the and implementing in full the constitution of Kuwait Moon than previously thought”, Hayne said. third constituency. Roudhan failed four years ago and other laws. also a postdoctoral fellow at NASA’s Goddard The authors say this could mean that approxi- Space Flight Center, told AFP. Previous research mately 40,000 km2 of the lunar surface has the has found indications of water on the sunlit surface capacity to trap water. They were able to recon- between a Trump super-recovery and a Biden - but these were unable to distinguish between struct the size and distribution of these little Trump buoyed depression”. Complicating Trump’s argument water (H2O) and hydroxyl, a molecule made up of craters using high-resolution images and lunar one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom that is a that America has the upper hand against the temperature measurements taken from NASA’s virus, his chief of staff Mark Meadows conceded common drain cleaner on Earth. Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The micro-craters by Barrett’s... Using data from the Stratospheric Observatory Sunday that “we are not going to control the should be as cold - around -160 degrees Celsius pandemic”, and that the focus was now on miti- for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Airborne - as the larger, kilometer-scale lunar hollows, Telescope, researchers used a more precise wave- Continued from Page 1 gation. Meadows’ comments drew a rebuke from Hayne said, adding that there are “tens of bil- the head of the World Health Organization, length than had been used before - 6 microns lions” of them. instead of 3. They found a water concentration of overturn the landmark 1973 decision that pro- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who warned it Samples from these cold traps could tell us tects abortion rights, or to gut health care provi- was “dangerous” to give up on attempts to about 100 to 400 parts per million at Clavius more about how the Moon - and even Earth - got crater, one of the largest to be visible from Earth. sion for millions of Americans. But Barrett, who stamp out the virus. its water, Hayne said, perhaps providing evidence took a constitutional oath at a Monday night cer- Biden, meanwhile, in a surprise campaign stop “That’s roughly equivalent to a 12 ounce (350 of water delivered by asteroids, comets and the milliliter) bottle of water within a cubic meter of emony, said she would keep her personal beliefs Monday at a polling station in Chester, solar wind. Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration sci- and judicial work separate. “I will do my job with- Pennsylvania, seized on the “deadly admission” volume of lunar soil,” Honniball said in a NASA entist for NASA’s Human Exploration and out any fear or favor, and... I will do so independ- from the White House. “The bottom line is, Donald press conference. These are not “puddles of Operations Mission Directorate, said it was crucial ently of both the political branches and of my own Trump is the worst possible president - the worst water”, she stressed, but scattered molecules to find out more about where the water came from preferences.” possible person - to try to lead us through this that do not form ice or liquid water. Researchers and how accessible it is. With eight days until the Nov 3 election, the pandemic,” Biden said. Earlier, Biden said Trump believe they originate from solar winds or micro- “Water is extremely critical for deep space confirmation marks an undeniable victory for the was waiving “the white flag of defeat” and hoping meteorites and think they might either be exploration. It’s a resource of direct value for our the virus - which has set records for new cases in trapped in beads of glass or within the grains of astronauts,” he told reporters, adding it was president to tout as he barnstorms battleground recent days, with nearly 90,000 on Saturday - the lunar surface to protect them from the harsh heavy and therefore expensive to take from Earth. states in a final bid to claw back ground against would just go away. atmosphere. “Anytime we don’t need to pack water for our Democrat Joe Biden. The confirmation during an In the second study, researchers looked at the trip, we have an opportunity to take other useful election “should be a stark reminder to every Biden, 77, has mounted a far more cautious in- Moon’s polar regions, where water ice has been items with us, for instance payloads to do more American that your vote matters,” Biden said in a person campaign than Trump due to coronavirus detected in lunar craters that never see sunlight. science.” — AFP statement late Monday. concerns. But he said he will hit the trail in coming It remains to be seen whether the confirmation days, beginning yesterday in Georgia, a reliably can be a game-changer for the Republican presi- red state that is suddenly in play, followed by bat- investigation” after a Palestinian youth died following dent, accused by his rival of abandoning the fight tlegrounds Florida, Iowa and Wisconsin. “In 8 Kuwait supports a weekend confrontation with Israeli soldiers in the against COVID-19 with polls showing voters days, we’re going to take our democracy back,” occupied West Bank. Amer Abdel-Rahim Sanouber overwhelmingly disapprove of his pandemic tweeted the former vice president, who leads Palestinian... was pronounced dead on Sunday morning in a response. Trump denied any surrender earlier Trump in the polls both nationally and in half a Ramallah hospital after being “beaten” around the Monday as he landed in swing state Pennsylvania dozen key battlegrounds including Pennsylvania. neck, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Continued from Page 1 for a trio of rallies and insisted, despite a new As of Monday, 64 million Americans - wary of Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army acknowledged surge in infections, that the pandemic is in retreat. the health dangers of crowded polling booths, that the teenager had been involved in an incident making Palestinian families homeless”, the senior “We’re absolutely rounding the corner,” he said in and energized by a race framed as critical - had with soldiers but denied they beat him. It said sol- Kuwaiti diplomat added. Moreover, the latest report Allentown. But the president betrayed his frustra- cast early ballots, far surpassing the total of 58 diers had been sent on Saturday night to Turmus by the UN secretary general has noted that the tion at the health crisis dragging on his reelection million pre-election ballots cast in 2016. And with Ayya, a village north of Ramallah, after receiving Israeli ministry of justice investigates some cases of data showing Democrats have an edge in terms of reports that people were hurling stones at an Israeli hopes, with a tweet complaining about media cov- settler attacks but refrains from condemning them. erage of “COVID, COVID, COVID, all the way to early ballots cast, even Republican leaders have “Such practices must prompt us now than ever to vehicle. A Palestinian youth who said he witnessed the Election.” begun to recognize that Trump’s presidency may activate international mechanisms and laws to bring the incident alleged Sanouber had been beaten. While Barrett’s confirmation provided a happy be imperiled. Israel to account for the continuing breaches of the “They beat him for five minutes. He was shouting distraction for Trump, the virus is ever-present. “A lot of what we’ve done over the last four Palestinian people’s rights that are guaranteed by incessantly, then his voice stopped suddenly,” he told More than 225,000 Americans have died, cases are years will be undone, sooner or later, by the next international laws,” Otaibi called. Despite the current a local television station. spiking in several states and hopes have dimmed election,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch extraordinary circumstances throughout the world, In a speech to the UN Security Council, Mladenov McConnell said Sunday. But on Monday, as Kuwait along with other Arab states have continued called for an independent probe. “There are conflict- that a trillion-dollar coronavirus relief package Democrats lamented Barrett’s confirmation, calling exerting efforts to face Israel’s bid to take advantage ing claims about the circumstances and cause of could pass Congress before election day. Jitters it an “unjustifiable” move that will shatter of nations’ preoccupation with coping with the novel death,” the UN envoy said. “I urge a prompt and over the resurgent pandemic weighed on markets, coronavirus, to stop the aggression, the war and the independent investigation into the events that led to with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing 2.3 Republicans’ credibility, McConnell was blunt. blockade of Palestinian territories. the death of the boy.” On Twitter, the British con- percent down in its worst session in weeks. “You can’t win ‘em all,” the Republican leader said Meanwhile, UN Middle East envoy Nickolay sulate in Jerusalem urged Israel “to investigate the Trump kept his game face on as he touted his in a floor speech, “and elections have conse- Mladenov on Monday demanded an “independent allegations surrounding his death”. — Agencies economic record, saying voters had “a choice quences”. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Mudhawi platform backs women voters, building support for upcoming polls

‘Female candidates are as qualified as their male counterparts’

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: The National Assembly elections this year are affected by the coronavirus pandemic, like all oth- er activities. Strict rules by the health ministry ban- ning gatherings and setting up election tents have prevented candidates from meeting voters to talk about their plans and agendas. This has led to the need for other forms of media to reach the public. Moreover, female candidates have fewer chances than men, and their numbers are small too. To support Candidate Candidate women candidates in the upcoming elections and in Dalal Bouresli Zainab Al-Sammak Candidate Dr Bibi Ashour Candidate Ghadeer Asiri Sheikha Al-Jassem Huda Al-Azmi other elected positions, the Mudhawi’s List platform was founded. Kuwait Times interviewed three of its dates is limited. Nowadays, campaigning is expensive women candidates has members: Abir Al-Mutawa, Research Director, Dalal and requires a hefty budget to have an appropriate changed since women got Bouresli, Founding Member and Zainab Al-Sammak, social media campaign, designers and advisors. the right to vote in 2006? Research Director. Some excerpts: Finally, voting behavior in Kuwait is skewed towards Why don’t more women Kuwait Times: Tell us more about Mudhawi’s List. voting for your friends, family members or candidates voters vote for women What is the goal of the platform? How will you meas- belonging to the voter’s tribe instead of voting for candidates? ure success? Where did the idea come from and how whom you believe in and who the voter will think will Zainab Al-Sammak: It has it worked so far? make a change or positive impact on the country. is unfair to expect women Dalal Bouresli: The idea of Mudhawi’s List came Abir Al-Mutawa: Mudhawi’s goal is to guide to vote only for women or after years of work with civil society organizations women candidates from the beginning until the end of vice versa. People should and realizing that it is difficult for women to run for their journey and ease some aspects of the cam- vote for the better candi- Candidate Candidate Candidate elected office in Kuwait and succeed. Mudhawi’s List paigning process, like increasing their visibility. We date irrespective of gen- Fatima Ramadan Dr Khadija Al-Qallaf Anwawr Al-Qahtani is a platform that aims to support women running for believe that making a difference or a positive impact der, but sadly that doesn’t elected positions in Kuwait, which includes seats in on society should not be a hassle, which is why the always happen. When for multiplicity and liberal thought more than other the National Assembly, Municipal Council, coopera- team works day and night to ensure a way to sur- women first got their political rights, there was a districts today, as some other districts can be domi- tive societies, and so on. round both our followers and candidates and their sense of opportunity that has now diminished. The nated by tribal, Islamist or mercantile voting patterns Mudhawi’s List supports the cause through raising teams with positive energy, constant motivation, and media backlash against the four female MPs that that are exclusionary to women. Each district has its awareness on the importance of having women in endless support. made it to office in 2009 is still felt to this day. There own nature, so by reading the numbers and analyzing elected office positions with studies to back it up and We think that the strengths of the female candi- is a lack of knowledge and misinformation about the voter patterns and new approaches, we believe that campaigning to normalize their existence in such dates are the same as their male counterparts. They achievements of women in leadership positions, and women candidates can make an impact on every dis- positions. Furthermore, Mudhawi’s List links all are as well-educated, as well-spoken and as quali- often their message is distorted and isn’t conveyed to trict if given the right support. female candidates with in-kind donation providers fied as their male counterparts. However, we the public properly. In addition, people have judged that are willing to offer campaign services and sup- women’s experiences negatively and taken that to Candidates’ qualifications port to the candidates. mean that all women will be the same. That’s why we Kuwait Times: What type of experience or quali- As for the platform’s name, we wanted to give it an have to raise awareness through our platform that fications are voters looking for in female candidates? identity. Mudhawi is a fictional character that was We went there are multiple options out there to suit most Abir Al-Mutawa: Because the candidates are created by our team. The character Mudhawi repre- mainstream voters’ needs. female, unfortunately, people tend to look deeper into sents a unifying figure that acts as a protective through a lot Kuwait Times: What do you think are the main them and question their qualifications and history umbrella to support ambitious individuals seeking to issues that women voters need to address to improve more in detail. Perhaps voters are looking for civic make a change in Kuwait. to gain their chances and raise their confidence/support engagement, their educational degrees, someone Abir Al-Mutawa: Being an online platform that among voters? relatable and well-knowledgeable of existing laws launched recently, measuring success takes time. political rights Abir Al-Mutawa: We believe that candidates and local politics. However, we are happy to say that engagement with should be more transparent with the voting popula- Voters might be harsher when evaluating the qual- the candidates and followers has been extraordinary. tion and have a direct line of contact between them in ifications and experiences of female candidates. Many People are reacting to our platform positively and believe women perhaps are able to convey certain order to boost their level of trust among the voters. voters view female candidates through a stereotypi- supporting it wholeheartedly, especially since we are causes from the perspective of the female popula- We also believe they should start speaking to them in cal gender bias lens and with that comes a prior per- using nostalgic content to remind people that we tion of Kuwait. a more down-to-earth tone and an easier language ception which can be really hard to change. went through a lot to gain our political rights in 2005, We believe they are better decision- and coali- that will be understood better by the masses rather Therefore, voters might expect the female candidate so we should exercise it properly. Furthermore, tion-makers and tend to focus more on issues and than the traditional political attitude. to have qualifications that they do not expect male female candidates started to approach Mudhawi pri- legislations that benefit the majority of the population Kuwait Times: How is Mudhawi helping women candidates to have, especially with regards to educa- or to running and announcing their candidacy, which positively. These points have been proven through candidates? tional level. for us is a major indicator of success. our research and fact sharing on our online platforms. Dalal Bouresli: Mudhawi is helping women candi- Kuwait Times: What is your analysis of how the We believe in equality and balance, and in the coming dates through its platform by making it easy to access elections will play out for women? Do you see Main challenges years, we would love to see more women take part in information of female candidates. We take their agen- greater female participation in voting and greater Kuwait Times: It seems that women candidates political affairs - Mudhawi will be here to help! das and CVs and present them in an easily-shareable numbers of female candidates? have struggled to gain traction with voters in Kuwait. Kuwait Times: How many women candidates do format that many then use on their own platforms. We Dalal Bouresli: We have not yet seen female Why do you think that is the case? What are the you think will run in this election and how many do also help them in getting opportunities in the press candidate numbers reach the levels they did in the strengths of women candidates? What are the chal- you think have a chance of winning? and media and link them with volunteers for their past, before the backlash and the open hostility, lenges they face? Dalal Bouresli: Fifteen will run, and we hope to political campaigns, as well as service providers. where almost double the number today would run Zainab Al-Sammak: Yes indeed, it is difficult for see all 15 succeed. We also hope to see larger num- Kuwait Times: Do you think there are different for office. We are tentatively optimistic but realize women candidates to gain traction with voters in bers in the future. All 15 candidates should be given levels of support for women candidates in different that the odds are stacked against women. There are Kuwait. This can be due to multiple reasons, the first the opportunity to represent their districts and pres- electoral districts in Kuwait? no representational quotas and they are still out- being women’s lack of access to connections. For ent their views to the public. To everyone reading this Zainab Al-Sammak: Women are more likely to side the traditional power structures that support example, diwaniyas are essential places for cam- article who believe they have the potential to run for feel supported when another woman is running in the male candidates and ensure their victory. This is paigning and most of them are limited to men. office, go for it and reach out! same district. For example, the four women who were only the beginning for Muhdawi’s List, and we Furthermore, the social and public acceptance of elected in 2009 were united, and together were able hope that as our platform grows, it will encourage having women in elected office is still being resisted Public opinion to make history. Perhaps the third district is seen as more female participation in electoral office and by the majority of the population. Kuwait Times: Do you think public opinion about more female-friendly than others because it has room Additionally, financial support for women candi- more female votes.

News in brief

COVID patient commits suicide

KUWAIT: A Filipina domestic worker, a COVID-19 patient, committed suicide yester- day, according to police. The victim cut her wrists then threw herself from the second floor of her sponsor’s house in Sabah Al-Nasser, pre- liminary investigations indicate. Further investi- gations are in progress.

House arrest for pardoned inmates

KUWAIT: The Amiri pardon committee adopt- ed new conditions for pardons in 2021, which include releasing pardoned inmates who are jailed for minor offenses on probation and house arrest, and having them wear electronic bracelets for tracking, head of the committee Judge Mohammad Al-Duaij announced. This condition does not apply on inmates jailed for over three years or on serious offenses, he explained.

Kuwait 2nd worst for expats?

KUWAIT: An international index has ranked Kuwait among the worst countries out of 60 worldwide destinations for the sustainable expat, based on three categories: products and utilities, policies and peoples, and quality of environment. The InterNations ‘Expat Insider 2020’ released recently ranks Egypt, Kuwait and India respectively in the bottom three of its ‘Environment and Sustainability Ranking.’ “They perform much worse than other Middle Eastern destinations featured in the survey,” the report reads. 4 Established 1961 Local Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf THE LEADING INDEPENDENT Kuwait sets up team to supervise DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN COVID-19 vaccination mechanism Editor-in-Chief ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 Cabinet reviews preparations for legislative elections, rainy season ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 KUWAIT: Minister of Health Sheikh Dr Basel Al- The Cabinet members were briefed about the resig- FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 Sabah made a presentation during Monday’s Cabinet nation of Minister of Information and Minister of State ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 meeting about the latest statistics relating to COVID- for Youth Affair Mohammad Nasser Al-Jabri. They were COMMERCIAL : 24835618 19 inside and outside Kuwait as well as the preventive also apprised of two decrees nominating Minister of P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. measures to face up to the second wave of the pan- Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al- Email: [email protected] demic. He also briefed the Cabinet on the efforts of Mohammad Al-Sabah as Acting Minister of Information, Website: www.kuwaittimes.net his ministry to ensure provision of vaccines against and Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Nasser the viral illness and the formation of an interagency Al-Roudhan as Acting Minister of Youth. committee to supervise the operation of a mechanism for vaccination in keeping with the health safeguards. Amir’s guidelines The committee, chaired by Sheikh Dr Basel, includes At the start of its weekly meeting held at Seif KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the Palace, the Cabinet congratulated His Highness the Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs the Cabinet’s Secretariat of the Cabinet, the Public Authority for Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince as well as weekly meeting on Monday. —KUNA Civil Information (PACI) and the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT). last week. The Amiri speech reaffirmed commitment to Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the democratic course of the Kuwaiti people, and pro- Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas tection of the national unity and the fundamentals of Al-Saleh made a presentation on the efforts under- Ministers review the country’s foreign policy charted by His Highness way to set the stage for the legislative elections, the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- including the registration of candidates and how to Amir’s speech Sabah, Saleh said following the meeting. guard against the spread of COVID-19 during the Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works and Minister electoral process. of State for Housing Affairs Dr Rana Al-Fares and KUWAIT: Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia The Cabinet members commended “the tremen- leaders of the her ministry and the Public Authority Affairs at Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dous efforts” being made by the various state depart- for Roads and Transportation (PART) also made Sulaiman Ali Al-Saeed received Indian ments and civil society to combat the outbreak of the online presentations on the preparations for rainy Ambassador Sibi George in his office on novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the coun- season and the precautions against traffic jams, in Monday. They discussed bilateral ties, existing try. They also appreciated the cooperation given to Kuwaiti people and the Muslim World on the occasion collaboration with 16 state bodies including a geolog- institutional cooperation and ways of further the government by the National Assembly, reaffirming of the Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday, due to fall tomorrow. ical team. CAIT’s Director-General Haya Al-Wad’ani strengthening relations across all domains. the government’s commitment to the democratic The Cabinet members reviewed the guidelines, set gave a presentation to the Cabinet on the progress practices ahead of the election of the 16th National forth by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- made in leveraging KuwaitApp and Shal across the Assembly, including protection of public freedoms, Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in his address to the last government services to ensure easy access to the impartiality and transparency. session of the outgoing (the 15th) National Assembly services and promote e-government. — KUNA

