MOHARRAM 18, 1441 AH TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

28 Pages Max 46º Min 25º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17934 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Premier inaugurates sports Purdue files for bankruptcy in In Ethiopia, busted Beetles Braun crushes grand slam 2 center for visually impaired 13 bid to settle opioid crisis cases 21 ‘pimped out’ for hip youth 28 as Brewers beat Cards

Coalition says weapons used in Saudi attacks ‘came from Iran’

US hints at military response • Oil prices surge • Houthis threaten new attacks

RIYADH: The weapons used to strike Saudi oil facilities were Iranian-made, the Riyadh-led coalition said yester- MPs call on govt to beef up day, heightening fears of regional conflict after the US hinted at a military response to the assault. The weekend security after drone breach strikes on Abqaiq - the world’s largest oil processing facility - and the Khurais oilfield in eastern Saudi Arabia By B Izzak country including the National have roiled global energy markets, sending prices spiking Assembly, schools and others. He said yesterday. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed KUWAIT: Lawmakers yesterday he has sent two questions to the responsibility for the strikes but Washington has squarely called on the government to beef up defense and interior ministers about blamed Iran, with President Donald Trump saying the US security measures following what they the incident and also about the govern- is “locked and loaded” to respond. called a “very serious breach” after a ment’s failure to implement an Saudi’s energy infrastructure has been hit before, but drone intruded into the country’s air- Assembly recommendation to set up this strike was of a different order, abruptly halting 5.7 mil- space. MP Riyadh Al-Adasani accused an independent body for dealing with lion barrels per day (bpd) or about six percent of the the government of not being sufficient- contingency plans. world’s oil supply. The Saudi-led coalition, which is bogged ly ready to face such violations, adding Dallal said during a debate of the down in a five-year war in neighboring Yemen, reiterated that the government should have dealt security situation in the country, law- the assessment that the Houthis were not behind it, point- with the breach immediately. makers called on the government to ing the finger at Iran for providing the weapons. The lawmakers made the remarks establish a body for disasters and Russia urged “all countries to avoid hasty steps or after the government said an investiga- catastrophes, but nothing has so far conclusions that could exacerbate the situation” while the tion has been launched by security happened. He said the government is European Union stressed all sides should show “maxi- authorities regarding a report saying required to take all measures neces- mum restraint”. China also called on the US and Iran to that a drone was seen over Bidaa coast sary to safeguard Kuwait’s airspace, in “exercise restraint... in the absence of a conclusive inves- early Saturday. The government held a addition to sea and land borders and tigation or verdict”. RIYADH: Spokesman of the Saudi-led military coalition Colonel Turki Al-Maliki speaks meeting with top security and military prevent the reoccurrence of the drone Continued on Page 24 during a press conference yesterday. — AFP officials and then announced launching incident. Dallal said regional military the investigation after the report said and security tensions are a major the drone flew over HH the Amir’s resi- source of concern for Kuwaitis and patrol of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard evision broadcast footage from the deck of a dential palace in Salwa. Adasani said expatriates, and condemned the Iran seizes new Corps intercepted the vessel carrying trawler-sized vessel with open hatches show- security agencies should have been attacks on two major Saudi oil facilities 250,000 liters of fuel near the Strait of ing tanks full of what appeared to be fuel. It is ready for any security incident and on Saturday. Hormuz, state TV’s website said, citing a com- the second such seizure this month, after a effectively deal with it, adding that it Meanwhile, Islamist MP Mohammad boat in Gulf for mander of the force. “This boat was sailing boat suspected of smuggling fuel was was clear that the government is not Hayef yesterday cautioned the minister from Bandar Lengeh towards United Arab detained and its 12 Filipino crew members ready to deal with the drone. of education over failure to implement Emirates waters before it was seized 20 miles arrested in the Strait of Hormuz on Sept 7. MP Mohammad Al-Dallal stressed sex segregation at the newly-opened smuggling fuel that a drone approaching vital installa- campus in Shadadiya. He said he will (32 km) east of Greater Tunb island,” Brigadier Iran, which has some of the world’s cheapest tions in the country is a very serious watch the ministry’s measures to TEHRAN: Iran has seized a boat suspected of General Ali Ozmayi was quoted as saying. fuel prices due to heavy subsidies and the fall development, adding that it means that implement segregation after the initial being used to smuggle fuel and arrested its 11 “The boat’s 11 crewmembers have been of its national currency, has been fighting ram- any drone can breach any site in the opening chaos. crewmembers near a vital oil shipping lane, arrested,” he added, without saying when it pant fuel smuggling by land to neighboring state television reported yesterday. A naval happened or giving their nationality. State tel- Continued on Page 24

Ghanem meets Sisi 3 killed in 3-way crash CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi received Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem at Etihadiya Palace yesterday. During the meeting, Ghanem conveyed greetings of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his wishes for more development for Egypt. Sisi also conveyed, via the visiting top lawmaker, his greetings to HH the Amir, wishing him a long healthy life. The meet- ing also discussed bilateral ties and recent regional and international developments. Sisi also noted the historic Egyptian-Kuwaiti rela- tions, stressing on the need for continuous cooperation between the two sides, pointing out that these bonds were boosted during Sisi’s visit to Kuwait in August. Meanwhile, Ghanim noted that Kuwait deeply appreci- KUWAIT: Three people were killed in a three-vehicle collision on King Abdulaziz Road ates Egypt’s political position in the Arab world. The that resulted in a blaze. Fahaheel firemen put out the fire and found the charred bod- meeting was attended by Egyptian Speaker Ali ies of the three victims, which were recovered by forensics. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun Abdelaal and Kuwaiti Ambassador to Egypt CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi meets Kuwait’s National Assembly Mohammad Al-Thuweikh. — KUNA Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem at Etihadiya Palace yesterday. — KUNA

Outsiders lead Erdogan hosts in Tunisia Putin, Rouhani presidential poll for Syria summit

TUNIS: With more than half the votes ANKARA: The latest summit on Syria hosted counted in a presidential election, by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tunisians have delivered a political Ankara with his Russian and Iranian counter- earthquake by rejecting established Nabil Karoui Kais Saied parts started yesterday, with attention focused leaders for a little known law professor on Damascus’ push on the last rebel-held bas- and a media mogul jailed on suspicion of television station and the charity he tion of Idlib. Presidents Vladimir Putin and tax evasion. Kais Saied and Nabil Karoui founded after his son died to present Hassan Rouhani met Erdogan for separate bilat- are leading 24 other candidates, who himself as a champion of the poor and a eral talks in the Turkish capital before they sat included the prime minister, two former scourge of government, while his critics down together for their fifth summit on the con- prime ministers, a former president and describe him as an ambitious, unscrupu- flict since 2017. the defense minister, and appear certain lous, populist. He denies all claims of Iran and Russia have been staunch support- to advance to a runoff vote next month. wrongdoing against him, including old ers of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, while It represents a sharp rebuke of elect- tax evasion and money laundering Turkey has called for his ouster and backed ed governments that have struggled to charges which kept him in jail on election ANKARA: (From left) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip improve living standards or end graft opposition fighters. But with Assad’s position Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for pictures prior to a trilateral meeting on day, calling them an undemocratic plot. looking increasingly secure, Turkey’s priority after Tunisia’s 2011 revolution introduced “We hope that Karoui will keep his Syria yesterday. — AFP has shifted to preventing a mass influx of democracy and inspired the “Arab promises and keep helping us like he did refugees from Idlib into Syria’s northwest. “We Russian airpower, despite a series of ceasefires. Russian airstrikes have continued in the Spring”. “He will fight corruption and in recent years (with his charity),” said a are in complete agreement in aiming for a last- Turkey has 12 observation posts in Idlib to region despite the latest ceasefire agreed by establish a just state and continue the woman at Tunis fish market, who did not ing political solution for Syria’s political unity enforce a buffer zone agreement struck a year Ankara and Moscow on Aug 31. “A zone of de- process of the revolution,” said fishmon- want to be named. ago with Russia to prevent a full-scale Syrian escalation should not serve as a terrain for ger and Saied voter Noureddine El- His wealth and massive electoral and territorial integrity,” Erdogan said in a tele- Arabi, proudly showing the inky forefin- organization stand in sharp contrast to vised statement as the summit began. offensive. But the posts look increasingly threat- armed provocations,” Putin said as the summit ger that proved he had voted. Saied, who spent so little on his Turkey is concerned over the steady advance ened, with one of them cut off from the rest of began. Karoui has for years used his Nessma Continued on Page 24 of Syrian forces into the region, backed by Idlib when Syrian forces advanced last month. Continued on Page 24 2 Established 1961 Local Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Prime Minister inaugurates Sports center for the visually impaired

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah yesterday attend- ed the inauguration ceremony of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Sports Center for the Visually Impaired at the Kuwait Blind Association (KBA) in Maidan Hawally. KBA’s Chairman Fayez Al-Azmi delivered a speech which was then followed by a video about the progress of this sports project for the blind, focusing on the expected duration of the project completion. On his part, HH the Prime Minister said in a statement after the ceremony that the government ascribed great impor- tance to people with various disabilities in accordance to the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The provision of these support programs for the disabled will be reflected positively in their potential, benefiting themselves and the community, he explained. HH hoped that this sports project would develop the skills and abilities of blind children, showing the poten- tial of Kuwait’s championships in various events, through local and international levels. —KUNA

Kuwait supports Saudi measures to maintain security: Al-Ghanem KUWAIT: Speaker of the National Egyptian capital. The discussions, held Assembly Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem yes- at the Egyptian parliament building, terday affirmed Kuwait’s support of all tackled cooperation between Kuwaiti measures taken by the Kingdom of and Egypt’s MPs and means of coordi- Saudi Arabia to maintain its security and nating stances on different regional and stability. “Our stand by Saudi Arabia international topics. The two sides noted comes from duty and merit”, Al-Ghanem importance of coordination on topics to said on his official Twitter account. be covered at the Inter-Parliamentary “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will Union conference, due in Serbia in always be able to encounter any threat October. to its security and stability and we are Both sides confirmed necessity of confident in the wisdom and approach unifying stances on continental and TAIF: Amiri Diwan Advisor Mohammed Daifallah Sahrar - Envoy of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Nasser of the Saudi leadership”. The Saudi international issues at the Arab parlia- Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah attended the finale of the Saudi Crown Prince Camel festival in Taif on Sunday. — KUNA photos approach has always brought the Arab mentary level, including “priority files,” nations together and made Muslims’ especially Palestine. Meanwhile, Al- interests a priority, and will continue this Ghanem sent a cable of congratulations clear and transparent approach as it was to Parliament Speaker of Papua New since the reign of founder King Guinea Jon Pamat, congratulating him on Abdulaziz, Al-Ghanem stressed. his country’s National Day. Cable of Meanwhile, Ali Al-Ghanem held a congratulations was also sent to the top Al-Etelafiya wins meeting yesterday with his Egyptian lawmakers in Mexico to wish them on Kuwait University’s counterpart Dr Ali Abdel Aal in the their Nation Day. —KUNA NUKS polls for 41st consecutive year

KUWAIT: Al-Etelafiya won the elections KUWAIT: The winning party celebrates their triumph. — KUNA photos of the National Union of Kuwaiti Students (NUKS) for the 41st consecu- tive year by 7,063 votes on Sunday night. In a statement to KUNA, Head of the voting committee at NUKS, Musab Al- Mulla said that Al-Etelafiya List won first place, and Al-Mustaqilla List earned sec- ond place by 4,971 votes. Meanwhile, Al- Islamia List got third place by 294 votes and the Democratic Circle List got forth by 251 votes, he added. Al-Mulla hoped the results achieve students’ aspirations in fulfilling their wishes, and solving all Votes being counted during the NUKS elections. problems facing them. — KUNA

CAIRO: Egyptian Parliament Speaker Dr Ali Abdel Aal receives his Kuwaiti counterpart Marzouq Al-Ghanem. — KUNA

Official underlines importance of traditional sports JEDDAH: Kuwait Minister of Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Information and Minister of State for Sabah. He congratulated board chairman Youth Mohammad Al-Jabri underlined of the Saudi sport authority Prince Sunday importance of the development Abdulaziz Al-Faisal for the creation of of traditional sports. Al-Jabri made the the international camel federation, which remarks to KUNA on sidelines of a final would be based in Riyadh. Prince Kuwait Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah met with Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Tariq Al-Qouni yesterday. During the meeting, ceremony of Saudi Crown Prince camel Abdulaziz, addressing the final ceremo- they discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments. Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for the Office of festival in Taif, also attended by ny, said the Saudi leadership was keen the Deputy Minister Counselor Talal Al-Shatti also attended the meeting. — KUNA Mohammad Dhaifallah Sharar, Amiri on the development of sport to enable Diwan Advisor and envoy of First the young Saudis compete in interna- Deputy Premier and Defense Minister tional championships. -— KUNA 3 Local Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Sharing experience key to boost humanitarian work

President of the Lebanese Red BEIRUT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s delegation to the meeting. —KUNA photos Meeting for the heads of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in MENA region. Cross Antoine Zoghbi

BEIRUT: Kuwait Red Crescent Somalia, Yemen, Malawi, provides aid to different cities. Red Crescent Society Dr Saleh Society (KRCS) affirmed the Mozambique, Comoro Islands KRCS is also running humanitar- Al-Tuwaijri, Arab League said in need for sharing experience to and Kenya, Al-Sayer said. ian projects including bakeries a press release. Official highlights goal to boost their ability to face crises Meanwhile, Regional Director and dialysis centers, he added. During the meeting, the two and develop humanitarian work. of the International Federation of The three-day meeting discusses sides discussed different views The remarks were made to Red Cross and Red Crescent the dangers of disasters and on ways of boosting cooperation end poverty in Arab states KUNA by KRCS’ Director Societies (IFRC) Seyed Hashem crises caused by climate change, between the two organizations to General Hilal Al-Sayer yesterday, and Regional Director of the migration and displacement, pro- overcome humanitarian chal- CAIRO: It is imperative to rid the Arab tors. Eliminating poverty is the focal on the sidelines of his participa- International Committee of the viding mental health care to war lenges facing people in need. region of poverty particularly in coun- point of sustainable development plans tion in a meeting for heads of Red Cross (ICRC) Fabrizio victims and commitment to the According to the press release, tries plagued by conflict, said a Kuwaiti and API is in the midst of putting togeth- Red Cross and Red Crescent Carboni, both agreed in separate International humanitarian law Al-Tuwaijri pointed out that the official yesterday, pointing out these er a “comprehensive strategy” to address societies in the Middle East and speeches that the lack of stabili- and the law of armed conflict. Arab Red Cross and Red nations usually grapple with the highest the problem from a regional perspective, North Africa region (MENA), ty and security in the region is Elsewhere, Arab League Crescent Society is the humani- rates of malnutrition. The Arab Planning he added. held in Beirut. putting pressure on Red Cross Secretary General Ahmad Abul tarian arm of the Arab League, Institute’s (API) Director General Dr “Our focus is on Arab countries mired Bader Malallah made the remarks amid in internal conflict,” he said, citing Syria He noted the importance of and Crescent societies to face Gheit affirmed Sunday his sup- expressing his willingness for pan-Arab talks over efforts to extermi- and Yemen as cases in point, while the such meetings to boost coopera- the growing humanitarian needs port to the humanitarian efforts more cooperation to cope with nate poverty, saying the matter has mor- strategy also takes into account recent tion, in light of the growing chal- of people affected by conflict of the Arab Red Cross and Red the humanitarian crises in the phed into a global scourge that tran- statistics and figures on poverty in the lenges in the region. The meeting and crises. Crescent Society to lift the suf- region. The meeting discussed a scends the Arab region. region. He went on to urge the Cairo- is also an opportunity to show- On his part, President of the fering of some Arab people. This MoU to set the framework of He dispelled the notion that popula- based Arab League to follow suit with case KRCS’ humanitarian cam- Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) came in the meeting between the cooperation between the two tion growth is among the causes of wide- similar initiatives, which will help bring paigns in many countries includ- Antoine Zoghbi noted that KRCS Abul Gheit and Secretary-gener- organizations that involves sev- spread poverty, pinpointing the culprit as the aforementioned strategy a step clos- ing Syria, Sudan, the Philippines, continuously supports LRC and al of the Arab Red Cross and eral mutual activities. — KUNA an amalgam of social and economic fac- er to fruition, he said. — KUNA

National, religious faithfulness do not contradict: Scholar

CAIRO: Faithfulness to the homeland and Kuwait, people and State, advocates a mod- serving national interests do not contradict erate, contemporary line of Islam. with the Islamic Shariaa and devotion to the heavenly religion of Islam, affirms a Modern vision for Fiqh ranking Kuwait official and religious schol- In related news, President of Kuwait- ar. The affirmation came in a paper pre- based International Islamic Charitable sented by Dr Mohammad Al-Tabtabaei, Organization (IICO) Dr Abdullah Al- Chairman of the Kuwaiti Fatwa Committee Maatouq called Sunday for introducing a for Personal Status, to the 30th session of modern vision for Fiqh rulings that would the supreme conference for Islamic affairs. adapt to the modern state. Fiqh, or Islamic Good citizenship is in harmony with the jurisprudence, vis-a-vis the modern Islamic Sharia (law), Dr Al-Tabtabaei says national state that deal with citizenship, in the paper. He warned in this respect of democracy, freedom, woman, co-existence misconceptions about nationalism, cau- and selection of the ruler has been static, tioned against fanaticism and degradation Al-Maatouq, also Amiri Diwan Advisor and of peoples of different views, doctrines and UN Secretary General’s special advisor, civilizations. said in remarks at a 30th conference of Both the homeland and our religion are Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs. revered and there is no contradiction by In order for the Islamic Fiqh to improve, being faithful to the two, he opines, also he said, was through its ability to combine drawing the attention to the fact that the core values and modern reality. The confer- Islamic Sharia “guides patriotism.” The asser- ees were discussing Fiqh rulings related to tion by the ranking Kuwaiti scholar came the modern vision of the building of a state. amid spread of extremism in some parts of Deputy Grand Mufti of Al-Quds and Arab and Islamic countries. Many militants, Palestine Ibrahim Awadhallah said Islam especially those belonging to notorious and defined the state as a “civilian state imple- shadowy groups, advocate anti-establish- menting Islamic Sharia rules, and the consen- ment and anti-State norms and thoughts. sus on the selection of the leader.” — KUNA Kuwait, IAEA to sign cooperation agreements

VIENNA: Kuwait is set to sign two coop- eration agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), during the agency’s general conference held in Vienna. One of the agreements involve safety, nuclear security, food, agriculture, water resources, energy and industry, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Envoy to the United Nations Sadiq Marafi told KUNA yesterday. He added that they will also sign an agreement on protecting marine environment and another one on using nuclear technology. Meanwhile, the ambassador noted that Kuwait is highly cooperating with the agency to enable the country to use nuclear power and boost the performance Kuwait’s Ambassador to Austria Sadiq Marafi of governmental bodies. — KUNA Kuwait Fund approves $23m loan for Ghana road repair

KUWAIT: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) signed a loan deal worth KD 7 million (USD 23.8 million) for the rehabilitation of hundreds of kilometers of roads in Ghana. The deal also aims to keep the impoverished nation’s economy afloat through improving infrastructure, the Kuwait-based fund said in a statement yes- terday. Large swathes of roads in Ghana’s capital Accra are in shambles and proper infrastructure not only ensures seamless traffic but also makes life easier for Ghanaians, added the statement. The deal follows 10 previous loans the Gulf state has provided Ghana, targeting crucial sectors running the gamut from healthcare and edu- cation to energy, it revealed. — KUNA 4 Local Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: Clear skies above the skyline of Kuwait City. — KUNA Bayt.com’s future of work report predicts jobs in Kuwait to rise in next 10 years 90% of Kuwait professionals feel confident and excited about the future of work

KUWAIT: Nearly four in five recruiters in the Middle East The future of skills nology to create extraordinary products, services, and applicants is likely to improve using Applicant Tracking say that the hiring process is going to change in the future, and qualifications experiences that were previously impossible. As technolo- Systems (ATS). 81% of recruiters also suggest that the according to new research by Bayt.com and YouGov. Kuwaiti companies favor gy is augmenting and enhancing jobs in Kuwait, about future of hiring will rely more on automation, Artificial Nearly nine in 10 say the process will be fully online, sig- employees with both inter- 86% of the respondents believe that the demand of soft- Intelligence, and analytics. nificantly faster, and more reliant on artificial intelligence, personal and technical skills. ware engineers is likely to increase over the next 10 years “What’s most amazing is that the future is already here. automation, and people analytics. Results show that while soft along with demand for directors, project managers, system Even today, thousands of organizations in the MENA use At the same time, the great majority of Kuwait respon- skills such as time manage- administrators and designers. Bayt.com’s ATS solution Talentera, streamlining their dents (90%) feel either “confident” about the future of ment (96%), teamwork Employers in Kuwait could grow and broaden recruitment process from A-to-Z,” Tahboub said. “We are work and believe they will be successful or they feel (92%) and communication employee’s skills, not just through formal learning but also heavily working on AI-powered interview tech of the “excited” and see a world full of possibilities. 8% (95%) are considered the by being exposed to a myriad of new jobs and roles future, where our Evalufy product helps hiring managers expressed that they are “worried” about what the future most important today, 45% inside the company to increase their engagement levels assess the sentiment of candidates using AI.” might hold, while only 2% were “uninterested”, saying they believe that both technical while stemming job hopping. When it came to getting On the jobseeker’s end, considering an increased need don’t think too far ahead. Omar Tahboub, GM, Bayt.com and soft skills will be equally transferred to another job or department when the for reliable information from the frontlines of change - Bayt.com, the Middle East’s leading career site, and important 10 years from now. demand for a current job role decreases, respondents respondents believe that online job boards and career YouGov, a global pioneer in online market research, On the other hand, two in five respondents (44%) believe were split on how easy or difficult that task is. Tahboub websites (48%) and social and professional networks that technical skills will become more important. released the results of the Future of Work in the MENA added: “Company management must take a leadership (48%) will be the most reliable job seeking sources in the Organizations in Kuwait are focusing on strategically 2019 report, based on a study amongst nearly 5,000 role in understanding the future of work and how to future. Interestingly, only about one third of the respon- recruiting and retaining for a skilled workforce. According employers and working professionals in the region. The create a culture which is both personalized and dents (27%) consider company website to be more reli- to respondents, computer skills (92%), creative thinking survey revealed a variety of insights on the skills employ- (93%) and communication (91%) will be the top skills for embraces career mobility and provides easy access to able in the future. ees must have to be competitive today, the most significant jobseekers in the next 10 years -followed by job-specific on-demand learning.” Kerry Mclaren at YouGov said: “Throughout the changes driven by technology, the most effective ways to skills (89%), teamwork (85%), time management (87%), MENA region, organizations share common challenges in hire and develop talent as well as the future of job seeking. adaptability (84%) and people management (83%). The future of recruitment terms of managing the hiring process within the evolving “We’re really excited about this survey and its bright From a hiring perspective, previous job experience Interestingly, a whopping 95% of Kuwait recruiters work landscape .A particular focus of our new survey with results on current and future employment,” said Omar (92%) and CV presentation (78%) are considered as the agree that online job sites and professional platforms Bayt.com is on arriving at a better understanding of the Tahboub, General Manager, Bayt.com. “Bayt.com was start- most important factors in finding qualified people. Degree will dominate and be the most popular recruiting tools potential of new technologies, methods and skills that will ed in the year 2000 at a time when there was a very limited specialization, diversity and cultural fit also play a major within 10 years. The pace of change is only expected to vastly improve the job quality and productivity of profes- number of people with access to the Internet in the Arab role in hiring decisions. 10 years from now, Kuwait respon- accelerate further - nearly four in five recruiters believe sionals in the future. The findings will be extremely useful world. Today, we are at the forefront of innovation in tech- dents say that previous job experience (80%) will contin- that the hiring process is likely to change in the next 10 to businesses, individuals, and governments alike.” nology, having won many awards. In the past two decades, ue to be the topmost factor influencing hiring, followed years. 88% of Kuwait respondents agree that managing Data for the Future of Work in the MENA 2019 survey we’ve helped millions of people find jobs and we look for- closely by specialization of the candidate (73%) and CV the employer’s brand and reputation will be critical for was collected online from June 20 to July 10, 2019. Results ward to helping millions more in the future. We’re really presentation (69%). attracting talent. are based on a sample of 4,803 respondents from the fol- excited to see what the future of work will bring. We have Compared to traditional methods, Kuwait recruiters lowing countries: UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, so many plans to bring together technology, AI, and people The future of job roles have huge hopes for AI and technology in the hiring Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, to drive experiences and intelligence in the hiring process. “ Organizations of the future will increasingly use tech- process. 84% of recruiters agree that response time to Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, and others.

Kuwait bourse benchmark ends KUCS employed 752 Monday’s trading illegal residents in red zone by end of 2018 KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Union of Cooperative KUWAIT: Boursa Kuwait ended trading yesterday in Societies (KUCS) announced yesterday that the red zone as the Premier Market Index went down the number of illegal residents employed in the by 133.93 points to 6,100 points. Main Market Index union is 752 employees by the end of 2018. went down by 6.71 points to 4,726 points, and the KUCS head of the committee for Media and Share Market Index also dropped by 92.52 points to Public Relations Salah Al-Azmi told KUNA stand at 5,632. Stock volume was 159 million shares, in that Saad Al-Abdullah Cooperative Society 7,285 dealings, valued at KD 42,975,363.963 million. ranked first hiring 112 of illegal residents, fol- The exchange rates of the US Dollar and the Euro lowed by Jaber Al-Ahmad Cooperative were stable at KD 0.303 and KD 0.336 Sunday, said Society, 47 employees, and Al-Naseem with the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) yesterday. The 42 employees. CBK added, in its bulletin, that the British Pound Al-Azmi added that Al-Andalus and Al- Sterling was down to KD 0.378; however, the Swiss Franc was up to KD 0.307. The Japanese Yen KUWAIT: Al-Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khaled Al- Chairman of the Regional Social Responsibility Network Raq’ei came fourth with 37 employees, Al- remained the same at KD 0.002. Sabah addresses the conference. — KUNA photos speaks at the conference. Jahraa, 34, and Al-Sulaibiya, 33. Al-Azmi not- Elsewhere, OPEC daily basket price stood at USD ed number of cooperative societies employ- 60.02 a barrel last Friday, compared with USD 60.51 ing illegal residents has reached 46. He per barrel the previous day, OPEC said yesterday. The praised continuous cooperation between the OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up Ahmadi Governor honored Central Agency and the Federation, and of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol efforts exerted to ensure success in the (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), Zafiro KUWAIT: A conference about “social responsibility ity.” Sheikh Fawaz, in a statement while he was being recruitment mechanism, adding that the at Islamic banks,” currently held in Kuwait, on yester- honored, called on all local development stakeholders (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy directives of President Saleh Al-Fudhala day granted Al-Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al- to join hands for serving national economic, social (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait urged to take such measures, in securing a Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light Khaled Al-Sabah the title, “international ambassador and environmental affairs. The conference is co- job opportunity for illegal residents, espe- (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) for social responsibility.” This came during the open- organized by the Arab Planning Institute, Regional and Merey (Venezuela). — KUNA ing of the fourth session, themed “banking leadership Social Responsibility Network and Al-Baraka cially in the cooperative sector. and its role in boosting practice of social responsibil- Banking Group. 5 Local Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Kuwait govt forms committee to address contracts’ shortcomings

KUWAIT: Kuwait cabinet yesterday formed a commit- Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also briefed the executives tee tasked with addressing shortcomings occurring in about the outcome of yesterday’s urgent meeting of government contracts as well as remarks by auditing Foreign Ministers of OIC member countries, who cate- authorities, a senior official said. The committee, gorically rejected Israeli announcement of annexing the chaired by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Jordan Valley, north of the Dead Sea and settlements in Maryam Al-Aqeel and consists of experts, will table the occupied West Bank. The foreign ministers, said proposals aimed at speeding up the process of signing Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, considered the Israeli contracts which will contribute to rapid implementation announcement a blatant violation of international law, of projects, Deputy Premier and Minister of State for UN Charter and UN resolutions. Cabinet Affairs, Acting Ministers of Interior and They called on the UN Security Council, interna- Finance, Anas Al-Saleh said in a statement. He said His tional courts and global organizations to confront this Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al- illegitimate colonial policy. The cabinet, turning to Hamad Al-Sabah, who chaired the cabinet meeting, domestic affairs, approved a nuclear energy agreement instructed a quicker implementation of development with the European Union, and an agreement with Iraq projects through swift procedures that would make on avoiding dual taxation and preventing tax evasion sure deadlines were met. on income capital. The government commended the Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Ministry of Health for taking legal action against people and acting Defense Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- in Kuwait Health Office in Frankfurt, Germany, who Hamad Al-Sabah briefed the cabinet about his recent were accused of mismanagement. The government visit to Saudi Arabia where he delivered a letter from assigned the Ministry of Public Works to update the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- cabinet in two weeks about the construction of Kuwait Jaber Al-Sabah to King Salman bin Abdulaziz over a International Airport’s Terminal Two (T2) and relocation host of issues. of Abdullah Al-Mubarak Airbase. — KUNA KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister during the weekly meeting. — KUNA

Students, parents protest against school fees

KUWAIT: A number of private school students and their education directorate and only then can they legally parents recently demonstrated outside their school in increase their fees. protest towards the increasing of the school’s tuition fees as a result of upgrading the school category from B to A, University expansion said informed educational sources. It is also worth noting Drake & Scull International Company announced that the charity fund only pays the fees for needy stu- concluding the first phase of a project to expand the dents in category B schools while parents have to pay Sabah Al-Salem University campus in Kuwait, adding that the difference in category A schools. Furthermore, the the second phase of the project is expected to be conclud- sources added that private schools can be upgraded ed by the end of this year. Drake & Scull added one of its once they meet certain conditions set by the private subsidiary companies in Kuwait has taken over the project.

Municipality campaign in West Abu Fateera

By Hanan Al-Saadoun ments on state property, removing random signs and making sure all safety licenses and storages were in KUWAIT: Municipality public relations said Mubarak order. The campaign was led by Mubarak Al-Kabeer Al-Kabeer branch carried out an intensive campaign in Branch Director Fahd Al-Khrainej and accompanied by occupational West Abu Fateera. The campaign was other officials. He said some stores were closed adminis- aimed at implementing the law and removing encroach- tratively and road occupancy violations were checked.

