RAMADAN 6, 1441 AH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020

20 Pages Max 36º Min 23º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18119 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Hayef demands list of MPs intervening for visa traders Assembly to hold Ramadan session to debate population structure

By B Izzak

KUWAIT: MP Mohammad Hayef yesterday asked As society opens, Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh over reports that a number of MPs have mediated to secure the release Saudi women surge of people suspected of visa trading. The lawmaker asked the minister if any MPs have tried to mediate for visa traders or obstructed the interior ministry’s into job market plans to refer such cases to the public prosecution. RIYADH: Like thousands of Saudi women, Rouaa If the reports are true, Hayef demanded names of Al-Mousa entered the workforce as reforms these lawmakers and names of suspected visa sweep the ultra-conservative kingdom and is cer- traders they attempted to help. tain that neither grumbling male bosses nor the National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem coronavirus will change that. Armed with a college on Sunday spoke about reports that some MPs may degree but bound by conservative Saudi attitudes have mediated for visa traders and demanded that to women working, the 25-year-old was expecting the interior minister send an official letter to him to wait years before finding a suitable job. stating the names of such MPs. He promised he will Continued on Page 16 announce their names during an Assembly session. But Hayef said the speaker should have instead sent a parliamentary question to the minister inquir- ing about the reports that some MPs have mediated for suspected visa traders who are either being interrogated at the interior ministry or have already been referred to the public prosecution. Hayef said the issue has now reached the media and all MPs Imsak 03:33Asr 15:21 are under suspicion, and to clear this, Saleh should Fajr 03:43 Maghrib 18:23 reply to the question. Meanwhile, the speaker and MAKKAH: Worshipers perform Isha prayer while keeping distance between them next to the Kaaba in Makkah’s Dhuhr 11:46 Isha 19:46 lawmakers plan to meet the foreign minister and Grand Mosque on Monday. — AFP Continued on Page 16 2 Local Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Pandemic Diaries Coronavirus Kuwait allows reopening of car changing Kuwait repair shops at co-ops, gas stations

Cabinet briefed on latest developments related to COVID-19 spread By Jamie Etheridge

[email protected]

uwaitis can now conduct a variety of transactions for social security online Kvia a new website launched by the Pub- lic Institution for Social Security this week. Everyone can book appointments to visit the KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs the Cabinet’s meeting. — KUNA co-ops during the curfew to shop for groceries. The Public Authority for Civil Information has KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of State for Municipal vention and logistics related to the virus, examining also launched an app to carry your civil ID on Affairs Waleed Al-Jassem said Monday car repair recommendations by the ministerial panel tasked with IN MY VIEW your smartphone. And the interior ministry has shops affiliated to cooperative societies and in gas following up on the contagion. launched website options for renewing iqamas. stations would reopen in all areas nationwide. Jassem, The Cabinet advised the ministries of health, infor- These are just a few of the digital innova- in a tweet, said the decision also includes repair shops mation, municipality, Public Authority for Industry, Nature can tions that the government has launched since in Kabd, Abdaly and Wafra. He said reopening deci- Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Re- the coronavirus pandemic hit Kuwait. These sion was in compliance with a government’s approval sources, Environment Public Authority, Public Au- steps may seem small, but they add up to an of reopening of some car businesses, which were thority for Food and Nutrition to have personnel breathe better important step forward for Kuwait. Digital in- closed due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The present 24 hours at border exits to speed up entry of tegration, especially for government services Cabinet tasked, during an extraordinary session on imported commodities. and paperwork, has been slow and at times Monday, Kuwait Municipality to allow resumption of dysfunctional. A new website or app might activities related to repair of cars and trade in auto Sufficient quarantines work or might not; a new system may be put in spare parts. Moreover, the Cabinet tasked Ministry of Finance By Abdellatif Sharaa place only for the process to revert back to the to secure a sufficient number of quarantines, with old system within a few days or weeks. COVID-19 briefing some 3,000 rooms, to accommodate citizens coming The crisis, however, has created an urgency Following the session which was held at Seif Palace back from abroad as part of the evacuation operation, beyond imagination for the government to under chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minis- in addition to specializing some hotels for medical adopt functional, sustainable digital solutions ter Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- purposes. In response to His [email protected] for everything from crowd management at co- Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Highness the Amir desire not to ops to education to legal documents and Prime Minister, Minister of In- neglect economic fallouts and processes. And Kuwait has stepped up and terior and Minister of State for Sufficient negative effects resulting from mazing how nature adapts to what is good shown itself not only willing but capable to Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh quarantines the fight against the coron- quickly and obviously. When Mr Corona ar- quickly integrate and launch such solutions. said it kicked off with His High- avirus and for sake tapering Arived, it made everyone raise their heads and The co-op appointment system took only a few ness the Prime Minister ex- for citizens burdens on the citizens, the pay attention to what is around them. Not long after weeks to work out from idea to beta testing to tending congratulations to His ministers discussed a request curfews were imposed, the atmosphere began clear- launch, with more co-ops added every day. Highness the Amir, His Highness by the ministry of finance to ing up, and yesterday the air quality indicator was in the green. Really amazing! Fewer engines on Greater digitalization of government bu- the Crown Prince and the gra- examine delay of monthly in- streets during night hours gave nature an opportu- reaucracy will have lasting effects for Kuwait cious people of Kuwait on ad- stallments for clients of the vent of the holy month of Ramadan. fund of defaulting citizens and the family fund due to nity to breathe better. I believe this is proof that man as a whole. Ideally it could make completing has much to do with ills, and it is also proof that na- government paperwork much easier, thus Minister of Health and head of the team tasked extraordinary circumstances resulting from the coro- with following up on spread of the novel coronavirus, navirus spread. In this regard, the cabinet decided to ture, if left alone, can go the right course and be of opening the door for small and medium enter- help to man, plant and even stone. prises to grow the private sector. It can also Sheikh Dr Basel Humoud Al-Sabah, briefed the min- postpone collection of monthly dues for clients of the isters about latest developments related to spread of two funds for six months as of April, also tasking the Going around the country, I can see many types help reduce waste, government expenditure of wildlife — both flora and fauna. I see many types the virus globally, based on data and statistics of the minister of finance to coordinate with the legislations and ultimately the bloated civil service. To do of birds flying around even closer to city limits, World Health Organization. He also informed his department to draw up a relevant bill. The Cabinet this, however, will also require alternative job which was a rare occurrence in the near past. So, peers about tallies of the infections and deaths in welcomed the declaration by the coalition for sup- why don’t we cooperate and act as one to keep our opportunities within the private sector that Kuwait, where it has been observed that tracing and porting the legitimacy in Yemen, renewing a call for offer similar income, benefits and security. surroundings clean, like open yards, parks, beaches mingling cases have increased. The ministers followed full ceasefire for a month as of April 23, in line with a and other public places? This may also be changing. In the ports, up on developments with respect of treatment, pre- call in this respect by the United Nations. —KUNA Kuwaitis are being trained to use heavy equip- The municipality places garbage dumpsters around neighborhoods, yet many of us throw bags ment and in co-ops and other areas, work tra- any which way and hardly pay attention to the con- ditionally performed by expats is being taken tainers. There should be strict laws to guarantee up by Kuwaiti volunteers. Breaking the barrier KFSD sends instructions to avoid gas leaks peoples’ commitment to comply with environmental of what work is acceptable and accessible to laws and keep places clean, and punish those who Kuwaitis is an important part of reducing the By Hanan Al-Saadoun Furthermore, users are urged to make sure that all harm plants, especially those that help clean the air country’s reliance on foreigners, something valves are closed, and make sure the cylinder’s valve of harmful elements, particularly carbon dioxide, and Kuwait has been trying to do for years. KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) is clean and free of dust. “Do not leave the regulator give us clean air. Kuwait is also taking the opportunity cre- released general instructions to avoid cooking gas open all day, and the hose should be of approved One important thing is that a clean environment ated by the pandemic to send home the tens of leaks at homes, especially during Ramadan while quality,” it said. “The gas cylinder should be away from prevents the spread of disease caused by environ- thousands of unskilled laborers and others not Kuwait remains under lockdown due to the novel the burner. The gas cylinder must be in vertical posi- mental pollution. It is a must, as it is important on needed by the economy and the many brought coronavirus (COVID-19) spread. The instructions in- tion while in use and should not be rolled on the floor.” land, to maintain clean seawaters to also protect its here illegally. So while the pandemic has cre- clude maintaining and checking hoses and the rubber In case of gas leak, people are instructed to open the environment, and maintain healthy seawaters be- cause this will also affect our own wellbeing. It is our ated myriad problems, it may also serve as a ring on top of the gas cylinder by passing a soapy windows, close the regulator, and avoid using a fire duty to care for ourselves, and care for each other, turning point for Kuwait’s future. sponge to make sure it is free of cracks, and replace source or switching on electric buttons. “Vacate the if damaged. premises at once, and call 112,” KFSD explained. so we can lead a clean healthy life. Let us start now!

Coronavirus in Kuwait: What we know so far

KUWAIT: Kuwait has recorded 3,288 cases infected back home from countries affected with the virus’ nationalities (April 26-30, 2020). Kuwait Cancer Control Center: 96735242 with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as of Monday, spread. All arrivals to Kuwait from all countries are to The Interior Ministry later opened two new loca- Psychiatric Hospital: 97350113 in addition to 22 deaths. With the exception of 64 cases be placed under compulsory institutional quarantine tions in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh to receive residency viola- Physiotherapy Hospital: 99824037 in intensive care, all infected cases are in stable condi- for 14 days, during which the person is monitored, and tors from all nationalities: Female violators are received Maternity Hospital: 98559531 tion and are recovering in quarantined locations des- prescribed health procedures are applied, the health at Roufayda Al-Aslameya School - Block 4 - Street As’ad Al-Hamad Dermatology Center: 98514508 ignated by the government for this purpose, while ministry said. Meanwhile, the Cabinet announced on 200, while male violators are received at Naeem bin Zain Hospital: 97552031 hundreds have been discharged from quarantine after April 9 the operation of all airline flights for expats who Masod School - Block 4 - Street 250. NBK Hospital: 96931761 exhibiting no symptoms during their 14-day quarantine are wishing to return back to their countries. Authori- Al-Rashed Allergy Hospital: 94162470 period, the Ministry of Health confirmed. Meanwhile, ties also announced a public holiday in the country Hotlines Infectious Diseases Hospital: 96989164 1,176 people have recovered completely after previ- from March 12 to May 28, with work resuming on May The Ministry of Health has set the following hotlines Palliative Care Hospital: 94024786 ously being infected with the virus, while there are 31, while entities providing vital services will remain to receive inquiries about the coronavirus 24/7: Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Center: 90952469 2,254 people receiving treatment and 2,095 quaran- open. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has sus- 24970967 - 96049698 - 99048619. KFH Addiction Treatment Center: 94169363 tined as of yesterday. Kuwait is taking measures to test pended classes for March at all public and private The Education Ministry set the following hotlines to Meanwhile, all licensed pharmacies in Kuwait deliv- Kuwaitis coming from infected areas for potential in- schools (for both students and teaching staffs); first receive inquiries on school closures related to the anti- ering medicine are allowed to continue their services fection, as it has already tested thousands of people. from March 1 to March 12, and later extended it until coronavirus measures: 24 hours a day. Meanwhile, Kuwait requires all expatriates who arrived March 29, before eventually suspending schools until - 24970967 (24/7 hotline) The Ministry of Health is also asking doctors and from travel on March 1 and beyond to visit Kuwait In- August for grade 12 and October for other stages. - 51575591 (Capital Educational Zone) nurses affiliated with the private medical sector to vol- ternational Fairground where the Ministry of Health has Kuwait suspended issuing entry permits and visas - 51576117 (Hawally Educational Zone) unteer in order to contribute to the fight against the set up a center to test people for possible infection. unless those issued through diplomatic missions. State - 51576576 (Farwaniya Educational Zone) virus. Volunteering is available through the link: departments have been on high alert to take precau- - 51577055 (Jahra Educational Zone) http://volunteering.q8-ehealth.com. The ministry had Curfew tions against the potential spread of the virus. The Min- - 51577655 (Ahmadi Educational Zone) closed all private clinics and medical centers effective Kuwait enforced a country-wide curfew from 5:00 istry of Commerce and Industry has taken measures to - 51577951 (Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational Zone) March 22, 2020 until further notice. pm to 6:00 am, which was later extended to start from make sure that facial masks, hand sanitizers and other - 51578171 (Religious Studies Department) 4:00 pm until 8:00 am during Ramadan, while allowing goods remain accessible to the public. - 51588599 (Private Education Department) Mental health assistance restaurants and food stores to make home deliveries - 51592515 (Services Department) The Kuwait Psychological Association (KPA) is pro- from 5:00 pm until 1:00 am. The government also Amnesty - 51594544 (Public Relations Department) viding consultation through the phone for people suf- locked down Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh in a bid The Interior Ministry issued an amnesty allowing fering from the psychological impacts of coronavirus. to contain the spread of the virus and enable health residency violators to leave the country between April Medicine delivery Different doctors are working on the hotline in different workers to test inhabitants. Earlier, the government de- 1 and April 30 without paying any fines or airfare with Kuwait’s Ministry of Health (MOH) launched a new timings as follows: cided to close all shopping malls, beauty salons and a chance to return to Kuwait later. The amnesty was is- medicine delivery service for people in Kuwait, which Dr Rashed Al-Sahl: on Monday and Wednesday 10:00 barber shops as part of its measures to prevent the sued in view of the circumstances the country is cur- they can use to order medications to be delivered dur- am - 1:00 pm. Call 9797-6168. spread of the coronavirus. The government also al- rently going through and as part of the precautionary ing curfew hours. The medications will be delivered Dr Fahad Al-Tasha: daily from 8:00 pm - 12:00 am. Call lowed supermarkets, restaurants and shops to host a measures taken to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID- within 72 hours after the order is submitted. To place an 9904-8258. maximum of five people at a time and in case there are 19). Individuals desiring to procure valid residencies in order, patients should send a WhatsApp to the numbers Dr Othman Al-Asfour: daily 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Call lines, the distance must be at least one meter between Kuwait and are willing to pay the fines without being for the hospitals and medical centers as listed below. 9938-5350. people. The Ministry of Commerce launched a website subjected to investigations will be allowed to pay the The patient should include their name, Civil ID number, Dr Mohammed Al-Khaldi (head of this team): daily (www.moci.shop) to enable people to book appoint- fines and legalize their status if they meet the required hospital or clinic file number, mobile phone number and 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Call 9903-6470. ments to shop at co-operative societies in their areas. conditions. the medicine needed to the following numbers: Dr Ahmad Al-Khaldi: daily 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Call The Public Authority for Industry also announced that Special centers in Farwaniya were allocated to ac- Amiri Hospital: 50880699 9910-7965. companies can apply to evacuate their workers from commodate violators who finalize their papers pending Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital: 50880755 Dr Muneera Al-Qattan: Monday and Wednesday 9:00 Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Mahboula. To do so, they must departure. Male violators are received at Al-Muthanna Farwaniya Hospital: 50880852 am - 1:00 pm. Call 9953-3108. fill a ‘workers evacuation form’ available on primary school for boys, Farwaniya, block 1, street 122, Adan Hospital: 50880908 Dr Zainab Al-Saffar: Sunday and Thursday 7:00 pm - www.pai.gov.kw, and send the form via email to: while female violators are received at Farwaniya pri- Jahra Hospital: 50881066 9:00 pm. Call 9954-9908. [email protected]. mary school for girls in Farwaniya, block 1, street 76. Sabah Hospital: 97632660 Dr Sameera Al-Kandari: Tuesday 9:00 pm - 12:00 am. Violators are received from 8 am till 2 pm according to Jaber Hospital: 96992079 Call 6770-9434. Precautions the following dates and nationalities: Philippines (April Ibn Sina Hospital: 99613948 Dr Kawthar Al-Yaqout: Monday and Wednesday 6:00 Kuwait halted all commercial flights until further no- 1-5, 2020), Egypt (April 6-10), Bangladesh (April 11- Chest Hospital: 99258749 pm - 9:00 pm. Call 5521-0088. tice, and has sent special flights to repatriate Kuwaitis 15), India (April 16-20), Sri Lanka (April 21-25), other Razi Hospital: 97633487 For information and other concerns, call 9401-4283. 3 Local Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Food distributions in Mahboula, Jleeb too disorganized, too little Residents ‘fight’ in long queues with no social distancing

KUWAIT: Police try to control a large crowd of people in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh at a food distribution point in the locked down area.— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: The distribution of food and re- lief goods for people under complete lock- down in both Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Mahboula is disorganized, with crowds of people trying to get their share in a chaotic manner. “Our problem here is that some people can only get food if they fight for it; if they don’t, they will not get anything. The only way to get your share is to push and shove other people. There is no queue, with

Unpaid workers rely on govt

distributions uting the food must be creative to avoid but we have to fight for it,” he lamented. volunteered to distribute food. They give May Siapno, also a volunteer to distrib- the spread of the virus, and so that people Some residents in the area are not re- us cash to buy the supplies, which we dis- ute embassy aid to Filipinos in Jleeb, once can get their share fairly and not just a few lying on the limited food aid by the Kuwaiti tribute here,” said Rems, a resident of tried her luck to get some food from the who fought for it,” said Eyas. “Our situa- government, especially Filipinos, whose Mahboula. government-run distribution center. people fighting each other. We want to tion here in Mahboula is really grim. Many embassy is providing food packets to its But the support of the embassy is not “Hands up! I won’t try again; the queue is avoid the spread of coronavirus and social of us here live in ‘camps’. We are not get- nationals in locked down areas. “Filipinos enough, so private individuals are also dis- too long with no social distancing, and you distancing must be followed, but look at ting salaries, so we have no money - not here are getting support from the Philip- tributing food at the perimeter fence. must pray that you will get your share. Un- how they are implementing the distribution even a few fils to buy some food from the pine Overseas Labor Office, courtesy of “While they cannot enter the area, they fortunately, I went home without food. I of food,” said Eyas, an Indian resident of baqala. Yet the people in charge of giving our embassy. It started even before the can coordinate with people in need and saw a lot of Filipinos in the queue, and I felt Mahboula. us food are not managing it correctly for lockdown - we got some supplies from ask them to come to the perimeter fence sorry for them. This is why we asked the “It is as if we are animals here to be the people of Mahboula. We have run out private individuals, but since the lockdown to hand them the supplies over the fence. embassy for food support. They give us given chunks of food. We all want to eat, of cash and are now relying on govern- was implemented, the Philippine Embassy This is how their supplies are getting into cash to buy food and distribute it to our but I think the people in charge of distrib- ment distribution of food so we can eat, is continuously providing food. I have also the locked down areas,” said Rems. fellow Filipinos here,” said Siapno.

Engineers produce face Minister refers two co-ops’ boards to prosecution shields, masks for frontliners KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and against the boards and the members was members to protect funds of shareholders Minister of State for Economic Affairs taken in line with a memo filed by the co- and maintain good image of the coopera- By Nawara Fattahova for permission to work during the curfew Maryam Al-Aqeel announced Monday re- operative sector of the ministry of social tive sector in the country. Minister Aqeel and we are still waiting for it,” Atel said. ferring boards of Al-Jabriyah and Fahad affairs with respect of discovering viola- has warned that she will not hesitate to KUWAIT: Due to the coronavirus pan- “We were informed that our shields Al-Ahmad cooperative societies and two tions in works of these societies, noting refer any breaching society to the judicial demic, the Kuwait Society of Engineers don’t reach all doctors, especially those board members of Al-Naeem society to that the two board members of Al-Naeem authorities. She issued two decisions on (KSE) has set an emergency crisis man- in certain locations, so we decided to dis- the public prosecution due to grave finan- society had been dismissed due to same Sunday dissolving boards of Al-Jabriyah agement plan to support the government tribute the shields personally to them. cial irregularities. The minister said in a reasons. The memo calls for speedy legal and Fahad Al-Ahmad coops and appoint- with any possible efforts. KSE has gath- Our volunteers distribute them to doctors statement to the press the legal action action against the boards and the boards’ ing interim managers for each. — KUNA ered volunteer engineers in five groups in Farwaniya, Jaber, Amiri, Mubarak, KOC from different engineering fields to pro- and Adan hospitals. We also distribute vide technical support to public and pri- them to doctors and other professionals vate institutions, in addition to individuals. working at the airport and at quarantine KSE is providing many activities, the sites including firefighting forces, Na- most important of which is establishing a tional Guard, police and special forces, temporary factory to produce face Red Crescent, Public Authority for Food shields and other medical equipment for and Nutrition, Municipality, medical as- those working on the frontlines, including sociations, and co-ops,” stressed Atel. doctors, police forces, soldiers, volun- KSE is producing more medical teers and others. Around 200 engineer equipment according to the needs of volunteers are working in shifts on this medical staff. “We produced the ‘ear project for almost a month. guard’, which is a plastic piece that relives “At KSE we have three types of face pressure on ears and nose while provid- shields - 3D-printed, laser-cut and hand- ing more protection. We also produced made (one-time use) shields. The 3D and 10 cubicles that provide complete isola- the laser-cut shields are reusable and tion for doctors from patients. But this is durable, which saves the environment only used by a few doctors. Now there is with less waste and reduces the need for a shortage of gowns in Kuwait, so we will more production. The single-use shields start producing them after receiving the were only given to the ministry of health. machine from abroad,” he pointed out. KSE has produced over 13,000 masks till KSE has 12 locations for production in today,” Chairman of KSE Faisal Deweh cooperation with some institutions. “All Al-Atel told Kuwait Times yesterday. the materials are provided by KSE, but They started with producing 400 we cooperate with the Kuwait Institution shields daily. “Before the holy month of for Scientific Research, Gulf Consultant Ramadan, our team was working seven and others by using their equipment. hours a day, while now they only work Hopefully soon, we will also cooperate three hours, so production has dropped with the Public Authority for Applied Ed- to half. We asked the ministry of interior ucation and Training,” concluded Atel.

