RABIA ALAWWAL 26, 1442 AH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 16 Pages Max 30º Min 23º 150 Fils Established 1961 ISSUE NO: 18281 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net PLO’s Saeb Erekat laid to Feminist drama sparks Egypt hopes ‘Paranormal’ Mumbai Indians thrash 5 rest after military honors 12 outrage in Pakistan 13 can resurrect movie glory 16 Delhi to take 5th IPL title Special election commission disqualifies 34 candidates Disbarred candidates vow to challenge disqualification in court By B Izzak Those barred also include two leading opposition figures - former Amir hails firemen for their services KUWAIT: A special commission set Islamist MP Bader Al-Dahoum and up by the interior ministry to study if liberal candidate Anwar Al-Fiker - candidates for the National Assembly who both condemned the “illegal deci- elections fulfill requirements under the sion” and vowed to contest it in court. law yesterday decided to disqualify 34 The two said on Twitter that they were candidates, some of them leading informed by the interior ministry yes- opposition figures. The interior min- terday that they have been barred istry did not publish the names of the from contesting the Dec 5 polls for disqualified candidates, but a number taking part in an opposition rally that of them announced the decision on stormed the Assembly building in 2011. their Twitter accounts and some online Dahoum said the decision is illegal news outlets published other names. and contradicts the law issued a few The reasons for the disqualification years ago which clearly states that it of a majority of the candidates were does not apply to past cases. Fiker their criminal records. Many of them also vowed to fight the disqualifica- were condemned in final court ver- tion. Opposition MPs Shuaib Al- dicts that convicted them of criminal Muwaizri, Mohammad Al-Mutair, Adel offences, mostly involving financial Al-Damkhi and Abdulkarim Al- cases. The list of names circulated on Kandari strongly criticized the dis- social media includes the names of qualifications, called the move illegal three sitting MPs - two for being and accused the interior minister of under investigation over suspected attempting to influence the outcome links to a Bangladeshi MP jailed in of the election. Kuwait, and a third for being allegedly Other disbarred candidates men- convicted in a drugs offense. One of tioned include two former MPs, both the MPs - Saadoun Hammad - denied over financial cases. They also include KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah praises firemen’s dedication to saving lives and properties as well as he was disqualified and affirmed that the son of a self-exiled ex-MP over their services during the coronavirus pandemic during a visit to the headquarters of the Kuwait Fire Force yesterday. — KUNA (See Page 3) he was still in the race, but the other financial cases. two did not comment. Continued on Page 2 the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad News in brief Bahraini premier Al-Sabah, in cables of condolences to King Hamad, paid tribute to the contributions of Prince Khalifa and prayed for mercy on his soul. Gulf leaders paid tribute, passes away; Amir hailing the veteran leader’s long career “that has shaped Bahrain’s recent history”, according to Dubai sends condolences ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. Late yesterday, Bahrain’s Crown Prince Sheikh MANAMA: Bahrain’s Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al- Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa was appointed prime PACI launches card delivery Khalifa, the world’s longest-serving prime minister minister. Sheikh Salman, who is from a new generation who had held the post since independence in 1971, of Western-educated Gulf leaders, has tried to build KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Kuwaiti died yesterday at the age of 84, state media bridges with opponents. After studies in the United Civil Information has contracted a leading com- announced. Prince Khalifa played a key role in States and Britain - including a master’s degree from pany to deliver civil IDs to applicants. The serv- Bahrain’s political and economic affairs. Cambridge University - he has served as first vice ice costs KD 2 per card, with 250 fils for each Prince Khalifa died at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in prime minister and is deputy supreme commander of additional card delivered to the same address. the United States, the official Bahrain News Agency the Bahrain Defense Force. King Hamad issued a royal Cards will be delivered within two working days said. The burial will take place after his remains have decree appointing his son as head of the Council of from the date of delivery to the company. The been transported home, and in line with coronavirus Ministers with immediate effect, the Bahrain News old civil ID - or supporting documents in case restrictions, only a limited number of relatives will Agency said. the old card is not available - should be