MoH reshuffles its central directorates

By Meshaal Al-Enezi manager, Ibrahim Nather as health insurance department manager, Eid Al-Mutari as purchases manager, Dr KUWAIT: Health Minister Dr. Basel Al-Sabah yesterday Abdullah Al-Sane’ as manager of the medical responsibili- conducted a partial reshuffling in some central direc- ty department, Nawaf Al-Thafieri as administrative affairs torates in the Ministry of Health, said informed sources. manager at Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations, The sources explained that the reshuffling included Dr Saad Al-Zanki as head of the internal medicine depart- appointing Elham Akbar as manager of the assessment ment at the Amiri hospital and Dr Hessa Al-Kandary as department, Eman Qayem as manpower development head of the pediatrics department. InternationalEstablished 1961 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 Johnson the Brexit’s ‘Hulk’ finally meets EU’s Juncker Lilly, Thailand’s Greta Thunberg, wages ‘war’ on plastic Page 9 Page 8

SRINAGAR: Shaheena (2nd left), the mother of 17-year-old Asrar Khan cries with relatives as they look at picture of the youth, who she says died a month after being fired upon and seriously injured by Indian paramilitary soldiers, in Srinagar. -— AFP Screams in the night in Indian Kashmir

‘It’s better to die with a bullet than undergo such torture’

HIRPORA: The soldiers came after mid- the other part of the region - has killed tens But people in Hirpora say they often hear night, Abid Khan says, his hands trembling, of thousands since 1989, mostly civilians. screams from the army camp at night. Three one of around two dozen young men in just “I kept repeating that was not true,” other villagers said they were also tortured. one part of Kashmir who say they have Khan said. “Then they gave me electric In total, around two dozen young men in been tortured by the Indian army. The shocks again on my wounds. One of them the villages of Shopian told similar stories. alleged abuse, residents say, is aimed at said ‘I will make you impotent’.” After being “The army is making examples of two or creating a climate of fear after India released at dawn and barely able to stand, three young men from each village,” said stripped the long-restive, blood-soaked Khan says he kept vomiting for 10 days and one resident of Shopian who has compiled Himalayan region of its autonomy on only managed to start moving around again a list. The pattern is often of soldiers raiding August 5. after 20 days. “I can’t eat properly any- homes, taking identity cards and mobiles Khan, 26, from Hirpora village in Shopian more,” he said. “I don’t go into the room my and telling young men to report to the district, says he was dragged out and blind- wife sleeps in anymore... It’s better to die camps to retrieve them. folded along with his brother, who has with a bullet than undergo such torture.” One 21-year-old, who declined to be learning difficulties, on August 14. “They named but shared with AFP photos of his gave electric shocks to my brother right on ‘People-friendly’ wounds, said he has reported to the Pahnoo the road outside. I heard him scream New Delhi says its Kashmir lockdown camp three times since August 27 and was painfully,” Khan told AFP, showing marks on since last month, with mobile service and the abused each time. An officer accused of him his arms, legs and buttocks. internet still snapped in most areas, is to pre- of giving food to rebels and then offered Once inside the nearby Chowgam army vent “terrorists” backed by Islamabad from him money for information, he said. Another camp, Khan said soldiers stripped him tied stirring up trouble. India’s national security time, he was grilled about a former class- HIRPORA: Abid Khan, 26, shows marks of torture on his leg during an interview with AFP at up his legs and wrists, suspended him and advisor has denied that the military has com- mate who is now a militant. “They gave me Hirpora village in Shopian district. — AFP beat him with rods. The camp major, Khan mitted any atrocities, a statement echoed by electric shocks inside a dark room for about said, accused him of inviting Riyaz Naikoo Colonel Rajesh Kalia, an army spokesman in two hours,” the man said, showing scars on to retrieve his ID and phone on August 26. security forces. Sajjad Hyder Khan, a local from Hizbul Mujahideen - one of several Kashmir. “All counter-terrorist operations his forearm. “Eight soldiers kept beating me with rods official in Pinjoora village told AFP he has militant groups fighting Indian rule - to his are conducted in the most professional and for a long time. Before they let me go, they seen a list of 1,800 people detained by recent marriage. An uprising in Indian people-friendly manner. Allegations of man- ‘Come back with names’ asked me to come back with names of police and soldiers from Shopian alone, Kashmir - backed New Delhi says by handling leveled against the army are com- Obaid Khan, also 21, from Gugloora vil- stone throwers in my village,” he said, one of the four districts in the southern Pakistan which since 1947 has controlled pletely baseless,” Kalia said. lage said he had to go to the same camp referring to protesters who clash with Kashmir Valley. — AFP

or to set up a tribunal, like for the former Yugoslavia and structure is also vulnerable to cyber attacks. In 2012, 600,000 Rohingya Rwanda. It said it had a confidential list of more than 100 Attacks expose Aramco was among the firms hit by Shamoon, an names, including officials, suspected of being involved in aggressive disc-wiping malware, in what is believed to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, in addi- be the country’s worst cyber attack yet. Muslims at serious tion to the six generals named publicly last year. threat to Saudi The report also repeated calls for foreign governments Desalination plants ‘risk of genocide’ and companies to sever all business ties with the military, infrastructure Desalination plants provide more than 70 percent urging a “moratorium” on investment and development of the kingdom’s drinking water, according to official YANGON: Rohingya Muslims remaining in Myanmar still assistance in Rakhine state. The maligned Muslim commu- RIYADH: The strike on Saudi oil infrastructure high- figures. Ras al-Khair, the world’s largest desalination face a “serious risk of genocide”, UN investigators said nity has long been subjected to tight movement restric- lights the easy vulnerability of such facilities even as plant located on the kingdom’s Gulf coast, is an obvi- yesterday, warning the repatriation of a million already tions, making it difficult or impossible to access healthcare, the kingdom has splurged billions on sophisticated ous target. The kingdom’s water supply could be driven from the country by the army remains “impossi- work and education. The Rohingya are denied citizenship defense hardware. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels severely affected in the event of a major attack on the ble”. The fact-finding mission to Myanmar, set up by the in Buddhist-majority Myanmar and are accused of being claimed responsibility for the weekend assault, saying plant. “Cyber attacks also present a serious threat to Human Rights Council, last year branded the army opera- illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh. they sent a swarm of drones far across the border, but Saudi desalination plants like Ras al-Khair,” the CSIS tions in 2017 as “genocide” and called for the prosecution The army justified the crackdown as a means of rooting Washington has squarely blamed Iran. Here is a round- report said. of top generals, including army chief Min Aung Hlaing. out Rohingya insurgents. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed up of the nation’s key infrastructure potentially Some 740,000 Rohingya fled burning villages, bringing a repatriation deal two years ago, but virtually no refugees exposed to attacks: Electrical grid accounts of murder, rape and torture over the border to have returned to date. The investigators described condi- Saudi Arabia’s electrical grid has struggled to keep sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, where survivors of tions in Myanmar as “unsafe, unsustainable and impossi- Oil facilities pace with the demands of its rising population and previous waves of persecution already languished. But in a ble” for returns to take place. Nearly 130,000 Rohingya Saudi Aramco, the world’s biggest energy compa- industrial infrastructure. An attack on the oil and gas damning report, the United Nations team said the 600,000 have been trapped in camps in central Rakhine since a pre- ny, operates Ghawar and Safaniyah, two of its biggest industry could severely impact the electrical grid as Rohingya still inside Myanmar’s Rakhine state remain in vious bout of violence seven years ago. oil fields. While its oil wells, scattered over a vast the kingdom is largely dependent on hydrocarbons as deteriorating and “deplorable” conditions. Described as “open-air prisons” by Amnesty geographical area, may be a difficult target, its vari- fuel for the electricity sector. Its network of transform- “Myanmar continues to harbor genocidal intent and the International, people there remain reliant on humanitarian ous oil processing facilities are more exposed. The ers and substations are vulnerable to explosive attacks, Rohingya remain under serious risk of genocide,” the aid and are rarely granted permission to leave. Those out- Abqaiq facility-one of the two sites targeted on the CSIS report said. The electrical system can also be investigators said in their final report on Myanmar, due to side the camps fare little better, needing special authoriza- Saturday-is the “most vulnerable” among them, the disrupted by cyber attacks, it added. be presented today in Geneva. The country is “denying tion - and often hefty bribes - to leave their village bound- Washington-based Center for Strategic and wrongdoing, destroying evidence, refusing to conduct aries. Their homes flattened by bulldozers and land com- International Studies (CSIS) said in a report. The Industrial control systems effective investigations and clearing, razing, confiscating mandeered, refugees in Bangladesh fear they will be sub- Abqaiq plant is the world’s largest oil processing Industrial control interfaces that help regulate and building on land from which it displaced Rohingya”, it jected to the same, or even worse, treatment if they return facility, with a capacity of more than seven million large-scale infrastructure such as gas pipelines, trans- said. Rohingya were living in “inhumane” conditions, the to the processing camps built by Myanmar. barrels per day, according to the company. portation systems and power transmission networks report continued, adding more than 40,000 structures had The UN team also accused the army of fresh “war Aramco’s vast system of pipelines, pumping stations are also potentially at risk, the CSIS report said. “All of been destroyed in the 2017 crackdown. crimes”, including forced labor and torture, against civilians and its ports along the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea are these components may be vulnerable to attack by in the north of Rakhine state. The area has once again also vulnerable to potential attacks. The Houthis direct human interference such as the deployment of ‘War crimes’ become embroiled in conflict as the military wages war on claimed their drones targeted two oil pumping stations malware in the master unit or by poor design or con- The mission reiterated calls for the UN Security Council the Arakan Army (AA), rebels fighting for the rights of eth- on Saudi Arabia’s key east-west pipeline in May, shut- figuration, which opens up the system to remote cyber to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC) nic Rakhine Buddhists. — AFP ting it down for several days. The nation’s oil infra- exploitation,” the report said. — AFP Established 1961 7 International Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Islamic State fills the void in Nigeria as soldiers retreat to ‘super camps’ New strategy affecting access by aid workers to some areas

ABUJA: When Islamic State gunmen stormed the and establish an Islamic caliphate. ter for humanitarian actors,” one foreign security official ty adviser at an international aid organization said a northeast Nigerian town of Magumeri on the night of The group, whose unofficial name means “Western said. The population of towns being abandoned by the major goal of the new large bases was damage control, August 21, they had free rein. Nigerian soldiers had left education is forbidden”, held territory the size of military is a combined 223,000 people, according to one rather than going on the offensive. “It is to consolidate the town earlier that month under a new strategy of Belgium in 2014 but a multinational offensive recap- of the aid agency briefing notes. all of the strength in one place to prevent them being withdrawing to “super camps” that can be more easily tured much of it the following year. The group split in The military departures so far have cut off more overrun every week,” the adviser said. He said the areas defended against insurgents the army has been strug- 2016 and the faction that has been the greater threat than 100,000 people from aid and if more soldiers go, vacated were being filled by insurgents and that would gling to contain for a decade. Unchallenged, the ever since won the recognition of Islamic State. The as many as 121,000 other civilians could flee their make it harder for the military to re-enter, leaving civil- Islamist militants torched a clinic in Magumeri, ran- decade of war has killed more than 30,000 civilians towns, one aid agency briefing note said. “The impact ians vulnerable. sacked government buildings and looted shops before and spawned what the United Nations calls one of the will be one of continued skirmishes - soldiers under Those concerns were echoed by the governor of returning to another town they had raided that night world’s worst humanitarian crises, which foreign nations constant strain to deal with the insurgency where Borno - the birthplace of Boko Haram and the state called Gubio, residents said. are trying to contain with billions of dollars of aid. But Islamic State and Boko Haram dictate the momentum,” worst hit by the insurgency. Governor Babagana Umara The new military strategy announced by President the crisis shows no sign of abating. said Jasmine Opperman, a terrorism expert based in Zulum told reporters last month that recent attacks were Muhammadu Buhari in July to concentrate soldiers in big South Africa. It’s not yet clear how many “super the result of a “serious vacuum” following the withdrawal bases is designed to give troops a secure platform from ‘It’s a mess’ camps” the army plans to set up, where they will be of soldiers. Islamic State is also using its newfound free- which they can respond quickly to threats in the region The army’s withdrawal into large bases has coincided nor how many soldiers each will hold. dom to woo locals. Drained by the decade-long conflict, and raid militant camps. People familiar with the mili- with a string of insurgent raids on newly unprotected some are open to moving into areas controlled by the tary’s thinking and security officials, however, say the towns and has left the militants free to set up check- ‘Here to protect you’ insurgents where life can be more stable, residents said. new tactic for fighting Islamic State’s West Africa branch points on roads as they roam more freely across the The new strategy follows a series of setbacks for the Before hitting Magumeri last month, the militants had and Boko Haram is mainly an attempt to stem casualties. countryside, according to three briefing notes from an army which has failed to keep a tight grip on territory it passed through the town of Gubio, some 40 km to the The military did not respond to requests for more international aid and development organisation, two has clawed back since 2015. Last year, insurgents north. There, an Islamic State fighter led evening prayers details about its strategy or the impact it will have on security officials and residents. That has left thousands of repeatedly overran smaller bases and sent soldiers and followed by a sermon, according to six residents. “We the region. “We strongly believe the days of BH (Boko civilians without access to aid, according to the briefing tens of thousands of people fleeing from larger towns. are here to protect you, not to harm any one of you,” the Haram) moving freely and passing in between static notes seen by Reuters. Security experts put the military death toll since June IS fighter told residents. “Those with uniforms are your defensive locations are over,” Major General Olusegun Soldiers are no longer protecting some key roads, 2018 at anywhere from hundreds of soldiers to in enemies, and we are here to deal with them and their Adeniyi, who commands the anti-insurgency opera- cutting off access for humanitarians workers as more of excess of 1,000. supporters. You should feel free.” Rather than flee to a tion, told reporters last month. Boko Haram launched the region falls under the sway of the insurgents, aid and The military has not released casualty figures but government-controlled city such as Borno state’s capital an insurgency in 2009 to overthrow the government security sources said. “It’s a mess, militarily, and a disas- denies that many soldiers have been killed. One securi- Maiduguri, many Gubio residents stayed. —Reuters

the violence of the second Palestinian More Palestinians uprising, or intifada, and Palestinians need an Israeli permit to cross. find Israeli work In 2015, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed a govern- East Libyan forces ment seen as the most rightwing in despite conflict Israel’s history, around 45,000 NILIN: Economic growth in Israel and Palestinians had Israeli work permits, carry out air strike chronic unemployment in the occupied according to official Palestinian figures. West Bank is seeing more Palestinians Four years on that number is around on central city cross to the “enemy” side seeking work. 85,000, the overwhelming majority from The numbers have almost doubled in five the occupied West Bank. Tens of thou- BENGHAZI: Eastern Libyan forces have mounted an sands of others have permits to work in years and even another right wing victo- air strike on the central city of Sirte held by the inter- Israeli settlements or sneak into Israel ry in today’s elections is unlikely to nationally recognized government, an official and and work illegally, Palestinian officials change that. “All the governments came residents said, widening a conflict engulfing the capi- estimate. Israelis see the arrangement as and went and we went to work, whether tal Tripoli. Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan a win-win. Palestinian officials accuse with a permit or by smuggling,” 58-year- National Army (LNA) force has been trying since the Jewish state of suppressing their April to take Tripoli, which is held by the internation- old construction worker Naji economy and sucking up their labor to ally recognized government, with a ground campaign Mohammed said. cut costs. supported by air strikes. He has been working in Israel for NILIN: Palestinian workers return home after finishing a work-day in Israel, after The campaign has displaced more than 120,000 nearly 20 years to support his nine- $50 more crossing from an Israeli security checkpoint near the Palestinian town of Nilin, people in Tripoli alone, killed hundreds of civilians, member family. “No government has Israel did not confirm the exact fig- west of Ramallah. —AFP and risks disrupting oil supplies from the country in affected our work.” In the late afternoon ures, but said the number of permits for chaos since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. at the Nilin checkpoint, west of the West employment in Israel had risen 160 per- There have been LNA-claimed strikes in recent days Bank city of Ramallah, salesmen flog cent since 2012. Buffeted by strong eco- Working inside Israel was for a long right Israeli government. “I have concerns. on Sirte, some 450km by road east of Tripoli, but goods to the hundreds of Palestinians nomic growth in recent years, Israel has time controversial for Palestinians, There are some parties, especially from mainly on the outskirts, residents said. returning from a day’s work. seen a boost in demand for affordable viewed as accepting Israeli occupation, the Israeli right, with demands and opin- Haftar, who is allied to an eastern parallel adminis- tration, might be trying to shift the frontline from Sirte Most didn’t want to talk politics for labor, particularly in construction. but has become more normalized in ions which affect the status of Palestinian fear of jeopardizing their permits. Israel recent years. Employment in settlements workers,” he said. Rami Mahdawi, a sen- away from Tripoli where he has been unable to breach Workers typically earn between $70 and the city’s defenses and even lost his main forward base occupied the West Bank in a 1967 war. $100 per day working in Israel or in set- in the West Bank, however, remains a ior official at the Palestinian Labor More than 400,000 Israelis now live in taboo, with Palestinians typically wary of Ministry, was skeptical. He said the Israeli in Gharyan, said Emad Badi, a Libya researcher. Such tlements, compared to just $20-$30 with a move would also pre-empt attacks on the main LNA the territory with roughly 2.7 million Palestinian companies, workers said. publicly admitting such employment. occupation of the West Bank undermined Israelis go to the polls today, with the Palestinian economy, forcing people supply base in Jufra, a central oasis, which the Tripoli Palestinians, living in settlements consid- With unemployment rates in the West forces have attacked by air, said Badi, a non-resident ered illegal under international law. The Bank at around 18 percent, according to rightwing Prime Minister Benjamin to seek work in Israel. “The first and last Netanyahu seeking a sixth term. beneficiary of the (Palestinian) labor force scholar at the Middle East Institute. Jewish state began construction of a the World Bank, the revenue is vital for The Sirte strike hit a building near a feedstock Yousef Al-Naasan, 63, does fear a far- is Israel.” —AFP barrier cutting off the West Bank during many families. plant where the a local force securing Sirte is based, which an LNA official said had been targeted. The Tripoli-based government also said on Facebook that Netanyahu, Gantz using a combination of warnings he drones operated by the United Arab Emirates had could lose and a flurry of announce- carried out strikes against the positions of a force ments welcomed by right-wing national- allied to it. The UAE has been backing the LNA spur supporters on ists, key to his re-election campaign. On alongside Egypt, according to UN reports, but nei- Sunday night, he went as far as to cancel ther country has confirmed this. Turkey is backing tense Israeli polls his appearance at the final rally for his the Tripoli forces. right-wing Likud party, saying he was JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister instead holding an “emergency consulta- Working airport Benjamin Netanyahu and his main oppo- tion”, warning the potential of low Mitiga airport, the only working airport in Tripoli, nent Benny Gantz sought to galvanize turnout could lead to his defeat. was also targeted in the early hours of Monday, an supporters yesterday on the eve of a For Israelis, it was a familiar tactic eastern military source told Reuters. It has been tense election with the political fate of that Netanyahu has used repeatedly in closed for two weeks due to continued air strikes. the country’s longest-serving premier in the past - though this time the risk may Haftar and his backers say they are trying to free the the balance. The vote today will be be greater since voter fatigue could play capital from armed groups which they blame for Israel’s second in five months after a role due to the repeat election. He has destabilizing Libya since the fall of Gaddafi in a Netanyahu suffered one of the biggest also hit on his other campaign themes: NATO-backed uprising. defeats of his political career when he portraying himself as Israel’s essential Haftar’s critics accuse him of trying to seize power through a military coup, deepening a conflict between failed to form a coalition after April polls. leader, dismissing his main opponents as factions based in the east and west of the sprawling “weak” and “left” despite their security Opinion polls indicate another tight North African country. Sirte, Gaddafi’s birth place, was race that may see ex-defense minister credentials, and highlighting Israel’s eco- This combo photo shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and a stronghold for Islamic State militants until Tripoli- Avigdor Lieberman, Netanyahu’s former nomic growth. forces backed by US airstrikes expelled the group in right-hand man who is now a rival, play a retired Israeli general Benny Gantz, one of the leaders of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) political alliance. —AFP December 2016. The coastal city lies at the unofficial kingmaker role with his campaign to ‘Historic change’ border of areas of influence of the Tripoli forces in “make Israel normal again.” The slogan is Netanyahu has issued a controversial western Libya and the LNA controlling the east. a reference to what the staunch secular- pledge to annex the Jordan Valley in the coordination with US President Donald of the Jewish people and the state of The LNA suffered a setback when two command- ist says is the undue influence on politics occupied West Bank if he wins - a third Trump, whose long-awaited peace plan Israel,” Netanyahu wrote in Maariv ers of an allied force in the town of Tarhouna south- of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties. of the territory. He says he would then is expected to be released after the newspaper, which gave space to both of east of Tripoli got killed late on Friday. Tarhouna is the Netanyahu has spent recent days move to impose Israeli sovereignty over vote. “We find ourselves at the high the main candidates to spell out their main forward base from where arms and troops arrive seeking to boost turnout among his base, settlements in the wider West Bank in point of an historic change in the history positions. —AFP from the east after the force lost Gharyan, a town some 70 km south of Tripoli, late in June. Air strikes Damascus with an operation that capped a have increased in recent weeks as both sides try to A year on, is Sochi years-old siege. With around three million gain territory ahead of a conference Germany is plan- people living in the Idlib region, the aid ning to bring together the main foreign powers active in Libya. —Reuters deal on Idlib dead? community feared an offensive would trig- ger death and displacement on a scale yet BEIRUT: A deal Moscow and Ankara unseen this century. The truce deal provid- reached last year on Syria’s Idlib region ed for a horseshoe-shaped demilitarized was meant to prevent a bloodbath, but zone to isolate the jihadist-dominated bas- bombardment since late April has claimed tion from government-held areas. a mounting death toll. Most of the main The buffer zone loosely followed the objectives of the deal have not been borders of Idlib province, straddling sliv- reached. But as the Russian, Turkish and ers of the neighboring provinces of Iranian presidents meet in Ankara yester- Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. All fighters day, is the agreement for northwestern were to remove their heavy weapons Syria completely dead? while hardliners were to withdraw com- MAAR HITAT: A Turkish military convoy heads towards an observation point near Announced on September 17, 2018 in batants altogether from the demilitarized the town of Maar Hitat in Syria’s northern Idlib province. —AFP the Russian resort of Sochi, the agreement zone, which was due to be patrolled by was ostensibly presented as a way of Russian and Turkish forces. The agree- TRIPOLI: A journalist covers the frontline during clashes averting an all-out government onslaught ment also stipulated that two key high- The only provision of the deal that Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham between forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar and fight- against the last major opposition bastion in ways running through the region - one was implemented was the removal of however refused to fully withdraw them- ers loyal to the Libyan internationally-recognized Syria. Months earlier, Russian-backed linking second city Aleppo to Damascus, heavy weapons from the buffer zone by selves and the buffer zone never became Government of National Accord (GNA), south of the Libyan capital Tripoli. —AFP regime forces had reconquered the the other to the port city of Latakia - jihadists and rebels by the end of a reality, with joint patrols also never Eastern Ghouta enclave on the outskirts of should be reopened by the end of 2018. October 2018. Jihadists including former materializing. —AFP 8 Tuesday, September 17, 2019 International Johnson the Brexit’s ‘Hulk’ finally meets EU’s Juncker Brexit deal is possible, British PM insists

LUXEMBOURG: British Prime Minister Boris Finland’s European affairs minister, Tytti a third time. “Be in no doubt that if we cannot Johnson met EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker for Tuppurainen, who was chairing an EU minis- get a deal-the right deal for both sides-then talks yesterday insisting a Brexit deal is possi- terial meeting in Brussels, gave a more down- the UK will come out anyway,” Johnson said, ble, despite deep scepticism from European beat assessment, repeating the bloc’s long- writing in the Daily Telegraph yesterday. capitals with just six weeks to go before depar- standing complaint that London has simply ture day. After a weekend in which he compared not come up with detailed ideas for replacing ‘Hulk smash!’ himself to comic book super-smasher Hulk, the the so-called “Irish backstop” section of the A UK spokesman said that Britain would British leader will enjoy a genteel working lunch divorce deal. “The European Union is always refuse an extension even if one were offered. of snails and salmon in Luxembourg with the ready to negotiate when a proper proposal It is difficult, then, to see what might come EU Commission president. from the UK side is presented,” Tuppurainen from the lunch. There is no plan for a joint Downing Street has confidently billed the said. “So far I haven’t seen any proposal that statement, but Barnier will meet Britain’s Luxembourg visit as part of efforts to negoti- would compensate the backstop.” Brexit minister Stephen Barclay for separate ate an orderly divorce from the union before The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel discussions. Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, an October 17 EU summit. A UK spokesman Barnier, who joined the leaders for their talks Barclay indicated that any post-Brexit transi- said Johnson would tell Juncker that “progress in Juncker’s native Grand Duchy, said last tion period could be extended past 2020 in has been made, given that before the summer week he has “no reason to be optimistic”. The order to resolve issues with the border. recess many said reopening talks would not European Parliament will this week vote on a Johnson, meanwhile, compared himself to be possible. resolution rejecting Johnson’s demand that the Marvel comics hero Hulk, the rampaging “The UK needs to enact the referendum backstop clause be stripped from the deal. mutant alter-ego of a mild-mannered nuclear result and avoid another delay; the UK wants Johnson insists this measure, which temporari- scientist. “The madder Hulk gets, the stronger to deliver Brexit and move on to other priori- ly keeps the UK in the EU customs union, has Hulk gets and he always escaped, no matter ties, and EU member states’ leaders want to to go if he is to bring the agreement back to how tightly bound in he seemed to be,” renegotiate an orderly Brexit.” But Brussels the House of Commons. Johnson told the Mail on Sunday. Johnson’s has played down talk of a breakthrough, But the accord will also have to win the strategy faces resistance at home, where rebel insisting Johnson has yet to suggest any support of the other 27 EU leaders and the and opposition MPs have passed a law aimed “legally operable” proposal to revise a previ- European Parliament if Britain is not to crash at forcing him to seek a Brexit delay. LUXEMBOURG: EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker (left) welcomes British Prime ous withdrawal accord. As he shook hands out with no deal on October 31 - a scenario Britain’s Supreme Court will rule this week Minister Boris Johnson prior to their meeting yesterday in Luxembourg. — AFP with Johnson, Juncker declared himself “cau- that businesses warn would bring economic on a bid to overturn Johnson’s decision to sus- tiously optimistic” and insisted that “Europe chaos. Johnson, in turn, boasts that he would pend parliament and limit time to debate the Wednesday as MEPs vote to reaffirm and Juncker, Johnson is due to meet Luxembourg’s never loses patience” despite the tortuous rather be “dead in a ditch” than ask his crisis. Barnier will address the European reinforce the EU Brexit stance-and insist that Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. The pair will Brexit saga dragging on over three years. European counterparts to postpone Brexit for Parliament session in Strasbourg on the backstop must stay. After his lunch with hold a joint news conference. — AFP