KUWAIT: A man was killed in a road accident near Ardhiya intersection with the Avenues mall Monday night. Ardhiya Fire Station men dealt with the accident. —By Hanan Al-Saadoun 4 Established 1961 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Local Police interrogates girl over violation of curfew Home quarantine violators referred for questioning KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior said on prevention of communicable diseases. Subaiee said security media department in response to video cir- Monday the criminal security sector of Hawally they were monitoring the citizens who were repatri- culated earlier on social media. The buses were not investigations department subpoenaed a girl after ated and how they were abiding by the home quar- at the site when the expats arrived and some she claimed in a video clip that she violated the par- antine restrictions. The ministry, he asserted, would crowds were about to spill out of control so the tial curfew. During interrogation, the girl admitted refer any person violating the quarantine for the public security officers stepped in to control the sit- to the charge and was therefore referred to the uation. The expatriates were sent back to their competent authority as a prelude to a legal meas- home pending the arrival of the buses, according to ure, according to a statement from the ministry’s the statement. The Ministry urged all media outlets public relations and security media department. The to avoid circulating disinformation or untrue reports statement reminded the public of the importance of Mahboula regarding the security situation in the country. abidance by the curfew, noting that the Ministry Separately, the Ministry of Interior said Monday would never tolerate any breach of the relevant deci- crowd under governorate, four in the Capital, one in Farwaniya, that agents of its criminal security sector arrested a sions of the cabinet. and one in Jahra, the ministry said. delivery boy after he behaved mysteriously in front In the meantime, the Ministry of Health said control of a home. A circulated video showed the person, an Monday it referred people who violated home Crowd under control Arab, while messing around on the rubbish after quarantine to the Ministry of Interior to be ques- In other news, the Ministry of Interior said delivering the order. During interrogation, the man tioned. Those violating home quarantine are Monday that law enforcers managed to take control admitted that he messed around the trash and tam- referred to the investigation department of the over a group of African nationals who gathered in pered with the contents of the order, according to a Interior Ministry to be questioned and then face sake of wellbeing of the society. The Ministry of Mahboula. The expats were waiting for buses to statement from the ministry’s public relations and charges, MoH’s Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Interior also announced that police arrested 13 cur- take them to a school where they would stay pend- security media dept. The man was referred to the Affairs Mohammad Al-Subaiee said. He said this few violators on Monday, including 11 Kuwaitis and ing their repatriation as part of an amnesty, said a competent authority pending a legal measure referral was based on Law No 8 of 1969 regarding two expats. Seven people were arrested in Hawally statement from the ministry’s public relations and against him, the statement added. — KUNA

Waqf Endowment, were distributed through several Kuwait Embassy to days in Khartoum and neighboring areas as well as in houses of orphans, senior citizens and displaced, Sudan distributes Qabandi said. Kuwait is living up to its international status as Humanitarian Center, led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who Expats continue 1,800 food baskets was named by the UN as Humanitarian Leader, he said. Each basket weighs 50 kilograms and consists of to avail amnesty KHARTOUM: Kuwait’s Embassy in Khartoum distrib- rice, sugar, tea, flour, lentil, dates, oil and other basic uted 1,800 food baskets for hundreds of families, needs consumed by families in Ramadan. The distri- orphans and needy to mark Muslims’ holy month of bution of baskets, said Qabandi, coincided with the KUWAIT: People from different nationalities Ramadan, Ambassador Bassam Al-Qabandi said curfew in Khartoum which was imposed to curb headed on Monday to centers set up by the Monday. The food baskets, financed by Kuwait Public spread of coronavirus. — KUNA Ministry of Interior to receive expatriates with- out valid residencies. Kuwait announced an amnesty allowing residency violators to leave the country between April 1 and April 30 without paying any fines or airfare with a chance to return to Kuwait later. Applicants from all nation- alities are received on April 26 - 30. The amnesty started with receiving Filipino applicants on April 1 - 5, followed by Egyptians on April 6 - 10, Bangladeshis on April 11 - 15, Indians on April 16 - 20, and Sri Lankans on April 21 - 25. Violators are received from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at the following locations: Male violators are received at Al-Muthanna primary school for boys, Farwaniya, block 1, street 122, while female viola- tors are received at Farwaniya primary school for girls in Farwaniya, block 1, street 76. Residency violators from all nationalities are also received in two difference locations in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh as follows: Female violators are received at Roufayda Al-Aslameya School - Block 4 - Street 200, while male violators are received at Naeem bin Masod School - Block 4 - Street 250.

KUWAIT: People from different nationalities queue up Monday outside a school in Farwaniya which was turned into a center to receive applications of violators wishing to avail the amnesty. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Teams from Stores sealed the ministry have inspected 165 consumer coopera- tives, shopping malls and vegetables stores to verify their commitment to the pricing rules, the ministry for violating said in a statement, noting that nine stores were booked for irregularities. precautions The teams have checked the orderliness of deliv- ery of food rations to eligible recipients at 61 KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and rationing centers. The emergency center of the min- Industry said yesterday its teams have sealed two istry received 191 complaints via its hotline 135 and stores for failing to abide by the preventive meas- 20 complaints via the supervision centers, the state- ures relating to the combat against the severe acute ment said, adding that 132 ration cards have been respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) renewed. — KUNA Established 1961 5 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Local

Kuwait Heritage

KUWAIT: A scene from the Shuwaikh Port, which was called ‘Al-Furdha’ in the past. This pictures, dating back to the 1950s, shows commercial activity at the port which was the hub to import and export all kinds of goods on a daily basis, including foods such as sugar, tea, coffee, as well as timber and other material. (Source: A total of commemorative printed images to the Ministry of Information in the 1960s and 1970s. — Prepared by: Mahmoud Aakaria Abu Alella, researcher in heritage, Ministry of Information)

and sent down from the sky rain, and Ramadan: brought forth thereby fruits as provi- sion for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that When God there is nothing similar to Him].” (2:21-22) Spoke “O People! Remember the favor of Allah upon you. Is there any creator other than Allah who provides for you By Teresa Lesher from the Heaven and the Earth? There is no deity except Him, so how e often offer silent or audi- are they turned away? If they deny ble prayers, asking for help you (O Muhammad) so were messen- Wfrom our Creator, for suc- gers denied before you. To God all cor from our problems, for blessings affairs are returned (for decision).” on our loved ones, and for forgiveness (35:3-4) for our mistakes. We also - likely less “O People! God’s promise is true, often - thank Him for our sustenance so do not let the worldly life turn you and surroundings, our families and away and do not let the devil deceive abilities. We communicate with God, you. Indeed, Satan is an enemy to and we may perceive the conversa- you; so take him as an enemy. He only tion as one-sided since we receive no invites his party to be among the spoken or written response. But what companions of the Blaze.” (35:5-6). if the Almighty Creator of the heavens “This (Message) is a declaration to and earth did answer you - did send (all) people as well as a guidance and you a spoken or written response? instruction for God-fearing people” What would He say? Would it be one (3:138). word? A 20-minute speech? A let- Say, [O Muhammad], “If ye do love ter? Or an entire book? Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you In the month of Ramadan, 1453 and forgive your sins: For Allah is Oft- years ago, God sent us a message. It Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (3:31) is the Quran, the Speech of God, re- “There has certainly been for you vealed through the angel Gabriel to in the Messenger of Allah an excellent Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who dic- pattern for anyone whose hope is in tated it so it could be transcribed for Allah and the Last Day and [who] re- all of humanity. It is a direct message members Allah often.” (33:21) for you and me, and all humankind. In It is really miraculous that our Cre- fact, many verses of the Quran are ad- ator has answered our prayers with an dressed to “O People!” or “O entire book dedicated to us, and sent Mankind!” These are general verses us a messenger to guide our way in for every living soul. While some applying its teachings. After such a verses are addressed particularly to grand gesture, it is only polite to take believers, in fact, the whole Quran is a the time to read it! If we truly want message for each of us. The Quran is God to hear our prayers and answer the only divinely revealed scripture our call, we must also heed His words that has remained intact in its original and answer His call. If you would like language throughout the centuries, a translation of the Quran, contact any being widely available until today. It branch of IPC or the TIES Center. has also been translated in virtually — Courtesy of the TIES Center, every language across the globe. whose mission is to empower So what did God say in this book Kuwait’s expats through social and to us from Him? Following are a few educational services that promote a key verses: positive and productive role in soci- “O mankind, worship your Lord, ety, and to facilitate opportunities for who created you and those before intra- and interfaith interactions that you, that you may become righteous. promote social solidarity. For more in- [He] who made for you the earth a formation, please call 25231015/6 or bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling e-mail: [email protected].

suspected case of coronavirus among COVID-19 cases its staff at Block 5 branch. The branch was closed for two days as a precau- found among tion. In the meantime, Ishbiliya Co-op Society announced that its secretary co-ops’ staff Bassam Al-Mutairi tested positive after all staff members were tested following the discovery of positive cases last KUWAIT: Sabahiya Co-op Society week. Separately, Daiya Co-op Society announced that an employee has tested announced that one of the shoppers positive for the novel coronavirus passed away in front of the supermar- (COVID-19), while another is sus- ket’s building, and the cause of death is pected to have contracted the virus. being investigated. The co-op branch The co-op was closed yesterday as a in block 2 was closed yesterday and preventative measurement. Meanwhile, will remain closed until the cause of Jabriya Co-op Society announced a death is identified, the co-op said. InternationalEstablished 1961 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 Murders of women in Mexico rise amid fears China slams Indian criticism over test kits as ‘irresponsible’ of lockdown violence Page 8 Page 8

TEHRAN: Iranian taxi drivers wait for passengers at Aryashahr station, a transport hub in west Tehran as their services have been among the hardest hit since the country’s coronavirus outbreak. — AFP Virus drives Tehran cabbies around the bend

COVID-19 claims 5,800 lives; infects more than 91,000 in Iran TEHRAN: Usually Tehran’s tens of thou- themselves from customers. In the hope percent” due to the coronavirus, Qanadan sands of taxi drivers have to battle mad- of winning back clients, they also apply said. dening traffic but now the coronavirus is copious amounts of disinfectant on their In a bid to combat the spread of the driving them around the bend. Since it vehicles. virus, the authorities banned inter-city first emerged in Iran in mid-February, the travel at the end of March. Since April 20, virus that causes the COVID-19 disease One last spray Iranians have once again been allowed to has claimed 5,800 lives and infected A driver named Rouhollah was lucky travel between provinces but this has not more than 91,000, according to Iran’s enough to get three customers, and with brought a return to normal for taxi serv- government. It has also put the ices. On average, the daily earnings brakes on most forms of trans- of all drivers in the capital are 64 portation, and taxi services have percent lower than they were before been among the hardest hit in the health crisis, Qanadan said. Tehran, a city of more than eight Taxis operating in Tehran were million people. So many suffering from the fact that now “So many taxis, but no passen- “many people use their own cars to gers,” lamented 52-year-old Mo- taxis, but no get to work for fear of illness”, he hammad, pointing to lines of yellow added. One commuter summed it up cabs hoping for a ride at Aryashahr passengers on Twitter. “I always used to take a TEHRAN: An Iranian taxi driver rests while waiting for passengers at Aryashahr sta- station, a transport hub in west taxi to work but now, with the coron- tion, a transport hub in west Tehran, as cabs services have been among the hardest Tehran. The situation was “cata- avirus, I have to take my car and leave hit since the country’s coronavirus outbreak. — AFP strophic” for the entire sector, he home an hour early to find a place to told AFP. “How can we pay the rent, park,” Hamid wrote. The municipality the water and electricity bills, or even for one last spray of disinfectant on his cab’s is also encouraging the use of private cars. their lot. “Before the coronavirus, I used Alireza, 49, spoke of a similar drop in in- the car?” his colleague Homayoun, 60, door handles he was good to go. No less In response to the coronavirus, it has lifted to wait a maximum of 10 minutes to get a come. He said he was getting by for the chipped in. than 80,000 taxi drivers are authorized to restrictions on traffic that had been im- passenger, but these days I sometimes time being thanks to a loan from the Mohammad is angry at the govern- work in Tehran, according to Alireza posed on central Tehran to combat the have to stand on a street corner for two company. In order to help drivers - 13 of ment and its insistence on respect for the Qanadan, head of licensing for the munic- city’s often heavy air pollution. hours,” said Bahram, a driver for Tapsi, an whom have died from COVID-19, ac- rules of social distancing, which in his ipality. Those suffering the most from the Iranian version of Uber. Since the Persian cording to official figures-the municipal- view discourage people from taking any outbreak were the roughly 2,000 cabbies Ride-hailing hit too New Year holidays more than five weeks ity had extended their work permits free form of public transport. In Aryashahr, attached to the capital’s two airports and For the drivers of taxis and ride-hail- ago, the 37-year-old said he had only of charge, Qanadan said. For the most most of the drivers have installed trans- bus terminals providing long-distance ing services alike, the phased resumption earned about 12 million rials ($76, 70 vulnerable of them, he added, city hall parent partitions for the passenger com- connections to other provinces, he said. of economic activity allowed in Tehran euros), less than a third of his usual tak- has also distributed sanitary articles and partments of their cars to isolate “Their revenues have fallen by almost 90 since April 18 has so far hardly improved ings. Another Tapsi-affiliated driver, even food. — AFP

punishments for certain types of crimes.” United Nations human rights experts made Campaigners Saudi Human Rights Commission president an urgent appeal to Saudi Arabia last year to Awwad Alawwad said that instead of court- halt plans to execute them. ordered floggings, convicts will receive fines Saudi authorities have not said whether Arthritis drug disappoints cautious on or prison terms. But flogging could still be their sentences will be commuted. “These will applied as a “hudud” punishment, which be nothing more than empty words as long as Saudi reforms under Islamic sharia law is reserved for seri- child defendants remain on death row,” said in COVID-19 trial ous offences including adultery. Reprieve director Maya Foa. “The kingdom WASHINGTON: An arthritis drug that was being closely watched Saudi officials say hudud penalties are continues to execute people convicted of at- for its potential use against COVID-19 has delivered disappointing RIYADH: Human rights campaigners on rarely meted out as many offences must be tending demonstrations while they were still results in clinical trials, its makers said Monday. Kevzara, which is Monday cautiously welcomed Saudi moves proved by a confession or be verified by sev- in school.” But Alawwad insisted the decree made by Regeneron and Sanofi, does not attack the novel coron- to abolish court-ordered floggings and end eral adult male Muslim witnesses. Still, ob- is aimed at establishing a “more modern penal avirus but instead inhibits an abnormal immune response called a the death penalty for crimes committed by servers say the government is unlikely to code” and said “more reforms” were coming. “cytokine storm” that causes the lungs of the sickest patients to minors, but pointed out “loopholes” in the re- abolish the penalties entirely as the move The kingdom is seeking to blunt interna- become inflamed, leaving them fighting for their lives on ventilators. forms. The changes underscore a push by de would rankle arch-conservatives. Many hard- tional criticism over its rights record and its An early small study in China had appeared promising, but the drug facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin liners are already irked by the Muslim king- opaque judicial system, especially since the showed no benefit over a placebo in a larger US study of 276 pa- Salman to modernise the ultra-conservative dom’s sweeping liberalization drive that has October 2018 murder of journalist Jamal tients with “severe” disease — that is to say, those requiring oxy- kingdom, long associated with a fundamen- allowed activities once deemed un-Islamic- Khashoggi and a sweeping crackdown on gen but not ventilators. talist strain of Islam. cinemas, concerts and mixed-gender parties. critics. Activists are skeptical that the reforms There was, however, a ray of hope for those who were “critical,” Long faced with scrutiny over its rights will see political prisoners released, pause a defined as needing mechanical ventilation or high-flow oxygena- record, the kingdom has one of the world’s ‘Modern penal code’ government crackdown on dissent or end ex- tion. In this group, 44 were on a placebo, 94 were given a low dose highest rate of executions. It announced Citing a royal decree, the HRC said those ecutions. It executed at least 187 people in and 88 were given a high dose. Fifty-five percent of patients on over the weekend it was ending the death convicted of crimes while they were under 18 2019, according to a tally based on official the placebo died by the end of the study period, compared with penalty for those convicted of crimes com- will now receive a prison sentence of no data, the highest since 1995 when 195 people 46 percent on the lower dose and 32 percent on the high dose. The mitted while they were minors as well as ef- longer than 10 years in a juvenile detention were put to death. trial will continue among this critical group. fectively eliminating floggings. “While the facility. But campaign group Reprieve said While the reforms represent “a significant “We await results of the ongoing Phase 3 trial to learn more announced changes represent a major step “significant loopholes” in the reform still let step for Saudi Arabia if implemented, the about COVID-19, and better understand whether some patients forward, there remain questions about the prosecutors “continue to seek death sen- country’s continued use of the death penalty may benefit from Kevzara treatment,” said George Yancopoulos, extent of their implementation,” Adam tences against children”. It also remains un- reached a shocking high last year,” said Heba Regeneron’s president and co-founder. The company is separately Coogle, Middle East researcher at Human clear whether the new decree will be applied Morayef, from Amnesty International. “It developing an antibody cocktail that will directly target the virus Rights Watch, told AFP. retroactively, the group added. At least six should also not be forgotten that dozens of and that it hopes to advance into human trials by June. These anti- “Saudi Arabia’s announced abolishment of men from the minority Shiite community are peaceful activists remain detained following bodies are being acquired by infecting mice that have had their im- mune systems genetically modified to become human-like. the death penalty for child offenders and on death row on terrorism-related charges convictions in grossly unfair trials solely for Regeneron has previously used this system to develop a treatment flogging punishment are not total, but appear after taking part in anti-government protests campaigning for equality and justice in a that proved effective against Ebola. — AFP to leave in a loophole for them to continue as as minors, during the Arab Spring uprisings. vastly repressive environment.” — AFP Established 1961 7 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 International Inside Connecticut’s ‘ground war’ against virus at nursing homes Coronavirus death toll mounts BRIDGEPORT: On Main Street in Bridgeport, ing grounds for the highly contagious virus given Connecticut, across the road from a hospital grap- the vulnerable older age of the residents, close liv- pling with the coronavirus crisis, a nondescript ing quarters and shared staff. While New York has brick building is playing a key role in the state’s plan mandated facilities take back coronavirus patients to free up acute-care beds and protect its ailing discharged from a hospital as long as they can pro- nursing homes. Over the past week, the vide adequate care, Connecticut is among a handful Northbridge Health Care Center has taken in 46 of states seeking to sidestep that risk. patients who have recuperated enough from It has tapped Northbridge and six other nursing COVID-19 - the disease caused by the virus - to be facilities as COVID-19 recovery centers, with seven discharged from a local hospital but are still conta- more being considered. To date, 119 patients have gious. Understandably, their long-term care facili- been transferred to the three sites currently open, a ties were anxious about readmitting them. spokesman for the health department said. Andrea The use of two floors at Northbridge to care Iacomacci, senior manager of care coordination at exclusively for patients with COVID-19 is part of Bridgeport Hospital, said while a few nursing homes Connecticut’s “ground war” against a problem vex- have started taking back patients, she has sent about ing officials across the United States: where to send 10 to Northbridge and would send more there in the recovering patients who might still infect others if coming weeks. The transfers have helped the hospi- returned to their original place of care, said Barbara tal reduce its number of COVID-19 patients to 191 Cass, a state health department official who over- from a peak of 225 a week ago, she said. sees nursing homes. Similarly, St Vincent’s Medical Center has sent The state is building a network of such facilities eight COVID-19 patients across Main Street to to act as a kind of step-down unit upon discharge Northbridge, among the dozens who have been from a hospital that could eventually accommodate cycled out of Hartford HealthCare’s seven hospitals more than 1,000 people. While they will take in an who would otherwise have had remain until they array of patients, a primary focus is protecting tested negative for the virus. “We have people who nursing homes, which account for as much as half of were essentially sitting in the hospital waiting for CONNECTICUT: A ‘prone team’, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), turns a COVID-19 patient onto his stomach in a Stamford Hospital intensive care unit (ICU) in Stamford, Connecticut. — AFP the coronavirus-related deaths in the state. “Thirty negative testing to be transitioned to a nursing days into this, there is still lots of fear and lots of facility,” said David Santoro, vice president of busi- unknowns,” Cass said in an interview. “The overall ness operations at Hartford HealthCare Integrated published on Friday, there have been at least 10,631 ing for a staggering 50% of COVID-19 fatalities. goal is to address the surge in hospitals, so that Care Partners. “This is a way to get the patients coronavirus-related deaths among long-term care Interviews with more than a dozen people involved someone who arrives at hospital that is acutely ill moving to a lower level of care.” residents, about a fifth of fatalities nationwide. Data with Connecticut’s plan revealed the challenges they can have a bed.” How states approach this challenge released by Connecticut on Friday underscored the faced in settling on a strategy, especially following new could determine how well they quell the growing ‘It’s in our buildings’ depth of its crisis, with 768 coronavirus deaths attrib- guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control crisis at long-term care facilities, which are breed- According to a survey of data by ABC News uted to nursing home residents as of April 22, account- and Prevention (CDC) last month. — Reuters