hailed the truce deal reached by Azerbaijan and Kuwait govt resents Armenia and the efforts recently made by the Kuwait reports 7 United States to deescalate the conflict in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. They expressed hope COVID-19 deaths, publication of that the two countries would be able to reach a political settlement to the dispute and restore secu- 775 new cases offensive cartoons rity, stability and peace in the region. In the meantime, the Cabinet members strongly KUWAIT: Kuwait registered 775 new coronavirus cas- KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Cabinet, during its weekly denounced the continued attacks by the Yemeni es during the past 24 hours, raising the total number of meeting, expressed resentment at the continued Houthi militia against civilian targets in the southern cases to 123,092, the Ministry of Health announced yes- publication of cartoons offending Prophet parts of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The terday. MoH spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said Deputy FM visits Mohammad (PBUH). The Cabinet echoed the state- persistence of such drone and missile attacks runs meanwhile that seven COVID-19 patients have passed ment of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation counter to the rules of international law and norms away during the same period, putting the total number Diplomatic Institute (OIC) denouncing such cartoons and all slanderous and undermines the security of the entire region, of deaths at 756. The number of patients receiving med- acts against holy faith or religious icons. Meanwhile, thus necessitating an immediate international ical care at intensive care units reached 116, Dr Sanad the Cabinet members welcomed the signing by the response, the Cabinet stressed, renewing Kuwait’s said, adding that all confirmed infection cases that con- KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Libyan parties of ceasefire agreement at the end of support to Saudi Arabia in all acts it might take to tinued to receive medical care reached 8,220. The num- Khaled Al-Jarallah visited yesterday the Saud Al- the fourth UN-sponsored session of the joint mili- protect its security and stability. The Cabinet con- ber of swab tests conducted, during the past 24 hours, Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute, where he tary commission held in Geneva on October 19-23. demned the recent terrorist attack on an education- amounted to 7,874, with the whole number of examina- was briefed on the workflow of the institute’s They voiced hope for success of the efforts of the al center in Afghanistan which left scores of casual- tions hitting 889,555. The ministry had earlier new diplomats’ training course. Jarallah delivered UN envoy to Libya and all stakeholders to reach a ties. Expressing condolences for the families of the announced that 725 patients recovered during the past a speech in which he welcomed the new diplo- political solution to the conflict, restore security victims, the Cabinet reaffirmed Kuwait’s solidarity 24 hours, with the total number of recoveries reaching mats and wished them success in their new and stability in the country, and realize the aspira- with the Republic of Afghanistan in its fight against 114,116. Dr Sanad appealed to the public to take all nec- diplomatic career. — KUNA tions of the brotherly people of Libya. They also terrorism. — KUNA essary precautions against the pandemic. — KUNA Number of Filipino runaway maids down by half

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Filipino housemaids are continuing to abscond from their employers daily, according to the Llewellyn Perez head of the social welfare office at the Philippine Embassy. But Welfare Officer Llewellyn Perez we secure their repatriation,” Perez said. said the number of runaway housemaids has Perez revealed around 200 runaway maids are dropped to more than half. “We still receive 5-7 currently at the shelter, and some are housed by runaway maids daily,” she told Kuwait Times. the agency owners. “We don’t allow them to be “Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the daily deployed anymore if they run away. That is our average was 12-15. The significant drop in policy. We have their records at the embassy, so housemaids running away could be because no redeployment,” she said. since December 2019, there have been no new On Sunday, 99 domestic helpers were repatri- housemaids deployed in Kuwait,” she said. “We ated from the embassy shelter, with the cost of were supposed to begin deployment at the most if not all of their plane tickets shouldered beginning of March 2020, but the pandemic by the Philippine government. “That is what our struck. All Filipino housemaids in Kuwait today president wants - to bring home Filipinos if they are those that were here prior to December, so decide to return to Manila, at the government’s it’s about a year since we received our last cost,” Perez added. household workers.” Prior to the pandemic, the number of Filipinos Perez said once domestic helpers seek help in Kuwait was reportedly over 240,000, of from the embassy, they will be immediately which 165,000 were domestic helpers. “We don’t processed for repatriation. “Within two to three have the latest update from the Kuwaiti govern- weeks - depending on the availability of char- ment yet regarding the population of Filipinos tered flights - we send them home,” she said. now. But as per our records, since the resump- The usual reasons for running away are mostly tion of flights in June up till the present, we related to non-payment of salaries, mistreatment repatriated over 1,000 Filipinos from the shel- and harassment. ter,” said Perez. “So far since the pandemic, we haven’t “If you include all domestic helpers, including encountered any grave or serious problems those who left the country during the amnesty in regarding housemaids. All issues of domestic April, our estimate is maybe 6,000. This figure helpers are considered and we accept them as does not include workers employed by various valid and in need for assistance. We are always companies and those who were terminated and hands-on in the protection of our kabayans sent home by their companies. This data must (countrymen) - this is our mandate and we have come from the immigration department,” she sworn to protect the welfare of Filipinos concluded. deployed overseas,” Perez noted. Employers of domestic workers can often pay Kuwait Times asked Perez about housemaids upwards of KD 1,200 to KD 1,500 to hire a working illegally and against whom their Kuwaiti helper from an agency. The work relationship is employers have filed absconding cases. “Those supposed to be regulated under Kuwait’s who are reported by employers as absconding domestic labor law and workers are to receive a have to wait until the employers cooperate. If the full day off every week, no more than 12 hours maids have their passports with them, they can work per day with rest, salaries paid on time easily leave the country. We normally ask each month and 30 days annual leave each year. recruitment agencies to help us in resolving their Many employers, however, fail to meet these cases,” she said. basic contractual obligations. Moreover, many “But many agencies have closed, so we don’t domestic workers abscond in the hopes of earn- know where to find the recruiting agents. If their ing more income by working illegally as a free- agencies are still active, we communicate with lance helper. These workers face legal problems them regarding their deployed workers. We also however if they are caught and are often deport- ask them to house the workers temporarily while ed and banned from reentering Kuwait. International WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2020 US puts security threats at heart Trump and Biden battle for prize of crucial Pennsylvania of India talks Page 6 Page 7

DHAKA: Activists and supporters of the Islami Andolon Bangladesh, a Islamist political party, hold a protest march yesterday calling for the boycott of French products and denouncing French president Emmanuel Macron for his comments. — AFP Huge anti-France rally held in Dhaka Chechen strongman slams Macron • Saudi holds off from backing action against France DHAKA: Tens of thousands of protesters marched Uddin, a young leader of the group. Even after the rally “Freedom of expression and culture should be a bea- he said, after urging Macron to have “mental checks”. through the Bangladesh capital yesterday in the biggest was halted, demonstrators marched down other streets con of respect, tolerance and peace that rejects prac- Tehran has summoned a senior French envoy, the anti-France rally since President Emmanuel Macron chanting “Boycott France” and “Macron will pay a high tices and acts which generate hatred, violence and charge d’affaires. Malaysian opposition leader Anwar defended cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad price”. extremism and are contrary to coexistence,” said the Ibrahim slammed Macron’s comments on Islam being in (PBUH). Muslims across the world have reacted furiously Chechnya’s strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov yes- statement carried by state media. Saudi Arabia’s daily crisis as “offensive” and “unreasonable”, adding in a to Macron’s robust defense of the right to mock religion terday accused Macron of provoking Muslims and com- Arab News yesterday cited the head of the Saudi-based statement: “With freedom comes responsibility, a following the murder of a French schoolteacher who had pared the French leader to a “terrorist”. In a strongly- Muslim World League, Mohammed Al-Issa, as caution- responsibility notably absent from the rabblerousing shown his pupils cartoons of the prophet. worded statement, the head of Russia’s Muslim-majority ing that an overreaction “that is negative and goes smears essayed by Monsieur le President.” In Syria people burned pictures of France’s leader, southern region condemned Macron. “The president of beyond what is acceptable” would only benefit “haters”. Macron has also drawn fire in Pakistan and Morocco, tricolor flags were torched in the Libyan capital Tripoli, France is himself beginning to look like a terrorist,” 44- In Saudi Arabia, calls for a boycott of French super- while the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, the Taleban while French goods have been pulled from supermarket year-old Kadyrov said in the statement on the Telegram market chain Carrefour were trending on social media, in Afghanistan and the Lebanese Shiite movement shelves in Qatar, Kuwait and other Gulf states. Protesters messaging app. “By supporting provocations, he covert- though stores Reuters visited in Riyadh on Monday Hezbollah have also spoken out against France. More in Dhaka set alight to an effigy of Macron during yester- ly calls on Muslims to commit crimes.” seemed busy as normal. A company representative in demonstrations were planned yesterday in Gaza, the day’s march in which police said 40,000 people took He claimed that Macron’s stance offended nearly 2 France said it had yet to feel any impact. United Arab West Bank, Israel and South Yemen. — AFP part. Hundreds of armed officers used a barbed-wire billion Muslims across the world, saying such policies Emirates-based Majid Al Futtaim, which owns and oper- barricade to stop the demonstrators, who dispersed could have “tragic” consequences. “Until it’s too late, ates Carrefour supermarkets across the Middle East, without violence before they could get close to the Macron, stop your provocations and attacks on faith. said the chain supported regional economies by sourc- French embassy in the Bangladeshi capital. Otherwise you will go down in history as a president ing most items from local suppliers and employing thou- News in brief The rally was called by Islami Andolon Bangladesh who has taken mad decisions,” Kadyrov added. “You can sands of people. (IAB), one of the country’s largest Islamist parties, and easily call yourself the leader and architect of terrorism started at the biggest mosque in the nation, which is in your country.” French teacher Samuel Paty was ‘Offensive cartoons’ Israel to approve homes in Hebron around 90 percent Muslim. “Boycott French products”, beheaded earlier this month by Abdullakh Anzorov, an As the backlash over France’s reaction to the car- demonstrators chanted as they called for Macron to be 18-year-old ethnic Chechen who was born in Moscow toons widened, leaders from European nations including JERUSALEM: Israel is set to approve con- punished. Ataur Rahman, a senior Islami Andolon mem- but later moved to France with his parents. The behead- Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece rallied struction of Jewish settler homes in a flashpoint ber, told the rally at the Baitul Mukarram national ing has left France in shock. Kadyrov has said that behind Macron. However, Islamic and Muslim-majority area of the West Bank city of Hebron for the first mosque: “Macron is one of the few leaders who worship Anzorov had no links to Chechnya. nations have hit out and protesters have taken to the time since 2002, the anti-occupation group Satan.” Saudi Arabia condemned cartoons offending Prophet streets, though not in near the numbers seen in Dhaka. Peace Now said yesterday. It condemned what it Rahman called on the Bangladesh government to Muhammad (PBUH), but held back from echoing calls by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - who has called an attempt to “squeeze in” the approvals “kick out” the French ambassador while another protest other Muslim states for action against images being dis- styled himself a defender of Muslims worldwide -has before next week’s US presidential election leader, Hasan Jamal, said activists would “tear down played in France of the Prophet (PBUH). A foreign min- compared the treatment of Muslims in Europe to that of every brick of that building” if the envoy was not istry official also said in a statement that the Gulf state Jews before World War II, saying they were the object of when Donald Trump faces Joe Biden, who views ordered out. “France is the enemy of Muslims. Those condemns all acts of terrorism, an apparent reference to a “lynching campaign”. “You are in a real sense fascists, such settlements as illegal. Peace Now said who represent them are also our enemies,” said Nesar the beheading of the Paris teacher. you are in a real sense the links in the chain of Nazism,” Israeli military authorities had given the green light to the construction of 31 settler housing units “in the heart of Hebron”. — AFP ful of people in hospital with the virus. Virus-beating State Premier Daniel Andrews said high testing rates in recent weeks had been “nothing short of stunning”. “It gives us Rebels retaliate after Russia strike Melbourne great confidence that these numbers are an accurate picture of how much virus BEIRUT: Pro-Turkish Syrian rebels pounded readies party is out there,” he told a press conference. Moscow-backed regime forces with rocket and Visiting other people’s homes will be artillery fire in northwest Syria yesterday, a day allowed for the first time in months from after Russian aircraft killed dozens among their MELBOURNE: Melbourne yesterday midnight yesterday, he added, although achieved what elated residents called ranks, a monitor said. The air strikes Monday hit it will come with rules on how many a training camp of the Faylaq al-Sham faction the “double donut” - two days of no people can attend and how far they can new coronavirus cases - as bars in near the Turkish border in Syria’s last major travel. Australia had largely curbed the rebel bastion of Idlib, killing 78 fighters and Australia’s second city readied for a spread of COVID-19 when the virus midnight reopening after a grueling wounding 90 more. The Syrian Observatory for leaked into the community from Human Rights said the National Liberation Front months-long lockdown. While much of Melbourne hotels used to quarantine Europe and North America looks ahead bombarded pro-government fighters in regime- travellers from overseas. held areas adjacent to the stronghold. — AFP to a tough winter of restrictions, Aside from Melbourne’s population PESHAWAR: Rescue workers collect remains at the site of a blast in a religious Melbourne is preparing its coming out school yesterday. — AFP of five million, much of the rest of the party, with stay-at-home orders and country has long since returned to a forced closures of “non-essential” busi- semblance of normality. Fabrizio Succi, Child malnutrition surges in Yemen wounded people had been taken to the ness coming to an end. who jointly owns Melbourne eatery facility. “Most of those killed and injured Melbourne and the surrounding state Seven killed in Tiamo, told AFP his team was scram- SANAA: Malnutrition among young children has were hit by ball bearings and some were of Victoria has been the epicenter of bling to prepare for reopening after badly burnt,” he said. Australia’s second wave, with an out- soared to the highest levels ever recorded in blast at Pakistan being given the green light on Monday. parts of war-torn Yemen, the UN said yesterday, All of the dead were men aged break that peaked at more than 700 “We had to man the phones - every- between 20 and 40, he said. Teachers daily cases in August. But on Monday as coronavirus and shortfalls in aid funding body all of sudden had all this freedom worsen a humanitarian crisis. More than half a religious school and boys as young as 7 were among the state recorded a “donut” - no new and wanted to book, which was won- the wounded. Teacher Safiullah Khan million cases of acute malnutrition among chil- cases or deaths - and yesterday clocked derful,” he said. told AFP more than 1,000 students are dren under five were recorded in the south, and 48 hours with no new cases or deaths But the short notice from authorities PESHAWAR: At least seven students currently enrolled at the religious the results of a survey of the north currently for the first time since early March. means it will take until Thursday morn- were killed and scores more wounded school, which is divided into two sec- under way are expected to be “equally concern- Greg Sanderson’s inner-Melbourne ing before the Italian restaurant will be yesterday in a bomb attack on a Quran tions - one for students aged 18 and ing”, it said. A 15.5 percent increase in severe bar Nick & Nora’s launched just three ready to cook up its pasta and sauces, study class at a religious school in older and the other for children. “The days before counter-pandemic meas- malnutrition in the age group has left at least northwestern Pakistan, officials said. blast took place in the section where as workers race to dust off long-dor- 98,000 at “high risk of dying” unless they ures forced it shut in March. He said mant tables and ready staff. Business More than 60 people had been taking a students above the age of 18 were tak- that after months of hardship, he is rar- receive urgent treatment. — AFP lesson when the explosion tore through ing a class,” Khan said, adding that the owners have also raised concerns that ing to go, with customers booked in for strict rules on the number of patrons the madrassa in Peshawar, about 170 km wall between the two sections col- a champagne celebration the moment it west of Islamabad, said Waqar Azim, a lapsed in the blast. mean many will initially be operating at is permitted - at 11.59 pm yesterday. a loss. senior police official. “The blast took A live stream of the lesson showed a “We have been waiting a long time,” he Libya signs security deal with Qatar place in a seminary during a Koran religious teacher speaking in Pashto and Beauty salons and retail stores will told AFP. “We’ve been closed for 61 also be permitted to welcome back cus- class. Someone took a bag inside the Arabic, explaining a saying from the percent of the year, so we’re pretty DOHA: Libya’s UN-recognized Government of seminary,” Azim told AFP. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), when the tomers from midnight, but gyms will be National Accord and Qatar signed a security keen - we want to get into it straight forced to wait until Nov 8. Restrictions He added that the person who had explosion took place. Shortly after- away.” “It’s definitely been a rollercoast- agreement Monday, official media said, in a deal brought in the bag left the lecture hall wards, rescue workers and locals were on travel between Melbourne and condemned by its rival in the North African state. er of emotions and struggles. Some days regional parts of the state will also be before the blast at the Jamia Zuberia seen scouring the site and collecting have been better than others and some Qatar and ally Turkey have backed the GNA, seminary. Mohammad Ali Gandapur, students’ books, caps and shoes. In a lifted from Nov 8, with a 25-km travel which is based in Tripoli, in its conflict against weeks better than others - no one has radius for city residents set to be another senior police official, said at tweet, Prime Minister Imran Khan escaped their own personal hardship.” eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar. The agreement least seven people had been killed with offered his condolences. “I want to removed the same day. But for now, the was signed at a ceremony in Doha overseen by more than 50 wounded. The death toll assure my nation we will ensure the ter- state remains cut off from the rest of ‘Great confidence’ Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha and his was confirmed by Mohammad Asim rorists responsible for this cowardly Australia, which overall has recorded Across Victoria, there are now just Qatari counterpart Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Khan, a spokesman at a local hospital, barbaric attack are brought to justice about 27,500 cases and 905 deaths in a 87 active coronavirus cases and a hand- Abdulaziz Al-Thani. — AFP who told AFP that seven bodies and 70 asap,” Khan wrote.—AFP population of 25 million. — AFP 6 Established 1961 Wednesday, October 28, 2020 International Trump and Biden battle for prize of crucial Pennsylvania Trump supporters asked to shun opinion polls and rely on ‘hidden voters’