News in brief attempt the perilous sea crossing were forcibly held until they the ground unconscious”, adding that he had “personally Italy arrests migrants’ could pay a ransom. Those interviewed said they had been witnessed many murders by electric shock”. Some “beaten with sticks, rifle butts, rubber pipes, whipped or giv- migrants died of hunger, according to another cited wit- 2 die in Bali boat accident en electric shocks”, and had seen other prisoners die, police ness, who described seeing a jailer “shoot a Nigerian in ‘torturers,’ denounce said. They had also been refused water or medical attention the legs for having taken a piece of bread”. JAKARTA: Two foreigners - a Brazilian and South for their wounds or for diseases contracted in the camp, they Libya, despite being wracked by chaos and conflict African - have died after their boat capsized in rough Libyan camp horrors said. Anyone unable to pay up was passed on to other traf- since the 2011 uprising that killed the dictator Muammar seas near Bali, the search-and-rescue agency said yes- fickers “for sexual and/or work exploitation”, or was killed. Gaddafi, has remained a major transit route for migrants, terday. The small tourist vessel flipped near the The testimonies were gathered from migrants spread in especially from sub-Saharan Africa. According to figures treacherous Devil’s Tear cove on Nusa Lembongan, ROME: Italian police arrested three people yesterday reception centers across Sicily and on the island of from the International Organization for Migration in July, east of the Indonesian holiday island. The boat’s pas- accused of the kidnap, torture and trafficking of migrants Lampedusa. “All the women who were with us... were sys- at least 5,200 people are currently trapped in official sengers, a 48-year-old Brazilian and a 43-year-old hoping to set sail from Libya to Europe. Their accusers tematically and repeatedly raped,” one witness was quot- detention centers in Libya, often in appalling conditions. South African, were declared dead in hospital, the described a catalogue of abuse including the systematic ed as saying. “They gave us seawater to drink and, some- There are no figures for the number of people held in agency said. The boat’s 35-year-old captain survived rape of women and the murder of some migrants. A 27- times, hard bread to eat. We men were beaten to get our illegal centers run by human traffickers, who brutally tor- with serious injuries, it added. Maritime accidents are year old man from Guinea and two Egyptians, aged 24 and relatives to pay sums of money in exchange for our ture them to try to extort money from their families. not uncommon in Indonesia, a Southeast Asian archi- 26, were taken into custody in a detention centre in release,” he said. “I saw the organizers shoot two migrants Italy’s tough line on migrants arriving from North Africa, pelago of some 17,000 islands where safety standards Messina, Sicily, after police gathered testimony against who had tried to escape”. and European Union cooperation with the Libyan coast- are often lax. — AFP them from other migrants. The arrested men had crossed guard, has seen some of those attempting the crossing the Mediterranean themselves, landing in Lampedusa ‘Shot for bread’ picked up at sea and returned to the chaos-wracked before being transferred to Sicily. Another said he was “whipped by electrical wires. country. The UN and aid groups have warned those Colombia plane crash kills 7 Witnesses said the three ran a prisoners’ camp in a for- Other times I was beaten, even around the head”. One sur- returned face rampant human rights abuses in both offi- mer military base in Zawyia in Libya, where those ready to vivor described how the electric shocks “made you fall to cial and illegal centers.— AFP BOGOTA: At least seven people were killed and anoth- er three injured when a small plane crashed in south- western Colombia on Sunday, a firefighter said. “Nine people were on board the plane. Seven died, while two are seriously injured,” Juan Carlos Ganan, the com- One possible culprit in vaping mander of firefighters in the area said. The third person injured was a child on the ground in the area where the lung illnesses: The ‘Dank Vapes’ plane crashed, Ganan said. Firefighters were trying to stop fuel leaking from the aircraft, Ganan added. The ILLINOIS: As US health officials scram- Essentials, according to the cached links, plane, which crashed at 2:11 pm, was headed from ble to identify the root cause of hundreds which are now defunct. Cart Essentials Popayan to Lopez de Micay, both in Cauca department. of severe lung illnesses tied to vaping, had 39 ratings this year, almost all of The cause of the crash was not known and an investiga- one possible culprit identified so far is a them five stars. The merchant did not tion was under way, Ganan said. — AFP line of illicit marijuana vape products sold immediately respond to a request for under the brand names “Dank Vapes” and comment sent via Amazon’s platform, “Chronic Carts.” A study published last and Reuters could not determine who Scores of sheep swept away week in the New England Journal of was behind the company. Medicine found that more than half of OSLO: Heavy rainfall in Norway has caused rivers to patients with the lung illness - 24 of 41 - What is it? overflow their banks, with a waterway in the west of the who were extensively interviewed in Marijuana extracts used in vaping country sweeping away more than 100 sheep, police Wisconsin and Illinois reported having “pens” have been one of the fastest- said yesterday. “Firefighters and police are now try- BIARRITZ: In this file photo, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and US President used the “Dank Vapes” brand. growing segments? of the cannabis ing to rescue stranded sheep,” More and Romsdal Donald Trump speak during a bilateral meeting in Biarritz. President Donald Trump will join The New York State Department of industry in recent years. It is an easy regional police wrote on Twitter. “Currently there are Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a massive gathering of Indian-Americans in Houston. — AFP Health identified “Dank Vapes” and way to use the product, can be con- reports of more than 100 sheep carried off by the “Chronic Carts” as products containing cealed, and users can better control how waters,” it added. “I have never experienced anything Vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent in much they take in, said David Downs, like this,” sheep farmer Harald Kragnes told the Prime Minister Imran Khan, that Modi had THC oil that has been a key focus in its California bureau chief for cannabis newspaper Verdens Gang. “There are many dead In a show of sought mediation on Kashmir, a flashpoint investigation into the illnesses. THC is the website Leafly.com. The category grew sheep floating down the river,” he added. Floods in for conflict between the nuclear-armed psychoactive compound in cannabis. from 2% of the legal market in 2014 to central Norway after a weekend of heavy rain and bond, Trump powers. India has for decades rejected any While Vitamin E acetate is often applied 16% last year, according to BDS winds have so far claimed no human victims. However outside role in Kashmir. Last month, India to skin or used as a dietary supplement, Analytics, an industry tracker. around 25 houses and a retirement home have been revoked Kashmir’s autonomous status and the US Food and Drug Administration has The “Dank Vapes” brand is an illicit cut off due to rising water levels, according to public to join Modi snapped communications for much of the warned against inhalation because “data product that uses diluted THC oil, broadcaster NRK. — AFP Muslim-majority region. India’s actions is limited about its effects” on the lungs. Downs said. Drug dealers, looking to in Houston rally drew criticism from the UN human rights The agency has advised consumers make as much money as possible, ?cut chief and rights groups, with Pakistan urg- to avoid vaping THC oils or using THC oil with Vitamin E acetate to dilute Russia deploys S-400 missiles ing pressure on India, although Trump has devices bought outside of stores. The it but make it still appear pure to con- WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump voiced support for Modi’s actions. US Centers for Disease Control and sumers, Downs said. “It can cut THC oil MOSCOW: Russia has placed S-400 missile defense will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Prevention (CDC), which is investigating while keeping it thick.” It is difficult to systems at the Novaya Zemlya archipelago as Moscow a massive gathering of Indian-Americans in Reaching across aisle 380 confirmed or probable cases of lung determine whether “Dank Vapes” is an seeks to increase its military presence in the Arctic, the Houston, the White House said Sunday, in a Trump and Modi have frequently drawn illnesses tied to vaping, said the condi- actual company or a brand used by mul- defense ministry said yesterday. The surface to air-mis- symbolic show of the bond between the comparisons to each other, with the two tion has not definitively been linked to a tiple operators. No one responded to sile regiment of the Northern Fleet’s air defense forces two leaders and countries. The September right-wing leaders elected on vows to pro- specific product or ingredient, including calls and emails sent to numbers and based on the archipelago’s southern Yuzhny Island has 22 rally - dubbed, with a touch of Texan mote the identity of the majority community. Vitamin E acetate. addresses listed on a website, been fully equipped with new S-400 systems, the fleet twang, “Howdy, Modi!” - will mark a rare But organizers hope to keep the September The CDC advises against using any dankvapes.org. said. The regiment was earlier equipped with S-300 joint appearance between a US president 22 rally non-partisan, with a cultural perform- e-cigarette or vaping products, since New York Governor Andrew Cuomo systems, a previous version of the missile. The S-400 is and a foreign leader before an ethnic com- ance planned and invited speakers including most of the patients interviewed used directed the state health department earli- one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the munity, and be the pair’s third meeting this Steny Hoyer, the number-two Democrat in the both THC and nicotine liquids, while 20 er this week to subpoena three companies world and can hit enemy targets at up to 400 kilome- year. Organizers say that more than 50,000 House of Representatives. The joint event percent used only nicotine. Leading he said market Vitamin E acetate to vape ters. Over the past few years Russia has significantly people have registered for the event, which shows “the personal chemistry and friend- makers of nicotine e-cigarettes, includ- oil manufacturers. The three companies upgraded its military infrastructure in the Arctic. In will take place inside the NRG Stadium of ship” between Trump and Modi, Harsh ing Juul Labs Inc, British American are Honey Cut Labs LLC in Santa Monica, addition to the Novaya Zemlya forces, the country has the Houston Texans football team. Vardhan Shringla, the Indian ambassador to Tobacco Plc and Imperial Brands Plc, California; Floraplex Terpenes in Ypsilanti, stationed troops in the Franz Josef Land, the New The gathering is “a great opportunity to the United States said. “These are two leaders said this week their products do not Michigan; and Mass Terpenes in Amherst, Siberian Islands and several other places. — AFP emphasize the strong ties between the who are used to thinking outside of the box,” contain Vitamin E compounds or THC. Massachusetts. Cuomo’s office in a state- people of the United States and India, to he said, describing the joint appearance as ment said the thickeners were being mar- reaffirm the strategic partnership between “unconventional and unique.” “The event will Available online keted as a “cheaper, safer alternative that the world’s oldest and largest democracies also reflect the strong bipartisan support Packaging using the “Dank Vapes” does not negatively impact flavoring or and to discuss ways to deepen their energy there has been for US-India relations,” he name until recently was available on odor” and “can be used to cut vape prod- and trade relationship,” the White House said, describing Indian-Americans as an Amazon, according to caches of the ucts to any level of THC.” Honey Cut and said. The White House said Trump would “organic bridge” between the world’s two product links, and a Reuters review Mass Terpenes could not be reached for travel the same day to Ohio to showcase an largest democracies. shows they are still widely available comment. Floraplex said in a statement it Australian-owned factory alongside Prime Shringla said that Modi would also elsewhere on the Internet. Amazon.com will “work with all appropriate govern- Minister Scott Morrison, who will be on a meet in Houston with energy companies Inc said it took down vape paraphernalia mental agencies in a transparent and state visit. The two joint appearances before heading to New York for the UN this week in line with its policies, though constructive way,” and continue its “dis- amount to a day-long attempt to nurture General Assembly. Some four million the company did not specify the exact tribution of quality products.” The mass- relationships with foreign leaders by Americans trace their origins to India and products it removed.??It said THC and terpenes.com website had a message to Trump, whose brash style and outspoken the community is among the most educat- e-cigarettes were not, and are not, customers saying it was “alarmed” by remarks have frequently unnerved allies. ed and prosperous in the United States. offered on its platform. reports that Vitamin E acetate had been KUBINKA: Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile launching The rally with Modi indicates that the The average Indian-American household One merchant that appeared to sell linked to serious lung problems and will system is displayed at the exposition field in Kubinka two countries have turned the page on an earned some $100,000 in 2015, nearly packaging for Dank Vapes and another “cooperate fully” with state and federal Patriot Park outside Moscow. — AFP incident in July when Trump baffled India double the US average, according to the brand on Amazon was known as Cart health authorities. — Reuters by saying, in a meeting with Pakistani Pew Research Center. — AFP 9 International Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Blasphemy accusation in Pakistan sparks ransacking of Hindu temple Latest case to raise concern about the fate of religious minorities

KARACHI: A crowd in Pakistan ransacked a school and as well as ordinary Pakistanis to settle scores. The inde- 1.6% of Pakistan’s population of 208 million, the majori- between the nuclear powers, who came close to war in Hindu temple after a Hindu principal was accused of pendent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan con- ty of whom are Sunni Muslims. February following a militant attack on police in Indian- blasphemy, police said yesterday, the latest case to raise demned the weekend violence, footage of which was In January, the Supreme Court upheld the acquittal of controlled Kashmir. India revoked the special status of its concern about the fate of religious minorities in the pre- recorded in a video and circulated on social media. It a Christian women who spent years on death row after portion of the disputed territory last month, inflaming dominantly Muslim country. The violence erupted in the being convicted of blasphemy in a case that had drawn relations once again. southern province of Sindh after a student accused the alarm from religious and human rights advocates. In The Sikh minority community in India’s northern state Hindu principal of blasphemy in comments about March, Pakistan’s government sacked a provincial minis- of Punjab and elsewhere has long sought easier access to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Pilgrim ter for making offensive comments about Hindus as ten- the temple in Kartarpur, a village just over the border in The enraged crowd ransacked the school and dam- sion between Pakistan and Hindu-majority neighbor India Muslim-majority Pakistan. The temple marks the site aged a nearby temple, a district police chief said. The corridor to ran high after a militant attack in the Indian-controlled where the guru died. To get there, travelers currently principal had been taken into protective custody and portion of the contested Kashmir region. must first secure hard-to-get visas, travel to Lahore or police were investigating both the alleged blasphemy and Sikh temple another major Pakistani city and then drive to the village, the rioters, he added. “It seems the principal had not Indian Pilgrim corridor which is just 4 km (2-1/2 miles) from the Indian border. done anything intentionally,” the district police chief, to open In another development, a corridor for Indian Sikh pil- Indian pilgrims will pay Pakistan $20 to use the corri- Furrukh Ali, told Reuters. grims travelling to a holy temple in Pakistan will open in dor, which includes roadways, an 800-metre bridge over Insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) carries a November, in time for one of the religion’s most sacred the Ravi River and an immigration office. Up to 5,000 mandatory death penalty in Pakistan, which is about 95 festivals. The visa-free border crossing from India to Indians will be allowed access daily, with plans to eventu- percent Muslim and has among the harshest blasphemy Kartarpur, Pakistan will be inaugurated on Nov 9, just ally double capacity, Majeed said. Costs of the corridor laws in the world. No executions for blasphemy have called on authorities should take prompt action. “The ahead of the 550th birthday of Sikhism founder Guru were not released. Many Sikhs see Pakistan as the place been carried out in Pakistan but enraged mobs some- video ... is chilling: mob violence against a member of a Nanak on Nov 12, Pakistani project director Atif Majeed where their religion began. Its founder, Guru Nanak, was times kill people accused of it. Rights groups say the religious minority is barbaric, unacceptable,” the com- said yesterday. born in 1469 in a small village near the eastern Pakistani blasphemy law is often exploited by religious hardliners mission said in a post on Twitter. Hindus make up about The project is a rare recent example of cooperation city of Lahore. — Agencies 185 arrested over raging forest fires North Korean leader across Indonesia Kim invited Trump to

JAKARTA: Indonesia has arrested nearly 200 people over Pyongyang in a letter vast forest fires ripping across the archipelago, police said yesterday, as toxic haze sends air quality levels plummet- SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un invited ing and sparks flight cancellations. Jakarta has deployed US President Donald Trump to visit Pyongyang in a thousands of personnel to battle blazes that are turning letter sent in August amid stalled denuclearization land into charred landscapes and consuming forests in talks, a South Korean newspaper reported yester- Sumatra and Borneo islands, where thousands of schools day, citing diplomatic sources. Kim, in the letter sent have been shut over health fears. in the third week of August, spoke of his “willing- The fires-usually started by illegal burning to clear land ness” for a third summit and extended an invitation for farming-have unleashed choking haze across Southeast for Trump to visit the North Korean capital of Asia, triggering diplomatic tensions with Indonesia’s Pyongyang, the Joongang Ilbo newspaper reported, PALANGKARAYA: This aerial view shows the haze covered airport in Palangkaraya, central Kalimantan. — AFP neighbors. Yesterday, authorities said they had arrested citing an unidentified source. Trump on Aug 9 said some 185 people suspected of being involved in activities he had received a “very beautiful letter” from Kim. that led to out-of-control fires sweeping the country. dence of illegal burning. Some of the most serious fires While forest fires are an annual problem, the situation But US officials have not said anything about a “Indonesian Police will enforce the law against anyone occur in peatlands, which are highly combustible when this year has been worsened by drier weather in Indonesia, second letter in August. Trump and Kim have met who is proven to have carried out forest and land burning, drained of water to be converted into agricultural planta- with diplomatic tensions soaring as toxic smog drifts over three times since June last year to discuss ways to whether it was done intentionally or through negligence,” tions. Thick haze in Borneo-where air quality levels have to neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. The haze pushed resolve a crisis over North Korea’s missile and National Police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo told reporters in plummeted to “dangerous” levels in some areas-caused Singapore’s air quality to unhealthy levels for the first time nuclear programs, but substantive progress has Jakarta. “This is a last resort. The most important thing is the cancellation of about a dozen flights Sunday, national in three years at the weekend. In 2015, Indonesia suffered been scant. Their first two meetings were formal prevention.” Four corporations were also being investigat- airline Garuda said. Rival Lion Air said about 160 Borneo its worst forest fires for almost two decades, which dra- summits, the second of which, in Vietnam in ed, he added. Last week, Indonesia sealed off dozens of flights had been affected at the weekend. Meanwhile, near- matically increased its greenhouse gas emissions. Huge February, broke down after they failed to narrow a plantations where smog-belching fires were blazing, and ly 150,000 people have been treated for acute respiratory fires tearing through the Amazon are also compounding gap between US demands for North Korean denu- warned that owners-including Malaysia and Singapore- infections linked to the haze in recent months, according to concerns about the long-term impact of such blazes on clearization and a North Korean demand for relief based firms-could face criminal charges if there was evi- Indonesian health authorities. keeping global temperature levels stable.— AFP from sanctions. They met for a third time on June 30 in the Demilitarized Zone between the two Koreas and agreed to restart working-level talks but that has Dozens of tigers dead not happened. Since the June meeting, North Korea has several times tested short-range projectiles. The after confiscation from White House, the US State Department and the North Korean mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment on temple in Thailand the report.

‘Threats and hurdles’ BANGKOK: More than half of the 147 tigers confiscat- An unidentified director-general for US affairs at ed from a controversial Thai temple have died, park North Korea’s foreign ministry said on Monday he officials said yesterday, blaming genetic problems linked hoped a “good meeting” with working-level US offi- to in-breeding at the once money-spinning tourist cials would take place “in a few weeks”. But whether attraction. For years, the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua temple a meeting would lead to a “crisis or chance” was up in the western province of Kanchanaburi pulled tourist to the United States, the official said, calling for a hordes who could be photographed — for a fee — next more flexible approach. “The discussion of denu- to scores of tigers. clearization may be possible when threats and hur- But in 2016 park officials began a lengthy operation to dles endangering our system security and obstruct- remove the big cats amid allegations of mismanagement, ing our development are clearly removed beyond all and claims the creatures were being exploited. Dozens of doubt,” the official said in a statement carried by dead cubs were found kept in freezers, sparking claims the North Korea’s official KCNA news agency. carcasses were being sold by a temple rumored to have North Korea’s vice foreign minister, Choe Son raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars each year from Hui, said last week Pyongyang was willing to have visitors. Tiger parts can fetch enormous sums in China and “comprehensive discussions” late this month. Trump Vietnam, where they are falsely believed to have medicinal subsequently said he would be willing to meet Kim properties. at some point this year. South Korea’s foreign minis- The surviving adults were taken to two breeding sta- ter, Kang Kyung-wha, asked about the newspaper tions in nearby Ratchaburi province but only 61 of the 147 KANCHANABURI: In this file photo, a wildlife official scans the microchip implanted in a tiger at the Wat Pha Luang Ta report, said there were “detailed explanations about have survived so far, parks officials told reporters. “It Bua tiger temple in Kanchanaburi province. — AFP such a letter” but declined to elaborate. could be linked to in-breeding,” Pattarapol Maneeon, of Kang said it could be “too much to expect” that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Trump and Kim would meet before any working- Conservation said. “They had genetic problems which Chaiwattana, another department official said. Legal cases added. Tens of millions visit Thailand every year, and a level talks. “No agreement was reached between posed risks to body and immune system.” Many suffered against the temple are ongoing. Conservationists ques- lucrative wildlife tourism industry has grown in-step with the two leaders in Hanoi even after working-level from tongue paralysis, breathing problems and lack of tioned whether authorities had looked after the seized ani- visitor numbers. But critics say cash often trumps animal negotiations,” Kang told a parliamentary panel. appetite that led to fatal seizures. mals appropriately, with small, cramped cages enabling the welfare at many attractions. For a price, visitors can ride spread of disease. “To be very honest who would be ready and bathe with elephants, hold monkeys and pose for self- “For the sake of the success of another summit, their working-level teams should meet and have Legal cases ongoing to take in so many tigers at once?” said Edwin Wiek, ies with tigers. Animal rights groups have long criticized primary discussions on the outcome of the sum- “Most of the tigers were already in distressed state founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand. the industry, with chained up animals kept in small quarters mit,” Kang said. — Reuters stemming from the transportation and change of location... Conditions at the enclosures were “not good enough to with inadequate veterinary care, or forced to perform later their health problems emerged,” Sunthorn house so many tigers and the set up was wrong”, he tricks for tourists. — AFP

In June, Lilly won her first victory: she per- they have to live on,” says Kakuko Nagatani- Lilly, Thailand’s suaded Central, a major supermarket in Yoshida, regional coordinator for chemicals, Bangkok, to stop giving out plastic bags in its waste and air quality with UN Environment. stores once a week. “I told myself that if the Greta Thunberg, government did not listen to me, it would be ‘It’s up to us’ necessary to speak directly to those who dis- Lilly is Ralyn Satidtanasarn’s nickname. The wages ‘war’ tribute plastic bags and convince them to US-Thai youngster started campaigning at stop,” she explains. the age of eight after a seaside vacation in on plastic This month some of the biggest brands, southern Thailand where she was horrified by including the operator of the ubiquitous 7- a beach covered in rubbish. “We cleaned up Eleven convenience stores, pledged to stop with my parents, but that was not helpful BANGKOK: Skipping school to glide through handing out single-use plastic bags by because other waste was thrown out by the a dirty Bangkok canal on a paddleboard, Lilly January next year. Mindsets have started to sea the next day,” she recalls. fishes out rubbish in her mission to clean up shift this year with the deaths of several Then came the global movement initiated Thailand, where the average person uses eight marine mammals whose stomachs were lined by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, who has plastic bags every single day. “I am a kid at with plastic, stirring emotions. The demise last become a key face in the battle against global war,” the bubbly 12-year-old says after a month of a baby dugong was mourned on warming. Inspired by the young Swede, Lilly painstaking hour-long routine picking up social media, reviving discussion in the gov- did sit-ins in front of the Thai government cans, bags and bottles bobbing in the canal. “I ernment over a proposed ban on most single- buildings. “Greta Thunberg gave me confi- try to stay optimistic but I am also angry. Our use plastics by 2022. dence. When adults do not do anything, it’s world is disappearing,” she adds. Thailand is But critics say along with new rules there up to us children to act,” she insists. Though the sixth largest global contributor to ocean need to be enforcement mechanisms such as she often skips class to carry out her pollution, and plastic is a scourge. fines. For now young activists like Lilly can help activism, she will not be in New York along- Whether it’s for wrapping up street food, capture attention. “You might be able to tune side Thunberg for a protest on September 20 takeaway coffees or for groceries, Thais use out all of the evidence and advocacy in the just days before the UN climate conference. BANGKOK: 12-year-old Ralyn Satidtanasarn (front 2nd right), known by her nickname Lilly, and her 3,000 single use bags per year - 12 times world, but it’s very hard to ignore a child when “My place is here, the fight is also in friends collect plastic waste during the Trash Hero cleaning initiative at the Khung Bang Kachao more than someone from the European Union. they ask why we’re trashing the planet that Southeast Asia,” she says. — AFP urban forest and beach in Bangkok. — AFP 10 Analysis Tuesday, September 17, 2019

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US asylum lockdown turns up heat on tiny Mexico migrant agency

exico’s tiny asylum agency is already over- whelmed with applicants who are abandoning Mthe American dream because of US President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration measures. Now, the agency fears the burden on employees already working up to 15 hours a day will increase after the US Supreme Court decided to restore a Trump adminis- tration policy banning most asylum applications at the Indonesian firefighters spray water to extinguish a fire in Kampar yesterday. — AFP US-Mexico border. Like many others in Tapachula, a gateway city between Guatemala and Mexico, Danny Perez, a 29- year-old Honduran taxi driver who said he fled to escape extortion by gangs, dreamed of reaching the Indonesia struggles to douse underground fires United States. But as the reality of Trump’s immigration policies sets in, he is trying to settle in Mexico. Perez housands of Indonesian firefighters are locked in an become highly combustible when they’re drained of water able to douse the fires. “When you’re dealing with large cannot work without papers while his claim is being around-the-clock game of Whack-a-Mole as they to be converted into plantations. areas of peat burning it’s just so expensive to bring in processed, and he has no money to rent a room. “This Tbattle to extinguish an invisible enemy - under- “The forest and peatland fires that occur every year are large quantities of water,” said Michael Brady, an isn’t easy,” said Perez, who began the process of seek- ground fires that aggravate global warming. Vast blazes a crisis created by human behavior,” said Rusmadya Indonesia-based peatlands expert at the Center for ing asylum last week and worries he may go “crazy.” are ripping across the archipelago’s rainforests, unleashing Maharuddin, a forest campaigner at Greenpeace International Forestry Research. Resigned to waiting, he spends his nights on a patch a toxic haze over Southeast Asia that has triggered health Indonesia. “Sometimes the fires will continue to burn for “Water-bombing is not very effective because you just of sidewalk across the street from the refugee office in fears and sent diplomatic tensions with Indonesia’s neigh- months, releasing emissions and causing haze.” Peat fires can’t drop enough water” to douse them, he added. Tapachula, where he feels safe amid the steady churn bors soaring. can belch out three times as much smoke per kilogram of Satellite radar used to find hotspots - areas of intense heat of migrants, trying to snatch a few hours of sleep under Jakarta deployed more than 9,000 personnel to battle material than high-temperature forest fires, she added. which indicate a high chance of fire - does not lwaysa pin- the street lamps’ neon glow. Wednesday’s Supreme fires turning land into charred landscapes and consuming At the peak of Indonesia’s 2015 forest fires - the coun- point below-ground blazes. “It may not show up as a Court action, which reinstated a US policy stipulating forests in hard-hit Sumatra and Borneo island. But many of try’s worst in two decades - blazes in peat swamp forests hotspot...(because) there might not be enough heat at the that migrants crossing another country en route to the the blazes smoulder deep underground in once-swampy emitted nearly 16 million tonnes of carbon emissions daily, surface of the ground,” Brady said. “So, one of the chal- United States must apply for asylum in that country, areas known as peatlands, where they can last for months more than the entire US economy in the same period, lenges is just to detect them.” will likely exacerbate the demand in Mexico, said and release eye-watering amounts of thick, acrid smoke. according to watchdog The International Union for Andres Ramirez, head of the Mexican refugee agency, “It’s so much harder to fight fires on peatlands,” a dirty Conservation of Nature. Across the Pacific Ocean, huge ‘Not going away’ COMAR. “It’s worrying,” Ramirez told Reuters. “We and exhausted Hendri Kusnardi told AFP outside smog-hit fires tearing through the Amazon are compounding con- Authorities are beefing up law enforcement to catch expect this will add to the growing numbers we’ve Pekanbaru city in Sumatra. “Even after we’ve managed to cerns about the long-term impact, as increasing fire out- those responsible for illegal burning and have moved to been seeing.” Alexander Espinoza waited half a year. put out a fire on the ground, sometimes it is not over breaks globally creates more greenhouse gas emissions restore degraded peatland forests - a key buffer against His life once revolved around making it to US soil: The because it’s still burning underground. And then the next and makes it harder to limit temperature rises, experts say. annual flooding and home to endangered species, includ- 33-year-old Salvadoran says he tried to enter illegally morning the ground fire will just reignite.” ing Sumatran orangutans. But despite Indonesia’s 10 times, including six attempts in six months. But as Detection drawback progress over the past few decades, fighting fires is still a Trump ratcheted up his anti-immigration rhetoric, ‘Human behavior’ Fighting peatland fires comes with myriad challenges challenge even for countries like the United States, Espinoza decided to call Mexico home. Last week, The culprit behind Indonesia’s blazes is usually illegal because they’re often in remote locations, the soft soil Canada and Australia which have some of the top tech- COMAR recognized him as a refugee, ending a wait that fires set to clear land for the lucrative palm oil and pulp- makes them inaccessible by car and firefighters need huge nologies and fire prevention programs, Brady said. “This began in March. He faces more delay for his residency wood industries - and the situation this year has been amounts of water - often pumped below ground - to get is not going to go away,” he added. “We’re not going to card. But he was not downhearted, showing off the worsened by drier weather. Some of the most serious fires at subterranean blazes. Indonesia has deployed water- find a solution to eliminate fires on the landscape com- braided bracelets he has made, his fledgling business. happen in carbon-rich peatlands - topped with layers of bombing helicopters, but the onset of the rainy season, pletely and we’re not going to ‘tackle’ it. This requires an decomposed plant material several metres thick - which which usually starts in October, could be the only thing ongoing investment.” — AFP 15 hours Even before Wednesday’s Supreme Court action, applications at COMAR were expected to hit 80,000 Dushanbe Rustam Emomali, Director of the Open Joint construction processes in CT-4 deviation tunnel, spill- in 2019, more than double last year’s total. In August Roghun hydropower Stock Company of Roghun Hydropower Plant way tunnel of T-9, air trunk and tunnel, trunk of the tur- alone, requests more than tripled from last year to Khayrullo Safarzoda and other officials met Emomali bine of the first unit, construction camp of 5A and exit 8,178. On Friday morning in Tapachula a few dozen Rahmon at the temporary airport located near the of the deviation tunnel of CT-3 in the site. Overall, the asylum-seekers waited for their appointments, armed plant’s second unit construction site. length of the CT-4 diversion tunnel, including its exit, is with colorful plastic folders carrying the paperwork The launch of the second unit of this grand 1798 m and its realizing capacity is 3500m3 per second. that will determine their fate. launch ceremony hydropower facility has been front-page news covered The CT-4 deviation tunnel will serve to spill water Sitting at a desk stacked high with manila case fold- by the national and international media. More than 140 during water-abundant seasons in the process of the ers, Claudia Briseno said COMAR employees like her local and foreign journalists, reputable international plant’s construction at the point between 1090 and 1210 have been working at a grueling pace. The office’s 63 n the 9th of September, the President of the news agencies from the United States, Italy, Germany, m height. Two headrace spillway tunnels that will be con- employees are processing 16,350 applications - or Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon visited Russia, Japan, United Kingdom, China, Pakistan, structed at the level of 1190 m, will be connected to CT-4 about 260 per person. Days stretching 10, 12 or even ORoghun to participate in the launch ceremony of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan and other branches and they will have the capacity of spilling 1750 15 hours are the norm, Briseno said, her voice cracking. second unit of the Roghun hydropower plant. Prime countries covered this historical event. m3 of water per second each. “We’re making triple the effort so we can give every- Minister of Tajikistan Qohir Rasulzoda, Mayor of The Leader Emomali Rahmon got familiar with the — From the Embassy of Tajikistan in Kuwait one access to the refugee system,” she said. The staff has streamlined processes, reducing the frequency with which asylum-seekers must report in, Briseno said. But the latest change in US immigration policy may upend that progress. The agency’s shoe- string budget compounds its problems. COMAR Niamey residents received federal funding of 20 million pesos ($1 million) in 2019, the lowest sum in seven years. The proposed flee after worst 2020 budget would increase it to 27 million pesos - still far short of the 117 million pesos COMAR chief Ramirez says the agency needs. COMAR leans heavily on the floods in 50 years United Nations’ refugee agency, which has provided 112 staff and helped open three new offices. But until t last, we’re here!” Amina and Halima, who live in COMAR is better funded, migrants will be short of sup- Niger’s capital Niamey, exulted after reaching port to rebuild their lives in Mexico, said Enrique Vidal, high ground following the worst floods to hit the coordinator for human rights group Fray Matias de “A city in 50 years. Two weeks ago, authorities in Niamey Cordova. “COMAR lacks, on a structural level, the declared a red alert when the waters of the Niger river - capacity to attend to the reality we’re living in,” he said. the third biggest in Africa - rose to a level “not seen in more than 50 years”. The floods have affected more than Next stop, USA 6,300 people in the traditionally dusty city. Nearly 60 For some, asylum in Mexico is simply a stop on the have been killed and 130,000 displaced across the nation road. Under the US policy reinstated by the Supreme this rainy season, officials say. Court, migrants may still have a shot at US asylum if Amina and Halima are among those who have been their application is rejected in another country. Roger evacuated to tent shelters at Saguia in the highlands over- Fuentes, a Cuban home goods vendor who arrived in looking Niamey. The women travelled in a van, but officials Tapachula in August, said the United States remains his have been chartering all kinds of transport to move people goal. “You have to request (asylum in Mexico) or you in trouble, while others hire taxis, ride motorbikes and won’t have other options,” said Fuentes, 34. He said he even walk. Saguia is a patch of land owned by the army A barefoot child walks past tents on Sept 11, 2019 in the makeshift camp of Saguia near the capital Niamey after will not try to throw his Mexican asylum case, though and usually off limits to the public. In 2012, it was used to the Niger river floods forced inhabitants out of the area. — AFP he knows that rejection could help his US bid. house about 400 soldiers from neighbouring Mali who had Similarly, Teresa Cardonell said fear of deportation fled an offensive by Tuareg rebels. back to Cuba has made her determined to do every- For access to the site, people need “tickets” that are total of 1,200 flood victims, he added. “They gave us rice, the house before the roof fell in. I’m expecting my first thing right in Mexico - including applying for asylum. distributed in schools serving as transit centres for flood millet, mosquito nets, blankets and drinking water,” said baby in a month and I shall call it Saguia.” In the shade of a But her mind is fixed on the United States. Terrified victims, according to the armed paramilitary police check- Aissa Salifou, putting on makeup in her tent, her head and huge tree, a dozen new arrivals awaited the completion of after being robbed in Tapachula, she dyed her blonde ing new arrivals. The heights give a panoramic view of the shoulders covered in a broad veil. “The water surprised us their shelters before moving in. locks brown to try to blend in. “We’re seeking free- homes and rice paddies largely submerged by the water. in our sleep,” added the woman from one of Niamey’s Barefoot children meanwhile made up football teams dom,” the 34-year-old said. “In Mexico, I’m still not hardest-hit districts, Kirkissoye. “We had to demolish the and chased a rag ball on a makeshift pitch in the baking free - I can’t go out.” — Reuters ‘Surprised in our sleep’ walls in neighbouring houses to scramble out.” “We live on heat. On the far side of the camp, a policeman with a gun Inside the camp, the fire brigade and municipal employ- the low ground where we were trapped by the water, but slung over his shoulder watched over a bunch of children ees have put up dozens of white tents supplied by the Red this place is spacious, well-aired and above all safe,” said carrying plates and queuing for a hot meal provided by an Cross and the United Nations. “When people arrive here, Fatouma Boubacar, another Kirkissoye resident, watching NGO. “We’re trying to live here and waiting to see what they are installed in tents (...) and we have enough food for her cooking pot on the fire. Allah has in store for us,” Boubacar said. The level of the All articles appearing on this page are the them all,” Niamey governor Issaka Assane Karanta told Niger has fallen slightly after bursting its banks, but gover- personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait AFP. A generator and a fresh-water well have both been ‘I was lucky’ nor Karanta is urging people from affected areas to be repaired, lamp posts will soon be installed and a medical Though Boubacar arrived only two days earlier, she has watchful and “to keep well away from the bed of the river”. Times takes no responsibility for views centre is open “for the treatment of emergency cases”, the resumed her customary job, selling vegetables. “I was Upstream in Mali, technicians have opened floodgates on a expressed therein. governor said. Some 122 households, comprising 854 peo- lucky,” said Ramatou Abdou, reclining in an armchair with major dam and the extra water is “slowly but surely” flow- ple, have been allocated tents and the site can take in a a toothpick stuck between her teeth. “I barely got out of ing down to Niger, Karanta said. — AFP Established 1961

TUESDAY, SEPTEMPER 17, 2019 Business

Kuwait’s consumer spending growth Gulf is moving from oil economy to Burgan Bank to sponsor Central Bank’s 12maintains upward momentum in Q3 13 knowledge-based economy: Expert 14 int’l conference, ‘Shaping the Future’

