'A Pillar in National Efforts'

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Defence Affairs TDT | Manama

Minister visits Field he cooperation between ICU at BDF Hospital Bahrain’s executive and TDT | Manama Tlegislative branches has ‘A pillar in been a pillar in the national efforts to handle the impact of the efence Affairs Minis- coronavirus (COVID-19) pandem- Dter Lieutenant-General ic, His Royal Highness the Prime Abdulla bin Hassan Al Nu- Minister Prince Khalifa bin Sal- national aimi paid an inspection visit man Al Khalifa said yesterday. yesterday to the Field Inten- HRH the Premier added that sive Care Unit (ICU), run by the Kingdom must brace for the Royal Medical Services the upcoming phase in its battle (RMS) at the Bahrain De - against COVID-19, and this will fence Force Hospital. necessitate even more coopera- efforts’ Al Nuaimi was accompa- tion and a review of certain laws nied by RMS Commander for the sake of their consistency HRH the Prime Minister praises Major General Professor with current developments. Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al HRH the Premier was speaking cooperation between executive, Khalifa. as he received at his palace in Designed according to the Riffa yesterday Representatives legislative branches in battle highest standards, the 130- Council Speaker Fawzia bint Ab- bed Field ICU was set up dullah Zainal and Shura Council against COVID-19 HRH the Premier during the meeting in seven days as part of the Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh. Kingdom’s efforts to combat He reiterated support to the measures to mitigate the reper- nation and citizens. Bahrain and abroad, pointing legislature to all decisions taken the coronavirus (COVID-19) legislative branch and the keen- cussions of the crisis. HRH the Prime Minister out the procedures taken in this by the government in this respect. and curb its spread. ness on further boosting its co- HRH the Premier commended praised awareness of the Bahraini respect. They said Bahrain’s remark- The minister toured the operation with the executive the support of His Majesty King people and their contribution to HRH the Prime Minister af- able success in dealing with the Field ICU’s sections, and branch, in order to serve the Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the boosting the government’s efforts firmed the great care accorded to crisis, which has received inter- was detailed about its work nation and promote its security, government’s decisions aimed at in facing the coronavirus. the expatriate workforce, point- national praise, is the dividend mechanisms and the treat- stability and prosperity. alleviating the impact of the pan- He also thanked the media for ing out that employers also share of the government’s ability to ment services it delivers, HRH the Prime Minister lauded demic on citizens and backing the their role in raising social aware- a common responsibility in pro- provide a sound infrastructure, amidst the current circum- the support of the legislature to economic sectors to enable them ness and harnessing efforts to viding healthy accommodation compared to other countries, in stances the Kingdom is go- the government’s efforts, espe- to continue contributing to the fight the virus. for the workers and in following the health sector. ing through. cially in this phase, which re- Kingdom’s development. HRH the Premier lauded the regulations and laws. They also thanked HRH the The Defence Affairs Min- quires concerted efforts to con- He also thanked members of great work done by the medi- The Representatives Coun- Premier for his unwavering ister lauded the Military tain and weather the impact of the legislative branch for their cal and nursing staff in Bahrain, cil Speaker and Shura Council keenness on boosting coopera- Hospital’s medical profes- COVID-19. keenness on getting assured which has resulted in remark- Chairman lauded the directives tion between the legislature and sionals, and commended the He said the pandemic has about his good health while he able success in containing the of HRH the Premier regarding the the executive branch, which tremendous efforts they are greatly affected the world in was abroad, stressing their inter- infection. containment of the coronavirus greatly contributes to promot- exerting to deliver medical various fields, and in this light, est was an impetus to continue He underlined the Kingdom’s and alleviation of its impact on ing the democratic march in the treatment services to citi- Bahrain has taken preemptive sparing no effort in serving the efforts to protect all citizens in citizens, stressing support of the Kingdom. zens and residents. Al Nuaimi affirmed the readiness of the RMS and its highly trained medical staff to deliver the necessary treatment and appropriate HH Shaikh Nasser makes personal donation health services needed to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. of BD1million to ‘Feena Khaer’ campaign Located at the BDF Hos- TDT | Manama fundraising campaign. they can. He said that it is sup- and all staff members working pital, the Field ICU is one In his video message, which porting “the land we call home” with him in various directo- in a series of precaution - is Majesty the King’s was posted on his Instagram at a time when it needs it most. rates. ary quarantine and treat- Humanitarian Work account, HH Shaikh Nasser “Every bit goes a long way,” HH Shaikh Nasser posted ment centres set up by the Hand Youth Affairs rep- said that the donation is his HH Shaikh Nasser said. a photo on his Instagram ac- Kingdom to receive COV- resentative, National Security opportunity to give back to the Those interested in making a count during the check-up and ID-19 patients and suspect- Advisor and Supreme Council country as it battles the corona- contribution can deposit to Na- commented with a greeting to ed cases and provide the for Youth and Sports chairman virus (COVID-19), describing it tional Bank of Bahrain account the medical crew. necessary medical care, His Highness Shaikh Nass- as “the ultimate way to show BH66 NBOB 0000 0082 1093 70. HH Shaikh Nasser paid in accordance with the er bin Hamad Al Khalifa gave love for Bahrain”. Meanwhile, HH Shaikh Nass- tribute to the medical team standards set by the World an inspirational message yes- HH Shaikh Nasser called on er underwent a COVID-19 med- fighting COVID-19 and urged Health Organisation. terday, during which he an- business owners and anyone ical examination yesterday as all citizens to undergo period- nounced a BD1million personal who is willing to contribute to part of the periodic check-up ic check-ups, which will help HH Shaikh Nasser during his COVID-19 medical donation to the “Feena Khaer” the fund to donate any amount for the Royal Endurance Team fight the virus. exam

SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC HEALTH

DON’T MISS IT Health Ministry conducts 850 random COVID-19 tests across Kingdom TDT | Manama

Virtual classes he Ministry of Health, in 02 success coordination with local Tauthorities, continued 1,003 conducting random coronavirus is the number of Driving (COVID-19) tests throughout the registered active 03 diplomacy Kingdom, in order to safeguard COVID-19 cases in the well-being of citizens and Bahrain as of last night, IEA predicts residents. the first time the total ‘worst year in As part of the ongoing series went over the 1,000-mark of testing, mobile units collected 04 the history’ of random samples from citizens oil sector and residents yesterday in A’Ali, Members of the public line up for random testing Officials handling test samples went over the 1,000-mark yes- Al Hidd, Sanabis, Riffa and Juf- terday. 210 fils (includes VAT) fair, conducting a total of 850 can be avoided. This remains a facemask in public settings, zens and residents of the impor- As of last night, the total cases tests for the virus. part of the Ministry’s mandate practicing social distancing, and tance of adhering to health rec- was 1,003, all but three of which Throughout the process, the to ensure that all segments of washing their hands frequently ommendations and encouraged were stable. mobile testing units shared in- society understand the threat of and thoroughly, in addition to all to stay at home. The number of discharged pa- formation regarding COVID-19 the virus and are contributing using an alcohol-based sanitiser. The number of registered ac- tients increased to 663, while the and the ways in which infections towards its mitigation by wearing The Ministry reminded citi- tive COVID-19 cases in Bahrain total tested went up to 73,272. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 02

Education and Youth Ministers Virtual classes success discuss cooperation Students’ participation high in live distance-learning sessions on Microsoft Teams platform TDT | Manama He also paid tribute to the students and their parents for ore than 500,000 their keenness to ensure the posts have been pub- continuity of learning. Mlished by students on- Dr. Juma’a also hailed the line during live distance-learn- existing partnership with the ing sessions, reflecting their Information and e-Govern- regular participation, the Min- ment Authority (iGA) through istry of Education said yester- the educational portal Edunet, The Ministries of Education and Youth and Sports Affairs have discussed day. which is increasingly used by areas of cooperation between them in activities related to youth and sport. Education Ministry Resourc- teachers, students and parents. This came in a meeting yesterday between Education Minister Dr. Majid bin es and Services undersecretary Meanwhile, Education Min- Ali Al Nuaimi and Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Ayman bin Tawfiq Al Moayyad. Above, Dr. Al Nuaimi, right, with Al Moayyad. Dr. Mohammed Mubarak Ju- istry Planning and Information ma’a revealed that the posts assistant undersecretary Naw- were made on the Microsoft al Al Khater asserted that the Teams platform, and that they Dr. Juma’a Al Khater number of users of Edunet has affirm the success of the virtu- increased remarkably during Amlak establishes support al classes implemented by the the suspension of studying. fund for impacted tenants Ministry. plementation of the project did She pointed out that, accord- TDT | Manama Dr. Juma’a cited the partic- not require any external assis- ing to Google Analytics, a total and economic conditions due to ipation of more than 90 per tance, except for the on-going of 477,012 unique users had the current global situation. cent of third intermediate and partnership with Microsoft. entered Edunet in the one- mlak Social Insurance The fund offers multiple secondary school students in He indicated that the Educa- month period from March 14 Organisation Devel- schemes and is aimed towards live lessons. tion Ministry’s internal work to April 14. Aopment Company, the bringing market stability. This He stressed that the success team and the Information Sys- She added that Edunet con- real-estate arm of the Social is based on market studies and of the project, launched as per tems Directorate had created tains 408,000 digital materi- Insurance Organisation (SIO), the category of each tenant. The a decision by the Government the web page and distributed als, including 151,000 activi- announced the creation of a types of support will vary based Executive Committee, chaired the students according to the ties, 60,000 discussions, 74,000 Half-a-Million Support Fund, on monthly assessments and by His Royal Highness Prince virtual classes. He added that lessons and 124,000 enriching which will financially support will be activated immediately. Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Curriculum Directorate materials prepared by teachers their impacted tenants. “Amlak’s Support Fund aims the Crown Prince, Deputy Su- had also provided the lessons work team, who prepared well since February. This is in line with the di- at relieving the financial strains preme Commander and First and selected the best teachers for the project’s implementa- Al Khater noted that Edunet, rectives of His Royal Highness the tenants and community Deputy Prime Minister, was who had been trained to use the tion, as well as to the teachers, which was launched in 2015, is Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al shops, which will reflect pos- the fruitful outcome of the con- platform. presenters, reserves and mod- within the Education Minis- Khalifa, Crown Prince, Depu- itively on the consumers, res- certed efforts exerted by the The undersecretary extend- erators, for carrying out their try’s digital empowerment pro- ty Supreme Commander and idents and the citizens of our Education Ministry’s sectors ed his thanks and appreciation duties of delivering live lessons gramme, and provides a variety First Deputy Prime Minister, to beloved Kingdom,” said Amlak and staff. He noted that the im- to the Education Ministry’s to students. of services to schools. support the Kingdom’s financial CEO Yusuf Al Thawadi.

Gulf Air introduces “golden principles” TDT | Manama

ahrain national carrier Gulf Air introduced yesterday a bundle of B“golden principles” to maintain the health and safety of its valued passengers and crew members, in response to the global outbreak of the coronavirus HIGH QUALITY (COVID-19). These principles come in addition to NEUROLOGICAL CARE what the airline has carried out since late February when the outbreak emerged regionally and globally, and will continue to be reviewed when necessary.