MARTINSBURG, US: President Donald Trump “Mr president, you have to have a little bit of barnstormed Pennsylvania with three mass rallies shame, just a little bit of shame, because people Monday and his Democratic opponent also made are dying,” Biden said. a surprise appearance, hoping to defend his lead in a swing state that could well decide the out- Trump sees 2016 repeat come of the election in eight days. Hopping from At the rallies, Trump cast his struggling cam- rally to rally, Trump demonstrated how badly he paign in an optimistic light, predicting that his wants to claim the state on November 3, telling surprise 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton would large, enthusiastic crowds of supporters to ignore be repeated. “The same thing is happening,” he polls showing Biden leading there and across said: “a similar result and maybe even a bigger other battleground states. margin.” Trump’s message largely ignored the “We get Pennsylvania, we win the whole Covid-19 crisis, with infections surging nation- thing,” he said in Allentown, before flying to wide, and instead focused on what he said would another rally in Lititz, then a final event in be a strong economic comeback. Martinsburg in the evening. Trump touted a poll Fixing on Biden’s promises to encourage a shift from Rasmussen, which has long gone against the to renewable energies, Trump told each of the ral- flow of more established lies in Pennsylvania-a polling companies to major natural gas produc- give him favorable num- ing area-that the bers, and said many Democrat would “abolish “hidden Trump voters” Biden keeps the entire US oil indus- would back him in the try.” “Biden’s plan is an polling booth on low-profile economic death sentence November 3. for Pennsylvania’s energy Biden, who has main- amid COVID sector,” he said. Clearly tained a startlingly low irked by Trump’s mes- profile during his cam- sage, Biden used his own paign, made a surprise quick appearance in LITITZ, PA: President Donald Trump holds a rally on Monday in Lititz, Pennsylvania. —AFP appearance in the Chester to insist: “I’m not Pennsylvania town of Chester, making the short shutting down oil fields, I’m not eliminating frack- trip from his home in neighboring Delaware ing. I’m investing in clean energy.” Low profile Biden five in the final sprint. where he’d been scheduled to spend the day Trump also intensified his personal insults, call- Biden was in Pennsylvania Saturday and is due to Biden argues he is sticking to medical guidelines without public events. ing Biden “sleepy” and unable to cope with for- campaign Thursday in Florida-another hugely on COVID-19, while Trump, who himself was hospi- Sticking to his main campaign theme, he ham- eign leaders who are “100 percent sharp.” And the important swing state-before trips to Iowa and talized this month with the coronavirus, regularly mered Trump’s response to the Covid-19 pan- former reality television performer showed his tal- Wisconsin on Friday. brings together thousands of people without masks. demic, accusing him of giving up on mastering the ent as entertainer with a series of exaggerated But many days he is hunkered down at home “I am not over-confident about anything,” Biden virus. “He said we’re not going to control it. The and colorful warnings about life under a doing online video talks or sending allies like popu- told reporters. “The big difference between us, and the bottom line is Donald Trump is the worst possible Democratic presidency. “You will have a depres- lar former president Barack Obama to campaign on reason it looks like we’re not travelling: we’re not put- president, the worst possible person to try to lead sion the likes of which we have never seen outside, his behalf-making him the most lightly traveled ting on super-spreaders.” Trump, though, mocked us through this pandemic,” Biden said. Trump perhaps, 1929,” he said, predicting that Americans presidential candidate in recent history. By contrast, Biden during his speech in Lititz, noting his own fre- “doesn’t have any idea of what to do or he just would no longer have air conditioning and that the Trump now flies on Air Force One to two to three netic pace and saying that if Biden “loses, he should be doesn’t care.” Democrats would ban cows. big rallies a day, with a plan to ramp up to at least ashamed of himself because he didn’t work.” —AFP

about 40 minutes outside the Smyrna Community Trump and Biden Center. “Oh I’m decided,” said 33-year-old Michelle Jenkins, smiling beneath a black hat with little cat’s ears. She and her 31-year-old husband, who was carrying wage unexpected their baby daughter, Asia, in a kangaroo pouch, are Poll: Biden has solid both voting for Biden. Cobb County, where Smyrna is duel in Georgia located, voted Republican for the past 40 years until lead in Wisconsin, the 2016 election when it went for Hillary Clinton. “I feel ATLANTA, US: Neighbors and volunteers are handing like it’s very important,” Jamal Jenkins said of the shift- narrower edge in Penn out water and snacks to the masked voters waiting ing politics in the state. “This is pretty much, like our patiently in line to cast their ballots on a hot October mayor said, the Black capital,” Jamal Jenkins said of WASHINGTON: Democratic presidential chal- day in the Atlanta suburb of Smyrna. Americans go to Atlanta, the city where civil rights leader Martin Luther lenger Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by the polls on November 3 but the enthusiastic early vot- King Jr got his start. a solid margin in Wisconsin and maintains a nar- ing here has already given the morning an air of CHESTER, PA: Democratic presidential nominee Joe rower advantage in Pennsylvania with just over a Election Day. ‘Turnout game’ Biden speaks to reporters while visiting a voter mobi- week until Election Day, Reuters/Ipsos opinion Georgia has been a reliably Republican, conserva- With a population of 10.6 million that is one-third lization center on Monday in Chester, Pennsylvania. In polls showed on Monday. tive bastion and a Democrat has not won in the Peach Black, trending younger and better educated, there are Pennsylvania, yesterday was the last day to request a Reuters/Ipsos is polling likely voters in six states mail-in ballot or vote early in person. —AFP State since Bill Clinton, a fellow Southerner, in 1992. But very few undecided voters in Georgia, just four per- - Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Democratic candidate Joe Biden, 77, and Republican cent, said Trey Hood, a professor of political science at Carolina, Florida and Arizona - that will play critical change that has been going on for decades,” he said. incumbent Donald Trump, 74, are running neck-and- the University of Georgia. “For the parties, it’s about roles in deciding whether Trump wins a second “And part of it is real enthusiasm I think among neck in the polls in Georgia. getting their supporters turned out,” Hood said. “A term in office or if Biden ousts him. Below is a state- mobilization or a turnout game as opposed to your Democrats to vote against Trump.” Ashley Dawson, a And Democrats believe they may have a shot this by-state look at Reuters/Ipsos findings, based on persuasion game.” 26-year-old white woman, comes from a conservative time at winning not only the state’s 16 Electoral College the online responses of likely voters, which include votes for president but also its two seats in the US Trump held a campaign rally in Macon, Georgia, family and did not vote in 2016. responses from some who cast ballots ahead of the Senate. Democratic wins in the two Senate races in earlier this month, a sign he may be playing defense in a “Joe Biden, 100 percent,” Dawson said. “Really I’m formal Nov. 3 Election Day. Early voting has shot to Georgia could help give the party a majority in the state he won by five points last time. Biden is to visit voting for Harris. Joe Biden’s okay but Harris is who I record levels amid the coronavirus pandemic: chamber. Georgia today and his running mate Senator Kamala really want in there so...” “I don’t think that Trump has Nearly 40 percent of Georgia’s eligible voters have Harris was here on Friday. our best interests at heart as far as females in this cast their ballots early. Jamal and Michelle Jenkins, an Hood said various factors were making it a close country and our rights and our reproductive rights,” WISCONSIN (Oct 20 - Oct 26): African-American couple, have been waiting in line for race. “Part of it is sort of a long march of demographic she said. —AFP * Voting for Biden: 53% * Voting for Trump: 44% * Biden’s advantage is marginally wider than his “It’s freedom, it’s power, it’s voice,” she added 51%-43% lead the prior week. I voted!: Florida after casting her first ballot since the 1992 election. * 33% said they already had voted. One hundred and fifty years ago, a law designed ex-inmates to prevent newly freed slaves from voting also dis- PENNSYLVANIA (Oct. 20 - Oct. 26): enfranchised ex-convicts. In 2018, Floridians voted * Voting for Biden: 50% for Amendment 4, which restored the unconditional * Voting for Trump: 45% right to vote to 1.4 million ex-felons, except for cast ballots * Biden’s lead is marginally wider than in the those guilty of rape or murder. prior week when he was up 49%-45%, an advan- MIAMI: The sticker on Yraida Guanipa’s sweater After Guanipa’s release from prison, she founded tage that was on the edge of the survey’s credibil- exclaimed “I VOTED!”, a badge of honor for her and the YG Institute, an NGO that helps other ex-con- ity interval. many other ex-convicts in Florida who have won victs in their transition to freedom. It’s not clear how back their right to cast a ballot for America’s next many ex-cons now eligible have registered to vote, president. The line for early voting ahead of the but an estimate from the Tampa Bay Times, Miami FLORIDA (Oct. 14 - Oct. 20) November 3 election was long under the hot Miami Herald and ProPublica put the number at 31,400. * Voting for Biden: 50% sun, but it was nothing compared to the years However, simply serving out their prison term is Yraida Guanipa is an ex-convict who voted for the first * Voting for Trump: 46% Guanipa and others like her have been fighting to be not enough in Florida. Ex-convicts are required to time in decades after Florida changed its law. * Biden’s apparent lead is on the edge of the allowed to vote again. “When I was selecting the first repay their debts to the judicial system-fines, survey’s credibility interval. president, I was feeling like I’m walking toward my legal fees, damages. The law disproportionately convict and leader of Florida Rights Restoration * Prior poll showed the two essentially even, final freedom, or total freedom, after this conviction,” affects Hispanic and Black voters. For some human Coalition, called for a march to the polls for peo- with Biden at 49% and Trump at 47%. the 58-year-old said. Guanipa, who is originally from rights activists, the legislation is a glaring example ple like him. “I am 53 and this is my very first * 21% said they already had voted. Venezuela, was released from prison in 2007 after of voter suppression among minorities, who tend presidential election I’ve ever voted,” he told serving nearly 12 years on a drug distribution charge. to vote Democratic. Desmond Meade, also an ex- reporters. —AFP ARIZONA (Oct 14 - Oct 21): * Voting for Biden: 49% * Voting for Trump: 46% one whose leg was broken when hit by a truck. The US * With the margin within the survey’s credibility Protests after police has seen a wave of protests and rioting since the police interval, the race is statistically tied. killing of George Floyd in May in Minnesota, when an * Prior poll showed Biden with a 50%-46% shoot dead Black officer was filmed pressing his knee to handcuffed lead that was on the edge of the survey’s credibility Floyd’s neck until he went limp. Many of the protests interval. have accused the police of racism and brutality, but President Donald Trump has focused on the unrest to man in Philadelphia MICHIGAN (Oct 14 - Oct. 20): bolster his claims to be the “law-and-order” candidate * Voting for Biden: 51% NEW YORK: Protests erupted overnight in in his election battle against Joe Biden. * Voting for Trump: 44% Philadelphia after police shot dead a 27-year-old “We’ll be standing by and prepared to deploy feder- * Biden was up 51%-43% the prior week. Black man holding a knife in the latest police killing to al resources, if necessary,” White House director of * 28% said they already had voted. spark anger in the United States, just a week before communications Alyssa Farah told Fox News yesterday. the election. Local media reported that two officers “President Trump will not tolerate any violence direct- shot the man on Monday afternoon after he refused to ed at America’s law enforcement. We’re going to let the NORTH CAROLINA (Oct. 14 - Oct. 20): drop the knife as his mother tried to restrain him, investigation play out, but we will not tolerate lawless- * Voting for Biden: 49% though his family questioned why lethal force was ness in our streets.” US media said a phone video of * Voting for Trump: 46% needed. Hundreds of protesters gathered after the Monday’s killing showed Walter Wallace, who suffered * Since the margin is within the poll’s credibility shooting, with riot police pushing them back with mental health issues, pushed his mother away and then interval, the race is statistically tied, as it was in the shields and batons. walked toward the police. “Put the knife down,” one of PHILADELPHIA: Protests erupted after police shot and prior poll when Biden had 48% to Trump’s 47%. killed a 27-year-old black man on a Philadelphia During a night of sporadic riots and looting in the the officers shouted in the video, which pannedaway as 18% said they already had voted. —Reuters street after yelling at him to drop his knife. city, around 30 police officers were injured, including officers opened fire. —AFP Established 1961 7 Wednesday, October 28, 2020 International US puts security threats at heart of India talks; data deal signed Esper, Pompeo support a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific for all’

NEW DELHI: The United States and India are jets it supplies to India. united against “aggression”, the US defense secre- Esper has been pressing the case for India to tary said yesterday after top level talks between buy US F-18 jets and move away from its reliance key ministers from the two countries. US Defense on Russian weaponry. But India wants more of its Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike military equipment made domestically and is Pompeo made China the focus of their meeting demanding greater investment. Pompeo and Esper with India’s foreign and defense ministers as the had already called for a deeper relationship during South Asian nation confronts China on their dis- one-on-one talks with their Indian counterparts on puted Himalayan border. Monday. “We stand shoulder to shoulder, in support of a Jaishankar tweeted after his meetings with free and open Indo-Pacific for all, particularly in Pompeo that relations between the emerging allies light of increasing aggression and destabilizing have “grown substantially”. Esper and Singh “wel- activities by China,” said Esper after the meeting. comed the expansion of information-sharing”, a Pompeo said there were “robust discussions US statement said, while the Indian Defense about the Chinese Communist Party”, which he Ministry reported the two officials had discussed added was “no friend to democracy, the rule of law, “potential new areas of cooperation”, without giv- transparency, nor to freedom of navigation”. ing details. India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Relations with China have grown increasingly Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh did tense for both the United States and India in not mention China by name during the meeting, recent years. Washington is in a tense trade battle but the foreign minister said peace was only possi- with Beijing and President Donald Trump’s admin- ble when all countries respect “the territorial istration has stepped up warnings about China’s integrity and sovereignty of all states”. growing economic and military power. He also called for a “multi-polar Asia” albeit India has sought greater international military where China is the number one economic and mili- support since a deadly border showdown with tary force. China in June. At least 20 Indian soldiers were NEW DELHI: (Left to right) US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, killed in the clash. China has acknowledged it also India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Data deal suffered casualties. Both sides have since sent attend a joint press briefing in the lawns of Hyderabad House in New Delhi yesterday. —AFP The United States and India signed off on a tens of thousands of troops to their disputed fron- series of accords including one which will allow tier in the Ladakh region and are digging in for a the US military to share sensitive satellite and long, hard winter in the freezing high-altitude area. involved India, the United States and Japan. US the Maldives and Indonesia. China’s growing sensor data with its Indian counterparts. This India is shopping for US cold-weather equip- officials have said they want the four-nation so- investment and influence in Sri Lanka and the will help New Delhi to better use US technolo- ment, officials said, and has also agreed to expand called “Quad” alliance to be given a more perma- Maldives have sparked concern in Washington and gy in targeting missiles and placing its troops. naval manoeuvres in the Indian Ocean next month nent structure, in moves that China’s foreign min- Delhi. Ahead of the visit, Beijing’s embassy in It will also allow the United States to provide to include Australia. istry said it had “noted”. For Pompeo, India was Colombo warned Pompeo not to “coerce and bul- the latest navigational technology on any fighter Traditionally, the MALABAR exercises have the first leg of a tour also taking him to Sri Lanka, ly” Sri Lanka against China. —AFP

ernment remain engaged in peace talks to end the Two dead, several country’s long-running conflict. Afghan and US News in brief officials have repeatedly warned that the rising bloodshed was threatening the peace talks being US boy fatally shoots self hurt in attack on held in Qatar since last month. Most attacks by the Taleban have targeted HOUSTON: A three-year-old Texas boy has died after Afghan police base Afghan security forces, although scores of civilians shooting himself with a gun he found during his own birth- have also been killed. day party, police said Monday. The youngster was cele- KHOST: A car bomb attack on an Afghan police brating with family and friends on Saturday in Porter, 25 base followed by an ongoing gun battle have killed Civilian toll miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Houston, when adults two policemen and wounded dozens of people in a Nearly 6,000 Afghan civilians were killed or heard a gunshot while playing cards. The boy was found with a gunshot wound to his chest and rushed to a fire sta- city bordering Pakistan, officials said yesterday. wounded in the first nine months of the year as heavy fighting between government forces and tion where he died, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s The complex attack in the city of Khost was Department said. Authorities said the boy had found a pis- Taleban insurgents rages on despite efforts to find launched early in the morning, and has wounded 14 tol that had fallen out of a relative’s pocket. —AFP security personnel and nine civilians. A gun battle peace, the United Nations said yesterday. From near the base was ongoing, an AFP correspondent January to September, there were 5,939 civilian KHOST: A wounded man receives medical treatment at reported. The car bomb was detonated at the gate casualties in the fighting - 2,117 people killed and a hospital after a car bomb attack on an Afghan police of a special police forces base in Khost city, a 3,822 wounded, the UN Assistance Mission in base in Khost province yesterday. —AFP Greek warship collides with freighter security source said. Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report. “High levels After the blast a group of attackers tried to enter the of violence continue with a devastating impact on civilian casualties while government troops caused ATHENS: Two crew members of a Greek warship were base compound resulting in a gun battle with security civilians, with Afghanistan remaining among the 23 percent, it said. US-led international forces were slightly hurt yesterday after it collided with a Portuguese forces, Afghanistan’s interior ministry spokesman Tariq deadliest places in the world to be a civilian,” the responsible for 2 percent. Most of the remainder cargo ship off Piraeus, the port next to Athens, the navy Arian told reporters. Four attackers have been killed mission said in a quarterly report. Civilian casual- came in crossfire, or were caused by Islamic State said. There were 27 sailors on board the minesweeper at while two more were still fighting, Arian said. Khost ties were 30 percent lower than in the same period militants or “undetermined” anti-government or the time of the accident, who were rescued by coastguard provincial health official Gul Mohammad said women last year but UNAMA said violence has failed to pro-government elements, it said. Ground fighting patrol boats. The two injured were taken to hospital for and children were among the wounded. slow since the beginning of talks between govern- caused the most casualties followed by suicide and treatment. The vessel suffered serious damage to the stern No group has so far claimed the attack on the ment negotiators and the Taleban that began in the roadside bomb attacks, targeted killings by the and it was towed back to the naval base on the nearby base. Violence has surged across Afghanistan in Qatari capital of Doha last month. Taleban and air strikes by Afghan troops, the UN island of Salamina, the merchant navy ministry said. —AFP recent weeks even as the Taleban and Afghan gov- The Taleban were responsible for 45 percent of mission said. —Agencies