Zain Group teams up with GSMA to disclose climate impacts GSMA-led climate initiative to develop de-carbonization pathway for mobile sector

LONDON/KUWAIT: Zain announces it has teamed investors and customers.” up with the GSMA and many of the world’s largest “We welcome this landmark move by the mobile sec- mobile operator groups to start disclosing their climate tor to disclose its climate impacts via CDP, which impacts as part of a major new GSMA-led initiative to demonstrates a clear step-up in commitment to provid- develop a mobile industry climate action roadmap in Bader Al-Kharafi: ing transparency to its investors and customers as part line with the Paris Agreement. of an industry-wide approach,” said Paul Simpson, CEO Zain along with more than 50 mobile operators - “Climate change is a of CDP. “As a result of these disclosures, mobile opera- which together account for more than two thirds of tors will be able to measure and understand their envi- mobile connections globally - are now disclosing their ronmental impact, helping them to build sustainability climate impacts, energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) material risk that not into the heart of their businesses.” emissions via the internationally recognized CDP sys- The new methodology designed specifically for the tem (Global Disclosure Project). The move will enable only impacts mobile sector in limiting global warning will provide full transparency for investors and customers involved in parameters to accelerate the rate at which mobile oper- the mobile sector. Many of the companies are disclosing humanity today, but ators set their own targets. The timescale at which indi- for the first time as part of the GSMA-led initiative. vidual companies reach the target will depend on sever- The disclosures form the first phase of an industry- also will impact the al factors, including their geographic location and their wide, climate action roadmap. The next phase will see ability to access renewable energy. It is expected that the development of a de-carbonization pathway for the some companies will meet the net zero target signifi- mobile industry aligned with the Science Based Targets ability of future cantly ahead of the 2050 deadline. initiative (SBTi), to be in place by February 2020. This Zain along with the mobile industry is also committed will include the development of an industry-wide plan to generations to advancing mobile technology innovations in areas achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 in line with such as big data and IoT that can enable energy effi- the Paris Agreement. to thrive” cient and environmental solutions across multiple sec- Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice Chairman and Group tors, including transport, manufacturing, agriculture, CEO commented, “Zain is taking an affirmative step Zain Vice Chairman and Group CEO Bader Al-Kharafi building, energy. to align with the UN global ambition to reduce car- This agreement between the Zain and other mobile bon emissions by 50 percent by 2030, aiming to be “Today’s announcement marks the start of an lenges facing our planet,” said Mats Granryd, Director operators with the GSMA forms part of the industry’s carbon neutral by 2050. We recognize that climate unprecedented, collaborative action by the mobile General of the GSMA. “The mobile industry will form journey to support the delivery of the UN’s Sustainable change is a material risk that not only impacts industry to tackle the climate emergency, demonstrat- the backbone of the future economy and therefore has Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG #13 on humanity today, but also will impact the ability of ing how the private sector can show leadership and a unique opportunity to drive change across multiple Climate Action, and its mission to intelligently connect future generations to thrive.” responsibility in addressing one of the gravest chal- sectors and in collaboration with our suppliers, everyone and everything to a #BetterFuture.

which also usually require long negotiations. EU divided over The EU’s executive commission proposed last year a seven-year budget of roughly 1.1 trillion euros ($1.22 trillion) which would represent 1.11 percent of budget; Germany the bloc’s Gross National Income (GNI), a measure of domestic output. The estimate does not include fund- wants to curb ing from Britain, which is planning to leave the EU at the end of October. But Germany, the EU’s largest economy and the bloc’s spending main contributor to the budget, has made it known that it wants to limit spending to 1 percent of eco- BRUSSELS: The European Union may need to scale nomic output, according to a document seen by back its plans to boost growth and counter climate Reuters. Sweden and the Netherlands openly support change if it fails to quickly agree on a long-term Berlin’s more cautious spending plans. budget, European officials said yesterday, as The budget for the current seven-year period also Germany and other northern states push to restrict amounts to 1 percent of GNI, but Brussels said it has spending. to go up because of planned higher spending on The EU administration is funded with a seven-year research, digital economy, border control and budget. The size and targets are often subject to pro- defense. Berlin said the proposed cap would repre- longed haggling among its member states. But divi- sent a net increase in spending by EU states, as the sions over the next 2021-2027 financial framework bloc would have to do without contributions from run deeper than usual at a time when the bloc faces Britain. It also urged more spending to counter cli- risks of a new economic recession and uncertainty mate change. The European Parliament, backed by over the outcome of the Brexit process - which is southern and eastern European states who are net expected to lead Britain, one of the largest contribu- receivers of EU funds, wants a bigger budget, set at tors to the EU coffers, out of the union. 1.3 percent of the bloc’s GNI. “My big concern is that Europe will be in a diffi- Lawmakers also urged further funding for new cult economic and geopolitical situation if there is no projects on climate change and for unemployment budget by the first of January,” the EU commissioner benefits as mentioned by the commission’s president- in charge of the talks, Guenther Oettinger, told an EU designate Ursula von der Leynen in her inaugural BRUSSELS: Reforming the European Union’s budget rules sharply splits Germany and other richer members.— AFP ministers’ meeting in Brussels. He said the urgency to speech after appointment in July. strike a deal was heightened by the bloc’s weakening Spain’s state secretary for EU affairs, Marco ministerial meeting. Poland’s State Secretary for called for this “conditionality” in its confidential doc- economy, with Germany and other EU states stagnat- Aguiriano Nalda, said differences between the pro- European Affairs, Konrad Szymanski, told the same ument reviewed by Reuters. That proposal could ing. He said it would take years to find a compromise posals made it almost impossible to find a compro- meeting that reduced spending caps would inevitably spark a confrontation between countries in the liberal at the current pace of negotiation. mise before the end of the year. translate into lower ambitions. West and the ex-communist Poland and Hungary in The long-term financial framework needs to be “I have to express strong worries and reservations A compromise is made more difficult also by plans the bloc’s east. The EU has accused Poland and adopted well in advance of its starting date because it on the state of play of the financial framework,” he to make EU funding conditional on upholding the Hungary of undermining democracy with controver- has to be translated into yearly spending programs told his counterparts at a televised session of the bloc’s values, including the rule of law. Germany sial justice and media reforms. — Reuters 12 Established 1961

Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Business

NBK Economic Report Kuwait’s consumer spending growth maintains upward momentum in Q3 Rise in consumer lending sustains spending outlook KUWAIT: Consumer spending growth saw a better-than- anticipated pick-up so far in Q3, consistent with strong loan growth, a steady macroeconomic climate, healthy employ- ment growth and as oil prices hovered around $60/bbl. We Announcement: expect these factors to persist this year and offset the soft- ness in wage growth, ultimately keeping consumer spending at encouraging levels. CBK bonds and The NBK consumer spending index (CSI) has thus far (as of August) expanded by 3.3 percent y/y in 3Q19 - above the 1.9 percent and 1.4 percent averages recorded in Q2 and Q1, related Tawarruq respectively. The improvement in spending is consistent with KUWAIT: The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) the notable increase in consumer lending seen in the first half announced the most recent issues of CBK bonds of this year. The improvement in consumer spending is con- and related Tawarruq at a total value of KD 290 firmed by some of the key consumer-related indicators. The CBK’s data on point-of-sale (POS) transactions and ATM million for three months with rate of return at 3 withdrawals shows an increase of around 4 percent y/y in percent. 2Q19, a sign that the slowdown that started in early 2018 may be bottoming out. The outlook on spending has improved not least because of the sharp increases in consumer lending of late. Consumer Pakistan’s CB holds loan growth accelerated to an over five-year high of 24.5 per- cent y/y in July from 18.4 percent y/y in June. After years of softness, consumer lending has picked up rates, says recent sharply now for six straight months, mainly driven by the loosening of consumer loan limits (to KD25,000 from KD15,000 previously) by the Central Bank of Kuwait. We hikes enough to expect the healthy increase in consumer borrowing to contin- ue to support spending levels in the coming months. tame inflation Despite the leap in consumer credit, growth in overall household debt - which includes loans for house purchase - ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central bank held its main policy has continued to gradually ease, standing at 5.4 percent y/y rate at 13.25 percent yesterday, taking a pause from a in June versus 5.8 percent at the start of the year. Consumer series of recent hikes that it said had been enough to loans account for less than 10 percent of all total household ensure the country’s high inflation would gradually loans, so the latest strength does not imply a large impact reduce over the coming years. The State Bank of on the total household debt burden, or a reduction in Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) said in a spending potential. statement it had decided that holding rates was warrant- Labor market sending mixed signals ed given inflation had not dramatically accelerated since The ongoing improvement in the jobs market is also a Public Institution for Social Security expatriates are broadly favorable, overall population its last meeting. Its current monetary policy stance was positive for the consumer spending outlook. Employment By contrast however, wage growth remains weak and is trends are less so due to the drop in the number of non- appropriate to slash inflation to the target range of 5-7 growth among Kuwaitis held steady at a decent 4.2 percent likely to continue to weigh on spending, although overall working expats, i.e. dependents. Latest data (December percent over the next 24 months, it said. y/y in 1Q19, unchanged from the previous quarter. Overall average wages recovered slightly in Q1 at 1.4 percent y/y 2018) showed a 1.3 percent decline in the number of “The decision reflected the MPC’s view that inflation employment growth for Kuwaitis remains supported by rela- from 1.0 percent y/y in 4Q18. The pick-up was led by an dependents amid increases in certain charges such as outcomes have been largely as expected and inflation tively strong hiring by both the public sector (+4.3 percent improvement in average wages among Kuwaitis from 0.7 health insurance and school fees, previous subsidy cuts, projections...have remained unchanged since the last y/y) and private sector (+3.6 percent), reflecting ongoing percent y/y in 4Q18 to 1.2 percent y/y in 1Q19. In contrast, and also some political pressure to limit expat numbers. MPC meeting,” the bank said in the statement, but Kuwaitization efforts. Latest data as of end-year 2018 average wage growth among non-Kuwaitis was The decline in dependents may add some downward added inflation was expected to increase to an average showed expat hiring also holding firm, rising by a two-year unchanged at 2.4 percent y/y during the same period. pressure on consumption given their high propensity to of 11 percent to 12 percent in 2020. The decision comes high of 4.3 percent. While employment growth for Kuwaitis as well as consume. at time of scrutiny for Pakistan’s economy as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team arrived in Islamabad yesterday to review progress on reforms 800,000 new customers. It is targeting agreed as part of bailout package in July. Aldi focused on 1,200 stores by 2025 and plans to invest Under the terms of the $6 billion bailout, the govern- 1 billion pounds ($1.25 billion) in stores ment has put in place tough measures to meet a fiscal and distribution centres across Britain deficit target set by the IMF. The bank has lifted rates British sales over the next two years. nine times since the start of 2018, hiking by 100 basis Aldi trails market leader Tesco, points at its last meeting in July, as policymakers with $1.25bn Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons, but attempted to keep control of rising inflation, a substan- along with fellow German-owned dis- tial fiscal deficit and a falling rupee currency. counter Lidl has been winning market Though those challenges continued to loom, the cur- growth plan share from the big four with new store openings. rency had firmed and inflation stabilized in August, ris- LONDON: German discount supermar- ing just slightly to 10.5 percent from 10.3 percent the ket group Aldi plans to pump 1 billion previous month. However, analysts pointed out that this Price gap pounds ($1.25 billion) into Britain, chas- Britain’s food retailing sector has been was largely accounted for by a series of changes to the ing market share at the expense of profit, way the rate was calculated, such as including prices transformed in the last decade by the which dropped by 26 percent last year march of Aldi and Lidl which has driven from rural areas and decreasing the weightings of some as it pursued sales growth, store open- items, such as housing and transport. Under the previ- down the returns of the big four players. ings and new customers. They have fought back by trying to nar- ous measure, the inflation rate would have jumped to Britain’s fifth biggest supermarket, 11.6 percent. —Reuters row the price gap, improving service and which is privately owned by Germany’s chasing greater purchasing power. Aldi Sud, signalled no let-up for its larg- Last year Tesco bought wholesaler er rivals as it reaffirmed a commitment to Booker and launched its own budget EU urges US to investing in the UK, despite a low price chain. Sainsbury’s tried and failed to analysts said. dard-sized Aldi stores and new, smaller- pledge denting its 2018 profit. “We’re take over Asda, while Morrisons has Aldi attributed the profit fall to price format ‘Local’ stores on London high not and never have been focused on struck wholesale deals with Amazon and cuts, saying its price advantage over the streets. While Aldi’s London market ‘make deal’ in short term profits. Our focus is on convenience chain McColl’s. Aldi UK big four was 24 percent on an average share is just 3.4 percent, Hurley said growth, it’s on sales, stores and customer reported an operating profit of 197.9 basket of everyday items. It said while its there was scope to eventually have 250 Airbus-Boeing row numbers,” Chief Executive Giles Hurley million pounds for the year to Dec. 31 operating margin had fallen, it had stores in the capital. He said Aldi was told reporters. 2018, down from 265.9 million pounds in improved in the current year. In 2017 better placed for a disorderly Brexit BRUSSELS: The EU yesterday urged the US to make a deal to “Private ownership means we can run 2017. Sales were 11.33 billion pounds, Aldi’s profit had risen for the first time in than rivals because it has a much small- end a 15-year long Airbus-Boeing row, just days before the business for the long term and we with customer numbers up 5 percent to four years. Hurley said like-for-like sales, er range of products, while 75 percent Washington is expected to announce a raft of new tariffs in the don’t have to answer to shareholders. 16.6 million. stripping out the impact of new space, of what it sells comes from British- epic tit-for-tat battle. “We have enough tariffs in the world as it Plans are not going to Aldi’s operating margin fell from 2.6 were positive in 2018 and so far in 2019. based suppliers and manufacturers. is, so imposing tariffs on each other, which strictly speaking we change...Confidence from our parent percent in 2017 to 1.75 percent in 2018, Like its rivals Aldi has stockpiled are allowed to do according to the WTO, would not be a good company is there,” Hurley added yester- which analysts at Barclays said was the London calling ambient goods, such as tinned toma- solution,” said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom. “We day. Aldi UK, which trades from about lowest since 2010. “The lower the margin Aldi said it would step up the pres- toes and olive oil, said the CEO, have offered the US to try and make a deal in order to jointly find 840 stores and has a grocery market goes then the sooner the point will be sure on rivals by increasing store num- adding that he could not guarantee a negotiated solution and see what we can do to discipline our- share of 8.1 percent, said sales increased reached when it is harder to justify so bers in London from 45 to 100 by the there will not be shortages of some selves (on subsidies) when it comes to aircraft,” she told 11 percent in 2018 and it gained many new store openings,” the Barclays reporters. —AFP end of 2025, by opening more stan- fresh products. —Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.223 Turkish Lira 54.175 Chinese Yuan 0.041197 0.044697 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Tunisian Dinar 110.730 Singapore dollars 218.554 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036756 0.039506 Jordanian Dinar 430.270 Indian Rupee 0.003694 0.004466 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Lebanese Lira/for 1000 0.203 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 US Dollar Transfer 304.500 Syrian Lira 0.000 Japanese Yen 0.002787 0.002967 Euro 338.760 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Morocco Dirham 32.325 Korean Won 0.000241 0.000258 Sterling Pound 381.690 Canadian dollar 231.120 Malaysian Ringgit 0.068858 0.074858 CURRENCY BUY SELL Nepalese Rupee 0.002681 0.003021 Turkish lira 54.890 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Europe Swiss Franc 310.080 Pakistan Rupee 0.001342 0.002112 British Pound 0.361522 0.375422 Philippine Peso 0.005758 0.006058 US Dollar Buying 297.300 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Czech Korune 0.004911 0.014211 Singapore Dollar 0.213713 0.223713 US Dollar 304.190 Danish Krone 0.040748 0.045748 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001320 0.001900 ASIAN COUNTRIES Canadian Dollar 230.813 Euro 0. 326670 0.340370 Taiwan 0.009589 0.009769 Japanese Yen 2.824 Sterling Pound 373.865 Indian Rupees 4.285 Georgian Lari 0.102185 0.102185 Thai Baht 0.009617 0.010167 Euro 337.075 Pakistani Rupees 1.967 Hungarian 0.000921 0.000111 Swiss Frank 301.815 Vietnamese Dong 0.000013 0.000013 Srilankan Rupees 1.683 Norwegian Krone 0.029446 0.034646 Bahrain Dinar 808.955 Nepali Rupees 2.680 Romanian Leu 0.053707 0.070557 UAE Dirhams 83.220 Arab Singapore Dollar 222.670 Russian ruble 0.004553 0.004553 Bahraini Dinar 0.802070 0.810130 Hongkong Dollar 38.919 Qatari Riyals 84.460 Slovakia 0.009113 0.019113 Saudi Riyals 82.015 Egyptian Pound 0.018656 0.022016 Bangladesh Taka 3.594 Swedish Krona 0.027000 0.032000 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000086 Philippine Peso 5.874 Jordanian Dinar 430.328 Swiss Franc 0.302004 0.313004 Iraqi Dinar 0.000210 0.000270 Thai Baht 10.045 Egyptian Pound 18.398 Jordanian Dinar 0.424856 0.433856 Malaysian ringgit 77.877 Sri Lankan Rupees 1.683 Australasia Indian Rupees 4.233 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Australian Dollar 0.197930 0.209930 Lebanese Pound 0.000151 0.000251 GCC COUNTRIES Pakistani Rupees 1.944 New Zealand Dollar 0.186462 0.195962 Saudi Riyal 81.254 Bangladesh Taka 3.602 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021407 0.045407 Philippines Pesso 5.861 Omani Riyal 0.786297 0.794198 Qatari Riyal 83.688 America Omani Riyal 791.423 Cyprus pound 18.097 Qatar Riyal 0.083037 0.083871 Canadian Dollar 0.223108 0.232108 Bahraini Dinar 809.090 Japanese Yen 3.850 Saudi Riyal 0.080167 0.081467 US Dollars 0.300600 0.306900 UAE Dirham 82.959 Syrian Pound 1.590 Syrian Pound 0.001292 0.001512 US Dollars Mint 0.301100 0.306900 Nepalese Rupees 2.648 Tunisian Dinar 0.102042 0.110042 ARAB COUNTRIES Malaysian Ringgit 73.505 Turkish Lira 0.046147 0.055992 Egyptian Pound - Cash 21.500 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 43.110 Asia UAE Dirhams 0.082325 0.083153 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 18.584 Thai Bhat 10.935 Bangladesh Taka 0.002935 0.003736 Yemeni Riyal 0.000991 0.001071 Established 1961 13 Business Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Gulf is moving from oil economy to knowledge-based economy: Expert IMA president rules out global recession

By Sajeev K Peter ities, Thomson said. tence and talent in management accounting and In view of the current volatile economic and finan- finance and corporate strategy,” he explained. KUWAIT: The Gulf region is on the threshold of a cial situation, individual investors and organizations transition from an oil-based economy to a broader must pay attention to the fundamentals of the econo- Recession knowledge-based economy and Kuwait is also part of my. “Markets may move up and down based on social “It is hard to predict if there is a global recession that great transformation with its ambitious New media tweets or geopolitical tensions. You must also around the corner,” Thomson said in response to a Kuwait 2035 vision, said Jeffrey C Thomson, President be ready to accept some volatility in the market, oth- specific question. “There are a lot of reactions about a and CEO of Institute of Management Accountants erwise you shouldn’t be in the game,” he said. looming recession in the market today due to geopo- (IMA) yesterday. “But if you want to be a good investor, you really litical tensions in the Middle East or trade issues. But “I believe that the countries in the entire region are need to watch and monitor the economic scorecard the US economic fundamentals are pretty strong, with trying to lessen their reliance on oil and move towards based on the fundamentals in the Middle East such as solid corporate earnings, consumer confidence, real a knowledge-based economy. Countries including real GDP, GDP per capita, funding, tax rates and con- GDP growth, etc. So, in the short-term, we don’t see Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have embarked on that sumer confidence. Also, an investor must spend time to the signs that would suggest a global recession, at vision, which is just a decade away. Knowledge will be think what is ahead in terms of economic environment, least from the CMA perspective,” Thomson stated. the key driver of that change incorporating artificial consumer confidence and purchasing power, otherwise According to him, it is all about maintaining a healthy intelligence (AI), fintech, blockchain, etc,” he told you will lose sight of where the market is heading,” financial profile with strong balance sheets, good cash Kuwait Times in an exclusive interview. Thomson pointed out. reserves, smart investments, smart risk management In Kuwait, the IMA Kuwait Chapter will be part “Today, there is a lot of excitement and buzz about and internal controls. of that evolution by helping organizations develop evolving technologies such as AI, fintech, blockchain, IMA - with chapters all across the world - celebrat- competencies for accounting and financial plan- etc in different parts of the world. But at the end of the ed 100 years of service a couple of months ago in ning, risk management and internal control sys- day, it is the talent of your finance and accounting Santiago. Thomson arrived in Kuwait to attend IMA Jeffrey C Thomson during the interview tems and supporting merger and acquisition activ- team that matters. It is all about advancing compe- Kuwait Chapter’s annual conference yesterday.

covery of large offshore and onshore oil- Oil prices rocket Aramco: From fields including Ghawar, the world’s largest with some 60 billion barrels of oil, and Safaniya, the biggest offshore oilfield as attack slashes ‘Prosperity with 35 billion barrels. In 1973, with prices spiking at the peak of the Arab oil embar- Saudi output Well’ to go-imposed against the US over its policy on Israel-the Saudi government acquired 25 percent of Aramco to increase its share LONDON: Oil prices saw their biggest daily energy giant to 60 percent and become a majority gain since the 1991 Gulf War yesterday after stakeholder. drone attacks on two Saudi oil facilities Seven years later, it was nationalised, halved output in the world’s top crude DUBAI: From its beginnings in 1938 when and in 1988 it became the Saudi Arabian exporter, fuelling fresh geopolitical and it first struck oil with the aptly named Oil Company, or Saudi Aramco. From the growth fears. Europe’s benchmark Brent “Prosperity Well”, Saudi Arabia’s national 1990s, Aramco invested hundreds of bil- crude surged by 20 percent and US counter- energy giant Aramco has delivered lions of dollars in massive expansion proj- part WTI by 15 percent as commodities trad- unimaginable riches to the desert kingdom. ects, raising its oil output capacity to over ing got underway after President Donald It has since grown into the world’s 12 million bpd, besides making bold inter- Trump warned that the US was “locked and largest and most profitable energy con- national acquisitions and joint ventures. loaded” to respond to the attacks that cern, generating 10 percent of global Currently, Aramco has some 260 billion Washington blamed on Iran. crude supplies and trillions of dollars in barrels in proven oil reserves, the second Both contracts later came off their peaks, income. However, it has been hit in recent largest in the world after Venezuela, in but were still up around 12 percent at the months by a string of serious attacks on its addition to 300 trillion cubic feet of gas. oil facilities, the latest on Saturday halting close of European trading. The price surges DUBAI: Traders sit below the stock market screens at the Dubai Financial Market in the Based in Dhahran in the country’s east, the the flow of 5.7 million barrels of oil per weighed across world stock markets on fears Gulf emirate yesterday. —AFP firm has key oil operations in the United that a sustained higher cost of crude could day, over half of its output, in drone strikes. States, China, India, South Korea and sev- impact already weakening global economic The strikes threaten to undermine eral European and Asian nations. Aramco growth. economic unrest, rose. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz plans for Aramco to make its stock market has also built a network of domestic “Oil price shocks like this are bad news bin Salman on Sunday said the kingdom debut, in a listing that could generate pipelines and refineries inside and outside ‘Another headwind’ for growth,” Neil Wilson, chief market analyst would use its vast inventories to partially $100 billion based on a $2 trillion valua- the kingdom and expanded its presence in “Growing tensions in the Middle East are at trading group Markets.com, said. compensate for the lost production and the tion of the company. Aramco has its ori- the petrochemicals industry. another headwind for the global economy in US also authorized the release of its reserves. gins in a 1933 concession agreement In April, it opened its account books already uncertain times and a full-blown con- ‘Risk premium’ “The attack wiped out around half of Saudi signed by the Saudi government with the for the first time, announcing it posted flict could trigger another leg in the global “It raises stagflation risks too-higher oil Arabia’s production-representing around five Standard Oil Company of California. $111.1 billion in net profit in 2018, up 46 downturn,” said Jennifer McKeown, head of prices suppress growth and raise inflation. Of percent of global daily output-and highlight- Drilling began in 1935 and the first oil percent on the previous year, and gener- Global Economics at Capital Economics. course it depends how long this lasts, does ed the vulnerability of security at these facili- began flowing three years later. ating $356 billion in revenues. The open- However, share prices of energy majors the risk-premium mean higher prices for the ties to drone attacks,” noted Oanda senior It gained its current name from the ing of its secretive accounts was designed jumped, with traders seeing higher profits rest of the year or does it fade quickly if it market analyst Craig Erlam. subsidiary created to manage the agree- to increase transparency ahead of the IPO down the line for the likes of BP and Shell. comes back on stream this week?” Saudi “Spikes in oil prices when the global econ- ment that was called the Arabia American which is the cornerstone of de facto In foreign exchange, the dollar was down Arabia was on Monday expected to restore omy is already flirting with the idea of reces- Oil Company in the late 1940s. In 1949, oil leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin against the yen and up against the euro, while at least a third of the production lost to the sion is not ideal and, if repeated and sus- production hit a milestone 500,000 bar- Salman’s “Vision 2030” reform plans for the pound slid, with the EU saying that Britain attacks, according to experts and reports. tained, could ultimately be what tips us over rels per day and the following year the country. However, the listing has been had offered no new, viable Brexi proposals The Saturday strikes on national energy the edge,” he added.Facing a dauntingly Aramco built the 1,212-kilometre (753- repeatedly delayed, with analysts citing after Prime Minister Boris Johnson held giant Aramco’s Abqaiq processing plant and uncertain economic horizon amid the US- mile) Trans-Arabian Pipeline to export low oil prices as well as squeamishness Brexit deal talks with EU chief Jean-Claude Khurais oil field knocked 5.7 million barrels China trade war, the Federal Reserve is set to Saudi oil to Europe across the over disclosing facts and figures about the Juncker. Gold, which along with the yen is per day off production, more than half of the cut interest rates this coming week, analysts Mediterranean Sea. firm which have traditionally been viewed seen as a haven in times of geopolitical and OPEC kingpin’s output. predicted. —Reuters Production rose rapidly after the dis- as state secrets. —AFP

sought to subvert. A decade after being Facebook’s born on the web, digital currencies - led Purdue files for by bitcoin - remain a largely unregulated and opaque sector, offering users near- bankruptcy in bid Libra in anonymity and associated by many peo- ple with hacks, heists and illicit activity. to settle opioid regulators’ sights Enter stablecoins which, by virtue of being underpinned by more established ZURICH/LONDON: Facebook’s and predictable assets, aim to overcome crisis cases attempt to drag cryptocurrencies into the the extreme volatility that plagues cryp- mainstream with its Libra digital coin met tocurrencies and renders them impracti- with further scepticism yesterday when cal for commerce and payments. NEW YORK: Purdue Pharma has filed for an ECB board member said such “stable- bankruptcy in a settlement agreement in a However, authorities around the world coins” posed serious risks. Benoit Coeure have poured cold water on Libra, with move it hopes will head off further legal pro- told central bank officials from around ceedings in relation to its role in spreading the concerns centering on what the critics the world that the new breed of virtual say is its potentially destabilising effect opioid crisis in the US, the company said in a currencies were largely untested and statement on Sunday. on the global financial system and poten- In this file photo taken on April 2, 2019 Purdue Pharma headquarters stands in downtown pledged a tough regulatory approach, tial for use in money laundering. Owned by the wealthy Sackler family, the Stamford, Connecticut. Purdue Pharma said on Sunday that they had filed for bankruptcy adding to warnings from authorities pharmaceutical giant is facing thousands of Coeure’s comments came during an in a bid to settle opioid crisis cases. —AFP around the world. event at the Bank of International state and federal lawsuits blaming its prescrip- Facebook’s planned Libra is the most tion painkiller OxyContin for plunging millions Settlements (BIS) in Basel, where the Group well-known of the stablecoins, cryp- of Seven working group on stablecoins met of Americans into addiction. “wasting hundreds of millions of dollars and millions of addiction treatment drugs, at no or tocurrencies backed by assets such as to discuss regulatory issues posed by the If approved by a bankruptcy judge, Purdue years on protracted litigation.” But around 26 low cost, to help tackle the crisis. “Purdue has traditional money deposits, short-term new digital currencies. “Stablecoins are says that it expects the proposed restructuring states are expected to contest the filing and received FDA fast-track designation for nalme- government securities or gold. largely untested, especially on the scale to provide more than $10 billion to help tackle further pursue litigation against the Sackler fene hydrochloride, a much-needed treatment The social media giant’s project, required to run a global payment system,” addiction and see the new company’s profits family, according to Bloomberg. that has the potential to reverse overdoses announced in June as it expands into e- said the European Central Bank executive re-directed in ways that benefit the claimants from powerful synthetic opioids such as fen- commerce, is a high-profile attempt to board member, who chairs the BIS-hosted and the American people. Purdue Chairman Sinking into addiction tanyl,” the company said in its statement. The draw cryptocurrencies into the banking Committee on Payments and Market Steve Miller said the settlement will “provide The cases against Purdue seek to address development of a nasal naloxone product, that and corporate establishment its creators Infrastructures. — Reuters billions of dollars and critical resources to the costs of millions of Americans sinking into can be sold over-the-counter, is another addic- communities across the country trying to cope addiction after using potent opioid painkillers tion reversal medication that the newly restruc- with the opioid crisis.” that doctors freely, and often criminally, pre- tured company could continue to support. The company has filed for reorganization scribed over the past two decades. Well over As well as giving up control of Purdue, the under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code 400,000 people died of opioid overdoses in settlement will also see the Sackler family and, if the proposal receives court approval, it that period, while the pharmaceutical compa- personally contribute $3 billion, with the will then dissolve and transfer its assets to a nies involved raked in billions of dollars in prof- potential for further monetary contributions. trust managed by a new governing board. The its. And while the flood of prescription opioids Forbes estimates the wealth of the Sackler new board will be selected by the claimants, into the black market has now been curtailed, family at $13 billion, but their international who include thousands of municipals govern- addicts are turning to heroin and highly potent reputation has taken a hit in recent months ments and nearly two dozen states, and will be fentanyl, where the risk of overdose and death after demonstrations against their role in the approved by the Bankruptcy Court. is even higher. opioid crisis. New York’s Guggenheim This body will then oversee the operation of In 2017, 47,000 people died in the United Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the new company, including the continued sale States as a result of overdosing on opioids and London’s Tate Modern have said they of Oxycontin, so that its profits and assets can including prescription drugs, heroin and fen- would stop accepting donations from the be used to benefit those impacted by opioid tanyl, according to the Centers for Disease family, and the Louvre Museum in Paris addiction. Control. As part of the settlement, Purdue says recently removed the Sackler name from its Miller said the restructuring will avoid it will potentially provide communities with Sackler Wing of Oriental Antiquities. — AFP 14 Established 1961 Business Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Burgan Bank to sponsor Central Bank’s int’l conference, ‘Shaping the Future’ Digitalization creating unprecedented disruption in banking sector: Hayat KUWAIT: Burgan Bank, the progressive financial ating. Banks are facing crucial decisions as technology mercial banking sector on various fronts. powerhouse in Kuwait and the region, announced shifts customer expectations and changes in regulato- The talks are aimed at mitigating potential risks by yesterday its sponsorship of the inaugural of Central ry landscape. We are now seeing the need to innovate, stepping out of traditional business models and Bank of Kuwait International Banking Conference. become more agile, utilize data and advanced analyt- investing in dynamic transformational change that will The event, which takes place on Monday, September ics to support cost reduction and revenue improve- secure long-term consumer satisfaction and rising 23, 2019, will be held under the patronage of His ment, and build partnerships with organizations who expectations. Embracing the need for new, innovative Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber may also be competitors.” and enhanced digital and technological solutions, Al-Sabah, at the Four Seasons Hotel. Burgan Bank will be present among global industry Burgan Bank will be participating in an exhibition on Reinforcing its role as a keen contributor to the peers from the financial sector, along with prominent the sidelines of the International Banking Conference. evolution of technological banking services, Vice delegates, CEOs, industry experts, and key figures The exhibition will witness the active participation of Chairman and Group CEO at Burgan Bank Group from government and regulatory bodies. In the inter- more than 40 exhibitors from the national and inter- Masaud Hayat said, “Digitalization and innovative est of sustainable economic growth and development national banking realm, including regional telecom- technologies are creating unprecedented disruption in across the nation, the high-level event is initiated to munications and several specific financial technology the banking sector, and the rate of change is acceler- address the ongoing challenges faced by the com- companies. Masaud Hayat