boss Barack Obama, who is still extremely popular Biden wins big among Democrats. He also won the backing of his former rivals, including leading progressives sena- endorsements but tors Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Biden Record 50 million will not be officially designated as the Democratic Party’s candidate until its convention, postponed to gets little air time August, and the early rally to the cause by party people displaced grandees is rare. Hillary Clinton was not declared internally WASHINGTON: Confined to his home to respect the candidate until June 2016. anti-virus measures and facing an accusation of But the advantage Biden might have earned- sexual assault, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe especially in terms of making up fundraising ground against Trump-has been effectively neutralized by GENEVA: Conflict and disaster forced more Biden is finding it hard to get his message across in a country laser-focused on the health crisis. The PHILADELPHIA: Democratic presidential hopeful and the coronavirus pandemic. Biden is locked down at than 33 million people to flee within their own his home in Delaware, where he built a makeshift countries last year, putting them at greater former vice president has won a series of major former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. — AFP studio in his basement for his television appear- risk amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, endorsements-the latest came from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday-but has had to rely on ances. He even launched a podcast. On campaigning monitors said yesterday. The new figure in a more traditional way, a Biden advisor told AFP: brings the total number of people living in late-night appearances and virtual town halls to port.” Indeed, in her endorsement, Pelosi hailed make his voice heard. “He would very much enjoy that if it was at all pos- internal displacement to a record 50.8 million, Biden as a man of “empathy, grace and courage” Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is front and sible right now, but we are always careful to follow according to a report by the Internal and “a leader with the humility to seek expertise in center every day as the nation combats the global science and the confidence to act on it”-a pointed the guidance of health officials.” Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and pandemic and haltingly moves down the path to bid to draw a contrast with Trump. “As we face But Trump is everywhere in the media, in large the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). reopening the economy. Is it time for the Democrats coronavirus, Joe Biden has been a voice of reason part thanks to his daily virus briefings over the past The number of internally displaced people to worry? Kyle Kondik, a political analyst at the and resilience with a clear path to lead us out of this month. Even other Democrats like Pelosi and New (IDPs) is far higher than the some 26 million University of Virginia, says no. “Biden wants to crisis,” she said. York Governor Andrew Cuomo are getting more air who have fled across borders as refugees. make this election more of a referendum on Trump,” time. And Trump’s Republicans are openly mocking “IDPs are often highly vulnerable people living Kondik said. Democrats rally behind Biden Biden, saying he seems to be a hostage in his own in crowded camps, emergency shelters and “That Trump dominates the news while Biden More than 2,500 lawmakers, officials and com- home. Of course, the incumbent’s briefings are not informal settlements with little or no access to doesn’t is not a problem for this kind of strategy, munity leaders have rallied behind Biden, his cam- always registered in the win column, as last week’s healthcare,” IDMC director Alexandra Bilak because Trump’s domination of the news is not at paign team said Monday. Of course, the biggest disastrous statements about injecting disinfectant said in a statement. “The global coronavirus this point broadening Trump’s own level of sup- endorsement of them all came from Biden’s former have shown. — AFP pandemic will make them more vulnerable still,” she said, warning it would “compromise their already precarious living conditions by further limiting their access to essential servic- Germans don masks Brazilian judge orders es and humanitarian aid.” The report found that conflict forced 8.5 to ward off COVID-19 probe into accusations million IDPs to flee last year in countries like Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, against the president Ethiopia and South Sudan. Together with BERLIN: Germany made wearing masks on pub- those already displaced, more than 45 million lic transport and in most shops mandatory on people live in internal displacement brought Monday, even offering them in vending machines, BRASILIA: A Brazilian Supreme Court judge on on by conflict, including nearly 6.5 million in as the country became the latest to cover up in Monday ordered a probe into accusations by for- Syria, which has been ravaged by nine years the fight against the coronavirus. “It’s warm, slip- mer justice and security minister Sergio Moro that of civil war. Another 5.1 million people were pery, you can’t breathe well, but if it’s to avoid President Jair Bolsonaro sought to “interfere” with living in internal displacement due to natural infection, I’m fine with it,” Emil, a commuter at a police investigations. In his decision, obtained by disasters at the end of 2019, out of nearly 25 Berlin train station, told AFP. Starting this week, AFP, Judge Celso de Mello gave the federal police 60 days to question Moro about his explosive alle- million who fled their homes due to such dis- donning face masks in public is compulsory in all gations against the right-wing president. The find- asters throughout the year of Germany’s 16 states but there are many regional differences. The rules are most relaxed ings, which will be handed over to the attorney gen- Berlin, where masks are required only on public eral, could result in either a request for a political ‘Failing by epic proportions’ trial against Bolsonaro or an indictment against “Year after year, conflict and violence transport and not in shops. There are no fines for not complying. Moro for false testimony. uproot millions of people from their homes,” According to the judge, the alleged crimes seem to NRC chief Jan Egeland said in the statement. Bavaria on the other hand has threatened penalties of 150 euros for anyone caught flouting have “an intimate connection with the exercise of the “Collectively, we are failing by epic propor- presidential mandate,” thus allowing for an investiga- the rules and shop owners who fail to make staff tions to protect the world’s most vulnerable,” tion of the leader. Moro, a former anti-corruption cover up can be fined 5,000 euros. The World he lamented, calling for concerted action and BERLIN: People wear face protection masks at the judge, resigned on Friday after clashing with Bolsonaro insisting that “in this age of coronavirus, con- Health Organization initially said masks should over the sacking of the federal police chief, accusing only be worn by medical workers and carers but Bahnhof Zoo subway station in Berlin, amid the new tinued political violence is utterly senseless.” coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP the president of political interference. The judge’s doc- Some 4.5 million were forced to flee their the little squares of fabric are now widely seen as ument lists seven accusations against Bolsonaro, homes by cyclone Fani in India and key to gradually reopening societies as the world including malfeasance and obstruction of justice. Bangladesh, cyclones Idai and Kenneth in learns to live with the pandemic. With its new Frankfurt, the local transport company handed Should the investigation confirm the allegations, Mozambique and hurricane Dorian in the rules, Germany follows in the footsteps of a string out 10,000 disposable masks to passengers on it will be up to the lower house of the National Bahamas. Heavy and prolonged rains and of European countries where mask-wearing is buses, trams, metros and trains. Tiny Saarland Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings flooding in Africa forced another two million now compulsory, including Austria, Poland and state, along the border with France, has vowed to against Bolsonaro and potentially remove him from people into internal displacement last year, the Czech Republic. hand out five free masks to each of its one million office. In 2017, the prosecutor general’s office asked the report said. But Bilak noted to AFP that At one Berlin regional train station, compliance residents. to open two investigations against then-president most displacements due to natural disasters was widespread on the first day with even small Michel Temer, and in both cases the request was Gradual relaxation were actually “government-led, preemptive children donning colorful masks. “I work in the rejected by the Chamber of Deputies. The tensions The mask-wearing comes as Germany slowly evacuations to save lives and protect people” health field and I think we should have had this in come at the height of the global coronavirus crisis. place much sooner in order to protect each oth- begins relaxing its lockdown. Smaller shops, car and that most people are able to return home Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the dan- er,” said Claudia, a passenger in her 50s who dealerships and some schools have already been ger of COVID-19 and earlier this month fired his relatively quickly, “as long as their home has opted for a mask with a floral pattern. Fellow allowed to reopen and plans are being drawn up health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, who sup- not been completely destroyed”. commuter Andre, also in his 50s, was less enthu- to ease other restrictions. Although Germany has ported isolation as a tool to contain the spread of Going forward, Bilak warned that the coro- siastic. “With the mask on, I can’t eat on the recorded over 155,000 coronavirus cases, it has the pandemic. A poll published Monday night shows navirus pandemic could make it more difficult train,” he said, pulling down his mask to talk to one of the lowest mortality rates in the world-just divided opinions about Bolsonaro’s future, with 45 for countries to take the steps needed to AFP. “I have to eat before or after. It’s not very over 5,700 people have died. Keen not to undo percent of Brazilians saying Congress should open evacuate before weather hazards hit, since important, but personally it bothers me.” the good work, Chancellor Angela Merkel has an impeachment process against him. In comparison, thousands of people should not be crowded Germans are free to choose which type of repeatedly urged Germany’s states to proceed 48 percent think Bolsonaro should not be together in shelters. “How you balance those mask to wear, from disposable ones to self-made with caution, even as the lockdown batters impeached, according to the Datafolha poll, which time-sensitive humanitarian relief efforts with cloth versions, and many states have said they Europe’s top economy. Merkel said she “strongly ran in the Folha de S. Paulo daily. Behind the scenes, your national effort to fight the spread of will also accept scarves and bandanas. Berlin’s recommended” wearing masks in public, and changing the head of the federal police, an investiga- COVID is going to be a difficult balancing Zoo station offered reusable masks for sale in a Germans are eagerly waiting for their first tive body that reports to the justice ministry, is seen act,” she said. — AFP vending machine for anyone caught out at the last glimpse of the veteran leader doing her usual as an attempt by Bolsonaro to control investigations minute, charging 5.50 euros ($6) apiece. In weekly shop in a mask. — AFP that surround his family and political allies. — AFP 8 Established 1961 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 International US downplays Iranian military satellite as ‘tumbling webcam’ In twist to press arms ban, US asserts role in Iran deal WASHINGTON: The head of the US Space Iran nuclear deal Command said the Pentagon believes that Iran’s first Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has persist- successful launch of a military satellite into space ently trashed a nuclear deal with Iran. But as it does not pose any intelligence threat. The Nour seeks to extend an arms embargo, it is making the satellite placed into orbit on April 22 is classified by case that it still has a seat at the table. The push has the US military as a small 3U Cubesat, three drawn skepticism from Western allies and has led adjoined units each no more critics to question if the than a liter in volume and ultimate aim is to kill the less than 1.3 kilograms each, deal entirely, potentially said General Jay Raymond in the final stretch of in a tweet late Sunday. Satellite Trump’s re-election “Iran states it has imag- ‘unlikely campaign. ing capabilities-actually, it’s “You cannot cherry- a tumbling webcam in providing pick a resolution saying space; unlikely providing you implement only intel,” he wrote. parts of it but you won’t “#spaceishard,” Raymond intel’ do it for the rest,” a added to the tweet. While Western diplomat said Raymond downplayed any on condition of threat from the satellite, the United States has warned that Tehran’s ability to anonymity. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has place it into space represents a significant advance called on United Nations members to renew the ban in its long-range missile capability, posing a greater on all conventional arms exports to Iran which is threat to US forces and allies in the Middle East. due to expire in October. He renewed his push last week after Iran said it Last week US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo This file handout photo shows an Iranian military satellite-dubbed the Nour-which the Revolutionary accused Iran of violating a 2015 UN Security had launched a military satellite into orbit for the first time-proving, according to Pompeo, that the Guards said was launched from the Qassed two-stage launcher in the Markazi desert, a vast expanse in Council resolution against Tehran advancing any Iran’s central plateau, amid tensions with US. — AFP nuclear-capable ballistic missile activities. On clerical regime had been deceitful in saying its Saturday, Pompeo called for the United Nations to space program was for peaceful purposes. The extend its conventional arms embargo on Iran launch should lead more countries to “understand pose was to bless the deal, negotiated by former Russia and China are virtually certain to oppose a beyond its scheduled end in October. “All peace- what President Trump has understood since he first president Barack Obama, under which Iran drasti- new embargo, with Moscow potentially in line for loving nations must reject Iran’s development of came into office, that the Iran deal was a crazy, bad cally scaled back its nuclear program. Former sec- billions of dollars in arms contracts. But there is one ballistic-missile-capable technologies and join deal,” Pompeo told the Christian Broadcasting retary of state John Kerry has said the five-year way to skirt a veto-if a party to the deal asserts that together to constrain Iran’s dangerous missile pro- Network. The arms embargo was part of a 2015 UN embargo was a compromise with Russia and China, Iran is in significant violation of it, which would trig- grams,” he said. Security Council Resolution-whose primary pur- which opposed any limits. Wielding veto power, ger a return of international sanctions. — AFP

News in brief Murders of women in Italians search for ‘relatives’ Mexico rise amid fears ROME: That is what millions of stir crazy Italians have apparently been asking ever since Prime of lockdown violence Minister Giuseppe Conte allowed them to leave their homes to see their loved ones starting next Monday. Media reports said “relative” became MEXICO CITY: Almost 1,000 women were mur- the most searched for term on the Italian internet dered in Mexico in the first three months of this for a few hours after Conte’s Sunday night televi- year, according to government data, showing a sion address. Conte said Italians would be spike in violence that combined with coronavirus allowed to leave their homes for the first time lockdown measures, advocates say, puts women in since March 9 “to visit relatives, but only if they double jeopardy. The rate was 8% higher than in respect distance and wear masks”. The only the same period last year, according to the data. problem is that Italy has no legal definition of the “The deadliest pandemic for women in our country, term and people sounded genuinely confused. more than the coronavirus, is feminicidal violence,” Most of the big papers devoted entire articles to said Congresswoman Martha Tagle from the oppo- the subject of whether your boyfriend or distant sition Citizens’ Movement party. “Today, violence is cousin provided a good enough legal excuse to the greatest threat to all the rights for women that leave your house. — AFP we have had recognized with great effort,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Some 14,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have Executions of child offenders been reported in Mexico, and more than 1,300 MEXICO CITY: Health workers of the La Raza Hospital demonstrate for the lack of medical material to deaths, although testing rates are low. Of the coron- care for COVID-9 patients, in Mexico City during the novel coronavirus pandemic. — AFP PARIS: France has condemned Iran over the exe- avirus deaths, about 420 have been women, the government said. The government reported that at cutions this month of two young offenders who it worry that such alarming rates of violence may lence against women during the pandemic, Interior least 720 women were murdered in the first quarter said where minors at the time of their crimes, get worse. Calls and messages sent to the Minister Olga Sanchez Cordero said the country’s of the year and 244 women were victims of femi- accusing Tehran of violating its international National Network of Shelters - a network of 911 emergency hotline was key to battling the cide, where a woman is killed because of her gen- obligations. The French foreign ministry said that almost 70 refuges for female victims of violence - scourge. “We must join efforts to face the pandemic der. A year ago, at least 890 women were killed. Shayan Saeedpour was executed on April 21 and rose more than 80 percent between mid-March of violence (against women) that is the silent pan- Gender-based violence is widespread in the Latin Majid Esmailzadeh on April 18, noting they were and mid-April when compared to the previous demic, but also the one that causes pain (and) costs American country. both “minors at the time of the facts”. “The exe- month. “It’s terrible. I think many more women thousands of lives a year,” she said. The national statistics agency (INEGI) has said cutions are contrary to the international obliga- could die because of violence than COVID in this The Interior Ministry did not immediately reply two-thirds of women in Mexico have experienced tions that Iran has signed up to itself, in particular period,” said Patricia Olamendi, a lawyer who rep- to a request for comment. Protests against gen- some form of violence, with almost 44% suffering the international convention on the rights of the resents victims of violence and has written proto- dered violence grew earlier this year, with millions abuse from a partner. The femicide rate has more child,” it said. Amnesty International had already cols on femicide investigations. She added that the of Mexican women staying home from work during than doubled in the past five years, and gang vio- condemned the execution of Saeedpour, 21, at the government has not published a plan to address a nationwide strike in March, a day after a series of lence has pushed the murder tally to record central prison in Saqqez, in Iran’s Kurdistan the spike in domestic abuse. protests across the country for International heights. Most violent crime in Mexico goes province, “as vengeful and cruel.” — AFP “There is a complete and absolute abandon- Women’s Day. Mexico suffered its worst year for unsolved. With coronavirus lockdown measures ment,” she said. “What’s happening in the country is homicides in 2019, with a record 34,582 victims, extended until at least the end of May, advocates Libya’s Haftar claims ‘mandate’ inhumane.” In a meeting last week regarding vio- according to data published in January. — Reuters

BENGHAZI: Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar said Monday he had “a popular mandate” to gov- Iran newspaper China slams Indian ern the country, declaring a key 2015 political deal over and vowing to press his assault to seize Tripoli. In a speech on his Libya al-Hadath TV accuses US of criticism over kits channel, he said his self-styled Libyan “army” was “proud to be mandated with the historic task” of stealing its .com as ‘irresponsible’ leading Libya. “We announce our acceptance of the people’s will and mandate and the end of the Skhirat Agreement,” he said, referring to a 2015 TEHRAN: The government newspaper Iran has lost NEW DELHI: China has criticized India’s decision United Nations-mediated deal that produced the its .com website, with its publisher on Monday to stop using Chinese testing kits for the novel unity government. He did not make clear whether accusing the United States of “stealing” the domain coronavirus because of quality issues as unfair and an elected parliament in the country’s east, a sig- name. The paper’s .com edition is no longer avail- irresponsible in the latest strain in their ties. The natory to the deal, backed his move-or what its able, although its .ir version remains active. Indian Council of Medical Research, the top agency future role would be. Haftar has so far drawn his Contacted by AFP, Mehdi Shafii, head of the media dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, said on legitimacy from the administration based in the group that publishes Iran, accused the US Treasury Monday it planned to return the kits for antibody country’s east, and last April his forces launched of wanting to “block” and “confiscate” the compa- tests procured from two Chinese firms because of an assault to seize the capital Tripoli, in the west, ny’s domain names. poor accuracy. The Chinese embassy said it was from the Government of National Accord. — AFP US President Donald Trump’s administration deeply concerned by the Indian decision and has “so far shown that it is not at all rational or Chinese authorities had validated the equipment logical and therefore behavior such as stealing a produced by the two firms, Guangzhou Wondfo COVID: Deaf Indonesians newspaper’s domain was not unexpected”, he Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics. added. “This is an inhumane act that violates “It is unfair and irresponsible for certain individ- MAKASSAR: Lip-reading suddenly got tricky human rights, in particular freedom of expres- uals to label Chinese products as ‘faulty’ and look at when everyone covered their face during the sion,” Shafii said. He called on “all international issues with preemptive prejudice,” embassy coronavirus pandemic, but Indonesian tailors bodies, members of the media and all supporters spokeswoman Ji Rong said in a statement. The have hit upon the perfect solution - see-through of freedom of expression around the world to Chinese companies had exported equipment to sev- masks. One husband and wife duo in Makassar react and condemn this decision”. eral countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America on Sulawesi island started producing cloth masks The US Treasury, particularly its Office of without any problem, she said. China was trying to with transparent plastic in the middle to help fel- help India fight the coronavirus with concrete low deaf people. “Since the pandemic started, Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), acts according to US economic sanctions that the Trump administra- TEHRAN: An Iranian woman exercises in a public out- action and it made sure the quality of its medical everyone is wearing facemasks. For deaf people, door gym in the capital Tehran, with the Milad tower in exports is a priority with manufacturers, Ji said. we can’t understand what others are saying tion has tightened considerably against Iran since the background. — AFP Wondfo Biotech said in a statement it stood by because we can’t read their lips,” said 52-year- 2018. As a result, some social media networks the quality of its equipment and it had been validat- old Faizah Badaruddin. “There were a lot of mis- including Instagram have closed accounts belonging cyber security, reported on his blog that “OFAC understandings,” she added. Badaruddin and her to Iranian officials named on the US Treasury’s ed by the Indian medical research body itself at the husband used to sew cushions, bed sheets and blacklist. Holding” was the signature of an American compa- time of issuing an import license. The diplomatic curtains for customers. But when orders dried up, A search of the Iranian newspaper’s .com domain ny, Network Solutions, and its parent company flap comes days after China criticised an Indian Badaruddin looked up instructional videos online name shows that its status was updated on April 23 Web.com. According to Krebson, these two compa- decision to step up scrutiny of investments from to work out how to produce masks for the hear- and is now owned by “OFAC Holding” registered in nies had seized hundreds of domain names linked to neighboring countries, seen as a move to stave off ing impaired. — AFP Jacksonville, Florida. In 2013, Brian Krebson, an Syrian entities targeted by US sanctions for their opportunistic takeovers by Chinese firms during the American investigative journalist specializing in links with President Bashar Al-Assad. — AFP coronavirus outbreak. — Reuters Established 1961