The “golden principles” of existing and newly introduced practices are: • Modifying seating arrangement: Gulf able gloves while travelling. Air will maintain distances on-board be- • Shared spaces are spotless: All aircraft MANAGEMENT OF CASES : tween all passengers on all its operating are disinfected and decontaminated after flights. Ground staff and cabin crew will every flight. Procedures include wiping u Headache seat passengers as far as possible from down all surfaces, seat belts, in-seat u Low back pain & leg pain (Sciatica) each other, depending on the flight load, controls, tray tables, overhead lockers,

u to maintain the required social distances air vents, door handles and lavatories. Facial pain & Trigeminal Neuralgia between passengers. • Meals on-board: All meals and beverag- u Pain of arms, Neck pain • Maintaining a distance: Check-in coun- es on all flights are served in disposable ters and boarding gates are designed to containers with disposable cutlery and u Dizziness & Vertigo make sure passengers maintain a safe cups. Falcon Gold and Economy meals u Epilepsy distance between each other. are now limited to a selection of cold u Weakness & difﬁculty in walking • Supporting safe interactions on- meals and snacks. board: All cabin crew members are ful- • Reducing items on-board: To minimise u Bleeding in the brain (Stroke) ly trained to follow the international contact on board, select amenities and u Memory, Cognitive & Behavioral Diseases guidelines in regards to personal pro- services have been temporarily removed. tective equipment, which are available Non-essential paper materials, head- u Head, Spine & Spinal Cord Injuries on-board. Gulf Air recommends that all rests, blankets, pyjamas and amenity kits passengers wear a mask and use dispos- are not available on board. DR. RAM VATWANI Gulf Air is working closely with the con- and preventive measures in order to ensure cerned authorities in the Kingdom and all air- the health and safety of the passengers and MBBS, MD, FAAN(USA) ports of its network to take all precautionary crew. CONSULTANT NEUROLOGIST Anti-Cyber Crimes warn of scam e-mails FOR APPOINTMENTS 1736 2233 TDT | Manama card details to verify the account. The directorate urges the public to check the he General Directorate of Anti-Corrup- e-mails they are receiving before responding tion and Economic and Electronic Secu- to them, and highlighted that Apple would not Trity warned yesterday of scam e-mails, send such e-mail requests. claiming to be from Apple and asking to verify Any e-mails from the company would start the ID of the receiver. with the full name of the account user and not The e-mail claims someone is trying to access “Dear client” or “Dear customer”, the directo- the receiver’s account, which pushed the com- rate said. It added that they would also not send pany to suspend it. The e-mail asks to fill a form an attachment to be resent by the receiver, or with personal information, including the credit ask for credit card details. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 03

BDF Commander-in-Chief receives UK Military Attaché Foreign Affairs Minister discusses BDF Commander-in-Chief GCC response to COVID-19 Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa TDT | Manama curity and peace in the re- bin Ahmed Al Khalifa received gion. yesterday the UK Military Attaché in Bahrain Paul A. inister of Foreign Af- The Ministry of Foreign Windsar. Defence Minister fairs Dr. Abdullatif Affairs commended the great General Abdullah bin Hassan Mbin Rashid Al Zayani efforts of the Egyptian se - Al Nuaimi was also present. discussed yesterday efforts curity forces in combating The Commander-in-Chief made by GCC countries in fac- violence, extremism and praised the historical relations ing the repercussions of the terrorism and eliminating between the two Kingdoms, spread of the coronavirus in the terrorist cell in a neigh- noting the cooperation the region. bourhood in Cairo, which between them in various areas, This came in a phone call was planning to carry out including the exchange of with Gulf Cooperation Coun- terrorist acts during Coptic experiences and cooperation in cil (GCC) Secretary-General Easter. It extended sincere the military field. Above, Field Dr. Nayef Falah Al Hajraf. condolences to the Egyptian Marshal Shaikh Khalifa and Al Zayani and Dr. Al Hajraf leadership, government and Windsar. also talked about ways to en- people as well as the fami- hance joint GCC cooperation lies of the Egyptian security in this vital field. martyrs, wishing a speedy Meanwhile, Bahrain af - recovery for the injured. firmed yesterday its constant The ministry reasserted the support to Egypt in all meas- Kingdom of Bahrain’s stance ures taken to fight terror - rejecting all forms of violence, ism and deter attempts to extremism and terrorism, and undermine its security and stressed the necessity of con- stability. certed international efforts to Driving diplomacy It reiterated Egypt’s stra- deter terrorist groups and all tegic role in enhancing Arab those who support and fund security and maintaining se- them. Foreign Affairs Minister chairs virtual meeting of newly established Council TDT | Manama Hashish seller loses final plea n important initiative to TDT | Manama help foster the develop- The ultimate goal of After collecting the piece Ament of Bahrain’s diplo- forming the Council is from the informant, a police matic work has been achieved to engage everyone in man convicted of ped- force moved to apprehend the with the establishment of the the decision-making dling drugs recently appellant, while an accom - Ministry of Foreign Affairs process and exchange A lost his final chance to plice who was waiting for him Council. views and ideas, as well challenge the 10-year prison in a car (a black SUV) escaped This is according to Foreign as study and discuss sentence he has been serving the scene after ramming into Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulla- since 2017. the police vehicle. tif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who development initiatives, This came as the man, who Laboratory tests of the sold chaired the Council’s first meet- plans and projects was also fined BD3,000 back piece confirmed it was hash- ing yesterday. It was held virtu- collectively. then for the same charge, got ish, while a blood and urine ally, with the participation of the FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER DR. ABDULLATIF his final appeal rejected by examination of the appellant Council’s members. BIN RASHID AL ZAYANI the Court of Cassation, which showed traces of several nar- The Minister expressed de- upheld his punishment on cotic substances. light at the issuance of the edict Affairs Ministry’s directorates, Tuesday. On December 19, 2017, the to establish the new Council, as well as their efficiency and The details of the case show appellant was interrogated by which he said represents one competence during these ex- that the man was caught the Public Prosecution, which of the important initiatives in ceptional conditions imposed by red-handed while he was charged him of illegal sale of the process of developing and The Foreign Affairs Minister during the virtual meeting the outbreak of the coronavirus selling hashish to a secret drugs (hashish). enhancing diplomatic work in the world. informant in the Muharraq He was sentenced by a first through the tasks, duties and He hailed the on-going co - Governorate. degree court to 10 years in jail responsibilities it is assigned. Dr. Al Zayani affirmed that fairs Ministry’s senior officials ordination and cooperation The informant was re- and to pay a fine of BD3,000. These include approving poli- the ultimate goal of forming the – most notably the undersecre- among the Ministry of Foreign cruited by the Anti-Narcotics He appealed against the ver- cies and executive plans, super- Council is to engage everyone taries, assistant undersecretar- Affairs, the National Taskforce Department in the Interior dict to the Supreme Criminal vising the progress of work and in the decision-making process ies, directors, employees, am- for Combatting Coronavirus Ministry and contacted the Court of Appeal, which reject- performance in the Ministry’s and exchange views and ide- bassadors and diplomats – in and Bahrain’s embassies and appellant to request to buy a ed his plea considering the general court and the diplomatic as, as well as study and discuss enhancing the Ministry’s role consulates abroad in arranging piece of hashish worth BD50. provided evidence, witness missions abroad, and examining development initiatives, plans in the pioneering development the return of Bahraini citizens They agreed to meet near a testimonies and the confiscat- the developments of the political and projects collectively. These process and the civilisational from overseas. pharmacy in Muharraq where ed substance. and security issues at the region- enhance the chances of success renaissance witnessed by the Also during their meeting, the informant handed over The man once again chal- al and international levels. It also and of attaining outstanding re- Kingdom during this prosper- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the amount, which was previ- lenged the verdict before the tackles the reports of diplomat- sults. ous era of His Majesty King Council discussed a number of ously copied by the police, and Court of Cassation, which de- ic missions and the permanent He expressed his apprecia- Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. other topics and issues on its received the piece from the liberated the case and upheld committees while taking appro- tion of and pride in the tangible Dr. Al Zayani also praised the agenda and took appropriate man under secret surveillance the same sentence that was priate decisions on them. efforts made by the Foreign Af- dedicated efforts of the Foreign decisions regarding them. from authorities. initially issued against him.

Drunk driver gets Caribou Coffee, Fuddruckers support three years’ jail Kingdom’s efforts in tackling COVID-19 TDT | Manama of the man. During his apprehension, drunk pick-up truck the man physically and driver, who assaulted verbally assaulted the po - A police while resisting licemen, biting the hand of arrest in A’ali last December, one of them, yelling at them was sentenced by the First and flicking a lit cigarette Criminal Court to three years at them. However, the man behind bars. was eventually detained and According to the details of referred to the Public Prose- the case, the defendant was cution, which later referred spotted by a civilian police him to the court. patrol while driving recklessly On December 4 last year, Ramos and team members hand over the food packs to Al Moayad and other SCW officials near A’ali, swerving between the Public Prosecution com- vehicles in a manner that pleted its interrogations and Mateo Ramos. “Everyone is affect- families through their ‘Together us and our volunteers.” posed danger to commuters. charged the man of assaulting TDT | Manama ed by this pandemic – from gov- for Bahrain’s Safety’ campaign. Starting this week, Caribou The cops followed the de- a public servant, during and ernments, businesses, employees, We hope that with this little ges- Coffee and Fuddruckers are also fendant inside A’ali where due to performing his job, by ood Vest Holding, own- students and the general public. ture, we can give them some sort scheduled to donate more than they stopped him and noticed pushing and biting him in the ers of the brands Caribou “Despite this difficult situa- of motivation to continue their 1,000 food packs and goods as a that he was in an abnormal hand, causing the injuries de- FCoffee Bahrain and Fud- tion, it paved the way for people inspiring efforts in helping the form of support to the commu- condition. scribed in the medical report. druckers, expressed their appre- to work together and unite. As community.” nity. One is through KHK Heroes The police mentioned in He was also charged the ciation for the efforts of Team a business, we are also affected, SCW Administrative and Media for migrant workers who are their statements that the same day with driving under Bahrain in keeping the country but in our own little way, Caribou Affairs director Ezzedine Khal- gravely affected by this pandem- booze-smelling man drove off the influence of alcohol and safe with their round-the-clock Coffee and Fuddruckers through il Al Moayad commented: “We ic. The other is by distributing in an attempt to escape from verbally assaulting the on-du- work combatting the coronavirus Education Plus would like to pay would like to thank Food Vest free coffee and meals to the med- them. A back-up police patrol ty policemen while and be - (COVID-19). tribute to the Supreme Council for supporting us and for their ical front-liners who are risking soon arrived from West Riffa cause of performing their “It is a trying time for all of us,” for Women (SCW) for their tire- appreciation of the work that we their lives in treating COVID-19 Station to assist in the arrest work. said Food Vest general manager less efforts in helping Bahraini do. It is a good encouragement for patients. 04 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 business