began, US President Donald Trump Some 46,000 tweeted: “Here we go again with General Motors and the United Auto Workers. Get together and make a deal!” Democratic EY launches GigNow GM auto presidential hopefuls also took to Twitter, to voice support for the strike. platform, offers workers “A job is about a lot more than a pay- check. It’s about dignity and respect,” frontrunner Joe Biden wrote. Bernie opportunities to strike in US Sanders urged GM to “end the greed.” “Sit down with the UAW and work out DETROIT: The United Auto Workers freelancers in MENA an agreement that treats your workers union began a nationwide strike against with the respect and dignity they General Motors yesterday, with some DUBAI: EY announces the launch of GigNow in the deserve,” the Vermont senator tweeted. 46,000 members walking off the job MENA region, an online platform that connects GM’s last major strike, according to after contract talks hit an impasse. The people seeking short-term contracts (gigs) with the Journal, was in 2007 when 73,000 move to strike, which the Wall Street opportunities at EY. Advancements in workplace workers at more than 89 facilities walked technology enables freelancers to access job Journal described as the first major stop- page at GM in more than a decade, came off the job for two days. opportunities that allow them to work remotely, giv- In a statement, GM said it was “disap- ing them more flexibility and freedom in their pro- after the manufacturer’s four-year con- FLINT: General Motors Co. Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks are parked outside pointing” that the UAW’s leadership had fessional careers as they support on-demand work. tract with workers expired without an the Flint Assembly plant in Flint, Michigan, yesterday. The United Auto Workers decided to call the strike, saying it had The launch of the GigNow platform is in line agreement on a replacement. union began a nationwide strike against General Motors yesterday, with some presented a “strong offer” in contract with the increasing global trend of organizations Local union leaders met in Detroit 46,000 members walking off the job after contract talks hit an impasse. —AFP negotiations. “We have negotiated in leveraging contingent workers, also known as “and opted to strike at midnight on good faith and with a sense of urgency. freelancers who are employed on short-term con- Sunday,” the UAW said on its Twitter account. “This is our last resort,” Terry Our goal remains to build a strong future last year, prompting union officials to 5,400 union jobs and address the issue tracts, to respond to growing work demands dur- argue it is time to share the wealth with of the two “unallocated” plants. It also ing peak seasons. Dittes, the union’s lead negotiator with for our employees and our business,” it GM, told a news conference after the said. UAW’s leadership had previously workers who have borne the brunt of promised that a new all-electric truck As an online talent marketplace, GigNow will downturns. would be built in a US plant. offer freelancers from across the MENA region the meeting. “We are standing up for the won overwhelming approval from its fundamental rights of working people in rank-and-file for a strike if it became But the outlook for GM is less clear, Adding to the friction is a federal cor- opportunity to engage with EY on a per project with concerns growing that a recession ruption probe of the union leadership, basis, giving contract workers the chance to com- this country.” necessary. UAW officials said the two sides may be in the offing amid protracted which resulted in an FBI search last bine flexibility and diverse gigs with exceptional trade tensions. GM announced last month of the home of UAW President experiences. remained far apart in the contract nego- Strong sales, unclear outlook tiations, with disagreements on wages, Workers at Ford and Fiat Chrysler November it was effectively shuttering Gary Jones. The platform also aims to provide further supply five plants in North America, including A member of the UAW’s executive to increasing workforce demands across a wide health care benefits, the status of tempo- agreed to extend their contracts, but GM rary workers and job security. management was informed Saturday that facilities in Michigan and Ohio that were board, Vance Pearson, was arrested on range of skillsets, including business consulting, “unallocated” for production. Protecting Thursday on charges of conspiracy to transaction assistance, insurance, tax advisory and “Our members have spoken; we have the union would not extend its contract. taken action; and this is a decision we Earlier on Sunday, contract mainte- jobs and saving those plants have been use union dues for lavish personal IT, as well as other business-related areas. key issues in the negotiations. expenses. Pearson, a UAW director in St. Abdulaziz Al-Sowailim, MENA Chairman and did not make lightly,” Ted Krumm, chair nance workers walked off the job at GM of the UAW’s national bargaining com- plants in Michigan and Ohio in a parallel In its response to the strike, GM’s Louis, Missouri, was accused of using CEO, EY, says: “EY is committed to building a management revealed that its offer union conferences as a cover to justify workforce for the future and the launch of the mittee, said in a statement. dispute with contractor Aramark. GM “We are standing up for what is right,” has enjoyed several years of strong sales, included a promise of $7 billion in long-term stays at luxury resorts in GigNow platform reflects the disruption we are investments that would save or protect California. —AFP seeing to the traditional business models in the Krumm said. Hours before the strike posting $11.8 billion in operating profits MENA region. The gig economy is gaining traction with the growth of on-demand expertise and the rising trend of skilled professionals seeking flexible working arrangements that will allow them to In Zimbabwe’s expand their qualifications and experiences.” Gulf Bank “The use of contingent workers through crisis, surviving GigNow not only allows EY to engage the right tal- announces winners ent for the right opportunities at the right time, but will also support freelancers and specialists who means improvising, want the flexibility of a short-term contract with of Al-Danah the high engagement, innovation, and diversity that and some luck projects at EY offer. The ability to harness the best weekly draw talent from across the region faster and more effec- HARARE: In crisis-stricken Zimbabwe, where prices tively will in turn allow us to better serve our clients are soaring, the local dollar is plummeting and time is KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its weekly draw on 15th and their ever-changing needs.” always short, even a trip to the gas station can be an September 2019 announcing the names of the The GigNow platform offers an immersive expe- adventure in the struggle to survive. Filling a tank winners for the week of 8-12 September 2019. The rience that ensures quick on-boarding, so that any- used to require just a few minutes. Now it takes a day HARARE: A man walks on a foot path towards a farm near weekly draw consists of five winners who receive body can join a project across any location quickly of patience and some ingenuity at the gas station. Chegutu, about 107 kilometres southwest of Harare. At its KD 1,000 each, every week. and begin to make valuable contributions in a Even then, success is not guaranteed. zenith, the Mount Carmel farm in northern Zimbabwe boast- shorter span of time. The talent pool contracted As the sun sets on Harare, Tinashe Magacha is ed 500 livestock and shipped its mangoes and lemons to The winners of this week are: through GigNow will further benefit from EY’s about to spend the night in his car, like hundreds of Europe, a continent away. In 2009, that halcyon time ended Tareq Faisal Jassim Alrubaiaan world-class learning, such as virtual courses from motorists in the queue, hoping to refuel the minibus he abruptly when the farm was seized by thugs operating in the Rashed Ahmed Saad Alobaid which they can earn valuable digital credentials for uses for work. “While I am queueing, my bus is on the name of Robert Mugabe’s land reform. —AFP Murtaza Pattherwala developing new skills. Furthermore, the platform road with my driver transporting passengers. If I fill Ahmed Khaled Ahmed Al-Jassar provides a single location for EY alumni to find new up this car, I will drain the fuel with a hose pipe to the Ali Hussain Aasser Al-Baloushi salaries has been divided by fifteen. The toll has been contractor opportunities for themselves and to commuter bus.” All that effort comes with a hefty Gulf Bank’s third Al-Danah quarterly draw for harsh. Wakanai Murambidzi, a cleaner in a bank, was refer high-quality contractor talent. GigNow is part price tag. Fuel prices more than doubled in January, the prize of KD 500,000 will be held on 25 unable to pay her children’s school fees. They were of a series of new global programs from EY triggering protests suppressed in a bloody crackdown September 2019. The final Al-Danah draw for KD forced out of school earlier this month. “I did not pay designed to prepare the workforce and business for by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime. 1,000,000, will be held on 16 January 2020, the full last school fees. I don’t know what to do. I am the future of work. GigNow has been launched in For months, lines of cars stretching for several kilo- where the Al-Danah millionaire will be stuck,” she said. “We regret removing Mugabe,” she Australia, India, New Zealand, the United States meters at petrol stations have become the latest mani- announced at a live event. said, referring to the military coup that ended the for- and the United Kingdom prior to being launched in festation of the economic ruin left by Robert Mugabe, Gulf Bank encourages customers to increase mer president’s reign in 2017. “We used to buy bread the MENA region. who died on September 6 almost two years after a their chances of winning with Al-Danah by for one dollar. Now it is 10.” coup ended his 37-year rule. Zimbabwe has been depositing more into their Gulf Bank accounts ‘Contraband’ mired in the crisis since the early 2000s after using the new ePay (Self-Pay) service, which is Amidst the economic ruin, a new type of market has Mugabe’s controversial land reform program that saw available on Gulf Bank’s online and mobile banking emerged in Harare, in the poor district of Mbare. the violent seizure of white-owned farms and services. Al-Danah offers a number of unique serv- NY Fed Empire Shoppers here won’t find any fresh vegetables, fruit or investors fleeing the country. Zimbabwe never recov- ices to customers, including the Al-Danah Deposit meat, but only non-perishable foods like rice, sugar and ered. Today there are shortages of everything. From Only ATM card, which allows account holders to bars of soap, all illegally imported from neighboring State business fuel to washing powder, to license plates and pass- deposit money into their accounts at their conven- South Africa. ports. Even local currency is in short supply. ience. Account holders can also calculate their Prices, untaxed and sold without intermediary, are chances of winning the draws through the ‘Al- index slips in Sept unbeatable here. “We are smuggling,” shopkeeper Cash shortages Danah Chances’ calculator available on the Gulf Blessing Chiona says, with all her goods laid on a Ruined by hyperinflation and the plummeting Bank website and app. NEW YORK: The New York Federal Reserve said yes- wooden pallet in the mud. “The prices change up to Zimbabwean dollar, the country and its banks are des- Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is open to terday its gauge of business growth in New York state three times a day.” Beside her, dozens of her col- perately short of currency. Forced to pay his bus tick- Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti residents of Kuwait. declined more than forecast in September, suggesting leagues wait for customers under the sun. Here, two ets in hard currency to go to work, Crispen Customers require a minimum of KD 200 to open sluggish regional activity amid a US-China trade dis- liters of cooking oil go for 24 dollars in cash, com- Mudzengerere must spend hours at his bank to with- an account and the same amount should be main- pute. There were conciliatory gestures between pared with 34 dollars in supermarkets. draw, if he is lucky, at best 100 dollars (about 8 euros) tained for customers to be eligible for the upcom- Washington and Beijing in a bid to defuse trade ten- Sheltered under an umbrella, Chiona sends text mes- in cash. He could buy some from street traders, but the ing Al-Danah draws. If the customer’s account bal- sions as the two nations are expected to meet in sages of shopping lists to delivery drivers, known as service is “taxed” at least 30 percent commission. “To ance falls below KD 200 at any given time, a KD 2 Washington for trade talks in the coming weeks. “malayitsha” or couriers in Ndebele language, who get 20 dollars, I need to spend 26 dollars. I have to pay fee will be charged to their account monthly until The regional Fed’s “Empire State” index on current travel back and forth between Zimbabwe and South for my own money,” he said. To cut back on trans- the minimum balance is met. Customers who open business conditions fell to 2.0 points this month from Africa with minibuses full of passengers and goods. As portation costs, Mudzengerere got creative. He now an account and/or deposit more will enter the 4.8 points in August. For September, analysts polled if these struggles were not enough, Zimbabweans also weekly draw within two days. To take part in the by Reuters had forecast a reading of 4.0. does double shifts at his restaurant, which allows him have to work around the country’s interminable power Al-Danah 2019 upcoming quarterly and yearly A reading above zero suggests an expansion in to have four days of rest, and travel less. cuts, sometimes up to 18 hours a day. Street seller draws, customers must meet the required hold regional business activity. Details in the New York In Zimbabwe, resourcefulness and patience have Misheck Masarirevhu has found his solution: with a period for each draw. Furthermore, loyal Al-Danah Fed’s latest snapshot of the state’s factory sector become indispensable weapons for dealing with daily mini solar panel, he charges a car battery during the customers are rewarded with loyalty chances. were mixed. The measure on new orders, a proxy on survival. But hustling cannot solve everything. The first day, which he uses to charge his phone once at home. Loyalty chances are the total chances accumulated future activity, decreased to 3.5 points from 6.7 in victim of the crisis has been the value of wages, Jocelyn Chaibva, a 59-year-old pharmacist, gets up from the previous year which are added to the cus- August, while the shipment index fell 4 points to 5.8, destroyed by hyperinflation — 175 percent in June- in the middle of the night, when the electricity is back tomer’s chances the following year. the lowest reading in nearly three years, the New and the depreciation of the local currency. on for a few hours in her neighborhood, to put on the York Fed said. —Reuters Within a year, Zimbabweans say, the value of their washing machine. —AFP Established 1961 15

Tuesday, September 17, 2019 What’s On Al-Thiqa Restaurants Company wraps up its first internship program with LOYAC

l-Thiqa Restaurants Company recently welcomed a the Board of Directors at LOYAC, Fadia Almarzouq said: group of LOYAC interns at its restaurants and cafes as “LOYAC programs aim to spread love and peace among the Apart of its summer internship program. The interns youth by promoting their professional, mental, psychological, worked for five weeks among different service functions of and physical development. The LOYAC internship program is Al-Thiqa’s restaurants, which included Gia, Chicster, Eggslut, designed to serve this purpose through a collaboration with The Backburner, and Shrimpy. The internship program was a wide range of sectors that believe in our organization’s designed to offer interns an opportunity to get acquainted vision and mission regarding local youth. We are proud of with the nature of work in the food and beverage industry, our positive cooperation with the Al-Thiqa Restaurants from preparing different meals to handcrafting several types Company team, and of their keenness to support the personal of coffee, in addition to interacting with customers and and professional growth of local youth through the LOYAC working within a team. internship program.” In this regard, Group Executive Director of Corporate Intern Khalid Alhajery commented on his summer intern- Services at Al-Thiqa Restaurants Company, Aseel Alturkait ship saying: “This summer, I worked at Gia, one of Al-Thiqa’s said: “We were delighted to welcome this group of ambitious restaurants. Through the program I learned many new skills young men and women to work with us this summer. It is and gained experience in different domains, including learning very promising to see our youth eager to learn the ins and how to prepare different kinds of coffee! I also interacted outs of the food & beverage service industry, and practice with customers directly, and I gained valuable relationships the daily tasks required to run a cafe or restaurant. We with the colleagues I worked with. I would like to thank Al- appreciate LOYAC’s efforts to empower young people in Thiqa Restaurants Company and LOYAC for giving me this various sectors and look forward to continuing this fruitful opportunity.” Al-Thiqa is scheduled to welcome their second relationship with them.” batch of interns next month, and are looking forward to On her part, Managing Director and Deputy Chairman of engaging more of Kuwait’s youth in the long term.

Aqua Park contacts co-ops on expired tickets qua Park Director and member of the board of Adirectors, Mohammed Abdul Redha Khorsheed stressed that Aqua park would not be responsible for any expired tickets in sale centers at various co-ops after October, 6 2019. Redha added that in view of the nearness of concluding the summer season and out of its commitment towards its clients, Aqua Park managed to contact all boards that the tickets would only be of directors at co-ops that valid until October 6, 2019 bought Aqua Park tickets in while those sold before 2018 2018 and 2019 to notify them will be nullified.

over the world with great fervor and enthu- during Onam festival, such as Onam Maveli, Lulu Hypermarket siasm. The promotional campaign to mark Chendamelam, Pulikali, and Kathakali, by ing a beeline to Lulu outlets to buy this festival in Kuwait includes various com- enthusiastic performers at Lulu’s Al Rai Lulu announces popular school items at very competi- launches Onam petitions and cultural programs. outlet. On September 13, a special Onam tive prices. The highlight of the promo- The Onam promotion, which is being held floral design competition was held at the tion was the raffle draw powered by Celebration 2019 at all Lulu outlets in the country, is slated to Al-Rai outlet where 10 teams competed to raffle draw Byjus.com, the online learning app for end on September 14. A variety of Onam- create vibrant and elaborate designs on the kids. For every KD 10 worth of pur- ulu Hypermarket, the leading hyper- related products, food items and department floor using flowers. winners chase during the promotion period, market chain in the region, launched store goods are on offer at knock-out prices The winner of the competition was shoppers were entitled to a raffle its Onam Celebration 2019 festival on during the festival campaign. In addition, a awarded a gift voucher worth KD 100, ulu Hypermarket, the largest coupon that could win them one of ten L number of special booths dedicated to offer- while the second and third place winners September 9 at the hypermarket’s Al Rai hypermarket chain in the region, prizes, each worth KD 1,000. The raffle outlet, in the presence of a large gathering ing traditional Onam cuisine such as Onam each received KD 75 and KD 50 worth of announced the names of the raf- draw, which took place on September sadhya and payasam. gift vouchers respectively. Consolation L of shoppers and well-wishers, as well as top fle-draw winners of its recent ‘Back-to- 16 at the Ministry of Commerce prem- Lulu management in Kuwait. The unique Other highlights of the campaign include prizes were awarded to all the participants School’ promotion. The promotion, ises was held in the presence of min- Onam festival, a popular 10-day harvest fes- cultural programs showcasing some of the in the competition. Enhancing the festive which ran from August 21 to September istry officials and top Lulu manage- tival in Kerala is celebrated by Keralites all traditional dances and performances held mood during the campaign were brilliant 10, witnessed a large number of young ment, saw ten winners take home cardboard cutouts and decorations repre- shoppers along with their parents mak- cheques for KD 1,000 each. senting traditional Onam features that added color to the festival venues. Onam Celebration 2019 is a continuation of LuLu Hypermarket’s customer-centric endeavor to always be in sync with the community when it comes to celebrating traditions, festivals and foods from various countries. Colorful events held at the hypermarket to celebrate these special occasions offer a wide variety of products and food items at highly competitive prices. These promotional campaigns also help make shopping an enjoyable and fun expe- rience for customers and their families. 16 Health & Science Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Armed with tech tools, Colombian cities combat mosquito-borne diseases App helps monitor, reduce spread of infectious diseases BOGOTA: Armed with a mobile app, Glenis part of a network of more than 7,000 people according to the World Health Organization. As Barragan has been knocking from door to door who participated in the project run by the region faces new mosquito-borne out- in the poor neighborhoods of Colombia’s north- Premise in three cities in Colombia - Cucuta, breaks, there is a growing need to find new ern city of Cucuta, aiming to combat the spread Cali and Santa Marta - across which about ways to monitor and reduce the spread of of the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease. In 108,000 homes were inspected, Premise said. infectious diseases like Zika and dengue, which the past year, Barragan has helped fellow resi- Participants were paid either in bitcoin - a includes giving affected communities tech- dents identify and destroy mosquito breeding digital currency - or by bank deposit. In all based solutions. People living in densely popu- grounds - from water stored in containers and about 70,000 mosquito breeding sites were lated slum areas with no running water or prop- buckets in homes to puddles of water, rubbish destroyed, and the average number of mos- er sewage and rubbish collection systems are and discarded tires in city streets and parks. quito breeding sites found in each home most at risk of catching Zika and other mosqui- Using a phone app and platform created dropped from 3 to 1.8 in a year, according to to-borne diseases, medical experts warn. by Premise, a US-based data and analytics Premise. The technology company hopes the During heavy rainfall, slums often flood company, the information collected was initiative will be expanded to other cities in because drains are non-existent or blocked, recorded, georeferenced and photographed Colombia, as well as across the continent. leaving puddles of stagnant water outside and then passed on to city health authorities. people’s homes where mosquitoes can breed. Results from the pilot project, which ran from Citizen participation Barragan said she and other community lead- early 2018 until July this year, found that when The Zika virus is spread to humans by bit- ers visited homes in hillside slums that health people are shown mosquito breeding grounds ing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes - the same authorities cannot reach due to transport and and informed about the Zika virus, they are species that carries other diseases such as security issues. Getting local communities more likely to inspect their own homes and chikungunya, yellow fever and dengue. The involved in collecting data to monitor disease keep them mosquito-free, Premise said. project, funded by the US Agency for outbreaks can help to complement the work “When we went back to the homes we vis- International Development (USAID), arose in done by health officials who have typically NHA TRANG,Vietnam: This file photo shows a laboratory assistant examining mosquito samples at ited after two months, they didn’t have breed- response to the 2015-2016 Zika epidemic in the carried out such tasks. the Pasteur Institute in the southern Vietnamese city of Nha Trang. — AFP ing grounds, people were applying chlorine to Americas, which was then declared a global “This is quite an innovative and a new destroy them,” Barragan said. “We’re raising emergency. While Latin America is not current- approach to include a participatory approach, mentary, which may add to traditional surveil- Blackman, head of Premise, said the collected awareness among people that solving and ly facing a Zika epidemic, the region is grap- meaning citizens monitoring outbreak surveil- lance (data),” the health researcher said. data includes heat maps, historical tracking avoiding the problem is in our very own pling with a huge dengue outbreak where at lance,” said Antoine Flahault, director of the One challenge is ensuring health officials and frequency charts, allowing health officials hands,” she told the Thomson Reuters least 2 million people have caught the virus so Institute of Global Health at the University of can sift through all the data collected by citi- to see when, and in which city neighborhoods, Foundation in a phone interview. Barragan is far this year and more than 720 have died, Geneva. “This kind of data may be comple- zens and respond in time, he added. Maury they should intervene. — Reuters 17

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

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Call: 24833199 ext:101,102 or Direct line: 24835616 / 24835617 or email: [email protected] 18 Established 1961 Stars Tuesday, September 17, 2019

CROSSWORD 2309 STAR TRACK

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

You are in a mood of self-enjoyment and can appreciate your own better Real-estate investments offer lucrative rewards but at some risk. You will be qualities. Circumstances can throw you into positions where you must use your mind and spending most of your time today studying such investments. Talking to co-workers and deal with communications—repair of radio or computer equipment or detective work. looking at houses after the workday is over may put you in a good position for finding You may deal with education, psychology, spiritual enlightenment or teaching principles that future home for which you and your loved ones have been searching. This is also a and techniques. Creative ideas will have greater meaning just now. You may be very good time to secure your professional position. Family and home are the big focus now. expressive in speaking or communicating. Others will understand just what you mean. Old familiar patterns will undergo permanent changes. Time flows in one direction only You love to communicate and discuss ideas with other people. Your ideas are usually fair and you are determined to create the most positive of times. You are appreciative of and impartial, especially when it comes to other people and the social scene. your place in life and you aim to show your appreciation to your loved ones. Romance, recreation and creativity take on an inspirational quality this evening.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) This is a significant day; the energies are not too lazy or too stressful. There is time for accomplishing tasks or setting things up to work in your favor. Your mind is quick and sharp and your words are the only tools you will Educational matters may be high on your priority list now. You may even be con- need for now. Tune up your lie detector and cull out the working partners or co-work- sidering the job of tutoring someone else in order to make a little extra income. ers that want something for nothing. You have insight into what is real and a careful Intense—passionate feelings and drive will be at your command for a long time. tongue that will help you get your message across in the most successful of ways. You want to accomplish things and get others to do the same. Take time to smell Secrets have a short half-life around you—you have them out in a wink of an eye. You the flowers. You could find yourself driven to dig and search deep within the are brilliant when it comes to insights into other people’s psychologies or your own. human passions, deep in the psyche. There are plenty of opportunities to get into some deep conversations with those you love this afternoon.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Although you will find an overall increase in your finances this month, you may also find an increased urge to spend. Less is sometimes better—every month You may find that both your personal growth and your career depend may not fare so well. Savings and investments should take uppermost attention now. upon how you can handle some sensitive material that may be coming up ACROSS DOWN Consider that your financial earnings could be best found in the medical or health food now between co-workers. You will benefit from analytical insights, getting to the truth 1. 3 to 30 gigahertz. 1. (often followed by `of') A large number or fields. At this time, you may consider travel to a foreign land, especially if your job is in of a matter, penetrating. Your mind is clear and your thoughts will bring a sharp focus to 4. A viral disease of cattle causing a mild skin amount or extent. import-export. There is a greater than usual interest in social connections and the arts. any difficult situation at this time. It should be easy to organize your thoughts—com- disease affecting the udder. 2. Queen of the Olympian gods in ancient Seeing both sides of an issue—and figuring out resolutions to opposing views—take munication of all kinds can be furthered. Your thoughts count—use your mind—com- 12. Standard time in the 8th time zone west of Greek mythology. on more importance in your life. The ideal partnership, the perfect balance, the highest municate. Take time for a lunch break away from your business—whether you are at Greenwich, reckoned at the 120th 3. (Norse mythology) An enormous wolf that standards of truth and beauty are some of the things that quicken your pulse. was fathered by Loki and that killed home or in an office. meridian west. Odin. 15. Towards the side away from the wind. 4. An ACE inhibitor (trade name Vasotec) 16. In the process of being born or begin- that blocks the formation of angiotensin ning. in the kidney and so results in vasodila- Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. South American wood sorrel cultivated tion. for its edible tubers. 5. Away from the mouth or oral region. Meeting yourself in another person is a subject you may ponder at this You may not feel as though you are clear with your instructions to others . . 18. Bulky grayish-brown eagle with a short 6. A line made of twisted fibers or threads. time. Relationships—romantic, business, social—are the areas where this may be . Perhaps you are not as familiar with some product as you would like. Consider a little wedge-shaped white tail. 7. A vacuum tube in which a hot cathode played. Coming to know the other person and what causes ties that bind two people emits a beam of electrons that pass research as well as requesting some hands-on study. This makes it much easier to 19. A clerk who sorts things (as letters at the helps you to a better understanding of yourself. It’s easy in theory, but it’s only in prac- explain or answer questions. There are also times that you get so busy you may not post office). through a high voltage anode and are tice that it comes to mean anything real—so practice until you get it right! You will be focused or deflected before hitting a realize you have not been clear. Take turns to ask questions and discover how you can 20. Of or relating to or involving an area. able to use your finely tuned skills and expertise to solve problems and feel successful. clarify or enlighten others. Take time to write down one or two words that will help you 22. Supreme military leader exercising civil phosphorescent screen. Figuring things out, spotting the fly in the ointment and separating the sheep from the 8. Of or relating to inertia. remember where you were when you do become distracted or interrupted. There are power in a region especially one 9. (Hinduism and Buddhism) The beatitude goats begin to take on a special appeal for you. good practical job-related thoughts and ideas this afternoon. accountable to nobody when the central that transcends the cycle of reincarna- government is weak. tion. 24. A motorized wheeled vehicle used for 10. Not out. camping or other recreational activities. 11. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 25. Arboreal snake of central and southern the Old World. Africa whose bite is often fatal. 12. A composition written in metrical feet You seem to be in charge of some new project this Monday. A solid plan There is a growing self-confidence and outgoing attitude—the constant 26. A tiny or scarcely detectable amount. forming rhythmical lines. needs developing very early. Make it as simple and practical as possible, especially if 29. Capable of wounding. 13. Someone who works (or provides work- inward examination and learning will soon come to a close. You have a ers) during a strike. there are going to be several hands in the making of the end result. If you need a loan, growing sense of direction and self-worth and will find the urge strong to reach out and 31. That which is responsible for one's today brings high probabilities of having a loan granted to you. Refinement and relation- thoughts and feelings. 14. The basic unit of money in Western establish yourself. This is a period of great social involvement—especially with neigh- Samoa. ships are the keys to emotional satisfaction for you on the home front. Discussions about bors and brothers or sisters. Learning and teaching seems to satisfy an important need 32. Type genus of the family Arcidae. education may draw your attention and you give thought to how society goes about 36. Before noon. 21. Elongate very slender water scorpions. and being more in touch with other people gives you a sense of belonging. You may 23. Ctenophore having tentacles only in the educating the young. Close personal ties to people are a focal point for your feelings— have the urge to overspend or indulge too much just now. 37. A radioactive element of the actinide immature stage. marriage and other partnerships could be a key arena for this. You may become more series. 27. A mountainous region in central Italy. actively involved on a social level, taking a bigger part in collective events. 38. Any of numerous local fertility and nature 28. A lipoprotein that transports cholesterol deities worshipped by ancient Semitic in the blood. peoples. 30. Naked freshwater or marine or parasitic Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 39. An official language of the Republic of protozoa that form temporary South Africa. pseudopods for feeding and locomotion. A period of great mental activity and heightened communication with oth- 40. Dutch astronomer who proved that the 33. An Indian side dish of yogurt and After a busy weekend you are ready to return to the work world. Time ers begins now. Intellectualism, the idea of being smart as a fox, has a special appeal to galaxy is rotating and proposed the chopped cucumbers and spices. away from regular responsibilities gives you new insight and renewed appreciation of you just now. Mental discipline and patience are outstanding as you enter into a new existence of the Oort cloud (1900-1992). 34. A chain of connected ideas or passages or objects so arranged that each mem- just where you are in life. A business luncheon goes well. Do something physical before cycle. Thinking things through, accounting for all the details and making careful meas- 44. A light strong brittle gray toxic bivalent returning to work this afternoon-it can give you a lot of extra energy as well as sharpen urements keep your mind active and involved. An interest in health and work may come metallic element. ber is closely related to the preceding and following members (especially a your mental activity. There could be an offer for a part-time activity that could bring to the top of your to-do list. Once you set yourself to a task, it is virtually impossible to 45. (law) A defense by an accused person series of patristic comments elucidating you substantial earnings—consider this carefully. Refinement and relationships are the distract you. The more you want to turn a dream into a reality, the more successful you purporting to show that he or she could Christian dogma). keys to emotional satisfaction for you. Harmony and beauty are deeply satisfying—and become. Others could use you as a mentor! Checking off your accomplishments as the not have committed the crime in ques- 35. Surveying instrument consisting of the the lack of them can be emotionally unsettling. day moves along gives you a feeling of achievement. tion. upper movable part of a theodolite 49. A defensive missile designed to shoot including the telescope and its attach- down incoming intercontinental ballistic ments. missiles. 41. A genus of Mustelidae. Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 51. Genus of prickly shrubs and small trees of 42. A promontory in northern Morocco the Caribbean region. opposite the Rock of Gibraltar. 52. A unit of length of thread or yarn. 43. A village of huts for native Africans in 53. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. southern Africa. 54. (criminal law) Money that must be for- 46. 16 ounces. 47. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike feited by the bondsman if an accused part of an organism. person fails to appear in court for trial. 48. The branch of engineering science that 56. A silvery ductile metallic element found studies the uses of electricity and the primarily in bauxite. equipment for power generation and 58. A soft white precious univalent metallic distribution and the control of machines element having the highest electrical and and communication. thermal conductivity of any metal. 50. Edible mushroom. 60. A public promotion of some product or 55. City in northeast Pakistan. service. 57. A compartment in front of a motor vehi- 61. A white soft metallic element that tarnish- cle where driver sits. es readily. 59. A member of an agricultural people in 62. A loose sleeveless outer garment made southeastern India. 63. Obvious and dull. from aba cloth. 64. State in northeastern India. 66. A member of the Circassian people living 65. A constitutional monarchy on the western east of the Black Sea. part of the islands of Samoa in the South 70. The elementary stages of any subject Pacific. (usually plural). 67. An island in Indonesia east of Java. 71. Fallow deer. 68. The blood group whose red cells carry 74. Of or relating to James I or his reign or both the A and B antigens. times. 69. (Greek mythology) The supreme god of 76. A man who serves as a sailor. ancient mythology. 77. (botany) Of or relating to the axil. 72. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was 78. A landlocked republic in eastern Africa. formed by an explosion. 81. A small vessel for travel on water. 73. (prefix) In front of or before in space. 75. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- 82. Fully developed or matured and ready to cially in Turkey). be eaten or used. 79. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of 83. A deep bow. the alkali metal group. 84. A river in north central Switzerland that 80. An official prosecutor for a judicial dis- runs northeast into the Rhine. trict.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily Sudoku Yesterday’s Solution Established 1961 Lifestyle