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 Business

HSBC profits halved as virus UN tells firms to make worker Nokia clinches $1 billion 10batters global economy 11 returns safe as lockdowns ease 11 deal with Indiaís Airtel

CARSON: Oil-storage tanks are seen from above in Carson after the price for crude plunged into negative territory for the first time in history. — AFP Oil firms face hedging, debt tests Industry in turmoil as oil price down 70% so far in 2020

LONDON: Independent international oil producers hedged 40 percent of its 2021 output with a floor price oil equivalent for the rest of 2020,” a spokesman for can cope with plunging oil prices better than higher- of $53 a barrel. But the costs of such income insurance EnQuest said. “With no further bank repayments due cost US shale firms but persistent low prices may still Kuwait oil price options are rising, making it a challenge to hedge fur- in 2020, the group has sufficient liquidity for an leave them struggling to repay debts and renew hedg- ther into the future. “To try to hedge at this current extended period even if oil prices were as low (circa) ing facilities needed to protect revenues. down 48 cents moment in the market is extremely difficult,” Tullow $10 a barrel.” The drop in Brent crude to $20 a barrel and less, or to $13.63 pb Chief Financial Officer Les Wood told Reuters last Some of Tullow’s financing is secured by its undevel- the even deeper slide of US crude into negative territo- week. Jadestone has a two-year hedge in place, with a oped reserves of oil and gas, or reserve based lending ry, has hammered US shale producers, which typically floor of $64.45, but it expires in September. (RBL), a practice that is often used in the industry. need more than $40 to break even, forcing shut-ins and “There’s absolutely no point in hedging, I think, Tullow has its RBL facilities reviewed, or redetermined, threatening insolvencies as the coronavirus crisis has probably anytime in the next several months,” Blakeley each six months. It secured a roll over in March, even as thumped oil demand. Independent international firms, Jadestone, an independent focused on the Asia-Pacific said. In addition to the hedging challenge, independent oil prices fell. But, before the rollover, it had said its although they don’t have the production-to-refining region that starts generating free cash flow at $27 a producers, most of which are listed in London, have future as a “going concern” was at risk if its RBL ran resources of majors such as BP or Shell, still have lower barrel. Hundreds of thousands of barrels per day of hefty debts to service. The London-listed firms have into difficulties. “Going into a crisis the lenders give the costs than shale producers, despite working in tough North American oil production has been shut-in since combined net debts of more than $9 billion, while their oil company the benefit of the doubt, but as their lower areas like the North Sea or Africa. prices began crashing in March. Yet, in the North Sea, total market capitalization on April 27 was less than half oil price outlooks solidify the redeterminations become Meanwhile, the price of Kuwaiti oil edged lower by just two fields have been shut-in. EnQuest operated that, at $4.4 billion. a more challenging task,” RBC’s Al Stanton said. A 48 cents to $13.63 per barrel Monday as against $14.11 both, halting output of 6,000 bpd. Tullow spokesman said the company had hedging in pb the day before, said the Kuwait Petroleum Debt for equity? place, was focused on reducing net debt and was com- Corporation (KPC) yesterday. The price of the West Hedging costs climb North Sea producer EnQuest has been financing mitted to raising more than $1 billion. It sold its stake in Texas Intermediate dropped by $4.16 pb to $12.78 pb Some US shale companies have not hedged against some of its existing debt with new borrowing, preserv- Ugandan oil fields this month for $500 million in cash. and the Brent crude fell by $1.45 to $19.99 pb. price falls or have programs that still leave them vulner- ing cash flow now at the cost of a bigger debt burden Meanwhile, other acquisition plans face threats. Independent producers such as Tullow, Kosmos, able to this year’s dramatic price slump, which has sent later. “If oil prices remain anywhere below $50 a barrel Premier, which restructured its debt after the last oil price Genel, Premier and EnQuest put their 2020 cash flow prices down 70 percent since the end of 2019. for an extended period, then we believe that EnQuest rout between 2014 and 2016, is awaiting a ruling on breakeven at $35 a barrel or less after cutting budgets, Independent international producers, however, typically would have to do a debt for equity swap at some point,” whether it can extend its debt maturity by two years and while hedging has further protected income for now. hedge about half of their output 12 to 18 months in RBC oil and gas equities analyst Al Stanton said. raise $500 million in equity to buy North Sea assets from “We’ve taken capital out for prudence. In North advance with fixed floor prices, protecting them from “(The) action being taken, along with realizations BP. Bankers say current market valuations present a hur- America, the capital is coming out because it just is not any price slide below that level. in the first quarter, are expected to lower EnQuest’s dle to capital raising. Premier did not immediately economic,” said Paul Blakeley, chief executive of Tullow, an Africa-focused producer, had already free cash flow breakeven to (circa) $25 per barrel of respond to Reuters for comment. — Agencies

Volkswagen’s plans mirror moves by rivals Renault, ally return, global demand will not rebound until the Europe restarts Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler to revive an industry crippled United States is able to restore confidence in its econo- by dealership lockdowns and supply bottlenecks caused my. The United Auto Workers union cast doubt on plans by restrictions to contain the pandemic. Fiat Chrysler by US carmakers to resume production in early May, cit- car factories has restarted Italian van production at its plant in Atessa ing concerns about worker safety. Hyundai ramped up and some other operations in the country, including domestic production after South Korea got a grip on the amid uncertainty preparatory works for upcoming hybrid and electric virus outbreak, only to find its cars were sitting in US vehicles at Melfi and Turin’s Mirafiori plants. ports because of the hit to global demand. FRANKFURT: German carmaking giant Volkswagen Swedish truck maker AB Volvo, whose brands include In Wolfsburg, around 8,000 workers started building resumed production at its biggest factory on Monday as Mack and Renault trucks, is also looking to restart out- cars again on Monday, including the VW Golf. This part of a broader industry drive to get back to work in put, despite saying last week its net orders had turned week, 1,400 cars will be built, followed by 6,000 cars Europe, where the coronavirus pandemic has hammered negative since the end of March as customers cancelled next week, VW said. VW workers are being told to demand and pushed up inventory levels. Encouraged by more trucks than they ordered. measure their temperature and to get changed into their a fall in infection rates, Germany has eased lockdown WOLFSBURG: A worker wears a protective mask at the Volkswagen assembly line after VW re-starts Europe’s largest overalls at home, to prevent crowding in factory chang- rules and automakers are relying on the country’s ability Dealerships car factory after coronavirus shutdown in Wolfsburg, ing rooms. to trace and contain new coronavirus cases to safely With dealerships closed in Germany until last week, it Germany on Monday as the spread of the coronavirus disease Extra markings have been put on the factory floor so restore operations in Europe’s largest economy. is hard for executives to gauge the level of demand. (COVID-19) continues. — AFP employees are able to keep at least 1.5 metres apart, and Volkswagen group, which also owns the Skoda, Audi, LMC Automotive analysts see an uneven pattern across extra time is being provided for them to disinfect tools Bentley, Porsche and Seat brands, is resuming produc- the globe. “We assume that light vehicle sales will bot- contraction this year”. and surfaces. Volkswagen resumed producing compo- tion at its plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, as well as at fac- tom out in April in Europe and North America, but the nents in Braunschweig, Kassel, Salzgitter and Hanover in tories in Portugal, Spain, Russia, South Africa, and the Demand is seen down 20-30 percent for 2020 over- recovery, while broadly V-shaped, is unlikely to be rapid all, with China being the only exception, thanks to its Germany in early April. It restarted car manufacturing in Czech Republic this week. Production capacity at in the subsequent months,” they said. Dealers might re- Zwickau, Germany, and Bratislava, Slovakia, on April 20 Wolfsburg will be just 10 percent-15 percent to begin ability to impose social restrictions more forcefully than open next week in Italy. in the rest of the world. But even in China, sales are seen and in Chemnitz, Germany, on April 23. with, and will reach around 40 percent of pre-crisis lev- “The point is not whether we open one week earlier From May 3, it plans to resume production in els after about a week, Andreas Tostmann, the VW down 12 percent this year, LMC said. or later. Most dealers have got huge stocks of cars now, Carmakers have overhauled production methods to Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the United States. brand’s board member responsible for production, told we need to destock them before going back to buy from Volkswagen is still working to whittle down inventory Reuters. try to reassure workers about the safety of returning to auto makers,” said Plinio Vanini, chairman of Gruppo the production line. Volvo cars is offering employees levels from before the crisis, it said, pinning its hopes “The restart of Europe’s biggest car factory after Autotorino, an Italian car dealer which sold over 29,000 on rekindled demand as lockdowns ease in many weeks of standstill is an important symbol for our tests to check the oxygen levels in their blood, while new cars last year, with 1.2 billion euros in revenues. Hyundai Motor Co’s South Korean workers are required parts of Europe. The carmaker said around 70 per- employees, our dealers, suppliers, the German economy “We’ve got less ability to absorb new production now, cent of its dealerships in Germany had re-opened as and for Europe,” he said. to pass thermal cameras, which measure temperatures. especially given current estimates for a heavy market Even if Europe and Asia see economic activity gradu- of last week. — Reuters 10 Established 1961 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Business HSBC’s Q1 profits halved as virus batters global economy Lender reports pre-tax profits of $3.2bn, down 48% from 2019

HONG KONG: HSBC yesterday said first quarter bailouts and support from central banks and pre-tax profits almost halved as the banking giant regulators. was battered by the global coronavirus pandemic while it embarked on a major restructuring. The Major overhaul lender reported pre-tax profits of $3.2 billion, down Quinn took over as acting CEO after the shock 48 percent from the same period in 2019, citing ouster in August of John Flint. He was finally con- credit losses from clients struck by the economic firmed as the bank’s head last month. He is tasked slowdown as a major cause. with transforming the sprawling international bank, “The economic impact of the COVID-19 pan- which spans more than 50 countries but makes the demic on our customers has been the main driver of vast majority of its profits in Asia. the change in our financial performance since the In recent years HSBC’s Asia business has done turn of the year,” newly well-fuelled primarily by confirmed CEO Noel China-but Europe and the Quinn said in a statement. US have disappointed. Reported expected credit Before the coronavirus losses in the first quarter Redundancies went global the bank of the year were $3 billion announced plans to make — $2.4 billion more than put on hold $4.5 billion in cost cuts by the first quarter of 2019 2022, with restructuring and the bank’s biggest for now costs of around $6 billion. bad loan bundle in almost Many of the cutbacks nine years. will be in the European The Asia-focused and US investment bank- lender has embarked on a ing sectors, while units in huge cost-cutting initiative as it battles multiple more profitable Asia and the Middle East would be uncertainties caused by the grinding US-China bolstered. The restructuring plans are the most trade war, Britain’s departure from the European ambitious since 2012 when HSBC was caught up in Union and now the pandemic. Earlier this year it a Mexican money laundering scandal. announced plans to slash 35,000 jobs, trimming fat HSBC warned defaults would increase the longer HONG KONG: Pedestrians wear face masks as they walk past HSBC signage outside a branch of the from less profitable divisions, primarily in the United the pandemic goes on, with the bank expecting bank in Hong Kong yesterday. — AFP States and Europe. between $7 billion and $11 billion in credit losses But COVID-19 has thrown a spanner into the from clients in 2020. The biggest risks were cur- the 2008 financial crash and that postponing some cash reserves for the economic crisis but it caused works with HSBC yesterday confirming many of the rently coming from the “oil and gas, transport and restructuring could help with operating costs. anger among investors in Asia where some 90 per- redundancies would be put on hold for now “to discretionary consumer sectors”, the bank said. And things could improve if countries make cent of HSBC’s profits are made. HSBC’s shares reduce the uncertainty” many of its employees But Quinn added it was facing down the global headway against the virus. “This could be seen as plunged after dividends were scrapped. Before the would face in a decimated jobs sector. Banks are pandemic “from a position of strength” with “robust the worst has already happened,” he told AFP. Last lunchtime break yesterday, the bank’s shares were up being hammered by market volatility and the eco- levels of capital, funding and liquidity”. Jackson month HSBC was one of a number of banks to can- 1.77 percent in Hong Kong. In its results statement nomic slowdown caused by the virus crisis. Wong, an analyst at Amber Hill Capital, said yester- cel dividends and buybacks at the request of British HSBC said it plans to review the scrapped dividends But they are also on the receiving end of huge day’s results were some of the worst for HSBC since regulators. The move is part of an effort to bolster policy towards the end of this year. — AFP

social distancing policies and included brief Boeing CEO sees remarks from shareholders who put forth proposals to reign in executives after the MAX disasters. slow rebound, no Proxy advisor Institutional Shareholder Services had recommended “no” votes on four longtime Pakistan’s younger Boeing directors in the wake of the problems, citing dividend for ‘years’ a failure to adequately oversee management strate- women riding a gy and corporate culture. NEW YORK: Boeing’s head said Monday that But shareholders opted to re-elect the entire digital wave restoring the dividend could take three to five years slate, although two directors only received about 60 as the company girds for a slow air travel recovery percent of the votes, according to a Boeing securi- in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. ties filing. A narrow 52 percent majority of investors KARACHI: When Kainat Naz joined a women- The comment from Chief Executive David did vote to require the chairman to be an independ- friendly technology boot camp a year ago, she Calhoun was a signal that paying back debt and ent member of the board. had no idea it would completely change her life WASHINGTON: In this file photo, a Boeing worker in a keeping up Boeing’s manufacturing supply chain face mask exits the Boeing Renton Factory, where the Boeing, which has divided the roles of CEO and and her views on how women can work in con- were bigger priorities than shareholder payouts for Boeing 737 MAX airliners are built in Renton, chairman as it navigates its current crisis, had servative Pakistan. Naz, 22, had never ventured the foreseeable future. Speaking at the company’s Washington. — AFP opposed the measure. Calhoun defended the com- far from her home in Orangi Town in Karachi, one annual meeting, Calhoun offered a sober outlook on pany’s withdrawal from a $4.2 billion deal with of the five largest slums of the world, but was the near-term prospects for commercial air travel in Brazilian company Embraer, which has said it will feeling dissatisfied with her current teaching job. grounding since March 2019. Around $17 billion the wake of the virus that is projected to cost the sue Boeing following the move. So she signed up for tech program called aimed at Boeing was included in the giant federal airline industry an estimated $314 billion in 2020 Calhoun predicted the airline industry would TechKaro, an initiative by Circle, a social enter- relief bill approved in late March under the CARES revenues, potentially felling some carriers. have a strong recovery once the COVID-19 crisis prise that aims to improve women’s economic act, which restricts dividends and share buybacks “Based on what we know now, we expect it will is contained, but warned of a tough road ahead. rights in Pakistan, and is now working fulltime for from companies that take aid. Boeing has not said take two to three years for travel to return to 2019 The coronavirus will compel airlines to reconsider a software company. definitively whether it will take federal aid. levels and an additional few years beyond that for the way they manage flights, putting greater Naz said the course was challenging in many Families of the MAX crashes’ victims have peti- the industry’s long-term trend growth to return,” emphasis on hygiene. During a question and ways but she soon found that the women on the tioned US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to Calhoun said. Boeing announced earlier this month answer session with investors, Calhoun was asked training were just as good as the men at tech withhold funding for Boeing unless it meets strin- it would undertake a voluntary worker layoff plan. whether Boeing expects planes to be reconfigured skills like coding, web development and digital gent safety and governance standards, according Sources have told AFP the company expects to cut to meet social distancing guidelines. “Our cus- marketing, and also at presenting themselves at to lawyers who are representing the victims in 10 percent of its commercial airline workforce. tomers without a doubt are going to have to create interviews. “From developing our CVs, to giving suits against Boeing. Even before COVID-19 broke out, Boeing was a new relationship with the flying public,” Calhoun us tips on dressing for work, to conducting our- already under pressure after two crashes of its 737 said, adding that “for all of us, it’s going to be an selves during an interview and how to battle Directors re-elected MAX killed 346 people, leading to its global education.” — AFP some sticky questions ... we were groomed for The annual meeting was held remotely in light of everything,” said Naz. Women make up about 25 percent of Pakistan’s labor force, one of the lowest in the Airbus warns staff Lebanon offshore region, according to the World Bank. It has set a target to increase this to 45 percent, calling for more childcare and a crackdown on sexual on jobs with its drilling finds harassment to encourage more women out to work and boost economic growth. In Pakistan, ‘survival at stake’ no viable gas women represent only 14 percent of the IT work- force, according to a 2012 study by P@SHA, the Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and PARIS/TOULOUSE: European planemaker Airbus BEIRUT: Drilling off Lebanon’s coast has detected IT-enabled services (ITeS). gave its starkest assessment yet of damage from the traces of gas but no commercially viable reserves, coronavirus crisis, telling the company’s 135,000 the energy minister and an exploration firm said on Gap in the market employees to brace for potentially deeper job cuts Monday. “Initial drilling results showed the pres- Sadaffe Abid, chief executive of Circle, set up and warning its survival is at stake without immedi- ence of gas at different depths in the geological lay- TechKaro with the help of a few private founda- ate action. In a letter to staff late last week, Chief ers” of block 4, Energy Minister Raymond Ghajar tions in 2018 seeing this gender gap, and took on Executive Guillaume Faury said Airbus was “bleed- told reporters at a news conference. ing cash at an unprecedented speed” and that a This file photo shows Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Airbus 50 trainees in the first year of which 62 percent But after some two months of drilling “no gas recent drop of a third or more in production rates A320 planes parked at the Copenhagen Airport in were women and 75 in 2019 including 66 percent reservoir, no commercial reservoir was found,” he did not reflect the worst-case scenario and would Kaastrup, Denmark. — AFP said. The results had been awaited with anticipation, women. Abid, who previously worked for a micro- be kept under review. finance institution, said she was delighted that with many Lebanese hoping a major hydrocarbon Airbus said it did not comment on internal com- was already exploring “all options” while waiting for discovery could help redress the debt-burdened women like Naz were proving that women could munications. Shares in Europe’s largest aerospace succeed in the tech world. “I am a firm believer clarity on demand. People familiar with the matter economy. A consortium composed of energy giants group closed down 2.4 percent on Monday after say Airbus is also in active discussions with Total, Eni and Novatek was awarded the first two of that one of the most powerful uses of technology notching up the biggest falls on the Paris CAC40 is to bring it to young women, especially from European governments about tapping schemes to Lebanon’s 10 exploration blocks in 2018 — block 4, index. Aviation commentator Howard Wheeldon assist struggling industries, including billions of dol- and block 9 near the Israeli border. French oil firm under-served communities, to unlock their talents, said the letter showed the “realisation of there being resourcefulness and creativity,” said Abid. lars’ worth of state-guaranteed loans. Total confirmed the poor outcome for the first ever little prospect of a large-scale order recovery any It has also lent its weight to calls for airlines such exploration well off the Lebanese coast in block 4. “People told me I won’t find women, or time soon”. The letter was sent to employees days as Virgin Atlantic to be bailed out, believing that “Despite the negative result, this well has provid- women will drop out in high numbers, or after before the company is due to give first-quarter manufacturing aid would only defer the problem ed valuable data and learnings that will be integrat- completing the course, women won’t find results overshadowed by a pandemic that has left employment as the industry will not be open to unless airlines also survived. Earlier this month, ed into our evaluation of the area,” Total’s Lebanon airlines struggling to survive and virtually halted jet Airbus expanded commercial credit lines, buying hiring this unique diverse group with no degree deliveries since mid-March. managing director Ricardo Darre said in a state- what Faury’s letter called “time to adapt and resize”. in computer science. — Reuters Airbus has begun implementing government- ment. Results from block 4 are needed to finalize a French union officials said they were preparing assisted furlough schemes starting with 3,000 strategy on how best to probe block 9, where workers in France, “but we may now need to plan for a major restructuring in the summer and vowed Ghajar said drilling would start as soon as possible. for more far-reaching measures,” Faury said. to defend jobs. Exploration of block 9 has been more controversial “The survival of Airbus is in question if we don’t To stem the outflow of cash, Airbus this month as Israel also claims ownership of it. In the past, act now,” he added. On Monday, Airbus furloughed said it would slash benchmark narrow-body jet pro- Total has said it was aware of a border dispute 3,200 staff at its Broughton factory in Wales. duction by a third to 40 jets a month. It also issued affecting less than eight percent of block 9 and Pressure to send workers home has been driven in targets for wide-body jets implying cuts up to 42 would drill away from that area. part by a stockpile of extra wings built in anticipa- percent compared with previously published rates. Lebanon is one of the most indebted countries in tion of disruption from Britain’s exit from the “In other words, in just a couple of weeks we have the world, with a burden equivalent to 170 percent European Union. Industry sources have said a new lost roughly one-third of our business,” Faury wrote of its gross domestic product. It is grappling with its restructuring plan similar to the company’s 2007 in the letter, which was first reported by Fly News in worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, Spain. “And, frankly, that’s not even the worst-case Kainat Naz works from home in Karachi. — Reuters Power8 which saw 10,000 job cuts could be now compounded by a nationwide lockdown to launched in the summer, but Faury indicated Airbus scenario we could face”. — AFP stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. — AFP Established 1961 11 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Business UN tells firms to make worker returns safe as lockdowns ease ILO study underlines need to rule out a resurgence of COVID-19