handed attend. The country will hold a week of official mourn- Born on Nov 24, 1935, Prince Khalifa began to to the deliveryman to receive the new civil ID ing, during which flags will be flown at half-mast. attend his father’s royal court at the age of seven along card. — KUNA Government ministries and departments will be closed with his elder brother, Prince Issa. He was named in for three days. 1970 as the head of the state council, the executive HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- branch of government which became the council of Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday paid tribute to Prince ministers after independence from Britain. He con- MANAMA: In this file photo taken on Oct 23, 2010, Khalifa, who “sacrificed” his life for service and devel- ducted difficult negotiations with the Shah of Iran, Bahraini Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al- opment of the kingdom. The Amir, in a cable of condo- Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, before independence over Khalifa casts his ballot at a polling station. — AFP lences to Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, said Iran’s claims to Bahrain’s chain of islands. the late Prince Khalifa had “honorable positions” A referendum to determine the country’s future Bahrain as a regional financial hub. Unlike other Gulf states, towards Kuwait and Kuwaiti people during the 1990- resulted in an overwhelming vote in favor of independ- the kingdom has only modest oil resources. Working 91 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. These positions, he added, ence under the rule of the Al-Khalifa dynasty. In 1972, closely with his brother, the late Amir Sheikh Issa bin “remain engraved in memories” of the Kuwaiti people. elections were held for a constituent assembly which Salman al-Khalifa, he favored strong ties with Washington. HH the Amir prayed to Almighty Allah to bestow His drafted Bahrain’s first constitution the following year. Ties have since continued to grow, with Bahrain now host- blessings upon the deceased. HH the Crown Prince The first parliamentary elections were held in 1973. ing the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet as one of Washington’s most Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH Prince Khalifa strove for many years to establish trusted allies in the region. — Agencies with a knife. The Makkah governorate Blast hits said the attack caused two injuries - a Greek consulate employee and a Saudi guard. A British citizen was also Saudi WWI believed to have been wounded. Kuwait’s ministry of foreign affairs memorial expressed yesterday Kuwait’s strong Earthquake hits Kuwait condemnation of the cowardly attack. JEDDAH: The ministry said such acts that target A bomb blast struck a World War I commemoration ceremony the innocent represent images of vio- KUWAIT: The National Seismic Network, a lence and extremism and violate all reli- Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) attended by Western diplomats in the Saudi city of Jeddah yesterday, leaving gions and civil laws. The ministry affiliate, said yesterday that a 4.6 magnitude affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity and earthquake took place southwest of Kuwait. The at least two people wounded, officials said. The attack at a non-Muslim ceme- support with Saudi Arabia, including network’s Director Dr Abdullah Al-Enezi said in support to all measures it takes to a statement the quake occurred 11 km beneath tery was the second targeting diplo- matic missions in recent weeks, after a maintain security and stability, wishing the epicenter at 5:56 pm (local time). People in the injured a speedy recovery. JEDDAH: Saudi police close a street leading to a non-Muslim cemetery where a many areas of Kuwait felt tremors. — KUNA guard at the French consulate in Jeddah was injured by a Saudi citizen armed Continued on Page 2 bomb struck a World War I commemoration yesterday. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Thursday, November 12, 2020 Local Kuwait’s Prime Minister receives several outgoing foreign envoys Sudan hails Kuwaiti diplomacy behind US state terror sponsor list removal KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets Ambassador of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets Ambassador of Brazil Vietnam Trinh Minh Manh. — KUNA photos Norton Rapesta. KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Affairs Fahad Al-Awadhi attended the meeting. 1993. Prime Minister Hamdok made the comments tional period in the wake of many challenges. He Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received yester- In other news, Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla during a telephone conversation with his Kuwaiti recalled the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement, day at Bayan Palace several outgoing foreign ambassa- Hamdok appreciated the diplomatic role assumed by counterpart, according to a statement released by his between the government and Sudanese opposition dors.