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

People hold kites during a tribute to the late Mexican plastic artist Francisco Toledo (1940-2019) at the Alameda Central, in Mexico City. — AFP photos

arbie has been many things-from a bathing beauty to an astronaut to even president. Now, she is don- Bning skeleton face paint and a crown of marigolds to he artist whose solid gold toilet was stolen from honor Mexican culture, but some are crying foul. Mattel Britain’s Blenheim Palace said he hoped it had been has unveiled a new version of the iconic doll that is Ttaken in a “Robin Hood-inspired action”, as police inspired by Mexico’s traditional Day of the Dead celebra- scrambled Sunday to locate it. Italian artist Maurizio tion. The doll-to be sold for $75 — is based on the famous Cattelan told the New York Times that when he first heard “Catrina” character drawn by cartoonist Jose Guadalupe news of Saturday’s pre-dawn theft of his fully-functioning Posada in 1912. She wears a black gown decorated with work “America”, he thought it was a prank. “Who’s so stu- marigolds, butterflies and skulls. pid to steal a toilet? I had forgotten for a second that it Diego Rivera also immortalized the character in a mural was made out of gold,” he said, adding: “I wish it was a completed in 1947. The Day of the Dead festival, celebrat- prank.” ed in Mexico on November 1-2, is believed to be when the Cattelan has described the 18-carat gold work, famous- gateway separating the living and the deceased opens, ly once offered on loan to US President Donald Trump, as allowing people to pay their respects to those who have “one-percent art for the 99 percent”. “I hope it still is. I passed. “That the tradition is recognized with this doll, the want to be positive and think the robbery is a kind of best known in the world, is something that makes me Robin Hood-inspired action,” he said, referring to the proud,” Mexican toy collector Jaqueline Vidal told AFP in character of English folklore who stole from the rich to Mexico City, where the collectible doll was officially give to the poor. Blenheim Palace chief executive Dominic In this file photo a fully functioning solid gold toilet, made by unveiled on Thursday. Hare meanwhile revealed that the toilet, which was only Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, is going into public use at the The doll has nevertheless aroused controversy by some put on display at the English stately home on Thursday, Guggenheim Museum in New York. — AFP who consider it “cultural appropriation”-using a time- had been valued at around $5 to $6 million. honored tradition to make money. “The design of this He told the BBC that the palace, the birthplace of number of lines of enquiry. The toilet was one of the star Barbie has no elements identical to indigenous clothing,” wartime leader Winston Churchill and a UNESCO World attractions in an exhibition of Cattelan’s works, with visi- said Octavio Murillo, director of cultural heritage at the Heritage site, had a sophisticated security system. But he tors able to book three-minute time slots to use it. When National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI). “More added: “Clearly we need to challenge ourselves on that.” the work was on display at New York’s Guggenheim than plagiarism against indigenous people, it would be He also said it was “not out of the question [that it] would museum, more than 100,000 people lined up to use the plagiarism against those who hold the rights of Guadalupe be melted down” by the thieves. The gang, who had at loo during the course of a year. — AFP Posada and Diego Rivera,” Murillo added. More than one least two vehicles, left behind flooding that damaged the billion Barbies have been sold globally since the American A Barbie doll “Death Day” version is displayed during the presentation in Mexico City. — AFP photos building. Police arrested a 66-year-old man who remains brand’s launch 60 years ago. — AFP in custody, and said Sunday they were still following a

he French town of Bayeux has been home for nearly Bayeux tapestry to recount the invasion of England by a millennium to a tapestry depicting a bloody battle William the Conquerer. The work brings to life scenes Tfor power. Now it has another. An exhibition featur- such as the 1066 Battle of Hastings, where Harold of ing a tapestry illustrating the events of hit HBO TV show Wessex is shown dying with an arrow to the eye. “The “Game of Thrones” opened in Bayeux, Normandy, on ‘Game of Thrones’ tapestry references the Bayeux tapes- Friday - just down the road from the museum where its try stylistically and in terms of some of the motifs that eleventh century inspiration is housed. The tapestry was have been used and the way that the story unrolls in a lin- created in Northern Ireland, one of the principal filming ear fashion,” said Wilson. The two tapestries also address locations for the series. Around 30 stitchers worked for a common theme, said Antoine Verney, chief curator of the some 1,500 hours on the stretch of linen, which begins Bayeux Tapestry Museum. “It’s whether we can justify with King Robert Baratheon visiting the Starks in violence to claim power,” he said. Winterfell. Some 87 meters (95 yards) later, it ends in fire The show was based on the “Song of Ice and Fire” and blood with the final, controversial, scenes of the eighth books by George R.R. Martin. The “Game of Thrones” season. Depicting all that gore using jacquard threadwork exhibition in Bayeux runs from Sept. 13 to Dec. 31 at the was not easy, said project chief embroiderer Valerie Hotel du Doyen, on the site where the Bayeux Tapestry Wilson. itself was originally displayed before its eventual move to It would have been a challenge that also faced the the dedicated museum nearby. — Reuters medieval embroiderers, who created the famous 70-meter Guide William Van Der Kells of Winterfell Tours points at the Game of Thrones Tapestry in Bayeux, France. — Reuters 20 Established 1961 Lifestyle Gossip Tuesday, September 17, 2019

od Stewart has been given the all-clear after battling prostate cancer, the knows this, but I thought this was about time I told everybody,” he added. “I’m in the British pop stalwart has revealed. The 74-year-old, who released his 30th clear, now, simply because I caught it early. I have so many tests.” The father-of-eight, R studio album last year, told the audience at a weekend prostate charity who appeared at the event with former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood-who was previ- fundraiser that he was diagnosed two years ago. The raspy voiced singer ously diagnosed with lung cancer-urged men to have their prostates checked regularly. said he received positive news about remission in July following treatment, according to “Guys, you’ve got to really go to the doctor.” Britain’s Daily Mirror. “Two years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer,” Stewart told the audience at the event in Surrey, southwest of London, it reported. “No one

imply Red have announced a 2020 UK tour. S The ‘Fairground’ hitmakers will head out on an eyonce has announced a TV special giving 11-date run, kicking off in Newcastle October B fans an inside look at the making of her ‘The 6, 2020, and wrapping in Bournemouth on Lion King: The Gift’ album. The 38-year-old October 23, following the release of the band’s upcoming superstar - who voiced Nala in this year’s ‘The LP ‘Blue Eyed Soul’. Frontman Mick Hucknall said he Lion King’ remake - released the LP inspired by the hopes his long-standing bandmates - who have played Disney movie, which features collaborations with the with him consistently since 2003 - will “enjoy playing” the likes of husband Jay-Z, their seven-year-old daughter shows and that fans will “get up and move around” and Blue Ivy Carter, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, that everyone will “put their heart into it”. He added: “It’s Pharrell and more, in July, and now the documentary all about capturing the groove.” The ‘Something Got Me ‘Making The Gift’ will air on ABC at 10pm on tonight Started’ hitmakers returned with their first album in eight (16.09.19) and reveal “BeyoncÈ’s creative process”. years, ‘Big Love’, in 2015. The follow-up to 1995’s ‘Life’ Alongside a teaser for the show, Beyonce wrote on came about after the 59-year-old singer started to wonder Instagram: “ABC Network. 10pm.” The Destiny’s Child how the band were going to sound on tour. After getting a star documented her headline performance at Coachella concept for Simply Red’s live sound in his head he then in the Netflix film ‘Homecoming’ last year. Speaking got inspired to start writing and then he couldn’t stop pen- about the ‘The Lion King: The Gift’, which she also pro- ning tracks. The ‘Holding Back the Years’ singer previously duced, Beyonce said she wanted to make sure it was explained” “Once I began wondering how Simply Red “produced by the best African producers” and said that were going to sound, I started writing songs.” While he “authenticity and heart were important” to her. The hadn’t worked with Steve Lewinson, Kenju Suuki, Kevin ‘Spirit’ singer said previously: “This is sonic cinema. This Robinson, Dave Clayton and Ronnie Roth for eight years, is a new experience of storytelling. “I wanted to do more their break meant that Mick developed a much clearer than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the appreciation for Simply Red’s legacy. And he admitted film. “It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t that the reason it had been so long since a completely one sound. “It is influenced by everything from R&B, original album, was because he’d been “fighting” the idea hip-hop and Afro Beat. “I wanted to put everyone on of Simply Red’s sound, but he’s now “comfortable with the their own journey to link the storyline. “Each song was band being a “blue-eyed soul group”. Mick said: “With written to reflect the film’s storytelling that gives the lis- on Disney’s original soundtrack in the remake of the (Simply Red’s 2007 album) ‘Stay’ I was running away from tener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while lis- Disney classic, a version of Sir Elton John’s ‘Can You Feel Simply Red. “But now I’m comfortable with the notion of tening to a new contemporary interpretation. “It was the Love Tonight’, alongside Donald Glover, who voices us as a blue-eyed soul group. “I had to stop myself fight- important that the music was not only performed by the Nala’s love interest Simba in the film. ing that idea. Our sound is original too. I honestly don’t know of another band that has pulled so many musical most interesting and talented artists but also produced orror film “IT Chapter Two” stayed atop the strands together.” ‘Blue Eyed Soul’ is released on by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart North American box office this weekend, but November 8. Tickets for Simply Red’s 2020 UK tour are H were important to me.” The ‘Halo’ hitmaker also featured the buzzy new Jennifer Lopez movie “Hustlers” available at 10am on Friday. notched a strong second place, industry watch- er Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. The latest Stephen King-inspired “IT” film, starring Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Skarsgard, earned Warner Bros an estimated $40.7 million for the three-day period, down from its $91 million opening last weekend. “Hustlers,” based on a true story about strippers who plot to steal from their wealthy clients in recession-hit New York, took in $33.2 million for STX Films, that studio’s best start ever. J-Lo has gotten rave reviews: “Rolling Stone” called her “dazzling,” “electrifying” and Oscar-worthy. “Hustlers” also stars Constance Wu of “Crazy Rich Asians” fame, along with Julia Stiles, Cardi B and Lizzo. Lionsgate’s aniel Radcliffe enjoyed balancing “Angel Has Fallen,” with Gerard Butler as a Secret Service D extreme violence with “physical com- agent accused of attempting to kill the US president, edy”. The ‘Guns Akimbo’ star plays notched $4.4 million to place a distant third. In fourth was mild mannered Miles Cassonva who “Good Boys,” a raunchy tween comedy from Universal, at gets kidnapped and revived with guns bolted to $4.3 million. And in fifth place was Disney’s updated “The his hands in a world where morbid online under- Lion King,” at $3.6 million. Its North American total has ground group ‘skism’ casts random strangers in surpassed $533 million, making it the 12th largest domestic fights to the death. He told Variety: “I feel like it release of all time, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. was such a fun and exciting script, it had this Meantime, Warner Bros.’ widely promoted drama “The insane idea in the middle of it that was really fully Goldfinch,” adapted from a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, explored. “It’s not just a device for crazy fight earned a mere $2.6 million in what the Hollywood scenes, having guns for hands. It’s also a device Reporter called “one of the worst starts ever” for a movie for a lot of physical comedy that I really enjoyed. in wide release. ‘How do you dress yourself, how do you pick up your phone, how do you go through life,’ which [director and writer Jason Lei Howden] practiced very early on.” Howden admitted he had a very zzy Osbourne says working with Post Malone hands-on approach to the concept when it came O and making a new album saved him after his to figuring out the practicalities. He laughed: “I recent health scare left him thinking he was got water pistols and taped them to my hands “dying”. The ‘Paranoid’ hitmaker has fought with and I spent a day just going around my flat, [just pneumonia and suffered a nasty fall - which resulted in him asking] ‘How do I go to the toilet?’ “ There was having 15 metal rods placed in his spine, and was made also a delicate balance to be found between the worse as the tumble aggravated an old injury he suffered skism’s extreme violence, and making sure he during his infamous 2003 quad bike accident - in the past didn’t push things too far in that direction. Asked ustlers’ music supervisor Jason Markey halted year. And the 70-year-old rocker has admitted that if it how he solved that potential problem, he added: ‘H plans for a Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo and Cardi B wasn’t for the 24-year-old rapper asking him to appear on “You approach is with a certain ‘Looney Tunes’ collaboration. The three pop superstars come their hit single ‘Take What You Want’, and him subsequent- cartoony-ness. For me, that takes away from the together in the cast for the new stripper com- ly making a new solo record with the rapper’s producer blow a bit. “No one wants to watch real life vio- edy, and while there were some discussions about a Andrew Watt, he would still be sofa-bound and “lying in lence. When the news comes on, I can’t watch musical conclusion to the movie in a similar vein to Lil’ [his] own self-pity”. In an interview with The Sun newspa- that stuff. I can’t even watch those medical Kim, Pink, Mya and Christina Aguilera’s rendition of per, Ozzy said: “I’ve made a new album and it’s helped get shows... You reach a point where it goes so over- ‘Lady Marmalade’ for ‘Moulin Rouge’, it seemed too me back on track. “I was just lying in my own self-pity for the-top where it’s not realistic.” “cheesy”. Markey told Variety: “At one point, there was months. It’s the greatest album I’ve done.” Ozzy had no some conversation from the producers’ standpoint: idea who the ‘Wow’ hitmaker was until he asked him to fea- ‘Should we do a big end-title song, like a ‘Lady ture on the track, but said recording the new songs with Marmalade’ thing?’ “I was the first person to stand up Andrew for his first LP since 2010’s ‘Scream’ got him back and go, ‘I think that’s cheesy!’ “ He argued his point to on his feet. He continued: “I’d never even heard of this kid. director Lorene Scafaria and won over the filmmaker as “He wanted me to sing on his song ‘Take What You Want’, he suggested a “more poignant” ending than a “big pop so I did and then one thing led to another. “I started number”. He added: “I said to Lorene [Scafaria] in sort of recording a new album with Post Malone’s producer a private jest, ‘Honestly, I really don’t believe in having a Andrew Watt. “It’s only nine tracks but it was a catalyst to Jennifer-Cardi B-Lizzo song in this movie-I just think we get me to where I am today.” Ozzy also admitted he felt like could do much better than that’. “And not in a bad way in he was “dying” until the new music got him “off [his] a**e”. relation to their artistry, but we can end with a more He added: “If it wasn’t for making this record I would still poignant option, as opposed to this big pop number. And be on traction, thinking, ‘I’m going to be lying here for she agreed with me. So we stood our ground-and won ever’. “I’ve missed music so badly. “My fans are so loyal the battle.” Instead, one of the movie’s standout musical and so good. ‘Up until making the album I thought I was moments sees J-Lo pole dancing along to ‘Criminal’ by dying. But that got me off my a**e.” The ‘Crazy Train’ Fiona Apple, which Markey admitted was a risk as the rocker also confessed he’s “out of touch” with how the singer’s 1997 hit had only been licensed a handful of music industry works these days and struggles to get his times for TV and never on the big screen. He said: “I was head around streaming, and he quipped that he thought very scared because Fiona notoriously says no to every- Spotify was a skin condition. He said: “This is my first thing. We sent her the clip and she approved it, so I recording in a studio for ten years, so I do feel a bit out of would assume she just liked what she saw. “Maybe she’s touch. Music goes straight online these days and that’s not a fan of Jennifer, but when you watch her dance, it’s quicker than it takes me to write a text. It’s all about down- undeniable. It’s dramatic gold.”— Bang Showbiz loads and streaming now. What does that mean? What’s Spotify? I thought it was a skin problem where you woke up spotified. “The album was all finished in four weeks. I said to Sharon that I didn’t feel like I’d made an album because we haven’t ended up screaming at each other.” Established 1961 21 Lifestyle Features Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Ethiopian painter Robel Wolde, 25, sits inside his pimped Volkswagen Beetle, in Addis Ethiopian mechanic Kaleb Teshome, 29, poses in front of his pimped Volkswagen A woman walks past a Volkswagen Beetle in Addis Ababa. Ababa. — AFP Photos Beetle.

hen Robel Wolde bought a beat-up 1967 The ‘car for everyone’ the Beetles have been brought in for standard tune-ups. WVolkswagen Beetle from a friend for 50,000 Initially developed in Nazi Germany as an instrument But every few months, Kaleb is asked to do the kind of Ethiopian birr (about 1,540 euros, $1,700), it of propaganda, the origins of the Volkswagen Beetle custom work worthy of “Pimp My Ride,” a show he still marked the start of an extensive restoration he’d plot- “people’s car” date back to 1938. Beetles became a com- watches online even though it was cancelled more than a ted for years. The 25-year-old Ethiopian painter mon sight in Addis Ababa under former emperor Haile decade ago. quickly went to work. He installed new grey leather Selassie, who ruled for more than four decades beginning “I’ve known the cars since my childhood. I know what seats, applied black stripes and decals along the in 1930. In 1974, when the communist Derg regime they need,” he said. “It could be paint work. It could be orange-and-blue exterior and hired a metalworker to removed him from power, Haile Selassie was famously big tyres. It could be a sound system. I pimp all of it.” One fit oversized headlights to the front bumper. Two forced to duck into a Beetle before being escorted away recent morning, he showed AFP his own “pimped-out” months and an additional $1,000 later, Robel’s vision from his palace. Decades later, Beetles remain ubiqui- Beetle, a shiny green-and-black 1972 model with massive was complete. tous, in part because exorbitant taxes make buying new tyres that would look more at home on a truck. “When I And with that, he joined the growing number of cars impossible for many. drive it on the street,” he said, “even people who drive lux- young Ethiopian drivers giving the Beetle-which has Yet it’s clear that the cars also have sentimental value. urious cars say ‘Wow.’” long occupied a hallowed position in the nation’s car When the Ethiopian-American novelist Maaza Mengiste culture-a 21st-century upgrade. Some of this restora- sees one, she says she is reminded of the pale blue Beetle ‘Part of history’ tion work is inspired by shows like the old MTV hit her grandfather drove-the same car that took her to the Whether “pimped-out” or not, the Beetles of Addis “Pimp My Ride”-”pimped out”, American slang for airport when she left the country as a young girl not long Ababa seem destined to become collectors’ items. In July, customized vehicles, has been adopted in Addis Ababa. after the Derg came to power. “I associate that car with Volkswagen marked the end of the Beetle’s around eight- But love for the Beetle in Ethiopia goes back decades, Ethiopia, with growing up there and all the happy memo- decade run by launching a limited, 65-unit “Beetle Final and is rooted in both economics and nostalgia. ries I have,” she told AFP. Edition” at its factory in Puebla, Mexico. Elias Wondimagegn drives his Volkswagen Beetle in Addis Volkswagen is hoping to capitalize on this goodwill. Last year, Mengiste started posting pictures of Beetles For Robel, the painter, the news was further validation Ababa. In January, it signed a memorandum of understanding on Twitter, using the hashtag #BeetleEthiopia. Ever since, of the investment he’d made in his own car. “If production with the Ethiopian government to set up a domestic Ethiopians from a range of backgrounds have been post- of the Beetles has stopped, that means we have a treas- auto industry, including an assembly plant. Regardless ing photos of their own, sometimes offering equally per- ‘I pimp all of it’ ure,” he said. “They will become part of history. That is of what comes of this project, Robel says the Beetle’s sonal memories. “There was something about a Like Mengiste, Kaleb Teshome, a 29-year-old mechan- their fate, so I think I am lucky. Even if I get a really good popularity will endure. “Most of the time, Beetles are Volkswagen that cut through social lines,” Mengiste said. ic, has been riding in Beetles all his life. For decades, his offer, I don’t think I will sell.”— AFP driven by old people,” he said, leaning on the bonnet of “It was a car for everyone. You could be looking for some family has owned a garage that specializes in fixing up the his car near one of Addis’ busier roundabouts. “But form of stability, and you would manage to buy a cars. Now Kaleb works alongside his father at the garage, when they are custom and pimped like this, they are a Volkswagen and that was your step into an upwardly where more than a dozen Beetles compete for space on a fashion statement for young people.” mobile but not extravagant social class.” tiny dirt lot, with others lining the nearby road. Many of

ic Ocasek, the frontman of synth- released their final album, “Move Like heavy new wave innovators The This,” and briefly toured. “Ben and I had a RCars, was found dead Sunday in real cold war going that lasted about 23 New York, police said. He was 75 years years. I could never really figure out exact- old. The New York Police Department told ly why, but I think there was a lot of jeal- AFP they had received a call at approxi- ousy because I wrote the songs and I got a mately 4:00 pm (2000 GMT) for an lot of attention,” Ocasek told The New unconscious male at a townhouse in York Times Magazine in 2011, though he People walk past a hostel named ‘Bollywood’ in In this file photo Thai performers in traditional costume present the opening act during the IIFA Manhattan. He was pronounced dead at said the grudge had faded by the time Orr Mumbai.—AFP photos Awards of the 19th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) festival at the Siam Niramit Theatre the scene, police said, and the body was passed. The performer married three times in Bangkok. identified as Ocasek. There were no signs and had six sons. His third wife, model and of foul play, according to US media. actress Paulina Porizkova, had announced Under the leadership of the singer- the pair’s split on Instagram in 2018. songwriter and rhythm guitarist, The Cars brought the quirky electronic effects of new wave to classically structured, synthe- sizer-heavy pop songs, generating a string of hits such as “You Might Think,” “Shake It Up,” and “Drive” in the 1980s. They were among the early regulars on MTV, winning umbai hosts the “Bollywood Oscars” A shot in the arm India’s notoriously stuffy censors. the “Video of the Year” award for “You Mfor the first time in India in 20 years As the other nominees for best picture at the Revenues from the sale of digital rights bal- Might Think” at the first Video Music this week with the megastars, movers IIFA-spy thriller “Raazi”, swashbuckling epic looned nearly 60 percent in 2018, according Awards in 1984. Born Richard Theodore and shakers of a booming Hindi film industry “Padmaavat”, and middle-aged motherhood to the EY-FICCI report, with Amazon Prime Otcasek on March 23, 1944 in Baltimore, celebrating another bumper year, including in comedy-drama “Badhaai Ho”-underline, and Netflix among the major buyers. The Maryland, the artist moved to Cleveland, huge markets like China. With nearly 1,800 titles Bollywood has long ago moved on from the major streaming giants have started producing Ohio with his family as a teenager. released in 2018, the South Asian country is the cliched all-singing, all-dancing affair. The indus- original Indian content, splashing out on big- There, the lanky artist with his signature biggest film industry in the world in terms of try has also been attracting big, institutional money titles. Netflix, for example, recruited dark chin-length bob met Benjamin Orr, movies made, its flicks wowing viewers from capital and fresh talent, which have helped cre- Bollywood superstars Nawazuddin Siddiqui who would go on to be The Cars’ bassist, Australia to Afghanistan to Africa. ate greater variety and reaching out to wider, and Saif Ali Khan for its acclaimed series and the duo began playing the local bar The industry grew 12.2 percent in 2018, often younger, audiences. There were fears for “Sacred Games”. Last week, the streaming and club circuit. They moved to Boston in which included not only Hindi-language- the industry when major streaming services giant linked up with Karan Johar, one of the the early 1970s, founding The Cars in 1976 Bollywood-movies, but also titles in regional arrived in India a few years ago, changing the highest-profile producers in Bollywood, to after adding Elliot Easton on guitar, Greg languages like Tamil and Telugu, according to a way many Indians consume films. produce films and series exclusively for its Hawkes on keyboards and David Robinson report released in March by Ernst & Young and But the likes of Netflix and domestic players platform. “It’s going to be P.H.A.T-pretty hot on drums. The band found widespread the Federation of Indian Chambers of like Hotstar have instead been a shot in its arm, and tempting,” said Johar. — AFP appeal, satisfying punk rock gurus and Commerce & Industry. The huge South Asian providing a new medium for releasing films and poppier tastes alike with hook-savvy hits diaspora in North America, Britain and the Gulf more money for new productions. Unlike regu- that unified art rock influences like Lou In this file photo US musician Ric Ocasek region has traditionally been the major overseas lar cinematic releases, they are not subject to Reed and David Bowie with more modern attends the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 market. Bollywood blockbuster releases in parts new wave melodicism. Person Of The Year Gala at the Los Angeles of North America and Britain are huge events, “The stylistic synthesis the band has Convention Center in Los Angeles. — AFP with passionate fans often queueing for hours effected so brilliantly should be around for a long time,” wrote New York Times music just to catch a glimpse of stars like Shah Rukh critic Robert Palmer in 1978. “They have That year the band was inducted into Khan. But Indian films have also been making taken some important but disparate con- the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with huge inroads elsewhere-most notably in China. temporary trends-punk minimalism, the Bon Jovi, the Moody Blues, Dire Straits, The black comedy “Andhadhun”, for exam- labyrinthine synthesizer and guitar tex- Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. ple, nominated for best picture at the glitzy tures of art rock, the 50’s rockabilly revival The group’s polished hooks remained Indian International Film Academy Awards on and the melodious terseness of power underpinned by moody, disaffected lyrics Wednesday, was a huge hit with Chinese view- pop-and mixed them into personal and that gave their pop rock a jagged twist, ers, grossing almost $50 million. Aamir Khan, annealing blend.” The group broke up in and into his later years, Ocasek remained the star of the two top-grossing Indian films in the late 1980s, however, and Ocasek began firmly committed to that vision. “To me, China, has a crazed following there and is releasing solo work as well as working as a music’s a powerful emotional force. It can known by many as “Nan Shen” (“male god”). record executive and producing for a num- make people cry, feel happy or feel sexu- Film distributor Akshaye Rathi told AFP that the ber of bands including Weezer and No al,” Ocasek told Rolling Stone in an inter- industry has also seen “great growth” in many Doubt. “The weezer family is devastated view published in 1980. European countries and in Canada, New by the loss of our friend and mentor Ric “But more important than all of that, it’s Zealand and Singapore thanks to the South Ocasek,” the California rock band tweeted a way to communicate without alienating Asian community. “Now it is just a matter of after news of his death broke. “We will people, a way to get beyond loneliness.” time before we focus on the wider populations miss him forever, & will forever cherish the “It’s a private thing people can have for in these countries,” Rathi added. precious times we got to work and hang themselves any time they want. Just turn on And not forgetting 1.3 billion-strong India out with him.” “Rest in Peace & rock on a radio and there it is: a sense of belonging. itself, where there is massive potential for Ric, we love you.” Without having to surrender to anybody growth. According to the Ernst & Young analy- else’s needs.”— AFP sis, industry revenues are estimated to swell ‘Powerful emotional force’ from 174.5 billion rupees ($2.4 billion) in 2018 to In this file photo fans wait to watch Bollywood movie stars during IIFA Stomp in the Times Square to kick In 2011, the surviving members of The 236.1 billion rupees in 2021. off the 18th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Festival in New York. Cars-Orr died in 2000 — reunited and 22 Established 1961

Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Lifestyle Fashion

ashion’s enfant terrible Demna Gvasalia yesterday Guram Gvasalia told Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). tor. Vetements has matured into a company that can quit Vetements, the uber hip streetwear brand he evolve its creative heritage into a new chapter on its own,” Ffounded, in a move which shocked fashion. The ‘I was bored of fashion’ he added. Gvasalia is expected to present Balenciaga’s Georgian designer took Paris fashion by storm in 2014 Gvasalia’s unorthodox approach-staging his last show spring 2020 show in Paris later this month. with his customized $800 hoodies and ironic “poverty at a branch of McDonald’s on the Champs Elysees, full of A child refugee, the designer fled his then war-torn chic” aesthetic, taking the clothes of the poor and selling cheeky jokes at the madness of consumerism-has made homeland with his mother and grandmother after fighting them the rich. His brother Guram, with whom he co-found- him one of the most influential creators in record time. He broke out with Abkhaz separatists in 1989. He told AFP ed Vetements, confirmed his departure. once told AFP that he got his inspiration from riding the that they abandoned their car, and in desperation sold an The 38-year-old made headlines from the start by metro through one of the poorest and most ethnically AK47 they had to protect themselves so they could put cheekily appropriating corporate logos, including diverse parts of Paris. He has since quit the French capital Gvasalia’s elderly grandmother on a horse. The family McDonald’s and DHL, and staging his shows in clubs and for the wealthy and far from edgy Swiss city of Zurich. In a eventually arrived in Germany via Ukraine and Russia, downmarket Chinese restaurants. He achieved further parting statement yesterday to WWD, he said that he had where he originally studied finance before attending the notoriety with his $2,000 “Ikea” bag-a luxury leather ver- done what he had set out to do. Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts and then founding sion of the 99 cent original-for Balenciaga after he was “I started Vetements because I was bored of fashion, Vetements. From the start, it played on a post-Soviet In this file photo fashion designer for Vetements, Demna handed the keys to the venerable Paris fashion house in and against all odds fashion did change once and forever grunge aesthetic. — AFP Gvasalia talks to people at the end of his men and women’s 2015. “What Demna has accomplished over the past few since Vetements appeared. “So I feel that I have accom- Spring/Summer 2019 collection fashion show, in Paris. — AFP years represents a key chapter in the story of Vetements,” plished my mission of a conceptualist and design innova-

rom Victoria Beckham’s flowing dresses to Molly district, was attended by actor and singer Billy Porter- Goddard’s airy creations in tulle, London Fashion whose half-DJ, half-skirt designed by Wauchob made a FWeek, ending today has rolled out some standout splash at the Oscars. “Fashion is all about diversity, inclu- new silhouettes.today sion,” Porter told AFP. “I want to be the image I never saw when I was a child: a black queer man.” Goddard’s billowing dresses Jodie Comer, the actor who plays Villanelle, the assassin Fyodor-Golan’s hybrid identities and “fashion victim” of the hit television series “Killing Designer duo Fyodor Podgorny and Golan Frydman Eve”, made a mark when she kicked off Goddard’s show drew inspiration from the films “Farinelli” by Gerard Saturday with a candy-pink tulle dress. Fans of the British Corbiau and “Amadeus” by Milos Forman-as well as Queen designer’s floaty creations were not disappointed with her Marie-Antoinette. Playing with contrasts, they mixed lace show, set in an art deco London gym. She sent out her with heavy metal T-shirts and paired denim with flimsier models in voluminous skirts and dresses, with vibrant col- materials such as satin and tulle. ors such as canary yellow and coral, worn with flat leather “We explored the idea of pansexuality-attraction to a boots. person whatever the person’s gender identity,” they wrote. Romantic ribbons garnished the shoulders of a pink knit The show also had a bedroom theme-a duvet serving as a worn over a black robe with a floral print. After the show cape and a pillow repurposed as a bag. Models went out in Goddard said she did not have a particular theme in mind oversize pyjamas or tights with psychedelic colors, while but was focused on “individual looks”. “A lot of this was babydoll nightdresses were transformed into evening looking back at the things I’ve done in the last five years gowns. that I liked most, and redoing them more and more, bigger and better,” she told AFP. Style, not trends: Roland Mouret “The concept of trend is dying. Style is better than Victoria Beckham’s simple elegance trends,” French designer Roland Mouret said after his show Long silky dresses in powder pink or violet, shirts with in the garden of the Royal Academy of Arts. Mouret, who oversized collars worn with a houndstooth jacket with has lived in Britain for years, warned that going after sea- straight trousers for a 70s look: Victoria Beckham played sonal trends “means consumerism”. He said people should the chic and simple card for her show in the Foreign be encouraged to set their own styles. Office’s majestic Durbar Court. Her watchwords were light- Mouret said he was inspired by the New York of the ness, freedom and simplicity. 1980s when the city was on the verge of bankruptcy- Beckham’s front row included her whole family-husband before bouncing back. He went for pastel colors-mauve, David, the former star Manchester United footballer, and pale blue and beige-for his calf-length dresses and wide their four children-as well as the grand priestess of fashion pantsuits. Asymmetrical skirts and dresses, slit up the front, Anna Wintour. The show drew around 20 activists of envi- rounded out the show. — AFP ronmental group Extinction Rebellion, who briefly shut the road outside the venue to protest waste created by fast fashion.