GENEVA: As some countries begin to ease their “In the face of an infectious disease outbreak, how lockdown restrictions, governments and employers we protect our workers now clearly dictates how safe must prepare workplaces and ensure people can our communities are, and how resilient our businesses return safely to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19, will be, as this pandemic evolves,” he stressed. “It is the UN said yesterday. In a new study, the only by implementing occupational safety and health International Labour Organization stressed the measures that we can protect the lives of workers, their importance of ensuring that workplaces meet strict families and the larger communities, ensure work conti- nuity and economic survival.” The pandemic, which has killed more than 200,000 people worldwide and infected nearly three million, has Need to adopt taken a devastating toll on economies and businesses around the globe. risk control After weeks with more than half of humanity told to measures stay home, many governments and employers are eager to get back to business. But the ILO highlighted the dangers of allowing people return to their workplaces, stressing the need to prepare properly. Yesterday’s report stressed that risk control meas- occupational safety and health criteria before allow- ures should be especially adapted to the needs of ing people to return to their jobs, in order to minimize workers at the frontline of the pandemic, like health their exposure to the novel coronavirus. workers and those in food retail, but stressed that other “Without such controls, countries face the very real workplaces also needed strategies to deal with the risk of a resurgence of the virus,” the United Nations COVID-19 threat. GENEVA: As some countries begin to ease their lockdown restrictions, governments and agency said in a statement. The ILO’s report comes as employers must prepare workplaces and ensure people can return safely to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19, the UN said yesterday. — AFP a number of European countries are beginning to gin- ‘Respiratory etiquette’ gerly scale back lockdown measures, and as authorities Employers, it said, should map hazards and assess in China, which began loosening restrictions last month, risks of contagion in relation to all work operations, providing protective gear like masks to any workers respecting respiratory etiquette. So these are basic fear a second COVID-19 wave could be looming. and should continue to make such assessments after who need it. things that we need to be raising awareness on,” she The report stressed that by putting in place a range work resumes. They should also adopt risk control Most importantly perhaps, according to ILO occu- told reporters in a virtual briefing. of measures, employers can minimize the risk of a sec- measures adapted to each sector and each workplace, pational safety and health expert Manal Azzi, is to She also suggested that companies could leave ond wave of contagion contracted at the workplace. including for instance reducing physical interactions remind people of the basic hygiene rules, like frequent doors open “so people don’t have to touch handles.” “The safety and health of our entire workforce is para- between workers, contractors, customers and visitors, hand-washing, covering sneezes and coughs, and keep- Employers should also provide mental health support mount,” ILO chief Guy Ryder said in the statement. improving ventilation, regularly cleaning surfaces, and ing a proper physical distance. “You still see people not for staff, ILO said. — AFP

Crude futures plunged to record lows this month, BP announces with US prices sinking briefly into negative territory, also following a vicious price-war between major oil stc provides MoH producers Saudi Arabia and Russia. $4.4bn loss as BP yesterday added that its underlying replace- data link service ment cost profit-a widely-watched measure strip- US payroll oil prices crash ping out exceptional items and changes in the value of oil inventories-stood at $800 million in the first to Int’l Hospital LONDON: British energy giant BP yesterday said it program: What quarter, compared with $2.4 billion for the same KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Company - stc, slumped into a $4.4-billion net loss in the first quarter period a year earlier. a world-class digital leader providing innovative serv- as the coronavirus pandemic crushed demand for oil, “The result reflected lower prices, demand has changed? ices and platforms to customers enabling the digital triggering a price crash. “Our industry has been hit by destruction in the downstream particularly in March, transformation in Kuwait, announced that it has suc- supply and demand shocks on a scale never seen WASHINGTON: The Small Business a lower estimated result from (Russian partner) cessfully implemented a data link connection between before,” BP’s new chief executive Bernard Looney said Administration on Monday began allowing Rosneft and a lower contribution from oil trading.” BP the International Hospital and the Ministry of Health in an earnings statement, having seen crude prices lenders to process $310 billion in funds for the on Monday said that crashing oil prices had prompt- (MOH) data center through its technological arm and plunge from around $70 per barrel at the start of the second round of its program to help cover pay- ed it to tweak the terms of a gigantic deal to sell off Internet Service Provider (ISP) Qualitynet. The 50MB year to under $20 currently. “The economic impact of roll costs of small businesses hurt by the novel its Alaska operations. Data Link Service is provided by stc as a free service the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with pre-existing coronavirus disruption. To address concerns Hilcorp Alaska in August agreed to purchase the to support local entities in the battle against the current supply and demand factors have resulted in an excep- that some of the first tranche of money assets, including operations in the mammoth Prudhoe Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. tionally challenged commodity environment,” BP said, bypassed small businesses in favor of Wall Bay oilfield, for $5.6 billion in a move that sees BP exit Mishari Al-Hamad, General Manager of Sales and having reported profit after tax of $2.9 billion in the the US state after a 60-year presence. Street companies and big business, Congress, Account Management at stc, lead the project with the first-quarter of 2019. BP said it planned to reduce The overall price tag remains the same but the the SBA and the U.S. Treasury Department have Ministry of Health and highlighted that the purpose of cash costs by $2.5 billion by the end of 2021 relative to structuring and phasing of payments has been made changes to program rules. The second establishing the link was to provide a seamless con- 2019. “Some of these cost savings may have associated modified. The first quarter meanwhile saw the round will also include potentially hundreds of nection between the International Hospital in Salmiya restructuring charges,” the company added. It expects departure of long-time chief executive Bob millions of dollars returned by big companies and the MOH data center in the Sabah Health area, also to produce less oil in the second quarter, with Dudley, with the American leaving after a decade after the furor, on top of the $310 billion. allowing ease of access to systems and applications at companies unable to store the excess crude. BP’s first- at the helm. Soon after starting, Irish national high data transmission speeds using stc’s latest tech- quarter output dropped 2.8 percent to 3.7 million bar- Looney set BP a target to achieve “net zero” car- Community banks, non-profits nology “Dedicated Data Access over 5G. Considering rels per day. bon emissions by 2050. — AFP In this round, Congress has ring-fenced $60 billion for Community Development Financial the necessity to obtain updated medical data related Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository to the virus, it is essential to utilize the latest digital Institutions (MDIs), community banks, credit solutions to provide instant and reliable access to crit- unions, and certified development companies ical information. and microlenders whose small business cus- stc expressed that the implemented 50MB data link tomers are often minority-owned businesses. service between the two entities will leverage the That includes $30 billion for institutions with MOH data center’s existing fiber optic connection to under $10 billion in assets and $30 billion for transfer data instantaneously at high speeds. This in those with $10 billion to $50 billion in assets. return will enable the MOH to access the hospital’s On Sunday, the SBA said in a memo it was systems and applications stored in their data center, setting a maximum dollar amount for individual using stc’s latest data transmission solution. lenders at 10% of Paycheck Protection Program stc will continue to utilize its resources to provide a funding, or $60 billion per lender, in this round helping hand in protecting the nation against the to prevent any single bank with back-logged COVID-19 outbreak. This initiative falls in line with the applications dominating this round of funding. Executive Management’s strategic framework at stc While it appears no single bank has hit the cap, and runs parallel to its sustainable approach towards “it seems a politically astute move,” said Jaret enabling digital transformation in Kuwait for new and Seiberg, an analyst at Cowen Washington existing customers, whether corporates or individuals. Research Group. Emphasizing on the strategic vision at stc in moving the business forward, we continue to see our actions Paperwork, tech problems transform into results. Following the launch of the new In the first round, the SBA and the Treasury brand, stc, the Company’s various departments have had to write the program rules on the fly, lead- worked diligently to optimize operations, enhance sys- ing to confusion over its terms. In addition, tems and develop the largest 5G network in Kuwait, thousands of lenders not signed up with the SBA allowing stc to inch closer towards achieving its vision. had to create new accounts, which took days. Moreover, successfully implementing this initiative SOUTHGATE, Michigan: A BP gas station is seen with a sign displaying gas for $ 0.99 These bottlenecks initially slowed the program comes as an additional milestone under the series of per gallon. With the demand of oil crashing due to restrictions from coronavirus gas down. While the rules still have some wrinkles activities that stc has launched since the COVID-19 prices across the country have plummeted with some areas seeing prices fall under a crisis. stc will continue to collaborate with local dollar a gallon. — AFP and the SBA’s system could struggle with the influx of applications, those teething problems authorities and governmental entities to organize cam- have largely been addressed, lobbyists for the paigns that complement the programs launched by the banking industry said. Kuwaiti government to contain the outbreak. The con- into the 5G equipment market faltered in the face of The SBA will also take bulk applications from sistent level of support witnessed by stc and the pri- Nokia clinches fierce competition from Huawei and Ericsson. Nokia lenders submitting at least 5,000 loans. This vate sector comes as an ongoing commitment to sup- went on to beat expectations in a “challenging” 2019 should help financial institutions with a signifi- port the government in ensuring the health and safety $1bn deal with and in February posted its first full-year net profit cant application backlog pending before money of the people in Kuwait. since 2015 of 7 million euros, before announcing a ran out in the first round. It could, however, also Through collaboration and aligning the Company’s change of CEO in March. mean the new funds are depleted in roughly a resources towards its strategic goal, stc aims to pro- India’s Airtel Earlier this month Nokia’s share price surged 12.5 week, bankers said. vide the latest digital solutions, considering all precau- percent on the basis of media reports that the firm was tionary measures, beyond traditional telecom services. HELSINKI: Finnish network equipment maker Nokia raising finance against a hostile takeover bid, a claim stc will continue to upgrade its services and offer the has secured a multi-year contract to boost the capaci- Tightened eligibility the equipment maker refused to comment on. — AFP With intensifying scrutiny of hedge funds, list- latest devices that will exceed its new and existing ty of one of India’s largest mobile operators, the firm customers’ expectations. announced yesterday. ed companies and big restaurant groups that sought loans, the Treasury has tightened up on To better serve its customers, stc upgraded its digi- The deal, which an industry source told AFP is val- tal channels to offer the Company’s array of products ued at almost $1 billion (924 million euros), will see what businesses are eligible for under the pro- gram. On Friday, it said publicly listed companies and services to new and existing customers from the Nokia deploy 300,000 new radio units across the comfort of their homes. stc’s online platforms also country by 2022, boosting network capacity and may apply but must satisfy, in good faith, that the “current economic uncertainty makes the loan allow customers to seamlessly execute transactions preparing the ground for the move to next-generation related to their accounts online and hassle free. With 5G, Nokia said in a statement. “This is an important necessary to support ... ongoing operations.” the upgrade came a series of online exclusive offers to agreement for the future of connectivity in one of the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned this enrich the customers’ experience at home, whether it world’s largest telecoms markets and solidifies our week that many public companies could not make be online gaming, working remotely from home or position in India,” outgoing CEO Rajeev Suri said. such a certification in good faith, raising the enjoying free services to fulfill their entertainment With a population of 1.3 billion, India is the world’s prospect they could be probed for fraud. The needs. To find out more about stc’s promotion, spon- second largest telecoms market, which Nokia predicts Treasury also said hedge funds and privately sorships and events, follow stc’s official social media will grow to 920 million unique mobile customers equity firms are ineligible because they primarily With a population of 1.3 billion, India is the worldís platforms, visit one of stc’s branches, download the stc within five years as online demand soars. engage in investment or speculation, businesses second largest telecoms market, which Nokia predicts mobile application, visit www.stc.com.kw or contact The deal comes after a punishing six months for the already banned from SBA borrowing. — Reuters will grow to 920 million unique mobile customers the customer service center by dialing 102 for around Finnish networks giant after it downgraded its 2020 within five years as online demand soars. earnings forecast last October as attempts to break the clock assistance. 12 Established 1961 Health & Science Wednesday, April 29, 2020 In Japan, doctors and nurses DIY a virus response TOKYO: At any given time, seven out of eight should make such a request to hospitals that are tries including Germany and Italy. It is possible to announced this month that the prefecture will beds in the intensive care unit of St. Luke’s not prepared for infectious diseases,” said convert other hospital beds to those for critical provide between 1 million and 4 million yen per International Hospital in Tokyo are taken up by Yoshiyuki Sugishita, a senior official handling the patients, but staff in these units needed immedi- patient in subsidies to hospitals that have taken in critically ill coronavirus patients. coronavirus response at the Tokyo metropolitan ate reinforcement, they said. coronavirus cases since late January. “The gov- “If we max out eight beds we can’t place government. In one of the worst examples seen so far, the ernment’s plans to double the hospitalization patients who suddenly take a turn for the worse, He said Tokyo had set up an online database ICU doctor said a coronavirus patient in his 80s costs is nowhere near enough,” said Ohmura. so we always keep one bed open,” said Fumie this month where hospitals and public health cen- had to be transferred more than 350 kilometers Sakamoto, who manages the 500-room hospital’s ters can update the number of coronavirus cases (220 miles) from his hometown to a hospital in Protective gear shortage infection control division. The extra ICU bed also they have admitted on a voluntary basis. More Tokyo after he was repeatedly turned away by Like its counterparts around the world, Japan’s needs to stay open for any coronavirus patients than 370 people have died of COVID-19 so far in nearby hospitals. The man later died, far from his health ministry is racing to supply hospitals with who could arrive at any hour of the day in an Japan, with 100 of them in Tokyo. family, in Tokyo. necessary equipment. Officials say they are trying ambulance, Sakamoto said. “Even if we decide among ourselves that we to supply 100 million surgical masks to hospitals “Our ICU is now really only for COVID patients,” Medical, financial risks could take in a patient, when we report it up it every month, a quarter of what the Japan Medical she said. Accepting coronavirus patients carries signifi- can get shot down by the head of the hospital,” Association says its members need. As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases cant risks - both medical and financial - for insti- he said, adding most hospitals taking in COVID- Tired of waiting on the government, Noboru in Japan tops 12,000, hospitals like St. Luke’s are tutions not normally equipped to treat infectious 19 patients were doing so amid financial losses. In Hagino, a specialist in rheumatology in a prefec- saving their limited ICU capacity for an increas- diseases. Nearly 1,500 patients and medical pro- March, there were 931 cases in which emergency ture east of Tokyo, has been working with three ing number of critically ill patients and improvis- fessionals have either contracted COVID-19 patients were rejected by five different hospitals others to scour the country for masks, asking for ing makeshift gear to protect frontline medical inside healthcare facilities or have tested positive or waited more than 20 minutes to find an emer- donations from individuals and businesses. staff. With some hospitals reluctant to take in while working or staying at such institutions, gency room in Tokyo, up by a third from a year “Health ministry officials are too slow,” said COVID-19 patients, the most critical cases are according to a Reuters analysis of domestic news ago, according to the metropolitan government. Hagino, but added that they didn’t have the time transferred to willing hospitals like St. Luke’s, reports, as well as public disclosures by institu- In response to concerns by medical profes- amid the coronavirus outbreak to fundamentally which are already inundated. tions and independent research by the Tokyo- sionals, Japan’s health ministry has allocated 149 fix the problem. St. Luke’s has a special designation as a facility based Medical Governance Research Institute. billion yen ($1.38 billion) in its supplementary Other hospitals are testing whether face for infectious diseases and so receives govern- Such outbreaks have prompted hospitals to budget to support medical facilities, including shields can be made using 3D printers or by tap- ment subsidies to take in infectious cases. The suspend medical services, including non-urgent covering costs related to dispatching doctors and ing together clear files. pandemic has posed particular challenges in surgeries and outpatient care. “At this moment, nurses to hospitals. Shiho Shimada, an official in Japan where authorities are not legally empow- private and some public hospitals can and do the health ministry’s coronavirus taskforce, said The health ministry acknowledges shortages. ered to enforce strict lockdowns like in other reject corona patients in critical condition,” said the additional budget would be used to secure “Compared to surgical masks, we hear that countries nor penalize businesses or individuals an ICU doctor at a large hospital in western beds in hotels for nurses and doctors and to buy there’s an even bigger shortage of N95s,” said for not following isolation guidelines. Japan who declined to give his name because he equipment. Takashi Chida, an official at the health ministry in Although the government declared a nation- was not permitted to speak to the media. However, there were no measures aimed at charge of procuring supplies. He said there were wide state of emergency this month, it is unable The doctor, who treats coronavirus patients, helping hospitals that are forced to shut down no figures yet he could provide on the supply of to compel most hospitals to take in patients. said many hospitals rely on routine surgeries and some of their normal functions after taking in heavy duty N95 masks, which are essential for Japan is also in the same scramble for protective short hospital stays for their revenue and cannot coronavirus patients, she said. Rather, officials protecting healthcare workers from contagion. gear and medical equipment seen in many coun- afford to shut down those services. at the health ministry pointed to the doubling of As for protective gowns, Chida said there was tries around the world. The Japanese Society of Intensive Care the daily rates hospitals would receive for car- a “3 million gap” between the current state of Some doctors and other experts say there has Medicine, which has more than 10,000 members ing for coronavirus patients in intensive care supply and demand. At St. Luke’s Hospital, been a failure by the central and some local gov- working in ICUs nationwide, estimates that the units and said those should go a long way in Sakamoto said the staff were gearing up for a ernments to provide adequate financial assistance number of critical coronavirus patients has dou- helping hospitals. long fight. and protective gear to hospitals and medical staff. bled in the past two weeks. According to the In an interview with Reuters, Aichi governor “Hospitals cannot survive by relying on “We do not have a legal tool to force (hospitals to same group, Japan has fewer ICU beds per Hideaki Ohmura said the central government medical staff’s sacrifice and good will,” she take patients), but even if we did, I don’t think we 100,000 people compared to many other coun- needed to do more to assist hospitals. Ohmura said. — Reuters 13

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

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Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Lifestyle Features

View of the entrance to the Ocala drive-in theatre in Ocala, Florida. People watch the movie Trolls from their cars, separated from other cars by a 10-foot orange fencing in an effort to respect social distancing.—AFP photos

ince the United States closed its Everybody is cooped up. So this is a chance “My daughter has never been to a drive-in. Smovie theaters in March to halt the for some people to get out.” The viewers, Neither has my wife. So it’s something cool spread of the coronavirus pandemic, many of them wearing face masks, park to do,” he told AFP. In a world of online a small drive-in cinema in Florida has their cars on the open field to see the streaming services and smart phones, drive- enjoyed a revival that recalls life in the movies as night falls. “Everybody stays their ins have all but disappeared. The pandemic 1950s. “The old cliche that ‘the show must distance, the customers outside are all may trigger something of a comeback. The go on’ is not a cliche. It’s a way of life to parked 12 or 14 feet apart,” said Watzke. Of United Drive-in Theatre Owners us,” said John Watzke, owner of the Ocala the four films being screened at the week- Association estimates that there are cur- Drive-In in the Florida town of Ocala. He end, two had already debuted online in rently 305 businesses that qualify as drive- said that his is one of only 11 still operating recent weeks, “Trolls: World Tour” and ins in the United States, where once there across the nation during the lockdowns. The “Resistance.” Since customers stay in their were thousands. The Los Angeles Times rusting sign surrounded by stars revives own cars during the show and thereby reported that other drive-ins in California, memories of the heyday of the drive-ins, avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri have also when movie-goers would park their cars in Watzke’s business is permitted to remain seen a bump in ticket sales.—AFP front of a huge screen and order drinks and open, offering a welcome outlet to people in popcorn from servers who would come to the midst of the pandemic lockdown. their car window. Hansel Sanchez drove almost two hours “We are a rarity right now,” said cashier from Sanford, another city in Florida “just to Wearing masks for patrons is not mandatory as they wait to pick-up their order from Jeff Mellott. “We’re helping people. break the monotony of sitting at home.” the concession stand respecting social distancing.