Plastic dumped in Med to double More than 70,000 people remain in over 800 3 dead, dozen missing evacuation centers. The Philippines is hit by an aver- MADRID: Nearly 230,000 tons of plastic is dumped into age of 20 storms and typhoons every year, making the Mediterranean Sea every year, a figure which could as Typhoon Molave them a dangerous and disruptive part of life in the more than double by 2040 unless “ambitious” steps are country. Many of the storms are deadly, and they typ- taken, the International Union for the Conservation of ically wipe out harvests, homes and infrastructure, Nature said yesterday. Egypt, Italy and Turkey are the pummels Philippines keeping millions of people perennially poor. The countries that release the most plastic into the sea, mainly due to large coastal populations and huge amounts of MANILA: Three people died and a dozen others are country’s deadliest typhoon on record was Super Typhoon Haiyan, which left more than 7,300 people “mismanaged waste,” an IUCN report found. But on a per missing after a typhoon triggered flooding across the capita basis Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina central Philippines, officials said yesterday, with thou- dead or missing in 2013. Meanwhile, flood-ravaged Vietnam has begun and North Macedonia have the highest levels of plastic sands still sheltering in evacuation centers. Typhoon waste leakage into the Mediterranean. —AFP Molave struck Sunday, inundating low-lying villages evacuating more than half a million people from its and farmlands, knocking down power lines and central coastal region as it braces for Typhoon destroying hundreds of houses as it crossed the Molave, the fourth storm to hit the country in weeks. Schools and beaches have been closed and many POLA: Residents ride on a tricycle back to their homes archipelago. after tropical storm Molave hit the town of Pola, HK teen activist arrested The typhoon is now sweeping across the South flights cancelled ahead of the severe typhoon. It is forecast to make landfall south of Danang Oriental Mindoro province on Monday. —AFP China Sea towards Vietnam, the national weather HONG KONG: A young Hong Kong activist who was around 1 pm (0600 GMT) today, packing maximum forecaster said. The National Disaster Risk Reduction among the first arrested under Beijing’s new national sustained winds of 140 kilometers (85 miles) per hour, and Management Council (NDRRMC) warned the Philippines. “Molave will be one of the worst storms, security law was detained yesterday close to the US according to the Hong Kong Observatory. More number of casualties could rise as regional authorities with the strongest winds, of the past 20 years,” said consulate, police and local media said. Tony Chung, 19, heavy rain is expected across the region, which has assess the damage in their areas. Hoang Phuc Lam, deputy head of Vietnam’s national was led away from a coffee shop opposite the consulate The three deaths were all from drowning, NDR- since early October suffered severe flooding and forecasting center, according to state media. landslides that have claimed 130 lives. Floodwater has by unidentified men, the South China Morning Post RMC spokesman Mark Timbal said. Among them was More than 500,000 people will be moved to tem- reported, citing a staff reporter who witnessed events. a woman who was swept away by surging currents as inundated 178,000 homes, said the International porary accommodation, Vietnam’s Disaster Student Localism, a pro-independence group that she tried to cross a river, Rizajoy Hernandez of the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Management Authority said. Vietnam is prone to nat- Chung was once involved in before the security law was Civil Defense office in the Central Visayas told AFP. With some houses still under water, residents are ural disasters in the rainy season between June and passed, said he and two other former members were Twelve people, mostly fishermen, have been reported preparing for the arrival of Molave, which killed at November, with central coastal provinces commonly arrested yesterday. —AFP missing after being caught in rough seas. least three people as it blew through the central worst affected. —AFP

Bantval, 56, who chairs the Biden campaign’s five- and nonpartisan activists worry that misinformation on results. WhatsApp also said users can search the web Fake news spread member rapid response team focused on South Asian vot- WhatsApp will affect turnout and support. from heavily forwarded messages to find relevant fact ers, has tracked dozens of concerning messages of “There’s just a lot of inaccurate information for an checks, though Reuters again found no related results. unknown origin and crafted about 50 rebuttal graphics already confusing process,” said Chavi Khanna Koneru, A campaign spokeswoman for Republican incumbent on WhatsApp to and texts over the last three months. His team and similar executive director of nonpartisan group North Carolina Donald Trump said WhatsApp was not a focus for its ones at nonpartisan groups are trying to fill WhatsApp’s Asian Americans Together. “And this year is different for social media staff. But some misleading messages on the Indian Americans moderation void by joining big WhatsApp groups and everybody because we’re relying on virtual connections app target him over racial justice policies and alleged asking community leaders to report items. Fighting fake more than ever.” Each day, users can receive hundreds of extramarital affairs, according to Indian voters from both news on social media such as Facebook and Twitter has memes, videos, voicemails and texts spanning greetings, parties. “There’s more on the Democratic candidates, but plays stealth role become standard practice for campaigns. But apps for social invitations and political propaganda. Users regularly there is fake news about the Republican side, too,” said OAKLAND, Calif: New Jersey tech entrepreneur Arun secret messaging such as WhatsApp have flown under the forward shocking and humorous messages, with the origi- Kannan Srinivasan, an Orlando businessman. Bantval is US presidential candidate Joe Biden’s top fake- radar despite serving as a crucial political forum among nal sender’s name automatically stripped, making it hard to It is unclear where WhatsApp misinformation origi- news watchdog on messaging service WhatsApp about middle-aged Indians, Latinx and other immigrant groups. trace them. “It’s almost like going viral on Facebook,” nates or whether the examples observed by Bantval and the Democrat and his Indian American running mate South Asian voters, mostly Indian Americans, will be Bantval said. WhatsApp said its role in US politics is small. others are part of organized efforts. They said spelling and Kamala Harris. pivotal in the Nov 3 contest in swing states such as But political misinformation on WhatsApp in Brazil, India wording suggest some authors are Indian residents who Messages on WhatsApp, owned by Facebook Inc, are Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania where results and elsewhere prompted the service beginning in 2018 to view Trump as better for bilateral relations. Messages seen confidential and cannot be seen by moderators who police will be close and predict the national outcome, limit recipients when forwarding messages. by Reuters and sent to swing-state voters portray Biden’s misleading memes, claims and other content on the social researchers and nonpartisan voting advocacy groups say. It also introduced a chatbot that users can message to views on Pakistan, Islam, China, taxation and policing in media giant’s flagship platform. Two billion users rely on About 72 percent of Indian-American registered voters access fact checks by internationally recognized organiza- ways debunked by fact-checking groups. Bantval said the WhatsApp’s free app to chat with individuals and groups plan to back Biden, according to a September survey by tions. But when Reuters queried the system for topics in misrepresentations preyed on older Indian immigrants of up to 256 people. Carnegie Endowment. But South Asian Biden supporters messages sent to South Asian voters, it generated zero concerns about crime, wealth and religion. —Reuters Established 1961 Business WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2020 Ant Group launches $34bn dual IPO For Chinese consumers, Alipay app is part of the fabric of life

SHANGHAI: The most essential item in aircraft engi- Economy of the future neer Tao Rui’s possession during a recent outing in The raw numbers and growth potential of Ant Shanghai was the Alipay smartphone app from Ant Group have investors salivating over the world-record Group, a company little known outside China until it IPO. Alipay boasts in excess of 700 million active unfurled plans for the biggest IPO in history. As Tao users-half of China’s population and more than double and a friend strolled the city at the weekend, he used that of the United States. Along with the WeChat Alipay to buy a cup of milk tea, a deep-fried octopus Wallet function of Alibaba’s chief tech rival Tencent, it snack and a box of candy. He also used it to play a has helped propel China forward into what may repre- basketball game at an arcade, make a small donation to sent the economy of the future. a street musician, and produce a health code signalling At restaurants, grocery stores and cafes, at subway he was coronavirus-free before entering a Buddhist turnstiles, train stations and airports, and when buying temple. fruits and vegetables from a streetside peddler, pur- chases across China are routinely made by consumers old and young with a quick QR code scan. Even the occasional beggar is on board, sprawled on a sidewalk Alipay boasts next to a neatly laminated printout of a QR code. Tao said that in China’s paper-money olden days, in excess of his family would have to hail a cab to get to a distant 700m users government office just to pay the household water and electricity bills-in cash. “Now, we pay all our utility bills through Alipay, which directly deducts the amount online,” he said. “We don’t have to go out at all. You BEIJING: A vendor works behind Alipay (top) and WeChat (bottom) QR payment codes at a market in Beijing, on the day can do it from home.” Alipay’s parent company Ant Group launched a history-making $34 billion IPO yesterday. — AFP With a name belying its giant ambitions, China’s Ant Group yesterday launched a history-making $34 bil- It’s revolutionary lion IPO in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Backed by Jack But direct point-of-sale payments are only part of do things we never thought it could do, and go into Alipay’s success “impossible to replicate”. Ma, China’s richest man who founded the Alibaba e- the Alipay picture. Ant Group has built an ecosystem businesses everywhere that we never saw coming.” But Alipay’s growing profile in Chinese daily life has commerce empire from his bedroom two decades ago, around Alipay in which third-party vendors-for every- led to some concerns. Ant was forced to apologize in Ant is a financial technology titan that is stitched into thing from meal deliveries to travel services or taking ‘Big Brother’ fears 2018 after users said they felt misled into allowing the everyday life of hundreds of millions of Chinese out a loan-are housed under its umbrella. Smartphone The Chinese consumer buy-in is so complete that Alipay to share data on their spending habits with people. users need only open Alipay to find the service they many merchants today only grudgingly accept cash. Ant’s credit-scoring arm and other third-party servic- They topped the day off with bowls of Japanese want and place an order. That’s fine with Communist Party policy-makers. es. And “Big Brother” fears surround an ill-defined ramen noodles, also purchased with a scan of an Payment, of course, is processed via Alipay. Ant They have long fretted that despite decades of amaz- “social credit” system being rolled out in China and Alipay code. Tao’s day underscores why the planned Group, spun off from Alibaba in 2011, says about half ing growth, China’s economy was built on a shaky facilitated by Alipay in which data on undesirable $34 billion stock listing of Ant Group, the financial arm its revenue is derived from such providers. But its foundation relying too much on manufacturing and behaviour is captured digitally and compiled in a of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, is such a big super-sized ambitions also include forays into personal government investment, like a chair missing a leg. The “credit score” that could affect a person’s access to deal. Like hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers, finance that have put traditional Chinese banks on party wanted to unleash China’s growing consumer jobs or various services. the 22-year-old admits he simply cannot survive with- notice by offering easy access to a range of financial spending power as another pillar, and the e-commerce But Tao’s main complaint is that Alipay has out Alipay, the crown jewel of the Alibaba empire. “I services including consumer credit, small-business revolution ushered in by the likes of Alibaba and become too central to his life. He has been stranded use Alipay to order a cab, to buy things, to shop on loans and money-market funds. Tencent has helped pave the way. at times when his phone died and his pockets were (Alibaba e-commerce platform) Taobao, to buy “It’s revolutionary, what they’re doing,” said Jeffrey Ant Group’s attraction to investors, Towson says, is otherwise empty. “I won’t completely rely on Alipay,” clothes, and air and train tickets,” said Tao. Towson, a private equity investor and lecturer at that the consumers and businesses captured in its he said. “I’ll still bring some cash with me for those “It’s indispensable for getting around in China.” Beijing University. “We are going to see digital finance embrace will only grow and potential rivals may find special situations.” — AFP HSBC continues Heartland job to take hit from growth lagged virus, trade row under Trump

HONG KONG: HSBC said yesterday its third-quarter CLYDE, Ohio: The voters of Monroe County, post-tax profits fell 46 percent on-year as the Asia- Michigan, may have expected an economic windfall focused banking giant continued to take a hammering when they flipped from supporting Democrat Barack from the coronavirus pandemic and spiralling China-US Obama to help put Donald Trump in the White House tensions. However, the profit falls were not as bad as in 2016. But it went the other way: Through the first some analysts had predicted and HSBC said it expected HONG KONG: In this file photo, commuters wearing face three years of the Trump administration the county lost credit losses to be at the lower end of a previously masks travel on a tram past HSBC signage displayed out- jobs, and brought in slightly less in wages in the first US President Donald Trump tours Whirlpool Corporation announced $8 billion to $13 billion range. side the bank’s local headquarters in Hong Kong. — AFP three months of 2020 than in the first three months of washing machine factory in Clyde, Ohio The global economic slowdown caused by the virus 2017 as Trump was taking over. And that was before has hit financial giants hard and there is limited optimism the pandemic and the associated recession. With the ended up costing Michigan jobs. “The key battleground on the horizon as Europe and the United States head ness with them. China’s national security law, however, US election just a week away, recently released gov- forbids businesses in Hong Kong from adhering to for- areas...have not fared well under President Trump, even into the winter with infections soaring once more. HSBC ernment data and new analysis show just how little prior to the pandemic,” said Moody’s Analytics Chief has a further headache-geopolitical tensions via its sta- eign sanctions regimes, leaving many in an unclear regu- progress Trump made in changing the trajectory of the latory tight spot.—AFP Economist Mark Zandi. The swing state counties most tus as a major business conduit between China and the Rust Belt region that propelled his improbable rise to supportive of Trump in 2016, he said, were “especially West. As a result, the lender is in the midst of a world- the White House. vulnerable” to the president’s trade war tactics because wide overhaul, aiming to slash some 35,000 jobs by While job and wage growth continued nationally of their ties to global markets. 2022, primarily in its less profitable European and under Trump, extending trends that took root under American divisions. “We are accelerating the transfor- President Obama, the country’s economic weight also Dramatic shift mation of the Group, moving our focus from interest- continued shifting south and west, according to data But Trump was also swimming against a very strong rate sensitive business lines towards fee-generating BP pares losses from the US. Quarterly Census of Employment and tide, driven by forces bigger than a Tweet or a tariff can businesses, and further reducing our operating costs,” Wages that was recently updated to include the first likely counter. For decades people, capital and econom- chief executive Noel Quinn said in a statement accom- as oil demand three months of 2020. ic output have been shifting from a mid-20th century panying the results. A recent study from the Economic Innovation Group concentration in the US Northeast and Midwest to the Reported post-tax profit for the third quarter came in pointed to the same conclusion. It found relative stagna- open land, cheaper wages and more temperate climate at $2 billion with revenue down 11 percent at $11.9 bil- edges higher tion in economic and social conditions in the Midwest of the Sun Belt, and the innovation corridor from Silicon lion, the statement said. Adjusted pre-tax profit slid 21 compared with states like Texas or Tennessee where Valley to Washington state. Trump, in his 2016 cam- percent to $4.3 billion in the period, beating a $2.8 billion “superstar” cities such as Dallas and Nashville enjoyed paign, put a premium on manufacturing jobs - last cen- LONDON: British energy giant BP yesterday estimate by Bloomberg analysts. Quinn described the more of the spoils of a decade-long US expansion. tury’s path to the middle class - and as president used a reported a net loss of $450 million for the third latest figures as “promising results against a backdrop of combination of trade policy, tariffs, and blunt force arm- quarter, down very sharply on the previous the continuing impacts of Covid-19 on the global econo- Lagging the country twisting on companies to try to shore up the prospects quarter’s mammoth losses due to the coronavirus my” as well as low interest rates. Across the industrial belt from Wisconsin to of the industrial heartland that formed his electoral base. pandemic. Pennsylvania, private job growth from the first three It didn’t happen. Texas, according to QCEW data, The loss after tax for the July-September China and Brexit months of 2017 through the first three months of 2020 gained more manufacturing jobs from 2017 to the start period compared with a net loss of $16.85 bil- In the first six months of 2020, HSBC’s post-tax prof- lagged the rest of the country - with employment in of 2020 than Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and lion in the second quarter. BP was aided in the its were down 69 percent, meaning the third-quarter Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio growing 2 percent or Pennsylvania combined; the smaller but increasingly third quarter by an absence of huge write- results were something of an improvement as some less over that time compared to a 4.5 percent national competitive manufacturing cluster in Tennessee, downs coupled with a small recovery in oil major economies relaxed some of their coronavirus average, according to QCEW data analyzed by Reuters. Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama gained as many demand and steadier prices. “The underlying restrictions. The bank said its board would consider Texas and California saw job growth of more than 6 factory positions as those legacy manufacturing states. business performance in the (third) quarter whether to pay “a conservative dividend” for 2020 percent from 2017 through the start of 2020, by con- While Trump may have failed in his efforts to reinvig- remained resilient and we made substantial based on final end of year results and how the global trast, while Idaho led the nation with employment grow- orate the Rust Belt, the forces acting against the region progress in strengthening our balance sheet,” economy looks in early 2021. Earlier this year, UK regu- ing more than 10 percent. Perhaps notably for the elec- pre-date his administration. A longer-term analysis by BP chief financial officer Murray Auchincloss lators called on British banks to scrap dividends for the tion, a Reuters analysis of 17 prominent counties in the the EIG, looking at outcomes across an index of social said in the earnings statement. year to preserve capital during the pandemic crisis. five battleground states of Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and economic measures, showed little progress from the BP is axing 10,000 jobs, or 15 percent of HSBC makes 90 percent of its profit in Asia, with China Pennsylvania and Wisconsin showed the limits of start of the century through 2018. According to a its global workforce, after the pandemic and Hong Kong being the major drivers of growth. As a Trump’s controversial tax and trade policies in generat- Reuters analysis of EIG data, two to three times as many caused huge asset writedowns. After compa- result, it has found itself more vulnerable than most to ing jobs where he promised them. All 17 of the counties counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin slipped nies worldwide closed their doors and airlines the crossfire caused by the increasingly bellicose rela- had a voting age population greater than 100,000 peo- further down the think tank’s Distressed Communities grounded planes at the height of the Covid-19 tionship between Beijing and Washington. The bank has ple as of 2016, supported Obama in the 2012 election, Index as climbed to a more prosperous bracket over outbreak towards the end of the first quarter, tried to stay in Beijing’s good graces. and voted for Trump in 2016. those nearly two decades. oil prices dropped off a cliff, even briefly It vocally backed a tough national security law that In 13 of those counties, all in the Rust Belt region, In Florida and Washington state, by contrast, five turning negative. Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in June to end a year of private job growth lagged the rest of the country. times as many counties moved into a more well-off Prices then rebounded sharply and have trad- unrest and pro-democracy protests. The move sparked Employment actually shrank in five of them. Of the four bracket, and in California three times as many counties ed around $40 a barrel for some time. With the criticism in Washington and London but analysts saw it with faster job growth than the rest of the country, two prospered. market stabilizing, BP yesterday announced a as an attempt to protect its access to China, which has a were in Florida, one was in Pennsylvania and one was in EIG research director Kenan Fikri said it was “easy quarterly dividend of 5.25 US cents per share. track record of punishing businesses that do not toe Wisconsin. The findings show that under the “greatest to forget” that the Midwest and Great Lakes regions This matched the second-quarter payout, Beijing’s line. “Geopolitical risk, particularly relating to economy ever” boasts that Trump made before the pan- were once the “pinnacle of what the US had to offer” which had been halved from the first quarter-the trade and other tensions between the US and China, demic, when job and wage growth were indeed strong, before the economy shifted to a more tech, service-ori- first cut since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig dis- remains heightened,” HSBC said in yesterday’s profit the fundamental contours of regional US prosperity ented and global footing. “We have seen the gravity of aster in 2010 that damaged BP’s finances and statement. The US has sanctioned nearly a dozen key seemed largely unchanged. economic wellbeing take a dramatic shift to the west ... reputation.—AFP Hong Kong and Chinese officials over the national secu- Some of that may have stemmed from Trump’s own It continued unabated through the first several years of rity law, telling international banks to stop doing busi- policies. The use of steel tariffs, for example, may have the Trump administration,” he said. — Reuters Established 1961 9 Business Wednesday, October 28, 2020 stc records KD 209m revenues, KD 27.5m net profit during first 9 months of 2020

KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Company (stc), a world-class digital leader providing innova- l Growth in stc’s financial results during Q3-2020 in response to its oper- tive services and platforms to customers, enabling the digital transformation in Kuwait, announced its ational performance & digital transformation strategy financial results for the nine-month period ended 30 l stc achieved 13% growth in company’s revenue during Q3-2020 com- September 2020. On this occasion, Dr Mahmoud Ahmad pared to Q2-2020 Abdulrahman - stc’s Chairman, stated: During the l stc achieved 16.3% growth in EBITDA during Q3-2020 compared to third quarter of the year 2020, the telecommunica- tions sector witnessed a gradual recovery concern- Q2-2020 ing the operational and financial results throughout l stc achieved 23.7% growth in net profit during Q3-2020 compared to the continuous negative economic consequences of the current COVID-19 crisis, which has heavily Q2-2020 affected numerous sectors worldwide. l stc’s customer base has grown by 7.1% to reach 1.84 million customers Since the onset of the crisis, stc has been always Dr Mahmoud Ahmad Eng. Maziad Bin keen on supporting the Kuwaiti society by launch- by the end of Q3-2020 compared to Q2-2020 Abdulrahman Nasser Alharbi ing a number of corporate social responsibility ini- l stc strengthened its position as the second largest telecom operator in tiatives, in support of the preventive measures tak- lenges companies and SMEs are facing in their en by the government. stc has also worked with Kuwait with a market share of approx. 35% in terms of sector’s market return to normal business operations. some government agencies and medical companies share of revenues Upon subscribing to the limited time and exclu- to prevent the infectious diseases in addition to sive promotions, new customers and those renewing undertaking several preventive precautionary their subscriptions received several complimentary measures and procedures to avoid outbreaks of gifts and enjoyed benefits that range from 500 free contagious diseases, in accordance with the health local minutes to double the GBs, reaching up to 100 guidelines and instructions provided by the GB on the largest 5G network in Kuwait. Ministry of Health. stc has also adopted the high- Additionally, stc was the first operator in the est safety standards and instilled it into the culture Middle East to launch unlimited 5G roaming for all of performance among its staff to continue offering its postpaid, prepaid and enterprise customers high quality services while protecting its cus- across all GCC Countries. Following the chain of tomers and employee. exclusive and innovative offers released by the In addition to being a pioneer in providing Company, the innovative and ground-breaking innovative integrated advanced digital solutions service could be added to any of stc’s packages for and technological advances for both individuals both existing and new customers. By subscribing to and enterprises throughout the COVID-19 out- recorded a net profit KD 27.5 million (earnings per compared to 9.3 million. the roaming service, customers were able to enjoy break, stc was able to achieve these results share of 55 fils) with a profit margin of 13.1 percent stc successfully achieved these results despite the telecom operator’s ultra-fast 5G speeds through adopting a flexible operating model, in for the period”. the economic challenges the world has witnessed throughout all GCC countries without any price addition to being flexible in implementing the Dr Abdulrahman added: stc’s financial results for following COVID-19. stc has managed to achieve increases to offered roaming packages. company’s digital transformation strategy and pro- the first nine-month period of 2020 demonstrated good levels of revenues and enhance its operational stc also announced the launch TURBONET, a viding advanced technical solutions in line with the the company’s ability to compete and enhance its efficiency to add value to its customers and achieve product developed with the latest state-of-the-art government outlook with regard to social distanc- position as the second largest telecom operator in better returns for its shareholders. technology capable of delivering fixed internet ing for individual and enterprise segments. the Kuwaiti telecom market with a revenue market Considering the Company’s financial position as speeds. TURBONET was available to customers Through capitalizing on the 5G network to deliver share of approx. 35 percent. With the ongoing of 30 September 2020, total assets reached KD with monthly plans, in addition to a complete mesh a range of digital services, which have become a repercussions and challenges we are facing due to 411.9 million, while total shareholders’ equity WiFi solution and outdoor router that guarantees significant part of the Kuwaiti Community’s daily the COVID-19 crisis, the cost optimization program reached KD 217.8 million, with a book value of 436 maximum home coverage at no additional cost. activities, stc was able to satisfy the high demand in order to achieve the best results and enhance Kuwaiti fils per share. Furthermore, stc boasts a By offering its range of “Always ON” postpaid for broadband high-speed networks following the profitability through adopting a balanced and effec- strong financial solvency position, considered to be plans, packaged with new unique benefits designed latest governmental decisions of pursuing the cur- tive financial policy in relation to the operational amongst the best in comparison to telecom compa- to meet customers’ connectivity requirements, cus- rent Academic Year using the online platforms in and capital expenditure. nies in the Middle East. Furthermore, stc’s customer tomers were able to unlock the new-to-market fea- addition to the corporates’ incumbent for the Commenting on the quarterly results for the base stood at 1.84 million customer at the end of tures by subscribing to one of stc’s plans. The plans online cloud and digital solutions”. three months period ended 30 September 2020, September 2020. featured the highly convenient Always ON service Commenting on stc’s financial results for the Eng. Maziad Bin Nasser Alharbi - stc’s Chief Alharbi added: the third quarter of 2020 wit- that permits users to always remain connected to nine-months period, Dr. Abdulrahman, commented: Executive Officer, added: “The Company’s financial nessed the launch of a series of promotions and the internet, as well as benefits ranging from tele- stc’s total revenues stood at KD 209.0 million for results have witnessed remarkable growth in the services that can benefit and add value to the user com to premium digital services. the nine-month period ended 30 September 2020 third quarter compared to the second quarter of experience of both individuals and corporates. Furthermore, in order to strengthen its 5G net- in comparison to KD 215.6 million for the same 2020 as the revenue recorded KD 72.6 million in During the quarter, we launched the dedicated work and provide better solutions to its customers, period last year. On the other hand, EBITDA Q3-2020 compared to KD 64.2 million in Q2-2020 backup access solution in a step to build on the stc expanded its 5G network on a 2.1 GHz frequen- reached KD 57.9 million during the first nine-month representing a growth of 13 percent. While EBITDA series of offerings introduced by the Company to its cy band, the first of its kind in Kuwait. The deploy- period of 2020 compared to KD 60.1 million during grew by 16.3 percent to reach, KD 22.0 million in enterprise customers. The new solution aimed at ment of the network not only improves the overall the same period in 2019. stc’s EBITDA margin Q3-2020 compared to KD 18.9 million in Q2-2020. preventing any disruptions in primary internet con- user experience for customers, but it also prepares reached 27.7 percent during the 9M-2020 period As a result, the net profit for the same period nectivity that may lead to interruptions in business for the exploration and development of 5G vertical compared to 27.9 percent in 2019. As a result, stc increased by 23.7 percent to reach KD 11.6 million functions, while keeping in mind the current chal- industry applications”.

The e-payments behemoth, which runs China’s individual members of the Waltons, whose family and areas including IPO to rocket dominant online payment system Alipay, plans to own US retail giant Walmart. cloud computing and sell 1.67 billion shares at HK$80 ($10.30) each in The charismatic Chinese businessman was a artificial intelligence. Hong Kong from yesterday. Ant Group’s split float cash-strapped entrepreneur when someone A study last week Alibaba founder would exceed the $29 billion chalked up by Saudi showed him the internet on a 1990s trip to the from the Hurun Report Aramco in December, a high-profile win for a United States. He launched various internet-relat- found Ma’s wealth had Ma’s wealth Chinese company during a period of bad head- ed business projects in China that met with mixed climbed a whopping lines for mainland tech firms as Beijing and success before convincing a group of friends to 45 percent this year, BEIJING: Chinese tech titan Jack Ma is set to Washington face off on a number of fronts. give him $60,000 to start his Alibaba e-com- as online shopping become the world’s 11th richest person after the According to Bloomberg former English teacher merce venture in 1999. firms saw a surge in financial arm of his e-commerce titan Alibaba Ma’s 8.8 percent stake in Ant is worth $27.4 billion Bloomberg said at least 18 other people will business owing to raises billions in a mammoth public listing, based on the stock pricing, and will lift the entre- become billionaires from the IPO, including people being shut according to the Bloomberg News. Ant Group preneur’s fortune to $71.1 billion. That would send director Lucy Peng, the biggest individual Ant indoors for months said Monday it plans to raise $34 billion in a list- him rising up Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, with owner after Ma, and chairman Eric Jing. Ant during strict lock- ing shared between Hong Kong and Shanghai- his wealth exceeding that of Oracle’s Larry Ellison, operations have expanded over the years from downs to contain the Jack Ma making it the biggest IPO in history. L’Oreal heiress Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers, and consumer e-payments to offering business credit virus. —AFP Coronavirus pummeling Total Revenues FDI, says UN

GENEVA: The coronavirus crisis is expected to drag foreign direct investment down by up to 40 percent this year, with a recovery not expected until 2022, UN economists said yesterday. 209 A report by the United Nations Conference on Trade, Investment and Development (UNCTAD) found that lockdowns and the prospect of a deep KD Million global recession had dramatically shrunk FDI, which is a measure of cross-border private sector investment. The agency said that worldwide, FDI was 49 percent lower during the first half of 2020 than during the same period in 2019 — and that every major form of foreign investment took a hit, ranging from infrastructure funding to mergers and The Board of Directors of Kuwait Telecommunications Company (stc) is pleased acquisitions. to announce to its shareholders that the company has achieved a net profit “The decline was quite drastic,” James Zhan, of KD 27.5 million for the nine months’ period ended 30 September 2020. UNCTAD’s investment and enterprise chief, told a virtual press conference. The rate of decline is expected to slow in the second half of 2020, resulting in a drop of 30 to 40 percent over the whole year, with FDI expected to retract much more moderately in 2021 before recovering in 2022. EBITDA Net Profit EPS Subscribers “The outlook remains highly uncertain, depend- ing on the duration of the health crisis and on the effectiveness of policy interventions to mitigate 9 Months 9 Months 9 Months 30 September 2020 the economic effects of the pandemic,” Zhan said. “Geopolitical risks also continue to add to the 57.9 27.5 55 1.84 uncertainty.” KD Million KD Million Kuwaiti Fils Million Subscribers In the first half of this year, developed economies saw the biggest fall in investment, UNCTAD said, with FDI in the wealthier countries witnessing a 75-percent drop from 2019 levels to just $98 billion during the first half of the year-a level last seen in 1994. “The trend was exacerbated by sharply negative inflows in European economies,” the report said. —AFP 10 Business Wednesday, October 28, 2020 US solidifies sanctions against Iran oil sector before election Embargo covers sales to Syria and Venezuela WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s admin- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called istration on Monday slapped fresh sanctions on the United States a “#SanctionAddict,” tweeting, Iran’s oil sector including over sales to Syria and “Kick the habit.” Venezuela, reducing Joe Biden’s room for maneuver if he wins next week’s election. The Trump adminis- Inhibiting Biden? tration has since 2018 enforced sweeping sanctions If Trump loses the November 3 election, aimed at ending all of Iran’s key oil exports, seeking Monday’s sanctions could be among his last volleys to choke off all cash sources for the regional neme- against Iran’s leaders. Biden, who leads in polls, sis of US allies Saudi Arabia and Israel. favors diplomacy with Iran and backed an accord Under the new measures, the administration des- negotiated by previous president Barack Obama ignated the National Iranian Oil Company, Iran’s under which Tehran sharply curtailed nuclear work petroleum ministry and the National Iranian Tanker in exchange for promises of sanctions relief. Company under a counterterrorism authority, rais- Henry Rome, a senior analyst at the Eurasia ing the bar for any future administration to reverse Group risk consultancy, said that Biden if elected course. The Treasury Department issued the sanc- could still ease sanctions but would face an added tions by linking the three entities to the political obstacle by letting critics accuse him of Revolutionary Guards’ elite Qods Force-which was glossing over terrorism. “The new designations are earlier designated as a terrorist organization by the almost certainly designed to inhibit a potential Joe United States and whose commander, Qasem Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts with Iran,” Soleimani, was killed in a US attack at Baghdad air- Rome said. port in January. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the said that the sanctions should send a warning to Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which An oil tanker destined from Iran to Venezuela that was seized by the United States is seen in this August “the few remaining buyers of Iranian crude oil.” presses for a hard line against Tehran, said that any 2020 picture. “These designations are an important step in the administration would face a “significant” burden in maximum pressure campaign to limit the Iranian clearing Iran over the oil sales in question. regime’s ability to threaten its neighbors and desta- “It’s likely that the impact of these penalties, even Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a Earlier this month, the administration took anoth- bilize the Middle East,” Pompeo said in a statement. this late in the game, could outlive the politics of British-based Iranian businessman, Mahmoud er major step to cripple the Iranian economy by Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh denounced 2020,” he said. The Treasury Department said that a Madanipour, and related companies for transactions imposing sanctions on the nation’s banks-making the sanctions as a “passive reaction to the failure of network backed by the Qods Force shipped more with Venezuela. The Treasury Department accused most transactions with the outside world difficult. Washington’s policy of reducing (Iran’s) crude oil than one dozen tankers of oil in spring 2019 — him of arranging the shipment of tens of thousands The measures alarmed European allies of the exports to zero.” “I have no assets outside of Iran to mostly to Syria, where Iran is a top backer of of metric tons of gasoline to Venezuela, where United States which warn of dire consequences be subject to the sanctions. I would sacrifice my life, President Bashar al-Assad as he emerges from a Trump has been trying unsuccessfully to depose the even to humanitarian trade, although the Trump belongings and reputation for Iran,” Zanganeh, who brutal civil war. leftist leader, Nicolas Maduro, who has recently administration insists it is not targeting food or was also targeted personally, wrote on Twitter. Separate from the terrorism designations, the stepped up economic ties with Iran. medicine. — AF

‘Hey, you’re a millionaire,’” Latkanich, 49, said about an In Pennsylvania, early meeting with Atlas America, later bought by News in brief Chevron. He’d just had brain surgery for a tumor that left him Spain unemployment jumps fracking debate blind in one eye, was going through a divorce, and had lost his job, when he was told gas deposits on his land MADRID: Spain’s unemployment rate could fetch him $13 million. triggers tremors jumped to 16.26 percent in the third Instead, he says he got just $135,000 before the quarter as the country’s tourism- company packed up and left. Bryan first noticed prob- dependent economy was ravaged by DEEMSTON, US: Bryan Latkanich says he was once lems in 2013, when he gave his son a bath, only to find “the biggest cheerleader there was” for the fracking burns all over the child’s body. the coronavirus pandemic, official data industry-but now blames gas wells for destroying his Ryan, now 10, still experiences symptoms like asth- showed yesterday. The reading for the southwestern Pennsylvania farmhouse and his family’s ma and ear infections while Bryan reports heart prob- July-September period compares with health. Retired teacher Rose Friend, whose family has lems, asthma and neuropathy, which he attributes to a jobless rate of 15.3 percent for April owned a home in the area for generations, says gas well water contamination. to June in the eurozone’s fourth-largest producers cut down her century-old trees and made Latkanich is now deeply critical of fracking, but will economy, national statistics office INE her life miserable with dust and noise pollution from still vote Trump, because “I believe in gun rights and Farmer Bryan Latkanich shows a toxicology report for said in a statement. There were an never-ending lines of trucks trundling through her protections.” Friend says she favors increased regula- his son during an interview at his home in Deemston, additional 355,000 people out of work property. tion for fracking, but definitely won’t vote for Joe Biden. Pennsylvania. in Spain in the third quarter, still an Despite their personal nightmares, both say they’ll “I am anti-abortion, that’s one of the big things-I do improvement over the second quarter vote November 3 for Donald Trump, who has posi- not believe in killing babies,” the 83-year-old said. when over a million jobs were lost, tioned himself as a champion of hydraulic fracturing, as and water contamination to myriad health problems. mainly in the tourism sector. — AFP well as fossil fuel energy generally. Regulation calls Then there’s global warming. While methane is the Their cases illustrate some of the complexities Fracking-gas and oil extraction from deep under- cleanest burning fossil fuel, it also leaks out from around a debate that is center stage during the 2020 ground rock using an injection of water and chemicals- drilling wells and becomes a highly potent green- S Korea economy bounces back US presidential election, even as some residents of the boomed in the mid-2000s thanks to new technology. house gas. In Washington County, home to over country’s most heavily fracked region have soured on By 2014, it made the US the world’s biggest oil and 1,600 fracking wells, many residents welcomed the SEOUL: Asia’s fourth-largest economy an industry that had promised economic revival. “I was gas producer. But its costs are high: the drilling trig- promise of economic renewal in the wake of the coal returned to quarter-on-quarter growth completely down and out when they come in and say: gers earthquakes, while research links its air emissions industry’s demise. — AFP in the July to September period, South Korea’s central Bank of Korea would be completely covered by insurance. Damages announced yesterday. The South largely Arctic headache from a ship spilling oil, hitting an iceberg or becoming overcame an early coronavirus outbreak marooned can run into the hundreds of millions of through an intensive track-and-test dollars. “It’s all very much new territory,” said Helle model, and everyday life in the country for ship insurers Hammer, chair of the policy forum with the has returned largely to normal. It is now International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI), the widely expected to see one of the least as routes open up leading association for the global marine insurance bad 2020 economic performances market. Without years’ worth of data on the number among the OECD group of developed of casualties, accidents, collisions or oil spills, she economies. Gross domestic product LONDON: When Captain Will Whatley guides a ship expanded 1.9 percent in the third quar- said, “it’s impossible to do the risk modelling.” through Arctic waters, he is starkly aware of what can ter over the previous three months, the More than 10 insurance companies or brokers go wrong. Double the manpower is needed to navi- BOK said, although the economy still interviewed by Reuters said they still had too little gate. Lookout shifts are kept to just one hour, so shrank 1.3 percent on-year. —AFP sailors don’t lose concentration and miss a mass of knowledge of the region to resolve all questions floating ice. Big icebergs show up on radar, but small- about liability. In the past few years, marine insurers in general have been paying out more for ship dam- er, truck-sized “bergy bits” - even more dangerous - AIG names new CEO can be missed, the captain says. age than they collected in premiums, according to The cold can freeze equipment and the earth’s IUMI data. Brokers say some are pulling out of the As climate change opens new sea routes, experienced NEW YORK: Global insurer AIG magnetic field disrupts compasses. If anything goes market completely. So the appetite to underwrite polar captains like Whatley are coveted for Arctic voy- wrong, “you are so far away from help,” said Whatley, risks in the Arctic market is not high. announced a multi-part shake up on ages that can save money on the run between Europe Monday, naming a new CEO and split- 31, who sails through Arctic and Antarctic waters for It’s “not like the rest of the world, with tried and and Asia. the British Antarctic Survey. As climate change opens tested shipping routes and known risks,” said Michael ting its business in two. Once the new sea routes, experienced polar captains like Kingston, an Arctic marine consultant and adviser to world’s largest insurer, which needed a Whatley are coveted for Arctic voyages that can save the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum on like Hurricane Katrina have been since, leading global US government bailout to survive the money on the run between Europe and Asia. But as Arctic affairs. For insurers that do contemplate new insurance market Lloyd’s of London says. That cruise 2008 global financial crisis, named activity in the Arctic’s waters picks up, insurance ice routes, there is a dramatic precedent: The Titanic, liner went down in relatively familiar waters. But only Peter S Zaffino to lead AIG starting companies are grappling with a fundamental question: which hit an iceberg and went down in the freezing about 6% of the Arctic Ocean is charted, said Ian March 1, 2021, in addition to his current If something goes wrong, who pays? waters of the North Atlantic in April 1912. The loss Church, an ocean acoustic mapping specialist at the role as the company’s president. So far, it’s unclear that the cost of a major accident was as devastating then as more recent catastrophes University of New Brunswick. — Reuters Current CEO Brian Duperreault will become executive chairman of the board, the company said in a state- emphasis,” Nestle CEO Mark Schneider ?said? last ment. “Peter has been instrumental in Consumer firms week after reporting third-quarter sales, ?”because the significant turnaround and transfor- affordability, especially when it comes to the eco- mation at AIG and his vision, determi- pitch discounts, nomic consequences of COVID, will become ever nation and pursuit of excellence will more important.” help ensure the company’s future suc- Unilever, which markets food and consumer prod- cess,” Duperreault said. —AFP bargain products ucts in 190 countries, said it is making sure every market has low unit-price packages and cheaper NEW YORK: Unilever, Procter & Gamble and other brands. On a conference call with reporters last EU backs Nigerian WTO candidate major consumer goods manufacturers are touting week, Chief Financial Officer Graeme Pitkethly said lower-priced brands, smaller packages and discounts the maker of Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Lipton tea BRUSSELS: Nigerian Finance Minister to woo penny-pinching shoppers struggling through launched new variants of its Savital shampoo, which Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala picked up crucial the most severe global recession since the Great is priced below its Dove and Tresemme brands, in backing from the EU on Monday, Depression of the 1930s. Latin America. sources said, giving her bid to become Nestle told Reuters earlier this month that it has Consumer product companies usually pass along the first African head of the WTO a recently launched single-use sachets of Maggi sea- price and “promotional allowances” to a retailer, KIEV: Customers gather near checkout lanes as they major boost. The World Trade sonings in Indonesia and smaller sachets and cooking which then uses it to offer limited-time promotions buy goods in a supermarket in Kiev, Ukraine. — Reuters Organization will announce its new sauces in the Philippines. The world’s biggest pack- such as 2 for $5 value deals, or everyday low prices. director general next month, but sources aged food company is working on “enhancing the Many companies initially pulled back on price- said the EU will publicly announce its meatiness of its bouillon” for when meat itself focused promotions, such as ‘buy one, get one free,’ in and shelves stocked. support for the 66-year-old economist becomes a luxury, Nestle head of culinary products March and April when coronavirus-related shutdowns Chef Boyardee pasta maker ConAgra told Reuters today. Okonjo-Iweala was Nigeria’s first Agnes Lalanne said. drove shoppers to hoard everything from hand sani- it has increased price promotions, though not to pre- female finance minister and has long It also is promoting recipes that call for cheaper tizer and cleaners to toilet paper and flour. COVID levels, since early spring on products such as career at the World Bank as a develop- proteins like eggs and canned meat in the Philippines. The demand spike strained supply chains and Pam cooking sprays, Bird Eye frozen vegetables and ment economist. —AFP “We’ll give this (affordable products) more all parties just focused on keeping stores clean Marie Callender pies. — Reuters Classifieds Wednesday, October 28, 2020