Retired Bahraini woman BisB backs ‘Together We Care’ campaign TDT | Manama wins USD200,000 in Directorate and in coordination with a number of institu- Ithmaar Bank’s first-ever ahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) tions in the private sector and Bannounced donating civil society, is in line with the remote draw BD30,000 to the Capital Gov- Governorate’s efforts and its ernorate’s ‘Together We Care’ commitment to serve citizens TDT | Manama campaign as part of effort to and residents, especially in light support customers who are of the current circumstances, adheela Isa Hasan, a re - members of the medical teams by providing them with basic Ftired Bahraini woman, has working on the front-lines to necessities. Since the launch become the first winner of Ith- combat COVID-19. of our campaign, we have dis- maar Bank’s remote draw for Commenting, Chief Executive tributed more than 4,200 meals USD200,000 Thimaar Quar- Officer of BisB, Hassan Amin and food baskets. We hope that (Left) Capital Governor, Shaikh Hesham bin Abdulrahman Al-Khalifa and (Right) terly prize. Jarrar, said, “Following our re- CEO of BisB, Hassan Jarrar with the combined efforts of The first-of-its-kind draw cent donation to the medical all authorities, we will success- was physically held at the workforce, we wanted to do our privileged and those who have “We truly appreciate the fully overcome this challenge, bank’s headquarters in Seef part to support the ‘Together been affected by the spread of Bank’s support. The cam - while minimising the numbers but remotely coordinated as We Care’ initiative being led the Coronavirus, by supply- paign, which is being organ - in need,” said Capital Governor, part of national efforts to help by His Excellency the Capital ing them with much-needed ised in cooperation with the Shaikh Hesham bin Abdulrah- contain the Coronavirus (COV- Governor, to aid the under - meals.” Capital Governorate’s Police man Al-Khalifa. ID-19) outbreak. Mohammed Janahi, Ithmaar Bank “Hearing that you won General Manager, Retail Banking USD200,000 in cash is always Group. great news,” said Hasan. “In these difficult, challenging chances to win, with over US$ times, as we all try to cope with 4 million up for grabs to more Bahrain Clear named paying agent the COVID-19 outbreak, this is than 3,000 winners this year. very welcome news indeed,” With this announcement, Ith- she said. “I did not expect to maar Bank will have distribut- hear such great news – it has ed more than US$ 26 million in made my family and I very prizes to almost 29,000 cus- for cash dividend distribution happy,” said Hasan. “When tomers, in the ten years since the Bank informed me about it launched Thimaar. TDT | Manama changed to increase efficien- the prize, I honestly did not This year’s Thimaar prizes cy and provide more advanced believe them especially that I include 100 monthly prizes, ahrain Clear has been post-trade services. “Enhance- have never won anything be- three quarterly prizes worth named as a Paying Agent ment to the Delivery Versus fore,” she said. US$ 200,000 each, and a grand Bto undertake cash divi- Payment (DVP) Model Frame- “Ithmaar Bank is com - prize worth US$ 1 million. In dend distribution for nine listed work will ensure adherence mitted to following Central appreciation of the Bank’s companies serving more than to international standards as Bank of Bahrain and Ministry loyal customers, the Thimaar 170,000 shareholders of 100 na- recommended by IOSCO,” the of Health directives, and to loyalty draws offer 90 monthly tionalities, a statement said. statement added. doing its part to help contain prizes to customers who have Payment will be through IBAN Looking ahead, Senior Di- the Coronavirus (COVID-19) not won a prize in the past year. Transfers directly into desig- rector of Operations at Bahrain outbreak,” Ithmaar Bank Gen- There are also 60 Junior prizes nated bank accounts, myShare Payment will be through IBAN Transfers directly into a designated bank account, Clear Abdulla Jaffar Abdin said eral Manager, Retail Banking for the Bank’s younger cus- Cards and cheques. myShare Card and cheque payments that Bahrain Clear will continue Group, Mohammed Janahi. tomers. Additionally, this year, “We are committed to en - to roll out a range of integrated Thimaar, Arabic for fruits or Thimaar will distribute prizes hancing the overall investor ex- paperless transactions, said Vice dividends, which will also allow solutions to enhance overall in- harvest, is a prize-based saving to two monthly Elite custom- perience by facilitating cash div- Chairman and Managing Direc- shareholders to access e-Servic- vestor experience. account that Ithmaar Bank in- ers for depositing amounts of idend distribution and making tor of Bahrain Clear, Sh. Khalifa es available to view their current Bahrain Clear is a fully owned troduced to help encourage its BD 50,000 and above. the payment process more effi- bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. portfolio, Bahrain Clear said. subsidiary of Bahrain Bourse customers to save. To mark the Along with cash prizes, the cient through direct deposit into KYC information will be up- Bahrain Clear further said its with a disclosed capital of 5 mil- account’s tenth anniversary, Thimaar account offers a prof- their bank accounts, resulting in dated to facilitate the swift dis- clearing, settlement, Central lion Bahraini Dinars and a paid- the Bank announced it is of- it rate on the balance main- tangible real-time service and tribution of current dividends Depository and Registry infra- up capital of 1 million Bahraini fering more prizes and more tained. ensures transformation towards as well as any past unclaimed structure are currently being Dinars. IEA predicts ‘worst year in the history’ of oil sector AFP | Paris group. ance the market immediately. he coronavirus outbreak will G20 countries have agreed to “But by lowering the peak of Tslash global oil demand in support the OPEC+ cuts. the supply overhang and flat- 2020 to erase a decade of growth The combined effort “takes us tening the curve of the build-up and set up “the worst year in the right back to below 90 mbd a day in stocks, they help a complex history” of the sector, the Inter- which is a level of production system absorb the worst of this national Energy Agency (IEA) for the world which we haven’t crisis, whose consequences for said yesterday. seen since back in 2011,” said the oil market remain very un- Demand is projected to plum- Atkinson. certain in the short term.” met by a record 9.3 million bar- On Tuesday, the Internation- rels per day (mbd) for the year al Monetary Fund ( IMF) said ‘Economic meltdown’ as a whole, with 29 mbd in the the coronavirus pandemic was Birol said the oil price crash month of April, and 26 mbd in pushing the world into its deep- would likely to cause a “huge May -- “staggering numbers”, est recession in a century, with decline” in global emissions of according to the agency’s exec- economic output expected to planet-warming carbon emis- utive director Fatih Birol. shrink three percent. sions this year. “I believe in a few years’ time, This means that “ COVID-19 “But in my view this is not when you look at 2020 we may results in one year of growth a reason to celebrate because well see that it was the worst lost of the global economy and this decline is happening be - year in the history of global oil almost a decade of growth lost cause there is an economic melt- markets,” he told reporters on a The IEA said measures taken to bolster the global economy and to reduce oil supply should allow a “gradual” recovery in in global oil markets,” said Birol. down, the energy industry is in teleconference. the second half of the year “The volatility we are seeing many parts almost collapsing “During this terrible year, the in oil markets is detrimental to and many people are losing their second quarter may very well brought to their knees and air, should allow demand to start Atkinson, head of the agency’s the global economy at a time that lives. be the worst of the lot and... rail and road traffic slashed as exceeding supply again by the oil division, told the briefing. we can least afford it.” “We shouldn’t forget that if April may very well be the worst non-essential businesses were second half of 2020, assuming “But obviously there’s still a Oil prices extended their there is a rebound of the econ- month.” closed and hundreds of millions population lockdowns to curb long way to go before we reach slump Wednesday, with WTI hit- omy... we may well see a big re- The projected figures for this of people around the world virus spread are lifted. that point.” ting the lowest level since 2002 bound of emissions as well.” month were last seen in 1995, placed in lockdown. “Once the declines in oil de- as the output cuts were deemed In 2009, after the global eco- said Birol, describing this as The epidemic has killed more mand start to reduce and once Decade of growth lost not enough. nomic crisis, emissions declined “Black April in the history of than 123,000 people since it first the impact of the production In total, producers have un- The benchmark WTI contract by 0.4 gigatonnes only to rise the oil industry.” emerged in China in December. cuts from the OPEC+ agreement dertaken to cut supply by about tumbled to $19.20 per barrel, it again by 1.7 gigatonnes the fol- The global economy has been The IEA said measures taken and non-OPEC producers start to 12 million barrels a day in May, lowest level in 18 years. lowing year -- the highest in- hard hit by the coronavirus out- by the OPEC+ group and other oil bite, we start to see a recovery in Atkinson said, including 9.7 mil- The IEA report said the OPEC+ crease in the last 50 years, said break, with many industries producing nations to cut output the second half of the year,” Neil lion mbd pledged by the OPEC+ and G20 actions “won’t rebal- Birol. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 05

US may stall massive IMF US cos walk legal tightrope Apple releases budget liquidity boost iPhone SE priced at $399 Reuters | Washington as earnings season kicks off Reuters Reuters | Washington he United States may pple Inc yesterday released Tprevent the Interna- S companies are grap - Aa smaller iPhone priced at tional Monetary Fund from Upling with how best to $399, cutting the starting price for deploying one of its most provide guidance on their the company’s smartphone line powerful tools to help coun- earnings outlook as the novel in a move to broaden its appeal tries fight the impact of the coronavirus takes uncertain- to budget-conscious customers coronavirus this week: cre- ty to new heights and expos- as the coronavirus hobbles the ating a new allocation of es them to potential share- global economy. Special Drawing Rights. holder lawsuits if forecasts The lower-cost model could Economists, finance min- prove misplaced. also attract more consumers to isters and non-profit groups Measures to contain the Apple services, a growing driver are behind the creation of virus have shuttered busi- of revenue. the new rights, known as nesses, wiped nearly $5 tril- A trader puts on his jacket on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange The iPhone SE, available April Apple Inc’s second generation iPhone SE SDRs, a move akin to a cen- lion off US stock markets, (NYSE) as the building prepares to close indefinitely due to the 24, is the second generation of a tral bank “printing” new put 16 million Americans coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in New York previous value model. It will start of the novel coronavirus. money. It could provide out of work, and plunged harbors specifying that cer- of the risk cannot be con - at $50 less than what was previ- Apple will begin selling the as much as $500 billion in the country into recession, tain statements do not vio- firmed.” ously the cheapest iPhone avail- new model online while its stores urgently needed liquidity posing unique challenges as late securities law. But while Johnson & Johnson (JN- able, the $449 iPhone 8, which around the world are closed, ex- for the IMF’s 189 member companies head into earn- those should protect com- J.N), the first major U.S. drug- will be retired. The SE comes with cept those within its greater Chi- countries. ings season. panies from an SEC penalty, maker to report earnings, on a 4.7-inch display and the same na sales region. Apple will start The Trump administra- With the future clouded in they may not shield them Tuesday cut its 2020 profit processor chip as Apple’s most taking orders for the phone on tion doesn’t want Iran and doubt, the securities regula- from investor litigation, law- forecast and predicted a year- advanced phone, the 11 Pro. The its website on Friday, with deliv- China to have access to bil- tor last week urged compa- yers said. end recovery in its medical SE lacks 5G capability and Apple’s ery of devices expected to start lions of dollars in new re- nies to discuss in disclosures False forward-looking device business, while also facial recognition system to un- April 24. sources with no conditions, and investor calls how their statements were cited in dedicating its cautionary lock the device, instead relying Apple gets about 31pc of its two of the sources said. operations and financial con- roughly half of federal class note on forward-looking on a fingerprint sensor similar to sales from its elegant stores and SDRs, based on dollars, ditions may change as efforts action lawsuits over the past statements to the spectrum older models. website, with 69pc coming from euro, yen, sterling and yuan, to fight the virus progress five years, excluding those of uncertainties caused by Every previous iPhone has been partners such as mobile carriers are the IMF’s official unit of with testing and monitoring. related to mergers and ac- the virus. unveiled in a polished presenta- and other retailers. exchange. Member coun- The Securities and Ex - quisitions, according to data Likewise on Tuesday, tion in front of fans, but large Apple said partners would de- tries hold them at the Fund change Commission (SEC) compiled by Cornerstone Wells Fargo & Co’s CEO Char- events remain banned in Apple’s cide whether to sell the phones in in proportion to their share- said that by providing broad Research. lie Scharf provided some home base of Santa Clara County, their physical stores. holdings. guidance, corporate America Lawyers said companies heavily couched guidance California, where public officials Many of Apple’s resellers are would help paint a clearer should disclose potential ar- on future loan loss reserves, ordered the first lockdowns in the trying to guide customers toward picture of when the country eas of future capital raising, while the bank also added the United States to slow the spread online sales. could get back to work — a but that they were otherwise pandemic to its safe habor Pentagon probe dilemma the White House urging clients to use extra statement listing factors that is eager to resolve as soon cautious language when pro- could cause actual results to unable to rule as possible. That could put viding an outlook, including differ from its outlook. Coronavirus impacts could include out White House companies in a legally risky specifying precisely when “Sitting here today, there position, however. management is making as- are many unknowns,” he deflation, loss of output - IMF influence on JEDI “The SEC may not second sumptions, and weaving in told analysts. Contrary to Reuters | New York contract guess issuers’ good-faith at- additional caveats. the SEC’s request, some law- tempts to provide this limited For example, Bruce New- yers said that at least for the he coronavirus pandemic and Reuters | Washington information, but the plain- some, a lawyer at Haynes & first quarter they were en- Teconomic shutdowns could tiffs’ bar may not take the Boon, said that for “added couraging clients to consider have multiple second-order im- he Pentagon’s inspec- same approach,” said Chris- cover” he was advising cli- removing outlook estimates pacts such as deflation in some Ttor general yesterday topher Bellini, chair of the ents to include the follow- altogether. economies, a loss of output, per- said it could not determine private equity practice at law ing caveat: “These projec- “It is too big a risk for is- manently-shifted supply chains whether the White House firm Cozen O’Connor. tions are based on current suers to provide meaningful and a re-evaluation of regulation, Tobias Adrian influenced the award of a The SEC has encouraged thoughts given coronavirus forward-looking statements,” the director of the International $10 billion contract to Mi- companies to use legal safe restrictions, but the extent said Bellini. Monetary Fund’s monetary and shift permanently.” crosoft Corp over Amazon capital markets department said. “The initial story was that we after several officials said “For some countries around will shut down the economy and their conversations were the world, it is dangerous to keep restart and (all is) back to normal,” privileged “presidential French court faults Amazon over virus safety, limits deliveries expanding public sector debt, be- said Adrian. “I worry the econom- communications.” cause it may be unsustainable, but ic structure gets damaged in the Paris Known as the Joint En- Amazon has one pare and deliver only “food, in the major advanced economies meantime, (that) there is scarring, terprise Defence Infra - month to carry out the hygiene and medical prod- like the US and many European businesses get shut, people are structure Cloud, or JEDI, mazon faces having its evaluation ucts,” the court said. economies, the problem is more unemployed, you can’t go back to the $10 billion cloud com- Aoperations reduced to The injunction must be one of deflationary pressures,” where you left off.” puting contract is intended a bare minimum in France outside Paris, said Amazon carried out within 24 hours, said Tobias Adrian in an interview. “I do expect some shake out to give the military better after a court ruled the e-com- France had “failed to recog- or Amazon France could face Adrian also said he was con - in the asset management indus- access to data and technol- merce giant can deliver only nise its obligations regard- fines of one million euros cerned about a persistent loss of try where some of the funds that ogy from remote locations. essential goods while the ing the security and health ($1.1 million) per day. output as the economy cannot have weaker balance sheets are hit Defense Secretary Mark Es- company evaluates its work- of its workers,” according to The ruling comes as con- be simply switched off and back harder” by corporate distress, said per said the Pentagon made ers’ risk of coronavirus ex- a ruling. sumers around the world on and there “may be a perma - Adrian. “The Fed and the Treasury its choice fairly and freely posure. While carrying out a health flock to Amazon during the nent change in the structure of the can’t protect everyone to the same without external influence. The court in Nanterre, evaluation, Amazon can pre- coronavirus lockdown. economy and supply chains may degree.” India allows rural poor to work in virus lockdown