rench luxury label Saint Laurent which sprawl over a fortnight in Fsaid Monday that it was pulling September. Vaccarello’s decision comes out of Paris fashion week for the after veteran Italian designer Giorgio rest of the year, in a move widely seen Armani said last week that it was time to as a blow against the frenetic fashion “cut out the superfluous” in fashion and calendar seen by many as unsustainable. rein in its gruelling schedule. “The times Designer Anthony Vaccarello said that that we are living in are turbulent, but the brand was taking back “ownership they give us a unique chance to see of its calendar” and would “launch its what is not working, to cut out the collections... driven by creativity.” superfluous, and find a more human Different sizes of the tattoo sketch of Sweden’s state epi- “Conscious of the current circumstance dimension to it,” the legendary creator Tattoo artist Zashay Tastas (right) tattoos 32-year-old Gustav Lloyd Agerblad with a por- and its waves of radical change, Saint wrote in a letter to Jetset magazine last demiologist Anders Tegnell, the face of the country’s trait of Sweden’s state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell. response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic Laurent has decided to take control of month. “That is perhaps the most impor- are pictured.—AFP photos its pace and reshape its schedule,” the tant lesson of this crisis,” he added. Belgian-born creator said in an Vaccarello’s post drew strong sup- Instagram post, with the Eiffel Tower, port on Instagram from influencers and the traditional backdrop to its shows, in fashion followers. Campaigners have the background. “Now more than ever, long accused the fashion industry of the brand will lead its own rhythm,” wasteful overproduction, with creators Vaccarello added. themselves often complaining that they Paris men’s and haute couture fash- were being burned out by the demands ion weeks at the end of June and the of six or more collections a year. “Saint beginning of July had already fallen vic- Laurent will follow a plan conceived hile Sweden’s softer approach to Both Agerblad and tattoo artist Zashay Sweden’s Public Health Agency, has come to tim to the coronavirus pandemic, but with an up-to-date perspective, driven Wthe new coronavirus has drawn Tastas were surprised by the interest shown represent the Swedish approach, which has Saint Laurent will now also not take by creativity,” Vaccarello added.—AFP international attention, the coun- by local and international media, who turned remained steadfast even as other countries part in the women’s runway shows, try’s state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell up at the small parlour in Stockholm’s have opted for much more restrictive meas- has become a household name for Swedes Sodermalm district on Monday to document ures. The soft-spoken but firm Tegnell often and on Monday, his face was immortalized the inking. Agerblad said he was inspired to comes across as unfazed amid the criticism. in a tattoo. Strange tattoos are plentiful get the tattoo after Tastas advertised the A growing number of supporters have also around the world, but you’d probably still design for a temporary rub-on tattoo on put his face on tee-shirts and wall-prints. A be hard pressed to find one of a star epi- Instagram. “I’ve been drawing people Facebook group called “We support Anders demiologist. But on Monday, 32-year-old whose profiles I like, and he was one of Tegnell & co”, referring to the epidemiolo- admirer Gustav Lloyd Agerblad from them, and I just made it spontaneously,” gist and the public health agency, has gar- Stockholm had a portrait of Tegnell’s stern- Tastas told AFP. Sweden has not imposed nered some 85,000 members, while another looking face permanently inked on his left the extraordinary lockdown measures seen called “Anders Tegnell Fan Club” has more arm. “I like to have tattoos that represent across Europe, instead urging people to than 29,000 members. Asked about the tat- something for me and, I mean, this COVID- take responsibility for social distancing and too last week by newspaper GP, Tegnell 19 will be a part of my life, for the rest of follow official recommendations. The strat- laughed and simply said Agerblad would my life,” Agerblad told AFP while reclining egy has come under scrutiny both in have to “take responsibility” for the tattoo in the tattoo parlour’s chair. “So I wanted to Sweden and abroad. himself.—AFP In this file photo taken on February 25, 2020 models present creations for Yves Saint have the Swedish face of the crisis on my Giving updates at daily press briefings, Laurent at the end of the Women’s Fall-Winter 2020-2021 Ready-to-Wear collection arm,” he added. Tegnell, the state epidemiologist at fashion show at the Trocadero in Paris.—AFP

n normal times, their canvas is the great urban out- Time magazine. “We couldn’t do it with permits Eddie Colla’s collage of a woman wearing a mask sur- sticker with the word “fragile” — also the name of the Idoors, their collages and mosaics speaking to because everything is shut down, so we decided to just rounded by Chinese characters is being shared anew series of works by Ender that deals with vulnerability. passers-by from city walls. But like everyone else, do it the old way, old school” in the wee small hours of after haunting Paris walls for eight years. “For me the For Ender, like his colleagues, bending the rules to street artists must now stay home. Despite long inhab- the morning, said the artist, who has spent the lock- piece is about isolation and fear and when your exter- get back to the streets is unthinkable — even if staying iting a legal grey area, the majority of urban art cre- down delivering food to the homeless for the nal environment becomes the thing that threatens your in is affecting his creative flow. “I need to walk around ators have taken COVID-19 isolation measures to Refettorio charity. But he appears to be a high-profile existence,” said Colla, who prefers to base himself in to have ideas. And right now that’s pretty complicat- heart, choosing to work online and from home, some- exception. Invader, whose “space invaders” mosaics France but is currently stuck in California. “It does ed.” Isolation has had the opposite effect on Angel times revisiting old work with a confinement-inspired live on city walls worldwide, took to Instagram with a touch upon a lot of the same issues. It was just a time Crow. In his Paris apartment, work is piling up — some twist. The most famous of them all, Britain’s Banksy, piece he created on a wall of a Paris hospital featuring when they weren’t as relevant,” he told AFP by Skype. of which is related to the virus. “I have many things to has stuck to the letter of the law, having his trademark popular television character Dr. House. “I made this... The same is true for Ender, whose angels, gargoyles put up because I’ve kept on creating this whole time,” rats run riot in his bathroom, with one taking a tinkle four years ago but it has never been as relevant as and children populate the walls of central and eastern he said, showing his paintings he has composed of on his toilet seat. “My wife hates it when I work from nowadays,” he said. “Big up to the doctors and all the Paris. “The work I did over the past year goes com- characters behind bars or even a “man-virus”. The home,” was the droll caption to his Instagram post. people who work in hospitals and who save lives.” pletely with what we are living through now,” he told artist first tackled the subject “when the virus was But for a few, old habits die hard. French street art AFP. His collage of a blindfolded girl hunkered down gaining ground in the world” in February. —AFP star JR covered the deserted Paris street outside a Prophetic holding her knees now appears on his Instagram feed friend’s apartment with a trompe-l’oeil image of a per- And he isn’t the only one whose old work has been with the caption “Confinement”. “She is oppressed, son peeking through blinds for the cover of this week’s given a fresh perspective by events. American artist just like the current atmosphere.” Under the figure is a

Street artist Angel Crow wearing protective mask stands next to one of his This picture shows a woman and children walking near a street art poster A piece of Banksy street art titled ‘The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum’, now artwork on a wall in Paris.—AFP photos depicting a “Super Nurse” by French artist Combo in Paris. adorned with a protective face mask, is seen at Albion Dock, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Bristol, Britain.—Reuters Established 1961 15 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Bahraini entrepreneur Nada Alawi displays a colorful protective mask created by Bahraini entrepreneur Nada Alawi wears a colorful Bahraini entrepreneur Noor Khamdan displays protective masks designed by her at her company Annada amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on the outskirts of the Bahraini protective mask created by her company Annada. a workshop in Abu Saiba village. capital Manama.—AFP photos

s the world combats the spread of the novel the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. It has so far Acoronavirus, two Bahraini entrepreneurs are recorded more than 2,700 infections, including eight adding a little color to an item that is now almost deaths. Alawi, co-founder of the lifestyle brand part of everyday life — masks. Noor Khamdan and Annada, repurposes uniquely-designed scarves into Nada Alawi want to raise awareness and add enthusi- masks, saying she wants to cater for people who want asm to wearing masks in the small Gulf country. “something different”. Khamdan’s designs include symbols from Gulf culture, “Some people want to wear something that gives ranging from the traditional ghutra (headdress) or the them a bit of happiness, a bit of inspiration,” she told Bahraini flag to the local viral hashtag #Team_Bahrain. AFP. “With masks being mandatory... you can’t tell “The mask you are wearing is to protect you and oth- someone’s feelings, you can’t tell if they’re smiling at ers against COVID-19 and to also bring color and joy you.” “At least, this is a way to tell someone’s personal- into your life in these hard times,” Khamdan, founder ity when they have color on their face.” Annada’s of BH Masks, told AFP. masks, which come in a set of three, are giftwrapped in “By giving people the option to invest in colorful, a teal box with a ribbon and cost about $52. Twenty- washable masks, we are ensuring medical masks are five percent of the proceeds go to charity. “Even at saved for those who need it the most, such as medical times like this, you want to get a surprise and to feel staff,” said the mother of three whose masks cost like you’re getting beauty,” said Alawi.—AFP around $3. Like many other Gulf countries, Bahrain Bangladeshi worker Hussain Nazmul displays a pro- Bahraini entrepreneur Noor Khamdan (right) inspects has made it mandatory to wear masks outside the tective mask designed by Bahraini entrepreneur Noor protective masks designed by her and sewed by tai- home, having eased some restrictions at the start of Khamdan (unseen). lors at a workshop.

ichelle Obama will star in a new lady and wife of the first black US president Obama added: “I treasure the memories Mdocumentary out next week which — became a publishing sensation upon its and that sense of connection now more than follows the former first lady’s global release in 2018, selling more than two mil- ever, as we struggle together to weather irbnb announced new protocols on health and prevention,” the compa- book tour for her smash-hit memoir, Netflix lion copies in North America in two weeks. this pandemic.” “It’s hard these days to feel AMonday for cleaning and sanitiz- ny said in a statement. “The host clean- said Monday. “Becoming,” out May 6, is the Obama toured 34 cities over several months grounded or hopeful, but I hope that like ing its listed properties in an ing protocol will include specific infor- Obamas’ latest collaboration with the to promote the book accompanied by cine- me, you’ll find joy and a bit of respite in effort to reassure travelers and revive mation on COVID-19 prevention, such streaming giant after last year’s “American matographer Nadia Hallgren, who makes what Nadia has made.” The first offering bookings for the home-sharing plat- as the use of personal protective Factory,” which won the best documentary her feature directorial debut with the “rare from the former first couple’s Higher form, which is reeling from the coron- equipment, like masks and gloves for Oscar in February. The movie “shares the and up-close” documentary. The film Ground Productions company, “American avirus pandemic. The initiative set to hosts or their cleaners, as well as disin- stories of the amazing people I met after the chronicles Obama’s “current experience — Factory,” told the story of a manufacturing fectants that are approved by regulato- release of my memoir,” tweeted Obama fol- where she is in this moment and the way plant in the US Midwest reopened by a ry authorities.” The new standards will lowing the surprise announcement Monday. she’s reflecting on the entirety of her life, Chinese billionaire.—AFP include a 24-hour waiting period “During this difficult time, I hope you’ll find not just her years in the White House,” said between occupancies. Hosts unable to some inspiration and joy in this film.” Hallgren. The producers said the movie is a meet the new protocol may instead opt The book of the same name by Obama “portrait of a moment in time told through for a “booking buffer” of 72 hours dur- — America’s first African American first Mrs Obama’s story.” ing which time no reservations will be allowed. The tourism industry as a whole is taking a massive hit from the deadly global pandemic. Airbnb, one of the pillars of the “sharing economy,” has apparently shelved plans for a share offering this year, and raised $1 billion in new equity to ride out the crisis. The San Francisco start-up has also agreed This file illustration photo shows the to reimburse hosts some $250 million logo of the online lodging service Airbnb for virus-related cancellations. Airbnb displayed on a tablet in Paris.—AFP said it hopes the new protocols will help contribute to a rebound in the launch in May calls for “enhanced pro- troubled tourism sector. “Although risk cedures and guidance on how to clean in travel can never be fully eliminated, every room in a home,” and a certifica- and the science is still evolving, this ini- tion program to identify properties tiative is designed to support and pro- meeting the new standards. Airbnb said tect our stakeholders,” the company it was establishing the new safety poli- said. “Guests will be able to search for cy based on guidance from the US and easily identify Airbnb listings that Oprah Winfrey interviews former first lady Michelle Obama as she kicks off her “Becoming”, a book by former first lady Michelle Centers for Disease Control and meet their needs and expectations and ‘Becoming’ arena book tour on November 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.—AFP photos Obama, is displayed at the 57th Street Books book- Prevention and other experts in the are part of the program. Hosts will have store in Chicago, Illinois. field, amid signs of an easing of anti- access to expert-backed cleaning edu- virus restrictions in some countries. cational materials and will be support- “As governments handle the health ed to show that they take cleanliness crisis and begin to review restrictions and prevention seriously.”—AFP in advance of reopening their commu- arbers were doing a roaring trade doing brisk trade, with busy staff, the phone Florists’ new risk nities for travel, at Airbnb we are work- among shaggy-haired customers on ringing constantly and pencilled-in bookings More than 29,000 people in Switzerland ing hard to support our community and B Monday as Switzerland started to ease rapidly filling up the weeks ahead. “We’ve have tested positive for coronavirus, while prepare for the future of travel, focused restrictions imposed to control the coron- got work on,” said hairdresser Ines. “Clients more than 1,300 have died in the landlocked avirus pandemic. The Swiss stopped short of were here as we opened.” European country of 8.5 million people. full confinement in emergency measures “We respect all the rules: two meters (six Schools and other shops can reopen on May introduced last month to combat the spread feet) between customers, disinfectant, we 11, with the final lockdown measures sched- indicated that glittering event would of COVID-19. But on Monday the country disinfect each chair after each client.” Every uled to lift on June 8. The health ministry’s be difficult to put on “in original started the first of a three-stage lifting of the second chair in the salon was left empty to COVID-19 chief Daniel Koch said it would form” due to the coronavirus pan- restrictions, requiring affected businesses to ensure physical distancing. In Lausanne, take two to three weeks to tell if infections demic. Initially planned for May 12- put in place protection plans for their cus- people queued in the street to get their hair were increasing following the first easing of 23, the festival was postponed to tomers and employees. Doctors’ surgeries, cut — keeping two meters apart as they did restrictions. late June, but the French govern- dentists, nursery schools, hairdressers and so. Long queues were reported outside In Geneva — which has the Alpine ment then banned all large festivals massage and beauty salons were permitted hardware stores around the country. nation’s highest positive test rate, at more he globe’s top film festivals until mid-July at the earliest in a bid to reopen, along with hardware stores, gar- than one in 100 people — it wasn’t just hair- Tincluding Cannes, Venice, to stem the outbreak. The highly den centres and florists. dressers who were happy to return to work Toronto and Berlin will partic- contagious and potentially fatal Wearing a fabric mask and a plastic face on Monday. Fragrant multi-colored bou- ipate in a free 10-day virtual cinema novel coronavirus has stalled cultur- shield, Anita Ayma, boss at the Anita Coiffure quets of roses, hortensias and bellflowers program starting next month, New al events worldwide, shuttering the- salon in Geneva, was working through a 12- were back outside Phillippe Wuillemin’s York’s Tribeca festival announced aters and museums and forcing the hour string of bookings. Just inside the door, reopened florist’s shop. During the lockdown, Monday. YouTube will host screen- cancellation of spring programming a homemade sign next to a dispenser bottle Wuillemin Fleuristes took telephone book- ings for “We Are One: A Global Film as much of the globe’s population is read: “Please disinfect your hands and put on ings and did deliveries but the shop had to Festival” beginning May 29 and urged to stay home. “We often talk a mask. Thank you.” close. “All our contracts were cancelled. We including feature films, shorts, docu- about film’s uniquely powerful role had one person working out of seven. We mentaries and round tables. The fes- in inspiring and uniting people Bookings filling up were keeping up appearances,” said tival will benefit the World Health across borders and differences to “I’m delighted that we’re starting up Wuillemin. “We’re pleased to be open again Organization, and encourage view- help heal the world,” said Tribeca again. If we don’t work, things are dead,” she but now it’s a new challenge, a risk, because ers to donate to COVID-19 relief festival CEO Jane Rosenthal in a told AFP. Ayma said she was reliant on state we don’t know if we’ll do any business. “It’s a efforts, organizers said. They have statement. “All of the world needs financial support for businesses forced to A hairdresser wearing a protective face perishable product. I can put out a choice of not yet announced a precise pro- healing right now.”—AFP close. Customer Sergey Ostrovsky said: mask and plastic gloves cuts the hair of a flowers, but are they going to sell?” he said, gram for the digital event. “Super! I’m very happy!”, as he ran his hands customer at Giaquinto hair salon after with most people still staying at home. Earlier this month organizers of through his newly-cropped hair. “A minute Switzerland started to ease the restrictions However, customers have been popping in. Cannes, the premier festival held after I heard they were reopening, I booked imposed to control the COVID-19 pandemic “Plenty of people have come. They’re so each year on the French Riviera, an appointment,” the 44-year-old music pro- due to the novel coronavirus, on Monday in happy because they have missed having fessor said. A nearby Mod’s hair branch was Lausanne.—AFP flowers in the house.”—AFP 16 Established 1961 News Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Arab doctor leads Israeli hospital’s anti-virus fight

HAIFA: Each morning since February, ical profession. In 2018, the government Israeli Arab doctor Khitam Hussein has of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin woken up before dawn to rush to a job Netanyahu pushed though parliament a on the frontline of the country’s fight controversial law declaring Israel the against the novel coronavirus. Hussein, nation-state of the Jewish people. It 44, has emerged as a prominent member sparked fury among Israeli Arabs and of Israel’s often marginalized Arab com- other minorities who saw it as denying munity which is now playing an essential their right to live in the country. role in confronting an unprecedented The health crisis has reignited the health crisis. debate, with frontline medical workers She heads the outbreak response at highlighting the role Arabs play in Israeli the Rambam Hospital near Haifa, the society. Famous Israeli artists have held largest hospital in northern Israel, and online fundraisers for the Rambam hos- has been working 12-hour days for pital, holding it up as a symbol of coex- months. “It is incredibly difficult work, istence between Arabs and Jews. no day is like another,” she told AFP. Hussein has personally been highlighted “Our lives have been turned upside multiple times. Yair Lapid, head of the down.” Israel has registered more largest opposition party in Israel’s par- then 15,000 cases of COVID-19, with liament and a critic of the nation-state 202 deaths. law, said Netanyahu had consistently Hussein said that amid the global ignored the contribution of Arab medics. pandemic, individual moments with “If... you’re an Arab doctor or nurse patients have created some lasting in a hospital who hasn’t shut an eye in memories. She recalled an elderly cou- weeks, you should know that they won’t ple arriving at the hospital, both seri- amend the nation-state law,” Lapid said ously ill with the virus. As the hus- in a recent tweet. Netanyahu, a right- band’s condition deteriorated rapidly, wing premier in power since 2009, is they allowed the couple a final moment currently finalizing a coalition govern- together. “We allowed his sick wife, ment with his centrist election rival despite her condition, to speak to her Benny Gantz, a former Lapid ally. Lapid husband-to say goodbye,” she said. broke with Gantz when the ex-military HAIFA: Israeli Arab doctor Khitam Hussein, head of the COVID-19 response division at the Rambam Hospital near Haifa in northern The husband died shortly after. “As a chief decided to seek an alliance with Israel, talks to a member of staff at the medical center. — AFP human it’s difficult, all the medical staff Netanyahu. were saddened.” months she hasn’t visited her ageing ers before seeing her daughters. “I ters,” Hussein said. “I cannot describe Tears down a line mother for fear of transmitting the virus. arrive late most of the time when they how I miss them.” Recently her younger Coexistence? For Hussein all that matters is saving Her husband, a lawyer, is at home with are already asleep but sometimes they daughter Hala called while she was in Israeli Arabs are the descendants of lives-whether a patient is Arab or their two daughters, aged eight and 10. wait up for me.” the middle of a hectic shift. “She was Palestinians who remained on their land Jewish. She was born in the northeastern Hussein said being apart from the Some of her colleagues no longer go crying down the phone, saying ‘I miss in 1948, the year the Jewish state town of Rameh, but now lives in the city girls is the toughest part, knowing how home at all due to the long hours or for you, when are you coming home?’” “For declared its independence. They make of Karmiel in the Galilee. The coron- fast they are growing up. When she gets fear of infecting family members. “I have a few minutes I thought I would col- up around 20 percent of the population avirus crisis has taken a heavy toll on home after a long shift she immediately stopped myself from seeing my parents, lapse. Then I gathered myself and went and are heavily represented in the med- her family life, she said. For nearly two puts her clothes in the wash and show- but I couldn’t stop seeing my daugh- back to work.” — AFP