Androgynous lines by Sharon Wauchob Roomy suits that could be worn by women and men alike were the fare for Irish designer Sharon Wauchob, who said she has “always liked the androgynous style”. The show, held in a church of London’s upmarket Marylebone

Models present creations from designer Roland Mouret dur- ing a catwalk show for the Spring/Summer 2020 collection on Models present creations from designer Victoria Beckham during a catwalk show for the Spring/Summer 2020 collection on the the third day of London Fashion Week in London. third day of London Fashion Week in London. — AFP photos Classifieds Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Bharathi Nagar, Sirumugai, CHANGE OF NAME Coimbatore-641302, Tamil Nadu residing in Kuwait at pres- ent, hereby declare that hence- This is to notify all that I, RAVI, forth my name will be read as Sabah Hospital 24812000 son of JAGDISH JEWANI holder Given Name: SHREYYA and of Indian Passport No. Surname: KESAVAN (C 5675) Amiri Hospital 22450005 Z1885066, would like to change my name as Ravi (Given name) I, RAKHI ARUNKUMAR holder of Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jagdish Jewani (Given Indian Passport No. Z3826426 & Surname) Ravi Jagdish Jewani Civil ID No. 280040706058 has Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 for all my future dealings here- changed my name from RAKHI after. (C 5590) 17-9-2019 Chest Hospital 24849400 ARUNKUMAR to RAKHI GOPINATH hereinafter in all my I, SHREYYA KESAVAN holder of dealings and documents, I will Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Indian Passport No. S0588075 be known by name of RAKHI having permanent address GOPINATH. (C 5674) Adan Hospital 23940620 250/83A, Kesavan Nilayam, 16/9/2019 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9

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Arrival Flights on Tuesday 17/9/2019 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 Departure Flights on Tuesday 17/9/2019 JZR 611 Tbilisi 12:20 Airlines Flt Route Time SYR 341 Damascus 13:00 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 141 Al Najaf 12:45 FEG 241 Alexandria 00:05 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:10 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 JZR 115 Doha 13:25 IGO 1757 Kochi 00:10 JZR 222 Riyadh 13:30 JZR 713 Sohag 00:10 KAC 541 Cairo 13:30 JZR 254 Amman 00:20 JZR 212 Jeddah 13:45 MSC 406 Sohag 00:15 SAW 702 Damascus 13:30 THY 772 Istanbul 00:20 KAC 672 Dubai 14:00 MSR 615 Cairo 00:30 MSR 611 Cairo 13:45 DLH 625 Dammam 00:50 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:15 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 THY 767 Istanbul 14:00 KAC 102 London 00:50 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 JZR 723 Alexandria 01:05 SYR 342 Damascus 14:00 JZR 722 Alexandria 01:00 QTR 1078 Doha 14:25 FEG 342 Sohag 01:05 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:10 JZR 734 Cairo 01:00 KAC 286 Dhaka 14:35 IGO 1758 Kochi 01:10 UAE 872 Dubai 14:40 RJA 642 Amman 01:20 KAC 304 Mumbai 14:45 KAC 677 Dubai 01:50 JZR 703 Asyut 15:00 UAE 853 Dubai 01:40 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:45 THY 773 Istanbul 01:50 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:00 KLM 446 Bahrain 01:45 KAC 562 Amman 14:50 DLH 625 Frankfurt 01:50 JZR 103 Bahrain 15:05 THY 1464 Istanbul 01:50 KAC 618 Doha 14:50 UMK 2422 Tbilisi 02:00 JZR 123 Dubai 15:05 KKK 1268 Istanbul 01:55 KAC 788 Jeddah 14:55 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 FDB 060 Dubai 15:05 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:15 JZR 602 Baku 15:00 KAC 285 Dhaka 02:00 QTR 1079 Doha 15:30 KAC 156 Istanbul 02:25 KAC 118 New York 15:00 JZR 111 Doha 02:10 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 MSR 3033 Asyut 02:30 KAC 516 Tehran 15:00 THY 765 Istanbul 02:50 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 QTR 1086 Doha 02:40 KAC 692 Muscat 15:00 KKK 1269 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 563 Amman 16:00 PGT 860 Istanbul 02:50 KNE 529 Jeddah 15:05 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 KAC 775 Riyadh 16:05 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:50 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:10 KAC 743 Dammam 16:05 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 OMA 645 Muscat 15:20 MSR 3034 Cairo 03:30 KAC 615 Bahrain 16:10 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 UAE 854 Dubai 03:30 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 JZR 406 Kochi 03:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:00 KAC 785 Jeddah 16:20 NIA 1601 Luxor 03:10 KAC 546 Cairo 15:50 OMA 644 Muscat 04:05 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 FEG 341 Sohag 16:00 NIA 1402 Sohag 04:10 OMA 646 Muscat 16:20 KAC 418 Manila 03:20 JZR 142 Al Najaf 16:05 QTR 1087 Doha 04:15 KAC 619 Doha 16:25 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 JZR 732 Cairo 16:10 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 FEG 442 Asyut 16:55 OHY 352 Istanbul 04:00 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:10 PGT 861 Istanbul 04:20 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:55 LMU 5510 Cairo 04:00 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 JZR 1735 Cairo 04:40 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 KAC 382 Delhi 04:05 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 QTR 1077 Doha 05:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 IGO 1751 Chennai 04:10 KAC 502 Beirut 16:15 LMU 5511 Cairo 05:00 KAC 283 Dhaka 17:40 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 04:15 FEG 241 Alexandria 16:45 OHY 351 Istanbul 05:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 KAC 784 Jeddah 04:25 JZR 116 Doha 17:05 IGO 1752 Chennai 05:10 FEG 242 Alexandria 17:45 JZR 404 Hyderabad 04:50 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:10 KAC 303 Mumbai 05:15 KAC 343 Chennai 17:50 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:05 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 FDB 070 Dubai 06:00 KAC 155 Istanbul 17:50 FDB 069 Dubai 05:05 JZR 214 Jeddah 17:35 IGO 1765 Delhi 06:10 KAC 381 Delhi 17:55 IGO 1759 Delhi 05:10 KAC 158 Istanbul 17:45 THY 771 Istanbul 06:30 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:10 THY 770 Istanbul 05:20 JZR 104 Bahrain 18:00 JZR 745 Sharm el-Sheikh 06:45 JZR 721 Alexandria 18:15 JZR 402 Mumbai 05:25 QTR 1080 Doha 18:10 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 612 Tbilisi 18:15 KAC 552 Cairo 05:50 KAC 623 Doha 07:00 JZR 127 Dubai 18:20 JZR 112 Doha 05:50 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 RJA 643 Amman 07:00 JZR 403 Hyderabad 18:25 KAC 362 Colombo 06:05 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 KAC 167 Paris 07:15 JZR 501 Lahore 18:35 JZR 702 Asyut 06:10 FDB 063 Dubai 19:05 JZR 121 Dubai 07:15 BAW 157 London 06:10 RJA 640 Amman 19:05 JZR 113 Doha 07:30 JZR 733 Cairo 18:35 KAC 284 Dhaka 06:15 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 RBG 550 Alexandria 07:30 JZR 253 Amman 19:10 JZR 714 Sohag 06:20 KAC 744 Dammam 19:25 BAW 156 London 07:40 QTR 1081 Doha 19:20 THY 6376 Istanbul 06:30 NIA 0161 Cairo 19:30 KAC 413 Bangkok 07:45 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 106 London 06:40 KAC 616 Bahrain 19:40 KAC 165 Rome 08:00 FDB 064 Dubai 19:45 KAC 678 Dubai 06:40 JZR 124 Dubai 19:40 JZR 211 Jeddah 08:00 KAC 331 Trivandrum 19:55 KAC 204 Lahore 06:45 RBG 555 Alexandria 19:40 KAC 171 Frankfurt 08:00 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 RBG 559 Alexandria 06:50 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:45 IGO 1767 Mumbai 08:10 KAC 357 Kochi 20:05 JZR 408 Ahmedabad 07:05 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 THY 6376 Dubai/Istanbul 08:35 RJA 641 Amman 20:05 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:05 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 RBG 556 Alexandria 20:20 IGO 766 Mumbai 07:10 KAC 166 Rome 20:00 KAC 545 Cairo 08:50 NIA 0162 Cairo 20:30 KAC 358 Kochi 07:25 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 KAC 501 Beirut 08:50 FDB 058 Dubai 20:30 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 NIA 1403 Sohag 20:10 IRA 674 Lar 08:50 JZR 401 Mumbai 20:30 JZR 724 Alexandria 07:50 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:10 KAC 561 Amman 08:55 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 QTR 1084 Doha 08:00 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 KAC 613 Bahrain 09:00 KAC 353 Bengaluru 20:50 IRA 675 Lar 08:00 KAC 620 Doha 20:30 KAC 117 New York 09:05 DLH 624 Dammam 20:55 KAC 354 Bengaluru 08:00 RBG 213 Sohag 20:30 QTR 1085 Doha 09:10 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:05 KAC 542 Cairo 20:35 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 NIA 1603 Luxor 21:10 KAC 384 Delhi 08:10 QTR 1088 Doha 20:40 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:15 RBG 214 Sohag 21:10 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 ICV 6752 Luxembourg 20:55 KAC 691 Muscat 09:20 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:50 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:00 JZR 601 Baku 09:20 KAC 301 Mumbai 21:25 OMA 641 Muscat 09:00 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:00 KAC 157 Istanbul 09:30 QTR 1089 Doha 21:50 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:10 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 QTR 1070 Doha 09:20 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 JZR 731 Cairo 09:45 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:55 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:15 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:10 IGO 1753 Ahmedabad 09:40 KAC 168 Paris 21:20 JZR 221 Riyadh 09:55 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 JZR 704 Asyut 21:25 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 09:55 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 THY 764 Istanbul 21:30 OMA 642 Muscat 10:00 JZR 1737 Cairo 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:50 KAC 101 London 10:05 THY 1403 AYT 22:25 KAC 624 Doha 10:55 KAC 564 Amman 21:55 QTR 1071 Doha 10:30 UAE 860 Dubai 22:35 QTR 1074 Doha 11:00 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 KAC 515 Tehran 10:35 KAC 383 Delhi 22:35 JZR 1736 Cairo 11:05 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 617 Doha 10:40 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:50 JZR 114 Doha 11:10 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:20 IGO 1754 Ahmedabad 10:40 ICV 6752 Hong Kong 22:55 JZR 122 Dubai 11:45 AIC 987 Chennai/Hyderabad 22:25 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 KAC 795 Madinah 22:55 JZR 746 Sharm el-Sheikh 12:25 JZR 128 Dubai 22:50 SVA 513 Riyadh 10:55 KAC 783 Jeddah 22:55 SAW 701 Damascus 12:30 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:00 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 KAC 551 Cairo 23:00 THY 766 Istanbul 12:30 MSC 405 Sohag 23:15 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 KAC 411 Bangkok 23:00 KAC 614 Bahrain 12:30 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 JZR 213 Jeddah 12:05 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 MSR 610 Cairo 12:45 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 QTR 1075 Doha 12:10 QTR 083 Doha 23:20 24 Established 1961 News Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A giant fresco entitled “Beyong Walls” by French land artist Saype representing hands joined together in support to the SOS Mediterrannee migrant association, is seen at the Parc de la Grange on Sept 14, 2019 in Geneva. — AFP Trump rages as NYT clarifies Kavanaugh’s story WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump blasted reaction, including from several Democratic 2020 are looking to destroy, and influence his opinions - but pension of Kavanaugh’s contentious confirmation The New York Times yesterday after the newspaper presidential hopefuls who called for a new investiga- played the game badly. They should be sued!” Trump process so that the FBI could conduct a fast-track updated a story that detailed a previously unreported tion, or even impeachment. accused the media of working in lockstep “with their investigation of misconduct allegations against accusation of sexual misconduct by Supreme Court Yesterday, The Times said its story failed to include partner”, the Democrats. “The one who is actually Kavanaugh. Justice Brett Kavanaugh to say the alleged victim did key details: That the alleged victim declined to be being assaulted is Justice Kavanaugh - Assaulted by The agency reportedly declined to question dozens not recall the incident. The article made waves when it interviewed and “friends say she does not recall the lies and Fake News!” he said. of potential witnesses or corroborators. Several was published over the weekend, re-examining sexual episode”. “That information has been added to the Kavanaugh has categorically denied engaging in Republican lawmakers and party leaders joined Trump assault allegations aired last year at Kavanaugh’s article,” the Times said in an editor’s note. Trump sexually inappropriate behavior. The Times account yesterday in condemning the Times and Democrats’ polarizing Senate confirmation hearing. seized on the story and the update to launch a full- was adapted from a forthcoming book by the article’s calls for Kavanaugh’s impeachment. Republican Party The article dealt mainly with one of his accusers, throated attack on the Times, urging Kavanaugh to authors. The witness notified US senators and the chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said the Times was “dis- Deborah Ramirez. But it also included a previously sue for libel and suggesting the Justice Department Federal Bureau of Investigation about the account, but graceful” for leaving out evidence in order to “push unreported account by a Yale classmate who said he “come to his rescue”. the FBI did not investigate, according to the Times. their own narrative”. “Smears like this on Justice saw Kavanaugh expose himself to another female stu- “DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT THESE HORRIBLE Last September an outcry by Democrats and some Kavanaugh make it impossible to deny the mainstream dent at another party. The report triggered fierce PEOPLE WILL DO OR SAY,” Trump tweeted. “They concerned Republicans prompted a one-week sus- media’s bias,” McDaniel tweeted. — AFP

Gulf after weekend drone attacks on two major Saudi oil competing in a field of 26 candidates. “We received the Iran seizes new installations that the United States has blamed on Iran. Outsiders lead message sent by the Tunisian people,” Prime Minister Arch-enemies Tehran and Washington have been locked Youssef Chahed said late on Sunday, conceding defeat. boat in Gulf for... in a tense standoff since the US in May 2018 unilaterally An official in Ennahda, seen as Tunisia’s main anti- pulled out of a multilateral accord that limited the scope in Tunisia... establishment force before it joined successive recent of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions governments, said it would now focus on the Oct 6 elec- Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 1 relief. The escalation has been accompanied by ships tion for parliament, which wields more power than the being mysteriously attacked, drones downed and oil presidency. Turnout was 45 percent, down from 63 per- campaign that Tunisians joke it cost no more than a cent in 2014, though foreign election monitors said this countries and by sea to Gulf Arab states. The news of tankers seized in the Strait of Hormuz - a chokepoint for coffee and packet of cigarettes. Saied, who speaks in a third of world’s seaborne oil. — Agencies was because of increased voter registration, meaning the latest incident comes with tensions brewing in the public in formal Arabic as if in a faculty meeting, drives the total number of voters was about the same. an old car and wants to remain in his humble house if Karoui, in a statement read by his wife after exit polls elected rather than move into the luxurious presidential were published, said the result was a message to a polit- palace at Carthage. ical elite that he accuses of using the judicial process to rebels have repeatedly targeted key Saudi infrastructure A social conservative who wants to restore the death Coalition says in the past several months with explosives-laden drones. try to silence him. Tunisia’s electoral commission has penalty and rejects equal inheritance for men and said he can stay in the race so long as he has not been Saree said the weekend attacks were carried out with women, Saied’s main focus is decentralization in a coun- a new type of drone. “We warn companies and foreigners convicted, though no date is set for a final verdict. weapons used in... try where politicians in the capital have traditionally Courts have ruled that he must stay in custody while not to stay in the plants that we have targeted because dominated. With 52 percent of votes counted, Saied was they are still within our reach and could be targeted facing the charges, despite complaints by election moni- on 18.7 percent, Karoui was in second place with 15.5 tors that this prejudices his chances. His opponents have Continued from Page 1 again,” he said. The Houthis claimed a drone strike on two percent and the moderate Islamist Ennahda party can- said his use of his unlicensed television station should oil pumping stations on Saudi Arabia’s vital east-west didate Abdelfattah Mourou was on 13.1 percent, the itself disqualify him. “All indications are that weapons used in both attacks pipeline in May, forcing a days-long shutdown. official figures showed, proportions that have roughly Legal questions over whether he could take the oath came from Iran,” coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki told “Growing tensions in the Middle East are another held since early morning. of office while in detention, or whether presidential reporters in Riyadh, adding they were now probing “from headwind for the global economy in already uncertain In a radio interview on Sunday, Saied described his where they were fired”. “This strike didn’t come from immunity would protect him, are unsettled. A constitu- times, and a full-blown conflict could trigger another leg lead as “like a new revolution”, a reference to Tunisia’s tional court to address such issues has not yet been set Yemen territory as the Houthi militia are pretending,” in the global downturn,” said Jennifer McKeown, head of 2011 uprising that brought in democracy and set off the Maliki said, adding an investigation had been opened. He up. “You punished those who tried to steal the votes by Global Economics at Capital Economics. With the Houthis Arab Spring revolts elsewhere. Tunisia’s prime minister, putting me in prison without trial, and who prevented labelled the Houthis “a tool in the hands of the Iranian threatening further attacks, analyst Oanda senior market two former prime ministers, the defense minister and a me from speaking to people in the campaign,” Karoui’s Revolutionary Guards and the terrorist regime of Iran”. analyst Craig Erlam noted Saturday’s events had “high- former president were among the political heavyweights Sunday night message said. — Reuters The rebels said they fired 10 drones at the Saudi infra- lighted the vulnerability of security at these facilities to structure, but the New York Times reported that US offi- drone attacks”. The kingdom also has a spare capacity of cials had satellite images showing the attacks - possibly around two million bpd that it can draw on at times of cri- the regime’s ability and willingness to undertake any with drones and cruise missiles - had come from the north sis. But a prolonged production delay could potentially Erdogan hosts kind of political reform,” she told AFP. or northwest. That indicated they were sourced in the see prices climb to “triple digits”, warned Saudi economic High on everyone’s mind at the summit was the week- northern Arabian Gulf, Iran or Iraq, rather than Yemen. consultant Sulaiman Al-Assaf. Putin, Rouhani... end attack on Saudi oil facilities, which Washington has The assault on the heart of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, The attack is a major test for Saudi Arabia as it could blamed on Tehran, deepening bilateral tensions and put- which engulfed the facilities in flames, has been con- dampen investor confidence in Aramco’s upcoming two- ting the region on the brink of further conflict. Iran has demned by Washington as an “unprecedented attack on stage initial public offering (IPO), a mammoth listing that Continued from Page 1 been a crucial actor on the battlefield in Syria but has the world’s energy supply”. Oil prices saw their biggest the government hopes will generate up to $100 billion. kept a lower profile in recent months. Its focus has been daily gain since the 1991 Gulf War yesterday after the Saudi authorities are considering whether to delay an IPO “We must take supplementary measures to com- on countering Israeli and US involvement. “The pres- attacks halved output in the world’s top crude exporter, for the oil giant, people with knowledge of the matter pletely destroy the terrorist menace that comes from ence of American military forces in a United Nations fuelling fresh geopolitical and growth fears. Europe’s said. “They’re in the process of assessing the damage. It’s the zone of Idlib.” member and independent country such as Syria endan- benchmark Brent crude surged by 20 percent and US a possibility but it’s still very early,” said one of the The Turkish presidency said the leaders would dis- gers its territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” counterpart WTI by 15 percent as commodities trading sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. cuss the latest developments in Syria as well as “ensur- Rouhani said at the start of the summit. “American got underway. Both contracts later came off their peaks, The IPO, earlier scheduled for 2018, has already been ing the necessary conditions for the voluntary return of forces should leave the country at once.” but were still up more than 10 percent on the day by the mired in delays as it reportedly struggled to reach a $2 refugees and discussing the joint step to be taken in the Meanwhile, Turkey has other concerns regarding mid-afternoon in Europe. trillion valuation desired by Saudi rulers. Saudi authorities period ahead with the aim of achieving a lasting politi- Syria. It has repeatedly threatened to launch a cross- US Energy Secretary Rick Perry insisted world oil have sought to calm jittery markets, with the Energy cal solution”. Moscow is keen to see progress on border offensive against Syrian Kurdish forces, whom markets still had sizeable reserves saying the market has Intelligence specialist newsletter citing industry sources establishing a constitutional committee to oversee the it sees as allied to Kurdish militants in its own territory. “a fairly substantial amount of oil out there available”. as saying Aramco was “close to restoring as much as 40 next stage of the political settlement in Syria. That That has strained Turkey’s relations with its NATO ally, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on percent” of the lost production, or about 2.3 million bar- would give Putin a political win to add to the military the United States, which backs the Syrian Kurds as the Sunday said the kingdom would use its vast inventories to rels per day (bdp). victories, said Dareen Khalifa, senior Syria analyst at main fighting force against the Islamic State group partially compensate for the lost production, and the US The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the International Crisis Group. (IS). The US has vowed to work with Turkey to move also authorized the release of its reserves. damage estimates as saying the targeted facilities would After his meeting with Rouhani, Putin said he hoped Kurdish forces away from its border, but Ankara says The Houthi rebels threatened yesterday to carry out take weeks to return to full production capacity. The they were “now in the final stages” of forming the con- progress has so far been “cosmetic” and it could more strikes and urged foreigners to stay away. “We real extent of the damage at the facilities however stitutional committee. But Khalifa said expectations launch an operation into Syria by the end of this assure the Saudi regime that our long hand can reach any remains unclear. All eyes are on official word from the should remain low. Even if they can agree on who will month. Turkey has conducted previous offensives place we want at any time we choose,” Houthi military Saudis on the situation, which could offer reassurance to form the committee, “this leaves a crux of issues unad- against IS in 2016 and the Kurdish People’s Protection spokesman Brigadier Yahya Saree said in a statement. The world markets. — Agencies dressed for the future of the political process including Units (YPG) militia in 2018. — AFP Established 1961 25 Sports Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Bok loss won’t be ‘end of the world’ for All Blacks: Hansen ‘Handling the ball well in wet conditions could be important at this World Cup’

TOKYO: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has come in off their wings. And they’re good at it, very, insisted it “won’t be the end of the world” if his very good at it. “You want them to roll a couple of reigning champions lose their opening Rugby World ones, rather than a pair of sixes.” Cup blockbuster against South Africa. Hansen said his squad understood the danger of Every team that has won the World Cup has been expending too much emotional energy bin the unbeaten and Saturday’s Pool B clash between New build-up. “There’s a big Test match, a big box of Zealand and South Africa in Yokohama promises to chocolates at the end of the week. You can’t eat be one of the games of the tournament. them on Sunday because there will be none left for “Clearly this is a big match because it’s the All Saturday,” he said. Blacks v South Africa, which is traditionally a massive “The players are aware of that. You can’t play it match anyway,” Hansen told reporters at New Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, you’ve got to be Zealand’s hotel in Tokyo yesterday. ready to play Saturday.” South Africa, with a back- “Logic will tell you whoever wins this game, prob- drop of rows over post-apartheid transformation, ably wins the pool. “But as we found it in 2011, you have endured some painful results since a shock don’t have to necessarily win the pool to get into the defeat by Japan at the 2015 World Cup, including a final. France did it the other way,” said Hansen ahead 57-0 thrashing by New Zealand at North Shore City of the All Blacks’ bid to lift an unprecedented third two years ago. successive World Cup. But Hansen said their current form was a return “It’s not the end of the world (if you lose), and it to their normal standards. “I’m not surprised,” he doesn’t mean you are going to win the World Cup or said. “Every time we’ve played them, other than get into the final because you win this game. There’s once in North Harbour when we had a day out of a lot of water to go under the bridge.” the box, the games have been reasonably hard- New Zealand and South Africa have won five fought and tight. World Cups between them and the form of coach “They’ve gone through some challenging process- Rassie Erasmus’s resurgent side, this season’s Rugby es but I think they are starting to reap the rewards of Championship winners, has heightened expectations. that now. They are selecting a team on a genuine TOKYO: New Zealand’s captain Kieran Read (L) and coach Steve Hansen pose for a photograph after a The last three All Black-Springbok encounters basis that they are all good enough to be there.” welcome ceremony at Zojoji temple in Tokyo, ahead of the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup which begins on saw a draw and one win each, by just two points both Recent typhoons in Japan have emphasised how September 20. —AFP times. “Both teams are pretty close,” said Hansen. handling the ball well in wet conditions could be “Over the last three games, they won, we won one on important at this World Cup. the death knell and they drew one on the death knell. Wales coach Warren Gatland has been oiling up the practice. baby oil on his balls’. That’s probably not the head- “Their defensive system has changed a lot (under training balls to make them slippery, and Hansen “You want to rephrase what you just said?” asked line you want. “We’ve just been using plain old water. Erasmus). They roll the dice big time — their wingers had a cheeky exchange when reporters told him of Hansen. “You said ‘Warren Gatland has been putting It seems to be working all right.” —AFP

champions Australia prepare for their much — you want to try and fit in to the would do in this situation,” said Genia, a “Michael Cheika is Michael Cheika,” Genia puts Pool D opener against Fiji in Sapporo way the game is being played.” veteran of Australia’s 2011 and 2015 he said. “He hasn’t changed in the 15 this weekend. Genia, who has won 105 Australia World Cup campaigns. years I have known him — he’s good at “Whatever role I’m chosen to play — caps and is set to bring the curtain “He’s pretty loud and pretty out trying to get the best out of people.” Wallaby harmony whether it’s from the start or at the back down on an illustrious Wallabies career there, I’m a pretty laid back sort of Wallabies utility back Adam Ashley- end of games, I’m not particularly in Japan, joked that flyhalf Bernard guy.” Australia will be expected to join Cooper, meanwhile, will be hoping to first in World Cup fussed,” he told reporters at Australia’s Foley could even get a runout ahead of Wales in the knockout stage from Pool join George Gregan as only the second training base in Odawara. “I’m confident him as an emergency scrum-half. D, which also involves Uruguay and Australian to play at four World Cups. in my game and what I’ll bring if given “He’s been feeding the scrum, prac- Georgia, but treble-chasing New Ashley-Cooper recalled scoring in swansong the opportunity,” added Genia, who tising his passing,” said the Melbourne Zealand, England and South Africa are Australia’s 93-3 rout of Japan at the started just one this season’s four Rebel. “If the worst comes to the worst among a handful of teams tipped ahead 2007 World Cup. “I was just a young ODAWARA: Australia scrum-half Will Rugby Championship games but got the we have got that cute little thing playing of them to win the World Cup. bloke — fat face, short hair, crew Genia said yesterday he was happy to nod in Australia’s recent 34-15 win over half-back as well.” But Genia tipped However, a thumping 47-26 home win cut,” winced the 35-year-old. “I have “fit in” where needed as the Wallabies Samoa in their last Test. Australia to benefit from the competi- over the All Blacks in the Rugby no idea why I shaved my head, it was centurion looks to end a storied career “The main difference is when you start tion between himself and White, the Championship last month demonstrated an awful look. Hard to put into at the Rugby World Cup. The 31-year- the game you can build into it. When you other specialist scrum-half in Michael the Aussies can’t be ruled out of the words.” Despite Ashley-Cooper’s own old, who is battling it out with Nic come off the bench you want to bring Cheika’s squad. equation and assistant coach Shaun proximity to retirement, Genia White for the starting role in Japan, energy and bring impact into the game, “We bounce ideas off each other as Berne backed Cheika to get the backed his team mate, insisting: “He’s insisted the team came first as two-time but you don’t want to be trying to do too to how we can get better or what we Wallabies firing. still got it!” —AFP

Mr D0ne’s Game On

KUWAIT: Mr D0ne’s Game On, is an E-Football ini- an icon of the E-Sports world, acquiring the privilege rounds per qualifier event. Each qualifier acquires l When a red card is given tiative comprising of an E-Sports Competition with to be in the company of lifelong legends, Cristiano winning teams who’ll succeed to the Finals taking l At half time a compelling twist that’s held in 3 different locations Ronaldo, Kaka and Lionel Messi. place on October 17 at 360 Mall. Each team is also granted one free switch when across Kuwait in September and October 2019. With smooth and magnetic skills, Mr D0ne’s now For the game, the rules are fairly simple, yet full the ball is not in play. Teams who end up in a tie Abdulaziz Alshehri, who also goes by the alias Mr focusing on developing the profile of E-Football in of intensity and suspense: there are 4 players per would play a Golden Goal round where it’ll lead to a D0ne, is a Red Bull E-Sports athlete and the first- the Middle East for amateur gaming enthusiasts in game, each 2 in a team with one controller per team. penalty shootout switching players per shoot. ever player from the Middle East to win the FIFA the region, starting with Mr D0ne’s Game On in The game begins regularly with 2 players; however, Sounds intense huh? To find out more about the eWorld Cup. The Saudi Arabian player won what was Kuwait. The event, which starts September 26 has 5 the gist is that each team member must tag and event, visit @RedBullKuwait on Instagram and then the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final in qualifiers in two different locations in Kuwait. Each switch with their mate within the game when: Twitter, and @RedBull on Facebook, or visit Munich, Germany, in 2015 and has ultimately become qualifier registers teams of two to participate in 16 l A team gets scored on www.redbull.com. 26 Sports Tuasday, September 17, 2019 Ben Stokes and Archer promise glittering Test future for England Captain Root ‘desperate’ to take the team forward