age to make the long journey working hours staggered. Under the new home to villages, often on foot, Factory owners are required • are living in crowded shelters to try and provide dormitories guidelines to be in cities. for workers or arrange special implemented from The lockdown has also taken transport to and from the plants. April 20, agriculture place during the harvest sea- KNOW WHAT Refineries, coal production and related sectors son, with farmers worried their and some construction will also reaping and sowing cycles will be permitted. including farmers’ be severely disrupted and place The rural and industry Many fear India’s lockdown markets, logistics, further pressure on India’s food sectors make up about has pushed millions of work- repair shops and brick supply chain -- already hit by 40 per cent of India’s ers, particularly in the informal kilns will be restarted transport delays. GDP. Some 70 pc of economy, deeper into poverty. “To mitigate hardship to the India’s workforce lives in “There are no buyers and I’m public, select additional activi- selling very little,” vegetable sell- AFP | New Delhi ties will be allowed,” the Home rural regions er Waseem Ahmed at a market in Affairs Ministry said. the capital New Delhi said yes- illions of people in rural “The revised consolidated including farmers’ markets, terday, adding he did not know MIndia will be allowed back People wait in line to collect free rations from a government store during India’s guidelines are aimed at operat- logistics, repair shops and brick where or when his next meal to work next week despite a na- nationwide lockdown ing those sectors of the economy kilns will be restarted. would come from. tionwide coronavirus lockdown, which are critical from the per- Strict measures will be en - Ahmed, who is 28 and sup - the government said yesterday, the world’s second-most popu- and other labourers. spective of rural and agricultural forced, including the wearing of ports a family of 10, said he as it conceded the hardships of lous nation of 1.3 billion people In cities and towns, usually development.” face masks or coverings. couldn’t even leave the whole- shutting its vital farming econo- -- put in place in late March -- bustling streets are deserted Under the new guidelines to Some factories such as manu- sale market as local police were my were too great. have hit the poorest the hardest, with shops shuttered, while job- be implemented from April 20, facturing will also be re-opened beating anyone seen outside Restrictions on movement in including rural migrant workers less migrants who did not man- agriculture and related sectors but staffing will be limited and during the lockdown. TO GIVE REAL SERVICE YOU MUST ADD SOMETHING WHICH CANNOT QUOTE BE BOUGHT OR MEASURED WITH OF THE MONEY, AND THAT IS SINCERITY DAY AND INTEGRITY. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 DOUGLAS ADAMS

Lockdown is the world’s biggest psychological experiment - and we will pay the price

DR ELKE VAN HOOF more than 20 years ago, inter- striction of movement of people national playbooks for disaster who have potentially been ex- • With some 2.6 billion peo- response increasingly call for posed to a contagious disease”). ple around the world in this two-tent approach: one for The findings offer a glimpse of some kind of lockdown, the wounded and one to treat the what is brewing in hundreds of we are conducting argua- invisible, psychological wounds millions of households around bly the largest psycholog- of trauma. the world. In short, and perhaps ical experiment ever; In treating the COVID-19 pan- unsurprisingly, people who are • This will result in a sec- demic, the world is scrambling to quarantined are very likely to ondary epidemic of burn- build enough tents to treat those develop a wide range of symp- outs and stress-related infected with a deadly, highly toms of psychological stress and absenteeism in the latter contagious virus. In New York, disorder, including low mood, half of 2020; we see literal field hospitals in insomnia, stress, anxiety, anger, • Taking action now can the middle of Central Park. irritability, emotional exhaustion, mitigate the toxic effects But we’re not setting up the depression and post-traumatic of COVID-19 lockdowns. second tent for psychological stress symptoms. Low mood and help and we will pay the price irritability specifically stand out n the mid-1990s, France was within three to six months after as being very common, the study one of the first countries in the end of this unprecedented notes. Ithe world to adopt a revo - lockdown, at a time when we will In China, these expected men- lutionary approach for the af - need all able bodies to help the tal health effects are already be- termath of terrorist attacks and world economy recover. ing reported in the first research disasters. In addition to a medical papers about the lockdown. In field hospital or triage post, the THE MENTAL TOLL OF cases where parents were quar- French crisis response includes QUARANTINE AND LOCKDOWN antined with children, the mental setting up a psychological field health toll became even steeper. unit, a Cellule d’Urgence Médi- Currently, an estimated 2.6 bil- In one study, no less than 28% of co-Psychologique or CUMPS. lion people – one-third of the quarantined parents warranted In that second triage post, vic- world’s population – is living a diagnosis of “trauma-related tims and witnesses who were under some kind of lockdown mental health disorder”. not physically harmed receive or quarantine. This is arguably Among quarantined hospi- psychological help and are the largest psychological exper- tal staff, almost 10% reported checked for signs of needing iment ever conducted. Unfortu- “high depressive symptoms” up further post-traumatic treat- nately, we already have a good to three years after being quar- ment. In those situations, the idea of its results. In late Febru- antined. Another study report- World Health Organization rec- ary 2020, right before Europe- ing on the long-term effects of ommends protocols like R-TEP an countries mandated various SARS quarantine among health- (Recent Traumatic Episode Pro- forms of lockdowns, The Lancet care workers found a long-term tocol) and G-TEP (Group Trau- published a review of 24 studies risk for alcohol abuse, self-med- matic Episode Protocol). documenting the psychological ication and long-lasting “avoid- Since France led the way impact of quarantine (the “re- ance” behaviour. This means that

Lebanon’s austerity plan offers no real reforms

DR. DANIA KOLEILAT KHATIB pinpoint the destructive role the Reforms are impossible with central bank played by acting like the current political structure. he Lebanese govern- the government’s cashier and This government was formed only ment this week leaked the lethal instruments it utilized; when the corrupt politicians — Tits long-awaited “reform namely the financial engineering those who brought the country plan,” which is supposed to form that has been in use since 2016. It to its knees — agreed on dividing the basis for its negotiations with also admits that the banking sector the positions among themselves the International Monetary Fund is too big for the Lebanese econo- and putting their people in the key (IMF) and international donors. my, standing at about 425 percent roles, while they rule from behind The plan is well drafted with tech- of gross domestic product. the scenes. Will they allow the nical and professional language It also lays down clear objec- government to prosecute them? and it has many figures, numbers tives, such as fighting corrup - Very unlikely. and charts that are guaranteed to tion, restructuring debt and the The plan describes how the impress at first sight. However, financial system, reforming the “government will conduct an im- it is an austerity plan, where the public sector, and streamlining mediate crackdown on corruption average citizen will bear the brunt expenditures. Though the report in the public sector and appoint of bailing out the country while says the objectives will be attained well-renowned international fo- existing politicians get a free pass. if reforms are conducted and if ex- rensic specialists to retrieve the At the outset, the plan states ternal support is garnered, it still stolen funds.” It does not say who some realities that have long been fails to offer a proper execution those specialists will be accounta- denied by the political system. The mechanism, a proper timeline or ble to. The corrupt people are still plan admits that the currency is an indication as to how the Leba- in control. Will they allow them- overvalued, which hinders com- nese public and the international selves to be exposed and prosecut- petitiveness, and that the dollar donors can verify that the reforms ed? Again, very unlikely. peg is no longer sustainable. It have been conducted. The plan While the clauses about increas- recognizes that the central bank’s says that the treasury will increase ing taxes on the average citizen reserves are depleted — some- tax audits without giving any ex- are crystal clear, the narrative and thing the governor has repeatedly planation about how. The plan clauses about “reform” are very refuted. It also admits that a full- talks about tighter control of cus- vague and are used as optics to fledged IMF program cannot be toms, in ports, airports and at land Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab speaks to the media outside Beirut’s International Airport, Lebanon, April 5, 2020. lure the international community avoided. borders. Again, there is no expla- into a deal with a government that The plan makes other impor- nation of how compliance can be large part of Lebanon’s tax eva- political parties. It is almost im- for the Lebanese government or has no credibility. tant confessions. The first is to measured. Smuggling, which is a sion, is conducted by influential possible, in the current situation, security forces to stop it. The plan also carries fake opti-