UAE wages war on scourge threatening date palms AL-AIN: Said Al-Ajani looks proudly over his million dirhams (around 250,000 euros) annually. lush date plantation, which recently survived a After previously spraying his 1,000 palms, he plague of red weevils-a destructive insect wreak- turned to a technique that is more effective and ing havoc across the Middle East and North less harmful to the environment and human health. Africa. “For 24 years, we cultivated our land nor- In recent years farmers have carried out targeted mally. Then, we had to start spraying five to six injection of pesticides in cooperation with Abu times a year against the weevil,” said the 60-year- Dhabi authorities, who since 2013 have run a proj- old Emirati, wearing traditional robes with a red ect to control the palm pests. and white checkered keffiyeh. In Wiqan, located in the United Arab Emirates Delicate operation but nestled against the border with Oman, he Elsewhere in the area, other plantations are not settles down on a carpet rolled out on the faring as well. At another farm on the Oman bor- ground in the midst of his six-hectare plantation, der, a technical team sent by the agricultural to share lunch with his relatives and neighbors. authorities tackles a three-hectare field with a Fittingly, the meal served under the spreading number of palm trees infested by the red weevil. palm fronds will end with succulent dates to In white overalls, with masks on their faces and accompany the coffee. gloved hands, three workers carry out a delicate In the Arab world-and particularly during the operation. One drills a hole inside the stipe so his AL-AIN: A picture shows palm trees in a field in the desert oasis of Al-Ain, in the United Arab Emirates. — AFP holy month of Ramadan-the date is more than a colleague can thread a long, thin tube inside, while fruit, it is a symbol of prosperity and hospitality, another worker takes out a large syringe and and it has played an important role in the devel- injects pesticide into the plant’s core. have joined the labor market,” the 25-year-old told opment of nations carved out of these hot and “Our research has shown that the technique of AFP, solemnly expressing hope the virus “crisis will As society opens, arid regions. It is this status that in December saw injecting pesticides instead of spraying is more pass”. Saudi women have now penetrated profes- the date palm inscribed on UNESCO’s list of effective in treating infested palm trees,” Safaa Al- sional spheres at all levels — they are bankers, humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. Hachem told AFP at a UAE laboratory where she Saudi women... business owners, heads of financial institutions, But the fan-shaped, long-leaved plant-the palm studies the insect’s behavior. At the lab, the border crossing officers, civil defence members, is in fact not a tree-is under serious threat from insects and their larvae are enclosed in dozens of Continued from Page 1 food cart vendors and shoe sellers. Male employees report that their workplaces the red weevil, the world’s most dangerous and transparent jars where they suck honey or But Mousa graduated in the midst of changes in have changed dramatically — among the many destructive palm pest, according to the Food and molasses, sweet foods that they thrive on. the kingdom that have seen women flood the labor small revolutions are women’s toilets which have Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The Abu Dhabi Authority for Agriculture and market. She got a job working the evening shift as a been introduced for the first time in some places. The insect, which is native to Asia and a few cen- Food Security (ADAFSA) has carried out exter- receptionist at a government institution in Riyadh - Saudi saleswoman Sarah Al-Dosari, 23, works at a timeters in length, infiltrates the interior of the mination at most of the 24,000 date plantations in part of a mixed team of 10 women and six men. And clothing store run by three women at the Panorama stipe-the false trunk of the palm-and produces Abu Dhabi and the number of infested plants has although the coronavirus has threatened a global Mall in the centre of Riyadh. “People’s perspective hundreds of larvae which feed on the soft tissue decreased by 33 percent since 2016. But the recession and put Mousa in lockdown for now, she towards working women was bad,” said Al-Dosari. inside, ultimately killing their host. intensive use of pesticides can pose risks to farm- is confident the long-term trend of getting women But this attitude has been consigned to history, she ers, consumers and the environment. “We limit into the workforce is here to stay. said. “Now customers say they are proud of us.” Millions lost every year the quantity of pesticide we injected because our “I wanted to do my best during my studies so that The number of working women in Saudi Arabia The bug, which is also a pest in coconut and oil goal is also to reduce environmental pollution,” I could get a job in academia afterwards, because reached 1.03 million in the third quarter of 2019, 35 palm plantations, began infesting date palms in ADAFSA official Mansour Al-Mansouri told AFP, that was the best option available for us. But big percent of the total workforce, compared to the Middle East two decades ago, before creeping adding that they are also developing natural pest changes happened during the past four years,” she 816,000 in 2015, according to official figures. across Africa and Europe. According to the FAO, control methods. told AFP. “Almost all of my friends are now working, Rodina Maamoun has been tasked by the owner of 60 percent of the world’s 100 million date palms They include pheromone traps-using molecules and when one of them doesn’t get a job, it seems five stores selling women’s accessories with intro- are in the Arab world, which produces some 70 secreted by insects to which they are drawn. The strange.” For decades, straitlaced Saudi society ducing women onto a formerly all-male staff. percent of date exports, with the UAE a leading technique, also used in Saudi Arabia which is offered limited opportunities for women seeking a “Customers, especially women, feel more comfort- exporter. “The weevil causes economic losses in another major date exporter, “has proven to be paid job and the few who did find work were mostly able with female assistants — sales and profits the millions of dollars annually, whether through effective,” the FAO said in a report this year. restricted to the health and education sectors. have risen,” said the Saudi who employed 19 young lost production or pest-control costs” in Gulf Along with the UAE, Saudi is a major contributor An oppressive “guardianship” system also gave women, almost entirely replacing the men. countries and the Middle East, the UN agency to the organization’s program to fight the red male relatives the right to object to the women’s said, making it a major economic issue. weevil, which helps countries with fewer professional aspirations. But change came in mid- A woman’s world? Some of the dates exported by the UAE come resources like Mauritania, where the FAO says the 2016 when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Since the rise of Prince Mohammed, Saudi from Al-Ajani’s crop, which earns him about one spread of the red weevil has been arrested.— AFP unveiled his “Vision 2030” plan aimed at diversify- Arabia has witnessed major social and economic ing the kingdom’s economy and ending its addic- changes. Women are now allowed to drive cars, tion to oil. The national blueprint promotes the cinemas have reopened and genders are permitted tourism and entertainment sectors, while opening to mix at events, including concerts, and in public Indians, Egyptians and Bangladeshis, are living in wide the doors of the labor market to millions of places. The reforms have also been accompanied Hayef demands list shelters set up by authorities because their coun- women by paring back the restrictions that had by a crackdown on dissent that has drawn wide- tries said they are not ready to take them back. constrained them. spread criticism. Some of those detained and Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah expect- allegedly tortured in custody are women’s rights of MPs intervening... ed on Monday that these countries will take their ‘The crisis will pass’ activists who were prominent in the campaign to nationals very soon, but he did not set a date. Fatima al-Dakhil got her big break as a sales end the driving ban. Continued from Page 1 Speaker Ghanem said yesterday that an informal manager at a French company in the Saudi city of Although the changes have been uneven, they meeting by MPs decided that a session should be Khobar after months of job hunting, but just weeks have emboldened Saudi women to address decades minister of social affairs to discuss the issue of held to discuss issues and legislation related to the later Saudi Arabia took strict measures to combat of discrimination and marginalization, including thousands of expat workers whose countries have coronavirus crisis. MP Majed Al-Mutairi said MPs coronavirus. The kingdom has so far recorded the graduates who are returning from Europe and the so far refused to take them back and also discuss agreed to hold a session within the next two weeks highest number of cases in the Gulf with more than United States to seek jobs at home. “Empowering the population structure file. This comes after interi- and Assembly panels will meet next week to finalize 17,000 infections and 139 deaths. Saudi women means empowering the Saudi family,” or ministry authorities said that more than 17,700 the issues and legislation to be debated and Despite being frustrated by the lockdown, which said Rania Nashar, CEO of Samba Financial Group, expat workers who were living illegally in Kuwait approved by the Assembly. MP Ahmad Al-Fadhl has forced her and hundreds of thousands of others the first Saudi woman to hold such a senior posi- have benefited from a month-long amnesty to go said MPs agreed to give priority to legislation to abandon their offices and work from home, tion. Saudi women “are ambitious and passionate back home. linked to the coronavirus like the population struc- Dakhil is confident that women across the country about playing a role in shaping the future of their But only 2,000 people, all of them Filipinos, have ture, worker towns, the right to obtain information, will continue to pursue careers. “All my girlfriends country”, she said. — AFP left for their country, while 15,700 others, mostly bankruptcy and trafficking in persons. Established 1961 17 Stars Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) You might encounter some rather disturbing opin- Today you might read a book on exercise or nutri- ions or emotions from a friend, neighbor, or relative, Aries. This tion that seems a bit unsettling, Libra. According to the book, person could be upset over something and not communicating you’re doing everything wrong! Remember that what the his or her feelings. It isn’t appropriate to try to coax this person author is probably outlining is a certain practice that worked into sharing with you now. They aren’t upset with you, but they for him or her. Everyone is different. Don’t change your habits might be if you push! Back off and let this person come to terms for practices that don’t feel right. Consult a professional if with the problem. Your friend will talk when the time is right. you’re still concerned.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Some gossip about a friend could reach you Memories and emotions welling up from the today, Taurus, and it might seem a bit shocking at first. Money past might excite your creative impulses today, Scorpio. You could be involved. However, don’t accept what you hear at face may not quite be able to understand what all of this means, value. Whoever got the rumor going is apt to be less concerned but the pictures should keep coming to you nonetheless. It with the truth than serving a personal agenda. Call your friend might be a good idea to take some notes, even though you and try to learn the facts without prying. The situation is proba- might not comprehend all you write. This may be more a bly far less dramatic than the gossip implies. process of releasing ancient traumas than creating great masterpieces, but even so, it’s worth pursuing. Find the way

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Today you might find that others are turning to A subject you’re researching, perhaps for a class you for advice today and you are honored to be in such a posi- or workshop, might prove more difficult than you expected, tion, Gemini. Friends could ask for some information they Sagittarius. The resources you consult might be very scholarly know you have. It might involve telling a story or giving practi- and thus difficult to read. If you can’t find anything compre- cal advice. Whatever it is, you might find it difficult to explain hensible, try to rent or buy a video on the subject. What’s most without going into some pretty heavy detail. You can do it! Talk important is that you grasp the big picture and broader slowly and let what you have to say unfold on its own. strokes of the concepts you are studying.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Today you might take up some form of esoteric A housemate or family member may offer to help study, such as astrology, numerology, or alchemy that seems you with some chores around the house, Capricorn, but you may incomprehensible to you at first, Cancer. As a result, you could well sense that their heart just isn’t in it. This person is probably be tempted to abandon it. Don’t! Once you get past the jargon, overly burdened with worry and just needs some kind words you’ll probably find it fascinating. Keep a dictionary handy, and and a little advice. Just accept that even though you have help, don’t worry if you have to go over something several times. You you’ll probably end up doing most of the work yourself. Offer have the brains to do it. Now just put in the time. what support you can, and think of it as banking good karma.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) A friend might be in such a dour mood that you Filling out forms regarding your finances could wonder if this is the same person you know and love, Leo. be a real drag for you today, Aquarius. You’ll have to get it During the day you might be tempted to try to analyze what’s done, but you’d rather be elsewhere. It might also seem a lit- going on, but this is apt to raise more questions than answers. tle confusing. If you get to it early and concentrate, you Probably this is a case of too many problems hitting your should finish it quickly and then get on to what you want to friend at once. Don’t pry, but make sure your friend knows do. After a morning of intense concentration and jumping through bureaucratic hoops that lead to the occasional dead you’re there if needed. end, reward yourself with something less tedious.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20)

A friend or romantic partner might need your A contract of some kind might require your advice, Virgo, and want to discuss a few things that you don’t careful consideration today, Pisces. You could find it a little really understand. This could concern this person’s job, difficult to understand, as it could be full of fine print and which involves a lot of technicalities with which you’re unfa- legalese. Don’t be afraid to ask someone who has a bit miliar. Don’t be afraid to stop occasionally and ask for an more expertise than you to explain what you’re trying to explanation. If you’re going to be of any help, you have to read. It’s important to know all the ins and outs before have some idea of what this person is talking about. signing anything.

Join the dots Crossword 18 Established 1961 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Sports

Photo of the Day Short-track Olympic champ Ahn retires

MOSCOW: Six-time short-track Olympic champion Viktor Ahn announced Monday he is retiring due to repeated injuries. Ahn, 34, was born in South Korea but became a naturalised Russian before the 2014 Sochi Olympics where he won three gold medals. In a letter published by RIA Novosti news agency he said permanent knee pain and other injuries were behind his decision stop competing. “It has become harder and harder to stay in shape, which is why I decided that it was time to stop the sport.” Ahn is the most successful competitor in the discipline. Competing for South Korea as Ahn Hyun-Soo, he won three gold medals at the Turin Olympics in 2006 and bronze in the 500m. Ahn was unable to participate at the 2010 Vancou- ver Games undergoing several knee operations, and, following disagreements with his team, became a nat- uralised Russian. His success on the rink and camaraderie with Russian President Vladimir Putin meant he was one of the faces of the Sochi Games in 2014. Ahn was not named on a list of athletes eligible to compete at the 2018 Pyongyang Games, after the World Anti-Doping Agency alleged a state-sponsored doping program in Russia. He described his exclusion as “scandalous”, saying SOCHI: Egor Posokhin performs at Rosa Khutor Peak in Sochi, Russia. — Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com there was “no concrete reason” that he not be al- lowed to compete in his native country. — AFP Australia’s NRL heavily fines four players for quarantine breaches Beaumont v/s Pichot as World Rugby chairman election kicks off

SYDNEY: Australia’s National Rugby Aus$30,000 suspended, while Roberts- without crowds and under strict isolation League heavily fined four players for Davis and Cleary were ordered to pay restrictions. Australian authorities still breaching coronavirus lockdown rules Aus$10,000, with Aus$6,000 suspended. need to approve the plan, and the latest yesterday, underlining the disciplinary dif- All will be suspended at least one social distancing breaches, on top of ficulties facing the sport as it seeks to re- match for any repeat offences. The NRL rugby league’s long history of off-field sume play next month. fines far exceeded the standard scandals and discipline problems, could The NRL said the punishments, which Aus$1,000 police fine for violating social easily derail the restart attempt. come with the threat of suspensions for distancing rules. Mitchell and Addo-Carr “It’s bad timing,” Australian Rugby further breaches, sent a strong mes- League Commission chairman Peter sage to players who are hoping to V’landys admitted to reporters be- gather soon in Sydney to begin fore the fines were issued. “On the training under tight restrictions. surface of it it’s very disappointing, I It said the offenders showed “bla- don’t want to pre-judge it but they’ve tant disregard for public health or- got a lot of explaining to do.” ders” and significantly damaged the It’s bad Meanwhile, Voting for World NRL’s reputation ahead of the Rugby’s next chairman opened on planned restart. timing Monday with incumbent 68-year-old “We are focused on resuming the former England captain Bill Beau- competition on May 28, something mont facing competition from ex-Ar- our fans and stakeholders are ex- gentina skipper Agustin Pichot. cited about,” NRL action chief ex- Beaumont or Pichot, 45, must KYOTO: File photo taken on May 10, 2017 shows World Rugby chairman Bill ecutive Andrew Abdo said in a claim a majority of the 51 votes to be Beaumont (L) and deputy chairman Agustin Pichot pose during a press con- statement. “Players who do not comply were also hit with that fine. elected on a four-year term with results ference following the Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 pool draw in Kyoto. Beau- with community and NRL protocols will In addition, police said yesterday that set to be announced on May 12. Beau- mont, the outgoing president, is facing his former ally Pichot in the vote for the face sanction.” Three of the players — officers in Taree had charged two men mont, who retired 12 years before the presidency of World Rugby. — AFP Latrell Mitchell from South Sydney Rab- with firearms offences. National broad- sport turned professional in 1995 has bitohs, Melbourne Storm’s Josh Addo- caster ABC identified the two as Mitchell campaigned with the promise to open up Carr and Newcastle Knight Tyronne and Addo-Carr. The NRL season was sus- the sport. Tier One male sides. “I will start the dis- Kean from the world body’s council after Roberts-Davis — went on a camping trip pended on March 24 after just two rounds Current vice-chairman Pichot, who cussions with the Nations Championship accusations of “rampant homophobia”. at Taree in rural New South Wales with amid government shutdowns of all non- hung up his boots in 2009 after a club ca- blueprint, but I’m not sure if that will be Beaumont’s bid was seconded by the friends over the weekend. essential gatherings in a bid to stem the reer in France, would like to see the body the outcome,” he told AFP earlier this FRU but World Rugby stressed the for- They were caught after footage of spread of coronavirus. modernised and has used the hashtag month. “It will talk about the emerging na- mer lock’s nomination came from the Addo-Carr shooting rifles and Mitchell The cash-strapped league is desperate #GlobalGame on social media. The pair tions, more money for the women’s game,” FRU, rather than from Kean. Fijian sup- riding trailbikes was posted on social to resume its season and meet commit- were behind scrapped plans for a Nations he added. Beaumont has overseen a $100 port for Beaumont is seen as a counter- media. Another high-profile player, ments to the broadcasters who bankroll Championship as countries were worried million relief package for the game during balance to Pichot, who is believed to Nathan Cleary of the Penrith Panthers, the game. Scenarios for resuming the about potential relegation from the top the coronavirus pandemic while Pichot have strong support among other sec- apologised after photographs were pub- competition as reported in local media in- level of the global game. “Going forward sees the outbreak as a chance for the ond-tier nations. Continental body lished of him ignoring social distancing clude having all 16 teams, including the I’m sure there will be a variant of that,” sport to restart. Rugby Europe, who have two votes, said rules to party in a room full of women. New Zealand Warriors, base themselves Beaumont told AFP last week. The election process has been over- earlier in the day they have supported Mitchell and Addo-Carr were each and play their games in Sydney. Organis- Pichot said he would bring in different shadowed by last Tuesday’s resignation of Beaumont in an electronic ballot process fined Aus$50,000 (US$32,000), with ers say the competition would be played aspects to the competition other than the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) chairman Francis wich runs until Thursday. — AFP

players like the Kiwoom Heroes’ pitcher Jake passion of its fans, who sing and cheer relent- NHL’s Blackhawks Virus gives Brigham a chance to shine. lessly no matter the score “from the first pitch “I’m 32 years old,” he told AFP. “I definitely to the last pitch”, as Brigham put it. have more baseball behind me than in front of Empty stadiums will be a marked contrast, axe veteran team baseball exiles a me but to get that exposure would be nice.” he adds. “To not have them (fans) here is re- After a decade in the minors, Brigham was fi- ally really gonna hurt everyday games.” In chief McDonough chance to shine nally called up by the Atlanta Braves in 2015, Taiwan professional baseball restarted earlier but pitched only 16.2 innings, with an abysmal this month with cardboard cut-outs of spec- LOS ANGELES: Chicago Blackhawks president and chief executive earned run average of 8.64. tators filling the stands, but livestreams have John McDonough was sacked on Monday, with team management SEOUL: Years after giving up on their He sought refuge in Japan before being drawn US fans despite them having to wake saying they wanted to use the coronavirus shutdown to set a new dreams of Major League stardom, the coron- scouted by his Seoul-based team and has up in the middle of the night to watch. course for the National Hockey League franchise. avirus pandemic is offering journeymen US spent three seasons as their starting pitcher, Other restrictions have been imposed by McDonough, a pillar of sports in Chicago who had spent 25 years baseball players in South Korea a moment in racking up 34 wins and becoming their the KBO: players must have their temperature with the Chicago Cubs baseball team before joining the Blackhawks the spotlight. Korea Baseball Organization biggest foreign star — his 2020 contract is checked twice before the games, and umpires in 2007, was widely credited with helping transform the NHL outfit. (KBO) clubs have more than 20 Americans on worth nearly a million dollars. are required to wear facemasks. And while the Under McDonough the Blackhawks won Stanley Cups in 2010, their books who were only ever marginal He never really had an opportunity to players are allowed to have their faces uncov- 2013 and 2015, comfortably the most successful era in the team’s his- “stick year after year” in a big league, he said, MLB players, or never made it to the big time ered while on the field or in the dugout, they tory. However, in a statement on Monday Blackhawks chairman Rocky but the KBO had proved a “great” opportu- are banned from spitting — a rule that out- at all. Wirtz said the suspension of the NHL season had prompted a rethink. nity. With US coronavirus cases approaching raged Heroes infielder Taylor Motter. But soon they will be among only a few “Thirteen years ago, I recruited John to the Blackhawks because of one million and the entire MLB season under “Asking us not to spit on the field is (like) professional athletes in competitive action his leadership, direction and vision,” Wirtz said. “John brought all of threat, former teammates were “jealous” of his asking us not to chew our food before we that to the table and more. His contributions went well beyond leading anywhere in the world, with almost all sport- chance to play, he added. swallow,” he said. Motter played for the the team to three Stanley Cup Championships. He rebuilt the front ing leagues on hold in the face of the virus. “The thought of having no baseball season Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners and Min- office and helped guide the organization toward a winning vision. South Korea once had the largest outbreak back home is hard to even comprehend... but nesota Twins in a three-year MLB career from “As difficult as this is, we believe it was the right decision for the outside China, where the disease first that’s the situation we are in right now.” 2016, hitting 10 home runs with a batting av- future of the organization and its fans.” McDonough was also instru- emerged, but appears to have brought it erage of 0.191. mental in turning the Blackhawks into a commercial juggernaut. The under control with an extensive “trace, test SPITTING MAD Never quite good enough to secure regular team had sold out a record 531 consecutive home games prior to the and treat” programme. The KBO is made up of 10 professional starts, his search for action has taken him to COVID-19 shutdown. Wirtz said the coronavirus crisis and the league And the delayed baseball season — the clubs, all of them named for the conglomer- Venezuela, Mexico and the Dominican Re- suspension had prompted a review of the team’s management. “While country’s most popular spectator sport, after ates that own them rather than their home public as well as South Korea. “I am not say- we can reassure our fans there will be hockey again, no one knows being brought to the peninsula by US mis- cities. The Heroes are an exception, founded ing I was a star over there by any means what that will look like,” Wirtz said. sionaries — will start next Tuesday, albeit be- by businessman Lee Chang-suk — who was cause I wasn’t,” he said of his time in the MLB. “What we do know is that it will take a new mindset to successfully hind closed doors. jailed for embezzlement in 2018 but remains “I was a bench player who came off the transition the organization to win both on and off the ice.” Wirtz’s son In a world where sports fans are starved of the largest shareholder — and changing their bench to play. I came here to kind of get Danny Wirtz, 43, will serve as interim team president as the hunt for live action, sports channel ESPN is in negoti- name according to their main sponsor. back to be that player that I thought I could McDonough’s replacement gets under way, a statement said. — AFP ations for broadcasting rights. That could give South Korean baseball is renowned for the have been.” — AFP Established 1961 19

Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Sports Fate of Hundred in balance as English cricket chiefs meet New 100-balls-per-side format, to be played by eight franchises LONDON: England cricket chief Tom Harrison says OPPOSITION VOICES the controversial Hundred has become “even more Many voices within English cricket have been op- important” due to the economic damage from coro- posed to the Hundred from the outset, arguing there navirus ahead of a meeting that will decide the fate is no space for a new format in an already congested of the new competition. calendar. They say many of the ECB’s aims could be Last week, the England and Wales Cricket Board achieved with better support for the existing (ECB) further delayed the start of the 2020 season Twenty20 Blast. until July 1 at the earliest but said the inaugural Hun- But Harrison, one of the key movers behind the dred would be on the agenda this Wednesday. competition, said current conditions made it more im- The new 100-balls-per- portant than ever. “If any- side format, to be played thing this crisis and the by eight franchises rather implications, long-term or than English cricket’s es- medium-term, mean the tablished 18 first-class case for the Hundred is even counties, is meant to start Congested more important,” he said. in July. ECB officials have “So I don’t think this in long insisted it will attract calendar any way dilutes the case for a new audience vital to the Hundred, it absolutely safeguarding cricket’s fu- accelerates it and makes it ture, with some matches something cricket needs to set to be broadcast live on get behind.” Even before terrestrial television. the pandemic, the ECB had But public health restrictions, the problems of itself forecast the Hundred would make a loss in its bringing in overseas stars and the issue of launch first five seasons. costs at a time of economic crisis mean a delay ap- Costs in the first year, including the 1.3 million pears inevitable. pounds ($1.6 million) paid to each county, were esti- Tom Harrison (left) “We’ll look at how the situation impacts the Hun- mated at 58 million pounds, against an income of 51 dred, which was envisaged as being a tournament million pounds. Not playing the Hundred could po- that enabled us to widen the audience for the tentially save the ECB millions at a time when it has long run — and help preserve the existing county strong long, long into the future,” he said. game,” said Harrison. “With an in-stadia environ- launched a 61 million pounds virus aid package for set-up. “It will help us achieve one of our priorities, “And it will help broaden the audience for the ment, with international players, it’s going to be the domestic game. which is keeping the lights on through the network game. There will be a huge clamour for audience very, very difficult.” But Harrison is convinced it will make money in the — making sure county cricket is really healthy and coming out of this crisis, for all sport.” — AFP

Pakistan’s Umar Akmal gets Bundesliga could three-year ban ‘go under’ unless LAHORE: Controversial Pakistani batsman Umar Akmal was banned Monday from all forms of cricket season resumes for three years after pleading guilty to failing to re- port match-fixing approaches, the country’s cricket BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund chief execu- board announced. tive Hans-Joachim Watzke has warned that Umar, who turns 30 in May, last month withdrew the Bundesliga could “go under” unless An- a challenge to the charges. The batsman’s ban is ef- gela Merkel’s government grants permis- fective from February 20, when he was provisionally sion for the German football season to suspended by the board under its anti-corruption resume next month despite the coronavirus code, which states a player must report being ap- pandemic. proached to fix games. “It’s about nothing more and nothing less The decision was announced by a disciplinary than saving football,” Watzke told Sky committee after a brief hearing of the Pakistan Sport News. “If we don’t play for the next Cricket Board (PCB), which charged the player with few months, the whole Bundesliga will go two breaches. under. It will no longer exist in the form we “The PCB referred the matter to the chairman of have known it.” Umar Akmal the disciplinary committee after determining that The league ground to a halt in Germany the batsman had not requested a hearing,” said the on March 13 due to the virus outbreak, with board. defending champions Bayern Munich four Asif Mahmood — the PCB’s anti-corruption and The batsman burst onto the scene with a century meted out to Pakistani players. in his first Test in 2009, but his career has been In 2000, former captain Salim Malik was banned points clear of second-placed Dortmund in security director — said authorities took no “plea- the table. Last week, the German Football sure in seeing a promising international cricketer marred by disciplinary problems, resulting in various for life and six other players — including greats such bans and fines. as Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis — were fined League (DFL) signalled that it is ready to being declared ineligible” for three years on corrup- resume from May 9, albeit behind closed tion charges, but defended the ban as necessary. He was arrested in February 2014 after a scuffle after a judicial inquiry on fixing. with a traffic warden who stopped him for a signal A decade later then-Test captain Salman Butt, doors and with players tested regularly for “I request all professional cricketers to stay the virus. away from the menace of corruption and immedi- violation. Umar last represented Pakistan in two Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were banned Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka in Lahore for five years in a spot-fixing case over an incident The DFL still needs permission from Ger- ately inform relevant authorities as soon as they are man Chancellor Merkel and the leaders of the approached,” Mahmood added. last year, falling to first ball ducks on both occasions. during the team’s tour of England. The Pakistan Super He has so far played 16 Tests, 121 one-day games League’s second edition in 2017 was also marred by states, who are due to meet today. Some Umar was whisked away by his driver without leading scientists and health advisors have speaking to the media after the sentence was de- and 84 Twenty20s for Pakistan. Umar’s ban is the lat- a fixing scandal, resulting in a five-year ban on Shar- est in a series of match- or spot-fixing punishments jeel Khan and Khalid Latif. — AFP been highly critical of the Bundesliga’s plans livered. to resume amid the pandemic. Germany has recorded almost 6,000 coronavirus deaths. Watzke insists clubs are not looking for buster success looks likely to spark sim- place. That is expected to open the door “special” treatment. “We just want to pursue Jordan docu ilar projects. Kobe Bryant, the Los Ange- NBA set to allow for as many as 10 NBA clubs to have our profession,” he said. Germany’s top les Lakers superstar who died in a players in team facilities, seen as secure clubs want the league to be finished by June fills TV void January helicopter crash, had a personal workouts not environments, within a few days and po- 30 to free up an instalment of television camera crew follow him around during tentially several more clubs by the open- money worth around 300 million euros for NBA fans his final NBA season, ESPN reported last before May 8 ing date. Another concern for the league ($325 million). week, hinting that behind-the-scenes is the potential fitness advantage some Magazine Kicker claims 13 of the 36 clubs footage could become part of a Bryant teams could gain over others based NEW YORK: The NBA informed clubs in the top two leagues are on the verge of in- documentary. upon the ability to conduct workouts in solvency. Both Werder Bremen and Schalke MEW YORK: A new Michael Jordan Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, Monday that it plans to allow individual television documentary has become a workouts by players at team facilities no team facilitities. The NBA said it will 04 have admitted their finances have been scored 60 points in his final NBA game work with teams to “identify alterna- badly affected by the crisis. smash hit for NBA fans whose hope of in 2016, which capped the worst season sooner than May 8 in areas where al- watching the playoffs these days was lowed by government regulations. The tives” for any team that is prohibited Former Bayern Munich president Uli in Lakers history at 17-65. Dwyane from making its facility available to play- Hoeness believes holding games behind scuttled by the coronavirus pandemic. Wade, a member of the 2008 US league shut down its 2019-20 season on “The Last Dance” details the career of March 12 after Utah’s Rudy Gobert ers due to government restrictions. closed doors — known as ‘ghost games’ in Olympic “Redeem Team” that won Bei- In theory, that could include having German — is the only viable alternative. “In the NBA legend who led the Chicago jing gold after a 2004 bronze at Athens, tested positive for the coronavirus and Bulls to six titles in the 1990s, with edi- this marks the first small step toward re- players working out at facilities of rival principle, I consider ghost games to be says he is already executive producing a NBA clubs, possibly based upon where questionable, but in view of the economic tions three and four of the 10-part saga documentary about that collection of suming the campaign, although no telecast on Sunday. It was the top ESPN timetable for that has been announced. players reside or are located. The NBA situation facing some clubs, they are vital,” NBA talent. said no more than four players would be Hoeness told Kicker. telecast in the advertiser-prized 18-to-34 ESPN has aired discussion shows The move comes as several state and demographic since the shut down of local governments have started easing permitted at a facility at the same time Hoeness also backed calls for pay-per- about the documentary after telecasts, and that no head coaches or assistant view broadcasters Sky and DAZN to allow sport due to the coronavirus pandemic. with Sunday’s episodes about Jordan’s stay-at-home orders on non-essential In all, 6.1 million people watched the business activity. Georgia and Oklahoma coaches could participate in any work- the nine remaining rounds of Bundesliga lingering hatred of the Detroit Pistons outs. Group activities, including prac- games to be screened on free television to opening episodes in the United States, leading to Monday interviews with for- were among the first states with NBA tices or scrimmages, remain banned, and help boost morale in football-mad Germany. making the documentary Twitter’s top mer Detroit star Isiah Thomas, notably teams to relax quarantine regulations, players are also prohibited from using With so many teams struggling financially, trending topic and ESPN’s most watched about the Pistons snubbing the Bulls for opening the door to possible workouts non-team facilities such as public health there are also calls for the league to adopt a original program since the network post-game handshakes when Chicago at club gyms and courts, with more clubs, fitness centers, or gyms. salary cap. Fortuna Duesseldorf’s CEO began producing such shows 16 years swept the defending champions out of states set to follow suit in the coming The NBA regular season was halted Thomas Roettgermann wants salaries ago. An average of 5.9 million viewers the 1991 playoffs. days. “The purpose of these changes is watched the latest episodes aired in the to allow for safe and controlled environ- with more than a month remaining in the capped because player wages are “a large “I hated them,” Jordan said in the part of the expenses and you are in a never- US on Sunday. fourth chapter of the documentary. ments for players to train in states that campaign. The NBA playoffs, which last “The Last Dance” mixes previously allow them to do so, and to create a two months, were to have opened on ending rat race” with other clubs. “And that hate carries even to this day.” “It would be possible to calculate a salary unaired behind-the-scenes footage Thomas was not selected as a member process for identifying safe training op- April 18. NBA commissioner Adam Sil- taken by a special camera crew with the tions for players located in other states,” ver said he would not examine a cap based on the total turnover of the re- of the 1992 Barcelona US Olympic gold spective club,” he told the Frankfurter Allge- Bulls during their 1997-98 NBA cham- medal “Dream Team” — an NBA all- the league said in a statement. timetable for resumption of games be- pionship run with the retelling of Jor- While advising that May 8 was the fore May, with speculation the league meine Zeitung newspaper. “All clubs, indeed star lineup that featured Jordan — and all over Europe, are currently prepared to dan’s amazing story from his youthful Thomas said Monday on ESPN that he target date for allowing players into could go as late as early September in days to Chicago’s amazing dynasty run team facilities, the league warned it trying to stage a full post-season sched- talk about this topic,” Roettgermann added. hoped the handshake snub wasn’t the Augsburg’s managing director Michael of six 1990s NBA titles. reason why he didn’t make the historic might push back the timing as develop- ule. Scenarios for resuming games while The project was set to be broadcast in ments warrant regarding the deadly complying with coronavirus health re- Stroell also wants a financial rethink. “Every- lineup. one must have realised in the past months June when the NBA Finals were sched- “If I’m not part of the Dream Team for virus outbreak. strictions have centered upon playing uled, but when sports programs were Team facilities would be available for matches at a venue with teams gathered that ‘higher, faster, further’ is not always the that lapse of emotion, for not shaking right way, and, especially in times of crisis, is wiped out due to the global virus pan- somebody’s hand, then I’m more disap- workouts or treatment on a voluntary in- at one location and players sequestered, demic, ESPN advanced the release date. dividual basis provided no government potentially for months, to avoid catching enormously dangerous,” Stroell told local pointed today than I was back then when paper the Augsburger Allgemeine. — AFP The Jordan documentary’s block- I wasn’t selected,” Thomas said. — AFP restrictions against such activities are in and spreading coronavirus. — AFP Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020

Australia’s NRL heavily fines four Fate of Hundred in balance as Pakistan’s Umar Akmal 18players for quarantine breaches 19 English cricket chiefs meet 19 gets three-year ban

Next year’s Olympics may be cancelled: Mori If pandemic isn’t brought under control

TOKYO: A man runs in front of the construction site of the National Stadium, a venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, in Tokyo on April 20, 2020. A Japanese expert who has criticised the country’s response to the coronavirus warned that he is “pessimistic” that the postponed Olympics can be held even in 2021. — AFP

TOKYO: The postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics will against coronavirus to “fighting an invisible enemy”. have arisen about whether even a year’s postpone- spokesman Takaya countered that even medical ex- have to be cancelled if the coronavirus pandemic If the virus is successfully contained, “we’ll hold ment is sufficient. perts said it was too early to make a judgement on isn’t brought under control by next year, the organ- the Olympics in peace next summer”, he added. Yestrday, the head of Japan Medical Association such a possibility. ising committee’s president said in comments pub- “Mankind is betting on it.” Masa Takaya, a Tokyo warned it would be “exceedingly difficult” to hold In the interview, Mori also said organisers were lished yesterday. 2020 spokesman, declined to comment on a possi- the Games next year if a vaccine has not been considering holding joint opening and closing cer- The pandemic has already forced a year-long ble cancellation of the Games, telling reporters that found. “I would not say that they should not be held, emonies for the Olympics and the Paralympics in an delay of the Games — which are now scheduled to Mori’s remarks were based on “the chairman’s own but it would be exceedingly difficult,” Yoshitake effort to cut costs. Under the plan, the Paralympics open on July 23, 2021 — but Tokyo 2020 president thoughts”. Yokokura told reporters at a briefing. would join the Olympic opening ceremony on July Yoshiro Mori said no further postponement was Japanese organisers and the International And last week a Japanese medical expert who 23, and the Olympic closing ceremony would be in- possible. In an interview with Japan’s Nikkan Olympic Committee, under heavy pressure from has criticised the country’s response to the coron- tegrated into the Paralympics closing event in Sep- Sports daily, Mori was categorical when asked if the athletes and international sports federations, agreed avirus warned that he was “very pessimistic” that tember. But Mori admitted that Tokyo organisers Olympics could be delayed until 2022 if the pan- in March to a year-long postponement of the the postponed Olympics can be held in 2021. had not yet obtained the consent of the IOC and demic remains a threat next year, replying: “No.” Games. “To be honest with you I don’t think the their Paralympic counterparts on that plan. “It’s “In that case, it’s cancelled,” Mori said. Mori Organisers and Japanese officials have said the Olympics is likely to be held next year,” said Ken- going to a considerable cut in costs and a big mes- noted the Games had been cancelled previously delayed Olympics will be a chance to showcase the taro Iwata, a professor of infectious diseases at sage of victory against the global crisis, but it’s not only during wartime, and compared the battle world’s triumph over the coronavirus, but questions Kobe University, at a briefing. But Tokyo 2020 easy,” Mori said. —AFP

In Italy, time running out for Serie A return UEFA allocates 236m euros MILAN: The Italian government has ruled tail. “We’re working tirelessly to define the ment but all the conditions are there to be out team training before May 18, leaving best conditions for the completion of the able to resume training safely.” to aid member federations Serie A chiefs with their backs against the suspended championships, responsibly Italian football chiefs had already pushed wall if they are to finish a season interrupted planning all the steps to be taken, but also back the end of the Serie A season from by the coronavirus crisis. to define the various scenarios,” said Grav- June 30 to August 2. LAUSANNE: UEFA said on Monday “As a result, we have agreed that Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Sun- ina. For the Italian sports press the govern- The FIGC’s objective of a return to com- it had allocated 236.5 million euros up to 4.3 million euros per associa- day delayed a decision on restarting football ment’s announcement was “a cold shower” petition in early June has become impracti- ($256 million) to its 55 member as- tion, paid for the remainder of this despite allowing top athletes to resume in the words of Turin-based Tuttosport. cable, shifting the date towards June 10-14. sociations to help overcome the fi- season and next, as well as part of training in a week’s time. From next Monday, “Two-speed recovery,” wrote Gazzetta With at least three weeks of preparation nancial impact caused by the the investment funding, can be used individual athletes will be able to resume dello Sport of pushing a decision on team needed, and, in some cases, 13 rounds to be coronavirus pandemic. as our members see fit to rebuild the training. sports back, while Corriere dello Sport played, beyond mid-June it would be im- Each national federation will re- football community.” But for team sports, in particular football, branded it “a joke”. possible to play all the remaining matches. ceive 4.3 million euros which can be Last week European football’s it remains a waiting game, in a champi- Lazio sports director Igli Tare said foot- Another solution being touted would be used towards “its own priorities in governing body released almost 70 onship suspended since March 9. So, while ball clubs felt like they were being “discrim- a play-off to allocate the Scudetto and qual- light of the negative impact of the million euros in benefit payments to cyclist Vincenzo Nibali will be able to re- inated” against. The Roman club are second ifying places for European competition and coronavirus on football at all levels,” clubs struggling financially during sume his usual training, Cristiano Ronaldo in Serie A just one point behind leaders Ju- relegation places. “This yes, I would accept the body said in a statement. the health crisis. The money was of Juventus will not. ventus and within sight of a first league title it,” Lazio president Claudio Lotito told La The funds come from UEFA’s Hat- originally put aside to be paid to Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora was since 2000. Repubblica. Trick assistance programme which clubs who had released players for cautious, warning: “It’s not a given that foot- “It is news that I did not expect,” said Any change of format would have to be was created in 2004 to support de- international matches after the com- ball will resume.” “On May 18? We will see, Lazio midfielder Marco Parolo. “I don’t un- communicated to European football gov- velopment projects for each member pletion of the European Champi- for team sports, such as football, rigid safety derstand why we footballers with a suitable erning body UEFA by May 25 at the latest. federation. The programme will have onship qualifying play-offs. protocols are needed,” Spadafora told Ital- sports centre can’t resume our sessions nor- Serie A’s 20 clubs have voted unanimously distributed 2.6 billion euros by 2024, Global governing body FIFA an- ian television. mally. “You can go running in the parks, but to complete the league season, but the final UEFA said. “Our sport is facing an nounced on Friday it would release Spadafora spoke of “shortcomings” in it doesn’t make sense if I have a suitable decision will be down to the government. unprecedented challenge brought $150 million to its 211 member asso- the health and safety protocol presented sports centre to do it. But in a football-mad country clubs about by the COVID-19 crisis. UEFA ciations “as the first step of a relief last week by Italian football federation “Formello (Lazio’s training centre) is may not be able to count on the support wants to help its members to re- plan”. Those funds originate from the (FIGC) officials. FIGC president Gabriele equipped with five pitches. By splitting up, of a public grieving over 27,000 dead. spond in ways that are appropriate Forward 2.0 programme, which was Gravina insisted Monday they were “work- we can avoid contact and we can vary the Recent polls have suggested that two- to their specific circumstances,” said launched in 2016 and will provide ing to restart football safely”, warning of the schedules of individual sessions,” he said. thirds of Italians are opposed to a return UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. $1.746 billion in total. —AFP damage not finishing the season would en- “We respect the indications of the govern- to the pitch. —AFP