LONDON: Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer promise a glit- have such a gift is entertaining, it’s great to be able to tering Test future for England but Joe Root’s men have captain that.” Despite Root’s optimism, there are ques- work to do if they are to replicate their World Cup suc- tions over a number of other positions in the side in cess in the five-day game. both the batting and bowling departments, with the England’s focus on white-ball cricket paid off hand- skipper admitting there were “conversations” to have. somely when they became world champions for the first England’s record Test wicket-taker James Anderson time in July, beating New Zealand in a dramatic final. broke down in the first match at Edgbaston and there is Their summer threatened to finish with a whimper inevitably going to be speculation about the 37-year- going into the final Ashes Test at the Oval before a old’s long-term future. Anderson’s long-time new-ball comprehensive victory over Australia levelled the Ashes partner Stuart Broad enjoyed a successful Ashes, taking series at 2-2. 26 Ashes wickets, but he is already 33. Captain Root said after the win on Sunday that he All-rounder Sam Curran impressed in his one Test at was “desperate” to take the team forward, and is the Oval but back-up seamers Chris Woakes and Craig already looking ahead to the 2021-22 Ashes in Overton did not offer enough of a consistent threat. Australia. “What a summer of cricket it’s been,” he said. Bespectacled left-arm spinner Jack Leach took 12 “I think a huge success for English cricket and I think wickets in the series, including 4-49 on Sunday as we’ve got a great opportunity now to spring the game England surged to victory, and looks to have displaced forward in this country.” the out-of-form Moeen Ali — dropped after the first The Yorkshireman described the Oval victory as a Test — as England’s first-choice spinner. blueprint for the future, saying England had the founda- Leach, who turned a few heads when he made 92 as tions in place for long-term success. “That’s got to be a nightwatchman in the warm-up Test against Ireland, our main focus, going down there (Australia) and win- also became an unlikely cult hero after his doughty per- ning and every Test match between that is an opportu- formances with the bat, notably his obdurate one not nity to push your case,” he said. out at Headingley, keeping an end going while Stokes All-rounder Stokes, who produced heroics at the produced the fireworks to win the third Test. World Cup and then lit up the Ashes with a mesmeris- ing 135 not out in England’s one wicket win in Leeds, BATTING PROBLEMS would walk into any team in international cricket. England also have questions to address in the bat- LONDON: Australia’s captain Tim Paine (C) holds the Ashes Urn as the players celebrate victory after the pres- Archer is at the start of his Test career but has ting department, with Root stressing the need for more entation ceremony on the fourth day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The already shown he can be a phenomenal weapon for runs. England’s man of the series Stokes was the out- Oval in London yesterday. England won the fifth test by 135 runs and drew the series but Australia keeps The England, taking 22 wickets in his first four matches at an standing performer, hitting two centuries, including a Ashes trophy.— AFP average of just over 20. heroic match-winning ton at Headingley, and Rory Sending down 95-per-hour thunderbolts, he gives Burns did a decent job as opener, scoring a maiden Test averaging just 32.50 in the series, a relative failure players will miss the one-day games if they are playing the attack a new dimension, unsettling even frontline century and finishing the series with 390 runs. thrown into sharp relief by the outstanding form of for- all three formats. The Test team needs a little bit of TLC batsmen with his sheer pace. But too many batsmen failed to fire consistently, with mer Australia skipper Steve Smith. and Joe Root is the skipper to take them forward.” “He has a way of having a huge impact on the Jos Buttler only finding form in the final Test and Jonny Former England captain Michael Vaughan said there And outgoing coach Trevor Bayliss said England game,” Root said of Archer. “You saw his spell here, the Bairstow well down the team averages. The experiment could be a change of direction for the team but put his were in good shape for the future. “There’s some good way it just changed the whole atmosphere of the of opening with one-day specialist Jason Roy back- faith in Root despite some questions over his position. young players stacking up behind the players in the ground was incredible. fired, although he could get another chance. “With England, I think we might see a change in team at the moment and that’s the best type of pressure “For someone right at the beginning of his career to Even Root, long England’s top batsman, failed to fire, approach the Test team takes,” he said. “Maybe the of all, is from within.” —AFP NBK grants Eyad’s dream to race come true Spain World Cup win, US woes blow Olympic basketball wide open

BEIJING: The Tokyo 2020 Olympics basketball sud- denly looks wide open after reigning champions the United States suffered their worst World Cup, Spain triumphed and Argentina surprised. World Cup bronze medallists France, and Australia, who were edged out of the medals but pushed eventual winners Spain all the way in the semi-finals, will also be in contention. And not forgetting Serbia, who along with Gregg Popovich’s young Team USA were the favourites in China but were also surprise victims in the quarter- AbdulRazzag. He drove on a professional what they want to be and try to fulfill KUWAIT: Eyad Adnan Al Shami, 16 finals. The Tokyo Games are just over 10 months years old, is undergoing treatment at and fully equipped racing circuit and that for them.” away and after some downtime following their exer- NBK Hospital and suffers from brain discovered the sound of high racing NBK has been at the forefront of sup- tions at the World Cup, teams will begin training their tumor, has always desired to live a race engines. “Eyad’s dream to race is yet porting Kuwait’s community through a sights on next summer. experience. NBK helped in making his another wish granted through NBK’s ini- range of initiatives towards education, “It’s exactly what I knew it to be because I’ve dream come true in cooperation with tiative “I Dream to Be”. We are proud to health, sports and social responsibilities. been involved with it before and in this day and age Kuwait Motor Town, operated by Diwan be a part of the children’s dreams and NBK’s “I Dream to Be” initiative was basketball in other countries is not a secret,” Al Amiri, Road Rush and Ali Al Ghanim expand our support to them as much as launched in 2014 and is dedicated to Popovich said after his team’s disappointing seventh- & Sons Automotive Company. possible,” said Joanne Al Abdul Jaleel, always putting the child’s wish first. This placed finish. Before the race, NBK and Kuwait NBK Public relations officer. initiative aims to improve a quality of life “So it’s not like there’s an epiphany or revelation Motor Town team welcomed Eyad and “I Dream to Be” initiative is a lifetime for children facing life-threatening ill- to be made. “There are wonderful teams and wonder- provided him with a race-spec outfit. experience for children with life-threat- nesses. This unprecedented initiative ful coaches all over the world so there’s no surprise in Eyad enjoyed a full and adventurous ening conditions,” she added. “This ini- aims at creating a sustainable momentum any of that.” If the United States can convince the experience driving a McLaren Racing tiative is a great way to spread joy and that transcends from the goodwill of a likes of double gold medallist LeBron James to play Car for six laps on track with the show that there’s always a positive side few to a commitment by the community in Tokyo, they will be favourites to make it four International Kuwaiti Racer Mohamad Al to a difficult situation. We ask children as a whole. Joanne Al Abdul Jaleel Olympic titles in a row. But it remains to be seen whether the flak flying Team USA’s way after the China debacle scares the A-listers away or stings them into action. Spain’s World Cup triumph, sealed with a comprehensive GIG’s Battle 95-75 victory over surprise finalists Argentina on Bangladesh axe Soumya Sunday in Beijing, was built on defence and team- Fitness Festival to work honed from playing together down the years. in further T20 overhaul They also had Ricky Rubio, the Phoenix Suns point guard who was named tournament MVP, and DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday axed lead Middle East the experience and international knowhow of Marc top-order batsman Soumya Sarkar and called up three Gasol. Rubio described the Spain team as “a family”. uncapped players in a further shuffle of their squad for the In contrast, the US roster was one of the youngest fitness events in China and was thrown together at the last minute. ongoing tri-nation Twenty20 international at home. The players were still getting to know each other as Batsmen Mohammad Naim, Aminul Islam, Nazmul Hossain KUWAIT: Gulf Insurance Group, one of the the tournament began. will join the squad for the third and fourth match of the tour- “We were not the tallest or most talented, or in the nament after Bangladesh’s senior players failed to deliver in leading insurance service providers in Middle East and North Africa region announced its odds when the tournament started, but we worked the first two matches. hard,” said Spain’s coach Sergio Scariolo, an assistant long term collaboration with Circuit+ Fitness to Bangladesh were 60-6 in the opening match against at NBA champions the Toronto Raptors. Zimbabwe before somehow managing a three-wicket win organize the region’s largest fitness events, ‘gig Group photo “They didn’t lose faith in themselves, and basket- while failed to recover in Sunday’s second match against Battle Fitness Festival’. ball rewarded them.” Australia brought the Afghanistan after being reduced to 32-4 and lost by 25 runs. The event will take place at the Green Island ment of the society. We wish the best of luck to Americans’ run of 78 consecutive wins in major com- Soumya bore brunt criticism for Bangladesh’s woeful bat- on November 1 and 2, 2019 with more than the athletes.” petitions and exhibition games to an end just before ting performance at top, having scored just four runs in two 2,500 athletes, spectators and volunteers regis- Co-founder of Circuit+, Bader Albanna, the World Cup, a forewarning of what was to come. matches. “He did not look in a very good form. So we thought tered to attend. Athletes will compete in a num- commented: “We’re excited to be elevating our The Boomers led Spain for much of their thrilling better if we could try some new players,” said BCB chief ber of games, including the Athlete Games, the event to the next level by joining forces with semi-final, only to lose in double overtime. They simi- selector Minhajul Abedin. Super Team Cup, the Saracen Race, and - for gig. Each year, we aim to bring something new larly ran out of gas in their bronze-medal match Pacer Rubel Hossain and Shafiul Islam were also recalled the first time - the Powerlifting Combat. to the table to grow our community and keep against France. while uncapped Mahedi Hasan and Yeasin Arafat were Speaking on this occasion, gig’s Group up the excitement. This year, we’re most excited It left Australia still searching for a medal in the released from the squad. Bangladesh will play their next game Senior Manager - Corporate Communications about welcoming powerlifting athletes, who are worlds or Olympics — a barren run that they hope against Zimbabwe in Chittagong tomorrow. & Investor Relations, Khaled Al Sanousi, said: largely underserved in the region, to The they can finally snap next summer. Mitch Creek, their The tournament will run until September 24. The Tigers “Gulf Insurance Group is delighted at this Battle.” forward, hopes that the Boomers will have all their have been facing criticism after losing the recent Test match opportunity to support athletes and to take its The gig Battle Fitness Festival is an all- players for Tokyo — they were missing Philadelphia against newcomer Afghanistan. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the encompassing fitness festival that goal of creat- 76ers Jonah Bolden and Ben Simmons in China. Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, next level by helping our younger generation ing an annual competition that would unite the “This team is going to be a very powerful team when it comes to the Olympic Games,” he warned. Mahmudullah Riyad, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, lead a more health-conscious life. Competitive excitement of competitive fitness and the thriv- The Australians are still simmering from their one- Liton Das, Afif Hossain, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul sports have gained popularity among young ing athletic communities in the Middle East point defeat to Spain in the bronze-medal match at Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mohammad men and women in Kuwait in the recent years, under one roof. Over the years, this initiative Rio 2016.—AFP Naim, Aminul Islam and Nazmul Hossain. — AFP and we hope that this event will serve to further has grown to attract athletes from all around support a more active lifestyle among this seg- the globe. 27 Sports Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Atalanta, Roma back winning as Lazio fall in Serie A Bologna moved second after gutsy 4-3 comeback win over promoted Brescia

MILAN: Duvan Zapata struck late as Atalanta warmed up “Defensively it was our best performance so far.” Lazio for their Champions League debut with a last-gasp 2-1 suffered their first defeat this season as they paid for their victory over Genoa in Serie A on Sunday as Roma got complacency following Ciro Immobile’s 17th-minute their first win this season against Sassuolo, but city rival’s penalty against SPAL, losing 2-1. Lazio fell at SPAL. An Andrea Petagna volley just after the hour mark in Colombian international Zapata rifled in the winner on Ferrara and Jasmin Kurtic’s late winner sealed all three 95 minutes in Genoa to seal all three points for Atalanta points for SPAL. The Romans are ninth with four points who qualified for the Champions League by finishing third from three games. last season, but lost last week to Torino. Bologna moved second after a gutsy 4-3 comeback win Colombian striker Muriel’s 64th-minute penalty had put over promoted Brescia, inspired by coach Sinisa the Bergamo side ahead in western Italy but Genoa cap- Mihajlovic who gave instructions from hospital as he tain Domenico Criscito levelled from the spot after 91 min- undergoes chemotherapy. “At the end of the first half we utes. Zapata had the final say to give Gian Piero heard Mihajlovic’s anger on the phone and this shook us,” Gasperini’s side, who are sixth, a confidence boost as they said Bologna forward Rodrigo Palacio. “We talked to him travel to Dinamo Zagreb for their first ever Champions before the game, for us it is very important and we miss League game next week. AC Milan are just behind him. We play like this thanks to his mentality.” Atalanta, also with six points, after Polish striker Krzysztof Sunday’s game was the first the 50-year-old Mihajlovic Piatek got back scoring with a 68th-minute penalty in a has missed despite his condition. A quick-fire Alfredo hard-fought 1-0 victory over 10-man Verona. Donnarumma double saw Brescia — playing their first Roma are just behind in eighth after new coach Paulo home match in eight years — lead after 19 minutes. Fonseca got his first win , a 4-2 defeat of Sassuolo, for the Mattia Bani headed Bologna back into the game on 36 capital side. The hosts were four goals up at the break minutes, with the visitors trailing 3-1 before Brescia were after Bryan Cristante, Edin Dzeko, Henrikh Mikhitaryan hit by Daniele Dessena’s sending off for a second yellow and Justin Kluivert all found the net in a 21-minute spell card just after the break. with Lorenzo Pellegrini providing three assists. Bologna came back with goals from Palacio on 56 min- But Domenico Berardi’s brace for Sassuolo on 53 and utes, Stefano Denswil four minutes later and a Riccardo 72 minutes rattled the hosts who are back in the Stadio Orsolini winner 10 minutes from time. Mihajlovic’s side, Olimpico during the week for Europa League action who finished 10th last season, are now two points behind against Istanbul Basaksehir. Inter Milan ad ahead of champions Juventus on goal dif- “I hope that this will be the first of a lot of victories,” ference after three games. Torino, who have maximum said Portuguese Fonseca. “I realised that I had to adapt to points after two games, can move ahead on Monday when the dynamics of the Italian championship. “Today we they host promoted Lecce. Cagliari meanwhile won 3-1 at showed our ability to press high, and while we scored four Parma in a game where there were 12 minutes of extra time ROME: Sassuolo’s Romanian defender Vlad Chiriches (bottom) tackles AS Roma’s Bosnian forward Edin goals it could have been seven or eight. following a lengthy VAR review. — AFP Dzeko during the Italian Serie A football match AS Roma vs Sassuolo at the Olympic stadium in Rome. — AFP

David de Gea signs new deal at Man Utd Klopp expects

LONDON: David de Gea has signed a new long-term daunting ride as contract with Manchester United, the Premier League club announced yesterday, ending months of specula- tion over his future. The 28-year-old, who had been Liverpool eye linked with a return to Spain with Real Madrid for several seasons, has put pen to paper on a new four- Istanbul return year deal. “David de Gea has signed a new long-term contract with Manchester United, keeping him at the LONDON: Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool that club until at least June 2023,” United said on their retaining the Champions League will be even harder official website. “There is an option to extend for a than their incredible march to victory in Madrid last further year.” season. Klopp’s side start their bid to win a seventh Former manager Alex Ferguson brought De Gea to European Cup with a trip to Napoli for their Group E the club from Atletico Madrid in 2011 in an £18.9 mil- opener today. The Reds have reached the last two lion ($23 million) deal and he has since made 367 Champions League finals, beating Tottenham in the appearances for the club. “It has been a privilege to Spanish capital in June after losing to Real Madrid 12 spend eight years at this great club and the opportunity months earlier. to continue my career at Manchester United is a gen- But Klopp believes Liverpool face a daunting task uine honour,” said the goalkeeper. to make it to the final in Istanbul’s Ataturk Stadium — “Since I arrived here, I could never have imagined I a venue which carries extra resonance for the club would play over 350 games for this club. Now my after they won the 2005 Champions League with an future is fixed, all I want is to help this team achieve astonishing comeback against AC Milan in the same what I believe we can and win trophies again, togeth- stadium. Before Liverpool can dream of emulating MANCHESTER: File photo shows Manchester United’s Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea throws the ball out er.” De Gea joined in the year that United reached their Steven Gerrard and company’s triumph by the banks during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old third Champions League final in four years. The club’s of the Bosphorus, Klopp knows they will have to run Trafford in Manchester. — AFP fortunes have since dipped under a succession of dif- the gauntlet in what he expects to be a fiercely con- ferent managers but the Spaniard has won the Premier tested tournament. League, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa belongs. David is a fantastic person and his outstanding were offered as a reason for his poor form towards the Napoli are expected to pose the sternest test to League since arriving at Old Trafford. quality provides the perfect base to our defence” end of last season, with the club finishing a lowly sixth Liverpool in a group which also includes unfancied Salzburg and Genk. Carlo Ancelotti’s team came “There’s no place like home,” he tweeted, accompa- De Gea, capped 40 times by Spain, came close to in the Premier League. within a whisker of ending Liverpool’s European joining Real Madrid in 2015 only for a paperwork delay He was also at fault for Patrick van Aanholt’s late nied by a video of himself the club’s stadium. Manager campaign in the group stage last season when Alisson Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he was delighted the to stop the deal going through before the transfer winner as Crystal Palace won 2-1 at Old Trafford last Becker’s superb late save denied Arkadiusz Milik to Spaniard had committed his long-term future to the deadline. month. He recently lost his place in the Spain team to preserve a 1-0 win at Anfield that sent the Reds into club. “Over recent years, David has proved himself to He would have been free to speak to any European Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, although he the last 16 at the expense of Napoli. be the best in the world and a vital part of our plans as clubs from January 1 and leave next summer on a free was recalled for this month’s Euro qualifying win over Even if Liverpool should advance to the knockout we look to take Manchester United back to where it transfer. Protracted negotiations over De Gea’s future minnows the Faroe Islands. — AFP rounds without so much drama this season, Klopp is wary of the restocked superpowers certain to be lying in wait in the latter stages. also struck his first goal for the club at Molineux, while “I will have no problem with it (reaching the final) Lampard trusts 20-year-old Mason Mount continued the form that if it happens again, but at this moment I am not too earned him an England call-up with his third goal in four Matches on TV sure it will,” he said when the draw was made in Premier League games. Former Chelsea midfielder (Local Timings) August. “We have the same chance like everyone else, young guns for Lampard, who won the Champions League with the but that is all, and I don’t see us, the English teams, club as a player, will be making his debut in the compe- UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE dominating. I really think a lot of teams have a good Chelsea Champions tition as a manager. “I will be proud to do it,” he said. “I chance. “Look at the squad Borussia Dortmund has had multiple incredible nights in the Champions League Internazionale Milano v SK Slavia Prague 19:55 and tell me we are stronger than them. That is incred- — and some bad ones — but it is the ultimate for me.” beIN SPORTS HD 1 ible. They can make five changes and you think: League bid The Chelsea boss was cautious in his expectations Olympique Lyonnais v Zenit St. Petersburg 19:55 ‘Really, they didn’t play last week? Why?’ There are a for last season’s Europa League winners. “Our target is beIN SPORTS HD 6 lot of quality teams. BV Borussia Dortmund v FC Barcelona 22:00 “Juventus will be there, PSG will be there. Real LONDON: Frank Lampard said he “believed and trust- to qualify from a tough group,” he said. “I have belief beIN SPORTS HD 3 in the players. I’m confident but very aware of the dan- Madrid? Do you think they gave up already? Bayern ed” in striker Tammy Abraham as he prepared to SSC Napoli v Liverpool 22:00 Munich now finally brought in Perisic and Coutinho gers.” Lampard will be facing a new manager in Albert beIN SPORTS HD 1 unleash his young players against Valencia in Chelsea’s which is a big boost.” Celades, who was appointed last week after the shock Red Bull Salzburg v KRC Genk 22:00 Champions League opener today. While Liverpool will always have a special rela- sacking of Marcelino. Valencia’s players are under- beIN SPORTS HD 7 Abraham, 21, scored a hat-trick in a 5-2 win at tionship with the Champions League after the club’s stood to be unhappy with the decision but Chelsea Ajax Amsterdam v LOSC Lille 22:00 Wolves on Saturday but his form has come as no sur- dominance of the competition in the 1970s and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga warned they would still beIN SPORTS HD 6 prise to Lampard. “I never had clear expectations for Chelsea FC v Valencia C.F 22:00 1980s, it is not hard to believe that some die-hard him apart from the fact that I believed in him and trust- be dangerous. Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will beIN SPORTS HD 4 Kopites would happily exchange their continental ed him,” he said at a press conference on Monday at miss the match after tweaking a groin while Lampard SL Benfica v RB Leipzig 22:00 supremacy for a season of domestic bliss. Chelsea’s training base. “I know a lot was made of the revealed N’Golo Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi were beIN SPORTS HD 5 Having erased the pain of that 2018 final defeat (transfer) ban giving opportunities for young players. not match fit. — AFP against Real, Liverpool’s main goal this term is to end But I thought now was his time.” As for the possibility of the club’s long wait to win the English title. England missing out on Abraham should he opt to play Pipped to the Premier League trophy by makes its Olympics debut. Manchester City on the final day of last season, for Nigeria, Lampard said: “That’s not a question for me. But tiny Okamoto, who has won the last five competi- “He has put himself in a bracket by being a top- Japan skateboard Liverpool are desperate to win the title for the first tions she has entered in a sizzling run of form, including time since 1990. That desire has been clear to see in a scorer in England. It is one for (England boss) Gareth gold on her first appearance at the prestigious X Games (Southgate) but it is clear Tammy will be wanted.” blistering five-game winning streak which has already sensation, 13, last month, is keeping her feet firmly on the ground. taken them to the top of the table this season. Even Abraham who is the Premier League’s joint leading “I didn’t think about the win streak, or being the scorer alongside Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero an injury to Alisson has failed to interrupt their flow youngest world champion,” Okamoto told AFP. “I don’t and the Brazilian keeper’s replacement Adrian admits with seven goals, has two senior England caps won in cools Olympic talk feel like I’m the best in the world,” added the bashful Liverpool’s rock-solid defence — marshalled by the friendlies. teen, who scored 61.17 points to beat Yosozumi (60.00) imperious Virgil van Dijk — has made his life much Nigeria have been hoping Abraham can be persuad- after world title and 11-year-old Brown (58.13), who is bidding to easier as the former West Ham player adapts to his ed to switch allegiance to them. And when asked about become the youngest female to compete at the Summer new club. the Nigeria interest, he was quoted by the Telegraph Olympics in 50 years. “It’s easy to play with them; you have some of the newspaper as saying: “I have heard the talks and I’ve TOKYO: Japanese schoolgirl Misugu Okamoto is refus- “I have no idea about the Olympics yet, but I will best players in the world, the best defenders, mid- not really been focused on that yet. ing to entertain thoughts of Tokyo Olympic gold despite work with my coaches to keep pushing to learn new fielders and attackers. From the back, I need to help “I think when the time comes, the time comes. We becoming skateboarding’s youngest world champion at tricks and to go bigger.” Okamoto insisted she wants to on the occasions when I have to,” Adrian said. never know.” Lampard has put his faith in youth during the weekend. The 13-year-old captured the skateboard- be recognised by her peers in the skateboarding scene, “I’m really proud to have won the last few games. a transfer embargo for the club and has been rewarded ing park world championships title in Sao Paulo, beating regarding it as much as a lifestyle as a sport, in much the We are in a good moment, we are like a rock - all with some impressive performances. out countrywoman Sakura Yosozumi with Britain’s Sky same way as surfing which will also make its Olympic together, the manager, the staff, players and fans. The Brown third in a preview of Tokyo 2020 when the sport debut in Tokyo.—AFP As well as Abraham’s three goals, Fikayo Tomori, 21, club is living a great moment.” — AFP Established 1961 Sport

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

Bok loss won’t be ‘end of the Ben Stokes and Archer promise David de Gea signs 25world’ for All Blacks: Hansen 26 glittering Test future for England 27 new deal at Man Utd

Brewers win on Braun’s 9th-inning slam Mariners edge past White Sox in wild contest

ST LOUIS: Cory Spangenberg #5 of the Milwaukee Brewers beats the throw to first base against Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium in St Louis, Missouri. — AFP

ST LOUIS: Ryan Braun’s ninth-inning grand slam rallied and walking one. Rhys Hoskins homered among his two RBIs, right-hander T.J. Zeuch earned his first major defeated host Kansas City. Wade Miley (14-5), who the visiting Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-6 victory over hits for the Phillies, who dropped their second straight league win and Toronto defeated visiting New York. hadn’t gotten out of the first inning in his past two the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. Braun and fell four games behind the Chicago Cubs for the Zeuch (1-0), who entered the game in the second starts, got back on the winning track. He allowed two crushed a two-out, 3-2 pitch from Cardinals reliever second wild-card berth in the National League. inning, allowed three runs (two earned), five hits and runs on seven hits in six innings. He struck out four and Junior Fernandez to erase a 4-3 deficit in dramatic fash- three walks while striking out five in 5 1/3 innings. It walked two. Kansas City starter Jakob Junis (9-14) ion. The Brewers won for the ninth time in 10 games to TWINS 7, INDIANS 5 was his third career appearance. allowed five runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. He move within three games of the National League- Roberto Perez belted a go-ahead, three-run home walked two and struck out two. Central leading Cardinals. Milwaukee is one game run in the sixth inning as host Cleveland recorded a vic- CUBS 16, PIRATES 6 behind the Chicago Cubs for the second wild-card tory over Minnesota to salvage the finale of their three- Kris Bryant went 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs A’S 6, RANGERS 1 spot. Reliever Matt Albers (7-5), the fifth of six Brewers game series. Mike Freeman added a pinch-hit RBI sin- and four RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs cruised to a 16-6 Marcus Semien and Matt Chapman homered, and pitchers, earned the victory. Josh Hader closed out the gle in the seventh inning for the Indians, who responded win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates to complete a Sean Manaea pitched six shutout innings to lead game to earn his 33rd save, despite giving up a two-run to Saturday’s doubleheader sweep by trimming their three-game sweep Sunday afternoon. Bryant hit a Oakland to its sixth straight victory as it beat Texas in homer to Tommy Edman. John Gant (10-1), the sixth of deficit to 4 1/2 games behind first-place Minnesota in three-run homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the Arlington, Texas. Semien’s homer was his 30th of the eight Cardinals pitchers, took the loss. the American League Central. Eddie Rosario launched a third to give him 31 on the season. Ian Happ, Kyle season, joining Matt Olson (34) and Chapman (34) in pair of solo shots and LaMonte Wade and Miguel Sano Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy also homered for the 30-home run club and tying the team record for ROCKIES 10, PADRES 5 also went deep for the Twins. Chicago (81-68), which maintained its hold on the sec- players with 30 homers in a season last accomplished in Ryan McMahon homered twice and drove in four ond wild-card spot in the National League. Pablo 2001. Chapman’s solo shot in the ninth was the 244th runs and Josh Fuentes added a homer and four RBIs as DODGERS 3, METS 2 Reyes went 2-for-5 with three RBIs in a losing effort for home run of the season for the A’s, breaking the fran- Colorado beat San Diego in Denver. Garrett Hampson Jedd Gyorko’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth Pittsburgh (65-85), which dropped to 5-11 against the chise record also set in 1996. Shin-Soo Choo went 3- added three hits and scored three runs and pitcher Chi inning snapped a tie and lifted visiting Los Angeles past Cubs this season. for-3 and also was hit by a pitch, and Jose Trevino dou- Chi Gonzalez got his first major league hit and RBIs New York. Enrique Hernandez began the game-winning bled and scored a run for Texas, which suffered its third before leaving with a lead. Wil Myers and Luis Urias rally with a one-out double off Seth Lugo (6-4). After ORIOLES 8, TIGERS 2 straight loss. homered and had two hits apiece, and Josh Naylor also pinch-hitter Edwin Rios struck out, Gyorko fell behind Rio Ruiz hit a two-run homer, Jonathan Villar and went deep for the Padres, who were outscored 31-23 in 0-2 and took a borderline pitch for ball one before sin- Anthony Santander also drove in two runs and visiting ANGELS 6, RAYS 4 the three-game sweep by Colorado. gling sharply up the middle to give the Dodgers their Baltimore rolled past Detroit. Asher Wojciechowski (3-8) Albert Pujols had a three-run homer and an RBI first lead of the night. Kenley Jansen (5-3) earned the pitched five innings and gave up two runs on eight hits double to help Los Angeles end a six-game losing MARINERS 11, WHITE SOX 10 win with a perfect eighth. Adam Kolarek got the first while collecting the win. He had dropped his last five deci- streak with a win against Tampa Bay in Anaheim, Calif. Tom Murphy drew a walk with one out and the out of the ninth before Kenta Maeda recorded the final sions. Baltimore has taken two of the first three games of Kevan Smith had three hits and Andrelton Simmons had bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning as two outs to earn his second save. the series in a matchup of the majors’ worst teams. two hits and scored twice for the Angels. Rays left-han- Seattle rallied to defeat visiting Chicago. Kyle Lewis hit der Ryan Yarbrough (11-4) hadn’t lost since June 13, a three-run homer for the Mariners, who took two of REDS 3, DIAMONDBACKS 1 NATIONALS 7, BRAVES 0 going 6-0 in his past 15 outings with a 2.43 ERA. three games in the series. It was Lewis’ fourth home run Eugenio Suarez hit two solo home runs, including a Right-hander Anibal Sanchez slowed down the Yarbrough allowed six runs and 10 hits in five innings. in six major league games. Welington Castillo hit a 456-foot blast, and Trevor Bauer pitched eight strong Atlanta bats with seven scoreless innings as He struck out three and walked two. grand slam and Adam Engel added a three-run shot, innings to help Cincinnati to a victory over Arizona in Washington beat the visiting Braves. Sanchez (9-8) both in an eight-run fifth inning, for the White Sox. Phoenix. Suarez moved into a tie for the major league allowed only three hits and one walk, striking out three. GIANTS 2, MARLINS 1 Mariners right-hander Austin Adams (2-2) got the vic- lead with 47 homers, the same as New York Mets rook- He improved to 3-0 in five starts against Atlanta this Johnny Cueto threw five shutout innings for the tory and White Sox right-hander Jose Ruiz (1-3) took ie Pete Alonso. Suarez has three multi-homer games season. Washington produced 10 hits and was led by second consecutive start and Mike Yastrzemski scored the loss. this season, two against the Diamondbacks in the past Howie Kendrick, who went 3-for-4 with a homer, the go-ahead run in the eighth on a wild pitch as San eight days. He has five homers against Arizona this sea- scored twice and drove in three runs. Victor Robles Francisco edged visiting Miami. Mauricio Dubon RED SOX 6, PHILLIES 3 son. Ketel Marte had two hits and Wilmer Flores had an added two hits, including a double, and made a great homered for the Giants, who won two of three in the Christian Vazquez socked a grand slam and a solo RBI single for Arizona, which has lost seven of eight catch in center field to rob pinch hitter Adeiny series. Matching his effort from a week earlier when homer for a career-high five RBIs to lead visiting after breaking a six-game losing streak Saturday. Hechavarria of extra bases in the ninth. he was pitching for the first time in 13 months after Boston to past fading Philadelphia. Red Sox starter Tommy John surgery, Cueto limited the Marlins to Rick Porcello (13-12) was effective in five innings, BLUE JAYS 6, YANKEES 4 ASTROS 12, ROYALS 3 three hits in his five innings. He walked two and struck allowing five hits and two runs while striking out six Randal Grichuk hit two home runs and had four Josh Reddick had five hits and three RBIs as Houston out two. —Reuters