Lockdown is the world’s biggest psychological Viral diplomacy TOP 4 experiment - and we will pay the price TWEETS 01 DR ELKE VAN HOOF more than 20 years ago, inter- striction of movement of people We can already see a sharp we need all able bodies to repair psychological care following YENUS S national playbooks for disaster who have potentially been ex- increase in absenteeism the economy, we can expect a disasters and major incidents. • With some 2.6 billion peo- response increasingly call for posed to a contagious disease”). in countries in lockdown. sharp spike in absenteeism and Here are a few rules of thumb: hina seems to have successfully contained the ple around the world in this two-tent approach: one for The findings offer a glimpse of People are afraid to catch burnout. coronavirus (Covid-19) infection in its territory. some kind of lockdown, the wounded and one to treat the what is brewing in hundreds of COVID-19 on the work floor We know this from many ex- • Make sure self-help inter- CThe Western world condemned China’s ap- we are conducting argua- invisible, psychological wounds millions of households around amples, ranging from absentee- ventions are in place that proach of locking down cities and towns, widespread bly the largest psycholog- of trauma. the world. In short, and perhaps and avoid work. We will see a second wave of this in ism in military units after deploy- can address the needs of resident @realDon- testing, rigorous quarantining and social distancing ical experiment ever; In treating the COVID-19 pan- unsurprisingly, people who are ment in risk areas, companies large affected populations; PaldTrump is halting procedures. They considered the practices as dra- • This will result in a sec- demic, the world is scrambling to quarantined are very likely to three to six months. that were close to Ground Zero in • Educate people about the funding of the World conian methods and violation of people’s right of ondary epidemic of burn- build enough tents to treat those develop a wide range of symp- 9/11 and medical professionals in expected psychological Health Organization movement. However, the policy has worked. Western outs and stress-related infected with a deadly, highly toms of psychological stress and regions with outbreaks of Ebola, impact and reactions to while a review is con - countries are now implementing the lockdown of cit- absenteeism in the latter contagious virus. In New York, disorder, including low mood, SARS and MERS. trauma if they are inter- ducted to assess WHO’s ies business themselves. The US, Denmark, Ireland, half of 2020; we see literal field hospitals in insomnia, stress, anxiety, anger, In general, we know at-risk ested in receiving it. Make role in mismanaging the UK, Italy and Spain, among others, are practicing the • Taking action now can the middle of Central Park. irritability, emotional exhaustion, groups for long-term mental sure people understand Coronavirus outbreak. system. mitigate the toxic effects But we’re not setting up the depression and post-traumatic health issues will be the health- that a psychological reac- @WhiteHouse Last week, the infection rate in China came down of COVID-19 lockdowns. second tent for psychological stress symptoms. Low mood and care workers who are on the tion is normal; to a single digit. The last patient from the temporary help and we will pay the price irritability specifically stand out frontline, young people under • Launch a specific website hospital set up in Wuhan, the epicenter of the infection, n the mid-1990s, France was within three to six months after as being very common, the study years after being quarantined, 30 and children, the elderly and to address psychosocial was discharged ending the campaign in a high note. one of the first countries in the end of this unprecedented notes. some hospital workers still avoid those in precarious situations, for issues; 02 Last week, the lockdown was relaxed, and workers re- Ithe world to adopt a revo - lockdown, at a time when we will In China, these expected men- being in close contact with pa- example, owing to mental illness, • Make sure that people turned to work and normalcy appears to have restored, lutionary approach for the af - need all able bodies to help the tal health effects are already be- tients by simply not showing up disability and poverty. with acute issues can find though doctors claim that the viral infection is far from termath of terrorist attacks and world economy recover. ing reported in the first research for work. All this should surprise no the help that they need being totally controlled. disasters. In addition to a medical papers about the lockdown. In Reasons for stress abound in one; insights on the long-term • In Belgium, we recently China’s back to business is good news not only for field hospital or triage post, the THE MENTAL TOLL OF cases where parents were quar- lockdown: there is risk of infec- damage of disasters have been launched Everyone OK, containing the coronavirus but also for the economic French crisis response includes QUARANTINE AND LOCKDOWN antined with children, the mental tion, fear of becoming sick or of accepted in the field of trauma an online tool that tries to recovery of the world, which has been affected by the setting up a psychological field health toll became even steeper. losing loved ones, as well as the psychology for decades. But offer help to the affected alting funding for the pandemic. China is the blood vein of world business. It unit, a Cellule d’Urgence Médi- Currently, an estimated 2.6 bil- In one study, no less than 28% of prospect of financial hardship. while the insights are not new, population. Using exist- HWorld Health Or- accommodates majority of the international supplying co-Psychologique or CUMPS. lion people – one-third of the quarantined parents warranted All these, and many more, are the sheer scale of these lock - ing protocols and inter- ganization during a world and manufacturing establishments in the world. The In that second triage post, vic- world’s population – is living a diagnosis of “trauma-related present in this current pandemic. downs is. This time, ground zero ventions, we launched our health crisis is as danger- disruption of supply chains coupled with the closing tims and witnesses who were under some kind of lockdown mental health disorder”. is not a quarantined village or digital self-help tool in as ous as it sounds. Their of factories and the locking down of cities has caused not physically harmed receive or quarantine. This is arguably Among quarantined hospi- THE SECOND EPIDEMIC AND town or region; a third of the little as two weeks. work is slowing the spread business to a halt and brought about psychological help and are the largest psychological exper- tal staff, almost 10% reported SETTING UP THE SECOND TENT global population is dealing with When it comes to offering of COVID-19 and if that huge economic losses, rarely seen in checked for signs of needing iment ever conducted. Unfortu- “high depressive symptoms” up ONLINE these intense stressors. We need psychological support to their work is stopped no other Developed human history. further post-traumatic treat- nately, we already have a good to three years after being quar- to act now to mitigate the toxic populations, most countries are organization can replace After being successful in containment. In those situations, the idea of its results. In late Febru- antined. Another study report- We can already see a sharp in- effects of this lockdown. late to react, as they were to the them. The world needs @ nations with the ing the viral infection, China is now World Health Organization rec- ary 2020, right before Europe- ing on the long-term effects of crease in absenteeism in coun- novel coronavirus. Better late WHO now more than ever. financial means trying to export not only commodi- ommends protocols like R-TEP an countries mandated various SARS quarantine among health- tries in lockdown. People are WHAT GOVERNMENTS AND than never. @BillGates and expertise need ties to countries but also sharing its (Recent Traumatic Episode Pro- forms of lockdowns, The Lancet care workers found a long-term afraid to catch COVID-19 on the NGOS CAN AND SHOULD DO to practice viral experience in handling the corona- tocol) and G-TEP (Group Trau- published a review of 24 studies risk for alcohol abuse, self-med- work floor and avoid work. We TODAY (Dr Elke Van Hoof, Professor, virus pandemic to the most affected matic Episode Protocol). documenting the psychological ication and long-lasting “avoid- will see a second wave of this in There is broad consensus health psychology and primary care diplomacy. It is countries. From Asia, to Europe and Since France led the way impact of quarantine (the “re- ance” behaviour. This means that three to six months. Just when among academics about the psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel.) 03 the need of the Africa, China and Chinese business hour if countries people are supplying testing kits, are to contain the facemasks and other protective gears free. Previously it has sent testing virus and mitigate kits to Iran to help it cope with the its impacts both increasing infection. The lack of test- economically and ing kits and its inability to screen y Administration socially. suspects has led to exponential in- Mis committed to crease of patients in the country. Ali protecting the Home- Baba business group chairperson land from the scourge of has supplied millions of testing kits, Lebanon’s austerity plan offers no real reforms narco-terrorists and traf- facemasks and gloves to virtually all African countries. fickers seeking to desta- Each country got its rationed amount. bilize the United States In Europe, Chinese doctors with the necessary and our Hemisphere. Our medical equipment have traveled to Italy to help DR. DANIA KOLEILAT KHATIB pinpoint the destructive role the Reforms are impossible with When the average citizen is the plan proposes raising tariffs — preserved. It fails to mention the military deployments in those medical staff engaged in screening and treating central bank played by acting like the current political structure. asked to give up his hard- an ultimate turn-off for investors. funds of influential politicians, the Caribbean & Eastern patients. In the absence of European cooperation, Ser- he Lebanese govern- the government’s cashier and This government was formed only The plan calls for the central which are kept intact overseas. Pacific will endure until bian president has requested China for help. European ment this week leaked the lethal instruments it utilized; when the corrupt politicians — earned savings and bear bank to be audited. This is an im- Though in reality the plan has these threats are neutral- countries failed to cooperate among themselves, let Tits long-awaited “reform namely the financial engineering those who brought the country increasing taxes that will portant step, as no one knows the no real substance, the interna- ized! alone, to assist poor nations in Asia and Africa. Italy, plan,” which is supposed to form that has been in use since 2016. It to its knees — agreed on dividing make him poorer in order real amount of the reserves, with tional community can still use it @realDonaldTrump one of the most affected country received assistance the basis for its negotiations with also admits that the banking sector the positions among themselves to bail out Lebanon, the only estimates available. It hints to put requests forward and start from countries millions of kilometers away while its the International Monetary Fund is too big for the Lebanese econo- and putting their people in the key least he can get in return at a “haircut” without using the a dialogue with the government in neighbors closed their doors. (IMF) and international donors. my, standing at about 425 percent roles, while they rule from behind is to see the people who term. It uses more eloquent word- an effort to save the country. The The Coronavirus pandemic has exposed the weak- The plan is well drafted with tech- of gross domestic product. the scenes. Will they allow the drove the country to this ing: A “bail-in.” It comes up with document says that external finan- 04 ness of European Union as a block both politically nical and professional language It also lays down clear objec- government to prosecute them? creative ways of telling people cial support and help to conduct and economically. Italy and other European Union and it has many figures, numbers tives, such as fighting corrup - Very unlikely. situation brought to justice. they are basically going to lose an government reforms are needed. members have received material and manpower supply and charts that are guaranteed to tion, restructuring debt and the The plan describes how the important chunk of their deposits. This can be a point the CEDRE from unexpected countries that have come forward to impress at first sight. However, financial system, reforming the “government will conduct an im- Depositors will be compensated conference donors’ committee assist them. Russia and Cuba have supplied doctors it is an austerity plan, where the public sector, and streamlining mediate crackdown on corruption by shares in the banks that lost and the IMF can use. They can ask and medical equipment to deal with the coronavirus, average citizen will bear the brunt expenditures. Though the report in the public sector and appoint their money or from the proceeds the central bank and the Ministry to which the Italians seem to have appreciated. Even of bailing out the country while says the objectives will be attained well-renowned international fo- of funds where money retrieved of Finance to be accountable to Somalia, an Eastern African country, best known for existing politicians get a free pass. if reforms are conducted and if ex- rensic specialists to retrieve the from corrupt politicians will be them directly. This will control hen it comes to suffering from frequent bombings and Al Shabab At the outset, the plan states ternal support is garnered, it still stolen funds.” It does not say who mism. It supposes that the govern- injected. This means that, once the current corruption. Most im- Wthe month of Feb- terrorist attacks has sent about 20 doctors to Italy to some realities that have long been fails to offer a proper execution those specialists will be accounta- ment will, in the medium term, be money from corrupt politicians portantly, the donor community ruary, most Democrats contribute to containing the pandemic. denied by the political system. The mechanism, a proper timeline or ble to. The corrupt people are still able to go back to the capital mar- is recovered, depositors will be should ask the government to give and the media were more We have witnessed time again that international plan admits that the currency is an indication as to how the Leba- in control. Will they allow them- ket — i.e., to issue bonds and other repaid. It says that the banking it a list of politicians and officials it worried about impeach- cooperation remains at the center of defeating the viral overvalued, which hinders com- nese public and the international selves to be exposed and prosecut- instruments to raise money. This sector will contribute to the “re- intends to investigate. And the doing President @realDon- pandemic. And it all starts with diplomacy, what pun- petitiveness, and that the dollar donors can verify that the reforms ed? Again, very unlikely. is, even in the best-case scenario, structuring of the central bank nors’ committee should be the one aldTrump than corona- dits have called as ‘viral diplomacy’. The viral diploma- peg is no longer sustainable. It have been conducted. The plan While the clauses about increas- unattainable. It also has lots of liabilities.” It does not say who contracting the forensic experts. virus. cies practiced by China, Russia, Cuba and Somalia have recognizes that the central bank’s says that the treasury will increase ing taxes on the average citizen gaps. For example, it mentions at- exactly is going to foot the bill. It When the average citizen is @LindseyGrahamSC no doubt saved the lives of ordinary Italians which in reserves are depleted — some- tax audits without giving any ex- are crystal clear, the narrative and tracting foreign direct investment proposes a “fair, targeted and pro- asked to give up his hard-earned turn plays a dominant role in containing the spread of thing the governor has repeatedly planation about how. The plan clauses about “reform” are very (FDI) but does not describe any portionate” contribution by “large savings and bear increasing taxes the coronavirus infection world-wide. refuted. It also admits that a full- talks about tighter control of cus- vague and are used as optics to incentives. An important factor depositors.” It does not describe that will make him poorer in or- Disclaimer: (Views expressed Developed nations with the financial means and Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab speaks to the media outside Beirut’s International Airport, Lebanon, April 5, 2020. fledged IMF program cannot be toms, in ports, airports and at land lure the international community is to encourage FDI to lower the how gradually the bail-in will be der to bail out Lebanon, the least by columnists are personal and expertise need to practice viral diplomacy. It is the avoided. borders. Again, there is no expla- into a deal with a government that cost of energy, which is very high performed or what the bench- he can get in return is to see the need not necessarily reflect our need of the hour if countries are to contain the vi- The plan makes other impor- nation of how compliance can be large part of Lebanon’s tax eva- political parties. It is almost im- for the Lebanese government or has no credibility. in Lebanon. However, instead of mark is. It says that the assets of people who drove the country to editorial stances) rus and mitigate its impacts both economically and tant confessions. The first is to measured. Smuggling, which is a sion, is conducted by influential possible, in the current situation, security forces to stop it. The plan also carries fake opti- decreasing the cost of production, 90 percent of depositors will be this situation brought to justice. socially.

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Chairman & Managing Director P Unnikrishnan | Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 38444680, Email: [email protected] Subscription & circulation: Tel: 36458394 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing 08 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 world Trump’s move to cut WHO funding prompts criticism Reuters | Washington/Sydney China’s Wuhan province, where stop this virus and its shatter- to make our contributions.” an organisation does a lot of im- the virus was first identified, ing consequences,” he said in a China urged the United States portant work including here in S President Donald Trump that conflicted with Beijing’s statement. yesterday to fulfil its obliga - our region in the Pacific and we Uyesterday halted funding to accounts about the spread and The United States is the big- tions to WHO. Foreign Ministry work closely with them,” Mor- the World Health Organisation “parroted and publicly en - gest overall donor to the WHO, spokesman Zhao Lijian said the rison told an Australian radio over its handling of the coro - dorsed” the idea that human contributing more than $400 pandemic was at a critical stage station. navirus pandemic, prompting to human transmission was not million in 2019, roughly 15% of and that Washington’s decision “We are not going to throw the criticism from other countries happening, Trump said. its budget. would affect the whole world. baby out of with the bathwater and medical experts as the glob- “The WHO failed in this basic New Zealand Prime Minister Australian Prime Minister here, but they are also not im- al death toll mounted. duty and must be held account- Jacinda Ardern said the WHO Scott Morrison said he sym - mune from criticism.” The Geneva-based organi- able,” Trump told a White House was essential to tackling the pathised with Trump’s criti- John Sawers, the former head sation had promoted China’s news conference on Tuesday. pandemic. cisms of the WHO, especially of Britain’s MI6 foreign intelli- “disinformation” about the vi- UN Secretary-General Antonio “At a time like this when we its “unfathomable” support of gence service, said China con- rus that likely led to a wider Guterres said it was not the time need to be sharing information re-opening China’s “wet mar- cealed crucial information about outbreak than otherwise would to reduce resources for the WHO. and we need to have advice we kets”, where freshly slaugh - the outbreak from the rest of the have occurred, Trump said. “Now is the time for unity and can rely on, the WHO has provid- tered, and live, animals are world and that it would be better WHO had failed to investigate for the international community ed that,” she said. “We will con- sold. to hold China responsible rather credible reports from sources in US President Donald Trump to work together in solidarity to tinue to support it and continue “But that said, the WHO also as than the WHO.