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An experienced accounting and financial professional Sabah Hospital 24812000 with big 4 firms background seeks job. Manage upto final- isation of accounts, auditing, transaction advisory and Amiri Hospital 22450005 projects, business plans and famliar with Investments, banking, consulting general trading contracting and proj- Maternity Hospital 24843100 ects including oil sector etc. Pls call 65052066 (C5807) 26-10-2020 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Chest Hospital 24849400 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Adan Hospital 23940620 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Airlines Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Kuwait Airways 171 Jazeera Airways 177 Turkish Airlines 1884918 FlyDubai 22414400 Kaizen center 25716707 Qatar Airways 22423888 Rawda 22517733 KLM 22425747 Adaliya 22517144 Royal Jordanian 22418064/5/6 British Airways 22425635 Khaldiya 24848075 Air France 22430224 Kaifan 24849807 Emirates 22921555 Shamiya 24848913 Air India 22456700 Air India EXPRESS 22438185/4 Shuwaikh 24814507 Sri Lanka Airlines 22424444 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Egypt Air 22421578 Nuzha 22526804 Swiss Air 22421516 Saudia 22426306 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Middle East Airlines 22423073 Qadsiya 22515088 Lufthansa 22422493 Dasmah 22532265 PIA 22421044 Bangladesh Airlines 22452977/8 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Oman Air 22958787 Shaab 22518752 Turkish Airlines 22453820/1 Qibla 22459381 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 112 Mirqab 22456536 Sharq 22465401 Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is 1889988 Salmiya 25746401

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) A phone conversation with someone who lives You might wake up this morning and decide Today you might perform some service to peo- Emotions stemming from past experiences might far away might have you feeling a bit sad, reflecting on how your home is a total wreck. The desire to spend the day clean- ple who live in your neighborhood. Perhaps you will chauf- cause you to assume undue responsibilities, particularly con- much you miss that person. This can lead to pondering about ing and sprucing up your house might prove almost obsessive. feur people around to do their shopping. Perhaps you will cerning family members. This is fine as long as you realize your life. You might question the direction you seem to be Do what you have to do, but don't get so caught up that you help people with household tasks. Pets may also need what you're doing is as much for you as for the other person. moving in and consider other possible options. You're likely to forget about the big picture. Whatever you do today, Cancer, some attention. Whatever it is, you will enjoy helping in Whatever tasks you assume may allow you to release old trau- be cautious when it comes to making final decisions, Aries. view it in its proper perspective. The world won't end if your whatever way is possible, and be appreciated as well. mas and give form to your plans and ambitions. And don't be You will consider every detail. house isn't flawlessly clean. Expect to have a very busy day. surprised if those you help today go to bat for you later.

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

Today you might be in a reflective and medi- Extra time and attention that you have been Meticulous and sincere effort on your part Relatives or neighbors may come to you today asking for favors. Some may know exactly what tative mood. You may think about mundane matters, devoting to your career should pay off about now. You've may have led to a recent increase in income. Today buttons to push in order to get you to do what they such as how to increase your income, or more complex worked hard to be where you are, and you aren't through you might be thinking of reworking your budget. climbing the ladder of success just yet. You aren't likely to rest While others might throw caution to the wind at a want. Don't be sucked into guilt or other negative issues, such as the purpose of life. You aren't likely to emotions. Help others if you wish, Aquarius, but recog- want to do much socializing today, Taurus. It's probably on your laurels. Today you might spend a lot of time planning time like this, today you might go too far in the oppo- site direction. Be careful and realistic, Scorpio, but nize that you're doing it because you want to and not the perfect day to stay in, relax, and enjoy your own com- your next goal. A little ingenuity will definitely pay off here, Leo. because you feel you have to. You might even learn pany. Reading could prove especially informative now. Use whatever advantages you have. don't be overly frugal. You've worked hard to get where you are, and you deserve a reward. something about yourself in the process.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Pisces (February 19-March 20) A sense of duty toward family members, chil- Obligations to friends and groups could interfere An older male visitor could contact you, possi- dren, and your sweetheart may cause you to A temporary lack of belief in your abilities with time that you want to spend with your partner. A number bly offering to help you with some work that needs to be take on responsibilities today that you wouldn't normally might have you hesitating to start a project or take on a of people in your home might demand more of your time, done. Family members may have abandoned you for the assume. Sincere efforts on behalf of those you care about are task that you'd normally snap up. This could involve some- energy, and attention, and you might find this disconcerting. day to go out and do their own thing. You will welcome the likely to bring the results you want. It won't just make you thing you've wanted to try or helping someone else. Your You're no one's servant, Gemini. You're entitled to enjoy your- offer. Practical matters, such as the household budget, might faith in yourself should never flag, but if it does, it's impor- self. Save some time for your mate at the end of the day. happy but will also please those you are helping. This not need attention, so set aside some time to work out the only makes you feel appreciated, it will also boost your phys- tant to remember that hard work can be as important as tal- details. ical strength. ent - and you aren't afraid of that! 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, October 28, 2020

People visit the HEX!, a museum of Witch Hunt in Ribe, The Political Witches is displayed at the HEX!, a museum The Trepanned Skull is displayed at the HEX! The Wizards is displayed at the HEX! Denmark. — AFP photos of Witch Hunt.

he fire crackles and a woman was around one million at the time. Most ing for his subjects. 21-year-old Danish visitor Mathilda, the shrieks as flames lick her body, were women believed to be colluding Hauberg Lindgaard explained mon- museum was an opportunity to learn Tburning her alive-a museum in with the devil. By comparison, Germany- archs assumed this responsibility after more about a period she hardly knows. Denmark is bringing the dark period of the country in Europe with the most witch 16th century French philosopher Jean “It’s very exciting to hear about this witch-hunting to life. Located in the home hunts-had 16,500 trials, more than 40 Bodin declared if a king did not perse- stuff. It’s something that not only hap- of a former witch hunter, the “Hex! percent of which ended with the accused cute witches then he was solely responsi- pened here in Denmark but also in a lot Museum of Witch Hunt” in the town of being burned at the stake. ble for his subjects’ misfortune. At the of other countries,” she said. And the Ribe sheds light on how a fear of witches time, anything could be a pretext to be building that houses the museum has a led to persecutions that swept across Zealous king denounced as a witch, from an offhand history of its own: it was built in the late Denmark and Europe in the 16th and Denmark’s hostility to witchcraft is remark to a suspicious charm, and the 16th century by a witch hunter who 17th centuries. While today’s Danish kids largely attributed to King Christian IV accused were then put on trial. The played a key role in seven trials, three of happily dress up as witches and wizards (1577-1648), Hauberg Lindgaard said. museum opened at the end of June, which ended up with the suspects being for Halloween, Denmark at the time was a Under his rule, the country’s first legisla- attracting 10,000 visitors in the first The Wax Doll is displayed at the HEX! burned at the stake. The picturesque religious and superstitious Lutheran soci- tion against the practice was adopted in month-a strong showing attributed to definitely feel the desire to understand town of Ribe itself is also hallowed ety where fear and distrust were often 1617, sending black magic practitioners both cool summer weather and the popu- ‘what actually happened’ among our ground. Founded in the Viking era, peo- intertwined with the secret use of magic to the stake. In the eight years after the lar subject matter. “People love to watch guests,” she said. Visitors learn that while ple once believed that it was where to keep God’s wrath at bay. Across law was adopted, persecutions were and read about all things ‘witchy’... such most witches were women, “up to one in witches learned their craft in the 1600s, Europe, approximately 100,000 people rampant, with a witch burned every five as novels, movies and TV series, and four was a man,” she said. They were and it is the Danish town that held the went on trial for witchcraft, with as many days. For the monarch-like many contem- also about the more historic aspects,” often “single and living on the edge of most trials per citizen, Hauberg as 50,000 burned, museum historian poraries including brother-in-law King Hauberg Lindgaard said. society, quite poor.” Brooms, amulets, Lindgaard said. The last person accused Louise Hauberg Lindgaard told AFP. James VI of Scotland and England, “Interestingly, the ‘historic truths’ per- dolls and other items are on display, as of being a witch and burned in Denmark Denmark sentenced 1,000 people to another champion of witch hunts-the per- taining to the witch hunt era have since well as torture instruments and animated was Anna Bruds, in 1652. — AFP death for witchcraft which, she said, “is secutions were a way to retain power and been blurred and reinterpreted by more reconstructions of witch trials, all accom- quite a lot” given the country’s population project an image of a good Christian car- popular notions of the topic, and we can panied by eerie background music. For

learly visible from afar with lines and the risk of infection, security guards, charged with her flashing earrings and instead of a bar there are golf making sure everyone stays in Csequined jacket, Charity carts that rumble down the dimly their allotted spaces and wears Valente is attending her first lit aisles delivering drinks to a mask. “People don’t really drive-in rave: a night of electron- ravers who bought them on an respect the rules,” said security ic music where the party-goers app. The experience is out of guard Tom Bohnemberger, are in or around their cars, the price range for many, but for wearing a high-visibility vest as owing to the coronavirus pan- some the financial sacrifice is he patrolled the grounds with a demic. “We’ve been waiting for worth it. “Being able to see live colleague. “You have to tell live music for seven months,” music for the first time since the them to put their masks on, she said, after driving four hours start of the quarantine brings me again and again and eventually A visitor walks by the painting “Last Dream of a Virgin” by Manuel Villegas Brieva during the exhibition “Uninvited from Pittsburgh to see US jam so much happiness, and it will they listen.” Guests. group “Disco Biscuits.” On a definitely have a lasting impact “We had zero reports of any remote hilltop in Scranton, on my mental health,” said Covid-related transmissions dur- Pennsylvania, dubbed “Electric Claire Gibson, 26, while two of ing our event,” said Steve City” because it was home to the her friends groove to the beat Masterson, organizer of the first electric streetcars in beside her. Scranton event, who said he fol- America, more than 100 cars are lined up, their headlights trained on the stage where two giant screens have been set up. “We think it’s the safest way for people to get together and enjoy music” during the pandemic, said Donnie Estopinal, who has since May been organizing drive-in raves in several states, A woman wearing a face mask walks past the painting A woman stands in front of the painting “Falenas” by including Texas, South Carolina “The Satyr” by Antonio Fillol during the exhibition Carlos Verger Fioretti during the exhibition “Uninvited and Florida. “Uninvited Guests. Guests. — AFP photos Each one had a different theme-a DJ or a band, a dedi- cated radio frequency, multiple stages, fireworks-but there is one constant: the ravers stay in their vehicles, or next to them. The trend was born in Germany in April, where the first in-vehicle The Disco Biscuits band performs on stage during the Montage Mountain rave raves sprang up after music fes- in Scranton, Pennsylvania. — AFP photos tivals and clubs were shut down. lave, witch, prostitute or display of contemporary art”. ‘Missed opportunity’ But with the drive-in being a The young woman with pink lowed all local health authority mother: a new exhibit at That gave it “an important role in This section includes works by classic part of America’s her- hair has Type 1 diabetes and is guidelines. Even if some people SSpain’s Prado explores how the construction of the idea of a two women, France’s Rosa itage, the phenomenon quickly thus more susceptible to more needed to be reminded of the misogyny influenced the way modern Spanish school” of art. Bonheur and Spain’s Maria caught on here with raves serious health repercussions if rules, most of the rave-goers fol- women were portrayed in art, and Antonia Banuelos, who did not organized in a dozen states she catches the virus. “I was low the example of Gibson, the role that the museum itself Young nudes get the recognition they deserved since the spring. On average, nervous about going to an event dancing in the bed of her pick- played. “Uninvited Guests”, the The exhibition explores how in Spain at the time, Navarro said. between 150 and 450 cars show like this, as I have been up, or waving glow sticks close museum’s first post-lockdown paintings by men at the time rele- No works by Banuelos can be up, with up to 2,500 party-goers. extremely cautious,” she said. to their vehicle. “I don’t think it’s exhibition, is divided into sections gated women to secondary roles, found in Spain today, he added. Even though she knew plenty of a full concert experience,” said with names such as “mothers usually as attractive accessories. Ironically, shortly after the exhibi- Distance dancing people at the event, she decid- John Warner, running the “Disco under judgment”, “guidance for Two works by Spanish painter tion opened, the Prado was Dylan Star, striking yoga pos- ed to stay within her designated Biscuits” merchandise booth. the wayward” and “the art of Pedro Saenz Saenz, his 1897 forced to remove a painting from es by her rented white Toyota space and take advantage of “But we’re here working, it’s bet- indoctrination”. One of the aims is “Chrysalid”, and “Innocence” this section after it was found to before the start of festivities, the drinks delivery service. ter than nothing.” “I don’t think to put the spotlight on “an ideolo- completed two years later, both have been painted by a man, and really appreciates having her this trend is going to last unless gy, a State propaganda regard- depict a naked, prepubescent not a woman as previously “own space” to dance. Tickets ‘Better than nothing’ the virus lasts,” Griffiths said. ing the female figure”, which girl in a suggestive pose. Young thought. And of the 130 works in go for between $100 and $300 “People are being respectful “We all want to go back to festi- existed between 1833 and 1931, models at the time were forced to the exhibition, 70 are signed by per vehicle. That buys a parking and following the rules,” said vals,” she said. “People want to curator Carlos Navarro told AFP. pose naked, in tears, for painters men, prompting complaints from spot and an area marked off by Tiffany Griffiths, as she waved get back to how it was.” — AFP The artworks from this period during an era when there was “no some feminist groups that it does a metal barricade to party in, a her luminous rainbow cape reveal a “bourgeois thinking age limit or violence in the nude,” not dedicate enough space to short distance from the other between the aisles. She risked which sought to validate the role said Navarro as he stood before works by women. attendees. In order to avoid being stopped by the handful of that society attributed to women,” the paintings. The few times A group called Women in the he added. women are the protagonists it is Visual Arts, which has over 500 With this show the Prado, one often against their will. members, said the show was a of Europe’s finest painting collec- “The Rebel”, for example, a “missed opportunity” to give tions which celebrated its 200th 1914 work by Spanish painter overlooked female artists their anniversary last year, hopes to Antonio Fillol Granell, depicts a due. Navarro, who is the lead make amends for the role it Roma girl being expelled by her curator for the exhibition, dis- played in this process. The family from their camp-presum- missed the controversy, saying museum acknowledges that dur- ably for some kind of moral trans- it was sparked by “historians ing the period in question, dis- gression. The second half of the and especially contemporary art crimination operated not just exhibition features works by critics who had hoped to be part against female artists but in the women from that era, who were of the project”. “Uninvited way women were represented in marginalized because of their Guests” opened to the public on the works the state bought and gender. It includes many still- October 10 and is due to run exhibited. The show focuses on lifes-representation of household until March 14. — AFP the period between 1833 and objects such as flowers or food. 1931 because that is when the But there are few portraits, as Prado says it started to play a these were reserved for male People attend the Montage Mountain rave in Scranton, Attendees watch the The Disco Biscuits perform during “key” role in the “acquisition and painters. Pennsylvania. the Montage Mountain rave. Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, October 28, 2020

An Iraqi man reaches out to touch an artwork by visual artist Tara Abdallah, in the city of Sulaimaniyah in Iraq’s Cars pass beneath an artwork by Iraqi visual artist Tara Abdallah, hanging above a highway in the city of autonomous northern Kurdish region. — AFP photos Sulaimaniyah.