74m in Arab world lack hand-washing Apple data show dramatic Global Countries worst affected facility: UN impact of virus on movement Covid-19 Cases: Country Total cases New deaths Total Apple COVID-19 mobility trends Deaths USA 622,923 +1,539 27,586 The US tech giant has launched a new website (https://www.apple.com/covid19/mobility) to 2,051,008 Spain 177,633 +324 18,579 show how the Coronovirus pandemic has affected movements around the world Deaths Charts show the changes in Italy 165,155 +578 21,645 volume of people driving, France 147,863 +1,438 17,167 walking compared to January 13, 2020 132,889 Germany 133,154 +97 3,592 UK 98,476 +761 12,868 Data based on requests for Recovered: directions in Apple Maps China 82,295 +1 3,342 Volunteers teach a child how Iran 76,389 +94 4,777 to wash his hands properly at a 507,890 Turkey 69,392 +115 1,518 camp for displaced Syrians in a Active cases village north of Idlib Belgium 33,573 +283 4,440 Netherlands 28,153 +189 3,134 AFP | Beirut 1,410,079 Canada 27,557 +51 954 ome 74 million people Closed cases Switzerland 26,336 +65 1,239 Sin the water-scarce Arab Brazil 26,113 +58 1,590 region are at greater risk of AFP | Hong Kong marched into Europe saw transit and walking catching the novel coronavi- and North America, and down by more than 80 640,774 Russia 24,490 +28 198 rus because they lack a sink pple has launched the Apple data show the percent in March as the Portugal 18,091 +32 599 or soap at home, the United Aa new website that severe impact on move- crisis worsened. New cases Nations said yesterday . shows with striking ment in those regions. A similar drop was Ireland 12,547 +38 444 This includes 31 million graphs how the coro - Rome saw a staggering seen in Sydney in March India 12,320 +12 405 people in Sudan, more than navirus pandemic has drop in mobility num- as Australia strength- 14 million in war-torn Yem- slammed the brakes on bers -- more than 90 ened its social distanc- +52,993 Israel 12,200 +3 126 en and 9.9 million in Egypt, life around the world. percent -- starting ear- ing policies. Sweden 11,927 +170 1,203 a UN report said. The tool visualises the ly March. London fol- In Singapore, mobili- New deaths “While it has been agreed movement of people in lowed within a couple of ty figures were reduced Ireland 11,479 406 worldwide that hand-wash- dozens of major cities weeks with a plunge in but not dramatically S. Korea 10,591 +3 225 ing with soap and water is and countries around transit figures of nearly since January, but fol- the best prevention against the world based on the 90 percent. lowing a surge in cases +6,284 Japan 8,100 146 COVID-19 contagion, this number of requests New York City, the ep- and a lockdown imposed Ecuador 7,858 +19 388 simple act proves to be dif- made for directions on icentre of the outbreak earlier this month, they ficult in a region where 74 Apple Maps since Jan- in the United States, plunged. Poland 7,582 +23 286 million people lack access uary 13. Norway 6,740 +6 145 to a basic hand-washing fa- It shows the dramatic Mobility changes in Bahrain (Google data) cility,” the UN’s Economic drop in the number of n Bahrain, Denmark 6,681 +10 309 and Social Commission for users driving, walking Iaccording to Australia 6,447 +2 63 Western Asia said. or taking public transit Google’s report “It is urgent to ensure as governments around based on April Pakistan 5,988 +11 107 access to clean water and the world rolled out 5, 2020 data, Philippines 5,453 +14 349 sanitation services to every- increasingly stringent mobility trends 5,136 one everywhere, at no cost containment measures for places like Indonesia +10 469 for those who cannot afford to stop the spread of the restaurants, ca- Malaysia 5,072 +1 83 it, in order to avoid further deadly virus. fes, shopping Middle East Figures as of closing spread of the coronavirus,” Apple said Tuesday centres, theme Country Total new Total New Total Active Serious, Tot ESCWA Executive Secretary that the purpose of the parks, muse- cases cases deaths Deaths recovered cases Critical cases/1m Rola Dashti said. new website was to help ums, libraries, pop About 87 million people global efforts to try and and movie the- in the region also lack ac- stop the spread of COV- atres recorded a 39pc decline Bahrain 1,673 +143 7 663 1,003 3 982 cess to drinking water at ID-19 by giving insights from the baseline. The baseline Saudi home, forcing them to col- into the movement of is the median value, for the corre- Arabia 5,862 +493 79 +6 931 4,852 71 168 lect it from a public source people to governments sponding day of the week, during and similarly threatening and health authorities. the 5 weeks from Jan 3–Feb 6, UAE 4,933 28 933 3,972 1 499 their health, the UN agency Hong Kong and Seoul, 2020. Kuwait warned. among the first places Mobility trends for parks, beaches, public gar- 1,405 +50 3 206 1,196 31 329 In a region where 10 out hit by the virus after it dens show a 31pc decline. Oman of 22 countries have insuf- emerged in mainland Public transport hubs such as subway, bus, and 910 +97 4 131 775 3 178 ficient piped water supply, China, saw mobility train stations recorded a 32pc decline. Jordan more hand-washing was numbers drop by as Mobility trends for places of work show a 24pc 397 7 235 155 5 39 likely to increase household much as 60 percent from decline. Iraq demand by four million to the second half of Jan- Meanwhile, mobility trends for places of resi- 1,415 +15 79 +1 812 524 35 five million cubic metres, uary.In the weeks that dence recorded a 15pc increase. Egypt it said. followed, the disease 2,350 178 589 1,583 23 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 09

Latest developments ‘The virus is here to stay’ On-off social distancing may be needed until 2022: Harvard study

about how strong a previously The duration and infected person’s immunity is intensity• of lockdowns and how long it lasts. can be relaxed as Virus likely here to stay treatments and vaccines At present the best guesses become available based on closely-related coronaviruses are that it will confer some immunity, for up to AFP | Washington about a year. There might also A man wearing a face mask and a plastic bag on his head rides be some cross-protective im- a bicycle on a street in Wuhan, China’s central Hubei province. one-time lockdown munity against COVID-19 if a Japan’s third-biggest city has appealed for donations of won’t halt the novel person is infected by a common raincoats to be used as personal protection gear by hospital Acoronavirus and repeat- cold-causing betacoronavirus. workers dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. The shortage of proper ed periods of social distancing One thing however is almost protective clothing in Osaka is so acute that some health workers are resorting to may be required into 2022 to certain: the virus is here to stay. wearing garbage bags over their scrubs. prevent hospitals from being The team said it was highly The US flag is seen at half-mast at the almost deserted Times Square on April South Korean voters turned overwhelmed, Harvard scien- 13, 2020 in New York City unlikely that immunity will be tists who modelled the pandem- strong enough and last long out in force yesterday to ic’s trajectory said Tuesday. would occur when the measures enough that COVID-19 will die back President Moon Jae-in’s Their study comes as the US are eased. out after an initial wave, as was handling of the coronavirus enters the peak of its COVID-19 “By permitting periods of the case with the SARS outbreak epidemic, putting on caseload and states eye an even- transmission that reach high- of 2002-2003. compulsory face masks and tual easing of tough lockdown We found that one- er prevalence than otherwise Antibody tests that have just gloves to give his Democratic measures. time social distancing would be possible, they allow an entered the market and look for party a parliamentary majority The Harvard team’s comput- measures are likely accelerated acquisition of herd whether a person has been pre- according to exit polls. Turnout was the highest for a generation, and an er simulation, which was pub- to be insufficient immunity,” said co-author Marc viously infected will be crucial exit poll by national broadcaster KBS projected the ruling Democratic party and a lished in a paper in the journal to maintain the Lipsitch. in answering these vital ques- sister organisation would take between 155 and 178 places in the 300-seat National Science, assumed that COVID-19 incidence of SARS- Conversely, too much social tions about immunity, they ar- Assembly. It predicted the main opposition United Front Party (UFP) and its sister will become seasonal, like close- CoV-2 within the distancing without respite can gued, and a vaccine remains the grouping would take between 107 and 130 seats. ly related coronaviruses that be a bad thing. Under one mod- ultimate weapon. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda cause the common cold, with limits of critical care eled scenario “the social dis- Outside experts praised the higher transmission rates in capacity in the United tancing was so effective that vir- paper even as they emphasized Ardern announced she will take a colder months. States tually no population immunity how much remained unknown. 20 percent pay cut in a symbolic act But much remains unknown, is built,” the paper said, hence “This is an excellent study of solidarity with people struggling including the level of immunity LEAD AUTHOR STEPHEN KISSLER the need for an intermittent ap- that uses mathematical models financially during the coronavirus acquired by previous infection proach. to explore the dynamics of COV- pandemic. Ardern said her personal salary, those and how long it lasts, the au - The authors acknowledged a ID-19 over a period of several of her fellow ministers and of top public servants would be slashed by a fifth for six thors said. added. major drawback in their model years, in contrast to previously months. “We found that one-time Widespread viral testing is how little we currently know published studies that have fo- China reported 46 new coronavirus infections, 36 of which were imported from social distancing measures would be required in order to cused on the coming weeks or overseas, down from higher numbers in recent days. are likely to be insufficient to determine when the thresh- The team said it was months,” Mark Woolhouse, an The director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and maintain the incidence of SARS- olds to re-trigger distancing are highly unlikely that infectious disease epidemiolo- CoV-2 within the limits of crit- crossed, said the authors. gist at the University of Edin- Prevention said on Wednesday he believes 19 or 20 U.S. states immunity will be strong have had limited impact from the new coronavirus and their ical care capacity in the United The duration and intensity enough and last long burgh said. States,” lead author Stephen of lockdowns can be relaxed “It is important to recognize governors believe they may be ready to reopen by President Kissler said in a call with re - as treatments and vaccines be- enough that COVID-19 that it is a model; it is consistent Donald Trump’s May 1 target date. porters. come available. But in their ab- will die out after an with current data but is none- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday “What seems to be necessary sence, on and then off distanc- initial wave, as was the theless based on a series of as- that Russian regions would receive an additional 200 in the absence of other sorts ing would give hospitals time to case with the SARS out- sumptions -- for example about billion roubles ($2.7 billion) as a relief measure amid the new of treatments are intermittent increase critical care capacity to break of 2002-2003 acquired immunity -- that are coronavirus outbreak. Russian airlines will also get additional support - more social distancing periods,” he cater for the surge in cases that yet to be confirmed.” than 23 billion roubles, Putin told a government meeting. The World Health Organization’s COVID-19 special envoy yesterday urged countries to focus on defeating the deadly virus after the United States halted funding to the Low-key celebrations WHO over its handling of the global pandemic. for N Korea’s founder Captain Tom, 99, raises $8 million Italian boy travels a mile for internet with walk in his UK garden signal to study under tree Reuters | London (NHS) when he broke his hip Reuters | Scansano, Italy two years ago and in subse - 99-year-old war veteran quent hospital visits. welve-year-old Giulio has become a celebrity “It was literally just some- Giovanni’s studying place Pyongyang residents pay their A T respects at the giant bronze by raising at least 6.4 million thing we were doing in the has a view many people would statues of Kim Il Sung and his son pounds ($8 million) for Brit- garden to keep him walking envy - the unspoiled country- and successor Kim Jong Il ain’s health service with a walk on his recovery from his hip side of rolling hills, vineyards around his garden in the coro- operation,” Ingram told Reuters and olive groves under a Tus- Seoul navirus crisis. of how it started. can sun. Retired army captain Tom “We said we’d give him a He would prefer to partici- orth Korea marked the Moore, who has used a walking pound a lap, and thank good- pate in classes over the inter- Nanniversary of the birth frame to move around since ness I didn’t say I’d match any net from home - like his fellow of its founder Kim Il Sung in breaking his hip, has set him- money he raised!” classmates have to because of Giulio Giovannini, 12, with a tablet, subdued fashion Wednes- self the target of walking the 25 Moore, pictured with his Italy’s coronavirus lockdown a small camping table and a chair, day, with mask-wearing cit- metres around his garden 100 campaign medals from his time - but the bucolic spot under a studies on the top of a hill izens placing flowers before times before his 100th birthday as an army officer in Asia in tree 1.5 km (one mile) away is a mobile hotspot. his statue in Pyongyang as later this month. World War Two, has featured the closest with a signal. “We set everything up and the country imposes strict The story has lifted the hearts on UK news programmes and “On days when I have les- we are ready for our lessons,” anti-coronavirus measures. of a nation stuck in lockdown front pages, and his family sons I bring from home a table, said Giulio, who is in the first The grandfather of the for the last month and wea - are fielding interest from as a stool and my bag with the year of middle school. current leader Kim Jong ry of the relentless wave of far afield as the United States, tablet and all the books that “I prefer being at school be- Un was born 108 years ago grim news. So far, more than France and Australia. I need and then mum and I cause at least there I’m with and April 15 is the most im- 12,000 people with COVID-19 “He’s coming down in the come up here in the car,” Giu- friends. Here I can see them portant date in the North’s have died in British hospi - Retired British Army Captain Tom morning sprightly and lov - lio said on Wednesday, which but only via the screen. At least annual political calendar, tals, the fifth-highest total Moore, 99, walks to raise money for ing it. If the public wants to luckily was sunny with a gentle there I would see them in per- health workers, by attempting to walk where it is known as the Day globally. keep on donating then he’ll breeze. son,” he said. the length of his garden one hundred of the Sun. Moore had originally aimed times before his 100th birthday later keep on walking,” Ingram His mother drives him to His mother said she is taking But Pyongyang has im- to raise 500,000 pounds but this month, in Britain said. the spot outside the small Tus- legal action against the phone posed tight restrictions that target has been smashed can town of Scansano every company because it is taking against the pandemic that as media attention from around day because the phone line at them so long to fix the line at has swept the world since the globe has zoomed in on his home has been out of order home. emerging in neighbouring garden in Bedfordshire, central Raising money for the NHS has for months and there is no cell Until then, she will contin- China, closing its borders England. given Moore a new lease of life, phone signal there. ue to drive Giulio to the spot, and for a time quarantining His son-in-law Colin Ingram said his son-in-law, and the vet- “So, to take part in his les- where, while others might thousands of its own citi- said Moore wanted to give eran has no plans to stop, even sons, we have to come up here be tempted to enjoy nature’s zens as well as hundreds of something back after receiving SMILE though he is due to hit his 100- where we can at least get the splendours, he taps on the foreigners, and insists that such good care from the state- lap target today morning internet,” she said, explaining “classroom” app on his tablet it has not seen a single case. run National Health Service that she uses her cell phone as and starts his school day. 10 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020

Demi Lovato

Demi Selena Gomez sues gaming Lovato company for using her name, Millie is ‘not Bobby friends image without approval Brown with’ Los Angeles Selena op star Selena Gomez has filed a USD 10 million lawsuit against Millie Bobby Brown’s ‘hair- Gomez Pa mobile gaming company Los Angeles for allegedly creating a character raising’ lockdown adventures But the “Solo” hitmaker always based on her personality. Los Angeles considers Miley Cyrus a friend, In the lawsuit against the Bobby Brown is just 16 and emi Lovato admits she is calling the “Wrecking Ball” singer software and technology firm she rose to fame playing Elev- “not friends with” Sele- “awesome”. which created the appClothes s hair salons around the en in the sci-fi show “Stranger Dna Gomez, although the She added: “I love her to death Forever - Styling Game, the world are closed amid Things”. two pop stars worked together and always will, always have. But 27-year-old singer argued that Alockdown to curb the In one of her previous inter- quite early in life as children in I think she’s kind of the only one she did not give any permission spread of coronavirus, “Stranger views, Bobby Brown had said the same show. from that era that I still stay in to the creators for using her Things” star Millie Bobby Brown that she wants to make social Lovato said she never really touch with.” name, image or likeness in is trying to take proper care of media a “happy place”. felt close to Gomez, even though Lovato has a new friendship any regard. her hair at home. “Social media is one of the best they worked together as children with singer Ariana Grande with The gaming app is sold On Wednesday, Bobby Brown places in the world and one of on the show “Barney & Friends” whom she now shares a manager. by China-based Guangzhou took to Instagram and posted a the worst — it counteracts itself. before finding success with their “I love the fact that Ariana and Feidong Software Technolo- video that shows her wearing an It sends such amazing messages; own programmes, reports ace- I have such a supportive friend- gy Co. Its copyrights are held electronic hair drying cap on her it raises awareness of situations showbiz.com. ship because it’s hard to find. Two by the British firm, Mutant- head, lightening up the mood of that need to be heard. Nobody Lovato told Harper’s Bazaar: women who are in a competi- Box Interactive Limited, re- people amid the ongoing health should say it isn”t a platform for “When you grow up with some- tive industry – the whole world ported Variety. crisis. positivity and change. But then body, you’re always going to have seems to want to pit women “Defendants never requested, “Tryna keep myself enter- there are some really heartbreak- love for them, but I’m not friends against each other, so it would consulted, or informed Gomez tained with at home hair treating things to happen on social with her. I will always have love be so easy to do that. I always regarding the use of any of ments …mum and I laughed at media and I have dealt with a lot for her, and I wish everybody long for friendships with wom- her publicity rights in con- this for a while hahaha,” she of bullying online. I want to make nothing but the best.” en. I think it’s so sacred.” nection with the Game. captioned the video. it a happy place,” she had said.

Justin Bieber, Kevin America Ferrera posts Sara Deepika Padukone Hart in fundraiser empowering message Ali Khan: Our hearts, minds, souls aren’t in lockdown ‘started young’ as a Sara Ali for COVID-19 relief for expectant moms Mumbai style diva! Los Angeles Los Angeles Khan Mumbai ollywood actress Sara Ali Khan has shared elebrities like Justin Bie- ctress America Ferrera a beautiful photograph of herself along Cber and Kevin Hart are has shared an empow- Bwith some profound brainstorming. olly- signing-on to take part in All Aering message with all She says that the hearts, minds and souls are not Bwood In Challenge — a fundrais- the fellow expectant moth- in lockdown. actress er — to help feed Americans ers, sending out love to all the Sharing a stunning monochrome picture of herself Deepika affected by the ongoing coro- “pregnant mamas” during the on Instagram, she wrote: “Our hearts, minds and souls Padukone has Deepika navirus pandemic. COVID-19 outbreak. aren’t in lockdown #stayhome #staystrong#stayposi- been a diva Padukone Philadelphia 76’ers The “Superstore” star took tive #staysafe,” she captioned the image, which has since child- co-owner Michael Rubin to Instagram to share a message garnered over 1.5 million likes on social media. hood, and she has shared a launched the fundraising along with a photograph of herself She had recently shared a throwback picture to prove it. auction where a athletes, showing off her bare baby bump, re- video of herself along with her brother The actress on artistes and celebrities of- ports eonline.com. Ibrahim Ali Khan telling “knock- Wednesday took to In- fer once-in- a- “As this baby grows inside and I knock” jokes”. stagram to post a vin- lifetime ex- attempt to breathe through the fears She had also shared tips tage childhood image periences and unknowns of this time, I am think- for fans to beat lockdown to prove that her career to fans. ing of all you other mamas bringing boredom during the “started young”, leav- Bieber, new life into this world right now,” ongoing COVID-19 ing her fans in com- Hart and she wrote. lockdown. plete awe. Dwyane In the image, Deep- Wade were Kevin Hart, ika is looking cute in a among some Justin Bieber glamorous black dress of the first Three Miss Worlds unite to fight COVID-19 stigma with matching shoes and a Mumbai high-profile names to lend we are in this together hat, and is posing like a pro their names and prizes to and what is happening in with a big smile. the effort, reports dailymail. hree former beauty queens India is also happening in the “Started young…,” she wrote co.uk. -- Miss World 2017 Manushi rest of the world,” Manushi as caption for the picture. People can donate as little TChhillar from India, Miss World said. Amid the lockdown, the ac- as $10 to earn a chance to win 2016 Stephanie Del Valle from Puerto The platform will have the tress has turned into a “mas- one of the fan experiences Rico and Miss World 2018 Vanessa three former Miss Worlds, terchef”, and is treating her being offered by the celebrity Ponce from Mexico -- have come to- who are also vocal about so- husband and actor Ranveer of their choice. gether to raise awareness on coronavi- cial issues and work in the fields Singh to scrumptious meals. Bieber is offering to fly out rus and discuss how to battle the stigma awareness about COVID-19 in our re- of education, discrimination and They keep on giving their fans to the winner’s house for a of infection that is on the rise. spective countries and communities racism, speak about the need for a glimpse into their private private show of his song, “At a time like this, whatever each will be key to stop the virus in its the world to unite to fight the pan- moments through social “One less lonely girl”. one of us can do to raise as much tracks. I wanted to tell people that demic. media.

SUDOKU CROSSWORD Across 1- Swiss river; 5- Hair goop; 8- Calf-length skirt; 12- Extended family unit; 13- Yesterday’s solution Yesterday’s solution Biological subdivision; 15- Biting; 16- Throw; 17- Inactive; 18- Basic unit of heredity; 19- Large self-service retail store; 22- Feather scarf; 23- Backboard attachment; 24- Large jug or pitcher; 26- Amorous relationship; 29- Caught; 31- Orch. section; 32- Hound’s trail; 34- Flies high; 36- Melodramatic cry; 38- Use a prie-dieu; 40- ___- Ball; 41- Walked back and forth; 43- Giver; 45- Cornerstone abbr.; 46- Emphasis; 48- Furry swimmers; 50- ___ first you don’t...; 51- 1980’s movie starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore; 52- ___-mo; 54- Relaxed; 61- The ___ Ranger rode a horse called Silver; 63- Mum’s mate; 64- Teheran’s country; 65- Track; 66- Stony gray; 67- Fine and delicate; 68- Ringing instrument; 69- Wind dir.; 70- Zeno’s home; Down 1- Plays are divided up into these; 2- Baseball family name; 3- Coarse file, angry tone of voice; 4- Place in bondage; 5- Actress Rowlands; 6- Cabinet dept.; 7- Hide in the shadows; 8- Periodical, briefly; 9- Opening remark to ease tension; 10- Pebbles’s pet; 11- Notion; 13- Stunt; 14- Dutch painter Jan; 20- Narrow inlets; 21- How to play “____ the night before Christmas ...”; 25- Archer of myth; 26- Geographical reference; Place a number in the empty boxes in such 27- Insignificant; 28- Tears; 29- Pad user; 30- Apparel; 31- Dupe; 33- “The Matrix” a way that each row across, each column hero; 35- Prepared; 37- Drudge; 39- Method of raising money; 42- Distribute cards; down and each 9-box square contains all 44- Hwys.; 47- Halts; 49- Preserve, as fodder; 52- Pig; 53- Deep affection; 55- Fabric of the numbers from one to nine. ridge; 56- School orgs.; 57- Network of nerves; 58- River to the Caspian Sea; 59- Speed contest; 60- “Only Time” singer; 62- Former measure of length; 11 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 sports

Tour de France postponed to August Sane move to Bayern still 29-September 20 possible, says new agent