Iraqi visual artist Tara Abdallah speaks during the unveiling of an artwork on An artwork by Iraqi visual artist Tara Abdallah hangs above a highway in the Iraqi visual artist Tara Abdallah (left) arrives for the unveiling of an artwork on gender-based violence. city of Sulaimaniyah. gender-based violence.

long a five-kilometer (three-mile) lies throughout the region,” Tara violence that women in our society of Kurdish women aged between 15 and suicide to escape domestic violence or Astretch of road in Sulaimaniyah, an Abdallah, who stitched the artwork that endured in the course of my research... 49 are also forced to undergo female forced marriages. Rights groups say Iraqi Kurdish artist on Monday has been strung up across the city, told Every piece in this work has a story genital mutilation (FGM) in the domestic violence surged globally dur- unveiled a stitched collage of clothes AFP. The visual artist had asked women behind it,” she said. autonomous Kurdistan region of northern ing the lockdown earlier this year to curb from women survivors of domestic vio- survivors to donate a scrap of clothing The UN regularly condemns “honor Iraqi, according to the United Nations. the coronavirus pandemic. — AFP lence. “Three months ago, I started col- that symbolized their trauma and sewed killings” of women in Iraqi Kurdistan, The figure is less than one percent for lecting the clothes of women subjected them together to create a giant, colorful which promotes itself as progressive, women in the rest of Iraq. Out of desper- to violence by their husbands and fami- patchwork. “I heard lots of stories about over sexual conduct. About 37.5 percent ation, Iraqi Kurdish women often commit

ith more than 1.3 billion Weuros ($1.5 billion) in sales last year on its platform and a new acquisition under its belt, second-hand clothes innova- tor Vinted believes it is starting to scare fashion retailers-for the good of the planet. The group, founded View of two “Catrina” Barbie dolls and a Frida Kahlo one at the Museum of the Old Mexican Toy. View of a “Catrina” Barbie doll at the Museum of the Old Mexican Toy in Mexico City. in EU member Lithuania and a standard-bearer of the so-called “circular economy”, announced a new takeover yesterday of a Dutch competitor, United Wardrobe, for an undisclosed sum. Once com- pleted, the merged group says it will bring together 34 million users who buy and sell clothing online- from vintage to designer labels, as well as used high-street brands at he’s been a princess, a presi- Roberto Alvarez. The Day of the Dead about the celebration,” which UNESCO knock-down prices. Sdent, a Marine Corps sergeant, “should be a solemn subject,” but it in 2003 named an Intangible Cultural Vinted chief executive Thomas an astronaut and a Star Wars has become a commercial event in the Heritage of Humanity. The festival is Plantenga said the acquisition stormtrooper. In Mexico for the Day of United States since featuring in movies believed to be when the gateway sepa- would “help us accelerate faster the Dead festival, Barbie is even a such as “Coco,” the computer-animat- rating the living and the deceased within Europe and I think that peo- skeleton. Yet while fans of the iconic ed fantasy released by Disney’s Pixar opens, allowing people to pay their ple who are trying to grow the new doll see it as an homage to the coun- studio in 2017, Alvarez said. respects to those who have passed. sales of fashion are afraid of us. I try’s rich tradition, critics say it is little Fans of the iconic doll see “Catrina” Librada Moreno, a sociologist and think that’s great.” The company’s more than cultural appropriation. Mattel Barbie-which bears certain similarities academic at the National Autonomous philosophy is that the fashion has launched the second Barbie based to renowned painter Frida Kahlo-as a University of Mexico, sees the Barbie industry, long criticized by environ- on “Catrina”, a skeletal representation respectful tribute. “It means that they as a “cultural hybrid” and product of mentalists for encouraging exces- of death created by cartoonist Jose take notice of our traditions,” said Zoila migration to the United States, home to sive consumption and producing Guadalupe Posada that is a symbol of Muntane, a 54-year-old artist and doll 37 million people with Mexican ances- waste, “needs to change... needs one of Mexico’s most important festi- collector who has 2,000 Barbies. try. More than one billion Barbies have to be more circular and that will vals. The US toymaker says the doll Fellow fan Carlos Sandoval says the been sold globally since the American benefit society,” Plantenga told “honors the traditions, symbols and rit- doll represents “a very beautiful tradi- brand’s launch 60 years ago. An earlier AFP. The group became uals” of the Day of the Dead, which is tion, like few others in the world.” Barbie inspired by Kahlo was not sold Lithuania’s first tech unicorn in celebrated on November 1-2. in Mexico because her family consid- November 2019 — an industry But some in Mexico see the Barbie- ‘Cultural hybrid’ ered its image at odds with that of the term for a start-up valued at more which has a price tag of around $72 — This year Barbie wears a blush-col- late artist. Mattel is not the only US than $1.0 billion. as just another example of big brands ored lace dress and a crown of skele- brand launching products linked to the It raised 128 million euros from cashing in on the country’s heritage. ton hands holding roses and Mexican festival: there is also a investors in a funding round that it “The cultural, hereditary and symbolic marigolds, unlike the first Day of the “Catrina” Minnie Mouse and a Nike Day said would allow it to double its importance that this holiday has for Dead edition in 2019 which was of the Dead collection. — AFP then 300-strong staff and fund View of two “Catrina” Barbie dolls at the Mexico opens up in the eyes of the dressed in black. Its creator, Mexican- acquisitions. This year’s coron- Museum of the Old Mexican Toy in Mexico market opportunities that are exploited American designer Javier Meabe, said avirus-related lockdowns in major City. by these firms,” said sociologist he sought to “create more awareness European markets such as France and Spain dealt a severe economic blow when the group was forced to shut down its operations. But Vinted believes it is well-placed to benefit from long-term trends driv- en by young, more environmentally conscious consumers shunning established retailers and so-called “fast fashion”. And difficult eco- nomic conditions in Europe could lead more consumers to clear out their wardrobes to raise some mon- ey-the original idea of founders Justas Janauskas and Milda Mitkute who started the site in 2008. — AFP Mexican doll collector Zoila Muntane poses with two Mexican doll collector Carlos Sandoval poses with two Mexican doll collector Carlos Sandoval shows part of his Barbie “Catrina” Barbie doll boxes at the Museum of the Old “Catrina” Barbie dolls at the Museum of the Old Mexican Toy doll collection.— AFP photos Mexican Toy. in Mexico City. 14 Sports Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Man Utd search for Photo of the Day home comforts as Leipzig test looms

LONDON: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stopped the rot at Manchester United but he must rediscover the winning formula at home as he prepares for today’s visit of RB Leipzig in the Champions League. United’s collapse against Tottenham in ear- ly October plunged the club back into crisis mode as the Norwegian scrambled to fix his broken defense. The sense of panic has receded, with a 4-1 win at Newcastle followed by an impressive 2-1 away vic- tory against Paris Saint-Germain in United’s European opener. But the Red Devils played out a drab 0-0 stalemate against Chelsea at an empty Old Trafford at the weekend, leaving them without a Premier League win at home this season. Solskjaer’s team became the first United side since the 1972/73 season to fail to win any of their opening three home league matches-leaving them languishing in the lower reaches of the table. Despite the underwhelming result, the manager was sanguine after Saturday’s home draw, which came after an embarrassing 3-1 reverse against Crystal Palace and the humiliating 6-1 thumping by Tottenham both at Old Trafford. “We had a clean sheet, we had some pressure, we stopped the home run of defeats,” he said. “We wanted to win, of Jakub Przygonski and Tom Colsoulnavigating in the sand at the Dakar Rally in 2019. — Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com course you want to win at home, but I think it’s a solid performance when you think of the week we’ve had. We’ve had a very good week with two wins and a draw.” — AFP

Blame game: Koeman and Barca’s News in brief UAE, Israel leagues sign MOU

DUBAI: The soccer leagues of the United sense of injustice clouds Juve test Arab Emirates and Israel signed remotely on Monday a memorandum of understanding to bolster cooperation, state-run Emirati news agency WAM reported yesterday. Confirming No admittance of failure from coach Koeman the deal, Israeli soccer league chairman Erez Halfon said he foresaw possible UAE sponsor- MADRID: Two days before Bartomeu sacked Ernesto Valverde in ship for teams in Israel. “This will take (us) a Barcelona were due to face Juventus January, Barca were top of the table. step forward,” he told Army Radio. The two in the Champions League, their Under Bartomeu’s first replacement countries agreed to normalize relations in toughest match in Group G, the they capitulated at the end of last sea- August under an accord brokered by the Catalan club were still bemoaning the son. Under his second, they sit 12th. United States. — Reuters one thing they said won the Clasico The disappointments keep coming for for Real Madrid - VAR. There was no Barcelona, but those prepared to take talk Monday of Barca’s lack of cre- any responsibility continue to shrink Controversial pay-per-view ativity that meant Madrid, as the away from view. Up next are Juventus team, had more shots at Camp Nou, today, when another set-back would LONDON: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley nor their timid response that allowed not be irretrievable thanks to last has called the Premier League’s controversial their opponents to coast through the week’s 5-1 drubbing of Ferencvaros. pay-per-view arrangements “not acceptable” last half an hour with a one-goal lead. But a growing sense of deflation as clubs prepare to discuss the policy at a There was no admittance of failure and injustice - initiated by sections of shareholders’ meeting yesterday. Matches from coach Ronald Koeman, whose the Catalan press but now adopted played after October’s internationals that substitutions proved ineffective or, fully by players, coach and president - were not selected for regular television worse, counter-productive. There was will be harder to be rid of, regardless BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Dutch coach Ronald Koeman (right) congratulates Real broadcast were made available on a pay-per- no addressing the question of defeat, of the result in Turin. After the final Madrid’s French coach Zinedine Zidane at the end of the Spanish League foot- view basis on Sky Sports or BT Sport at or a single question at all, by Barca’s whistle blew on Saturday, Koeman ball match between Barcelona and Real Madrid on October 24, 2020. — AFP £14.95 ($19) each. Fans’ groups have urged a senior players, not even captain Lionel was not with his team in the dressing price cut, with many supporters opting to Messi, who has now gone six games room but waiting for the referee. After Sunday. His anger ignored the fact none effective. “Was it a penalty?” donate to food banks and other charitable without scoring against his team’s the match, his press conference was Sergio Ramos’s controversial penalty Koeman asked a reporter, who causes instead of paying the fee. Premier greatest rivals. The players had just less an assessment of his team’s per- put Madrid just 2-1 up, hardly out of responded he thought that it was. League chief executive Richard Masters said lost their fourth match in 10 games formance than a tirade against VAR. sight, and there were still 27 minutes “Well we disagree. Hopefully one day earlier this month the price was “defensible” including the dismal end to last season, plus added time remaining to retrieve you can explain the issue of VAR while BT Sport said it was simply covering its and their new coach has overseen only Messi silence something from the match. It also here in Spain. We have had five costs. Ashley, who explained his initial vote in three wins from his first six in charge. “Koeman explodes” read the front conveniently masked Koeman waiting games and VAR has only intervened favor of the pay-per-view proposal as being When the president Josep Maria page of Mundo Deportivo on too long to make three substitutions, against Barca.” — AFP due to a lack of “realistic or viable alterna- tives”, has now proposed a reduced-price version. “I am calling on the Premier League scored twice in four league games EPL Table to immediately act and review its current pay- Things we since signing from Wolves for £45 per-view arrangements for live matches in the million in September. English Premier League table after Monday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, UK,” he said in a statement. — AFP learned from the He was deployed as the right-sided goals for, goals against, points): forward in a 4-2-3-1 system as Klopp Everton 6 4 1 1 14 9 13 Premier League fielded all four of his main attackers Liverpool 6 4 1 1 15 14 13 Pogba slams retirement rumors together for the first time. In the Aston Villa 5 4 0 1 12 5 12 hometown of The Beatles, Jota’s con- Leicester 6 4 0 2 13 8 12 LONDON: Manchester United’s Paul Pogba tribution conjured memories of the Tottenham 6 3 2 1 16 8 11 LONDON: Liverpool unveiled their Leeds 6 3 1 2 12 9 10 said reports claiming he had retired from inter- ‘fab four’ as the Premier League period when Philippe Coutinho played Southampton 6 3 1 2 10 9 10 national duty in protest against French champions moved within touching alongside Firmino, Mohamed Salah Crystal Palace 6 3 1 2 8 9 10 President Emmanuel Macron’s comments about distance of first place. Manchester and Sadio Mane in Klopp’s original Wolves 6 3 1 2 6 8 10 radical Islam were “fake news”. According to Anfield ‘fab four’. “The player he is: he Chelsea 6 2 3 1 13 9 9 United and Chelsea’s goalless draw Arsenal 6 3 0 3 8 7 9 reports in the Middle East picked up by British showed the flaws in both teams, while is quick, he has the physicality, he is West Ham 6 2 2 2 12 8 8 tabloid The Sun, World Cup winner Pogba Manchester City are still searching for strong, he is good in the air, he is Man City 5 2 2 1 8 8 8 wanted to end his international career after their peak form. AFP Sport looks at good on the ground,” Klopp said. “A Newcastle 6 2 2 2 8 10 8 Macron vowed to take the fight to Islamic radi- things we learned from the weekend’s lot of good things. He has exactly the Man United 5 2 1 2 9 12 7 cals after the October 16 beheading of history quality we need, so that helps a lot.” Brighton 6 1 2 3 10 12 5 Premier League action: West Brom 6 0 3 3 6 14 3 teacher Samuel Paty. “Unacceptable, fake Burnley 5 0 1 4 3 9 1 news,” Pogba, a converted Muslim, posted on Liverpool on song with Jota No joy for United, Chelsea Sheffield Utd 6 0 1 5 3 9 1 Instagram with a screenshot of The Sun’s arti- Diogo Jota staked his claim to As rain lashed down on Old Fulham 6 0 1 5 5 14 1 cle. Paty had shown cartoons of the Prophet become part of Liverpool’s ‘fab four’ Trafford, Manchester United manager Mohamed to pupils in a class discussion on as the Portugal forward capped their Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Chelsea Solskjaer and Lampard finished time in 48 years. Even the debut free speech in a school near Paris. Macron’s comeback in a 2-1 win against boss Frank Lampard looked as last season with reasons for optimism cameo from Edinson Cavani, who comments triggered protests in Muslim-major- Sheffield United. Jurgen Klopp’s side gloomy as the conditions that left after taking their clubs into the nearly scored with his first touch after ity countries at the weekend, with people burn- had fallen behind to Sander Berge’s them drenched on the touchline. A Champions League via top four fin- coming off the bench, couldn’t inspire ing pictures of Macron in Syria and setting fire penalty at Anfield, but Roberto dour goalless draw showed the prob- ishes. But there have been precious United, who looked a pale shadow of to French flags in the Libyan capital Tripoli. Firmino equalised before Jota headed lems both men have to resolve if they few signs of progress this term, with the team that surprisingly beat Paris the winner to move Liverpool level on are to turn their teams from top four United failing to win any of their first Saint Germain in the Champions points with leaders Everton. Jota has contenders into title challengers. three home league games for the first League in midweek. — AFP Egypt woman coach men’s team

Portuguese star Ronaldo in 2018 with the aim of lift- we are on the right path. We are building a long- GIZA: Faiza Heidar grew up playing soccer in Pirlo sees positives as ing the coveted European trophy, and his absence term project. I only see positive things.” the streets with the boys and went on to cap- against Messi’s Barcelona could weigh heavy. Pirlo’s main weapons in Ronaldo’s absence have tain Egypt’s national women’s team. Now she Juventus miss Ronaldo The 35-year-old will need to test negative 24 been Spanish forward Alvaro Morata, who scored has become the first woman to train one of the hours before being allowed to feature in Turin. The both goals against Dynamo Kiev, and Swedish strik- country’s professional men’s clubs. Heidar has return at the Camp Nou is on December 8. “We miss er Dejan Kulusevski, who rescued the point against been signed up by the fourth division side Ideal MILAN: Andrea Pirlo sees positives despite him right now, of course,” said Colombian teammate Verona. Former Chelsea and Real Madrid player Goldi, based in Giza. “There is usually some preparing for his biggest match since taking over as Juan Cuadrado. “He’s a champion. In these very diffi- Morata returned to Juventus this season with mockery at the beginning,” the 36-year-old Juventus coach with Covid-19 -stricken Cristiano cult matches, his strength, his mentality and his Kulusevski signed from Atalanta in January before said. “But then they realise that they will learn Ronaldo in doubt against Lionel Messi’s Barcelona desire shine through.” Ronaldo scored three goals being loaned back immediately to Parma. The 20- something, that they will develop their skills.” in the Champions League today. Pirlo took over for Juventus in their first two league games, before year-old Swede was up and running immediately, She said she was the first Egyptian coach - after Maurizio Sarri was sacked immediately after contracting the virus while on international duty. scoring on his club debut in September and came off male or female - to gain the Premier Skills Juventus’ last 16 exit to Lyon in August, the veteran Even if Pirlo has yet to record a loss this season, the bench to give Juventus the edge against Verona. Coach Educator status, certified by England’s coach lamenting another failure in a “competition Juventus are fifth in Serie A, with three draws in five Pirlo has also been impressed with how Paulo Premier League. Soccer remains an over- cursed for Juve”. games. “Barcelona? It doesn’t worry me, they are Dybala performed “well above expectations,” in his whelmingly male sport in Egypt. “I would tell The Turin side have won the tournament twice, two different matches,” said Pirlo after Sunday’s 1-1 seasonal debut against Verona after over three her not to go. She would say: ‘No, I will go.’ but not since 1996. They have been runners-up sev- stalemate against Hellas Verona. “Verona play differ- months out. Captain Giorgio Chiellini’s presence is in She loved the sport,” said Heidar’s mother, en times, including twice in the last five years. In fact, ently than Barcelona, against teams that play like this doubt, with fellow defender Leonardo Bonucci’s Khodra Abdelrahman. “I let her go and prayed 41-year-old Pirlo’s last Juventus game as a player you have to prepare a certain type of match. “We’re thigh strain being monitored, although Gianluca that God help her. And she did go, and she has came in the 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the 2015 in the construction phase,” continued the novice Frabotta, 21, has stepped into the breach, with Alex done so well.” — Reuters Champions League final. Juventus signed coach. “We’re sorry to leave points on the road, but Sandro also out. —AFP Established 1961 15 Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Sports ‘FC Erdogan’- Title-winners aim to unsettle Champions League elite Istanbul Basaksehir face a tough baptism in Champions League