AFP | Berlin his country. He won the Premier Before injury contacted us about Leroy,” League title with City in 2017/18 struck, Sane’s ru- Smoljan added, with Barcelo- eroy Sane’s new agent and 2018/19. moured switch to na and Real Madrid also said says the Manchester City He seemed to be on the verge Munich had involved to be interested. Lwinger is still in the run- of joining Bayern last August a reported transfer In this season’s Champi- ning for a transfer to Bayern before he tore his cruciate knee fee in excess of ons League last 16 ties, Munich, after a potential switch ligament during the Community 100 million eu- Bayern beat Chelsea was put on hold due to a serious Shield match against Liverpool ros ($109 mil- 3-0 in London knee injury. at Wembley, holding up a pos- lion). while City ran “FC Bayern is the only club sible move. Bayern out 2-1 win- in Germany that Leroy can see Last month, Sane admitted want Sane ners over as the next step in his career,” the devastating injury was the after wingers Real Madrid Sane’s agent Damir Smoljan told “longest and hardest” of his Arjen Robben in Spain be- Tour de France competitors ride past Champs-Elysees in Paris (file photo) magazine Sport Bild yesterday. career, describing the road to and Franck Leroy fore both “He believes the conditions recovery as both mentally and Ribery both re- Sane second legs Reuters | Paris uled on Sept 27. are right there for him to achieve physically gruelling. tired at the end were post- “The Tour de France is his ultimate goal: winning the Sane returned to training of last season. poned postponed and will take place Champions League.” and played a game for City’s “The interest due to he Tour de France has this year from 29 August to 20 The 24-year-old Sane is reserves in March before the of FC Bayern is no the coro- Tbeen postponed to Aug. September,” the UCI said in a viewed as one of Germany’s Premier League fixtures were secret, but other navirus. 29-Sept 20 due to the novel statement. brightest talents and has scored halted due to the coronavirus very big European coronavirus pandemic, the “Holding this event in the five goals in 21 appearances for pandemic. teams have already International Cycling Union best conditions possible is (UCI) said yesterday. judged essential given its cen- French president Emma- tral place in cycling’s economy nuel Macron said on Monday and its exposure, in particular Copenhagen’s that no public event would for the teams that benefit on take place in the country until this occasion from unparal- England’s Curran brothers hope Santos gets three- mid-July as part of measures leled visibility.” game ban for to contain the coronavirus out- “It’s a great joy, we were break, which has infected over starting to get desperate,” to play test match together assault in Europa two million people worldwide. France’s Julian Alaphilippe, Reuters | London clash The Tour de France was due who wore the yellow jersey on to be held from June 27-July 19. last year’s race, told the France or England quick Tom Cur- The UCI added that Italy’s 2 TV channel. Fran and his all-rounder Giro and Spain’s Vuelta would Priority has been given to brother Sam, the dream is to follow the Tour in a revised the grands tours and the top play test cricket together having calendar and the men’s road one-day races, the sport’s gov- experienced it in limited-overs race at the world champion- erning body said as it extended cricket. ships in Martigny, Switzer- the suspension of elite racing Tom played both his test land, would go ahead as sched- until Aug. 1. matches during the 2017-18 Ashes tour but is more regular in one-dayers and was also part of last year’s World Cup win- Michael Santos talks to a ning squad. Klopp leads Liverpool tributes teammate during training (file Sam has played 17 tests since photo) to Hillsborough families his debut against Pakistan in Tom Curran and brother Sam Curran pose during nets (file photo) June 2018. Reuters | London AFP | London each year,” Klopp said in a vid- “I’ve only played a couple of in the same England test side Twenty20 competition is set to eo message. test matches, but I’ve definitely in 1997. be postponed indefinitely after C Copenhagen’s Michael iverpool manager Jurgen “The plan was for us to be got huge test ambitions still,” “At the minute, I’m playing in India extended a lockdown un- FSantos has been banned LKlopp and captain Jordan together at Anfield but this is Tom said in a video chat jointly the tests and he’s playing in the til at least May 3. for three games by UEFA for Henderson have delivered not possible, the only thing we with his brother. one-dayers but the dream is to Sam was keen to play under assaulting a policeman dur- messages of support to the can make sure is we are in each “Now it’s about getting that be all three formats of the game former India captain Mahendra ing a Europa League game at families of the 96 supporters other’s thoughts. balance between the two, de- for England together,” Sam said. Singh Dhoni at Chennai Super Celtic in February, European killed in the Hillsborough dis- “Believe me you have our veloping my skills and waiting “We have played a couple of Kings, while Tom was looking soccer’s governing body said aster 31 years ago. thoughts, you have our prayers for my chance. games in the one-day format forward to joining England yesterday. A final memorial service for and most of all you have our “It would be amazing to play together. To play for England team mates Ben Stokes and Jos The Uruguayan forward the victims was due to take love. You’ll never walk alone.” a test with Sam. That’s definite- in general is obviously a great Buttler at Rajasthan Royals. was charged by police af - place at Anfield yesterday, The final memorial service ly a huge ambition of ours.” privilege, but playing with your “There has been some talk ter he barged into an officer but has been postponed due was arranged after the police They have played three one- brother makes it an extra spe- about the IPL in terms of sched- while celebrating Pep Biel’s to coronavirus guidelines on commander at Hillsborough, day internationals and four cial feeling.” uling later in the year, but no- 85th minute goal in a 3-1 win mass gatherings. David Duckenfield, was found Twenty20s together. Both of them were expecting one knows,” said Sam. over the Scottish side in the “Today is the most signifi- not guilty of gross negligence Adam and Ben Hollioake to play in the Indian Premier “It might happen this year; it second leg of their round of cant date for our football club manslaughter in November. were the last brothers to play League (IPL) this month but the might be cancelled. 32 tie on Feb. 27. The policeman was looking to prevent Santos from getting any closer to away fans at Celtic Park and a Co- Hammers boss Moyes fears injury pile-up if PL resumes penhagen steward was also charged by police as tempers AFP | London clubs may need to play up to Moyes told beIN Sports on Tues- flared. three games a week in order day. “The Control, Ethics and est Ham manager David to finish this season before “Everybody’s now talking Disciplinary Body has de- WMoyes fears a rash of in- the 2020/21 campaign gets about the injuries we’re liable cided to suspend... Santos juries to players should there going. to pick up either during the for a total of three UEFA be a desperate rush to complete Moyes would prefer a four- three-week preparation time or club competition matches the Premier League season if week build-up on the training during the period where it looks for which he would be oth- the coronavirus relents suffi- ground before the current Pre- like we’ll have to play an awful erwise eligible,” UEFA said in ciently to allow the resumption mier League season resumes, lot of games in a short period of a statement. of football. should lockdown restrictions time.” Copenhagen, who defeat- The Premier League has now be relaxed and the Hammers West Ham are only above ed Celtic 4-2 on aggregate, ditched plans to get back un - boss fears the consequences if, the relegation zone on goal lost 1-0 in the first leg of derway at the start of May and as seems likely, clubs have less difference but Moyes, in his their last 16 tie at Istanbul a further complication is that a preparation time. second spell in charge of the Basaksehir last month be- number of players will be out of “I think that four weeks would east London club, was opti - fore the novel coronavirus contract in June. be ideal. But I think three weeks mistic about their long-term pandemic forced the sus- It has been suggested that will be the maximum we get,” West Ham manager David Moyes looks on during a training session (file photo) prospects. pension of the competition. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 12

McLaren boss Asian football tournaments to says virus is final go ahead this year, official says wake-up call for Ricciardo will take a unhealthy F1 pay cut, says Abiteboul

Reuters | Paris

aniel Ricciardo will take a pay cut to help Renault Dthrough the coronavirus Andreas Seidl looks on during a pandemic but talks about his race (file photo) future are already complicated, according to his Formula One Reuters | London team boss Cyril Abiteboul. The Australian is one of the he COVID-19 crisis is a Players and staff of Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia celebrate after winning the AFC sport’s highest paid drivers, Tfinal wake-up call for Champions League last year (file photo) earning as much as $25 mil - an already ‘unhealthy’ For- lion a year according to media mula One which risks losing AFP | Kuala Lumpur reports. teams unless drastic chang- Abiteboul told French news- es are made, McLaren team sia’s top football compe- paper L’Equipe that Ricciardo’s principal Andreas Seidl Atitions will go ahead this salary would not be a destabi- warned yesterday. year despite the coronavirus lising factor after the French Daniel Ricciardo poses with his helmet (file photo) Echoing his boss Zak pandemic, a senior official told KNOW WHAT carmaker furloughed most of Brown, who warned earlier AFP, although games may have their F1 staff at the Enstone of 2020. decisions without the season this month that up to four to be played behind closed factory in central England. With the Formula One season starting.” of the 10 teams could dis- doors. “It’s a discussion we’ve al- yet to start, and some fearing Asked whether it was a appear if the situation was Windsor John, general sec- The finals of the AFC ready had. Daniel has already this year’s championship may problem if Ricciardo left, the not handled correctly, Seidl retary of the Asian Football Champions League confirmed he is willing...I can have to be scrapped altogether, Frenchman replied: “It would made clear there was no Confederation (AFC), said he and AFC Cup are confirm to you that he will re- Renault could end up having to be if I had not seen it coming scaremongering going on. was confident that the AFC scheduled to take duce it,” said the Frenchman. pay the 30-year-old handsome- or anticipated it. That’s why we “It’s not just the fear, I Champions League and AFC place in November Asked whether the 30-year- ly for little return. are having discussions and have think it’s reality,” he told Cup would both be completed. old’s wages could pose an im- They may also have to make a driver academy.” reporters on a video confer- Both tournaments, featuring in March as the pandemic’s age problem, Abiteboul replied: tough choices when it comes to Formula One’s season-open- ence call. “There’s a big risk teams from throughout Asia, spread forced governments “The problem would have contract negotiations. ing race in Melbourne on that we could lose teams Central Asia and the Middle to impose strict travel restric- been if he had not accepted the “In a normal season, we March 15 was canceled with through this crisis. East, are on hold until at least tions. idea. would have started work on the Monaco Grand Prix also “I think the crisis we are the end of June after COVID-19 Both tournaments are on an “We still have to fix the terms the matter,” said Abiteboul. “We subsequently axed. Seven other in now is, let’s say, the fi - shuttered professional sport increasingly tight schedule, but, in principle, I can reassure would have evaluated Daniel’s races have been postponed and nal wake-up call... the sport worldwide. with the 32-team Champions the Renault group management performance over the first four more are likely to join the queue which was unhealthy before “Both will be played this League needing to complete committee; I do not fear it will races and started or not the first for rescheduling. and not sustainable has now year. We still have time,” John four rounds of group-stage destabilize the F1 program.” discussions. Formula One has said it hopes reached a point where we told AFP, adding that new matches in July before the Ricciardo joined Renault “We haven’t turned a wheel. to run a reduced calendar of need big changes, drastic dates for the competitions may postponed knock-out phase from Red Bull last year with a We are blind but have to plan,” 15-18 races from the European changes. be known by the end of April. begins in August. contract that runs to the end he added. “We may have to take summer. “I don’t see any signs that However, John did not rule The group phase of the AFC Formula One will not exist out matches being played Cup will also have to be com- in the next year,” he added. without fans “if that’s what pleted in a rush once matches “The biggest risk that I see the health authorities need”. resume. is that we will lose teams if The AFC is determined for The finals for both tourna- IPL ‘postponed indefinitely’ as India extends lockdown we don’t take decisive ac- both tournaments to go ahead ments -- which traditionally AFP | Mumbai the world, was inevitable af- they will find a window in the tions now.” “for sporting reasons and to take a break in July, to avoid ter the government extended a later end of the year to do it.” McLaren are one of five fulfil commercial obligations”, the worst of the Asian summer he Indian Premier League, three-week lockdown until at Media reports said all eight British-based teams to have he said. heat -- are scheduled to take Tthe world’s richest cricket least May 3. In line with other IPL teams were told yesterday furloughed staff in response His comments came after place in November. tournament, has been indefi- sports events worldwide, the of the new postponement. The to a global pandemic that the AFC on Tuesday announced Domestic leagues remain on nitely postponed because of the IPL had already been pushed reports said the BCCI may aim has stalled the season. the indefinite postponement of hold around the world, includ- coronavirus pandemic, a team back from its original start date for a tournament in Septem- Seidl said McLaren, all matches scheduled for May ing in China where the virus official said yesterday. of March 29 to April 15. ber-October. whose group includes the and June due to the virus. first emerged, but where foot- Though India’s cricket board “Yes, they have informed us The league is a huge reve - sportscar maker, were sim- The Champions League, the ball shows no sign of returning made no official announce - that the IPL stands suspended nue-earner for the BCCI and ply doing what was nec - region’s premier club com- despite optimism the outbreak ment, the further delay of the for the moment,” a team official is estimated to generate more essary to get through the petition, and the second-tier is under control. Twenty20 tournament, which told AFP on condition of ano- than $11 billion a year for the crisis. AFC Cup were both halted draws top players from around nymity. “However it is said that Indian economy.

Possible Saudi Europe bands together for BRAVE CF campaign takeover of TDT | Manama Newcastle edges RAVE Combat Federation has Bmade it one of its missions closer to take mixed martial arts to a AFP | London new level and has seen Europe as key to the development of potential takeover of the sport. Since 2018, the fast- AEnglish Premiership est-growing organisation in the side Newcastle by a Sau - world has been hosting events Amin-Ayoub-France Benoit-St-Denis-France Carl-Booth-England Enrico-Cortese-Italy di Arabian-backed group in the continent and has been appeared to move clos - signing European talent since its er on Tuesday after legal inception, back in 2016. documents were lodged Since its continental debut, at with the UK’s regulator of BRAVE CF 13 in Northern Ireland, companies. BRAVE Combat Federation has But several other pro - travelled to England, Romania, posed bids to buy the club and Slovenia, and had its debut from Mike Ashley have all in Sweden scheduled before the come to nothing during the Coronavirus pandemic forced Helen-Harper-England Jennifer-Trioreau-France Kevin-Ruart-Switzerland Monika-Kucinic-Slovenia controversial British busi- the organization to postpone its nessman’s 13 years as owner show in Stockholm. ness Shaikh Khaled bin Ham- #BRAVECombatsCovid19, and all fans, asking them to take all of the northeast side. BRAVE CF has also signed ath- ad Al Khalifa, has initiated an have been led by Carl Booth. A preemptive measures to avoid Those include a 2017 pro- letes from the UK, France, Spain, online awareness campaign in former world title contender the spread of the virus. posal put forward by Aman- Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Ire- which athletes from around the at Welterweight, the English- Booth was soon joined by his da Staveley’s PCP Capital land, Russia, Germany, Belgium, globe are empowered to share man was scheduled to make countrywoman Helen Harper, Partners, who are the firm and Poland, showing a true in- messages of hope, as well as his Super Lightweight debut who also used social media to involved in the latest possi- terest in developing the sport in videos and tutorials on how to at BRAVE CF 35, in Brazil, be- spread a message of awareness. ble purchase. the region. keep fit during the lockdown fore the show was postponed. They were followed by the likes Rany-Saadeh-Germany Documents filed at Com- BRAVE CF fighters from Eu- imposed to diminish the spread “The Bomber” then kicked off of Benoit St. Denis, Jennif - panies House last week rope have given back since the of the virus. the online awareness campaign, er Trioreau, and Amin Ayoub art (Switzerland), among others came to light on Tuesday, Coronavirus pandemic hit the European fighters have been throwing his support behind (France), Enrico Cortese (Italy), who have made sure that Europe with the papers providing world. BRAVE CF, through KHK overwhelming social media BRAVE CF’s decision to postpone Rany Saadeh (Germany), Moni- is well represented in the world- a framework for talks be- Heroes, founded by His High- with their own messages for all shows and sent a message to ka Kucinic (Slovenia), Kevin Ru- wide awareness campaign. tween PCP and Ashley.