ISTANBUL: Newcomers Istanbul Basaksehir face The modern high-rise suburb is seen by a tough baptism in the Champions League after Erdogan as a showcase for the conservative “new shaking up the Turkish football hierarchy and earn- Turkey” that he has promoted. Following the 2014 ing a reputation as the plaything of President takeover a 17,000-capacity stadium was built, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Basaksehir earned their named after the legendary former player and man- place in Europe’s elite club competition by pipping ager Fatih Terim, who ironically manages Turkey’s traditional giants to win the title for the Galatasaray. Erdogan blessed the club’s new look first time. when in July 2014 he donned Basaksehir colours to They could scarcely have asked for a harder play in a charity game at the new stadium and draw as a reward. They host Paris Saint-Germain scored an improbable three goals in 15 minutes. today after losing 2-0 to RB Leipzig last week. After In a country where football, business and politi- that they play Manchester United home and away. cal power are intricately linked, the creation of the A win against PSG, last season’s runners-up, modern Basaksehir, a year after the widespread would be symbolic beyond the pitch at a time when “Gezi Park” anti-government protests in which Ankara and Paris are locked in a diplomatic stand- “ultra” supporters of different Istanbul clubs off over Islam and freedom of speech. Basaksehir’s played a key role, had clear political undertones. title triumph was coming after they finished second “During the Gezi Park protests, they (the govern- in 2017 and 2019. Yet their rise has been remark- ment) could see the political power of the support- able. The achievement stands out given the tradi- ers. Basaksehir is a project aimed at creating a club tional dominance of Turkey’s Super Lig by under their control,” said one Besiktas ultra who Istanbul’s big three of Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and wished to remain anonymous for fear of losing his Besiktas. Between them, that trio had won all bar job in the civil service. one of the previous 35 titles, with the exception being Bursaspor in 2010. ‘The old system is broken’ But beyond their links to power, Basaksehir owe Links to power their success to a strict economic model which is in LEIPZIG: Istanbul Basaksehir’s Belgian defender Boli Bolingoli Mbombo (left) and Leipzig’s For their detractors, Basaksehir owe their suc- stark contrast to the country’s traditional giants Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo both jump to head the ball during the UEFA Champions League cess to the support of the government and the whose elected presidents are compelled to spend, Group H football match RB Leipzig v Istanbul Basaksehir FK in Leipzig. —AFP financial clout of companies close to the ruling sometimes recklessly, to satisfy demanding sup- Islamist-rooted AKP party of President Erdogan. porters. “The major Istanbul clubs are in financial The close relationship between the club and the ruin after being run into the ground by presidents the supporters group Basaksehir 1453, says their Ba and Nacer Chadli. Yet it would be a stretch to Turkish leader is such that rival supporters have and boards who come, leave and rarely put any- success can also be put down to “a tailor-made call Basaksehir the fourth giant of Istanbul. Before labelled Basaksehir “FC Erdogan”. Created in the thing back into the club,” says Emre Sarigul, co- transfer policy”. While Fenerbahce, Galatasaray coronavirus restrictions, their stadium was rarely 1990s by the municipality of Istanbul, the club was founder of the website Turkish Football. and Besiktas have splashed the cash to sign foreign more than a quarter-full. After winning the league sold in 2014 to a consortium of businessmen reput- “The old system is broken. Basaksehir are run in stars who are past their peak, Basaksehir’s squad is in July, the team paraded through Basaksehir, but edly close to Erdogan. The club’s main backer is what can be described as a more modern, corpo- a mix of local talent, like Irfan Can Kahveci, and the streets were deserted. “It will take a huge effort Medipol, a group of private hospitals run by rate-minded, accountable system and it is no sur- unearthed treasures like the Bosnian Edin Visca. for Basaksehir to build a football culture and Turkey’s health minister. The club is based in the prise they are doing so well. “They are perhaps the There are some foreign veterans, though, with become accepted as a genuine rival to the big district of Basaksehir in the European part of only professionally-run club in the top tier with a the Brazilian ex-Manchester United full-back three,” says Sarigul. “It would take at least a gener- Istanbul, far from the heart of the sprawling city. long-term strategy.” Huseyin Avcilar, who co-runs Rafael recently arriving from Lyon to join Demba ation to build up any sort of support.” —AFP

minutes, running onto a diagonal Roma level three pass behind the defense from Rafael Leao and poking the ball past goal- times in Milan keeper Antonio Mirante. Milan’s problems at corners were Hamilton’s record stalemate 3-3 not entirely the fault of Tatarusanu. Edin Dzeko was unmarked in front of keeps the ‘GOAT’ MILAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored goal when he headed his team’s first twice but AC Milan dropped their equaliser after 13 minutes. Milan first points of the Serie A season as started the second half as they had debate raging Roma came from behind to draw 3-3 the first. Portuguese winger Leao at the San Siro on Monday. In a game outpaced his fullback and laid the PORTIMAO: Damon Hill hailed Lewis Hamilton as the played in an empty stadium after the ball back to Belgian Alexis “GOAT” (greatest of all time) as he and Jackie Stewart led tributes on Monday following their compatriot’s imposition of a coronavirus curfew, Saelemaekers who guided a shot in from 10 yards. French midfielder record-breaking 92nd win in Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Milan were without goalkeeper Prix. “Well I guess I can’t say I’ve beaten the best driver Gianluigi Donnarumma and young Jordan Veretout levelled from the penalty spot after 70 minutes fol- in F1 anymore. I had a good run though. Thanks @schu- Norwegian striker Jens Petter Hauge, macher and welcome @LewisHamilton. GOAT,” 1996 who the club announced earlier on lowing a clumsy challenge by Ismael Bennacer. world champion Hill said on Twitter. Stewart was less Monday had tested positive for MILAN: AC Milan’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic vies with Roma’s effusive, referring to Hamilton’s “remarkable success” Covid-19. Ibrahimovic completed his third double in three league appearances Brazilian defender Bruno Peres (right) during the Italian Serie A football and “hugely impressive career”, but without declaring Veteran Romanian goalkeeper him one of the sport’s greatest drivers. with a penalty after 78 minutes, but match between AC Milan and AS Roma at the Meazza Stadium in Milan on Ciprian Tatarusanu, who joined Milan October 26, 2020. —AFP “He is undeniably one of the best athletes in history in September, made his debut in had an unwitting assist as Roma and an inspiration to so many young people,” he added, place of Donnarumma, and was twice leveled for a third time. The Swede just weeks after excluding him from his leading all-time caught on his line from corners and jumped to meet an 83rd minute to volley Roma’s third equalizer two points ahead of Napoli who greatest F1 drivers. The comments provoked argument, also spilled a shot in the build up to corner but only deflected it to the from close range with Tatarusanu have won all four games they have not least because Hamilton’s statistical landmark of 92 Roma’s second-half penalty. far post where Roma’s Albanian stranded. Milan, with 13 points, played, and Sassuolo. Roma wins is likely to be enlarged by him after passing seven- Ibrahimovic struck after just two defender Marash Kumbulla slid in remain at the top of the standings, remained ninth. —AFP time world champion Michael Schumacher’s 14-year- old record of 91 wins. He is also set to equal Schumacher’s haul of drivers’ newly begun career as a cricketer. titles this season and, in all likelihood, claim an eighth Bulgaria’s He was almost instantly absorbed into next year. Stewart’s reluctance to include either the National cricket team of Bulgaria Hamilton or Schumacher alongside his idols - Argentine cricketer ‘master which played Malta in a 4 match t20 Juan Manuel Fangio and fellow Scot Jim Clark - series late September. In views of the sparked widespread debate. Few paddock observers formalities to be followed, he made his agreed, but clues to Hamilton’s success since being blaster’ debut for Bulgarian International cricket beaten by team-mate Nico Rosberg, were articulated team on the 23rd of September this year, late Sunday by the team’s track performance boss KUWAIT: Kevin Chris D’souza, a Andrew Shovlin and rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull. young Kuwait-based student of 22 2020 against Malta, this being the quali- fier series for the ICC world cup T20 Stewart, an admirer of Alain Prost’s ‘professorial’ style, years earned the title of the ‘’MAS- has often said he values studied and well-prepared TER BLASTER” as he played for the tournament in Europe. Kevin Chris D’souza was born on consistency and “smooth” driving above raw speed and cricket team of the “Medical aggression in his evaluations. It is why he overlooked September 16th 1998 in Kuwait to his University of Sofia- Bulgaria, in the three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, Schumacher European T10 cricket league tourna- proud parents Norbert D’souza and and Hamilton. ment series hosted by ECN. In the Clera Noronha, who hail from Yet, since 2016, Hamilton has transformed his T10 innings that he played, he scored Karnataka, India. He draws apprecia- approach and style to become the sport’s most consis- a total of 198 runs, comprising of 19 tion from his elder sister, Nicole very good percentage and thereby the basketball and football team and tent finisher with a record 45 consecutive points finish- sixes and 9 fours, he being a 2 down D’Souza. Kevin received his early qualified for his further studies in won many trophies and medals for the es and 161 career podiums - a metronomic return that batsman, that’s where he was education from United Indian School, Medicine at the Medical University of school and himself. He is a right-hand left Verstappen full og admiration. “Everybody knows announced the “MASTER BLASTER” Kuwait where he acquired his higher Sofia, Bulgaria. During his school batsman and his bowling style is right he’s very quick,” said the Dutchman. “But I think what a prestigious milestone indeed, in his secondary education certificate with a years, he represented the school in arm medium. has also been a very strong point is that he’s consistent and he very rarely makes a mistake — and that’s why I think he got through these numbers so quickly.” —AFP National Guard. He defeated his team- First Rafael Nadal mate Essa Qabazard 2-0. The women’s tournament was won by Iman Al- Academy Kuwait Mitwally who beat Yasmeen Al-Shimali in the final match 2-1. Matches on TV Tennis Tournament KTF Secretary General Faleh Al- Otaibi, Treasurer Ali Al-Daihani, (Local Timings) By Abdellatif Sharaa Technical Director Abbas Al-Busairi, representative of the women’s commit- UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KUWAIT: The first Rafael Nadal tee Dana Al-Fulaij, RNAK Director FK Krasnodar v Chelsea 20:55 Academy Kuwait (RNAK) Tennis General Martijn Belgraver and Head beIN Sports HD 2 Tournament was concluded in the pres- Tennis Coach Nuno Marques attended Istanbul Basaksehir v PSG 20:55 ence of President of Kuwait and Arab the final match. The Academy plans to beIN Sports HD 1 Tennis Federations Sheikh Ahmad Al- organize two similar tournaments in Sevilla v Stade Rennais 23:00 Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Sabah and November to be followed by the fourth beIN Sports HD 3 National Guard Undersecretary Lt - for the masters where the best 8 play- Ferencvarosi v Dynamo Kiev 23:00 General Engineer Hashim Al- Refae. The ers in the three tournaments will partici- beIN Sports HD 6 tournament which started on October pate. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber was Juventus v Barcelona 23:00 21st was one of a series of tournaments pleased with the success of this first beIN Sports HD 1 RNAK tournament - following a long organized by RNAK in cooperation Club Brugge v Lazio 23:00 period of lack of activities abroad due to with KTF. The matches were played at beIN Sports HD 4 the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Jaber Al- Dortmund v Zenit St Petersburg 23:00 Sabah international tennis complex. The series of tournaments will make it easier beIN Sports HD 5 first men’s tournament was won by for the players as they get ready for the Manchester United v Leipzig 23:00 Abdelhameed Jumaa (from Salmiya third Gulf games to be hosted by Kuwait Sports Club) and is a lieutenant at the from March 7-17, 2021. beIN Sports HD 2 Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2020

Man United search for home ‘FC Erdogan’- Title-winners aim to Ibrahimovic strikes twice; Roma 14comforts; Leipzig test looms 15 unsettle Champions League elite 15 level 3 times in Milan stalemate

CALIFORNIA: Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams fumbles the ball after getting tackled by Robert Quinn #94 of the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 26, 2020 in Inglewood, California. — AFP Rams’ defense clamps down on Bears Los Angeles defense makes a statement in 24-10 victory CALIFORNIA: Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes best in the NFL before the start of Week 7. Los Angeles The Bears were poised to answer quickly, driving to the two quarters. The Rams took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter and the Los Angeles defense made a statement Monday has given up just 33 second-half points in seven games. Los Angeles 9-yard line, but Foles had his pass in the end when Goff hit Reynolds on a 4-yard pass to cap a seven- night in the Rams’ 24-10 victory over the Chicago Bears at Chicago’s only touchdown came on an 8-yard fumble zone intercepted by safety Taylor Rapp. Los Angeles play, 52-yard drive. The Bears answered by driving 58 Inglewood, Calif. Malcolm Brown rushed for 57 yards and a recovery and return in the fourth quarter by safety Eddie boosted the advantage to 24-3 on a 12-yard pass from Goff yards in eight plays and getting a 42-yard field goal from touchdown while Gerald Everett and Josh Reynolds each Jackson. The Bears entered allowing 19.3 points per game to Everett with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter. The Cairo Santos on the second play of the second quarter. Los caught touchdown passes as the Rams (5-2) improved to (seventh in the NFLthrough Week 6). Bears quarterback Bears’ lone touchdown came with 7:30 remaining when Angeles made it 10-3 five minutes before halftime on a 22- 3-0 at their new $5 billion stadium. Goff was 23 of 33 for Nick Foles was 28 of 40 for 261 yards. After a tight first Jackson picked up a fumble by Robert Woods and went yard field goal from rookie Sam Sloman. The Rams 219 yards. The Rams’ defense held the Bears (5-2) to 49 half, Los Angeles opened the lead to 17-3 early in the sec- into the end zone untouched. The Rams had 223 yards of improved to 2-1 against the Bears over the past three sea- rushing yards while recording four sacks and two intercep- ond half on a 1-yard run by Brown that capped a seven- total offense in the first half while building a 10-3 lead. The sons with the losing team scoring 10 points or fewer in tions. The unit entered giving up 19 points per game, fifth play, 55-yard drive. Bears’ offense had just 126 yards of offense in the opening each of the contests. — Reuters

for his effort to be ruled out for offside before West Brom Leandro Trossard’s shot was saved. Five minutes Son strikes again as before half-time their pressure paid off when an attempted clearance from Branislav Ivanovic struck score late to Jake Livermore and rebounded into the back of the Spurs beat Burnley net. Slaven Bilic’s West Brom started the second half frustrate Brighton positively and had a Conor Gallagher effort blocked to move 5th in EPL just after the restart. The Baggies continued to put pressure on the home BRIGHTON: Karlan Grant scored his first goal for defense as the match wore on, forcing Mat Ryan into BURNLEY: Son Heung-min pounced to steal a 1-0 West Brom as they came from behind to claim their another save from Filip Krovinovic. Matheus Pereira win for lacklustre Tottenham on Monday, linking up first away point of the Premier League season in a 1-1 had a good chance for the visitors midway through the with Harry Kane yet again as Jose Mourinho’s side draw at Brighton on Monday. An unfortunate own goal second half but he put his effort wide before later clip- climbed to fifth in the Premier League table. All of the from West Brom’s Jake Livermore gave Graham ping the outside of a post. But West Brom’s second- traditional “big six” clubs have dropped unlikely points Potter’s side a first-half lead but the Seagulls were half pressure finally paid off when Grant turned a in the early weeks of the season and Spurs looked set unable to hold out for the win. Callum Robinson ball past Ryan in the 83rd minute to to leave Turf Moor frustrated. But South Korea for- ward Son scored his eighth league goal of the season BURNLEY: Burnley’s English goalkeeper Nick Pope The home side looked more threatening early on. ensure that the Baggies would leave the south coast dives to keep the ball in play during the English Neal Maupay converted Adam Lallana’s cross only with a point.—AFP in the 76th minute, heading in from close range after a headed pass from Kane. Spurs now have 11 points Premier League football match between Burnley and from six games, just two points behind leaders Everton Tottenham Hotspur on October 26, 2020. — AFP after their third win of the season. Mourinho hailed his attacking stars, who have now ment on a bloody right eyebrow after being caught combined for 29 Premier League goals-only Didier inadvertently by Ashley Barnes’ flailing arm. The Drogba and Frank Lampard have managed more, with Belgian had his head bandaged before play continued. 36. “It is an understanding that comes from Maurcio Slightly against the run of play, Burnley had the ball (Pochettino’s) time,” said Mourinho. “I don’t want all in the back of the net when Barnes seemingly sprang the credit myself, let’s share with Mauricio. “They play the offside trap and buried the ball past Spurs goal- together for a long time, probably a different way keeper Hugo Lloris but the flag went up. It was not because Harry is not always a nine now. “What pleases until the 38th minute that the game had its first shot on me more about them both is that they are two top target, Ashley Westwood bringing a low save out of players but close friends, no jealousy, they both play Lloris after Josh Brownhill had stolen the ball off for the team.” Tanguy Ndombele on the edge of the area. Johann Berg Gudmundsson then cut in from the right and Relief forced Lloris into action once more as the home side The hard-earned three points will be a huge relief ended the half on top. to Mourinho, whose side looked like world beaters Tottenham again struggled to find their rhythm in earlier this month when they hammered Manchester the early stages of the second half, with Burnley com- United 6-1 before blowing a 3-0 lead against West ing close to taking the lead. James Tarkowski put a Ham. Tottenham’s attacking momentum vanished at header wide from close range before Mourinho threw Turf Moor, where they struggled to make an impres- on Erik Lamela to replace Lucas Moura in the 57th sion against Sean Dyche’s side, who remain in the rele- minute, with Gareth Bale still waiting for his first gation zone, without a win this season. Premier League start in seven years. The match Kane was able to get behind Burnley’s defense in sparked into life late on, when Kane cleared another the early minutes following a Toby Alderweireld ball header from Tarkowski off the line. Son failed to take BRIGHTON: West Bromwich Albion’s English striker Kyle Edwards (left) vies with Brighton’s Dutch defender over the top but the England striker’s first touch took advantage of a clear chance before Kane flicked on a Joel Veltman during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and West him too wide and his shot sailed harmlessly over. There corner to the South Korean, who dived headlong to Bromwich on October 26, 2020. — AFP was a lengthy stoppage as Alderweireld needed treat- break the deadlock and seal the win. — AFP